Cambridge Novr. 11th. 1775
Sir,
I had the Honour to address myself to you the 8th. Inst by Capt. Macpherson, since which I have an Account of a Schooner laden chiefly with Fire-Wood being brought into Marblehead by the armed Schooner Lee Capt Manly. She had on Board, the Master, a Midshipman, two Marines, and four Sailors from the Cerberus Man of War, who had made a Prize of this Schooner a few Days before, and was sending her into Harbour.2
Inclosed you have a Copy of an Act passed this Session by the Honble Council & House of Representatives of this Province. It respects such Captures, as may be made by Vessels fitted out by the Province, or by Individuals thereof.3 As the armed Vessels fitted at the Continental Expence do not come under this Law, I would have it submitted to the Consideration of Congress to point out a more summary Way of proceeding to determine the Property and Mode of Condemnation, of such Prizes as have been, or hereafter may be made, than is specified in this Act.
Should not a Court be established by Authority of Congress, to take Cognizance of Prizes made by the Continental Vessels? Whatever the Mode is which they are pleased to adopt, there is an absolute Necessity of its being speedily determined on; for I cannot spare Time from military Affairs to give proper Attention to these Matters. The Inhabitants of Plymouth have taken a Sloop laden with Provisions &c. from Halifax bound to Boston, and the Inhabitants of Beverly, have, under Cover of one of the armed Schooners, taken a Vessel from Ireland, laden with Beef, Pork, Butter, &c. for [the] same place.4 The Latter brings Papers & Letters of a very interesting Nature, which are in the Hands of the Honble Council, who informed me they will transmit them to you by this Conveyance. To the Contents of these Papers and Letters, I must beg Leave to refer you and the Honble Congress, who will now see the absolute Necessity there is of exerting all their Wisdom to withstand the mighty Efforts of our Enemies.
The Trouble I have in the Arrangement of the Army is really inconceivable. Many of the Officers sent in their Names to serve in Expectation of Promotion. Others stood aloof to see what Advantage they could make for themselves, whilst a Number who have declined, have again sent in their Names to serve. So great has the Confusion arising from these, and many other perplexing Circumstances been, that I found it absolutely impossible to fix this very interesting Business exactly on the Plan resolved on in Conference, tho I have kept up to the Spirit, as near as the Nature & Necessity of the Case would admit of. The Difficulty with the Soldiers is as great, indeed more so, if possible, than with the Officers. They will not inlist until they know their Col:, Lieut. Col, Major, Capt. &c so that it was necessary to fix the Officers the first Thing, which is, at last, in some Measure done, & I have given out inlisting Orders. You, Sir, can much easier judge, than I can express the Anxiety of Mind I must labour under on this Occasion, especially at this Time, when we may expect the Enemy will begin to act, on the Arrival of their Reinforcement, Part of which is already come, and the Remainder daily dropping in. I have other Distresses of a very alarming Nature. The Arms of our Soldiery are so exceedingly bad, that I assure you, Sir, I cannot place a proper Confidence in them. Our Powder is wasting fast, notwithstanding the strictest Care, Oeconomy, & Attention, are paid to it. The long Series of wet Weather we have had, renders the greater Part of what has been served out to the Men, of no Use. Yesterday I had a Proof of it; as a Party of the Enemy, about four or five Hundred, taking the Advantage of a high Tide, landed at Lechmore's Point, which at that Time was in Effect an Island. We were alarmed, and of course ordered every Man to examine his Cartouch box, when the melancholy Truth appeared, & we were obliged to furnish the greater Part of them with fresh Ammunition. The Damage done at the Point, was the Taking off a Man, who watched a few Horses and Cows ー two of the latter were carried off. Col. [William] Thompson marched down with his Regiment of Rifle-men, and was joined by Col. [Benjamin Ruggles] Woodbridge with a Part of his, and a Part of [John] Patterson's Regiment, who gallantly waded thro' the Water, and soon obliged the Enemy to embark under Cover of a Man of War, a floating Battery, and the Fire of a Battery on Charles-Town Neck. We have two or our Men dangerously wounded by Grape Shot from the Man of War; and by a Flag out this Day, we are informed the Enemy lossd two of their Men.5 I have the honour to be, [&c.]