Dear General

This will be deliver'd to you by Doctor [Stephen] McCrea, whom at the Recommendation of Doctor [Jonathan] Potts, I have appointed First Surgeon to the Fleet under your Command. he has Instruments, & Medicines, two things much in request with you. Mr Francis Hagan accompanys Mr M'Crea, as his Assistant Surgeon. I cannot procure any Instru-ments for him here, but wish you could hire Doctor Speram's for the Voyage. You are I am told acquainted with Doctor M'Crea. I am assured his Abillities are their Own Recommendation. ー Another Gondola sails from hence this morning, & the Row Galley will Sail tomorrow. Yesterday Mr Titcomb, Mas[te]r Carpenter from Skeensborough return'd thither from hence he got a good Recruit of Ship Carpenters Twelve of his Gang being now Sick: he is a fine looking Fellow and seems desirous to Command The Row Galley he has just finish'd, he professes himself a Seaman, from the Sense, & Manly appearance of Mr Titcomb, I think you would do well to appoint him, but I shall not interfere further than to recommend him ー I wrote yesterday to General [David] Waterbury, to Spur him up to reinforce you with all Speed with the Row Galleys. I am confident he will exert himself to Join you as expeditiously as possible. ー The Rumour we heard of an Action at New York, proves premature. the Enemy had Embarqu'd from Staten Island, but not Landed again when the last Accounts came from thence ー it is positively asserted that The Hessian General had sent to Genl Washington, to know what Treatment the Prisoners of that Principality were to Expect, & was Answerd that they must Expect as to be treated Hirelings ー may Health Honour & Success attend You ー I am Dear General [&c.]

Capt [John] Thatcher of Col: [Heman] Swifts Regt is Just come from Govr Trumbulls where I sent him Express he says You had consented to his Commanding a Row Galley. he seems very fit to do itー