as your Excellency laid the State of your army before the Councel last Evening and Desire’d their opinyens on the following Question⟨s⟩ (Viz.)

1 whether any operations Can be carried on with a probabillity of Success against the Enemy at Present.

2 whether it will be advizeable to move to the Eastward if So how Can the Highlans on Hudson⟨’s⟩ river be Secur’d.

4 Can any attact be made on the troops at new York with a probabillity of Success.

5 if the army moves to the Eastward how will they be Supplied with Provissions.

in answer to the first Question I think if any attact is made it must be upon the troops at or near New York, whare their works are very Strong and if Carried must be Obtained with Grait loss, and the ground when obtain’d or even if the Enemy Should leave the whole Island of New York, I Cant Concive that you’d Derive any advantage by taking posession while the Enemy Command the north & East river.

as to the Second Question if you move to the Eastward I think it will be two late to afford any relief to general Sullivan as he must Either be off the Island before your troop Can reach their or fall into the Enemys hand—besides I am of apoinyon that General Clinton will Emediatly Colect all his troops to New York and Either operrate with his whole force against you upon this Ground or take them from the Continent.

as to the article of Bread it is well known that the Eastern States Scearsly raise a Supplie for its Inhabitents, and Considering the large number of the Kings Troops Billited their, togather with the united States troops I think by this time their Stores must be nearly Exspended (I mean the article of bread).

that upon waying the whole matter your Excellency laid before the Councel I think it most Advizable to remain in your present Situation untell you know sumthing more of the Intentions of the Enemy, which I think a few days will Determen—however I may differ in Sentiment do asure your Excellency that I am ready with the graitest Cheerfulness to Execute any plan of operration you in your wisdom Shall See fitt to order—I am Sir with grait respect your Excellencys most obeden⟨t⟩ & very Hue Servent