Preston Boston Novr 8, 1775,
Sir
The small Squadron under the Command of Lieut. Mowat mentioned in my Letter October 9 returned to Boston the 2d instant. I transmit a Copy of Lieut. Mowats Account of his Expedition, and am extremely concerned the badness of his Vessels and Stores prevented his doing more than destroy[ing] the Town of Falmouth. This however is a severe Stroke to the Rebels Falmouth having long been a principal Magazine of all kinds of Merchandize, from whence, besides supplying the scattered Villages in the Provinces of New Hampshire and Massachusets Bay, large Quantities of Goods were usually transported in small Vessels to Newbury Port and from thence by Land to the Rebel Army round Boston. This is our first Essay, we shall in a little time be better provided, and you may be assured we shall not allow the Rebels to remain quiet.
The Master of the Halifax having died on board of the small Pox,2 and many of the Schooners Crew having never had that Disorder, I have ordered her to anchor at a distance from the Ships, and to have no Communication with them while any Infection remains.
On the 3d instant the Viper came in from New York with the Mails, but last from Rhode Island. Captain Wallace in a Letter October 25 tells me that Affairs remain there in much the same situation as mentioned in his last; That the Towns People take great pains to remove the Rebels off the Island, and to that end sent a Deputation to the Camp, where there is a Committee from the Continental Congress, and obtained Orders for the Rebels to be removed a greater distance from the Town and by no means to enter; and to supply his Majesty's Ships with every thing they want, upon the Ferry Boats and Market Boats being permitted to pass; but Captain Wallace says this he does not accept, but insists upon their leaving the Island and is flattered he shall succeed.
Captain Vandeput informs me an Association was proposed, about a Fortnight before the date of this Letter (October 18), to three Regiments raised in Philadelphia requiring them to sign to obey all Orders of the Congress, and to submit to military Discipline, which was refused to a Man. ————— at New York has publickly changed his Plan and is now one of the most strenuous for supporting the Governor, who I find took Shelter on board the Packet, upon being informed the Congress had recommended it to make him a Prisoner; and though on writing to the Magistrates, he had the strongest Assurances that nothing of that sort was intended, and that he might depend upon the Support of the Citizen, yet he does not think these Assurances a sufficient Security.
I hear also that the Sailors at Philadelaphia are much dissatisfied with the branch being taken from their Pilots, they say they are to be made Galley Slav[es;] for the Town has built large Boats with a great Gu[n] in each, which are called Gallies. I transmit a Letter wherein particular mention is made of the Construction and intended use of them.
The Swan sailed the 7th with the Transports mentioned in my Letter Novr 2d laden with provisions and Stores. I sent Directions by her to Captain Wallace to make use of any method in his power to prevent the Rebels fortifying Rhode Island, and to acquaint the Inhabitants that whatever Resentment they may apprehend from the whole Continent, their not assisting to drive out the Rebels will inevitably bring upon them the destruction of the Town of Newport, in its consequences more to be dreaded by them than any punishment the Congress can inflict; and that they will avert the impending Blow by instantly declaring themselves to be on the Side of Government, and heartily uniting with us in repelling the common Enemy. I have desired Captain Wallace to let every other Consideration yield to the preserving this Island, and to endeavour by sinking Rebel Vessels in the Channel to destroy the Navigation of the River leading to Providence, which I hope he will be able to do.
The Hinchinbrooke Schooner commanded by Lieutenant [Alexander] Ellis arrived from Halifax the 6th instant, compleatly fitted. Lieut. Ellis having taken in Six Pounders at Halifax, I have directed them to be exchanged for the Adventures Guns, which being four pounders are fitter for the Schooner.3 I am &c
[Graves's note] common report had it that 139 dwelling houses & 278 storehouses were burnt & that the damage done was to the amount of £ 150,000.