[Williamsburg] Wednesday fifth Day of August 1778.
Present.
Mr. Whiting Mr. Travis and Mr. Innes
Ordered that the Keeper of the Publick Store deliver Captain Lurty1 ten gallons of Brandy and two pieces of Bunting for the use of the Brig Northampton.
A Warrant to Captain Lurty for one hundred pounds on Account for the purpose of furnishing necessaries for the Brig Northampton.
Ordered that Elijah MClanahan an armourer to the Navy have leave of absence from his duty for one month.
A Warrant to Captain Harman Courtier for forty six dollars in Specie for that sum furnished Charles DeKay a mariner belonging to the Musketo Brig at Gosport in England.2
D, Vi, Navy Board Journal, p. 442.
1. John Lurty commanded the Virginia Navy brigantine Northampton.
2. Harman Courter was a former Pennsylvania privateer ship captain who had also been a prisoner at Forton Prison, near Gosport, England, before his escape in early 1778. He had returned to America carrying dispatches to Congress from the American Commissioners in France. The Virginia Navy brig Musquetto, Capt. John Harris, had been captured by H.M. frigate Ariadne, see Journal of H.M.S. Ariadne, Capt. Thomas Pringle, 4 June 1777, NDAR 9: 19–20.