January 1776
Monday 1
Elizabeth River [Virginia]
A M Received 3 Hhds of water by the long boat
Mostly little Wind & fair. at 4 P M began a brisk fire from the Squadron on the Town and continued till 11 during which time the boats landed & set fire to the different wharfs, had two Men wounded by the Rebels Musquetry. The Rebels set fire to many parts of the back of the Town.
Resolved, That Capt. Edward Blake be authorized to purchase one hundred and fifty barrels of salted pork, and as many of salted beef, on the public account, for the use of the naval armament of this colony.
Mr. [John] Rutledge reported the following answer to the ddegates from Georgia, which being read, was agreed to by the Council:
Gentlemen ー We have maturely considered what you offered to this... Continue Reading
My Lord On the 30th of November the Scorpion with the Transport under her Convoy arrived here having Governor Martin on board, who, I soon found, had left Cape Fear only to secure the Scorpion's immediate return, his situation has long been very disagreeable on board a very small Sloop and it was natural for him to wish to keep the Ship appointed to the North Carolina Station, and he therefore... Continue Reading
This Epistle my dear Mother must be as laconic and enigmatical as possible, that it may take up but little of the Inspector General's time at the Post Office and disappoint the impertinent Curiosity of every insolent Caitiff that may think proper to break my Seal.
I arrived here on Christmas Day after a Passage of ten tedious Weeks, and am now a Prisoner on board the Packet, detained by Lord... Continue Reading
January 1776
Monday 1st
Moored at Plymo Road. Nevis.
A M ½ past 6. Saw His Majesty's Sloop Lynx in Chace of a Brigg, and Brought Her too. She Soon after took Her in tow for Bassetarre. 2
Dear Sir I wrote You three Days since of our Defeat & the Death of General Montgomery & others, with all the Information I then had of the Matter, We have been in suspence, with Regard to my Detachment until this Afternoon when Major [Return Jonathan] Meigs was sent out with a Flag for the Officers Baggage who he says are all taken Prisoners, Except Captain [William] Hendricks ー Lieut [... Continue Reading
Mr. Adams I wrote you sometime Ago, desireing you to inquire of the So. Carolina Gentlemen whether they wanted to make Exchange of some money, I had in So. Carolina, but as itt is not very likely I Apprehend I have concluded, to send a Vessell to bring the Value in Rice, which I find is Allowed ー so would not give you the trouble....
Grain will be very much wanted the ensueing spring and Year ー... Continue Reading
Manly is truly our hero of the sea; ー poor ———— [Sion Martindale] is gone to England ー his vessel was not at all calculated for the service; she was fitted out at an enormous expense, did nothing, and struck without firing agun. 2 [William] Coit I look upon to be a mere blubber, ———— and ———— [Broughton and Selman] are indolent and inactive souls. Their time was out yesterday, and from... Continue Reading
A Petition of Ivory Hovey, in Behalf of the Eastern Districts, lying between the River of Penobscot and Machias, praying the Court to establish a Court of Admiralty at Union-River, for Reasons set forth in said Petition.
Read and committed to Col. [Azor] Orne, and Mr.[Daniel] Hopkins, with such as the Hon. Board shall join.
Rear Admiral Shuldham arrived at Nantasket in his Majesty's Ship Chatham the 30th. Ulto And I had the honour to receive their Lordships Orders hereafter mentioned, Vizt
Of Sepr 28, 1775 To intercept seize and bring into Port all Ships and Vessels whatever having on board Salt Petre, with Copies of the Kings Order in Council of the 27th September.
Octr 15 To station a small Ship at [New]... Continue Reading
I wrote you 25th Inst to wch Refer ー Capt Nichs Power who went to Newport a 2nd Time to Enlist seamen as Mention in My last return'd last evening, after the Most Disagreeble perplexing Jobb in the very Seveer Wheather of last Week has bro't to this Town sixty four Seamen, Affected thro' his Grait Zeal And Indefaticable Industory I just now left him paying of[f] & Setling with the Seamen Sixty... Continue Reading
January 1776
Tuesday 2
Moored without Fort Island [off Newport]
at 6 AM veer'd away to ½ of a Cable Lighthouse SW½W. Flag Staff on Fort Island SBE ⅓ a Mile.
at ½ past 6 A M saw the Hospital and Outhouses on fire on Fort Island, our Boats going on shore drove the Rebels off found our Water Casks burnt by the Rebels at ½ past 7 unmoored & hove into ⅓ of a Cable on the smll Bower at 11... Continue Reading
Sir, Capt: [Andrew] Billings will deliver You the Officers that were made Prisoners in Canada. I do not hesitate a Moment to apply to You on this Occasion, as I have had Experience of your Attention to promote the service.
You will be so good as to forward the Officers & their Baggage to Trenton, together with the Baggage of the St Johns Garrison, the Officers Servants & four or five Men... Continue Reading
Whereas, on or about the seventh day of October last, a certain small sloop, said to be the tender of the Viper sloop of war, was taken with three persons on board, in Barnegat Bay, and is now detained in possession of the Committee of the county of Monmouth, in New-Jersey: Said Committee, in pursuance of the direction of the Provincial Congress, do publish the following descriptive advertisement... Continue Reading
The Committee of claims reported, that there is due,
To Judah Alden 50 dollars, advanced on Account of expences in attending the French gentlemen. 2
Resolved, That General Schuyler be directed to have Brigadier General Prescot, lately made prisoner by the continental forces in Canada, taken into custody, and him safely and securely kept until the further orders of this Congress.... Continue Reading
[Philadelphia] Tuesday 2. Jany Agreed to write to Gen [Philip] Schuyler ordering Him to confine Brig. Gen Prescot [Richard Prescott] now at Kingston in Ulster County, till further Order, acquaintg Him, (Schuyler), of the reason viz the ill Usage of Col. Ethan Allen, We did not order the Prisoner into Irons because it is not quite certain how Allen is treated ー... [Christopher] Gadsden moved to... Continue Reading
Resolved, That no master or owner of any vessel or vessels, shall ship any provisions, goods or merchandize, of any kind, from this port, without first giving satisfaction to, or receiving the approbation of this Committee.
By Order of the Committee,
Your orders by Mr Isaac Vanbibber I have followed the Rachel Cap [James] Tibbet will be full this day by 12 oClock the Invoices shall be sent you to morrow, the Frost setting in sooner than I Ex[pecte]d prevented the mills from Work, I took out of Capn [Thomas] Kell about 170 Blls to get Tibbet Loaded as he might be ready in case the River Opend, I shall order her out of the way of the Ice this... Continue Reading
The President laid before the Convention a letter from Col.[Robert] Howe, and also a letter from Col. [William] Woodford, informing the Convention they had received petitions from several of the persons who had joined Lord Dunmore, and were on board the vessels in the harbour at Norfolk, desiring they might have leave to return, as their wives and children were greatly distressed; that they had... Continue Reading
The cannonade of the town began about a quarter after three yesterday, from upwards of one hundred pieces of cannon, and continued till near ten at night, without intermission; it then abated a little, and continued till two this morning. Under cover of their guns they landed and set fire to the town in several places near the water, though our men strove to prevent them all in their power; but... Continue Reading