The Major Generals [William] Howe, [Henry] Clinton, and [John] Burgoyne, and the Acts of Parliament for restraining the Trade of the Colonies arrived from England.

Great Difficulties now arose in procuring Fuel, not only for present consumption but for the next Winter. The Committees of Safety prevented the Garrison being supplied either with firing or fresh Provisions, and pronounced all those who in any Manner assisted us Enemies to their Country, but indeed publick Restrictions for this purpose were altogether unnecessary, the bulk of the people being through wicked Misrepresentations, sufficiently disposed to distress the Kings forces: And this disposition among the Country people rendered our dependance for Fuel and fresh provisions very precarious.

It has already been mentioned that the Admiral had allowed all Coasting Vessels laden with any sort of Provisions or fuel to enter Boston Harbour without touching at Salem; but all Vessels from abroad laden with dutiable goods were as usual to enter at the Custom House at Salem, and then the Kings Ships (having Orders for that purpose) brought them round to Boston.

The Indulgence to the Coasters was however soon found ineffectual, for, under pretence of fears from their own Countrymen, very few cared to supply us, although the extravagant prices given for the Commodities wanted stimulated them to come in. But the Committees along the Coast to the Eastward presently took a certain method to hinder the Kings Army from being supplied, which was to seize all the Craft found so employed and imprison the People, and to direct that all coasting Vessels (except a few absolutely necessary to carry fuel to Marblehead, Salem &c) should be laid up, and their Sails and Ruders deposited in particular places; so that we had only two ways of getting firing, the uncertain one of intercepting their small Vessels creeping along shore, which now and then happened, and to take it by force.

The general indisposition of the Americans towards us appeared likewise in the affair of masts on which subject the Admiral wrote to Captn [Andrew] Barkley at Piscataqua & to Govr [Francis] Legge.