European Theatre from January 1, 1777, to May 31, 1777
. . . It is very difficult, in view of the armaments which England is preparing with almost incredible ardor, to be at ease respecting her intentions, and to deduce therefrom an augury favorable to the duration of peace. We cannot conceal from ourselves that they have no direct connection with her war in America, and we are also aware that some of the Ministers are pressing for war. It does not... Continue Reading
Date: 8 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . The Mill Prison, used during the French and Spanish War, is to be got ready to receive the American Prisoners.
Date: 9 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Last week the Jenny, Duncan, arrived from Antigua in ballast. She sailed from thence the 23d of December. Mr. Thompson of Greenock (who was carpenter of the Carron, Montgomery, when taken) came home in the Jenny by the run, and was an active hand in retaking the Ronals of Bristol, loaded with about 500 hogsheads of sugar.
She had been taken by an American privateer, and was fitted out from... Continue Reading
Date: 10 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
You are hereby required and directed to put to Sea, with the first opportunity of Wind and Weather, in the Ship you command, and proceed and cruize between the Lizard and the Start Point to procure Men for His Majesty's Fleet agreeable to the Press Warrant agd Instructions which you have received, particularly from the homeward bound Merchant Ships Victualling all such new raised Men as your... Continue Reading
Date: 10 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Three Men of War are ordered to cruize within a League of the Mouth of the River Garonne, to watch the Motions of the American Ships, and to seize all that they meet with, even if they are under French Colours.
The last Letters from Nevis and other Parts of the Leeward Islands, mention that those Islands are so pestered with American Privateers, that scarce a Ship can go from one Island to the... Continue Reading
Date: 10 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The reason of such a number of ships of force being ordered for the Mediterranean, is on account of it being the determined resolution of government to put a stop to the American trade, by stationing ships to cruize at the mouths of the several sea ports.
Date: 10 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
[1777. February] 7. We were removed from the Bellisle, after having been on board nineteen days, and were carried up to Ammores [Hamoze ], and put on board the "Tarbay," a ship of seventy-four guns, and confined in the bay, between decks, where there was not room for all of us to lay down; it is parted. off, like a sheep-pen, and takes in two side-ports only.
8. Pleasant weather, but very cold... Continue Reading
Date: 10 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . I am however to observe to Your Lordship that he [Grimaldi] concluded with saying that the extent to which our Armaments and others had now gone was owing to want of confidence and communication, in order to restore which this Court was ready and would be the first to induce such explanations to be brought on between us and £ranee as should remove all seeds of mistrust whatever, and not... Continue Reading
Date: 10 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Surprise
Slo Weazle
Whereas we intend that you shall proceed in the Ship you command accompanied by H.M. Ship & Sloop named in the Margin whose Commanders are directed to obey your orders to the Coast of Africa, for the Protection and Security of the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects in those Parts, and to endeavour to take or destroy any Ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious... Continue Reading
Date: 11 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Having communicated to my Lords Commrs of the Admty your Letter of the 7 Inst informing them of the diseased Condition of the Rebel Prisoners on board the Belleisle & of most of them being over run with Vermin for want of Cloaths to Shift themselves; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you, to cause those that are diseased to be sent on shore to the Hospital,... Continue Reading
Date: 11 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The following is the substance of the bill to empower his Majesty to secure and detain persons charged with, or suspected of, the crime of high treason, committed in North America, or on the high seas, or the crime of piracy, viz.
Whereas a rebellion and war have been openly and traiterously levied and carried on in certain of his majesty's colonies and plantations in America, and acts of treason... Continue Reading
Date: 11 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whatever Orders you have for me, will be forwarded from the Ports of Spain, & I must beg a few blank Commissions for Privateers, as it will be one part of my endeavors, to excite the Merchants in Spain, to cruise against our Enemies .
. . . A large Cargo of Woolens, linen, cordage, & Sail Cloth will be dispatched from hence in three weeks, which, I hope will reach their destination in... Continue Reading
Date: 11 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
At a meeting of the Wes,t India merchants, held last week, a state of the captures taken by the Americans was laid before them, when it appeared that they had taken 40,000 hogsheads of sugar, since the commencement of the war, besides a very great quantity of rum, cotton, and other articles.
Date: 12 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We hear thait some large ships, laden with tobacco and indigo, belonging to the Rebels, are expected from Virginia, bound to some port in France, and that the Courageux, of 74 guns, Augusta of 64, and Culloden of 74, are ordered to cruise in quest of them; the two former are already sailed, and the latter, we hear, will sail in a day or two.
Date: 12 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Observation 1.
Monsieur Boux wishes to give up the comforts of his pension which he is enjoying after thirty years of service only because circumstance seems to call him to a new Glory, Grand as well as new. The establishment of a powerful military navy is what he proposes and for which he will aim and Undertake all that is honorable to succeed, scorning all Grief and Hardships which are... Continue Reading
Date: 12 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I am secretly informed, that Mr Deane is going to Spain, by Mr D'Aranda's advice, and Mr Lee to Holland. Another Informer tells me, that Deane goes to Holland, and Lee to Spain. It is certain, that the Rebels are sending Agents to both those Countries, and if I am not greatly misinformed, they have already made agreements, with several individuals in Holland, for that sort of Assistance, which... Continue Reading
Date: 12 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Vice Adml Amherst having represented to my Lords Commrs of the Admty that many of the Rebel Prisoners who are now on board the Belleisle at Plymouth, are diseased and their Lordships having directed him to cause such of them as are under that description to be sent ashore to the Hospital, taking care tha:t they are guarded so as to prevent their making their escape; I am commanded by their... Continue Reading
Date: 13 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
All the ports which his Majesty's forces are in possession of in America, are to be provided with booms and chains across the mouths of the harbours, which are to be hove tight every night to prevent any vessels coming in or out without knowledge of the commandant.
Date: 13 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
[1777. February] 11. We hear that General Lee is taken. I had to-day a handful of bread given to me by a woman, which I joyfully received.
12. We are informed tha:t Parliament has passed an act that all Americans taken in arms against the King, shall be deemed rebels; and those taken in armed vessels, upon the high seas, as pirates.
13. Our company is in a very poor state of health. Last night I... Continue Reading
Date: 13 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Feb. 13, 1777. Third remove from the Torbay ー after being on board her 6 days ー to the Burford of 70 guns, George Bowyer, Esq, commander, a man of humanity, tenderness and compassion, which we have all experienced. When he found what a situation Fitzherbet2 left us in, he expressed himself surprised, and told us he would do all in his power to make our situation as comfortable as... Continue Reading
Date: 13 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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