Sir,

I am sorry to inform you that it has been my unfortunate lot to have fallen into the hands of the Americans, in the middle of Boston harbour. But, when the circumstances, which have occasioned this disaster, are understood, I flatter myself no reflexion will arise to myself or my officers on account of it. On the 16th of June the George and Annabella transports, with two companies of the seventy-first regiment of Highlanders, made the land off Cape Ann, after a passage of seven weeks from Scotland, during the course of which we had not the opportunity of speaking to a single vessel that could give us the smallest information of the British troops having evacuated Boston. On the 17th, at day light, we found ourselves opposite to the harbour's mouth of Boston; but, from contrary winds, it was necessary to make several tacks to reach it. Four schooners, which we took to be pilots, or armed vessels in the service of his Majesty (but which were afterwards found to be four American privateers of eight carriage guns, twelve swivels, and forty men each) were bearing down upon us at four o'clock in the morning, at half an hour thereafter two of them engaged us, and about eleven o'clock the other two were close along side. The George transport, on board of which was Major Menzies and myself, with one hundred and eight of the second battalion, the Adjutant, the Quartermaster, two Lieutenants, and five volunteers were passengers, having only six pieces of cannon to oppose them. And the Annabella, on board of which was Capt. M'Kenzie, together with two subalterns, two volunteers, and eighty-two private men of the first battalion, had only two swivels for her defence. Under such circumstances I thought it expedient for the Annabella to keep a head of the George, that our artillery might be used with more effect and less obstruction. Two of the privateers having stationed themselves upon our larboard quarter, and two upon our starboard quarter, a tolerable cannonade ensued, which, with very few intermissions, lasted till four o'clock in the evening, when the enemy bore away and anchored in Plymouth harbour. Our loss upon this occasion was only three men mortally wounded on board the George; one killed and one man slightly wounded on board the Annabella. As my orders were for the port of Boston, I thought it my duty, at this happy crisis, to push forward into the harbour, not doubting I should receive protection either from a fort or some ship of force stationed there for the security of our fleet.

Towards the close of the evening we perceived the four schooners that were engaged with us in the morning, joined by the brig Defence, of sixteen carriage guns, twenty swivels, and one hundred and seventeen men, and a schooner of eight carriage guns, twelve swivels and forty men, got under way and made towards us. As we stood up for Nantasket road, an American battery opened upon us, which was the first serious proof we had that there could scarcely be many friends of ours at Boston; and we were too far embayed to retreat, especially as the wind had died away, and the tide of flood not half expended. After each of the vessels having twice run aground, we anchored at George's island, and prepared for action, but the Annabella, bysome misfortune, got aground so far astern of the George, we could expect but a feeble support from her musketry. About eleven o'clock four of the schooners anchored right upon our bow, and one right astern of us; the armed brig took her station on our starboard side, at the distance of two hundred yards, and hailed us to strike the British flag. Although the Mate of our ship, and every sailor on board (the Captain only excepted) refused positively to fight any longer, I have the pleasure to inform you that there was not an officer, non-commissioned officer, or private man of the seventy-first, but what stood to their quarters with a ready and cheerful obedience. On our refusing to strike the British flag, the action was renewed with a good deal of warmth on both sides, and it was our misfortune, after the sharp combat of an hour and an half, to have expended every shot that we had for our artillery. Under such circumstances, hemmed in as we were with six privateers, in the middle of an enemy's harbour, beset with a dead calm, without the power of escaping, or even the most distant hope of relief, I thought it became my duty not to sacrifice the lives of our gallant men wantonly in the arduous attempt of an evident impossibility. In this unfortunate affair Major Menzies and seven private soldiers were killed; the Quarter-Master and twelve private soldiers wounded. The Major was buried with the honors of war at Boston.

Since our captivity I have the honor to acquaint you that we have experienced the utmost civility and good treatment from the people of power at Boston, insomuch, Sir, that I should do injustice to the feelings of generosity, did I not make this particular information with pleasure and satisfaction. I have now to request of you, that so soon as the distracted state of this unfortunate controversy will admit, you will be pleased to take an early opportunity of settling a cartel for myself and officers. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir [&c.]

General Howe.
P.S. On my arrival at Boston I found that Capt. [Hamilton] Maxwell, with the light infantry of the first battalion of the seventy-first regiment, had the misfortune of fall into the hands of some privateers, and was carried into Marble-head the tenth inst. Capt. [Lawrence] Campbell, with the grenadiers of the second battalion, who was ignorant as we were of the evacuation of Boston, stood into the mouth of this harbour, and was surrounded and taken by eight privateers this forenoon.

In case a cartel is established, the following return is, as near as I can effect, the number of officers, non-commissioned officers and private men of the seventy-first regiment, who are prisoners of war at and in the neighbourhood of Boston.

The George transport. Lieut. Col. Archibald Campbell; Lieut. and Adjutant Archibald Campbell; Lieut. Archibald Baldneaves; Lieut. Hugh Campbell; Quarter-Master William Ogilvie; Surgeon's-Mate David Burns; Patrick M'Dougal, volunteer and acting Serjeant Major; James Flint, volunteer; Dugald Campbell, ditto; Donald M'Bane; John Wilson, three Serjeants, four Corporals, two Drummers, ninety private men.

The Annabella transport. Captain George M'Kinzie; Lieut. Colin M'Kinzie; Ensign Peter Fraser; Mr. M'Kinzie and Alexander M'Tavish, volunteers; four Serjeants, four Corporals, two Drummers eighty-one private men.

Lord Howe transport. Captain Lawrence Campbell; Lieut. Robert Duncanson; Lieut. Archibald M'Lean; Lieut. Lewis Colhoun; Duncan Campbell, volunteer; four Serjeants, four Corporals, two drummers, ninetysix private men,

Ann transport. Captain Hamilton Maxwell; Lieut. Charles Campbell; Lieut. Fraser; Lieut. ——; four Serjeants, four Corporals, two Drummers, ninety-six private men.

Archibald Campbell