Sir

Since my last of the 8th Inst which I had the Honour to write from Isle aux Noix, my disorder (proceeding from a Bilious Fever & violent rheumatic Pains) encreased so much and reduced me so very low that it was thought necessary that I should return to this place to try, if possible to recover, which I hope with the assistance I have here will be soon accomplished.

In my last I gave you an Account of our Operations to the date thereof. shall now continue it 'till the Day on which I came away ー On the 9th I received a Letter from Canada without Signature, but which I know to be written by Mr James Livingston Copy inclosed No 1; As I had thro' other Channels a Corroboration of the Inteligence contained in the former part of this Letter. I resolved, as I had not yet my Artillery, to dispatch 500 Men into Canada, and gave orders on the 9th. for their embarkation on the 10th with an additional number of about 300 to cover their landing and bring back the Boats, Copy of my Instructions to the commanding Officer inclosed No 2. For the Event of this intended Expedition, see No 3, which was drawn and delivered me by one of the Party, and from what I can learn is just.

This Body returned on Monday the Eleventh. On Tuesday the twelfth I found I had upwards of 600 sick; Waterbery's Regiment being reduced to less than 500. General Montgomery (for I was too ill to leave my Bed) perceived however with pleasure, that the Men were unable to bear the Reproach of their late unbecoming Behaviour, and taking the advantage of this happy Return to a sense of their Duty, on the 13th I issued the Orders contained in the Paper number four. The 14th proved rainy and retarded the Embarkation of the Cannon. On this Day Col. Allen arived and made the Report No 5, and I found myself so much better that I had hopes of moving with the Army; but by 10 at night, my Disorder reattacked me with double violence, and every fair prospect of a speedy Recovery vanished. Great part of the 15th rainy, the embarkation much retarded by it. On the same day I received a Letter, of which No 6 is a Copy. On the 16th I was put into a covered Boat and left Isle aux Noix, and as it rained part of the Day, I do not suppose that General Montgomery could move until the 17th which proved fair.

The mode of the intended Attack on St Johns &c: as judged best, both by General Montgomery & myself, is as follows: To land as near the Fort as we did the first time we went down; the two row Callies carrying a twelve Pounder each & well manned; the Sloop and Schooner, and ten Batteaus with picked men to lay in the River, ready to attack the Enemy's Schooner (which is compleated & carries 16 Guns) in case she should attempt to destroy our Boats, or get to the southward of them, & thereby effectually cut off all communication between this place and the Army. After this naval Arrangement (which will take 350 Men) 500 men to be sent as a Corps of Observation to intercept any Succours between St. Johns and Chamblee, & to keep as near the former as possible; two hundred Men in a Breastwork at the proposed Landing to cover the Boats and secure a Retreat for the Men in the Vessels and Boats, should the Enemy's Vessel be too many for them; the remainder of the Army to invest the Place, and make the Approaches, and erect the Batteries.

You will perceive Sir, by No 3, that some of the Enemys Boats fired on our People; Capt [William] Douglas, who commended one of the armed Boats, pointed and fired a twelve pounder, loaded with Ball and Grape Shot at them, and we have Accounts that about thirty of the unfriendly Canadians were killed or drowned. In the first engagemt on the 7th we killed them 6 Indians, two Caehnewagas, as many Mohawks (Danil and William a bastard Son of Sir William Johnson) one Canassadaga & one Huron; and we are informed by a Caehnewaga and Huron whom I left at Isle aux Noix, that not an Indian remains at St Johns, & which I believe to be true ー The four Deputies sent by the six Nations to request the Canadian Indians to remain neuter were not returned when I left Isle aux Noix. I have taken the Liberty to desire General Montgomery to make a present in the name of the Congress to the Canadian Indians if he should think it necessary.

Since the affair of the 10th the Army at Isle aux Noix which then consisted of 1394 Effectives, all Ranks included has been reinforced by Capt Livingstons Company of New Yorkers nearly compleat, on the 16th by Col: [Seth] Warner whom I met an hour after my departure with 170 green Mountain Boys (being the first that had appeared of that boasted Corps) he left this with about 50 more, but they mutinyed, and the remainder are at Crown Point; Capt Allen's Campy of the same Corps arived here last night (every Man of which was raised in Connecticut) about 100 Men of Col: Bradles from New Hampshire (which Corps was to have been up a fortnight before, the remainder, 150 of that Body were yet to come) joined, the 16 at night, and I suppose the Artillery Company under Capt [John] Lamb will join them to day; these last were indispensably necessary, as we had none that knew any thing of the matter; so that the whole reinforcement consists of about 400. ー Yesterday I sent off 60 of [James] Eastons, and 140 more are just embarking, this is the whole of that Corps. About 125 of the first New Yark Battalion will embark early tomorrow together with the Company of Green Mountain Boys consisting of about 70.

Two hundred and sixty of the 3d New York Battalion remain here which I will forward on as soon as I can procure Craft, which is building slowly, as most of the Carpenters are gone home sick.

I am so feeble that altho' I have much to say about the sick, Musters, Accounts & other Matters, I feel myself under the necessity of confining me to such only, which I humbly conceive more immediately require the Attention of Congress.

If we succeed what Troops are to remain in Canada? How are they to be engaged for that service? The like for those at this Post, which at all events must have a Garrison, weaker or stronger, as matters may turn out in Canada.

The Weather already begins to be cold, the Troops in three Weeks more will with great difficulty, be able to stand it, thinly & poorly as they are clad; how are they to be supplyed?

What kind of Conduct am I to pursue with the Canadians respecting Civil Matters (for I hope to join the Army as soon as I am in the least restored).

Where shall I get Gold & Silver to pay for necessaries for the Army? Paper of any kind not having the least Currency in Canada? I wish a considerable Sum in Specie was immediately sent to Mr [Jonathan] Trumbull the Pay-Master.

Please to let me know what I am to do with the Artificers taken out of the Troops. See my Letter of the 26th July 9th Paragraph. I also wish an answer to the second Paragraph of that of the 6th, also to the 4th of the same, respecting an Hospital, in which I find there will be several Mates necessarily employed, as our Sick are so very numerous.

I wish for some Resolution of Congress agreeable to my Letter of 31st July, as Mr Phelps still contines to act in conjunction with Mr Livingston, which must necessarily be introductory of Confusion, of which I fear there is too much already; one only should be employed as Chief in the Office, and the other may continue subordinate, for both are wanted.

Should we meet with a Repulse, am I to prepare Timber for Vessels of superiour Strength to the Enemy's against next Spring?

Perhaps other Matters of importance may have escaped my attention; should I recollect any, I will do myself the Honour to communicate them to you. I am Sir [&c.]

[Endorsed] Read in [Continental] Congress 9th Octr 1775