European Theatre from May 26, 1776, to October 5, 1776
All the Ships at Barbadoes, homeward bound, wait there for the Arrival of Men of War from England to convoy them home, they not daring to stir on account of the Multiplicity of American Privateers.
Date: 10 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
It seems to me, Sir, that our political interest, as well as our commercial interest, requires that we treat favorably the Americans who frequent our ports; indeed, if they succeed in establishing the freedom of their trade, they will have already developed the habit of dealing with our merchants, and if they fail, we will have entertained with them, at least momentarily, atrade exchange which is... Continue Reading
Date: 10 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
You are hereby required and directed to proceed with His Majesty's Sloop under your Command to the Harbour of St Johns or to such other Port in the Island of Newfoundland as you shall learn Vice Admiral [John] Montagu may be at; and upon joining him you are to deliver to him the inclosed Pacquet and follow his orders for your further proceedings. Given &c the 11th of July 1776
By &c. P:S:
Date: 11 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Two bombs, on the same plan as the Swiftsure, which was launched a few days ago at Blackwall-dock, are contracted for by Government, to be built in a private dock-yard.
Date: 11 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The English Ministers no longer mention our Armaments to me; but I have heard that they are becoming alarmed. Some of their confidants claim even that the differences with Portugal depend upon the war with the Colonies, that is to say they consider this discussion as a pretext that will be used according to the state of affairs; that, if England meets with rapid success in America, the Portuguese... Continue Reading
Date: 12 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
...What is certain on the side of the Americans is their activity at sea and the ships of the Crown they are capturing. They recently seized three transports, one of which named the Hope had a cargo of one thousand carbines, much powder and other munitions; so even if the abovementioned declaration by Congress were not true, these operations make it evident their determination to resist the... Continue Reading
Date: 12 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The following is the purport of the intelligence received by Captain Furse, who left Boston the 1st of June, 1776, and arrived at Bristol after a passage of thirty days:... The Alfred, Columbus, and a brig, part of Commodore Hopkins's Fleet, arrived from New London at Newport the 29th of April. Both those harbours are now fortified. At Philadelphia a vast supply of arms, ammunition, and stores of... Continue Reading
Date: 12 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Letters from Lisbon, brought by the Camberwell, Capt. Forbes, mention, that on the 29th of June, four ships from America arrived at that port, which had brought valuable cargoes. They were ordered to traffic for musquets, powder, &c.
On the 7th instant arrived at Torbay his Majesty's ship Daphne, with 12 sail of transports under convoy for America.
Date: 13 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I saw M de Beaumarchais this morning, and following your express authorisation, I gladly conferred with him without reservation. Everyone knows his good sense, his talent, and no one gives more credit than myself for his honesty, his discretion, his zeal for everything that is great and good; I believe he is one of the men best suited to political negotiations, but perhaps at the same time least... Continue Reading
Date: 13 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Sloop St. Peter, of New-York, under Dutch Colours, from St. Ustatia to Amsterdam with Tobacco, Sugar and Rum, is taken by the Dolphin Cutter, Capt. Miller, and brought into Cowes.
They write from Boston, that the Privateers yet at Sea are mostly small; but there are a great many on the Stocks, which will be soon launched, to carry from 16 to 24 Guns; and several Frigates are building, and... Continue Reading
Date: 15 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
By a letter from Liverpool we are informed, that the Fleet which plundered the Island of New Providence, consisted of seven Sail, Commodore Hopkins, Commander, viz. two Ships of 30 Guns each; two Brigantines of 14 Guns; one Sloop of 12 Guns, and one of six Guns; and one Schooner of Eight Guns. They took Governor Brown and Secretary Babbedge [James Babbidge] Prisoners, and a Mr. Irvin [Thomas... Continue Reading
Date: 16 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
You are hereby required and directed, to proceed with his Majesty's Ship under your command to Corke, and upon your arrival there, you are to make enquiry for, and take under your Convoy such Ships laden with Provisions for the use of the Army under the command of General Howe, as may be ready to accompany you, and putting to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind and Weather make the best of... Continue Reading
Date: 17 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Whereas We think fit that you shall command His Majesty's Storeship the Elephant; You are hereby required and directed to take upon you the Charge & Command of her accordingly, her Officers & Company being hereby strictly required to observe & follow your Orders; And, you are carefully to observe & follow the General Printed Instructions, and such Orders & Directions, as you... Continue Reading
Date: 17 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I have communicated to my Lords Commrs of the Admty your Letter dated 5th June at Sea giving an Account of the progress you had made in your Voyage, with His Majesty's Ships under your Convoy (except the Malaga which had Parted Company) and acquainting their Lordships that the Captain of the Jersey had been obliged to cut away the Bower Anchors in a small Gale and to throw the Flatt bottom'd boat... Continue Reading
Date: 18 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I don't know, sir, if you have any body with you, whom you may trust for translating the French letters, which treat on important affairs. On my part I shall not be able to treat with security in English, till after the return of a person whom I expect at this moment from London, and who will be an interpreter between us, meanwhile I have the honor to inform you, that I had for some time past,... Continue Reading
Date: 18 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I have communicated to my Lord Commrs of the Admty your Letter of the 17th Inst informing them that having intelligence of two Vessels being at Guernsey belonging to some of His Majts Rebellious Subjects in No America you have given Orders to Lt Mainwaring Commg the Meredith either to call in the way to his Station & Seize any Vessels he may meet with at that Island agreable to the above... Continue Reading
Date: 19 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Advice is received from St. Maloes, that the Americans carry on a very extensive trade to that place; that no less than seven vessels arrived there the first week in June, and at the time the account came away, there were four more just arrived.
The certain accounts daily received of the many captures made by the American privateers, have roused the Underwriters from their lethargy; the Ministry... Continue Reading
Date: 19 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I understand that some Rebel Traders in the New England Provinces have established a Correspondence and are forming Connexions with certain ill affected persons in Nova Scotia through whom they expect to receive Supplies of Merchandize from England and that there is now a Vessel loading in the River upon this Account, The Ship is owned and commanded by Malachy Salter and proposed to be cleared... Continue Reading
Date: 20 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Letters from Barbadoes, dated the 5th of June, mention that six American Whale Fishing Ships were taken off that Island by a, Man of War, who carried off five of them to Antigua, where they are since safe arrived; we have received no Intelligence of the other.
The St. James, Captain Wilson, from Jamaica, for Bristol, one of the Ships that was reported to have been taken by the Provincials, was... Continue Reading
Date: 20 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Yesterday in the afternoon, the wind coming round, Capt. [Charles] Fielding in his Majesty's ship the Diamond, with two other men of war, and all the transports under their convoy, that have been windbound here for some time, all sailed for America.
Date: 20 July 1776
Volume: Volume 6
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