American Theatre from March 1, 1777, to April 30, 1777
We expect by the time that these Orders will get to your hands, the Ship Alfred under your Command will be compleatly fitted and manned, You are therefore to proceed with said ship immediately to sea, and there Cruize in such Latitudes as will be most likely to fall in with, and intercept the enemies Transport Vessels coming to reinforce or supply their Army at New York, and you are to use your... Continue Reading
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
As we have appointed you to the Command of the Sloop Providence of War, now at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, we expect your good conduct in this Station will be equal to the trust reposed in you, and that by a dilligent attention to your duty, every thing possible will be done for the benefit of your Country, which will recommend you to the esteem and future favours of this Committee... Continue Reading
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
A paragraph in a letter from Statia, of the 30th ult. mentions: "There is nothing talked of in Antigua, but privateering, as they call it, but in my opinion, it ought to be called pirating. The Admiral considered it in that light, and has taken some of their prizes from them, and laid hold of the pirates themselves, the fate of them is now depending in Antigua. ー The Admiral has been arrested,... Continue Reading
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Ordered that the Keeper of the Publick Store, deliver to Captain Wright Westcott, Eighteen Bolts of Duck, Number one, eleven Bolts of Ditto Number five; and eleven Bolts of light Ditto, such as Captain Westcott may chuse for the use of the Dragon Galley building on Chickahominy ー Also three Dozen Sail Sewing Needles, one dozen bolt rope Ditto, one dozen palm Irons, and forty five pounds of twine... Continue Reading
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
April 1777 ー
Wednesday 23d:
At Single Anchor Cape Henry SEbE 6 or 7 Miles
At 8 [A. M.] saw a Schooner, fired several Shot at her, hoisted our Boats out and gave Chace, at ½ pt Came on a thick fogg, lost sight of the Chace, made the Signal for the Boats to return; let go the Sheet Anchor and hove it up for a Best Bower, at ½ pt 11 sent our Boats in Chace of a Sloop ー
Modt and thick foggy Wr
at... Continue Reading
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Last Night between Nine & ten OClock a friend of mine on the otherside the water, sent me word, that the Spainards of N Orleans had seized on all the English Vessells, at or about that place, that all the English Merchants there had orders to quit the place in 15 days ー as for the Vessells being taken and the English Gentlemen ordered out of town is true, what the reason is for so doing can't... Continue Reading
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
April 1777
Wednesday 23d
Moord in Port Royal Harbour
AM came on Board Mr Ramsey and paid the Ships Company Prize Money, for the Ranger and LeMira Briggs 2
Date: 23 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Your favour of the 21st is before me note what you say respecting altering the Mellish, if it can be done with you, can it be with expedition, are there a sufficient number of Carpenters or will they want more help, will it be best to do it by the Jobb, or by the day, will it not be best to have the Captain present when the Alteration is making Mr [Robert] Morris some time since desired me to buy... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
You are desired to attend a Court Martial on my first Lieut 2 for his continual neglect of Duty & possative Disobedience of Orders, the Court to be held at Mr Marstons in Congress Street at 4 oClock this Afternoon —
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We hear that a Number of capital Ships are to be built by order of Congress. With respect to the Expediency of it, May not the following Queries have some Weight. ー Suppose a Vessell of 60 Guns to be built in so short a Time as the present Exigencies of our affairs require to render it of Use in the present Contest, what Number of Men are to be employd in building and what will be the expence of... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
In the House of Representatives, Whereas on the Evening of the 22d Instant advice was received by this Court, that a Ship Supposed to be the Milford Man of War, was in Ipswich Bay & had taken several Vessels, and Whereas this Court by their Committee have made Commodore Manley and Capt McNeil the Commanders of the Continental Frigates in this Port whose Ships are ready for Sailing, any... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas an Act passed the 27th March AD 1777 for securing & making provision for the support of Prisoners who may be taken by any American Armed Vessel & brought or sent into any Port of this State, & it is necessary that some suitable person should have the Command of said Guard Vessel with a sufficient number of Men to take care she is from Time to Time, properly moor'd, & that... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas, one of the Two Nine pound Cannon that was taken from Marblehead, and lent to the Continent for the use of the Ship Boston has Split, and become Useless, and it is very doubtful whether the other is not very defective ー
Therefore Order'd, that Capt McNeil cause the One now ori board his Ship to be carried on shore and that the Board of War be, and hereby are directed to deliver him Two... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Last Monday arrived at a safe Port, a large Ship, from France, with the following Cargo, viz. 58 Pieces of Brass Cannon, Cloathing for 10,000 Men, Tents for ditto; 10 Tons Powder, Lead, Brass, and a Quantity of Blankets. A Colonel, and 24 Officers of Artillery came Passengers in the above Ship.1
Arrived on Tuesday, at Port, a Prize Brig, taken by Capt. Robert Parker,2 her... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Understanding by one or two of our Brother Officers, that there is a dispute arisen between Yourself & the Honble Thomas Cushing Esqr, Namely whether ourselves & Men on board this Ship Shall be paid in full the wages for our past Services and one Months advance Wages according to a Resolve of the Honble Continental Congress. ー We therefore beg leave to lay before you the Manner of our... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Resolved, That Daniel Tillinghast Esq. the Continental Agent for this State, be, and he is hereby impowered to receive on Loan to him out of the General Treasury, the Sum of One Thousand Pounds Lawful Money to enable him to fit and send away to Sea the Continental Ship Warren, John Hopkins Esq. Commander ー
£1000 ー
A true Copy ー Witness.
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Deserted the 15th instant, from the armed boat Porcupine, Robert Tatnal commander, the two following men, viz. James Mills, about twentyfive years of age, five feet eight inches high, round face, and fresh colour. He had on, when he went away, a grey surtout coat, leather breeches, and round hat, &c.
Anthony Moore, about five feet three inches high, a well set young fellow. He had on, when he... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We have received repeated Accounts of your having impressed, and detained a number of Seafaring Men, and others, who either resided in, or were occasionally at Baltimore Town, and that besides the wrong to the Individuals, it's consequences have been injurious to the Town, in deterring People from going to Market there, for fear of being treated in the same manner. ー
We do not know that you can... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Benjamin King appointed Captain of the armed Boat called the Plater, and the Governor & Council agree to allow him eleven Pounds p Month for his Services, as Captain thereof. —
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Immediately on my Receipt of your Letter of the 12th of March; I laid it before the General Assembly . . .
I join in Sentiments with you, as to the Utility of stationing Callies on the Eastern Shore; some of ours are designed for that Service, but our utmost Efforts have not yet been effectual to get any one completely fitted. ー We have three in the Water, partly manned, and three others ready,... Continue Reading
Date: 24 April 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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