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BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
NAVAL DOCUMENTS
OF
The American Revolution
Continental Gunboat Philadelphia
NAVAL DOCUMENTS OF
The American Revolution
VOLUME 6
AMERICAN THEATRE: Aug. 1, 1776-Oct. 31, 1776 EUROPEAN THEATRE: May 26, 1776-Oct. 5, 1776
WILLIAM JAMES MORGAN, Editor
With a Foreword by PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON
And an Introduction by
VICE ADMIRAL EDWIN B. HOOPER, USN (Ret.) Director of Naval History
NAVAL HISTORY DIVISION
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON: 1972
L.C. Card No. 64-60087
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $18.40 domestic postpaid or $17.25 GPO Bookstore
Each volume of this series is a reminder of the key role played by the late William Bell Clark , initial editor. Drawing upon his deep knowledge of the Navy in the American Revolution , his initial selections and arrangements of materials compiled over a devoted lifetime provided a framework on which subsequent efforts have continued to build.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON NAVAL HISTORY
James P. Baxter, III (Emeritus) Jim Dan Hill Samuel Flagg Bemis (Emeritus) Elmer L. Kayser Francis L. Berkeley, Jr. John Haskell Kemble
Julian P. Boyd Leonard W. Labaree
Marion V. Brewington Richard W. Leopold
Walter Muir Whitehill
SPECIAL CONSULTANTS FOR
NAVAL DOCUMENTS OF THE AMERICAN
REVOLUTION
L. H. Butterfield Oliver Wendell Holmes
Howard H. Peckham
Director of Naval History Vice Admiral Edwin B. Hooper, USN (Ret.)
We are all embarked in a Cause that requires our utmost united exertions to carry us through . . .
Robert Morris October 1, 1776
And without a Respectable Navy— Alas America !
Captain John Paul Jones October 17, 1776
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 25, 1972
FOREWORD
nMy future Success must be very uncertain. . . however I will not yet give up the pursuit. " The writer was Captain John Paul Jones, USN; the occasion, one of his reports to the Marine Committee of the Continental Congress; the bearer, another of his British prizes from the North Atlantic shipping lanes: the brigantine F avourite, Liverpool-bound with a cargo of West Indies sugar which Captain Jones di- verted westward instead, the better to sweeten the prospects of the rebellious American States.
Here in one laconic sentence is the essence of America’s mood and outlook during the summer and autumn of 1776, the period covered by Volume 6 of Naval Documents of the American Revolution. Independence had been declared at last, but the real winning of it was barely underway. Modest successes on the high seas did not offset the stinging defeats dealt Washington's army at New York City and Benedict Arnold's little fleet on Lake Champlain during these months. Both engagements bought time, but what would time bring?
As the fledgling Republic braced for its first winter, no one could say. However an answer of sorts does run through all the papers collected here --an iron determination, come what might, to "not yet give up the pursuit" of liberty and nationhood.
It is a pleasure to welcome a new book in this distinguished historical series. In these pages, just as in those of Volume V to which I contributed a foreword two years ago, there is much to stir the heart and steel the purpose of Americans today -- seaman recruit or Commander in Chief, President or private citizen.
The voices of patriots present at the creation convey our heritage of heroism with a vividness no polished historian writing for the ages can match. They remind us of how narrow was the margin of survival, personal and national alike on which these men and women worked to build a nation. This is brought home to us, for example, in the words of commanders concerned with the privations en- dured by their men as in another report from Captain Jones: ". . . the Men I have are scarce Able to Stand the Deck for want of Cloathing, the weather here being Very Cold." We also find reminders in the words of diplomats and statesmen playing for the highest stakes against the longest odds, men like Silas Deane, America's represen- tative at the French court: "The fate of my country depends, in a great measure, on the arrival of these supplies. . . . *f
Reading all this, we might marvel more than ever that in the end, seven long years from the events of this book, the revo- lutionaries did prevail. And why? Because weak as the Americans of those days were in arms, poor as they were in goods, they were rich and strong and steadfast in spirit.
There is the great message of this book and its companion volumes issued or yet to come. Deeper than the resource these documents represent for the scholar, beyond the fas- cination they hold for the casual reader, lies the home truth of all our history from that day to this: all that America has been or is or hopes to be she owes to the Spirit of ’76. By helping to rekindle this spirit for our Nation's Bicentennial era, the present work honors the U. S. Navy's finest tradi- tions of excellence and service to the national interest.
INTRODUCTION
Naval power at sea and on inland waters played key roles in the period of the Revolutionary War covered by this volume of documents.
