European Theatre from June 29, 1775, to August 9, 1775

Summary

Even the news of Lexington had not aroused George III or his Ministers to the seriousness of the revolt in the American colonies. Were not three major generals and three more regiments of infantry already on the high seas to rein­ force Thomas Gage's force? And had not the Admiralty been ordered to augment Samuel Graves's squadron by such a number of frigates as would suffice to secure obedience to the Restrictive Acts recently enacted, and prevent succour from the Southern colonies reaching New England? Hhere seemed little doubt in the British mind that with "One tolerable Drubbing," rebel resistance would collapse. Warnings from Whig leaders that conquest would not be so simple, and that possible loss of the American colonies would leave the Empire an easy prey to revengeful France, were discounted as political clap-trap. France was in no position to capitalize upon the American troubles, and her partner, Spain, engrossed in the Mediterranean, could be discounted entirely. So thought the Ministry.

As far as concerned Spain, this conclusion was justified. Charles III had spared no pains to let the world know that he was preparing to annihilate the Barbary pirates. At Alicante by mid-June he had gathered an imposing armada — fifty-one fighting ships, including six ships of the line — and three hundred and forty-four transports to convey thirty thousand men to the conquest of Algiers. This great force would sail before the month of June wasended.

Not so with France! In April, 1775, with the approval of the French Court, a keen observer had spent three weeks in London studying the American situation. He was Caron de Beaumarchais, courtier, composer and adventurer, who, upon his return to Paris informed Louis XVI that ''I am in a position to give the soundest information on the action of the English Government regarding the English colonies and the effects of the upheavel in the Colonies on England; on what must be the consequences of one and the other; on the supreme importance of these events to French interests; on what we have to hope or fear for our sugar islands; on what can give us peace or bring about war." That information was imparted to M. de Vergennes, who sent Beaumarchais back to London with the injunction to continue his observations and report again in July.


 

