Letter signed : Headquarters, Paramus, to [George Clinton], 1778 July 11.

Asking for Clinton's "full and candid opinion" on whether it would be more advisable to position troops on the east or west side of the North River; discussing the related issues of the accessibility of supplies; suggesting that the "neighbourhood of the White Plains after leaving sufficient Garrisons in our rear, strikes me at present. We have strength of the ground, and we cover a considerable extent of Country, and draw forage which would otherwise fall into the hands of the Enemy. In forming your opinion, be pleased to advert to the necessity of keeping our force pretty much collected, for which side soever you may determine : For should the enemy find us disjointed, they may throw the whole of theirs upon part of ours, and by their shipping, keep us from making a junction. In determining the above, you are to take it for granted that we can, should it be deemed most expedient, support the Army upon the East, tho' it will be with infinitely more difficulty than upon the West side of the river. By the latest accounts from New York it does not seem possible that the Enemy will operate any where suddenly; They have been much harassed and deranged by their march thro' Jersey, and are at present encamped upon Long , Staten and York Islands. We have this day a rumor that a French Fleet has been seen off the Coast, and that the English is preparing to sail from New York in pursuit of them. But it is but a rumor;" adding in a postscript that he has just received word from Benedict Arnold "that on the 15th of April a French Fleet sailed from Toulon....The above fully corroborates the account from New York, but I do not know that it ought to be made public yet, I mean as to numbers."