American Theatre from December 1, 1774, to May 20, 1775
You would observe by the paper sent Mr. Elusly that Ld. Dunmore had ordered the power out [of] the Magazine at Williamsburg on board the Magdalen schooner. This has occasioned a great deal of blustering. We hear of 2000 men coming from Fredericksburg headed by James [sic! Hugh] Mercer, and as many from Hanover. There was a few men got together about Fredericksburg not however a tenth part of the... Continue Reading
Date: 6 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have received no account from you, tho' from many accounts brought here, of the Commotions in New York ー you must be in a very critical situation. I would have you consult with the Lieut. Governor what is best for you to do; It appears to me at this distance, that it would be a proper measure, that the five companies, should go on board the Asia; on which subject you will speak to Captain [... Continue Reading
Date: 7 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775
Sunday 7
In Boston Harbour.
Appointed to Command His Majs Schooner St Lawrence by order from Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves. went on board and took the Command of the Said Schooner accordingly alongside Hancock's Wharf in Boston Harbour, being a New Vessel just purchased.2
Date: 7 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
By Samuel Graves, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and to be employed, in the River St Lawrence, &c.
Whereas I have received information that a Vessel is arrived at Marblehead with a very considerable quantity of money on board from a Spanish wreck, which must by all means be prevented from falling into the hands of the Rebels... Continue Reading
Date: 7 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
General after Orders. ー "As there are many Complaints of most scandalous drunkenness at this critical time among the Troops, that the Women of different Corps in defiance of all order, sell rum and other spiritous liquors to the Soldiers; it is the Comman'r in Chief's positive orders the Officers commanding Regts. examine into those Complaints; and those Women who do not pay obedience to Order to... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
We hear from Williamsburg, the locks were taken from off the magazine, that the Magdalen Schooner is in York river, under the protection of the Fowey man of war, and that Lord Dunmore had fortified himself in the palace.
Date: 8 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775
Tuesday 9
Moored in Falmouth Harbor Casco Bay
Fresh breezes and Clear Wr AM Capt Mowat and Doctor Baillie went ashore to walk and were intercepted and taken Prisoners by some Armed Men. at 2 P M hove taught the Spring, the Ships Broadside to the Town, fired 2 Guns as Signals at 9 came on board the Captain and Doctorー
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Voted, That Daniel Taylor, of Concord, be desired to send down to Cambridge, about sixty Oars for boats, from twelve to sixteen feet in length.
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775
Tuesday 9
Off Castle William Island [Boston Harbor]
Saw several Rebels heard their Drum beat over Dorchester Neck at 8 PM called all hands to quarters Sent the Guard Boat round the Bay. at ½ past 11 heard several Musquets fired, sent the Lieutenant to give them notice at the Fort.
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The Glasgow being by this time complete, in every thing but Men was ordered to relieve the Nautilus between Charles Town and Boston; the Nautilus to fall down the Harbour and with the Otter get ready for sailing: and the Admiral acquainted the General that he intended to send the Nautilus to Savannah in Georgia and the Otter to Virginia.
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Upon the receipt of your Excellency's Letter of the 30th Uto I directed a swift sailing Sloop to be fitted for carrying Dispatches, as your Excellency represents the communication between this and the other Colonies to be entirely stopped by Land ー This Sloop is now compleat, and I shall keep her ready to depart at the shortest notice; and whenever your Excellency acquaints me that you have... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Gentlemen I have received your Letter containing your Sentiments upon the present Alarming Crisis, and will transmit them to the Admiralty by the first Opportunity2 ー it is my Duty and Inclination to give every Assistance and Protection in my Power to His Majesty's Loyal Subjects. I am, Gentlemen [&c.]
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
We have lately had a great alarm here about the Governor's removing a large quantity of powder from our magazine and conveying it on board a ship of war: Not less [than] 600 men well armed and mounted assembled at Fredg. on this occasion, with a view to proceed to Wmsburg. [to] recover the powder & revenge the insult: The propriety of such a step was warmly agitated and weighty arguments... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
You may or may not have heard ere this shall reache you that the Sword of Civil War was drawn in the environs of Boston on the 19th April, there is no doubt of the fact but the Accounts which we have received are not clear . . . the New England Account will appear in the in closed paper perhaps you have a more perfect one ー if the Ministry will allow any thing like truth to be publishedー
the... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Sir I am very much obliged to you for your kind Letter of the 29th ult. p Lambert, which was intercepted and demanded with my other Letters &c at Brunswick by Samuel Thompson of that place and broke open, Copies of which have been industriously circulated thro' the Country by the different Committee men &c, several parts thereof being misconstrued or misunderstood by the illiterate ー I... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I reced your favor of the 29th April by Lambert, which was intercepted by Thompson and broke open with my other Letters ー I should have answered Capt Mowats kind Letter, but did not know how to convey it sooner ー I beg you will deliver him the inclosed ー I suppose you have heard of my being in Thompson's Clutches The Letter to Capt Mowat mentions the particulars ー my best Complimts to Mrs Tyng... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I beg leave to lay before you that Mr Samuel Thompson of Brunswick one of the Delegates of your Congress has attended by about Forty or upwards of His Minute Men &c Armed, restrained me from following my lawful Occupation, and has detained me here, and compelled a Bond to be given the 4th instant with two Securities for me in the penal Sum of £2,000. lawful money payable to you or the Heads... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
We, the Committee of Correspondence in Falmouth wou'd beg leave to Represent to your Honours, the Situation and Circumstances of this Town and County; and if there is any Impropriety in our doing it, Your Candour will Excuse itー
The Alarming Attempt of Colln [Samuel] Thompson, to take the Ship Canceaux, Captn Henry Mowat Commander, now in this Harbour, has occasioned very great uneasiness in this... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775
Wednesday 10
Moored in Falmouth Harbour, Casco Bay
A M Exercised at Small Arms ー a shot was fired from the shore and entered the Ships side kept under Arms all night.
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
May 1775
Wendy 10
Moor'd in Marblehd Harbr
at 8 A M came in His Majs Arm'd Schooner Diana, with Lieutt [Alexander] Graham [Graeme], who took Command of the Lively, Capt. Bishop being sent for to Boston P Order V Adml [Samuel] Graves2
Date: 10 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
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