European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
Their Lordships have satisfaction in your recommendation of Captain Wallace, and will as you propose remove h1m into a larger & better Ship than the Rose, the first Opportunity there is for doing so. It is not in their Lordships power at present to comply wtih the Proposal contained in Commissioner Arbuthnots letter of sending two Deck'd Ships for the Protection of the Yard at Halifax; and... Continue Reading
Date: 29 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Vice Admiral Montague to the government of Newfoundland, and he is to have the command of a very large squadron to assist the operations of Lord [Richard] Howe. He kissed the King's hand yesterday on the occasion. His Majesty's ship Preston, lately arrived at Plymouth, from Boston, brings a confirmation of the account of the ship Queen of England, James... Continue Reading
Date: 29 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
To prevent the transports being taken by the small provincial privateers, orders are given to the surveyors of the navy, that none be taken up under 300 tons, and these also to have six 9 pounders upoh deck for their defence.
Date: 29 February 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The motion to enquire into the present state of the navy or home service was made on Friday last [March I] in the House of Commons by Mr. Temple Luttrell, and seconded very ably by the Right Hon. Mr. Thomas Townshend. Mr. Luttrell introduced his motion with some strictures upon the Admiralty for the little care that had been taken in manning the men of war for the American service, by which... Continue Reading
Date: 1 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Guided by your superior judgment and by your orders, I could not take anything more to heart than the Instructions you find agreable to send me. Perhaps, before your formulate them, it would-be useful to inform you of the relations that exist amcing the Ministers of whom His British Majesty's Council is composed. Lord George Germain who took charge of the American affairs became intimate with... Continue Reading
Date: 1 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday some dispatches were brought to Lord George Germaine's office from the Earl of Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, received by the ship Samuel, Capt. Shepherd; arrived in the Downs from that province.
The William, Mercier, from Georgia to London, is taken by some armed vessels, and carried into South Carolina.
Date: 1 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This day a detachment of marines, consisting of one Serjeant, one Corporal, one Drummer, and 40 private men, under the command of Faithfull Conway Fortescue, Esq; second Lieutenant, embarked here on board his Majesty's frigate Emerald, of 32 guns, commanded by Benjamin Caldwell, Esq; for America. .
At the same time anothe.r detachment of marines, consisting of the like number, under the command... Continue Reading
Date: 1 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Since my last Admiral Greaves [sic] struck his flag, and set out for London; his Majesty's ship Preston is ordered to be fitted out immediately for America.
Date: 1 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You are hereby required & directed in case His Majts Sloop the Ranger is not sailed from Plymouth Sound, to direct her Commander to remain there until he receives further Order & to cause her Provisions to be completed to Six Months of all Species except Beer of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow & her Stores to a proper proportion for Foreign Service; holding... Continue Reading
Date: 2 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Almost the latter end of a great Number of our Yessels engaged in Government Service are Saild for Glasgow-some for Cork some for Plymouth &c ー on the American Expedition.
Date: 3 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
In his passage to Corke he [Sir Peter Parker] met with continued adverse winds & tempestuous weather; so that he did not arrive there before the 5th of January; and instead of the 1st of Deer it was the 12th of Febry before the whole Armament was collected together & ready to proceed to Sea. A few days after they left it, they met with a violent gale of wind at South West, which dispersed... Continue Reading
Date: 3 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
attended Ld North at his House at nine in the Evening by appointment of Sr Grey Cooper. Ld N was punctual to the minute entred immediately on the Subject. Kept me till near twelve. Saw him divers times in the same manner.
March 4th Ld. G[eorge] G[ermain] proposed my return to Boston referring me; to. Ld North who also acquainted me that I must return to L~&n. . ' .
Date: 4 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Letters by the Samuel, Capt. Shepperd, who arrived in the Downs the 28th ult. from Virginia, mention, that the town of Norfolk has been bombarded by the King's ships, and great part of it burnt down, upon which the natives set fire to the other part; so that the town is laid in ruins, except three houses which are standing. Frazer's battalion of Highlanders are ordered to be at Greenock by the... Continue Reading
Date: 4 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
There are Letters in Town, that since the Beginning of last December, upwards of 20 Sail of Ships have been taken by the Provincial Privateers, and carried into Salem and other Ports; that some of them were taken in Sight of the Men of War, which were so locked up in the Ice, that they could not move. Capt. Shepherd, of the Samuel, who is arrived in the Downs from Virginia, on his Passage met... Continue Reading
Date: 4 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday morning sailed from this port for America, the Blonde and Emerald frigates, of 32 guns, the former commanded by Philemon Pownall, Esq; the latter by Capt. [Benjamin] Caldwell.
Yesterday the Lark frigate, of 32 guns, was put into commission, and the command of her given to Capt. Smith. She is also to go to America.
Date: 4 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
In pursuance of His Majesty's Pleasure, signified by Your Lordship in your letter of the 19th of last Month, We gave Directions to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy for causing twenty Boats to be prepared for Service in Canada, and having received a letter from those Commissioners, reporting the progress they have made in providing these Boats, We send Your Lordship a Copy of their Letter... Continue Reading
Date: 5 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You are hereby required & directed to repair with His Majts Armed Vessel under your command into Portsmouth Harbour where we have ordered her to be cleaned graved & refitted, Stored for Foreign Service & her provisions completed to Six Months of all Species except Beer of which she is to take as much as she can conveniently stow; And to be supplied with Wine or Brandy in lieu of the... Continue Reading
Date: 5 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday Admiral Greaves arrived at the Admiralty, and after making his report to the Lords of that Board, Lord Sandwich reported the same to his Majesty. 1 By the Sandwich packet, that arrived at Falmouth, from South Carolina, we learn, that the provincials had taken a ship laden with indigo, bound to London, which cargo is insured here for a considerable sum. The Speedwell sloop of war, and... Continue Reading
Date: 5 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Letters from Bourdeaux advise, that there arrived at that place the 11th ult. a Ship named the Catherine, commanded by Capt. [Peter] Young, from America, in order, according to Appearance, to purchase warlike Stores for the English American Colonies. Capt. Young said he was a Hollander from St. Eustatia, and carried Dutch Colours but on a proper Officer going on board, he could produce no Dutch... Continue Reading
Date: 5 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Several of Sir Peter Parker's fleet, which sailed from Cork the 12th ult. we learn, were seen bearing away for Lisbon, having lost their main topmasts, sails, &c and it was imagined that most of the men of war were got into the above place.
Date: 5 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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