Portsmouth April 28, 1775
Gentlmn
Your fav. of 24th Inst I recd duly, & observe the Contents ー The late unhappy Event, has put by all business for the present. Your order to Charter or purchase a Vessel is Impractacable here ー Therefore decline an attempt ー A Vessel cou'd not be man'd, with the greatest assurances for the seamans safety from an impress, nor is it possible to procure a Master & men for the purpose of taking any Familys from Boston by Water, as the people are Convinc'd none can go off with their Effects in that way, but such as have Immediate Interest or Connections with the Power that prohibits a free Intercourse ー The Alarm given by the Troops Cruel Proceedings Annimates with double Fire ー God only Knows the Event ー I heartily wish some Concilliratory measures might be adoptd before its toe late to save both Countrysー
I will exert myself to Collect your debts here ー No doubt ere this you have seen Cap. Cartwright his people that were of this Town, are got home & inform me the Betsey was cast away on their Passage to Georgia. ー Cap. Turner arrived yesterday from Granada by him I am inform'd Bettenham is at Grenviel Bay that Mr Scoot wou'd not take him up havg taken Umbrage at your Letter by that Vessel ー no doubt you are Particularly advised by Cap. Bettenham Roberts was at Granada cou'd not do any thing thare & Cap. Turner tels me proceeded to Jamaica ー Greno has not been at that Island. Therefore I conclude he stopt at Nevis where he expected to Load ー Mr Rose writes me of 3d Fey that he shou'd Load Follet ー I am sorry to hear the low Sale of Dowees Cargo ー You desire me not drawg any further ー I must to make up the Sum of £200 last mentd to you, if it were possible to sel effects or Collect any of your debts I shou'd not need to call on you, at present ー but that is impossible at present
I sincerely Condole the unhappy situation of the Inhabitants of Boston I hope they will soon be Releived, as the Post informs the General has promis'd to suffer the People & Effects to move out of Town soon as the Arms of the Inhabitants are delivered up ー My Respectful Compliments as due Concludes me Gentlmn [&c.]