"I have the honour to be, with great respect,
_Extract of a Letter from Sir J. L. Yeo to Sir George Prevost, dated 29th Aug. 1814, p. 141._
"I have this day received a correct statement of all the officers and men belonging to the establishment on Lake Champlain.
"I enclose your Excellency a scale of the complement of each vessel, agreeable to the Admiralty order, by which you will perceive that, after each complement is complete, there will remain 97 seamen over and above. Your Excellency must be aware, that when this squadron proceeds up the Lake, I shall be under the necessity of taking the seamen out of the gun-boats; neither will the number of seamen we have in this country, afford a sufficient number of men to man the gun-boats on Lake Champlain, independent of the ships."
_Correspondence between Sir George Prevost and Capt. Downie, p. 145._
"_Head-Quarters, Plattsburg, Wednesday, 7 a. m. 7th Sept. 1814._
"The enemy's force in the Bay consists of a ship, inferior to the Confiance, a brig, a large schooner, a sloop, and seven or eight gun-boats. When the gun-boats are manned, the remaining craft appear to have but few men left on board. If you feel that the vessels under your command are equal to a contest with those I have described, you will find the present moment offers many advantages which may not again occur.
"As my ulterior movements depend on your decision, you will have the goodness to favour me with it, with all possible promptitude.
"In the event of your coming forward immediately, you will furnish conveyance for the two 8-inch mortars, ordered from Isle aux Noix, with their stores, provided you can do so, without delaying the sailing of your squadron.
"_H. M. S. Confiance, off La Cole, 7th Sept. 4 p. m. 1814._
"I have the honour of your Excellency's letter of this morning.
"I am aware of the comparative force of the two squadrons, and am thus far on my way to find the enemy, conceiving that the moment I can put this ship into a state for action, I shall be able to meet them.
"The Confiance at this moment is in such a state, as to require at least a day[107] or two to make her efficient before the enemy; but with all the exertion I can use, it will probably be that time at least, before it will be possible to get her up to Chazy, where I shall be happy to receive any further communication from your Excellency.