Yesterday I returnd from the Contenental Congress We presented a Memorial requesting they'd Either give posative Orders to the Committee of Norwich to let the Ship proceed on her Intended Voyage or give us leave [to ship] the Arnot of the Wheat in produce from here or Philadelphia to Ireland or the English Islands in the West Indies and give thy Ship Imployment If agreable to thee raither then... Continue Reading
Application being made by some of the master carpenters employed in building the continental frigates, to some members of this house, informing, that about fifty of their journeymen and apprentices had engaged as volunteers to march with the batallion of associators for New York, and that their zeal for the public service is such, that they cannot be persuaded to desist by any arguments or... Continue Reading
[Philadelphia] Wednesday 14 Feb. Application was made from the Ship wrights at this Place in the Continental service praying Interposition of Congress to stop their Servants and Apprentices whom they cannot hinder from going on the Expedition tomorrow to N York accordingly a Recommendation took place to that Purpose... most of the Day passed in Grand Comee on Trade
I Shall inclose to a Lady of my Acquaintance all the News Papers which have been printed in this City, since my arrival, by which you will See, to what Point the Tide of Political Sentiment, Setts. ー Scarcely a Paper comes out, without a Speculation or two in open Vindication of opinions, which Five Months ago were said to be unpopular. ー A vast Majority of the People, indeed, I very well knew... Continue Reading
This Charter party made the 14th day of Feby in the year 1776 ー Between Joseph Hewes Esqr of North Carolina Mercht one of the Owners of the Brigantine Fanny Captain [blank] of the Burthen of 150 Tons or thereabouts now lying in York River Virginia, the said Jos Hewes being now present in the City of Philada of the One part And Saml Ward, B. Franklyn, Thos McKean, Josiah Batlet [Bartlett], Jno... Continue Reading
Upon application of Francis Wade for a Sum of Money, an order was drawn in his favour on John Nixon & others, the Committee of Accounts, for £ 300, being towards the payment of Provisions Supplyed the Boats & Artillery Comp'y.
Signals for the American Fleet by Day ー
For Sailing ー loose the Fore topSail and Sheet it home
For Weighing and coming to Sail ー loose all the TopSails and sheet them home
For the Fleet to Anchor ー Clew up the Main topSail & hoist a weft in the Ensign —
For Seeing a strange Vessel ー hoist the Ensign and lower & hoist it as many times as you see Vessels allowing two Minutes between each... Continue Reading
Sir You are hereby Ordered to keep Company with me if possible and truly Observe the Signals given by the Ship I am in ー But in Case you should be Separated in a Gale of Wind or otherwise ー You then are to use all possible Means to join the Fleet as soon as possible ー But if you cannot in four days after you leave the Fleet You are to make the best of your way to the Southern part of Abacco one... Continue Reading
6 January
Thomas Harwood
Run 6th Janry
John Harwood
John Gordon
Run 12th Janry
Arthur Dancey
Samuel Moore
Robert Floreman
Run 15th Janry Heath Returnd 26th Janry
James Heath
John Webb Gunners Mate. Run 15th Janry
William Green Carprs Mate ー Run 10th Febry 2
Benjamin Simpson Yoeman Run 28th Janry
Edward Barrett Discharged 6th Janry not... Continue Reading
Recd Feby 14. 1776 of Capt James Nicholson on Accot of Ship Defence one Months pay being Three pound Seven Shillings & Six pence Benjamin Simpson becomes Security for the same Witness my Hand
£3.7.6
James Heastie
Recd Feby 14. 1776 of Capt James Nicholson of the Ship Defence One Months pay being Three pound Twelve Shillings & Six pence Witness my Hand ー... Continue Reading
Ordered That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to Mr Robert Craig five hundred Pounds common money to be lodged in the Hands of Col. John Veazey, to be by him laid out in the Purchase of a Ton of Gunpowder.
Copy of Letter No 18 sent to Col. John Veazey.
Mr Robert Craig agreed with the Council to load the Brig Blanche with Country Produce for the Importation of Salt agreeable to a Resolution... Continue Reading
Sir In return to your letter of this days date enclosing Several demands for Provisions and Stores; I send you a list of the only Articles and quantities which are in my power to spare you from the Ship under my command : vizt
To be had of the Purser ー
Bread
1500
pounds
Pease
8
busls
Shoes
50
pair
Gunner ー
Powder
5
Barls
Papr Cartdges 6 Prs
100
No
Match
28
lbs
Carpentr ー
A... Continue Reading
By Andrew Snape Hamond Esqr
commander of his Ms Ship the Roebuck
You are hereby required and directed to use all possible dispatch in completing his Majesty's Ship under your command for Sea, and having so done to proceed without loss of time down to Hampton Road, and waite there for further Orders.
Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Ship the Roebuck at Norfolk in Virginia the 14th... Continue Reading
Febry 1776
Tuesday 13
Off Norfolk in Virginia.
AM sent the Marines under Arms and 30 seamen with part of the 14 Regiment and a Larg Body of Volunteers to throw up an Intrenchment to Secure the Watering Place from the Depredations of the Rebels ー
modr and fair at 6 AM returned the people with 4 Prisoners
Wednesdy 14
at 6 AM fird a Gun and made the signal for the Volunteers to repair on... Continue Reading
February 1776
Tuesday 13
Cape Fear West 5 or 6 Leagues
AM at 5 Exercised small Arms & fired at a Mark ー
Light Breezes ー P M at 1 saw a Sail to the Et gave Chace, ½ past 2 fired a Shot & bro't to a Schooner from Nantasket bound to Charles Town, Sent a Petty Officer & 3 Men on board to carry her to Cape Fear, at 4 saw a Sail to to So ward: bore away for her, a 6 (having but 7 Fath's... Continue Reading
Read a letter from the Committee at Beaufort, dated Feb. 11, 1776, relative to the shippers of the cargo on board the brigantine William, Capt. Mercier, detained there.
Ordered, That the said letter, with the papers that were inclosed, be referred to the Council of Safety; and that they do report thereon.
On motion, The following resolution was unanimously agreed to:
Whereas the Continental... Continue Reading
Mr. [Alexander] Elsinore, and Mr. [Benjamin] Stone, two of the pilots for this part and harbour, attended, and reported their proceedings, in consequence of the orders of the board of the 6th inst.
His Excellency the Governor, with his family, left this place last Sunday night [February 11], and went on board his Majesty's ship Scarborough, lying at Tybee.
Last Thursday [February 8] Capt. Wright arrived at Tybee, in a schooner from Grenada. And the next day a large transport ship arrived with soldiers, from Boston. Lord William Campbell is on board his Majesty's ship Syren.
By Clark Gayton Esqr Rear Admiral of the Red; & Commander in Chief; of His Majestys Ships & Vessels Employed, & to be Employed, at & about Jamaica, & in the Gulph of Mexico, from the River Mississippi, to Cape Florida ー
Whereas I have received Intelligence, from Cape Francois, in the Island of Hispaniola, which I think of such Importance, to this Island; that the earliest... Continue Reading
Feby 1776
Wednesday 14
Moor'd in St John's Roads Antigua
P M Sent a Sloop in Chace of a Ship that was working in, but on Seeing us, bore away at 6 brought in the ship Chester belonging to Philadelphia detained the said Ship.