British transports and the convoying fleet, commanded by Admiral Lord Howe, had sailed through the Narrows of New York in July. General Clinton and Commodore Sir Peter Parker joined the forces of the Howe brothers by sea after the failure to capture Charleston, South Carolina. Then, the British launched their attack across the bay on 22 August 1776, projecting troops ashore on Long Island and providing gunfire support from ships of the fleet. Had the American army been trapped on Long Island, as very nearly happened, the cause of independence would probably have been lost then and there.
Supported and sustained by sea power, New York would thereafter be the main base for British operations. This gave them an excellent harbor and central location for naval operations along the Eastern seaboard, and provided flexibility for deployments of army forces to any location that could be reached by water— far more rapidly than Washington’s troops could move by land.
Had the forces of Sir Guy Carleton, coming down the waterways from Canada, been able to link up with the forces stationed at New York, the result might have been eventually decisive in favor of the British. This time it was the fresh water navy of Benedict Arnold that, despite the bad beating on Lake Champlain, so delayed the advance south that the British effort was given up for that year.
Thus it was that the use of British sea power was very nearly decisive in the summer of 1776, and that naval operations on inland waters in the fall frustrated actions that would have cut the states in two.
The Depository Location pages in this volume list some eighty ac- tivities from Venice, Italy, to San Marino, California, from which manu- scripts have been selected for inclusion herein. This list bears witness to a fact which cannot be overly emphasized, namely that the success and con- tinued progress of the Naval Documents of the American Revolution series is dependent upon the resources, the knowledge and generous cooperation of numerous individuals, libraries, historical societies, archives and museums
IX
in the United States and abroad. Unpublished Crown copyright material in the Public Record Office, London, is reproduced by permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.
Dr. Maurice Bear Gordon, a physician with a keen feeling for history, has taken time from a busy medical practice to prepare the fine pictorial essay, “Naval and Maritime Medicine During the Revolution,” which enriches this volume.
Within the Naval History Division, the editor, William James Morgan, is strongly supported by dedicated and extremely competent associates in the Historical Research Branch— Mr. Robert L. Scheina, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Scheffenacker, Mr. Robert I. Campbell, Mr. E. Gordon Bowen-Hassell, Lieutenant (junior grade) Kristin G. Tryon, relieved by Ensign Mary L. Greeves, Chief Yeoman Lenzie D. Crosby, Mrs. Carolyn Ransdell, and on summer Naval Reserve duty, Master Chief Petty Officer George K. Me- Cuistion.
Mr. W. Bart Greenwood, Navy Department Librarian, assisted by Miss Mary Pickens of the Library staff, has once again searched out and collected appropriate maps and charts. Lieutenant Commander Richard M. Gannaway, while on temporary Naval Reserve duty, joined with Mr. Charles R. Haberlein, Jr. of the Naval History Division’s Curator Branch to collect, select, and identify the many contemporary illustrations to be found in the volume.
Commander W. E. May, RN (Ret.) , undertook indispensable research in the Public Record Office and other United Kingdom depositories. Sound and valuable translation services, from several languages, have been pro- vided by Commander Canio Di Cairano, USNR (Ret.) , and personnel of the Naval Reserve translator program in the Office of Naval Intelligence.
To all, named and unnamed, who have contributed to the work and thus have made it possible, our debt is great, our gratitude boundless.
Edwin B. Hooper
PREFACE
Documents contained in this volume, as in previous volumes in the series, are selections from the manuscripts brought together from domestic and foreign sources by the Naval History Division and the late William Bell Clark. The collection, mostly on microfilm, is vast and comes from as widely scattered locations as San Marino, California, and Venice, Italy.
The Naval History Division continues to expand its document holdings. During the period this volume was under preparation, for example, signifi- cant additions for subsequent volumes were added from several southern states and the Public Record Office, London. From the latter, an already imposing collection of logs of Royal Navy ships operating in American and West Indian waters was markedly expanded.
Original manuscripts are the object of the collection effort. While some pertinent items from sound and modern editorial scholarship are used in Naval Documents volumes, every effort is made to avoid transcripts, and to replace with original manuscripts those older printed document com- pilations which may be suspect. While this is not always possible, the results achieved have been highly rewarding.
The term “naval document” is not subject to as precise a definition as are the papers of an individual or a single organization. Documentation bearing upon the regular naval forces on both sides, state navies, privateers, merchant shipping, logistics of the conflict, and operations on sea, lake, bay and river fall within the context of “naval document” as used in this series.
For purposes of selecting what material to include in a particular volume, the focus is on those documents which give the most comprehensive coverage to naval aspects of major events during the volume s time span, as well as those which present the user with a meaningful overview of the entire sea effort.
