May it please your Excellency,

My last of the 19th Inst. from Newbury Port, advising of the Embarkation of the Troops, I make no Doubt, your Excellency received. The same Day we left Newbury, and arrived safe in the River next Morning, except a small Vessel which run on the Rocks, but is since off, without Damage and arrived safe. I found the Batteaus compleated, but many of them smaller than the Directions given, and very badly built ー of Course I have been obliged to order twenty more to bring on the Remainder of the Provisions which will be finished in three Days. Many of the Vessels were detained in the River by running aground, and head Winds, which delayed us a Day or two. The 23d Inst. I dispatched Lieut [Archibald] Steel of Capt. [Matthew] Smith's Company with 6 Men in two Birch Canoes to Chaudiere Pond to reconnoitre and get all the Intelligence he possibly could from the Indians who I find are hunting there. The same Day I dispatched Lieutt Church and seven Men with a Surveyor & Pilot to take the Exact Courses and Distances to the Dead River so called, a Branch of the Kennebec, and yesterday the three Companies of Rifle-Men under the Command of Capt. [Daniel] Morgan embarked with forty five Days Provisions as an advanced Party to clear the Roads over the carrying Places. Col: Green [Christopher Greene] & Major [Timothy] Bigelow march today with the second Division of three Companies. Major Meggs [Return Jonathan Meigs] goes off tomorrow with the third Division, and Col: [Roger] Enos the next Day, with the Remainder.

As soon as the whole are embarked, I propose taking a Birch Canoe, and joining the advanced Party. I have found it necessary to divide the Detachment for the Conveniency of passing the Carrying the [sic] Places, at the first of which there are some Carriages to be procured. I design Chaudiere Pond as a general Rendesvouze, and from thence to march in a Body.

Inclosed is a Letter to Mr Coburn, from the Party sent to Quebec, by which your Excellency will see all the Intelligence I have received. I have conversed with the Party, who saw only one Indian, one Nattaries, a Native of Norridgwalk, a noted Villain, and very little Credit, I am told is to be given to his Information.

The Indians with Higgens set out by Land, and are not yet arrived. I have engaged a Number of good Pilots, and believe by the best Information I can procure, we shall be able to perform the March in twenty Days. The Distance about 180 Miles.

I intended Col: Green should have gone on with the first Division of one Company of Rifle-men, and two Companies of Musketeers. This was objected to by the Captains of the Rifle-Companies, who insist on being commanded by no other Person than Capt. Morgan and myself. This Capt. Morgan tells me was your Excellency's Intention. But as I was not made acquainted with it before I came away, I should be very glad of particular Instructions on that Head, that I may give Satisfaction to the Field Officers with me. There is at present the greatest Harmony among the Officers, and no Accident happened, except the Loss of one Man; supposed to be wilfully shot by a private, who is now taking his Trial by a Court Martial.

Major [Thomas] Mifflin could not send Money for the Batteaus, the Commissary has been obliged to pay for them with one Hundred Pounds I have lent him, out of the Pay received for the Month of Sepr, and has been obliged to draw an Order in Favour of the Bearer Mr John Wood who has engaged to deliver this to your Excellency. I have promised him his Time & Expences paid. I should be glad the Manifestoes might be forwarded by him if not sent by the last Intelligence from Genl Schuyler, to whom I intend sending one of the Indians as soon as they arrive.

I have the Honour to be &c

P.S. Since writing the foregoing I have received a Letter from Col: [Joseph] Reed with the Manifesto's ー and the Court Martial have condemned the Man who shot the other to be hanged, which Sentence I have approved, but have respited him, until your Excellency Pleasure in the Matter be known, and design sending him back in one of the Transports. Enclosed are all the Papers relative to the Matter, with his Confession at the Gallows before respited.

The three first Divisions of my Detachment are gone forward ー the last goes tomorrow, when I shall join Capt. Morgan as soon as possible, and am &c

B. Arnold.