[Extract]

His Majesty's Ship Asia came into our Harbour about ten days since. In my letter of March 1st No 13 I informed your Lordship that I had suggested to Admiral [Samuel] Graves the propriety of sending one of the large Ships to this Place. He answered that I might expect the Asia here by the 1st of April. I am heartily sorry she was not, for I really think the Countenance of that Ship would have had a good effect by encouraging some and discouraging others . . .

In my letter to Your Lordship No 16 [May 3, 1775] I mentioned the very disagreeable & critical situation of the Few Troops who were quartered in the Barracks of this Place and that only by the interposition of the more prudent Inhabitants, they were suffered to remain in Peace. No Pains however were spared to debauch the men and induce them to desert. Large Rewards and certain Protection they were assured of; which had such effect that the officers began at last to apprehend they were in danger of looseing the whole. In this situation General [Thomas] Gage wrote to Major [Isaac] Hamilton, by the Asia, that he thought it would be a proper measure to put the Troops under his command on Board of that Ship, and desired him to consult with me upon it. As I was very sensible this small number of Troops could not be of any use in the Barracks, and were exposed to those very disagreeable circumstances I have already mentioned, I did not doubt of the propriety of the Measure proposed by Genl Gage a difficulty however arose on account of the women and Children, who were too numerous to be taken on Board with the men, almost the whole that belong to the Regiment being in the Barracks here with this detachment. This occasioned a delay of eight or ten days in which time several soldiers deserted. We at length thought of enchamping the Women and Children on what is called the Governors Island, till they could be otherwise taken care of, and yesterday was fixed for embarking the Troops on Board the Asia. The Provincial Congress had notice, that some people proposed to stop the embarkation upon which they published a hand Bill adviseing the People by no means to molest the Troops, or interrupt them in their design. They likewise appointed a number of their members to join the City Magistrates and assist them in preventing any interruption to the Troops. As soon as the Troops marched from the Barracks, several People began to harangue them, exhorting them to desert, and assuring them of sufficient Protection Two or three fellows had the hardiness to tum off with their arms, from the Ranks, and were immediately carried away by the People, when the Troops got upon the Deck [Dock] where they were to embark on board of Boats, the Carts following in the rear with the Baggage, were stoppd and in the Face of the Mayor, Aldermen, Congress and Committee men, turn'd about by a few desperate fellows, carried to a Place in Town, where they opened the Baggage, and took out a number of spare arms and all the ammunition belonging to the Detachment. The Troops embarkd without their Baggage