Boston, December 26th 1775.
My Lord,
I am this day informed by the Master of a Vessel arrived here a few Days past from Cape Nicholas in the Island ー of Hispaniola, that the Rebels get Supplies of Arms and Gunpowder from thence in large Quantities, One Person by this Informants Account having sold 1,000 Stands of Arms, and one Ton of Gunpowder, to the Master of a Privateer fitted out for that Intent from Providence in the Government of Rhode Island; and it was generally said at Cape Nicholas, that the same Privateer had sailed with three other Vessels under her Convoy, having on Board two Tons of Gunpowder and 10,000 Stands of Arms for the Use of the Rebels.
It has lately been discovered that Persons in the Country suspected of Disaffection to Government, having Effects and Merchandize in this Town have used and are practising various Artifices, by a Seperation and Conveyance of their Property, to those of the Town who pass for being well disposed Subjects, to secure the same: As they must be indebted to Merchants in Britain for the greater Part of such Goods, and certainly mean to defraud them in Payment, I shall do every Thing in my Power to stop these Proceedings, until I receive your Lordship's particular Instructions on this Head. With the most perfect Respect [&c.]