In a day or two after,³ I went over on a party to Capt. Nicholas Websters, to Rehobeth, while I was on this party Governor [Stephen] Hopkins & Com. [Esek] Hopkins sent over Capt. Henry Dayton to me, to come to Providence, immediately after, they informed me that they contemplated fixing out a Cartel, to send to Newport and for me to take out of the Sloop Providence 2 men to go with me, as there was some prisoners coming from Boston, and one Capt. Ayeres [John Ayres] of Boston was to go Captain of the Cartel, as he was not to know who we were, that was a going his men, from that time I began to let my beard grow so as to disguise me, I took 2 of our midshipmen from the Sloop Providen[ce] the time soon arrived when the British prisoners came with Capt Ayeres from Boston; we one and all disguised ourselves in the sailo[r] dress, and made sail for Newport, and came to anchor near the long wharf, when shortly a barge came from the ship Renown [Chatham], of 50 guns, laying outside the fort. I informed Capt. Ayers and the British officer, that our cable was so poor, we should be apt to go ashore, if we ware to go out side of the Fort-Island; by that means the barge went on board, and brought a Midshipmen, and some men with him to take charge of the Cartel, and the British allowed Capt. Ayres to go on shore, when the prisoners were landed, and he went to Mr: Thomas Townsends.

Very cold weather and the cove froze over, I had the pleasure of seeing the Diamond frigate lying on a crean [careen], below the long Wharf, stopping up her bruises we gave her the week before, at Warwick neck, and now I was contriving how I should get on shore, I says nothing to my 2 ship mates, but knowing we had but one gang cask of water on board, we had plenty of good rum and sugar, knowing that sailors liked a sling or can[t]hook, in the morning, such bitter cold weather, I stept into the hole [sic hold] in the night, and turned the gang cask bung down, so that in the morning we had no water on board. You must think I went by the name of Jack, by my shipmates; so as to deceive Capt. Ares.

At daylight, as I expected, our British officer wanted a sling, as Jack was very attentive, they says to me have you got any good spirits on board? I informed as good as Jamaica could afford, then they says, "make a sling, well to the northward," I immediately told my shipmateTom (as that was the name he went by then) to get the water, whilst I would get the rum and sugar ready, Tom went into the ho1[d] and soon returned swearing, and said, by some accident the cask had got bung down, and there was no water on board, this was a short time after daylight, the officer turns to me and says "Ja.ck; do you know where you can get water handy." I informed him that I had sailed from this place some time before, and told him there was some good water near the long wharf, "Jack;" says this officer, ["] step into the boat with 2 hands," (that was our midshipmen, Tom and William, them were the names we sailed by, then) and the officer gave us a strict charge, not to be gone more than 20 minutes. This was just what I wanted, went into Mr. Philip Wantons dock, took out the gang cask, and my 2 midshipmen carried it up. I went with them into Mr. Wantons washroom, where they had a pump, with good water, who should I see there, but Mr. George Lawton, washing his hands, I asked him to lend me a funnel to fill the cask; he told me [he] had none, but told me Mrs Battey had one, on the long wharf, I saw Mr. Lawton looked hard at me, but I made myself scarce. I went to MN. Batteys and found her alone, making a fire, I knew her well. I asked Mrs. Battey to lend me a funnel; she answered very short, no! As no soul was near I went up to her & told her she should lend me one; She knew my mode of speaking, and says for Gods sake, where are you from? I informed her from Providence "how did you leave my son?" meaning Capt. Henry Dayton, I informed her, well. "now," says she, "speak low, for I have got over head several of the British officers boarders with me, and I expect Mr. Battey ashore this morning, as he is a pilot on board one of the ships of war, and if he sees you he may know you, here is the funnel, will you eat or drink any thing," I told her no. I must remark 4 or 5 months before, I took up this same Battey for a tory. I had the .cask filled in a short time, and carried the funnel back, [w ]e had considerable conversation, and before I left her, she said she was afraid her son, and I, would be hanged, for the British certainly would beat the Americans, I laughed at her, and said that can never be, and never saw her more.

