Stonington Long Point Augst 30th 1775 3 oClock afternoon
(Copy)
Sir I have received yours in Answer to mine And do assure you upon Honour that what I wrote you relative to your Tenders firing on us was a real fact to be attested by all the people then present. ー When they came in the Second Time and you had got into the Harbour the Tenders came and took two Vessels within Pistol shot of the Wharf. My positive Orders were not to fire, We expected the Men from the Tenders would not persist in carrying the Vessels away which they promised they would not. ー The Lives of your Men then on board the Schooner were all at our Mercy ー We had assurance from the people then aboard that no Guns should be fired by them, but your three Tenders, Nevertheless begun a fire of all their Guns on us, when some returned the fire. You say it depends on our pleasure whether the fire should Cease. We have not begun any fire, We are free and determined to desist from firing and we now assure you that no person shall be permitted to fire at the Kings Ship or any of His peaceable Subjects. We profess ourselves Dutiful Subjects to His Majesty George the third, and are disposed as such, to keep the peace and prevent any disturbance, and shall take no part but such as His Majesty's Subjects have a right to do in their own defence. I am Sir [&c.]
Oliver Smith, Major
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/485, LC Transcript.