[Tappan, N.Y.] 5 Oct. 1780. Writing from camp at Tappan, Tupper praised Capt. Lt. David Bushnell’s naval mine and suggested that “his plan with Some Improvments might prove affectual for the distruction of a number of the Enemies Ships.” Tupper also detailed “a Slippary trick” involving “Six light boats well mand” to place the mines near British ships. He closed as follows: “if the Scetch or out-lines here drew should not be agreeable to your Excellency yet I hope that my officiousness will be excused when I assure your Excellency that it proceeds from an Enthusiastick head.”