The Admiral wrote Letters to the captains of the Fowey Tamer & Cruizer informing them that the Rebellion being almost general throughout the Provinces it behooved them to be very circumspect and attentive to his Majesty's Interest; to support the Kings Governors and civil Power established by Law as long as they could and to assist and protect all other his Majesty's faithful Subjects and... Continue Reading
The Bearer of this Letter is Mr [Alexander] Brymer Agent to the Contractors for supplying his Majs Ships with Provisions; he has at Salem a Quantity of Bread and other Articles for the use of the Squadron. If the Town of Salem mean to approve themselves good Subjects, quiet and peaceably disposed, they have now an Opportunity to shew it. Let Mr Brymer ship off his Provisions, and let me have... Continue Reading
May 1775
Sunday 21
Off Castle William Island [Boston Bay]
at 8 A M Set the Rigging up fore & aft. Arrived two Transports from England with Soldiers. Employed clearing the Ship for Sea [P M] Variable Weather Saw three hundred Rebels marching round Dorchester Bay.
Colo. [Ethan] Allen & his Party is Just Arived from St. Johns, where they are Attacked the next Morning after I came away, the 19th Inst. by About Two hundred, Regulars, with Six Field Pieces, & were obliged to make a precipitate Retreat with the loss of three Men Missing ー They have returned without Provision, & much Fatigued. Pray Send On all the Provision you have imediately &... Continue Reading
A Letter was received from the Committee of Safety, enclosing a communication from Colonel Benedict Arnold, giving information of the surrender of Ticonderoga.
Ordered, That the following Letter to Colonel Arnold, reported by a Committee, be accepted, signed by the Secretary, and forwarded in the name and behalf of this Congress, as soon as may be.
Whereas in the present Exigency of his Majesty's Service it is necessary to facilitate as much as possible the bringing to Boston, Provisions, Lumber and Firewood for the use of the Army and Navy, You are hereby required and directed notwithstanding any former Orders to allow all Ships and Vessels laden with Provisions, Grain, Hay, Straw, Lumber, Firewood, and Spars, and which shall be properly... Continue Reading
May 1775
Tuesdy 22d
In Tarpolean Cove
A M at 7 fird two Swivels & two Six Pounders Shotted and Brot too a Brigg from Dominica2 . . . P M Deserted two Marines and the Pursuers Steward.
The week before last Capt. [John] Linzee, of the Falcon sloop of war, took two sloops on the coast between this place and the Vineyard, without the least reasonable pretence that we can learn; upon which the people at the eastward manned out two other vessels, retook the sloops, and carried them into Fair Haven, in Dartmouth last Saturday se'nnight [May 13] with 14 of Capt. Linzee's men, three of... Continue Reading
I take the liberty to advise you that on the 13th inst. having proceeded from this place to St. Johns, with a party of my regiment of 35 men, I surprised and took prisoners, a sergeant and his party of 12 men, the King's sloop of 70 tons, and seven men, mounted with two brass six pounders; and in two hours after weighed anchor with the sloop, &c. and proceeded for this place . . . I am now... Continue Reading
I am now to inform you, that an express arrived here this day from Ticonderago, which brings an account that Major [Philip] Skene's snow on Lake Champlain was taken last Tuesday [May 16] by forces from Virginia, who have joined our militia and that of Connecticut. She is an armed vessel, and of some consequence on the lake. The New England people have timber ready, and are building fourteen sail... Continue Reading
I am directed by the General Commitee of Association for this City and County to transmit to your Honor the enclosed Authentic Copy of a Resolution of the Continental Congress, received by express,2 and to inform your Honor that in consequence thereof we immediately shipped to Albany One Hundred Barrels Pork, and that a select commitee has been appointed to purchase and forward without... Continue Reading
Friday Night last [May 19] Captain Reynolds arrived here from Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire: Last Monday [May 15], off Cape Anne, he was boarded by Capt. Greeves, in a Tender,1 who had come out of Boston the Day before, and informed him that three Transports arrived there the 6th Instant from England, with Troops, and that many more were hourly expected; that several Vessels were then... Continue Reading
On Wednesday evening last [May 17] arrived here, John Brown, Esq.; from Ticonderoga, express to the General Congress, from whom we learn, that on the beginning of this instant, a company of about fifty men, from Connecticut, and the western part of Massachusetts, and joined by upwards of one hundred from Bennington, in New-York government, and the adjacent towns, proceeded to the eastern side of... Continue Reading
the Connecticut People have sent a detachment of men & taken Possession of Ticonderoga & Crown point to Prevent General [Guy] Carletons Joining the troops with some Indians & Cannadiens, so you may be assured if the Ministry do not alter their measures there will be warm work, & well I am Convinced those people to the Northward die rather than give up, besides I think if... Continue Reading
Ordered that the following Oaths be taken by the Owners Consignees or Super Cargoes of all Vessels and by the Masters and Officers of the same that shall load in Patapsco Riverー
You A B Owner Supercargo or Consignee of the Ship or Vessel called the [blank] whereof [blank] is Master do make Oath that you will not order or direct, nor bid any Person for you to direct the Cargo now laden or intended... Continue Reading
You think that no Man in England would be better pleased to See a Speedy conclusion of the Subsisting Contest without bloodShed than Lord North ー if his Lordship had ever expressed Such Sentiments I Should have thought him a Shallow politician ー his actions militated against his wishes ー Send out the most arbitrary & cruel Mandates that ever were imposed upon Freemen, Send Fleets & Armies... Continue Reading
Whereas, our enemies make frequent excursions to the Islands and SeaCoasts, from whence they plunder Hay, Cattle and Sheep, which not only greatly injures many individuals, but also the publick, and strengthens the hands of our enemies: Therefore,
Resolved, That it be recommended to the Honourable [Provincial] Congress to take some effectual measure to secure the stock on the Islands and Sea-... Continue Reading
As I understand there is a considerable Quantity of Match at the Castle2 I beg your Excellency will be so good to order Half a Ton to be supplied to the Gunner of his Majesty's Ship Preston for the Use of the Squadron under my Command who are in very great want of that Article which cannot be purchased here nor is there any in Store at Halifax. I have the Honor to be Sir [&c.]
Two Ships arrived with Officers and Recruits; and the Merlin Sloop of War arrived in the evening: one or two others arrived a day or two ago. The remainder of the Marines landed and encamped.
May 1775
Tuesday 23
Off Long Island [Boston Harbor]
At 9 A M weighed & dropt down to long Island at 12 Brot too with the Bt Bower in eight fathom Water off the N E end of Long Island
Variable weather Arrived from England his Majesty's Sloop Merlin and a Ship with three General Officers' horse & Baggage after Six Weeks passage.2