Dear Sir

Last night the Armed Sloop Gage returned from Quebec wch place she left the 8th of November, and Confirms the Rebel Accot of St Johns & Chamblie being taken, & that it was thought at Quebec that Montreal must likewise fall into their hands, and that nothing was to be Expected from the Canadiens. General Carleton was to be in town from Montreal the 11th, When it was Expected he wou'd be able to muster about 1500 English Inhabitants, who wou'd Garrison Quebec & endeavour to defend it, the Master further says, that Just as he Sailed he saw a large body of the Rebels drawn up at Point Levie,² but as an Express was to Sail for England in a day or two, you will have the particulars before you receive this. thus all our Sanguin hopes from Canada are over ー

The two Companys of Artillery, and four Companys of the 17th Regiment, are all as yet arrived of the troops from home; We have been these three weeks under great Anxiety for the Arrival of a Brig with three Morters wi[th] Shels and other Ordnance Stores; she has been in the Bay, and in Company with 2 or 3 different Men of War, and parted from them in the Severe Weather we have had; the Rebels have heard of her, & sent out Vessels to take her, and Genel Washington has offered a reward of Ten thousand Pounds to the Crew of any Vessel that brings her in, to any of their Ports.³ She wou'd be a great acquisition to him, as it wou'd Enable him to make our Winter Quarters two hot for us. They have several privateers that take our Vessels dayly, coming with Supplys, in sight of the Flag; the day before yesterday, a Vessel with Wood from Halifax, was taken in sight of the Men of War lying in Nantasket Road. the White flag at the fore top Mast head, is Old, Durty, and unfit for Service, if the Ministry Expects it shou'd fly with Luster they must send a New One Clean and Ferm ー⁴

Notwithstanding all our Difficulty we were highly Entertained last Night at Fannel [Faneuil] Hall which is now an Elig[a]nt Theatre, the Tragedy of Zara was Performed beyound Expectation  Zara by Miss Flucker, and Osman by Lt. Methem of the 64th Regt. the dresses Eligent and well adapted, and the whole Performance carried through with the greatest propriety ー

Lord [Hugh] Percy desires me, to make his Complements to you and to acquaint you that nothing but the Gout in his right hand prevents his writing to you ー General [James] Robertson desires his Complements seys he wou'd write you but that General Burgoyne will tell you all he could say. I am with the greatest Respect & Esteem Dr Sir [&c.]