Dear Sir, 

I have the honor to transmit to Congress, the particulars of my Proceedings, since I reciev'd General Washingtons Orders, to co-operate with the Count Destaign against the Enemy, on Rhode Island.—¹ At that time my Magazines were empty, but few Troops, and scarcely any Boats to effect an embarkation, I immediately wrote to the several New England States, calling upon them in the most pressing Terms, to supply me with Men and Provisions, and I have the pleasure to assure you, that their exertions exceed my expectation;² The Magazines will be sufficiently large, to supply the number of Troops I shall have, and with the standing Forces in this department, the several Quotas of Militia, and the Reinforcement from the Grand Army, I make no doubt, I shall have a Force sufficient, with the assistance of the French Fleet & Army, to ensure me Success. I have collected a great number of Boats, and the Carpenters are indefatigable in building more, so that I think, I may venture to assure you, that I shall have a Number sufficient to transport my whole Army at the same time. On the 29^th. Ultimo, the Count's Fleet arrivd, and anchor'd off the light House in Naraganset Bay,³ the next morning, two Ships, one of Sixty four Guns, and the other of fifty,⁴ were sent up the western Passage, between the Island of Connecticut and the Main, with a view, to capture two Frigates, that lay in that Channel, between Prudence, and Conanicut, but they on approach of the Ships, turn'd the point of the Island and stood into the Harbour of Newport. Upon this Island the Enemy had two Regiments of Anspach, and Colonel Fannings Corps of New-York Volunteers encampd.⁵

A small Battery fird upon the fifty Gun Ship as she pass'd, but She return'd it with a Broad-side, which effectually silencd the Battery and before the Sixty four passd, they blew up their Magazine, and the three Regiments decamp'd and crossd over to Rhode Island. 

Two Regiments Frigates⁶ were likewise sent Round to Seconnet Point, to block up the eastern Channel in this River, the Enemy had two Gallies, and the King Fisher Sloop of War, which upon approach of the Frigates, were set on fire, and blown up.—⁷ The Destruction of the Sloop, and the Gallies, is a very capital advantage to us, as there is nothing now to obstruct our Landing, but a Battery upon the Shore, which can be easily silenc'd by the French Shipping:—This disposition of the French Admiral, will convince your Excell^y by a Survey of this Map, that the Enemy are compleatly block'd up; And my Preparations are in such forwardness, that I shall doubtless, be able to make a Landing in the course of next week. In the interim, I have the honor to be [&c].