[Extract]
The Resolve of the 8th Instant "That Shipwrights be immediately sent from New York and Philadelphia to build Batteaus" I could wish not to be put into Execution; as our Albany Shipwright will do nearly as much of that Kind of Work as two that are not accustomed to it ー I can also make them work early and late which the others will not, besides there will be great Saving in the travelling Charges.
I shall immediately desire General Wooster to cause the River St Lawrence to be explored, agreeable to the Resolution of Congress, but I fear he is much in Want of an Engineer for the purpose as well as for a proper person to ascertain what Kind of armed-Boat it would be most expedient to build.
I shall immediately proceed to get every Thing in readiness for building Batteaus at Fort George as Wood Creek cannot be cleared this Winter and I shall send up all the provisions and other Stores.
I fear I shall not be able to get a sufficient Quantity of Nails made in Time at this place what I cannot get I shall be obliged to pay 15d per pound for.
Part of the Troops, which I sent Colo. [Seth] Warner to raise are already on their March, the first party I have Reason to think is at farthest within a Days March of St Johns. I have ordered them off by Fifties as they would get ready ー A Regiment on the last Continental Arrangement is compleating in the County of Berkshire; part of it is already marched. I was however obliged to give the like Bounty as I did to Colo: Warner ー It is commanded by Colo: [John] Fellows and all the Officers were nominated by the General Committee of that County ー They will not engage beyond the 15th of April ー It was however lucky that I took these Measures for General Washington writes me that he cannot spare a Man. Inclose you a Copy of his Letter, a:few Hours before I received it I wrote him by Express that the Necessity of sending Troops from Cambridge to Canada appeared to me to be superseded because of those going which I have mentioned above, and that there were two Regiments on their March from Pensylvania and New Jersey, which in all probability would reach Canada as soon as any he could send.
Governor Trumbull in a Letter of the 20th Instant advises me that a Regiment is raising in Connecticut to march immediately to Canada to be engaged to the first Day of November next.
As I have had no accounts from Canada since those which Mr [Edward] Antill brought I conclude that Nothing material has happened since the unfortunate affair of the 30th Ultimo.
I have in a former Letter observed that all the heavy Cannon and Mortars were ordered to Cambridge; I suppose they are there now ー Should Quebec not fall into our Hands this Winter we shall want a considerable Number of these. Whence are we to be supplyed? And from whence are we to get Ammunition?