[Boston] 22 [July 1775]
Upon the Admirals consulting with General [Thomas] Gage on the best Method to secure the People who were to be employed in repairing the Lighthouse, it was agreed that a party of Marines should go from the Fleet to protect the Artificers, which Party should be relieved in three days by a Detachment from the Army. The Admiral accordingly ordered an Officer of Marines and thirty Men from the Preston and Boyne upon this Service, the Prestons long Boat armed attended the Party, and the Admiral wrote to Captain [Thomas] Bishop to concert signals with them in case of an attack & to give them all the assistance in his power & to let his tender cruize for the discovery of any approach of rebels.
With this Party the Engineers were of opinion the Light House might well be defended, until Succours arrived, against 1000 men, and the Admiral expected to have the Building soon repaired and a Light shewn as before.
1. Graves's Conduct, I, 152, MassHS Transcript.