George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth, To our Trusty and well beloved Mariot Arbuthnot Esquire Greeting, Whereas we have thought fit for Our Service that a Commissioner or principal Officer of our Navy should be established for the better Superintendance and dispatch of Our Naval AfFairs in North America; Know You... Continue Reading
Date: 29 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
General Thos Gage who has been appointed Governor of the Massachusetts bay having an Army at Boston & that Province in a State of Rebellion he issues out a proclamation throughout that Province, setting before them the dangerous & destructive Measures they have adopted, at the same time offers to those who will submit & laydown their arms a free pardon, all and ever of the Offenders,... Continue Reading
Date: 29 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The Adventure Capt Brown is arriv'd & brot me yr very obliging favr of June 1st wth 100 hhds of yr Tobo wch. I before wrote you via Phila were insured according to yr orders. You may be assured of my best endeavors to return you satisfactory Sales, but the situation of things here is so perplexed & alarming that it is impossible to judge with precision whether it will be best to sell now... Continue Reading
Date: 29 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Capt Brown of the Adventure arriv'd & brot me 35 hhds of yr Tobo wch I shall do the best with in my power for yr Ints  Yr favr of May 31 I shall attend to, in every respect, tho' the intercourse between G: B & America is to be stop'd for some time yet I shall expect you will remit me asmuch as you can & as fast as possible. This going via Phila I cannot send yr Acct of Sale for the... Continue Reading
Date: 29 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
1775 31st Julyー The Kings pleasure was signified by [William Henry Zuylestein] Lord Rockford for Transports to be taken up to carry the 17th 27th 28th & 55th Regiments of Foot from Ireland to Boston, And Orders were next day given for that purpose.
Date: 29 July 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury having transmitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty Extract of a Letter from His Majesty's Envoy at Lisbon, relative to Ships suspected of carrying on an illicit Trade with North America; As also Copy of a Letter from Mr Sweetland at Gibraltar dated the 8h of May last, relative to Vessels which he apprehends may during the present... Continue Reading
Date: 2 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
By &c. Capt [John] Symons Commr of His Majesty's Ship the Cerberus (by whom you will receive this) being directed to put himself under your command & follow your Orders for his further proceedings; You are hereby required & directed to take him under your command accordingly & employ him & the said Ship in such manner as you shall find best for His Majts Service entrusted to... Continue Reading
Date: 2 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Sir,  In obedience to your Order to be informed what quantity of small Arms can be carried in the ship to Quebeck (communicated to me by the Commanding Officer this day) I have examin'd every part of the ship, & am to inform you that she is so crouded with the Provisions & stores already on board, that there is not room for a single Chest of Arms in any part of her; there being between... Continue Reading
Date: 2 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
My Lord  The hope you held out to us in your letter of the 1st of May that with a supply of arms and ammunition you should be able to collect from amongst Negroes Indians and other persons a force sufficient if not to subdue Rebellion at least to defend Governt ー was very encouraging; but as I find by your letters delivered to me by Lt [Henry] Collins that you have been obliged from the violence... Continue Reading
Date: 2 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Having received Intelligence through Channels that may be depended upon that a great number of North American Vessels, do constantly resort to Cape Nicholas Mole and other Ports in the Island of Hispaniola, where they load with French produce and also secretly take in large Quantitys of Arms and Ammunition; I think it my duty in the Absence of Lord Dartmouth to acquaint you therewith, to the end... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
1775 3 Augt Captn [Christopher] Atkins of the Aceton was directed in pursuance of the King's pleasure signified by [William Legge] the Earl of Dartm mouth on the 28th ult. to proceed immediately with the Maria Ordnance Storeship to Virginia & then repair to South Carolina with Instructions similar to those given to Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves on the 6th of last Month, to prevent any... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
In my Letter of the 25th of last Month by the Folkstone Cutter I acknowledged generally the receipt of your Letters of the 7th 14th 16th 20th 22d & 26th of June; I now set down to answer in detail such of them as require it, And beginning with the first, in which you give an Account of the Diana Schooner being attacked & burnt by the Rebels and inclose the sentence of the Court Martial... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
Sir, I herewith acknowledge your Letter of the 31st of July with the Lords Commissioners Orders and directions to take on board 3000 Stands of Arms, Contained in one hundred and Twenty Chests, designed for Quebeck in the Ship I command I beg leave to observe to their Lordships that His Majesty's Ship Lizard has a very small hold, stowes her Stores and Provisions very badly having a great Part... Continue Reading
Date: 3 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
My Lords Cornmissrs of the Admty having received a Letter from Captain [John] Hamilton of His Majts Ship the Lizard, who had their Lordships Order to receive on board 3000 Stand of Arms, contained in 120 Chests, designed for Quebec, informing their Lordships that the Ship is so full already, that she can take no part of the said Arms, without leaving part of her Provisions behind; I am commanded... Continue Reading
Date: 4 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I duely recd yr favor of 28th Ulto incolsg J: Busby's sevl dfts value £150 wch: when paid will be to yr credt, being already acceptd  Yr other dft on me pble the 11th Inst Our markets for Tobo is not very brisk at prest for as ships are dropg in every day the Buyers keep off, especially as Sr Robt. Herries has purchased a large qty in Virga & Maryld with Some Scotch Cargoes coming here makes... Continue Reading
Date: 4 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
I am duely favd with yrs of the 27th Ulto & hold myself obliged by yr care in filling up the indorsemt of the bill. ー I find Mr Russell pd Wm Pierces dft: on him to Thos Blane for £13 the 10th of last Sept wch was indorsed thus ー "Pay the contents to Messrs John Ballantine & Co." "John Waterson" ー Witness for Dimsdale & Co." (a name I cannot make out). Sr Robt Herries has speculated... Continue Reading
Date: 4 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
The Spanish affair seems to have the most disturbing results here. The King of England had the courtesy to forbid that any reference to this matter be made in the Gazette of the Court. He did not speak of it to the Prince of Masseran;2 but he conversed a long time about it with me trustingly and with pleasure. From the details which this Prince has received, it is obvious that the... Continue Reading
Date: 4 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having ordered Lieutenant Colonel Collins to proceed to Boston and take upon him the command of His Majestys Marine Forces serving on Shore in North America in the room of the late Major [Thomas] Pitcairn, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint your Excellency therewith and have the honor to be [&c.]
Date: 5 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having sent to you by the Folkstone Cutter Orders to examine all Letters which may be found on board Merchant Ships or Vessels bound to, or from North America, and to transmit such as are therein described to them for the information of the Earl of Dartmouth, One of His Majts Principal Secretaries of State, I send you herewith an attested Copy of the said... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1
In consequence of your Letter to me of yesterday's date, I have sent directions to Mr Alderman Harley to lose no time in hastening the Cloathing and Accoutrements that are to go in the Elizabeth Store Ship; the Goods for Indian presents will be put on board on Tuesday [August 8]. As I find by a Letter from Mr Boddington that the Lizard cannot take the additional Supply of Arms for Quebec sent... Continue Reading
Date: 5 August 1775
Volume: Volume 1

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