The mass of documentary material is such that only a percentage of that available can be placed in the Naval Documents volumes. Neverthe- less, the Naval History Division’s entire collection supplements the printed work, and forms an available ever-deepening reservoir for scholarly research and writing.
xi
This drawing and others of similar nature throughout the Volume are from journals kept on board ships Lloyd and Betsey, Nicholas Pocock, Master. (Courtesy of the Trustees of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
DEPOSITORY LOCATION ABBREVIATIONS1
AAS
AGI
AHN
AMAE
AN
APL
APS
ASV
Bda, Arch.
BHS
BM
BPL
ChHs
CL
ConnHS
ConnSL
CUL
CW
CWM
DAC
DARL
DCL
DUL
El
FDRL
FTML
HCL
HH
HL
HSD
HSP
HU
HUL
JCBL
LC
American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts Archivo General de Indias, Seville Archivo Historico Nacional, Madrid
,/
Archives Du Ministere Des Affaires Etrangeres, Paris Archives Nationales, Paris
Service historique de la Marine Archives du Port de Lorient, Lorient, France American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia Archivio di Stato, Venice Bermuda Archives, Hamilton, Bermuda Beverly Historical Society, Beverly, Massachusetts British Museum, London Boston Public Library, Boston Chicago Historical Society, Chicago William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford Connecticut State Library, Hartford Columbia University Library, New York Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia Dominion (Public) Archives of Canada, Ottawa Daughters of the American Revolution Library, Wash- ington, D.C.
Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, New Hampshire Duke University Library, Durham, North Carolina Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York Fort Ticonderoga Museum Library, Ticonderoga, New York
Haverford College Library, Haverford, Pennsylvania Hempstead House, New London, Connecticut Hayes Library, Edenton, North Carolina Historical Society of Delaware, Wilmington Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Harvard University Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts Henry E. Huntington Library, San Marino, California John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
1 The list includes depositories from which manuscripts have been used in this and previous volumes. The Descriptive List of Illustrations includes additional sources from which graphic material has been used in Volume 6.
Xlll
MarbHS
Mass. Arch.
MassHS
MCL
Md. Arch.
MdHS
MeHS
MHA
MNHP
Mor. Arch. NA
NCDAH
NHA
NHCHS
NHHS
NHS
NLCHS
NMM
N.S. Arch.
NYHS
NYPL
NYSL
Pa. Arch.
PM
PML
PRO
PS
PUL
R.I. Arch.
RIHS
SCDAH
SCHS
SI
UFL
IJNBL
UNCL
USNAM
UVL
Marblehead Historical Society, Marblehead, Massachu- setts
Massachusetts Archives, Boston Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston Marietta College Library, Marietta, Ohio Maryland Archives (Hall of Records) , Annapolis Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore Maine Historical Society, Portland Marine Historical Association, Mystic, Connecticut Morristown National Historical Park, Morristown, New Jersey
Moravian Archives, Winston-Salem, North Carolina National Archives, Washington, D.C.
North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh
Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, Massachu- setts
New Haven Colony Historical Society, New Haven, Con- necticut
New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord Newport Historical Society, Newport, Rhode Island New London County Historical Society, New London, Connecticut
National Maritime Museum, London Nova Scotia Archives, Halifax New-York Historical Society, New York New York Public Library, New York New York State Library, Albany Pennsylvania Archives, Harrisburg Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts Pierpont Morgan Library, New York Public Record Office, London Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, Massachusetts Princeton University Library, Princeton, New Jersey Rhode Island Archives, Providence Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia
South Carolina Historical Society, Charleston Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
P. K. Yonge Library, University of Florida, Gainesville University of New Brunswick Library, Fredericton, New Brunswick
University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill US Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, Maryland University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville
xiv
VHS
VSL
WCLAR
WPL
WSL
YUL
Virginia Historical Society, Richmond Virginia State Library, Richmond
Washington Crossing Library of the American Revolu- tion, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania Public Library, Whitehaven, England William Salt Library, Stafford, England Yale University Library, New Haven, Connecticut
The following private collectors have kindly allowed use of their manuscripts in this volume:
Mr. Harry Ackerman, Hollywood, California Henry Frederick, 7th Baron Hotham, Beverley, England Captain and Mrs. Noel Sever O’Reilly, Glenview, Illinois Mr. Boies Penrose, Devon, Pennsylvania Captain J. G. M. Stone, Annapolis, Maryland
xv
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword vii
Introduction ix
Preface xi
Depository Location Abbreviations xiii
Descriptive List of Illustrations xix
Maps and Charts xxv
American Theatre, Aug. 1, 1776- Aug. 31, 1776 1
European Theatre, May 26, 1776-Oct. 5, 1776 383
American Theatre, Sept. 1, 1776-Oct. 31, 1776 637
Appendices
A. “Naval and Maritime Medicine During the
Revolution” 1483
by Maurice Bear Gordon, M.D.
