[Extract]
August 24th [1775] I had written thus far, last Night when information was sent me from the Shore that some of the Rebel Troops raised in this Town, intended Stealing the Guns from off the Battery in the Night, as it was too dark to see the Battery, and I knew they would conduct this with so much Silence that we should not be able to hear them, I sent a Boat to be near the Shore. About Twelve we saw lights passing on the Battery very distinctly, and about a Quarter of an hour afterward the Officer in the Boat having plainly discovered what they were about, left his Station to return onboard and thinking himself clear enough of the Battery he fired a Musket to give me the Alarm. this was instantly answered from the Shore by a Volley of Small Arms, and returned by us by two Guns, which stopp'd their Fire; the Boat soon after-wards came onboard with one Man kill'd; we then fired again, and after some time, seeing a great Number of Lights, and they at the same time firing Small Arms at the Ship, we fired a Broadside after which we saw no more Lights. At day light we found they had removed twenty one Guns that were on Carriages on the Saluting Battery. They had (as I have since heard by a Person who has escaped from Shore) so well prepared every thing for this Robbery, that having but a very little way to draw them, 'till they would be under Cover of the Houses, it would have scarcely been possible to have prevented it had it been day Light, As our Guns were pointed as near to the Battery as possible, there is scarce any damage done to the Town, and none of the People hurt; three of the Soldiers I hear are Wounded, but none killed ー The People are leaving Town in great Numbers which I suppose most of them will do, who may have it in their power. the Person who gave me the information Yesterday, told me at the same time, that they had long talked of attempting to burn the Ship with Fire Stages, and that now they certainly meant to do it if possible, beyond doubt such an Attempt in a dark night and in a strong Tide is feasible, tho' I do not think they will venture it, if they should it will be for the safety of the Ship to move some distance lower down, where the River is Wider and the Tide not so strong. I wrote this Morning to the Mayor and other Magistrates informing them of the reasons of our Firing and warning them to prevent any further Occasion being given. not having received any Answer I this Evening sent another Letter (the copy of which I herewith enclose) and had one immediately in return from the Mayor, telling me that I shall receive a full answer tomorrow morning to my Lettersー