American Theatre from December 1, 1774, to May 20, 1775

We have been in confusion here for two days, on account of an express from Boston, informing that two Regiments were coming to take possession of our Fort; by beat of drum, two hundred men immediately assembled and went to the Castle, in two gondolas, who on their way were joined by one hundred and fifty more, and demanded the surrender of the Fort, which Captain [John] Cochran refused, and fired... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
I have this moment received by Express a Letter from Captain [James] Wallace of his Majesty's Ship Rose, at Rhode Island, a Copy of which, and of the Minutes of their General Assembly mentioned therein with the Newport Mercury, I transmit for your Information;2 At present it appears to me of infinite consequence to guard the passages by Sea to the Town of Providence, where the... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Late this Evening by Express the Admiral received a Letter from Governor [John] Wentworth of New Hampshire residing at Portsmouth, that near Four hundred people had forcibly taken possession of his Majesty's Fort William and Mary and by Violence carried away upwards of 100 Barrels of Gunpowder, that he was apprehensive of their commiting farther Outrage, and desired immediate Assistance. Hereupon... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Since our last arrived the Boyne man of war, of 70 guns, from England. The marines, 500 in number, who arrived in the Asia man of war, from England, are to land and go into barracks, in this town, now preparing for their reception.
Date: 16 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Last friday [December 9] all the cannon belonging to Fort George at Newport, except 4, were carried to Providence, with the shot, &c. from whence they may be easily conveyed into any part of the country, to meet the Indians and Canadians, with which the Colonies are threatened: ー And on tuesday last [December 13] the cannon belonging to the battery in this town, were removed into the country... Continue Reading
Date: 16 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
On Wednesday last [December 14] a Drum and fife [pervaded] the streets of Portsmouth, accompanied by several Committee-men, and the Sons of Liberty, publickly avowing their intention of taking possession of Fort William and Mary, which was garrisoned by six invalids. After a great number of people had collected together, they embarked on board scows, boats, &c. entered the Fort, seized the... Continue Reading
Date: 17 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Decem: 1774 Saturday 17 Moor'd off the Fort, Piscataqua River at 1 AM weighed [in Boston Harbor] and came to Sail, at ½ past 3 Abreast of Boston light, at Noon Thatchers Isld S S W 3 Leags Pigeon Hill S W b W 4 Leagues PM ½ pt 3 Isle of Shoals NE b N, at 4 do Isle E N E, at 8 S.E. Calm Piscataqua light bearg N b W, at 9 a light breeze Sprung up at Wt at 11 Anchd within the Fort of Piscataqua...
Date: 17 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
When I had the honor to converse with You on the subject of the Marines lately ordered from England, I understood You had settled it with me, that all the supernumerary Marines shou'd land under the Command of Major [John] Pitcairne; and on that account Quarters have been preparing for their reception. But Major Pitcairne informs me, that you are not fixed in the design of landing them,... Continue Reading
Date: 17 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
The committee finding upon enquiry that one of the slaves imported by Hereld Blackmore, was ordered after the publication of the resolves of the provincial convention of this province, and in contradiction thereto, and that he had at that time an opportunity to contradict the orders he had given for the other slaves, and he now confessing that he sent a copy of the provincial resolves to Granada... Continue Reading
Date: 17 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
. . . the Six days past Since my arrival here have been almost wholly taken up in receiving the kind compliments of my friends & in return paying my respects to them & before this Ceremony is quite over I have a Call to the Country Some 30 Miles distance, where my favorite Overseer lies dangerously Ill, & of course the Contents of the Barn in danger of delapedations from the... Continue Reading
Date: 17 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Sir  After I had left you in Birmingham in October last I had reason to apprehend the people of this as well as of 12 other Colonies on this Continent would voluntarily debar themselves of the benefit of Importing Goods from Great Britain until those oppressive Acts of Parliament which were passed by the late House Should be repealed & therefore I delayed any directions for the investiture of... Continue Reading
Date: 17 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Decr 1774 Monday 19th At 2 A M weigh'd [from Nantasket Road] & made Sail, Lost the Logg & 3 Lines, Pidgeon Hill W b S 2 Leags at 11 Came too at Newcastle in Piscataqua River with the Best Bower in 3 fm Water & veered to ⅓ of a Cable, found here His Majesty's Armed Ship Canceaux. steadied with the Kedge Anchor & Hawser the Light house Bore S E b S & Kittery Meeting house N... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
The Gaspee Brig came in from a Cruize and Sailed again the next day with Orders to be stationed from Cape Elizabeth to Manahigan [Monhegan] Islands, untill the beginning of April, and then to go to Halifax, clean and follow such Directions as she should receive from the Commanding Officer at that port.
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
I had the Honor of your Excellency's letter of yesterday Morning the Supernumerary Marines serving in His Majesty's Squadron under my Command may be landed as soon as their Quarters are ready,2 that they may be disciplined in a manner to enable them to act on shore with the rest of His Majestys Troops. When Major [John] Pitcaime reports to me that Quarters are in all respects ready for... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
I have this moment heard that a Vessel Sails Tomorrow Morning from Salem to England, and I embrace the Opportunity to acquaint you that his Majesty's Ship Somerset arrived here yesterday morning and this day is come up to Boston, without any Accident having happened. I am &c.
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Frost broke up, rained most of the day. The Somerset came into the Harbour, all well, as likewise the Swan, Sloop of War, Cn. Ayscough from New York; the Yankys exceedingly disappointed at seeing the Somerset, as they were in hopes she was lost. The Harbour now cuts a formidable figure, having four Sail of the Line, besides Frigates and Sloops and a great number of Transports. Upon the News... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Some Ships fitting out at the Port of Liverpool about 7 Weeks since, could not have Permission to take on board either Gunpowder, or any Kind of Guns, Swords, &c. By a Gentleman who left Quebec about 20 Days ago, we learn, That the Reports we have had here of the Canadians and Indians being to be raised and sent to act against the People of Boston, &c. is entirely groundless; and that... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
John Nixon of maketh Oath that the Ship called the Black Prince of Philadelphia whereof John Barry is at present Master being a square sterned Vessel of the Burthen of two hundred Tons or thereabouts was built in Philadelphia this present Year One thousand seven hundred & seventy four and that Thomas Willing Robt Morris Thos Morris & John Wharton of Philadelphia Merchants together with... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
At a Meeting of the Baltimore Committee held at Mr Grants December 19th, 1774ー On motion, Resolved, that it be recommended to the retailers of British Salt, not to sell the same for more than Three Shillings p Bushel Cash. On motion, Resolved, that where British Salt has or shall be imported into Baltimore Port since the 1st Day of December, it shall be left in the option of the owner or owners... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1
Sir  I received the Honour of your Letter of the 17th instant by Captain [Andrew] Barkley, who arrived in this Harbour yesterday with the Scarborough, as did Lieut [Henry] Mowat with the Canceaux on saturday Night last [December 17]. Permit me to return my most hearty thanks to You, Sir, for your great Readiness in ordering such timely Assistance to support his Majesty's Service here, which I... Continue Reading
Date: 20 December 1774
Volume: Volume 1

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