He was met at the water-side by Capt.

Pinckney, of whom he demanded, in the name of the Governor, by what authority he had taken and held possession of the fortress.

The answer to this demand brought up the vessels of war, which, on the seventeenth of September, presented themselves within point blank shot of the fort.

Up to this time, but three of the dismantled cannon had been remounted and put in order for action.

With these, the provincials prepared for battle, relying, however, less upon their cannon than upon their ability to oppose the landing of any body of men.