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Sir, I am honor'd with yours of the 12th 17th Ulto &ca by the Viper and Bolton who arrived here the 4th Inst with two Transports, a small Schooner for Virginia, and a Packet for York ー The Viper, Schooner and Packet Sai'led immediately for New York. I engaged the quantity of Stock necessary for the Transports and began taking it on board when intelligence flew thro' the Country. ー Expresses sent off for the Rebel Camp. ー The Rebel Governor Cooke of Providence raised the Country sent down 1500 Men to Newport to prevent us, However I got all that could be got notwithstanding their utmost efforts, And shall send the Transports loaded. ー The Rebels stole into the Town in the Night and next Morning sent a party down to Brentons Neck where we had been taking off Stock, and what we left such as Milch Cows for the use of the Family, they took all away, not leaving a Chicken for the Women.

I sent to the Town and acquainted them they must get the Rebels away, or otherwise it would become my Duty to destroy them and the Town, they gave me the strongest Assurances they should leave the Town and actually did leave it after staying one Night and part of the next day, And quartered themselves two Miles distant, in this Instance it would have been hard upon the Town to have destroyed it, because it seemed that many of them could not help the Irruption of such a Banditti. Such numbers being sent from Camp and Country round about, and talking of making Newport a place of Arms by Fortifying it, and pretending to have brought 17 Pieces of Cannon from Camp, for that purpose, in Order to divert their attention, I got under Weigh with His Majesty's Ships, and stood up towards Bristol, came to an Anchor against it a little after 6 PM sent an Officer to Summon it to know if they would send any body to treat, gave them an hour to consider, and if they sent no answer in that time to Commence Hostilities, they Slighted our Summons, they returned no answer! this, together with their behaviour about a Month before (Bargaining for a quantity of Cattle of a Farmer opposite the Town, the people of the Town rose and drove away all my Cattle) determined me to fire upon them. At 8 oClock we begun, at 10 a Mr Potter came on board to Treat, he did not seem to have full powers, so desired some may be sent off that had, I asked them why they did not answer my Summons, that my intentions was friendly, that I only came to purchase Stock for the King's forces. ー Had they given me fair Answers not a Gun would have been fired, however, since it was as it was, I demanded a quantity of Stock for the use of His Majesty, which I would pay for, ー They hesitated and prevaricated much, said the Country people had drove it all off ー I told them that would not do ー they then told me they could get about 50 Sheep. ー the Country being at this time greatly alarmed, Rebels flocking in from all quarters, ー My intent being answer'd diverting them from making a place of Arms of Newport, ー Accepted of the 50 Sheep and got them onboard. During this transaction the Rebels fired several Shot at us In the Evening weighed and came to Sail, Anchored off Hogg Island, Next morning Ordered the Swan and two Tenders in to destroy Bristol Ferries, they made a Signal for a large Body of Rebels being there, stood in and fired a few Shot at them. One of our Tenders got aground, continued plying off and on, as we Tack'd being close in upon the Shore, the Swan ran aboard of us carried away our Jibboom and hurt the knee of the head we let go the Anchor, parted the Cable and run ashore, while we were in this situation we exchanged several Shot with the Rebels, The Water rising we got off after being two hours ashore, without any damage (we have now only three Cables in the Ship.) Weighed and Stood to some of the other Islands, Compleated the Transports and returned to Newport. Upon my Arrival several Gentlemen of the Town waited upon me, from the Town, acquainting me if I would spare the Town, and suffer the Ferry Boats and Markets to come to Town, they would engage to get the Rebels off the Island and Supply His Majesty's Ships with what they wanted, I answered it would be impossible to be at Peace while such a Body of Rebels hung over the Town if they would remove them off the Island and Supply the Kings Ships, I would consent to what they proposed 'till further Orders. This appears to me to be for the Kings Service and I am yet of Opinion it may be made a Post for the King.

Most of the Wood used here comes from Long Island we take Vessels loaded, that's precarious, two or three Companies of Men as guards, while others cut, may get much. Rebel Vessels broke up will make more ー In regard to Provisions, there's plenty to be got but it requires some force to protect while others get it, there's not an Island about here that has not 2 or 300 Men under Arms to defend the Stock, and they are very vigilant, some of them have Marched 50 Miles upon an Alarm.

A Deputation from the Town informs me the Officer commanding the Rebel Party that is about two Miles from the Town, demurs upon leaving the Island but promises not to come near the Town ー I still insist upon their leaving the Island, ー in consequence they have sent off to the Rebel Head Quarters to insist upon their being removed, and I am flattered if that should be refused, there's a number of them will take Arms to join any force may be sent to drive them off. They seem to think it hard they should be drove to draw the resentment of the whole Continent upon them, when there is none to give them Assistance. ー however there is so much deceit in this Country and of which you are well acquainted that I need say no more upon that Subject.

You will see by the State and Condition of His Majesty's Ships the situation we are in for Provisions, we have had no regular Supply from the Contractor these four Months past, and he has declined having any thing to do with it, so if we don't settle some terms with the Town, we must depend upon ravaging the Country for Supplies. I have the honor to be [&c.]