This morning two American captains of Vessels who had been captured by the Enemy & carried into New York came to this Town in the Stage waggon. They shewed me their paroles and informed me that they landed at Elizabeth Town & were suffered to pass on by Captain Dayton. They arrived on the Jersey shore not in a flagg but in a private boat. As I do not know what private orders Capt. Dayton may have from your Excellency for the case of Prisoners, I suffered them to pass on to their respective places of abode, which are Pennsylvania & Maryland, instead of sending them to Staten Island in order to return by Dobbs’s Ferry, as I have served several others who have come into this State immediately from the Enemy’s Lines.

If your Excellency thinks proper to communicate it, the better to enable me to assist you in carrying into Execution your Orders respecting the Post at Dobbs’s Ferry, which I think of the utmost importance I should be glad to know whether the Officers at Elizabeth Town have any and what private orders to dispense with them on particular occasions.

The reports against that Post, relative to a more serious matter are very common, but how well founded I know not. I have the honour to be with the greatest Esteem Your Excellencys most humble & most obedient Servant