[Extract]

Dear General  I found It impossible to leave Town to Day as I had intended, It is lucky That I did not, for I just now received an Express from Fort George advising me that amongst the Nails I had ordered from Canada there were very few of those wanted for the Bottoms of the Boats, This Account has plunged me into almost Inextricable Difficultys as I can procure only four hundred Weight in this Town, I have set Every Blacksmith at Work to make what they can, I shall still fall greatly short, and beg the Favor of You to order up fifteen Cask of 24d Nails as Many of 10d and a like Quantity of 8d ー A New York Carpenter must be employed in Chusing them, as they go by different Names in different Colonies, ー I could wish that they were sent up in a Pettiauger fitted with as Many Oars as possible, and under the Care of an Officer and a Party of Good Oarsmen. ー

The Troops are so slow in getting from here, Altho' General [John] Sullivan does all in his Power to move them. That I shall be under the Necessity of sending on Provisions from Fort George, before they arrive there, Which will necessarily detain some of them until a Number of Boats are built equal to those which Carry the Provisions.

Read's which moved Yesterday took Eight Batteaus, Starks, which has been Embarking their Baggage all Day with the Activity of Snails, will carry Something more, Nor can I prevail on them to leave any Part of It behind. ー I shall leave this in the Morning and hope to reach Lake George to Morrow Night, where I am much wanted...