B. David Bushnell and the Submarine Turtle 1499
C. “The War in America 1776 Original Manuscript
Journal by Admiral Sir George Collier” 1513
Bibliography 1527
Index 1539
xvii
388-825 0-73-2
DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Continental Gunboat Philadelphia Frontispiece
(Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution,
Washington.)
A ship, possibly HMS Inflexible , used on Lake Champlain in
1776 46
Sketch plan, from the notebook of Simon Metcalf, c. 1777. (Courtesy of the Fort Ticonderoga Museum, Ticonderoga,
New York.)
John Hunter 87
Engraving, by William Ridley, published in the Naval Chronicle , London, November, 1801. (The Navy Depart- ment Library, Washington.)
Song for the Privateer Montgomery 119
(Courtesy of the Rhode Island Historical Society.)
John Schank 137
Engraving, published in The European Magazine , London, February, 1806. (Courtesy of the Frederick S. Hicks Collec- tion, Alexandria, Virginia.)
James Richard Dacres 137
Engraving, by Page after Robert Bowyer, published in the Naval Chronicle , London, October, 1811. (The Navy De- partment Library, Washington.)
Sheer and profile plan of HMS Chatham, 50 guns 168
(Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
“The Phoenix and the Rose Engaged by the Enemy’s Fire Ships
and Galleys on the 16 Angst 1776.” 207
Engraving, after Dominique Serres and Sir James Wallace, published by J. F. W. Des Barres, London, 1778. (Courtesy of the Mariners Museum, Newport News, Virginia.
Broadside warning of expected British bombardment of New York City, signed by General George Washington, August
17, 1776 218
(Courtesy of The New-York Historical Society, New York.)
George Washington 237
Portrait in oils, by Robert Edge Pine, 1785. (Courtesy of Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.)
xix
Page
“Disembarkation of the Troops at Gravesend Bay under the
Command of Sir George Collier, R. N.” 269
Engraving, by Baily, published in the Naval Chronicle , Lon- don, November, 1814. (The Navy Department Library, Washington.)
Landing of English troops on Long Island, August 22, 1776. . 285
Engraving, by B. Mourik, published in De Maandelykse Nederlandsche Mercurius, Amsterdam, 1777. (Courtesy of The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
Richard Lord Howe 311
Portrait in oils, by John Singleton Copley, prior to 1794. (Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
“A Draught of a Batteaux ...” 319
(Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
“An original sketch by an English Officer on board of one of Adml Howe’s Fleet while at anchor in New York Harbor,
just after the Battle of Long Island.” 339
(Courtesy of the Emmet Collection, Manuscript Division,
The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
John Sullivan 363
Engraving, published by Thomas Hart, London, 1776. (Courtesy of The Henry Francis du Pont Museum, Winter- thur, Delaware.)
William Alexander, “Lord Stirling” 363
Portrait in oils, by Bass Otis (1784-1861) , after Sir Joshua Reynolds. (Courtesy of Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.)
Portsmouth Dockyard, England, in 1774 423
Model c. 1774. (Courtesy of the Science Museum, London.)
Brest, France 440
Engraving, by Yves Le Gouaz after Nicolas Ozanne, c. 1770. (Courtesy of the Musee de la Marine, Paris.)
Portsmouth Dockyard, England 451
Plan drawn in 1774. (Courtesy of the Trustees of the British Museum, London.)
Joseph I 466
Portrait in oils, by Francisco Aparicio (d. 1787). (Courtesy of the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Lisbon.)
xx
“View of Spithead.” 494
Engraving, by Francis Chesham after Nicholas Pocock, pub- lished in the Naval Chronicle, London, April, 1804. (The Navy Department Library, Washington.)
“St. John’s Harbour, Antigua.’’ 507
Engraving, by Thomas Medland after Nicholas Pocock, pub- lished in the Naval Chronicle, London, June, 1804. (The Navy Department Library, Washington,)
“View of the Port of Bordeaux.’’ 526
Engraving, by Wells after Samuel Owen, published in the Naval Chronicle, London, March, 1802. (The Navy Depart- ment Library, Washington.)
John Montagu, Fourth Earl of Sandwich 545
Engraving, by O’Neale, published in the London Magazine,
July, 1779. (Courtesy of the Emmet Collection [#2372], Manuscript Division, The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
Antoine Raimond Jean Gualbert Gabriel de Sartine 585
Engraving, by Pierre Adrien Le Beau, c. 1775. (Courtesy of the Musee de la Marine, Paris.)
“The Parricide. A Sketch of Modern Patriotism.’’ 606
Cartoon, representing Britannia under attack by America and the English opposition, published in the Westminster Magazine , London, April, 1776. (Courtesy of The Lewis Wal- pole Library, Farmington, Connecticut.)
