[Extract]

Dear Sir, ー Upon the receipt of your favor of the third of April, I showed your recommendation of Capt. [Gustavus] Fellows to several gentlemen; but it had been previously determined that Captain [John] Manley and Captain [Isaac] Cazneau should have the command of the two ships building in the Massachusetts. It is a great work to fortify Boston harbour, and will require many men ー But however, I am not sufficiently informed to judge of the propriety of this measure ー if there is the least reason to expect that Howe's army will return to Boston, it was wrong to remove so many men so soon, but it is hard to believe that that army will very suddenly return to that place. The Militia of that Province are tremendous to the enemy,, and well they may be, for I believe they don't know of such another. Every motive of self-preservation, of honour, profit, and glory, call upon our people to fortify the harbour so as to be impregnable. It will make a rendezvous for men of war and privateers, and a mart of trade. You seem to wish for independence. Do the resolves for privateering and opening the ports satisfy you, if not let me know what will? Will nothing do, but a positive declaration that we never will be reconciled upon any terms? It requires time to bring the Colonies all of one mind but time will do it.