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Captain Lutwidge having directed me when he left the Lake to report to your Excellency from time to time the State & Condition of the Vessels, In compliance therewith I send you the best I have yet been able to collect, but as from the Sickness so predominant here, hardly any of the Vessels have, for one Week together the same Men, or the same Numbers, so that this return may not be perfectly accurate, many of the Sick Seamen likewise have been sent to Montreal Hospital for want of a Surgeon & other Accomodation at St John's which I have no Account, by which means the Number of Men employed in the Lake Service is greatly shortened.

The Rebels have appeared here this Morning, they have taken Mount Hope & three Companies of the 53d And also I apprehend the few Seamen & Craft left on Lake George² — they have also summon'd the Garrison to surrender of which Brigadier Powell will no doubt inform you more particularly.

The Maria & Carleton which are station'd for the Defence of Mount Independance must certainly fall into the hands of the Rebels should the Garrison be obliged to capitulate or surrender as all possibility of retreat will then be cut off by the Bridge which they constructed in the Winter — If it should be thought necessary to have the other Vessels mann'd and arm'd, to maintain the Lake, and prevent an Invasion of Canada, more Seamen & also Officers will be wanted there. The Vessels as to themselves are all in proper repair & fit for Service only their Guns are landed. I have the Honor to be &c

[Endorsed] (4.) In the Lords of the Admty's of 4th Decr 1777.