Camp at Cambridge, July 27, 1775
Sir
Nothing material has occurred in either camp since I had the honour of addressing you on the twenty-first instant by express. But on Tuesday [July 25] three men of war and nine transports sailed out of Boston Harbour, and stood a course about east-south east.
One Groves, who came out of Boston the same evening, informed the officer at one of the outposts, that the Transports had on board six hundred Men, and were bound to Block Island, Fisher's Island and Long Island, to plunder them and bring off what cattle they may find. The fellow returned again into Boston, under such suspicious circumstances, that it has led me to doubt the truth of his intelligence. A deserter, who came in afterwards, informs me that it was given out in their camp that they were either gone for Indians or fresh provisions, and that each Transport had but twenty Men on board. Upon this intelligence I immediately wrote to Governor [Nicholas] Cooke, of Rhode Island, and to General [David] Wooster, that they might use proper precautions for removing the cattle off those islands and the coasts and to prevent any surprise. As we are confirmed by every account in the scarcity of fresh provisions in the enemy's camp, and particularly by this deserter, who says they have had none since the Battle of Lexington, it is very probable this voyage may be only intended for a supply; but it may possibly be otherwise. I thought it best to transmit the intelligence to the honourable Congress, that they may forward it to the Southward, or take such other steps as they may judge proper.
Since writing the above three men (deserters) have come out, which make four in twenty-four hours. Their accounts correspond with those of the first who came out, and which I have related above.
I have the honour to be, Sir, [&c.]