European Theatre from February 1, 1776, to May 25, 1776
This morning orders came down here for the Canceaux man of war, Capt. Mouat [Henry Mowat], to be got ready with all expedition, and we got her into dock this tide; the men are ordered to work night and day.
Date: 10 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having ordered Capt [Thomas] Wilkinson, Commander of His Majts Ship the Pearl to proceed, without loss of time, to Cork & to follow your Orders for his further proceedings; You are hereby required & directed to make the best of your way in the Ship you Command to that Place & to take him under your command accordingly.
You are then to make enquiry for the Transport Vessels named in... Continue Reading
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
No. 4
My Lord, If I am well informed, the mission of the five frigates which left Philadelphia on the 5th of January 2 is to destroy all the drying platforms and fishing establishments which belong to the English in the Island of Newfoundland. On board this small squadron are troops in a number deemed sufficient by Congress to capture St. John, at least temporarily! and remove from there... Continue Reading
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
No. 5
My Lord, The Government has finally published officially the news, which it had received two weeks ago, concerning the defeat and the death of Genaeral Montgomery, Commander of the American troops in front of Quebec. It is the report issued by Congress itself, and the Government certainly does not have any other since it has decided to publish a copy of it without adding any comments ....... Continue Reading
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
On Saturday his Majesty's frigate the Perseus was commissioned, and the command given to the Hon. Keith Elphinston; she is ordered to be got ready immediately for America.
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Lord Sandwich ascribed the burning of the town of Norfolk ''.to the rebels, who fired at a flag of truce, an action ~nprecedented in war." General Montgomery, in a letter to Carleton, makes use of this expression, "Firing on a flag of truce, hitherto unprecedented, even among savages, prevents my following the ordinary mode of conveying my sentiments." From this passage it appears, that Carleton'... Continue Reading
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Yesterday sailed from this port for America the Flora frigate of 32 guns, commanded by John Brisbane, Esq.
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This morning sailed from hence the Greyhound frigate, Capt. Dickson, for Boston.
2
Date: 11 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Sukey, ー , from Liverpool to Boston, is taken by the Provincials. The Blue Mountain Valley, Dempster, from London to Boston, is taken by a Provincial privateer, and carried into Elizabeth-town. The loss of a ship taken by the Provincials is like to make work for the lawyers; the Underwriters declaring they are not Pirates, and the policy not providing against Rebels.
Date: 12 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Capt. Roger Wills is appointed to the command of the Ranger sloop of war at this port, who is ordered to convoy the transports belonging to Sir Peter Parker's squadron at this port to America.
We have upwards of twenty sail of transports fitting out here for America; besides six sail of Sir Peter Parker's squadron.
Date: 12 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
M. Le Cte. de Maurepas The Controller General I have the honour to send you, Sir, a memoir M. de Sartine . of Considerations relative to the interest France M. Le Cte. de St. Germain and Spain may have in the circumstances which are agitating the English Colonies in
North America, and in the consequences which these circumstances may have. 2 The King, who has ordered me to communicate this paper... Continue Reading
Date: 12 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The position of England with regard to her colonies in North America, and the possible and probable consequences of the result, whatever it may be, of that quarrel, deserves, without doubt, in every respect, the most serious attention on the part of France and Spain. The political calculations which can be formed regarding this great crisis are indeed such, that it is problematic whether they [... Continue Reading
Date: 12 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
My Lord, We were much honored by your letter of the 25th of February last. Allow us, My Lord, to inform Your Highness of the intelligence which aDansiger Captain coming from Neui-y in Ireland gave us. He told us that the English were arming 18 large ships and a number of transports in Portsmouth and that the transports were to take on 6 to 8 thousand troops in order to make a raid on New England... Continue Reading
Date: 12 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The 8th instant come into Milford, his Majesty's sloop Wolfe, which in a gale of wind, for the preservation of their lives, was obliged to throw over board all her guns and boats.
Date: 13 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Sir Stanier Porten, Secretary to Lord Weymouth, having transmitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a Letter giving Intelligence of two Vessels being lately sailed from Bourdeaux to America, laden with Powder, and Ammunition, and that another is at the same place taking in the like Lading, and will soon sail for America, I am commanded by their Lordships to send you the inclosed Copy of... Continue Reading
Date: 14 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
This day sailed with a find wind at east, several transports with troops, &c. bound for North America, which have been detained by contrary winds for several days past.
Date: 14 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Having received a letter from Comm[issione]r [Marriot] Arbuthnot,
George III.
Earl of Sandwich.
Lord George Germain.
dated at Halifax the 3d of last Month, wherein he represents that the fortifying of the Yard go~s on slowly,"and that it is much to be wished more force was sent to defend it" We signify the same to Your Lordship for His Majesty's Information; and are &c
Sandwich. Lisburne. H... Continue Reading
Date: 15 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
You are hereby required & directed to receive on board the Ship you command the Shipwrights and other Artificers named on the other side hereof,2 and give them a Passage to No America when you proceed thither; Victualling them during their continuance on board as the Ships Company. Given &c 15th March 1776
J Buller Palmerston C. Spencer
By &c. G J DS.
Date: 15 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
The Duke of Grafton and Lord Cambden asserted both that they had reliable iilform~tion concerning the two Frenchmen 2 who, after being introduced to and received by General Washington, went afterwards to the Assembly of the Congress with recommendations from this same General; they said that it was easier to guess than ascertain the motive which brought them ~o America and if the Ministry... Continue Reading
Date: 15 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
Si vis pacem, para bellum. This ancient axiom will no doubt appear trivial, but none the less will it be eternally true. France, for the sake of equity in the first place, but likewise on account of her temporary powerlessness, should avoid war with the greatest care: but these two reasons should not plunge her into a fatal torpor, which would draw upon her the contempt of all Europe, and would... Continue Reading
Date: 15 March 1776
Volume: Volume 4
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