ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
[Read April 16, 1776.]

Ship Alfred, New-London Harbour, April 9, 1776.

SIR: When I put to sea, the 17th February, from Cape-Henlopen, we had many sick; and four of the vessels had a large number on board with the small-pox. The Hornet and Wasp joined me two days before. The wind came at northeast, which made it unsafe to lie there. The wind, after we got out, came on to blow hard. I did not think we were in a condition to keep on a cold coast, and appointed our rendezvous at Abaca, one of the Bahama Islands. The second night, we lost the Hornet and Fly.

I arrived at the rendezvous, in order to wait for them fifteen days, agreeable to orders. I then formed an expedition against New-Providence, which I put in execution the 3d of March, by landing two hundred marines; under the command of Captain Nicholas, and fifty sailors, under the command of Lieutenant Weaver, of the Cabot, who was well acquainted there. The same day, they took possession of a small fort of seventeen pieces of cannon, without any opposition, save five guns, which were fired at them without doing any damage.

I received, that evening, an account that they had two hundred and odd men in the main fort, all inhabitants. I then caused a manifesto to be published, the purport of which was, that the inhabitants and their property should be safe, if they did not oppose me in taking possession of the fort and King’s stores; which had the desired effect, for the inhabitants left the fort almost alone.

Captain Nicholas sent, by my orders, to the Governour for the keys of the fort, which were delivered, and the troops marched directly in, where we found the several warlike stores, agreeable to the inventory enclosed. But the Governour sent one hundred and fifty barrels of powder off, in a small sloop, the night before. I have all the stores on board the fleet, and a large sloop that I found there, and which I have promised the owner to send back, and pay him hire for.

The Fly joined us at Providence, and gave an account that he got foul of the Hornet, and carried away the boom and head of her mast; and I hear since, she has got into some port of South-Carolina.

I have taken the Governour, Montfort Browne; the Lieutenant-Governour, who is a half-pay officer; and Mr. Thomas Irving, who is a Counsellor and Collector of his Majesty’s Quit-Rents in South-Carolina; and it appears, by the Court Calendar, that he is also Inspector-General of his Majesty’s Customs for North-America.

Since we came out, we have lost company with the Wasp. The 4th instant, we fell in with, on east end of Long-Island, and took the schooner commanded by young Wallace, of six carriage-guns and eight swivels; and on the 5th, took the bomb brig, of eight guns and two howitzers, ten swivels and forty-eight hands, well found with all sorts of stores, arms, powder, &c. The 6th, in the morning, fell in with the Glasgow and her tender, and engaged her near three hours. We lost six men killed, and many wounded. The Cabot had four men killed, and seven wounded; the Captain is among the latter. The Columbus had one man who lost his arm. We received a considerable damage in our ship; but the greatest was in having our wheel-ropes and blocks shot away, which gave the Glasgow time to make sail, which I did not think proper to follow, as it would have brought on an action with the whole of their fleet; and as I had upwards of thirty of our best seamen on board the prizes, and some that were on board had got too much liquor out of the prizes to be fit for duty, thought it most prudent to give over the chase, and secure our prizes; and got nothing but the Glasgow ’ s tender, and arrived here the 7th, with all the fleet.

Amongst the dead are Mr. Sinclair Seymour, master of the Cabot, a good officer; Lieutenant Wilson, of the Cabot, and Lieutenant Fitzpatrick, of the Alfred. The officers all behaved well on board the Alfred; but too much praise cannot be given to the officers of the Cabot, who gave and sustained the whole fire, for some considerable time, within pistol-shot.

I expect to leave this place in three or four days; and as General Washington is expected here every minute, if he will give me leave to inlist some of his men, shall be able to get away sooner.

I hear that, since the action, the fleet is gone from New-port; but whether they intend to return again, I cannot tell; but if I can get the fleet well manned, shall be able to give a more intelligent account.

I have now on board eighty pieces of heavy sail-duck, which I purchased at New-Providence, and have drawn bills on the Treasurers for.

I am, with great respect, your humble servant,

ESECK HOPKINS.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of the Continental Congress.

Inventory of Stores, &c., taken at FORT MONTAGUE, MARCH 3, 1776.

17 cannon, from 9 to 36-pounders; 1240 round shot; 121 shells; 81 iron trucks, for carriages; 22 copper hoops; 2 copper powder-measures; 1 worm; 1 ladle; some old iron, copper, and lead.

Stores taken at FORT NASSAU, MARCH 4, 1776.

71 cannon, from 9 to 32-pounders; 15 mortars, from 4 to 11 inches diameter, and beds for ditto; 5337 shells; 9831 round, and 165 chain and double-headed shot; 140 hand grenadoes; 816 fuses or false fires; 99 sponges, rammers, and worms; 46 copper ladles; 407 copper hoops; 5 copper powder-measures; 220 iron trucks, for carriages; 3 bells; 24 casks of powder; a quantity of match-rope, not weighed; 2 double blocks, with brass sheafs; 1 scale beam; 1 hammer; 3 tanned hides; 2 boxes of tallow candles; 4 barrels of bread; 4 barrels of flour; 4 barrels of beef; part of a cask of spirits; 1 sun-dial; and 1 English flag.

ADMIRAL HOPKINS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL.

Ship Alfred, at New-London, April 8, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: Enclosed you have an inventory of stores taken out of the two forts at New-Providence. I have also the Governour, a Counsellor, (who is a half-pay officer,) and the Surveyor-General of the Customs for North-America, on board. I shall be glad of your directions how to dispose of them, as they are gentlemen that I think ought to be well treated as prisoners.

I have likewise seventy odd prisoners, taken out of the bomb brig, the schooner, and the Glasgow ’ s tender, which shall be glad of your directions respecting them.

If you should see General Washington, shall be glad to get permission to inlist some of his soldiers, as I am very short-handed.

I have a number of heavy cannon, taken out of the forts. If you should have occasion for any of them, you will please give directions accordingly.

I am, with great respect, sir, your very humble servant,

ESECK HOPKINS.

To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of the Colony of Connecticut, at Lebanon.

COLONEL SALTONSTALL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

New-London, April 8, 1776, two o’clock, P. M.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Commodore Hopkins, with the fleet and prizes, came this morning into this harbour; and waiting on him aboard the Alfred, he desired me to write your Excellency, and ask the favour that he might inlist, out of your troops, one hundred and fifty or two hundred seamen; and if that number of seamen is not to be had, complete the number with landsmen, to man the fleet, as he is badly manned, and has more than fifty invalids.

As to the number of ships in the fleet, and prizes, and the late engagement, I must beg leave to refer your Excellency to the bearer, Mr. James Price, who has been on board the Commodore, and can, viva voce, give you a fuller account than I can now write.

The Commodore has brought his Excellency Montfort Browne, Esq., Governour of New-Providence, Thomas Irving, Esq., a gentleman of the Council for South-Carolina, and Receiver of the King’s Quit-Rents, and James Babbidge, Esq., Secretary of New-Providence, and a half-pay