Rose, Newport Harbour, Rhode Island 12th December 1774
(Copy)
Sir, Yesterday I arrived in this port, with His Majesty's Ship under my Command, from New London, on a cruise, of which I had the honour to acquaint You, the 8th instant.
Since my absence from this Place, I find the Inhabitants (they say here of Providence) have seized upon the King's Cannon that was upon Fort Island, consisting of six twenty-four Pounders, eighteen eighteen Pounders, fourteen six Pounders, and six four Pounders (the latter they say, formerly belonged to a Province Sloop they had here) and conveyed them to Providence.
A procedure so extraordinary, caused me to visit upon the Govenour,2 to inquire of him, for your information, why such a step had been taken. He very frankly told me, they had done it to prevent their falling into the hands of the King, or any of his Servants; and that they meant to make use of them, to defend themselves against any power that shall offer to molest them.
I then mentioned, if, in the course of carrying on the King's Service, I should ask assistance, whether I might expect any from him, or any others in the Government.
He answered as to himself he had no Power, and in respect to any other part of the Government I should meet with nothing but opposition and difficulty. So much for Governor Wanton.
Then I endeavoured to get the best information of what they were at, from all Quarters, and enclosed I send it to you.3 Among some of their votes you will find they intend to procure Powder and Ball and Military stores of all kinds, wherever they can get them.
Now, Sir, I submit to your Consideration, as there are three large and distant Chanels to Providence the Place the most probable they will attempt to land them whether the Assistance of some smaller Vessels would not be necessary in order to prevent them. What can be done by the Rose shall not be neglected. I am Sir [&c.]
Inclosed is the State and Condition of His Majs Ship Rose