Letter from Lord Stirling to General Washington Preparations for the defence of New-York

v5:1205

Newport, April 5, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I congratulate you on the success of your cruise with the Continental fleet; and hope, nay, expect to see the day when the American fleets will give laws on the Atlantick Ocean. It will give me great pleasure to see your fleet riding in the harbour of Newport. The present motions in this town, I make no doubt, you are well informed of. We received with joy the ten cannon you sent us, and expect to get them mounted before this week is out, in proper forts and batteries. We have ten of our old twenty-four and eighteen-pounders mounted, and two that you sent us; and hope you will send as many more as you conveniently can.

I am, with great regard, your humble servant,

JOHN COLLINS.

To Eseck Hopkins, Esq˙, Admiral of the Continental Fleet, New-London.