Sir,

My last¹ to your Excellency was on my arrival at Burlington, giving an account of the Galleys getting up and the Burning the continental Fleet,² the Ship Montgomery and two Floating Batteries. Since which nothing material has happened.

The sailors belonging to the Continental Fleet went up to Borden Town, and are mostly deserted.

I have now sent up W. C. Bradford to your Excellency for some money to pay the Fleet, as the men will undoubtedly desert if they do not get their pay. I have at present 3000 Dollars. In my last acquainted you had 6000 but have been obliged to lay some out for Cattle, Potatoes, & paying off some of the Fleet, that was not paid before, of which W. B., can give some acc^t. The Fleet has had but one Hogshead of rum since they came up, and none for some time before, so that your Excellency may think what I hear as I pass by them. I am alone as to a Board. Mr. Crispin is here but am exceeding sorry to say that I am in a manner obliged to be Commissary, unless in serving it out, for if things are provided for him he does very well but will take no pains to get one thing.

By many Persons from Philada., we have accounts that the enemy are fitting out several Vessels to come up the River to attack us at this place, but if they do I hope they will be disappointed in their views. For any thing particular, I must refer to the Bearer. I am [&c.]

Bristol, Nov^r [Dec.] 4, 1777.