[Extract]

Dear General, My last was the 16th Inst. by Ensign [Clemens] Botsford; the next Morning, Lieut: Whitcomb and his Party returned from St John's with Two Prisoners, Ensign Saunders, and a Corporal of the 29th Regiment, who were taken between St John's, and La Prairie. The Ensign says there is a Ship on the Stocks at St John's, designed to mount Twenty Guns, Nine, and Twelve Pounders, several Schooners, and small Craft; but seems ignorant, as to their Size and Numbers. He says there was talk of crossing the Lake soon; but in general it was thought they would not cross this Fall. Both him and the Corporal seem cautious of giving any Information...

I am inclined to think, on comparing all Accounts, that the Enemy will soon have a considerable naval Force. The Ship, the Ensign says, will be completed in a fortnight, and is to be manned from the Navy in the River.

I make no Doubt of their soon paying us a Visit, and intend first fair Wind to come up as high as Ile Valcour, where tis a good Harbour, and where we shall have the Advantage over the Enemy; and if they are too many for us, we can retire. I believe their Army crossing the Lake, depends entirely on the Advice they may receive from New York.

I beg that at least One Hundred good Seamen maybe sent me as soon as possible. We have a wretched motley Crew, in the Fleet; the Marines, the Refuse of every Regiment, and the Seamen, few of them, ever wet with salt Water. We are upwards of One Hundred Men short of our Complement.

Ensign [John] Bush arrived here last Night, and brought four Beeves, which is all the fresh Provision we have received. By him I send up Lieutenant Whitcomb and his Prisoners. I could wish to have a Six or Eight Inch Howitz mounted in Two or three of the Gallies. If they are arrived, they will be of infinitely more Service than Guns especially to attack a large Vessel. If the Grape and Chain Shot is arrived, I beg it may be sent with some good slow Match, and three Cables and Anchors. We have not a spare one in the Fleet, and the blowing Season is now coming on.

There is a small brass Royal at Ty, which with a hundred Shells and a Gunner, may be very useful to us...

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