Sir

I cannot let Capt [John] Hazlewood depart² without sketching a few lines to you. ー You will find by the Papers, that We have received an account from Salem of the defeat of Col [Francis] Smith, and the precipitate Retreat of Lord [Hugh] Percy by the animated resistance of the brave Bostonians.³ This intelligence, so contrary to the expectations of Government, who have daily anounced the Americans Cowards, has pannick struck Administration, and their tory Dependants, and has exihilirated the Spirits of the Sons of America in this Metropolis, and the Friends to Freedom, in the most exhalted manner. It is impossible to describe the Shame & Vexation, which are visibly depicted in the Countenances of North, and his tyrannical Abettors. They are constrained to acknowledge, that the Regulars began the Attack, and equally forced to admit the intrepidity of our Countrey men. ー But what alarms them most, is, the expectation of hourly receiving advice of the whole of General [Thomas] Gages Army being cut off, or meanly sheltering themselves on board the Men of War, or in the Castle. God grant their total exterpation ー (as it will unquestionably eject this detestable Administration, and oblige George the Third to do Justice to his faithfull insulted American Subjects) ー Government has not yet received any Dispatches from the General ー She has craved a suspension of animadversions on the News, until She can refute, or is compelld to authenticate it: In the mean Time Stocks have had a Shock, and the People, every where, denounce Vengeance against Bute, Mansfield, North, Sandwich,⁴ and their ignominious Adherents. ー I impatiently wait the next intelligence ー as I have no doubt We shall hear of further significant manifestations of American Prowess ー founded in that Principle which God and their Right will inspire them with. ー Mr John White and I yesterday Surveyed Temple Bar⁵ with great exactness and We found on a nice scrutiny, that it would bear the decoration, of the principle Villains in the Kingdom with splendor & Ease ー think it not chymerical when I tell you, I feel a prophetic sensation, that I shall soon see their Decapitated Heads gracing this Dedication to Liberty; and O may the most abandoned of Traitors, Hutchinson,⁶ meet his adequate Reward! Farewell ー In haste

To Mr. William Bradford at the London Coffee House, Philadelphia