Dear sir

Yesterday Mr [Abraham] Vanzandt. Capt [Augustine] Lawrence & Myself. returned from the Forts, on examination we found the River considerably wider at Montgomery than at Constitution ー and the Rocks on both the shores much more difficult to fasten Chains to, at the former Place than at the latter; from what Information we have had since I saw you, think it highly probable Mr [John] Jay will succeed in procuring Cannon ー if so there is a very advantagious place to erect a Battery (Which may spedily be done) to defend a Chain at Constitution ー Which from the several Considerations ー of the Narrownes of the River ー The tides being less Rapid And the Wind not blowing in so direct a Manner up the River ー have induced me to prefer this Place to Montgomery ー

On My Return found Mr Paulding  here by him learn that the plan is laid, and carrying into Execution, for stopping the Navigation at Mount Washington ー By the Inclosed Letter from Mr [William] Duer you'l find More particulars on this subject ー that part of his Letter which refers to Your or Mr Jays going immediately to Genl Washington We much approve of ー² & Wish you could see him & conclude which to go ー & as our plan of Opperation is now laid, think it would not be amis for both to be there

Mr Paulding is now with me & Joins in this Letter. says that part of the Chain is in New York. We this day intend to send off an Express to Curtineus [Peter T. Curtenius] to send it up ー as well as 2 or 3 barrels of spirits of Turpentine if to be had ー the Chain that is in New York is made of Barrs' not more than 1. & 2 Inch square ー so that our Orders to Mr Livingston Must be altered, for it will certainly be of no use to have one part thicker than another, perhaps before you Receive this, you will have an oppertunity to Measure that part of the Chain which is at Albany, that You may be certain as to the exact size of the Iron, as Mr Paulding did not actually measure that in N. York ー

We have not sent a Coppy of Mr Duers Letter to Mr Jay because we think it highly probable they will Meet at Gov: Trumbuls Neither have we Wrote to Mr Hazlewood thinking When either You or Mr Jay or both should Arive in N.Y. that engagement would be better done than it could be by Letter ー

Our Rafts go on briskly ー The ships below are about in the Middle of[f] Haverstraw ー nothing particular ー from the Forts ー in high spirits ー tho' badly found as to Artillery ー Are sir With esteeme [&c.]

We Congratulate you on the good News from Gen: Lee ー