Preston Boston Sepr 24. 1775
[Extract]
Sir Inclosed you will receive an Extract of a Letter to me from General Gage, with a Copy of one inclosed to his Excellency from Lieutt Duncan Campbell, representing that you refused him assistance to enlist Emigrants, for the Kings Army.2 On this Occasion I must refer you to my Letter of the 18th July, and desire you will send me your Reasons for not assisting Lieutt Campbell according to my Orders. At present it appears to me that if the two Ships with Emigrants had been compelled to anchor close to the Asia, and you had given proper Countenance to the Land Officers, a considerable Number of Recruits would have been raised for his Majesty's Service.
I send you an Order respecting such Vessels as may in future arrive from Great Britain or Ireland with Emigrants. It is not necessary I am sure to acquaint you that men from any other Country coming to America must be considered as Enemies to Great Britain, and treated accordingly, by being immediately seized, and, if practicable, sent here.
Mr Shank delivered me your Letter of the 10th instant. I have also received another dated the 5th by the Gage Sloop.3 The Report of the Master of the Brig from Liverpool is not true, Ships were fitting out in England and several are hourly expected.
Bad as the State of the Kings Affairs are in your Neighbourhood I am obliged to you for your circumstantial Account of them, and desire you will seize every Occasion to send me Intelligence of what is doing, for now almost every Event becomes of Consequence. I am &c.