State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, ss. To the sheriff of the county of [blank] or to his lawful deputy, greeting : Whereas the General Assembly ... made and passed an act, assessing a rate or tax ... You are therefore hereby required ... to make distress on the estate of [blank] ... Given under my hand, and seal of office, at Providence, in the state aforesaid, this [blank] day of November, one thousand seven hundred and eighty.