[Extract]

Sir I am very much obliged to you for your kind Letter of the 29th ult. p Lambert, which was intercepted and demanded with my other Letters &c at Brunswick by Samuel Thompson of that place and broke open, Copies of which have been industriously circulated thro' the Country by the different Committee men &c, several parts thereof being misconstrued or misunderstood by the illiterate ー I should have answered your Letter sooner but did not know how to procure any safe conveyance ー On the 4th inst Thompson attended by a number of Armed Men to the Amount of Forty or upwards insisted on my being his Prisoner, and to go with him; or give Bail Bond with two Securities in the Penal Sum of £2000 payable to the Provincial Congress, the condition of the Bond compelled to be given, is that I should be kept in safe Custody by my Sureties, until released by the Congress, ー that I should not nor no one for or under me remove my Masts, Plank &c now here, nor write to any Officer of the Army or Navy for Protection, or against the Country ー I prefer'd giving the Bond rather than to risk myself with him ー A State of my Case has been sent to the Congress; who I hope will think it reasonable to release me; but such is the unfortunate Temper of the Times, that I am Apprehensive I shall be unable to proceed with my Business and fulfill my Engagements for Halifax Yard for the present and I think it will be extremely hazardous for some time to attempt it, unless affairs take a Sudden Turn

I am with Great Respect Sir [&c.]

Mr [John] Bernard is also under Bond, and in the same Situation.

There are some Reports spread here of an attempt to Surprize the Canceaux