Sir

This is just to Inform you that two Men of War & three Tenders have this Afternoon passed by our Fort & gone up the North River past Kings bridge, you will therefore take such Measures as to put the Forts under your Command in the best state of Defence Possible, to Annoy the Enemy, you are also to Dispatch Expresses along the River that no Vessels may fall into their Hands & to Give Notice to the Commanding Officer at Albany of this Manuavere, with all the Expedition Immaginable, by Command of His Excellency General Washington I am Sir [&c.]

P S I have it in Command further to Desire you would, take the Carpenters from the Vessels, which are Building at Poughkeepsie, and prepare those Vessels which were taken from the Tories, and are at Esopus & Kingston, to be made use of as fire Rafts also to make Rafts in any other Way Expeditiously, that will answer the purpose of Harrassing the Ships which are gone up the River I Am as Above

R: Carey Jun^r ADC

[Endorsed] This Letter to be forwarded to Albany by the Committee of New Windsor by Express ー

Fort Constitution July 13th 1776

James Clinton Coll
& Commander of the Forts in the
Highlands