I then went to the longboat and got in the gang cask of water, and then the tide was about half down. I says to Tom & Will, let the boat now ground, for I want to take a cruise round town, which they did. I then went to Mr. Peleg Barkers, where the Commanders of the Hessians quartered, I found Sentrys at the front door, and likewise at the wharf, I went down across two wharfs below, and went into the back door, I found the kitchen full of Hessians, as I was well acquainted with the house, I shaped my course for the S.W. room, there I found Mr. Barkers family & likewise Deacon Peckham from Middletown whom I was very glad to see, although they were very much frightened to see me there, I soon got them reconciled and told them to make themselves easy, for I beleive[d] I knew what I was about, We soon got into conversation, I made an enquiry concerning the troops on the Island, and where they were stationed, I was much pleased to get this account, which I had no expectation of. After I got all the information I could get there, I went to Mr. Waldrons, there I found a small family dog, my father had left behind, moving away in such haste, I let him stay there until I went to Capt. Lilibridges on the Parade, then it was about 11 o clock. He kept a tavern, I went in and called for a sling, the room was crowded with British and Hessian officers, I immediately went into the Kitchen where the family were, knowing that Capt. Lilibrige had been treated ill by the British, and had no regard for them. I in a short time followed him out to the barn, and no one near, I made myself known to him, he immediately left the barn and we went into the east room by ourselves, he gave me what refreshment I wanted; and there I could see all the British officers and soldiers, and old refugee torys, walking about the parade, but he could not help shedding tears for my safety for fear of one of our townsmen that visited his house all times in the day. I was viewing the Parade when this, one of the worst of villains (his name was Will. Crosen) came running up the steps and came right to the east door where we were, he was not soon enough for I stepped to the door and put my finger on the catch and he supposed it was fast went immediately through the bar room into the kitchen. I never bade my friend Lilibrige good bye, but stepped out on the parade and direct before me was Mr. John Wanton, he spoke to me and called me by name, but I did not answer him, and went immediately down the long wharf, quick step. I went round the point to Mrs. Waldrons where my dog was. there I spent some time, got some refreshment, then it was about 3 o clock I thought by this time our boat would be afloat. I then bid Mrs. Waldron and the family good bye, took my favourite dog, and went for the boat, just as I got near Mr. Jacob Richardsons, on the long wharf, I met the Midshipman just got on shore, he handed me out a few curses and damns. I informed him that our boat had got aground, he told me to go on board immediately, for says he, you have got some damn good friends here. I said but little, made the best of my way to the boat, found her afloat and my comrades waiting for me, we soon rowed off, but I must not forget I saw Mr. Peleg Barker and his son Peleg, going down the long Wharf and eyeing me and I well knew the anxiety they had to see me get on board the cartel, and as she lay off the head of the wharf, we very soon got on board. I had not been long on board, before Capt. Ares was ordered on board, as it was said I was at New Port, but few would beleive it. Capt. Ares said if it had not been for me, he could have staid on shore, I informed him I thought it must be a mistake, but the next day we took in some passengers and some American Prisoners, we were ordered for Providence the wind being partly ahead we were obliged to beat some before we got by a British Ship of war, that lay off from Prudence but as soon as we got by the upper ship I left tending the gib shee[t] and went aft. I says to Will. come now, take your tum forward, so I took the helm, I saw Capt. Ares eyed me, As I thought. it was not long before we got abreast of Patuxet, where our sloop lay. The barge came along side, I took 1 man in my room to work the Cartel up to Com. Whipples Ship, and I went on board the sloop Providence

I had then answered all, and more than all my expectation[s] for I had in my head all their ships of war and where they were station[ed] I immediately shaved and dressed myself in my sunday dress, I proceded immediately on board Com. Whipples Ship, where I found Capt. Ares; after Capt. Ares had gone through his conversation, the Com. turns to me and asked me what I had discovered. Capt. Ares looked at me and did not know me, after we had got through Capt. Ares turns to me and says, "I would not run the risk for the Cartel loaded with dollars," I told him I had answered all my expectatio[ns] and more than I expected.