European Theatre from December 6, 1774, to June 26, 1775

Summary

George III and his Privy Council, which, in October, 1774, had decreed no more shipments of gunpowder or arms to the colonies, had no thought that this might prove a tinder spark to ignite the latent fires of resistance in a continent already seething under the Coercive Acts passed by Parliament earlier in that same year. To the minds of Ministry and Parliament the hotbed of rebellion was New England, and more specifically, Massachusetts. That there might be some armed demonstration there was considered a possibility. Should it occur, it could and would be decisively crushed. Opinions differed as to whether the navy alone would be sufficient to the task, or if army reinforcements should be sent to Boston. That question was still undecided as the year 1774 drew to aclose.

No other problem confronted the British Empire at that time. India was quiescent under the firm hand of Warren Hastings, its first titular governor. Russia, emerging as a world power after crushing the Turks, was consolidating the fruits of victory in the Crimea. Spain, ever smarting under depredations of the Barbary Pirates, was concentrating upon a punitive expedition, and repressing, though not forgetting, its ambitions to recover Gibraltar, Minorca and Florida. Holland, no longer a great sea power, had declined politically to a nonentity. Finally France, because of its Family Compact with Spain, would scarcely move while the latter was involved in the Mediterranean.

Yet, in December, 1774, the French charge d'affaires in London had been approached by American sympathizers, who queried whether, in case of a break with England, the colonists might look for an alliance with, or, at least, secret support from France. The Compte de Vergennes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and one of the ablest of European statesmen, received this report with pleasure, but caution. His was an undying hatred for Great Britain, and a consecrated de­ termination to restore to France the world-wide prestige lost, along with Canada, in the French and Indian War. Years before he had made the sage remark that with Canada surrendered, the American colonists need no longer look to the Mother Country for protection and, when the tax burden became too onerous, would strike off their dependence upon her. Whether this moment was at hand remained to be seen. He had no intention of placing France in an untenable position by too early support of what might prove an abortive revolt. His policy was to wait and watch.


 

