To the Honourable His Majesty's Council of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, and the Honourable House of Representatives, in General Court assembled.

The Petition of the Delegates of the several Towns in the County of Cumberland, met in Convention, humbly sheweth:

That, in consequence of the destruction of the Town of Falmouth, on the 18th ultimo, this Convention met on the 31st, (and continued by adjournments, to this day,) to consider of some ways and means to defend this County, and also this part of the county, and in particular to secure, and take possession of, and keep Falmouth Neck in our own power, if possible, by our utmost exertions. Accordingly, we advised and ordered the most of the soldiers in the Colony service on these sea-coasts to be immediately set to work to make an intrenchment, to prevent boats from landing for the future, and, at the same time, appointed a Committee to view an eminence on said Falmouth-Neck, in order to begin to build a fort, and keep possession and advantage of the ground from our enemies, with directions to continue what number of men was necessary and proper, besides the soldiers, to carry on the affair, and apportion the same on the several towns, according to their circumstances, situation, and abilities. While these things were in agitation, and before we had well got through, the Cerberus man-of-war hove in sight, and ran into Falmouth harbour and Captain Symons, the commander, sent orders and letters on shore, copies of which Mr. Freeman will be able to lay before you, if needed. The several towns in the County were sent to, by letters originating from the Honourable Colonel Freeman, with orders and advice to raise half the Militia. A number of the Militia and soldiers repaired to Falmouth, as soon as their distance and situation would admit; but, the weather being very stormy, nothing could be done till Saturday [November 4], when the ground was viewed, the men put under some regulation, and tools prepared to begin an intrenchment that night, (while Captain Symons, not thinking it proper to stay and see his orders put in execution, came to sail in the evening, and went out of the harbour.) The men accordingly broke ground, and worked the most of the night, and have continued so to do ever since, in all proper times for working, each town having successive drafts from the Militia to supply the place of their former drafts, so as constantly to carry on the work; while we have some who are fitting out the few cannon we have for use, with a small matter of powder we have got; but our want of men, and want of powder, and other military stores, throw us into great anxiety. We would further beg leave to suggest that this part of the country may be of some importance to all the other parts, and perhaps we might say great; here are large stocks of cattle, of all kinds, and fuel and lumber of every kind, together with masts, which have been beneficial to almost all the seacoasts on the Continent, and to Britain, and may be so again, and which would be extremely advantageous to our enemies, should they get the possession of it. We would likewise beg leave further to suggest, that although Casco-Bay is ten leagues across from cape to cape, yet Falmouth harbour is the most likely ship-harbour in the bay to command the country around; and must, in all probability, command great part of the Province of Maine, be it in whose hands it will.

Thus have we very briefly presumed to lay before you our distresses and wants, and also our important situation in the present and future scale of American affairs. Praying that your Honours would take our peculiarly distressing circumstances into consideration, as soon as may be, and grant us relief, by affording us men, and such warlike stores, of every kind, as you shall judge proper, together with an able, faithful, and an experienced head officer, and an engineer and other officers, as you shall think needful; and also organize the Militia in this County, that they may with the more ease and expedition be drawn out, on any emergency; or otherwise relieve us, as, in your known wisdom, you shall think fit and see meet. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. Signed by order of the Convention: