Volume 3
Observations of this day.
Last evening eight men came in a boat from Boston to our guard at the ferry, six of them captains of vessels. They brought the following account.
Yesterday one large mortar was carried over to Bunker hill, the troops filling water, carrying it on board the transports ー provisions scarce; not more than sufficient for six weeks ー one regiment of foot and three companies of... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Agreeable to your Orders of the 5th Inst: I have examined the harbour of Cape Cod. Give it as my Oppinion ー that Cape Cod makes a very extensive Harbour with any Winds from the West to North & N.E. & Shipping may conveniently Ride out of the Reach of Cannon altho' the whole Shore was lined with them. But the Cove, which may strictly be called the Harbour might be pretty well commanded... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
The Committee of both Houses appointed to take into Consideration sundry Resolves of the Continental Congress and Report, have attended that service, and Report on the Resolve of said Congress dated October the 26th, 1775 as their Opinion, that a Committee of both Houses be appointed to engage & Fix out with all possible dispatch on the Account and Risque of this Colony, Ten Vessels to be... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
A Memorial of Jacob Boardman, of Newbury-Port, setting forth that he with a number of others, Inhabitants of said Town, had made preparations for a Voyage to Europe, for Gun Powder, and other Military Stores, and praying the Court (if their intention is thought to tend to the public Advantage) to give them suitable Encouragement. 2
Read and committed to Col. [Nathaniel] Freeman, Mr. [... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
[Boston] Decr 16th embarkd In the Tartar Ship of war Captn Meadows to whom I was recommended by the admiral 2 ー Captn Meadows distinguishd me with every civility favour and kindness. Captn Harris a wounded Officer of Earl Purcys Regt was also a Passenger of the Cab[i]n we passed time most agreably in Conversation and reading without Cards or Gaming.
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
By the Senegal the Admiral received a Letter from Commissioner Arbuthnot, dated 30th November 1775, 2 relating that two armed Schooners from Marblehead had been in Canso Road, and forbid all the Masters of Vessels there to carry Lumber or any other Supplies to the West Indies or any other of the Dominions of Great Britain or to Boston: that these Schooners had only taken one Vessel... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
On the 24th November last, I observed a sail-boat, with six men on board, sailing from Edgartown, in pursuit of His Majesty's ship Swan, Captain James Ayscough, commanding. I being officer on guard on the east side of Holmes's Hole harbour, observed her motions; but she being so far from the shore, could not command her to, but going nearer the west side, the guard fired upon the said boat, but... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Several Vessels, loaded with Fuel, provision, &c. bound to Boston, were last Week taken, and carried into Salem and Beverly. ー A Privateer from Plymouth has likewise taken several small Craft, bound to Boston, with Provision and Fuel.
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
[December, 1775]
Saturdy 16th
Moord be[tween] the Town [&] Fort Wh[arf off Newport]
[Light Airs & Variable] Weather Landed on Brinton's Point to Get hay was attack[d] By a Great Number of Rebels & Returned on Board again with out any hay ー
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
December 1775
Saturday 16
Moored abreast the Town of Newport
At 7 AM unmoored and hove short on small Br at 8 loos'd sails to dry. at 9 Weighed and ran out to the So wd of Fort Island in Corny the Rose and Swans Tenders at 10 Anchd with small Br in 8½ fm Water in Brenton's Cove, Veer'd away ⅓ a Cable. Brentons point NW ¼ mile. Landed several of our Men, with those of the Tenders (under the... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
The infamous Capt Wallace at X A.M. sent one Brig & 2 Tenders & landed Marines on Brentons point to take off hay as they have 13 head of Cattle starving. Two Campa marched from Head Qurs down the Neck & joyned Capt [William] Bartons Campa there ー in all about 120 men, to oppose the Landing. The Brig fired ー the Marines & sailors had got to the Stacks ー our soldiers fired on them... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
I am very glad you have been thoughtful of Capt. [Dudley] Saltonstall, and have provided him with a place which, I have not the least doubt, he will fill with honor to himself and satisfaction to his Country. It will give me much pleasure to assist him and the officers he leaves behind him, in collecting seamen here, not only that I may serve him, but especially the Cause, which lies very near my... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Yesterday the General Assembly met here but they have not yet had Time to do any Thing, but only hear the Publick Letters read; nor do I understand that any One particular Matter occasioned their coming together at this Time, but the general alarming State of publick Affairs; I hear that our Enemies have lately given another Specimen of their Savage Cruelty, in burning up all the Buildings on... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Sir I have the misfortune to inform you that I was taken Prisoner at St Johns with thirteen more belonging to His Majesty's Brig Gaspee; ten seamen are quartered at Canaan and myself and Officers are in this place ー As to particulars I am not permitted to write; and I am Sir with respect [&c;]
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
I Arrived here last Night with the Schooner and Sloop 2 and about 60 Prisoners, and the Ice will not permit me to come up any further I have Genl Montgomerys Orders to deliver them to Genl Schuyler And being informed he is not at Ticonderoga Shall be glad you would give me some Assistance and it being the Genis Orders that they Should go to Harlaers, I Should be glad to know what to... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Recd of Henry Knox twenty six dollars which Capt John Johnson paid to different Carters for the use of their Cattle, in dragging Cannon from the fort of Ticonderoga to the North Landing of Lake George 2
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Captain Vandeput of the Asia, has shown his orders to some of the principal inhabitants here, whic[h is,] to seize all vessels either going in or out, the prov[ision] vessels and those with salt to be sent to Boston; in [con]sequence of which he has already took a brig belong[ing] to Mr. Beach, with a load of salt, from Lisbon, [or St.] Ubes; and notwithstanding she leaks intolerably, a[nd] has... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Resolved, That the committee appointed to carry into execution the resolutions of Congress relative to a naval armament, be empowered to draw on the Treasurers, from time to time, for any sums not exceeding 500,000 dollars, for carrying into execution the resolutions of Congress.
The Committee to whom the petition of D[avid] Beveridge was referred, brought in their report, which was read.
Ordered... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Saturday 16 Decr A Letter read from Gen. Washington 2 advising of some Captures made by our Vessels & that he had released the President of the Island of St Johns & others who had been taken 3... the Comee appointed to fit out the 13 Ships were impowered to draw on the Treasury for 500,000 Dollars ー
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Agreed That the Thirty two Gun ships be of the following Dimensions Vizt
The
Gun Deck
132 feet
1 Inch
Keel
110 Do
10¾ Inches
Beam
34 Do
5½ Inches
Hold
11 feet
That the 24 Gun Ships be of the Same dimensions as the Hero Privateer built in the City of Philadelphia in the last War ー the[n] follows the Hero's Dimensions 2
Date: 16 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Pages
