78 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS.
December 1 • ',//,. Yesterday died of a throat-distemper, which is very prevalent in the army at this time, Captain Maturene, the Governor's private Secretary, and however obnoxious the day might be to the government party, he did not fail Bending Supplicatory Notes to all the congregations in town yesterday.
December 17///. The Distilhouses continue to prove so very fatal to the Soldiers, that the Surgeons have one and all drew up a protest againsl the Soldiers remaining there. Where they will find quarters for 'cm otherways, I cant conceive, as there's scarce a m >>\' Lumber in town, ami the inhabitants even find it difficult to procure it fur a ground iiuinn nt fur their deceased friend-.
December 18*A. The Somerset of 74 guns arriv'd this forenoon, being the last of the squadron that came out with the Scarborough.
December 1 '.»///. Am this day favor'd with your letter of the 5 De- cember, handed me by .Mr. Williams, with a mem", for books, which I .-hall endeavor to procure as soon as I get an opportunity, as my apprentice i< now conlin'd at our house and very ill with a putrid \'c\vv. that we are in great trouble, being apprehensive that we shall all lie attack'd with it — if so, God's will be clone — The Doctor ha- pronoune'd him very dangerous — and people in general are so very much affraid of the distemper, that we have been trying in vain to procure a nurse for him. and as his parents live in the country we are in a pitiable situation.
December 20th. Mr. Blackwood call'd and paid the bill on him this day. being £15/19 Lawful money.
December 21st. Two or three Regiments continue to go out of town every day. sometimes to Cambridge, and at other times towards Dedham. This day being excessive cold, a Granadier of the 59th fell down lifeless, and was sent to town in [a] countryman's cart.
December 22nd. The affair at Portsmouth, of their having dis- mantled Newcastle fort, has caus'd the General to send the Scar- borough there to keep 'em in order.
December 23rd. Am told the Extra number of Marines that came in the last ships of war refuse to come on shore, as they say they did not enlist for Land Service. Suppose the hard duty the Soldiers are put to here ha- induced 'em to take this resolution.
December 24dh. This morning the poor fellow, who was taken on the Neck last Saturday night, attempting to desert, was shot. There were many intercessions made to the General, for his reprieve, by the Officers, but these going off so very fast, and he being the first taken
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