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On the 8th Instant we had Accounts of another Engagement near Boston: I enclose the printed Paper published here, to give your Lordship an Idea of the kind of Intelligence that is circulated with unremitting Industry round this Part of the Continent: Nineteen out of Twenty firmly believe it; and I cannot express the Mischief it does If General Gage from what I have already wrote does not see the Necessity of favouring us with some Account of his proceedings, and the Admiral the propriety of having a respectable Naval Force on this Coast, it will give me real Concern, as I every day find of what detriment it is to His Majesty's Service, to be so completely abandoned as we are. Every hour I have the Mortification of hearing of Vessels from the Dutch and French Settlements arriving, and smuggling their Cargoes in the neighbouring Creeks; and three Schooners that were loaded with Rice a few days before my Arrival, and sent to Hispaniola for the professed purpose of bringing back Military Stores, are every moment expected.
The intollerable Tyranny and Oppression used by the Committees in enforceing their Mandates, has already given Offence to the moderate of their own Party; and has stirred up such a Spirit in the back Parts of this Country, which is very populous, that I hope it will be attended with the best Effects . . .
The Committee and Council of Safety sit Night and Day. I am told they are debating about seizing the Kings Officers, and those few who have not signed the Association, and boldly changing the Government at once. I have just received an anonimous Letter assuring me they have determined to destroy the Light House, and cut down the land Mark Trees, that direct the Pilots in passing the Bar of this Harbour. But that will answer little End in preventing Men of War, as they can sound and lay Buoys along the Channel; and besides Mr. [John] Tollemache carried off in the Scorpion to Boston, a black Fellow who is by far the best Pilot in this Harbour, and has Marks of his own by which he will carry in any Vessel in spite of what they can do. Your Lordship will easily conceive the Distress of my present Situation, and how very uncertain my personl safety is, but as I know my Presence embarrasses them, I am determined at all Events to remain to the last Extremity, and see what they dare do. To publish Proclamations against their Proceedings, would be only giving them an opportunity of pouring fresh Insults on Government; but could I only keep my Ground, till General Gage enables me to publish an Account of a Severe Correction given to the Massachusetts People, and till the Admiral recollects the Situation we must be in to the Southward, and sends us some little Force, I am still in Hopes our Heroes here might come to their Senses.
[Endorsed] Boston 6th. Jany 1776
a true Copy
