"I have the honour of your Excellency's letter of this day; and have to state, that I am advancing with the squadron to Chazy as fast as the wind and weather will allow. "In the letter I did myself the honour to address to you yesterday, I stated to your Excellency, that this ship was not ready--she is not ready now; and until she is ready, it is my duty not to hazard the squadron before an enemy, who will even then be considerably superior in force. "I purpose remaining at Chazy until I find myself enabled to move, which I trust will be very shortly, it depending on my guns being ready. "I have the honour to be, Sir, "Your most obedient servant, "GEO. DOWNIE." "_His Excellency Sir Geo. Prevost, Bart. &c. &c. &c._" * * * * * "_Head-Quarters, Plattsburg, Friday, 9th Sept. 1814._ "Sir, "In consequence of your communication of yesterday's date, I have postponed moving on the enemy's position, on the south bank of the Saranac, until your squadron is in a sufficient state of preparation to co-operate with this division of the army. "I need not dwell, with you, on the evils resulting to both services from delay, as I am well convinced you have done every thing that was in your power to accelerate the armament and equipment of your squadron, and I am also satisfied nothing will prevent its coming off Plattsburg the moment it is ready. "I am happy to inform you, that I find from deserters, who have come over from the enemy, that the American fleet is inefficiently manned, and that a few days ago, after the arrival of the new brig, they sent on shore for the prisoners of all descriptions, in charge of the Prevost, to make up a crew for that vessel. "I have the honor to be, &c. (Signed) "G. PREVOST." "P.S. Captain Watson, of the Provincial Cavalry, is desired to remain at Little Chazy until you are preparing to get under weigh, when he is instantly to return to this place with the intelligence." * * * * * "_H.M.S. Confiance, off Chazy, 9th Sept. 1814_. "Sir, "I have the honour to communicate to your Excellency, that it is my intention to weigh and proceed with the squadron, from this anchorage, about midnight, in the expectation of rounding into the bay of Plattsburg about dawn of day, and commencing an immediate attack on the enemy's squadron, if they shall be found anchored in a position that will afford any chance of success. "I rely on any assistance it may be in your power to give. "In manning the flotilla and ships, we are many short. I have made application to the officer commanding at Chazy, for a company of the 39th regiment to make up.