[Extract]

... Our disgraces have been great & repeated in America, but I am clear in the opinion I allways had, that they are entirely owing to our having begun too late, and having suffered ourselves to be amused by what were called conciliatory measures; fleets and armies, admirals & generals, can do very little without ships, troops, and orders; & the consequence of their having gotten them by slow degrees has been that we have been on the defensive the whole campaign; & to compleat the whole we are now warring with the elements, for all our difficulties in Canada have arisen from the attack having been made when the season was too far advanced to afford us the means of throwing in the necessary supplies of men & provisions. The loss of the Ordnance Storeship ² is a very unfortunate event; but that is a mere misforture, for she went from England under convoy, parted company at Sea, was then picked [up] by another frigate on the Coast who took charge of her, parted from her allso, and then suffered herself to be taken, most probably on purpose.

It is however our business to look forward & not to lose our time in complaints, the next campaign promises fair, & you have done so much for us in your department, that every other branch of government, must be piqued into keeping pace with you. I am [&c.]