Reports from above that Mr. Carlton has retired back to the North End of the Lake, and from below that the Provincials have gained Advantages last Monday & Tuesday in several Skirmishes near White plains .... When [David] Waterbury was inlarged after the Action on the Lake Carlton told him Burgoyne was sick at Montreal -Perhaps this Event and the Season were the Cause of his being recalled & 'tis not improbable but that a Part of the Northern Army may leave Canada for a more active winter on the Sea Coasts of the Southern Provinces. There is an Expedition agt East Florida, from which [Charles] Lee was ordered to N York which may have contributed to this Diversion of the British Forces. The St. Lawrence is not ordinarily navigable after the middle of Novr. by which Time there is also Ice in Lake Champlain and Snow in Canada. If Provisions are short in that Country & the Clothing intercepted Burgoyne must leave it & it is very doubtful whether the late Discharge of the Prisoners was not owing to Scarcity, the Design of drawing off their Regular Troops & a Dread of the Fidelity of the French & the Influence of the Prisoners in the Course of the Winter.