[Extract]
...find every thing gitting readey with great alacrty a number of people are employed to sink Vessels logs &c &c nearly opposite to the blue bell to stop the way of the two Ships up above they lay about two miles below Tallors point Six Grandola's &c went round from the East river to the North last night which occasioned the Shiping we are told below to move up towards the town to see what we were after they intend in a few days to attack the two Ships up the river and endeavour to burn them How[e] had a reinforcement on Monday of 2000. Highlanders and we about that number from Boston by water...
2 OClock. I just Returned from the City. they say last night 40 trans-ports more arrived, am very fearful the wcjrkes we have will require such a number of hands to gaurd and work them properly that in case G Howe should land at Mareneck and at Colo Philipes that he will hem them all in and cutt off all communication by Sea and land, just as I came away a flagg set off from the Army to G. Washington but could not stay to hear the purport of it... Our Congress has passed a Resolve Acquiessing in Gen: Washington's Vacating the City when Ever he sees proper for the good of the Service...
