[Extract]

Notwithstanding several Years have elapsed since I have been favored with a Line from you, yet learning that you are at Philadelphia in the distinguished Caracter of a member of the Continental Congress, on whose Wisdom all America relies for Redress of the manifold Grievances it labors under; and for Deliverance from the multiplied oppressions cruelly heaped on it by the Folly and Bigotry of a corrupt ministry; I cannot help doing myself the Honor of renewing an acquaintance, which, during my Stay at New York, was peculiarly dear to me; and the Remembrance of which is too deeply impressed on my mind to be effaced by the ocean that rolls between us or by any Length of Time. Future ages will view with admiration & applause the unparallelled Wisdom and virtue of the noble Americans while they peruse the faithful Page of the present Aera.

Many Circumstances concur in rendering us, in Bermuda, Spectators on this critical occasion. Our Lands afford us Provisions scarcely sufficient for two months' subsistence in a year and our Island is so difficult of access, but in a few places that it would be in the power of a few Cruizers to starve us were they disposed to do it tho' the Ports of the Continent were open and free. Our Consequence, beside in the American system of Politics is too inconsiderable to promise any accession of weight to your measures were we publicly to interfere. We really wish well to your Cause; and this is all Prudence will permit us to say.

We are greatly alarmed, and not without sufficient Reason, at the dismal Prospect which daily opens to our view. Famine stares us in the Face; and our Condition must be truly miserable if the Ports on the Continent are shut and no Permission given us to import Provisions for our Consumption. To obtain this our Inhabitants have chosen Deputies to apply to the Congress in their Behalf, and our address goes by this vessel under Cover to Benjamin Franklin and John Dickinson, Esquires. Our Eyes are fixed on you for Relief, and on your Deliberations will depend the Fate of near fourteen thousand Souls. That Humanity and universal Philanthropy which breathe through the whole of your Proceedings induces us to hope that our application will meet a favorable Reception. I must entreat the favor of you to patronize it. You will by this means confer an eternal obligation on our little Island and immortalize your own memory.

Bermuda, June 30th, 1775