[Pamphlets. American history]

211
or four hundred are gone from this town: the sailors and
fishermen, as they have no other employment or support,
go to ye army, and we are told there is a whole regiment
of fishermen gone from Marblehead -good riddance I"
June 12th. "You enquire about the alarm; it was
nothing that need have terrified anybody, but our people
seem determined to be afraid of everything; it was all
over in an hour." "Peggy writes for paper, but it is not
in my power to send any, as I have none by me, not a
sheet, and there is not a single quire to be bought in the
town of Salem, though Williams expects some soon from
Milton, which, such as it is, must answer."
"Salem, Friday afternoon, June 16, 1775.
As to the Military Operations here, I am not iI the
secret, so can give you no news of that sort, tho' the general voice is that there will soon be an Engagement, and
perhaps it may happen before this reaches you:. It is said
our People intend to take possession of Dorchester Hill,
tonight, and whenever they do, it is also said they will be
attacked by the Regulars. I pray God to prevent bloodshed, but I fear there will be a goodl deal. ** * I have
some thoughts of sending off to Boxford a load of necessary furniture proper for housekeeping,,, but am a little at
a loss about it. M.r Davis has engaged M.r Hooper's
house in Danvers; which he thinks fhr enough out of ye
way and I don't know but he is right enough, but it is a
situation I should not admire upon several accounts.
Saturday, P. M. I have just rec.d a letter from your
uncle at Hallifax; he tells me his situation is very disagreeable and that he shall not continue long where he is,
if he can g(et away, which there is very little prospect of
as there are no vessels there but from Saleml & Marblehead. Provisions very scarce & dear, no mutton, beef at
half Pisterene per pound, Pork & Veal at 6s 8 0. Ten.r
Butter 10.s He was very much surprised to think you
were gone to Nantucket, or anywhere fiom Salem; but if
you were obliged to remove he thinks Nantucket the best
place you could go to; and he heartily wishes he was
there &c. * * * I suppose before you receive this you
will have heard of the resolves of the two Congresses