Last night I dispatched my Whale Boats, with six trusty oars, to Cape Charles, & Smith’s Island; or as far to Sea as prudence requires, in order to observe the movements of the Ships gone out. At ¼ past six (leaving me at the Inlet at 5 OClock) last evening, they were as far as I could well discover them with the Tellescope, towards Cape Charles; and, I doubt not, would make a safe port on the Eastern Shore by dark. They have 2 good Eastern Shore Pilots on board; one of them born there; and, I hope we shall be able to analyze all which the British attain there, by the daily excursions of their Tenders. I will not be so sanguine as to say we shall be able to discriminate our friends from our enemies; because, experience has convinced me that even Italy &c, & all peninsulated countries, are subject to the reigning power de facto: Thus we should always distrust such unfortunate districts, considering them at best, an auxiliary to success. I swam my Horse over the Inlet last night; &, today, I have been in the Lanthern of the Light House at Cape Henry:—I have seen two Ships (supposed to be the Leopard & Melampus), following their tender in towards the Light House; & the tender setting all possible Sail, to get into this Bay.—It is probable they will be up with the Triumph this afternoon. I say the Triumph, because I am told so, & I count 74 Guns on board her; but my eye sight decieves me if the Ship I formerly believed to be (& called) the Triumph is not metamorphised.—I dare not assert any thing, because I am not sure; but I am suspicious that they have changed some of their ships in the night, for deceptions sake.—I wish we had regular officers: for, I fear the Militia will all die of the Kick kicksey, with sleeping in the sun, & some of the volunteer horse may suffer a worce derangement, through the effect of an habitual & arragant vanity, which (like the devils Hog) produces more noise than veal.—

I hold myself responsible that me & mine shall be vigilant; & that you have as much, & as regular, information as truth & facts will enable us to communicate.—

I have the honor to be, Sir Yr. St.