Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

AMERICAN THEATRE
fort, under the protection of the marines now on board said frigate, to prepare
matters for this or any other fleet, on like errand, against their return. It was
therefore unanimously judged necessary for the publick safety that said Fort
P~wnall be immediately destroyed. That the Militia marched for said place
without delay, and on their way were overtaken by two officers of Colonel
McCobb's Regiment, informing that part of said Regiment, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Harnden, was on the march to join them; but as there was
no prospect of an opportunity of comming to action with the enemy, this Regiment
being so far ahead of them, and being now two hundred and seventy
strong, was thought sufficient to accomplish every purpose now attainable; and
inasmuch as they came without boats, and your petitioners had not boats enough
for the body now with them, their continuing their march was judged needless
and inconvenient, and thereupon they returned. That your petitioners, proceeding
on their march to Fort Pownall, took two sloops which they found in
the employ of carrying necessaries to Boston, with a protection from Admiral
[Samuel] Graves. Intelligence was received of several others in the same circumstance
at Majabigwaduce, whereupon a party was dispatched thither, which
took a sloop loading for Nantucket, together with another sloop and schooner just
come from Boston, and bound thither again, with protection from the Admiral.
The rest of said Regiment meanwhile went forward, and after assisting Colonel
[Thomas] Goldthwait in removing his effects out of said Fort to the Chapel, and
saving what shot, lead and old iron they could, burnt the building to the ground,
and then brought off a barge belonging to the Colony, which had been employed
in the service of the Fort. That your petitioners then reconnoitred the bay, and
found the enemy's fleet to remove from place to place sundry times, and to take
such posts as made it evident their design was rather to avoid than intercept them.
That finding their provisions all spent, and themselves in a country where the
necessities of the inhabitants forbod the hope of any supply from them, your
petitioners were obliged to return home; accordingly the vessels above mentioned
were brought to sail, and arrived safe in Townsend Harbour, in this Town, on
Tuesday the first of this instant. That on their return, your petitioners find that
they would have been supplied with provisions from the Town of Bristol, had
not one of the aforesaid persons, by whose means the enemy was alarmed from
Camden, prevented their sending them, after part was put on board of these
vessels to convey them to your petitioners. That soon after their arrival, your
petitioners met in council to deliberate on what might be proper to be done with
the vessels now in custody, and the persons who commanded them; and a regard
for the publick safety induced your petitioners to order them to be hauled up,
stripped and kept under a constant guard till the pleasure of the honourable
Court is known - except the schooner, which for particular reasons, your petitioners
have delivered to Major Andrew Reed, of this Town, to be employed in
defence of this coast, and in suppressing trade with the enemy, until the orders of
the Legislature concerning her shall be received. The masters of said vessels
appeared to your petitioners to have offended rather out of ignorance than ill
intent, and therefore were dismissed - Nathan Philips, Peleg Cruger and Jonathan
Carleton, then sick on shore and incapable of being removed, except who
were by plenary evidence found guilty of having made it their business for some