Lt. Miller has just return’d from the place where the Refugees old block house stood, about six miles below Fort Lee. By every Account he could collect, they had taken post again on Bergen Point—A company from Delancey’s Corps, he understood, had join’d Ward. He discover’d but very few Vessels in the North River.

I omitted mentioning in my last the willingness and capacity of Capt. Lawrence to render me every service in his power.1 He has declin’d his state appointment, & wishes to obtain a Commission in the Corps of sappers & miners. I presume that he would be emulous to distinguish himself, and would be agreable to Genl Du Portail in case he could obtain a Commission in that Corps.2

Ward has requested another Interview with Capt. Lawrence which will take place in a day or two when I hope to obtain some of the latest N. York Papers—I do not yet relinquish the hopes of a good opportunity presenting itself.

I beg leave to mention whether it would not be expedient to have a number of Boats kept at King’s Ferry, or occasionally at Nyack under the Care of Capt. pray, sufficient to transport this detachment. A party of Troops might be thrown across which could have a better opportunity of annoying Delancy’s Corps, and march with greater secresy to beat up his quarters, than by any other Route—The enemy’s boats come up the River but a very little distance above Spiten Devil’s Creek. So that a party could cross over to Philips’s undiscover’d.

Enclos’d I send a New York Paper of the 23d Inst.3 I have the Honor to be Yr Most Obedt & Very Humble servt