American Theatre from February 19, 1776, to April 17, 1776
I am desired by Mess[r]s [James] Hall & Grindell [Jonathan Grendal] the former Masters of the two ships bro't into this port by Comodore Manly,
2 to introduce them to your Excely by a Letter & to acquaint your Excellency that they have a desire to go to Virginia where they have friends & where one of them has a Brotherー
The crews of the two ships are now... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sir:
... You will not be surprized, when I tell you, that last Sunday, [James] Wallace, the Infernal Pirate, sent the Bomb Brig'te and Three Arm'd Cutters into the Harbour, and after stripping the Brig'te Venus, which lay aground just within the Lime Rocks, of Sails, Calles, Anchors, Cordage and Yard, Topmasts, in one word everything, and then set Fire to her, which burnt to the water's edge ー... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
... I was much disappointed, Sir, in not being join'd by a Battalion from Philadelphia as I was taught to expect ー I did not apply for them merely with a view of opposing Mr[Henry] Clinton with the Troops He shou'd bring with him ー I had sufficient and more than sufficient force to cope with him ー but it was agreed in the Conference held with the three Gentlemen who were here as a Committee from... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
John Hastier, mate of the ship Sally, whereof Capt. Badgley [John Bagley] was late. master,
2 has requested permission to go on board of the said ship Sally to obtain his clothing, bedding and other necessaries from on board, (as she is to proceed to Boston.)
Ordered, That the said John Hastier be permitted to go on board of the ship Sally for the purposes aforesaid.
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Agreed
That proceed immediately for France as an Agent of the Congress to transact such business and negociate such matters as may be committed to him by Congress or their Committee.
Agreed
That the Brig Rachel Captain Clay chartered by R. Morris for the Continental Service be employed to carry to France and proceed in ballast for Bordeaux.
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
On the 4th day of January last, about sunset, a party of armed men from the rebel army, stationed in the town of Norfolk, went to Gosport, where they broke open all the warehouses and plundered them, and that night set fire to all the buildings on the place, and burnt them to the ground; the destruction of that place is a very heavy loss to Mr. Andrew Sprowle, a firm friend to government, who is... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
AM Weighed & Came to Sail At 6 Anchored in Hampton Road found Riding here His Majesty's Ship Mercury and Two Sail of Transports.
2
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sir ー Information is given to us, that a brigantine and a sloop now appear upon the coast. We have therefore ordered Capt. [Thomas] Smith, in the pilot boat Hibernia, immediately to reconnoitre and bring in those vessels if practicable ー possibly they may be cruizers. You are to get the scooner Defence as speedily as possible under sail, and to proceed, according to circumstances, to attack and... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Gentlemen ー We received your favor of the 5th inst. by Mr. Barnley, and having duly considered the contents, and had reference to your articles of agreement with that gentleman, we find that we are prohibited by a resolution of the Continental Congress from suffering exportation of produce from this colony, except to some other of the united colonies or to part of the same colony, unless such... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The consideration of the report, on the number of forces necessary to be raised, and kept in pay, for the service of this colony, was resumed.
The whole of the said report being gone through, the Congress came to the following resolutions thereupon:
That, of the matrosses on the present establishment, the seamen in the colony navy, and the matrosses and seamen expected to arrive here, from the... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
this is to inform you that capt [Samuel] Soule is now loading with gun powder, he hath now two thoussand, perhaps before eight days we will have ten thousand Completted, if I have not been obliged to provide four other vessels arrived before him, he should be gone with his demand. but we are obliged to Send them one after one.
many french vessels expected have gun powder on board, one Of them got... Continue Reading
Date: 22 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Received a Letter from Capt John Langdon, Requesting Some powder for his Carpenters;
2 In Answer to which we advised him that the quarter Master Should be order'd to deliver them ½ Each, out of the Public Stock, at the Time of Danger, to be by them Accounted for.
Ordered Major Gains to Apply to Major Hackett, Mr John Marshall, and Capt John Hill, to apprize the... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
We have just rec'd your favor of the 22d inst, and with pleasure consider the arming your Carpenters,
2 as a fresh demonstration of your zeal and attachment to the cause of your country. The delivering out [of] the very small public store of powder we are possessed of, a half pound to each man not provided, we would cheerfully do, was it not that the Militia all round... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The foregoing is duplicate of my Last Respects, p Post,
2 since which I remain without any of your esteem'd Favours, this I hope will be handed you in Safety, by our Friend Capt Wyer p whom I intended to have made you a considerable Remittance, but having good Advice, of the Prospect of Trade's being open'd, I have speculated in the Purchase of a small Brig, & am... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Schooner Nancy, of which you are the Present Master being in all respects ready to sail I do advise & order you to come to sail & make the best of your way for St Nichola Mole & on your arival there you be well assured if Capt [Nathaniel] Silsbee is gone to Jamaica, if he is not gone you had best to tarry there a short Time to wait for him, or if Capt [Nathan] Nichols is there... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The above is Copy of what I wrote you by way of Cape-Ann
3 since which I have got leave to send Capt Hallet in the Nancy to let you know my mind about the times and what I think about your comming home & now I Cannot write Positively but still think it not safe for you to come home with the Vessell. I have given Capt Hallet an Order on you for so much Money as you... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This will be deliver'd to you by The Baron de Woedtkee,
2 who appears to be a Gentleman, & a Veteran, Charectors you will esteem him for he has with him other recommendations to your Notice, from some of your Paris acquaintances; if I had never fallen out with Royalty for any other reason, I should detest it, upon the poor Barons account, for the Tyrannical... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The brearer is Capt Joseph Higgins & one of the Gent I bought the Oyl off ー As it will be a great service to him should take it as a great favr that you would help him to what Powder & other warlike Stores he may want, as he is now about fitting out a Privateer ー The service you can do in this matter will be great therefore need not urge the importance of it as you will be the best judges... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Remarks on bd the Hope Fridy the 23d Febry 1776
7 [A.M.]
the Monument Land of Plymouth SW 6 or 7 Lgs
12 [P.M.]
Tack'd Race Pt NBE 3 or 4 Leags Modt & Clear
1 [P.M.]
Fresh Breezes and Cloudy, at ½ Past Saw two Sail, Running out of Plymouth Harbr found them to a Sloop and Schooner Rebel Arm'd Vessels
3 [P.M.]
Engaged, them and Drove them info Plymouth fired a Number of... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This Letter waits upon You by Mr Christopher Greene, One of the Company of Nathanael Greene & Company who have Permission from the Honorable Continental Congress to export the Produce of the Colonies in order to purchase Powder and other warlike Stores. As this Colony cannot furnish the necessary Cargoes they purpose to fit out their Vessels from the Colony of Connecticut; and as the Object... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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