We are at this time in the greatest distress on the approach of the Indians and tories at Minisinck—day before Yesterday early in the Morning the house of one Westbrook was beset by 15 Indians killed Westbrook & his Brother and one [Jobes], plundered the house and abused the families and after they had done went off they ware persued but without success.

Yesterday Morning Major Hetfield with his Regiment set off for their relief, he has this Evening returned left part of his men at Minisinck under the command of Captn Westfall—The Major say that it is beyond every doubt they are now lurking in the Neighbourhood & in the Woods—Day before Yesterday they took three Prisoners—Yesterday they burnt two houses and two barns, this day they took two Prisoners—the Major would not have returned yet; but having received the inclosed Copy of an intercepted Letter which induced him to think it unsafe to leave this place intirely ungarded and more especially as Cole and Huff have lately broak Gaol, and this place much threatned—the nine Months men from this Regiment are all raised but one and sent to Minisinck but with without Ammunition or Meat, and no officer to take care of them, but Westfall who was recommended to your Excellency and to which no Answer has been received—no men had arrived from any other Regiment this Afternoon—I am told the officers in the Regiments dont known what to do with their men when raised as they have received no orders for that purpose—The Tories in that part of the country are so bold & insulting that the Whigs are in the greatest fear—the inclosed copy was taken by a man in Jersey State with whom I am not acquainted, and how the Letter was intercepted I have not heard, but am apt to think there is truth in it—this Morning a bark canoe was found near Major Decker’s which was made last night by Cole and his party, who took the two Prisoners this day as is immagined—It has been thought proper to keep the inclosed a secret, least the People should leave their Habitations. I am sir your humble Servant