Amos Denison_, Burgess.
_William Lord_, Magistrate.

The deputation proceeded on board the Ramilies, and shortly after an
officer informed the boatmen that they might return to the shore, as the
gentlemen would be landed in a boat from the ship; and that Captain
Hardy had declared that no further hostilities would be committed
against the town. After remaining on board an hour, or more, the
deputation were conveyed in a flag from the ship, which was met by one
from the shore. They brought with them a very singular and extraordinary
communication. An exact copy cannot at present be obtained, as official
etiquette will not permit; but having read it when it was received on
shore, as far as memory serves us, it was as follows:

_On board H. M. Ship Ramilies, off Stonington, Aug. 10._

GENTLEMEN--You having given assurances that no torpedoes have been
fitted out from Stonington; and having engaged to exert your influence
to prevent any from being fitted out or receiving any aid from your
town: If you send on board this ship tomorrow at eight o'clock, Mrs.
Stewart, wife of James Stewart esq. late His Majesty's Consul at New
London, and their children, I engage that no further hostilities shall
be committed against Stonington; otherwise I shall proceed to destroy it
effectually.--For which purpose I possess ample means.

T. M. HARDY, Capt.

This letter was received indignantly. No answer was given. It was a fact
well known that no torpedoes have been fitted out at Stonington, and
that the inhabitants are unfriendly to the system; but neither
individuals nor the town have power to prevent their resorting to that
place. The condition _sine qua non_, is truly _tragi-farcical_. Neither
the town of Stonington or the State of Connecticut, had any legal power
to comply with it, which Capt. Hardy well knew. And if Stonington Point
with its rocky foundations had been in danger of being blown up,
scarcely a voice would have been raised to have saved it on such
disgraceful terms. The first duty of a citizen we are taught in
Connecticut, is to obey the laws. Mrs. Stewart is under the protection
of the government of the United States, and the petition of her husband
for a permission for a departure is in the hands of a proper authority,
who will undoubtedly decide correctly in the case.[9]

Our countrymen at a distance, from the im