[Newport] Dec. 25. Xtmas.
At 11h P.M. Gen Lee arrived in Town boldly, accompanied with his Men armed: tho' Wallace declared he would fire if any Troops came in armed. He put up at Layton's next the Court House. On the Parade G. Lee declared his Advice for all to remove out of To in ten days. The Town Council sent a Committee of seven to wait on him four Tories & 3 sons of Liberty, viz Messrs Bennot, Peas, Maudsly ー Tories ー & Messrs Collins, Ellery, & John Wanton ー offering him all the Assistance in their power. But hypocritically.
This Eveg (25th Dec) Gen Lee called & bro't before him Eight Tories, viz Col. Jos. Wanton formerly D. Gov of this Colony, Rev. Mr Bisset the Chh Minister, Dr Hunter, Messrs Lechmere, Beal, Nicols & Son of the Customhouse, & Mr Jno Bours ー and proposed to them an Oath purporting their Renunciation of Tory Principles, Fidelity to the American Cause, & that they would be ready to take Arms in its Defence when called upon by Authority from the Continental Congress. He exempted Mr Bisset as a Clergyman, & Dr Hunter as a physician, from the part respectg Taking Arms. All took the enjoyned Oath, subscribed it & were dismissed, except Messrs Wan ton, Beal, & Lechmere, who were allowed while Morng to consider of it.