(A Copy)
Sir
Garland off Quebec 12th Augt 1777
The inclosed Extract of a Letter from General Phillips to Captn Lutwidge by Lieut General Burgoyne's directions, relative to the disposition of the Naval Department on the Lakes2 was a few days since transmitted to me by General Sir Guy Carleton, which you will be pleased to lay before their Lordships for their Inspection; You will at the same time be pleased to observe to their Lordships that on a Requisition made by Lieut General Burgoyne from Ticonderago of the 5th of July for the speedy assistance of One Hundred and fifty Seamen more in addition to the Number that were then employed on the Lake Service to prevent any delay of miscarriage in the Campaigne; I found it expedient to send up that Number out of the Supernumeraries sent out in His Majesty's Ships, Apollo, Blonde, porpoise & proteus, none of which are included in the late return of three Hundred & forty nine mentioned in the inclosed.
Silver Eel Three Sisters Content Lucretia Ld North Nancy Margt & Martha Favorite Mediator Resolution Isabella & Dorothea Fleetwood (Ordnance)
I have this Day dispatched the Naval Transports as P Margin for England under the direction of Mr Adams, Naval Officer in the Silver Eel, & there are but three more remaining in this River (vizt) The Henry, Christian, & Loyal Briton, And on their Arrival here from Montreal & Sorel, I shall also dispatch them for England under the direction of Lieut Cumming Agent for the same, whom I have been under the necessity (for want of Officers) to appoint to carry on the Service in the Naval Department at Sorel ever since his arrival, in the performance of which as well as the Agency Business he has been extreemly Active and Diligent and I beg leave to give it as my Opinion, that the public Service is much obliged to him, & think it my duty to recommend him to their Lordships future favors. I am Sir [&c.]
Rd Pearson.
P.S. By the last Accounts from Genl Burgoyne's Army Dated the 2nd Instant, they were encamped at and near Fort Edward, which place the Rebel Army a few days before abandoned and were then retiring towards Saratogha — Genl Arnold has lately joined and now Commands their Northern Army; He brought with him Twelve pieces of Brass Cannon, with which it is expected he means to make a stand at Saratogha — Genl Burgoyne with his Army all well & in great Spirits, purposed Marching on the 5th to attack them.
Rd P:
[Endorsed] In Lords of the Admiralty's Letter of the 26 Septr 1777 (I)
1. PRO, Colonial Office 5/127, 182-83.
2. See Phillips to Lutwidge, July 25.
