American Theatre from February 19, 1776, to April 17, 1776
By Andrew Snape Hamond Esqr Captn &ca
You are hereby required and directed to carry into execution such part. of Vice Admiral Graves order of the 12th of January to Captain [Alexander] Graeme (a copy of which you will herewith receive) that is not already executed; and also to observe and follow all those general orders and Instructions which you received from Admiral Graves, whilst Captain... Continue Reading
Date: 19 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Ordered, That letters be forthwith written, by different conveyances, to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, aquainting them with the present situation of affairs in this colony, and the recent alarming intelligence we have received from Georgia, of the hostile armament collecting at Cockspur.
Date: 19 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sir: Yesterday I received yours enclosing a letter from the Congress to the gentlemen of the Council in answer to what I wrote them, and desired might be communicated to the Congress and people in general. This letter I cannot consider as an answer to mine, as they have not taken any notice of the most serious part, with respect to themselves and the Province; but if they will not be their own... Continue Reading
Date: 19 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having represented to your Excellency upon my arrival here, that I was very desirous of having a free intercourse between his Majesty's ships under my command and the Town of Savannah, and desiring at the same time, I might be supplied with provisions, and other necessaries, by paying the market price for the same, which I had great reason to expect in any part of his Majesty's dominions.
I beg... Continue Reading
Date: 19 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Long boat watering
first part fresh breezes middle & latter with drizling rain at 2 P M came in a Sloop tender from Cape Feare, which brought Intelligence of Waldrons pilot boat being taken which was Employ'd in the Rebell Service at Charles Town2
Date: 19 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
am Men from each Company of the Navy Battallion hauling up the Lizards Boats was held a Garrison Court Martial on the Drummer of the Lizard for breach of Trust
Fresh Breezes with Snow at 7 pm the Alarm was given for a Body of Men being seen advanceing to the Walls between Fort St Louis and Cape Diamond the different Companies of the Navy Battallion got under Arms but found Every thing quiet... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I have receiv'd your letter with the Estimate for repairing the Barracks at Cumberland which I have communicated to the Governor & General.
We have certain intelligence that the Rebels have miscarried before Quebec, and that their General has been kill'd General [Charles] Lee has been detach'd to the Southward with 3000 Men, & their Army near Boston is now on the Defensive.
I am surpris'd... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Deposition of Jeremiah Wardwel of majerbigwaduce being of Lawfull age testifies and Says that I the deponant did on or about the 12th day of September in the year 1775 Sale from Said majerbigwaduce in the Sloop Trythena Laden the Cordwood for piscataqua in order to procure Stoores and upon our Returne on the 30th day of the same month was taken by a man of war (viz) the Livele... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Since my last of the 13th Instant, I have received your Favour of the 6th Instant & duly Observe your Uneasiness, at my Limitation of the Price of the Purchase of the Daltons Cargoe, however I hope its will prove no Disadvantage in the End, as its highly probable to me that the Dalton, will proceed to Europe, in which Case the Purchase you would have made, must have lain on hand, as the Plan... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Secretary came into the House and said,
Mr. Speaker, I am directed by a Major Part of the Hori. Council to inform this House, that they have consented to the enacting of the following Bills, viz.
An Act for encouraging the fixing out of Armed Vessels, to defend the Sea-Coasts of America, and for erecting a Court to try and condemn all Vessels that shall be found infesting the same.
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yankee Hero, Armed Vessel. Tons; 120: Guns, 14: Man, 40.
Commander; James Tracy.
Bond: Colony, £1000.
Bonders: James Tracy, Jonathan Jackson, Nathaniel Tracy and John Tracy, merchants of Newburyport; Joseph Lee, merchant of Marblehead.
Owners: Not stated.
Witnesses: Enoch Titcomb, 3d, William Ames
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
It never entered into my Thoughts to build Gondola's on Lake Champlain, as I well knew that they could not without great Danger If at all, be got into the St Lawrence. Altho' we have very good Ship Carpenters here, Yet none acquainted with the Construction of Gallies. It will therefore be proper to send a few Good Hands from Pennsylvania, as none are to be had in Canada, these ought to be sent... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
A letter from Major-Genl. Lee of this day was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit:
New-York, 20th Feb. 1776.
Sir ー I am just informed that the Asia and Phoenix have seized several provision vessels from the Jerseys. I must submit it to the Congress whether the compact is not to be considered as broke, and whether it is not our duty to withhold all further supplies. For my own... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Congress took into consideration the report of the Committee on the ways and means of procuring cannon:
Resolved, That two hundred and fifty twelve pounders, sixty nine pounders, and sixty-two four pounders, be purchased for the use of these colonies:
That the Committee appointed on the ways and means of procuring cannon, be empowered to purchase or contract for making the same:
That a new... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
[Samuel] Chase drew a Form, which I altered, for disposing of the Ship Blue Mountain Valley and her Cargo, no Judge of the Admiralty being yet appointed in New Jersey, this Matter was debated & the Necessity of taking the whole Government from the Kings Substitutes
2 was descanted upon and postponedー
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Resolved, That Mr. Sam'l Morris, jun'r, waite on Mr. Wm. Richards, Capt. [Nathaniel] Falconer, & Capt. [Thomas] Reed, and inform them they are (with any other person they may fix on) appointed a Committee to fix proper signals in the River and Bay of Delaware, to give the most speedy intelligence of any Enemy Ships that may arrive at or within the Capes of Delaware.
That the said Committee... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I have just received yours of the 15th instant, and have snatched a moment to write a few lines in answer to it. I approve much of your plan of publishing the hand-bill, and would, before this, have executed it, if my indisposition and Mrs. Page's illness, added to an incessant round of business, had not prevented me.
The method you mention for removing the spikes from cannon, is certainly good;... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
By Andw Snape Hamond Esqr &ca
In consequence of a letter from Captain George [sic James] Montagu of this date acquainting me of his being appointed by Admiral Graves to command his Majs Ship the Mercury, and beging I will be pleased to give an order to discharge the Men named in the Margin from his Ms Sloop the Kingsfisher into her, You are hereby required and directed to Discharge them into... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
In my last I acquainted you with the destruction of the greatest part of Norfolk by the Shirtmen, on the 1st of January; they continued plundering and destroying until the 6th inst. when, at four o'clock in the morning, a signal was made, every house from Mr.Farmer's plantation, tan-works, windmills, church &c. were set on fire, and so quick you could not tell which began first. The people... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Ordered, That the commanders of the ship Prosper and scooner Defence to give all necessary assistance by boats and men to Capt. Edward Blake, in order to sink an old sloop as speedily and effectually as possible, in the Marsh channel.
Please to deliver to Capt. Blake, for the use of the navy, ten barrels of flour in your hands belonging to the public. If you have no more than 13 or 14 barrels... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Pages
