[Extract]

The North End of Lake Champlain is open and I hope a few warm Days will open the Remainder of that, and also Lake George ー We have here now about six hundred Men, who will move as soon as there is a prospect of conveying them across the Lakes. The Cannon from New York are arrived and are on their way to Fort George, I fear they will not reach it in less than ten Days from this, if so soon as I cannot procure Cattle sufficient to move them at once from Half Moon (to which place they are gone by Water) owing to the incredible Scarcity of Forrage. On the 22d Instant, one hundred new Batteaus were finished at Fort George, as far as they can be without pitch & oakham, which is not yet arrived from New York-Thirty five are however compleatly finished-I am of Opinion that a much greater Number are necessary to pour Troops into Canada, in Case it should be found necessary, but Congress has stinted me to the Number I have built. The powder (only eight Tons) arrived here last Week & will be sent on with the first Troops.