May it please your Excellency

I arriv'd here last Saturday morning [November 25] and immediately made inquiry whether Colo Read had done any thing in the buissness with which he was charg'd ー I found his Stay had been short during which time the Committee that sit during the recess of [Provincial] Congress could not be gotten together so that he went away without being able to forward the matter ー The Committee met Yesterday and after having consider'd your Excellency's letter to them Colo McDougal waited upon me & gave such reasons for not complying with the requisition for the heavy Cannon as would not be prudent to put on paper, he has promis'd me that he will use his utmost influence in the Congress which meets tomorrow, & has no doubt of Success that 12 exceeding good iron 4 pounders with a Quantity of Shells & Shot shall be directly sent to Camp & also he has promis'd the Loan of 2 fine brass six pounders cast in a foundery in this City ー they have finish'd six ー I very sincerely wish your Excellency had been acquainted with this Circumstance & charg'd me with a commission to have had a number cast for the Camp ー they turn out cheaper than the ones imported from Engld these cost 3/9. N Y Currency p lb ー the English 2/6 sterg p lb ー they weigh About 600 lb apeice.

If sir you should think proper to have some done & will give Orders to Colo McDougal or some other Gentleman of this City ー the founder will execute one in two days after he shall receive the orders ー and so any number in proportion ー he also can cast brass Mortars ー Colo McDougal has promis'd me that those articles shall be forwarded to the Camp with the utmost expedition ー You will please sir to give Orders to Col [William] Burbeck to get light field Carriages & appurtanances made for these Guns

I shall set out by land tomorrow morning for Ticonderoga & proceed with the utmost dispatch as knowing our whole dependance for heavy cannon will be from that post ー perhaps by my return to Camp the reasons which now operate against my getting them here may then cease to exist  I am [&c.]