[Extract]
Most Respected Sir.—

. . . There are Seven vessels of war & Two Galleys Stationed in the Following manner viz The King Fisher & Two Galleys in the East passage¹ at Little Compton, in the Main Channel the Flora & Juno, in the West Channel² The Somersett, & at the Town³ the Nonsuch, the Lark, the Venus Strombole Surprize & a Frigate the Name of which I have not Learned.⁴ This Disposition of their Shipping was made to Entrap Cap^t Whipple⁵ in the Providence Frigate but on the night of the 30th ult he Took the advantage of a violent north East Storm, passed them under a Heavy Fire which he warmly Returned & got Safe to Sea— . . . as The number of Troops Destined to this Department will be So incompentent to Defend against a Sudden Attack I Wish That the two State Galleys⁶ if properly fixed would be of great Advantage I have applied to the Council of War⁷ upon the Subject who Seem Rather Inclined to Dispose of them to the Continent than to fix & Man them for Service I Therefore beg Leave to Submit to Congress whether it would not be for the good of the Service to purchase & Fix them for guarding those places which are most Exposed particularly the Rivers of Taunton and Warren. . . . I have the Honor to be Sir [&c.]