European Theatre from June 1, 1777, to September 30, 1777
My Lords Commissrs of the Admiralty having receiv'd Intelligence that two French Ships were fitting out on the 21st of last Month either at Marseilles or Toulon, (believed to be at the former) that they were to be purchas'd or at least freighted by Mr Deane, to be laden with different sorts of Goods for the use of the Rebels; were to mount Vizt one 18 Guns, the other only 12 or 14 though she will... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I hope you'l Excuse my Presumtion In thus Addresing you as, It is not only In Order to Acquaint you of my Misfortune by being taken on the 1 Inst of May by the Foydrant [Foudroyant] Capt [John] Jervis, within a few Leagues of Nants River to which Place I was Bound In a Bermuda Built Sloop Cald the Alice Belonging to Messrs Thoms Savage, Blake, Russell, Grenwood & Compy Merchants In [illegible... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The Brooks, Noble, from Africa, is arrived at St. Vincent's, after an Engagement with a Privateer of ten Guns to the windward of that Place, in which the Privateer lost her Mainmast, and was so much damaged that the People quitted her, and got on board a Schooner that was in Company, which blew up soon after they were on board, and fifty—five People perished: Ten were saved (among whom was the... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
[1777. June] 4. As we were discharged yesterday, and the boat did not come for us, we were again put upon cazzelteers and draw only a quart of milk, and a half pound of bread. Today is the King's birth-day, and there is great firing of cannon, and chiming of bells, in Dock and Plymouth. This morning about three o'clock, another prisoner died of small-pox — the same person who jumped from the... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I think it incumbent on me to acquaint their Lordships that Andrew Nastel Mate and Six Men, lately belonging to the Brig Good Intent of Guernsey, Paul Bieuvenn Master, are just arrived from Cherbourg and report that they were boarded by an American Privatier the 5th Instant about 4 oClock in the Afternoon, in Sight, and not two Leagues off this Island, and the next morning carried in the Harbour... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I have received, Sir, the dispatch No 43 which you did me the honor to write to me on the 30th of last month.
The language used by Lord weymouth to you, Sir, on the subject of the vessel L'aimable Dorothee, did not astonish us in the least; we Know from constant experience that the English Ministry admits no other principles than those which the interest of the moment prescribes to it, and that... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I take the freedom to Petition your Excellency, in behalf of Myself and the General Cause of ameriqua.
I am my Lord a subject of Great Britain, born in Aberdeen, I have Long served on board of different Ships of his Majesty's, which has Ever marked my Conduct.
At this juncture I have under my Command an active saitie [settee]2, Genoa Built, well fitted for the purpose of a Privateer,... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
My Lords Commissrs of the Admty having received a Petition from Benjn Evans, a Prisoner on board the Ocean, representing that He was master of the Brigantine Constant Friend taken by His Majs Ship Albion, arid praying as the said Vessel was a Merchant Ship not armed, or intended to be armed, that himself and Wm Conyers, a Boy who belonged to her, and is his near Relation, may be released; I am... Continue Reading
Date: 9 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
By &c,
Whereas Intelligence hath been received that several large Cutters & Lugsail Vessels are fitting out, as armed Vessels in the Neighbouring Ports of France which there is reason to believe are to be furnished with Com missions from the Rebel Congress in No America; And that they are intended to Cruize, and take the Ships & Vessels of His Majestys Subjects; You are hereby... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
You are hereby required & directed to put to Sea in the Sloop you command with the very first opportunity of Wind & Weather & proceed & Cruize between Portland & the Ram-head for the protection of the Trade of His Majs Subjects and diligently to look out for, & upon falling in with to endeavour to take or destroy any Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels belonging to the... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Whereas we have received information that a small American Schooner Privatier of 2 Guns & 6 Swivels Mannd with 23 Men (4 of whom are Frenchmen) was lately Cruizing off of Rock Dovie about 7 Leagues to the Southward of Guernsey;2 You are hereby required & directed to put to Sea in the Cutter you command with the very first opportunity of Wind & Weather & proceed &... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The two Ships which Mess Horneca, Fiseaux & Co, are building for Congress Account, but ostensibly for Messrs Le ray de Chaumont, Grand & Co at Paris — are of a peculiar construction, under the direction of a Chevr de St Louis, M. Bouck [Jacques Boux], formerly in the French Navy. They are to carry 30 Guns each; of 24 & 18 pounds Calibre on one Deck, & yet to be able to Load 1000... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Please to acquaint their Lordships, that I this day arrived here with His Majesty's Ship under my Command, from a Cruize; but have not met with any American Vessel. The Account inclosed I had from a Captain Gill (a Passenger on board a Ship I met with at Sea) whose Vessel was lately taken by the Americans, on a passage from Quebec to Antigua I am Sir [&c.]
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
M. Chaumont advises to equip Capt. Wickes at St. Malo, where he can be furnish'd with Cannon, Cordage, Sailcloth, Salt, Anchors, and other things proper to carry to America; and may go directly from thence without the double Risque of a Coasting Voyage to take in such things at another Port. He has obtain'd a Letter of Recommendation to M. Beaugeard, a Merchant of Importance there, who can supply... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Captain John Porter Commander of the Sloop Ellis [Alice] from Charles town with rice and Indigo bound for Nantes or Bordeaux saild from said Charles town 1 March 1777 on the 1 of may off Bell isle in Soundings of 50 fathom about 8 Leagues of[f] the mouth of the Loire was taken by the Fourdroyant Capt Jno Jervis of 80 Guns on the ninth of the same month Remaining Prisoner on board with Liberty of... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
H
K
Courses
winds
Remks on Tuesday 10th of June 1777
5
ENE
at 5 AM. weighed Ancar and came to sail at 6
the pilote left us at 9 the land one the Eastern
10
6
west
side of the river bore East 5 Leagues Distance saw
11
5
WSW
3 sail in the west gave chaise spake them all french
12
5
men Pleasant weather
Latt By Obs 46D 55m — Longd in 2... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I lost no Time in executing the important Orders transmitted to me in Your Lordship's Letter No 38, which I received yesterday Morning. I executed them in the following Manner. By way of Introduction, I mentioned to M. de Vergennes, the Information Mr [Andrew] Frazer had at my Desire given the Commander at Dunkirk with regard to the Cutter arming there, and added, that I knew the Commandant by... Continue Reading
Date: 11 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Having laid before My Lords Commissrs of the Admty your Letter of the 9th Instant, desiring to know, as the Betsey Sloop, laden with Provisions, for the supply of His Majesty's Stores at Plymouth, was taken on the 2d Inst off the Boult, by an American Privateer, whether you should permit any Vessels lading with Provisions or Victualling Stores to proceed from London to Portsmo or Plymo or from... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
This morning an American privateer of 18 guns anchored off this place, and soon after sent a boat on shore with eight men and an officer, which alarmed our country people; but our fears were soon dispelled on their landing, when they assured us they came in a peaceable manner, with money to get some fresh provisions, for they did not want to distress the poor; accordingly we got them such as the... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I receiv'd your Favour of the 6th Inst. P. Capt. Burnell, and am much oblig'd by the Civilities you have shown him. The Prize cannot, as you observe, be sold & delivered in your Port, it being contrary to Treaties, & to Ordinances made in Conformity to those Treaties; But I suppose it may be done in the Road without the Port, or in some convenient Place on the Coast, where the Business... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1777
Volume: Volume 9
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