Dear Sir,
Having observed in the last Newport Mercury, an imperfect account relative to the conduct of his Majesty's ships, under the command of Capt. Wallace at Bristol, last Saturday night [October 7]. I embrace this opportunity to give you a true and particular detail of facts, that took place, from their anchoring in the harbour till they left the town. ー ー ー On Saturday the 7th instant, P.M. appeared in sight of this harbour, a very formidable fleet, consisting of 16 sail, viz. three men of war, one bomb ketch, and other armed vessels, all which, excepting the Glasgow (who ran ashore at Paquash point) drew up in a line of battle, from one end of the town to the other: soon after they had moored, a barge came from the Rose, to the head of a wharf, with the Lieutenant, who asking if there were any gentlemen on the wharf? William Bradford being present, answered yes; whereupon the Lieutenant informed him, Captain Wallace had a demand to make on the town, and desired that two or three of the principal men, or magistrates of the town, would go on board his ship, within an hour, and hear his proposals, otherwise hostilities would be commenced against the town. the above gentleman replied as a magistrate, that, in his opinion, Capt. Wallace was under a greater obligation to come ashore, and make his demands known to the town, than for the magistrates to go on board his ship to hear them, and added, that if Capt. Wallace would come to the head of the wharf the next morning, he should be treated as a gentleman, and the town would consider of his demands; with this answer the Lieutenant returned on board the Rose. The inhabitants being made acquainted with the above conversation, repaired to the wharf, and waited with the utmost impatience for a reply from Capt. Wallace, till an hour had expired, when the whole fleet began a most heavy cannonading, and the bomb vessel to bombard, and heave shells and carcases into the town; which continued without imtermission, an hour and an half.
In the mean time Col. [Stephen] Potter, in the hottest of the fire, went upon the head of the wharf, hailed the Rose, went on board and requested a cessation of hostilities, 'till the inhabitants might choose a committee to go on board and treat with Capt. Wallace; which request was complied with; and six hours were allowed for the above purpose. Col. Potter returned and made a report to the Committee of inspection, who chose a select committee to hear Capt. Wallace's demands, which, after they had gone on board, Capt. Wallace informed them were a supply of 200 sheep and 30 fat cattle. This demand, the Committee replied, it was impossible to comply with; for the country people had come in and drove off their stock, saving a few sheep and some milch cows.
After some hours had expired, during the negociation, without coming to any agreement, Captain Wallace told them, I have this one proposal to make, "If you will promise to supply me with 40 sheep, at or before twelve o'clock, I will assure you that another gun shall not be discharged." The committee. seeing themselves reduced to the distressing alternative, either to supply their most inveterate enemy with provisions, or devote to the flames the town, with all the goods, besides near 100 sick persons, who could not be removed without the utmost hazard of their lives; I say, seeing themselves reduced to this dreadful dilemma, of two evils reluctantly chose the least, by agreeing to supply them with 40 sheep at the time appointed, which was punctually performed.
The Rev. Mr. John Burt having been confined to his house by the camp distemper, when the cannonading began left his habitation, to seek some place of safety; and the next day was found dead in a neighbouring field. It is con jectured that being overcome with fear and fatigue, he fell down and was unable to raise himself up, and so expired. A child also of Capt. Timothy Ingraham, having been removed in the rain, died the next day.
What equally challenges our administration and gratitude to God is, that no more lives were lost, or persons hurt, by such an incessant and hot fire; the streets being full of men, women and children, the whole time; the shrieks of the women, the cries of the children, and groans of the sick, would have extorted a tear from even the eye of a Nero. ー But I forbear ー words can't describe the dreadful scene.
After the ships had received their supply, and stole about 90 cheeses, and some poultry, from Papaquash, they weighed anchor, and moored at Papaquash point; the next day (being Tuesday) they went into Bristol ferry way and fired a number of shot at the houses and people on each shore, where three of them got a ground; but the tide rising towards evening, they left us, and have not molested us since.
A great number of dwelling-houses &c. were shot through; but suffered very little damage. A cannon ball entered a distill-house, then passed through three hogsheads and barrels of rum, and spilt their contents.
[Footnote added by editor of the New Yark Gazette] The Rev. Mr. Burt was born in Boston, and having received a liberal education at Harvard College, he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Bristol, where he laboured in the work of the ministry 34 years. He was a gentleman of a respectable character.
