The Kentucky Gazette

LEXINGTON, April 12.

Mr. Bradford,

YOU will please to insert the following Fragment; It was found on Tuesday last in an evacuated boat, and by accident fell into my hands—The beginning and conclusion of the letter was so much defaced, that I could not read it : however, him, to whom it is addressed, through the channel of your paper, may be apprised of the unhappy situation of his friend. Where I have made a line through, the original was unintelligible.

Your humble Servt.

JOHN BORD..

Limestone, April 8.

At to be thus cruelly treated—thus detained from the arms of my dear Fanny, is too much for my slender philosophy to support.—the Indians are now packing up a part of their plunder, in order I suppose, to send to their towns. or their canoe up the Scioto.—Around the sapling to which I am chained (they used some chains which I had on board, & ingeniously, and effectually confine me with the help of two pad-locks, without binding my hands) a part of my merchandize is scattered, and a small bundle of pencils presenting themselves to my view gave me the hint of writing to you—I have determined to conceal it, and when the Indians release me which I think they will do, when they finish packing I intend to throw it on board one of the boats and cut her adrift; some person may find it who will forward it to you.

In the hope and expectation that you will receive it, and that an expedition will be carried forward against these daring pirates, I shall offer my advice, which from my knowledge of their situation and force, I flatter myself I may do, without the imputation of vanity or impertinence formidable that they have a train of spies on each bank of the river, which extend as far down as Limestone; so that it is impossible to steal a march on them, by following the meanders of the Ohio * from the North-East, they apprehend no danger near Washington—proceed up. parallel with the river, but at the distance of 10 or 15 miles from it. cross a few leagues above the mouth of Scioto, then so on in two divisions, one to file off to the right and conceal themselves on the trace which leads to their station camp, the other to follow the course of the river, and make the charge they might be penned on the point made by the junction of the Scioto and Ohio, and your countrymen might promise themselves a valuable prize and a glorious victory