Preston Boston 22 August 1775
Sir,
I am honoured with your Excellencys Letters May 27 and July 8 fully representing to me the bad Condition of his Majestry's Affairs in the Province under your Excellency's Government, and earnestly requesting the Establishment of some regular and constant Channel of Intercourse between the Colonies and Boston. Lord Wm Campbell and Sir Jas Wright have made the same Representation. I am also satisfied how useful such a Measure would be at this Crisis, but I can only reply to your Excellency, as I have done to his Majs Governors aforementioned, that as such an Intercourse can only be safely carried on by the King's Ships it is absolutely out of my Power at present to appoint any to that Service.
The ultimate determination of Government with respect to these Colonies is hourly Expected; if it is determined on to support the supreme Authority of Parliament no doubt large Reinforcements will soon arrive and I shall be enabled to send a sufficient Number of Ships to the Southward to answer every purpose of Government.
Captain [John] Tollemache who delieves Capt. Barry [sic! Francis Parry] will I am sure gladly co-operate with your Excellency in all things for the benefit of the King's Service, and I flatter myself, as your Excellency knows the necessity of preventing Ammunition being brought to the Rebels, you will think it right that Captain Tollemache should cruize as often as possible, which I have ordered him to do.
I am &c.
Sam Graves
1. Graves's Conduct, Appendix, 485, 486, MassHS Transcript.