I thank you my dearest friend and father for your tender letter of the 26^th Ult^o.1 I was upon the point of writing to you the 22^d. when I was ordered to fly with important dispatches to Gov^r. Trumbull,² General Sullivan³ and the Count d'Estaing4—I commissioned one of my friends to acquaint you of the circumstance, but perhaps the multiplicity of Affairs in which I left him involved, will have made him lose sight of the matter—in 48 hours over the worst and in some parts the most obscure road that I ever travel'd, I arrived at Providence, had a conference with Gen^l Sullivan, and proceeded immediately with the pilots provided for the french fleet, down to Point Judith—Boats were soon provided and every thing put in readiness for boarding the Admiral as soon as ever he should announce himself by the firing of five Cannon-here I waited in a very disagreeable kind of company 'till the morning of the 29^th. for tho' the Squadron anchored off block island the preceding afternoon–the haziness of the weather rendered them invisible to us—in the morning when the fog was dissipated their appearance was as sudden as the a change of decorations in an opera house–Upon my delivering Gen^l. Washingtons Dispatches and Gen^l Sullivans containing a plan of operations-The Admiral informed me his intention had been to proceed immediately into the Main channel of Newport and attack the Enemys Batteries—the day however began to be too far spent, it was expedient to distribute intelligent Pilots among in the Squadron-and in pursuance of Gen^l. Sullivans plan the main channel was blocked up with the Squadron—a Ship of the Line was ordered up the West Channel⁵–& Two Frigates and a Tender up the East.⁶—By consulting the Map you will find that there are three entrances to Rhode Island–one on the east of Rhode Island between it and the main–called the Seakonnet passage–one on the west, between it and Cononicut Island–which is the principal or main passage–a third between Cononicut and the mainland, commonly called the western passage—in the first Gen^l. Sullivan informed the Admiral there were two Galleys and one small Frigate-in the second two Frigates besides two Galleys and two or three frigates at Newport—in the last two small frigates— farther that he estimated the enemys land force including three Regiments posted on Conanicut at 7000 effective— 

Gen^l. Sullivans plan founded on these data–was that the Admiral should detach a proper force up the eastern and western channels to take the enemys ships stationed in each—to block up the main channel with the remainder of the squadron, so as effectually to cut off the retreat of their Ships, and to prevent the arrival of reinforcements—the French Ships in the eastern and western channels were afterwards to cover the passage of the American Troops from Tiverton and Bristol—The Troops were not to amuse themselves with attacking the works in the northern part of the island-but a sufficient detachment was to be left to be a guard upon the troops posted in those works-while the main body was to advance rapidly to the attack of the Fort & redouts which immediately environ the Town of Newport—at the moment of that attack the Count was to force the passage into Newport harbour-silence the enemys batteries cannonade the Town-and disembark his Marines and Land forces at the most proper place for seconding the American attack— 

The Sagittaire a Ship of the Line, went up the western passage on the morning of the 30th. and was fired upon by a two Gun battery of 24 pounders which the enemy had on the west side of Conanicut—the Sagittaire returned a broad side as she passed and we discovered from the Admirals Ship an explosion at the battery, which induced us to believe that the enemy had abandoned it—The Ship received two scratches in her hull-and proceeded to her station— 

The Aimable and Alcmene Frigates accompanied by the Stanley (Prize) Tender– went up the eastern passage— upon their approach– the enemy set fire to the Kingfisher⁷ 20 Gun Sloop-and to the Lamb Galley⁸ mounting [blank] and sent the spit fire Galley mounting [blank] in form of a fire-ship—The Count de Grace⁹ commanded the boat which was ordered to tow the latter off—She blew up soon after the Grapnel was fixed-and the Gallant officer with his crew escaped unhurt—an officer¹⁰ who went on board with a party to extinguish the flames of the Kingfisher had an escape equally providential-her powder room blew up while they were on board-and they received no injury—the hulk drifted over to the main-and her Guns will be saved—

