30 [October, 1775]. Arrivd at Taunton before noon. boat not arrivd with the guns. wind being ahead. head wind all day ー
The Sherriffs by Order of the Gen. Assembly seize the Estates of Gov. Hutchinson, late Lt Gov. [Andrew] Oliver, Messrs Saml & James Brentons & Mr Romes lying in this Colony, They having approved themselves Enemies to their Country. One of Romes Houses & Stores lay near the Water. The Men o' War drew up in warlike posture & threatened to fire, if any came to carry off the Goods in... Continue Reading
On Wednesday [October 25] arrived here his Majesty's Viper sloop of war, from New-York, having taken 2 brigs, loaded with salt, and a large sloop, loaded with rum and sugar, from Antigua; all belonging to New-York. ー One of the brigs, Capt. Liburn, arrived here a few hours after the Viper. The sloop had a Midshipman, and 7 hands put on board; one of whom, belonging to Bristol in this colony, was... Continue Reading
Wednesday last [October 25] being the Anniversary of his Majesty's Accession to the Throne, the samewas observed with the usual Respect; at Noon a Royal Salute was fired from his Majesty's Ship Asia, commanded by George Vandeput, Esq; and his Excellency Governor Tryon received the Compliments of the honourable Gentlemen of the Council and the Gentlemen of the City.
I have many matters of importance to communicate to you, respecting our own Safety and the Public Security, which time will not now permit to enumerate. Sufice it that the Tories are chearfal, and too many of the Whigs make long Faces. Men of rank and Consideration refuse to accept of commissions as Field officers of the Militia; so that these commissions have gone a beging for Six or Seven weeks... Continue Reading
The Committee appointed to prepare an estimate, &c and to fit out the vessels, brought in their report, which being taken into consideration,
Resolved, That the second vessel ordered to be fitted out on the 13th Inst, do carry 14 guns, with a proportionate number of swivels and men.2
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to carry into execution with all possible expedition the... Continue Reading
Estimate of the Expence of fitting for the Sea The following Shipps of Warr on a Three Mo Cruize
(Viz) One of 24 Gunns 9. 6. & 4 pounders with 200 men, &c, &c
Dollrs.
1 Captn
20
p mo.
£7
10
0
Two Lieuts
15
each do.
11
5
0
15
1 Master
15
do.
5
12
6
Two Mates
12½
each do.
9
7
6
12½
1 Boatswain
12½
do.
4
13
9
One Mate
10
do.
3
15... Continue Reading
Capt. [Henry] Dougherty attended this day, and acquainted the Board that agreeable to a Resolve of the 9th inst. the Captains had agreed to allow each good and able seaman fifteen Shillings as a Bounty for their entering into the Service on board the armed Boats, which Bounty is to be paid them one month after having been in the Service.
Capt. Duncan Campbell, Lieut. Symes, and twenty-three... Continue Reading
Whereas, the Honourable the Continental Congress did, on the twenty Eighth day of October, Instant, Resolve that Capt. Duncan Campbell and Lieutenant Symes, and the Men who Came with them in the Transport Rebecca & Francis, be Confined in such Gaols in this Colony as the Committee of Safety of said Colony think proper, and that the said Capt. Campbel and Lieut. Symes be allowed for their... Continue Reading
To the Honourable the Committee of Safety
The Memorial of the Captains employed in the Provincial Armed Boats humbly sheweth ー That they do not presume, nor would they by any means be understood by any One, to presume to dictate to them, whom they apprehend to have the sole Power of appointing any Gentleman they may think proper to the chief Command of the Armed Boats,2 yet they hope... Continue Reading
By a letter from Boston we learn, that the Governor of the town of Boston and Bunker's Hill1 has refused payment for the cargo he took out of the ship Charming Peggy, Capt. [Thomas] Dowman, from this port for Lisbon, taken and carried into Boston by one of the parliamentary pirates on this coast: He has however permitted her to depart in ballast (if she can get men) to England or the... Continue Reading
1775 ー The Rebellion in America growing more serious, and all hopes of bringing them back to their allegiance, otherwise than by force of arms, being at an end; The Ministry in the beginning of July came to a resolution to send out a considerable reinforcement of Troops & Ships to Boston; In consequence of which I was appointed to command The Roebuck, a new Ship lately built at Chatham... Continue Reading
We His Majesty's ever dutiful and loyal Subjects the Members of the Council and Representatives of this Province, met in General Assembly, having the most grateful Sense of our Sovereigns paternal Regard for all his faithful People, and particularly in the distinguish'd favors lately granted to the Inhabitants of this Province, and such as seek an Asylum therein from the other Colonies: Think it... Continue Reading
Your Favour, of the 29th Inst came to Hand this Morning, Colo [Joseph] Reed, to whom it was addressed, being gone for some short Time to Philadelphia, I opened it, and Communicated it's Contents to his Excellency, General Washington. He highly approves of your Assiduity, and Diligence in procuring the Cannon; but thinks that the Governour's Order, mentioned in your Postscript, ought to be... Continue Reading
Resolvd That the 13 h[undre]d weight of powder brought by Capt William Perce Jonson in the Schoonr Brittannia, be disposd of in the following manner viz 2½ hd be delivered to Coll Kirgill [James Cargill] and Majr [Edward] Emmerson for the use of the County of Lincoln, and to be proportion'd among the Inhabitants of the same, as they shall think best, the sd Kirgill and Emmerson to be accountable... Continue Reading
May it please your Excellency, My worthy and dear Friend Doctr [Benjamin] Franklin, the Honble Mr [James] Bowdoin, Doctr [James] Winthrop, and Doctr [Samuel] Cooper, were, the last Week, so kind as to honour me with a friendly Visit: ー The Conversation naturally turned, upon the savage Cruelty we are dayly suffiering, from the unrelenting Vengeance of a tyrannical Government: In the Course of it... Continue Reading
31 [October, 1775]. Sent a Pilot down the River to Bring up the Boat who found a Pilot on Board when he got to Swansey The Vessell Arrivd with the Guns abt 2 OClk P M,. Procurd Teams Saw them Loaded, & Set of[f] for Plymouth ー
Whereas, the town council of the town of Newport, presented a memorial to this Assembly, setting forth the distressed situation of the town, occasioned by the withholding from the ministerial fleet, stationed in the harbor of Newport, their usual supplies of fresh beef, beer, &c.; in consequence of which, the ferry boats, market boats, fish boats and wood vessels, are prevented from coming to... Continue Reading
This will inform you, that last Thursday [October 26] your Sloop with several other prizes were retaken from his Majesty ship Viper, by the Provincials, and carried safe into Providence, which you may depend on as a fact.
October 1775
Tuesday 31
Moor'd between the Battery & Oyster Island
AM dried Sails recd Beer & Water PM Clear'd Hawse, detain'd the Glasgow from Glasgow wth Emigrants. Prest 10 Seamen out of her sent 2 petty Officers & 31 Men on board with 28 days Provision