[Extract]
Dear Sir

I wrote you by the Packet that sailed the 10th of last Month the day we sailed from Halifax and have now the pleasure to acquaint you of the safe arrival of the fleet at Sandy Hook the 29th Instt after an agreeable passage of 19 days ー We found Governor Tryon at the Hook on board the Dutches of Gordon, he has with him Mr [Thomas] Barrow, Mr [John Tabor] Kempe, Oliver Delancy, Mr [Charles] Apthorp & M[r. Robert] Bayard, the three last Gentlemen made their Escape in a Cannooe from Apthorps house to the Assia lying below the Narrow, about ten Nights ago. Hugh & Alexr Wallace are hiding on Long Island, and Billy Bayard in Orange County ー Captain Kennedy is at his house at Second River and every hour threatened with distruction, H. Wallace was taken up about three Weeks ago & brought before the Commitey on Long Island, from whome he found means to procure his discharge, otherwise he wou'd have been imprisoned. Mr Prevost remains Quiet at his house in the Jerseys; the Governor & people here are surprised how he finds means to do it. I wish he had come off with other people. New York is deserted by all the inhabitants who are friends to Government, and it is now in possession of Washington & Lord Sterling at the Head of about ten thousand Connecticote & New England Rebeles, the[y]have fortified the town & all the high ts on Long Island Opposite to it ー the fleet came up from the Hook Opposite to the little town of New Utrick in Gravesend Bay on Long Island the first Instt where a landing was intended but from the want of Water on the Island & the length of the March from these to town it was (I beleive) thought better to proceed through the Narrows and land on this Island, which was Effected in the Evening of the 2d Instt without the lest opposition, a few Riffle Men made their Escape on our approach, and all the inhabitants have since come in to us and shew the Greatest Satisfaction on our Arrival, which has releived them from the most honed Opresion that can be conceaved ー the few Rebels that were on this Island displayed at the hights in the Narrows the Continantal Collours, which made us beleive they had a good Battery on that Commanding Ground but on our aproach, the Colours were puled down, and the trifling brest work that was thrown up we found deserted, its immaising the[y] did not fortify the Narrows ー which woud have anoyed us greatly, they fired a few Shot on some of the Ships as they came through, from the Long Island side without doing any mischieff ー the Army is now all landed & Cantooned all round the Island. The Head Qrs is on the Road to Elizabeth town, the House a Mr Hicks formerly lived in, but lately occupied by a Mr Banker of New York, who was a Member of the Povincial Congrass. he is treated to a Q[uarte]r on board one of the Men of War, and General Howe has taken care to give orders for his Reception Lord [Hugh] Percy Commands the troops in the Center of the Island, his Head Qrs at Richmond Genl [James] Robertson with the first Brigade from the Landing along the Road to the Dutch Church, General Picket [Robert Pigot] with the Second at the blazing Star. Genl [Daniel] Jones with the 3d from the Dutch Church to Elizh ferry, Genl [James] Grant with the forth Brigade on the road to Amboy, Brigadier [Francis] Smith with the fifth Brigade, from the landing at the Watering place to the Narrows and Brigadier [James] Agnew with the 6th Brigade at Billops ferry opposite to the town of Amboy, Brigadr [Samuel] Cleaveland with the Artillery and Broken Corps, at and about the Watering place. near which I am incamped with the people Employed in the D[eput]y Q[uarte]r M[aste]r General Department. Shirreff [William Sherriff] is with the General at Head Qrs It is said our Army will remean in their present Cantoonment, untill the arrival of the fleet from Europe under Lord Howe, which is hourly Expected. the New Yorkers who are friends to Government are very apprehensive the New England Men will set fire to the town, as soon as the[y] find they can no longer keep possession of it.... the Highland Corps have been unlucky in the Voyage out Six of their Ships are taken that we know of, and but Six Companys of the 42d & Fraziers arrived with us ー the Rebel privatiers are indifaticable, and I fear will pick up a Number of them. the last Accounts from the Southward say that Admiral Sir Rob [sic Peter] Parker had lightened his Ship and got her over the barr, at Charlestown, by taking out her Guns, which he took in again as soon as he got over, and is now opposite the town...

I have Just now come from dining with Governor Tryon at Robertson, where I met Barrow and all the Refugees. Barrow desires I will present you, his best Respects, they all remember you with great Regard. he tells me its his opinion that Nine out of the 13 Provinces will declear for Government before the last day of November.

Its said the Admiral will send the Assia, and one or two More of the Men of War, up to town the first leading Wind, to destroy a battery they have at Poullers [Paulus] Hook ferry, and on Bedlows Island ー