We passed the winter very quietly since our arrival at Boston till the beginning of this month, when the rebels made some movements. They ordered into their camp before the town about 20 000 of the militia from the internal parts of the country, and took the advantage of a few days of hazy weather to erect one strong battery on Dorchester-point, and another at Phipp's-farm, so near the town, that the shot and shells from either went into it and over it. They cannonaded and bombarded us for about a fortnight, without doing much hurt, farther than frightening the town's-people by driving a few shot through their houses. We had not a dozen men killed or wounded. It was, however, resolved upon to abandon the town, and to carry the army in transports to Halifax, together with such of the American refugees as chose to go thither. In a few days all the artillery, military stores, provisions, baggage, &c. were embarked, and the troops followed without of the loss of a single man in the embarkation, though there were above 20,000 armed rebels within cannon shot of them. The reasons given for leaving Boston are, that General Howe intends to send a large detachment to Canada immediately by the River St. Lawrence; that he had certain information the rebels were meditating an expedition against Nova Scotia; that it was absolutely necessary to provide for the defence of that province; and he could not relieve Quebec, and strengthen Nova Scotia effectually, without leaving himself too weak to maintain his ground at Boston. It was, therefore, determined to withdraw the troops from thence, and to leave the sea ports blocked up by the men of war and armed ships. We are thus far on our way to Halifax. Earl [Hugh] Percy and General Howe are on board of this ship. General [James] Grant and General [James] Robinson are already sailed for Halifax in the Fo[we]y. The transports with the light dragoons sailed at the same time for the same place. The army has been scarce of provisions by reason of many of their victualling ships being blown to the West Indies; however, that is not the case with the navy. I can assure you from good authority, that they have sufficient to serve them till October next, after having spared a good deal to the army. We have had a great deal of fresh provisions of all sorts from Halifax and the Bay of Fundy during the winter, though rather dear. Five or six vessels of one kind and another have arrived from the West Indies within this month, chiefly laden with rum, molasses and limes, and within these few days several victuallers for the use of the army, and other ships, have arrived, after very long passages, from England and Ireland. I have been at Halifax before, and if we were to get no other refreshments there than the plenty and variety of fish that the sea affords to add to the ship's allowance, we should have no reason to complain; for when I was there last, we caught cod, haddock, mackrel, hollibut, skait, smelts, trout, salmon, and a variety of other fish, by throwing our lines over the ship's side without going further for them, and in such plenty, that two men in an hour's time would furnish more than 100 men could eat.