The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-06

[Con,inued]
July, I776, I was at Newport but few
days before sailed again with Capt.. Bid
die. On this cruise we took several prizes,
one of them from Lord Dunmore's fleet, a
brig, from Barbadoes bound to NeWfound-
land. This prize I went on board of as
master, and arrived safe at Providence.
When our cruise was out, Capt. Bidde went
to Philadelphia, and BY that means, went
on board the sloop Providence, Capt. His
ted Hacker, and soon found we were to
sail under the command Of John Paul Jones,
Esq. We sailed in short time, and stopp-
Cd IL. Tarpaulin Cove, where we found a
srnGlIs Prvateer belonging to Providence,
commanded, think, by Capt Rhodes
Com. Jones sent for me on board of his ship,
late in the day, and gave me orders to arm
and man the barge on board the sloop, aud
he would have his barge manned and arm
ed and sent along side our sloop, and then
we weret To 90 along side the Privateer, and
while | was examining the ships articles, !
was to give the barges crews orders to press
all the men they could ] did so, and we
pressed % men out of 35, and carried them
out on cruise, on board the ship Alfred,
Com. Jones.
We sailed to the Eastward Of Halifax,
md the first prize We took was snow, from
England bound to Halifax; her cargo, dry
goods. The next prize was a ship called
the MHlech her cargo 10000 suits of Sol
diers clothing, ready made; one set of light
horse accoutremcnts, with carbines a valu-
able invoice of medicine chests; trunks
of silk gowns, and dry goods suitable for
Gen. Burgoyne's army at Quebec. This
ship was the most valuable out of 45 sail
She hauled down her colors to the sloop
Providence she mounted IL carriage guns
and had between 60 and 20 men. The
Alfred and the Snow coming down on us,
we hen manned the Malech, aud ordered
both for New Bedford, where they arrived
safe. As soon as they arrived, without tri-
al, for the Nlalcch, she was unloaded, and
all the clothing taken out and Wagons pre-
pared to send it on to Gen'l Washington's s
army, which was then ia n distressed situa-
ton for clothing; and in this ship was ev-
cry article complete for n soldier, from the
hat 10 the shoes. At that time, can say
with pleasure. had rather have taken her,
than IA Spanish Gallon with hard money
although we took Continental money for
our parts of all the prizes.
We cruised off Halifax until we took
three more ships, their cargoes sea-coal &c.
when we had violent snow storm, it be-
ing in the month of November. We parted
from Com. Jones and put away for Rhode
Island, where W. arrived the last of Novem-
ber, and the Alfred arrived safe at Boston.
Shortly after (the 9th Of Dec.) the British
took possession of Newport. The ships
Warren, and Providence, and sloop Provi-
dence, lay near Gould Island. While the
British fleet was running into Narraganser
Bay, .he sloop Providence had some mer
on shore on Gould Island cutting wood.
perceived a large quantity Of hay stacked
up there, and ordered one Of the men to
give me brand of fire, with which stepp-
ed into the barge, aud our sloop hove too
until set fire TO all the hay on the Island
as well knew it would fall into the hands
Of the British. All received for this was
the loss Of silver knee buckle, and waist.
coat, but had great contentment Of mind
which, money cannot purchase. We then
hauled our wind for the north end Of james
town Islsud, the wind being S. w. As
soon as we opened Narsgansett Bay, there
was nothing to be seen but ships. We
were under easy sail, and wishing some oi
them to give chase, we lay in TIE way until
we gave them three shot, when Immediately
3 Of their ships, with all sail they could
pack, gave us chase, which we wanted. We.
under easy sail, stood up for Warwick neck
finding We intended to ge, them aground.
signal was given from the Commodore Of
the British feet, and they gave I'm the
chase, and we went up TO Providence. The
same day my Father aud Mother and a
kins~oman aud young son of my Broth.
er's lsft Newport for East Greenwich, they
l. a