[Extract]

Sir As the North River is now intirely clear of ice I thought it imprudent to suffer the cannon and other stores to remain any longer upon the Battery and in yards at the very water edge from whence the Ships of War Might have convey'd [th]em at their pleasure, as it would have been impossible to have obstructed their Manoeuvres almost within the Very [muz]zles of their guns ー this day therefore I ordered the whole to be remov'd to the ground before the upper Barracks it was effected without the least opposition or shew of opposition from the Ships indeed I even consider'd their menaces to fire upon the Town as idle gasconades ー inclosd is a list of the Pieces and their appurtenances ー the Mercury Frigate, the Transport and Brig, are saild, if your Fleet was out They must certainly fall into your hands...