Rose, Rhode Island 30th June 1775.
(COPY)
Sir The Pirate Sloops mentioned in my last of the 19th Inst still keeps up about Providence, they propogate Reports, that they have thirty Whale Boats and seven Sloops ready to come upon Us, When a convenient Opportunity offers, however this Town appears to be divided. Many are jealous of the Providence People, and I am promised an Association acknowledging their Allegiance and binding themselves to support the King's Government, whither they are serious, time will discover ('twas first agitated at a Turtle Feast) if it happens it will make Dissensions among them, and very little additional Force would secure this Port to the King; whereas if the Dregs of the Rebel Army come down among Us, it will be much more difficult. Accounts from the Southward says Governor [William] Tryon is arrived at [New] York. The Continental Congress have appointed four Rebel Generals, Colo Washington of Virginia Captain General ー General [Artemus] Ward at Boston 2d General. Mad [Charles] Lee 3d and Major [Horatio] Gates 4th ー Washington is now at [New] York on his way for Boston. a Party is set off from Connecticut to take Prisoner Sr John Johnson ー while I am writing a Copy of the Association is sent, am told 'twill be augmented to more than three hundred all principal Men, the design of it they assure me is to assist His Majs Government without Equivocation. Hope it will be so, those who formerly signed are to be depended upon
Sign'd James Wallace
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/485, LC Transcript.