[Extract]

Colonel [Moses] Hazen told us that the carpenters are much wanted here to build row gallies to prevent the enemy's vessels from coming up the St. Lawrence; he says, a single sloop with a few carriage guns could effectually prevent the arrival of the forces going from Chamblee to Quebec. no doubt General Arnold has written to you on the subject. I mention the matter only to show you of what importance Colonel Hazen thinks it is to have the row gallies built ー but built they cannot be in here to prevent the enemy from intercepting our troops or barring their passage should they be able to fit 'out a vessel from Quebec. Mr. [Benjamin] Franklin Mr. J[ohn] Carroll & Mr [Samuel] Chase join me in compliments to you and yours.²