Gentlemen of the Committee ー

I sincerely sympathize with you in your distress, and from the inhuman proceedings of those tyrants that infest America, I am afraid your valuable town of New-York is in danger of being burnt. I would therefore recommend to you to prepare fire-vessels, which properly made use of, will defend you against your infernal enemies, and save your town, which is valuable. I am of opinion I am possessed of a knowledge that would be efficacious in burning such vessels as may come to do you damage, but as my situation requires me to conceal my name at present, it would not be prudent it should yet be known, as it may be attended with ill consequences to me; neither would it be prudent to risk my advice without an advantage in proportion to the service I may do. Should you, therefore, gentlemen, conceive the above proposal to be of any importance, and deserving of an answer, be pleased to direct to A, at the London Coffee-House, to the care of Mr. Hugh James, the barkeeper. I am, gentlemen, [&c.]