My Lord, 

I did myself the Honor of writing to you the 27^th. Instant, in Answer to your Lordships of the 19^th. to which I beg leave to refer you,¹ and which was to have been forwarded to your Lordship by the Falcon, who sailed the 28^th. Instant, but the Wind blowing strong Southerly, she returned in the Afternoon.² The next Morning about 10 O'Clock, on the breaking up of a Fog, a French Fleet appeared in sight, consisting of 12 Sail of the Line and 4 Frigates, pretty near the S E Point of the Island, they anchored just without Brentons Ledge, about 2 O'Clock in the Afternoon: In the Evening two Frigates and an Armed Brig³ went up the Seconnet⁴ and Anchored in the Station appointed to the Kingsfisher,⁵ who with the Galleys⁶ retreated above Fogland Battery.⁷ 

The next Morning, the 30^th. Instant, Two Line of Battle Ships⁸ ran up the Naraganset Passage, off the North End of Connanicut,⁹ where they remain at Anchor: The rest still at Anchor without. 

The General¹⁰ has thought proper to withdraw all the Troops from Connanicut, destroyed the Battery and taken off the Stock: The Battery on the Dumplins¹¹ is likewise destroyed. 

I have got the Flora¹² into the Inner Harbour and as Cannon are much wanted for the Batterys, and Exterior Defence of the Island, I shall land them with the Powder, Ammunition &c. part of the Provisions are already got out, and I shall proceed in getting out the remainder, with such other stores as can be saved, and have everything prepared to set Fire to the Ship, when all hopes of saving her becomes impracticable. 

The Juno¹³ is hauled close into Coddington's Cove, has landed her guns (for Batteries) Provisions and some other Stores. 

The Orpheus¹³ and Cerberus¹⁴ are hauled behind Dyers Island, and have landed their Guns, Ammunition, Provisions and this Morning Captain Smith¹⁵ informed me he had a Battery for 12 Guns nearly compleat. 

The Falcon is in the Inner Harbour, as I find she cannot now perform the Service I intended for her (which was pushing thro') I have given Captain Harmood directions to land his Guns, Ammunition, Provisions &c. 

The Kingsfisher landed two of her Guns, some Ammunition, and all her Provisions; But on the two French Frigates of 36 Guns each, getting under Weigh, and standing towards her, Captain Christian thought proper to set the Kingsfisher on fire, as did the Galleys, about 2 O'Clock on the 30^th. Instant. 

Having neither seen or heard anything of the Sphynx,¹⁶ since her Sailing to cruise between this Port and Block Island, as mentioned in my Letter of the 27. Instant, I am in hopes she has discovered the French Fleet, and proceeded to join your Lordship. 

July the 30^th: 1778. 

In the Morning about 6 O'Clock, a French Ship of two Decks,¹⁷ ran up the Naraganset Passage, the Batterys on Fox Hill fired at her, and Hulled her (as I am informed) three times, she returned the Fire proceeded on, and anchored off the North end of Connanicut; In the Evening another Ship of two Decks¹⁸ ran up. 

July 31^st: 1778.

At Day break, the two Ships of the Line in the Narraganset Passage where discovered turning down, And about 9. O'Clock Anchored, the Ebb Tide being done. The Fleet without, were under Weigh all Night, but Anchored again about 11 O'Clock, in their former Situation. The Frigates in the Seconnet Passage still remain in the same Situation. 

On the determination of General Sir Robert Pigott, to defend the South part of the Island in case of an Attack, and draw his force into as small a Body as possible; in which case, the Guns, Provisions &c. landed, from the advanced Ships, must necessarily have fallen into the Enemy's Hands. I have directed (agreeable to his desire) the Captains Smith, Dalrymple, Hudson and Symons¹⁹ to use the utmost Dispatch in getting on board their Guns, Provisions &c. and to join me in the Inner Harbour, without a Moment's Loss of time: I have the pleasure to acquaint your Lordship they are as forward as time will permit, And if the Wind is Northerly, I am in great hopes will join me to Morrow. I have prepared some small Vessels with Combustibles, to act against the Enemy, if their should be the least probability of their succeeding. 

As I think it of the utmost importance your Lordship should be acquainted with our Situation, I have sent this by a good rowing Boat, dispatched by Major General Sir Robert Pigot, and by a person in whom he reposes an entire confidence. 

I shall give your Lordship every intelligence in my power from time to time, relative to the Enemy's Ships, and situation of this place. I have the Honor to be with great Respect My Lord, [&c.]