I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency, the Extract of a Letter from Col. Dayton, which is just received—As this is the first Information, I thought proper to communicate it, altho, from the circumstances of the Wind & Weather at the time the fleet is said to have sailed as well as from the number of Ships of the Line (of which there were not so many at New York,) and strength of the Detachment it does not carry the strongest marks of credibility—if founded on fact, it will undoubtedly be soon confirmed, thro’ other Channels, of which I shall not fail to advise Congress. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Sir Your Excellencys Most Obed. Servant