Sir,

The 22^d. November, we receiv'd here the disagreeable news from Quebec, of General Burgoyne's misfortune: soon after the Lieutenant Governor¹ and Council sat, and wrote me a letter to apply for the removal of the Rebel Prisoners. 

I wrote to Sir George Collier to inform him, as it was reported that General Burgoyne's Army were brought Prisoners to Boston, I gave it as my opinion the sooner the Prisoners were sent from this the better, that they might be exchang'd: the Lieut^t: Governor wrote to me to make the requisition, which I refus'd as I had your Orders to receive them on shore: but would give them up when requir'd by the Commanding Naval Officer.

But thus have they been delay'd from early in November to this day, and it is hard to say how much longer. 

I am quite happy to remain in any Command your Excellency is pleas'd to have prescrib'd to me; but why am I to be left with an Officer, that does every thing in his power, to retard the Service and make me unhappy, by such frequent delays.

Brigade Major Studholme's² & Mr Franklin's³ Expedition from Saint John's to Machias, was stop'd by Captain Foetus⁴ of the Vulture, telling them, he had Orders from Sir George Collier not to assist them.

With the concurrence of the Lieut^t. Governor, I order'd Major Small⁵ to reinforce that Detachment; & the reason Sir George Collier prevented Captain Foetus from cooperating with Major Studholme, was that Sir George, wanted the whole honour of destroying Machias with his Ships: the failure of which, has given fresh spirits to the Rebels.

Major Small will inform your Excellency of every particular. During the
General Court Martial I thought it highly necessary to send Major Souter to take the Command of Fort Cumberland: he went in very severe weather and is now return'd: after performing that disagreeable journey with great chearfulness: and effected with the greatest judgement everything I wish'd.

He has reported to me the vast expence of that Post, & what little use it is of, for the protection of this Province.

As there are sixty Yorkshire families there, who are without doubt good subjects, and would all be destroy'd, were we to abandon that Post, which is my only reason for continuing it: in the last War it was usefull to the French, as they came there from Canada, by the Bay of Verte.

Since Captain Barron was taken Prisoner, I appointed Captain Collett as Assistant Engineer; but on Captain Spry's Complaint of the extraordinary expences of that Gentleman; I have sent one there of Captain Spry's recommending; so that I hope the Works,⁶ will go on the better.

I reported to your Excellency that I had sent Captain Spry there this Summer to push on the Works: and as the whole of Lieut^t. Col: Goreham's Corps⁷ is there, I beg your permission to withdraw the Light Infantry Company of Marines, which I order'd there, when the place was invested: and which I did not think I could recall without your permission, after having reported it to you.

Without doubt if Major Studholme can keep his ground at Saint John's:
(which he tells me he will do.) this Province must be safe from any harm by the Bay of Fundy as it is exactly opposite Anapolis.

I hope your Excellency approv'd of my continuing the Coal Works. When I heard of the number of small Pirates, that were on the Coast, I sent the Deputy Quarter Master General to apply to Sir George Collier to protect the Coal vessels: he sent me word the Albany was at Canso: she might as well be in England: I then purchas'd a small arm'd sloop, which I call the Howe,⁸ and sent her & the Gage,⁹ which brought in all the vessels except one.

Sir George Collier told the Officer that commanded the Howe, that General Massey may send them out; but the first Man of War would take their Prizes from them: this has damp'd the Officer: & I have mention'd to my Lord George Germaine, to pray he will send me Two letters of marque.

I beg to report to you the Gage took one of those little Pirates, which mounted twelve swivels, and had taken many Merchantmen on this Coast.

I have Officer'd & mann'd those two little vessels mostly with Governor
Legge's Corps.¹⁰

As I return'd you Captain Shaw's Commission which has had a good effect; you will please to send me a Commission for Captain Daniel Cunningham, who has got half his Company: and an Adjutant's Commission for Lieut^l: Tho^s Green, who now acts by my Order.

Notwithstanding my complaints of Sir George Collier's conduct; Major Small will do me the justice to say; he never heard me speak a disrespectfull thing of Sir George Collier; since he interfer'd & settled matters: and I promis'd you I would not trouble myself about him: but, Dear Sir, how unkind Lord Howe is, not to send here another Officer.

My Lord in his letter said there must be a publick hearing; I do not care how soon; but I cannot be insulted, by any Man, for so I must call it when my letters to you, are dated from the 20^th. November to this date; for so long ago, has he inform'd me a Ship of War was to sail for the Grand Army: & five have been fix'd, & counterorder'd since.

I have had the honour to be under your immediate Command; I therefore appeal for my perseverance in every point of Duty.

I am at this time high up in Rank, & have not a Colonel's Command here.

Do not be surpriz'd if your Excellency sees me in the Howe sloop: for either Sir George Collier must be recall'd, or myself, for I can never serve with any Man, who occasions such delays to the King's Service in time of Rebellion.

I again repeat to your Excellency; that I am ready to serve my King, wherever you order me.

As my Lord Howe is pleas'd to say, Sir George Collier must have a publick hearing; I say for that; it is by no means the method to conquer the Rebels, no more than it was for a two Decker,¹¹ to cut out of Shiep's Gut River¹² ten little Lumber boats, which were sold for thirty Pounds each, & leave a large French Mast Ship¹³ there, on which there are Masts that would sell for Three hundred Pounds each, at Portsmouth, which the present Master of the Gage offer'd to effect: & bring to this Port.

The Troops under my Command are furnished with the most excellent provisions. The King's Molasses have been expended for some time.

As I this moment have heard the Cabbot is to sail in the morning,¹⁴ I hope you will pardon me, for not writing this letter myself—and also forgive the Contents, from Dear Sir [&c.]