European Theatre from October 6, 1776, to December 31, 1776

American privateering ventures in European waters increased markedly during the closing months of 1776. The spiralling number of captures being made by these "rebel pirates," and their use of French and Spanish ports, deepened the concern of government and the mercantile community in Britain. All was not one-sided, of course, and newspaper accounts from the port cities also told of American privateers being taken and of numerous prizes recaptured.

The Admiralty ordered more Royal Navy ships to anti-privateer patrol duty, and convoy coverage was extended. Naval officers registered not unfamiliar complaints about the difficulties they were experiencing getting masters to conform to convoy discipline, and preventing the merchant ships from wandering off on their own.

The eagerly awaited word of the success achieved by the King's arms at the Battle of Long Island was joyously received in Britain. And, no time was lost through diplomatic channels in attempting to exploit the victory as a sure indication that the revolution would soon be crushed. In effect, Britain was cautioning her continental neighbors that it would be folly to back a lost cause either openly or covertly.

Meanwhile in Paris, Silas Deane naturally played down the impact of the American defeat on Long Island as he continued to seek munitions and all forms of material assistance. He likewise prepared articles for a proposed United States alliance with France and Spain.

The Continental brig Reprisal, Captain Lambert Wickes, came to anchor in the Loire River with a distinguished passenger on board, Dr. Benjamin Franklin who would join Deane at Paris. Wide acclaim and equally wide speculation about the nature of his mission greeted Franklin's arrival in France.

Across the Channel, England was watching with intent interest the sizeable French fleet assembled at Brest. George III opened the Third Session of the Fourteenth Parliament, and the North Ministry asked that "45,000 seamen, including 10,129 marines, be employed" for the next year. To meet the manning needs of an expanding sea service, the Royal Navy put a massive impressment effort in motion.

News of the destruction of the American fleet at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain was greeted with an elation tempered by realization that the action had come too late in the seaSon for Sir Guy Carleton to pursue his advantage this campaign.

