Captain Squire's compliments to the commanding officer, informs him that several musquet balls were last night fired at the king's ship from some people at Norfolk. Captain Squire did not return the fire, from a supposition it was done out of wantonness. Captain Squire does not mean to fire on the town of Norfolk unless first fired at; must beg to know if any hostile intention was meant to his majesty's ship, and people under his command.

Otter sloop, off Norfolk, December 15, 1775.

Answer to the above.

Colonel Howe's and colonel Woodford's compliments to captain Squire, and assure him they gave no orders, to fire upon the Otter, and conceive the musquet balls mentioned in captain Squire's message to have come from our guard, who fired by mistake upon one of our own parties.