[Extract]
D^r. Sir,

. . . The Eagle & 25 topsail Transports with 5 Sloops & Schooners passed down yesterday, & anchored abreast and below Newcastle, in the Cove above reedy Island, Lord Howe is on board I imagine from the Flagg being hoisted on the foremast head; I dispatch'd a trusty Spy to Newcastle to discover if possible their Destination, who returned in the Evening with no other Intelligence but their Mooring & a few Boats Landing about two Miles below Newcastle, I detatched a good Officer with 100 Men & a guide last Night at 7 Oclock, to scour the Shores, intercept such as might Land, & to make discoveries, who has not yet returned.—The Evening before last I received Intelligence of 20 Sail standing up the Bay, & that they had come to, off Bomby Hook; by a Person who I had sent the Day before to discover whether there were any Ships below, & whether they had landed any Troops as was reported here, these 20 Sail got as high as Newcastle yesterday, & are now going up the River by this Place; I cannot learn where they came from, or that any Troops have been landed on this Side the Delaware below; I inclose the Informn. received from a Person who was landed by one of the Transports about five Miles above this Yesterday. . . . I have the honor to be [&c.]