The Admiral wrote Letters to the captains of the Fowey Tamer & Cruizer informing them that the Rebellion being almost general throughout the Provinces it behooved them to be very circumspect and attentive to his Majesty's Interest; to support the Kings Governors and civil Power established by Law as long as they could and to assist and protect all other his Majesty's faithful Subjects and their property; but not to act offensively except for the immediate preservation of his Majesty's Ships under their Command, or except upon the special Requisition of the civil Magistrates in cases of the utmost Danger. He however hoped that things would not remain much longer in this uncertain State, that either an accomodation would take place between Great Britain and her Colonies, or effectual Measures be adopted to support the Kings just authority in and over them all. He told Captn [George] Montagu that the Delaware ought not to be left without a Kings Vessel, therefore, unless it was absolutely necessary to detain him longer to send Lieut [Henry] Colins to his Station (to whom he also wrote), and to continue to forward the Dispatches therewith delivered according to their several Addresses, and that he would have him take on Board as much Bread as he could possibly stow, as the fleet was very short of that Article, and direct Lieut. Colins to do the same. He told Capt [Edward] Thornborough that his last letter was come to hand dated March 7th acquainting him with what he had done towards repairing the defective parts of the Tamer and fishing his foremast; that there was an end to all Correspondence by Land, & that he intended to send a Ship or Sloop to relieve him as soon as possible; in the mean time it would be proper for him to be upon his guard, to have his Majesty's Sloop under his Command in constant readiness for Action, and to keep his provisions compleat, particularly Bread, for all the Supplies to the Kings Ships were forbidden by the Congress. He let captn [Francis] Parry know that she had received his Letters with the State and Condition of his Majesty's sloop Cruizer in Masts, Sails Rigging and other Stores, that from his representation he indeed appeared to be in a very unwarlike Condition; he might therefore expect to be relieved very soon: In the mean time he must put her into the best Condition he could, take care not to be surprized by the Rebels, and get on board as much provision as he could conveniently stow, particularly Bread: that the Otter was sent to Virginia, The Tamer was still at South Carolina, and He must continue to give what Assistance and Protection he could to his Majesty's Governor at North Carolina.
With the foregoing Letters the Admiral sent to each Captain a number of printed Accounts of the Battle of Lexington, which had been very falsely represented by the Provincials.
He also wrote to the collector of the customs at Salem to let the town know that he would not press their sailors if they did not stop the supplies for the Squadron, & in order to facilitate and encourage the bringing to Boston of Hay, Lumber, Fuel and Provisions for the use of the Garrison, the Admiral ordered that the calling of Vessels at Salem to enter should be dispensed with.
