[Extract]

I shall not be able to leave this until all the Troops destined for Canada are passed and until all the Batteaus are built at Fort George, and every Thing got into such a Train, as that General Lee's intended Military Operations in Canada may not be retarded, nor the Army suffer for want of provisions.

There is scarcely pork sufficient to begot on the East Side of Hudsons River to supply the small Quantities intended to be stored near that River ー What is gone to Canada and remains at the posts above, will serve the Army but a very short Time; and no Supplies of the Meat Kind can be had even with hard Cash in Canada ー from the Beginning of April until the Middle or latter End of September; hence a very considerable Quantity of provisions will be wanted ー I shall therefore order the Commissary General to send for 1000 Barrels of port to New Jersey: but being apprehensive that the Men of War will not suffer any Vessels to pass, I have directed that it should be sent by Water to Hackinsack, from whence I believe the Traverse to Hudsons River is short and Sloop smay be sent down to transport it to this place, but as this will be far from being a Sufficiency, I propose if agreeable to Congress, and that they judge fresh Meat cheaper than Salt port which is very doubtful with me onaccount of the Numbers lost in driving, extra Waste in issuing &c that a Supply of Cattle should be sent to Onion River to be from thence conveyed in our Vessels and Row Gallies to St Johns but not to be put on Board at Onion River until there is a fair Wind lest they should suffer in the passage. ー I do not mean that the Cattle should be sent before there is Grass sufficient for their Subsistance on the Road and Sedge or some Thing to be got to feed them during the passage.

Since writing the above I have considered that as Hudsons River is not yet open, the Delay of laying the Matter about the pork before Congress for their Determination cannot be attended with any evil Consequences and they may probably adopt a better Mode, if not they can give Orders to some person in Jersey to purchase the pork, and send it as above ー Mr Peter Zabriskie of Hackinsack a real Friend to our Cause might be employed to see it transported to Hudsons River.

... If the Lakes should open before I can hear from Congress, I will venture to raise a Company of one hundred [batteaumen] for I forsee that great Quantities of provisions must be sent into Canada. I am Sir [&c.]