Your favor of the 28th of April is before me & observe the Contents. Agreeable to your request I immediately repaired to New York & have done all that in me lay to engage a proper person, but have failed as no one will write on any account. I can only obtain verbal Accounts for You & that but seldom, as the Enemy have lately been made to believe that a line of intelligence is supported here. They are jealous of every Person that they may see from this post. I have recd from You three English & seven French Guineas, the former have placed to your Credit, the latter have returned, they being not permited to pass, & consequently are of no use to me.

You may now see the following intelligence. The latest Accounts from Europe say that the Dutch have not declared war, against G. Britain, but as one of the neutral Powers, have refered their Situation to the Congress, sitting at Petersburgh, which is looked upon here as great Wisdom, & will soon be productive of Peace. The British, when I left N.Y. consisted of 7 Ships of the Line 2 of 50 & 4 of 44 Guns, & two or three smaller Ships, which on their arrival landed 7 or 800 sick & wounded & have replaced them again with negroes, boys, Carmen & Fishermen—Never was so warm a press in America before. Gentlemen’s Servants going to Market did not escape. The Fleet have laid down Staten Island, & were to sail yesterday supposed to Cruize off the Capes of Virginia. The following Regiments have embarked & are under orders for Embarkation, & Said to be bound to Virginia two Regts of Anspack—the 43d & 17th Dragoons & Infantry of the same; the remainder of the 76th & 30th do—The whole C. Junr says will amt to 2000 men, & not more than 4000 will be left in Garrison. It is a matter of surprise that they will leave the Garrison so weak, & give reason to believe that some Troops are expected from Europe, or that they are a going to make some attempt near at hand. It is reported the French army are about marching westward, if they should, the Enemy will not leave N.Y. on their Expedition—I have directed Caleb Brewster to Cross again on the 17th instant. I am your &c.