[Pamphlets. American history]

210
Marblehead.' "We remain as quiet at Salem as ever;
the appearance of business in the streets but very little.
Just now indeed a number of fhmilies coming in from
Boston occasions a little bustle."
May 19. "A terrible fire broke out in Boston the night
before last (we saw ye light very plainly at Salem), which
destroyed a great numbler of warehouses, 1100 barrels of
flour, and a large quantity of English goods. It seems
as if that poor town was devoted to destruction."
June 3d. "Mr. Davis and his wife and family, and one
negro boy (for his other four negroes ran away), came
and dined with us and have put up here for the present;
but he gives one piece of intelligence which nmakes me
anxious about you, which is that a Capt. Richard Coffin,
of Nantucket, whom he saw at Boston just before he left
it, told him there were three hundred men of our provincial soldiers, ucnder ye command of one Capt. Davis,
were gone to Nantucket to prevent the King's troops or
ships fiom getting any supplies from that island." Boston "is in a most deplorable distressed situation, they are
continually alarmed & I fancy soon expect an attack &'tis said here to-day that the Gov. will not let ally more
persons come out of the town."
Jlune 6th. "Mrs. Hitty Higginson is arrived safe at
Halifax."
June 7th. "Mr. Davis & Billy are gone to MIrs. Gibbs's
at Newton upon a visit & to see the camp'at headquarters
(as ye fa:shionable phrase is) at Cambrildge." "The town
watch and the military watch, which is kept every night
at the fort, &c., make us more than commonly still."
June 10th. "You desire to know how your friends are
disposed of. Mr. Mascarene and family remain as they
were, as also Mrs. Sargent. AMrs. Crowninshield, who
went down eastward, is returned home again. Mrs.
Johnston is here yet, bult talks of going to Rowley. Mr.
Cabot and Family still abide here, as does also Mrs.
Lowell. Mr. Jno. Appleton's family are at Haverhill,
Mr. N. Appleton's are here yet, but going, I believe, to
Andover." "The English goods begin to fail here already. Our men are listing very fast here, between three