[draft] Boston Aug t: 24, 1777 Dear Harry I congratulate you on the Important News rec:d yesterday from Benington by Express -inclos'd is the Letter & particular's from Genl: Lincoln which may be depend'd on - the other particulars are by the Gentleman that came express, and was in the whole of the Action - Gen:l Starks and the militia under him have gain'd Immortal Honor - I don't think all History from Adam to this day, can produce such an instance, when an unequal number of [Vall] undisiplind militia, have attach'd a superior number of well disiplind regular Troops intranch in Lines - beat them out & gaind [illegible] complete a Victory - I say History can't produce such an Instant - This affair will be attend'd with the most important consequence to america - it will give as Sudden a check to their advance's, as the affair of Treton did last Campaign - Next to Trenton - this is the grandest piece of Genlerals [illegible] this War - [2] In concequence of this New's - we kept it up in high taste - at Sundown, about 100 of the First Gentlemen of the Town, w:h all the Strangers in town, meet at the Bunch of Grapes in Congress Street - when we had provid'd good Liquor & a Slide Table - in the Street we had 2 Brass Field pieces wh a detachment of Collo Crafts Regt - in the Bellemy I had all the Fife's & drums of my Regt - the Ball was open'd by the discharge of 13 Cannon and every Toast we discharg'd 3 peceis of Cannon - & first a Flight of Rocket - about 90 C we sent two Bar:ls of Grog into the Street for the People that had collect'd there - it was all conduct'd w:t the greatest propraity, by 100 C - very man was at his home - Hary a most melencally affairs happen'd of New Cery [inserted: Bar] Cast Wednesday that I dare say you ever heard - a fine new Ship Cuitt at New Cery by the Marine Society of this Town mount 20 Guns - Saill'd from New Cery Cast Wedesday Mar: g for this Harbour - [struck: with 50 Men 50 and] [3] and 6 women on board - Just as she got over New Cery Bar - she disappear sunk to Bottom [struck: and every Soul finish it] - it was a fine pleasant day & how to account for it, theres no Body can tell the People from New Cery mist the Ship all at once - and was down - they could just see the Leads of her masts[struck: and but not a soul to be] [strikeout] - this affair amaize's every body - She was a New Ship just Cancl'd from the [illegible] - remember me to you Seeratary - I am dear Hary NB - your a person this moment arriv'd Friend from New Cery - informs - all the Person in board the [inserted: ship] excect one - is save'd - but [inserted: the ship] entirely Lost - To Brer. Knox [address leaf] To Brig:r Gen:l Knox at Gen:l Washington's fav:d by Head Quarters Ca:t Randal