American Theatre from May 1, 1777, to May 31, 1777
We have just recd yr kind Letter & take the earliest Oppo to express our Gratitude for your generous & disinterested Conduct in our Affair, a regard to the inclinations of the Negroes as well as our own Interest induces us to request yr farther assistance in this matter they ship'd on board the Armed Brigantine Freedom 2 to fight agt the Enemies of America & in that respect... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . Our Fleet is still in the harbour. We have had easterly winds and thick weather almost constantly for a fortnight past. They were to sail this day, if possible, but there is no alteration in the weather. Three Cruisers chased a Vessel between the Capes yesterday. The intelligence from Halifax is that eight sail of their Ships and some small Vessels are between that place and this, that the... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
In the House of Representatives Whereas by various accounts received from abroad there is reason to fear that a strong Fleet & Armament of the Enemy will shortly be sent against this State & it being necessary we should have the earliest Notice of their approach, therefore,
Resolved that the Board of War be & they hereby are impowered. & directed forthwith to equip & send out... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Colo Jona Glover
Sir,
Agreeable to the order of Court have fix'd out a swift sailing Vessel to reconoitre down upon the Eastern Shore & desire you would immediately procure one your way. ー We think ten Days at a time will be long enough and any important Intelligence let be sent the Board of War from the nearest port by Land express if that will expedite the Intelligence.
We are, Sir [&c... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
By J. Grafton, Jun. On Thursday, Fifteenth Instant, At Ten o'Clock A.M. Will be sold by Public Auction, On the Long-Wharf, Salem, The good Ship Royal Charlotte, 300 Tons burthen, sails uncommonly Fast, exceedingly well found, and will be sold with her Tackle, Apparel and Furniture, as she now lays.
Also, on the same Day, at Eleven o'Clock, A. M. Will be sold, at the Wharf of Richard Derby, Esq;... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Notice is hereby given, That Libels are filed before me, in behalf of Samuel Smedley, commander of the armed brigantine Defence, owned by the State of Connecticut, and of his company on board her, against the schooner Anna, of about 70 tons burthen, John Shillstone late master; and against the snow or brigantine called the Swift, of about 70 tons burthen, James Edwards late master ー and in behalf... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
A letter from Colonel John Broome, dated the 5th instant, relative to the vessel of war, the Montgomery, was received and read, as follows, to wit:
Hartford, May 5, 1777.
Sir ー Capt. William Rogers, in the privateer sloop Montgomery, belonging to our State, arrived at New-Haven last week, and as I esteem that harbour at present a very unsafe one, I have ordered her round into Connecticut river,... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Committee for Foreign Affairs reported the draught of a new commission for commanders of private ships of war, and a bond to be given by them, which were read and agreed to.
The form of the commission is as follows:
In Congress
The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The subscriber, belonging to the Washington frigate, was last Thursday, between four and five o'clock, A. M. insulted and abused, about half way between the Rainbow and the barracks, by Regulars dressed in blue, who knocked him down and took his firelock and black leather pocket book from him; in the latter there was some money, and a bond for one hundred and one pounds from John Williams,... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We received your Letter of the fifth Instant by the Post, directed to the Governor. We feel no Inclination to impose Terms of Concession inconsistent with the Honor of a Gentleman or Officer. Your Letter of the 25th of April conveyed an Affront to the Governor and Council; Your explicit Disapprobation of your Conduct in Writing that .letter, is but a necessary Attonement and will, as to us, be... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Rattle Snake and Oliver Cromwell have been very successful of late in taking prizes; think the Oliver Cromwell had taken seven or eight in all, the last was a brig with a cargo of dry goods, valued about 6000 I. sterling. ー The Rattle Snake on her last cruize took a vessel with lumber from Florida, a ship with sugars, &c, from Grenada, and a ship with slaves from the coast of Guinea, all... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
On Motion Ordered that the Board of War be & they hereby are directed to deliver Capt Job Prince One hundred double headed Shott, One hundred Star Shott for Six pound Cannon Six hundred Weight Grape Shott, Three hundred Weight Sheet Lead Six Sheep Skins, Six Dozen hand Grenada Shells. for the use of the Ship General Mifflin John Day Commanders who is engaged to proceed on a Cruize with... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We learn from the West-Indies, that great Numbers of Salt Vessels fall into the Enemy's Hands: No less than 45 Sail were taken by one armed Vessel at Turk's-Island in the Space of two or three Weeks.
The Ship Oliver Cromwell, Seth Harding, Esq; Commander,
Lying in the Harbour of New-London, Is nearly ready to sail on a Six Months Cruize, having great Part of her Men engaged. ー Able Seamen or... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
On receipt of this letter you are to proceed to Portsmouth in New Hampshire where you will find the Amphitrite a French Ship of 20 Guns commanded by Monsr N: Fautrel a Gentleman that has acquitted himself honorably of the charge he undertook, and we doubt not he will continue the Same good conduct for the remainder of the Voyage.
This Ship is to proceed from Portsmouth to Charles Town, South... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 22d April some days Since but could not reply sooner as it took some time to have the several french letters and papers rendered into English that they might be laid before Congress to obtain their orders for the disposition of the several Articles that compose the Amphitrites Cargo, and We are now authorized to direct that you comply with such... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
This letter is intended to be delivered you by John Paul Jones Esquire, an Active and brave Commander in our Navy, who has already pertormed Signal Services in Vessels of little force, and, in reward for his Zeal, we have directed him to go on board the Amphitrite, a French Ship of Twenty Guns, that brought in a Valuable Cargo of Stores from Monsr Hortalez & Co, and with her repair to France... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Congress have thought proper to authorize the Secret Committee to employ you a voyage in the Amphitrite from Portsmouth to Carolina and France where it is expected you will be provided with a fine frigate and as your present Commission is for the Command of a particular Ship we now Send you a new one whereby you are appointed a Captain in our Navy and of course may command any Ship in the... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Inclosed are Two Resolves of Congress by which you will see that a Navy-Board is established in Massachusetts Bay, and that you are appointed One of the Commissioners. You will please to let me know as soon as possible whether you accept the Appointment or not. If you should decline the Office you will write to the President & inform him of it. It is expected that you do no other Business... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Raleigh armed brig, Edward Travis, esq; commander, had the misfortune last Saturday night, it being exceedingly dark, to run foul of the Thames frigate, mounting 32 guns, outside of the capes, when she was taken. Capt. Travis had that day convoyed out a number of merchantmen, who all got safely to sea.
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Brune, a frigate of 36 guns, and the Merlin, of 20 guns, two of his tyrannic Majesty's ships of war, are now cruising on this coast, having lately taken nine vessels between Ocracock and Cape-Fear, which they immediately burnt. They landed some of their prisoners at Cape Fear, where they put in to water, having on board a renegado American pilot, who served his time in Cape Fear river. The... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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