I am concerned that I have recd no Answer from the Depy Govr to my Letter wrote him by Order of the secret Comee, the Voyage was unanimously approved of, and as I wrote him that they might immediately proceed and the Money to be advanced should at any Time be ready for his order I hope they have sailed but wish to know as soon as possible.
The Necessity of importing Powder occasioned the... Continue Reading
This morning between the hours of 1 and 2, as the guard at the treasurer's was just going to be relieved, they discovered some men coming up the bottom a little below the treasury office; upon which the guard repeatedly hailed them, but they refusing to reply, the former fired upon them, without doing any damage. The rascals almost immediately returned the fire, but also did no injury. We... Continue Reading
Col. [Henry] Laurens also delivered in a letter from Capt. Edward Thornbrough, commander of his Majesty's sloop Tamer, which he found at his house last night, addressed to himself, and therefore opened, but found to be of a public nature.
Read the letter from Capt. Thornbrough, dated "From on board his Majesty's sloop Tamar, 1st November, 1775."
Ordered, That Capt. [John] Wanton be summoned to... Continue Reading
East Florida
By His Excellency Patrick Tonyn Esquire Captain General Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majestys said Province. Chancellor and Vice Admiral of the same ー
A Proclamation
Whereas in the present unhappy and distressed Situation of great numbers of His Majestys Loyal and Faithful Subjects in several Provinces in North America grieveously oppressed and languishing under... Continue Reading
I have the pleasure to Acquaint you, the Garrison Surrendered last Night, this Morning we take possession, to Morrow I hope the Prisoners will set off, enclosed you have the Capitulation, which I hope will meet with your Approbation & that of Congress I have ventured to permit an Officer or two to go to their Families, which are in some Distress at Montreal, upon their Parole ー they can't do... Continue Reading
An Inventory of Naval Stores in sd Place ー
2, 9 Inch Cables 120 Fatham each ー
2, 7 Inch Do 120 Fathams each ー
2 Hawsers 4½ Inch ー
1 Coil 3½ Inch Rope 120 Fatham ー
2 Coil Rattline ー
Sundries of Lines & Marline ー
2 Anchors wt 4C: 0: 25 ー
2 Do wt 3 : 1 : 8 ー
2 Do wt 2 : 3 : 0 ー
1 Suit of Sails for the Schooner Royal Savage ー
1 Square Sail for the Row Gally ー
2 Mariners Compasses ー
3... Continue Reading
ー 3 ー
about 10 oClock the Battallians was all drawn up and was marchd of[f] towards the fort and the Artillery in the front we marchd till we came within about 50 yd of the fort then we halted and was all drawn up in a rank and stood there till the regulars got ready and marchd out with all their arms and 2 field pieces then was drawn up and grounded their arms then we marchd in the fort and... Continue Reading
By Marriot Arbuthnot Esqr comander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Halifax.
You are hereby required and directed to put yourself under my command and follow all such Orders as you shall receive from me for His Majesty's Service. Given under my hand at Halifax the 3d November 1775.
I have the honor to acquaint you that I arrived here the 1st instant with his Majesty's Ship under my command, having Sailed from England the 9th of September, and in my way called at the Island Fayal in order to take in wine for the Ships company.
I should have proceeded immediately to Boston, after having landed Commodore Arbuthnot, had he not thought proper to detain me here.
Enclosed is the... Continue Reading
I Sent a Boat Thursday Evening with Sum Butter Beaf Tongues & Two Barrils of Ruset apples which I hope is Got to you by this you will Examin the Butter to the Botom & if it not to your Likeing it is best to Send it Back & I shall Return it the Beaf will want Pickel you will Doe with [it] as you Think best there is 2 Bushels of Pairs for Bakeing & fit for no other use if there... Continue Reading
When I wrote you last, I expected that Capt Coit would have Sailed Yesterday morning with Capt Manley [of the Lee], but the Wind coming a head has detaind him, he will however Sail the First Wind that he can get out of the Harbour. ー Capt Martindales Vessell will Sail as Soon as Possible, as he is fiting with all Speed, I Beg you would Send down 500 Pump Nails as Soon As possible as there is none... Continue Reading
I have just this moment receivd intelligence of the shipwreck of a Vessel* from Philadelphia at Eastham inside of our Bay Loaden with 120 pipes wine,2 and that the wine is all sav'd excepting 2 pipes stove in Landing it ー Your Excellency will please to order in what manner this wine shall be disposed of, whether it, shall be sent to head quarters, or whether it shall Remain where it is... Continue Reading
This Charter Party made & Concluded on this third day of Novr One Thousand Seven hundred & Seventy Five, by & Between John Torrey Esqr (Chairman of the Committe of Correspondence) and Benja Wormwell on the One Part & Ephraim Bowen (in behalf of his Excellency Genl Washington) on the other part. ー
Witnesseth, that the Said John Torrey Esqr & Benja Wormwell, do hereby let or... Continue Reading
I having a Vessel arrived at Norwich from Suranam which having brought a Small Quantity of Powder Viz Forty four Cask Containing a Half hundred Each, I thought it proper to acquaint you thereof, but I am at aloss to determin which may be best for the General Cause for it to go to the Camp or to be Sold out here, so that People in General may be better quallified to Defend the Sea Coast, Our... Continue Reading
The protest of Francis James, one of the owners of the pilot [boat] Hamden, was read and filed.
Ordered, That John McKesson, one of the Secretaries, draw an affidavit of Francis James, one of the owners of the pilot boat named the Hampden, that the said boat was taken without any collusion.
The Congress then, taking into consideration the state of South Carolina, and sundry papers relative thereto, being read and considered,
Resolved, That a com[mitt]ec of 5 be appointed to take the same into consideration, and report what, in their opinion, is necessary to be done.
The Com[mitt]ee chosen, Mr. [Benjamin] Harrison, Mr. [Archibald] Bullock, Mr. [William] Hooper, Mr. [Samuel] Chase,... Continue Reading
Resolved, as the opinion of this Board; that it is necessary to take some further Measures for the defence of this city than are already provided, & that Mr. [Thomas] Wharton, Mr. Clymer, Mr. [Samuel] Howell, & Mr. [John] Nixon, be a Committee to enquire and to report to this Board if a Ship can be immediately bought, fit for a Provincial Ship of War, or how soon and at what Price such a... Continue Reading
The rifle-men and soldiers of Hampton desire their compliments to capt. Squire and his squadron, and wish to know how they approve the reception they met with last friday [October 27]. Should he incline to renew his visit, they will be glad to see him; otherwise, in point of complaisance, they will be under the necessity of returning the visit. If he cannot find the ear that was cut of[f], they... Continue Reading
Mr. President reported the draught of an answer, which he had been desired to prepare, to Capt. Thornbrough's letter of the 1st instant.
And the said draught being taken into immediate consideration, was amended, and agreed to:
In Congress. Charles Town, South-Carolina, Nov. 3, 1775.
To Edward Thornbrough, Commander of the Tamer Sloop of War.
Sir, Col. [Henry] Laurens, the late President,... Continue Reading
My Lord In my last letter Copy of which is now inclos'd,2 I inform'd your Lordship of the intention of the Rebels to Attack Canada, and this Province, We have by the last advices from Boston been inform'd that the Rebels who enter'd Canada by the Lake Champlaine in attempting the Fort at St Johns on the River Sorrell have been repuls'd with great loss.
The great care of... Continue Reading