Our houses are all covered with cedar shingles, which makes fire very dangerous. The church corporation had suffered prodigiously, as was evidently intended. Besides the buildings already mentioned, about 200 houses, which stood on tlie church ground, were consumed ; so that the loss cannot be estimated at less than 25,000/ sterling. This melancholy accident, and the principal scene of war being liere, will occasion the Clergy of this city to be the greatest sufferei*s of any on the continent by the present rebellion.

The Church corporation have some thoughts of applying to his Majesty for a brief to collect money in England, or for leave to open a subscription to repair their loss in some measui-e, which, I fear, will involve them in inextricable difiiculties, as they are already burdened with a debt of more than 20,000/ this currency. But this step will probably be deferred till the^ city and county are restored to his Majesty's peace and protection, which I hope will be soon, as a petition for this purpog% signed by near a thousand inhabitants, has been presented to the king's commissioners, I had the honour of drawing up this petition ; and from the amiable and excellent character of the commissioners, Lord Howe and General Howe, from wliom everything brave, generous, and humane, or tending to the interest of Great Britain, and the colonies, may be justly expected, I flatter myself that the prayers of our petition will be soon granted. Perhaps I should apologize for this detail, in wliich I myself was so much concerned ; but, in truth, no better method occurred to me of conveying to you information of what I thought you were desirous to know ; and I claim no merit in doing what I always conceived to be my duty.