European Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778
[June] 16
At 9 am discovered a fleet or Squadron of 9 Ships of the Line as a Fleet of Observation which we had heard of when in France—1 at 5 pm we had run them down that is we got out of sight of them—at 6 PM we discovered a Sail which pursued us—it blowing very fresh— but we had the good luck to escape—
Date: 16 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
As there is no Justice of Peace in this place you’ll please advice the nearest Custom House of the following Information. That being loaded with Provisions for New York, I sail’d from the Fairly Road on the 14 Currt. and beating out Channel with a Contrary Wind the length of the Mull of Kintyre; on the 16th. I and the Ships Crew observed two Vessels one a large Ship and the... Continue Reading
Date: 17 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
LONDON.
The Edward, Capt. Billby, from the Leeward Islands to Philadelphia, is taken by an American privateer, of 14 guns, and carried into Martinico.
They write from Boston, that five Provincial ships of war, from 18 to 26 guns each, which had been fitted out at that port, are lying in harbour, and cannot proceed to sea, as they cannot get men to man them.
Date: 17 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Wednesday June 17th. 1778.
Fresh Gales and pleasent Weather, spoke with a Portegue Snow from, from Oporto bound to Cork. Consulted this Day with my Officers, about our Cruseing, the all seem’d to be for Cruzing on the Banks of Newfoundland, to which I agreed.—
Lattd. ⅌ Obs: 43..49.—
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Date: 17 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I have to Enform your Honour that I maid my Escape on the 20th. of last. month from Mill Prison1 and got Secrted at Mr. Philip Hancocks. Plymo. Dock till the 5th of this Month and on the 7 got to London whear I remained till the 12th. and on the 13th. got to Harriage2 and on the 14th... Continue Reading
Date: 18 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
I take the liberty to crave your referrence to the letter I had the honnor of writing to you the 8 inst. to the contents of which I am Still waiting with anxiety the favour of your answer.1 I received last night only under a blank cover your letter dated 10th. inst, address’d to any Captain bound to America2 the contents of which shall be... Continue Reading
Date: 18 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
On receipt of this I desire you may make out a Compleat List of every Prisoner we took on the late Expedition expressing therein their Names & qualities and Number–This list you will deliver as soon as possible to Father John1 who will forward it to me—And you will please take notice that I wish to have the Names and qualities of the wounded Prisoners made out on a distinct Paper... Continue Reading
Date: 18 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Suplie humblement Etienne Rousseaux Lacombe Bourgeois Et Negotiant De la Ville De Blaye Province De Guiénne, Disant que Chargés De Six Enfans avéc péu De fortune son unique Soin a Eté De léur inspirér lés Sentiments De Probitté Et De Religion qui Caracterisant l’honnéste homme; que lhumeur guérriere De Jean Rousseaux Son Seçond fis lui avoit fait préferer le sérvices De mér Dés sa Plus Tendre... Continue Reading
Date: 18 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[June] 18
At 10 am All the Commissioned Officers were summoned to the Cabin & held a Consultation concerning our Cruize, the Capt. having discretionary Orders,1 & they unanimously advised the Destruction of the Fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland.—
Date: 18 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
19. I hear, privately, that the soldiers have orders not to fire on the prisoners if they see any making their escape; to fire only clear powder to alarm the guard; and they are not to strike any of us, nor offer a bayonet to us: thus their rigor has been abated since Burgoyne1 has been taken.2
Date: 19 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[Extract]
A Versailles le 19 Juin 1778.
. . . Le Roi approuve que pour faciliter aux Anglois blessés provenant d’une prise faite par la frégate le Ranger,1 les moyens de retourner chez eux après avoir été gueris à l’hôpital, vous soyez convenu avec M. le Cte. d’Orvilliers de les faire embarquer sur la premiere frégate qui sera destinée pour St. Malo, d’où ils... Continue Reading
Date: 19 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston Fryday June 19th. 1778.
Saw two Sail to the Northwd. standing to the Eastwd. at 9 AM. brought too a Brig, George Fenley Command. belonging to Scotland, bound from Nuvus1 to London loaded with Cream Tarter & Raizines. made a Prize of her, and sent her for Boston, with Joshua Goss, as prize Master, Jacob Tucker... Continue Reading
Date: 19 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
This my first oppertunity of sending you since I came out from France which was on the 13th Inst. may serve to inform your Honours of my Situation which is very disagreable and has been since I left Boston with Respect to my People[’s] dissatisfaction,—there as been a Consparicy carried to a great Length, but fortunately discovered it the day before sailing from Bourdeaux,... Continue Reading
Date: 19 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
You being appointed by me Prize Master of the Brig John & Rebecca,1 a Prize taken by the Boston Frigate myself commander, my Orders to you are that you Proceed Imediately to Boston or any other Port in america that you may think Safe and on your arrival you are to deliver my Letter to the Honble Navy Board2 and the other to Gaberal Johonnet Esqr3 ... Continue Reading
Date: 19 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
20th. of June Sunday, We’ve Recd. a Letter from one of the Committee of our Donation at Bristol Desiring us to Transmit to him Our Names former places of Abode Occupations &C. & he Assures us that there [is] a Prospect of an Exchange, for a Part if not the whole of us, he Likewise desires we would keep to good Order: & by no means Offer to make our Escape1... Continue Reading
Date: 20 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
J’ai reçu, Monsieur, une Lettre de Nantes qui m’été ecritte par le Sr. J. W. Schweighausér, agent d’Etats unis de L’amérique septentrionale, qui comme chargé de la Direction des prises faites et conduites à Brest par les fregates Le Ranger et La Providence, me demande les formalités à observer pour la vente des d. prises. je lui réponds qu’elle peut être faite soit à Bord soit à terre... Continue Reading
Date: 20 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
The Chevalier de la Forest brought on board the Providence Frigate ten Men, of which eight remain on board the others were desirous to go back again to Nantes to pay some debts they owe, I paid them nothing but I have advanced to the eight others fifteen Livres a piece—promising them fifteen Livres more when the Ship will return in her moorings, be so kind as to send another mast as soon as... Continue Reading
Date: 20 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
Remarks on Board the Boston June 20th. 1778. Saturday
This Day Moderate Gales & pleasent Weather, all the People on Board well & in good Spirits. Saw a Vessell to the Northwd. and gave Chase.
Lattd. ⅌ Obs: 44..04.
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44d: 04m... Continue Reading
Date: 20 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
[June] 20
At Dawn of Day discovered 2 Vessels both Dutch-At 4 am saw an other a head of us—We gave Chace & spake her at 6 am—she was from Cephalonia in Greece, bound to Glasgow which we made a prize her name was John & Rebecca—Capt Finlay Mr. Goss was put on board as prize master, who was ordered to L’Orient—1 Capt. Finley was master of the Brig—which... Continue Reading
Date: 20 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
21. Sunday. Notwithstanding our friend’s advice,1 we have a plan in agitation for making our escape, and are resolved to go on with it. Our design is to get into a drain at the corner of the yard, where the last hole was found out, and dig up on the other side of the wall. For this purpose, yesterday afternoon three men took down a piece of wall under a window, in an old prison... Continue Reading
Date: 21 June 1778
Volume: Volume 13
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