[Extract]
To Colonel Baldwin Chief Engineer
Sir

The honorable Continental Congress by a Resolution of the 28th December last have ordered "That a Fort be constructed on Mount Independence; that the Navigation of the Lake near that place be obstructed by Cassoons to be sunk in the Water at small Distances from one another and joined together by Stringpieces, so as at the same time to serve for a Bridge between the Fortifications on the East & West Sides, that to prevent the Enemy from drawing their small Craft over Land beyond three Mile point into Lake George, the passage of that Lake be also obstructed in like Manner by Cassoons from Island to Island in the Narrows if practicable or by floating Batteries, that Fort Stanwix be strengthened and other Fortifications be made at proper places near the Mohawks River and that General Schuyler the commanding officer of the Northern Department execute these Works this Winter and that the commanding officer of Artillery Chief Engineer, Quarter Master General & Comg General provide and perform whatever Things in their respective Departments are necessary or may contribute to the Accomplishment thereof. that there be a general Hospital erected at Mount Independence."

In order therefore to fulfill the Intentions of Congress you are immediately to proceed to Lake George to examine if it is practica[ble] to sink Cassoons in the Narrows in the Manner directed and if you find it so to report the same to me, and immediately to order one or more of your Sub-Engineers to execute the Work — If it is not practicable you will report to me by Letter the Reasons why, together with the Depth of the Water and the Distance from Shore to Shore and from Island to Island — The Report to be accompanied, with a Sketch of the Islands. 

You are then to proceed to Tyonderoga and as I concieve the Obstruction of the Lake will be much easier and cheaper executed while the Lake continues frozen than at any other Time you will first execute that work — The Cassoons should be so far above Water as that the Bridge may not be under Water when the Lake is at the highest and to prevent Batteaus from passing underneath when the Lake is at the lowest a Boom ought to be laid on the Water on each Side of the Bridge.