The Express with your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d Instant over-took me this Afternoon on my Way to Albany about ten Miles from this Place & I immediately returned that I might have an Opportunity of repeating my Orders to the Agent to use every possible Exertion to collect Supplies for the Army & facilitate the Transportation of them to the Posts in the Highlands.1 I am happy to inform your Excellency that I mett upon the Road near two hundred Barrels of Flour greater Part of which will reach Fishkill this Evening; and I have Reason to believe that the present Sleighing will enable us to get in such a Supply from different Quarters of the Country as at least to prevent immediate Want—With respect to the Article of Meat little is to be expected of us but I am persuaded that our Agent and his Assistants will use their best Endeavours to obtain as much as they possibly can.

I shoud in the present critical Situation of Affairs defer going to Albany that I might be at Hand to render your Excellency every Assistance in my Power; But from Intimations given me by Colo. Hughes lately from Albany there is some Reason to Apprehend that the Troops there may follow the Example of those of Pensylvania & Jersey2 I conceive it my Duty therefore to be near them & prevent (if posible) the Spirit of Discontent from spreading & If your Excellency shoud have Occassio⟨n⟩ for the Assistance of any Part of the Militia in my Absence I begg you will be pleased to call upon the Officers command⟨ing⟩ the Regiments most convenient as an Application to me might be attended with too much Delay—I am perswad⟨ed⟩ you will discover a Disposition in them to comply with your Excellency’s Directions. I am with the highest Regard & Esteem Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Servt