Providence Decemr 12th 1775
Gentlemen,
Last Sunday Morning [December 10] about 2 or 3 oClock Wallace landed upon Jamestown with about 200 Men. we had but a Handful of Men upon the Island who in general behaved with Bravery, but being so greatly overpowered were compelled to retreat with the Loss of 2 Men taken Prisoners. It is believed that an Officer of the Marines was killed, and 7 Men wounded on the Part of the Enemy; who hurt 16 Houses, having First Plundered them, besides Barns and Cribs. They took off about 40 Head of Cattle, 40 or 50 Sheep & 40 Hogs. Mr John Martin coming out of his House unarmed to speak to the commanding Officer was shot into the Belly and it is very probable that his Wound will prove mortal. The Inhabitants were surprized in their Beds the Enemy having landed before they were discovered. They burnt almost all the Houses between the Two Ferries. Mr Clarke's Farm-House and another he owned near the Ferry Place with all his Outhouses were destroyed.
Mr [Henry] Ward informs his Brother that our Committee for settling the Colony Accounts tell him that they look upon Capt. Whipple's Sloop as a Continental Vessel. The Assembly and General Committee consider her at present as belonging to the Colony; although they expect Payment from the Continent for her Voyage to Bermuda and to Philadelphia and in Case an Expedition had been determined upon to the Eastward that she would during that Expedition have been upon the publick Risque and Expence. And it will be best to comply with Capt. Whipple's Instructions ー The Regiment of Men raised for Defence of this Colony it is expected will be paid by the Continent; but the Emergency was so sudden that Application could not be made to the Congress.
The Inhabitants of the Massachusetts Bay have raised the Men requested of that Colony for Defence of the Lines with great Spirit, Many Towns having sent near double their Quota. I am with great Regard, Gentlemen, [&c.]
S. Hopkins & S. Ward Esqrs