Benjamin Greenleaf to the Committee of Correspondence in Hampton

v2:374

Newburyport, April 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We have now received information from the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, who are appointed by the Province, that they have a sufficient number of men arrived, and therefore would not have any more come from the Northward for the present, but think it needful they should be ready to guard the sea-coasts in their own neighbourhood. Pray forward this intelligence as far as may be needful, and with as much despatch as possible.

We were unhappily thrown into distress yesterday, by false accounts received by two or three persons, and spread abroad, of a number of Soldiers being landed at Ipswich and murdering the inhabitants. We have since heard that it arose in the first place from a discovery of some small Vessels near the entrance of their River — one, at least, known to be a Cutter — and it was apprehended that they were come to relieve the captives there in Jail.

I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

B˙ GREENLEAF.

To the Committee of Correspondence in Hampton.