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Provision is now coming up with more speed than heretofore; and my fears of being detained on that account are subsided. I continue building Boats; but if the accounts contained in the enclosed affidavits be well founded, and of which we do not seem to entertain the least doubt,² the Enemy's naval strength will be such, as, in all probability, will prevent our getting down the Sorrel River to St Johns, as we suppose their vessels are nearly, if not quite, finished by this time ー and although if we had a number of Carpenters and the necessary materials we might soon construct vessels equal to theirs, yet our want of ammunition would render them useless, for after compleating the Troops to a pound a man I shall not have a Ton of Powder leftー

The Troops sicken alarmingly fast. Ninety two are now returned ill at this place only where we are about five hundred strong ー I wish they had Tents, without which they must suffer incredibly if we should move on.