European Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778
My Lords Commissrs. of the Admty having received a memorial from the Merchants and Proprietors of the Island of Tobago representing the defenceless State of that Island, and complaining that the Aurora, which sailed from England in Novemr: last, under orders to be stationed there, for its protection and security, had not appeared upon her Station on the 30th of... Continue Reading
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Secretary of the Admiralty Philip Stephens to Royal Governor William Tryon of New York, June 4, 1778
It having been judged proper that His Majesty’s Governor in Chief of the Province of New York, should be authorized to grant Commissions for seizing Vessels and their Cargoes belonging to the Inhabitants of the Rebellious Colonies, or to His Majesty’s Subjects of Great Britain and Ireland, trading to or from such Rebellious Colonies; And my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having in... Continue Reading
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
4th Thursday this is the Kings Birth Day. & a Genl. Salute fired for ye. same. a Commissioner from the Board1 has been here to Inspect the Prisons; & to order in what Manner those fitting are to be Ripaired—
As Goverment has not Allowed Necessaries any ways Addequate to make them Comfortable, the sick we have thot. proper Weekly to... Continue Reading
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Your letter of the 12th. Ulto:1 duely appeared—but as the purport of it seemed rather to intimate your desire to sell my prizes at a distance than to manifest your Inclination to furnish in person on the spot the dailey supplies of Provision for my people and prisoners—and the Stores and provision of every kind necessary to refit the Continental Ship after an Obstinate... Continue Reading
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Your Letters of the 26th and 30th. of May, We have recieved. The first accompanying the Accounts of Supplies &c for the Boston; the last inclosing an Affidavit, concerning a Plot, against her Safety.1
Upon looking over the Accounts, We find some Articles, particularly fresh Beef, charged at a very high Rate: But We suppose this Article must be dearer at... Continue Reading
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This to inform you that I have arrived with the Prize1 safe in the harbour of St Martins After Losing sight of the Ship Providence I strove for Nance,2 but being Chased the next day in the Afternoon, and finding her gain on me at night alter’d my Course, finding myself to the Southward of Nance & the wind to the Northward took a Pilot off the Isle of Dieu,... Continue Reading
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This Day begins with Cloudy Weather & Rain, weighed Anchor in the Morning at 7 AM. came by a French Frigate that was under sail, turning down the River, at 4 PM Came to Anchor, below the Commadore & saluted with 13 Cannon, he returned the salute with 7 & I returned one.—1
Date: 4 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
In pursuance of His Majesty’s pleasure signified to us by Lord George Germaine, one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretarys of State, in his Letter of this day’s date,1 you are hereby required & directed (Notwithstanding our late Order to you to put yourself under the command of Adml. Keppel)2 to proceed to Sea with the Squadron under your Command without one... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
My Lords Commrs. of the Admty having this day recd. a Letter from Sir Thomas Rich Commr. of His Majts. Ship the Enterprize dated the 3d. inst. giving an Account of the French Fleet under the command of Monsr. D’Estang having pass’d the Streights of Gibraltar on the 16th. ulto. and of the... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Advice having been received this Morning, that the French Squadron from Toulon consisting of Eleven Sail of the Line, One Fifty Gun Ship, and Five Frigates, under the command of the Count D’Estaign,1 passed the streights of Gibraltar on the 16th. of last Month, and were left on the 19th. steering to the South Westward. I have dispatched this by Express to overtake... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
. . . Some legal difficulties that I was not informed of I find were the occasion that the Lords of the Admiralty did not send you a Commission to grant Letters of Marque at the time I acquainted you it would be dispatched.1 Those difficulties I have the satisfaction to tell you are now so far obviated that you will receive herewith, the necessary Authority to grant Letters of Marque... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I hope we shall at length get forward with the Exchange of the poor prisoners wch has been for so many months in negotiation. I am authorized by the administration and the board of admiralty to make the following proposition. That you shd send to me the number and rank of the prisoners wch you have on your side to deliver, upon the receipt of wch an... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
“Arrived the Enterprize frigate, Sir Thomas Rich, from Gibraltar; Gardoque, an American brig, from Newberry,1 with tobacco, potash, and lumber, for Bilboa, prize to Adm. Barrington, in the Prince of Wales;2 Milford frigate, from Portsmouth;3 Peggy, Lindsey, from Charles Town for Nantz, a prize to the Martin, sloop;4 the John and Martha, Matthews, from... Continue Reading
Date: 5 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Your much esteemed favor of the 1st. Current,1 which I received last Night lays me under a most singular Obligation:—I cannot but be deeply sensible of the Honor which is confered upon me by the proposition; and I really think it affords a very fair prospect of Success.
In a few days the return of a letter from Mr. Schweighauser will I hope enable me to leave... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Accept my cordial congratulation on your release from purgatory and safe arrival at Nantes1 I however wish you had favoured me with the News of the Continent, an account of the good Situation of our Fleet and Army would have given me much Satisfaction—Our affairs have gone swimmingly in Europe, I had the Honor of first seeing the independence of Freedoms Flag recognized by the Flag of... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Je suis informé, Messieurs, que le Sr. Bersolle, apres avoir fait des Avances assez considerables, au Capitaine Jones Commandant la fregate des Etats Unis de l’Amerique le Ranger, s’est fait donner par ce Capne. une lettre de Change dont vous avéz refusé de faire acquitter le montant. Comme le S. Bersolle se trouve par là, dans l’embarras et que vous sentirez sans doute qu’... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
We had yesterday the Favour of your Letter of 31 may from the harbour of Paimbeuf and we congratulate you on your safe Arrival in france as well as your fortunate passage through the Dangers of Rho Isld, but more especially on the honour which you your Officers & men have acquired in your gallant Rencounter with the Enemys Ships on that Station—
You will address yourself as well as your Prize... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This 24 Hours, begins with pleasent Weather, the People Imploy’d in Clearing Ship ready for sea, the midle part moderate Gales from the ENE. at 4 AM. weighed Anchor & came to Sail, in Company with 20 Sail of Ships, Brigs &c—a French Frigate & Sloop of War. At 6 AM. Corduan Light House1 bareing ENE. distance 2 Leagues. all Sails sot at Noon. I Reckon the Ship to be twelve... Continue Reading
Date: 6 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[June] 6
At 4 am. Came to Sail in Compy with a French Frigate, a Lugger And 40 Merchant men, & Capt. Jones bound to Baltimore—1
Date: 6 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
7th Sunday this Morning Died Dr. Munheir Very Suddenly, I believe hire is but few Mourners in Prison, as We have but Little Reason to Expect a worse—1
Also this Morning after we were turned Out, two belonging to the L.P.2 were in the Drean of the Vault a Mineing; but was Discover’d by the T. Key the Guard Alarmed.3 they taken & Comttd. to... Continue Reading
Date: 7 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
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