A letter from Genl Washington dated 12 Octr with sundry enclose. was laid before the Congress and read."2
Saturday. Zubly. We can't do without powder, intelligence, drugs. Georgia must have an Indian war, if they can't supply the Indians. The Creeks and Cherokees are in our Province; we must have Indian trade. Four millions have been spent in six months. We have been successful, but we have gained little; all the power of Great Britain, it is true, has gained very little. New England has been at... Continue Reading
my dear Col. I received your Letter with great pleasure, tho contrary to your expectation it paid postage to the hated Post office. as the constitutional post now goes regularly, we may with a safe conscience say how d'ye to each other. It gives me concern to hear that you are withdrawing from public business; upon my word, this is not a time for men of abilities with good intentions to be only... Continue Reading
The Pilots attended this day, when they agreed to enter into the Service of this Province, at the rate of Six pounds p Month, for the purpose of Piloting all Vessels from Chester through the Machines sunk near Fort Island to this City, and from this City to Chester; when it was unanimously
Resolved, That Michael Dawson, James Roberts, Joseph Gamble, William Molleston, Daniel Gordon, William... Continue Reading
The Experiment Capn [Benjamin] Thom[p]son
50
18 Pr round Shot
10
lb Match
100
do Wadds
1
Lead Apron
2
do Rammers & Sponges
15
Cutlasses
2
do Wadd Hooks & Ladles
8
Cross Barr shot
2
do Cartridge Boxes
60
Grape do
1
do Bed & Quine [Quoin]
50
lb Partridge do
2
Powder Horns Bitts & priming Irons
1
Budge Bbl
2
Iron Crows
1
Wadd Hook for... Continue Reading
Some time last week Lord Dunmore was alarmed with information that 19 pieces of cannon were fitted up, and would be soon placed on the wharves, &c. in Norfolk, to annoy the ships of war, and that a number of men were daily expected from Williamsburg, who were to fire them from behind hogsheads filled with sand. Yesterday se'nnight [October 13], in consequence of the above intelligence, his... Continue Reading
At Cambridge I was ordered by Gen'l Washington to take the command of a detachment of said army and proceed on board the Schooner Franklin, on the 16th October 1775 his instructions and additional instructions, I send you a true copy of them. Before we sailed from Beverly I think it was a Mr. Morris [Stephen Moylan] an aid to Gen'l Washington came to me and asked for those instructions that he... Continue Reading
The Schooners Commanded by Captains Broughton & Sillman [John Selman] Saild this morning, as they had none but their old Colours, we appointed them a signal, that they may Know each other by, & be known to their friends ー the ensign up to the Main topping Lift, ー
you will please to order the Crew of the Schooner to be mannd out of General sullivans Brigade, to hold themselves in readiness... Continue Reading
1. You being already appointed a Captain in the Army of the United Colonies of North America, are hereby directed to take the Command of a Detachment of said Army and proceed on board the army schooner Harrison; lately fitted out and equipped with Arms, Ammunition and Provisions at the Continental Expence.
2. You are to proceed as Commander of said Schooner immediately on a Cruize against such... Continue Reading
The Committee then proceeded to the Consideration of such Matters as have been mentioned in the Generals Letters to the Congress upon which no Order had been made
2. What Distinctions are necessary to be made between Vessels & Cargoes taken by the armed Vessels in the Pay of the Continent & those taken by Individuals. Should not the fitting out Privateers by Individuals be done under some... Continue Reading
We have just heard that the pirates on the Eastern shore have destroyed two-thirds of Falmouth burnt down, and have orders to destroy every sea port from Boston to Pemmaquid. This is savage and barbarous in the highest stage. What can we wait for now? What more can we want to justifie any step to take, kill and destroy, to refuse them any refreshments, to apprehend our enemies, to confiscate... Continue Reading
The Admiral received a Letter from Captain [James] Wallace acquainting him that the Viper, Bolton, two Transports, a Schooner for Virginia and a Packet for New York arrived at Rhode Island the 4th instant; that the Viper, Schooner and Charlotte Packuet sailed immediately for New York; that he had engaged a Quantity of Stock for the Transports, and notwithstanding the Rebel Governor [Nicholas]... Continue Reading
The Swan Capn. Ayscough came in from Rhode Island, bringing two Prizes and convoying two Transports laden with provisions. . . .
The Nautilus Capn. Collins came in; in chase of a Privateer2 she drove her ashore and run aground herself, but got off again with the lost of 1 Man killed and 1 wounded; coming into this harbour she run aground again, and was with great difficulty got off in... Continue Reading
When I wrote you last, I omitted the Match Rope, (which is not to be had here, as I expected) Which I would have you Send P the first Opportunity as the Schooner will be obligd to wait for it. ー
This will be handed you P. Capt Wormswell who complys with the Terms the other Vessells are hired on; he goes to Sollicit a First or Second Lieuts Birth which if you would please to give him will greatly... Continue Reading
22 [October, 1775]. Waiting for the Return of the Express from Head-Qrs who Arrived Just before night
This Charterparty, Made & Concluded on this Twenty Second day of October, One Thousand, Seven hundred, & Seventy Five, by & between Daniel Adams, Mariner, part Owner of the Schooner Harrison Burthen about Sixty Four Tons, now lying at the Wharf in Plimouth, on the one part, & Ephraim Bowen (In behalf of his Excellency Genl Washington) on the other part. ー
Witnesseth, that the Said... Continue Reading
The Wind at South is so violent that no Boat can cross from this to Fort George I therefore detain the Express.
One o'Clock General Worsters [David Wooster's] Regiment is just sailed, they are gone with the greatest Reluctance. The Parson has been indefatigable to persuade them to move, they consist of three hundred & thirty five Officers included, Ninety Eight havin[g] returned home... Continue Reading
The Viper, sloop-of-war, has aped the piratical conduct of the Ministerial ships to the eastward, by taking several of our vessels, inward bound, without so much as the least colour of their having violated any of the acts of trade. Nothing can more clearly manifest the absurdity and injustice of the present measures against this distressed Country, than the violations of those acts which they... Continue Reading
Gentlemen The 27th of September last I drew Bills on you in favour of George Hastings of the Ship Rebecca and Frances Transport, for Stores purchased for the Boatswain & Carpenter, and have here inclosed you a Duplicate of the Vouchers for the same. ー I am Gentlemen [&c.]
Since I wrote your Lordship we have not been altogether inactive, for on the 15th Instant, I landed with between 70 and 80 Men (which was all we could Spare to take with us) some little distance from this in the Night, and Marched about a Mile and a half up the Country, where we destroyed 17 pieces of Ordinance and brought of[f] two more, that the Rebels had carried from the Town of Norfolk, and... Continue Reading