To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper, 4 June 1776
From Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper
Sloop Hester June the 4 A.D. 1776—6 oclock P.M.
Sir
the Inclosed is the Original which I have just Recd and thought Proper to Send it by express by land, it is most likely that the Indian Ship and Sloop mentioned will Sail out under Convoy of Sd Marcurey.1 I Shall Send to the Armd Vessels on the South side of long Island to look out & do the best ⟨th⟩ey can—however if it Should please Your Excell⟨en⟩cy to Send an express to Admiral Hopkins and ⟨he⟩ Should think proper to Waylay them off Nan⟨tu⟩cket Sholes I trust he might meet with Success ⟨th⟩ree men more last Night Desarted from the Lively man of war Who is Directly from Halifax but the Stupid Souls at Middletown have not yet Sent them up—N.B. it is not likely Sd Vessels will sail quite So Soon as the Desarters Informd I Shall keep a good look out while I have the Honour to be Your Excelly most obident Humble Servt
Benj. Tupper Lt Colo. of
the 21st Regt & Comr at Amboy
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. This enclosure has not been identified. The Mercury sailed for Halifax on 7 June with an armed sloop and a convoy of five vessels (New-York Gazette: and the Weekly Mercury, 10 June 1776).