Dr Sir

The tenor of your letter of yesterday concerning the restraint upon the Landing of more provision & necessaries for the Army, is what I daily expected; And, in that apprehension, was obliged to postpone my request for your return to us, until it was determined by the movements of the Army, what further need there might be for your direction of the arrangements that would be requisite in consequence

It is to be suitably provided in the Naval Department that I must intreat your continuance in the troublesome Service you have hitherto directed, Hoping that your Release will now very soon take place. And I reckon you may daily Expect the Generals request for moving with your suite of Transports nearer to us, preparatory to their Return to this Anchorage.

The Fire in the North River was a[s] our Frigates moved up to co-operate in an advance of the Trops under Lord Percy towards the Enemy's Lines on York Island; But no material Injury was done by it.

When any of the Batteaux can be spared from the Army Services, the attendance of the Transports Men will be useful at their ships.

The ships of War you will of Course direct to attend you Westward as you approach near us, providing only for a stationed Convoy for the Coasting Traders supplying New York with Fuel &c; As far as to the ships off Huntingdon Bay. I am Dr Sir [&c.]

The Enclosed I trouble you with, that it may get to Capt [Roger] Curtis by the earliest opportunityー