way perfectly clear — as your not sensible of the great danger I expose
my self and family to and after the charge I have paid for the Flag
carting my Goods to Newport and the great damage done m\' Furni-
ture shall even be out of pocket and house hardh' an}' thing left for
the support and maintaineance of mv family my-Daughter being left
behind has caused great suspiscion here and 1 am rather watch'd with
a jealous eye — and as surely as caught in any correspondence no mercy
will be extended — however shall yet remain friendly disposed tho have
been 90 sever]\' handled at Newport farewell yrs. S. H.



'■"Tliis pluasf lias been crossed out.



I08 RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Providence April 2 5th 1779

mv trunk and Mrs. Bakers when brought up to this town under whent
the most strictest examination eving to information being receivd she
brought of a large parcell of counterfeit paper money — but their search
proved abortive nothing being-found in her or my trunks and she having
been gone down to Boston some day before in the Stage Coach.

In addition to what was wrote last — an express arriv'd from Con-
gress this week and the Brigade stationed in this Town are now [torn]
marching orders — and its said an expedition is on foot against Canada —
[torn] Genl Sullivan is to have the Chief Command — that a French
Fleet is expect [ed to] join them up the River St. Laurence by the
latter end of this month at fart [her pt.] its rumor'd all three of the
Brigades in this Vicinity are to hold them-selves in readiness to march
at an Hours notice — however they will not stir until they receive
their back wages due to them which are deficient above six months
they are ordered to be paid up to this date — but no Paper money yet
arrivVl all their public offices are destitute of even the Paper trash this
causes great murmurings (however the taulk is) the expedition is
against Canada. — 1 am apt to think from the orders issu'd and car-
penters procurd and sent off — for to repair all the flatt bottom boats
in the different parts of this and also the neighboring States that the
expedition on foot most probable will be against Rhode Island and that
thev are in expect;.tion of a French Fleet to arrive on this Coast the
latter end of the Month but its only m}' own conjecture I know nothing
for certain — Congress has certainly empowered their Ambasadors at
the Court of France to treat with the Court of Great Britian on Terms
of Peace which are to be Negotiated through the Medium of the
Spanish Ambasador 1 am now running the grandest risque possible
and pledging mv Life at stake, and for what a paltry pittance, that has
been more than expended in the transportation of my family and effects,
and all promises made me been violated — without something handsome
is done soon, to make me compensation, and encourage me to persevere,
vou must not expect to hear further from me — as I think I have dis-
charged mv promise, made punctualy, and cannot think of jeapordising
mv self and familv anymore — tho shall never do any thing prejudicial
to government, -vou mav rely on, but keep my self a strick neuter, until



METCALF nOWr.KR AS A BRITISH SPY lOQ

affairs arc settled. I might have been commissars General, of this depart-
ment but absoluteh-refused intermedling with any office — the stricktest
search is made off every person going down or comeing up from New-
port — then should \ou send an\- message or any thing }'ou must be
cxtreemh' carefull and c.uitious.

Providence May 11th 1779 S. H.

Providence [une 5th 1779
Altho' I said in iv.v last vou must not expect to hear from me again —
until some thing handsome was further done having as I before observed
expended the whole gratuity in removeing my family Sec. contrary to
mv expectation and the strongest assurances given \'et as \ou seem
desirous of hearing from me, cannot resist my strong inclination, to
serve ni\' Friends — especiah' as I am assured the con\"e\'ancc will be
safe — nothing verv material his turnVl up since I wrote last only the
intended expedition seems to be entirely dropt at present, and we are
as I think onh' on the defensive — altho' the G. G. is in great expecta-
tion of the arrivel of a trench fleet on the coast hourh', and is abso-
luteh makeing the necessar\' preparations, tor a desent on the Island,
should the\' arrive — ever\' Boat is in readiness, the Waggons all pre-
pared — and Thirty Men working every day in the Labratory, make-
ing cartridges, and other necessar\' warlike stores — the Militia all round,
are order'd to be in readiness, with three days Provisions readv cook'd,
and boats sent out to discover tiie Fleet, and gi\'e the ver^-earliest
intelligence, should thcv arrive on the coast — notwithstanding all this
militar\' preparation — I am sure, the-v ha\'e no other foundation for the
expectation of a Fleet — than barel\' what one Lt De\'ilicrs who was
Capt of Marines on board tlie Dean Frigate, that arrivd some time ago
in the Ri\"er Delaware from Martinico Avho sa\'s that he dined on
board the Languedoc — and that Count De Kstaing told him — he might
inform the americans he should be in their Seas hv the tenth day of
June at farthest — 1 think the\' seem now rather apprehensive of a
\'isit from \()u — as the Brigade stationed in this Town which does not
exceed 1000 effective men — lay on their arms several nights past they
are encamped on the Hill abo\"e Mr. Snow's Meeting House
I ha\e lateU' made a tour Ui Boston, and was there durring their Genii
Election — I find the people much divided every one wishing an end



no RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

of the contest, and dcpriciating the first Authors of their Miscrv —
in short their Currency is becomeing such vile trash, that thev value

it not more, than the dirt under their feet all the trade carried on,

is meer chicanery, or a knavery, not an upright honest trader, to he
found amongst them — I myself exchanged Dollars as twentv five for
one — and indeed, the;/ withheld, their most valuable comodities and
would not dispose of them for the paper trash — between the Farmer
and the Merchant the poor people are squees'd to Death — everv neces-
sary article of life is about fifty p Cent dearer, than here, with us —
I heard many that were high Sons of Liberty formerly sav — that was a
B. fleet to appear and Blockade the Harbor, — and a land force lav Siege
to the Town — not an hundred Inhabittants would go out — for thev
had rather submit to B. Government, than be oppressed in the manner
they now are — I saw many Friends, who are vet there, and seem to
keep up their spirit, in hopes of deliverance, in due time — there are
no Continental Troops in Boston at present nor in its environs save a
few Invalids, and G. Heath who commands in that — department
has just received orders, to repair to G. Washintons Camp — we have
here — Glovers Brigade Consistg of about 1000 eltective Men Cornells
Brigade which is small, at Tiverton, and its environs — \'arnums Bri-
gade, which is but very small — Sherburnes Regmt at Bristol and Warren
— a Regiment at Greenwich South Kingston and along that shoar — a
company or two of y*" Black Corps are — stationed at Warwick Neck,
and its environs — 1 only give this information of their station of the
Troops, from what 1 have collected, having never seen them mv self—
but am thouroughly convinced, thev cant raise on an alarm, for some
very considerable time, above 2000 effective men — the Train of Artil-
lery — which are in this Town, and perhaps make amot to about 300
effective Men last week our Govr receiv'd a Let'' from G. Washington
pressing the sending forward the States quota of Troops, which thev haci
voted to raise, and at the same time informing them, their affairs, wore a
gloomy aspect, and that he had received-certain intelligence that the B.
Army would be reinforced, with 10,000 men from G. Britain, to acct
offensively, this Campaign — that there cfid not appear the least pros-
pect of an accomodation, taking place and without his Army was
speedih" reinforced, he must quit the Field, this Let'' is kept as a great
secreet, but I got the intelligence, from one of the Govts family — Con-



IMl/n AIJ-" BdWI.KR AS A BRITISH SPY Hi

grcss have been sitting this Three Months, to stop the depreciation
of the Currency, but having at length got as far as the rule of Puzzle
have given over the attempting any remedy, better than taxation —
and have ordered, that Forty Five Million of Dollars, be called in bv a
Tax, on the States by the hrst day January 1 780, — which in my oppinion,
instedd of helping the great depreciation, will serve to depreciate it
still lower — no Persons of any Consequence, seems inclined, to inter-
feer in Government affairs — Governmnt is at present conducted, by a set
of low, ignorant, headstrong Men — I have been stronglv solicited, to
except several posts, but have declin'd them — thinking I can at present
do much more service in a private station, than a public. — I keep Shop
for a Li\'elyhood. — tho had but few Goods to sell every European
Article being so very scarce here, and estravegantly dear therefore at
present, confine my self, to the West India Produce — G. G. has swore
the first person he catches, conveying intelligence, he will directly hang
up. — therefore think what violent risque I run, and tremble every-
moment, at the consequence, of a discovery — however I flatter 1 shall
not fail of a Reward hereafter, adieu Y P S:

