American Theatre from September 1, 1776, to October 31, 1776
... A Number of prizes have been sent into the different ports of New England since my last, 4 in at Bedford, one at Cape Ann, some at the Eastward & a number at Providence, chiefly West India men. ー The Spirit for Privateering is got to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, almost every Vessell from 20 Tons to 400 is fitting out here; they are in great want of Guns, but with what they dig up on... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I have received your kind favor of the 24 Ultimo ー The 24 Gun Frigate might have been out to Sea a month Ago and have cleared her Cost as well as the Cost of the other Frigate, by what prizes she might have taken before this, had she have been furnished with her Guns, the want of these retards every Attempt to fix her off, besides it will be impossible to procure Men till they see she is... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I receiv'd yours, and desire you will supply Captn [Hoysteed] Hacker with every thing that may be necessary to enable him to get with dispatch his Vessel ready to Cruise2 ー
As to purchasing the Schooner you best can tell, as you had directions in procuring the Vessel ー My Instructions is to Mann her and Order her where to Cruise ー I have no Orders to buy, or to direct any other Person... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I receiv'd yours of the 5th instt and observe that you think your Vesselis in bad Order ー If it is necessary, direct you as soon as possible to Grave, or clean the Brig and fit her for the Sea with 5 or 6 Months provisions onboardー
Mr. [Nathaniel] Shaw will Supply you with every thing necessary ー I shall come to New London soon and give Some directions about filling up your Officers. I am Your... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I receiv'd yours ー and now acquaint you that I had directions from the Marine Board to offer you the Command of a Schooner which they made no doubt was in New London, and directed Mr Shaw their Agent there to preserve her which can't be done as the Schooner is gone ー2 If Mr Shaw procures any other in her Room shall fit her out ー but I have no Orders to buy a Vessel myself ー that matter... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Interog.
When where and by whom was the said Brig taken, from whence and to what Port was She bound, what Tonage is She what are the Contents of the Cargo of said Brigg: and who are the owners of the said and Cargo?ー
Answr
The said Brig and her Cargo upon the Twenty first Day of August AD: 1776 was taken upon the High Seas, by Jabez Whipple Commander of the private Sloop of War called... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Since my last I have made Enquiry what naval Force can be had in this State to assist in an Attempt to clear the sound of the Enemies Ships ー and find we can soon have a Ship mounting 20 Guns, 9 lbders, and a Brigantine of 16 Guns ready for that Service; we could also add another Brigantine of 8 Guns could we procure Cannon to put upon her, besides our Galleys, which we hope may be able to join... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
The vast Importance of preventing the Ministerial Army takeing the Benefit of the Stock on Long Island & Availing themselves of the Advantage of that Post, Assisting such of the Inhabitants to remove with their Effects who are disposed for it, and prevent their Total Seduction, I Apprehend are Matters of more Consequence to the Common cause than we can easily Imagine, to dislodge that Army... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Voted to give, and accordingly gave, orders to Capt. Zebadiah Smith, master of the prize schooner Elizabeth and Hannah, (now at Newport) lately taken and sent in by the armed schooner Spy, to embrace the first fair wind and weather when the coast s clear of the enemy, and proceed with said prize to N. London and up to Norwich, and take the necessary steps to procure a legal condemnation to be... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Inclos'd is two letters wich came by Express from Saybrook, this moment ー And the person who brot them says he must wait for an Answerー
Should be Glad you would give sum orders for the People Tradesmen &c we want to Assist in fitting the Arm'd Vessels, not to be Oblig'd to March with the Meletia, or we Cannot Procede ー as to officers that are to be Imploy'd in the Navy its very Nessesary that... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
... The Master of the Royal Savage is Ill with the Fever and Ague; I shall observe your Directions very particularly, I hope soon tohave the Pleasure of seeing General [David] Waterbury and the three Gallies. I think the Station we are in the Best in the Lake to stop the Enemy; there is not a good Harbour, except where the Lake is Wide until' you come to ButtonMould Bay, thirteen Miles this side... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Gentlemen. Sensible of the great Importance of the Posts in the highlands, We have lately directed an enquiry into their Situation which will appear from the inclosed Return to be far from such as we could wish.
The Necessity General Washington has of all the Troops that compose his Army at New York, prevented his sparing to those Fortresses sufficient Garrisons or the necessary Stores ー What may... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
[Long Island] 9th Sept Two Ships of War are expected up the East ofRiver, as soon as the Wind and tide serves for their passing the town. Many the flat boats have come up the River during the late nights, and are assembled in Hallet's Cove near Hellgate. More are expected up this night, and the whole will be collected there.
Everything indicates that we shall soon attempt something decisive... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Matters continue very still, that I have little to write ー We are in hourly expectation of the Enemies Landing on this Island ー But they continue still as yet ー Except that they have Erected a Battery opposite ours at Hell gate from whence there was yesterday a very brisk Cannonading & Bombardment upon our Fort ー & from our fort upon them ー I hear they killed one of our Men, wounded... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
I highly approve of your plan and proposition for raising such a naval force as will be sufficient to clear the Sound of the enemy's Ships of War ー If Admiral Hopkins will Join you, I should suppose It not only practicable, but a matter of certainty, & If it can be effected, many valuable & salutary consequences must result from It ー As to drafting Seamen from the Continental regiments It... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Since the Retreat of our Army from Long-Island, the Enemy have extended themselves a considerable Length on the Shore bordering the Sound, and on Tuesday a large Number of them landed on Blackwell's-Island, about three Miles from the City, but the Shot from our Batteries soon made them recross the River. On Wednesday a Ship from the Fleet, (supposed to be a Frigate) passed between Governor's... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to hear the parties on the appeal against the verdict and sentence of condemnation passed against the schooner Thistle and her cargo.
The members chosen, Mr. [Richard] Stockton, Mr. [Samuel] Huntington, Mr. [Robert Treat] Paine, Mr. [James] Wilson, and Mr. [Thomas] Stone.
Resolved, That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where,... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
In Council of Safety,
[Philadelphia] September 9th, 1776.
Mr. Nesbitt was directed ... to pay Doct'r James Dunlap £16 13 6, for Medicines, &ca., for the use of the Fleet.
An order was given for Rob't Jewell, Esq'r, was authorized & Required to receive the Bodies of Messrs. James Forrest, Thomas Byrn & Shanks into his Custody, they being Prisoners of War, Taken by Capt. Isaiah Robinson... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Notice is hereby given, that a Court of Admiralty will be held at the State House in the city of Philadelphia, on Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of September inst. at ten o'clock in the forenoon of the same day, then and there to try the truth of the facts alledged in the bill of John Barry, commander of the brigantine of war called the Lexington, (who as well, &c.) against Thomas Saunders,... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
Job Green having appeared before the Committee and desired a Passport to pass the Fort for the Schooner Two Brothers now loaded with Bread & Flour intended for the West Indies, and the Committee being informed, that the said Schooner was the same Vessell, which belonged to Mr James Clarke, and was then called the Sea Flower, demanded of Mr Green, whether he would make Oath, that the said... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1776
Volume: Volume 6
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