Scarborough at Piscataqua June 5th 1775
(Copy)
Sir, I wrote to You the 1st June by Mr [Thomas] Fisher, in that I acquainted You, I was credibly inform'd that the People intended to erect Batteries in order to drive the Ship out of the Harbour, and that they were throwing up Intrenchments at Kittery on the Massachusetts Side, upon my observing their Motions, I wrote a Letter to Colonel Sparhawk and Mr Chaunsey two of the principal Inhabitants of that place and acquainted them I observed that they were erecting some Works in that part, I supposed for a Battery of Guns in order to annoy the King's Ship, In the King's Name wam'd them to desist in such treasonable proceedings, for they might be assured that the moment a Shot was fired either from Cannon or Musquetry on the Ship or Boats, or one Gun pointed from that Eminence I would instantly batter down the Town of Kittery and destroy all the Vessels and Craft belonging to that part and likewise make Prisoners of every Man I met with; In the Afternoon I received their Answer acquainting me that an Express had arrived in their Town, acquainting them, there were eight Vessels sent from Boston to make an Attack some where, that the People were much alarmed and accordingly assembled on that Hill, in order to watch the motions of the said Vessels; if they should come into the Port; they likewise acquainted me, there was not one single step taken in building or rebuilding any fortification, but that the same remain'd in the State it had been in for upwards of twenty Years; And that they had done every thing in their powers to pacify and calm the People, and that they were beginning to disperse and go home, and they hoped their conduct would be such, That I would not be obliged to Act in the manner I mentioned to them, that they would heartily rejoice, if they could but be any ways instrumental in hindering all kinds of lmprudencies taking place amongst them, but such was the extremity of the times, that it was impossible to restrain all, but at all times would do their utmost, to keep peace and good Orders and that they were retiring with their Families, to some place of quietness, if such a Place could be found; seeing the Inhabitants of Kittery and Newcastle removing from their dwelling Houses with all their effects and the number of Armed Men on both sides and likewise in the Town of Portsmouth, made me imagine they had some intention of putting their threats into Execution in attacking the Ship and it was so universally believed onshore, that Captain [John] Cochran who commands Fort William and Mary, removed his Family and all his Effects from there; We lay under Arms all night about 3 o'Clock in the Morning as the Guard-boat was rowing guard; about a Mile ahead of Us She was fired upon by about forty Men who lay concealed behind an old House close by the Waterside where she went past, they shot one Man in the Arm and slightly wounded two others, the Officer and people returned their Fire, I immediately fired three or four Guns from the Ship upon those Rebels, but it being dark and they hid behind some Rocks, I believe the Shot did no Execution, I immediately acquainted Governor Wentworth of this event, who in return acquainted me, in the Name of the Town that they were no ways concerned in this base and destructive Act, and that the whole town universally exclaimed and censured such a murderous Act and would do every thing in their power to bring the Perpetrators to Justice (which they never mean to perform[)]. I immediately seized upon all their Fishermen that I met with, which were about nine or ten, upon which a Committee who act at Portsmouth wrote to me and said they were very ready to settle any manner of dispute that might be between me and the Town of Portsmouth; I sent them a Memorandum that I knew of no such People as those that stile themselves Committee Men, but if the People of Portsmo: wanted to settle any matters with me, respecting the present interruption of the Communication between me and ,the Town, it must come thro' Governor Wentworth to me, That I would have wrote to Govr Wentworth, but he informed me, that all Communication between him and the Scarborough was cut off.
The next morning the Selectmen of Portsmouth waited on me with a Letter from Governor Wentworth A Copy of which I herewith send You. I acquainted these Men that when I was convinced there was peace and good Order in the Town of Portsmouth and if there was no obstruction in his Majs Ship being supplied will all Necessaries that She might want nor her Boats molested in passing or repassing to the Town from the Ship, That I would discharge them, and would give His Majesty's peaceable Subjects in the Town of Portsmouth, every Indulgence I could consistent with my duty, they assured me in the Name of the Town that I should be supplied as usual and the intercourse noways interrupted, upon which I discharged the Men, I hope it will meet with your Approbation; I hope we shall have peace and quietness now for a little while; as the People are returning back with their effects.
The Collector and some other People who had taken shelter Onboard of the Scarborough, from the Selectmens assurance of peace in the Town, are gone back. I dont believe it will be very long before they will be here again.