Dear Sir:

I received your letter from Sorel of the 14th instant, at three o'clock, previous to which I had destroyed all the knees, &c. In the morning, I sentCaptain [James] Wilkinson express to you; at three o'clock he met the enemy at Varenne, and narrowly escaped being taken; at five he arrived at Montreal; at seven P. M. I embarked the whole garrison in eleven batteaus, and got safe over. The rain made it seven o'clock before carts could be procured at Longueil and La Prairie to carry the sick and baggage. The whole are safe here, with some rum, molasses, wine, &c., seized at Montreal. Thesalt could not be got over. We have destroyed all the batteaus, and will break down al[l] the bridges in our rear. I expect to be at St. Johns at five o'clock this evening. We have thirty carts, which I will send to Chambly as soon as they are discharged of their loading. Four or five of the enemy's vessels are as high as Vercheres or Varenne. Our people saw their troops at the latter place, and a Frenchman from Montreal says they mounted guard there last. The number of the enemy is very considerable. No particular account has been received of their movements. I am, very respectfully, dear sir, [&c.]