S. H.

I wrote vou some time ago giving \'ou a full account of affairs as they
stood then — Since which have not heard anv thing from \'ou — tho
trust your generosity — since which the Brigade statiend in this Town
marchd last week and are halted at New London we have here onlv
Jacksons small Regiment and they came from Patuxet — they are
under great consternation for fear of an attack as am confident there
could not be 1000 etTective men raisd under some very considerable
time — and \ery few of the inhabitants would turn out — and much
more dificulty to bring in the Cunty People — who are now in the
higth of harvest — if ever strike whilst the Iron is Hot — I cant learn
of only two Brigades of continental troops in all Connecticut and one
is that march'd from this place — but verv few of the train of artilery
is here at present — and the\' are in no manner prepar'd for an attack —
there is taulk of calling in 1000 Militia from the Massachusets — how
soon they mav arrl\e cant tell — the great news from the Southward
of the defeat before Charlestown proves premature there acctualy having
been no attack on the Lines — but il K — ^- Troops are in possession



112 RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

of Fort Johnston and command Ashlc}' River — tho it still reported
the G. Moultrie whent out and attacked and kill'd and took 7 5 3. tho
believe it wants much confirmation — thev are extreemlv jealous of me
of late and seem ver\' sh\' — as I dont solicit any favours nor accept of
anv — offers thev make of Posts in Government under them — and they
industriouslv circulate mv D"". is maried to a B. officer — I do assure
you I run the most violent risques imaginable and shudder at the con-
sequences of a discover\' whilst 1 write there is a Gentry placed on
the greet Bridge to stop all transient persons that passes and cant give
a good account of themselves and carries them immedietely before
G. G. I shall be under the greatest terror until I hear the Bearer
has reached home — as he is suspected and 1 believe is now under Bonds
— I beg shouki \ou send or write it ma}' be done with the utmost
caution all the Prisoners here are sent down to Boston for safety — I
dont think the Scheem thei' have undertaken to help the depreciation
of their currenc\' will succed as the country-people will not come into
the measure proposed — but vet keep up their produce at a most enormous
price — their seems to be a gloom on the countenance of the great
folks — and the\' in\ent h"es to Keep up the spirit of the lower sort tho
the\' begin to see tli rough the deception and sa}' the} -will not risque
their lives to save opulent mens estates — the inlistments here of troops
goes on \ er\" slow indeed there is a new Corps raising to consist of
200 men under the command of Col. Bart(jn to acct as a H}ing Armv
to range and harrass on vour shoare on the Island (i — but tho
great bounty' is gi\"en the^" inlist verv slow — I am afraid I shall not
venture to let \'ou hear much more from me without some alteration
of times — and exceeding anxious wither these reaches }'our hands if it
should not \ou ma\' expect to hear of m}' sad fate — farewell
P July 13th 1779 S. H.

Since m\ last, made a iourne\- to bosten, and had the pleasure of being
in compan\- with man^■ well Avishers, found that province in a very
weak and defenceless state, without an}- troops, save a few invalids —
the castle and other fortifications, much out of repair and neglected —
especiallv that part of the castle, tov.-ards the land, in a weeak condition.
— no soldjers kept to garrison the castle onl} a few invalids, to hoist
the colours, and do other drudger}- — whilst 1 was at Boston, there was



MKTCALF Bfnvr.F.R AS A BRITISH SPY II3

an alarm tircJ lor four ships, being in the offing, niakeing for the
harbor, which throw'J the inhabitants, into great consternation, expect-
ing them to prove, the enemys shipt, many taulked of leaving the
town. — others, of ralhing the militia, and collecting what numbers
the\" could to go down, and help defend, the castle lic but at length,
the\' proved to be, two of their own cont'. frigates, with two english
packets their prizes — it was the general oppinion, of thinking people,
that the same fleet — that was sent as a reinforcement, to penobscot,
might with great ease, have enter'd the harbor of boston, taken posses-
sion of the town ckc — in such a defenceless condition, were they then in,
no ships, no troops, nor men, to defend their fortifications. I left four
cont'. frigates m the iiarbor iust returned, from successful cruises, and
of consequence — man'd, and King at the wharfs, and dock wards, to
refit, for sea, which wont be of some time, as the sailors are a shore,
spending their prize money, and some of their Capt* gone home, to
see their familys — there was also — a french frigate, in the harbor, in
readiness, to receive mons'' Gerrard, and convey him to France, the
new ambasd'' having set out for philads to relieve him — in short, no
thing seems attended to, in that province, but accumulating, paper thash
good eating — drinking, and fareing sumptuosh", e\'er\' da\' — and as to
their defence, the}' seem, much to trust, (to Heaven for their safet\- and
protection) they are most amazingly chagrin'd at their late penobscot
expedt" — and e\"en sa\', that Rivington,in his relation of the affair, cannot
exagerrate, provided, he dont sa\', all their troops, were captur'd — as to
the late stipulation enterd into, concerning the reducing of the prices of
provisions and other articles, and endea\oring to appreciate their cur-
rency, am thorroughh' convinced, will never have, the desired effect, as
the countr\' are ver\' slack, in bringing in an\' sorts of provision, their
markets, very badh' supplied, and every art used and method prac-
tised, b\' the countr\' people, to e\"ade the stipulation, and as those
that are posses'd, of large sums of paper currenc\' will fare well if to
be procured, at an\" rate — so the\' send their serxants into y*^ country,
purchase at the stipulated prices, with the addition of a gratuity — the
mercantile part, are also practising every method, to evade the stipula-
tion, by withholding such goods, as are most wanted, and such articles, as
they cant, under anv pretense withold, they even addulterate, or prac-
tise some fraud so as to evade, the stipulated price of those articles. —



