Captain Pray has just written me that he lately sent a serjeant and two men as a patrole down below the block-house at Dobbs’ ferry as far as the ship, to observe if there was not a communication kept up with the main. The ship’s boat with the lieutenant on board came over to the Jersey shore after two deserters who had crossed—the serjeant and two men fired on the boat and drove her off—it is supposed the lieutenant was wounded. The serjeant afterwards, contrary to his orders, went down below fort Lee in the night, was attacked by the refugees, himself wounded, and with the two men taken prisoners and carried to New York, where the serjeant remains; but the two men have just arrived here, each under parole. Enclosed is a copy of one of the paroles. I have ordered them to their regiments—not to be put on duty, or to be absent until I know your pleasure respecting them. I think the paroling soldiers in this way, is a finished piece of craftiness; it was practiced by sir Guy Carleton when he commanded in Canada—and may be productive of most pernicious consequences if allowed at this time. The lads, when I told them they were not to regard such a parole, and that they must join their regiments, at once discovered that they expected to have had leave to go home. What mode of conduct they ought to observe, and whether the commissary of prisoners should give credit as for two men received, or that no regard should be paid to the paroles, your excellency’s superior wisdom can best determine.

A soldier by the name of Peter Cumings Gilbert belonging to the 2d Massachusetts regiment, has just given me the enclosed letter from the honorable mr Prescott, covering a certificate from captain Stratton of Gilbert’s surrendering himself to him—He deserted in the month of April last. I can only observe that mr Prescott is a gentleman of distinguished character in Massachusetts, and that from the appearance of the lad, he is fully sensible of his error and folly, and that he will behave better in future. I therefore beg leave to submit his case and attendant circumstances to your consideration.

In consequence of the resignation of the judge advocate general, and one of his deputies, the general courts-martial cannot transact the necessary business which lays before them. Endeavours have been used to prevail on some gentleman to act pro tempore, but it is declined—as no compensation it is said, can be allowed for it. In such case, what shall be done? I have the honor to be With the highest respect, Your Excellency’s Most obedient servant,