Volume 7
Capt. Bonticoe, who sail'd from this Place, the first of January, to Europe, was, two days after (about 70 Leagues S.E. of Block Island) taken by the Unicorn Ship of War, and carried into New-York; 1 from whence Capt. Bonticoe and his People were sent to Newport, where they were all but two exchang'd and released,one of them, a native of this place, having turn'd traitor to his country... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
February 1777
Tuesday 18
Along Side of Flour Wharf New York
AM bent all the Sails empd getting ready for Sea
Fresh gales and fair Wear empd as before at 2 PM hauled the Ship out in the Stream and Anchd with the Bt Br in 5 fm Water Veered to ½ a Cable Do recd on board a Pilot
Wednesday 19
at 6 AM fired a Gun and made the Sigl for Sailing Do Lord William Campbell came on board to take His... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
I have transmitted the Resolve of Congress of the 5 February to the Commissioners at Paris as you will see by the Copy of a letter I wrote them Yesterday. You should have sent me half a dozen Authenticated Copies of the Resolve — it went by the Fly to the Randolph which will carry it to Martinico A Copy Certified by myself goes by the Independence & you had best send me some more for other... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Accot is that Six or Seven Sail of trading vessels in the river amongst which two from french West Indies with Sundry passengers &c one a Prize from our Privateer Rattle Snake.2
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
You are hereby directed to Order all the Galleys & armed boats (except the Delaware 2 & those that are in the Carpenters hands for repairs) down to Fort Island immediately with their Officers and Crews to remain on that Station till further Orders from this board, or with your particular permission, it is left at the option of the Commanding Officer of each armed boat... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
The Council having received information that a number of men in the naval service of this State are on board the Brig Delaware, Commanded by Capt. Hamilton, you are directed to order an officer from each armed Boat to search said Brig and bring away such men as they may have on Board belonging to the Fleet.
By order of Council.
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
One of our Vessels just ready to sail, has Occasion for 150 three Pound Shot of a small Size; there is a Quantity of Shot suitable for our Purpose in the State House Yard; We would therefore, request the Favour of you to supply us with the above Number, & we will be careful to repay you as soon as it shall be in our Power. We have the Honour to be with great Respect [&c.]
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Resolved, That Messrs. William Pollard, Samuel Massey, Thomas Barclay, & William Bradford, be added to the Navy Board.
Mr. [Robert] Towers was directed to deliver to the order of the Navy Board 150 three Pound Shott, to be charged to Congress.
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Ordered, That the Secret Committee deliver out of the public stores, 120 yards of coarse duffels, to the captain of the Lexington, to supply the place of blankets for the men on board said vessel.
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
. . . We see by the speech of the King of Great Britain to his Parliament, that much money will be called for, no doubt, to prosecute the war with unrelenting vigor. That we shall oppose with all our power is certain, but the event must be doubtful until France shall take a decided part in the war. When that happens, our Liberties will be secured, and the glory and greatness of France be placed... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Dear Sir I am extremely obliged to you for your last favor, and much pleased with the spirit of your letter. I am as sure as of my existence that if our large Gallies were manned, gunned, and fitted, that the navigation of our Bay would receive no interruption. I wish our Government would consult their Sister Maryland about this business, and with joint council and united strength, immediately... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
In consequence of your direction to send immediately two armed cutters to cruize between Cape Hatteras and Chingoteague Inlet for the purpose of giving early intelligence, to all vessels bound to this State, of the Ships of War now stationed in this Bay. — We have endeavoured to get vessels ready for that purpose but find it impracticable to procure the Captains on the Bounty & ordinary wages... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Resolved that for the safety of the Trade of this Commonwealth there be immediately set upon the point of Land at Cape Henry on a staff fifty feet high at least, a white flag striped with Red to be constantly kept hoisted in the day when no enemy is within the Capes and taken down when an enemy appears; that there be also hoisted on the sd staff a proper light to be kept constantly burning in the... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Feby 1777
Tuesday 18th
Cape Henry SWBS Cape Charles NE
at 11 AM clean'd between Decks.
Fresh breezes & fine Wear at 3 PM the Sloop and Schooner (our prizes) Anch'd here with a Brigg from Providence bound to Baltimore Jno Gordon Master with Eight Casks of Sugar & a few Cheeses, divided part of it amongst the People.2
Wednesday 19th
Light breezes & fine Wear at 3 PM... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Accot of Sundry Disbursments paid for the Birgt Friendship,
Capt [John] Martin, after she had sailed.
To Vanbebber & Harrison Dr
1777.
Feby 19.
For Cash advanced Capt Martin after closing his acct of Disbursmts
12
16
6
Ditto paid for four Shot fired after the Brigt to bring her to
4
19
—
Ditto pd for Drilling a Cannon omd
16
6
Ditto paid the searches fee omd
1
13... Continue Reading
Date: 19 December 1777
Volume: Volume 7
I beg leave to acquaint you Sir that I am dispatching a pacquet for France by order of the Secret Committee -the Schooner Lynch not being discharg'd I sent for Capt Ayres who has had the Command of her to carry the dispatches, but he refused going unless I would give him twenty five men & four Guns —2 As it was needless to be at such an expence {Sailors wages being at twenty... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
War Office
Sir,
Boston Feby 20th 1777
The Board of War having charter'd the Briggt Sally of which you are Master, your orders are to proceed directly for St Eustatia where you are to dispose of your Cargo to the best Advantage & Invest the Neat Proceeds in the several Articles mention'd below, or a proportion of each reserving enough to purchase a Load of Salt & come direct home. —
If... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Captain [Benjamin] Dean, in a Privateer Sloop from Salem,1 has taken and sent into Marblehead, a Ship from England, laden with English Goods and Provisions.
John Fisk, Esq; Commander of the Tyrannicide Vessel of War in the Service of this State, arrived at an Eastern Port last Week. — Besides the Prizes taken by him already mentioned, he has taken a Brig from London, laden with English... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
Journal of the Massachusetts Privateer Brig Rising States, Captain James Thompson, February 20, 1777
Remarks on Wensday [Thursday] Febuary 20 — 1777
At 7 A M, Saw Cape Cod from out topmast head Bearing NW Dist 7 Leags at 11. AM, Saw the Island of Nantucket Bearg WSW. 7 Legs Dist Struck into the SE, side of the Island for to beat to the harbour.
At 1 p. M, Struck on a Shoal & by the Violence of the wheather was Obligd to bare Away. —
Our men Was Greatly F earg & Frost bitten
Nothing... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
I have been with the Governor of this State this Week, and as he has Derictions from the Congress To Build Two frigats One of Twenty Eight and the Other of thirty two Guns in this State and has been pleased to appoint Me as Superintendant for this Ship 2 as the Other is in Norwich, I there£ [oreJ Begg You as A freind is [sic if] You have any Iron that is Nott Wanted for the Use of the... Continue Reading
Date: 20 February 1777
Volume: Volume 7
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