88 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

concerns their Commission: We have had no occurrence of
any consequence in the Camp since I had the honor of address-
ing you last But expect every hour to hear that Newport has
shared the fate of unhappy Falmouth. I have the honor to be
with the most sincere respect. Sir
Your most obedient & humble Serv^t Geo. Washington.

Falmouth Monday October 16. 1775. The canceaux ship
of sixteen guns, commanded by Capt. Mowatt, a large ship,
schooner and a sloop armed, anchored below the town The
17^th at 3 P. M. they weighed and came up and anchored
within Gunshot and immediately chose a committee of three
gentlemen and sent them on board to know the reason of that
towns being set on fire, he returned for answer that his orders
were to set fire on all the seaport towns between Boston &
Hallifax and that he expected New York was then burnt to
ashes he farther said that when he received orders from the
admiral he desired that he might shew some favour to the town
of Falmouth, which the admiral granted (I suppose, as Cap^t
Mowatt was under particular obligations to some gentlemen
at Falmouth for civilities to him when in captivity amongst
them) and which favour was to spare the town till 9 oclock
Wednesday morning in case he would send him off eight
small arms, which the town immediately did. Wednesday
morning being the 18^th the committee went on board Cap^t
Mowatt again in order to save the town, til he heard from the
admiral in case we would send off four carriage guns deliver
up all our small arms, ammunition &^c and send four gentle-
men of the town as hostages, which the town would not do.
about half past nine in the morning he began to fire from the
four armed vessels, and in five minutes set fire to the several
houses, He continued firing till after dark, the same day,
which destroyed the largest part of the town he farther
informed the committee that he should proceed to portsmouth
and destroy that place also. The foregoing is as near the
facts as I am able to remember. As Witness my hand,
signed Pearson Jones
Cambridge Octob. 24. 1775.

Original.

[Gillon to ]

Sir. If you chuse to import any powder or Arms from Hol-
land think it best that you export the Am^t of the Adventure
in Tobacco fit for that market in Vessels that do not draw
above 13-14 feet water & sail fast filling up Inv^e & bills of
lading with letters as if from S^t Crus or S^t Eustatius bound to