[Extract]
Dear Sir,ー

Yesterday morning we heard cannon firing and supposed it was off Block Island, and at eleven o'clock had advice that one man of war and three cutters were cannonading the houses at the Point in Stonington. The firing continued until 5 o'clock P.M. with very little cessation. We hear their landing was opposed by 200 men. Immediately on the first advice, I advised Major [Jonathan] Lat[t]imer to march one half the troops under his command, about two hundred men, to Stonington, which he instantly did. Have no advice from thence, since three o'clock yesterday. It's said a number of the enemy were killed on attempting to land, by the musketry; the Americans had no cannon.

The best account I can collect of the beginning of the dispute is, that the cutters chased into that harbor a boat from Block Island, with stock on board, and finding a vessel with molasses on board near the wharf, aground, immediately on her floating brought her to sale and sent her off; and then, stretched backwards and forwards and gave the town their broadsides; then stretched out, met a man of war, (supposed Wallace,) and they all came into the harbor; Wallace came to, with a spring on his cable, and fired on the town incessantly until 5 o'clock.

We are told a large number of transports were yesterday cruising round Block Island. There is very little stock taken off from thence. They have been re-inforced with 200 men, and one hundred Islanders makes them probably able to prevent losing their stock, which they were endeavouring to take off. General [David] Wooster is no doubt encamped with four hundred men at Montauge [Montauk]. The stock from Gardner's and Plumb Island, undoubtedly removed. Advice from Gen. Washington to Gov. Trumbull, that transports were bound this way, was dispatched Friday last [August 25] to Gen. Wooster, then at Southold, and to the Committee of Suffolk County, from the Committee in this town.

Six o'clock P.M. About ten o'clock this day, the Rose, Capt. [James] Wallace, and three cutters with a few vessels taken at Stonington, left that harbor and anchored at west side Fisher's Island, where they probably are. The houses at Stonington much shattered; none actually demolished. It is extrerrlely difficult to know the first of the action, notwithstanding what's within written; rather think the case was thus; the cutters chased in two Rhode Island packet boats, that carried 250 troops of theirs from Stonington harbor, and landed them on Block Island the night before, although the Rose and the cutters endeavoured to prevent it: when the cutters were in port, they took two molasses vessels, and went to the wharf to take other vessels, and it's most rob able were forbid, which no doubt produced high threats; and on their persisting, it's my opinion the Americans fired on them and did execution, as they immediately pushed off, and firing some cannon went out of harbor; met the Rose, probably east of Watch Hill, and she then stood in for the harbour with the cutters, and having got in, fired as within mentioned.

A flag went on board the Rose at noon, to know why she fired on the houses; Capt. Wallace said he did so in his defence, and shewed the officer four of his dead men, and one that had his arm much torn; (these men, I apprehend, were killed in the first action, and the cutter going out with them to the Rose, brought Capt. Wallace in to the demolition of the town.)

Immediately after the flag returned, the cannonading was renewed with the utmost vigor, until 5 o'clock. We had two men only wounded; one of them, as said, mortally. By sunset last evening there were at the place of action, eight hundred, some say one thousand men, well armed.

The inhabitants are moving their effects out of this town, with the greatest diligence. We shall not want men for our defence; but as we have no stock of powder, cannot use the cannon we have, but shall do the best we can with musketry, if attacked.

Last week arrived Capt. Nichols of Providence, with about seven tons powder, that he landed at Norwich, and it went by land, about Friday, to Providence. . . .

Your most obedient