In a secretarial hand. At head of p. [1]: Triplicate / No. 36 "Having just now received advice from Bermuda of the safe arrival of the detachment sent from hence for the protection of that place, I am ... acquainting your lordship therewith before the departure of the pacquet for England. It appears the rebels had formed a design of taking possession of that island ..., in which I have reason to believe they would have been but too much assisted by the inhabitants ...." Letters between Lafayette and Vergennes indicate that Lafayette did, indeed hope to capture Bermuda. The rebel army is by no means so numerous at present as it was during the campaign; it is the policy of the enemy to keep no more troops on foot while the severity of the winter continues than is absolutely necessary." The "campaign" may refer to the Philadelphia campaign, which had ended the previous summer. Regiments belonging to the Western Provinces are contoned in Jersey, from the Delaware to Hudson's River; and those of the Eastern ones form a chain from the Highlands to the East Sound. They have also detachments at their several post[s] along the coast and at Providence." Two more victualling ships belonging to the Cork fleet are arrived, several of those loaded with oats, and one with coals - and that the rest are hourly expected." Docketed on p. [4]: Sir H Clinton / 11 Jany 1779 / N36