1. The enclosure was a letter from Lt. Col. Ebenezer Gray to Huntington, written at Crane’s Mills, N.J., on this date: “I have this moment, (11 oClock) returned from Elizabeth where I have had Information from Staten Iland, that on the 24th Forty one sail arrived at New York from the Southward, they were all in Ballast, and that the Enemy on the Iland seem to be embarrassed and in Motion, making Preparations for Imbarkation the sloop of War lying in the Kilns, hath been taking in a large Quantity of Water.

“they seem to be fearfull, last Evening the sloop fired on which the Guards on the Iland fired all along the shore, which Alarmed the Guards at Elizabeth, and were kept out all Night, before they could ascertain the Occasion of the Alarm.

“I Imagine the Alarm was occasioned by some London Traders as they are called passing the sloop, many of The Inhabitants dislike being Alarmed so often, they are Very Active in an Alarm and are Constantly praying for some of their Own Troops to protect them who they say will not Alarm so often. I should wish that they might be gratified as I think it a Post where there is very little Honor, and a very great share Danger & Hazard to be Obtained.

“I am releived by Majr Throop” (DLC:GW).

New York City printer Hugh Gaine wrote in his journal entry for 24 April: “A Fleet of 47 Sail from Savannah, last from Charlestown Bar under Convoy of the Delaware and Iris Frigates, most of them are from England and Ireland, and arrived there under Convoy of the Richmond” (Ford, Journals of Hugh Gaine description begins Paul Leicester Ford, ed. The Journals of Hugh Gaine, Printer. 1902. Reprint. [New York] 1970. description ends , 2:85).