[Boston] August 2 [1775]
The Merlin now coming in from a Cruize the Admiral ordered her to take the Scorpion's birth, and the latter to come up to Boston to fit for Sea.
The Night before the Symmetry armed Transport in Charles River had perceived a great number of Whale Boats, rowing very softly towards Boston, whereupon she made the Private Signal, and the Rebels finding they were discovered, retired. ー These nocturnal movements of the Whale Boats about the Harbour, and the knowledge of there being some hundreds of them, capable of carrying from 10 to 16 men each, with Ease, began to cause some apprehensions even in the large men of war, particularly in those stationed some distance from the Town; and the Captains of the Somerset and Boyne on account of the reduced state of their Complements (having in both Ships nearly 350 Men absent) thought it therefore proper at this time to make . . . Representations to the Admiral.
1. Graves's Conduct, I, 165, 166, MassHS Transcript.