Page:Letters of John Andrews.djvu/49

 LETTERS OF JOKN ANDREWS. 43

The famous Colonel Jones of Westown was held in durance about three hours, one day last week, and catechised by aboul three hun- dred from the contiguous towns.

v, ember 1th. A ship from London arriv'd at Salem yesterday p.m., with thirty odd chests of that cursed herb for Smith and At- kinson of this town. Cant learn that she has brought anything in particular, save that the commotions are mt\ great in England upon account of the Quebeck bill, as well as our's. An arm'd schooner from England, but last from Halifax, is just entered the harbour at my writing this, and saluting the admiral, (who. by the way, detains all the ferry boats along side his ship front nine at night till live in the morning) with dispatches for General Gage.

Two light horse, well mounted and equipt, came into town this morning, who belong'd to a troop of five hundred thai were upon their march from Connecticut ; and upon hearing that matter- were quiet here, they retum'd to their respective homes.

September 8th. As the Governor, Commissioners, and indeed all the Governmental gentry have taken up their residence in town for the Winter, the 5!)th Regiment is expected from Salem immediately. They have fix'd the colors and laid out their ground for their encamp- ment at y'. side of y''. Neck, near y'. Windmill. Yesterday, between one and two o'clock p.m., the General, with a large parade of at- tendants, took a survey of the skirts of the town : more particularly that part opposite the country shore. Tis suppos'd they intend to erect Batteries there to prevent any incursions of the country people from that quarter, having effectually secur'd the Neck by the disposi- tion of the field pieces : and their caution extends so far as to have a guard patrole Roxbury streets at all hours of the night, as well as another posted at Charlestown i'evvy every night, after the evening gun fires.

A- experience makes men wise, so the least alarm will put 'em upon their guard that have once keen trick'd. A Scotch Captain, ■who is building a skip at Charlestown, observ'd that they put tin: ammunition, such as -hot, &ca., belonging to the battery there, under ground, lie came over and inform'd the Governor of it, who sent an officer over with him to examine the premisses yesterday afternoon. The inhabitants, suspecting what would take place, provided a num- ber of teams, such as carry ship timbers, and .-king all the guns belonging to the battery, and carried up country, together with the reposit of shot, &ca. About midnight another formidable expedi-

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