I am not possessed of: Soon after the Regulars landed, the Set Fire to the Town of Charlestown, & that day, yesterday & this Day they have consumed [m]ost of the Houses as far as Penny-Ferry; and they have possession of all that part of Charlestown, & are encamped upon Bunker's Hill; & we are encamped upon Prospect Hill, Winters Hill, & at the Bridge leading to Inman's, Phips's &c. Yesterday & this day, they have Cannonnaded us, but to no purpose; & our people, by Small Parties have picked off some of their out Guards: We expect another action very soon. Do send us Powder, & then we Shall, by the blessing of Heaven, soon destroy this Hornets Nest. This put me in mind of Saltpetre: J Greenleaf Esqr, & Messrs John Peck & Wm. Frobisher, are now, by encouragemt from Congress, gone to Brookfield, upon Colo. Foster's Este, where is Supposed to be a very large Bed of fine Earth, such as is described to be in the E: Indies, Strongly impregnated with Nitre: The like is discovered in Several other places. I must beg you to Send the best process of making it.-- Adieu my dear Friend, & assure Messrs. Hancock, Adams, Paine &c, that I shou'd be glad to hear often, how, what, & all about the Political World in which I am deeply engaged; & that I remain Your & Their Sincere Friend & very humbl. Sert:

J: Palmer

J Adams Esqr.