Matters are carried on here with a very high hand on both sides; but before the ensuing spring is at an end, you will hear of a material alteration in the government of America. The Congress has published a declaration of war against the British parliament, and have issued commissions to privateers. They took a transport with arms within a mile of one of our ships at anchor;2 indeed they are bold enough to dare and do any thing. It is a pity the parliament were in such a hurry to stigmatize them with cowardice before they were tried. However, whatever other vices they may have, cowardice is not one of them. . . . We are ordered to the southward, of which I am glad, for the cold is very severe and intense at this moment. The Nautilus has been severely cannonaded by the Provincial batteries at Cape Ann; like military Harlequins they attack us every where, God end this unnatural warfare.
1. Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser, January 6, 1776.
2. While it is likely that this reference is to the brig Nancy, the date of the letter is probably incorrect. The correspondence of both Admiral Graves and General Gage would seem to indicate that news of the capture did not reach Boston until December 3.
