Sir,

I have just now received yours; in return to which I am to acquaint you that the Musket fired from our Boat, was fired as a Signal towards the Ship, and not at the Battery, as the People in the Boat will likewise make their Affidavits of. You say you are at a Loss to account how my Duty could oblige me to fire upon the City, in defence of those Guns, in the Seat of civil Government; and you add, that you can neither account for my Inducement, half an Hour after the return of the Boats and the Removal of the Cannon, for firing a Broadside at the City at large. You surely cannot doubt its being my Duty to defend every Part of the King's Stores, wherever they may be: For this Purpose I fired upon the Battery, as the only Means to prevent the Intentions of the People employed in removing the Guns. For a considerable Time I thought they had desisted from their Purpose, till their huzzaing and their firing from the Walls upon the ship, convinced me to the contrary; this occasioned the Broadside to be fired, not at the City at large, but as the most effectual Method to prevent their persisting in their Pursuit, which it were impossible I could tell they had effected. I have no more to add, but that I shall persist in doing what I know to be my Duty: In the doing which I shall, if possible, avoid doing Hurt to any one. I am, Sir [&c.] .