Braintree, March 25th 1776.
May it please your Excellency,
Your obliging Letter of Yesterday was handed to Me this Morning by General Wards Son. The Fleet still continues in Nantasket Road; and I can't discern any Diminution of their Numbers: five or six Transports, and a Man of War arrived last Fryday afternoon; as the Man of War saluted the Admiral I suppose they came from England.
The Signal at the Light House was thrown out again on Saturday; but, the Wind has hitherto prevented the Arrival of any more Vessels. The Admiral has a Signal now flying at his main top mast Head: I wish it was in my Power to cons~rue it.
Agreable to your Excellency's Desire, as fast as I can find trust Worthy Persons, I shall give them Directions to make dilligent Search, after such Characters as you have discribed, and upon good Ground of Suspicion to apprehend and carry them to Head Quarters, or bring them to me for further Examination, as may be most convenient.
[11] oClock This Moment an Explanation of the above Signal occurrs: ー Part of this Fleet are come to Sail. I shall proceed journalwise, to inform your Excellency of their Movements, 'till the Bearer, who is gone to.see Colo [Benjamin] Tupper, returns.
[1] oClock They are still coming to sail: near or quite fifty Sail are got out to Sea; about half of them Brigs, Schooners, and Sloops; one or two Frigates, and the remainder Transport Ships; their Course shaped for Cape Cod: May not this Division be bound for Martha's Vineyard, and the Islands in that Sound to procure fresh Provision for the Fleet, which is to rendezvous at Halli fax, and from thence to proceed to Quebec?
3 oClock My Servant, who was directed to take an Account of the Number that have sailed, informs me, there are in all fifty two: One transport Brig is just arrived: I expected Mr. [Joseph] Ward would return with Colo Tupper, and have dined with me; from them I hoped to have gained further Intelligence, but am disappointed: I hear the Colo is preparing [a] formidable fire Raft, which I wish may effectually operate, but, fear a single one will avail little
Your Excellency's Tender Concern for the Restoration of my Health (which, Thanks to the Father of Mercies! is much mended) lays me under a fresh obligation to subscribe my Self, with Cordial Gratitude and Esteem, Your Excellency's [&c.]
Josiah Quincy
P:S: 5 OClock The Adml has just now hoisted another Signal, a Pendant under his Flagg two more Ships are under Sail going out of the Harbor: 7 O'Clock Mr Ward & Colo Tupper are just arrived. They are of Opinion, that the Ships which sailed to Day, have carried off the Tories, and are bound with them to Lewisb~rgh.