“An American privateer, which had been cruising for some time off Cape Clear, put in here two days ago, in order to heel ship, on account of a leak. They gave out that they were a letter of marque belonging to London, and on a cruise; this took with the common people, and many others; they bought a great quantity of live stock, and some spirits, for which they paid in dollars, and after lying... Continue Reading
The brig Martha, from Waterford to Bourdeaux, partly in ballast, was boarded in the Bay by an American privateer, who, after rummaging the vessel and taking away some provisions, suffered her to proceed: she had taken four prizes, and it was supposed she had not hands to spare to put on board the Martha, if they had kept her.
So soon as the Provisions & Stores of the Ship you command shall be completed agreable to our other Order to you of this date,1 you are hereby required & directed to put to Sea in the Ship you command, without a moments loss of time & to proceed and cruize between Cape Pinas & Cape Machacaca for the protection of the Trade of His Majts. Subjects &... Continue Reading
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John Hall maketh Oath before me that on or about the begginning of Septr. 1777. that he the said John Hall was taken Prisoner in the Nanny Snow Captn: Smith—Commander in Lattd: 40..00. by the Roler of 32 Guns & the Alford of 20 Guns,1 two American Privatiers and was Carried into Port Lewis, in France the 10th: of Octr:... Continue Reading
Capt Weekes was at St: Maloes ten days before Hynson left Havre de Grace having never been out of that port since he was drove in by the Burford Man of War.—
Weeks was all ready to putt out for Bilboa (tho' his Guns were still in a private store), but could be on board and be gone the first tide.
The Pacifique a large fine Ship of fourteen twelve pounders at Havre de Grace,... Continue Reading
I shall not trouble Your Lordship with a Detail of my Conversation with M de Vergennes, which turned nearly upon the same Points as that with M. de Maurepas: I read him the same Papers, and made almost the same Observations upon them. His Remark upon the Paragraph of Franklin's, and Deane's Letter,1 which he read again and again, with great Attention, was rather singular. “They may... Continue Reading
Marseilles, Oct. 23. The following is a copy of the letter written by the Minister of the Marine Department, and sent to all the ports of France.
“You could noty Gentlemen, be ignorant of the orders so often renewed by his Majesty at the sittings of the different Admiralties in his ports, not to permit the sale of any prizes made by foreign privateers, or to suffer the corsairs and their prizes... Continue Reading
J'ai reçû, Monsieur, votre lettre du 17. de ce mois par laquelle vous m'informez que des deux frégates américaines le Raleigh et l'alfred l'une étoit entrée dans le Port le d. Jour 17. et l'autre devoit y être admire le lendemain. Vous me faites part aussi de cequi vous est revenu Sur l'avis que j'avois ell que les deux prises1 qui avoient mouillé sous Groix avoient vendu la totalité... Continue Reading
De algun tiempo á esta parte habrá notado VE. con no poca admiracion suya la singularisima conducta que observan los Corsarios Americanos en nuestros Mares de Europa. Sus excesos aun dentro de los mismos Puertos de Francia son bien notorios, y han llegado a terminos de precisar á esa Corte á expedir las estrechas ordenes que sabemos, dando tambien lugar á que en España se hayan despachado otras... Continue Reading
The Dolphin, Wentworth, from South Carolina, with rice, for Cadiz, is taken by the Levant frigate, and sent into Gibraltar; there is also sent into the same port the Glover, Harris, from St. Andera, for Marblehead, with blankets, &c. taken by the Alarm frigate.
Capt. Watt late of the Ship Jamaica and Capt. Hooper of the Nanny both from Jamaica, and Capt. Marshall of the Sally from Dartmouth to Newfoundland, and Capt. Athens of a Schooner from New York with several other Passengers landed at this Port last night from Port L'Orient having been taken and carried in there by the Raleigh (a Frigate belonging to the... Continue Reading
Nos Amis Mrs. Horniold & Clough ont chargé pour notre compte et à notre consingnation 19 Balles de Marchandizes sur le Navire françois la Fortune Capt Beltrand Kenguen expedie de Londres pour Cadiz, ainsi qu'apert du Connoisset. & facture des dtes. effets et de la Lettre des des dites Amis qui nous les aporté.—
Le susdt Navire ayant été pris... Continue Reading
Inclosed is a Paper containing some Intelligence I yesterday received from Mr: Hooper, late Master of the Nancy West India Ship, and Mr: Kennedy, a Passenger in her, who were taken by the Raleigh and Alfred two Rebel Privateers, with the Descriptions of the said Privateers, which I beg leave to lay before their Lordships.
I have given His Majesty's Ships under sailing Orders... Continue Reading
Arrived at Catwater the Betsy schooner, John Galle, late Master, from Nantz, bound to North Carolina, with salt, bale goods, gunpowder, and arms; a prize taken by his Majesty's ship Centaur. This vessel carried a cargo of rice and indigo to Nantz, and was taking back a cargo in return. By this vessel we learn that the river of Nantz swarms with American vessels.
I did myself the Honour to write to you from Nantez the 29th ulto and at the same time forwarded Two News papers for you; I mentiond the Scarcity of Frigates in England but that they were fitting out Sixteen Gun Sloops, most of which I have since Heard are Sheathing with Copper, so that you may Expect them on the coast of America this winter, they have lately fitted out Sloops which... Continue Reading
26th. [Octr.] Sunday foul wr. this Day the People in the Itchey ward Detected in a plan Laid to Elope, by a pass made thro. the Drean, thro. which the Most of us Expected to pass but are Disappointed the Guard Comnd. Six to ye. B.h. [black hole].
J'ai reçu, M, les Différentes Lettres que vous m'avez écrites dans le courant de ce Mois, pour me rendre compte de ce qui se passe dans la Riviere de Bordeaux, relativement aux Bâtimens Anglo-américains; et je ne puis qu'approuver en général la conduite que vous avez tenue à leur égard dans les diverses circonstances.
J'ai appris avec plaisir que la prise Le Mercury, Capne. jean Still... Continue Reading
The 22d. of August I sailed from Portsmouth Harbour in New England, in Company with Captain Thompson of the Raleigh Frigate, in our way here we took a Schooner,1 from New York, bound to Nova Scotia, which we burnt—We also took a Snow2 from St. Vincent's, laden with Sugar, Coffee, She we ordered for America, likewise a Brig3 from England bound... Continue Reading
Je reçois, Monsieur, la lettre par laquelle vous me rendrez compte de la suite des dispositions des ftes. le Raleigh et l'alfred pour leur Carêne et leur radoub. Je vous recommande de nouveau de tenir la main à ce qu'elles soient promptement reparées et qu'elles mettent aussitôt a la voile. J'aprouve que vous ayeiz fait délivrer les differents articles que l'on vous a demandés. Je... Continue Reading
...M. Florida blanca has acquainted me, that the Vessel, which was said to have been taken at Bilbao,1 and which I mentioned in mine, No. 56.2 had not been allowed to be kept by the Privateer who took it, but had been released upon my Application.
I enclose to your Lordship a List of Prizes taken by Sir Thomas Rich, and Captain Mann, and carried into Gibraltar on... Continue Reading