European Theatre from November 1, 1775, to January 31, 1776

Summary

Thwarted in its efforts to obtain 20,000 men from the Empress of Russia, the British Ministry had turned, in the summer of 1775, to the numerous petty princes within the German empire for troops to assist in subduing the American rebels. The need was great. England's standing army numbered less than 19,000 men, and recruiting efforts had been unsuccessful. Three of these Ger­man princelings had made overtures to King George shortly after the news of Bunker Hill had reached Europe. All of them were related to the British monarch either by blood or marriage, and all were avaricious, mercenary and poor. In late August, a minister plenipotentiary in the person of an English army officer who had seen service in Germany during the last war, was sent to negotiate with them. Meanwhile, acting in his dual capacity as King of England and Elector of Hanover, George III had ordered five battalions of Hanoverians to relieve the British garrisons in Minorca and Gibraltar, thus releasing more British troops to serve in America. These Hanoverian battalions, through lack of shipping, did not sail for the Mediterranean until October.

The King had addressed Parliament that same month and had voiced the government's policy toward America with the announcement that "it has now become the part of wisdom, and, in its effects, of clemency, to put a speedy end to these disorders by the most decisive exertions." He proposed, as his instance of clemency, sending commissioners to treat with any province that might be disposed to return to its allegiance. In almost the same breath, he remarked about the "friendly offers of foreign assistance" he had received; a reference to the hirelings being negotiated for in Germany.

His first "decisive exertions" were to order more ships to reinforce the fleet in American waters, and more ships to be put into commission, which, in the "run down" state of the British navy was a task of no mean magnitude.

Of all this the French Court was well aware through the reports of the volatile author of "Figaro." Caron de Beaumarchais, after presenting his memorial to the Count de Vergennes and Louis XVI in September, had returned to London "well informed of the King's intentions and your own," as he advised the Foreign Minister. What said intentions were the playwright-diplomat left to the inter­pretation his superiors might place upon them. He had been supplied with secret service money and a strong injunction given him not to compromise any one in authority in France by his activities. His duty was to observe and note down all British attitudes and activities. By the end of October he had his dossier fairly well filled, preparatory to a return to Paris.

Elsewhere on the European continent, little of moment was underway. Catherine of Russia, seeking to mollify George III for her earlier refusal to supply troops, expressed a desire to continue in his good will, and hoped the American War might be ended through peaceful negotiations. Spain, still reeling from the shock of defeat at the hands of the Barbary powers, was slow to indicate any in­ terest in the war. She knew her own weakness and did not wish to imperil any of her far-flung colonies in the Western Hemisphere by espousing the American cause.


 

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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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.
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 2 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 2 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 2 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 3 December 1772
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 4 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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.]
Date: 5 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 5 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 5 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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.]
Date: 5 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 5 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 6 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
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
Date: 6 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3

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