Sir, by unfavorable Winds & weather we have been able to make but little head since our last ー the 31st of Octobr some way off this Harbour we saw a Vessel2 standing to the Northward which Capta Selman & I gave chase to; the Wind Springing up sudingly to a heavy gale, she bore away for this Harbour for safety; we pursued her directly in, & found her to be a Sloop belonging... Continue Reading
you are hereby Ordered to go on board the Sloop Phebe & proceed Immediately to Beaverly in New England & to deliver my Letters & the Phebe's Papers to General Washington
To the honble the Great and General Court of the Colony of the massachusetts Bay now setting at Watertown
The memorial of the Committee of Falmouth
Most humbly sheweth ー
that not satiated with the desolations they have allready Spread amongst us. Our Relentless Enemies have throtned another descent On the Remains of this Ruined Town. Capt Symons in the Ship Cerberus Arived here yesterday and soon... Continue Reading
May it please the Hon. Council
The distress'd situation to which this Town and the adjacent Country is reduced by the Efforts of our cruel and unnatural Enemies induces to me, as Colonel of a Regiment in this County, by the People elected, to implore the attention of the Hon. Council for our Safety ー
The destruction of the greatest part of the Town, has brought so many Families into distress that... Continue Reading
We have receiv'd your polite Favour of the 24. ultmo It gives us inexpressible Concern to find that it is out of your Power to afford us any Aid, And we are the more concern'd, on the Arrival yesterday of the Ship Cerberus, with a number of Men, said to be about four hundred. Those we expect will in a few hours land & take possession of the To[w]n ー How soon they will penetrate in the Country... Continue Reading
Gentlemen ー I find it absolutely necessary that a person well acquainted with River & Tides in the Harbour be appointed to take the charge of the Ships & Fire-Rafts; also that a surgeon be appointed constantly to reside and take care of the Troops on Seavey's Island, in case of accidents, which we are constantly exposed to, independent of what might happen from the attacks of... Continue Reading
Voted, That the Sloop [blank] in Mr. Joshua Wentworth's care, which lately arrived at Portsmouth2 Be not Permitted to Depart out of the Port of Piscataqua until further orders of the Congress.
I thank you for your order in favour of Mr Bowen, who, I am informed, after some to do,2 got the Cannon wanted, somewhat more convenient ー Herewith you will receive a Copy of the proceedings of the conference held at this place with the Committee of Congress. ー nothing new since my last. ー
Sir Your favour of the 30th Ulto by Major Tupper is come to hand ー as it is your opinion that Dartmouth is a place of greater Security for the Vessels than Plymouth, it is his Excellency's desire that they be laid up there ー Such Articles on board as are perishable had better be Sold immediately, the Vessels Rigging, Sails, &c with the Remainder of the Cargoes, you will please to have... Continue Reading
The Committee on the State of the Schooner and Cargo belonging to George Erving and Capt. [Benjamin] Wormwell reported.2
Read and accepted. Whereas the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Plymouth, did sometime past, take into their Possession three fourth Parts of the Cargo of said Schooner, consisting of Rum, Sugar, and Molasses, belonging to George Erving, Inhabitant of... Continue Reading
I wrote you fully by the Pallas Transport, which sailed from hence the 12th Ulto with General Gage on board: The next day upon advices received from Canada, General Howe applied to me for a Convoy to some Transports intended to carry two Regiments to Quebec. As they could not be got ready to sail until the end of October, I consulted the Captains with me and others well acquainted with the River... Continue Reading
Lieut Mowat in the Canceaux with the Symmetry, Spitfire and Halifax came back from their expedition having entirely destroyed the Town of Falmouth in Casco Bay, and destroyed and taken all the Vessels in the Harbour. In that Town were collected great Quantities of Melasses, Rum, Salt, Ammunition; it was the chief place of Trade in the whole Province of Main, and contained several very valuable... Continue Reading
Mr. Monet [Henry Mowat] arrived this day from his expedition to Annoy the Coast; says that on Wednesday, 18th of October, he burned Falmouth; that General [Jedediah] Preble came on board to know their Intentions, not believing it was intended to destroy the place; but, when assured of it, returned on shore to apprise the Inhabitants, after assuring the Officers that he had taken no part in the... Continue Reading
this will be handed you by Lieutt [Moses] Turner Informing you that I have Receivd the Cariages & swivels &c for the Brigg and am Making all Possiable Dispatch to Get to sea, but as the Schooner is not yet Sail'd and the want of Men for the Brigg I Cant make the Proficency Should be Glad to, but Immagine I Shall be Ready to sail this day week at Fartherest, if I am supply'd With Men &... Continue Reading
2 [November, 1775].
Set the Carpenters to Repair the Carriages &c ー Capt Coits Vessell got off, but detaind by the Weather ー Sent Formers for Martindales Cartridges ー
The a Prisement of the Schooner Tryon [Triton] together with hier Boat &c. as She Was to be fixt by the owner
Vessel@ £170.00
170. 0.0
To 5 Carrage Guns @ 60/Redy Irond
15. 0.0
To 4 Guns 4 pounders or their abouts @
30. 0.0
To 2 Swifel guns @ 48/ pr
4.16.0
To 2 Do of Rought Iron @ 80/ pr
8. 0.0
To 2 Cowhorns @ 30 pr
6. 0.0
£223.16.0
To 3 Swifel guns [... Continue Reading
1775 Octr
Monday 30
Moor'd at Rhode Island
the People at Quarters all Night, AM Clear'd Hawse ー Modt & Clear at 12 PM sent a boat with an Officer to watch the Motion of the Rebels
Tuesday 31
At a Single Anchor at Rhode Island
AM unmoor'd Ship & shifted the best bower Cable, Condemn'd and hove overboard, Bread Fifteen hundred & twenty three pounds ー Do Wr PM moor'd Ship a... Continue Reading
The brigantine Minerva, an armed vessel in the service of this Colony, commanded lately Cap. Giles Hall, having been lately ordered by this Board on a cruise to the northward, on an important enterprize for the defence and safety of this Colony, and the hands on board having neglected and refused to obey said orders, said Cap. Hall and Lt. Phillips of said brig being notified were present to be... Continue Reading
On motion made, Resolved, That the Com[mitt]ee appointed to carry into execution the resolves of Congress for fitting out four armed vessels, be authorised to call on the continental treasurers, from time to time, for as much cash as shall be necessary for the above purpose, not exceeding the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. And that the sd com[mitt]ee have power to agree with such officers... Continue Reading
By Order of the Board, an order was Drawn on Michael Hilligas, Esq'r, in favour of Mr. John Maxwell Nesbitt, Paymaster to the Fleet, for five hundred pounds.
Upon Report of Mr. Samuel Morris, jun'r., That the inside of the Fort on Fort Island, is an improper place for errecting a shed for defending the People from the inclemency of the weather.
Therefore, Resolved, That Mr. Robert White and Mr.... Continue Reading