[Extract]
My dear General

This Moment Capt [William] Goforth arrived with sundry Letters and papers to me; Copies of all which I do myself the Honor to enclose to your Excellency.

The Distress our Army is in from their Variety of Wants is truly affecting and gives me the most poignant Anxiety ー Some of the inclosed papers observe that General [William] Thompson's Brigade carried only ten Days provision with them, but this is happily a Mistake, for they carried from three to five Barrels of pork in each Batteau with all the Flour that there was at the post, insomuch that Colo: [Cornelius] Wynkoop had to send an Express Boat here for pork and Flour for his Garrison ー On the 13th I sent off 120 Barrels of pork, with Orders to have it forwarded without Delay; Colo: Wynkoop writes me that 115 Barrels of it left Tyconderoga on the 14th and it will probably reach St John's to Day.

Immediately on receiving the Intelligence of aur Distress in Canada I flew to the Communication below; sent on part of [James] Reed's Regiment; the Front of which I met (on the 5th Day after their leaving Albany) 20 Miles below this: those I sent on, being picked Men arrived here the same evening being the 14th and Yesterday they crossed this Lake with 109 Barrels of pork; 12 Barrels more are gone off this Morning and 110 Barrels with half the Remainder of Reid's Regiment will move to Morrow, and the next Day I hope to send an equal Quantity, and after that about 50 Barrels a Day along with the Troops ー ordered to move on Saturday next from the several places where they were halted.

When I met Colo: Reid's Regiment, I had their heavy Baggage taken out of the Batteaus, and loaded them with pork, acquainting the Officers and Men with the Distress our people laboured under in Canada for Want of provisions, but as I could not stay to see the Boats off, being obliged to push further down the River, to the other places of Embarkation, no sooner was my Back turned when the Officers threw the provisions out of the Batteaus, and reloaded their Baggage by which Means I have forty eight Barrels of pork less than I had ordered ー At this Outrage and infamous Conduct I must however wink, least the Service should be still more retarded.

I hope a considerable Quantity of Pork is coming: ー if there is, 150 Barrels will be sent off daily from here after the 21st Instant.

I shall be quite out of Nails on Tuesday ー I hope a Supply is on the Way up.

Intrenching Tools of every Kind will be wanted, more powder, Lead and Cannon Balls, and Guns for the Vessels on Lake Champlain, Rigging, Sail Cloth and Sail Makers to be sent up...

The Misfortunes we experience would in all probability have been prevented had the Connecticut Troops not quitted Canada so early as they did last Year, or had it been possible for Congress to have compiled with my repeated Solicitations to send in Troops.

Altho' I believe we shall lose Canada, which will be attended with many disagreeable Consequences, yet I am not under the least Apprehension that they will be able to penetrate into this province. I am with every Wish for your Excellency's Health & Happiness ー Dear Sir [&c.]