Displaying 1 - 20 of 30
All America has received with astonishment and concern the speech to Parliament. The wicked violence of Ministry is so clearly expressed, as to leave no doubt of their fatal determination to ruin both Countries, unless a powerful and timely check is interposed by the Body of the people. A very small corrupted Junto in New York excepted, all No America is now most firmly united and as firmly...
Date: 24 February 1775
Volume: Volume 1
We had heard of the Lords2 flight before your letter came, and we apprehend it to be for fear of reprisal, as we suppose one part of the Ministerial plan has been already executed in Boston by seizing the Massachusetts proportion of the proscribed Americans, of which there are 32. Some Virginians are in the black list. Manuscript intelligence from London 10 Feby from our most vigilant...
Date: 24 April 1775
Volume: Volume 1
We understand here that Batteries, may be constructed at the entrance of the Bay of Boston so as to prevent the egress & regress of any Ships whatever. If this be fact, would it not Sir be a signal stroke to secure the Fleet & Army in and before Boston so as to compel a surrender at discretion. While I write this, I assure you my heart is elated with the contemplation of so great an event...
Date: 1 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Since I wrote you last nothing of consequence hath happened, unless it be, that the Roebuck & Liverpoole coming up the river Delaware, were met about Christeen, some miles above Newcastle, by the 13 Gondolas of this City, and after a cannonade of 3 hours each day for 2 successive days, the Ships returned down the river, and the Gallies to their old station, without much hurt, I believe, on...
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
...Ld D[unmor]e has left Norfolk & burnt all his small Vessels & flung 45 thousand Bushels of Salt into the River. 55 Sale of his Fleet were in Hampton Road yesterday evening I refer you to Mr Page for News I am Sr [&c.]
Date: 24 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
...on the 29th & 31 of May Clinton & his Fleet &c left Cape Fear which Consisted of about 3000 Men, it is supposed Charles Town is the place of their destination...
Genl [Charles] Lee is gone [to] Charles Town...Callenders Cargo that went up yr River was 15000 lb of Powder 370 Stand of Arms 2000 lb of Musket Ball & 3000 lb of Sheet & Bar Lead a qty of Duck Oznabrigs Checks...
Date: 9 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Dr Cr I recd yrs by Mr Page I stand correctd for my inaccuracy. last Night 217 highland Soldiers bound to Ld D ー e were taken by Baron [James Barron] in Hampton road & brought up to James Town arrived at this place [Nicholas] Biddle off the banks of Newfound Land made prize of this Ship and another with these Men on board & put them all on board Barons prize & 8 Seamen, havg parted...
Date: 22 June 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Genl [Andrew] Lewis recd a Letr yesterday evening from Majr Price who commands at St Marys2 the Majr Says he has 400 Men & 4 peices of Cannon I of 9 lb 2 of 4 lb & 1 of 3 lb that at two Oclock thursday Morning he sent 100 Men over to the Island who he ordered to lay an ambush till Dunmores Men came on the Island to get Water which they did every day & go of[f] in the eveng...
Date: 27 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
...The American strength on that Lake [Champlain] is at this time so great both by land and water that they rest secure against any attempts from Gens Carleton and Burgoyn. When the whole Fleet and Army were collected before New York, the British Troops havg been for some time in possession of Staten Island, they landed the greatest part of their Army on Long Island, where they had not been long...
Date: 2 October 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
...By every account from Lake Champlain whe [we] had reason to think ourselves in no danger on that water for this Campaign. Nor did Gen. Arnold seem to apprehend any until he was defeated by an enemy four times as strong as himself. This officer, fiery, hot, and impetuous, but without discretion, never thought of informing himself how the enemy went on, and he had no idea of retiring, when he...
Date: 3 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 Congress having resolved immediately to undertake the building of two Ships of War of 36 guns each in Virginia as directed by the Marine Committee to apply to some proper persons in that State to Superintend the business. You Sir have been recommended so strongly to me by Gen., Stephen and others as a person of great fitness for this business; and not doubting but that you may comply with...
Date: 1 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
The impossibility of getting intelligence at present thro' this Bay, has obliged us to send an Express to the Council of Massachusetts, requesting they will immediately dispatch a quick sailing Vessel with letters to the Commissioners. The -only vessel we have sent from hence for this purpose, is now shut up in a small Creek below by the Men of War four or five of which are now in this Bay, as we...
Date: 3 February 1776
Volume: Volume 7
. . . The visit paid us by the British Ships, and, as we hear, the number of small craft they have seized in our narrow waters, prove incontestibly the disadvantage we shall forever be exposed to while we are in want of Marine force. Had our Gallies been in good order and fit for business, the Barges and small Craft of the enemy would never have dared attempt the Capture of Vessels in our shallow...
Date: 4 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Dear Sir I am extremely obliged to you for your last favor, and much pleased with the spirit of your letter. I am as sure as of my existence that if our large Gallies were manned, gunned, and fitted, that the navigation of our Bay would receive no interruption. I wish our Government would consult their Sister Maryland about this business, and with joint council and united strength, immediately...
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
. . . About a fortnight ago, I received a letter from London, written by a well informed friend, which contains this paragraph and is dated Octr 9th last — "The war is likely to go on another year, in which case Cheasapeak Bay will be the seat; a plan for that purpose has been laid before Ld Geo. Germaine & it is said is approved. The Eastern Shore is the first object, or place of landing" —...
Date: 27 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
As far as I am able to judge, the plan suggested in the inclosed memoir, is admirably fitted to give a decided superiority to our Frigates above those of the Enemy. If you should think so, I know you will push it into execution with the same zeal that animates you in every thing that affects the public. Will not the Churches furnish their bells to make 24 pounders for the Randolph & the...
Date: 1 March 1777
Volume: Volume 8