The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette

PROVIDENCE, July 12.

Thursday evening last a party of 38 Men, of the Troops belonging to this State, under the Command of Lieut. Col. William Barton of this Town, accompanied by Major Adams, of the Train, Capt. Phillips, Lieutenants Potter and Badcock, and Ensigns Stanton and Weeks, went in five Boats from Warwick Neck, with a View to take Major-General PRESCOTT, Commander in Chief of the British and Foreign Troops on Rhode-Island, whose Head-Quarters were then at a House about four Miles from Newport. The Col. and his Party, after passing the Enemy's Ships and Guard Boats, landed about Midnight, and with infinite Address and Gallantry got to Prescott's Quarters undiscovered: A Centinel at the Door hailed, but was immediately secured, and the Party instantly breaking open the Doors, and entered the House, took the General in Bed. His Aid-de-Camp leaped from a Window in his Shirt, and attempted to escape, but was taken a few Rods from the House. The Party soon after returned to their Boats, with the Prisoners, and some Time after they had put off, the Enemy fired Rockets from their several Posts as Signals for an Alarm, but too late-- the Bird had fled.-- The Prisoners were landed about Daybreak at Warwick Neck. On receiving Intelligence here, a Coach was immediately sent, and the General with his Aid-de-Camp, attended by Col. Barton and some other Officers, arrived in Town at 2 o'Clock. This bold and important Enterprise must reflect the highest Honor on Col. Barton and his little Party.-- A Lieutenant Colonel of Horse, with at least 70 Light Dragoons, took Major General LEE (betray'd by a Tory) five Miles from his Troops.-- A Lieutenant Colonel of Foot, with only thirty eight Privates and six Officers, has taken a Chief Commander, when almost encircled by an Army and Navy.

See Howe's Letter to the British Ministry, relative to the Capture of Gen. LEE.

We learn from Rhode-Island, that some of the Inhabitants have been persecuted & imprisoned, for relating Intelligence favorable to the American States, particularly one Person, who mentioned the Certainty of a War between France and Great-Britain. This Mode has probably been adopted with a View to serve their Cause, by keeping the Soldiery in Ignorance: The boldest of our Enemies, and even the Newport Tories, must however stop their Ears, on being made acquainted with- Howe's late disgraceful Retreat from New Jersey, at a Time when they vainly hoped he was in his full Career to Glory.