Preston Boston 4 Novr 1775.
Sir
The Account you have sent me of your proceedings with his Majesty's Ships and Vessels under your Command at Newport and Bristol in your Letter October 14 meets my full Approbation.
People so abominably hardened in the most ungrateful Rebellion against their Parent State deserve no favor, every Indulgence already shewn them, instead of procuring suitable Returns of dutiful Obedience to his Majesty and Submission to the Laws, has only encouraged them to commit farther Violences, therefore they must now expect to be severely dealt with.
I believe the day after the Viper sailed the Raven brought me the long wished for Orders, which, as I expected, ought to have been here two months sooner.
These have occasioned me to determine the old Code and instead thereof to issue another with additional Orders better adapted to the times. You receive a Set of each for the Rose, Glasgow, and Bolton. The Viper's are delivered to her Captain. It therefore only remains for us to make the most of our time before the severe Weather sets in, by harrassing and destroying the Rebels and their Property, where the latter cannot be brought off to compel them to submit.
Altho' the Swan is not in a fit condition to be much longer on Service without being hove down, yet her Captain being so well acquainted determines me to send her back to you again until I can relieve her with either a good Sloop or Frigate; and indeed for other Reasons, To strengthen your Force and to convoy a Transport to you with Stores; Slops and Provisions, of which I shall write particularly in another Letter.
The Rebels of the Continent must not be allowed to fortify themselves on Rhode Island, or to remain there if you can by any means hinder it. And whatever Resentment the Inhabitants may apprehend from the whole Continent, their not assisting to drive out the Rebels will inevitably bring upon them the destruction of the Town of Newport by the King's Ships, which I fancy in its Consequences will be more prejudicial to them than any punishment of the Congress. It will therefore be a very wise part in the Inhabitants of Rhode Island to avert the imgending blow by instantly declaring themselves to be on the Side of Government and by heartily uniting with you to repel the common Enemy.
As you must be the best Judge how far it is practicable with your present force to carry on any operations against the Rebels in the Colony of Connecticut, I will not pretend to direct. The preserving Rhode Island is an Object that in my Opinion all other Considerations must yield to, I will therefore only express my earnest Desire that you will scourge the Rebels whenever Opportunity presents itself; Constantly remembering to distinguish, as you have hitherto done, the well affected to the King and Sufferers in his Cause from those who violently and wickedly are attempting to overturn the Constitution I am &c.
Capt. Wallace Rose, Rhode Island.