Preston, Boston 5 November 1775
Sir
Captain [Samuel] Graves of the Viper arrived here the day before Yesterday, and delivered me your Letter October 25th I much approve your not accepting the profferred Conditions of the Ferry Boats passing upon the continental Rebels removing at a distance from the Town of Newport. Nothing but absolutely evacuating the Island ought to be accepted, if we are in a situation to command those Terms.
You will ensure so much praise to yourself and Honor to the Corps in which you serve by obliging the Rebels to leave Rhode Island that I need not use any Arguments to enforce the necessity of such a measure, but perhaps your influence may exte[nd] much further, and by Persuasion or Force oblige the Rhode Islanders in spite of Prejudice to return to their Duty and become good and faithful Subjects; an Event which would afford me the highest Satisfaction.
I shall send the, Viper back again to New York, where I am determined the Asia shall winter if a large Ship does not come to relieve her. I am told she can lie near the Wharfs out of the Tide, and yet sufficiently distant from them to make Boats necessary to have Communication with the Town. I am also informed she will not be frozen up. If they attempt anything against her during the Winter, I will assuredly lay their Town in Ashes the moment a Fleet can get up, of which I shall order Captain Vandeput to inform the Inhabitants. I have nothing more at present to add but to wish you all possible Success against the Rebels, whom I hope you will not spare when they can be attacked with any prospect of Advantage. I am &c.
Captain Wallace Rose, Rhode Island.