Young Goodrich, who brought in the Powder is sent to Boston ー They have also Taken the Old man near the Capes, in his Passage to the West Indies, & 'tis said Used him very Ill, but I had not particulars.
Nov. 27 [1775]. Three wagons from Bethania passed on their way to Cross Creek for salt. Br. Miksch went with them from here, taking tallow, candles and manufactured tobacco, for sale. A man coming from Cross Creek said there was a report that a frigate had landed troops near Willmingtown.
On motion, Resolved, That Col. [William] Moultrie be directed forthwith to order a detachment of forty privates, who are best acquainted with maritime affairs, to do duty and serve on board the armed ship Prosper,for one month, unless sooner discharged by proper authority.
On Motion, Resolved, That the Delegates of this colony in the Continental Congress, be immediately applied to, to use their... Continue Reading
Novemb [1775]
Monday 27
in St Johns River East Florida
Arrived Governor Tonyn in his Sloop to meet the Indians Salluted him with 9 Guns
at 2 P M Salluted Governor Tonyn with Eleven Guns on Coming on Bd and at going on shore the same number of guns
[Montreal] November the 28th. ー General Montgomery embarked for Quebec: He took with him, on Board the Gaspee Sloop of War and the Mary Schooner, Part of Capt Lamb's Artillery Company, ー [Jacob] Cheesman's & [Frederick] Weisenfels' Companies of my Regiment ー one Company of the second & two of the third Regiment . . . Just before the General embarked he informed me that I was to remain at... Continue Reading
Sir I had the honour of writeing to you the 19th Instant I have now to inform you that Henry Knox Esqr is gone to New york, with orders to forward to this place, what Cannon & Ordnance Stores, can be there procured, from thence, he will proceed to Genl Schuyler on the same business as you will see by the inclosed Copy of instructions which I have given him ー it would give me much Satisfaction... Continue Reading
We were very fortunate in making the land, which was just at break of day; being in the middle of the Bay, we fell in with the Mercury man of war who (with a fleet of ships from New Portsmouth, which place they burnt) who convoyed us safe into Boston.3 The Bay at present is very unsafe for vessels unarmed, as it swarms with privateers, and a great number of whale boats, each carrying... Continue Reading
By another Dispatch from Mr Arbuthnot dated the 17th instant the Admiral was informed that the Savage had Sailed with the Transport from Newfoundland, but that they had parted the third day after in a Gale of Wind: That they were putting the Yard in a State of Defence with the utmost Diligence under the Direction of Captain [William] Spry of the Engineers, by order of the General, as the... Continue Reading
From a Letter brought me by Lieut. Forrest on Sunday Evening [November 26] from your Office, I find the Sloop laden with Wood and Bark I seized off Piscatagua was retaken by the Rebels.2 I have by this means lost a Mate, Midshipman, three Seamen and two Marines, whom I put in her to navaigate and secure her Safety to Boston. A Man belonging to the Canceaux being a Pilot I put in to act... Continue Reading
This morning, Tuesday the 28th [November], we got under way at dawn and put to sea with a west-north-west wind. We were convinced that we would see again the same vessels of our mortal enemy. During the day our ship was windbound and we made very little way, about 3 leagues. Seeing the coming of a very bad night we had to return to the entrance of the harbor. On our way back we found a small... Continue Reading
My Dear General The Evening before General Montgomery landed on the Island of Montreal, Mr Carlton embarked his Garrison on Board of some Vessels and small Craft, And made two Attempts to pass our Batteries near the Mouth of Sorrel, but was drove back by Colo: Easton, who has behaved with Bravery & much Alertness; On the 19th Mr Carlton disguised En Canadien & accompanied by six Peasants... Continue Reading
At four this Afternoon I was agreeably surprized with the Sight of Brig: Gen: Prescott & the Officers taken with him from on Board the Vessels, Inclose You the several Returns2 sent me by General Montgomery, who was so hurryed with his Preparations for descending to Quebec, that he could not find Time to send me the Terms which he gave Prescott. ー
I am happy to learn by the... Continue Reading
On the 28th I repeated this Advice2 (dining that Day & lodging that Night on Board with my Family) and told him that he had a good Opportunity for a Letter to the People in which he might do himself Honor and be useful in urging to a Spirit of Moderation. He promised to call a Council on this Occasion because he had before charged them with Secrecy as to his Leave of Absence ー
The Congress resumed the consideration of the rules for the regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies, and the same being debated by paragraphs, were agreed to as follows:
Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies
The Commanders of all ships and vessels belonging to the thirteen United Colonies, are strictly required to shew in themselves a good example of honor and virtue... Continue Reading
On Tuesday November 28. 1775. The Congress resumed the Consideration of the Rules and Orders for the Navy of the United Colonies, and the same being debated by Paragraphs were agreed to . . . They were drawn up in the Marine Committee and by my hand, but examined, discussed, and corrected by the Committee. In this place I will take the Opportunity to observe, that the pleasantest part of my... Continue Reading
In Congress.
The Delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, NorthCarolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to
Samuel Nicholas Esquire
WE reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO by... Continue Reading
Upon application of Major Samuel Mifflin, for Captain Samuel Davidson to have leave of absence, to make a Voyage in his Ship in the Service of the Congress; it is
Resolved, That Captain Davidson have leave of absence to go a Voyage in the above mention'd employ.
Upon application of the Commanders of the armed Boats for an Increase to their allowance of Provisions, The Board, after having... Continue Reading
We wrote you some time past by Mrs. Hidgecock, informing of the appointment of ten Pilots, station'd at Chester & Philada, to bring up from thence any Vessel bound up, & Carry down to that place every one outward bound. We at the same time requested you to Inform all the Pilots of your place that they were by no means to proceed higher than Chester, where one of the new Commission'd... Continue Reading
They are now fitting out four Vessels here viz 3 Ships & one 16 Gun Schooner; they will soon be ready, 'tis whispered that they go to France &c but I believe a mere surmise.2
Our River is well secured by a Cheval de Frise sunk about eight Miles below our Town, with a small Aperature for our own Vessels to pass thro', which they generally can do with the Assistance of a good Pilot who knows the Situation of this Machine or Instrument of Defence; altho' we have already lost two small Vessels in attempting to pass it, even with good Pilots on Board. None of the Lewistown... Continue Reading