The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-08-27

Ramilies, and shorty after, an officer inform
ell 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 re-
manning on board an hour, or more, the dcpu-
tation were conveyed in flag from the ship
which was met by one from the shere. They
brought with them a very singular and ex-
traordinary communication. An exact copy
cannot at preset be obtained, as official ct
iquette viii not permit but having read it
when 1t was received on shore, as far as
memery viii serve us, it was as follows:
On board II. M shin Ran,iies, oT
Stoahisfon, dug. 10.
Sentlemen--fo on having given assurances
that no torpedoes have been fitted cut from
StoninSton, and having engaged to exert your
mnuence to prevent any from being fitted
out, or receiving any aid from your town. If
you send on board this ship by tomorrow
morning 8 o'clock, Mrs. Stewart, wife of Jas.
Stewart, Esq. late Fl. NJ. consul at n. London,
q their children, engage that no further hos
tlities shall be committed against Stonington
otherwise shall proceed to destroy it efec-
tualiv. For which purpose 1 possess ample
means. T. NJ. HARDY. Capt
This letter was received Indignantly. No
answer was given. twas fact well known
that no Iorpedoes had been fitted at StoniDg-
ton, and that the inhabitants are unfrieudly
TO the system but neither individuals nor the
town have powerto prevent their rcsorting
to that place. The condition sine qua no,, is
truly trasf.f'reicai. Neither the town OF
Storington or the state of Connecticut, had
any legal power to comply with It, which
captain Hardy well knew. And if Stcnington
Point with its rocky foundations had been in
danger of being blown up, scarcely voice
would have been raised to have saved it upon
such aisgracaful terms. The first duty OF
citizen, we are taught in Connecticut, is to
obey the laws. Mrs. Stewart is under the
protection of the Government of the United
States, end the petition OF her husband for
permission for departure is in the hands of
proper authority, who viii undoubtedly de-
eide correctly in the case.
Our countrymen at a distance, from the
Importance Captain Hardy has attached to
the circumstance of Mrs. Stewards being sen
off to the British squadron, may possibly APP
prehend that she has received insult, or
signifed some fears for the personal safety
of herself and children. So far from this be-
iHg the fact, no lady eve,. experienced great
better deserved them. And her feelings du-
ring the proceeding at Stonington, demanded
the sympathy of her friends.
BY the terms offered by capt Hardy il was
impossible TO discover whether he was most
doubtful his ability to accomplish the des-
truction of the town, or DESTROYS OF pretext
to save it. He assured the gentlemen who
accompanied the flag, that this was the most
unpleasant expedition he had ever underta-
ken.
The truce, on the part OF the enemy ha-
wing expired at 8 o'clock On Thursday NOR
ning, flag was soon after observed at the
battery to be coming on shore, and there not
beng sufficient time to give information of the
tact at the II. .. and receive instructions, il
was determined by the officer then comnan-
ding, to send 4 boat off to receive the commu
nication. MIR. Faxon, of Stonington, took
charge of the boat, and offered to convey the
dispatch agreeable to IFS directions. The
British officer, Lieut.. Claxton, questioned his
authority &c receive it. Ehquired whether
Mrs. Stewart would be sent of and said ne
would go on shore. Mr.. Faxon replied, that
he knew nothing of Mrs Stewart, and that if
he attempted to proceed for the shore he
would undoubtedly be fired on. He ,contin-
ued his course, when centinel was directed
to fire forward Of the boat, but the ball passed
thro' the after sail. They Immediately rnt
about and steered for the ship the Eieuten-
ant swearing revenge fer what he teruled an
insult TO flag.
An explanation OF the circumstance was
JGu. JSnaUl TO
Capt Hardy, which he received as satisfac-
tory.
At the moment flag had started for the
Families from the civil authority OF the town
which was received on board, by which
was sent the following letter -
.Stonmgtou- Boro, ,4ug. IA, 1914
To IHoS "a Hardy, Esq. Com. Of II. Il. NJ
shin Ramifcs.
StR-Siace the flag went into Newton
don, for Mrs. Stewart, and family, Gen. Cush-
ing who commands at New-London, has writ
ten, we are informed, to the Secretary of War
ON the subject, and it is our opinion that the
request viii be complied with. But whate-
yer may be the result ofthe communication
from Gen. Gushing, you will be satisfied it is
not in our power to enter into any arrange
nent with you respecting her. From yours,
&c.
Isaac Williams, }
William Lord, SlMagistrates.
Alex. g. Smith, }
John smith, Warden.
l A@o, f bsniso4, Burs'4
To this letter, Capt. Hardy replied verbal
ly, thath should allow till 10 o'clccs for
IL T..