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. Any of my

1062 STATE OF THE

brethren in my situation ^vonld liave done the same that I did -- many of them, probably, much better.

All the Missionaries in the colonies first mentioned are resident on their respective Missions, although their churches are shut, except those that are now in England, and Mr. Walter, of Boston, who is here; also Mr. Cooke, who is chaplain to the Guards, and cannot get to his Mission, as that part of the country is still in the hands of the rebels. I fear many of the Missionaries are distressed for want of an opportunity to draw for their salaries, and I apprehend they have not yet received any benefit from the generous collection that was made for them in England. Dr. Chandler some time since sent me a list of those Missionaries in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, that were to receive those benefactions, and the sum allotted to each ; desiring that I should give them notice and inform them how to draw for the money.