Tyonderoga July 27th. 1775
Sir,
Since my last of yesterday, Capt. [Jeremiah] Halsey, who has commanded the Sloop since she was left by her former Commander, arrived at this Post. He reports that the Schooner Liberty is returned from her Cruize towards the North End of Lake Camplain ー that about Isle la Mott she fell in with two Canoes, containing three Frenchmen and as many Indians ー that the[y] informed the Capt: that Gov [Guy] Carlton had in vain attempted to prevail upon the Savages to act agt us ー that the Canadians would be neuter, perhaps act in our Favour, that a pickett Fort, surrounded with a Ditch, is erected at St Johns ー that Preparations were making for mounting Cannon ー that the regular Troops at that Place consisted of about four Hundred & fifty Men ー that two Men from Crown Point, who were carrying an Indian Boy on his Return from Mr [Eleazer] Wheelock's School into Canada, had been made Prisoners & detained, and that a scouting Party of regular Troops had been almost as far South as Mr Gillelands (about 35 Miles from hence).
Capt [Remember] Baker who left Crown Point with the Party to carry the Indian Boy, but separated from him, fell in with some Indians at Missique. Their Information confirms the above. His is enclosed.
In this Situation of Affairs, no Manoeuvre appears to me more necessary than an immediate Movement to St Johns, which will determine what we are to expect from the Canadians; and thus known, any future military operations in their Quarter may be regulated by it. But how to get there ー all the Craft I am possessed of (and I have already bought or engaged all the Pittiaugers belonging to the Inhabitants here) will not carry at the utmost more than five Hundred 81 fifty Men, nor are any of the stores mentioned in a former Letter of mine as yet arrived here. It is probable from the Letter which I yesterday transmitted to you, that they have not yet left New-York; and without them I cannot proceed, even if I had Boats; for as my whole Stock of Powder will be less than 3 Tons, when that from Philada arrives, I must necessarily not fire a gun without certain Execution, and therefore want the entrenching Tools, which are Part of the Articles, to make the Approaches up to their very Ditch; and that cannot be done with the few Tools I have here. Altho you will perceive by the enclosed Return that my Stock of Provisions is very scant, yet I shall not be detained on that Acct as it may follow me.
I shall make all the Dispatch I possibly can, and move the Moment I am in a Condition for it. It appears to me highly necessary that more Powder shd be sent up; for even If I should be fortunate enough to succeed against St Johns with the little I have, it cannot be expected that much would be left. But if I should be under the disagreeable Necessity of retreating, the Want of it might be followed with the Loss of this Fortress and Command of the Lake. I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] Read in Congress Sept 14th 1775