Dear Sir

... Yesterday morning 50 men from a Frigate and Sloop¹ landed at one Porters² below Newcastle 6 miles, and were getting Grain & Stock off, I detached a Party and all the Waggons to be had— (except such as are always held ready for a sudden Move)— with Orders to remove the Grain to Christiana Bridge w^ch. is within three or four Miles. This man has 1000 Bushells of Corn, & 2000 of Wheat which lying on the Shore, which he has had repeated Orders to move, but hitherto to no Purpose, The Grain will be moved Tomorrow & I have ordered the Party to burn his Hay if he does not also move it— these Waggons will be a drawback to the Object in View but as they were at this Duty Yesterday I thought it best not to order them off till Tomorrow when I expect it will be finished— We have drew latterly chief of our Supplies from that part of the Country to Christiana from whence they are brought down in one of the Captured Sloops—³ this Measure I judged best as the Stores & Forage in that part lye most exposed to the depredations of the Enemy— As you seem to recommend a Circular March to avoid a possibility of being intercepted I don't know but I shall touch at Fags Manor⁴ in my way up— but shall submit this to further Inquiry. 

50 Sail have passed up within this two Days 30 of which are Transport Ships & Brigs the remainder Sloops &c which seem to be loaded[;] the Transports are light and appear to have no Troops on Board they passed up under Convoy of a 64 & a Frigate—⁵ in haste remain with sincere Regard [&c.]