I have received your favr of the 30th May ⅌ Capt. Bailey, with other Letters & papers which accompanied it.

The Information given by Capt. Johnson is of very serious Nature—The insidious Designs of the Enemy, I believe, are not to be doubted—but the Evil he mentions has not, I hope, reached the Minds of the people at large, however it may have influenced the Conduct of some Individuals.

In present Circumstances, I can afford—no further Assistance than is already given; the Brigade of New Hampshire Troops, with one Regiment of the N. York Levies, are now on the Western & Northern frontiers—Their Duty will extend to keeping a watchfull look out upon the Motions of the Enemy in that Quarter & on the Lakes—I can only advise you to attend very critically to the Movements of the Enemy on your Borders, & to the internal Machinations of evil Men & Emissaries who may be sent among you, or be contained in your own Bosoms. And to counteract them by every Means in your power—And at the same time to keep the Exertions of the people active & alert, & always prepared for speedy Action, in Case of an Appearance of the Enemy on your frontiers.

It is surprizing to me, if the Enemy are establishg a post in force at Crownpoint, that I have not been informed of it from Albany—Colo. Reid who Commands there, in a Letter of the 8th June, mentions nothing of it—And Colo. Tupper in a Letter of the 30th May says, "That the Enemy’s Shipping were arrived at Crown point, but dont learn that they have any Troops with them."

Was it in my power to effect the Exchange of Capt. Johnson, it would be very agreeable to me; but the Commissioners of the two contendg powers, who met at Elizabeth Town this Spring, to negociate a general Exchange of prisoners (in which your people among others were to have been included) have unhappily seperated without being able to agree to any thing; by which Means my benevolent Intentions have been entirely frustrated, & all Exchanges at present are at an End. If any Mode can be pointed out by you, to attain Mr Johnsons wishes, in which I can be influencial, I shall be glad to afford every Assistance in my power, that maybe consistent with my Duty.

I wish you to be industrious to obtain every Intelligence you can—and to communicate whatever you shall think of Importance. I am &c.