[Boston] Sunday july 14
[Extract]
I suppose you have heard of a fleet which came up pretty near the Light and kept us all with our mouths open ready to catch them, but after stayingnear a week and makeing what observations they could set sail and went of to our great mortification who were [prepared?] for them, in every respect.2
If our Ship of 32 Guns which [was] Built at Portsmouth and waiting only for Guns 3 and an other of [...] at Plimouth in the same state, 4 had been in readiness we should in all probability been Masters of them, Where theblame lies in that respect I know not, tis laid upon Congress, and Congress is also blamed for not appointing us a General.5 ー But Rome was not Built in a day.
1. Butterfield, ed., Adams Family Correspondence, II, 46, 47.
2. A fleet of transports with Scotch soldiers, under convoy of the British frigate Flora.
3. The Continental frigate Raleigh, which had been launched in May.
4. Referring to the Massachusetts state brigantine Rising Empire, built at Plymouth, and also without guns.
5. General Artemas Ward, whose resignation was prompted by illness.
