Watertown, Decr. 5th, 1775
[Extract]
Our Privateers more than answer our Expectations. since the Grand Prize I wrote Mr. [John] Adams of several other vessels have been taken, perticularly one from Scotland dunnaged with Coal and filled up with Bail Goods to a very Considerable Amount and Consigned to James Anderson, who by the way is become a Captain in Gorham's Regiment of Fensible Americans. it is said another Vessel with dry Goods for Canada is also taken and one with Fish from the Land. this Success Confirms the Sentiments I have long had. Fifteen privateers fixed out last June would before this have put an End to the War, or at least have Obliged the Fleet and Army to leave Boston.2
1. Warren-Adams Letters, II, 427-429.
2. Adams supplied extracts of this letter to the publishers of the Pennsylvania Journal, which were printed Wednesday, December 13, 1775, as follows: "Several prizes have been taken since my last ー One from Scotland, dunnaged with coal, and filled up with bale goods, consigned to James Anderson a Scotch merchant in Boston ー The foot of the invoice is about 3600 sterling: ー It is said another vessel is also taken, with dry goods from [sic] Canada; and another with fish from Newfoundland. ー This success confirms the sentiments I have long had ー Fifteen armed vessels, fitted out last June, would have before this time put an end to the war, or at least obliged the fleet and army to have left Boston."
