Having appointed you Commander of His Majesty's Ship Juno at Portsmouth, which we have order'd to be fitted & stored at that place for a Voyage to North America, manned with Two hundred Men, & victualled for six Months with all Species of Provisions except Beer, of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow; with Wine or Spirits in lieu of the remainder, You are hereby... Continue Reading
Lieutenant Tonken, Agent for the Transports, now in Milford Haven, having by his Letter dated the 27th past, informed by Lords Commissrs of the Admty, that a few days before, arrived in Dale Road, within that Haven the Commerce Brigantine, Thomas Rice, Master, from North Carolina, who spoke, with His Majesty's Ship the Lizard, with a Brig in tow dismasted, in Latitude 46°00 N.Longitude 48°30m... Continue Reading
In Addition fo the Intelligence of improper intercourse with the Rebellious Colonies, a State of which was indosed in Lord George Germain's Letter to the Lords of the Admiralty of the 27th of last Month; I am directed by his Lordship to acquaint you that there is a great probability that a Dutch Ship ready to sail from Amsterdam to Santa Cruz on the Coast of Barbary with a large quantity of... Continue Reading
I have communicated to my Lords Commrs of the admty your Letter of yesterdays date informing of the Falkland Brig, another of the American Whaling Vessels from Rhode Island bound to Falklands Island & seized by Capt [Robert] Keeler of the Experiment being arrived at Spithead from Fayal, and of the request of Capt [Mark] Milbank of the Barfleur to have Ten Days leave of absence on his private... Continue Reading
Having communicated to my Lords Commrs of the Admty your Letter of the 29th past enclosing by the direction of their Lordships of the Treasury Copy of a Petition that had been presented to them by Messrs Rotch & Smith relative to the seizure of Five Vessels of their property by the Commanders of His Majs Ships the Renown & Experiment; And signifying their Lordships desire to be acquainted... Continue Reading
My Lords Commrs of His Majesty's Treasury having just received Information, by a Return from the Custom house, that the Ship Commerce arrived at Milford the 21st of Novr last, Capt Patrick Rice from Edenson [Edenton] in No Carolina, that the Captain on the 20th of Octr last spake with the Lizard Frigate having a Brigantine in Tow Lat. 46 Long. 48 & 30 West of London; And their Lordships... Continue Reading
News from the Ports. ー
Portsmouth.
It is believed that the frigate Triton sailed for Halifax and the corvette Hawke for Boston. The Admiral himself wrote the orders for this corvette; an officer carried the package on board and she sailed immediately. 2
The transport ships which are to take the 36th regiment in Ireland have arrived. There are very few men on board the ships and the... Continue Reading
Since my last the Pearl and Seaford frigates came out of dock, and are now fitting for sea.
Capt. Halsted, of this town, is appointed to the command of the Jersey, of 50 guns, and is to go to Boston, there to lie as an hospital ship for the use of the sick.
The King having been pleas'd, by His Order in Council of the 22d Novr 1775 to prohibit under certain restrictions, and with certain exceptions therein mention'd, the exporting out of this Kingdom, or carrying Coastwise Gunpowder, Salt Petre, or any sort of Arms or Ammunition for three Months longer; We send you herewith a Copy of the said Order in Council, and do hereby most strictly require and... Continue Reading
Captain [Digby] Dent of His Majesty's Ship the Arethusa, who was ordered to cruize between Dungeness and the Coast of France, and is arrived in the Downs from his said Cruize, having informed my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that during his Cruize he spoke with and examined a variety of Vessels, but had not the least suspicion of any except a Dutch Snow american built of about 200 Tons... Continue Reading
A letter from Portsmouth, Nov. 30, says, "Just came into harbour, the Falkland, from Fial, a prize taken by Capt. [Francis] Banks, on his voyage to Boston." 1
Orders are received at the Commissioner's office here, for the sail-makers of this dock-yard to work double days, in order to give the greatest dispatch in making sails for the ships that are fitting at this port for America.
The Milford of twenty-eight guns, commanded by John Burr, Esq; is nearly fitted, and will sail from hence in a few days for America.
The Carysfort, of twenty-eight guns, is... Continue Reading
It having been represented to the King that it may be a great Convenience to the Troops, now preparing to go upon Service in North America, to have some small Carts, to be drawn by Men, for the purpose of attending the Field Train, and conveying Ammunition from Place to Place, as occasion shall require; I am commanded to signify to Your Lordship His Majesty's Pleasure, that, if such small Carts... Continue Reading
Inclosed I send you a List of Transports which arrived in the Downes on the 3d Instant, and remained there yesterday when the Post came away, and am Sr [&c.]
Pack'd for the 65th Regt Foot Lieut General Urmston's
No 1.
A Cask contg
2 Serjts & 40 Private Lt Infantry Cpas
2.
A Do contg
2 Do & 39 Do Grenadiers Do
3.
A Case contg
30 Yds Supr fine Scarlet Cloth
For Capt Mackay
20 Yds Do white Do
4 Pieces Do Do Shalloon
A Papr parcel Lace &c
20 Setts Regimtl Buttons
Ship'... Continue Reading
Having appointed you Captain of His Majesty's Ship Flora at Chatham, which we have order'd to be fitted and stored at that Place for Foreign Service, mann'd with Two Hundred Men and victualled for six Months with all Species of Provisions except Beer, of which she is to be have as much as she can conveniently stow, and to be supplied with a proportion of Wine or Spirits in lieu of the remainder;... Continue Reading
His Majesty's Ship the Bristol being almost Ready to proceed to Sea, and Her allowed Complement of Seamen, nearly completed, I beg you will please to move Their Lordships to Order Her Rendezvous to be broken up. I am Sir [&c.]
A few American ships have appeared lately in several European ports; their Captains have openly admitted that they intend to obtain arms and ammunition. I have the honr to forward this information to Your Excellency because I am convinced that you will dispatch the required orders to forbid in the ports of the Kingdom the exportation of war ammunition of all kinds on British vessels and even on... Continue Reading
Having laid before the King the States which have been from time to time transmitted to Mr Pownall by Mr Stephens of the Vessels taken up for the Transportation to America, of five Regiments ordered to be embarked at Corke; I am Commanded by His Majesty to signify to Your Lordships His Majesty's pleasure, that directions be given for their proceeding to Corke with as much Expedition as possible,... Continue Reading
The honble Captain [Keith] Elphinstone having informed my Lords Commrs of the Admty that he has received a private Letter by His Majesty's Ship the Surprize, which is arrived at Portsmouth from Cadiz, advising that there were near Twenty American Vessels in that Port when the said Ship sailed from thence; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith for the information of Lord... Continue Reading