56 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDBEWS.
so doing, as the nights are so cold already, thai it's impossible for 'em in sleep comfortable under their slighl canvas tents. And as to empty houses, now Bince we have gol so many refugees among us, there is nol half sufficient to hold whal troops we have gol already here. After the carpenters h;i<l left off work, the General Bent Col. Robinson and Major Sheriff to Mr. Hancock, to [el him know if they would proceed with the barracks, lie could suffer any thing to be transported within the limits of the harbour, under the sanction of King's stores — bui all would not avail; as they very justly suppos'd, that alter the work was compleated he would withdraw the indulgence, a> he deems it. though in justice it not be prevented at all.
They have gol the Carpenters from the Ships of War, and have sent an arm'd Schooner to Halifax for all the Artificers they can pro- cure from there. It's possible they may be as averse to coming as the Yorkers.
Joseph Scott having sold a large quantity of Cannon Shot, Co- horns, Mortars, &ca., for the use of the Army; this afternoon they took away ten cart-loads of the former, which has, with great reason, caus'd much uneasiness among the inhabitants, who forbid the car- riers not to transport any more upon their peril. One of the Com- mittee expostulated with Scott upon the subject, who pretended that the Government had a right to them, as they were made for their ust last War — a pit i full excuse indeed! to justify a man that fur- nishes an enemy with ammunition to destroy his own townsmen, countrymen, or I may say his own brethren. The Gentleman of the Committee observ'd to him that he did not think even those men, pointing to a number of Soldiers in his shop, would be guilty of such an action, upon which they immediately reply'd " that they would not."
September 28th. Captain Calef arriv'd from London last night. He left there the 4th ultimo, and Admiral Montague arriv'd the 2d ; but has brought no news of any importance, as the letters by him were to undergo the inspection of the Admiralty office; therefore the subject of them could not have transpired so as to cause much spec- ulation before he came away. It's inimagiu'd by the passengers, that it' Calef had Btay'd a few days longer, they would have taken most of
the g Is out of him again, as Governor Hutchinson had represented
matters in such a light (and by help of the address, however infamous) as to lull their suspicious altogether, and make them believe that the Tea was paid for, and that the new regulations would take place
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