To George Washington from Captain Thomas Young Seymour, 9 September 1778
From Captain Thomas Young Seymour
Rye Neck [N.Y.]
Sepr 9th 1778
May it please your Excellency
The two Ships mentioned in my last, to have come to anchor, close under Long-Island shore, passed City Island early this morning, and stood for New york1—Sun an hour high this afternoon hove in sight a Large Fleet from the Eastward, which continued to increase till darkness prevented a further discovery—In the Morning, I hope to be able, to give your Excellency a more satisfactory account of the Matter—I am with due respect your Excellency’s most Obedt Servt
Thos y. Seymour
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Seymour’s previous letter has not been found. The Royal Gazette (New York), 9 Sept., noted that “one of his Majesty’s ships, with a fine new brigantine privateer of 20 guns and 87 men,” arrived the previous night, “five days from Boston.”