American Theatre from August 1, 1777, to September 30, 1777
I congratulate you on Capt Hardings Success, he has sent into Bedford a Prize Brigantine called the Honour John Jackson late Master with a Valuable Cargo —
we depend you will take Charge of her, & pursue proper measures for her Condemnation with your wonted Prudence & Dispatch, as Part of her Cargo is very valuable, & lying at Bedford may be attended with some risque, we have given Mr... Continue Reading
Date: 23 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Mr Deane in a Letter of the 28 May, after recommending an attack on the Greenland fishery & Hudson Bay Trade, desired me to communicate the following Plan to Congress vizt "To send three frigates loaded with Tobacco to Nantz or Bordeaux, equipped in the best Manner and on their Arrival hide the chief of their Guns and appear as Cruizers. Intelligence may be had every week what the station of... Continue Reading
Date: 23 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Navy Board informed the Council by Letter, that the Continental Navy Board, had requested that "Three of our armed Galleys & Two fire Vessels" may be sent down to the assistance of Capt. Alexander, & requested the order of Council thereupon. —
On consideration Agreed, That the request of the Continental Navy Board, be complied with; but that it be recommended, to the State Navy Board, to... Continue Reading
Date: 23 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The board request you, with the Captains [Nathan] Boys and [Isaac] Roach of the Gallies,2 and Captain [Griffith] Jones of the fire Ship Strumbelo to proceed with the greatest dispatch and join Captain Alexander3 whose orders you and the others above mention'd will strictly obey.' — Capt [Martin] Wirt will deliver you one hogshead of rum and as much beef and pork with bread... Continue Reading
Date: 23 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The last of the enemies Ships weighed Anchor yesterday morning at half after eight OClock & Stood Up the Bay: am informd this day by two Gentlemen from the head of the Bay that they have landed 200 men on Presuse [Spesutie] Island, Supos'd for Stock. Mr Garthes of this place cros'd Susquehannah at 5 OClock last evening, Says one Divission of the Fleet was Standing for the Head [of] Elk the... Continue Reading
Date: 23 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
On Thursday last arrived in this Port, the Letter of Marque Brigantine Resolution, belonging to this Part of the State, and commanded by Joseph Meredith; accompanied by a large Ship called the Polly, Capt. Thomas Collart, bound to Jamaica from the Missisippi, which he met with in his Return home, in Lat. 30, Long 75, and which he has conducted to a good Anchorage in Cape Fear River. There is no... Continue Reading
Date: 23 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Your Letter dated the 17th of this Month from His Majestys Ship Rainbow in Machias Harbor, & address'd to the Lieutenant Governor & Council, was received Yesterday; & I have the Honor on their behalf to acknowledge the Signal Service You have done for the Frontier Settlements, in that part of this Province; by the readiness & zeal wherewith You have pursued the Views of this... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Yesterday Genl Whipple shewed me a letter which he had Just receiv'd from you by return of Express wherein you mentioned my having Orders for France, I apprehend you allude to my former Orders from the Secret Committee, as I have receiv'd none lately to that Effect, as the Raleigh and Alfred have proceeded for France, should any Enterprize be adopted there I dread the thoughts of being set under... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I am happy to hear of your safe arrival at Boston. — I am almost in readiness for Sea, so that I cannot hope for the pleasure of seeing you in Boston before my departure; you will oblige me much by a Copy of your prisoner's scheme of quartering the Officers and Men in different rates of the Enemies Navy and what he. conceives to be their duty respectively. — Thompson and Hinman are gone; and by... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Yours down to the 21st is with me. — with respect to the Swivels unless they can be done this week the time will not now Admit to have them Cast — therefore desire Captain Bradford to Apply for Captain McNeills or any other Eight Short Swivels fit for Tops and Send them here without loss of time. — Should not Colo Fraizer continue determined to proceed in the Ranger the Qr Cask of Wine will be... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Twenty Dollars Reward
