Volume 3
I have been near a Fortnight before Quebec ー at the Head of upwards of 800 Men, a Force you'll say not very adequate to the Business in Hand ー but we must make the best of it ー It is all I could get ー I have been so used to struggle with Difficulties that I expect them of Course.
I hope the Troops will be sent down as soon as possible, for should we fail in our first Attempt, a second or a third... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
We have just been informed of a Circumstance, which were it not so well authenticated I should scarcely think credible ー it is, that Colonel Allen who (with his small party) was defeated and taken prisoner near Montreal, has been treated without regard to decency, humanity, or the rules of War ー that he has been thrown into Irons & suffers all the hardships inflictd upon Common Felons ー I... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Sir Captain Manly of the Lee armed Schooner took & sent into Beverly the sloop Betsey, A. Atkinson master, she is an armed vessell, dispatchd by Lord Dunmore with Indian Com, Potatoes & Oats for the Army in Boston ー the paquetts of Letters found on board I have the honor to send you with this, by Captain James Chambers, they being of so much importance that I do not think, it... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Yesterday being dark and cloudy, General Putnam broke ground, with four hundred men, on Lechmere's Point, at ten o'clock in the morning. The mist was so great as to prevent the enemy from discovering what he was about, until twelve, when it cleared up, and opened to their view our whole party at the point, and another at the causeway, throwing a new bridge over the creek that forms the Island at... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
... [James] Wallace at Newport [batters] and destroys just as he pleases ー doubtless you have heard of his Ravages ー General [Charles] Lee is going to Newport to morrow ー The Island can and ought to be fortifyed and Conannicut too ー I think the Point may be fortifyed so as to prevent any Ship from doing much damage, it certainly will command the Harbour ー Colo Joseph Wanton Negroes piloted... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
We are somewhat Alarmed with Dunmore['s] ferocity but hope that he will be soon crushd ー The Surprising Success of the Privateers this way we hope will animate the whole continent to the like practice
The art of Making Saltpetre is well investigated here ー But the exertions for the largest Supplies of amunition and arms through the whole Continent ought to be now constantly as great as if all the... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Read 2 & on the Examination of the said Shubael Lovell by the Major Part of the Council, Ordered that the said Shubael Lovell be sent to the Goal in Plymouth & there held in close confinement unless he give Bond, with good Security for the Liberty of the Yard, & to be supported there at his own Expence, untill the further Order of the Major Part of the Council, And that a... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Ordered, That Col. [Samuel] Thompson, Mr. [Daniel] Hopkins, and Col. [Joseph] Cushing, be a Committee to consider a Representation of Philip Hodgkin's, relative to the Capture of the Sloop Advance, from Boston, commanded by, Capt. Nehemiah Eastman, with Two Depositions accompanying; together with a Memorial of the Committee of this Court at Union-River, respecting the same Sloop; and likewise... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Command to Plymouth, (to fling up some works for the Defence of that Town by Genl [Artemas] Ward's Order) to Peleg Wadsworth ー Dr
To 4 Weeks 4 days Board
a 8/0
1. 16 .. 7
Horse hire 42 Miles
3d
10 .. 6
Keeping Do
8/5
Week
1. 18 .. 0
Extra Expence
0. 10 .. 0
4. 15 .. 1
Camp at Roxbury 18th Decr 1775
Command [to] Cape Cod (to examin[e the] Harbour &c... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Fresh Breezes wt Hard frost at 10 [A.M.] the Lighthouse made the Signal for seeing a Rebel Cruizer attackg a Merchantman in the Offing Cutt the Small Br Cable pr Order of Capt [Francis] Banks and gave Chace. at Noon in Chace of 3 Rebel schooners
Fresh Gales and Clear Weather in Chace of 3 Rebel Schooner Privateers Cape Ann NE 11 Miles at 2 [P.M.] one of the Schooners parted Compy wt the others... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
You are hereby required and directed to proceed as soon as possible in his Majesty's Sloop under your Command to Liverpool in Nova Scotia, at which place I am credibly informed Vessels are expected to arrive from several parts of Europe with contraband and other Merchandize to be conveyed to the Rebel Army on the Continent. You are to use your utmost Endeavours to prevent such unlawful Commerce,... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
This Letter will be handed to you by Messrs Penet & Pliame, who arrived here about Ten Days ago from Cape Francois in a Vessel sent by this Colony for Powder. They were well recommended to us, and I gave them a Letter to General Washington, who hath prevailed upon them to lay their Proposals before the Congress. I hope their Visit to North America will be an Introduction to such Measures as... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
December 1775
Sunday 17
At Single Anchor in Newport Harbour.
11 A M hove Short on the Small Bower.
First part little wind and foggy Wr middle and latter fair Wr
at 1 P M cleard up weighd and came to sail, in Company the Swan Sloop, the Rose's and the Swan's Tenders. at ½ past 2 Anchd with small Br in 13 fm Water, between Prudence & Dy[e]rs Islands; landed some Men on Dyers Island brought... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Men o' War took off hay from Dyers Isld, burnt some, & killed two horses. Our pple burnt 2 stacks Oats at Hog Island.
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Capt. Saltonstall left us yesterday; will be with you before this. It would give me pleasure to assist him with some good sailors. The vessels Mr. [Nathaniel] Shaw [Jr.] and self are now fitting will carry off the chief there is at New London. 2 As the soldiers are now returning, 3 a number of which are sailors, I hope some may soon be enlisted. I daily expect Capt. Elisha... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
December 1775
Sunday 17
Moor'd between the Battery & Oyster Island
AM Arrived H.M. Ship Phoenix
Light Breezes & fine Wr
Sail'd into the East River the Phoenix & the Prestons Tender 2
Monday 18
At Single Anchor in the No River
AM Clear'd Hawse
Fresh Gales & Cloudy PM Clear'd Hawse, sent the Brig loaden with Salt to Boston under Convoy of the George Sloop 3... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Sir, I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that, I Anchor'd off of the Neversunk the 11th but was not able to get up to the Town untill the 16th The Viper is not yet arrived nor can I imagine what is become of her, she was left by the Royal George Sloop the 18th November off the South End of Nantucket Sholes. 2
Your Orders relative to the detaining of the Asia are received, and flatter... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
(Copy) In Congress/Payment being provided The next thing to be considered is how to convey the Vessels safe to America as there is no doubt but Brittish Cruizers will Seize all American Ships that is employed, if they fall in with them, neither will they spare Foreign Ships if they are met with on the American Coast, should Quebec Grace the American Laurels & by that means all Canada will... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Sir, According to your desire I send you such Intelligence as I have met at different times since I wrote last to the Admiral ー A Fort is built about sixty Miles up Hudson's River intended to prevent the communication with Albany. ー Many of the most Violent in Town being become very moderate, & the Loyal Party having shewn themselves and spoken with greater Freedom than they have been used to... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
Sir, I received your Letter by the Sloop George,and Mr Lobb who arrived here on the 11th Instant from Rhode Island, deliver'd to me your Orders of the 4th all which I have communicated to Captn Parker, as I have whatever Intelligence I have thought necessary for you to be informed of. I have sent to Boston (according to your Order) the Brigg [St.] Helena with Salt from St Ubes which Captain... Continue Reading
Date: 18 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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