File NLW MS 9067E/2459. - Letter from [--] to [--],

Letter giving an account of the fire of London. It began Sunday morning last near London Bridge. The wind was easterly and very strong. It spread along the river, up Cannon St and Fish St. On Monday it devoured Lombard St, Cornhill, Exchange, back of Cheapside; on Tuesday, the whole city from London Wall to Holborn Bridge. Near the river it was more violent till it reached the Temple Church and Hall where it received a check. Crown Office is burnt. Fetter Lane almost destroyed. Two-thirds of the city and suburbs lie buried in ashes. The price of carts and coaches was £10 and £15 a fare. 'The too much desire of saving goods lost the whole city. What goods you and my father had in the Temple I removed with much ado, but the chamber is as yet safe'. It is supposed the fire began by accident in Pudding Lane from a baker's and promoted by the 'malstring' industry of the French and Dutch, of whose fireworks the writer has seen one or two. All that can be taken of those two nations are secured and those that escaped are like to be knocked on the head. The Dutch fleet was to have set sail on the 6th inst. with 11 fireships. The people cry out for the Prince of Orange. The East India fleet homeward is got into Bergen. The Dutch and French fleets join. On the first our fleet caught them up in Boulogne Bay, a flagship of theirs was burnt, and a great ship of 70 guns lost her main-mast.