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Sir,  In your Letter of the 1st Instant you apply to me for Men, Ordnance and Vessels, together with a small Detachment from the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and a Detachment of other Troops under the Command of a Steady Experienced Officer, as you purpose to lay waste such Sea Ports Towns in the New-England Governments as are not likely to be useful to His Majesty's Forces, and to Destroy all the Vessels within the Harbours.

I shall readily supply you as far as is in my Power to do, but if by Men you mean Sailors the Transports are already very poorly Manned, many of them out, and more going out to procure Articles Necessary for the Maintenance and Subsistence of the Garrison. The Commanding Officer of Artillery has Orders to give you an account of such Quantitys of Ordnance and Stores as he shall be able to furnish, and it's necessary to be informed of the Places to be Attacked before any Judgement can be formed of the Number of Troops that will be required for such a service

The Symmetry and Spitfire you may fit up as you please, but as the Transports here are few, of Course few Carpenters can be had from them, I will enquire of them what Number they can provide, and of the Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery, whether the Artillery Carpenters can be taken off the work they are upon.

It is to be wished that something of this kind had been proposed at an earlier Period, when it would have been more in my Power to have furnished the Supplys you demand, however I shall do all I am able in the present Moment, to forward the Plan you have formed, you have been acquainted with the Projects of the People to the Eastward from Casco Bay to Machias to make some Attack upon Nova Scotia, I hope the Naval Force in the Bay of Fundy and at Halifax will Effectually prevent all attempts of that Nature. I am with the greatest Regard and Esteem Sir &ca