[Extract]

Sir I do Myself the Honor to in close You an Extract of a Letter which I Yesterday had the Pleasure to receive from General Montgomery. It has relieved me from a most distressing Anxiety occasioned by a Report which prevailed here, that General Montgomery was killed, Colo: Arnold taken Prisoner & our Army totally defeated. I find that this Lye was Contrived by some here Inimical to Us, & so Industriously circulated that It will probably reach Congress before this Letter. ー

As I have no Troops, It will not be in my Power to send a Garrison to the Fort in the Highlands. a Post of so much Importance ought not to be left without a strong one. ー I have sent Capt: [Andrew] Billings of Colo: [James] Clintons Regiment to raise a Company, he thinks he can speedily effect It. I propose to send him to the Highlands, Unless Congress should direct Otherwise.

I am informed that General Carlton has sent home all the Pilots from Quebec, probably with an Intention to have their Services early in the spring

Inclose a List of the Military Stores intended for General Washington. they are now at Fort George and as we have a fine fall of Snow, & the Weather extreamly cold, I hope to see them here on their Way to Cambridge in a few Days. ー