Last Sabbath [February 26] the Peace of the Town was disturbed by the coming of a Regiment of the King's Troops, the Particulars relative to which are as follows. ー A Transport arrived at Marblehead, apparently manned as usual. Between two and three o'Clock (as soon as the People had gone to Meeting) the Decks were covered with Soldiers, who having loaded and fixed their Bayonets, landed with great Dispatch; and instantly marched off. Some of the Inhabitants suspecting they were bound to Salem, to seize some Materials there preparing for an Artillery, dispatched several Messengers to inform us of it. These Materials were on the North Side of the North River, and to come at them it was necessary to cross a Bridge, one Part of which was made to draw up, for the Convenience of letting Vessels pass through. The Inhabitants kept a Look-out for the Appearance of the Troops. The Van Guard arrived, and took their Rout down in Town as far as the Long-Wharf; perhaps to decoy the Inhabitants thither, away from the Place to which the main Body were destined. The main Body arrived soon after and halted a few Minutes by the Town-House. It is said Inquiry was immediately made by some of the Officers for a Half-Brother of Col. [William] Browne, the Mandamus Counsellor.¹ Be this as it may, he was very soon whispering in the Colonel's Ear,² in the Front of the Regiment; and when he parted from the Colonel, the Regiment marched off with a quick Pace, in a direct Course for the North Bridge; just before their Entrance upon which, the Draw-Bridge was pulled up. The Regiment however pushed forward till they came to the Draw-Bridge, not observing (as it seemed) that it was drawn up. The Colonel who led them expressed some Surprize; and then turning about, ordered an Officer to face his Company to a Body of Men standing on a Wharf on the other Side the Draw-Bridge, and fire. One of our Townsmen³ (who had kept along Side the Colonel from the Time he marched from the Town-House) instantly told him he had better not fire, that he had no Right to fire without further Orders, "and if you do fire (said he) you will be all dead Men." The company neither fired nor faced. The Colonel then retired to the Center of his Regiment, assembled his Officers, and held a Consultation: Which being ended, the Colonel advanced a little, and declared he would maintain his Ground, and go over the Bridge before he returned, if it was a Month first. The same Townsman replied, he might stay there as long as he pleased, no Body cared for that. That HalfBrother before mentioned (it is said) made towards the Bridge, but seeing the Draw-Bridge up, says, "It is all over with us." He has since disappeared. Mean while two large Gondolas that lay aground (for it was low-water) were scuttled, lest they should cross the Channel in them. But whilst one Gentleman with his Assistants was scuttling his own Gondola, a Party of about twenty Soldiers jumped into it, and with their Bayonets charged against our unarmed Townsmen (some of whom they pricked) compelled them to quit it; but before this a sufficient Hole had been made in the Bottom. This Attack of the Soldiers, and some other Occurrences, occasioned a little Bickering, but by the Interposition of some of the Inhabitants the Disputes subsided.

At length some Gentlemen asked the Colonel what was his Design in making this Movement, and why he would cross the Bridge? He said he had Orders to cross it, and he would cross it if he lost his Life with the Lives of all his Men. And now (or before) asked why the King's Highway was obstructed? He was told it was not the King's Road, but the Property of the Inhabitants, who had a Right to do what they pleased with it. Finally the Colonel said he must go over; and if the Draw-Bridge were let down so that he might pass, he pledged his Honour he would march not above thirty Rods beyond it, and then immediately return. The Regiment had now been on the Bridge about an Hour and an Half; and every Thing being secured, the Inhabitants directed the Draw-Bridge to be let down. The Regiment immediately passed over, marched a few Rods, returned, and with great Expedition went back again to Marblehead, where they embarked on board the Transport without Delay.

The Regiment brought with them Lanthorns, Hatchets, Pick-Axes, Spades, Hand-Spikes and several Coils of Rope.

When all the Circumstances are considered, there can remain no Doubt that the sole Purpose of this Manoeuvre was to steal away the Artillery Materials before mentioned. In the first Place the Regiment was taken from the Castle, so that the Inhabitants of Boston might be prevented giving us any Intelligence: The Transport arrived at Marblehead a considerable Time before the Regiment was landed, but the Men were kept snug under the Hatches: As soon as the Inhabitants of Marblehead had got to Meeting, the Troops landed, and pushed on their March to Salem, and proceeded to the very Spot where the Materials for the Artillery were lodged. But meeting with this sad Rebuff, and finding their Plot was discovered, they then made a Retreat. ー 'Tis regretted that an Officer of Colonel Leslie's acknowledged Worth, should be obliged, in Obedience to his Orders, to come upon so pitiful an Errand.

Various Reports were spread abroad respecting the Troops, ー the Country was alarmed; and one Company arrived in Arms from Danvers just as the Troops left the Town. We immediately dispatched Messengers to the neighbouring Towns to save them the Trouble of coming in; but the Alarm flew like Lightening (and Fame doubtless magnified the first simple Reports) so that great Numbers were in Arms, and some on the March, before our Messengers arrived.