Dear Sir

I have had the honor to write to you some days ago, and am supris'd the bearer is not yet back as he had promis'd to do his business in N.Y. in a day or two and join me immediately—you may easely conceive that in the present circumstances news intelligences from the city must be of the highest moment to me for many Reasons²—What I particularly want to know is how many and what kind of ships they have now (this in the most particular detail)³ and how many they expect—what are theyr intentions against our fleet⁴—if they expect any naval convoy, when and from where—what is the army to do in theyr pretty narrow circumstances—in a word any thing you will believe fit interesting for the french Army fleet and our army, I beg you would let me know immediately—you may promise from me hundred guineas to any spy who will bring important intelligences—I hope that if pilots were found necessary to be sent out, it would not be a difficult matter to know where they are—I beg you would send a Legion of Spies among theyr Troops and theyr fleet, no sum of monney will be thaught too much by me if such intelligences are got that we might depend upon them—I beg you would not speack of this letter of mine to any body. 

M^r. Caldwell the quarter master living at Springfield⁵ has, says he, many spies about Staten Island. I am going to write him two lines which I beg you would forward—I do'nt make him any particular mention of the Reasons which make Render me anxious of getting news from the city, because I don't think prudent to scatter them. I schall be tomorrow at King's Ferry, and the day after I hope on the other Side⁶—you may for keeping up a close communication hire for me the best horses of the country at whatever price you may find them—my principle is that for intelligences the dearest you one pays the best it prouves for his interests. 

I beg your pardon, my dear sir to give you so much trouble, but I am now for two motives so deeply concern'd in the present affairs, that any help I may obtain from you will be the greater, and dearest mark of friendship I can ever Receive. With the most sincere Gratefulness and high Regard I have the honor [&c.]