Letter from Major John G. Frazer to the President of Congress

v6:680

Boston, Saturday, June 1, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed is an exact inventory of every article found in the docks and harbour of Boston since the enemy evacuated that place . You will please to observe I employed two companies of men for that purpose, ten in each.

Mr˙ Califf and his company would not receive any wages for their labour, but thought themselves entitled to salvage, as I wrote you before. I should be glad to know the determination of Congress about it before I go to Boston, for I promised them I would let them know at my return, if possible; also what will be done with the vessels and cargoes, &c˙, left by the enemy, a list of which I enclose your Honour. My wages and rations as Assistant Quartermaster-General, I have never known yet; and extraordinary duty in Boston, receiving everything that was left there of King' s stores, &c. Also, whether the bargains and sales made by the King' s officers just before their embarkation to the inhabitants, will stand good; the consideration paid very trifling, and not their own property some of it, as well as many presents which they made of horses and carriages, &c˙, which the agent has sold, but detains the money in his hands till your determination, and desired me to inquire about it.

I would have waited on your Honour in person, but have been confined to my room these two days with the ague and fever. I hope to be able to set out for Boston on Tuesday next. Lieutenant-Colonel Buckmaster, of our regiment, was so badly wounded at Bunker-Hill, that he has never done any duty in the regiment since; and the Surgeon of the regiment says he will never be able to do any more. General Greene wrote something about him to the Honourable John Adams by me.

I am your Honour' s most obedient humble servant,

JOHN G˙ FRAZER.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.