[anchored in Newport Harbor, R.I.]

Fresh Gales hazy Wea^r. at 10 PM¹ the Sigl on Brentons p^t. for a Fleet saw 20 Sail of large & small Vessells standing into the Harbour at 11 d^o the Fleet bro^t. too about 5 or 6 Miles without the Harbour saw a Num^r of Boats pass from the Rebel Shore to the Ships, Judge them the French Fleet hoisted our Top Sails & prepared to Slip, made Sig^l for an Enemy—

[anchored in Newport Harbor, R.I.]

Fresh Winds & hazy Wea^r., Slipt & run at the back of Goat Isle under Cover of the N^o Battery, warpt close under y^e Island to Cover the Transports, Falcon² Spit Fire³ & Pigot⁴ at the other Entrance, Moor'd with the sm^l. Bower & stream athwart the Entrance at 5 two of the Enemys Ships⁵ Stood into the Seacunnett the rest at Anchor about 3 Miles to the Southward of Brentons Ledge