Si la fregatte la ranger et le brique l'independance saluent le pavillon du roy de 13 coups de canon en cas quils soient commandés par des officiers du congrés je leur rendray neuf coups ils sont au surplus très fort les maitres de ne point saluer. j'ay lhonneur de vous assurer des Sentimens respectueux avec lesquels je Suis [&c]
ce 13e fer
la motte picquet
je seray... Continue Reading
Friday, 13 Feb.—Set sail for Quiberon Bay Mr. Williams & Brother on board,1 in company with us Brig Independence, anchored in the Bay about six in the Evening, 4 Ships of the Line besides Frigates in the Bay.
Lord George Germain having transmitted to my Lords Cornmissrs. of the Admiralty a Letter from His Majts. Postmaster General desiring that Ships1 may be taken to obtain the Exchange or Release of the Captain's Flynn & Nicholls late Commrs. of Pacquets2 in the Service of their Office who have been made Prisoners by the Rebels; I am... Continue Reading
14th Saturday a Report is Circulating that those two Centinals who Deserted with Our Officers a taken by being in Liquor1
I am extremely sorry to give you fresh trouble but I think the Admiral's Answer of yesterday requires an explanation. the haughty English return Gun for Gun to foreign Officers of equal Rank and two less only to Captains by flag Officers.
It is true my Command at present is not important Yet as the Senior American Officer at present in Europe it is my duty to claim an equal return of respect to... Continue Reading
I should have been extremely happy to be able to contribute to your satisfaction & to the honor of our Country which in this early period of our Empire you so nobly assert, but from the Conversations which I have had the honor to hold with the Admiral & the other Commanding Officers here I am perswaded a farther application will be fruitless. The Admiral says he has no orders to render... Continue Reading
We beg leave to inform you, that at the time of our departure from Portsmouth in America, it was thought by us, that Captain Matthew Parke of the Marine department, embarked on board the Ranger, with a view of acting according to his Rank, in a Frigate which you were to take the command of, on our arrival in France.
As we humbly conceive and are also inform'd, that no Captain of marines is allow'... Continue Reading
Saturday, 14th Feby.—Very Squaly weather, came to Sail at 4 o'clock P.M. saluted the french Admiral & rec'd nine guns in return this is the first salute ever pay'd the American flagg.
15th. Sunday squally weathr. The Steward of the Royal Hospital1 Came here to Inquire into the Quality of our Beer we are served with in Order to make report Accord'y
Feby 15th this day William Humber and George Pease1 made their escape over the Peals and got clear off
As I purpose to sail thro the Fleet in the Independance this forenoon I am for the present prevented from having the Pleasure of seeing yourself and my friend Mr. Carmichael. I purpose to salute the Admiral in open day that no Evasion may afterwards be made. The Ranger wants Ballast, instead of 45 Tons, the quantity of Lead which I at first ordered for Ballast, I find there hath been... Continue Reading
Sunday, 15th Feb'y.—Brig Independence saluted the french Flagg which was return'd.
I have the honour to enclose to your Lordship some important papers transmitted to me by a respectable House in Bristol. They contain an account with the proper Vouchers of the Capture, by American Privateers, of two Newfoundland Ships, in a great part the property of my constituents. One of these Vessels has been taken into Bilboa, the other into St. Andero. I am desired by the owners... Continue Reading
You will please to Acquaint the Right Honble the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that I Sailed from Hallifax the 27th. of January in Company with his Majestys Ship Milford, the Dunmore Store Ship, two Briggs and a Schooner; the Brigs and Schooner tho' under my Convoy I parted Company with the 2d: of February in the Afternoon, from Sir William Burnabys hailing me, and... Continue Reading
Mui Sor. mio: En Cumplimiento de lo que se sirve V.E. Ordenarme con fecha de 7 del corriente, dirijo a sus manos el adjunto extracto de todo lo ocurrido y providenciado acerca del Navio Ingles nombrado la Bretaña, mandado por Juan Allen, y apresado a la altura de Santander por Geremias Hilbert Capitan del Buque Corsario Anglo Americano nombrado el Hawke O Gavilan subsistiendo en... Continue Reading
J'accuse la réception de vos dépêches des 23 Janvier. Vous m'y rendés compte de la conversation que vous aviés eus la veille avec le Lord Weymouth, et de celle qu'avoit eus avec lui l'ambassadeur de france, qui toutes deux ont eu pour objet principal de sa plaindre des insultes commites par la marine angloise. Nous avons été étonnés du langage du Lord Weymouth, lorsqu'il vous a parlé du Corsaire... Continue Reading
17th. Tuesday fair but Cold—the 9th. Ult. we were served with Candles in Our ward from Mr.— the Bristol Donation Annulled or have in with the London D.—
This will be handed you by Capt Courter who goes express with our Dispatches to Congress & is to inform you that we have wrote by the Capt. of the Frigate in which Capt. Courter takes Passage,1 for you to Pay the Capt. of sd. Frigate the Sum of 15000 Lives. money of France which Letter of ours we. are Confident will meet with... Continue Reading
We Deliver you herewith our Letters & Dispatches for Congress which you will take Care of, & on no acct Let them go out of your Possession until you deliver them up to the Hon'ble Committe of Foreign Affairs. On your embarking secure them in a Proper manner for being Sunk, in Case of being actually taken by the Enemy. We give you 100 Louis D'ors for your expences, of which you... Continue Reading
Hallandome exerciendo el empleo onorifico De Alcalde maior xa. Rl. y horda. De esta Villa Del puerto De Santoña por S. M. (qe. Dios gue.) y como tal y en su Rl. nre., Alcalde, y Castellano De los Castillos De 10s Castillos De Sn. Martin, y Sn. Carlos De ella; faltaria al Cumplimto. De mi Obligazon,... Continue Reading