Preston Boston May 18th 1775
Sir
By Accounts from the best Authorities to the Southward I find that the Rebellion begun in the province of Massachusetts Bay hath spread itself to the Colonies of New York, Pensilvania and Virginia: there is too much reason to apprehend the Infection is general, since even Nova Scotia has shewn Symptoms in burning a Quantity of Hay collected for the use of the Kings Troops. I therefore beg leave to submit to their Lordships Consideration how extremely useful a few of the old Fifty Gun Ships would be to serve in the Rivers on this Continent; they are handy Ships, and from their easy Draught of Water can go in and out of Harbours without that great Risque and Delay which constantly attends the piloting those now with me. And as the principal part of the Duty here is done by Boats I shall be extremely obliged to their Lordships if they will be pleased to give directions that each Ship and Sloop coming out in future may have an additional Boat for her own Use, and that Supply be also sent to the Ships now in America. I believe I need not add that none can be built or repaired now but at Halifax; Every Days Experience shews that we can hope for no Supplies the Rebels can prevent: their Vigilance extends even to Firewood, which is expressly forbidden to be sold; And I am this moment informed Guards are placed along the Coast for that purpose.
The Squadron is upwards of sixty Marines short of Complement; they are so useful a Body at all times, and at this Juncture it is so requisite to keep each Ships Complement compleat, that I cannot avoid entreating their Lordships to allow any Ships coming from England to bring out supernumerary Marines for that purpose. I am &c.
Sam Graves
1. Graves's Conduct, I, 90-92, MassHS Transcript.