The Deposition of Stephen Riley aged 28 Years or there about being duly Sworn on the holy Evangels of Almighty God deposeth [and] sayeth that on Thursday the 12th of Novemr 1775 being at Old Point comf[ort] he went on board of Edmond Scarborough's Shooner and arrived tha[t] Night at the afsd Scarborough's House, where he heard Wm Scarborough tell a Number of People then at Edmond Scarborough's... Continue Reading
Dec. 1. A report has spread that Gov. Tryon and 700 Highlanders have landed somewhere below Fort Johnston, and have been joined by 700 men from this Province, and that they are marching toward Salisbury and Mecklenburg; Gov. Martin commands one regiment and Gov. Tryon the other. The news was brought by a traveller, who heard it from Capt. Zapfenfeld, who had been preparing to march... Continue Reading
A commission was also made out, and signed, of this day's date, appointing George Gabriel Powell, to be Captain and Commander of the scooner Comet, armed and equipped for the protection of the harbours, and navigation of the sea coasts of this colony.
In the present critical & distress'd situation of Affairs I cannot express how happy I think myself in meeting your Excellency in this Province a Pleasure I have long and ardently wished for. A mature consideration of the state of the two Carolinas and Georgia will I conceive make it very apparent that every rebellious measure which has been adopted in this part of the continent originated in... Continue Reading
I am honoured with your Excellency's Letter of this Day's date by the hand of Captain Innes, and I feel myself sensibly obliged by your Lordships very kind & flattering expressions of your satisfaction on my arrival in this Province.
The Pleasure I enjoy in meeting your Excellency in your Government I owe to the prevalence of your Lordship's insistances with Captain Thornbrough to order the... Continue Reading
1775
November 27
In Rebellion Road So Carolina
First pt Mod & Clear Middle and latter Squally with rain PM herd two Guns fired in the Offing we answd it with One Gun
28
AM fired a Gun as Signal to a Vessel in the Offing at 7 struck Yds & Top gallt masts and Veered more Cable ー
29
at 6 AM Sailed the Polly Schooner with Lieutenant Payton & 20 Men
First pt hard Gales... Continue Reading
I have examined the Papers belonging to the Sloop Ph[o]ebe, & from them & other Circumstances it does not appear, that Captain Broughton has good Reasons for making Seizure of her, added to this, Governour Cooke of Rhode Island has wrote a Letter to his Excellency by Mr James Aborn, who is realy the Owner of this Sloop, tho' she was, in order to protect her from the Enemy, made over to a... Continue Reading
Sir It being now under Consideration of Congress, the Mode of disposing of Such Vessels & Crews as are taken Supplying the enemy, it is his Excellency's pleasure that Captain [Robert] Hunter & his Crew,2 return to you, that their private adventure be given them, with Liberty to dispose thereof as they think proper, that they be treated with all Humanity due to fellow Citizens... Continue Reading
Charles Chauncey, Esq; brought down a Letter from James Sullivan, Esq;2 giving an Account of the Works of Defence in the Town of Falmouth, and representing the Necessity of further Provision for the Safety of that Town, and inclosing a Copy of the Proceedings of the Convention of the County of Cumberland.
Read and Ordered, That this Letter, with the Papers accompanying, be committed to... Continue Reading
One Vessel in the Bay was lately burnt, supposed by Lightening; Hank Green (at the Lines) said that it was a Ship the Juno, from Engd with Hay; by circumstances, I suspect she had Powder.2 ー
The Mercury anchored in Nantasket Road from a Cruize, and the Cerberus came up to Boston to victual and have her Sails repaired &c. The Lively sailed on a Cruize in the Bay.
In the Evening the Admiral received the following Letter from Captain Hamilton, of his Majesty's Ship Lizard at Quebec.2 . . .
Upon the Receipt of this Letter the Admiral determined to keep the Asia at New York... Continue Reading
Saturday last [November 25] Capt. Abraham Whipple, in a Cruizer from this Place,1 took, near Seconet, a Schooner from Boston, in Balast, Matthew Chub, Master. ー She had on board a Cable and Anchor for one of the King's Ships at Newport, where she was bound for Provisions, addressed to George Rome, now on board the Rose Man of War. The Prize has since arrived here. ー Capt. Arnold, of... Continue Reading
This is to Certify That the Name hereunder Mentioned entered unto the Continental Service on Lake Champlain as Sailers at the time Perfix'd against their Names ー
Oliver Hatch July 28. 1775
Stephens Fellows Sept 9th 1775
A letter from the Committee of Northampton, in Virginia, with sundry papers containing matters of importance being received was read.
On motion made, Resolved, That the same be referred to the Committee appointed to take into consideration the state of Virginia.
As one of the members of that Committee is absent, Resolved, That another member be chosen, and added to the Committee in the room of... Continue Reading
Resolved, That Capt. Dougherty be instructed not to permit more than two Captains, and a proportionable number of Subaltern Officers, to be absent at any one time from their Stations at Liberty Island, without the express order of this Board, or upon some very pressing and urgent occasion.
As Capt. Whipple is not yet arrived, we can say nothing respecting his being taken into Continental service. General Hopkins, this morning, desired us to acquaint you that 'tis yet a matter of doubt whether he engages in the service here or not. He seems to think the encouragement given to the seamen so small that a sufficient number cannot be raised in time to do anything to purpose this season... Continue Reading
Sir Since our last We have the Honor of two Letters from you; Genl Hopkins has arrived very well, his accepting the Command of the Fleet gives universal Satisfaction:2 Capt Whipple is not yet arrived; We are a little embarrassed about the Vessel, the Comee informs us that the Colony considers her as belonging to the Continent & in their Service & propose to be repaid for her... Continue Reading
Sir As the Post Office is now entirely under the direction of the Congress and all letters Oppned and read by a Comittee appointed for that purpose, the outmost precaution is Necessary to keep my Intelligence from hence, from their knowledge, this and the importnce of the discovery I have made, Urged me to Apply to a man of who's fidelity I have the best Oppinnion, to go Express with... Continue Reading
Your several letters from the time the Committee left the Camp to the 19th of Novr inclusive, being duly recieved were laid before Congress, on which, as well as on the Report of their Committee, they have come to sundry further Resolutions, which I have the honour to enclose you ー . . . I forward you several commissions for the officers of the armed vessels . . . and the Steps to be pursued with... Continue Reading
I am directed by Congress to order you immediately to send keep, and continue, until further Orders, such and so large a Guard of the Batallion under your Command, as you shall think proper, for guarding and secure keeping the Vessels and Stores on the Wharves of Messrs Willing & Morris, and Mr [James] Cuthbert in the City of Philada2 I am &c