Dear Sir,

Could you not contrive this night to take up the enemy's buoys? I have ordered Gen. [John] Armstrong to send an hundred volunteers to ease Col. [William] Thompson's of their heavy duty, for I find, that apart of Col. [Peter] Horry's regiment had most magnanimously refused to take this duty on them: We shall live I hope to thank them....I am in hopes your bridge will be finished this night; you can then be reinforced at pleasure. I am, dear sir, yours,