Newport Mercury
Monday, May 22, 1775
Newport, May 22.
The week before last Capt. [John] Linzee, of the Falcon sloop of war, took two sloops on the coast between this place and the Vineyard, without the least reasonable pretence that we can learn; upon which the people at the eastward manned out two other vessels, retook the sloops, and carried them into Fair Haven, in Dartmouth last Saturday se'nnight [May 13] with 14 of Capt. Linzee's men, three of whom were wounded, which three were kept there, and taken good care of, and one other, who was a doctor's mate, was kept to dress their wounds; the others were sent to Taunton the next day. — It is said the above sloops, being only in ballast, were to have been employed in carrying live stock from some of the islands of Boston for the use of the King's troops. . . .
The brig mentioned in our last to have come here for provisions for our enemies, we are assured came only to procure provisions, and other necessaries, for a fishing company at Canso; but she will not take any provisions in, even for that purpose, there being several piratical cruisers stationed as 'tis supposed, between this place and Cape-Cod, on purpose to take vessels with provisions. . . .
The inhabitants of Halifax have destroyed 50 tons of hay, which was loaded on board several vessels, for General Gage.