Coun. said he should give it as his feeling that the books be examined and ascertain the amount of Stock and available means on hand; and report to the council, and then, when we see a manifest of the situation of the accounts, if we see we have strength enough to go on with that , and the and make preparations for our defence at the same time he should be in favor of going ahead with it forthwith. But if we cannot carry it through he should think it best not to take hold of it. He is always opposed to commencing any thing which we are not able to carry through. If we have got means enough he should be for it going [p. [174]]