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Sir, Since my last of the 10th Inst the Rebels Issued out Orders from Providence to break off all Communication with the King's Ships, not to supply them with any thing whatever, on pain of Death; Upon which I acquainted the Town, if they were a Town, we must be upon other Terms ー A Committee came on board, desired a Truce, while they could send off a Number of Inhabitants to Providence, to represent their situation, and to obtain permission to supply us with every thing we wanted ー this I granted ー Twenty of them accordingly went off, and obtained leave to supply us; so that now we are upon the same Footing as before ー But this I know can't last long. The Rebels suspect Newport is intended to be made a Post for the King, this has brought Lee here with more Troops, ー what his Intentions are I can't at present penetrate, unless to erect Batteries and provoke us to destroy the Town. ー If Government has no Intentions upon the place, would it not be better to destroy it, and carry the War along the Coast; the Destruction of a Great Town, without particular Orders, is a serious matter; however something must be done for the King's Service, if they won't endeavour to save their own Towns, why should we ー 'tis better they should be destroyed than that they should be Enemies to us.

Lee enter'd the Town the 25th Instt with a Detachment, leaving his Main body (about 2000) without the Town: ー Began, with sending for a Number of the Principal People, who were suspected to be Friends to Government ー Tendered them the inclosed Affidavit; some that refused he took away Prisoners with him; this Visit 'tis said was in consequence of a Report, that aNumber of Inhabitants were ready to join me, for the King's Service ー however I suppose he was convinced to the contrary, and after Vapouring two or three Days left us again. They still assure me that the Rebel Philadelphia Fleet is destined here, which will oblige me to detain the Transport some time longer as a Store and Hospital Ship. Upon the departure of Lee, they sent on board and offered us every thing we wanted; I accepted 'till the 8th Janry ー Indeed we can do but little at present, the Weather having been very severe ー Seven or Eight of our Men have been Frost bit ー And no Instructions from You since the Swan arrived. ー Accounts from York mention Lord Dunmore's making a brave Stand, and collecting an Army of 5000 Men. I am, [&c.]

There is a Report that Lord Dunmore is Deafeated & 160 Men killed. ー