Last Monday [July 3] the two men of war on this station sail'd to convoy two sloops bound to Boston; one of which sloops Capt. [William] Dennis, was loaded with flour, &c. from Philadelphia, the other a whaling sloop, which arrived here a few days before, her oil having been taken out, and we hear a load of rum, sugar and melasses taken out of a number of small craft, going up the river, was put in. The men of war accompanied the sloops as far as they thought proper, and returned into this harbour on Tuesday night.

Wednesday morning the King-fisher sloop of war, Capt. [James] Montague, was tow'd into this harbour, and immediately after coming to anchor, she was thrown upon a very rank careen, by which 'twas supposed she had met with some misfortune the night before, as she was seen up the sound, and many cannon were heard in the night, and we are assured a certain Doctor in this town, went on board said ship several times from her arrival till Friday, to take care of some wounded men.¹

Friday in the afternoon the Rose, Swan, and King-Fisher went round the north end of Connanicut, that night anchored near Dutch Island, and next morning went without the Light-House; the King-fisher, 'tis supposed, is gone to Boston; the other two returned to this harbour in the afternoon.