Rhode Island is pestered by [Captain James] Wallace and his ships, who hardly ever lands but he loses more or less of his men; he carries on the war in a very piratical manner. Every now and then he lands to steal sheep, &c. at which time; if he can, he burns houses and murders the helpless, not daring to wait; and as soon as he sees any of our armed mencoming, he flies.
Pennsylvania is still unattacked, but preparing for the worst. Our river is defended by cheveaux-de-friez sunk in the channel (on which no less than three vessels have been sunk by the carelessness of pilots) a very large and strong chain; a battery; a 20 gun ship; a large floating battery to carry 20 eighteen pounders; and 13 row gallies, with an eighteen pounder in their bows, and 50 men properly provided in each; three battalions of regulars, and from 30 to 40,000 militia.
Nothing has happened in Virginia since the entire destruction of Norfolk, but they are there, as well as in North and South Carolina, preparing for the most vigorous defence; .... But where are your resources, say you? Money we have sufficient. By our industry abroad, we have got safely landed in different parts of this Continent (notwithstanding the low arts of the Ministry and all their men of war) upwards of 100 tons of powder, 150 tons of saltpetre, and a large quanity of small arms, which will supply us for the first part of the campaign; for the other, we epect to be under no obligations to any state on earth for the stores, &c.
In a short time we shall have at least 30 ships of war, from 38 guns downwards, besides (if the Ministry carry on their piratical war) a great number of privateers...
