To the Honourable Council, and to the Honourable House of Representatives of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay ー

May it please your Honours ー

Last Evening came up to this Town from the Halifax armed Schooner, belonging to a Fleet, viz the Canceaux the Semitry & the Spitfire, lying in Hog Island Road under the Command of Capt Mowit  Three men Deserters from said Schooner, who ran away with the Yawl belonging to said Schooner, from a watering Place on Hog Island where they with one man more under the Command of a Midshipman were sent on Shore to take in Water ー They came & delivered themselves up to some of our Militia who were at work erecting a Battery on the Shore ー And give us the following. Intelligence  That on Monday the 16th Current the sd Fleet arrived in Casco Bay. That the same Day their Orders were read to them which were to burn, sink & Destroy every Thing to the Eastward of Boston that they cou'd not conveniently carry off with them. That Tuesday the Fleet went up to Falmouth & came too in a Line before the Town ー That Wednesday Morning about 9, o'Clock they began to fire upon the Town, and about 2 Hours after the Fire began Boats were sent on Shore to fire the Houses by hand ー that the men went on Shore unarmed, and to their apprehension not more than 20 were on Shore at ony one Time. Further they say, that the greater part of the Buildings that were burnt were fired by Hand ー The mens names are Charles Stuart Quarter Master, John Elliot and Daniel Streetland Foremastmen, the two first taken out of Vessels which they took, & are now detained in Boston Harbour, & the last impressed out of a Schooner at Halifax ー The men give a fair and honest Acct of themselves and agree very well in their Relation of the fore mentioned Facts We have sent them to the Committee of Scarborough to be forwarded to the General Court of Watertown, where when they arrive your Honors will have Opportunity for further Examination as may be tho't proper ー The Yawl in which they made their Escape is now in our keeping, and should be glad to receive Orders what shall be done with her.

I am your Honours most obedient and most humble Servant

[Endorsed] In Council Octor 28th 1775 Read & sent down

Perez Morton Dpy Secry