Displaying 1 - 16 of 16
My Dear Brother The temper of the times is painted in such legible colours in the King's Speech, that no one can remain in doubt that arms are to be used to divest us of our Liberties. You will see by the Paper our Brother incloses that the Lords have promisd their support. Yesterday the Commom did the same on a division of 254 to 60. The new Parlaiment is therefore engaged to maintain this...
Date: 6 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
A motion made by Lord Chatham, to withdraw the Troops from Boston, at the first Step towards a conciliatory Plan, was rejected; and the Ministry have declared, in both Houses, the Determination to enforce Obedience to all the late laws. For this Purpose, we understand that three Regiments of Foot, one of Dragoons, seven hundred Marines, six Sloops of war, and two Frigates, are now under Orders...
Date: 5 February 1775
Volume: Volume 1
As a doubt of the authenticity of the account from Salem, touching an engagement between the King's Troops and the Provincials in the Massachusetts Bay, may arise from a paragraph in the [London] Gazette of this evening, I desire to inform all those who wish to see the original affidavits which confirm that account, that they are deposited at the Mansion House with the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor...
Date: 30 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
In Cyphers
The Army of England in America consists of forty thousand Men and their fleet of one hundred Ships, of which but two are of seventy four Guns. Their Officers both by Sea and Land, and Engineers are good; they are well supplied with Artillery and Stores. Consider then, Sir, how diffucult it will be for the Americans to resist such forces, "if they are not assisted by France with...
Date: 21 June 1776
Volume: Volume 6
... It seems necessary to me that we shoud have an interview to settle a plan with more safety than can be done by Letter, even in Cypher. For this purpose I woud come to you immediately, but that it being now in the middle of our Law Circuit, my quitting it abruptly woud be remarkd. That will be over the 10th of next month; when I will set out to meet you, unless you shoud think it improper. I...
Date: 28 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I had the honor of receiving your favors, announcing to me my appointment as one of the Commissioners from the Congress of the united States of America.
I cannot express how greatly I am oblig'd to that most respectable Body, for giving me an opportunity of showing how much I prefer the service of my Country & of her present cause to every other pursuit & situation in life.
I had the...
Date: 3 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whatever Orders you have for me, will be forwarded from the Ports of Spain, & I must beg a few blank Commissions for Privateers, as it will be one part of my endeavors, to excite the Merchants in Spain, to cruise against our Enemies .
. . . A large Cargo of Woolens, linen, cordage, & Sail Cloth will be dispatched from hence in three weeks, which, I hope will reach their destination in...
Date: 11 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I am told here, from authority on which I can rely, that if you send to New Orleans & the Havannah you will find persons directed to lend you Arms & Ammunition, & it is conceivd here that taking possession of Pensacola woud facilitate that communication much. As South Carolina is certain of not being invaded this Summer, that might be her work. I shall endeavor to get a supply of...
Date: 6 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I have receivd an. answer from the Court, thro the Duke de Grimaldi to this effect. That the reasons for wishing me not to come to Madrid are insuperable, that the States may depend on the sincere desire of Spain to see their Liberties establ1shd & ~o assist them as far as her own situation will permit. For this purpose i had only to direct the House of Gardoqui to supply us by every...
Date: 16 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . I have settled with Mr Gardoqui, who is now with me, from whom I have received every possible assistance, to dispatch a vessel with all possible expedition, laden with Salt, Sail and Tent Cloth, Cordage, Blankets, such warlike Stores as he can immediately procure, and an assortment of such Drugs as I think will be necessary for the three prevailing camp diseases. Those who furnish these...
Date: 18 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I perceive by your last Letters, that you made a consignment to Hortalez & Co wch in fact is to M. de Beaumarchais. I think it therefore my duty to restate to you all the facts relative to that gentleman, upon wch you will judge how far it is fit to continue those consignments — About May 12 month M. de Beaumarchais was introduced to me in London as an Agent from the french Court who wishd...
Date: 16 August 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I have not heard from Berlin relative to their determination about opening their ports to our Cruisers.
The Abbé Raynal, who has just returnd from a tour in England, tells me that nothing disgusts the English Nation so much with the continuance of the war, as the seeing their ports filled with french Ships to carry on their Commerce with other Nations. Their Merchants are obligd to have recourse...
Date: 9 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Messrs Gardoques have informed Me of your putting in at Bilboa and that he is giving you the necessary Assistances for the Repairs of your Vessell, As the public is Concerned only in half your Ship1 you should pay Messrs. Gardoques half of the expence of her Repairs, And for the Rest he will draw on the Commissioners here—A proposal has been made to Me for my...
Date: 16 January 1778
Volume: Volume 11
I am sorry that the things to which I objected having been continued in the Instructions for Capt. Jones prevent me from giving my signature to them except in the manner which I have the honor to send you. I am [&c]
Date: 17 January 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Tho I approve in general of the precedeing Instructions,1 yet I cannot sign them because they contain an order to put the sale of prizes into other hands than those of the commercial Agents, which I have always thought unjust; & recommend Mr. Goulard, tho' that Gentleman & his Company, have forfeited our confidence in the business already entrusted to them.
Date: 17 January 1778
Volume: Volume 11
I have received your Letter,1 and I am sorry for the Difficulty you have met with. I have done all I could to extricate you, however the Court of Spain is determined not to allow any Prizes tarken] in the manner you have yours,2 to be regarded as good P[rizes] you must not however let the present Difficulties discourage you, as I think you may be sastify'd they will not last...
Date: 20 February 1778
Volume: Volume 11