Displaying 1 - 20 of 133
In Marine Committee
Philada 10th May 1776
Sir
You will perceive by the foregoing that Congress have order'd Twenty of the Cannon you brought from Providence to be improv'd in Philadelphia, and in order that the Benefit of that order may be Realiz'd as soon as possible; we direct that you order the said Twenty Cannon to be put on board the Fly or any one other of your Vessells & Carried to...
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
In Committee of Safety.
Philad'a 11th May, 1776.
Thomas Slater, Master, &John Peckham, Mate of the Brig't Betsy, who came from Virginia with said Vessel to the Roebuck Man-of-war, and taken by Capt. Charles Alexander, Commander of the Continental Schooner Wasp, near New Castle, was by order of the Board Committed to Gaol there, to be kept in safe custody 'till the further orders of this...
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
We have received your letter of the 6th & approve your Proceedings as therein reported & as you seem very desirous to make a Cruise, we have this day agreed to give up the Direction of the ship Reprisal to a Committee of Congress, stiled the Committee of secret Correspondence; ー The members are Benj Harrison, Benj Franklin, John Jay, John Dickinson, Thos Johnston & Robert Morris Esqs...
Date: 10 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
In Marine Committee
[Philadelphia] 1st July 1776 ー
Officers recommended to Congress
For the Warren
Robert Adamson
first lieutenant
James Sellers
second do.
Richard Marvin
third do.
John Granis
Capt. of Marines
For the Providence
William Baron
first lieutenant
Benjamin Page
third do.
Silas Devall
Captain of Marines
Wm. Jennison
1st lieut of Marines 2
For the New...
Date: 1 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Sir As we find our coast is now lined with Men of War of too great force for you to cope With, We think it can be of little use for you to remain cooped up at Cape May, and as the frigate you are to command is not yet launched, her guns & anchors not yet ready,2 We think it a piece of justice due to your Merit to allow you to Make a cruize in the Lexington for one or two Months, in...
Date: 2 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
The Marine Committee having considered how necessary your attendance is in the Yard taking care of the materials, and the Frigate of which you are Clerk;2 think proper to request that you will not go on the proposed expedition to the Jerseys, but that you remain to do your very necessary business
You may show this to your Commanding officer, to whom, it is hoped, it will prove a...
Date: 12 July 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Sir. We have ordered the Provisions & Stores you requested, to be sent onboard the Sloop Providence which you Command under Authority of the United States of America so that the said Sloop being now ready for Sea, You are to proceed immediately on a Cruize against our Enemies & we think in & about the Lattitude of Bermuda may prove the most favourable ground for your purpose ー2...
Date: 6 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
You will find inclosed herein a Paper sent us by the Captn of a French Sloop that is now daily expected from Martinico with Arms and Ammunition Which we are very Anxious should be got safe in2 ー therefore we desire you to keep a good look out for her and if you fall in with her; make Such Signals as will make you known for a Friend ー She Mounts twelve Guns with Sixty Men. ー You'l...
Date: 16 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
As you are now about to return to Rhode Island where we Understand the Alfred and Cabbot remain inactive.
We think proper you should exert your Utmost endeavours in Conjunction with the Commanders of those Vessels to get them equipped and Manned with all possible expedition, for A six Months Cruize.ー
We think A Most important Service may be performed by the Alfred, Columbus, Cabbot and Hampden by...
Date: 22 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Since the dates of those orders we have already addressed to John Paul Jones and you as Commanders of the Brigt Hampden we have in consultation with Commodore Hopkins altered your destination as you will learn from him.2 You are therefore to receive fresh Orders from the Commodore and Obey them as if from Sir [&c.]
Date: 22 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Secret Committee have directed Mr Barnabas Deane of Whethersfeild Connecticut to deliver you sundry articles he has imported On Continental account which you are to receive for the use of the American Navy, granting Mr Deane a receipt for the whole in order to answer the accounts of said Secret Committee, but as Mr Deane is in want of some of those very articles as well as others for the...
Date: 22 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Continental Schooner Wasp under your command being now thoroughly repaired, well fitted equipped and manned you are immediately to proceed in said Schooner on a Cruize against the enemies of these States. We deliver you herewith a Marine Book by which you will know who are our enemies and also how to conduct yourself in conformity to the Continental Rules and Regulations you have likewise a...
Date: 23 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Marine Committee have directed me to inform you that the Hornet Sloop is now returned from her Cruize, during which she has been extreamly leaky as Captain [William] Hallock the Bearer hereof will inform you. The Committee have come to a resolution either to purchase the Sloop or deliver her up to you as they will not any longer hire her, but as the greatest part of the materials she now has...
Date: 27 August 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Secret Committee of Congress have directed Mr Thomas Green of Providence in your State [Rhode Island] to put into your hands the following articles belonging to the Continent now in his possession for which you will please to give him a receipt.
330
Bolts of best holland and Rusia Duck
26
¼
Casks of Powder
2
pair 4 lb Cannon
3
pair 2 lb Do
4
pair Swivels
3
Casks leaden...
Date: 2 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In Marine Committee
Philadelphia September 5. 1776
Resolved
That the Uniform of the Officers in the Navy of the United States be as follows.
Captains
Blue Cloth with Red Lappels, Slash Cuff, Stand up Collor, flat Yellow Buttons, Blue Britches, Red Waistcoat with Narrow Lace. ー
Lieutenants
Blue with Red Lappels, a Round Cuff faced, stand up Collor, Yellow Buttons, Blue Britches, Red...
Date: 5 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Sloop Independence of which you are appointed Commander being now laden, compleatly fitted, armed, victualled and manned, You are to proceed with said Sloop and Cargo for the Island of Martinico putting into Fort Royal or St Piers just as the winds and other circumstances point out for the best. On your arrival at either place you must enquire for Mr William Bingham our resident in that...
Date: 20 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In Marine Committee
[Philadelphia] September 20th 1776
Resolved
That Captain Eseiah [Isaiah] Robinson be appointed Commander of the Brigantine Andrew Doria in the Room of Cap Biddle
Extract from the Minutes
By Order of the Committee
Date: 20 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Resolved That Francis Varrell be Appointed Boatswain of the Frigate Washington commanded by Thomas Read Esquire ー and the Commander of the Alfred is desired to discharge him.
John Hancock by order
Date: 20 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Sir; In Consequence of a letter from the president of Massachusetts Bay dated the 13 Instant to the President of the Congress which was by Congress referrd to this Committee; We have determined to Comply with the wishes of your assembly by Ordering the Frigate Commanded by Capt [Hector] McNeill and that by Captain [Thomas] Thompson2 of newhampshire to be fitted immediately and proced...
Date: 21 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In consequence of some overtures from the Assembly of your State [Massachusetts], we have determined to order the Continental Frigate commanded by Hector McNeill Esqr to be immediately armed manned and fitted for the sea and accordingly have this day written what we judged necessary to Mr. Cushing and the Captain on that subject.
The present is to desire you will give them all the aid and...
Date: 21 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6