Whereas this Committee have received Information that a Number of Transports have arrived at Newport and demanded a Quantity of Live-Stock of the Inhabitants for the Supply of the Enemy in Boston, with Threats of taking the same in Case of Refusal by Force: And whereas for preventing the Enemy from being supplied Orders have been issued for Five Companies of Minute Men from the County of Providence and Part of the Militia in Tiverton & Little Compton to proceed to Rhode Island; of which Forces this Committee have appointed and do hereby appoint you the said Eseck Hopkins Commander in Chief, as they have done and do also hereby of the Militia in the County of Newport; of which you are hereby empowered to raise the whole or a Part as Occasion shall require; and the Officers and Soldiers of the said Companies of Minute-Men, of the Militia of Tiverton & Little Compton and of the Remainder of the Militia in the County of Newport are hereby required to yield all due Obedience to you in that Capacity in the Execution of this Commission and Instructions And this Committee have appointed and do hereby appoint you the said William West the next or second Commandg Officer of the said Forces; You are hereby instructed to proceed forthwith to Rhode Island and with the said Forces under your Command you are to use your utmost Endeavours, by all prudent Ways and Means, to prevent any Live-Stock from being taken off from said Island for the Use of the Ministerial Army an[d] Navy in America: And in Case of an Attempt to land of a Body of Men from the Ships there to take off any Live-Stock, or in Case of any Attack made upon the Inhabitants of this Colony you are with the said Forces under your Command or such Part of them as you shall deem sufficient, to resist, expel, kill and destroy them in Order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty's good Subjects in these Parts. ー In Case you shall meet with any Obstruction in the Execution of this Commission and Instructions you are hereby empowered and directed to cause all and every Persons and Person so obstructing to be apprehended & secured. ー You are also empowered and directed to take up any Officers or Men belonging to the Ships of War and Transports in the ministerial Service whom you may find on Shore in this Colony. ー As this Committee have received Information that George Rome of Newport Merchant hath greatly assisted the Enemy and proved himself entirely inimical to the Liberties of America you are also empowered and directed to cause him to be apprehended. ー And all Persons you shall so cause to be taken up you are to send to Providence under a sufficient Guard that they may be dealt with according to their Demerits. ー You are also empowered to dismiss any Part of the said Troops as you shall think proper. You are also to follow such further Instructions and Orders as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Deputy Governor or this Committee. And for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant.

By Order Henry Ward Secry