Volume 13
“Yesterday arrived the Virginia packet, Gordon, from Virginia for Bourdeaux, with about 70 hogsheads of tobacco,1 prize to the Fortune letter of marque, capt. Fortune, of London.2 This day arrived a schooner, supposed the Viper, a letter of marque from some part of Scotland,3 and taken by a French man of war, and retaken by the Fox frigate.4 This... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
31st. Friday Last Night the Centry at the L[ong]. End of the L. Prison gave them a Signal to Come Out, Seven Accepted of the Invitation & Cut of a Bar in ye. window & let them selves down by a Rope, before they got Clear of they Surprised & three were taken.1 Henry Lunt, Thos. Barker & Robt. Swan got off2 We hear... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Friday 31st. This day we found out that the information was given1 by one of our own people (an English man) who had been a Prisoner near 20 Months and is now confined from out in the Hospital—and has petitioned the Admiralty to go on board the Men of War. this day came on shore 103, French Prisoners and 2 Americans amongst them and was committed to Forton Prison, this night the lights... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Extract]
[At sea in the English Channel, 31 July 1778]1
. . . From the French stealing away in the night, I conclude they are very much damaged and got into Brest the next day or the day after.2
As to the surmise that they were to go to Quiberon Bay, I think it is very probable if they had any intention to embark troops for a descent in England or Ireland; but I am inclined... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I am favoured with your esteemed Letter of the 28 Instant and am glad to see that you have safely received your Anchor, The Bread Brandy Buckshot & Medicines have also I hope reached you as they were forwarded the day before Yesterday they were ready before but the Continual Rains we have had made me put it of ’till then— By this Barge you will receive all the articles for the Ranger as... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston July- 31st. 1778-
[Port Louis, France]
The first part of this Day, fresh Gales & fair weather, the latter part moderate, the pilot came on Board to carry us out of the Harbour, but the wind failing, the pilot went on shore again.
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Have the pleasure of acquainting you, that my Ship has been in readiness for the Sea ever since the 25 inst. only wait for a favourable wind, the wind has been to the westward this fifteen days past, which makes it absolutely impossible to get out, these winds blowing directly up the River—added to this the water is so exceeding shoal, we are obliged to sail on the tide of flood—your... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Early this morning I recieved yours of yesterday the Chevalier1 was on board I soon found that he had sold the other mans2 Goods and had defrauded him out of his property I delivered him to the Officer that came off with the Woman3 found part of the Goods in her Trunk I discharged him from the Ship paid him off for the time that he belonged to the Service and... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
In a Conversation yesterday with M Floridablanca,1 he mentioned to me his having remitted to M. Escarano2 two Subjects, more of Discussion than of Complaint. One was the Demand threatned to be made upon the Governour of Louisiana, by the Governor of Florida relative to a Vessel carried into New-Orleans by the Americans.3 He thought the Manner in which this Demand... Continue Reading
Date: 31 July 1778
Volume: Volume 13
The Widdows Lamentation for the Loss of her Husband in America. No. 22.—
All true hearted Britons that pasing along—
I would have you draw near and attend to my song—
O what terrible news do we hear every day—
Of the lives that are lost in North America—
’Tis enough for to pierce a heart of a stone—
To hear the poor widdow and Children to mourn—
When our armies they arrive on America’s... Continue Reading
Date: 1 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I judged it proper to acquaint you that a French Ship, cut out from Sheepscut2 on the Coast of America by the Rainbow’s Tender, arrived at Spithead last night, and has on board 50 Masts, two of which are of 26 inches. And that on the 17th. of last month, she fell in with Six Sail of Adml. Byron’s Squadron. The Albion was dismasted; the Grafton, Royal Oak, and ... Continue Reading
Date: 1 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This day begins with a Calm, wharpe’d the Ship out of the Harbour, at Noon got clear of all the Rocks, Ordered the Boats hoisted in board; then made sail for Nantse, at 5 PM. passed through between the Isle of Houat & Quiberon point with the 3 prize Brigs under my Convoy;1 at 11 PM spoke with Capt. Giles in a Schooner belonging to New London, North America2
Date: 1 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Augt. 1 [frigate Boston, Port Louis, France] At 5 am the Boston convoyed the 3 prizes1 to Nantz where they had been bought by the Merchants—At 1 pm passed Bell Isle[.]2
Date: 1 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
The Frigate Boston sails this morning with her three prizes.1 Captain Tucker happend accidentally to have mention’d to me that he had your orders to take on board some goods here, but that as the wind was fair, he determin’d not to wait for them.
if it is a disappointment to you, wch. in any manner can be remedied by loading them on a french bottom, I can give you freight... Continue Reading
Date: 1 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I am honoured with your most esteemed favour of the 31 Ulto by which I see how deservedly you have discharged the Chevaillier1 and beg you would be Assured that I will take care to cause proper Applications to be made to him if he Should attempt to wear the Naval American Uniform I am glad to see that you have received every thing2 safe the Rangers slops have I... Continue Reading
Date: 1 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Sunday Augst. 2d. 1778-
This Day pleasant Gales & moderate weather, at Noon we Anchored it being calm, abt. 5 miles from point Groziact1 NWst. at 3 PM weighed anchor @ 7 came past the point at 9. Anchored.
Date: 2 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Augt.] 2 [frigate Boston, coast of Brittany] Came to Anchor at Noon off the Crozick.1 At 2 pm sailed up the River2 till 8 pm.
Date: 2 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I received your favour of yesterday and have received every thing contained in your Invoice1 of the Ranger Slops as they are marked on the Baskets & Bales which I have enclosed a receipt for Agreable to those marks Contents unknown Also I received the Clearance for the Ship which I have delivd to Mr Odea2 I have everything in Compleat Readiness for... Continue Reading
Date: 2 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
3. For these two months past, since we have been allowed pens, ink and paper, I have employed them to as much advantage as possible. Most of the time, I have busied myself in writing and cyphering. I have had as much writing to do as I could accomplish; and to-day I sent out to buy books and instruments to learn navigation.1 To-day a number more Frenchmen were brought to prison.
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This Day comes in with pleasant weather, at 7 in the Morning weigh’d anchor, at 9. a Branch Pilot1 came on Board, at Noon anchored, carried the Ketch anchor, in Warping the Ship the towline broke & the Anchor lost, made sail for the River,2 at 5. PM. anchored oposite the lowermost light House, at 7 weigh’d anchor again & at 8 Anchored opposite a Town called St... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
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