Extract of a Letter from Independent Point

v1:682

Three schooners are gone down the Lake, and a sloop and six or eight gondolas will follow in a few days. Two hundred carpenters are employed in building more after the Delaware mould. We have plenty of large guns, and hope soon to have a formidable fleet upon Lake Champlain, Carleton and Burgoyne are at St˙ John' s, likewise busy in preparing a fleet.

A Canadian, a friend of ours, and an officer in the Militia, arrived yesterday from St˙ François, twelve miles below Sorel, his property being seized by Carleton. He says that Carleton and Burgoyne have not yet ordered the Canadians to arms, but have notified them to be ready in September to come with them over the Lakes, as they intend to drive the Rebels out of the country, and winter in Albany. This may be their intention, but I am certain they will find it impracticable. They will have to pass, in the first place, the gondolas; secondly, Crown Point; and thirdly, the Narrows below Independent Point and Ticonderoga. Our fortifications are much stronger than when the French had this post, when, with only three thousand French and Canadians, they made such a terrible havock of the British Army in 1758. Good living here at present, having plenty of fresh beef and excellent bread.