Sir By the General Gage who sails this day I have the Honour of informing you of my Arrival here of the 5th inst, as also the Brig Elizabeth loaded with Arms, Ammunition and Cloathing &c. The Dispatches I had on board for General Carleton I delivered to Lieut. Governor Carnake² who has sent them to the General at Montreal.

I had under Convoy the Jacob Brig with Arms, Ammuniti[on] &c for Quebec. I parted with her the 26th Ulto in a Fog, but she is this Morning arrived, and, as I have Orders on the delivery of the Jacob to put myself under your Command, should have put them in execution immediately, was it not for the distressed situation of this City and Province. The Canadians unfaithful, and destitute of Guns in the Garrison, the Lieut. Governor has represented to me the use of his Majesty's Ship Lizard, and desiring my Stay to protect, as much as lay in my Power, the Garrison of Quebec against the Rebels, who are advancing fast towards it; and as I have thought it necessary to comply therewith, I shall execute such Orders as I shall receive from General Carleton for his Majesty's Service to the utmost of my power. The Lieutenant Governor has requested the Marines on board the Lizard might be landed, as he had no Men in the Garrison to be depended on, and I accordingly ordered them to disembark which they did. I found here his Majesty's Sloop Hunter, Captain Mackenzie, who has your Orders which I shall be guided by. The Money I brought the Governor has directed me to keep on board, thinking it not safe on shore, but to be supplied as Occasion shall serve: neither does he think it fit to land the Arms &c out of the Storeships but remain on board under the protection of my Guns.

Yesterday the Governor sent me advice of the advanced Guard of the Rebels being within two Leagues and a half of the Main River, and desiring the Sloop might move higher up the River to keep a good look out on the Enemy. I therefore ordered Captain Mackenzie on that Service; he is within our Signals.

All the Intelligence that I can learn from the Lieut. Governor is that St John surrendered themselves Prisoners of War on the 2d instant, and are to be sent to Harford [Hartford] in Connecticut, that General Carleton intended leaving Montreal, and has embarked in the Gaspee for that purpose. The Officer that commanded at Sorrell has likewise abandoned that Post. By a Battoe last night with Dispatches for the Lieut. Governor I am informed that Montreal is invested by the Rebels and must soon surrender, it being a Place of no Strength and in Want of Provisions; the Rebels are now in possession of Point Levi, which stops all Communication, and I am afraid the Town of Quebec will be invested in a short time. The Vessel waiting for my Dispatches prevents me from being more particular. I am Sir [&c.]

Lizard at Quebec Novr 9, 1775.