Thursday 9 Novr [1775] Rainy Morng but moon light between 12 & 1, the Watch on Deck saw another sail bearing towards us, on which we was all order'd to our Quarters in Order to receive them in Case of an Attack, but after Viewing us for some time they stood off on which our Men was Order'd between Decks & to be ready with their Arms on the Shortest Notice we lay too for fear of Runing too Near shore & this Morning at 7 got under Sail in order if possible to get into Boston before Night about ½ past 8, a Pilate came on Board who was sent by Admiral Graves the Night before, at 11 came to an Anchor (on Account of having no Wind) in Nantastic [Nantasket] Road in 7 fathom, and about 7 Miles from Boston was informed by the Pilate that Genl Gage was gone for England about a Month Ago in Pallas, and that Genl Howe was commander in Chief, One of the Ships which we saw Yesterday Evening was the Phenix & the other the Juno An Ordnance Storeship which came to an Anchor last night in Nantastic Road, as likewise the King George Victuallar & Whitby came to an Anchor in the above place  Yesterday the above ships came from St Helens with us under the Convoy of the Phenix at ½ past 12. the Wind coming to the Eastward Weigh'd Anchor in Compy with the Williamson, but was met by a Cutter from one of the Men of war who informed us that there was above 40 Whale boats waiting behind the Hills with 400 Rebels to attack us; on which we all got under Arms in Order for the Attack and lay too for the Mercury frigate whom we saw coming in after us, but when we came round the Boats all dispersed and only saw a few Stragling boats, about 4 P M came to an Anchor in Boston Harbour, as we were sailing in some of the Sailors saw at the top Mast head, twenty one Sail of Ships Coming in to Nanteskets Bay at 5 Capt Stephelir went on Shore in Order to wait on Colo Cleveland who is Commandant of the Royl Artillery rain'd the whole bay & in the Evening a Violent hard gale of Wind which continued all Night, found riding here and at Nantaskets Bay H.M Ships the Preston 50 Guns Admiral [Samuel] Graves & Capt Robertson [John Robinson] the Boyne 70 Guns Capt Hartwick [Broderick Hartwell], Phenix [Phoenix], [Hyde] Parker [Jr.] 40 Guns Scarborough 20 G. Capt Barclay [Andrew Barkley] Mercury Liet Hutt 20 Guns Norless [Nautilus] Sloop [John] Colins, Swan Do Ascough [James Ayscough]: Raven Do Capt [John] Stanhope Falcon Do Lindsay [James Linzee], Cancer [Canceaux] Do Mouett [Henry Mowat], Emp of Russia [Empress of Russia] Lt Bowmaster, Symetry [Symmetry] Lt [George] Dawson, Adventure Lieut ———— & the Viper [Samuel] Graves, the time we was at Anchor at Nantaskets Bay we heard the Report of several pieces of Cannon which contd for some Hours, we was at a loss to know what the Occasion of so much firing, but on enquiry, when we came into the Harbour was informed that our forces had Intelligence of about 20 Head of Cattle belonging to the Rebels was grazing on 1 of the Islands near Boston on which Liet Col. Clarke of the 43 Regt wth six Companys of light Infantry and 2 small pieces of Cannon went to take them, on our Peoples landing they fired on us with several pieces of Cannon & small Arms, which we returned, & soon made them disperse, on which we took 15 Head of fine Cattle (the other 5 could not be caught) put them into our Boats and came of[f] very Quietly  9 of the Enemy supposed to be killed at the above Affair.