Debarkation of English troops at New York City 631
Engraving, by Franz Xaver Habermann, published in Paris, c. 1776. (Courtesy of the Eno Collection, Prints Division,
The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
Charles Carroll, Barrister 657
Miniature on ivory, by Charles Willson Peale, c. 1770-1771. (Courtesy of the Estate of Herman M. Ellis, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.)
“News from America, or the Patriots in the Dumps.” 713
Cartoon, published in the London Magazine, London, No- vember, 1776, upon receipt of news of the British victories at New York. (Courtesy of The Lewis Walpole Library, Farm- ington, Connecticut.)
xxi
Page
“View of the Rebel Work round Walton s House, with Hell
Gate 8c the island, 1776.” 761
Wash drawing, by Captain Archibald Robertson, Royal En- gineers, c. 1776. (Courtesy of the Spencer Collection. The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Til- den Foundations.)
“View of the opening of our Battery at Hell Gate upon— Wal-
ton’s house— 8c the Estuary 8th Sept. 1776” 764
Wash drawing, by Captain Archibald Robertson, Royal En- gineers, c. 1776. (Courtesy of the Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
Robert Morris 795
Portrait in oils, by Charles Willson Peale, date unknown. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
“Repp’s Bay 17th Augt. 1778 where the Troops landed 15th
Septr. 1776.” 847
Sketch, by Captain Archibald Robertson, Royal Engineers, 1778. (Courtesy of the Spencer Collection of The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Founda- tions.)
Recruiting broadside for the privateer brigantine Washington ,
Beverly, Massachusetts, September 17, 1776 870
(Courtesy of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts.)
Loyalty statement issued by citizens of Massachusetts Bay
Colony, 1776 889
(Courtesy of The New-York Historical Society, New York.)
Blank Congressional Marine Committee warrant, signed by
John Hancock, 1776 914
(Courtesy of the Emmet Collection, Manuscript Division,
The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
The New York City Fire, September 19, 1776 929
Engraving, by Franz Xaver Habermann, published in Paris, c. 1776. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
“A View of Ticonderoga, from a Point on the North Shore of
Lake Champlain.” 960
Watercolor, by James Hunter, 1777. (Courtesy of the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa.)
XXII
Page
Artifacts of the Revolutionary Period 991
Bar Shot, Wrought-Iron Shot Gauge, and Swivel Gun. (Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.)
Jonathan and Faith (Robinson) Trumbull 1022
Portrait in oils, by John Trumbull, 1778. (Courtesy of The Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford.)
Continental Marine Corps Powder Horn 1054
The scrimshaw carving depicts the Ship A If red. Engraved on the powder horn is: ‘‘Isaac Chalker; Ackley. His Horn Made In Eas’haddam August the 20th AD 1776 . . . made by H Mack.” (Courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps Museum, Quantico,
Virginia.)
Rudder of Continental Gunboat Philadelphia 1083
(Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.)
Benjamin Franklin 1104
Engraving, by Justus Chevillet after Joseph Sifrede Duplessis, published in Paris, c. 1778. (Courtesy of the Emmet Collec- tion [#2925], Manuscript Division, The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
Extract from The Freeman's Journal or N ew -Hampshire
Gazette , October 5, 1776 1135
Looking aft from amidships, Continental Gunboat Phila- delphia 1150
(Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.)
“The Forcing of the Hudson River Passage, October 9, 1776.” 1179
Oil, by Dominique Serres, 1779. (Courtesy of The Henry Francis du Pont Museum, Winterthur, Delaware.)
Captain’s commission granted by Congress to John Paul Jones,
October 10, 1776 1204
(Courtesy of the United States Naval Academy Museum, Annapolis, Maryland.)
“A View of the New England Arm’d Vessels in Valcure Bay on
Lake Champlain, 11 October 1776.” 1236
Watercolor, by C. Randle, 1776. (Courtesy of the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa.)
The Battle of Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, October 11,
1776 1256
Engraving, published by Robert Sayer, London, December 23, 1776. (Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
xxiii
Page
The Battle of Valcour Island, Lake Champlain, October 11,
1776 1273
Watercolor, by H. Gilder, 1776. (Painting from the Windsor Castle Collection. Reproduction by gracious permission of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.)
Looking forward on gun deck of Continental Gunboat Phila-
delphia ' 1278
(Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.)
Twelve Pound Bow Gun of Continental Gunboat Philadelphia 1291 (Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington.)
The Schooner Royal Savage 1342
Watercolor, by an unidentified artist, c. 1776 (Courtesy of the Philip Schuyler Papers, Manuscript Division, The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
John Fisk 1359
Engraving, by an unknown artist. (Courtesy of the Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.)
“A View of His Majesty’s Armed Vessels on Lake Champlain,
October 11, 1776.” 1379
Watercolor, by C. Randle, 1776. (Courtesy of the Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa.)
