My Lord,

I was in hopes I should have had the honor of acquainting your Lordship that our army was far advanced on the Lakes, but the delays occasioned by a want of pitch & tar, and caulking the battoes is the apparent reason, why they are not yet embarked; General Burgoyne left Quebec the 14th Inst to Joyn the Army, and put it in motion, but as the several corps stationed over the country have not began their march I am afraid we shall have a late Campaign, and very much disappoint our friends at home; by a private letter I received yesterday from Captain Lutwidge ² he tells me he is off point aux Fer with the greatest part of the armed vessels, and is sending them to cruize on the Lake, that a new ship of twenty guns is ready to launch, & that they have added a great number of Gun boats &c &c that we have an amazing force on Lake Champlain sufficient to carry the whole army at once across, he says he cannot learn that the Rebels have any thing to oppose them, but that they have been pouring men into Ticonderago ever since the frost broke up, where they left only 800 men during the winter.

It is reported and I believe with some degree of certainty that the Rebels are preparing to dispute Lake George, and have built some Large vessels there, they will so far succeed in this scheme, that it will delay our operations, as it will take up some time to get our Large Gun boats &c across from Ticonderago, my only fear is least it may be found necessary to begin building again on the Lake, in which case we shall be very late indeed: your Lordship may be assured while I have the honor to command here nothing shall be wanting on my part to assist them, they have a most experienced officer in Captain Lutwidge, and I have offer'd the General to attend with all my ship's company if it is necessary, if we are consulted I am very certain our voices will be against it, and without any great presumption, or impeachment of a General's knowledge, we are better judges, what British seamen are capable of; Genl Burgoyne has expressed a wish that he may see me before the army moves, as soon as I have dispatched away some of the transports, if no senior officer arrives I intend to go up to him. I take the liberty of recommending Mr Burchell (who I send home with the dispatches) to your Lordship's protection, he has been an old servant and is very deserving, as he was brought up with Mr Proby, I beg to refer you to him for a confirmation of my character of him. —