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

1204 AMERICAN THEATRE
of calling away the Tamer, in whose room I will send the very first Sloop I have to
spare.
I am &c.
Sam Graves
1. Graves's Conduct, Appendix, 482, 483, MassHS Transcript.
Sir Preston at Boston 22d August 1775
I received by Captain [John] Tollemache your letter [of] June 27, and
am extremely glad to find that as his Majs. Service did not allow of my sending
a Sloop of War to Savannah, according to my Directions from my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, it has not, in your Excellencys opinion, been detrimental
to the Kings Interest within your Government; however as that may
not long continue to be the case I consider myself still obliged to send a Sloop
whenever it is in my Power. Lord Wm. Campbell and Governor [Josiah] Martin
have made Representations to the same effect with your Excellency, and have
earnestly requested that means be used to keep a constant and frequent Intercourse
between the Southern Colonies and Boston; but as I do not think it safe for any
other Vessels but Men of War to be employ'd on this Service, we must be denied
this pleasure until1 the Number of the Squadron is increased, when I shall do
the utmost in my power on this and every other occasion for the good of the
King's Service.
It is certainly reported here that four hundred Barrels of the Kings Gunpowder
intended for Georgia were taken by the Rebels: I hope it is really
intended to be appropriated as your Excellency imagines; but at this Juncture
I fear it has taken a different direction. I am &c
Sam Graves
1. Graves's Conduct, Appendix, 484, MassHS Transcript.
2. Graves was deceived, as the South Carolinians had hoped, by the spurious dispatch substituted
for Wright's original. See Wright's letter to Graves, June 27, 1775.
Sir, Preston Boston 22 August 1775
I am honoured with your Excellencys Letters May 27 and July 8 fully
representing to me the bad Condition of his Majestry's Affairs in the Province
under your Excellency's Government, and earnestly requesting the Establishment
of some regular and constant Channel of Intercourse between the Colonies
and Boston. Lord Wm Campbell and Sir Jas Wright have made the same
Representation. I am also satisfied how useful such a Measure would be at
this Crisis, but I can only reply to your Excellency, as I have done to his Majs
Governors aforementioned, that as such an Intercourse can only be safely carried
on by the King's Ships it is absolutely out of my Power at present to appoint
any to that Service.
The ultimate determination of Government with respect to these Colonies
is hourly Expected; if it is determined on to support the supreme Authority of
Parliament no doubt large Reinforcements will soon arrive and I shall be enabled