Benedict Arnold 1390
Engraving, published in The Hibernian Magazine, Dublin,
July, 1776. (Courtesy of the Frederick S. Hicks Collection, Alexandria, Virginia.)
Thomas Jefferson 1404
Portrait in oils, by Rembrandt Peale, 1800. (Courtesy of the White House Collection, Washington.)
“A Draught of the Thunderer. Built at St. Johns on Lake
Champlain, 1776.” 1437
(Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
“A Draught of the Lee, a Prize taken on Lake Champlain,
1776.” 1462
(Courtesy of the National Maritime Museum, London.)
“Naval and Maritime Medicine During the Revolution”. . . . 1482-97 (Illustrations for this essay are courtesy of the Friends of Historical Pharmacy, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Fred- ericksburg, Virginia, unless otherwise indicated in the cap- tion.)
XXIV
MAPS AND CHARTS
Page
“A Map of the World, with the Latest Discoveries . . .
1781.” Endsheets
From Samuel Dunn, A New Atlas of the Mundane System; or of . . . Geography and Cosmography . . . , R. Sayer and J. Bennett, London, 1778-1783. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
“Chart and Plan of the Harbour of New York 8c the Coun’y Adjacent, from Sandy Hook to Kingsbridge, Comprehend- ing The Whole of New York and Staten Islands, and Part of Long Island 8c the Jersey Shore: And Shewing the Defences of New York Both by Land and Sea. London, Published . . . Novr. 30th. 1781, by J. Bew . . . Jno. Lodge
sculp.” 21
From Political Magazine , Nov. 1781. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
Chesapeake Bay area, detail from “A General Map of the
Middle British Colonies in America . . . 1776.”
From The American Military Pocket Atlas , R. Sayer and J. Bennett, London, 1778-1783. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
Lake Champlain, detail from “A Topographical Map of Hud- son’s River ... by Claude Joseph Sauthier . . . 1776.”. . . From The North American Atlas , Win. Faden, London, 1777. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
“A Plan of New York Island, with Part of Long Island, Staten Island 8c East New Jersey, with a particular Description of the Engagement on the Woody Heights of Long Island, between Flatbush and Brooklyn, on the 27th of August 1776 . . . Showing also the Landing of the British Army on New-York Island . . . Engraved 8c Publish’d . . . Octr.
19th. 1776, by Wm. Faden . . . London.”
(Courtesy of the Eno Collection, Prints Division, The New York Public Library, New York. Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.)
Gulf of Mexico-Carribean region, detail from “Ocean Atlan-
tique . . . 1778.”
From Pilote Americain Septentrional, George Louis Le Rouge, Paris, 1778. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
67
97
375
396
XXV
Page
“Brest. Departement de la Marine; Departement de la Guerre
. . . J. A. Chevalier fecit 1773.” 483
(Courtesy of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris.)
“Plan of the Harbour of Pensacola. By B. Romans, 1771. Lon- don, Printed for Robert Sayer . . . 1778.” 688
From Thomas Jefferys, The West-India Atlas , R. Sayer, 1794. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
Lake Champlain, detail from “A Survey of Lake Champlain, including Lake George, Crown Point and St. John ... By William Brassier, Draughtsman, 1762 . . . London, Printed
for Robt. Sayer 8c Jno. Bennett . . . 1776.” 836
From Thomas Jefferys and others, The American Atlas , R.
Sayer 8c J. Bennett, London, 1776. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
“Valcour Island ... by Captain William Chambers in May 1779.” Manuscript map from Capt. William Chambers, “A Book of Directions necessary for all Commanders of Vessels employed on Lake Champlain . . . 1779 and 1780 .. .
Gustavus Augustus McGusty, Scripsit.” 1035
(Courtesy of the Vermont Historical Society, Montpelier.)
“The Attack, and Defeat of the American Fleet under Benedict Arnold, by the King s Fleet Commanded by Captn. Thos. Pringle, upon Lake Champlain, the 11th. of October, 1776
. . . London . . . 1776, by Wm. Faden ...” 1229
From The North American Atlas , Wm. Faden, London, 1777. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
Section of “A Plan of New York Island with part of Long Island,
Staten Island 8c East New Jersey, with a particular Descrip- tion of the Engagement on the Woody Heights of Long Island, between Flatbush and Brooklyn, on the 27th of August, 1776, between His Majesty’s Forces Commanded by General Howe and the Americans under Major General Putnam, Showing also the Landing of the British Army on New-York Island and the Taking of the City of New- York 8cc on the 15th. of September following, with the Subsequent Disposition of Both the Armies. Engraved 8c Publish’d . . . Octr. 19th. 1776, by Wm. Faden . . . , Lon- don.” 1247
From The North American Atlas, Wm. Faden, London, 1777. (Collections of the Library of Congress, Washington.)
xxvi
AMERICAN THEATRE
From August 1, 1776 to August 31, 1776
AMERICAN THEATRE
From August 1, 1776, to August 31, 1776
SUMMARY
The Declaration of Independence bolstered the American spirit, and changed the nature of the Revolution. No longer a struggle for rights by British colonists, it now became a battle for the formation of a new nation. However, Americans would have scant time to savor the heady spirit of the Declaration, or to revel in mutual congratulations over the increased num- ber of prizes taken on the high seas, or the thumping defeat of the enemy before Charleston.