Deserted from the Brigantine Resistance, Samuel Chew, Commander, Samuel Culver; He is a lusty well set Man, of a down, or Indian shade, is by Trade a Mason, and is supposed to be lurking about Groton. Whoever will take up the said Deserter, and send him on Board the above named Brig, or secure him in Gaol, that I may have him again, or send him on Board any of the United... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I have by no Means been unmindful of the unhappy Situation of the State of Rhode Island. A very large Body of the Enemy long since took Possession of near a quarter Part of that State, and altho' the Enemy have called off from Time to Time great Part of their Forces there, Yet Their having gained a Possession, aided still by Their Ships; the Force of the State with the small Aid received from Our... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
August 1777
Sunday 24th
In Delaware Bay [Anchored near the Brandywine]
at 5 AM Do Mr Barry came onbd with a Flag of truce from Philadelphia ½ past do Saw severl sail of Vessels coming Down the bay towards us (they being) the Rebell Squadron ½ past 7 Mr Barry retd to his Flag of truce at 8 Do being flood made the Signl & weigh'd with the Camilla & Pearl & gave chace to the Rebels... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I have sent express to let you know the Enimys Fleet now lays of[f] the mouth of Elk River and down towards Sassafras river. I have been watching them this day or two and have Ordered the Militia to Assemble at Swan Town this day. I was there yesterday with a few men, and there was a Brigg, a Sloop, a Gondola, and one or two small Craft pased by Swan Town, about a Mile Above the Place and then... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I take the Liberty to informe you that the British fleet is now Laying in the Head of the Bay they are situated from Turkey Point to Rowels in an oblong forme on Board of one of the Largest Ships is a Blew Flagg which induces me to think Admaral How is on Board, there are two or three Small armd vessles gone into the mouths of Susquehanah and North East pehaps with intent to stop Susquehanah... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The Vigilant, Swift, Senegal, Sphynx, Apollo and Roebuck are to form the advanced Detachment of the Ships appointed for covering the Descent. The Captains will take their Stations in the Order of Succession annexed for proceeding up the Elk at Day-Light to-morrow Morning, or as soon after as the Signal for that purpose is made from the Ship in which the Admiral is embarked. They are to be... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
August 1777
Saturday 23
Moor'd in the Elk River
at 11 AM the Adml weighed and cross'd a bar of 3½ fms water.
First part mod. and Sultry with Rain and Lightning, latter clear and Sultry PM our boat rowing Guard all night
Sunday 24
AM many Transports about, the Eagle and the other two Deck Ships above 2 Miles below us not being able to come any higher up, being no more than 18 feet water... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
August 1777
Saturday 23d
At Anchor off the River Elk —
at ½ past 10 AM weigh'd & came to sail, stood upwards towards Turkey Point and pass'd over a mud Bank with 20 feet on it. ¾ past 11 Anchd in 7 fm soft Ground, veer'd to ½ a Cable & Steadied with the Kedge.
The first part Modt breezes, with thunder, lightening & rain, Middle light airs & Cloudy, latter little winds &... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
August 1777
Sunday 24th
Sasafras point SWbS 1 Mile
AM employ'd Sounding but Cou'd not find Water to Join the Adml at Noon sent 2 Lieuts with petty Officers & Men for a Gun Boat & 11 flatt boats to Attend the Army
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
August 1777
Sunday 24th
Pooles Island SW 4 or 5 miles
AM at 11 the Adml made our Sigl to Weigh Weighd & Came to Sail Do receivd on Board a Pilot the Adml made our Signal Came to with the Stream anchor in 5 fathom the Est Point Spiesutie Island NbE½E 4 or 5 miles Sasafras Point SW½W ½ a mile Turkey Point NE½E 2 Leagues Opend a Cask of Pork 114 Contg 320 Short 13
First part fresh Breezes... Continue Reading
Date: 24 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
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