European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
The ships going to America this Spring, are to sail in three fleets, viz. one from Corke, with three men of war, and four frigates; one from Plymouth, with two men of war and three frigates; and the other from Portsmouth, with two men of war and two frigates.
Date: 12 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Camilla, a new ship of 20 guns, to be launched here on Friday next, is ordered to be sheathed and fitted with the greatest expedition for America. The Lark and Richmond frigates, of 32 guns each, are taken into dock also to be sheathed and fitted for America.
Date: 12 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I wish You would without further delay see Lord G. Germain and put the finishing hand to the Commission Lord [Richard] Howe's idea of not being so tightly bound as to the change of Government in Connecticut and Rhode Island, I hope will not be consented to, as I think the alteration most material; indeed if Lord Howe would give up being a Commissioner I should think it better for himself as well... Continue Reading
Date: 13 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday Lord Sandwich laid before his Majesty in council, all the papers, letters, &c. brought to England on board the Snow, Capt. Dickenson.
Date: 13 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You will please to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that his Majesty's Ship under. my Command Anchored here this Evening, where I found their Lordships Orders of the 4th. Instant to take the Two Highland Regiments under Convoy as soon as they were Embarked, and proceed with them to Boston in New England; I have received from Lieutenant Henry the Agent for the Transports a List of... Continue Reading
Date: 14 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Dear Sir
On the 7th ult. the Snow Dickinson, Capt. [William] Mesion consigned to Messrs Montandouine & Frere at Nantes, was brought into Bristol by her crew & delivered up, with all her Papers. From these the Ministry are apprised of all the Ships which have been sent to the different Ports of France, & Cruisers are dispatchd into the Bay of Biscay to watch them. John Sands Mate of... Continue Reading
Date: 15 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Dickinson did not clear the Capes of Delaware river till the first of March. When she left Philadelphia, the Congress had received no account of the prohibitory act, nor of the hiring of foreign troops. It is said that she saw two French vessels go up Delaware river, laden with ammunition. The Dickinson came into King-road on Sunday se'nnight, and was seized by the Lieutenant of the Earl of... Continue Reading
Date: 15 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
While all England is gathered at Westminster Hall to watch the trial of the old, adulterous and bigamous Dutchess of Kinston, I am going to tell you about a rather serious conversation I had with Lord Rochford. On Sunday, as he sent me some tickets for Westminster Hall, he asked me to his home. The conversation gradually came to life following the greetings and he said to me: ー "Sir, since I am... Continue Reading
Date: 16 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Advice is received from Antigua, that his Majesty's sloop of war the Lynx, of ten guns, had taken up at sea, and brought into that port the ship Ranger, Matthew Walters, Commander, belonging to Philadelphia, in great distress, having met with bad weather and contrary winds, wherein she lost all her masts, had several of her hands washed overboard, and her boats staved to pieces. She came from... Continue Reading
Date: 16 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
On Friday last the 42d regiment, or Royal Highlanders, came down from Glasgow to this place and Port Glasgow. They embarked on Saturday on board the transports.
Sunday the Flora frigate of 36 guns, arrived at the Tail of the Bank, which is to take the transports under convoy.
Date: 16 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The order for searching ships suspected of having warlike stores on board, would perhaps, never have been observed at this place, had I not applied for it; none have been examined, but at my earnest sollicitation, hence, I humbly conceive there is at present no reason to fear its being made a precedent hereafter, in the case of other vessels. I never applied to have any of our own ships examined... Continue Reading
Date: 16 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having this day received from Capt. [Robert P.] Cooper, Commander of His Majesty's Sloop the Hawke, (which sailed from England on the 26th of November last, with the Dispatches mentioned in the annexed Schedule from Lord George Germain to the Governors of the Southern Provinces of North America) a Letter dated at Barbadoes the 10th Febry last, giving an Account of his Arrival there the Day before... Continue Reading
Date: 17 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having order'd the Complement of the Ship you command to be increas'd to Two Hundred Men; You are hereby required & directed to enter as many more Men as may be sufficient for that purpose, and to bear such increas'd Complement until you receive further Order. Given &c. the 17th April 1776. Sandwich C. Spencer H. Palliser By &c. P.S.
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/101, 33-34.
Date: 17 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
When the Friendship, Capt. Jann, lately arrived at Glasgow, sailed from Norfolk, Lord Dunmore ordered one of the ships of war lying there to convoy her until she should be out of any danger of being taken by the Provincial privateers, which swarm on the coast. They had not long proceeded on their voyage, when they fell in with a Dutch vessel, laden with military stores for the Provincials, which... Continue Reading
Date: 17 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
An Admiralty Court is appointed in Virginia, by authority of the Congress, and John Blair, Edmund Randolph, Esqrs. and another gentleman, are appointed Judges of it. They have condemned several English vessels which have been taken by the American privateers, as lawful prizes. This shews the Americans are proceeding to the establishment of a government.
Date: 17 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
No 4./
My Lord, When I communicated to M. de Vergennes Yesterday, the Contents of Your Lordship's Letter No 2. and gave him an Account of the American Ship carried into Bristol, observing, that several other Vessels from the Congress. were sailed from that Continent to different Ports in France to take in Military Stores, he appeared a little disconcerted, But said that Strict Orders had already... Continue Reading
Date: 17 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sir Having received directions from Vice Adml [Robert] Man to Cruize between Cape St. Maries and Cape Spartiel, for the Purpose of Intercepting any American Vessels bound into or out of Cadiz, or the Straights. And while on this Service being Informed by a Ship I spoke with that Several Sail of Men of War, of the line were Fitting out at Cadiz. And also that an American Brigg mounting Several... Continue Reading
Date: 17 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whereas from the great number of Transport Vessels now engaged in His Majesty's Service and employed in distant Parts, it may be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to procure such an additional Number as may be required in case it should hereafter be thought necessary to send any considerable number of Troops to North America in addition to those already serving in, and under orders to... Continue Reading
Date: 18 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whereas we think fit that His Majestys Ship the Fowey shall proceed forthwith to Newfoundland to serve under the command of Vice Admiral [John] Montagu Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships and Vessels upon that Station You are hereby required and directed to order her Commander to proceed thither accordingly, without a moments loss of time; and putting himself under the command of the said... Continue Reading
Date: 18 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Inclosed you will please to receive a Duplicate of a Letter of the 29th of Last Month wherein you are informed of every thing which at that time occurr'd to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty necessary for your information, in addition to what were contained in other Letters & Orders forwarded by the same conveyance
In the aforesaid Letter mention is made of the Ranger being appointed to... Continue Reading
Date: 18 April 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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