We were very fortunate in making the land, which was just at break of day; being in the middle of the Bay, we fell in with the Mercury man of war who (with a fleet of ships from New Portsmouth, which place they burnt) who convoyed us safe into Boston.3 The Bay at present is very unsafe for vessels unarmed, as it swarms with privateers, and a great number of whale boats, each carrying from ten to twenty men; these boats take the opportunity of putting out in moderate weather to intercept the vessels bound to Boston, and as we have no King's ships in any of the Ports but Boston, they do just as they please, and can always make a Port on one side or other of the Bay; they were so daring few days ago, as to board a brig off the Light-house, from Liverpool, which was at anchor; as they came on board on one side, the crew left it on the other; in the mean time an armed transport slipped her cables and run down to her assistance; when the Provincials saw the transport coming down, they left the brig, but endeavoured to set her on fire, by leaving some lighted coals on the cabin floor.4
