Dear General,

Your Favour of the 12th Instant was delivered me last Night by Ensign [Clemens] Botsford, who narrowly escaped being lost in his Passage down and was obliged to throw overboard three Barrels of Provision to lighten the Batteau. I am Happy to find, you approve of my returning from the Isle aux Tétes, our Present Situation is five Miles to the Southward of Point aux Fire and two Miles to the Southward of the North End of Isle La Motte, at a Part of the Island where the Lake is one and a half to two Miles Over, to the Southward of us there is no Part of the Lake less than two Miles over and entirely out of the Reach of any Batteries that can Possibly be erected by the Enemy of whose Naval Force I have been able to procure no other Intelligence, than from a Deserter one Thomas Day whom I have sentyou by Ensign Botsford with his examination; which is inclosed.² I have heard nothing from Lieutenant [Benjamin] Whitcomb, or Ensign [Thomas] MCoy since they left the Isle aux Noix, from which a Man returned from each Party, who agree that there is about one thousand Men encamped There, they saw no Watercraft except Batteaux.

I have dispatched a Frenchman to St Johns, for Intelligence, whom I found in the Bay of Missisque, he has promised to return in four Days with Intelligence If I hear nothing from St Johns, soon, I design makeing a Remove to the Island Valcouer untill joined by the Three Gallies. There is a Good Harbour and if the Enemy venture up the Zake it will be impossible for them to take advantage of our Situation, if we should succeed on our Attack onthem it will be impossible for any of them to Escape, if we are worsted our Retreat is open and Free, in Case of Wind which generally blows Fresh at this Season ourcraft will make good Weather, when their Batteaux cannot keep the Lake.

I am glad to hear General Waterbury has taken Charge of the Gallies I make no Doubt they will soon be compleated my best Pilot I sent up by Major [David] Greer.

I requested General Schuyler tosendfor Four Captains for the Gallies, since which I have appointed only two, at that Time Three Gallies were nearly finished and four others ordered to be put on the Stocks, which still left a Vacancy for one Captain, Captain [Seth] Warner is one of the Four which was requested: one of the others I wish sent for the Royal-Sav-age, the third for the Gally on the Stocks and the Fourth for one of the Others ordered to be built, which ought to be put on the Stocks long ere this, The greatest part of the Timber was cut for the four la[s]t Gallies before I left Skeensborough, and as the Carpenters and Materials are procured, will it not be Prudence, and Oeconomy to have them compleated.ー

In my Last I wrote you we were Victualed to the 20th Instant. For that Calculation I computed ten Barrels of Pork and twenty of Flour left at Crown Point, which I ordered to be sent down in the last Gondola, the Order was neglected and the Provision left behind so that the Supply sent ー now will Victual us no longer than the 26th [sic] Instant, unless supplied by th[e] Inhabitants on the Lake of which there is little Prospect. Cannot a Frenchman or two, who is acquainted in Canada and can be depended upon be sent me, with the Tobacco I keep the two small Schooners continually cruizing above and below us. The Countersign is never given until four O'clock, two Guard Boats are posted every Night two Miles below us, at a proper Distance to discover the Approach of the Enemy, another Boat goes the Rounds every two Hours all Night every Ship keeps half their Men constantly on Deck under Arms, and Matches lighted, it will be impossible for the Enemy to surprise us.

I am greatly obliged to you for the Friendly Notice you have taken of me in your Public Letter, which I make no Doubt will have the desired Effect.

I am surprized you have received no particular Accounts of the Battle on long Island, the severe Check the Enemy have met with will doubtless Dispirit them greatly and will I hope prove a happy prelude to our future Success, I hope you will soonhave the Particulars of the Affair. The Act of Independence, I willsend, agreeable to your Direction I am with Sentiments of Respect and Esteem [&c.]