American Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778
[August 1778]
Wedy. 5
[near Goat Island, R.I.]
AM another French ship sailed up ye above Passage Prepared to leave the Ship—
Mod & Cloudy Wr. PM Empd. sending Spars &ca. & Running Rigging on shore.
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
The weather too thick to admit of our seeing the French fleet....
About 5 this morning the two French ships1 which came first into the Narraganset passage got underway and stood round the N. point of Connonicut, towards The Cerberus Frigate,2 which lay under the W. side of this Island, nearly opposite the opening between Connonicut and Prudence. On seeing them in motion the... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
this morning thick Weather We Weighd anchor and Capt [Chester?] With us the Wind at the Southard We a Beting out of the River—We hear a Smart fireing over to Wards the town and at 10 are Down amongst the french fleet Wheare We fell in With Capt havins1 a Gain We Now Agree for to Go to Sea[.] With a Small Breas of Wind and at SSW We Now a Standing out Course ESE and at 4 PM... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
A la pte. du jour, le temps S’etaint eclairés, j’ai vu le Zelé1 qui faisait routte sur nous. J’ai tenu le plus près pour me rallier, au lever du soleil le vent au sso, la mer belle le Cap à L’o. j’ai réleve la pte. S de
block island au
So ¼ au dist. 1 1 1/2
Cette du No. `a
L’o ¼ No. Cor.
à 8 h. du matin, le Zelé et moi, avons mis en panne pour attendre... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
du mercredy 5'
à 6 heures du matin La provence1 ayant de Retour et ayant Eut ordre daller joindre Le protecteur2 Le fantasques3 et le sagitaire4 elle à apareille et donné dans La passe du ouest qui Communique au nord de Coneticut aux passages pour vaisseaux à La ville et port de nieuport.
suite du mercredy 5'
a deux heures apres midy le Zelé5... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
2nd [August][Sandy Hook, N.J.]. — At noon, weighed with the fleet, consisting of the Eagle, Cornwall, Somerset, Isis, Preston, Ardent, Renown, Nonesuch, Centurion, Trident, Raisonnable, St. Albans, Experiment, Phænix, Roebuck, Apollo, Richmond, Venus, Pearl, Vigilant, Stromboli, Sulphur, Volcano, Carcass, Thunder,1 two bomb tenders,2 and four galleys.3 Half-past... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Continental Marine Committee to the Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department, August 5, 1778
Since our last of the 24th Ultimo, we have received yours of the 17th and 22d. to which we shall now reply.1
As we shall Often want small Vessels for Packets we desire you will order three Schooners to be built of about 50 or 60 Tons burthen and let swift Sailing be the Object—Mr. Peck2 may be employed to exercise his Talents in constructing One of... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
We yesterday received a Letter from Mr Richard Harrison from Martinique, advising us of his Sale of the Sloop Molly belonging to this State, to Mr Bingham.1 Knowing that Mr Bingham is Agent for the congress and presuming that the Purchase was for the Benefit of the United States,2 we inclose you Copies of our Instructions to the Captain and... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Present.
Mr. Whiting Mr. Travis and Mr. Innes
Ordered that the Keeper of the Publick Store deliver Captain Lurty1 ten gallons of Brandy and two pieces of Bunting for the use of the Brig Northampton.
A Warrant to Captain Lurty for one hundred pounds on Account for the purpose of furnishing necessaries for the Brig Northampton.
Ordered that Elijah... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
A prise Brigg was sent in here Lately, and finding no Account had, Last evening, reached Boston, I take the Liberty to give Councill the Information I have this moment Received from one of the Selectmen men of this Town who has been Down onbord the Prise. The Master, who is a Quaker, Informs that, he Sailed from Waterford the 22d may in Compy. with 30 sail, all but 5 bound... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
We received yours of the first Instant & wish it was in our power to Comply fully with your request1 but the State of our Treasury is very low[.] however We have from a Conviction of the Absolute Necessity you are Under for money Strained a Vein & Ventured to Supply you with a very great proportion of what we have in the office Amounting to fifteen hundred dollars which please... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Return of Joseph Dolliver first Lieut-Joseph Salter second Lieutenant-Harry Skinner & Martin Herrick Surgeon as officers for the Brig Tyrannicide whereof Allen Hallett Esq is commander Ordered that said Officers be commissioned agreeable to their ranks—
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Mr. Wasson delivered me yesterday your Letter of the 3d. instant—
I do sincerely congratulate you on your success both first and last—Your conduct meets approbation.
Your further directions and Orders are contained in the Resolve of myself and Council, and in my orders which are enclosed—and wish you success in your intended Cruize—I am respectfully [&c.]
J—T—l
Cap... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
At a meeting of the Governor, &c. at Lebanon, August 6th, 1778, Saturday.
Present: His Excellency the Governor.
Jabez Huntington,
Jedh Elderkin
William Williams,
William Hillhouse
Esqrs.
David Mumford,
Voted, That Capt. Smedley of the ship Defence be empowered and directed to fit and clear his ship at Boston, where she now lies, as soon as may be, and... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that some time since three of the enemy's frigates quited their former stations—sailed to the North end of Rhode Island and anchored between Dyers Island and Bristal ferry-Count d'Estaign on the 4 Inst. meditated an attack upon them, and on the 5th. issued orders that two of his ships should turn the North end of Connanicut Island and give... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
My Dear Sir I have only time to acknowledge the Rect of your two favors Respecting the Rice & the Care you have taken for the Navy1 we Shall never be able to Repay your Steady attention to this Enterprize the Army marched this morning I go tomorrow Early please to Direct to me in future at Tivertown on Rhode Island
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
J'ay Reçu Ce matin à 9 heures la lettre que vous m'avés daigné mécrire, & je me hate en vous Rendant grace des bontés dont vous voulés bien m'honnér de Vous Faire agreér les assurances Respectueuses de ma Réconnaissance & de ma Sensibilité—mon desir ardént de justifier votre bienveillance ne peut etre egalé que par le Régrets de m'enavait pû trouvér L'occasion encore.
J'ay Communiqué... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
In consequence of your Letter dated the 4 Inst. which I received the 5h between 4 & 5 AM by the 1st. Lieut.1 l of the Cerberus as well as a Copy of a Letter from Sr Robt Pigot informing you of his Intentions of withdrawing the Troops in case the Enemys Ships should enter the harbour he therefore wish'd the advanced Frigates might have ord... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
on the 29th of July, the Fog clearing up I observed the French Fleet at the Mouth of the harbour,1 and as it appeared Steering in for Rhode Island, I immediately cut my Cable, and hauld around the North End of Cannonicut in his Majesty's Ship Juno under my command, and worked down to Coddingtons Cove, where I anchored close to the shore, and got out the Guns, Powder,... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[August 1778]
Thursdy. 6
[near Goat Island, R.I.]
AM sent an Officer & 25 Men on shore to erect tents—
Mod & hazey Wr. Empd. Occasionally
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Pages
