War-Office, [Boston] June 10th 1777
To the Comee of Correspondence, Inspection & Safety, of the Town of Falmouth.
Gentn
Government thinks fit to advise you thro' this Board that on Sunday last 10 o'clock A M, a Sloop was chas'd off the Gurnet as far as the Heights of Marshfeild by Two Frigates & one other Large Ship, which from the distance between her Masts when she put about appear'd to be at least a 50 Gun Ship. Our Informant had a full View of these three Ships, & judged them to be British tho' they shew'd no Colours — We make no doubt they are still in the Bay, & are very apprehensive that the Ship with Hessians,2 as well as other Vessels bound in may fall into their Hands, unless they receive timely Notice of their Danger, —We therefore intreat you will publish as speedily as possible this News to the Eastward to the End that all concern'd may be upon their Guard. We are, Gentn [&c.]
Saml Phps Savage, Prest
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 151, Letters from the Board of War, 1776-1780, 79.
2. Prize of the Massachusetts Navy brigs Massachusetts andTyrannicide.
