European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
My lord, Nothing is more true than the intelligence I had the honor to send you concerning the fact that General Howe had not received any letters from the Government since 26 October. I could not believe this circumstance, but it is generally known and accepted today. Since that period the vessels carrying the dispatches from the Court to Boston were forced by adverse winds to make for the... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Cause of the Ships being burnt at Georgia arose from General Howe's sending some Transports for Provisions, the Officers of which seized several Vessels in the Harbour for the Use of the King's Troops, which so irritated the Inhabitants, that they rose and destroyed some of them, which obliged the Captains of the others to throw their Cargoes overboard and run for it, in order to avoid a like... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This day orders were received for the Scavelmen and Labourers of the dock-yard, to work one tide a day extra. Friday last sailed from hence for America, the Diamond frigate, of 32 guns, commanded by Charles Fielding, Esq.
Date: 8 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sailed out of the harbour to Spithead, the Egmont, having been docked and refitted.
Lord Howe still continues here, and it is said will not sail till further orders.
The Repulse, Capt. [Henry] Davis, waits at Spithead, to convoy out the second division of Hessian Troops.
Date: 8 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
... by the Order of Vice Admiral Robert Man, I have continued Cruizing from Cape Spartiel to Cadiz . . . On the 28. Ulto. I took the Ship Aurora of and from Philadelphia Own'd by Ben Gibbs of said place Freight'd with Eleven Thousand Seven hundred & Twenty Six Bushells of wheat & Six Hundred & Thirty Barrels of Flour, on account of Willing & Morris (the Delegates to the Congress... Continue Reading
Date: 8 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Three American vessels were brought in here yesterday by two of our cruizers, which they took just before they reached the Bay of Cadiz. They are laden with corn, flour, &c.
The Admiral, in consequence of some intelligence he has received from the seamen taken in the American vessels, who have entered on board his ship, sent to England for a reinforcement of light cruizers.
Date: 8 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Commissioners having by this day's Post received another Letter from the Collector and Comptroller of Bristol transmitting a Paper delivered to them on the 7th Instant by the Master of the Brig Christian, lately arrived from Georgia, containing several particulars relative to the Situation of Affairs in Georgia; ー I am directed to send You herewith a Copy of the said Paper, which You will be... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
A Vessel is arrived at Bristol from Savannah in Georgia, which she left about the Middle of March last, and brings Advices, of which the following is the Substance: "That the Transports with Marines on board, which General Howe sent there for Rice, and other Provisions, arrived; that the People would not permit them to be furnished with a single Article; in Consequence the Marines attempted to... Continue Reading
Date: 9 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This morning Lord Howe went on board the Eagle man of war at Spithead, which saluted him by firing three rounds as soon as he got on board; several other ships that lay off this place likewise fired their guns, and in the afternoon they weighed anchor, were under sail till about six o'clock this evening, and are now out of sight. about Scilly.
Date: 9 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You must 'ere now have heard of our Misfortune; the Blue Mountain Valley, which I sailed in from London with Provisions, in October last, was in January taken in Sight of New-York, by four American Vessels, commanded by one called Lord Sterling, who carried us into Elizabeth Town, about 18 Miles off New-York, where we were all kept Prisoners for two Months, but to the Credit of the Americans I... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Arrived the Elizabeth, Capt. Campbell, from Philadelphia at Dover, loaded with flour and corn; she sailed the 12th of March; letters by her men° tion that they expected Commissioners there to treat with Congress; but as they had just received the restraining act before this vessel sailed, all thoughts of a reconciliation vanished. On Wednesday orders were sent down to Deal for the Winchelsea man... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having received the King's final directions respecting the particular Commission with which I have the Honor to be by His Majesty intrusted; and the several Papers referred to in their Lordships secret Instructions of the 4th instant; I am preparing to put forthwith to Sea. In respect to that part of their Lordships secret Instructions aforesaid which regards the employment of the Ships under my... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This Day between 11 & 12, I embarked on board the Eagle Man of War of 64 Guns, which immediately fell down to St Helen's; where we came to Anchor, the Wind being foul, and some Arrangements being necessary to be made respecting our Apartments for Sleeping, &c.
Saturday, 11th. Early this Morning we weighed Anchor, and sailed round the Easternmost Point of the Isle of Wight, called Dunnose... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday passed by this place all the fleet, amounting to upwards of 120 sail, with the Hessian troops and guards, and train of artillery on board, bound to America, and the Tartar man .of war, Capt. Ommaney, that was here, joined them.
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Friday 10 AM out all reefs and hoisted Commodore William Hothams broad Pendant which was by the Brune & Emerald saluted with 13 Guns each returned the same number at 9 the Jersey Rainbow & Strombolo returned the same number ½ past 9 the Carcass saluted with 13 Guns returned I I made the Rainbow & Strombolos signal for a Lieut worked the Ventilator washed and cleaned betwen decks all... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You are hard to please if you do not consider the evacuation as important news, although I still do not know why and how it took place. I refuse to believe that General Howe abandoned this fortified town needlessly just for the fun of it. I will not ask you what the Ministers think or say about it. Most certainly they will try to put on a good appearance in the face of adversity; it is their role... Continue Reading
Date: 10 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lieut Edward Thornbrough late of His Majestys Sloop Falcon having represented to my Lords Commrs of the Admty that he was shot through the thigh by a Musket Ball in endeavouring to take an American Schooner off Cape Ann at which time the Master & Gunner & 35 Men were taken Prisoners 2 And having transmitted An Account of Money which he paid for lodgings, Nurses Travelling charges &ca... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You have already received instructions to express the King's intentions concerning the preservation of the peace and the good intelligence with England and I have repeated them on many occasions. I confirmed them again recently to M. de Pol.2 There have been rumors that we were about to arm a large Squadron. This Minister deemed necessary to speak to me about it without, however, giving the... Continue Reading
Date: 11 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Friday 10th A M Unmoored and hove Short on the B:Br washed the
Lower Deck.
At I P M Weigh'd & came to Sail At 3 Calm Anchord
with the BtBr in 13 fm Veered to ½ of a Cable, At 6
Weiged & ran down to St Hellens and Anchord in 10 fm
water with the B: Br South Sea Castle N N E, Buoy of the
Eggar W N W St Hellens Point So Saturday 11th At 5 A M W eighd & came to Sail
Light airs and hazey... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
For you only. I am sending you, Sir, new orders from the King concerning the operations of your campaign. Since the Intentions of the King are clearly explained in the instructions enclosed herewith I ー shall add nothing to them and I am convinced that you will execute these orders with all the care and precision required by the mark of trust which H[is] M[ajesty] has shown you in this occasion.... Continue Reading
Date: 12 May 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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