Preston Boston 5 Novr 1775
Sir
As Vessels will pass up and down the River leading to Providence in spite of the utmost Vigilance, I wish to have its Channel stopped up. And if some old Vessels, that are clearly Rebel Property, could be filled with large Stones and sunk in the narrowest Parts it might destroy the Navigation of the River and thereby relieve the Ships from watching it so closely as now they are obliged to do; therefore if you,think it practicable and can by any means accomplish this business which will be of great Benefit to the Kings Service, I desire you will endeavor to do it. Captain Vandeput acquaints me that he sent you intelligence of a Quantity of dry Goods and Cloathing buying up in New York to be sent through the Sound to New London to supply the Rebel Army. Today General Howe informed me that a Mr ———— of New York is busily employed there in making Cloathing for the Rebels, which is to go from thence by Water to Norwich in Connecticut. As it is of the utmost conseq[uence] to intercept those Vessels, I hope you have made a disposition of your Ships accordingly, and that by your Vigilance the Rebel Army, remaining without Cloathing, will not be able to keep the Field this Winter. I am &c.
Saml Graves.
Capt: Wallace Rose Rhode Island.
1. Graves's Conduct, I, 157-158, BM.