[Boston] 29 [August, 1775]
Until this period the Admiral had waited with great impatience expecting a large Reinforcement from England with Orders for his future proceedings; and hoping that an Accomodation might yet take place between Great Britain and her Colonies, he had confined his operations to intercepting the Supplies coming to the Rebels, and guarding those intended for the Kings Army, endeavouring by these means, and by granting Convoys to the Transports and other Vessels employed in America in procuring Provisions Fuel and Forage, to relieve the Wants, and thereby assist the Garrison at Boston much as he could. But finding the Provinces were seriously preparing for War, although he was still without the least Instruction for his Guidance respecting the Rebellion he determined to wait no longer, but to annoy the Enemy in the best manner his small & crippled force would permit; by making Descents within the New England Governments and destroying the Towns on the Sea Coast and the Shipping in the Harbours and Rivers. Indeed the Admiral had been ever desirous of sending forth such Expeditions, and had often by secret confidential Letters home, as well as abroad in discourse with the General, expressed his Wishes for 800 or 1000 Marines or Soldiers to go with the Shipping on these Enterprizes, as the sole means of destroying the Vessels and Craft of the Rebels in narrow Riven or Creaks, where Ships of Force could not approach from the Shoalness of the Water, and where small Vessels could be destroyed by men posted in Bushes and under Cover of Walls or Banks along the Shore, unless protected by a Body of Soldiers to march upon the Margins of such Rivers and Creeks.
1. Graves's Conduct, I, 190, 191, MassHS Transcript.