Informs him that the Americans are sinking a chevaux de frise in the "North" [Hudson] River opposite their fort at Kings Bridge, [N.Y.] in order to prevent passage of British vessels; mentions that fire ships are being prepared but remarks that their success depends on many contingencies; informs him that the British fleet now consists of between 150-200 vessels and mentions that Hessian troops and troops from Halifax, [N.S.] have arrived; informs him that new levies from New England and from the Southern colonies are arriving daily and estimates that the Americans' strength is at least double that of the enemy; expresses interest in obtaining a share in a privateer; [postscript]: informs him that John Trumbull wrote from Ticonderoga, [N.Y.] on 26 July that "they begin to be in a hopeful Way."
