The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having authorized you to grant Commissions of Marque against the Rebels, it is to be expected that Vessels bearing such Commissions will bring their Prizes into the Ports within your Government, and you may be under some Embarrassment in respect to the Disposal of the Prisoners, I have therefore received the King's Commands to signify to You His Majesty's... Continue Reading
By &c.
Whereas we have received Information that several Privatiers belonging to the Rebellious Colonies of North America are cruizing between Cape Pinas & Bilboa in order to intercept the Newfoundland Ships and other Trade of His Maj's. Subjects bound that way. (Which Privatiers are of very inconsiderable Force) and that there was lately, in that Port, a Ship called the... Continue Reading
By &c.
Whereas we have received intelligence that the Revenge, an American Privatier mounting 14 Carriage and 20 Swivel Guns manned with 50 Men and commanded by one Cunningham hath lately taken several Newfoundland and other Ships within sight of Corunna, and that, between the said place and Bilboa, not less than 18 Sail of the said privatiers were then cruizing. You are therefore... Continue Reading
Jany. 10th. Sat'day Cloudy weathr. By a Gentl. from the Subscription Committe, at Bristol, we Learn the Subscription there raised for Our relief Amounted to £ 260 & at London to 2660 £. the Bristol Comttee. have Assess'd to Each Prisoner 1 penny Per. day. Recd. 300 red herring with a 3d Loaf... Continue Reading
"Arrived the Hannah, Capt. Bray, from South Carolina to Nantz, with rice, indigo, and tobacco, which was taken by his Majesty's ship Bedford, on a cruise."
We desire you would advance to Capt. Paul Jones, of the Ranger, five hundred Louidores, for which your draught upon us will be paid. We are Sir [&c.]
. . . .The instructions to Capt. Nicholson of the Lion Frigate,2 are that He shall regulate the Signals with the Captains of the other Ships But, in Case M. La Motte shall order a Convoy all the way to America, He is to take His Signals &Instructions from this Commander—His Orders are to proceed to Boston or the first safe port in N England. The other Captains have... Continue Reading
I received your favour of 3d Instant. being now before me, do note its contents.1 Green's Ship will be ready as soon as Nicholson's2 am in hopes, unless the Ice Retard our opperations, which at present float abundantly. . . .
If nothing can be done for Captain Jones3 in Europe, in Consequence of the Order from the Navy Board, proper he keep by the ... Continue Reading
We Crave your kind Referance to what had the pleasure of salutting you last with on the 31st ulto. wherein informed you Capt Cuninghams Resolution of setting out for St. Sebastians in order to Release if Posable the prize he made of valuable Bale goods on Board of a French Brigg1 & tho' we suppose that he will have informed either... Continue Reading
11th. Sunday Pleast. weathr. We are Serv'd with 1/2 pint of Peas 4 Days in the week to Each Man Viz & broth the three Other Days
Jany. 1778
Sundy. 11
Do [Cape Ortegal] So 2 Et Dist 45 Lg's
Light Airs hauld down ye Steering Sails still in Chace At 7 AM 5 Sail in sight sett all Sail alow & Aloft. punishd 5 marines for selling their Cloaths at Noon ye Chace bore SW saw another Sail to ye Southwd.
Cape Ortegal... Continue Reading
By &C
Whereas the Three Transports named in the Margin,1 the former having on board British, & the others Hessian, Recruits for the army under the command of Sr William Howe in No. America are now at Spithead under Orders to proceed to Cork where the said Troops are to be distributed amongst the Storeships taking in Provisions for the said army; And... Continue Reading
12th. Munday Very rainy to Day recd. 1 penny Each Man of the Bristol Donation which is the first we've Recd.
We duelly observe by your agreable & Estemed favour of the 8th. & 10th. Instant the disposition the Affaire you went upon stands in1 & yet hope the disposition the Affaire you went upon stands in & yet hope thro the Assistance of the friends youare recommended to that you will come out as you wish in which case should you want the advance you... Continue Reading
Jany. 1778
Mondy 12
Cape Ortegal So 27 Wt Dt 35 Lg's
at 8 AM handd F & Mn. Top Sails sent down ye Top Gallt. Yards at 7 AM ye Chace1 bore down under our Stern sent ye boat on bd her & found she was a French Ship loaded wh. Cannon... Continue Reading
I have communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Letter of the 12. instant giving an account of the Escape of two of the Prisoners part of the Crew of the Lexington Privatier who were sick in the Hospital,1 and proposing if they shall be retaken to apply to the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Ships in the Downes to receive them on board; and I am commanded by... Continue Reading
The Cornmissrs. for Sick &. Hurt having acquainted my Lords Commissrs. of the Admiralty with the Esape [Escape] of two of the Rebel Prisoners late belonging to the Lexington Privatier from the Hospital at Deal;1 And their Lordships having directed, in Case they should be retaken, that they be sent on board some of the Ships in the Downes,2 I am... Continue Reading
The Rt Honorable the Lords Commrs. of the Admiralty having by their order of the 23d. past directed us to propose and transmit to them for their approbation a proper plan for forming an Establishment for a Naval Yard at Rhode Island, New York, Philadelphia, or such other place as upon a consultation with Lord Howe shall be agreed upon for refitting the Ships under... Continue Reading
The Hancock and Adams, a ship of 300 tons, bound from Nantz to America, is taken by the Swallow privateer, and carried into Falmouth.
January the 13th Mr Wrenn and Mr Duckett came and told us that the Officers was to receive 5 Shilling and the men 2 per. week and we were to have such cloths (Pussers) as we stand in need of from Government likewise from donations both officers and men,1