After the Event of last Night, I think it necessary to inform you, that having Information that it was intended by some People in New-York to take away the Guns from the Battery, which, as Stores belonging to the King, it was my Duty to protect. I sent a Boat to lie near the Shore, to watch their Motions; soon after Twelve they began to move the Guns from the Battery, which being observed by the Officer in the Boat, he left his Station to come on board to inform me thereof, but being perceived from the Shore, he was fired upon by a great many Musketry, by which one of the Men in the Boat was shot dead. My Duty called upon me to repel an Attack of this Sort, as well as to defend the Guns, which occasioned me to fire upon the Battery. I acquaint you with this that the People of the Town may not imagine it is my Intention to do them any Hurt, which I wish as much as possible to avoid; but if they will persist in behaving in such a Manner as to make their Safety and my Duty incompatible, the Mischiefs that may arise must lie at their Doors, and not mine.

An Answer is desired. I am &c.