Sir,

Since writing the Letter to Congress enclosed with this ー I have been considering of the force intended by Congress to be sent into this Country ー perhaps I may be mistaken, but I can not but be of opinion that the Ministry will send a great force into this province in the Spring and our every thing depends upon our having a force upon the Spot superior to them ー In that case we shall keep the Canadians in our Interest, otherwise we may depend upon their being our Enemies ー They will think it necessary to exert themselves against us, in order to make their peace with their former Masters ー I need not mention to you the almost infinite importance of keeping this province Mr Walker & Mr Price will tell you what dependance is to be placed in the Canadians ー I would wish that Ten thousand men might be pushed into the Country by the first of May, which will be a respectable Army ー Much depends upon the good or ill success of the first encounter should there be any ー I hope Sir that vigorous exertions for keeping this province will be properly represented to Congress ー Quebec must be taken before May ー Yet we have neither proper Artillery nor Amunition. However a sufficient number of Men of Resolution I hope will effect it ー I am Sir [&c.]