An American prize, called the Molly, of Dartmouth, in New England, laden with flour and lumber, and bound to Hispaniola, taken by his Majesty's ship Galatea, is arrived here.
Date: 6 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
By this time we judge the capital events of the American armies are over, and from the silence observ'd in the court of London every body imagines the King's troops have been worsted: all Europe is in expectation of what has happen'd on your side, and we in hourly hopes of some arrival, may God Almighty bring it soon and to our entire satisfaction, is the hearty wish of those that are and will be... Continue Reading
Date: 6 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The King having learned by Your Lordship's letter of 19 June past of the news it communicates about the events and deployments of English Armed Forces and of its Insurgent Colonies in New England, according to information received from various vessels of that nation navigating along the [Mississippi] River there to its settlements: His Majesty has approved the precautions and provisions taken by... Continue Reading
Date: 6 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
On Saturday advice came from Liverpool, that two of their homeward bound vessels, which sailed without convoy, are taken by an American privateer, viz. the Isaac, Craig, from Tortola, and the Lancaster [sic Lancashire], Jones, from Jamaica, both laden with sugar and rum. The Captains were put on board a French vessel.
Date: 7 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Letters by the Hope, Capt. Wilcox, which is arrived at Dartmouth from Senegal, brings advice that two American armed Ships were cruizing on the coast of Africa, and purchasing of such ships as they meet with arms and ammunition, except of the English, from two of which they took what few arms; &c. they had, and by such means were sailed with a considerable cargo for America.
Date: 7 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The last advices from Galicia and Sir John Hort's intelligence to His Majesty's Consuls in this country bring an account of the progress and boldness of the American privateers who have ventured so far as the coasts of this and the neighboring kingdoms; a circumstance which affects, and ought to alarm every commercial nation in Europe, and to induce a general opposition to it. There is now at... Continue Reading
Date: 7 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The Ann, Capt. Duncan, from Dominica for London, that was taken by an American privateer in August last, was decoyed in the following manner: When the privateer saw Capt. Duncan mounted eight guns, and was able to cope with her, they hoisted out their boat, and said she was one of the Isis man of war's attendants, and they must come on board to see her papers; and as soon as they got on board,... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Advice is received here from L'Orient, that a vessel is arrived there, which had been boarded off Cape Finisterre, by a large schooner privateer of 14 guns, who put on board her the crew of two British vessels she had taken, one loaded with oats, the other with cod-fish; and that the said privateer had an engagement with one of our outward-bound transports, which mounted 10 guns, and obliged the... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
In the memorial presented to the States General by the English Ambassador, Sir Joseph Yorke, on the 11th of this month [sic], his Excellency after setting forth that the prohibitions made by their High Mightinesses in the Placart, which is just expired, were very badly kept up to, as their subjects had publicly loaded ammunition and warlike stores, and sent them to the rebels in America, &c.... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Your Declaration of the 4th of July last has given this Court, as well as several others in Europe reason to expect you would in form announce your Independency to them, and ask their friendship, but a three months silence on that subject appears to them mysterious, and the more so as you declared for foreign alliances. This silence has given me the most inexpressible anxiety, has more than once... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Genoa, October 7. On advice received by the Company of Assistance in this city, that some American privateers had made their appearance in the Portuguese seas, they have declared that they will insure no ships for those seas, under the rate of 4 per cent, above the former charge. Naples, Oct. 8. We have received advice here that the American privateers have appeared off Cape St. Vincent's, one of... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
. . . It is certain that now more than ever it behooves us to foment that war and incite those Colonists to extend their privateering and capture Portuguese vessels. Regarding admission to our ports, I have already expressed to Y. E. [Your Excellency] what the General thought. But if they were to capture Portuguese vessels in South America, from where we have information that the Colonists sail... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Notice has been given me in the most secret and confidential manner, that our Deputy Governor has received instructions from M de Grimaldi to protect, in case of necessity, any American vessel that may arrive in this Port, but on no account to publish his having such orders, except he should at any time find it absolutely necessary. This notice, My Lord, Your Excellency may be assured is without... Continue Reading
Date: 8 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
A Correspondent assures us, there is no Truth in the Report of the French Court having entered into a Treaty with our revolted Colonies, or with their Agent Mr. Silas Dean; on the contrary, the French Ministry are much alarmed at the Idea of North America becoming an Independent Empire; and therefore strict Orders are sent to all the Sea Ports of France, to search every American Vessel, and to... Continue Reading
Date: 9 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The Lords of the Admiralty have put his Majesty's ship Druid, now at Deptford, into commission, the command of which is given to Capt. Cartwright, and she is fitting out for the North America station.
Date: 9 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
The almost universal Partiality of the French to the Rebels makes it as difficult for me to collect information of what relates to the american Agents as it is to get Intelligence in an Enemys Country. I have however learnt the following Particulars: viz Mr Deane and a Doctor [Edward] Bancroft who resides in London but is either come or coming hither for a short time at the Desire of Deane with... Continue Reading
Date: 9 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Capt. Emmerson, a London trader, came in last Saturday, and brings an account, that a ship from London, laden with wheat and flour, was taken off this port, with a Portugueze pilot on board, by an American privateer; and this day we have further advice of another ship being taken loaded with rice from America. Yesterday two French traders arrived, the Captains of which had both been chaced by... Continue Reading
Date: 9 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Mr. Dean, American Agent at Paris, has several Correspondents in London. In a Letter to one Gentleman he makes no Scruple of acknowledging that his Countrymen have been greatly assisted by other Powers, and particularly the Dutch. This Dean is a Favourite of Adams, who like a British Minister embraces every Opportunity of providing for his Creatures. Mr. Deane was a conspicuous Member of the... Continue Reading
Date: 10 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Capt. Wilson, of the Union, arrived here this day from St. Kitts, says, on his passage he was boarded by an American privateer on the 7th of September, of 10 six pounders, and 103 men, called the Sally, Capt. [James] Munro, of Rhode Island, in lat. 33.9. Ion. 55.13, who took out his cargo of ivory and Malageta pepper. The above privateer had taken the Blaze Castle, Smith, of Bristol, from... Continue Reading
Date: 11 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7
Vice Admiral Young Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at the Leeward Islands, having transmitted to Us, in his Letter of the 10th of August last, Copies of the Correspondence which had passed between him & the Governor of Martinico, respecting the Action between the Shark Sloop & an American Armed Vessel off that Island (an account of which was enclosed to Your... Continue Reading
Date: 11 October 1776
Volume: Volume 7

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