Rose Rhode Island Septr 28, 1775.
Sir
Upon my Arrival here from a Cruize found his Majesty's Ship Nautilus with two Brigs from the West Indies which she had taken. The Swan being upon a Cruize; the petty Officers and trusty men belonging to his Majesty's Ships here being absent on Duty; The Collector wanting to send the Custom house money; and other Vessels necessary to be sent round (of which inclosed I send a List); I thought it for his Majesty's Service to give them all into the Charge of Captain [John] Collins of the Nautilus to convoy safe round: His having proper Pilots, his Draught of Water, all make him the fittest for this Service, and from the Appearance of the Weather it will only stop him a few days from following your Orders. Intelligence from very good Authority. 4 Rebel Vessels lying at New London
They get into Rivers where they can run up into Shallow Water that there's no pursuing them. I don't find they have ventured out to Sea yet. The Brig from Whaling, with Oil, Captain Ayscough brought in because she fired upon him in Holmes Hole.2 I am &c
Jas Wallace.
1. Graves's Conduct, Appendix, 94-95, BM.
2. The brig Sally, John Darling, master, bound for Nantucket. Graves's Conduct, Prize List, II, 36-38, BM.
