European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
The Ministry received yesterday a very. important piece of news brought by Admiral Graves who returned from Boston. On the first of January, at four o'clock in the morning, Generals Montgomery and Arnold and a major of the Rebel army attacked Quebec in three different places. General Carleton. put up the most vigorous resistance. General Mpntgomery was killed, General Arnold wounded and captured... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
To the King only
Peace or War.
Sire, The notorious dispute between America and England, which will soon divide the world and change the European system, requires each power to examine carefully how it can be affected by this separation and if the consequences will be beneficial or prejudicial.
The most concerned power of all is certainly France whose sugar islands have been, since the last war,... Continue Reading
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This morning are arrived at Spithead, the C[a]nceaux armed ship, Capt. Mouat [Henry Mowat], from Boston. She left Boston some few hours after Admiral Graves, and the Trident transport; and brings advice, that the Provincials had laid siege to Boston, and were firing briskly on the town when she came away.
Date: 23 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Mr Pownall most humbly presumes to lay before your Majesty the most particular Account which has been yet received of the Attack made by the Rebels upon Quebec on the 1st of Janry. ー Mr Pownall also most humbly transmits to your Majesty two papers of Intelligence received from the General Post Office. The account said to have been brought by the Canceaux of the Rebells having attacked Boston is... Continue Reading
Date: 24 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having laid pefore My Lords Commrs of the Admiralty your letter of Yesterday's date informing them that the Board of Ordnance have represented to Lord George Germain that the Transports which they have engaged are not sufficient to receive the Ordnance and Stores directed to .be sent to North America with the first Embarkation, & that it will be impossible for them to procure a Vessel in time... Continue Reading
Date: 24 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
... It was impossible in France to deny that the British Ministry saw the opportunity and realized that the only way to restore the power of England was to capture the Spanish and French islands, not only because they were the eternal objects of regrets on the part of England since the last peace, but rather because the immense progress of cultivation and population in America made it as... Continue Reading
Date: 24 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I have now the honor to acquaint Your Lordship that the Pass belonging to the American brig therein mentioned, which I had procured to be deposited with the Captain General, on the master's refusal to deliver it to me, has been restored him by orders of this government.
2 I read the Marquis Grimaldi's dispatch which contained them, but could not procure a copy of it;... Continue Reading
Date: 24 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Count de Guines was authorised to send to America M. de Bon~ vouloir who was granted two hundred guineas by the Court as a remuneration for his services. Last September, this officer received one year's pay in advance, as shown by his receipt. He has not been heard from yet. 2 The Count de Guines agreed with him that he would send his letters to M. Guit lebert, Consul in charge, of to M.... Continue Reading
Date: 25 June 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having ordered the Vessel purchased by Vice Adml Graves at present commanded by Lieut George Dawson to be registered on the List of the Navy as a Sloop & established with a Complement of Fifty Men including the Officers& Petty Officers usually allowed Sloops in the Kings Service; You are hereby requested & directed, to cause her to be fitted Victualled & Stored as a Sloop, and... Continue Reading
Date: 26 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Fleet that sailed with Sir Peter Parker from Corke is dispersed in a very heavy Gale of Wind. The Bristol, Sir Peter's Ship, has been obliged to throw over her upper Deck Guns. The Carcass, one of his Fleet, has put into Plymouth with the Loss of his Mizenmast.
Date: 26 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Carcass bomb, which sailed in company with Sir Peter Parker's fleet, is put back to Portsmouth, having received some considerable damage, in which she was obliged to throw a great number of her stores overboard. The captain informs us, that on the 18th instant they met with a heavy gale of wind and a high sea, so that out of 42 sail of ships in the fleet, he left Sir Peter Parker with only 25... Continue Reading
Date: 26 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Instructions of the Spanish Court 2 In order to take as much as possible the precautions which might be desired in view of the situation .of the English Colonies and the course which must be followed to go from their ports to the Gulf of Mexico, the Island of Cuba, Porto-Rico, &c. observation ships must be ordered to cruise as follows: A war frigate to cruise to windward of the Island of... Continue Reading
Date: 26 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I am informed that since my letter to Your Lordships of the 29th Deer signifying His Majesty's Pleasure that the Elizabeth Storeship, Captain [John] Toone, should proceed to Boston, her Cargo has been taken out by the Board of Ordnance, & that She has been loaded with military Stores for the Service of the Expedition under Sir Peter Parker. Your Lordships will therefore be pleased to recall... Continue Reading
Date: 27 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
It now appears that the rich transport taken by the provincials was met the day before by the Cerberus sloop off the coast, and ordered to keep by her; but in strong blowing weather no boats could pass, the ships separated in the night, and the transport was taken by a small schooner with eight men and. no guns. The Captain of the tram port was an American, as is well known in Boston, where this... Continue Reading
Date: 27 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday arrived here Charles Fielding, Esq; on which his Majesty's frigate Diamond, of 32 guns, was immediately put into commission to go to America, that Gentleman being appointed to the command of her.
Date: 27 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Seaford is sailed down to St. Helen's, to wait for a fair wind to proceed to Antigua. The Greyhound, and all the outward-bound ships, have made several attempts to put to sea, but cannot, owing to contrary winds.
Date: 27 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whereas by our Commission dated this Day We have appointed you Commander in Chief of His Majts Ships & Vessels employed and to be employed at&: about the Island of Newfoundland the Islands of Madelaine & Anticosti and upon the Coast of Labiador from the River St John to the entrance of Hudson's Straits and intending you shall proceed thither in His Majestys Ship the Romney; You are... Continue Reading
Date: 28 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having appointed John Montagu Esqr Vice Admiral of the Blue to be Commander in Chief of His Majt's Ships & Vessels, employed & to be employed, at and about Newfoundland, the Islands of Madelaine & Anticoste, & upon the Coast of Labrador, from the River St John to the Entrance of Hudson's Straits; We desire Your Lordship will be pleased to obtain His Majesty's Commission for him to... Continue Reading
Date: 29 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You are hereby required & directed upon your arrival at Cork to make enquiry for all Ship~ & Vessels laden with Provisions or Stores for His Majestys Army & Navy at Boston that may be at that place ready .to sail & taking them under your Convoy make. the best of your way to that place where you are to put yourself under the command of Molyneux Shuldh~m Esqr Vice Adml of the Blue... Continue Reading
Date: 29 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whereas we think fit that the Ship, you command shall proceed forth with to Newfoundland with such Ships & Vessels, belonging to the several Ports named in the Margin, 2 as may be assembled at Plymouth with a view of proceeding to that Island for the ensuing Fishery. And that she shall be afterwards employed on a part of the Coast of the said Island for the protec-. tion of the Fisheries... Continue Reading
Date: 29 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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