I have received your Letter of the 6th and am obliged to you for the Papers & Intelligence contained therein—Altho I can by no Means imagine the Enemy will give over an Offensive Naval War, or that all the Reports respecting their granting Independence, have any other design or tendency than to lull us into a state of more profound security & inactivity, if possible.

Some time ago the Proceedings of a Court Martial held in the Jersey Brigade were sent back, on account of their wanting that formality which is requisite in Capital Cases—I have since received certain Proceedings in form of a Letter but without signature, which I return by this conveyance; and cannot but observe that such things carry too great an appearance of negligence & inattention.

Urged by public duty & private friendship, I must take the liberty of telling you, that reports unfavorable to the attention of some of the Officers of the Jersey Line have prevailed; & that the discipline of the Troops is in consequence much relaxed—I am very sensible of the difficulties which attend the Command of Troops when Cantoned in their own State and of the causes which conspire to dissipate their Morals & ruin their discipline—but let me entreat you, Sir, that the utmost care may be bestowed in preparing & training the Men for the field; & that no officer of any rank whatever, may be a single Moment absent from his Corps, without there shall be the most pressing & indispensable necessity for it—Col. Steward is now setting off to inspect the York & Jersey Brigades, I expect a particular Report by him. I am Sir &c.