Lively Penobscot Bay 7 October 1775
Sir
I take this Opportunity to acquaint you that I anchor'd under the Fox Islands with his Majesty's Ship under my Command and all the Convoy on the 27th Sepr at 7 P.M. the Wind S b E. It blew strong that Night and all the next day; the day following Captain Payne had a Conference with the People on shore, at first they appeared little inclined to let us have their Wood; but on our assuring them they should be satisfied for whatever we had from them, they soon grew more flexible, and we got off about 20 Cord, the rest that they had cut not being drawn out of the Woods; nor dare they hawl it out for fear of being destroyed by Col. [James] Cargill and his Ruffians from the Main; without we ordered them so to do, which Order we soon gave, and they promised to act accordingly; and the next day I anchored here (Long Island) with the Ships, where I found the People under the same Terror, but on our giving them every Assurance of our intention to pay for the Wood we had from them, with positive Directions to hawl their Wood to the Shore, they complied; and we have now two Ships loaded; two more will be finished Tomorrow and by Tuesday hope to finish three more, and by the end of the next Week we have a Prospect of getting them all loaded if not disturbed by a Visit from Cargill who we are told intends us that favor. As we have given these People the strongest Assurances that they shall be paid for their Wood before we leave them; and Capt. Payne not being provided with Cash or Goods sufficient for that purpose, I am at his request induced to send the Sloop (that brings this) to Boston with his Letters to General [James] Robertson, to forward to him by an armed Vessel and a Transport without loss of time money and goods to satisfy these People, and should the same not arrive by the time the Ships are loaded I shall be under the necessity of leaving the Spy here 'till the same arrives; These People are very poor and in great want of almost all the necessaries of life, and I must think it will be of the greatest Consequence to the Kings Service (so far as relates to a Supply of Wood for the Garrison at Boston) that the utmost Dispatch should be made in sending the money or articles Captain Payne has wrote for.
Last Night I was informed an Embarkation, on board which were 1500 Men under the Command of Col. Arnold, arrind at Kennebeck the end of last Week from the Eastward; and that they are gone up the River in Whale Boats and Batteaux and are destined for Canada: this Account may be relied on.
I have stoped a Schooner from Piscatagua to load Wood, which Schooner I intend bringing with me to Boston; And herewith you will receive the State and Condition of his Majesty's Ship under my CommandâI am &c