As there have been some gross Misrepresentations respecting the Stores that were taken out of my Vessel, I think it necessary before my Departure, to set that Matter before the Public in a right Point of View.2 Upon my arrival here I had some Swivel Guns and Powder on board, which Capt [James] Montague, Commander of his Majesty's Ship the King's Fisher, thought proper to take from me,... Continue Reading
Every Step is taking here for the procuring of Gunpowder from abroad and setting up the Manufacture of it in America and I believe they will be successful.
Mr. [Thomas] Mifflin assures me that large Quantities are expected in a few Weeks in this place and 200 Barrels every hour.
The committee for examining governor [Philip] Skene's letters, &c. having communicated to Congress what they found relative to the dispute between Great Britain and these Colonies;
Resolved, That Govr Skene, lieutenant (Patrick] Moncrieffe, and Mr. Lundy be released from their present confinement, and suffered to go at large any where within eight miles of this city, between Delaware and... Continue Reading
On board Captain McCullock,2 from London, came passenger Major [Philip] Skene, Governor of Crown Point, with four other officers belonging to the regiments at Boston; they are now under a strong guard of our militia; which was occasioned by their conduct; for a few days before the Captain made the land, he spoke with a vessel, who informed them of the late battle at Boston; upon which... Continue Reading
June 1775
Saturday 10
Moored in York River [Virginia]
at 11 A M his Excellency the Earl of Dunmore came on board. Saluted him with 15 Guns the same on his leaving her.
In answer to your joint address, presented by your deputies yesterday, I acquaint you, that it appears to me the commotions among the people, and their menances and threats (an enumeration of which I forbear, out of tenderness) have been of such public notoriety, that you must suppose many of his Majesty's subjectsin this colony, whether they meditated or not, have at least manifested, such an... Continue Reading
By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the Red &c.
Vice Admiral [William] Parry, having delivered me an Anonymous Letter he had just received from St Croix dated the 10th May 1775, (a Copy of which is annexed) acquainting him that a Combination is between that Place and the British Colonies of America, and that He (the writer) was informed they had shipped from that Place to Norfolk in Virginia... Continue Reading
Please to acquaint my Lords Commissrs, [of] the Admiralty that I arrived at this place in His Maj[ts Shi]p Portland (with the Pomona Sloop in Company) the [1st in]stant, and have taken Command of his Majesty's Ships [&] Vessels in these Seas: And shall forthwith put in execution their Lordships Orders and Instructions to me, [da]ted the 15th April last; likewise such unexecuted and [St]anding... Continue Reading
Laying in Mechias River, about ¼ of a Mile below the Falls, to protect two Sloops belonging to Mr. [Ichabod] Jones Mercht. one laying at the Falls, the other ½ a Mile below us, Mr. [James] Moore and the other Officer being aShore at the Meeting House, hearing a Bustle looked out of the Window & saw a Number of People Armed making towards the House, they immediately jumped out, & made... Continue Reading
Sir, Having Ordered the Pallas transport to go to New York, and the Agent Informing me that she cannot proceed for want of Men, I am to beg you would Order Men from your Ships to Man her, & I shall likewise be Obliged to you to give Orders to the Ships under your Command not to inlist or impress the Seamen belonging to the transports, as his Majesty's Service is much retarded for the want of... Continue Reading
I have the Honor of your Excellency's Letter relating to the Transports Men. The Fact is that from Ill usage they will not stay in the Transports tho' the Wages is 12/6 More than the Kings Pay p Month And if they are not allowed to Enter on board the Men of War, so many Men as are determined to leave the Transports will be lost to the Service ー We never impress the Transports people but in Cases... Continue Reading
I have this day determined that Captain [John] Collins of his Majesty's Sloop Nautilus after Meeting the Mercury off New York shall proceed to the Delaware, there to be stationed. Captain Collins shall take any of your Excellency's Dispatches that are ready as I wish him to sail as soon as possible. I have the honor to be with great regard Sir [&c.]
Instead of repairing to Boston as you are directed by my Order of the 7th instant. You are hereby required and directed as soon as the business of the Transports is finished to repair to the River Delaware in his Majs Sloop under your Command, where you are to station yourself in the best manner possible to put in Execution the several Orders you have received relative to Fair Trade, Smugling,... Continue Reading
You are hereby required and directed Timely to Demand from the Contractors of Victualling his Majesty's Ships and Vessels (or their Agents) in these parts, all such Provisions as you may want; and are to receive the same from the said Contractors or their Agents accordingly. & to be especially carful not to take on board at any one time more Provisions than shall be necessary for the Service... Continue Reading
June 1775
Monday 12
Moored in House Island Road [Falmouth]
A M Recd on bd wood Anchored here a Ship from Piscataway at 11 unmoored ー at 2 PM weighed in Co the Minerva Merchant Ship ½ past Anchored in 3 fam Boat rowed Guard Parole Marlboroughー
By a Message from Portmouth I am desired to go there to-morrow with my Company to assist in Endeavouring to take or Destroy the Man of war in our Harbour. As my Company were Inlisted under your directions, I think it my duty to wait your order on any movement. Therefore have sent the Bearer and desire your direction in this affair, which I shall endeavour to obey, and am with great respect your... Continue Reading
Resolved, That two persons be appointed to repair to the Fortress of Ticonderoga, to examine into the state of the Fortress, and of affairs there, and to act in such a manner as they shall be directed by this Congress, and that four o'clock in the afternoon be assigned for the choice of such persons by ballot; and that the Hon. Major [Joseph] Hawley, Hon. Colonel [James] Warren, and Mr. [James]... Continue Reading
My Lord, . . . Your Lordship was informed that the Forts in Rhode-Island and New-Hampshire had been Seized by the People and the Cannon removed up the Country, and the Pieces Separated and concealed in such Manner that no clear Account was to be obtained of them. Those Forts and Castle William excepted, there is None of Consequence from Casco-Bay to New-York. Fort Pownall on Penobscot had a few... Continue Reading
. . . It will be Necessary also [to carry on a War] to augment the Squadron with a Number of Frigates, for we hear they are fitting out Vessels of Force, in Various Places, much Superior to the Armed Sloops and Schooners; and I will add the great Service that may be made of the flatbotomed Boats, used last War in landing Troops, big enough to hold Sixty Men including the Rowers; of which we are... Continue Reading
It is voted and resolved that his Honor the Deputy Governor be, and he is hereby requested to write to James Wallace, Esq., commander of His Majesty's ship Rose, now in the harbor of Newport, and demand of him the reason of his conduct towards the inhabitants of this colony in stopping and detaining their vessels; and also to demand of him the packets which he detains.
It is voted and resolved... Continue Reading