(Read)
By Capt. Jno. Brisbane
Commander of his Majesty's Ship Flora, and Senior Officer of his Majesty's Ships at Newport
The Enemy1 being Anchord without the Harbour, makes it probable they will endeavour to enter in the morning; & that they will take the precaution of securing the Naraganset passage,2 You are therefore hereby required to use the utmost dispatch in Landing your Guns and powder (the General being desirous of them for the service of the Batterys) also your provisions and Stores: and haul the Ship under your Commands3 as near the Shore as possible so as to be able to distroy her should they send any of their Ships up the River.4 Given on board the Flora. Newport. Rhode Island. July 29th. 1778—
Brisbane
Copy, UkLPR, Adm. 1/5310, fols. 180–81. Addressed below close: “To/Capt. Hugh Dalrymple/Commandr. of his Majestys/Ship Juno."
1. The French fleet commanded by Vice-amiral comte d'Estaing.
2. That is, the West Passage to Narragansett Bay.
3. H.M. frigate Juno.
4. That is, Narragansett Bay.
