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Sir  Since my Letter of the 15th Instant by the Amity's Providence Transport, in which I did myself the Honor to inclose a Copy of the Savage's Journal and other Papers.

I am to inform you that Mr Benney the Collector of Canso, who resides at that Place during the fishing Season in the Summer and returns to this Place in the Fall where he remains the Winter brings an Account that on the 20th past two armed Schooners² commanded by Borden [Broughton] & Salmon [Selman] armed with four four pounders, and two Six twelve Swivel Guns, eighty Men each, armed with Pistols each, and a Tomihawk, or a Cutlass. They are also well provided with Oars, belong to Marblehead; Anchored in Canso Road, where several Vessels were likewise at an Anchor. They ordered all the Masters onboard and examined them as to their Cargo's and destination. They also informed the Masters of the Vessels that they acted by orders from General Washington in consequence of the Resolves of Congress not to suffer any Lumber or other Supply's to be carried to any part of the West Indies or other Dominions of Great Britain, but to France and Spain yes.

They were not to permit any sort of Thing to be sent to Boston, but to take all Vessels bound thither and on that presumption they took a small Schooner with forty Tubbs of Butter, the only Vessel they carried away from Canso.³

They came from the Island of St John where they have not done the smalest Damage except making a Prisoner the Lieut Governor⁴ under pretence of his having enlisted several Volenteers for the Boston Army and Malitia. They do also make diligent search after their Deserters, but wether they have taken any I cannot say.

I have undoubted Authority to say these Vessels put into Barrington on Sunday last [November 26] and took a Brigantine laden with Fish bound to the West Indies,⁵ sail'd from thence the following Day and steered to the Westward.

At 4 Oclock yesterday in the Afternoon, Anchored in the Harbour from Cork two Transports the Venus and America with Brigadier Genl [Eyre] Massey & six Companies of his the 27th Regt who are to remain here the rest of that Corps being hourly expected to arrive.

I had directed Captain Duddingston of the Senegal to victual and Store his Ship for Six Months, and proceed to the Bay of Fundy, and cruize as long as the Season will permit and if Necessary to winter at Annapolis [Royal], But those orders I have altered on the Information I have received concerning the armed Schooners which I hope you will approve. I am Sir [&c.]