News of the burning of Falmouth causes uproar in the colonies.
Propagandists emphasize its cruelty.
The Massachusetts Provincial Congress authorizes the issue of letters of marque, licensing privateer actions against the British navy.
The Second Continental Congress hears of the event just as word arrives of King George's Proclamation of Rebellion.
Outraged by the news, Congress recommends that some provinces adopt self-rule and that Royal Navy ships in South Carolina be seized.
The attack on Falmouth stimulates Congress to advance its plans for establishment of a Continental Navy.
On October 13, Congress had authorized the purchase of two vessels to be armed for a cruise against British merchant ships; these ships become Andrew Doria and Cabot.
The first ship in commission is the USS Alfred which is purchased on November 4 and commissioned on December 3 by Captain Dudley Saltonstall.
On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passes a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines to be raised for service with the fleet (the Marines will be disbanded at end of the war in April 1783 but will be reformed on July 11, 1798 as the United States Marine Corps).
John Adams drafts its first governing regulations, which are adopted by Congress on November 28, 1775 and will remain in effect throughout the Revolutionary War.
The Falmouth incident is again mentioned on November 25, when Congress passes legislation described by Adams as "the true origin of the American Navy".
When news of the event first reaches England, it is dismissed as rebel propaganda.
When the reports are confirmed, Graves' superior, Lord George Germain, expresses surprise rather than offense, noting that "I am to suppose that Admiral Graves had good reason for the step he took", in spite of orders (not received by Graves until after Mowat had sailed for Falmouth) to not take such acts unless the town clearly refused to do business with the British.
Graves will be relieved of his command in December 1775, in part due to his failure to suppress the rebel naval forces.
Germain had issued the orders before Falmouth burned.
News of the event also reaches the French government, who are carefully monitoring political developments in North America.
The French foreign secretary writes: "I can hardly believe this absurd as well as barbaric procedure on the part of an enlightened and civilized nation."
Mowat's career suffers as a result of his actions.
He will be repeatedly passed over for promotion, and will achieve it only when he downplays his role in the event, or omits it entirely from his record.
