The Ship Peggy being loaden and on her way down our River, under the Command of Charles Kirby whom I have desired to follow your Orders from time to time; You'll repair on board and proceed to Cadiz and dispose of your cargo to best advantage;2 you're to proceed from Cadiz to Dunkirk in france and lay out the Nett proceeds agreeable to the Memorandum you took from me.3 I... Continue Reading
We have had nothing new since the reduction of Montreal, which I suppose you must have heard of. It is supposed Arnold must be in possession of Quebec by this time, if he shou'd be too weak to effect it, Montgomerie will join him from Montreal. At all events we have got the most valuable part of Canada, as it cuts off all communication with the Indians, & prevents inroads on our fronteers. It... Continue Reading
After Orders.
To furnish an addition of guard, consisting of one sergeant, one corporal, and eight privates, to take charge of the vessels and stores in the continental service at the wharves and in the stores of Messrs. Willing, Morris and Cuthbert. The guard to be immediately fixed, and relieved to-morrow morning at the usual time.
The captain of the day to go with the guard, and, if he find a... Continue Reading
Sir Above is the Bill of the Sails2 ー The Balance of yr acct you may depend on having as soon as possible ー Should be glad the Receipts for the wheat may be handed in, as I beleive some of them have been omitted ー However I doubt not but the Quantity you mention is right as it measured out a few Bushels more which you must not insist on having, as wheat crouded in so fast towards the... Continue Reading
Since Lord Dunmore's proclamation made its appearance here, it is said he has recruited his army, in the counties of Princess Anne and Norfolk, to the amount of about 2000 men, including his black regiment, which is thought to be a considerable part, with this inscription on their breasts: ー "Liberty to Slaves." ー However, as the rivers will henceforth be strictly watched, and every possible... Continue Reading
Dear General The bearer of this whose name is John Eustace is the Son of an unfortunate widow Gentlewoman in this Country, I have had the Care of Him for these three Years past, and have given him the best Education this Country could afford. He is a very good latin scholar, of exceeding good Spirit, & quick parts, of excellent temper, & good disposition, has conceived a great desire to... Continue Reading
I have at your request, just now made enquiry if there was room for the Non Commissioned Officers of the 14th to go to Boston in the Sloop Betsey, but am informed it is not possible for them to go in her, as She is already too much crowded; which I hope will be attended with no inconveniency as I expect General Howe will order the remaining part of the Regiment to join you here. I am Sir [&c.]
My Lord Dunmore having a quantity of Corn ー which he understands would be of great service to, (and was much wanted for the Cavalry to the Northward) and beg'd I would send some men in a Sloop to carry it to Boston, I have therefore for the good of the service, sent a Petty Officer and six of my People in the Betsey Sloop for that purpose, In my last to you of the 13th September by the Mercury, I... Continue Reading
Dec. 2 [1775]. Br. Heckewälder was sent to Bethabara with the news we heard yesterday.2 This afternoon Capt. Zapfenfeld himself arrived, from whom we learned that a man named Edward Frazier had brought a written order to Capt. Fields, in Guilford, that such of his company as wished to be true to the King should be held ready to march at the slightest warning; Frasier had... Continue Reading
Sir Mr A[aron] Loocock is willing to undertake the making of floating Rafts, that will, if not entirely stop the passage thro' the hog Island Channel, at least retard the Vessels, a day to break them loose, during which time we may have an advantage by firing random Shot at them, and no small boat will attempt to destroy them while the Cannon at the Battery can reach them. ー Mr... Continue Reading
Mr. Alexander Gillon laid before the Council a contract which he had entered into, with a secret committee of the Continental Congress.
Whereupon he was furnished with the following letters:
In the Council of Safety, Charles-Town, Dec 2d, 1775.
To the Committee at Beaufort or George-Town:
Gentlemen ー It is expedient for the public service, that Mr. Alexander Gillon, merchant, of Charles-Town,... Continue Reading
I wrote you of 27. Ulto p Post, inclosg a package of papers & Letters taken with the Schr Rainbow, am stil without your directions respectg sd Vessel & Cargo ー
Last eveing two officers pas'd thorough this Town for Head Quarters, I did not see either of them, this morning, Twenty two men (includg Prisoners) from the arm'd Schooners Franklin & Speedwell,2 came to Town from... Continue Reading
Decembr 75
Sunday 3d
Pidgeon Hill NWBN, 3 or 4 Leags
at ½ pt 7 AM wore and made sail, at ½ past 9 wore ship; first part Modt and hazey Wr Middle & Lattr Strong gales and clear, at 3 saw a sail in the S Wt Quar gave chace to Do out reefs the Tops gott Top gt yards a Cross, at 4 little wind fird 2 shott at the chace, she fird a gun to Leeward, we begun to fire a Number of shott at her,... Continue Reading
1775
To Sundrys taking for the Use of the Schr Fra[n]klin & People
Octo 29
Thomas Russell of Marblehead2
Cr
To 1 hogshead Salt
To 7 hooks, to 2 Emty 2 galls gog for cans
To 1 Small Pote, to 7 Pound of Sugar
29
William Standly by Sundrys3
Cr
To 1½ galls melases Empty 3 gallon g[o]g
Nov 6
Capt James Hakins By Sundry4
Cr
To... Continue Reading
I have the pleasure to Inform your Exc[e]llency that Capt Manly in your Schr Lee, Brought into the Mouth of Marblehead harbour this Morning, the Ship Concord James Lowrie Master from Glassco; the Invoices and all the papers on Board her have Sent forward By Capt Richd James, the Ship Immeadatly on her Comeing into Marblehead, order her, to Beverly, as She was Turning in, got a ground on the Bar,... Continue Reading
Capt Manly in the Privar, from beaverly came a cross 2 large transports from London, one of which he board'd & took, her cargo amounted in value to Fifteen Thounsand pounds Ster lg and carrd her safe into Cape Ann, her cargo was as follows,
1 Large brass 15 Inch Mortar already fixd for service
A Number of smaller ditto fixd
A Number of Brass
Cannon
from
24 lb down
to 4 lb
with carrages... Continue Reading
Long before the Receipt of this You will have heard by Express from the General, of the important Prize we have made in the Capture of the Brig Nancy loaded with Ordnance Stores for the Army at Boston. Orders were given that she should be unloaded with all possible Expedition & we have now the greatest Part of her Cargo safely housed in the Labratory here.2 The loss must be very... Continue Reading
Providence seems to be Engaged for us. the same Spirit & determination prevails to Conquer all difficulties. many Prizes have been taken by our Cruisers. & a Capital one last week carried into Cape Ann. of very great value perhaps £20,000 sterling a Brigt from England with a Cargo Consisting of almost every Species of Warlike store[s] except powder & Cannon 2000 very fine small arms... Continue Reading
By the General Gage Sloop who left Quebec the 9th of November and arrived here last Night, I received a Letter from Captain Hamilton of his Majesty's Ship Lizard, who got up the 5th of November with the Jacob, and Elizabeth Brigs, laden with Arms, Ammunition, Cloathing &c. for the King's Army under General Carleton. Capt. Hamilton writes me the disagreeable News that the Garrison of St John's... Continue Reading
3d December 1775
Names
Guns
Commanders
Complement
Station
Vice Adml Graves
Preston
50
Capt. John Robinson
300
Off the Town
In Boston Harbour
Boyne
70
Hartwell
500
Kingroad
Scarborough
20
Barkley
130
In Charles River
Cerberus
28
Symons
160
Off the Town
Tartar
28
Medows
160
Mercury
20
Graeme
130
At Nantasket
Falcon Sloop
14
Linzee
100
Gallows... Continue Reading