American Theatre from September 1, 1776, to October 31, 1776
Since I wrote you last, Captn Jones in the Providence has arrived here with three Prizes, and one Ship is arrived at Bedford ー Inclosed is a Copy of the account of his Cruise that he gave me ー The Cabot has sent one Ship in to Providence and yesterday Lieutt [Thomas] Weaver of the Cabot came here from Bedford, where he arrived two days ago in another Prize Ship ー he informs me that when he left... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
For The Consideration of Forty Tow shillings L money sd Money Being Advancd & Paid I bind And Ablige my SeIf to goe A Croose in the Sloop Amarican Revinue Samuel Champ[lin] Commander For John & Peleg Brown whoe are to have All My Right And Share of Prize Money that Shall be Taking by sd Sloop Or Any Other Vessel with in The Term of Eight Month From this Date as Witness My hand
In Presants... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
24 [October]. Lieut. Gen. Burgoyne sailed in the Washington prize for St Johns, from when[c]e he was to go by land for Quebec, where a frigate was ready to sail with him to England, as it was then determined the army was to return to winter in Canada, & make their appearance early the following season before Ticonderago, when every thing necessary for the reduction of that fort would be in... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The honble Congress of the United States of America have directed us to commit the Reprisal, under your command to the management of the Committee of Secret Correspondance for the present voyage or Cruize, you are therefore to receive and obey the orders of that Committee.
To us however you are to communicate such occurances as ought to be known by those who Superintend the American Navy. to us... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Honourable Congress having thought proper to Submit the Ship Reprisal under your command to our direction for the present voyage or Cruize. You are to be governed by the following orders.
The Honble Docter Franklin being appointed by Congress one of their Commissioners for negotiating some "publick business at the court of France. You are to receive him and his Suite on board the Reprisal as... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
We embrace this opportunity of Your Worthy Colleague & our mutual good Friend Doctr Franklin to transmit you Copies of our letters of the [illegible] Octr by the Sloop Independence Capt [John] Young to Martinico from whence they wou'd be carried to you by Mr Wm Hodge junr sent in said Sloop for that purpose, those letters Contained a Commission from the Congress appointing Doctr Franklin,... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Congress having Committed to our charge and Management their Ship-of-War Called the Reprisal commanded by Lambert Wickes Esq. carrying 16 Six Pounders and about one hundred and twenty men ー we have allotted her to carry Doctor Franklin to France and directed Captain Wickes to proceed to the Port of Nantes where the Doctor will land and from thence proceed to Paris, and he will either Carry... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Our Worthy Friend Doctor Franklin being indefatigueable in the Service of his Country and few Men so qualify'd to be usefull to the Community of which he is a Member, You will not be surprized that the Unanimous Voice of the Congress of Delegates from the United States of America has called upon him to Visit the Court of France in the Character of one of their Commissioners for Negotiating a... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Our incessant Attention to the Affairs of the Northern Army and Genl. Washington's (and my Duty you know) with my present Engagedness to that Service prevents my writing more, than just to Inclose you the Resolve of Congress respecting the other Frigate, which you will Exert your self to Compleat as soon as possible. Pray lay it before the Assembly, and Apologize to them for my not writing them... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In Council of Safety,
[Philadelphia] October 24th, 1776.
An order was drawn on Mr. Nesbitt, in favour of Commodore Seymour, for One Thousand Dollars, for the purpose of recruiting men for the Fleet, to be charged to his account.
Resolved, That Capt. Joseph Blewer & Capt. Francis Gurney be desired to take such Steps as they may think necessary, to secure the person of Charles Roberts, Captain... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
We send you inclosed a copy of our agreement with Major [William] Horsey for the Schooner Friendship,2 ー also an Inventory of the Tackle &c which we request you will examine into, as Soon as she is fitted agreeable to contract, she is to be delivered over to you, or your order, and loaded with all possible dispatch. ー Can you recommend a proper Person to take the Command of her. ー... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Brig Georgia taken by the Ship Defence arrived here last Monday laden with Mahog: and Lig: Vit:, and being very leaky, was immediately ordered up to Baltimore ー Be pleased to Signify to us, when & where you will hold your Court, that a Prosecution against her may be immediately instituted. We are &c:2
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Capt Edward Travis received Orders to take Command of the Brig Raleigh provided Capt James Cocke the present Commander is willing to resign the Command of the said Brigー
Pursuant to a Resolution of Convention Ordered that Thomas Lilly of the Brig Liberty Enlist any four of the Seamen that were lately taken Prisoners on Board the Ship Oxford provided they are willing to Engage in the Serviceー
Capt... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The Bearer Captain [John] Harris is order'd to take possession of and bring down to James Town the Brigg Musquetto, you are to consider yourself and the Mariners under your command as under his direction and you are desir'd to give him your best assistance, in procuring Seamen and getting the Brigg down as soon as possible. I am by order of the Naval Board Your h'ble Servant
Thomas Whiting 1st... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
One thousand Certificates were Ordered to be struck of[f] Immediately in the following words vizt.
South Carolina
Know all men that I have entered, and I do hereby Certify, that I have Voluntarily entered, into the Navy of the state aforesaid, on board the
And I do hereby engage to be true and faithfull in the said Service, untill I shall be discharged by Public authority, and also to be bound by... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I will repeat to you what I wrote ー The Sum of which was that I had anticipated the Scheme of Trade which you mentioned and had actually embarked in an Adventure by purchasing a large Sloop before I reced your Letter. If ever I am in favor with fortune it will be thro' the Interposition of Friends ー I have been happy enough to find those who were disposed to serve me in many Instances ー In the... Continue Reading
Date: 24 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Yesterday arrived here the ship Nancy, John Cowan Master, burthen about 200 tons, bound from Cork to Quebec, taken by Capt. John Lee of this place ー1 Her Cargo consists of the following articles viz. 80 Barrels of Beef, 320 ditto of Pork, 200 Firkins of Butter, 100 Barrels of Oatmeal, 374 ditto of Flour, 1200 Bushels of Pease, 68000 lb of Bread, 207 Casks of Nails, 22 Barrels and 2... Continue Reading
Date: 25 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Petition of Jeremiah Obrien, & John Lambert setting forth, That the Establishment for the Officers, & Seamen of the Arm'd Vessels, under their Command was by far too low
And praying that their pay may be rais'd equal to the establishment for the Officers, & Seamen of other Arm'd Vessels in the service of this Stateー
Resolved that Capt Jerimiah Obrien, Commander of the Sloop Machias... Continue Reading
Date: 25 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In Council. Resolved that the Committee of Deer Island be, & they hereby are authorized, & impowered (if they think proper) to Libel in the Maritime Court for the eastern District the Sloop Sally belonging to Nathan Jones taken by said Committee on the 30th Day of Augt 1775 for the Breach of continental & other Resolutions and the said Court is hereby authorized, & impowered to... Continue Reading
Date: 25 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
from the last Date this Committee have taken no Authority on themselves to Transact any New business respecting the two Frigates built hear. having finished all that they thot belonged to them to do. They have accordingly delivered them to the Honble Stephen Hopkins Esqr the person who commisionated them to Build the Ships. in the Opinion of this Committee they are fitt and might proceed... Continue Reading
Date: 25 October 1776
Volume: Volume 6
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