To the northward, both adversaries rushed completion of the small fleets with which they would vie for control of that critical invasion route from Canada — Lake Champlain. But events in August 1776 were domi- nated by preparations for, and the final unleashing of, the huge British amphibious assault on New York.
The Howe brothers, General and Admiral, enjoyed overwhelming superiority on land and afloat at New York. Mastery of the harbor and surrounding rivers belonged to the British. Their troops could be moved and supplied by water without opposition.
Crossing in ships’ boats from the Staten Island staging area, waves of British and Hessian soldiers landed on Long Island under the massed guns of the Royal Navy. In the ensuing Battle, August 27, Washington’s forces were soundly defeated with heavy losses. Only a well executed withdrawal across the East River to Manhattan saved the American army from complete annihilation which could well have brought the Revolution to a sudden end at Brooklyn Heights.
New York, the important port which the enemy had desperately needed since evacuating Boston and which he was to hold throughout the war, was now his. Yet, Washington’s battered army remained intact and could fight another day.
1
2 AMERICAN THEATRE
1 Aug. 1776
Journal of H. M. S. Liverpool, Captain Henry Bellew 1
Augt 1776 Cape Codd SW 5 Lgs
Thursday 1st 4 AM set Topgt sails and staysls - at 5 saw the Land, saw
two sail to the Soward Tkd and gave Chace - First part fresh Gales, midi and latter mode still in Chace of the 2 Sail, i/2 past 1 PM one of them, (a Brig) run onshore Do wore ship, and chaced the other, (a Sloop) at 2, fir’d two Guns at her, and brot her too, Do sent the Boat onbd and took possession of her, gave chace to the Brig, she having got off, and standing to the West- ward, 1/2 past 6 came up with the Brig, sent the Boat, and took possession of her, the people made their escape from her. she was loaded with Molasses Cocoa &c and the sloop with Bread Corn &c 2 V2 past 10 gave chace to a sail, fired 2 guns and brought her too, found her to be a ship from Navis, bound to London, in possession of the Rebels, who had taken her, on her passage home, took out the Rebels 8 in No sent an officer and 8 men onbd her.3
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/548.
2. The sloop was the Sivan from Philadelphia to some port in New England, Vice Admiralty
Register vol. 5, 1769-1777, N. S. Arch., and the Nezv-England Chronicle, September 5, 1776. The brig of 100 tons was not identified by the captors, no papers being found on board, and “the Master and all the Hands Quitted the said Brig, after Cutting the Sails and all the Rigging to pieces,” Vice Admiralty Register, vol. 5, N. S. Arch.
3. The Nevis # Captain Coffin, Public Advertiser, London, October 15, 1776.
Journal of the Rhode Island Sloop Independence ,
Captain Jabez Whipple 1
[1776] Thursday August 1 Daly Accounts
At 4 AM come to Sail from sandy point of Nantuckt At AM took my Departur From sancutte heed In Lattd 41-10 Londgd 60:40 a 8 sancutte heed Bar WBS. Distence 5 Leagues
Latt in 41.10 Longd 68.48
9 14
Lattd In 41.19 Longd 68.48
At 10 AM saw severed sail of fishing Secuners a Fishing we hove tew and Catch five Cood fish a Mr made Sail catch plenty of Mackrell this End this 24 hours the hrst part of this 24 owers Begins with plesant hasey weather a 2 PM: Spok with a Scuner bound to plymoth From fishing - Mor sounded on Gorgs got 28 fatham
1. Independence Journal, RIHS.
AUGUST 1776
3
Nathaniel Shaw, Jr. to George Washington 1
Sir, New London Angst 1st 1776
The bearer Doctor [Simeon] Wolcott will deliver you a Turtle wich was taken in a Ship bound from Jamaica to London by Capt Biddle in the Brigg Andrew Doria, & was Sent into this Port but Unfortunately was Lost on the Rocks of Fisher Island, being Chas’d by a Man of Warr, we Sav’d About Ninety Puncheons of Rum, the Sugar 250 hhds all Lost & the Ship 2 -and as the Turtle was Intended for the Support of our Enemys, 3 we thought best to Send him to head Quarters, to be Dealt with. I am Sir [&c.]
