European Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778
Par votre Lettre du 14. du mois dernier,1 Messieurs, vous me temoignés craindre qu’on ne mette en liberté les prisonniers qui se trouvent à Bord d’un Batiment que le Capitaine jones a conduit à Brest. vous fondés vos craintes sur une opinion que les prisonniers d’une Nation avec la quelle La France n’est point en guerre, amenés dans les Ports de France par une autre puissance, ne... Continue Reading
Date: 12 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Perhaps from no great expectations of prosperous events in North America, I am rather pleased at the little success obtained by the expedition to destroy the vessels in the Delaware.1 Had that mode been more adopted during the contest, it must have greatly distressed the rebels and prevented their taking the number of ships with valuable cargoes which enabled them to continue their... Continue Reading
Date: 13 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
At parting from Nantes you requested of me if any Men should Offer themselves to send them down to the Frigate. With this Letter you will recieve four Seamen as they tell me, but [I find?] them in debt Francois Leonard 83 Livers & Charles Scott 65 Livres for their board & Lodging, the other two not being there at the time of writing this Letter I cannot inform you what they do owe.
I have... Continue Reading
Date: 13 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
14th. Munday The Revd. Mr. Heath1 has Return’d from London, & Yesterday was here to see us, he gave in a few Books, but sayes he Learns that we pay but Little Regard to the Sabbath which is too true; For Many spend their time in Bawdry Obsene Discourse profanely Cursing & Damning their Eyes & Odd Joints, & Blaspheming their Maker... Continue Reading
Date: 14 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I have to Acknowledge the honour of your kind & Polite Letter with my warmest thanks for your Congratulations on my safe arrival and with peculiar Sentiments of pleasure, think myself very happy that you received the first acknowledgements of Freedoms flag from the french fleet1 nothing makes me feel so glad as distinctions paid to the United Colours but more especially when my... Continue Reading
Date: 14 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Sunday June 14th. 1778
The first part of this 24 Hours attended with fresh Gales, at 5 PM spoke with a French Man from Marcelies, at 4 AM. spoke with a nother from Nantz, at 5 AM. saw two Vessells to the Westwd: standing to the Northwd: at 9 AM, saw a large Ship & a Brig to the Northd. standing towards the SW. about 11... Continue Reading
Date: 14 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
To the honble: the Commissioners from the united States of America—
The Petition and Remonstrance of the warrant and petit Officers on Board the Continental Ship of War Ranger humbly sheweth—
That Your Petitioners with a view of maintaining their Families and serving their distressed & injured Country, entred chearfully to serve on board the Ranger under the Command of Capt.... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Pendant mon séjour à Boston le navire français la Brune, Cape. dufresne, armé à l’orient arriva dans cette baye. Je recommandai au dit Capitaine de prendre toutes les précautions possibles pour éviter la desertion de ses mattelots. il me répondit qu’il croyait que le navire quoiqu expedié sous commission française avait été dès l’orient vendu aux Ameriquains,1 et qu’il n’... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Extract]
. . .
Marine militaire continentale1
La marine actuelle du Congrès Consiste En quelques frégates Commandées par des officiers gens grossiers Et autant quon En peut juger sans instruction Et ils ont disent ils Cinq vaux. de guerre Et six frégates En Construction. Le vaisseau de soixante Et quatorze canons qui Est sur Les chantiers à Boston est a peine boisé. ils n’... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
We beg leave to inform your Excellencey, in Answer to the Complaint of Mr. Bersolle,1 that he had formerly taken the Liberty himself to draw on our Banker for Advances made to Captain Jones before his last Cruise, and was much displeased that his Draft was refused payment. We acquainted him then with the Reason of this Refusal, vizt. that he had sent us no Accounts of his... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Had the honour of Recieving your Letter per Capt Jones,1 beg leave to mention there are no Orders relative to my Prisoners, which should be glad to Recieve.—Am Repairing my Masts and will make the Old Ones serve, New Ones being very expensive—shall be as frugal as possible—Capt Jones acquaints me you have some Cloathing & Arms for the United States it is in my Power to Carry... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Orders & Instructions for Mr Patrick Fletcher 3d Lt of the Continental Frigate Providence in the service of the United Amer. States. Commanded by Abraham Whipple Esqr—
Sir,
In consequence of Application from the Officers of the Ship under my Command and the Approbation of John D Schweighauser Esqr Con Agt Nantes you are desired to... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Monday June 15th. 1778
The first part of this 24 Hours pleasent Weather, still in Chase of the Ship & Brig, saw several Sails in Sight at 8 AM. the Chase hould up her Courses, I stood towards her, come up with & found her to be a French Frigate.—Wore Ship & stood to the Westwd.—The Latter part pleasent Weather.—
Lattd. ⅌ Obs... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
L’incertitude ou l’on est Sur la Situation des affaires en Amerique ne permettant pas d’arrêter un plan constant d’operations et de concours réciproque, il paroit néanmoins interessant de chercher à fixer d’avance quelques points genéraux, d’après le supositions les plus probables, et de determiner par apperçu les demandes que le Commandant de l’Escadre jugera à propos de faire relativement aux... Continue Reading
Date: 15 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Extract of a Letter from Mr Fenwick to The Earl of Suffolk
Elsingoer 16th. June 1778.
I am sorry to add that We have many confirmed Reports of a Schooner, a Brig & a Snow, American Pirates, having taken 3 or 4 English Vessels and carried them into some Port of Norway, near Fleckerae,1 & althô I have no Letters myself, yet fear it may be too true; as it is... Continue Reading
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Upon Receipt of this Letter, you will forthwith make preparations with all possible dispatch, for a Voyage to America.—1 Your own prudence, will naturally induce you to keep this your destination, secret, least Measures should be taken by the Enemy to intercept You.
If in the Course of your passage home, Opportunities should present of making prizes or of doing any material Annoyance... Continue Reading
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I receiv’d yours of the 5th Instant, acquainting us that the Ministers have at length agreed to an Exchange of Prisoners. We shall write to Capt Jones, for the List required,1 which will be sent you as soon as receiv’d. I understand there are at least two hundred. We desire & expect that the Number of ours shall be taken from Forton and Plymouth in Proportion to that Number in each... Continue Reading
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This morning Mr Woodworth your Lt of Marines1 brought me yr much esteemed favour of yesterday by which you advise me that you have sent one of your Officers to the Isle of Rhé to bring your Prize into this River,2 it is true that it will sell much more Advantageously but the Risk there is from thence to this port required that the Cargo should have been... Continue Reading
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I had the Honor to write you the 13. 13 & 14th Instant1— Mr Emery receiv’d letters from Capt. Cunningham at Corronha advising their Arrival at that Port from Cadiz having made four Prizes on the passage—2 We have it reported the Boston fell in with two privateers one of eighteen Guns she took the other got off,3 I cannot trace... Continue Reading
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Tuesday June 16th. 1778.
This 24 Hours attended with pleasent Weather, and Steedy Winds, Saw 7 Large Ships to leward, gave chase to them, got the Ship in readiness for Engageing but found them to be Vessells of Superior Force, judg’d them to be an English Fleet of Men of War.1 at 7 PM. saw another sail, gave chase & spoke with her she proved... Continue Reading
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Pages
