[Extract]

7 oClock P.M. I am again set down at the Bull's Head, and now go on to tell You that I went out with the Company that called on me and have taken a View of the greater Part of the Fortifications in this City, and am of Opinion that it would be extreamly difficult for an Army to force its Way into this Town from the Water for there are strong Breast Works raised across every Street that leads down to the Water at the Distance of About Ten and Twenty Rods from the Water behind each of which a considerable Number of Men may be placed and be kept covered from the Fire of the Enemy when at the same time they would be able to cut down the Enemy with their Shot surpriseingly as they attempted to mount the Wharves, and on each Side of the City above it on the East River and on the West Side of it on the North River are strong Batteries to prevent any Ships geting above the City to do any Mischeif by Landing there, but least they should, there is a large Fort now building right back of the City in the Middle between the two Rivers, which goes on fast and will be soon done & when it is, it will command the Country from River to River and keep off any Enemy from that Quarter, and if any Enemy should get into the City this Fort will prevent there advancing into the Country, ... The Ships that lie here are the same that You have heard off for sometime past, and there was a Gentleman of this City on Board the Asia last Night where was also the Capt of the Phoenix the Gentn was the first that gave them Intelligence that Genl How had left the Town of Boston, and they held up their hands & cryed out good God! if this is the Case we are perfectly in the dark. This does not look as tho How was comeing here for if he was, one would have thought he would have sent an

Advice Boat to have informd these Ships of it. We have Advice here that Genl How lay in Boston Harbour last Fryday, Night. ...