The Mercury sailed with Orders (after seeing General Gage over St George's Bank) to cruize for a month between Cape Anne and Cape Cod and then come up to Boston.

At this time a Vessel arrived from Quebec with Dispatches for the General and News of the Rebels having taken St Johns &c. Whereupon General Howe, to whom the command by Land had devolved, immediately ordered several Transports to get ready to sail for Quebec with a Detachment from the Garrison at Boston, and applied for a Convoy, and the Admiral appointed the Cerberus for that purpose, she having a few days before compleated her Provision, and being in all respects ready.