Nothing very material has happened in this Camp since you left it. Finding we were not likely to do much in the Land Way, I fitted out several Privateers, or rather armed Vessels, in behalf of the Continent, with which we have taken several Prizes to the amount, it is supposed, of £15,000 Sterling. One of them a valuable Store-Ship (but no Powder in it) containing a fine Brass Mortar 13 Inch,... Continue Reading
For this Week past Fortune has Smiled upon Us from All Quarters, & last Night word was brought out of Boston by some Inhabitants who left it Yesterday, that a Vessel was Just arrived there from Quebeck. The Master of which Declared that Our Troops, Assisted by near 6000 Canadians, took Possession of that Capitol a day or Two After the Middle of November; that thereupon all the Ships belonging... Continue Reading
I wrote you last Thursday and would have given a good deal that you was here last Saturday [December 2] when the stores arrived at camp; such universal joy ran through the whole as if each grasped victory in his hand: to crown the glorious scene there intervened one truly ludicrous, which was old PUT.2 mounted on the large mortar which was fixed in its bed for the occasion, with a... Continue Reading
The Brig Kingston Packet ー Saml Ingersoll Master was taken at Barington in Nova Scotia on suspicion of being engaged in a business contrary to the Association of the united Colonies.2
His Excellency cannot be a Competent judge of such matters, if he was, he has not time to attend to them, he therefore Commands me to lay the papers which came to his hands, before you... Continue Reading
By people who came out of Boston yesterday we have an account, that the enemy are fitting out one of the Transports, who is to carry a number of Guns, & a large Number of Men, that the Guns are to be concealed in such a manner as not to be perceived untill a vessel comes so close, as it may not be in their power to get away, She is to carry every appearance of a Transport with Hay &c ー on... Continue Reading
I have it in Command from his Excellency General Washington, to desire that you will examine the Harbour of Cape Cod, & see what Fortifications may be necessary for the defence of it's entrance, which when you have with attention & Accuracy executed you will please to make a Report thereof, at Head Quarters2 I am [&c.]
Dear sir I waited on General Washington Saturday Morning last [December 2] & prayed him to furnish me with [a few] pieces of Cannon to help hoist the number I [intend] for the Privateer we intend fixing, the Plan pleased him but he assured me it was not then in his Power to assist me since which I have several Times conversed with General Gates on the Subject & this Afternoon he promised... Continue Reading
Our Privateers more than answer our Expectations. since the Grand Prize I wrote Mr. [John] Adams of several other vessels have been taken, perticularly one from Scotland dunnaged with Coal and filled up with Bail Goods to a very Considerable Amount and Consigned to James Anderson, who by the way is become a Captain in Gorham's Regiment of Fensible Americans. it is said another Vessel with dry... Continue Reading
The letter you did me the honor of writing me dated October 19th ー came to hand but a few days past ー the notice taken of me by the Committee of Congress appointed to collect an account of hostilities &c. I own myself indebted to you for, and you may be assured that I shall do every thing in my power to forward that business: A Committee of both Houses of which I am one has been appointed in... Continue Reading
I have had the pleasure to receive your Letter Novr 7. notifying to me your Arrival in his Majs Ship Roebuck at Halifax in Quality of Resident Commissioner there, and also with a Commission appointing you Commander in Chief of his Majs Ships in Halifax Harbour in the Absence of a Flag or Senior Officer, I beg leave most sincerely to congratulate you on these Appointments and to express my... Continue Reading
December 1775
Monday 4.
Cape Ann So ½ Wt distance 12 Leagues.
At 1 [A.M.] soundings 57 fm at 2, 42, [fm] at 3, 34 do ground at ½ past saw a Brigg standing to the Northward, at 4 set Double Reef'd Topsails, Tack'd ship and stood after her at 6 in 3d reef of Main & Foretopsail & handed the Mizen do at 8 saw Cape Ann land W ½ N about 6 leagues and laid Maintopsail to the Mast, 2 sail in... Continue Reading
Supernumeries borne for Victuals only being Prisoners taken on board the Washington rebel Privateer.
1775 Decemr 5th
Sion Martindale
Comr
Morrs Turner
1st Lieutt
Jas Childs
2d Lieutt
Consider Howland
Mastr
John Manvide
Surgn
Jacob Tyler
Mrs Mte
Willm Ford
Pilot
Ezekl Saunders
Josha Chivers
Stukely Bullingham
D[elivered] 11th Decr 1775 [to] Tartar
p... Continue Reading
Gentlemen, Having recd from Mr. Jacob Watson of N. York one of the Freighters of my unfortunate Ship Peggy, William Barron Master, a Copy of the Resolve of the Honorable Continental Congress respecting the permitting said ship to proceed on her intended voyage with her Cargo of wheat taken on board at N. York, baring date at Philadelphia, 15 Nov., 1775, upon which I repaired hear... Continue Reading
I arriv'd here yesterday, & made preparation to go over the lake this morning but General Schuyler reaching here before day prevents my going over for an hour or two ー He has given me a list of Stores on the other side from which I am enabled to send an Inventory of those which I intend to forward to Camp. The garrison at Ticonderoga is so weak, The conveyance from the fort to the landing is... Continue Reading
The Master (supposed to be John Hetherington) of the Pilot Boat named the Black Joke, and another Pilot are engaged with their Boats at 20 Shillings pr Day, to stop up the narrowest part of the Channel, between the East and West Banks, for which purpose, they were Sounding the Depth &ca last Friday [December 1] and Saturday, the Materials to execute this Work, are preparing on Staten Island.... Continue Reading
On motion made, Resolved, That the seamen and marines be engaged for the first of January, 1777, unless sooner discharged by Congress.
On motion, Resolved,That the committee for fitting out armed vessels have liberty consulting with the committee of inspection of this City, to purchase duck and such articles as they may want.
The Committee on re-captures brought in their report2 which... Continue Reading
This Colony has now in the River fourteen armed Galleys, with near seven hundred men on board;2 and we are informed by their Committee of Safety, which has sat daily for the last six months, that their expenses have amounted to more than fifty thousand pounds, which they expect to bear as a Colony charge. Should they alter their opinion, the expense of our Armed Vessels might then be... Continue Reading
Upon application of Mr. Thomas Wharton, one of the Committee for Importing and procuring Powder, Arms, &c., for the use of this Province,
Resolved, That they, the said Committee, direct Mr. John Wilcocks to Load the Schooner Polly, Thomas Woodhouse, M'r, with the produce of these Colonies, for the purpose of procuring said articles from foreign Parts, and that they be furnished with the... Continue Reading
My Circumstances require your Attention, I find no Fault with your Order relative to me2 it being founded on Sufficient Evidence; tho' am Certain the Witnesses never did me Justice, add to that the Prejudice of some who had declared that some such Punishment should fall on me from some little personal Disputes; that happened prior to this Complaint, for which I am Confined ー I Have... Continue Reading
Sir We desire that you engag[e Jos: Speake's] Vessell on the Terms within mention'd puttin[g] 6 hands in her instead of 4 as he proposed & the expence of the 2 extra hands shall be allow'd him ー In behalf of the Province we are &c ー
a Committee
Mat Tilghman
appointed by
Th Johnson Junr
Convention for
T: Stone
this purpose
Ja Hollyday
[Endorsed] Decem 18th the Vessell enter... Continue Reading