Onboard American Contin Frig Providence
At Sea in Bay of Biscay August 9 1778
Honble
Commissioners Navy Boards United Ameri States Where these may Arrive and can be deliverd with greatist Convency
Honoured Genm.
This oppertunity permits me to Acquaint you that when I saild from the River of Providence we recieved a severe Cannonading from the two Frigates that Attacked1 but I flatter myself they had nothing to boast of as the fire was returned with Interest. One shot from the Enemy hulled us between wind & water and the sails, Rigging &c was much damaged but amid all this fire not a man was killed or wounded. The Lark was fairly along side when she recieved three of our Broadsides and immediately sheered off not being able to Stand the wt of our metal the 4th Day was chased by a two Decker2 but out saild her from the wind exceeding fast.
In Latt 45.00 Long 10.00 took a Brig laden with 143 Pipes of Wine bound from Porto Port to West Chester she Arrived Safe at St Martins Isle of Rhé and has been sold by the Con Agt3 Arrived in the River Loire harbour of Paimbeuf about 10 Leagues from Nantes the 29th of May and immediately dispatched an Officer Agreable to my Orders to wait on the Honble Comms Resident at Paris.
Having found by experience that my masts & rigging were by no means Sufficient to carry and Croud sail have had such Alterations made as I beleive will stand my Ship at Present is manned with 250 men and Boys included about 80 of them are green Frenchmen whom I have picked up here. The Honble Commissioners have sent me Orders to join the Boston4 and put to sea with all possible expedition and together with the Ranger proceed for America In consequence of this I yesterday saild from the River Nantes in Company with the Boston having been wind bound ever since the 25 July
The two frigates are now bound for Brest to join the Ranger Capt Simpson,5 Capt Jones being destined for another service agreable to the Letters of the Honble Commissioners which inclosd you a Copy of6 and you will then be able to determine with greater Accuracy than myself why Captain Jones is not in the Ranger7 have onboard at present a Considerable quantity of Goods belonging to the Continent a Copy of Invoice inclosed8
My ship is very healthy & hope it will remain so there has been an engagement between Admir Kepple and the French Fleet which had the Better I cannot tell,9 but by what I can learn they have six Captains confined for Cowardice at Brest10 before this Comes to hand doubt not you will have a Compleat A/c [account] of all those transactions. There is no public Declaration of War as yet between England & France but both Sides Reciprocally Capture every thing which it is possible to find—
The tedious method of doing Business in France has detained me longer than I could wish Am in hopes I shall Arrive at Some port in America by the last October where I cannot tell Pray oblige me with informing Mrs. Whipple that I am well Remember me to all enquiring friends
From Sentiments of the highest Esteem & respect have the honour to be [&c.]
NB. This letter with the Commis June 23 &
July 16th. & Invoice of Goods &c on Con Account
—were sealed in Six Different Packets
and put on board following Vessels—
1 Le Courier de L’Europe _____ |
Monsr Pennet11 |
2 French Brig ______________ |
Capitn Consaissior12 |
3 Ship Bird ________________ |
Capt Mcgee13 |
4 Brig Saratoga ____________ |
Capt Murray14 |
5 Ship Adams _____________ |
Capt Turner15 |
6 Schooner Squirrel ________ |
Captn. Dashiel16 |