Dear Sir-

I came into this place through Roxbury last evening & find great numbers of troops or rather armed men in much more confusion than I expected, but perhaps with as little as possible in this disordered state of the Massachusetts; most of the soldiers here are inhabitants of this Province who are now enlisting in a regular manner ー General [Artemus] Ward is at Roxbury ー Genl [Israel] Putnam is commander in chief at this place ー they have both of them too much business upon their hands ー I wish our General officers as soon as appointed might immediately repair to Head Quarters; they will at this cris1s of Provincial politicks be very cordially accepted & be of eminent service ー The Committee of Safety who are the premium mobile in the military movements are crowded with business ー It is expected by many that the inhabitants of Boston will have leave to come out this day with their effects, pro?ided they leave their arms and provisions ー It is said that Pork sold there yesterday for pistareen pr. lb, and milk for pistareen pr quart. many are suspicious that the General intends to deceive them till he gets possession of their arms ー An experienced Engineer deserted to the Castle the 25th Inst Mr. Josiah Quincy is arrived from London in a very low state of health and not expected to live ー The restraining Act is come by the same Ship ー the reinforcements from England were not to sail till the middle of April ー I will if possible inclose you a Salem paper ー I expected to have seen brother Joseph by this time  Your [&c.]