From the enemys keeping possession of the island of Conanicut the Admiral concluded that it was an important post to them—the battery which they had on the east side of it afforded a cross fire upon the entrance of the harbour-and the three Regiments there made it an object—The Count therefore thought it essential that we should make ourselves masters of it—The most effectual way of attacking it would have been by disembarking Troops on the West Side of it-and sending a proper force of Ships up the main channel to run through the fire of the batteries at the entrance and take a proper position for cutting off the communication between Rhode Island and Conanicut-so as to prevent the enemys throwing across reinforcements—but upon inquiry, it was found impracticable to anchor the Ships anywhere out of reach of the enemys batteries—so that after running the Gantlet at the entrance the Ships w^d. have been exposed to a constant deliberate fire in the harbour—these difficulties obliged the Count to renounce this plan of sending Ships up the main channel-for this duty—It was then inquired whether the Ships might not effect the business by going up the western channel, turning the north point of Conanicut and coming down the main channel—by this means they would in the first instance avoid the cross fire at the entrance-and might take such a position relatively to the harbour as w^d. discourage the enemy from throwing across succours—but the most experienced pilots informed us that to effect this detour the Ships must either have a wind which w^d. answer equally for going up the western and coming down the main channel–or that after going up with a fair wind they would be obliged to beat down the main channel-or lastly that they would be obliged to wait for a fair wind to bring them down from the North end of Conanicut—The delay and uncertainty incident to the first and last put them out of the question—the second was pronounced impracticable on account of the narrowness of the M. Channel above Newport-which w^d. not allow scope enough for the Ships work^g. and missing stays w^d. be fatal in such circumstances— 

It was determined therefore that in order to gain Conanicut a body of Militia sh^d. be applied for, to make us equal to such a reinforcem^t. as we thought the enemy could spare—Col Fleury¹¹ and myself went by the Admirals desire to make application for this purpose-in our way we learnt that some American Privateers had been on the island–and that the enemy had evacuated the battery which fired on the Sagittaire—We met Gen^l. Sullivan on his way to the Fleet-where he was going to have a conference with the Admiral and propose some changes in his plan—he was received on board with the Guard of Marines, and the drums beating to arms– and at his departure the Ship was manned—and fifteen Cannon fired—

the evening of the 30^th the outermost Ships made signals of the appearance of a Fleet—the Admiral got his Squadron in readiness for fight & chace—but the fleet put about & escaped under the veil of night—it proved to be 8 transports with wood from Long Island bound to Newport and convoyed by a Frigate—

On the evening of the 31^st. The Admiral sent a party to reconnoitre Conanicut and discover whether the enemy had really abandoned all their batteries as was reported—it was found that they had—

The next morning the Admiral landed in order to view the enemys batteries from The east side of Conanicut—we found in the battery which fired on the Sagittaire two 24 pounders spiked, and all their heavy Amunition—

From the battery on the E. end—we had a distinct view of the Town Shipping—and batteries the latter lost that respectability which they had on paper—the fire from the Ships of the Line must annihilate them in an hour—The fort on an eminence called Domine Hill—back of the Town, may require our heavy artillery and some Shells, We have every reason to believe that we shall effect our landing on the island without opposition—as the enemy seemed to have concentered their force in New port— 

The Admiral has disembarrassed himself of his prisoners, sick and prizes¹²—he is in perfect readiness for acting his part and as anxious as a man can be—General Sulliyan has exerted himself to the utmost—but the backwardness of the Militia called for from the Neighboring States—the necessity of constructing Transport Boats, to supply the place of those destroyed by the enemy in their last descent¹³—and many other necessary preparations which require time—have delayed us till now—and I find it impossible to tell you with precision on what day we shall be ready— 

I fear my dearest father that I have tired you with detail—and that from a habit of speaking of our operations with my finger on the map—I may in some places not have expressed my meaning fully enough—but my time unluckily will not permit to remedy these inconveniences by writing a new Letter—I am just come from the Admiral to see if it will be possible by any means to hasten our land operations—The French Squadron will want a great quantity of provisions whether they winter here or return to France—no biscuit is to be had here—I am ever your most affectionate

Pennsilvania must furnish flower—and bakers sh^d. be employed there immediately.

It is reported that 20 Sail of Spanish Ships are on the coast pray who is Don Juan de Miralles—¹⁴

In the letter which I wrote you from black point I mentioned—the Admirals intention to send his prisoners to Philadelphia—some difficulties induced him to change his plan—they are all landed here—

Deserters from Rhode Island—say the Troops are in want of provision and look upon themselves as prisoners.

The Mquis de la Fayette with a division from the Grand Army is arrived—and his men have had time to refresh themselves—¹⁵

Gen^l. Greene is likewise arrived—¹⁶

Gen^l. Sullivan 1^st. estimate of the Enemys land Force is too high— they cannot have much above 5000 men— and the Gen' begins to think so himself—¹⁷