European Theatre from January 1, 1777, to May 31, 1777
Having ordered the Commissrs for Victualling, His Majesty's Navy to cause all the provisions on board the Ship you command to be taken out of her except what may be necessary for 160 .Men for three months at whole allowance, beer excepted, of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow, and a proper proportion of Spirits in lieu of the remainder; You are hereby required and directed... Continue Reading
Date: 28 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . With respect to John Evans who has received 165 Lashes in part of the punishment inflicted on him by Sentence of a Court Martial, and who in the Opinion of the Surgeon will not be in a condition to undergo the remainder of his Punishment for a considerable time, I am to acquaint you that, upon your intercession therein, their Lordships are pleased to remit the remainder of the Punishment... Continue Reading
Date: 28 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
[1777. January] 27. The daily allowance on board His Majesty's ships, is: Sunday, pork and peas; Monday, birgu,2 butter and cheese; Tuesday, beef and pudding; Wednesday, birgu and peas, butter and cheese; Thursday, pork and peas; Friday, birgu and peas, butter and cheese; Saturday, beef and pudding; a pint of wine, or half a pint of rum, when at sea; and when in port, beer in abundance... Continue Reading
Date: 28 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
They write from Jamaica, that a Number of Pirates, who do not act immediately under the Authority of the Congress, have made their Appearance in those Seas: They are chiefly commanded by French and Dutch Rovers, and do incredible Damage.
The same Letters add, that the Keith, an armed Ship, fitted out by the Merchants at Port Royal, had just brought in one of those Vessels; the Commander of which... Continue Reading
Date: 29 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
A letter from Lisbon, dated Jan. 9, says, "The Zephyr sloop of war has brought in here two prizes; one of them the Argo, Captain Ward; and the other the schooner Betsey, Lebras, with 1100 quintals of Bachalaw, bound from New England to Bil boa, on account of the Congress."
The Lords of the Admiralty have promoted Captain George Montagu, of his Majesty's ship Fowey, to the command of the Romney, a... Continue Reading
Date: 29 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
In Consequence of Applications made to me, by the Prnprietors of the two Vessels taken by the American Privateer, the Reprisal I spoke Yesterday to M de Vergennes, and not caring to give in a formal Memorial, I gave him extracts of the Letters I had received.
The Owners of the ship called the Vine State, that their Cargoe has in part been sold clandestinely, and part put on board the Reprisal,... Continue Reading
Date: 29 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Having received further Confirmations, of the Intelligence I sent Your Lordship with regard to the five Ships, I mentioned in my Letter No 14 I thought the thing of too much importance, to be passed over in Silence, tho' at the same time I was aware of the Impropriety, of making a formal Complaint, I endeavoured to take a middle way, and spoke to M de Vergennes Yesterday, to the following Effect... Continue Reading
Date: 29 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Mr Cumberland Secretary to the Lords Commrs for Trade & Plantation, having transmitted to my Lords Commrs of the Admty an Extract of a Letter which he received dated at St Croix the 18th Novr last giving an Account of the Arrival of several American Vessels at that Port and St Thomas's from America, & that about a dozen had come to the Danish Islands in the course of five Weeks; I am... Continue Reading
Date: 30 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Proclamation just published by the French King, says a Correspondent,, prohibiting, the Sale of any English Vessels or their Cargoes brought into any of the Ports of France by the Americans, under the Denomination of Prizes, is a clear, undeniable Evidence of the Sincerity of the Court of Versailles, in their constant Declarations that they are resolved to continue at Peace with Great Britain... Continue Reading
Date: 30 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Unto your Lordship that the Ship Vine loaded with French produce was taken by an American Privateer (the same that carried the Rebel Dr Franklin to France) coming from Rochelle for Hull the Day after she set Sail and carried into Nantz where she now lays uncondemned though detained. —
That the Master of the Privateer has Piratically sold or embezled the Cargo of the said Ship upon a... Continue Reading
Date: 31 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Tuesday last [January 28] was brought into this port, the ship Oxford, from York River, in Virginia, loaded 412 hogsheads of tobacco and staves, which was intended for Nanltz, in France; on the passage, four of the ships company took the vessel from the rest, being eight, besides the supercargo, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Richards, a passenger. It appears that these four resolute brave men (two of whom... Continue Reading
Date: 31 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
It is but too true, Monsieur le Comte, that our preparations must constitute a serious charge on the King's finances. We have not, however, any other means, either to repulse the first attacks with which we are threatened, or to avert war, if there still remains any hope of doing so. I confess that my hopes grow weaker in proportion as I follow the progress of this country. Through the different... Continue Reading
Date: 31 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The New York Packets now employed mount 16 Guns, and carry 50 Men, the same as the War Establishment.
A Letter from Limerick by Wednesday's Mail, brings Advice, that a large American Privateer put into the River Shannon, and sent a Boat on shore to procure some fresh Provisions and fresh Water, which they were readily supplied with, but sent the Commanding Officer Word, that his Stay there would... Continue Reading
Date: 31 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
My last respects were of 21st Inst ー since which a list of the Dutch Ships intended this Season for the Whale Fishery, has been published, by which it appears they are to send 72 to Greenland, & 45 to Straits Davis; being 5 fewer to the former, & one more to the Latter place: than last year. I am informed that Two Frigates of War are to escort those which fish in Straits Davis, to protect... Continue Reading
Date: 31 January 1777
Volume: Volume 8
So Soon as the Number of Men on board the Ship you command shall Le completed to 650 for which we have given directions to Vice Admiral Sir James Douglas, You are hereby required and directed to put to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind and Weather, and proceed & cruize between the Start Point and the Isle of Wight to procure Men for His Majesty's Fleet, agreeable to the Press Warrant and... Continue Reading
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
So soon as the number of Men on board the ship you command shall be completed to 500 for which we have given directions to Vice Admiral Amherst; you are hereby required and directed to put to sea with the first opportunity of wind & weather, and proceed and cruize between the Latitudes of 46° and 47°, 30 Leagues to the Westward of the Penmarks point, for the protection of the Trade of His... Continue Reading
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
So soon as the number of Men on board the Ship you command shall be completed to 500 for which we have given directions to Vice Admiral Sir James Douglas, and you shall have received on board the sum of £10,000 for carrying on the payments & Recalls of His Majesty's Ships at Plymouth, which we have directed the Navy Board to cause to be delivered into your charge, You are hereby required arnd... Continue Reading
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas we have signed a Commission appointing you Master and Commander of the Earl of Besborough Packet Boat; You are hereby required and directed, not to hoist any other Colours, worn in His Majesty's Fleet, besides a Red Ensign, Jack and Pendant on board the said Packet Boat, at any time, or on any Account. Given &c the 1st Febry 1777.
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Aurora, John Hutchin.son master, late the Oxford, of Glasgow. taken by the rebels, with a party of the 71st regiment on board, and carried into Virginia, is brought into Liverpool, laden with 412 hogsheads of tobacco on account of the Congress, and bound to Nantz or Bourdeaux. She was navigated by 15 men, and had a Mr. Hall on board in; the capacity of a supercargo; eight of the crew were... Continue Reading
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Messrs :Franklin, Dean, and Lee, Ministers from the Congress of the United States, beg leave to represent to his Excellency the Count de Vergennes, that besides the general alarming Accounts of the Success of the English against their Country, they have just received authentic Intelligence from England, that Eight thousand Men, chiefly Germam under the command of General [John] Burgoyne, are to... Continue Reading
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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