The Independence being still in this port—it is my Duty to acquaint You that I yesterday received a letter from the Commissioners requiring my Appearance at Paris.—I hope the present situation of Affairs will enable them to furnish me with some Additional Force—but should that event be protracted for any considerable Space of time I will make my stay at Paris very short and on my return will... Continue Reading
Nous capitaine pierre Antoine Massie de Marseille commandant Le navire Le Bon pasteur party du Fort Royal Isle Martinique Le 4 octobre 1777 pour marseille notre destination, officiers major, passagers et Equipages d'iceluy, certifions et attestons que Le 21 Decembre meme année Sur les 4 heures du soir nous trouvans par le travers du cap de Gatte distants 4 Lieux avec un vent D'ouest fraix, un... Continue Reading
I have received the Honour of your Lordship's No. 31 and shall pay very particular Attention to the Contents of it.1
I enclose to your Lordship Copy of an Answer, and its Translation, to my last Office to the Spainish Minister,2 the Professions of which are very plausible. I have seen him since I received it, and have pointed out to him that nothing had been... Continue Reading
J'ai reçu, M, Votre Lettre du 5 du ce Mois par laquelle vous m'informez de l'intention annoncée publiquement par le Capne du Bâtimt. La Revanche,1 d'attaquer à la 1re rencontre la Corvette La Curieuse. J'ai mandé en conséquence, à M Le Cte. d'Orvilliers de faire passer cet avis à la frégate qui est à Nantes afin que le Bâtimt. An... Continue Reading
I wrote you yesterday of the Ice, sinc which time, we have not been troubled with any, of consequence—The Captain of the French Frigate has been on board, I believe from some application of our french people, in respect of cloaths, (which indeed they much want as well as the englishmen, and americans on board) the entry book hath been produced to him, he begs they may be well treated but at the... Continue Reading
Your esteemed favor of the 17th. I have recived.—I wish to leave the Ranger in such a situation as to expect to find her nearly ready for Sea on my return—as I think it will be for the intrest of the Service that I should then proceed with her alone Unless an Additional force can be very soon Procured.—should circumstances Admit—an Additional force may be prepared, in my Absence, with... Continue Reading
I Arrived Saturday Night last, was much Surprised to find everything in Regard to my Ship,1 Just as I left them, no Contrary Orders from the Minister,2 so that I am afraid to take my people on board her Yet, She is all loaded Ready for Sea, only to take on bd. a few Stores &c, it is A great fortification [mortification] to me not being permitted to go on b... Continue Reading
...Hodge Set out on Sunday, very unwell Poor fellow! So heavy coud not write You from hence, he intends it however so soon as he gets to Bourdeaux—At same time, he drew on you in my favour for £3000 Tournois @ 15 d/d. which is in consequence of the Credit he had from Mr Morris (or Committee of Congress) on You. The bill is forwarded today to Gerardot Haller & Co. &... Continue Reading
Capt Nicholson is gone to Painbeuf to see his Ship,1 I inclose a Letter he has written to Mr. Dean,2 since which I find the expected orders are arrived and we are now to meet no Difficulties....
I shall make a calculation of what will remain after loading the three Ships, and shall then take up the first good Vessell that offers.
I have just met with 9... Continue Reading
Vous voudrés bien prendre en récommendation qu Jai quité Le service du roy auquel Jetois attaché pour entrer à celui des Etats de l'amerique septentrionale. Je me suis rendu en Conséquance à vos ordres, et relativement au grade de lieutenent de Vaisseau dans la marine de Etats unis; En hollande pour y diriger La construction d'un Vaisseau qui vous y faisies faire, que maintenant je suis à paris... Continue Reading
“I received your favor of the 16th. It is a suite of that Conduct, which has confused everything that Mr Deane assumes to himself, the right of giving orders without the Knowledge or Concurrence of the other Commissioners. The orders you mention were never communicated to me, nor any part of the proceedings at Dunkerque, by which I can judge whether it is proper to concur or... Continue Reading
25th. [Decr.] Thursday fine wr. Over head; but Extreamly Muddy in the Yard— Served with Mutton & Turnips to keep Christmas with. White bread Likewise; a Rairity indeed—
J'ai reçu, Monsieur, vos lettres des 12. et 19. de ce mois; par la premiere, entr'autres choses, vous m'annoncéz l'arrivée de la Corvette la Silphide, dans la rade du Port Louis, et vous me faites part des observations que vous avez faite à M. Le Breton de Ransanne, commandant cette Corvette, sur la maniere de faire fructuensement la visite à Bord des Bâtiments Étrangers pour en retirer les... Continue Reading
Je vous prie d'avoir la bonté d'expedier a votre Cour la requête que je l'honneur de vous envoyer. Une prise faite par un Corsair americain etoit saisée, dans le Port de S. Sebastian, l'Equipage mis en prison, touts les Papiers de le Commandant americain emportés, lui même condamné sur sa propre confession, qu'il etoit obligé de faire et de signer dans une langue dont il n'entendoit pas un mot.... Continue Reading
Il est de mon Devoir d'informez Votre Excellence que les Corsaires Americains Le Raleigh, l'Alfred et Le Randolph,1 qui devoient partir il y a Longtems sont encore à l'Orient, et quoi qu'ils soient bien en etat de mettre a la Voile, ayant trouvé abondoment toutes sortes de Secours; on leur permet de rester sous les pretextes les plus frivolles Ils sont chargés de Canons d'armes et de... Continue Reading
M. de Maurepas assured a friend of mine last Night upon his Word of Honor that France had made No Treaty with the Rebels and that no such Measure was in Contemplation. This solemn assurance joined to all that M de Maurepas & M. de Vergennes said to me seems to destroy the Credibility of the Report & inclines me to believe that France will, in the present Moment at least till the final... Continue Reading
Besides the general Letter which I wrote you respecting our Business with Gourlard, Berard & D. Montplesire, I cannot in Justice to Mr. Berard (to whose particular management all the Business which concerned the Raleigh was left) omit giving this particular Letter—He has transacted every matter to my entire satisfaction like a Man of Honour, a Man of Business, & an able Merch... Continue Reading
His Majesty's ship Royal Oak, Captain Faulkner, is arrived at Portsmouth from a cruize, and has brought in with him the James, Capt. Hopkins, from South Carolina to Nantz, with 100 barrels of rice, 50 ditto of indigo, and 20 hogsheads of tobacco.
[Extract]
... M. le Chevalier Pinto m'a fait dernierement une Confidence que je me crois obligé, Monsieur le Comte de vous transmettre. Il m'a dit que Sa Cour avoit dans ce moment-ci quelques intérêts à démêler avec les Américains; que les Députés qui étoient à Paris avoient envoyé le mois dernier un Mémoire à Lisbonne que ce Mémoire avoit été le résultat d'une Résolution prise par le Congrès dès... Continue Reading
26th. [Decr.] Friday Clody weather St Stephens's Day Mr. Tolcher (Grand father to the Mayor of P[lymouth]) made a Present of 100 d Loves to the Boys