The followg is an Account of the Manner which the Cannon & Spare Arms were taken from Fort Pownall on the 14th April '75 by an Order from Genl Gage, directed to Thos Goldthwait Esq Commander of said Fort.

On Friday Eveng the 13th Apl, came into penobscott river a Top sail Schooner which Anchor'd near Fort Pownall, which myself and others took to be a Merchantman going up the River to purchase Lumber ー and early next Morng we saw Another Schooner which came too & Anchord near the Former. soon after came ashore some Sailors from the first mentiond Vessel to beg some Milk for their Breakfast's and said they were going up the River to get lumber ー presently after came on Shore an Officer who enquir'd for the Commander of the Fort and on seeing him presented an Order from Genl Gage, for the Cannon & spare Arms he then return'd on board and immediately appeard a large Number of Soldiers on the Deck, (which before was not seen) who directly got into Boats and came ashore & March'd into the Fort and went to work in Getting out the Cannon &c wch was carry'd on board ー I am Convinc'd at that time 'twas not in Colo. Goldthwait's power to have resisted them, with the least Degree of Success ー having only 6 or 8 Men in the Fort and but half a Barrl powder which the Gunner show me in the Magazine ー I further declare that I remain'd at said Fort 'till the news came of the Battle at Lexington ー immediately on which (tho' late at Night) Colo Goldthwait dispatch'd a Number of Men in his Barge to go 20 Miles up the River and advise the people of the News ー and recommend to them, to immediately Call a Meeting, to consider what was most Eligable to be done ー the Meeting was accordingly hel'd the 6 day of May when Colo Goldthwait presided as Moderator thereof. ー I attended the Meeting myself, and found, that after Colo Goldthwait's Conduct was represented to them, that they were Universally satisfy'd wch they manafested by a General Vote ー during the whole of the above transactions I was at the Fort, and look'd on Colo Goldthwait to be a Strong Advocate for the Liberties of his Country

the above if requir'd, am ready to make Oath to

I would further add, that the Officers which Commanded the party, said that if Colo G't refus'd delivering the above Cannon &c. 'twas his Orders to destroy the Fort &c immediately

W M