The Provincial Congress having resolved that the Cannon should be removed from the Battery, a Number of the Citizens collected for that Purpose last Wednesday Evening; and, Part of the Provincial Artillery, under the Command of Capt. John Lamb, were posted on the Battery, to. prevent the Landing of any Party from the Asia Man of War, to annoy them while at work. When they Marched down, which was about 11 o'clock, they observed one of the above Ship's Barges lying at some Distance from the Shore, where she continued upwards of an Hour; then she got under Sail and fired a Musket at the Men that were posted on the Battery. This was immediately returned by a smart Fire of Musketry from the Artillery, and a few of the Independent Light-Infantry belonging to Col. [John] Lasher's Battalion, that were likewise posted there for the above Purpose. ー Soon after this the Asia fired three Cannon, when our Drums beat to Arms, which alarmed the Inhabitants; when they had assembled she began a heavy and smart Fire, of Nine, Eighteen, and Twenty-four Pounders, and some Grape Shot; succeeded by a Discharge of & Musketry from the Marines: But without doing any other Mischief than damaging the upper Part of several Houses near the Fort, and White-Hall, and wounding three Men. Notwithstanding the Fire from the Asia, the Citizens effected their Purpose, and carried off Twenty-one Pieces of Cannon, being all that were mounted on Carriages. ー Since this Disturbance the Women and Children have been continually moving out of Town, with their most valuable Effects.
