Sir,ー

I am to acknowledge the favour of your Honor's letter of the 1st instant, and to inform you that I laid it before the committee appointed to act in the recess of the General Assembly, who also conferred with Commodore Hopkins, and Mr. [Aaron] Burr upon your plan of an expedition to Long Island.

The committee upon the information and advice of Mr. [Stephen] Hopkins, a member of the General Congress, had countermanded their order for the marching of Col. [William] Richmond's regiment to New York, and had given permission to the men to enlist on board the Continental vessels fitting from this State. But anxious to do everything in their power to serve the general cause have, in consequence of the conference above ment'ioned, issued new orders to Col. Richmond to march with such of his regiment as shall not engage in the Continental vessels to proceed to New London on Friday next, and then to follow such orders as he shall receive from a general officer to be appointed by General Washington. They have also directed Mr. Bowler to send forward the whaleboats from the Massachusetts by that regiment, together with such as he can collect in this State, which will be between twenty and thirty. They have also ordered the two Row Gallies of this State to New London to strengthen the naval force as much as possible.² The Row Gallies are to be under the direction of Commodore Hopkins, who will write you by this express, and to whom I beg leave to refer you for an account of the forwardness of the Continental vessels in this State. This letter will be delivered you by Mr. Jonathan Hazard, a member of the General Assembly, whom I beg leave to recommend to your Honor's attention. I am, with great esteem and respect, Sir, [&c.]