American Theatre from March 1, 1777, to April 30, 1777
March 1777
Monday 24
Cape Ann Wt 3 or 4 Leagues
Saw 3 sail bearing WBS standing to the So Do Gave Chase. Cleared Ship for Action at 12 Made the Night Signal which was Not Answered
Fresh Gales & Squally thick Hazy Wr Latter fresh Gales & Cloudy
at 1 the Chase seperated One stood to the Et ward the Other two tackd & stood to the wt ward at 2 the Etermost bore Away the Other two kept... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
D: Sir/ Since the closing of my public Letter, I find the Daphne will be ready to accompany the Thames. The Brune shall follow as soon as she can be spared; But your friend Fergusson is now absent in the North River, upon a Coup meditated against the Magazines of the Rebels prepared at PeeksKill. We have not yet heard more, than that the Rebels fired at the Troops on, or near their Landing,... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Marine Committee laid before Congress a paper, signed by sundry officers in the fleet, containing charges and complaints against Commodore [Esek] Hopkins;2 which was read, and laid upon the table.
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
That it is the Opinion of this Committee that the Officers and Crews of the Fleet which sailed from Philadelphia under Command of Esek Hopkins Esqr are intitled pursuant to their Agreement to share all the Prizes taken after their departure from Rheedy Island and before their Arrival afterward at New London.
That All the Prizes taken after the Arrival of Said Fleet at New London ought to be... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Agent Mr Bradford has orders from this Committee to purchase and fit out three Armed Vessels pursuant to a Resolve of Congress which is transmitted to him, one of which you are to command and the Committee have directed that you should have your choice, therefore you are directed to make your election as soon as the purchase shall be made, and to superintend and hasten the fitting her out for... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Inclosed is a Resolution of Congress in consequence of which, you are hereby directed to purchase, Arm and fit out for the service of the United states three fast sailing good ships that will conveniently mount not exceeding 18 Sixpounders on One Deck. If it should be necessary to take off raise or lower a deck, you'l have it done, or make any other necessary alterations, you'l take care to have... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
On Wednesday the 2d of April, at six o'clock in the evening, by public vendue, at the London Coffeehouse, will be sold the sloop Union, Bermudian built, burthen between forty and fifty tons, a remarkable good sailor, with all her materials complete, the most part new, as she now lies in Little Egg harbour at Capt. Penn's. For particulars apply to Mess. Meredith and Clymer, merchants, in this city... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
A Vessel just arrived here from St. Eustatia, brings Advice, that a Fleet of near 200 Sail of British Merchantmen, under Convoy of four Men of War, arrived last Month at different Islands in the West Indies. Three of the Fleet only are missing. They are supposed to be taken by American Cruisers. One of them is judged to be a Three Decker, commanded by Capt. Cox bound to St. Kitts, with a large... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Letters Wrote to the County Lieutenants of Accomack and Northampton desiring them to give such Orders to Lieut John Thomas of the Protector Galley as they may Judge most requisite and Necessary for the Protection of Trade and defence of the Inhabitants of the Eastern Shore. ー
Lieutenant John Thomas received Orders to Proceed immediately with the Protector Galley from his present Station to... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Know ye that I do hereby appoint Kirby Rathel to be first Lieutenant [of] the Brigantine of war called the Defence of the burthen of about one hundred Tons belonging to this State Commanded by Captain Thomas Pickering hereby granting Comm[ission ], License and authority to him therewith by force of arms to apprehend, seize, and take [such] Ships, Vessells, and Goods which are liable to seizure... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
In my Last which was by Capt McLellan, I mention'd Something of My having A prospect of Selling the Ship Paris, but now am convinc'd that I Shall not, as the Prize Ships frequently arrive here & are Sold for very Little, not Somuch as my Ships Rigging & Sails are worth, therefore Shall make all the despatch I possebly can to Leave this Port Bound home. have now almost all my cargo on... Continue Reading
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
It is reported here, that Capt. Dwyer, of the brig Endeavour, of Liverpool, was taken to the westward of this island, by the Rattle Snake privateer, that she has on board 40 slaves, between nine and ten tons of ivory and a considerable quantity of returned goods.
Date: 25 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
March 1777
Wednesday 26
Moor'd in Halifax Harbor
A M Long Boat employ'd removg the Rebel Prisoners out of His Majts Ship Boulogne into the Ld Stanley Prison Ship
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
That your Petitioner in conjunction with Joseph Lee John & Andrew Cabot & William Bartlett have a certain Brigantine Hector, about one hundred & fifty Tons burthen which arrived in January last from Spain with a Cargo of Salt Brandies & many other usefull & valuable Supplies to this State, that your Petitioner with the concern'd were at the Expence of arming said Vessel when... Continue Reading
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
In Council ー Whereas it is of Great Importance that there should be ample Supply cif rum, Sugar, Molasses, Cocoa, Coffee Cotton Wool and Salt for the use of the Army and every Impediment to their Importation ought immediately to be removed ー Therefore,
Resolved, That Benjamin Greenleaf, Thos Cushing and John Taylor Esqrs be a Committee, with such as the Honble House shall join to Consider of the... Continue Reading
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We have the Pleasure to acknowledge your favr 21st October 1776, & are greatly oblidged for your tender of Service. ー Your Monsieur Pliarne has favour'd us with a personal Interview & with him we have contracted to consign a number of Ships & other Vessels to Jacques Gruel & Co: Merchts in Nantz, Who by yr Mr Pliarne have contracted to advance us Fire Arms, Cloathing &c. upon... Continue Reading
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Board of War request That the Sloop Reprisal, Nathl Carver Master, burthen about Seventy Tons, carrying four Guns 4 pounders, Six Swivels, One hundred weight of powder, and navigated with Sixteen Men, bound from Plymouth to France & back, be furnished with a Letter of Marque. ー By Order of the Board
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
You being Master of the Sloop Reprisal now loaded & ready to sail, your Orders are to proceed direct for Nantes in the Kingdom of France, & deliver your Letter to Messrs Jacques Gruel & Compy Merchants there, to whom you are consign'd & follow their Orders for your further proceedings. You will lose no time in delivering your Cargo, & putting your Sloop in order to take on... Continue Reading
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I herewith send you John Collins who has been Apprehended here, and Tried by a Court Martial for sundry Misdemeaners as will Appear by the Inclosed Judgment, the Two first Sentence's has been fully Comply'd with, and as Immagine him to be the same Person Advertised in the Providence Gazette for Stealing a Silver watch at the House of Thomas Bently, the property of Thomas Anderson, Clark of the... Continue Reading
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Hond Sir Before my return to the Ship which was the Day I left Your Honor, An Instance of Misdemenor had hapned, which will seriously shew the great necessity of my having some Rule given for my direction with Respect to inflicting proper Punishments on those who may deserve it On the Day that Capt [Elisha] Hinmans Marrage was Celebrated, while I was with you, My Officers tho't it best to Salute... Continue Reading
Date: 26 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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