Sir

Hereby acknowledging the late receipt of your letter and weekly account; I acquaint you, that so many things have concurred to retard my progress towards Quebec; that I despair of reaching Champlain before the 12th In the meantime, lest I should be still farther retarded, I take this method of expressing my earnest desire, of your getting the Blonde down below the Rapids to take in your lumber out of the Lord Howe: to the end that she may get down to the Bason, in order to be in readiness to proceed towards England, at a very short notice ー where I wish to see us all speedily reunited: that we may concert measures how to dispose of His Majestys very important naval concerns in this River; in such manner; as shall be most for the interest of Government.

By what I have learnt, I think it probable that General Carleton did on Tuesday Evening or yesterday morning find our flotilla in readiness to go in quest of that of the Rebels so that we may shortly Expect important news from the farther end of Lake Champlain ー As the Inflexible is of the party, I am not uneasy about the event ー Her Keel was laid on the 5th of September, she was launched the 30th, and sailed the 4th instant: by no means the last of the Armament ー All the Carpenters work bestow'd upon her; until launching; did not exceed 12 men's labor for 16 days ー By Lieutenant [John] Schank's contrivance and close unremitting diligence, Seamen did the rest of the business ー If you have no occasion for the aid of the Lord How's men to get your Ship down send them forthwith to theirs ー But I hope this may not find you at Champlain ー am with great regard Sir [&c.]