American Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778
Aout 1778. Lundi 10. Au jour le tems étoit couvert et le vent à l’ONO petit presque calme. nous avons vu que plusieurs vaisseaux étoient encore occupés à se touer pour se ranger à leur poste, que le Fantasque1 et le Sagittaire2 avoient mis sous voile pour se rapprocher plus promptement, que la Provence3 étoit sous voile quittant le chenal de l’Ouest et venant par... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Quand J’eu l’honneur de vous quitter hier, vos intentions n’etoient-telles pas que le mouillage que vous Projettiez, et que nous faissions, n’etoit qu’on Defaut D’avoir Du vents favorables pour sortir, or Les vents sont au nord, Rien De plus favorable pour Executer votre Projét, Permittéz Moy, Monsieur le Comte De vous Rappeller vos Propre intentions Et volontés. J’ay L’honneur D’etre [&c.]
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
J’assure Monsieur Le Comte Destaing Dapres Les Dires, et assurances Des pilottes ameriquains qui sont à Bord Du vau. Le Tonnant,1 De plus tres Conformes à L’assurance que Mr. De Clonard2 M’a Dit tenir Des pilottes ameriquains qui sont à Bord Du vau. Le Languedoc,3 que le vent De N. qui Reigne actuellement Est tres Bon Pour Sortir,... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Dans la matinée j’ai eu le vent au SE. Assés foible beaucoup de brume, J’envoyai M. le Cher. De Plevinel1 pour Sonder le chenal en remontant dans le nord, et ensuite pour reconnaitre Si les batteries que les Americains nous avaient dit être forte pour nous proteger, etaient en aussi bon Etat, qu’ils le disaient, Cet officier remplit le premier objet en Sondant de demi Cable... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
je ne puis profiter de La liberté que vous me laisser pour tacher de joindre mon Escadre Sans aitre munit d’un ordre de mr. le comte d’estaing qui à décider mon éstation ici. du reste je vous prie d’observer nostre jonction serois fort dificille est nayant point de point de rendez vous. je vous prie Monsieur sil vous vennait des paquet de mr. le comte d’estaing a mon adraisse davoir la Bonté de... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
je vient de recevoir de vostre part une lettre qui me fais le plus grand plaisir puisque elle me confirme que jai prevue vos intentions en restant à l’estation qu’il m’était ordonner par mr. le comte d’estaing. est que jai crue ne pouvoir quitter sans un ordre de Sa par. j’espere daprés ce que vous me faittes l’honneur de me dirent que nous aurients était peu utille à l’escadre est que nous... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
deux aides de camp qui [Son on cent ?] venir de vostre par mon proposer de faire sortit deux fregattes pour aller croiser devant nieuport chercher dintercepter ce qu’il peut entrer et sortir. permitter moy Monsieur de vous faire des observations qui ce presente au yeux d’un officier de la marine po. les ordres par écrit de mr. le comte d’estaing menjoignent de rester en éstation dans... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Le Branle-Bat fait ont sattendois au jour voir Lescadre Engloise1 Entrer pour nous Combatre notre position netoit pas Belle dautant plus quil pouvet Etablir des Batteries sur Coneticut pour Battre notre Escadre2 au jour Lescadre Engloise etoit toujours à son mouillage nous avions Eut du Calure toutes La nuit, il seleva un petit-vent du nnE et Cette-meme partir se changer, Le... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Put to sea after the fleet and gave them Chase Thirty three sail mostly Frigates and large Ships1 — they slipt their Cables. saw 7 large Buoys that they left—
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
August 1778
Monday 10th
Block Island 8 or 9 Leagues
At 4 AM hove up the Best Bower & let go the Stream Anchor At 5 made the Signl for seeing a Sail to the NE: At 8 the Adml.1 made the Signl. to weigh & soon after to cut or Slip Weigh’d At 9 repeated the Signl to prepare for Action & the Fire Ships to prime. saw the French... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
August
Monday 10th.
Block Island WbN 4 or 5 Leagues.
At 5 [AM] the Preston1 made the Sigl. for a Sail in the NE one of the Galleys brought too a Sloop & Schooner. at 6 the Signl. from the Admiral2 to weigh. the admiral made the Signal for the 2d. and 3d. in Command to Come on board. Cornwall3 &... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Augst. 1778]
Monday 10.
The middle of Block Island, West, 8 Miles.
at 7 AM The Admiral made the Signal for the Commodores1 of the Respective divisions. The Galley - - - gave chace to a Schooner & brot. her into the Fleet. At 9 heard a heavy Cannonading [from] Narraganset passage & saw the French Fleet coming out. at 10 Weigh’d & sail’d in Company... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
August 1778
Monday 10th
Block Island S:W:
Distt. 3 or 4 Leagues
At 4 AM Calm with a thick fogg. at 8 Light winds and hazy. ½ past 8 The Admiral1 made the Signal to Weigh, soon after to Cut or Slip and for the Fire Ships to Prime. Cut The Cable about 80 fm. from the Anchors and came to Sail as did the rest of the Fleet, saw several Sail of French... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
1778 Augst
Monday 10th
Block Isld. West Distce. 3 Leags.
at 4 am struck the F.T.Gt.Mt. & Mizn.T.Mt. to Reeve Sigl. Halliards, at 9 heard a heavy Cannonade in Rhode Isld. Harbour—Do. the Adml.1 made Sigl. for Fire Ships to Prime Do... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
10th [August].—At half-past 8 a.m. the wind shifted in a squall and came to the northward. The French fleet immediately cut their cables and came to sea. We got under way and stood to the southward under an easy sail, in order to form. The French fleet were so long of coming near us, as the wind shifted in a squall; and the time of day drawing on when it was usual to have the wind from the sea—... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 6th.1
I regret much the tardiness of the militia, as every moment is infinitely precious, and the delay, it produces, may not only frustrate the expedition, which is a matter of the greatest importance in itself, but may expose the French fleet to some fatal disaster.— I have no doubt of your utmost exertions to forward the business with all... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
It is the desire of the Marine Committee that you will lay before them to morrow morning at Congress a written account how far you have executed their orders respecting furnishing the French Fleet under the Count D Estaing with Provisions &c; and what measures are pursuing for carrying them into full execution.1 I am Sir [&c.]
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Your favor of July 24th. is now before me2 . . . .
Our letters from the Count d’Estaing and General Sullivan are quite encouraging; but a report prevails that Lord Howe being reinforced is in pursuit of the French Squadron. I hope however that the latter3 will be well in the harbor of Newport before the former reaches the Island. I do not wish to have any... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I am under the necessity of troubling your Excellency, in Consequence of two Letters this day received, the one from Mr. David Stewart; the other Capt. A Vanbibber of Baltimore,1 both relateing to your orders to Capt Deshon,2 to hold the Sloop Molly still as the Property of the State of Maryland, notwithstanding Mr. Harrisons sale to Mr... Continue Reading
Date: 10 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Extract]
Tuesday, 11th Aug. [Liverpool, Nova Scotia]—Wind easterly. Capt. Hopkins, Capt. Dean, Herrington, and Atwood,1 all Arrive from Halifax. Capt. Dean has bought a Topsail Schooner. I understand she is for the St. Johns Traid. Harrington has brought back his Schooner that was Seised by the Nova Scotian, and Carried to Halifax. She was given up without a Tryal, and the Captain... Continue Reading
Date: 11 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Pages
