Preston Boston 11 Novr 1775
Sir
By the Orders and Instructions now sent you will learn that his Majesty is firmly resolved to reduce the Colonies to obedience; I therefore desire you will steadily and vigorously pursue every means in your power for that purpose. Let me know what Sort of Ships you would have, how many more, and in general every thing that you can desire to carry on your Operations against the Rebels; Endeavour by all means to secure the possession of Rhode Island free from Irruptions from the Continent, let no method be left untried. The Ports within the Sound must be destroyed if possible, and the Stock on the Islands round you preserved. I know this is an arduous task; but I likewise know that whatever is possible to be done you can effect; take every opportunity of getting Cattle for us, for our existence this Winter depends on Supplies of fresh Provisions for the People. If you can procure Potatoes, Turnips, Carrots, whether by Ravage or Purchase, send them here, I will supply all the Seamen with Roots or Vegetables if they can be had. I repeat my Reliance upon your Activity and Zeal for the Kings Service, and I desire if I have omitted to send you any Supplies or Directions that you will point it out to me with any Observations tending to the good of the Service. I am &c
Sam. Graves.2
1. Graves's Conduct, I, 164-165, BM.
2. Ibid., I, 165, BM; [Graves's note] "By the foregoing Letters and various others a little before and after this Period (in the Appendix), it will appear how anxious and alert the Admiral was on the prospect of an effectual Reinforcement and the receipt of positive Orders from Home. His Ships were kept cruizing under many difficulties in all Weathers, their Commanders received frequent and full directions for their Conduct; every method was tried to annoy the Enemy and to secure New York & Rhode Island, as places of the greatest importance; Convoys were always ready at the shortest Notice, and every assistance given that was practicable to the Army, insomuch that no Stratagem was left unessayed to provide the Garrison with provisions and fuel for the Winter. And here it may not be improper to recall the Readers Observation that all the several Directions given by the Admiral in consequence of the Rebellion until the arrival of the Raven on the 4th of October issued from himself without the least instruction from Administration that he constantly anticipated the Orders of Government by his foresight of Exigencies & that now he ventured at his own peril, & for the sake of the public, to disobey the Admiralty Orders brought by the Phoenix."
