European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
Yesterday Admiral Montague's flag was hoisted at the foretop, on board his Majesty's ship Romney, he being promoted to a vice admiral of the blue.
Date: 5 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This day arrived here the first acct of the Town of Norfolk in Virginia being burnt the fore part of January & that most of the Kings Loyal Subjects were oblidged to fly & reinain on board several Shipps riding off there.
Date: 6 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday the Lords Sandwich, Germaine, Howe, and Admiral [John] Montagu, had a very long conference with his Majesty, and finally settled the plan of operations.in America. Admiral Montagu set out immediately for Portsmouth, and is,to sail with his fleet the first fair wind. Lord Howe will follow him as soon as the Eagle is ready to receive him. There is reason to hope that the appeararice of... Continue Reading
Date: 6 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
A Letter from Flushing says, "Two Transports are loading here with naval Stores, said to be intended as a Present to the Dey of Algiers; but there is the greatest Reason to expect the real Place of their Destination is a more western Qua'rter, as they are shipped with great Secrecy.["]
Date: 6 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy having in their letter of Yesterday, acquainted Us that the Stores for the Sloops intended to be built in America, will be ready to be shipped in ten days, but none of the Frames of the 14 Boats intended to carry one Gun, which are as many of the 20 they were ordered to contract for as they could engage the Boat builders to undertake, will be ready to be... Continue Reading
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whereas Captn [Henry] Duncan Commr of His Majts Ship the Eagle fitting for the reception of Vice Adml Lord Howe, hath desired, as the great resort of Officers upon Duty to Flag Ships unavoidably occassions a very considerable expence fo their Officers, that she may be supplied, on her arrival at Portsmouth, With six or seven Hundred Gallons of Port Wine in lieu of a proportionable quantity of Rum... Continue Reading
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Seaford man of war, bound to America, after being out several days, and meeting with a hard gale of wind, put back to Portland Roads, and was safe at anchor the 4th inst.
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This morning sailed from St. Helen's. . .the Isis man of war, Capt. [Charles] Douglas, for Quebec; and Greyhound frigate, Capt. [Archibald] Dickson, for Boston; the Judith and Hillaria, Brett, for Jamaica; and the Tagus, Davis, for Lisbon.
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sept. 15. Two Sisters,with an assorted cargo of provisions, Hquors, &c. taken by the Provincials. 2
Sept. 25. Queen of England ー 1700 barrels of pork, 500 firkins of butter, 100 casks of meal, potatoes, bacon, candles, &c. put into Lisbon damaged, afterwards taken and carried into Marblehead by the Provincials. 3
Oct. 7. Fanny ー 1050 barrels of pork, 400 firkins of butter, potatoes,... Continue Reading
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sir I take this opportunity by the Cleveland Brig to inform their Lordships, that I sailed from Cork the 12th past, with His Majesty's Ships Bristol, Active, Actaeon, Solebay & Carcass Bomb, her Tender, Sibella Storeship, seven Army Victuallers, Three Ordnance Vessels & Twenty seven Transports ー The Sphynx join'd us that Morning off the Harbour, and I sent her in to wait for the Thunder... Continue Reading
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
I take the opportunity of informing Your Lordship by a homeward bound ship, that we have stopt for a few minutes, that our Voyage hitherto has been very unsuccessfull, the wind has been almost always contrary & 'till the first of this month constant & most violent gales of Wind, we have now but fourteen sail in Company with us, notwithstanding the utmost care & attention of Sr Peter... Continue Reading
Date: 7 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whereas the Armament intended for an Expedition to the Southern Colonies was, in the preparation of it & before it could be collected at Cork, met with so much delay from contrary winds, bad weather, & other accidents and, since it's leaving that place in order to proceed to it's destination, been dispersed by most violent Gales of wind, by which the two Bomb Vessels & Tender, with... Continue Reading
Date: 8 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
No. 4.
The Act lately passed for prohibiting aU trade ~nd intercourse with any of our rebellious Colonies, will enable His Majesty's ships to take their vessels, and by that means put a stop to the illegal trade carrying on to the different ports of the kingdom where you reside; therefore it becomes less necessary to solicit the Court of Spain' to seize or detain those vessels in their ports.
Date: 8 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
P:S: March 9t 1776-Regardi~g News, the papers, will Governor, inform You; but shall just observe, a greater Majority in favour, of measures of Government, was never known, in both houses, & the most active measures, are to be pursued; ー Lord Temple, in an Eloquent, nervous, Speech, on the Subsidiary treaties, most heartily, joined, Administration ー And the Opposition, in the house of Commons... Continue Reading
Date: 8 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Whatever the case, the right which His British Majesty reserved to employ in Europe, and consequently in England even, the [foreign] troops which he has in his pay has not been opposed with as much violence as could have been expected. This observation, however, seemed to be related to the condition of weakness in which Great Britain and Ireland will be with respect to the national troops... Continue Reading
Date: 8 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
It is not impossible, although it may be against all likelihood, that the storm which presently rumbles over Northern America may pounce elsewhere and strike areas which seem to be the least exposed. It is therefore very important, Sir, to keep a close watch so as not to be surprised by events which might have irreparable c<;1nsequences. I know your caution, your zeal and your active... Continue Reading
Date: 8 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You will find enclosed herewith, Sir, the extract of a lett~r which was sent to M. de Sartine by Captain de Bausset 2 you will see that the English ships in that area do not merely cruise on the high seas against the New England vessels, but that they even establish their cruises at the entrance of our roads; that they come daily on our forts without hoisting their ensigns in order to be... Continue Reading
Date: 8 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You are hereby required & directed to make enquiry for the Ships & Vessels named in the inclosed List which have separated from Commodore Sr Peter Parkers Squadron, the three first being at Plymouth, and the others ordered to that place from Falmouth; And, as soon as they shall be all got together you are to take them under your Convoy, and putting to Sea with the first opportunity of... Continue Reading
Date: 9 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Mercury, ー , with 2600 Barrels of Flour, 280 Tierces of Bread, 100 Chests of Spermaceti Candles, &c. is taken by the Experiment Man of War; the Fortune Schooner, with Oil, Brandy, Wine and Slaves, and the Mary Sloop, with Raisins, Candles, Liquors; dry Goods and Slaves, are taken by the Argo Man of War, and all carried into Antigua.
Date: 9 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
It is reported that his Majesty will go to Portsmouth to take a survey of the fleet before they sail to America.
Before the end of next May there will be fifty frigates in America, which are to form a chain along that continent, to prevent all intercourse with the Provincials.
The ships of war fitting out for America are ordered to have their war complement and victualled for six months.
Date: 9 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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