[Extract]

Since the Ships and Troops fell down below, we have been apprehensive of an Attack from their Boats, in Pursuit of live Stock; but, yesterday in the Afternoon we were happily relieved, by the Appearance of a number of Whaleboats, streching across our Bay, under the Command (as I have since heard) of the brave Lieut Colo [Benjamin] Tupper, who in the forenoon had been cannonading the Ships, with one or more field Pieces from the east Head of Thompson's Island, and, I suppose, last Night cannonaded them again from the same Place, or from Spectacle Island. This judicious Manoeuvre had its genuine Effect; for, this Morning the Admiral, and all the rest of the Ships, except one of the Line, came to sail, and fell down to Nantasket Road, where a countless Number is now collected: In Revenge for their burning the Castle last Night, were we provided with a sufficient Number of fire Ships and fire Rafts, covered by the smoke of Cannon from a few Row Gallies, this Night, might exhibit, the most glorious Conflagration, that was ever seen upon the watery Element, and the probable Consequence of it, a Period to the present War, otherwise Humanity revolts at the Destruction of so great a Number, even of our Enemies.