Sir,

In answer to your Letter of Yesterday's Date the General Committee think proper to inform you, that they have not refused a Supply of Provisions to the King's Ships in this Harbour, nor have they taken one Step to prevent their Watering. The hostile Dispositions which the Commander of those Ships has for some Time past shewn towards this Colony, by imprisoning its Pilots, affording [Sanctuary] to a Traitor, Seizing its Seamen, dismantling its principal Fortification, stopping private Property, and firing upon the Persons of its Inhabitants who were not only peacable but unarmed, and driven from the Shore, do make it necessary, in their Opinion, to alter the Mode of Supply. And as you have declared, that you do not mean to leave .the Station, it can be no Disadvantage to His Majesty's Ships to receive their Provisions from Day to Day in this warm Climate.

You are pleased to assert, that we have taken the absolute Government of this Province into our Hands. Let it Suffice as an Answer to you, Sir, that we deny the Charge ー But you may depend we shall notwithstanding any Threats take every necessary Step in our Pow.er for securing our Property and preserving Peace and good Order in this His Majesty's Government.

By order of the Council of Safety.