European Theatre from January 1, 1777, to May 31, 1777
. . . my yesterday's letters have informed me of the departure of three of my vessels in three days; one from L'Orient, one from Nantes and the other from Havre. But without the cannon there is no pleasure. M de Sartine summons me this evening to Versailles. May he at last, with a stroke of the pen, save me from the perpetual and insupportable reproaches which I receive without complaint . . .
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The King has strongly approved, Sir, the particulars which you discussed with the Earl of Suffolk regarding letters of marque; you have made that Minister feel and see the ill consequences resulting from such an extreme recourse; it seems that he perceived them by assuring you that our merchant ships would not be called upon for compliance. I most sincerely desire that the instructions to new... Continue Reading
Date: 1 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
It is considered that in the present situation of things at the Courts of France and Spain, we find no probability of obtaining any effectual aid, alliance, or declaration of War against Great Britain, without the following stipulation; therefore
We the Commissioners plenipotentiary from the Congress of the United States of America, are unanimously of Opinion, that if France or Spain should... Continue Reading
Date: 2 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The American Dispatches brought over in the Aurora have afforded the highest Satisfaction to our Ministry. The Vessel was taken by the bravery of Four Englishmen, who happening to be upon Deck with their loaded [fus]es, whilst the American Sailors were up in the Shrouds, presented their Pieces, and ordered them to come down singly, secured them under the Hatches, and steered their Course for... Continue Reading
Date: 3 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
An American Merchantman has brought Accounts frorn America of the 2d of last Month, which tend to confirm the expectation of the best Consequences of the Success of His Majesty's Forces, and the Captain, one Gordon, is persuaded, that from the Discontent of Washingtons Army, the Difficulty of keeping them together, and other Causes, the several colonies will return to their Allegiance.
This... Continue Reading
Date: 3 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
When I had the honor of attending the Board on the 23d Ulto I understood, thal:! it seemed to be the wish of their Lordships, that I should appeal to the Court of Admiralty in America for the value of our Ship & Cargo, which Lord Dunmore originally detained for the use of the Army & Navy under his Command in Virginia, and as his Lordship has acknowledged that the Flour had been made use... Continue Reading
Date: 4 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas we intend that His Majesty's Ship under your command together with the Sylph Sloop now on her passage to Spithead shall convoy the Trade bound from thence to the West India Islands; You are hereby required and directed to take the said Sloop under your command (her Commander being directed to obey your Orders) and so soon as the Wind shall have been fair to bring the Trade from the Downes... Continue Reading
Date: 4 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We confirm our last respects to you 1st Inst since have none of your Favors —
We are yet without a reply from Lord Stormont, notwithstanding our frequent applications, and we last Post had advice from Nantes, that The American Frigate was sailed, she has left The Vine entirely unloaded in that River, under The care of a sort of an Agent of The Congress, named [Nathan] Rumsey now residing in... Continue Reading
Date: 4 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas we think fit that two Vessels shall be purchased for His Majesty to be employed under your command capable of carrying at least 12 Guns and 90 Men each; You are hereby required and directed to cause two of the best Vessels you can procure to be purchased for His Majesty accordingly upon the best and cheapest terms you can; directing the Naval Officer at Jamaica to draw upon the Navy... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The West India Merchants having upon an Attendance on my Lords Commrs of the Admty desired that Convoys may be appointed to proceed to England on the 15th May, 20th June, and 1st of August; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction that you appoint Convoys to be ready on those days accordingly directing the Commanding Officers of such Convoys to accompany them till their... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The West India Merchants having upon an Attendance on my Lords Commissrs of the Admty desired that Convoys may be appointed to proceed to England on the 30th April, 15th June and 1st of August, I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction that you appoint Convoys to be ready to sail from St Christophers on those days accordingly, directing the Commanding Officers of such Convoys... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
According to Your Orders I left Paris on Tuesday Morning 3 O'Clock & Proceeded to Boulogne and Callis, but coud not find A Vessel at either of these Places to Suit your Purpose, I was detain'd at Callis from Wednesday Night till Friday by Contirary Winds. I reach'd Dover on Saturday Morning where I made all the enquiry after A Vessell in my Power, but coud not meet with one to my likeing,... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Lord North got up and said, that having a matter of some importance to communicate to the House, he could wish their attention for a few minutes; it was upon a business which ought not to come detailed before so thin a House, but there would be several s tages of the business which would give opportunity for ample discussion ー the thing, was this; ー there had been, during the present war in... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The John, Barras, from London to Antigua, is taken by the Americans.
The Reynolds, Manchester, from Rhode Island to Curacoa, is carried into Antigua by the crew.
The Nancy, Keys, from Antigua to London, which was taken by the Provincials and carried into New England, after landing part of her cargo, and was sailing to make another port to discharge the rest but was re-taken and is carried into... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
[1777] February 5. It is a pay-day for bounty, on board this ship, (the Bellisle,) which occasions a great market on board
6. We begin to grow very sickly, and twenty or thirty of us are suffering with the itch, and we are all dreadfully infested with vermin. I make a constant practice of examining my clothes every day, when we are permitted to go upon deck. I often find them swarming with these... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Since our last, a Copy of which is inclosed, Mr Hodge is arrived here from Martinique, & has brought safely the Papers he was charged with. He had a long Passage & was near being starved. We are about to employ him in a Service pointed out by you at Dunkirk or Flushing. He has delivered us three Sets of the Papers We wanted. But We shall want more, & beg. you will not fail to send... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I cannot doubt of Your Excellency's attention to the Applications made to You by the Owners of the Vessels taken by the Reprisal. The Conduct of the Master of that Vessel is so truly piratical that it cannot be defended by the french Ministers and I should hope, that without presenting a formal Memorial, which it would be more desirable to avoid, the two Ships, the Vine and the George would be... Continue Reading
Date: 7 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . Lord Norfolk having in the past few days in the name of his Sovereign solemnly thanked the Baron of Nolken, Envoy Extraordinary of Sweden, I learned that it originated from the Swedish King's refusal given to two American vessels flying the Hamburg flag, which arrived in Marstrand, a fortified city and a newly established free port near the city of Goteborg, to load artillery and war... Continue Reading
Date: 7 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas the Snow Dickenson with her Cargoe, which was the property of the Congress of the United States of America; was by an Act of Piracy, in some of her Crew, carried into the port of Bristol in England, & there, as we are informd, was converted to the use of the Government of great Britain, & the perpetrators of so base & dishonest an Action, the Mates &c were rewarded instead... Continue Reading
Date: 7 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . The sort of goods for compleating the Concords cargo, is Sail Cloth, of this kind the Russia & Holland are the best for our purpose They may be scarce & dear, if so the sail cloth of this Country answering to No 1. & 2. of English, of these a large Quantity. Light cloth such as Ravens duck, Ticklenburghs & Osnaburghs for light Sails, Tent cloths Sailors & Soldiers... Continue Reading
Date: 7 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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