I received this last night, your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th instant dated from hartford; The Intelligence your Excellency gives me of the return of the fleet of Transports on the 11th makes me believe that this convoy will wait for Arbuthnot’s fleet to sail afterwards under its protection, I hope that this will occasion a delay long enough to give our Expedition a great advance. I wait with the greatest impatience to hear from your Excellency, of your happy return at New– Windsor, in a good state of health, and some days after to have good news from Chesapeak bay. I am with respect and personal attachment, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most humble & obedient servant,