[Extract]

We are going to sail in half an hour which prevents me from saying a thousand things. I shou'd imagine the commencement of this campaign will be bloody active as our G[enera]l is spurred on by a jealous notion that Carleton will gain the laurels. One ship of the 42nd Highlanders are arrived. We hope to meet the rest in the offing, with Lord Howe; if we arenot so fortunate our operations will be delay'd for this campaign or we must act with half the Army. The scheme appears rash as waiting cou'd make but a few days difference.

We leave here Genl Lesley [Alexander Leslie] with five thousand men, a very foolish man, but fortunately the People of the Province have not strength enough to raise against the measures of Government or I fear themanagement of bad Governors & a licentious Council have caused them to be disaffected. Either New York or Rhode Island will be the scene of action, from the field of battle I hope I shall next write you.