Displaying 1 - 20 of 25
Mr [Patrick] Henry did me the favr Yesterday to deliver me your Letter we have as yet had nothing agitated in Congress about Trade I hope and expect that the Time for Exportation will continue as it did though I have some Expectation that it will be moved to shorten it As the Event of any Motion of that Sort ought & I suppose will be allowed to be made public you shall have early Notice ー...
Date: 18 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I am sorry to tell you the Continent is not now so well furnished with powder as I expected much less ー I wish and Intreat you if there's any way of getting powder & Saltpetre into your place ー that you lay a Scheme for it before it is quite too late I imagine that powder may be got from the Cape ー or any of the foreign Islands or ports notwithstanding the contrary promises of the French...
Date: 2 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I have received your favours of the 24th and 28th ult[o], with respect to the former, I wish you could collect all the Accounts that are yet unpaid for the two Vessels fitted out by you & Mr [William] Lux, and settle them in such manner that the Marine Committee may have nothing further to do with them than to Order payment ー As the men belonging to the Hornet and Wasp at the time of their...
Date: 2 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Your favour of the 21st I laid before the Marine committee last Evening and in answer thereto have now to inform you, that when Congress appointed the Captains for the Frigates it was agreed that the Rank should be settled hereafter, and that the Captains should only at present be certified of their appointment. Capt [James] Nicholson has been strongly recommended, and Congress has a high opinion...
Date: 25 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
When I wrote to you last I believe I mentioned to you only two lieutenants for the Ship.2 It was a mistake. Three are allowed to each of the Frigates, so that, when Capt Nicholson sends up a recommendation for Sea Officers he should put down three lieutenants ー Part of Genl Howe's army is arrived at Sandy Hook ー We must expect warm work in that quarter in a few days I am with respect,...
Date: 2 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I have contracted with Congress for 1000 tons of Cannon at £36..10..0 to be delivered again the 1st January 1778. I have had but little conversation with the Marine Committee about the Frigates Guns;2 they seem to leave it to you and Capt Nicholson to direct the length 3 inches in or over; therefore hope you'll send me the draft and directions, as soon as you can to the furnace, Where...
Date: 22 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
...I do not hear of any person that has been recommended as Lieutenant for the Ship you are building, 2 nor have I as yet received your recommendations, please to send me the names of three Gentlemen in the order that you and Capt Nicholson would wish them to stand I have mentioned Dr Budd to the committee; he is not yet appointed ー I have no doubt but he will be, at the same time the Lieutenants...
Date: 23 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Since your brother left this City, Mr [John] Nicholson has been confirmed first Lieutenant of the Washington, and his worthy brother may be assured that in settling the rank of the Captains his merit will not be forgotten. It is not probable that the Frigates will sail in fleets for some time; and therefore tis likely that no higher appointment than that of Captain will soon take place.
It will...
Date: 16 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Agreeable to my Promise to your brother I, now send a printed Article for Seamen, you will observe the wages allowed to able Seamen is eight dollars p month, ordinary Seamen & Landsmen Six dollars & two thirds of a dollar p month. I am respectfully [&c.]
Date: 17 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Among the inconveniencies of this busy scene, I esteem it not the least, to be so often prevented from acknowledging the favors of my friends sooner than I do. It has been owing to much business that your letter of the 27th has not received an answer before now. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that in ranking the Captains of our Continental Ships, the Congress have placed Captain [James]...
Date: 11 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Sir, Upon enquiry of Mr Stephen Steward about water-casks for the use of the armed vessels belonging to this State — we are informed by him that he had purchased thirty two hundred Weight of Iron-Hoops for that purpose, which Hoops you had intercepted, and now detain from him — and he is thereby prevented from forwarding that necessary Piece of business. — This Proceedure of yours appears to us...
Date: 12 November 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Very long before your recommendation of Mr [Thomas] Plunket came to hand, a Capt. [James] Disney had been appointed Capt. of Marines on board the Virginia, upon the recommendation of Mr [Thomas] Stone.
The Congress have determined to build in Maryland two Frigates of 36 guns each, and I make no doubt but that one at least of these will be built at Baltimore. I suppose, when the [Marine] Committee...
Date: 24 November 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The Board of War for the State of Massachusetts-Bay, having it in command among other things to procure a quantity of Flour & Iron, have taken the Liberty to inclose you Invoice & Bill Lading of Six Hogsheads of Sugar & Four Hogsheads of Rum, which wish safe to your hands; — You will dispose of the Rum & Sugar for the most you can obtain & dispatch the Schooner back with a...
Date: 23 December 1776
Volume: Volume 7
An hour's detainment of the Tide gives me an opportunity of writing the particulars of yesterday's action at Trenton — Genl Washington with about four thousand Men crossed on the Christmas night and surrounded the town; the enemy was surprised, and collected confusedly; after a short resistance they grounded their arms and surrendered to the amount of 7 50 (Hessians solely) ; they lost 30 killed...
Date: 27 December 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The Secret Committee request that you immediately put a Trusty Officer from the frigate Virginia on board the Lexington with orders to have her directly moved up to the place most fit for unloading her and remain with the Brig until further orders.
You Sir Will be pleased to take proper measures for landing, storing, and securing the Lexingtons Cargo. Let an Inventory thereof be taken and...
Date: 3 January 1777
Volume: Volume 7
War Office,
Boston Jany 11th 1777
Gentn
Enclos'd you have Invoice and Bill of Lading of a parcel of Rum and Sugar on board the Schooner Hazard Benjamin Hammond Master, which we wish safe to your Hands. — You will dispose of this Cargo as of the others we have ship[ped] to you & load the Schooner back with good common Flour with the Addition of Five Tons Pig Iron, and four Tons Bar Iron — The...
Date: 11 January 1777
Volume: Volume 7
As we begin to feel the want of Pig Iron for the important Business of casting Cannon: The Board have determin'd to send immediately to your place Three or Four Small Schooners in which they desire you would ship as many Tons of the Pigs purchas'd & left in your hands by Mr Stevenson, as said Schooners will carry and dispatch them direct home; — In the mean time you will continue to ship in...
Date: 14 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Your Favour 3d Feby is before us, observe what you say relative to the Danger of Navigation in your Bay, find it necessary however to run all Hazards, our determination being to have some Pig Iron, & Flour at all Events, are there[fore] of the same sentiments as when we wrote last, with regard to shipping the Pig Iron, to which Purpose shall dispatch two Schooners immediately to your Address...
Date: 17 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Sir The very great Scarcity of Flour, Bread and Iron in this State, and the danger of the Inhabitant"s suffering for want of those necessary Articles have induced the Council of War, to fit out the Sloop Diamond Timothy Coffin Master to your Address to procure them. —
We inclose you a Draught upon the Continental Treasurer for a sufficient Sum of Money to lade her, and desire that you will put...
Date: 18 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
I lately received an Order from the Honle Continental Marine Committee, to send two small Vessels to Baltimore, for Iron & flower on accot of the Continent — to your Address; in Consequence of which Ive sent the Schooner Dove, Cap James Miller by whom this will be handed you, and by whom you will please Ship as much Iron & flower as the Schooner will carry with safety, on accot of the...
Date: 26 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7