A letter from Capt. Henry Barns, of Whitehaven, dated at Rhode Island, Jan 5 [1777], says, "A few days ago we had a letter from Capt. Hare, one of our fellow~sufferers. He was at Providence when the King's troops arrived here, and has since been detained there. He tells us, that the inhabitants of Providence, on the first approach of the King's ships, had determined to burn all the prize ships; but a strong S. W. wind blowing upon the town, they could not do it with safety. — In the three days delay which this occasioned, they agreed to haul them up into Seaconk River, and def end the town, but neither destroy it rior the shipping. The frost setting in, no attempt will be made on Providence for these three months. — Below you have an account of the provincial army in this quarter.
The King's forces on this island amount to 7000.
List of the provincial army in and about Providence
| Providence |
2000 |
| Bristol |
2000 |
| Howland's Ferry |
1500 |
| Greenwich |
2000 |
| Connecticut |
4000 |
| Neighbouring towns |
1500 |
Total 13,000 men within 20 miles of each other.
