[Account of the Attack, furnished for publication, by the Magistrates, Warden and Burgesses.][14]
[From the Conn. Gazette, Sept. 7th,]
Stonington Borough, Aug. 29, 1814.
Mr. Green—In relation to the extraordinary attack of the enemy, of the 9th inst., on this village, the public have been furnished with various accounts; and though the circumstantial and generally correct account given in your paper [of the 7th of August,] precludes the necessity of a recapitulation of the whole transaction, yet this village having been the object of the attack and resentment of Sir Thomas, the Magistrates, Warden and Burgesses residing therein, feeling deeply interested that some official document comprehending a supply of some facts not given, and alteration of others, and a general statement relative to the whole, should be published,—offer the public the following statement:
On Tuesday afternoon of the 9th inst. anchored off our harbor, the frigate Pactolus, the Terror, a bomb ship, and the brig Dispatch of 20 guns. From the difficulty of the navigation in Fisher's Island Sound, we have been generally impressed that such ships of war dare not approach us; but the presumption of the enemy has created new fears, and we think it our duty to say, that further means of defence and protection ought to be afforded us; this we have often requested. Various were the opinions respecting the object of the enemy, but soon all was settled. A flag was discovered to leave the frigate and row towards the town. The impropriety of suffering them to come on more was suggested; and a boat was immediately obtained, Capt. Amos Palmer, William Lord Esq., and Lieut. Hough of the detachment here, selected, and the flag of the enemy met by ours, when we received the following unexpected and short notice—(This not having been furnished the public correctly we give it at length:)
His Britannic Majesty's ship Pactolus,
9th of August, 1814, halfpast 5 o'clock, P. M.
Not wishing to destroy the unoffending inhabitants residing in the town of Stonington, one hour is given them from the receipt of this, to remove out of the town.
T. M. HARDY, Capt. of H. B. M. Ship Ramilies.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of
Stonington.