[Extract]

General Arnold in a Letter of the 24th Ult: from Tyonderoga advises me, that only seventy Sailors could be drafted out of the Army and that three hundred would be wanting and intreated that Measures should be taken to procure them - I have accordingly written to Governor Trumbull on the Subject, and as General Arnold suggested that they could not be got for the Wages allowed Seamen by Congress (as these would have no prospect of making prizes) ー I have therefore ventured to intreat the Governor to engage them on the best Terms he can, as Congress will perceive by the following Extract of my Letter of Yesterday's Date.

"I am this Moment informed that only seventy Sailors can be procured out of our Northern Army, and that we shall want two or three hunderd more and that they may possibly be procured in Connecticut, and it is conjectured that Captains Samuel Chew and Francis Brown of New Haven, Capt Amos Green of Stamford, Captain [Azariah] Whitlesey of Saybrook and Capt Seth Warner of Haddam would if not employed, be willing to engage as Captains to command Vessels on Lake Champlain ー I am a Stranger to all these Gentlemen ー permit me to beg the Favor of you to send to them or such others as you may think proper, to engage forty Men a piece and to make the best Contract you can with them for their and their Mens Monthly Wages and Allolvance which will be strictly complyed with." ー I hope this Measure will meet with the Approbation of Congress as the Necessity of having Sailors is evident, and as there can be no Doubt but that Governor Trumbull will make the most favorable Contract for the public that he can.