[Extract]

Before I was honoured with your Favour of the 5th Inst. I had given Orders for the equipment of some armed Vessels to intercept the Enemyies Supplies of Provisions & Ammunition. One of them was on a Cruize between Cape Ann & Cape Cod when the Express arrived. The others will be fit for the Sea in a few Days under the Command of Officers of the Continental Army, who are well recommended as Persons acquainted with the Sea, and capable of such a Service. Two of these will be immediately dispatched on this Duty, and every Particular mentioned in your Favour of the 5h Inst litterally complied with.

That the Honble Congress may have a more complete Idea of the Plan on which these Vessels are equipped, I enclose a Copy of the Instructions given to the Capt. now out (No 4)² These, with the additional Instructions directed, will be given to the Captains who go into the Mouth of St. Lawrence's River. As both Officers & Men most chearfully engage in the Service on the Terms mentioned in these Instructions, I fear that the proposed Encrease will create some Difficulty, by making a Difference between Men engaged on similar Service. I have therefore not yet communicated this Part of the Plan, but reserved an Extra Bounty as a Reward for extraordinary Activity. There are no armed Vessels in this Province, and Govr [Nicholas] Cooke informs me the Enterprize can receive no Assistance from him, as one of the armed Vessels of Rhode Island is on a long Cruize, and the other unfit for the Service. Nothing shall be omitted to secure Success. A fortunate Capture of an Ordnance Ship would give new Life to the Camp, and an immediate Turn to the Issue of the Campaign.

Our last Accounts from Col. Arnold are very favourable. He was proceeding with all Expedition, and I flatter myself making all Allowances, he will be at Quebec the 20h Inst., where, a Gentleman from Canada (Mr Brice) assures me, he will meet with no Resistance . . .

From the various Accounts received from Europe, there may be Reason to expect Troops will be landed at New York, or some other Middle Colony. I should be glad to know the Pleasure of the Congress whether upon such an Event it would be expected that a Part of this Army should be detached, or the internal Force of such Colony and its Neighbourhood be deemed sufficient, or whether in such Case I am to wait the particular Directions of Congress.

The Fleet mentioned in my last has been seen standing N.NE, so that we apprehend it is intended for some Part of this Province, or New-Hampshire, or possibly Quebec . . .³

A Person who has lately been a Servant to Major [John] Conolly a Tool of Lord Dunmore has given an Account of a Scheme to distress the Southern Provinces which appeared to me of sufficient Consequence to be immediately transmitted. I have therefore got it attested, and do myself the Honour of enclosing it No. 5.