[Extract]

Upon a Supposition that Quebec Should not be taken before the arrival of the Ships of War I should on that Score be much concernd for our little Army and for the Poor Canadians who have taken part with the United Colonies for in my Opinion there would be great Danger of the Communication being Cut of[f] between the Southern Colonies and this in Consequence of which our little neglected Army must fall in to the hands of our inveterate Enemies and the poor Canadians and if So the Poor Canadians must by a Natural Consequence fall a Victim to Ministorial Vengence of which they are greatly affraid. But upon the Supposition that Quebec Should be taken (which I would rather Choose to beleive) I hope you will not then Conclude that all is over and that this Country. is then fully Secured. I well know that Quebec is Generally looked upon to be a place of Such Strength as to make it a Barrier Sufficient to prevent any Vessells passing by it but it Should be rememberd that it has been passed by Vessells of war and may be again. And Should one Single twenty-Gun Ship Get up the River it would be in the power of the Commander to destroy the Towns of three Rivers and Montreal together with most of the vilages on both sides the River Saint Laurance for one hundred and Eighty miles. On the one hand the Towns and Vilages must be destroyed or on the other the People must [be] Subject to any Contributions Either of men or Money that might be Calld for not a Singie Battery being Erected for the defence of any [of] the Towns or Vilages. At Montreal a Battery might in my Opinion be Constructed for its own defence The Channel Before the Town of three Rivers puts down on both Sides of the River but at Cape Magdline about one League and a half below this the[y] Unite and Channel Sets Close in with the North Shore where a Battery might be So Constructed as to prevent any thing perhaps from Passing. But the best place in the River is at Richleiu Rappids about 45 miles below this place there the Tide never Sets up at most only Swells the Channel is narrow and near the Shore and is so difficult that they must have a good Pilot and day light or a very Clear night to pass it and what would make that place more advantegeous is that the Rapids. Sets. down So Strong that it requires a Breese from 6 to 8 Knotts to Stem the ~urrent if a Batt~ry was well Constructed at this place of about 20 peices of heavy Cannon and put under the Command of a good Officer and men Sufficient to defend the works I allow it would answer Every purpose for all places above it and my opinion be a greater Security to the upper parts of the Country than Quebec. . . . I am [&c.] William Goforth Captn in the first Batalion of the New York Force 2