European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
Notwithstanding the many Boats of the Americans having a powerful Squadron of armed Vessels, a Naval Officer informs us, that the largest Vessel they have, or are able to send to Sea, is not to be compared to one of his Majesty's Frigates; and it is well know the few Vessels they have dare not engage the smallest Cruizer his Majesty has on that Station.
Date: 1 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This day a detachment of marines, consisting of one captain, one lieutenant, two serjeants, two corporals, one drummer, and 49 private men, embarked hence on board his Majesty's ship Isis, of 50 guns, at this port, commanded by Charles Douglas, Esq; bound for America.
Date: 1 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lord North thinks it necessary to apprize his Majesty that Lord [Richard] Howe intends to demand an audience of his Majesty today in order, as he says, to tell his own story, & he fears to signify his intention of quitting the service, for, although Lord Howe did not explicitly tell Lord North that such was his design, Lord North apprehends that he will do so, from some expressions that he... Continue Reading
Date: 2 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lord North ー I can easily imagine You must be anxious to know how matters stand with Lord Howe, I therefore before I get to dinner-just take up my pen to acquaint You that things are very fax from desperate that if no one will interfere I do not dispair of bringing things to rights: by a greater digree: [sic] of rightheadness in Lord Sandwich then wrongheadedness in the other party; therefore... Continue Reading
Date: 2 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lord North begs leave to return his Majesty his most greateful acknowledgements for his very gracious note. He trusts that by his Majesty's powerful interposition every thing will be right. By a conversation he had with Lord Howe today, He thought that he perceived him to be very uneasy at the apprehension that he would be thought to decline service, in a critical moment, &, therefore, hopes... Continue Reading
Date: 2 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Milford left for Halifax. Deal-Castle is repaired. A ldborough is ready to sail for Gibraltar with Hanovarian troops.
Dublin of 74 and Boyne. of 70 will be fined out and sent to America. However Dublin is in such a condition o(rot that ailother 'ship will probably have to take her place. Both;ne,v ship yards are completed. One of them will build a new ship of 50 guns which will be called Medusa.... Continue Reading
Date: 2 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Orders are sent to Portsmouth for his Majesty's frigate Tartar, at that port, to be fitted out immediately for the North America station; she is already commissioned and the command given to Capt. Omminey [Cornthwaite Ommanney]. A frigate is stationed to cruise in the Downs,. with orders to stop all ships that come in and go out, and strictly to examine what they are laden ー with, particularly to... Continue Reading
Date: 2 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lord North ー I have seen Lord Sarn:lwich and I think settled the Command of the N. American Fleet agreably to Lord Howe's proposal to Me yesterday the mode of.Saving Lord Sandwich and Shuldham I think realy without the least objection; if there had been any I should have jumped over it to settle this material affair. Lord Sandwich deserves commendation for being so very complying. I desire You... Continue Reading
Date: 3 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lord Sandwich: has the honour to inform Your Majesty that he has seen Ld Howe & told him that he should have his promotion antedated, & the compleat Command in the river St Lawrence as well as in other parts of America, upon which he expressed his readiness to obey your Majesty's Commands. Lord Sandwich. told him that he should contrive to satisfy Admiral Shuldham by some other means, but... Continue Reading
Date: 3 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
In pursuance of His Majestys pleasure signified to Us by Lord George Germaine in his Letter of Yesterdays date that the five Officers belonging to the Armed Brig takl 1. in No America & brought to England in the Tartar should be sent back hisoners to Boston in the Greyhound & her Commander directed upon his arrival there to deliver them up to the Order of Major General Howe; You are... Continue Reading
Date: 3 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Several light vessels are ordered to be equipt for the American service. They are intended for conveying ammunition, provisions, &c. from the ships of war and transports to the different parts of the coast, for the use of the government troops. Lord [Richard] Howe is to have the command of the fleet against the Americans, and his brother being commander by land, the most spirited conduct is... Continue Reading
Date: 3 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
In my last Letter of the 30th past; I acquainted their Lordships with my intention to remove the Troops from the Clibborn into the Friendship, and to send the former to Plymouth, since which time the weather has not been proper for it, and on Thursday last, at two o'Clock in the afternoon a violent Tempest arose, and veer'd in Gusts from the S S E to the W S W, and continued 'till midnight. The... Continue Reading
Date: 4 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having appointed you Captain of His Majesty's Ship Raisonable at Plymouth, which we have order'd to be fitted and stored in all respects proper to serve as a Guardship there, in the room of the Dublin,2 mann'd with the number of Officers, Seamen and Marines mention'd in the annex'd Scheme, and supplied with such Guns, Gunners Stores small Arms and Ammunition as the other Guardships of... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
We are assured, that Admiral Shuldham is not to have the command of the fleet destined to serve against the Americans, and that Lord [Richard] Howe is certainly appointed, and has accepted the command. This change is in consequence of a representation made to his Majesty shortly after Admiral Shuldham's nomination, by the senior flag officers, of the impropriety of placing a junior to command... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Inclosed is a Copy of a Letter of this day's date, from Captain [Robert] Dring of the Carcass Bomb, 2 respecting Lieutt [John] Stoddart, whom he left behind at Portsmouth, and desiring as he is.return'd on board, that.I will restore him to his duty, 'till their Lordships pleasure shall be known ー As I have not authority to hold Courts Martial here, and Lieutt Stoddart might be a considerable time... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Your Excellency: The Consul of His Britannic Majesty in Malaga, suspecting that an Anglo-American sloop, which entered that port enroute from Barcelona to New York, carried on board a quantity of rifles, sought the help of the Captain-General of the Coast of Granada in a search of the vessel. The Consul had been informed that the rifles had been bought in Barcelona. As a consequence, the Captain-... Continue Reading
Date: 5 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having received a Letter from Rear Admiral Gayton, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships at Jamaica, dated the 10th of Deer last, giving an account of the Seizure of an English Schooner, and of her being carried into Carthagena, where the Master and Crew, with a number of other English Subjects, are kept in Confinement; We send your Lordship a Copy of Rear Admiral Gayton's Letter, together... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Your Lordship having acquainted Us, in your Letter of the 15th of last Month, that it may eventually be necessary for His Majesty's Service that two armed Sloops, of about ninety Tons each, and, at least four hundred Batteaux from 36 to 40 feet in length, and 6 or 7 feet in Breadth on the Beam, should be prepared in Canada, for the conveyance of Troops and Stores through Lake Champlain, and at... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
As the Triton one of the Frigates intended to take onboard at plymouth, part of the 29th Regiment, and to proceed from thence to the relief of Quebec, is ordered to Portsmouth, which will make an alteration in the number of Officers and Men, to be carried round from Chatham; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you therewith, for the Information of Lord George... Continue Reading
Date: 6 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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