[Extract]

My Dear Sir I have receiv'd your two Letters from Philadelpa & am conscious of an omission in writing, but I dare say you'll not impute to neglect when you are inform'd that I have had neither sleep to my Eyes nor slumber to my Eyelids since you left Taunton.

A number of Men of War & Transports appear'd off Bristol last Saturday & there demanded a quantity of Cattle & Sheep, upon refusal of the Inhabitants (who by the bye, where then very sickley) they Cannon'd & Bomber'd the Town for three hours, but happely without distroying any lives, except Parson Burt, who died thro' fear, as is suppos'd, being found dead in his Cornfield the next morning; the Inhabitants being thus distress'd & terrefied desir'd the Ships to stop their fireing & they wou'd accomidate the matter, accordingly they consented to leave the Town if they wou'd give 'em 40 Sheep, which was accordingly comply'd with, thus ended this pritty d————ble affair ー a fine precedent for the future to git provisions. ー Our Friends & Famelies are at present all well . . . Salt Petre business I shall inform you more particular about hereafter; there is little or nothing done about [it], with us at present ー Our public affairs you must be better informd of than I can possible do it . . . Remember me to the Deligates of this Provence.