[March 1776, cont.] in boats &
joind the Fleet which
had chiefly quited the Harbour
& fell down to
Nantascet from
our first building upon the
Hills, Some few of the Men of
War & Transports for the Tories only
excepted who remained to cover
the Town; The Admiral finding
we had built upon
Nook Point
& another Small hill thaught it Hill
no both of which were advantage-
ously Scituated to rake the
Harbour; thught he could
with
no degree of Safety tarry any
longer, wherefore he sent to the
General Howe acquainting him
that he was about to quit the
Harbour, this it is Said hasten=
-ed the General's Retreat, or he
would probably have taken his
artilery with him, they left no
Powder behind them, & but we
cou-
=ld plainly See where they burnt
vast Quantities of that valuable
article, could they have affected