[Extract]

. . . This has been a day of Fasting & Prayer for the Subjugation of America — I have however in defiance of the Royal Proclamation been dining at Mr [Horace] Walpoles with some well disposed Friends & making merry. — I am however very uneasy at the Long delay of the Masts Spars & Lumber; as it certainly has given Administration an Opportunity of advising Ld Howe of the Matter, & preparing for intercepting it — & indeed you may be assured that it is no Secret here any more than in Paris where I hear it is a Topic of general Conversation: Letters from Ld Stormont were brought last evening which announce that Mr Du Coudra had Sailed with some others for America & that he is certainly to go by the circuitous way of St Domingo — I hope in God that his Lordship is mistaken respecting the latter part of his News. Genl Burgoyne is lately arived from Quebec which he left about the 9th of Novr he says that Carl[e]ton had discovered two or three Provincial Vessels (which escaped after the late Action) drawn on Shore in a Secluded Bay & Covered over with Bushes & that he set fire to them — that he afterwards attempted Repair a part of Crown Point designing to Leave [Simon] Fraser with 4000 Troops to Winter there — that this project was afterwards abandoned & all the Troops brought back to Canada where they are gone into winter Quarters from Isle aux Noix to Quebec — that Carltons Fleet is all to be drawn on Shore for the Winter at Isle aux Noix, where some works are erected and a Garrison is left. I think however that the Provincials must be very negligent if they do not attack & burn the vessels when the Ice becomes sufficiently strong. — Burgoyne says that the Provincials had a Considerable Force on Lake George (consisting of two Bilanders of 14 Guns each, & three Schooners of 10 Guns each with several Gundoloes &c) & that they have so filled up one of the Narrows between the two Lakes, that it. will be impossible for them to Transport their Vessels out of Lake Champlain into Lake George without taking them to pieces & reconstructing them afterwards. & indeed the impossibility of ever doing any thing against the Colonies by the way of Canada becomes every day more evident. All Kinds of Flesh Provision was becoming Scarce in Canada and there was but little prospect of the arrival of the Ships sent from hence & from Ireland. The Richmond Frigate with two transports was met in the mouth of the River St Lawrence endeavouring to get up but from the Ice and violence of the Northwest wind, there was no prospect of her being able to do it — one of the Transports was filled with Clothing for the Troops in Canada & several of them had bore away for Halifax particularly one commanded by a Capt Hamilton, which had on board 60000 Portugal Johannes for paying the Troops.

Adrninistration here still flatter themselves that nothing is to be feared from france. They Pretend that the French Ministry have promised not to send any fleet to the West Indies Provided Great Britain will Solemnly engage not to increase her Force in that Quarter, & to recall & disband her Armaments as soon as the dispute with the Colonies is Settled. & as our Ministry are willing to enter into such Engagements they Confidently assert that the Brest Fleet under Mr du Chaffault, will not sail on its intended Expedition. I do not Credit these Pretences, but they may shew you upon what Grounds our great Folks are proceeding. . . .