Sir

The Commanders in Chief in America having thought proper, while the Season wou'd Admit of it, to Employ a considerable Number of His Majesty's Ships and Troops, for the purpose of making Descents on the Colony of Rhode Island, and Lord Howe having done me the Honor to appoint me, to the Command by Sea (Lord Shuldham having leave to return to England by the most early Conveyance) I directed Commodore Hotham (agreeable to my Instructions from the Vice Admiral) to proceed with His Majesty's Frigates the Brune, Mercury and Kingfisher, and also all the Transports with the Troops under the Command of Lieutenant General Clinton, (the Grand Duke of Russia excepted, which was judged to be too Large) by the Way of the Sound, w hi.1st I proceeded with the great Ships, some Frigates, and the last named Transport, by Sandy-Hook to the Southward of Long-Island — I sailed the first instant, and on the Fifth, joined Commodore Hotham in the Sound, in Black-Point Bay, a Place He had judiciously Chosen, for the Protection of the Transports against the Violence of a strong NW Wind, which Blew the Night before -The Sixth I turned down with the Fleet, to be as near as possible to the Place of Our Destination. At Four the next Morning the Wind sprung up at WSW and by Three O'Clock in the Afternoon, the whole Fleet came to an Anchor off Weavers Cove Rhode-Island — The following Morning Captain [Toby] Caulfield (who had the Direction of the Flat-Boats) Landed all the Troops without Opposition, and I have the Pleasure to inform Their Lordships, that Rhode Island, with the Isles adjacent are now in the Possession of General Clinton Captain Wallace of the Experiment Lead the Fleet by the West or Narriganset Passage, an Arrangement was made for covering the Transports, but we only passed Two Works without Guns, and intercepted a Brig of One Hundred and Sixty Tons, (which the Experiment took) Laden with Pipe, and Hogshead Staves, and Bees-Wax — On the first Appearance of the Fleet, Three Rebel Privateers of Thirty Four, Thirty, and Twenty Eight Guns, went up from Newport to Providence, where They are now with several Others, and I shall Hope to put an effectual Stop to any farther Mischief from that Nest of Pirates — General Clinton sends One of His Aid-De-Camps in the Mercury with His Dispatches, and I have directed Captain Montagu to send His Lieutenant Express with mine. Enclosed is List of His Majesty's Squadron under my Command, and a List of the Rebel Privateers at Providence, commonly called the continental Fleet. I am [&c.]

[Endorsed] 11 Decr 1776 Rhode Island Comdre Sr Petr Parker R 22d Janry 1777 by Lt Logie (2 Inclosures) Ansd 4 Mar 1777

[Enclosures]

A List of His Majesty's Ships under the Command of the Commodore Sir Peter Parker, and where Stationed.

Chatham Rhode Island the 11th day of Decemr 1776

P: Parker

A List of Rebel Ships & Privateers at Providence Commonly call'd the Continental Fleet.

Chatham Rhode Island the 11th day of Decr 1776

P: Parker