According to accounts I rec’d. from New York I heard that Bethlehem had been at one time attack’d by some violent people not commissioned thereto by any of the Powers in Being, in order to destroy every thing. This mischief was prevented by those worthy convalescent Soldiers who had been in the Military Hospital there and were not yet gone to join their Regiments.

Another time, certain violent people, without any Commission whatsoever, it is said, draggd a certain Boemper at a Horse tail from Bethlehem to Easton.

As you are a humane Man and know my people at Bethlehem, I heartily wish and beg of you to write to Pensylvania to your friends there to desire their Influence to prevent any unauthorized Violences of these kinds.

I do not wish that my people be exempted from any Burthen which the present Constitution of the Country shall subject them to, unless the Ruling Powers for the time being should think fit to shew them any kindness by some Exemption in their favour; if it shall seem to them, right so to do. As I verily believe my People will never meddle against the present Constitution, neither by writing nor acting, but act out of the Principles they were known to have from the beginning and before these Troubles, I think they may be look’d upon as worthy of that kindness which I hope their good behavior will render them in some degree worthy of. I recommend them to your Heart according to the Knowledge and Belief you may have of them and to the Kindness of your Friends as far as may be consistent with the present measures. It was for this that I came hither and am glad that this has given me a fair occasion to embrace and to assure the Man whom I have always loved and honoured, that I am His most affectionate Friend and Servant