Sir ー It gives me great concern to be obliged to inform you that I have received his Majesty's commands for your returning home at the close of this year. In a letter I wrote to you not long ago, I mentioned that the world in general expected something essential to be done both by the fleet and army, and General Gage's return to England has made my resistance to your being recalled utterly... Continue Reading
Lord Sandwich ー I have just received your letter enclosing Rear-Admiral Byron's, who declines on account of his health serving as second in command in North America: he is too gallant an officer to pretend illness without sufficient reason; therefore I expect, when you see him, that he will not change his opinion; in which case I am clear that Sir Peter Parker is the properest person you can... Continue Reading
1775
18th Septr
Captn [Samuel] Warren of the Weazle Sloop was directed in pursuance of the King's pleasure signified by the Earl of Dartmouth on the 29th ult. to proceed to the Coast of Africa & ranging the whole Coast from Sierra Leon to Whidah seize all Ships & Vessels belonging to the twelve associated Colonies that shall be found trading in any Fort or Factory on the Coast, and to... Continue Reading
As it is necessary in the present Situation that every possible precaution should be used to prevent any Store Ships with Arms and Ammunition from being intercepted in their Passages to North America; I am commanded by The King to signify to your Lordships His Majesty's Pleasure that you do instruct the Commander of each of His Majesty's Ships now ready to sail to Boston or any other Port in... Continue Reading
Fifteen large galliots, carrying at their bows guns from 32 to 48 pounders, swivels, &c. and fifty men each, are built at Philadelphia; and are to be stationed in Delaware river about Redbank, to oppose any men of war, who may attempt to come up the river; and to defend the machines, sunk in that narrow part of the river.
On the 28th of July last twenty-five tons of gunpowder arrived at... Continue Reading
I acknowledge to have receiv'd their Lordships Order for seizing Ships & Vessels belonging to the Specified Colonies & Plantations in No America, & I shall take care to Comply Circumstantially to the Order, as far as it is in my Power. I am sir [&c.]
Some attempts having been made by Masters of Ships bound to North America to take on board Flint Stones by way of Ballast, proper Steps have been taken for preventing any such attempts for the future; At the same time too great precaution cannot be used in this case; And therefore, in pursuance of the King's Pleasure signified to Us by the Earl of Dartmouth one of His Majesty's Principal... Continue Reading
Advices have been received from North Carolina, that the Disorders in that Province having continued to increase, Governor Martin had judged it necessary to abandon Fort Johnson on Cape Fear River, where he had lately fixed his Residence; and to remove the Cannon and Stores under the Protection of his Majesty's Sloop Cruizer, on Board of which he had retired; and that on the Night of the 18th of... Continue Reading
Orders being given for the Ship Brownhall, Edward Austin Master, laden with Naval Stores for Halifax, to proceed to Boston under Convoy of the first of His Majts Ships that sails from Spithead to that Port; I am commanded by my Lords Commissrs of the Admty to signify their direction to you, upon her arrival at Boston, to send her under Convoy from thence to Halifax, I am &c.
My Lord, I received yesterday the honour of Your Lordship's Letter of the 15th Inst No. 19, and in consequence I did not fail to speak to M: de Vergennes on the affair of the Powder sent to Philadelphia from St. Domingo. He assured me, My Lord, that we must certainly have been misinformed, and I must do him the Justice to say that the whole tenor of his Language which was frank and positive upon... Continue Reading
His Majesty's Service requiring your Return to England; I have it in command from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you therewith and to signify their direction to you to hold yourself in readiness to return to England accordingly with all the Third Rates under your Command or such of them as may be assembled at Boston as soon after the arrival of Rear Admiral Shuldham as... Continue Reading
The King having judged it expedient to direct that there should be a change in the destination of the Five Regiments of Infantry, vizt 17th 27th 28th 46th & 55th now under Orders for immediate embarkation from Corke; I have it in command from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to signify their direction to you that, notwithstanding any former Orders, if all the Five Regiments shall be at... Continue Reading
The Lords of His Majts Treasury having caused several Ships to be freighted with Provisions & Stores for the use of the Kings Forces at Boston, and the Masters of the said Ships being furnished with private Signals for knowing, or making themselves known to any of the Ships of your Squadron which they may happen to meet with; I am commanded by my Lords Commissrs of the Admty to send you a... Continue Reading
Private Signals for knowing each other, to be observed by the Ships and Vessels under the Command of the Admiral commanding in chief in America
By day. ー
The Ship to Windward shall lower down her Foretopsail, which the Ship to Leeward shall answer by lowering down her Maintopsail, Then the Ship to Windward shall hoist an English Jack at her Maintopmast head, which the Ship to Leeward shall answer... Continue Reading
1775
22d Septr
Navy Board were directed to cause 20. more flat bottom Boats to be immediately built and sent to Boston as opportunities may offer 10. of them to be with, and 10. of them without Transoms.
I am afraid the most wicked machinations of Governor Dunmore have by this time involved you in the horrors of war. What the Ministry intend against you and the rest of America, cannot be exactly ascertained before the meeting of the Parliament. Probably they have not yet determined upon the exact mode of executing their vengeance. You will do wisely, however, in preparing for the utmost extremity... Continue Reading
after a passage of 34 Days, I arrived safe in Ferole, the 14th of Septembr 17752
I Deliverd my Letters agreable to Orders ー and made every Nesessary Inquirey Respecting the sale of my Cargo in the Different Ports of Spain as well, as in Portugal ー it appeared most prudent for me to accept of an ofer, made me by Mr Dubanch, that in Case I would Leave the Cargoe in his hands ー he would... Continue Reading
By Archibald Cockburn, Esq; of Cockpen, Advocate, his Majesty's Sheriff Depute of the Sheriff dom of Edinburgh.
Whereas a letter was received by me some time ago, from his Majesty's Advocate for Scotland, intimating, That on account of the present rebellion in America, it was proper a stop should be put for the present to emigrations to that country; and that the necessary directions were left... Continue Reading
We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the guild or brotherhood of masters and pilots seamen of the Trinity-House of Kingston upon Hull, consider the many privileges granted to our ancient corporation by your royal predecessors, and the great advantages derived to us, as a maritime body, and to the town of Hull by your majesty's kind attention to encourage and secure the navigation... Continue Reading
September 1775
Saturday 23
Portland N N E 7 or 8 Leaguesー
A M the Pilot came on board and took charge of her ½ past 11 Slipt the Bridles & came to sail [from Portsmouth Harbor] at 2 PM Anchor'd at Spithead with the small Br . . . at 11 Weighed and came to Sail, Saluted Admiral Douglas2 with 13 Guns.