European Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778
[Augt.] 2 [frigate Boston, coast of Brittany] Came to Anchor at Noon off the Crozick.1 At 2 pm sailed up the River2 till 8 pm.
Date: 2 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I received your favour of yesterday and have received every thing contained in your Invoice1 of the Ranger Slops as they are marked on the Baskets & Bales which I have enclosed a receipt for Agreable to those marks Contents unknown Also I received the Clearance for the Ship which I have delivd to Mr Odea2 I have everything in Compleat Readiness for... Continue Reading
Date: 2 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
3. For these two months past, since we have been allowed pens, ink and paper, I have employed them to as much advantage as possible. Most of the time, I have busied myself in writing and cyphering. I have had as much writing to do as I could accomplish; and to-day I sent out to buy books and instruments to learn navigation.1 To-day a number more Frenchmen were brought to prison.
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This Day comes in with pleasant weather, at 7 in the Morning weigh’d anchor, at 9. a Branch Pilot1 came on Board, at Noon anchored, carried the Ketch anchor, in Warping the Ship the towline broke & the Anchor lost, made sail for the River,2 at 5. PM. anchored oposite the lowermost light House, at 7 weigh’d anchor again & at 8 Anchored opposite a Town called St... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Augt.] 3 [Frigate Boston] Sailed up the River as far as St Nazarie1 & discharged 13 Cannon—
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
The foregoing are Copys of our last, Which hope soon to hear are safe come to your hands, since have received your esteemed favor of 9th. June last wherein is acknowledged receit of Sundry letters from us.1
this by your ship Adams Capt. L. Turner, incloses Bill of Loading and Invoice of her Cargo amounting to L.56235.7. which sincerely wish may arrive safe &... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Being informed that Mr Schweighauser gave you the reports of yesterday from Brest I shall not take up your time with another relation of it1 only am anscious for to morrows post to know with certainty whether Kepples fleet are returned or kep the Sea you as an Officer of the navy can draw inferences and form a Superior judgement of the result of this engagement than I can... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Tuesday. Augst. 4th. 1778-
[Saint-Nazaire, France]
This Day pleasant weather, by my Orders left with Lieut. Reed1 he sent Mr. Jacobs in the Cutter, with a Guard of Marines, to conduct the four prize Masters, with the Men2 to peinprieof3 & deliver them to Capt. Whipple of the ... Continue Reading
Date: 4 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Augt.] 4 At 7 am. the 4 Capts. with their men1 were sent to Nantz. 6 marines were ordered to guard them—
Date: 4 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I should have answered yours1 before this but being confined to the house deprived me of getting news. we are still in the dark Concerning the engagement between the two fleets2 the french gave out that Admiral Kepple was obliged to retire and they staid forty eight hours and saw nothing of him we had it yesterday reported that he is off brest with twenty Six Ships if so I... Continue Reading
Date: 4 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Since my Letter to you of the 1st. of last Month1 I have received your dispatch No. 52 and have laid it, with the Inclosures,2 before The King.
The Measures already taken by His Majesty for the Security of the Province under your Government, and of which I fully informed you in my last, will, I hope, have the Effect to give entire Safety to the... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I have received your Dispatches of the 23d May, and 5th. and 13th June numbered 3 and 4,1 and had the Honor to lay them before The King, and I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that the Disposition you made for evacuating Philadelphia appears to His Majesty, for the reasons you State, to have been very proper, and I shall hope to hear from you in a... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This Day pleasant Weather, a frigate & several Small Vessells, laying in Compy._ with me, they being bound to Sea when the Sind serves, & My ship is waiting for Captt. Whipple1
Date: 5 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
6th. Thursday one of the Labourers Employed at the Old Prison this day—Noon went to dine & left his Coat hanging by his work & his Basket. Wm. Carpenter put on the Jacket & took the Basket in his hand & went to the gate. The Turn-key let him out but on his way met with the Laborer who Owned the Jacket he had on Accordingly Turned the Guard out who pursued him... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
As the Scene of War by Sea is now changing from America to Europe I have been induced to give up the Command of the American Ship of War Ranger and to Continue for some time in Europe in Compliance with the request of the Minister of the French Marine in a letter to our Ministers Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles.-1
I will not intrude on your Excellencies time even by... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
By a resolve of Congress the Seamen who engaged to Serve in the Ranger under my Command were furnished Individually with forty Dollars—the Landsmen with Twenty Dollars Advance in Continental Bills at the time of Entry.- They have Also been supplyed with slops from time to time to a considerable amount—And they received a small Advance in Cash from my hands at Nantes last Winter.
I conceive it to... Continue Reading
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Thursday Augst- 6
[Saint-Nazaire, France]
This Day pleasent Weather the Ship Providence Capt. Whipple came down from Peinpreiaf,1 I saluted his Ship wth- Thirteen Guns & he returned the same Complyment-
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Augt.] 6 [Frigate Boston] Discharged 13 Guns because the Providence Frigate,1 Capt. Murray2 & several Continental Vessels, had come down River to our moorings—3
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
here are three young Lads who have presented themselves to go as Voluntiers aboard your frigate they go doun by this time to Paimbeuf in Order to apply to you for that purpose you will take them if they suit you they have begged I would give them a Line I am [&c.]
Date: 6 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This Day foggy-the Wind at NE-the People imployed in stowing provision in the hold. at 4 PM. Commedore Whipple fired a Gun & hoisted a Flag at his Main top gallant mast head as a signal for the fleet,1 to send their boats on board him for to receive Orders. A Pilot came on Board, hoisted in the Boats, & Unmoor’d Ship.- Pleasent Weather
Date: 7 August 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Pages
