Sir,
The Honble Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint me to a Major General's Command in the American Army, and having directed to take
Charge of that Part of it, which is, or may be employed in the Province of New York, I do myself the Pleasure to advise you thereof
You will please with all Expedition to make me a Return of the Troops under your Command, and their Condition, specifying from which Colony they are, what Number of them are at Crown Point, what at Ticonderoga, the Landing on Lake George, and the South end of said Lake, or at any other Post you may have occupied. And that the Service may not suffer for Want of any Thing necessary with you, I beg of you to make me a very minute Return of the Provisions, Cannon, Ammunition, Artillery Stores, intrenching and Pioneer's Tools, at every of the above mentioned Places, also of the Number of Vessels on Lake George, what Kind they are, and their Burden, the same of those on Lake Champlain.
As it is of the highest Importance that good Intelligence of Genl [Guy] Carleton's Motions should be had, let me entreat you to spare no Pains to procure the best Accounts of what he is about, of the Disposition of the Canadians and Savages towards Us, what Posts are occupied agt Us, If fortified and how, the Number of Men with which they are garrisoned, whether of Canadians or regular Troops; and from Time to Time transmit me any Intelligence you may procure. Take every opportunity of giving the Canadians & Indians the strongest Assurances of our friendly Sentiments towards them; and if they should unfortunately entertained any that are unfavourable from Mr [Ethan] Allen's Excursion into their Country, try to eradicate them by Assurances that what he did, was without any Orders; and altho I am convinced he meant to serve the Cause of America by what he did, yet it may be well if the Canadians have taken Umbrage at it, to inform them that his Conduct in that Instance was disapproved of.
In military Contests it behoves every Commander to be extremely diligent, careful, & circumspect, to watch every Movement of his Opponents. This I have Confidence you will not by any Means neglect, any more than that of putting yourself in the best Posture of Defence; and as it is necessary to prepare agt possible Accidents, I would have you take Measures to secure a Retreat to the South End of Lake George, or South Bay, if at any Time you should be forced to so disagreeable Step. I am Sir [&c.]
