American Theatre from May 9, 1776, to July 31, 1776
Resolved That the Committee Appointed this day to hire or purchase and fit out at the expence of this Colony two swift sailing Vessells not exceeding forty tuns each to Cruize on the Coast of America and give Intelligence of the movements of the enemy be and they hereby are fully Authorized and impower'd to Man Arm and Victual the said two Vessells fit for the Sea and that when they are ready the... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
You are to take Command of the Sloop Providence and put her in the best Condition you can ー and you are to take the Soldiers onboard that belong to General Washington's Army and carry them to New York as soon as you can and then return here with the Sloop for further Instructions ー If you should be in want of any Supplys further than what Money you have will answer you may draw on me for so much... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
My Dear Brother
On our Arrival on this Coast we took a few Vessels the Masters of which informd us of a fleet being in Newport which we thought much stronger than ourselves. And we Began to look Round for a safe port to Shelter in. When at 1 Oclock on the Morning of the 7th of April we saw a Ship to leeward dogging of us as we steerd off Shore. As it was well known that the Enemy seldom separated... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Number
Names
Station
Number
Names
Station
1
Nicholas Biddle
Commander
15
Joseph Sheels
Boatswain
2
James Josiah
1st Lieutenant
16
John Nowland
Dittos Mate
3
Elishar Warner
2 Ditto
17
David Edmiston
Carpenter
4
John McDougal
3rd Ditto
18
Willm Kenedy
Cooper
5
Benjamin Dunn
Master
19
William Green
Carpenters Mate
6
William Moran
First Mate
20
John Mackee
Cooks Mate
7
John Dent
2nd... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
By Capt. Stephen Tinker, arrived here in 12 Days from Newbern, in North-Carolina, we learn, that the People of that Province, and of South-Carolina, are very generally for the INDEPENDENCE of the Colonies; and that they would scarcely be willing to continue the War with the Court of Great-Britain on any other Principle.
Capt. Tinker informs, that a large Schooner from Bermuda, arrived at Newbern... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Dear Sir I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency's Favor of the 3d instant, by Mr Bennet; which was delivered on Wednesday Evening, General [John] Sullivan arrived here at six that Afternoon, half an Hour before that I returned from Fort George, having embarked General [William] Thompson with the last of his Brigade, on the Morning of the preceeding Day. ー
Immediately on the Receipt of your... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Names
Officers
Time of Entrance
Dollars pr Month
1776
Thomas Cregier
Captain
March 24th
32
Dollars
Thomas Quigly
First Lieut
20
Do.
David Walker
2d Lieut
May 1st
20
Do
Eliakim Littell
Master
April 24
20
Do.
Cornelius French
Mate
15
Do
Jno James Boyd
Doctor
21
2⅔ Do
George Shells
Gunner
15
Do
John Thomas
Carpenter
29
15
Do
John Trail
Boatswain
26
15
Do... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Directions for Capt. Thomas Cregier of the armed schooner General Putnam, were read and approved, and are in the words following, vizt:
Capt. Thomas Cregier:
Sir ー
You are hereby directed to inform his Excellency General Washington, that the armed schooner named the General Putnam under your command, is fitted and ready to proceed to sea.
You are diligently to observe and follow such orders and... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
To Thos Cregier Esq, Commander of the Armed Schooner General Putnam
I have it in command from his Excellency Genl Washington to inform you, that It is his pleasure & order that you immediately proceed with your Vessell & Join those under the Command of Colo [Benjamin] Tupper lately gone from Hence, and having Joined them, you are to put yourself under his Command & faithfully &... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Resolved
R. 13. That all Vessels which sailed from the Port or Harbour of Boston whilst the Port of Boston was in Possession of the Enemy, having of board Effects belonging to the Enemies of American Liberty, be liable (together with the said Effects) to seizure & confiscation. And that if any of the said Vessels have been already taken they together with their said Cargo be decreed forfeited... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
The committee appointed to consider the propriety of exchanging seamen, brought in their report, which was agreed to: Whereupon,
Resolved, That Lieutenant [George] Ball, of the Roebuck, and the three seamen that were taken with him, and are now prisoners in the lower counties on Delaware, be exchanged for Captain [William] Budden and his son, Seth Davis, and Samuel Conyers:
That six of the seamen... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
The Particulars of the Engagement in the River below this City, tho at present it is over, are so variously reported, that it is impossible to give any consistent Representation of it. It is certain however that the King's Ships have quitted their Stations, and have fallen down the River as low as Reedy Island. When the Gondolas began the Attck, they were almost as high up as Chester.
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
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... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Cuthbert & Mr. John Britton be desired to purchase four Old Flatts for Hulks for covering the Gondolas at the Chevaux de Frize, and that they draw on this Board for the cost.
Resolved, That 14 Barrels of 18s. Beer be sent down to the Gondolas, at the Expence of this Board, and that Mr. Sam'l Morris order the same to be put on board some Boat or Vessel for that... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Yours I Recd late last night & Sent down the night Before 120 Rounds with out orders which I hope will meet your approbations, with Consent of Captn Reed took Wm Roden with a Sloop which had aqunty of ammonition in & put all My powder 27 dubl head Shot 6 dozn Wads on Bord found the wind likely to fail loaded one of My Boats & procdd down on My getting into the fleet found them well... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Capt [Thomas] Proctor's Company of Artillery served on board the Hornet as Vollenteers, with a great deal of Freedom, upon my request, and at our return they were called into the Garrison, which leaves me with only Twenty-five men, including officers, and they having been hurried from Town, had not Time to get their cloths and bedding on board, therefore, if you think proper that we shall come up... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
The Committee of safety have thought it highly necessary that you should be acquainted with the situation of the magazine at Lewestown, to exert your influence for an immediate supply of powder and lead; which, I suppose, must be by land, as the Roebuck and Liverpool will probably continue as high up the river as Reedy Island; this morning they are in the bite below New Castle, and though the row... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
May 1776
Friday 10th
At Single Anchor off of Reedy Island, River, Delaware
The next morning we Saw only eleven Sail, and one of which had lost her mast. We had but one Man killed during both days' Action (Jno Murray) but received many Shott through the Sails and cut the Rigging, and a few in the Hull: at 9 weighed and made Sail: During the Action, a Brig that was in Company, on board of which... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
May 1776
Friday 10
In Delaware River
weigh'd and came to sail anchd off Redie Isld in company as above ー
First and middle parts fresh Gales and cloudy with showers of Rain ー Latter Light airs and cloudy, at 4 P M unbent the mainsl and Mn Topsl and bent others in lieu, till they are repaired ー empd repairing the sails
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
His majesty's sloop Nautilus, of 18 guns, is arrived in Hampton road.
The Printer presents his compliments to capt. Bellew, of his majesty's ship Liverpool, and congratulates him upon his sumptuous fare in this plentiful country; but would be glad to ask him one plain question, and it is this, Whether he pays for his good eating? And if he does not look upon his new trade to be downright piracy?... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Pages
