I have received their Lordships Order of the 27th instt by a Messenger, directing the method I am to pursue relative to the Thirty four Persons taken in Arms against the King, the 25th of Septembr last, near Montreal, and now Prisoners in Pendennis Castle with a List of the said Prisoners; and also a Letter from Lord George Germain, to Major General Howe, which is to be sent with them. ー I am Sir... Continue Reading
The following men of war are now fitting out with all expedition at Chatham, Sheerness, and Portsmouth, for the American station, viz. the Carysfort, [Robert] Fanshaw; the Fox [Patrick] Fotheringham; the Active, [William] Williams; and the Seaford, [John] Culpoys; which ships will be all ready for service in the course of two months.
The English Ambassador told me yesterday, Sir, that he had intelligence that three ships from Northern America had arrived in Marseille with cargoes of cereals and that it was their intention to exchange them for war ammunition. I believe, Sir, that I should acquaint you with this fact in order that you may take the steps which you will deem appropriate following the orders requested by the Court... Continue Reading
It is His Majesty's Pleasure that the Elizabeth Storeship mentioned in your Lordships Letter to me of the 26th Instant, should be ordered, as soon as she is properly refitted for Sea, to proceed to Boston, and to delivery her Cargo to such Person as Major General Howe shall appoint to receive the same, the Officer having the care of the Vessel taking with him and deliverying to Major Genl Howe... Continue Reading
I have received Their Lordships Order of the 25th instant, to take His Majestys Bomb Vessel the Carcass under my command; and also your Letter of the 27th instant, with a Copy of a Letter from Vice Admiral Graves to Captain Bellew dated the 30th November 1775, wherein is shewn the Force, He had stationed to the Southward of Philadelphia.
The Wind is Northwest, I have made the Signal to unmoor,... Continue Reading
That Necessity Obliged me to Charter a Dutch vessel for Amsterdam 2 I proceeded in Company with her the 27th of December 1775 and Dropt Anchor the same Day Between Bell Island & the Isle of Gray [Groix] w[h]ere I Received her Cargo on Board the Brigg Chance which I principally Loaded on acct of Congress ー the 29th in the morning we made saile Which is the Reason why my Receeit from... Continue Reading
Having appointed you Captain of His Majts Ship Brune at Chatham which we have order'd to be fitted & stored at that place for foreign Service mann'd with Two hundred Men and victualled for six Months with all species of Provisions except Beer, of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow, and to be supplied with a proportion of Wine or Spirits for two Months in lieu of the... Continue Reading
Advices having been received, that several Vessels have been surprised and taken upon the Coast of America, by armed Ships fitted out from the Rebellious Colonies; it is His Majesty's Pleasure, that the Elizabeth Storeship do not proceed upon her Voyage without Convoy, or without being properly armed for Defence in case of Attack.
... Our disgraces have been great & repeated in America, but I am clear in the opinion I allways had, that they are entirely owing to our having begun too late, and having suffered ourselves to be amused by what were called conciliatory measures; fleets and armies, admirals & generals, can do very little without ships, troops, and orders; & the consequence of their having gotten them... Continue Reading
In the Liberty, Thompson, arrived here last Sunday [December 24] from Quebec, was brought over one of the American Rifle-men, who was taken prisoner: he is committed to our Bridewell till further orders.
I have just received, Sir, the letter with which you honored me on the 28th of this month in order to forward me the information which the English Ambassador gave you with regard to the arrival in Marseille of three vessels from Northern America, whose cargoes of wheat their Captains intended to exchange for war ammumtion. I hasten to inform you that I have just renewed in Marseille the most... Continue Reading
On the 6th of December Lord Geo: Germain wrote to Genl [Henry] Clinton, acquainting him with the state of the Armament, prepared for that Expedition, & signified to him His Majesty's Command, that upon the arrival of the Troops at Cape Fear he should take them under his command, & concert with Govr Martin the best means of employing them for effecting the restoration of legal Government... Continue Reading
On Friday last [December 29] the following Men of War sailed from Spithead for Virginia; but as the Wind is come round to the South West, we expect they will return, viz. the Bristol, Commodore Sir Peter Parker; the Acteon, Capt. [Christopher] Atkins; the Deal Castle, and the Thunder Bomb,...
We understand, Sir, that as mightily armed as the English will be in Northern America by next spring, the destination that they might assign to their forces would be most important to us. Allow me to observe, however, that unless the reconciliation with their Colonies came first and was soundly assured, these forces could not be as easily moved as you seem to presume. Thus, it is not so much this... Continue Reading
An Act of Parliament passed at the Close of the year 1775 prohibiting all Trade & Commerce with the twelve United Colonies till they submitt properly to Government Also to tolerate the Shipping belonging to Great Brittain to take & make Legal prizes of all Shipps & Vessels belonging to the above said refractory Colonies &c &c ー
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having taken into consideration the case of Captain [John] Macartney who is under orders of suspension and has been brought to England in the Boyne, in consequence of the order (Copy of which came in your Letter of the 26th of last Month) from Vice Admiral Graves, to the Captain of the said Ship, by which Order he is forbid to go out of the Ship without... Continue Reading
On Friday [December 29] arrived a transport from Boston at Dover, after a very short passage; she brings a confirmation of the taking of the Nancy, Hunter; the particulars are as follows: She stood in for a pilot, when a boat with 8 men put off, and told them that they would pilot them in; but no sooner had they got on board, than they drew their hangers and pistols, and insisted on carrying her... Continue Reading
The following ships are put into commission here, bound to America, viz. The Jersey, of 60 guns, William Halsted, Esq; the Isis, of 50 guns, Charles Douglas, Esq. the Emerald, of 32 guns, Benjamin Caldwell, Esq; the Blonde, of 32 guns, Philemon Pownall, Esq; the Flora, of 32 guns, John Brisbane, Esq; the Repulse, of 52 guns, Captain's name not known, commanded at present by Lieut. Tollemache; the... Continue Reading
Many thanks to you for your letter, bad as the News was it conveyed; The taking of the Ordnance Brig is a most unfortunate & mortifying accident My accounts say she was seen by the Cerberus Man of War about the 16th of November, & that the Man of war, After having put some men onboard her parted with her in a hard Gale; 2 If the Town of Boston & the Cantonments of the army... Continue Reading
Certain Accounts are received of seven of the Vessels, which sailed from Europe for Boston, having fallen into the Hands of the Provincials; and it is not unlikely but the next Advices will bring Accounts of others having shared the same Fate.