Yesterday an express passed thro' this city on his way to the Congress at Philadelphia ー we hear part of the advices he carried were, that Capt. [John] Darby, sent with provincial dispatches from Salem after the battle of Lexington, was returned there again from England, where he stayed 6 days. General [Thomas] Gage's dispatch vessel had not arrived when he left England. ー That a few days ago a party of provincials had burnt the Boston light house, having first secured the oyl found in it, taken up a number of stakes, placed to direct passing vessels, carried off a large flock of cattle and destroyed a considerable quantity of hay.
Extract of a Letter from Cambridge.
Capt. Darby arrived in England in 27 days from Salem. The accounts he carried of the battle, were published, Lord North was thunder struck at the sight ー Lord Dartmouth sent for Capt. Darby, with impatience to see him, but he was advised not to put himself in their power. The people were much surprised at the account, the merchants distressed on account of their property . . . Capt. Darby's vessel plied on and off for him and never went into any harbour, nor was it known in what part of England he landed. Gen. Gages dispatch vessel sailed for England 4 days before Capt. Darby.