Nath1 Shaw Junr
1. Washington Papers, LC.
2. The ship Nathaniel and Elizabeth.
3. On August 7, the General thanked Shaw for the “fine Turtle, which was very acceptable.”
NLCHS.
“Extract of a Letter from an Officer at Ticonderoga, to a Gentleman in this Town [Baltimore], dated August 1, 1776.” 1
We are fitting out a naval force on the lakes. — We have three schoon- ers, one sloop, and several gundalows, with about 300 men, including seamen and marines. There are upwards of Fifty ship-carpenters from Philadelphia, at Skeensborough, who are building Row Gallies, on the construction of those in the river Delaware, so that in a month’s time our strength on the Lakes will be very considerable: In that space of time, from the best intelligence, General Burgoyne intends to visit us.
. . . We are informed that the English have one schooner launched, and three more on the stocks at St. John’s, that they build batteaus fast, and carry on their preparations for crossing the lakes, with the utmost assiduity.
1. Maryland Journal , Baltimore, August 28, 1776.
Major General Philip Schuyler to John Hancock 1
[Extract] German Flatts august 1st 1776.
General Arnold in a Letter of the 24th Ult: from Tyonderoga advises me, that only seventy Sailors could be drafted out of the Army and that three hundred would be wanting and intreated that Measures should be taken to procure them — I have accordingly written to Governor Trumbull on the Subject, and as General Arnold suggested that they could not be got for the Wages allowed Seamen by Congress (as these would have no prospect of making prizes) — I have therefore ventured to intreat the Gov- ernor to engage them on the best Terms he can, as Congress will perceive by the following Extract of my Letter of Yesterday’s Date.
“I am this Moment informed that only seventy Sailors can be procured out of our Northern Army, and that we shall want two or three hunderd more and that they may possibly be procured in Connecticut, and it is
4
AMERICAN THEATRE
conjectured that Captains Samuel Chew and Francis Brown of New Haven, Capt Amos Green of Stamford, Captain [Azariah] Whitlesey of Saybrook and Capt Seth Warner of Haddam would if not employed, be willing to engage as Captains to command Vessels on Lake Champlain - 1 am a Stranger to all these Gentlemen - permit me to beg the Favor of you to send to them or such others as you may think proper, to engage forty Men a piece and to make the best Contract you can with them for their and their Mens Monthly Wages and Allowance which will be strictly complyed with.” - I hope this Measure will meet with the Approbation of Congress as the Necessity of having Sailors is evident, and as there can be no Doubt but that Governor Trumbull will make the most favorable Contract for the public that he can.
1. Papers CC (Letters of Major General Philip Schuyler), 153, II, 248, 250-52, NA.
George Washington to Governor Jonathan Trumbull 1
[Extract] New York Augt 1st 1776
Since my last nothing of importance has occurred, or that is worthy of notice except an augmentation of about twenty nine Ships and Brigs with seven or eight smaller vessels to the Enemy’s Fleet -I have not yet learned what they bring, certainly - However, some Troops were seen landing from them yesterday, which the General who observed them took to be Artillery Men. It is not improbable that they may be some of the Guards whose dress is pretty much like that of the Artillery - P. S. The three Galleys you were so kind as to order have safely arrived also two from Rhode Island. With these and one that is finished here we are preparing to attempt something against the Ships above -
1. Trumbull Papers, XXIX, Letter Book IV, 324, ConnSL.
Memoirs of Major General William Heath 1
[New York] August 1st. — About 30 sail of British ships arrived at the Hook. Three or four more row-gallies went up the Hudson. In bringing the hulks, chevaux-de-frise, &c. round from the East River, to the Hudson, a sloop sunk, not far from the Grand Battery.
1. William Abbatt, ed., Memoirs of Major-General William Heath by Himself (New York, 1901), 43. Hereafter cited as Abbatt ed., Heath Memoirs.
Captain Benjamin Trumbull’s Journal of the Campaign at New York 1
[New York] August 1st [1776] The Two Galleys from Providence got round into the North River, and Sailed up the River. The New York and 2 of the Connecticut Gallies went up as far as Kings Bridge some Days before.
1. Collections of the Connecticut Historical Society, VII, 180.
AUGUST 1776
5
New-York Journal , Thursday, August 1, 1776
New York, August 1.
On Monday last five of the men of war’s boats endeavouring to land on Tappan meadows, where about 15 inhabitants of the neighbourhood concealed themselves in a fishing hut, on the edge of the meadows, which they had barricaded up, and lay there until three of the boats were within shot of them, when they fired, loaded again, and fired eleven rounds, without the loss of a man on our side. They killed several of the enemy, as they heard a great shrieking and crying amongst them.
Journal of Ambrose Serle 1
[On board H. M. S. Eagle] