Extract of a Letter from the Viscount Howe To Captain Griffith Commanding a Detachment of His Majesty's Ships at Rhode Island dated the 9^th. May 1778. 

“Advice having been lately received that Mons^r. de la Mothe Piquet¹ with a Squadron consisting of several Ships of War put to Sea from France towards the End of last February to escort a Number of large Ships laden with Military Stores and different European Commodities; Which Store-Ships he may possibly be to conduct to the Coasts, or into some of the Ports on this Continent; It has therefore been thought fit to assemble the Ships of most Force on this Station, for taking such Measures in case the Intelligence should prove authentic, as Circumstances may require Commodore Hotham² has been directed in Consequence, to prepare the Ships of the Line now at New-York, for Sea Service; And to procure Men by Impress or otherwise, for completing the Complements of those Ships with all possible Expedition: Having reference in the last Instance to the probable deficiency in the Nonsuch also. Wherefore, as soon as the Reinforcement of Troops intended to be sent from New-York to strengthen the Garrison at Rhode Island shall arrive there, you are to leave the Command of the Frigates stationed for the Security of that Port, with Captain Brisbane,³ or the Officer next in Seniority to You, and repair as soon as may be to join Commodore Hotham at New-York. In Case he should be sailed from thence before your Arrival, You are then, (after taking on board such sufficient Men to complete your Number equal to the Nonsuch's Complement as are to be provided there for You, and landed the unserviceable Men) to proceed to join me in this River Off of Reedy Island without further delay. 

You will be, previous to your Departure from Rhode Island, to leave such Instructions with Captain Brisbane for co-operating with Major General Pigot⁴ in the defence thereof, as you may judge most suited to the Change necessarily made in the Naval Arrangements, consequent of the Intelligence received as aforesaid. And since the more effectual Restraint upon the Endeavors of the Rebels to put to Sea from Providence with their remaining Armed-Ship, through the Narraganset Passage, now becomes of less Consideration than the Care to prevent an Insult upon the Chief Posts occupied by the Troops under the Major General's Command, Captain Brisbane will be at liberty to station the Frigates left under his Orders accordingly. The ineffective State of the Venus, renders it desirable to move the Ship to New-York as soon as may be; with such Men of her Complement now at Rhode Island, as can with any propriety be taken back to the Ship. The Apollo, Maidstone and Mermaid, when to be considered spared from the necessary Service of the Port, are to join me in this River; After being put into such a Condition for Sea as is practicable on their return to Rhode Island. Not having been advised that the Strombolo was sailed for New-York, you will please to take her with You, to that port, if she should be still at Rhode-Island when you receive these Instructions.”