[Braintree] Tuesday Morng [March 26, 1776]
Mr [Joseph] Ward's tarrying in Town, gives me a further Opportunity to inform your Excellency that the Fleet, consisting of about 100 Sail, chiefly large Ships, remain as they were last Night. 10 O'Clock The same Signal is now flyii:ig at the Admiral's Main top mast Head as was hoisted yesterday morning: Scarce ー hoisted before it was lower'd again, & in abt ½ an hour a blew flag is flying at mizen Top mast Head and a Pendant at his mizen Peek. 11 OClock The above Signals are changed, for a red Ensign hoisted just under his Mizen Yard: ー A signal is just now hoisted upon the Top of the Light House, for Vessels in the Offing; and immediately followed, by a blew broad Pendant from the middle.of the Tower: In less than 10 Minutes the Signal first mentioned, vizt a Pendant is flying from his main top mast Head.
[12] OClock A red Ensign is now flying at his mizen top mast Head, a blew Ensign at his starboard mizen Shrouds, and a pendant thrown out between, by hand, & immediately taken in again.
[2] OClock The 60 gun Ship in King Road is come to Sail & going down to Nantasket: The Admiral's red Ensign is struck; the blew one remains: a large transport Ship and a Brig are just arrived within the Light.
If the foregoing Intelligence and the mode of it shou'd prove so agreable to your Excellency as to desire the Continuance of it whilst the Fleet remains, please to let me know your Pleasure any Time before tomorrow
Night, 'till which Time I shall continue to note down every remarkable Oc curence. Ut supra JQ