Prominent Bostonians had sent a letter to Washington on March 8, stating that the British will not destroy the town if they are allowed to depart unmolested.

Washington had been given the letter, but had formally rejected it, as it was not addressed to him by either name or title.

However, the letter had had the intended effect: when the evacuation begins, there will be no American fire to hinder the British departure.

On March 9, after seeing movement on Nook's Hill on Dorchester, the British had opened a massive fire barrage that lasted all night.

It killed four men with one cannonball, but that was all the damage that was done.

The next day, the colonists go out and collect the seven hundred cannonballs that had been fired at them.

On March 10, General Howe issues a proclamation ordering the inhabitants to give up all linen and woolen goods that could be used by the colonists to continue the war.

A Loyalist, Crean Brush, is authorized to receive these goods, in return for which he gives certificates that are effectively worthless.