Sir.

In consequence of your Letter dated the 4^th of Aug^t. which I receiv'd the 5^th. at 4 AM, as well as Copy of a Letter from Sir Robert Pigot informing you of his Intentions of withdrawing the troops in Case the Enemys Ships should enter the Harbour he therefore wished the Advanced Ships might have Orders to retire within the Garrison.¹ 

I am to inform you that; [I] Immediately dispatched the 1^st Lieu^t.2 with your Orders to the Ships above me and got the Ships under Sail, intending to work Nearer the Town at which time two of the Enemys large Ships³ hauld round the North End of Connanicut and Stood directly for the Cerberus, which Obliged me to put about and Stand toward Rhode Island, as I found he continued her Course (coming between the halfway Rock and the South End of Prudence) it was impossible for me to Tack again without falling into his hands, and as your Letter directed me to Act as circumstance might require, and to avoid being capturd or the people taken Prisoners I immediately Embarked all the Men in Boats, except myself two Lieu^ts. and Master with a boats crew, and Run the Ship on shore under Potters House (where we knew the Water was Deep close too) to cover the Boats and as soon as they were landed cut away the Masts and set fire to her in five different places and then left her without a Single Man lost, or hurt, and in three quarters of an hour she blew. 

I am sorry to Inform you that the Sixty four Gun Ship⁴ who stood for us was too Near me, to attempt saving the people's hammocks a Second trip would have been too dangerous, They have therefore, as well as myself and Officers, lost most of their Cloaths and Bedding. I am [&c], Jn^o. Symons