Chatham, Nantasket Road 25h March 1776.
(Copy)
I hope you are before this time safe arrived in England, undisturbed by the cares of this troublesome Command, which has been attended with many disagreeable circumstances since your Departure.
The 4th Instant the Rebels were seen on Dorchester heights, having the preceding Night thrown up such an extensive Breast Work, that it was supposed not less than IO. or 12,000. Men could have been employed in compleating it; this was so alarming a circumstance, having the. command of the southern part of the Town, that 2000. were to have attacked it that night, to land below the Castle, but the weather fortunately proving very bad, the Expedition was set aside, the Rebels having that night 7000. Men in the Intrenchments, and as many more ready to fall in from Roxbury, Phips's Farm has a very strong Redoubt, with the Mortar taken in the Nancy, and several long pieces of Canon, with which they have frequently thrown into the Town, and disturbed the Inhabitants exceedingly, tho' very little damage has been done.-General Howe upon this, together with the great want of Provisions, thought it necessary to evacuate the Town, with the Troops under his Command, they embarked the 17h without the loss of a man, intending to proceed to Halifax, the Fleet and Transports are all now at Nantasket waiting for a Wind. Commodore [Francis] Banks is to be left with the Fowey, Niger, Hope and Tryal to guard Boston Bay. Captn Graemes is come here in the King's Fisher. Captn [Samuel] Graves, I hear by a Vessel from Antigua sailed from that Place 4. days before him with a Convoy, who were blown off the Coast, the Experiment is likewise coming from thence.
A Report from the Southward says 4000. highlanders sett.led in Carolina, headed by a Colo MacDonald gave the Rebels a total overthrow. This account from a naval Officer, but not authenticated. Captn Graeme has taken the Ship from Port l'Orient, laden with Arms, Ammunitions &a
Evan Nepean