114 RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

the Colony of Connecticut, not as yet having-enterd into any stipula-
tions, are feathering their nest, by purchasing large quantitvs, of west
india Goods, Tea &:c from the merchts in Boston and in order to induce
them, to sell them large quantities at a time, thev give a gratutly, over
and above the stipulated prices — was informed, there had not been less,
than four thousand wagon loads, of west india produce, carried out of
Boston, into Connecticut, since the stipulation, took place — the exchange
as nigh as I could learn, was from 1 5 to 20 for one at present, but expected
to be much higher, in a few months, as congress keeps the Press con-
tinualy strikeing — they emitted one week in July no less than fifteen
million of Dollars, therefore, should thev be left to themselves, they
must sink under their enormous, continental debt, or their paper cur-
rency become of no value and die in the possessor's hands and so pro-
duce a general bankruptcy, you may easily perceive what small hopes
they have of the appreciation of their currenc\', or of the present stipula-
tion, takeing place, long — and should their currency not be made
better, before the time of the continental soldjers enlistments expire,
which will be in the Months of Nov"" and Decembe'' next — they never
will get a thousand men to re-mlist as I am well assurr'd, they will
place no more implicit faith, in that reverend bod\', the Congress-wood
is extreemlv scarce and dear at Boston, no less than one hundred Dollars
p Cord — on my arrival at Providence — found a prevailing report, of
Count D'Estang being bound to North America with a large squadron
of line battle ships and frigates, with six thousand land forces, onboard
the fleet, and that a Sloop left theni, that arriv'd at Bedford in Latd.25
Longtd 70 steering N. N. W. their destination a profund secreet, only
by their takeing on board N. E. Pilots, and others well accquainted,
with the Carolina Coast, they were judged, to be first bound, to Georgia,
and to secur the whole N. E. Coast — Gen. G. seemd much to
credit the report, and in consequence gave orders for all the flatt-bottom
boats, to be got in readiness, the wagons, in order, the train of artillery
to hold themselves, in readiness to march at an hours warning — Gen.
Corn, troops to be emplovd in cutting fascines and the saw-mills, to go
night and day, to saw plank for platforms &:c however, its now nigh
thirty days, since this Sloop arrivd and no further intelligence receiv'd,
of, the fleet being spoke with, or seen, any further to the northward,
therefore, imagind they are gone to windward, or were never seen



METCALF BOWLKR AS A BRITISH SPY II5

at all, as reported — however, should any authentick intelligence come
to hand, concerning them, before this is calld for, you may depend, on
being duly inform'd thereof — I must once more mention, the critical
situation, to which I am continualy expos'd in keeping up this fre-
quent correspondance lor should it once ht discover'd, nothing short
of mv Life, and the utter ruin ot mv Famih" must ensue. I have dis-
engaged m\" self and refused, several lucrutative emplo\'ments which
have been rcpeatedh' otferd me, as I think it best at this juncture,
to be in a private statien, by which must have avoided, their test-acct,
and am freer, from being suspected of holding any correspondence and
am on good terms, with Gen. G. to, I receiv'd by the last Flag sundry
articles, for which, you have mv thanks, and prov'd ver\- agreeable, as
do assure \'ou, I am at great expence to support m\' famih', and hardlv
any thing to do it with, but what little I get, in the shop keeping way,
and my capital is so small, that can purchase, but few articles, to run
my Shop, could I now and then, get a supply from Newport it would
assist me greatly, and should gratefuh-acknowledge the favor — per-
haps Mr^. Bowler may be permitted soon to come down to see her
Mother

Providence Sep'' 15th 1779 S. H.



