By &c.
Captain [John] Linzee, Commander of His Majesty's Sloop the Falcon, (by whom you will receive this) being directed to put himself under your command and follow your Orders for his further proceedings; You are hereby required and directed to take him under your command accordingly, and employ him, and the said Sloop, in such manner as shall appear to you best for His Majesty's Service... Continue Reading
I wrote you a few Lines to give you the melancholy News of the designs of Ministry to persist in their foolish and wicked Attempts against America the Wind having ever since detained this Vessel I am enabled to acknowledge the receipts of your favors of 10.21 & 21 Decr The Insurance was made agreable to your orders. The Friendship does not yet appear. I shall pay due Honour to your Bill to... Continue Reading
Since I wrote you this morning I have an Account of the Ship Friendships arrival in our River; I have not yet seen Capn Young but expect him up every momentー
I am with great Esteem Gentlemen [&c.]
1775.
31st [January]
Vice Admiral [William] Parry Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships at the Leeward Islands was directed in pursuance of His Majesty's pleasure signified by the Earl of Rochford on the 26th to be particularly attentive to the illicit Trade carried on from St Eustatia & other Dutch Settlements to His Majesty's Colonies in America, and to direct the Captains &... Continue Reading
I wrote you two days ago by the Packet in which I acknowledged the receipt of your several favors down to the 28th. December altho' I could not then write in Answer fully to them for want of time ー I am fully convinced that the Somersets Sales not getting out sooner, lost us a good deal of Tobacco, and yet those Sales were sent out much sooner after the Arrival of the Ship here, than they used... Continue Reading
We have duly received your favour dated 11 December acknowledgin[g] receipt of our several letters, also of your Account Current and that you found the same free of Error, which we are glad to observe. We are thankfull for your Intention to favour us with an Order if not prevented by the present unhappy situation of Public affairs. We are sorry to say, the prospect of a Speedy accomadation,... Continue Reading
A motion made by Lord Chatham, to withdraw the Troops from Boston, at the first Step towards a conciliatory Plan, was rejected; and the Ministry have declared, in both Houses, the Determination to enforce Obedience to all the late laws. For this Purpose, we understand that three Regiments of Foot, one of Dragoons, seven hundred Marines, six Sloops of war, and two Frigates, are now under Orders... Continue Reading
I have the Honor to inclose to Your Excellency a Copy of some late Orders which the Earl of Rochford has, by His Majesty's Command, transmitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Your Excellency will do right to make a fair & confidential Communication of the Substance of them to The Prince of Orange & the Dutch Ministers, who cannot be surprized that, at this Conjuncture, when... Continue Reading
Sir, I think it necessary to inform you, that the Commanders of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels sent, & to be sent to the Coast of North America, are, & will be instructed, in their respective Stations, to intercept & seize any British or Foreign Ships which may be found carrying on an illicit Trade, & which may have on board prohibited Goods and Merchandize, or Warlike Stores... Continue Reading
It becomes indispensably necessary, in the present Conjuncture, to be particularly attentive & severe with regard to the Counterband Trade of our Colonies in North America; The Commanders therefore of The King's Ships & Vessels, stationed off that Coast, are instructed, in their respective Stations, to intercept & seize any British or Foreign Ships which may be found carrying on an... Continue Reading
Our commerce . . . is at once the source of our wealth and our power; it both gives us seamen to man our fleets, and money to pay them; without commerce this island, when compared with many countries on the continent, is but a small insignificant spot: it is from our commerce alone that we are intitled to that consequence we bear in the great political scale. When compared with several of the... Continue Reading
The Viscount of Stormont2 spoke to me in general terms of the resolution adopted by His Government to stop the trade of the Colonies and to prevent contraband. The second item of this resolution is to conform to the conditions existing not only in the English Colonies, but all the other Colonies in America. Their trade is exclusive and does not let in foreigners. Thus, the intention... Continue Reading
1775.
9th February
Commissions for Victualling His Majesty's Navy were order'd to send out 4. Months Provisions of all Species (except Spirits which they were to contract for) for 4,275. Men.
Do
A Transport was order'd to be provided to carry the Servants, Horses & Baggage of the three Major Generals going to Boston2
His Majesty being determined, in consequence of the Address of both Houses of Parliament, to take the most speedy and effectual measures for supporting the just rights of his crown, and the two Houses of Parliament, thinks proper to acquaint this House, that some addition to his forces by sea and land will be necessary for that purpose; and his Majesty doubts not but he shall have the concurrence... Continue Reading
Feb. 10. The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the Papers relating to the Disturbances in North America,
Lord North moved, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill to restrain the trade and commerce of the provinces of Massachuset's Bay, and New Hampshire; the colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the... Continue Reading
Feb. 13. The House being in a Committee of Supply,
Mr. [John] Buller moved, That an additional number of 2,000 men be allowed for Sea Service for the year 1775. He stated the respective services our ships were on, and said that the proposed augmentation was necessary to enforce the measures of government in America.
Lord North remarked, that the subject had been so amply discussed on Friday, by... Continue Reading
1775
14th [February]
2000. Men (including 490. Marines) were voted for the Year 1775. in addition to the 16,000. voted on the 13th December 1774.
I have, My lord, fully carried out your orders by observing to Myd Rochford that, as the British Government had deemed necessary to restrict the trade of New England, we do not doubt that His British Majesty gave His sea officers the strictest and most precise orders not to interfere with the trade of our Colonies and not to come near our possessions under any circumstances to visit those of our... Continue Reading
As soon as your much esteemed favour 16th Decr came to hand, we began to Consider about the method of complying with your orders, in case of your further desire, & Altho' of a very difficulty nature, we were determind at all events to assist you accordingly, we found out means to procure as many Musketts & pistols as were ready made on the parts for the Kings Army, the quantity was but... Continue Reading
We were very surprised, Sir, by the assertion made by Myd Sandwich, concerning three French ships being loaded, according to him, at l'Orient for the English Colonies in America. Before advancing a statement of this nature, it would have been wiser on the part of this Minister to establish the facts so as not to expose himself to a denial or to the necessity of a withdrawal. Since it would... Continue Reading