Scarborough Piscataqua May 19th 1775
(Copy)
Sir I wrote to You by a Schooner belonging to General [Thomas] Gage the 3d Inst nothing material has happened here since.
Yesterday Governor [John] Wentworth send me a Message by his Secretary acquainting me there was about three hundred Men had assembled, to carry away a Quantity of Masts, that were in a Pond near the Town, I ask'd the Secretary if the Governor desired that I might send my Boats to prevent their so doing, he said no, by no means, for if such a thing was attempted they would immediately cut them to pieces, I ask'd what they intended to do with them, he replied they were going to carry them higher up the River for their better Security, I ask'd him where could they be so well secured or safe as under the Protection of a King's Ship and told him if Governor Wentworth, or whoever was the Proprietor of these Masts would apply to me, it was in my power to have protected them as they were made up in Floats to be carried up the River, he said he had no such request to make, about an hour after he was gone I received a Letter from Governor Wentworth, a Copy of which I herewith inclose You by which You may see, they intend they never shall be made use of for the King or his Service.
Yesterday Morning the Canceaux arrived here from Falmouth, has brought with him Captain [Thomas] Colstan's Ship and Sloop which I have taken under my protection and shall gave him every Assistance in my power to fit his Ship. I find the Arrival of Captain Colsten's Ship was the cause of their Manoeuvre with Mast, thinking she was come to take them in; I have just now been inform'd that the People of Halifax in Nova Scotia had assembled and destroyed a Magazine of Hay which was collected there for the use of his Majesty's Troops and that they had attempted to destroy the King's Yard but were prevented by some part of the Inhabitants, In consequence of which I gave Lieutenant [Henry] Mowat Orders to proceed to Halifax without one moment's loss of time and at his Arrival if he found no King's Ship there to do his utmost Endeavours to protect the King's Yard and Stores and to put your Orders in Execution as soon as he couldー
I send this by a Vessel belonging to the Commrs of the Customs