His plan required a permanent army of ten thousand men; strong fortifications at Jacques Cartier, and the rapids of Richelieu; and armed vessels in the river, above the last place.

With this army and these precautions, he thought the country might be defended; but not with an inferior force.
It seems, therefore, to have been an enterprise requiring means beyond the ability of congress; and the strength exhausted on it would have been more judiciously employed in securing the command of the lakes George and Champlain, and the fortified towns upon them.
While General Carleton was making preparations to enter the lakes, General Schuyler was using his utmost exertions to retain the command of them.

But, so great was the difficulty of procuring workmen and materials, that he found it impossible to equip a fleet which would be equal to the exigency.

It consisted of only fifteen small vessels; the largest of which was a schooner mounting twelve guns, carrying six and four pound balls.

The command of this squadron, at the instance of General Washington, was given to General Arnold.
[Sidenote: General Carleton constructs a fleet.] [Sidenote: Enters Lake Champlain.] With almost incredible exertions, the British general constructed a powerful fleet; and, afterwards, dragged up the rapids of St.Therese and St.John's, a vast number of long boats and other vessels, among which was a gondola weighing thirty tons.