[Extract]
About 10 Days ago two floating Batteries were ordered down Cambridge River to fire into the Enemy's Camp on Boston Common & alarm the Troops there.2 It had the expected Effect, but was attended with an unfortunate Circumstance. A 9 Pounder the Sixth Time it was discharg'd burst, & very badly wounded 7 of the Men. It reduc'd the Batterie to a perfect Wreck. She was however brought off with her Remaining Guns &c The Enemy never return'd the Fire. One of our Men died of his Wounds next Morning & one since.
The Enemy have been very quiet in their movements for some Time. We have 16 or 20 flat bottom Boats which carry 80 men each finish'd & the Carpenters are at Work on others. What they are intended for is not yet known. The Conjecture is that they are design'd for a Descent on Boston. ー
We had an Express yesterday from Falmouth Casco Bay who brings News that a Number of the Enemy's Ships were in that Harbour, the Capt of which after informing the Inhabts that they must deliver Up all their Arms & give Hostages for their peaceable Behaviour, & allowing them 24 Hours to comply or he should fire the Town. At the Expiration of the Time set, finding they would not comply with the Demand, began a most infernal Cannonade & Bombardment on the Town which destroy'd two thirds of it. After the Ships had burnt 2 or 300 Houses & drove 2000 People into the Woods they fell down ー & it was Suppos'd were going to Portsmouth. As they had inform'd the People of Falmouth that they were to visit that place next & make the same Requisition, a Non Complyance with which would be attended with a Bombardment And that every Seaport Town on the Continent was to be visited for the like kind Purpose. These being the Orders from our most gracious King. Surely it is become Time that we had a French Fleet to protect our Coasts ー On Land we can defend Ourselves. ー
The General Voice is throw open our Ports wide to all the World ー & If we must be Slaves, Let Us be the Slaves of France Spain Turkey, rather than the Slaves of ungrateful Britain.