The British Ministry is completely at rest as far as we are concerned; because they are sure of our peaceful intentions, they do not worry about the movements of the Spanish Navy and troops; I attempted to find out what their opinion on this matter really is. They are convinced that the planned expedition does not have any other purpose, for the moment, than an attack against Africa. But they... Continue Reading
Date: 30 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I cannot let Capt [John] Hazlewood depart2 without sketching a few lines to you. ー You will find by the Papers, that We have received an account from Salem of the defeat of Col [Francis] Smith, and the precipitate Retreat of Lord [Hugh] Percy by the animated resistance of the brave Bostonians.3 This intelligence, so contrary to the expectations of Government, who have daily... Continue Reading
Date: 31 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Our correspondent in Portsmouth informed us on the 28th that five dispatches had arrived the day before, carrying various orders. He did not know their contents except for one which brought the order for the ship Meredith to sail immediately for Gibraltar and the frigate Levant for Jamaica; the workmen labored on their sails until eleven o'clock in the evening that same day. On Sunday, the 28th,... Continue Reading
Date: 31 May 1775
Volume: Volume 1
By &c Captain [John] Stanhope Commander of His Majesty's Sloop the Raven (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 you shall find best for His Majesty's Service entrusted... Continue Reading
Date: 1 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
A letter from an Officer on board the Somerset man of war at Salem, says,"You will no doubt receive by the same vessel which brings this, an account of the late most lamentable disturbance at Lexington . . . Our ship, as well as the Lively and two sloops are at present stationed to prevent a conjunction of the troops from any of the detachments which are assembled at Bellingham [sic.] and Tash... Continue Reading
Date: 1 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Sir,  Since my letter to you of 27th ulto an account has been printed here, accompanied with Depositions to verify it, of Skirmishes between a Detachment of the Troops under your Command, and different Bodies of the provincial Militia. It appears, upon the fullest Inquiry, that this Account, which is chiefly taken from a Salem Newspaper, has been published by a Captain Darby [John Derby], who... Continue Reading
Date: 1 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
1775 1st Juneー The said Rear Admiral [Robert Duff] was directed to cause the Act of the same year of His present Majesty Cap. 31. "For the Encouragement of the Fisheries carried on from Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions in Europe &c." to be also complied with, so far as may depend upon him & the Officers employ'd under him.
Date: 1 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
By Capt Montgomery to Poto[mac] the 24 Ulto I wrote you largely, & sent a large number of papers, pamphlets &c ー & by this oppty send you another packet besides this Letter. I have little to say on business, having recd only one Letter from you since the Adventure arrived & a short one of Mr [Edward] Browne of March 14 ー Since advice of the engagement in Massachusetts Bay on the... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
A ship arrived at Bristol on Monday last [May 29] in 30 days from Hampton, in Virginia. She brings advice that the people of Virginia had heard of the whole affair at Boston; that 24,000 provincial troops lay before it; that General [Thomas] Gage had been requested to let those come out who were inclined, which he had refused; that it was thought the provincial troops would speedily begin to... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
My Last was 15 April  Since I have your favors 30 March & 11 April. I was in hopes to have been able to have rendered your Sales & Acct Current of the Wheat, but the quantities on hand have prevented the people taking away, so that the Warehouses are not yet cleared, which is the occassion of my not being able to settle the Account ー They promise me it will be cleared away soon. Wheat,... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I wrote you the 25 of Aprl wch is my 3rd Letter in the course of this year, to all wch be pleased to refer. The other day I recd yr favr of Mar 30 from Norfolk & tho' I recd a Letter from Capt Brown of 10 days later date he does not mention one word of having any of yr Tobo, nor has my Br wrote me of having recd the 10 hhds from Hipkins, if he does in time they shall be insured as you direct... Continue Reading
Date: 8 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The dispatches which we expect directly from General Gage have not arrived yet. A few ships which came from Virginia and New York have confirmed the first news. We learned also that, prior to the engagement that took place on the 19th, they had received at Boston the formal addresses which both Houses of Parliament presented to the King of England early last February as well as the answer of His... Continue Reading
Date: 8 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I duely recd yr esteemd favor of the 30 Ulto and am sorry for having given you so much fruitless trouble with the order on Mr Wegener. I have before me Messrs Burrowes & Sons Acct Sales for Mr John Finchs Tobo nt procds Bank P 438.6 which suppose they will have no objection to pay in part of Mr Finchs Bill on them, when it becomes due, deducting if they think proper intst for the time, as... Continue Reading
Date: 9 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
It is said that Mr. Secretary [John] Pownall waited upon Capt. [John] Darby, and desired him to attend Lord Dartmouth, which he refused to do without an official letter, signifying his Lordship's request, and for what purpose, assigning as a reason for this caution, "That he had heard of instances, where, after having pumped every article of intelligence from persons in similar circumstances with... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Lieutenant [Joseph] Nunn, of the Navy, arrived this Morning at Lord Dartmouth's Office, and has brought Letters from General [Thomas] Gage, Lord [Hugh] Percy, and Lieutenant Colonel [Francis] Smith, containing the following Particulars of what passed on the 19th of April last between a Detachment of the King's Troops in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and several Parties of Rebel Provincials,... Continue Reading
Date: 10 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The other day I recd a Letter from my Nephew inclosing the last years Accts amt £45.11.3 & advising of yr dft: for said Sum to Mr Saml Potter which shall be duely honor'd when it appears. I am almost ashamed to give you so much trouble abt my Nephews already, but my Br has particularly desired that duplicates of the Bills with rects to them may be sent him every year which I must beg the... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Having received a Letter from Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves, Commander in chief of his Majesty's Ships in North America dated the 22d of April last at Boston, giving an Account of an Engagement that had happene'd there on the 19th between his Majesty's Troops and the Rebellious Provincials, We send your Lordship herewith a Copy thereof, for his Majesty's information, and are My Lord Your Lordship'... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
On Friday [June 9] Capt. Brown came from America with dispatches for government. The Sukey is booked at Lloyd's to have arrived at Dover. The dispatches were sent to Lord Dartmouth's Office on Saturday morning. On Saturday morning, when the express arrived at Lord Dartmouth's office, with dispatches from General [Thomas] Gage at Boston, they were forwarded by a Messenger to his Majesty at Kew,... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Mild. Rochford spoke to me only of the descendants of Cromwell now established in America and who became, according to him, the leaders of the rebellion; well, he dreams only of Cromwell and everything related to this subject. He told me that the landing troops had been sent in spite of his advice; that he would have used only a few squadrons to blockade the ports and prevent any trade in the... Continue Reading
Date: 13 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1
By &c Capt [Thomas] Mackenzie of His Majts Sloop the Hunter (by whom you will receive this) being directed to put himself under your command & follow your Orders for his further proceedings; You are hereby required & directed to take him under your command accordingly & employ him & the said Sloop in such manner as you shall judge best for His Majts Service entrusted to your... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1775
Volume: Volume 1

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