[Rhode Island] 4th June About 7 o'Clock this Morning a Rebel Sloop weighed from Howland's ferry, and having a favorable wind she went to Sea. Seven shot were fired at her from the Redoubt at Fogland ferry, but without effect. She appeared to be Armed, and was full of men. It is sur prizing the Commodore does not station a vessel in the Seconnet passage, to prevent those of the Enemy from going out in this manner. The Galley or an armed transport would be sufficient. The Diamond Frigate is now stationed near Dyer's Island; but as The Lark, and the Galley are advanced above her, she does not appear to be of any use there. She certainly would be of some service in the Seconnet.
At 12 oClock this day, a Privateer brig and an Armed Sloop came out of Providence River, and stood down the Bay. When they came as far as the N. end of Prudence the Brig went in by Warwick point, and the Sloop stood down towards our Galley, which was stationed ahead of the Lark near Papasquash point. When she came within about a mile and half of her she fired a shot at the Galley, and then put about. The Galley immediately got under way and chaced her, but the Sloop having the advantage got off. The Galley then fired 2 18 prs at her, both of which fell short, on which she gave over the Chace and returned to her station. When the Galley tacked the Sloop did the same, and kept plying back and forward in the bay till she was joined by the Brig, when they both made sail, and in the Evening returned towards Providence.
Several Sloops appeared in the mouth of Taunton River to day, and two of them came down to Rowlands.
It having been found this morning and represented to General Prescott, that our battery at Fogland could not get so many shot at the Sloop which passed, as it could have done had the Guns been placed En Barbette, he ordered the Merlons to be taken down, which was completed by the Evening.
The Unicorn Frigate came in from a Cruize this day. She spoke with the Isis of 50 Guns, and the Swift Sloop off Block-Island yesterday, bound to New York, having parted from their Convoy of I7 sail of Victuallers, &c, in a gale of wind. No particular news from Europe by the Isis.
