Two small tenders arrived at 4 this Morning from New York with dispatches from Lord Howe, and Sir Henry Clinton, dated 30^th & 31^st July. One of the Tenders ran through the French fleet and got safe into the harbour, the other also ran through them, but was fired at and chaсed, which obliged the Officer Commanding her, to run her on shore near Castle-hill, Brenton's neck, from whence he got safe to Newport with the letters.¹ It appears by these dispatches, that Lord Howe, having been joined by The Cornwall of 74 Guns, one of Admiral Byron's fleet, and by The Raisonable and Centurion from Halifax, thinks himself of sufficient force to attack the French fleet, whose situation off this Island he is perfectly informed of;² and therefore he and General Clinton assure General Pigot of immediate assistance. The Officers who came from New York say, that Lord Howe's fleet was warping out from Sandy hook on the 31^st July, and as it is supposed they all got out, and were under sail yesterday Evening, we may soon expect to see them in the Offing.³ This intelligence has given us all fresh spirits, and we are now in expectation of seeing the French fleet beaten, and the hopes of the Rebels destroyed. 

The French sent in some boats in order to destroy the dispatch vessel which was run ashore, but the people on board her, waiting 'till they came near, gave them a Volley of small arms, and some Swivels, which obliged them to sheer off with some loss. 

At 8 this morning, the small vessels which anchored yesterday near the French ships in the Narraganset, got under way, and stood up behind Prudence, and by Warwick point into Providence River, where they arrived and anchored about 2. They consist of two Ships, two Brigs, a Schooner, and two large sloops. The ships appear to be of some force, and probably are Privateers, with some prizes they have lately taken. 

Several small Sloops have been observed yesterday and this day, going from Bristol and Warren towards Providence. 

In consequence of the accounts received this morning, and the probability there is, that the French ships in the Narraganset, will go out the first fair wind, and join their Fleet; it has been determined that The Frigates which had gone towards the Town, should resume their Stations on the West side of this Island, in order to cut off the Communication between the Narraganset shore, and Bristol, as well as to protect the West side from the attempts of Privateers & small parties, and also to shew the Rebels that they still have something to apprehend from our ships, notwithstanding the situation of the French Fleet. In pursuance of these orders, The Lark, Orpheus, &c Cerberus, with the Pigot Galley came up from Newport, and anchored on the W. side; The Lark and Pigot off Freeborn's Creek; The Orpheus above, and The Cerberus below Dyer's Island⁴....