Providence October 2d 1779

should an open Letter come otT from her Sister, M. Gee or my Daughter,
in forming of her, being in a bad state of health and desirous, of see-
ing her Daughter — but since I wrote — have been lucky enough, to obtain
leave, from Gen. G. for my Daughter if agreeable to your self, and Gen.
Prescot — to pay me a \'isit here, with his solemn assurrance, of her having
liberty of returning — when ever she inclines — should you think it
adviseable to let her come, the sooner the better, as the Weather, will
grown cold & blustering — you may depend, on receiving on her return,
all the intelligence possible, and should she come off, your being so
kind, as to make a small addition to the Goods, all ready sent of a few
peices of blk and tailored ribbons, a few green shoe bindings a piece

or two of black calamances, one or two dozen more blk

Handkerchiefs, a piece or two of good Cambrick, a few packs of Pins
and some colcxired and coarse white Threads some black and coloared



Il6 RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

sewing Silks — a small assortment of cultcr^' ware in Buckles Penknivc
&c — and a good Case Coat cloak that is camblet, linn'd with bare, then
I may be fit in the cold during the Winter season, to pick up, intelli-
gence now am to inform you since what I wrote, on the other sheet —
we have had various reportes of a french fleet, being seen off being at
the Hook — [torn] as where so sanguine is G. G. of their comeing he
has sent out a \'esse]l to look for them, who is returned, without being
able to see, or hear anev thing from them — and there is no manner of
any certain account of their ha\'ing been seen, since thev were left in
Lat 2 5 Long 70 two of \'our Anspach Soldjers, arrived here, last eve-
ning who report, }ou have recei\'ed an account b^' express from N. York
of 22 Sail of the Line being of the Hook, which G. G. puts much
confidence in — as he catches at everything that looks like their comeing
here, to the northward — but 1 think the'V' will not be here this Season
at least — for am well assurd G. Wash, nor Cong-s have anv advice of
their intention of coming to X. America this Fall — vesterdav, amid
Jacksons Regiment of [torn] Troops from Boston — thev were sent to
reinforce our People at Penobscot but were too late and are just returned,
to their old station, in this Island they amount to, between 3 or 400 —
and serve them, we have onh' 5 00 militia, with a few artiler^• — all the
troops are under marching so infatuated is G. G. about the french fleet
arriving on our coast the States are got almost ripe, to quarrell with one
another, Massachusets State, has prohibitted, everv sort of merchandize,
and pro\'isions from being transported b^' Land, into an\' other of the
States, & Connecticut is purchasing all the cattle, on the borders of
our State, and driving them into theirs, to kill, and give almost any
price — the Country People dont bring in anv Provisions scarcely, nor
any Butter Cheese iS'c, thus we are almost starving, in a Land of Plenty,
and the article of Wood, is also very scarce, the Country People, with-
olding it, and will not bring in Wood at the stated price — then expect,
we shall go to loggerheads — amongst ourselves — I think this Winter
must picture a Scene of the utmost Confussion, should things not take
a strange alteration as the Continental Troops time of inlistment will
expire and am sure thev will not re-inlist, as they money now stands —
and how thev can make it better cant conceive, thev have emitted such
quantity and the Press, still kept stiikeing of more, to supply their
demands Col. Barton's Corps fills verv slow, he has not above sixty men,



WATF.RMARKS OX RHODE ISLAND PAPER



117



and has done nothing rcmarkahlc, as yet — the Cont. Frigates in Boston
is getting ready for Sea, and an embargo laid, to mann them perhaps
she may sail in three or four weeks time — but believe not much sooner.

Biographic? of Metc;ilf Bowler, who was Chief Justice of Rhode IsLind in 1776
and 1777, will be found in the Record of the Descendants of Charles Hozcler by N. P.
Bowler; The Biographical Cyclopedia of Rhode Island, p. 130; Annals of Trinity
Church, Neuport, by Ooige C. Mason, p. 107; and History of the Narragansett
Church by Wilkins Updike, 1907, v. I, p. 197. The panelling from one of the
rooms of Metcalf Bowler's house at I'ortsmouth is now in the American Wing of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art at New ^'ork.