Sir

Yours of 29 June I have recd. by which I have the pleasure of being informed of your appointment to the Command of the Troops in this Quarter Agreeable to your Request I have made as minute a Return of the forces guns ammunition & stores as I am capable of under our present unsettled Circumstances

As to Govr. [Guy] Carleton's motions I can say but little with regard to them it is said that there is at St Johns about 350 Regulars a few Canadians and a small number of Indians at the other posts by what intelligence I can get there is about 250 of the Kings troops or thereabouts, at St Johns they are fortifying and building some water craft by what I can learn, but with what intent we cannot yet determine.

You may be assured of my taking every opportunity of informing the Canadians of our friendly intentions towards them, but they are so very cautious the passes are so guarded that it is almost impossible to get any information to them

I have lately sent a Committee to Skeensborough to enquire into the state of affairs there, find they want to be put under some new Regulations the Place at present is kept by some men who Mr [Benedict] Arnold put there But as I expected you would be up in a short time I have not given any orders respecting the management of things there, but shall wait for your Orders relative thereto

I am &c

P.S. I wait Sr. with Impatance for your Arivel as I find myself very unable to stere in this Stormy Cituation  Sumtimes wee have no Flower and a constant crye for Rum and want Molases for bear which was engagd to our people  the Falliour of those who provide gives grate Uneaseyness to the Men ー hope for better Times on your Arivel.