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Instructions to Captain Samuel Graves appointed to command All His Majesty's Ves­sels upon lakes Champlain and George.

Having thought it necessary for His Majestys service to appoint you to command and superintend the armed Vessels upon Lake Champlain and Lake George, you will, without loss of time, proceed to Tyconderoga, in order, to assist Brigadier Powel,¹ or the officer commanding at that post, in reistablishing such a naval force upon Lake George, as shall be judged sufficient for securing that communication from all insults; And you will see that all the large Vessels, at present employed in transport­ ing provisions and stores &c, be forthwith armed, and put in such a state, as to be able to resist sudden attempts of the enemy, in Canoes or boats, which they may pos­sibly have prepared in Onion river, Otter Creek, or some other of the rivers on the east side of the Lake. And I do earnestly recommend that you cause strict vigilance and discipline to be observed throought all the Vessels under your command, and that they be particularly carefull not, at any time, to approach so near the shore as to be liable to surprises from the land unless where there shall be post[s] sufficient for their protection. You are to use every means to make yourself as well acquainted as possible with the navigation of the lake and the bogs and Rivers around it, and to report to me how and in what manner All the armed Vessels should be disposed of during the winter. And you are to obey such orders as you shall, from time to time receive from Lieutenant General Burgoyne or any other your superior Officer Given under my hand at S^t Johns this 3^d day of October 1777