[Extract]

I have received the account, by one of my Midshipmen sent Express from Chambly that the Engineers have pronounced the Ground in one or more places, thro which the road leads, from thence to St Johns, not to be of sufficient Density for the Transportation of the whole Hull of the Maria arm'd Schooner, And that it would require too much time, and be productive of other inconveniences, to remove that obstacle. She is therefore taking down, to her floor heads, in order to be the more easily transported. The same Obstacles obtaining, with regard to the other two Hulls at Chambly the instant I received this Intelligence which I communicated viva voce to General Carleton His Excellency authorized me to have the frame building here, (already alluded to) of a Ship of one hundred & Eighty Tons burthen, taken down Today all the Carpenters afloat Went to Work, and it is expected that by after Tomorrow Evening, her Members will be ready for shipping off to Chambly in the Thirty Long boats, which are to be left by as many Transports, which Longboats are to be rowed by Canadian Boatmen, but for the greater safety & dispatch, to be steered by English patrons. The General agree, that the Transports may depart some excepted in case of exigences, but with their Long boats they must leave their Carpenters to whom His Excellency engages that they shall not be detained Longer than is consistent with their return to England before Winter: And I that they shall have a Transport kept for their Conveyance as also for that [of] such Seamen, as shall emancipate from the Lake service in consequence of Conditions Made or to be made with them, who have enter'd or shall Enter. The Transports shall sail, as fast as they can be got down from the Sorel, And Pilots can be procured for them from this bason, to the Isle of Bic where Twenty have long been in waiting, for the expected Brigade of Brunswick Troops.

Be pleased to assure my Lords Commrs that in all Cases, I shall act for the good of His Majts Service, to the Best of my humble Capacity I beg leave to recommend the herewith inclosed for your persual and your communication of the Contents thereof, to their Lordships. And am &c

P.S This moment General Carleton has in the most earnest terms desired that Lieut John Schank, with whose great merit I am well acquainted, Commanding the Canceau Arm'd Ship may have the superintendance in rebuilding at St Johns, the Ship already taken down here, almost to the very Keel; and the Command of her when afloat in lake Champlain I therefore send the Canceau to the Sorel, with Guns &c for the New Ship; And moreover to the end, that the Men and all the necessary Sails Anchors and Stores belonging to her, which are remarkably well adapted may be employed under their present Commander, And on the lake in question ー The Gaspee Brig is to go in her stead to the Commander in chief, with_ General Carleton's next Dispatches And this very instant I received by a fresh Express from Captn [Thomas] Pringle of the Lord Howe in the name of Major General [William] Phillips, the request that the frame in Question (already in pieces) be taken down, and sent up to them ー And most singularly happy am I, in this as in almost every thing else, We have ever anticipated Wishes and requisitions.