[Extract]
Plan de Guerre
Contre L'Angleterre, Rédigé par les ordres du feu Roy dans les Années 1763, 64, 65, et 1766. Par M. Le Comte de Broglie, et Refondu et adapté aux Circonstances actuelles Pour être mis sous les yeux de Sa Majesté à qui il a été envoyé le 17. décembre 1777....
Second Mémoire
Mémoire militaire Relativement à notre
Situation actuelle avec l'Angleterre1
Il en est de... Continue Reading
... I am informed that Carmichael Franklins former secretary and Captn Nichol son will leave Paris this Week. They go to Nantz and will embark there for North America on board one of those frigates the french have built for the use of the Rebels1 I do not yet know what Port in america they will attempt to make but imagine it will be some Port in New England I dare say the... Continue Reading
“A frigate is stationed at the entrance of every commercial port in the bay of Biscay, to prevent all intercourse with American privateers: The Rawley and Alfred remain still in that harbour under frivolous pretexts, but the true cause is the influence of fear, though they have been frequently summoned in a faint friendly manner (by order from Court) to depart.—The French Agents B—d and G—de!... Continue Reading
I am commanded by my Lords Commissrs. of the Admty to send you herewith the descriptions of the Raleigh and Alfred two Rebel Privatiers now at Port L'Orient,1 and to signify their direction to you to furnish the Captn. of the Romney Albion with a Copy thereof, as also any other of His Majts. Ships going to the Westward. I am &ca. PS
Q. Would not the business be better carried on for distressing the enemy if there was a separate station to the southward, if a proper place can be possessed for such station?
A. Certainly it would.
Q. Can a fleet be stationed to the southward to any good effect without a safe har bour, and easy of access to refit in, and where provisions and refreshments can be found?
A. Certainly not.
Q. Can... Continue Reading
...Our Vessels laden with Supplies have by various Means been delay'd, particularly by Fear of falling into the Hands of the English Cruizing Ships, who swarm in the Bay and Channel. At length it is Resolv'd they shall sail together, as they are all provided for Defence, and we have obtain'd a King's Ship to convoy them out of the Channel, and we hope quite to America. They will carry we think to... Continue Reading
We Recd: yours giving an Acct of the Arrival of the Goods on which we had not made any Insurance, from the Situation of your Affairs when you wrote Us last, we presume that Your Ship, Capt. Green1 is ready for sailing. Capt. Nicholson2 will also be ready in a few Days, We have therefore to propose to you that They go in Company as... Continue Reading
j'ay eu l'honneur de vous rendre compte que L'eloingnement ou jetais de painbeuf m'avait determiné avant L'arrivée de Mr. de Rozily, de prier Mr. dunerat commandant Le Courtier de Reclamer un matelot déserteres du navire marchand Le pacifique et Engager pour Servis abord de Bricq insurgent L'indépandence1 l dans La visitte qu'a fait Mr. dunerat abord de... Continue Reading
Extrait des Registres du greffe du Siege Royal de lamirauté de Nantes
L'an mil sept cent soixante dix sept le dix huit de decembre Devant nous mes sire philippe vincent Roger conseiller du Roy lieutenant général civil et criminel commissaire enquesteur examinateur et garde de Sçel du Siege Royal de lamiraute de nantes Present Monsieur Landays dupe procureur du Roy a Comparu le Sieur Jacob Bennet... Continue Reading
"On the 1st inst. about 80 leagues N.N.W. of Cape St. Vincent's, we were taken by an American privateer called the Sturdy Beggar, which took two bales of silk out of us and some other trifles, and ordered us for Bourdeaux, but on our way thither, off Cape Ortegal, on the 9th, we fell in with the Resolution of 74 guns, which retook us. Our cargo was computed to be worth near 80,000l.”
Mr. Williams delivd. me your favor, inclosing the Letters from L'Orient—the Sails, Cordage &C are spoke for by Mr. Odea, to be made here—Mr. Williams does not appear pleased that the sails shou'd be made at Painbeuf, however Mr. Odea and he it seems will settle that matter—
The Ship's masts are shortned the mainmast twenty inches farther... Continue Reading
Lord Viste. How Commandr. in Chief of His Majt's. Ships in No. America having in his Letter of the 5th. June last1 taken notice of the long absence of the Flora, which he had sent to Antigua to be refitted, not by way of censuring the retardment, but in a light that may effect the service of the ship carreening in the West Indies;... Continue Reading
Vice Adml. Young Commander in Chief of His Majt's Ships at the Leeward Islands having in his Letter of the 12th June last1 inform’d My Lords Commrs. of the Admty that the Otter Sloop, which was Just refitted, was the tenth of the American Fleet that had been refitted at Antigua, a greater number than can be refitted at that Yard on its... Continue Reading
Mémoire du Roi
pour servir d'instruction particuliere au
Sre. Cher. Bernard de Marigny Lt. de Vau.
Commandt. la frégte. du Roi La Belle Poule.
Sa Mté. ayant fait choix de Sre. Cher. Bernard de Marigny Lt. de son Vaux., Commandant sa fregate la Belle Poule, pour une Mission... Continue Reading
This Letter is design’d for the particular purpose of giving my Opinion respecting the Ship Duras1 which Mr. Berard wrote to you about when I was in Paris—
She is a large old East India Ship in want of very considerable repairs, which I think would be very expensive & after all be an old Ship not very fit for our use in her present position; If she was cut down as was... Continue Reading
In expectation of hearing from you I have only at present to inform you that I am just returned from Painbeuf & have had the pleasure of seeing as fine a Ship1 as any of her size in any Navy.—I am in expectation of seeing Capt Nicholson soon and if our obstacles are removed I shall soon Finish the Expedition; the Ship is all rigged, Guns mounted & everything fitted.... Continue Reading
By the Schooner Tabby Capt. Hodges1
Russia Duck 119 peices
Tent cloth 42 Do.
Sewing twine 252 lb
Sail Needles 400
By the Alexander Capt. John Williamson2
Shirting 185 peices
8 Anchors 109 hund. wgt.
Cables 5 from 8½ to 18½ Inches
Cordage 17 Coil of all dimensions
342 hundred weight
By the Charlotte Capt. Wil... Continue Reading
I take the liberty of writing to you to acquaint you of my arrival here in company with his Majesty's sloop Alert, whose mainmast is sprung in two places (and span shackle broke) owing to the badness of the stick; and having had a survey on it find it can be suficiently fished to carry her to England, I have therefore thought it prudent to come into port with her, as our rudder is damaged and am... Continue Reading
Les Capitaines des deux bâtiments1 americains qui sont ici, viennent de m’instruire que vous aviez ordonné que le rhum qu'ils avoient achetté & qu'on Leur avoit saisi, Leur fût rendu. Il n'y a plus que La Crainte de trouver Leur Ennemi En force à La Côte, qui puisse rétarder Leur départ. Le nommé Jacques Mandret, maitre de La barque La margueritte de Bonne alliance, De L'Isle-Dieu... Continue Reading
Jack1 arrived this morning, am extremely happy that matters on board are to your satisfaction Shall duly observe, and comply with the contents of your Letter—Am Sorry to inform you, that the Ice came down last night very swift with the Ebb, and pretty thick, the frenchmen are much alarm’d at it, Mr. Odea informs me the consequence may be bad unless the Ship is hawled in... Continue Reading