By the motions of some of the men of war and transports, in this harbour, last Monday [October 2], it was suspected they intended to take off live stock from the farms on the south part of this island, called Brenton's Neck, the ensuing night; whereupon a number of persons went down in the evening and brought off about 1000 sheep and between 40 and 50 head of horned cattle from several farms: But there still remained a considerable number of cattle, sheap and hogs, on two farms belonging to Jahleel and Benjamin Brenton, great part of which 'tis supposed were by them there collected for and sold to the men of war, to be sent to Boston, for the express purpose of supplying our inveterate enemies. ー The next day the ships took off, from said Brentons farms, about 25 head of cattle and 150 sheep; on Wednesday they took 5 or 6 more cattle. There being still left on the farms of James, Jahleel and Benjamin Brenton, between 60 and 70 head of cattle. On Wednesday, and Thursday morning, about 300 Minute-men arrived here from the county of Providence, Tiverton and Little Compton, under the command of the Cols. Eseck Hopkins and William Richmond, Esqrs; and as soon as they had refreshed themselves, they marched into the Neck, and brought off 66 horned cattle, some sheep, hogs, and poultry, the ships the same time lying within gun shot, and discharged several cannon at them, but without any effect.

This town having been threatened to be fired on from the men of war, on account of the armed force which made its appearance here, a great many of the inhabitants moved part of all their effects out; and many families have left the town. The carts, chaises, riding chairs, and trucks, were so numerous that the streets and roads were almost blocked up with them. Thursday and Friday being rainy and muddy, the poor women and children were much exposed in looking out for some place of safety; the people continued moving out very fast all Saturday and yesterday with their effects.

It is almost impossible to conceive what infamous rascally tricks have been made use of, to distress this town, by the abandoned set of ministerial tool here.

The ships in this harbour, last week seized several vessels, loaded with wood, from Long-Island; which vessels, we are well assured, had Capt. Wallace's permission to fetch wood for the supply of his town!

Saturday afternoon the ships Rose, Glasgow and Swan, a brig with 6 guns, and 1 or 2 small kind of bomb mortars, 3 or 4 tenders, 2 transports, and several wood-vessels, &c. making in all 15 sail, weighed anchor and went up the river, entered the harbour at Bristol, and demanded three hundred sheep, which not being complied with between 8 and 9 o'clock they began a he[a]vy fi[r]e on s[a]id town, and continued it upwards of an hour; [in] which time, a number of shot went through the houses of William Bradford, Esq; Capt. Ingraham, damaged the church a little, and several shops, stables, &c. The women and children, in great distress, (dark and rainy as it was) were obliged to leave their habitations, and seek shelter in the adjacent country. Between 9 and 10 o'clock, a committee was appointed to go on board, who settled the matter by giving or selling 40 sheep. In the small defenceless town of Bristol, were near 100 persons very sick, and dead, at the time of this firing, and are assured two sick people actually died of the night.

We hear the men of war have cut up a quantity of corn at Poposquash or Hog Island.

Early on Thursday morning sailed, the Viper sloop of war, wind N. E. supposed to be gone to New York.