Sir [undecipherable] War [undecipherable] The [undecipherable] the United St[undecipherable] of your le[undecipherable] Delaware[undecipherable] warlike manner in the [undecipherable] of the sixteenth of August[undecipherable] But if she divests herself [undecipherable] quiet[undecipherable] then be [undecipherable] employ[undecipherable] of war as [undecipherable] in my letters of the 12 and 15 [undecipherable] indispen[undecipherable] condition. I have the honor to be with great [undecipherable] [undecipherable] any vessel, in respect to [undecipherable] keep peace [undecipherable] once [undecipherable] [undecipherable] circumstances [undecipherable] and the [undecipherable] have[s] taken to the end that he may [undecipherable] action thereon as may [undecipherable] proper. I have the honor to be with great Respect Your Excellency's most Obed^t humble serv^t. H Knox Sec^y at War, [His Excellency Governor Clinton]