Halifax Yard 26th Decr 1775.
[Copy]
In my last Letter of the 18th of Novr past I did myself the Honour to send you the particulars of the work carrying on for the security of the Carreening Yard, at this place; which we continue to strengthen, as fast as the season will permit.
I am now employed in Collecting the Cannon which are scattered about this Town, most of them without Carriages many Unserviceable, those will be spiked, the others, I will if possible bring into the yard for security, because Cannon will undo us.
the whole Number of different Calibres are 300 a heavy task it is.
I am sorry to inform their Lordships, that I have it from pretty good Authority that the Rebels have many Armed Vessels & it is said One ship of 22 Guns fitted from Philladelphia, but of this I am not so certain but I have great reason to believe their Orders are to interrupt the trade of this Country, by preventing them from sending lumber & other Necessary's to the West Indies, or Great Brittain, & particularly to stop all supplies for Boston, & prevent as much as possible the success of the fishery on this Coast, which there cannot be a doubt was there Errand to look into Canso, where I find a beneficial extensive trade is carried on of which I was ignorant untill this Accident but luckily the vessels were all sailed mostly belonging to Jersey. ー
the 30th of last month Anchored here two transports from Cork, with 6 companies of the 27th Regiment & Brigadier General Massey their Coll Sunday another transport arrived with three more companies, belonging to the said Corps, One is not yet arrived. ー this event is a great acquisition to this place & will I hope totally prevent any schemes that may have been meditating against us either at present, or in future; for most Undoubted it is; the Rebels know every part of our force, in this country. On the 10th of December Anchored in this Port the last transport with 3 Companies of the 27th Regiment after a Miraculas escape having been on shore on the Isle of sable 8 Days the troops suffered much but lost only 3 Men ー
the Master also reports that when he left boston the 18th Inst no more than one transport with three Companies of the 17 Regiment from Cork were arrived, but that in the night of his sailing he discovered in Boston Bay several lights; which he apprehended may be admiral Shuldham, who the Renown at her Arrival gave them to understand may be hourly Expected,
By a Packet from Falmouth who arrived the 20th Inst and brought dispatches for Governor Legg.
Orders are come to Capt [William] Spry the Engineer from Sir Jeffery Amhurst directing his yard to be secured in the best manner, that temporary works will admit of, which he says he will do as fast as possible, but the season 1s very severe.