Sir,

I have been obliged to take the Town's Stocks of powder and ball from Westerly, Charlestown and Hopkintown, to equip the troops for the Block Island expedition, and to press 50 fire-arms. Of consequence, we are left in a most defenceless and wretched situation. These are, therefore, to beg your Honor would immediately order that the above towns may be supplied, as numbers of the inhabitants are much displeased with me for taking their powder, ball and arms, at a time when our most inveterate enemies are on every side insulting of us. Capt. [James] Wallace, with three tenders, gave chase in pursuit of two of our transports, with 75 men, who were on their passage to Block Island. The night coming on when they were in the middle of the Sound, and about a league distance from the Rose and tender, gave our troops an opportunity to make their escape. The transports landed their men, and returned to the harbour the same night. In the morning the ship Rose and her tenders came into the above harbour, [and] began a heavy fire on the town, which continued most of the day. The women and children abandoned the town, in the midst of a severe rain storm. It is surprising that we had only one man wounded. The tenders stretched off and on within 60 yards of the wharves, and received the fire of our musketry, from behind the wharves, stores and rocks. We have reason to believe we killed number of the enemy. 300 of Col. [Charles] Webb's regiment, who were stationed at New London, arrived in the evening with great numbers of the inhabitants, who behaved with great intrepedity, and even the women were rather mad than surprised. The houses received some damage from the Rose, but none from the tenders.² Col. Rhodes is on the Island with 180 troops. The remainder will embark in small boats, as we think it most safe, immediately. We have not a sufficient supply of powder for the Island expedition. should be glad of a few casks. Yours &c.

P.S. Three vessels of war are now cruising round the Island