[Extract]
Honored Sir,

I have by no Means been unmindful of the unhappy Situation of the State of Rhode Island. A very large Body of the Enemy long since took Possession of near a quarter Part of that State, and altho' the Enemy have called off from Time to Time great Part of their Forces there, Yet Their having gained a Possession, aided still by Their Ships; the Force of the State with the small Aid received from Our Sister States have not yet en­abled Us to dislodge the Enemy. — In the mean Time, the whole Trade and Commerce of the State, as well as the Continental Ships have been blocked up. —

Taking into Consideration that the Enemy have seen proper to make this Campaign so far to the Southward and Northward as I am in Hopes will give an Opportunity to raise a sufficient Force of Millitia and State Battallions to induce Our State joined by Massts and Connecticut to make an Attempt upon Rhode-Island: — And in Order to give a Spring to such a hoped for Design; and wishing at least to get Our Shipping and Continental Navy out to Sea, — I ventured to draw up the enclosed Resolutions and to prefer Them to Congress: — They were by Congress referred to the Marrine Committee, and obtaining a favourable Report from that Board, I finally got Them passed by Congress nearly as I had at first drawn them up.²

If They should be thought by the Navy Board for the Eastern Depart­ment and the Councill of War of Our State, to have been idle, inexpedient or unadviseable, I shall but have lost my Pains, not doubting but they will be candidly considered. — If on the other Hand, They should meet the Approbation of the State I have the Honor to represent, I shall feel myself amply rewarded: — And should They prove efficatious in delivering Our Trade and Commerce and the Continental Navy, from its present Em­barrassments my every Wish will be unspeakably gratified. — I thought I could not well answer it to the distressed State of Rhode-Island &c to remain an Idle Spectator of the Calamities to which it has been reduced without receiving any Continental Aid, while so many Thousands have been ex­ pended in the particular Defence of Delaware Bay and River; — Not less than ten Fire Ships, besides several large Gallies having been ordered by Congress, exclusive of very great Continental Assistance in constructing and raising of Batteries &c. &c. —

I would by no Means however wish to see the publick Monies expended in Our State, without a hopeful Prospect of its being really beneficial. — And I would therefore strongly recommend that it be first well considered. — I doubt not You will have the same Resolves inclosed to you by the Presi­dent;³ but I have hitherto made it my Duty to transmit you all Resolves that respect Our State — I could wish the Hints I offered some Time past, of sending out two armed Briggs on a Cruize, and to France for Cloathing &c four Our Soldiery may be thought worthy of Attention; especially if Our Harbour should be opened —

Just as Congress as well as Genl Washington had concluded Mr How had most certainly sailed for South Carolina, and an Expedition was form­ing four Our Army, and some of Them had began to move again Eastward, An Express denounced, Mr How's Appearance with a Fleet of 260 Sail almost up to the Head of Cheaspeak Bay, Genl Washington immediately ordered his Army to march this Way — The main Body of His Army this Morning passed thro' this City. — From the State House We had a fair View of Them as they passed in Their several Divisions — The Army alone with the necessary Cannon and Artillery for each Division, exclusive of Their Baggage Waggons, Guards &c which took another Rout, were upwards of two Hours in passing, with a lively smart Step. . .

It is just reported that How has begun a landing about seven Miles below the Head of Elk. . .