[Extract]

Sir  Since my last to you I have received no Accounts from Canada.

I learn that the recruiting Parties I have sent out, meet with little Success. The Troops at Fort George & Tconderoga have only seventeen Days more to serve, & I fear they will come away, as soon as their Time of Service is expired.

All the Prisoners are not yet arrived here. The Moment they come in, I shall send them to Esopus, as well the Officers as Men, for Colo: [Erastus] Wolcott informs Me that Governor [Philip] Skene as well as his Son have fled and that two Frenchmen are also gone, one of which is Oreillat, whom Mr. Brook Watson recommended to Major Shireff [William Sherriff] to get exchanged, the Vicinity of Hudson's River to New Town & Bridge field, the two Tory Towns in Connecticut, favours their Escape; I have given such Orders to Colo: [Cornelius D.] Wynkoop that if they are properly executed, I shall be under no Apprehensions for those that go to Ulster County. Wynkoop is a spirited & good Officer. ー

The River here is closed, the Prisoners are to march by Land. I propose keeping the French Seigneurs until I can move them at l[ess] Ex[pense] Perhaps too if Quebec should fall into our Hands General Montgomery may beg of Congress to permit them to pay a Visit to their Families. I am Sir &c.