Scarborough Piscataqua 16th. June 1775
(Copy)
Sir  Since mine of the 13th. Instant I beg leave to acquaint You that Colonel Fenton who has been these three Weeks Onboard of the Scarborough for Protection, went to Town as being a Member of their Assembly which was to have met that day, the populous hearing of his coming to Town assembled in a large body to seize him, he took shelter in the Governor's House, which they immediately surrounded, and got two pieces of Cannon planted against the Door and declared that if he was not delivered up in five Minutes they would set fire to the House, he then surrendered himself to them, and they have carried him into the Country, my Boat happen'd to go to Town, a little while after the tumult was over, the Governor thought proper to retire from the Town in her, he and his family are now at the Castle, and I believe they intend to remain there; You may depend I shall give him every aid and protection in my power.
I beg leave to observe to You, that it will be impossible for me to put in Execution effectually the Duty of this Port without some more force, as there is one or two inlets into this Harbour where Vessels may get to Town without my Knowledge and there is likewise a Harbour called Old York, about four Miles to the Eastward, where Vessels of 150 Tons may go in and send their Cargoes to the Town. It will be impossible to put into Execution the several powers in the Restraining Bills except there is some Vessel to cruize off and to come in here occasionally: Governor Wentworth acquaints me he will write to You upon that Subject.
I am still informed they are making Carriages at Portsmouth in order to mount Guns and when compleated they are to mount them somewhere, but in what part it is not yet known.
I am at present upon pretty good terms with the People of the Town, how long it may remain is very uncertain.
I send this by Mr Turner Master of the Scarborough in the Spinckes Sloop;I have sent by him Demands for Warrant Officers Stores which You will be pleased to approve of.
Any thing that you may want to know of this Harbour and the Neighbouring Ones he can inform You.