European Theatre from January 1, 1777, to May 31, 1777
I went to Painbeuf on Sunday and returned hither last Evening. Mr Peltier and myself went on board the Count de Vergennes and gave the necessary Directions. As I consider Dispatch of the utmost Consequence, I desired that as many Workmen as could be procured should be immediately employed, these are at present Scarce but as a little more expence is no object , in comparison to expedition, to... Continue Reading
Date: 19 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas Captn Cornwallis late Commander of His Majesty's Ship Pallas, at present under your command, did by his Letter of the 30th of January 1776 from Sierra Leon on the Coast of Africa, represent to Us, that having received information there, that several American Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies had got up the different Rivers upon that part of the Coast, and were hiding themselves... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Whereas we intend that His Majesty's Ships and Vessels named in the List hereunto annex'd (together with the Surprize already gone to Newfoundland, and the Sloops and armed Vessels which you left there last Year) shall be employed under your command in protecting the Fisheries of His Majesty's Subjects at, and about that Island, during the present Year, and have directed their Commanders to... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
An American privateer of 20 guns, called the Union, is taken off Cape Finisterre by the Liverpool man of war, after half an hour's engagement, and carried into Lisbon.
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
[Exeter] Feb 20 [1777]. The American high treason bill having passed through two readings and to be printed, giving the king power to imprison any person suspected of favoring, aiding or abetting the Americans, without liberty of bail or mainprise, has raised an alarm in people's minds universally, as it suspends the habeas corpus act, that great bulwark of English liberty, as it is called; And... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
We have ordered no Prizes into the Ports of France, nor do we know of any that have entered, for any other purpose, than to provide themselves, with necessaries, untill they could sail for America, or some Port in Europe, for a Market. We were informed this was not inconsistent with the Treaty, between France, & Great Brittain, and that it would not be disagreeable to this Court; &... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . It has been observed to mt;,that Prizes instead of being brought into french ports might be sold with secrecy & care, by landing the Goods on an Island near the mouth of the Loire, where french Vessels might come & take them; & perhaps in this way it might be contrived to dispose of the Ships without making a noise, but at least they could be there easily destroyed. ー I mention... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
You are hereby required and directed to put to Sea in the Ship you command, with the first Opportunity of Wind & Weather and proceed and cruize between Ushant and Cape Finisterre for the protection of the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects and diligently to look out for, and upon falling in with, to use your best endeavours to take or destroy any Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels belonging to... Continue Reading
Date: 21 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I had the Honor of writing your Excellency last Post to inform you of the taking the Swallow Packet, (lately under my Command) by the Reprisal an Arm'd Ship belonging to the American Congress, at the same time Mr [John] Hunter 2 inform'd your Excellency of the method I had taken to claim my Crew and that of the Merchant Ships, since which the Commissary has desired to have my demand in... Continue Reading
Date: 21 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The Margaretta, Biddescomb, from St. Ube's to Poole, is taken by a Provincial privateer, called the Satisfaction, 1 Stephens [John Stevens] Commander, of 14 guns, 13 swivels, and 100 men; the crew were put on board a French ship and sent to Lisbon.
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
A few days ago I spoke with a French Ship from Brest bound to Havre she sailed from Brest the St Instant and the Master of her said, that Twelve sail of the Line (all Seventy fours) and Six Frigates, were in all respects ready to put to Sea, and that twenty eight sail more of the Line were fitting; How far this may be credited, though the Master and the Crew affirmed it, I submit to their... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
I am Sorry to acquaint your Lordship, that I have received Authentic information that the American Vessel, the Reprisal, has taken the Lisbon Packet, and three other English Vessels, (one informer tells me, there are four Vessels besides the Packet) these ships have been sent into Port Louis, I shall not fail to make proper Representations to M de Vergennes, upon this Subject; And shall press as... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Monsieur le Cte Duchaffault, I am sending this Letter to you in order to inform you that my Intention is that you not Allow any Privateer from any nation whatsoever to establish, off the Coasts of my Kingdom and in proximity to my Ports, patrols which disturb the tranquility of the Commerce of my Subjects and stand in the way of the Safety of that which I allow to other Nations to carry on th'ere... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
. . . . It is reported here that several Sail of english Men of War are cruising between Bellisle & Brest. this Information I thought proper to send to Capt Weeks that he may keep a sharp look out. It is also said that a french Ship bound from the West Indies to St Malo has been searched by an English Frigatte, and it is thought that outward bound Ships will of course meet with the same Fate... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
One of the former Prizes of Captain Wickes is now in this Port, & Captain [James] Pratchell, who is yet here, has made a reclamation, and demanded the Vessel. Upon his being refused the Vessel, he has obtained a summ.ons for Mr Penet & Self, signed by the first Judge of the Admiralty, to appear at the first Audience & give our Reasons for detaining his Property. The summons also... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
February 1777
Sunday 23d
Start NE 6 Leagues
At 7 AM Peverall Point NWbN 2 Leags at 8 Do saw the Needle point EbN 3 or 4 Leags Sett studding Sails & kept running betwn the Needles. At 11 Do we pass'd by His Majesty's Ship Eolus & Sloop Elf in Yarmouth Road who saluted us with 13 Guns we return'd 11, At Noon abreast of Cowes,
Fresh Gales & Squally
At 1 PM Saluted Vice Admiral... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Please to acquaint Their Lordship I am just arrived here in His Majesty's Ship Bristol under my Command from New York after a passage of Six weeks and four days, Lieutenant Robertson of the Bristol who is charged with Lord Howe's Dispatches will deliver you this.2 Inclosed waits on you the State and Condition of the Ship. I am with respect Sir [&c.]
Date: 23 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Captain Wickes of the Reprisal Frigate, belonging to the United States of America, has now in his Hands near 100 British Seamen, Prisoners. He . desires to know whether an Exchange may be made with him for an equal' Number of American Seamen now Prisoners in England? We take the Liberty of proposing this Matter to your Lordship & of requesting your opinion, if there be no Impropriety in your... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
Your first we did not receive till eight days after it was dated—Your last _of the 19th last Evening. We wish to know if the Captns Who have so little regard to their Parole sighnd a written parole or not ー If they did we advise you to show it to the Intendant & desire they may be obligd to live up to it ー We have applied to the British Embassader for an exchange of Prisoners, but have receiv... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
The reason that induced Capt Newman to be so precipitate in demanding The prisoners 2 without waiting for Your Excellencys instructions, was a Report that was circulated in L'Orient, & supposed to be pretty well founded that Wickes had received orders to quit the Port in 24 hours ー Had this been the case, there was no other expedient left to save 77 British subjects from being... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1777
Volume: Volume 8
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