[Extract]

The Work upon Beacon hill should [Cambridge, be repaired, and April 4, 1776] in my opinion be made strong, as it commands Fort hill; & all lower Works and woi;tld endanger the loss of them if it should be possessed by the [Ene]my-No time sho[u]ld be lost in fixing with the General Court, or Council upon proper Signals for alarming the Country upon the appearance of a Fleet. ー for the purpose of ga[in]ing [as] much time as possible I think the alarm ought to be given from Cape Ann, or 'Marblehead & forwarded by (agreed) Signals to Bos[to]n & thence [i]nto the Country ー this Matter sho[uld not be] delayed.

All Captures made by the Continental Armed Vessels are to be immediately libelled [against] in the Court of Admiralty of the district where carried to [all officers, soldie]rs & M[e]n of Wars Men are considered as Prisoners.-The Former to be sent & confined [to some] Town upon their Paroles-the others sent to [such Goals] as the [General] Ct shall direct-No Condemn'd property to be sold till the day of Sale is three times Advertised in the Papers with an enumeratn of the .Ca[rgo of] Boston [or] Cambridge Watertown or-Worcester & a speciall report thereof [made] to you that if any thing is wanted [by the Commiss]ary or Qr Masters department [they may be no]tified thereof.

The Vessels which were left in Boston by the Enemy, some with, & some without Cargos, & which I am told various claims are laid to must not be delivered up unless the Person claiming will give some surety to abide the determination of Congress respecting them. ー In that case, an [ex]act Inventory to .be taken in order to ascertain the value. ー The Wheat left by the King's Troops is to be attended to that no hurt comes to it-it ought either to be sold, or converted into Flour for the use of the Army ー the Qr Master & Corny may be consulted on this head.

The Flat bottomd Boats, Whale Boats and floating Batteries are to be continued in the Care of Capt Sylvanus Drew. They must be hawl'd into a convenient place of Safety, and proper Care taken to prevent their being destroy'd, or suffering damage from the Heat [of] the Weather''-Their oars, paddles &c. are to be put in[to] some safe Store

All Officers and Seamen taken in Transport Vessells employ[ed] in the Enemy's Service, are to be Teleased on Condition they give a very Strict parole, not to act against the American Colonies during the present Contest