Displaying 1 - 17 of 17
I must beg your pardon for troubling you with so many of my letters, but I am a good deal at leisure, and so lucky an opportunity of conveyance offers, that I can't let it pass without sending you one line or two. Since my last, our Fleet is destroyed, of which I suppose you have heard, but 5 vessels remaining to us out of 16 sail. The engagement began on Friday morning, October 11th. and held...
Date: 30 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Friday, 13 Feb.—Set sail for Quiberon Bay Mr. Williams & Brother on board,1 in company with us Brig Independence, anchored in the Bay about six in the Evening, 4 Ships of the Line besides Frigates in the Bay.
Date: 13 February 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Saturday, 14th Feby.—Very Squaly weather, came to Sail at 4 o'clock P.M. saluted the french Admiral & rec'd nine guns in return this is the first salute ever pay'd the American flagg.
Date: 14 February 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Sunday, 15th Feb'y.—Brig Independence saluted the french Flagg which was return'd.
Date: 15 February 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Wednesday, 25th Feb'y.—Fleet got underway and left us at anchor contrary to Expectations, about 12 O'clock it being very windy we came to sail, ran out of the Bay without a Pilot, attempted to the Northward of Belisle, but did not succeed, put back hoping to run into the Bay again, but could not weather the Rocks. in the midst of our Trouble having narrowly escap'd over setting the Ship, were...
Date: 25 February 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Thursday, 26.—Arrived in Quiberon-Bay again the Evening after a short but very tedious & unprofitable Cruize.
Date: 26 February 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Tuesday, March 3rd.—Weigh'd anchor and came to Sail in fine weather & smooth water, sail'd along the Coast about 25 Leagues and came to anchor in a small Bay near a small village called Benodett,1 had a curious Adventure with a french Pilot who came on Board to pilot the Ship but would not be compell'd to take charge of her.
Date: 3 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Thursday, March 5th.—Went with Joseph Ratcliff to Pontlably1 and procured good lodgings for Him supposing the Eruption (which came out last night) to be Small Pox—we were treated with great respect as we were Americans, were waited on near half a mile to the Boat and on parting gave them 3 Cheers which was answered with vive Le Congres.
Date: 5 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Friday, March 6th.—This morning (being fine weather) came to sail, in the morning went through of Passage Duroi;1 saw a large Ship to the leward which we thought was a Frigate & the same we saw yesterday: She fail'd in attempting to get through the Passage and stood off.
Date: 6 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Saturday, March 7th.—Came to anchor in Baldavids Bay1 not far from the River of Brest.
Date: 7 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Sunday, March 8th.—Weigh'd and beat up towards Brest came too in Camaritt's Bay1 4 Leagues from Brest.
Date: 8 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Tuesday, March 10th.—Last night eight of our People took the Cutter and went on shore and ran off leaving the Boat on the Rocks.
Date: 10 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Friday, March 13th.—Seven of eight Deserters were bro't back under guard & confined in Irons.
Date: 13 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Saturday, 14th March.—Went to Brest with Capt. Jones & Lt. Simpson; had a slight view of the Fortifications, Shipping, and Dock-Yards—return'd in the Evening.
Date: 14 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Sunday, 15th.—I had the pleasure of entertaining the Commissaries1 Lady & two Sisters on Board the Ranger.
Date: 15 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Wednesday, 18th.—Last night died after a lingering Illness for more than three weeks Willm Reading1—His remains were decently interr'd about 11 oclock A.M.—P.M. the Ladies came to pay Capt. Jones a visit as he was absent when they pay'd us the first Visit.
Date: 18 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11
Monday, 23rd March.—Got under way and ran up to Brest; saluted the Admiral,1 rec'd the news of Ld. Stormont's having left Paris on receiving a copy of the Treaty with America.
Date: 23 March 1778
Volume: Volume 11