European Theatre from June 1, 1777, to September 30, 1777
. . . He [de Maurepas] repeatedly said that we should have no farther reason to complain of the American Privateers — that Monsr de Chaffault had orders to keep them off the Coast and not let any of them into the Ports of France except in cases of real Distress — That henceforward neither they, nor their Prizes should be admitted into any of the French Ports, that they did Harm to both Nations,... Continue Reading
Date: 4 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Being under Convoy of his Majesty's Ships Camel, of 20 Guns, Commodore, the Weazle of 16 Guns, the Druid of 14 Guns, in Lat. 45, at Half past Four, P. M. a large American Privateer of 32 Guns well manned, and of a formidable warlike Appearance,2 got into the Rear of the Fleet, attacked his Majesty's Ship the Druid; after a warm Engagement of 20 Minutes, or thereabouts, the Commodore... Continue Reading
Date: 5 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The Hawke Letter of Marque, of London, Samuel Gribble, Commander, has taken the following Prizes: ·
The Brig Charles, from South Carolina, laden with Rice, which she fell in with off Bellisle.
The Schooner Elizabeth, laden with Rice, Turpentine, Indigo and Deer Skins, and also in Company with the Union, another... Continue Reading
Date: 5 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Sir Yours of the 15 & 20th ulto should have been answered sooner but I recd them only three days ago & Mr Montieu being determined to go himself for Marsailles I determined to send to you by him as the matter will now be finished and I trust you will sail in a few days after his arrival. my advice is that you Clear out in form for Saint Domingo & be careful that you have no Papers on... Continue Reading
Date: 5 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I received yours of the 1st Instant and am very glad to hear you have liberty to depart as I have the Same — am in hopes of going home together — I Received a letter from the Honble Commissioners at Paris, informing of the Terms of our being Admited to depart, as they wrote you, think it Needless to give you the Particulars, We are to go directly to America & Not to Return into any French... Continue Reading
Date: 5 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
. . . The King commands me to order you to see very precisely to the complete execution of the orders relating to Privateers which were contained in His Majesty's Letter dated 28th February. You will request Captains of Ships which you will detach on cruises to watch with the greatest attention so that no Privateer of any Nation whatever will take up Station off the Coasts of France, and to stop... Continue Reading
Date: 6 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
We your humble petioners beg leave to inform you of the distressed Situation of our Brother; Officers now Prisoners in England, particularly John Nicholson Esqr & his Officers who was taken in the Sloop Hornet in the Service of the United States of America & Thomas Norwood and Nine Men that was put on Board of one of our late prizes, who was taken & Carried into Falmouth and Many... Continue Reading
Date: 6 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
In consequence of a letter from you to Mr Williams (who is still absent on a Journey to Paris) I have prevailed on Capt Thompson to go over to St Malo's to take charge of Capt Nicholsons Cutter2 to bring her round to this place. Capt Thompson has kindly undertaken this charge as Capt [Francis] Brown is gone I believe on private business.
I presume you know that the Congress has... Continue Reading
Date: 7 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Several English vessels have been brought in here as prizes to the American privateers within these last six weeks, before which time we had not seen any American vessels for some months; we suppose, the ports of France being shut, they have brought such of their prizes as they do not think worth sending home into our harbours. About ten days ago a vessel belonging to Scotland, and another to... Continue Reading
Date: 7 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
The Margaret and Mary, Izat, from Halifax to London, was taken the 28th ult. off Scilly by the Mars Privateer of Boston, of 22 Guns, the Island bearing East by North, 12 Leagues. The same Privateer had also taken the Ferry-boat [William] Channel, from Waterford to Halifax,1 and the ——, [Peter] Scott, from Cadiz to Glasgow.2 The Margaret and Mary was ordered for Nantz.
The... Continue Reading
Date: 8 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
. . .This Court continues the same Conduct that it has held ever since our arrival. It professes to England a Resolution to observe all Treaties, and proves it by restoring Prizes too openly brought into their Ports, imprisoning such Persons as are found to be concerned in fitting out armed Vessels against England from France, warning frequently those from America to depart, and repeating Orders... Continue Reading
Date: 8 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
You pointed out, Sir, in your Letter of the 3rd of this month, that The Captain of the Privateer The general Wislin [General Mifflin] did not appear disposed to carry out the order which you had given him to set sail, although The wind was favorable. You will notify him that if he does not Sail, he will be treated as insubordinate to the King's orders; and moreover if, after having repeated to... Continue Reading
Date: 8 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
. . . I have received Accounts from some of the Ports, of the Orders which have been issued with regard to American Ships, being received there; and apprehending that the enclosed Copy of them is authentic, I remit it, together with it's Translation to your Lordship. G: Cunningham with his Privateer the Revenge has been at Ferrol, and at the Coruna, and the last prize which he had taken called... Continue Reading
Date: 8 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
This being the day published for Sale of the Rising States Rebel Privateer; She was sold accordingly to Mr Peter Packard, for the Sum of £805, who paid a Deposit of £200. Write to the Treasurer as usual. Acquaint Portso Officers, and direct them to send us as soon as possible their opinion of the Value of her Hull, Masts, Yards, Furniture & Stores, in which they are not to have any regard to... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I have the honor to acquaint Your Lordship, that I have received Information from undoubted Authority, that the two American Privateers, the one of Sixteen, and the other of ten Guns, that were chased into St Malo Some time ago by one of His Majesty's Ships of War, are now refitted, armed and are to Sail in a Short Time for America,2 as a Convoy to other Vessels loaded for the Congress... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
I have not heard from Berlin relative to their determination about opening their ports to our Cruisers.
The Abbé Raynal, who has just returnd from a tour in England, tells me that nothing disgusts the English Nation so much with the continuance of the war, as the seeing their ports filled with french Ships to carry on their Commerce with other Nations. Their Merchants are obligd to have recourse... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Sir We recd yours informing of your being ready for sea & that orders had been recd for your Leaving the Port. we hope this by Capt. Bell who goes express will find you Still at St Maloes. We send by him Dispatches for America wh you will take the Charge of & have them ready for being sunk in case of Accident. We advise your Settling the Bills for your repairs &c & that you draw... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
Yours informing us of your being ready for Sea we recd and by Capt. Bell advise you to settle your accts of Disbursements & give Bills on us for the Amount forwarding to us at the same time Copies thereof, after which you are to take the first favourable opportunity to go for America endeavouring to make either the Port of Portsmouth in New Hampshire or Boston as the most likely to avoid the... Continue Reading
Date: 9 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
There are now loading here 4 Vessels for Bordeaux & other Ports of France, with 3000 barrels of beef & a large quantity of butter. Two of them are nearly ready to sail; Viz. The Speedwell, a Collier built Brig of 130 tuns, & A Snow of about 90 tuns — These Vessels clear out for London or other British ports, but are bound to France — 2000 barrels of beef were bought here last week by... Continue Reading
Date: 10 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
London.
The Centurion, Capt. Forger [Thomas Folger], from North-Carolina to Cadiz, is taken by his Majesty's frigate Levant, and sent into Gibraltar.
The Mercury, Rowland, from Leith to Gibraltar, was taken off Ushant by the General Mifflin privateer; the crew were put into a boat, and met with the Beehive off Guernsey.
The Active, Clark, from Quebec to Great Britain, of eight four pounders, was... Continue Reading
Date: 10 September 1777
Volume: Volume 9
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