[draft] My dear Friend Boston July 14 1777 excuse the blot I should have wrote you by, Majr Knox but the day he left Boston. I was oblige to muster my Reg:t at Dorchester so could attend it, as I wrote by the Post a few day before, I hope you'll excuse it - My God, what a stroke we have meet with in [loss.g] of Ticonderoga - after all the trouble, pains, & expence the Continent has been at in [Fortif:g] that Post, to think we should be oblige'd to give it up without firig a gun - is too much - and when I reflect the fault is our own in not find:g a proper garrison there to defend it - I am afraid to say what I think - I had much rather they should be in [text loss] of Philadelphia & Boston, and there the Capitals in Flam's, than they should have [secession] of that important post - I [vew] at as the [text loss] all that Country and expect them dam'd [text loss] [bounds] will be let lose on our Frontier and there will be nothing but Scalp'g & Butcher'g our back settlements - it will [text loss] at least 5.000 men - to keep 5.00 of these dam'd Indians in awe - For New's turn Over [2] Capt Manly & McNeal has taken a British Frigat of 32 gun's call'd the Fox - they also engag'd a 40 gun ship - but a 64 - leave'g insight, they were oblige to quit her - after they had taken her, the greater Part of the men belonging to the Fox, enter'd on board our ships - and out of her and our two ships, they man'd the Fox Frigate and took her into the Continental Service - she is now Cruise'g in Camp with Cap:t Manley - Cap:t Waters that command'd one our finall schooner's had Order from Congress to Build a 20 gun ship & to have the command of her but he find'g it very difficult to build & man a ship - enter'd on board Capt. Manley as a Volunteer - and was to have the Command of the first ship that was taken - Capt Waters has now the Command of the Fox - we expect to hear every hour - he & Manly has taken the 64 gun ship - Capt McNeal has arriv'd at the Eastward, with the Officers & men belonging to the Fox - we expect the Ship up today as the Wind is Fair this is a Fact [3] I suppose you have heard before this. General Prescot & his a,d,c is taken Prisoner & [safe] arriv'd at Providence - it is said he was taken in bed with his dear Mistress - when our people bust into the Chamber where he was - he said he was a Gen.l Officer & hope'd they would treat him well, as he had all ways treat'd every prisoner well that fell into his lands - am in hopes we shall get Gen.l Lee exchang'd for him I wrote you some time ago - that [text loss] Hershaw wish'd to be with you [text loss] Secretary - you have news wrote [text loss] to it every trust he waits on [text loss] if you have wrote me with respect [text loss] [prospect] [gloss] hope you have recd [text loss] believe to be your sincer friend [docket] Colo Jackson [illegible] 1777 - [address leaf] Brigadier Gen:l Knox At Gen:l Washingtons Head Quarters