to you and your Army; yet God would not have it so, but by
an unexpected Providence, in his Righteous Justice, brought a
just judgement upon them, causing them to become a prey to the
Souldier, who in their Pyracies had made preyes of so many
families, and made with their bloods to answer the cruelties
which they had exercised upon the lives of divers poore Protestants,
two of which I have been lately acquainted with: About
seven or eight-score poore Protestants were by them put into an
old Vessel, which being as some say bulged by them, the Vessel
sunke, and they were all presently drowned in the Harbor: the
other was thus, They put divers poor Protestants into a Chappel,
which since they have used for a Masse house, and in which
one or more of their Priests were now killed, where they were
farnished to death.
The Souldier got a very good Booty in this place, and had
they not had opportunity to carry their goods over the River,
whilst we besiedged it, it would have been much more. I could
have wished for their own good, and the good of the Garrison
they had been more moderate. Some things which were not
easily portable, we hope we shall make use of to your behoof:
There are great quantities of Iron, Hides, Tallow, Salt, Pipe, and
Barrell Staves, which are under Commissioners hands to be secured.
We believe there is above a hundred Cannon in the Fort
and else where in and about the town: Here is likewise some
very good shipping, here are three Vessells, one of them of thirty
foure guns, which a weeks time would fit to Sea; there is another
of about twenty Guns; very near ready likewise; and
one other Frigot of twenty Guns, upon the Stocks, made for
failing; which is built up to the uppermost Deck, for her handsomenesse
sake I have appointed the workemen to finish her,
here being materialls to doe it, if you or the Councell of State
shall approve thereof. The Friggot also taken by the Fort, is a
most excellent Vessell for failing, besides divers other ships
and Vessells in the Harbor. This Town is now so in your power,
that the former Inhabitants I believe scarce one in twenty
can challenge any propriety in their houses, most of them are
run away, and many of them killed in this service; and it were
to be wished, that an honest people would come and plant here,