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A worthy friend, of this city, mentioned to me a remarkable preservation experienced there during the war. While the town was in the hands of the American Government, the English Commander had, for some reason, given orders to burn it; and a ship of war, containing every requisite for its destruction, was ordered up the Potowmack. This inhabitants, as well may be conceived, were in the utmost con- sternation; but, at the moment when they were in the greatest confusion and distress; whilst the ship was steadily making her way within sight of the town, and all was given up for lost, there being no prospect of help, at this critical moment, the ship struck upon a sandbank, where she remained immoveable. The town was thus providentially saved from destruction, by that All-powerful arm, which so often interposes in the affairs of men; sometimes bringing down those who by a series of success seem to think themselves out of the reach of accident; and sometimes raising up others who by a long train of adversity had thought themselves below hope. 9th Month, 18th. I lodged last night at Alexan- dria. Soon after I fell asleep, I was suddenly waked by the noise of a number of horns. It ap- peared to me that the instruments used were cow- horns; and they made a prodigious bellowing in the dead of the night. On inquiring I found that it was the constant practice of the watchmen of