Copy.
Sir

Captain Feilding [Charles Fielding] onboard His Majesty's Frigate the Diamond, with His Majesty's Frigate the Ambuscade under my Command, being at Anchor in Martha's Vineyard Sound, lying there to inter.cept the Rebel Privateers from getting out from Rhode Island; On Saturday 7th Instant Captain Feilding, the Senior Officer, sent his Barge onshore to Nashawn Island with a Flag of Truce, intending to purchase fresh Stock for his people; but to our very great Surprize about 10 or 12 of the Rebels, against the Laws of God and Man, fired at the Boat, and shot the Gunner through the Head, but did not kill him. Captain Feilding very justly enraged at this, ordered me to send all the Boats manned and armed, with the whole party of Marines, which was immediately complied with, under the Command of Lieut Patrick Sinclair, 2d Lieutenant of the Ship, Lieutenants Anderson and Gregg of the Marines, who all repaired onboard the Diamond which weighed and stood close in-Shore; and after firing some of her great Guns to scour the Beach, sent her own and Ambuscade's Men onshore to the Number of between 130 and 140; who after making their Landing good amidst a very galling, straggling Firing from behind Rocks, Walls &ca drove all the Rebels, now grown pretty numerous, from off the Island into some small Vessels on the other Side with the loss of 4 or 5 of their Men killed. Their villainous Conduct in firing a Flag of Truce entitled them now to all the Horrors of Rebellion, which was immediately put into Execution, by setting Fire to every thing that would burn; so that neither House, Barn, Hay nor Indian Com that could be met with escaped the Flames, nor did the live-Stock share a better Fate: for what could not be carried off was shot. All this was done in a few Hours, with only the Loss of one Marine killed belonging to the Diamond and two Marines slightly wounded belonging to the Ambuscade. Our Success, Sir, will shew the Conduct and Courage of the Officers and Men upon such occasions; and I flatter myself that this Affair, Sir, will meet with your Approbation, which will always give great pleasure to, Sir [&c.]

NB. I parted from the Diamond, Captain Feilding on Monday the 9th Instant in a very hard Gale of Wind from the NW off Gay Head; She not being able to weather it, stood towards the Sea under her Courses
Commodore Sir Peter Parker Commander in Chief
of His Majestys Ships &ca at Rhode Island.

[Endorsed] No 5 in Lord Howe's Lre of the 18 Decr 1776.