My dear General,

When last I had the Honour to write I hoped before now to have had it in my Power to give you some good News. I then had Reason to believe the Troops were inclined for a Coup de Main. I have since discovered to my great Mortification that three Companies of Col. Arnold's Detachment are very averse from the Measure. There is strong Reason to believe their Difference of Sentiment from the Rest of the Troops arises from the Influence of their Officers. Capt [Oliver Hanchet], who has incurred Col. Arnold's Displeasure by some Misconduct, and thereby given Room for harsh Language is at the Bottom of it, and has made some Declarations which I think must draw upon him the Censure of his Country if brought to Trial. Cap [William Goodrich] and [Captain Jonas Hubbard], seem to espouse his Quarrel. ² A Field Officer is concerned in it, who wishes I suppose to have the seperate Command of those Companies, as the above mentioned Captains have made Application for that Purpose. This dangerous Party threatens the Ruin of our Affairs. I shall, at any Rate, be obliged to change my Plan of Attack, being too weak to put that in Execution I had formerly determined on. I am much afraid my Friend —————​ ³ is deeply concerned in this Business. I will have an Eclaircisement with him on the Subject. I will hereafter acquaint you more particularly with this Matter. In the mean time, I wish you would not mention Names, for I know not whether the Situation of Affairs will admit of doing the Public the Justice I could wish.

Strain every Nerve to send a large Corps of Troops down the Instant the Lake is passable. It is of the utmost Importance we should be possessed of Quebec, before Succours can arrive; and I must here again give it to you as my Opinion, and that of several sensible Men acquainted with this Province, that we are not to expect a Union with Canada, till we have a Force in the Country sufficient to ensure it, against any Attempts that may be made for its Recovery. I believe I have mentioned this in my last, but I cant help repeating it again. One Difficulty occurs to me, how are those Troops to be paid there? The Continental Money will not be received by the Inhabitants. I had distributed Part of it to the Troops at Montreal. Few would receive it. The Consequence was, the Soldiers offered it for less than its Value, and so it became depreciated.

One Scheme has occurred to me, which I shall communicate by this opportunity to Price & our other Friends at Montreal. If they can send down to the Army such Articles as Soldiers choose to lay out their Money upon, employing Sutlers for that Purpose who will receive our Paper, the Troops may then be paid in Continental Currency, which will not be depreciated. The Soldier will not grumble ashe may be regularly paid, & by Degrees, the Inhabitants may acquire Confidence in it, seeing our Merchants take it freely. What hard Cash can be mustered might pay the Contingencies of the Army ー such as Transportation of Baggage &c & purchase Provisions.

I am amazed no Money is yet arrrived. The Troops are uneasy, & I shall by & by be at my Wits End to furnish the Army with Provisions. I am the more surprized, as I am credibly informed Cash arrived from Philada at Tyonderoga three Weeks since. I have almost exhausted Price, having had upwards of £5000 York from him. I must take this Opportunity of acknowledging his Service. He has been a faithful Friend to the Cause indeed! His Advice & Assistance upon every Occasion, I have been much benefitted by; and when I consider that he has been the first Mover of those Measures, which have been attended with so many & great Advantages to the United Colonies I can't help wishing the Congress to give him an ample Testimony of their Sense of his generous and spirited Exertions in the Cause of Freedom. ⁴

Having so early reported to you my Determination to return home, I take it for granted, Measures are taken to supply my Place Should not any Body arrive shortly for that Purpose, I must conclude Congress mean to leave the Management of Affairs in Genl Wooster's Hands; and therefore if this Business should terminate in a Blockade, I shall think myself at Liberty to return. However, if possible, I shall first make an Effort for the Reduction of the Town.

I will shortly comply with several Articles of Directions, which I have received from you, and which I deferred in Hopes of complying with them before now in peaceable Possession of Quebec. The strange divided State of the Troops, all this Campaign, has prevented my sending Returns, having never been able to get one with any tolerable Exactness. The three discontended Companies are within a few Days of being free from their Engagements. I must try every Means to prevent their Departure, and in this Matter, I am much embarrassed. Their Officers have offered to stay, provided they may join some other Corps. This is Resentment against Arnold, and will hurt him so much that I don't think I can consent to it. I am, [&c.]