In case your Excellency should be concerned either solely, or in company, we beg leave to assure you, that we shall chearfully render you every service in our Power, and be happy in Every opportunity of convincing you, that we are with respect,

Having obtain'd the Inspector General's leave of absence for the recovery of my health, I returned here on the 13th instant, I now in obedience to your commands signify'd to me, when I had the Honour to attend the Board, do lay before your Honours the following account of the disturbances which happened at Philadelphia viz.

On Saturday 1st instant about Ten o'clock in the morning a seizure was made by the Collector in consequence of an order from the Inspector General of near fifty pipes of Madeira Wine, which was lodged in a store belonging to M: Andrew Hodge, the supposed owner of the wine was one Capt. Caldwell. In about half an hour after the seizure was made, I received a letter from the Inspector General directing me to attend my Duty. I shew the same to the

Collector, who required me to go to the Store where the wines was, and take an account of the number of Casks therein, he gave me the key of the padlock which he had put on the Dore, when I got there I took the same off, but found the Store fastned with the lock that was on it before the Collector made the seizure, Upon which I went to Mr. Hodges House to get the key of the same, but was told that he was not at home, and that they did not know where he was. I asked the Family for the key, but they said it was not in the House, and that they did not know who had got it Between 11 & 12 o'clk I waited upon the Inspector General and acquainted him that I had great reason to suspect that it was the Intention of some of the Inhabitants to rescue the Wines from the Officers, he told me that he would take care to prevent it, I informed the Coll of my not being able to get the key of the Store, and with my apprehensions of the design of the Inhabitants, and recomended the wines being removed as soon as possible, He told me that he had no Stores to put them in, & that if he had it was not in his power to get it removed on account of the rain the rain was over about four o'clock in the afternoon, when the Collector went down to the Store, but was denied admittance therein by a man unknown who had armed himself with Pistols, & swore that if he pretended to enter it he would blow his brains out or words to that effect, upon which the Collector retired and went to the Chief Justice & procured a writ of assistance, and a number of Constables to assist him in the execution of his duty, and they returned to the Store about five o'clock in the afternoon, but they were not able to afford him any help, the Mobb being so numerous, they ordered the Constables off of the wharf, though I think they tarried there long enough to read the Riot Act or Writ of Assistance, but which I do not know they likewise prevented the Collector's executing his Duty obliging him to go away, swearing they would shoot him if he attempted it, they

pelted him with Stones, Glass Bottles &c. one of which struck him in the lip and hurt it considerably, it was by this time near Dusk, the Collector not being able to proceed in the Execution of his Duty, communicated the same to the Inspector General, who thereupon waited upon the Governour & made him acquainted therewith, and renewed his desire for support & assistance, having about 5 o'clock wrote to him on that subject- This procured an order for Cap & 50 men to assist the King's officers, but they did not get to the Custom House till ten o'clock that night, near an hour before which, the Lock which the Collector put on the Store was broke off by the Mobb, & the Door forced open and all the Wines therein taken out, and put on board three Lighters or Shallops and carried up the river, all the time they were transacting this matter they swore revenge and destruction against me taking it for granted that I was the cause of making the seizure — some time in the night a number of people went to the Custom House which is held at the Collector's House, where M: Williams lodged & broke many of the windows - there being one or two Constables in the House they run out & took three that was concerned in the act, and secured them in Goal, since which they have been tried & found guilty, one of them was fined £25 the other two five or ten pounds each on Sunday 2a instant I found in the necessary House Belonging to my Lodgings the following abusive Letter directed "To the infamous Scoundrel Sheppard altho I sign no name yet I sware by God Almighty that I will be revenged on you for this day's affair and put it out of your Power ever to hurt any body else for the future, believe what I say." I gave the Inspector General M2 Williams the above Letter who told me he would show it to the Governor- The affair of the seizure was matter of conversation all Sunday Every body inveterate against me, saying they were sure it would not have happened if I had not informed the Collector thereof some particular

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persons told me they thought it would be dangerous for me to venture out, the Gentleman that I boarded with was advised not to let me tarry in his House, that if he did it would be in danger of being pulled down, but he kindly said that he would run the risque (sic) of it- I could not be persuaded that my person was in danger, and thought that if I appeared to be intimidated the Inhabitants would think it arose from a consciousness of Guilt, I therefore went out as usual spent the evening out taking care, for fear I should be insulted to put a pair of Pistols in my Pockets Upon my return home about a Quarter past Ten o'clock two men of a sudden came up to me, one of them without saying a word to me, struck me as hard as he could in the pit of my stomach which immediately deprived me of breath and I fell down, he took the advantage with some weapon I apprehend a knife & slit my nose. I suppose his intention was to slit it up to my Eyes, he did not altogether succeed in this, tho he did in part, having cut the inside thereof considerably and more than a quarter of an inch clear through. I received several blows upon my face which bruized it greatly, caused a large swelling, while this piece of cruelty was transacted I recovered strength enough to endeavour to defend myself - I got my right hand into my Pocket, and cocked the Pistol that was in it, intending to discharge the same at him through my Pocket, but as soon as he heard the guard of the Pistol spring back he run from me, I upon his retreat fired it at him but am uncertain whether I hit him or not, am apt to think I did, I can not hear or find out who the person was. I lay some time upon the ground being faint with the Blows and bleeding considerably at last got home. The Family was much frightnd seeing me very bloody. When I had recruited a little, I waited upon Mr. Williams accompained by Mr. Hill, and his servant armed, to know what I should do. Mr. Hill acquainted him he had received a message from Mr. Hodge delivered by his son, that if he

harbour'd me in his House he would be in danger, and that if the Mobb came he would recommend to him, to consent to let some of them go over his House, to see if I was in it or not, this message was delivered about three Quarters of an hour before I received the abuse abovementioned, M Williams and M: Swift procured a number of Watchmen belonging to the City to guard the House that night— the severity of the Blow that I received in my stomach was so great as to cause me to bring up a considerable Quantity of Blood the next morning but one. I have had a constant pain in my Breast ever since besides a kind of inward favour (sic) which hangs about me, no appetite to my victuals, and spirits very much depress'd — on the morning of the 6th instant I was advised to let blood, which I consented to, and was in hopes it wd have made me feel better but was disappointed I could not think of tarrying among a sett of People under my present circumstances whose greatest pleasure would be to have an opp of burying me- The few acquaintance that I had at Philadelphia were afraid of being seen to keep company with me, that so I was in a manner alone in the City without a Friend to assist me in any Trouble. I was obliged to confine myself at home a nights, as I did not know what murderous intentions the people had determined to execute against me- As I passed through the streets I was the object that every body stair'd and gaized at. I at present think myself unable to persevere any longer at Philadelphia for the Trouble & abuse I meet with their appears to be impossible for me to encounter with, and yet my desires are so great to be continued & fixed in it, that notwithstanding their opposition I cant think of quitting the field-therefore if the Hon Board should think it most for his Majesty's service to order me to return I am determined to obey them, if the consequence should be the loss of my Life, which I really apprehend may be the case, M: Williams acquainted me that he had recomended to the Board