On the 19th instant arrived at Plymouth, his Majesty's ship Milford, bound to Ireland, and from thence to America.
The Concord, Laurie [James Lowrie], which sailed from Clyde, in September, for Boston, and is taken by the Americans, was richly laden with stores for the King's troops. She is valued at upwards of 5000 l. sterling.
Orders are sent to Sheerness for his Majesty's ship Rainbow to be... Continue Reading
In my last Letters of the 21st & 22d instt, I mention'd the arrivals of the Solebay, Friendship Arm'd Ship, and the Actaeon ー and yesterday I received a Letter from Captain [James] Reid, that he put into Crook: Haven the 12th instt, and that the Pigot Hospital Ship was forced in by bad weather the day before ー Captain Reid complains that the Thunder Bomb is weakly Handed, and Fourteen short... Continue Reading
I make no doubt Your Lordship will have had particular information of the vessel that was lately stopped by order of this government at San Antonio, near Bilboa, to prove the property of two thousand barrels of gunpowder which she had brought from Holland with intention to put it on board a vessel, supposed to be the Lyon, Capt John Wilson, belonging to Messrs Willing & Morris, merchants in... Continue Reading
Having received a Petition from the Merchants and others of the Town of Pool trading to Newfoundland, setting forth, that they are alarmed at hearing several armed Vessels are fitted out, by the American Colonies, and that they apprehend the same may interrupt their Trade; therefore praying Directions may be given to defend and protect their Property in that Country; and that Convoy may be... Continue Reading
The Secret Committee of the East India Company having transmitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a Pacquet addressed to you containing some Cautions & Signals for you to observe when you make the Island of St Helena; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you to pay attention thereto.
I am further directed by their Lordships at the desire of the said... Continue Reading
[London] Janr 25th attended Ld G[eorge] G[ermain]s Levee was first calld out, well receivd and desird to call on The 28th at His House.
Besides the men of war now fitting out at Chatham for the North American station, the Repulse, Capt. Davies [Henry Davis], the Carrysford, [Robert] Fanshaw, and the Flora [John] Brisbane, all frigates of 32 guns, are getting ready with the greatest dispatch.
Advice is received by the Irish mails, that his Majesty's ship Bristol, under the command of Commodore Sir Peter Parker, is safe arrived at... Continue Reading
Yesterday his Majesty's ship Cygnet was launched from Portsmouth dockyard. She is ordered to be commissioned for foreign service.
This morning sailed out of harbour to Spithead, his Majesty's ships Fox and Seaford, and saluted the Admiral, which was returned.
The Tartar frigate is ordered to sea again; there 26 of the provincials in our hospital, 20 of which have got the small pox, and one has... Continue Reading
Lord George Germain pushes actively all the preparations for the next campaign. I was assured that he was gaining more and more the King's confidence and that Lord North's credit was decreasing. Indeed, I received him and his family at my home on the same day I received Lord North and his family and they both avoided each other in marked manner. The re-assembly of Parliament will tell us more... Continue Reading
The Orders you will receive herewith from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty being of a private nature; I have it in command from them signify their direction to you not to reveal the contents thereof to any one but the Captain of the Thetis, whom you are to enjoin to observe a like Secrecy. I am &ca
(Copy) Instructions for Mr Jno Toone Master of the Elizabeth Brigantine Loaded with Ordnance Stores, for the Service of the Expedition under the Command of the Right Honble [Charles] Earl Cornwallis. You are immediately to proceed to Cork and on your arrival there you are to acquaint the Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery on the Expedition therewith: and follow such Orders as you may receive... Continue Reading
I hope your Lordship will excuse my not waiting upon you this Morning as I am indisposed by a violent Cold I brought with me from Ireland, the Master of the Brig instead of bringing [us] to Liverpool carried us thro' a narrow Channel between Rocks and Shoals into four mile Water near Bantrey Bay, where we had a very providential escape from being entirely Lost. That we have made the best of our... Continue Reading
Lord North has the honour of troubling his Majesty with this note to inform him that Lord Sandwich has consented with great good humour, & readiness to appoint Lord Howe Commander of the Fleet, giving a separate command to Adl Shuldham of the Fleet in the River & Gulph of St Lawrence. Lord Sandwich having just left Ld North, & being upon the point of attending his Majesty at St James'... Continue Reading
[London] Janr 28th had conference with Him 2 and directed to come again Fehr 2d Then referrd by a message to Sr Grey Cooper.
January 1776
In Frenchman's Bay Sierraleona River
Monday 22d
A M punished John Cormick (Seaman) for Swearing, Sailmaker converting Foretopsail into a Mainsail for the St John.
Moderate and Cloudy,
Employed wooding and watering, fired a Shot to bring to a Sloop coming in, sent 13 Butts of Bread, 4 Butts and a hogshead of Wine, 4 Casks of Beef, 2 of Pork, 1 of Flow'r, 2 of Pease, 1 of... Continue Reading
Whereas we think fit that the Complements of His Majestys Ships under your command of the following Classes shall be increased to the Number of Men set out against each; You are hereby required & directed to cause their Complements to be increased to those Numbers accordingly, directing their Captains to bear them until further Orders.
Guns
Men
44
280
32
220
28
200
24 & 20
160... Continue Reading
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty intending that His Majesty's Ship the Greyhound, which is proposed to join the Squadron under the Command of Rear Admiral Shuldham, shall Sail without loss of time to Cork, and take such Ships as shall desire to proceed under her Convoy from thence to Boston; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith for Lord George Germain's Information,... Continue Reading
The river Medway is so frozen up, that the Isis Man of War, which was to have sailed on Monday last, has not yet been able; the Sheerness boats with all their passengers are frozen up, and cannot proceed.
Having appointed you Captain of His Majts Ship Ambuscade at Chatham which we have ordered to be fitted & Stored at that place for a Voyage to North America, Mann'd with Two Hundred & Twenty Men & Victualled for Six Months with all Species of Provisions except Beer of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow & to be supplied with a proportion of Wine or Spirits for... Continue Reading
Vice Admiral Sir James Douglas Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships at Portsmouth, having in his Letter of the 26th Inst transmitted to Us, a List of the Names & Rank of the Officers belonging to the Armed Brig taken in North America & brought to England Prisoners in the the Tartar; We send your Lordship a Copy of the said List for the King's Information, and are to desire you will... Continue Reading