[Extract]

In respect to the Boats &c. from Salem, I doubt, in the first place, whether they can be brought over by Land ー in the Second, I am sure nothing could ever be executed here by Surprize; as I am well convinced that nothing is transacted in our Camp, or Lines, but what is known in Boston in less than 24 hours, ー indeed, Circumstanced as we are it is scarce possible to do otherwise, unless we were to stop the Communication between the Country and our Camp and Lines; in which case, we shd. render our Supplies of Milk, Vegetables &c. difficult and precarious. ー We are now building a kind of Floating Battery, when that is done and the utility of it discovered, I may possibly apply for Timber to build more, as Circumstances shall require.