My dear friend

I am not favour'd with your Letter of the 12th till to day, & have the satisfaction of receiving at the same time a very polite Letter from Genl Burgoyne who is pleased to express great pleasure in my nomination to the Naval Department ー The command I am intrusted with is as you say heterogenous, neither is the footing it is put upon of much consequence, being only temporary ー whether last Year's Orders were pocketed intentionally or not I don't know, but I doubt much whether Capt Douglas or any one of the fleet knew that the Articles of War are by a subsequent Act, extended to the Lakes in No America ー supposing it to respect Discipline only, the King's Troops serving in the Fleet are subjected thereby to a naval Court Martial ー a thousand difficulties might be started where the two Corps are disposed to wrangle, & I was ever of opinion that it was the best way mutually to assist each other, and avoid Punctilios with regard to my going farther than Ticonderago, as you desire my Sentiments upon the Subject, I must freely tell you I never had an Idea of the kind, excepting that after the taking of that place, it shou'd be necessary immediately to transport the Gun Boats &c to get possession of Lake George ー in that case I shou'd consider this attempt as a part of the same service ー as to my remaining to command upon the Lakes, I never thought of it, neither shou'd I have offer'd my Services but upon a supposition something wou'd be done before the Vessels from England arrived ー (George] Tmnbull's not coming up, is rather a disappointment, not only from the want I shou'd have of him, but also from my hopes that it might have been of service to him ー his attendance at the Court Martial I was aware of, & possibly he may yet be up in time, for embarkations are tedious ー by the last Accounts we have, there are not now 2000 Men at Ti, and the whole Country in the greatest confusion if the Fleet was up at Crown Point I really believe a very considerable number of friends wou'd flock in, for it is with great difficulty that the Rebels are collected together ー

I do not see any necessity for waiting to caulk Batteaux &c &c &c there is Tonnage more than sufficient for carrying them all up to Crown Point in a Week ー every thing wanted except Provision Vessels is built, and if they were all finished, they have not a sufficient Quantity to put in them ー

You alarm me much by Saying you have thoughts of leaving the River ー I hope not before we meet, tho' I really almost despair of seeing you this Summer; I shou'd like to see the Apollo also, but that is impossible ー The lnflexible is a better kind of Vessel than one cou'd expect, & the New Ship is really a very fine one ー she may be ready in a Week; but for what use I can't guess ー

I am laying here with a Pendant as broad as a TopGallt sail, and living upon fish & Pigeons ー Service reconciles every thing ー I have never yet sent you a public Letter, neither can I, unless you will point out a Subject ー you will of course inform my Lord Howe & the Admty also of my situation, & motives for accepting a temporary Command upon the Lakes ー if you think it proper, I beg you will take the trouble of sending a Copy of a Letter from me to you on the subject, but it appears to me unnecessary ー I know the Commdr of the Proteus well & wish he was safe arrived for many reasons ー ² I can't tell you what makes Mrs. J. melancholy, therefore don't know how to prescribe ー at midnight she is always in Spirits & I fear you leave her too early ー my Compts to her, Madame Murrus, & the good Ladies you brought back from England, ー Young Brown shall be taken care of when he comes we have a number of Mids, but I think a want of Sea Lieuts Schanks [John Schank] has much to do where he is, & has infinite merit ー 

I am sending Cruizers up the Lake to day & have other Letters to write, therefore shall conclude myself my good friend ever most faithfully Your's