John Deshon to Joshua Huntington, August 7, 1778

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New London [Conn.] Aug^t. 7^th 1778

Sir

Capt^n. Harris¹ comes with spars from the river–I have desired him to go to Narraganset after the Anchors of the Cyrene,² and for pig Iron &c, Should he undertake you must lend him suitable rope for Slinging the heavy anchors, if you think Mess^rs. Sands & Potter³ has agreed with any one Else to bring round the Iron &c. it will be best for Harris not to go for it—I Should have Set out for Boston this day where it not for the affair of Sending Vessel to Boston[.] a Quantity of flax is much wanted there, have determined to Send down by Slatter what flax we have, and run the risque of those articals up that are wanted for the Ship.— Y^rs.

John Deshon

L, PHi, Frigate Confederacy Papers, 1776–1779. Addressed on separate sheet: “To/M^r. Joshua Huntington/ Merch^t./Norwich." Docketed on same sheet: "John Deshon/august 7 .. 1778." Deshon was a member of the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department: Huntington was overseeing the construction of the Continental frigate Confederacy.

1. Capt. Nathaniel Harris.

2. H.M. frigate Syren, which ran aground at Point Judith, Rhode Island, in Nov. 1777. The British tried to burn the ship, but failed to destroy the lower deck, which was under the water. See Providence Gazette, 15 Nov. 1777, NDAR 10: 497.

3. Probably Elisha R. Potter and Col. Ray Sands, both of Kingston, Rhode Island.

Document Information

Date

1778 August 7

Volume

Volume 13

Series

American Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778