From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 26 July 1775
To Nicholas Cooke
Camp at Cambridge July. 26th 1775.
Sir
Yesterday I had an Account that three Men of War and Nine Transports had sailed out of Boston—and in the Evening I received a Note the Copy whereof is inclosed.1 The great Distress they are in at Boston for fresh Provisions makes it extremely probable they may make some Depredations along the Coasts: I have therefore thought it proper to give you the earliest Notice that the Owners of those Islands and the Inhabitants along the Coasts may take the necessary Precautions for the Security of their Property. At the same Time I must add that the Conduct of this Groves in getting into Boston again immediately renders his Intelligence very suspicious as to their Destination2 But their Sailing may be depended on—You will Please to make use of this Intelligence under all its Circumstances as you shall judge most conductive to the publick Good—And believe me to be with great Truth & Regard Sir Your most Obedient very Humble Servt
Go: Washington
Copy, RHi: Cooke Papers; LB, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The copy in the Cooke Papers is docketed “Copy of a Letter from General Washington July 26th 1775 The original being sent to Philadelpa by the Committee for settling the Accts of the Colony with the Congress.” Joseph Reed wrote a similar letter for GW to Brig. Gen. David Wooster on this date. See GW to Hancock, 27 July 1775, n.3.
1. This enclosure was probably a copy of Richard Dodge to GW, 25 July 1775. See also John Thomas to GW, 25 July 1775.
2. Joseph Groves’s information was correct in part. This fleet raided Fishers Island on 6 Aug. 1775. See Norwich Committee of Correspondence to GW, 7 Aug. 1775.