American Theatre from May 9, 1776, to July 31, 1776
Last Thursday evening the engagement between the gondolas and men of war was renewed, and continued some hours, when the ships retired below Newcastle, having, it is thought, received a good deal of damage. Both the Roebuck and Liverpool were hulled several times. During the time the Roebuck was aground, the Wasp schooner, which had been chased into Christeen by the Liverpool, came out, and... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
In my last I informed you that the Roebuck was on shore on Wednesday evening. Soon after the post went out on Thursday, we had an account that she was off, not having laid long aground, and that no attack was made that night. On this news, the Province ship, &c. was ordered back to their former station. Thursday afternoon about five o'clock the firing was heard again all round the town, at... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I should be extremely glad that you would furnish us with the stores you have Indent of, as we can do nothing without, the Carpenter has no kind of Plank on Board. Mr. [John] Nixon has a Memorandum of Several things that he is convinced we greatly want, the Chains and Anchors for Mooring, as I am sure our Bowers will not hold us athwart the tide when the wind blows up or down; the powder sent... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
The Enemy's Ships are still in sight, at Anchor & Moor'd abreast of the upper End of Ready Island, the Roebuck close in with the Jersey shore, and the Liverpool with the Pennsylvania.
A Counsil of War has this day been held on our present situation, with Twenty rounds of Powder each, (including a Supply this day Wills' Pilot Boat, and but a few 24 pd Shott; Sundry of the Boats,) with Eighteen... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
May 1776
Saturday 11
In Delaware River
Carpenters emped Fishing the Bowsprit. First and midle parts light airs and Cloudy, latter calm and cloudy ー empd as above fix'd a new Bobstay the old being cut with a Shot ー at 8 PM sent the Boats to row Guard
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Immediately on the Alarm of Captn Squires being at the head of our Bay; I Ordered Captn Wise, of the Nancy (who had not got far down the River) up to our Bason, where she now waits your further Orders, & have also Stop'd loading out the Schooner Ninety two, which has got about three fourths the Cargo on board, & the rem[ainin]g one in Store ready to put on board. ー I shall be glad to know... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Eight Dollars Reward.
Deserted from the Naval Force now in Alexandria, James Wall, born in Ireland, Twenty-six years of age, five feet eight inches high, brown hair, fresh complexion, a likely well made fellow; served his time with one Shaw near Bladensburgh; he carried with him sundry cloaths so that his dress cannot be described. Whoever apprehends the said Deserter and returns him to his... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
The colours of the American Fleet to have a snake with thirteen rattles, the fourteenth budding, described in the attitude of going to strike, with this motto, "Don't Tread On Me!"
It is a rule in Heraldry, that the worthy properties of the animal in the crest borne shall be considered, and that the base ones cannot be intended. The ancients considered the snake, or serpent, as an emblem of... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Information of another Spy given 11th of May 1776
My Lord
Since I had the honour of waiting on your Excellency upon friday evening last [May 3], I have received the following interesting Intelligence ー That the Shirt Men are and have been busie some time past in Constructing Boats every ways fitt and proper to Attack and destroy the Fleet lying off Norfolk ー That the whole or greatest part of... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Resolved That the Commissary of Stores deliver out to the Commissioners of the Armed Vessels belonging to this Province, in the districts of Edenton, New Bern, and Wilmington, such Stores as the said Commissioners shall apply for, necessary for fitting the said Vessels; and also six Bolts of Osnabrigs, and thirty six peices of Checks or Striped Linen, for cloathing the Seamen belonging to the... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
May 1776
Sunday 12
Running up the River above Quebec
at 4 AM the Triton's Boat came on board with dispatches from the Commodore.2 People Employ'd occasionally, making Wads &ca
Fresh Breezes and Clear weather. PM. Saw about 200 of the Rebels, fir'd several Guns at them, at 4 Lost a 5 Inch Cablet in warping a large Raft of Wood (which was floating down the River) Clear of the... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
Dear Sir We are informed by Mr [James] Price2 that there is not water enough in Lake St Pierre for a frigate to pass over with her Gunns & Stores: he says that there is not, even at this season of the Year when the water is highest, more than between 14 & 15 feet in the channel, which is very narrow. If this representation be just, our Gondaloe now at the Mouth of the Sorrell... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
May 1776
Sunday 12
At Anchor off Point Plator River St Laurence
Moderate & fair Weather fir'd several Shot at the Rebels sent a Midshipman, & some Men in the Arm'd Schooner to Point au Tremble: to get the Gaspe Brig off left there by the Rebels
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I am to acquaint you that last night His Majesty's Sloop Swan arrived at this place having a few days ago fallen in with the Dispencer Packet, bound to Boston, and taken out of her the Dispatches for General Howe and me; all which I have received and caused to be delivered; and am particularly to acknowledge the receipt of their Lordships Order of the 29th March, wherein they are pleased to... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I have received from Mr Jackson the following Letters to which I shall pay a proper attention;
Duplicate 7th Febry 1776 Informing me that Mr Peacock was appointed to take charge of the Elizabeth Storeship, and after delivering his Cargo to put himself under my Command.
Duplicate 13th Febry, Acquainting me that Mr Roberts was appointed to the Charge of the Elizabeth, in the room of Mr Peacock.... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
...The want of Provisions still keeps us here nor do I see any prospect of leaving this place these three or four Weeks as not one [of] the Victualers from Europe, or those drove of[f] the Cost last Winter to the West Indias are arrived....
By what we can here of the Rebel Army the greatest part have left Boston, and are Collecting at New York which they are fortifying, Expecting we will bend... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
I write you fully by this Post respecting my Seat at Congress, & takeing the Agencey and my reasons for so doing, but notwithstanding if it should so happen, that much difficulty should arise, and some other Person must be appointed, I think of no Man superiour to Capt Supply Clap, who you know to be an active Man and honest fellow, good Accountant and a staunch Friend to the Cause. Our Ship... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
By Captn. [John Paul] Jones in the Providence I have sent you as many of your Officers and Soldiers as I could Collect but some of them that I took onboard are Sick and some have left the Fleet, for what Reason I can't tell
Shall Collect as many of those that are left behind as soon as possible and send them by the first Opportunity and Advertize the Remainder as Deserters tho' the Officers tell... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
You are to take as many Men out of the Alfred as will make your Compliment eighty five, and proceed on a Cruise against the Enemies of the United Colonies for three or four Weeks in such places as you think will most annoy the Enemy if you do not take as many Prizes as you can well Mann sooner
You are also to endeavour to keep Company with the Cabot, and give such directions to Lieutenant Hinman... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
You are to take Command of the Brigt Cabot, and take as many Men out of the Alfred or Fly as will make your Compliment up [to] Ninety, and go to Sea and Cruise three or four Weeks if you don't take as many Prizes as you can well Mann in less time ー And you are likewise to take such directions from time to time as you may Receive from Captn Biddle
In Case of a Separation with him and you should... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 5
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