I proposed establishing a battery of all our spare heavy Cannon on the rising ground exactly opposite the Stone house in the North redoubt, ー (in the West face of which there is but one embrazure open) at the distance of about 100 yards, Securing this battery with a work Capable of being well defended by 200 Men. From this battery our approaches might be continued to the ditch, & by the time we arrive there, the fraze round the berm would be destroyed, the rampart in a ruinous state, & the large house (which is said to be their principal barrack) would be destroyed, as every Shot that missed the rampart must take the house. Two four pounders on the East Side would answer the end of seeing the west rampart in reverse, & thereby slackening the opposition of the enemy. By this mode of proceeding, if our ammunition held out, there would be in my opinion some prospect of success, notwithstanding the superior artillery of the Garrison, which could not be mounted in its proper place time enough to prevent the erection of our battery. The field Officers were to a man of opinion that my reasons were insufficient, being afraid the design'd ground was at this season too wet for approaches, & Strongly of opinion our heavy cannon on the east side would more effectually distress the enemy by annoying their buildings, the Fort having a Gentle slope to the river & which was urged as the strongest motive by destroying their Schooner. In vain I represented if every building was destroy'd, the garrison could not surrender without a probability of an assault, which could never arise from any attack on the opposite side of the river that the vessel could not be destroyed, because she would change her place in such a manner as to elude our batteries that we had little powder or time to throw away on experiments that I had a moral certainty they would find themselves mistaken & finally that they must take it upon themselves; for I would not oppose the general sence of the army, & should enforce the measure by every effort in my power.

I cannot help observing to how little purpose I am here. Were I not afraid the example would be too generally followed & that the publick service might suffer, I would not stay an hour at the head of Troops whose operations I cannot direct ー I must say I have no hopes of Success from the garrisons wanting provisions.

Camp near St. John's October 13th 1775