[Extract]

...Your presence is Much wanted both at Skenesborough & this Place. ー I wrote You from the former place the 25th inst, At which time only two Companies of Carpenters were Arrived; One from Philadelphia & the Other from Connecticut, since Which the Whole have arrived to the Number of two hundred, I left them such Directions as I thought Necessary, & Orders to begin four Row Gallies, Nearly of the Constructions of those Built in Philadelphia, to Carry four Pieces heavy, & two pieces light Cannon Each. ー The two largest Schooners are at Crown Point the Sloop goes this Morning, & four Gondolas, will follow in two or three Days...

Inclosed is a Return of the Ordinance stores, Shott &ca, &ca, by Which You will Observe there is many Articles wanting to Compleat the same, As also a Great Deficiency of Shot in particular, Grape, double headed, Chain & Round ー Which will be Very Service able among Vessels & Batteaus. More heavy Cannon will be wanted, for the Row Gallies, the four now building will Carry Eight twenty four [pounders] & Eight Eighteens, Four others will be set up soon & will require an Equal Number of Guns, to supply the Row Gallies & Lines, We have only Eleven pieces & 10 twelve Pounders, which May Answer tho Not so well as heavier Guns ー If they are substituted, Eleven Pieces will still be wanting with shot &ca ー which I wish May be sent up if they Can possibly be procured ー With the Approbation of Genl [Horatio] Gates I sent to Connecticut for three hundred seamen....