The  Chevalier  de  Ternay  anchors  in  the  harbor  and  will  establish  a  post
and  batteries  upon  the  island  of  Connanicut.  In  this  position  we  can
defy  all  the  English  forces.  Our  long  detention  in  the  harbor  and  our
long  passage  have  given  us  many  sick,  but  few  are  dangerously  so,  and
three  weeks'  rest  will  fully  recruit  them.
At. the  same  time  I  am  busily  engaged  with  M.  de  Corny,  who,  accord
ing  to  your  excellency's  order,  has  made  all  the  preparations  which  he
could  in  hastening  the  arrival  of  the  wagons  for  provisions  and  baggage,
and  horses  enough  to  mount  a  few  officers,  and  if  possible  a  hundred  of.
L,auzun's  hussars ;  and  I  hope  that  in  a  month  we  shall  be  ready  to  act
under  your  excellency's  orders.  In  the  meanwhile,  I  trust  that  the  second
division  will  reach  us,  or  at  least  that  we  shall  hear  of  its  sailing.  The
King  charged  me  personally  to  assure  your  excellency  that  he  would  give
all  possible  assistance  to  his  allies,  and  that  this  advanced  guard  would
be  supported  by  his  whole  power ;  and  the  strongest  proof  which  I  can
give  you  of  it  is  that  the  whole  detachment  was  ready  to  embark  at  Brest
on  the  first  of  April  if  there  had  been  a  sufficient  number  of  transports.
M.  Duchaffault  was  in  the  harbor  with  a  large  number  of  ships,  and  noth
ing  was  waited  for  but  the  arrival  of  the  convoy  from  Bordeaux  to  appoint
a  second  squadron  to  accompany  the  second  division.
