By an unfortunate mistake of the Express I was not hond with Your Excellency’s favor of the 8th instant ’till the 15th following, immediately after which I repaired to this Place & imbraced the first Opportunity to go over to Long Island on the business proposed. I returned here this morning & have, by different Persons, procured accurate drafts of the enemy’s Forts and Returns of their land & naval forces at Lloyds Neck and Fort Slongo. I shall immediately set out for R. Island from whence will do myself the Honor to write Your Excellency again.

The British Fleet have returned to New York, & from C. I am informed that the Detachment which lately sailed from New York, under the Command of Genl Philips, was certainly composed of the Corps which he reported in his late* letter on that Subject. I have the Honor to be, with the most perfect Esteem, Your Excellency’s most Obedt Servt