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Sir, I have received your Letter of this Instant wherein you say the Tenders under my Command have fired upon the Town without any provocation. Firing upon them and Wounding them is not this provocation  they are all ready to make Oath you fired upon them first. I saw firing from several parts of the Town, they even foolishly fired upon the King's Ship. The Honor of Great Britain, Duty to my King and Country, make the part I have taken absolutely Necessary, it depends upon yourselves whether it is to continue; God grant you a due Sense of your duty to your King and Country and Obedience to the Laws which cannot fail to make you Great and happy. I am Sir [&c.]