Displaying 1 - 20 of 29
Mild. Rochford spoke to me only of the descendants of Cromwell now established in America and who became, according to him, the leaders of the rebellion; well, he dreams only of Cromwell and everything related to this subject. He told me that the landing troops had been sent in spite of his advice; that he would have used only a few squadrons to blockade the ports and prevent any trade in the...
Date: 13 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The supplies for the army of General Gage, which were seized by the rebels in New York, were considerable. They were worth 80,000 pound sterling. It is now necessary to send even the flour from England in order to support this army, and make use of the same means which would have been required for the conquest of America.
The supply ships for the Newfoundland fishermen which ordinarily...
Date: 23 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The news from America is not very good. You will find the detailed description of a military action, which is not very important in itself, but which shows the capabilities of the rebels. The Ministry insisted yesterday that it had not been informed of that action; I had it confirmed by the supporters of the Americans and the facts are true. I will do my best to arrange for some connections among...
Date: 7 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Mylord Rochford talked to the Ambassador of Spain of a coming impressment. As a matter of fact, since the reserve ships have crews only for their boats, an impressment seems to be the only way to send to the American Coast the frigates and other ships which are to intercept the trade of the Americans. Meanwhile it will provoke unfortunate circumstances on the English Coast where an impressment is...
Date: 14 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
This Minister [Mylord Rochford] told me in confidence yesterday that a number of people in both parties were privately convinced that the way to end the war in America was to declare it on France. He added that he was sorry to see this opinion gaining credence. We discussed this question for a long time and most amicably: I can assure you, Sir, that everything said in favor of this opinion is...
Date: 28 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The Spanish affair seems to have the most disturbing results here. The King of England had the courtesy to forbid that any reference to this matter be made in the Gazette of the Court. He did not speak of it to the Prince of Masseran;2 but he conversed a long time about it with me trustingly and with pleasure. From the details which this Prince has received, it is obvious that the...
Date: 4 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I can only approve, Sir, your views on America and England. You understand what goes on and you cunningly anticipate what will happen as if you were there; a destroyed or worthless America is what England seeks. I agree with you, Sir, and it is in this line of thought that the Council of the King must face the present events and determine its plans for the future. I do not doubt for one moment,...
Date: 11 August 1775
Volume: Volume 2
Mylord Sandwich himself assured me day before yesterday that they would not send a single ship carrying more than fifty cannons to America. Admiral Shaldam [Shuldham] will command the squadron which is to sail any day now. The recall of Admiral Graves and that of General Gage have not been decided yet. The entire Council of the King of England does not seem to be favorably disposed towards them....
Date: 18 August 1775
Volume: Volume 2
Once again I assured Myd Suffolk of the intentions of the King and his sense of Justice which would prevent His Majesty to ever encourage the disorders in America. I thought it was all the more necessary to insist on this point because I know for a fact that a British frigate seized a ship sent to Europe by the Americans and that among the papers they found a manifesto addressed to a European...
Date: 1 September 1775
Volume: Volume 2
I have just received this information from the Prince of Masseran [Maserand]2 who obtained it from someone whom he trusts completely. It concerns no less than a treaty between Russia and England by which the first of these powers would supply twenty thousand men in order to subdue America as well as all the ships and sailors required for this expedition.
I will avail myself in good...
Date: 16 September 1775
Volume: Volume 2
Sir This week went by again and we have had no meeting with the Ministry. I have attempted, however, to enlighten myself positively on what had happened in America, since the papers have been filled for the past week with such circumstantial details concerning an action in Boston that it was difficult finally to think that they were unfounded as they appeared to be. It is however the exact truth...
Date: 13 October 1775
Volume: Volume 2
Sir, I brought up again the Newfoundland affair yesterday. All the Ministers are here and there is no reason to postpone it anymore. I intend to speak of this matter every day to Mylord Rochford, and you will assist me most effectually if you will do the same with Mylord Stormont; the great policy of the British Ministers is to gain time.
The affair seems clear to me, and Mylord Rochford himself...
Date: 20 October 1775
Volume: Volume 2
I had the honor, Sir, to write you a private letter concerning the news that arrived from Canada and I took advantage of the immediate departure of a reliable person. I received more information in the course of the evening, according to which I consider Canada as lost for this country, because it is already an accomplished fact, or, which is the same, because it cannot be prevented. These...
Date: 24 October 1775
Volume: Volume 2
I have forwarded, Sir, to the Prince of Masseran the same information which I had the honor to send you. We share the same views and we hide nothing from each other. I feel rather fortunate that my inclinations in this matter are in harmony with the execution of the King's orders. This Ambassador has recognized the consequences to which an establishment on the Mosquito Coast will lead.2...
Date: 27 October 1775
Volume: Volume 2
I enclose in this dispatch, Sir, the excerpts from the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament.
Precautionary measures were taken to the effect that all spectators had to leave before the votes were gathered so that we could not be present when the debate on the vote concerning the quota of sailors took place. But I learn from the Office that a quota of 28 thousand was voted. This number which...
Date: 1 November 1775
Volume: Volume 3
News from the Ports
Plymouth
The ship Chathamand the frigate Orpheussailed for America.
Syrenstill in the Sound.
The cutter Folkstoneis being put into commission.
Portsmouth
Nothing new since our last dispatch dated 3 November.
Chatham
Isisis being put into commission, repaired and sheathed.
Ardentwith 64 guns will be repaired.
Conquestadoreis being put into commission.
The frigate Carysfordwill...
Date: 10 November 1775
Volume: Volume 3
News from the Ports.
Plymouth
Syrene sailed for America. The frigate Apollo left dry dock. Repairs have been discontinued on the ship Rippon in order to work on Fame.
Portsmouth
Romney arrived in port. The frigrate Boreas is at Spithead. She has on board 18 carpenters and 5 locksmiths for Halifax.
The frigate Triton is at Spithead with the ships that were there last week. The frigate Juno needs a...
Date: 17 November 1775
Volume: Volume 3
The particular news I have concerning Canada confirm the very natural idea I have that the Rebels will not lose precious time, and that their conquest or, which is the same, their seduction before next spring of this interesting part of the American continent will present unsurmountable difficulties for the forces and even ー the commissioners of Great Britain.
Among the persons destined to...
Date: 24 November 1775
Volume: Volume 3
News from the Ports. ー
Portsmouth.
It is believed that the frigate Triton sailed for Halifax and the corvette Hawke for Boston. The Admiral himself wrote the orders for this corvette; an officer carried the package on board and she sailed immediately. 2
The transport ships which are to take the 36th regiment in Ireland have arrived. There are very few men on board the ships and the...
Date: 1 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3
All the owners from the West Indies presented yesterday a petition to the House of Commons with respect to the frightful losses brought upon them by the present war. This is a very important matter because the trade of the Islands is going to be completely destroyed. Thus develop little by little the misfortunes of England, and we will see finally that the loss of America will be a decisive one...
Date: 8 December 1775
Volume: Volume 3