Gentlemen

Since my Arrival here in the Providence the 7th Current I have from a Variety of events been altogether Unable to give you any Satisfactory account and for that reason have defered Writing. I now inclose you copies of my letters down 'till the 30th Ulto & You have also inclosed a Short account of my whole Cruise and I have now to Inform you that on the 22d Currt I was directed by the Commr in Chief to take Command of an expidition with the Alfred and Hamden against the Cape Briton Coal-Fleet & Newfoundland Fishery. ー had this expidition been begun a Month Sooner great things might have been done ー my greatest hope now is that of relieving a number of our fellow Citizens who, being prisoners are compelled to Work in the Coal pits of Cape Briton ー If I can Succeed in this I Shall think my pains well bestowed. ー You may however rest assured that I will leave no part of any duty Unattempted that may at this Advanced Season and with my small Force appear practicable.

I have left with the Commr in Chief a Complete Muster Roll Comprehending every thing from the day I took Command of the Providence till the Day I left her. ー I was ready to sail the 27th but Unfortunately the Hamden ran aground on a Sunken Ledge in the Harbour which knock'd off her False keel and She hath been so Leaky Since that we have concluded her unfit for Sea and have got the Providence ready to proceed in her room. ー I hope to Sail to Morrow morning and am with great Esteem [&c.]

[Enclosure]

The American Sloop of War the Providence of Twelve Guns and Seventy Men Sailed from the Delaware the 21st of August 1776 She Cruized between the Latd of 39° and 33° No and went to the Eastward as far as the Longd of 50° West. ー having taken three prizes, a whaler and two West Indiamen ー and having had a Very narrow Escape from an English Frigate after a Chace of Six hours, part of the time within pistol Shot ー on the 14th Septr she bent her Course for Nova-Scotia ー and on the 20th had Another Affair with an English Frigate, and, in the course of an Eight hours Chace, Rediculed the Enemy and Answered his Broadside with only a Single Musquit. ー altho' the Savage and Dawson's Brig² were within a few Leagues Distance, She, next day, went into Canso and took three English Schooners with a Scotch Tories Flag ー and, the day following she took Five Sail of Jerseymen in Narrowshock and Four more in Peter de great ー And it is remarkable, that tho' they were Ten in number to one of the Providence's Men, they were so Panic-struck that they not only gave up their Ships but even Assisted to Rig and carry them out of their Harbours. ー the Providence then proceeded to the Westward ー took another Whaler on St George's Bank, and on the 7th of October arrived safe at Rhode Island ー having Manned and Sent in Eight Prizes Vizt Six Brigantines, one Ship, and one Sloop, ー And Sunk, burnt and destroyed Eight more Vizt Six Schooners, one Ship, and one Brigantine ー and finished her Cruize in Six Weeks and five Days.³