The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Braintree, Massachusetts Bay, July 16.

I am much surprised that you have not been more accurately informed of what passes in the camps. As to intelligence from Boston, it is but seldom we are able to collect any that may be relied on, and to repeat the vague flying rumours would be endless. I heard yesterday by one mr. Roulston, a goldsmith, who got out of Boston in a fishing schooner, that their distress increases upon them very fast; their beef is spent, their malt and cider all gone. All the fresh provisions they can procure they are obliged to give to the sick and wounded. That 13 of our men who were in jail, and were wounded at Charlestown, are dead. That no man dared to be seen talking to his friend in the street. That they are obliged to be at home every evening by 10 o'clock, according to martial law; nor can any inhabitant walk the street after that time, without a pass from Gage. That Gage has ordered all the molasses to be distilled into rum; for the soldiers. That he has taken away all licenses for selling of liquors, and given them to his creatures. That he has issued an order that no one else shall sell, under a penalty of 10l. That the spirit which prevails among the soldiers is that of malice and revenge, and that there is no true courage to be observed among them. That their duty is hard, always holding themselves in readiness for an attack, which they are in continual fear of. That doctor Elliot was not on board of a man of war, as was reported. Mr. Lovell and Leach, with many others, are certainly in jail. That last week a poor milch cow was killed in town, and sold for 1s. sterling a pound. That the transports from Ireland and New York arrived last week, but every additional man adds to their distress.