twenty sail of vessels, without meeting
any opposition (until after they had re-embarked,) and without the loss
of a man.--_Conn. Gazette, April 13, 1814._

LETTERS OF COMMODORE HARDY.

Since the foregoing pages were printed, my friend Professor D. C.
Gilman, has brought to my notice the original letters of Commodore
Hardy, to the inhabitants of Stonington and to General Isham, which are
now in the Library of Yale College. The first (of August 9th) was copied
with sufficient accuracy in the account published by the magistrates,
warden and burgesses (page 25), I reprint it here, but with a facsimile
of the signature.

_His Britannic Majesty's Ship_,
PACTOLUS, _9th August, 1814.
1/2 past 5 o'clock, P. M._

Not wishing to destroy the unoffending Inhabitants residing in the Town
of Stonington, one hour is granted them from the receipt of this to
remove out of the town.

[Illustration: (Hardy Signature)]

_To the Inhabitants of the Town of Stonington._

The second, is in reply to the letter from the magistrates which was
sent on board the _Ramillies_, by Col. Isaac Williams and Dr. William
Lord, on Wednesday, the 10th. As "official etiquette" did net permit
Col. Green to obtain "an exact copy," he could only print its substance
"as far as memory served" (see page 14). The magistrates allude to it,
in their published account (p. 30), as "the singular communication
received from Commodore Hardy, which preceded the fire on Thursday." It
is evident that the British commander was strangely in error as to the
assurances and engagements which he professed to have received, or that
the gentlemen entrusted with the delivery of the letter from the
magistrates must, in their conference with the Commodore, have exceeded
their instructions.

_Ramillies, off Stonington,
10th August, 1814._
GENTN

I have received your letter and representation of the State of your
Town, and as you have declared that Torpedoes, never have been harbored
by the Inhabitants or ever will be, as far as lies in their power to
prevent--and as you have engaged that Mrs. Stewart the wife of the
British vice consul late resident at New London, with her family, shall
be permitted to embark on board this Ship to-morrow morning, I am
induced