[Extract]

The Accounts communicated yesterday thro' Lieut. [Joseph] Davison's Letter are partly confirmed, and I dare say will turn out to be true in the whole. For two or three days past three or four Ships have been drop[p]ing in and I just now received an Express from an Officer appointed to keep a look out on Staten Island, that forty five arrived at the Hook to day, some say more, and I suppose the whole fleet will be in within a day or two. I am hopeful before they are prepared to attack, that I shall get some reinforcements but be that as it may, I shall attempt to make the best disposition I can for our Troops, in order to give them a proper reception, and to prevent the ruin and destruction they are meditating against us.