Boston Selectmen petition Gen. George Washington not to attack the town.

Sending a letter via a British officer carrying a flag of truce, the Selectman make the request out of fear that Gen. William Howe will respond by setting the town on fire. Representatives of the two generals subsequently meet and, although Washington’s representatives refuses to reply to the request, according to Thomas Allen, the non-reply is a tacit and understood commitment that if Gen. Howe agrees not to burn the town as he withdraws, Gen. Washington will not attack the retreating fleet.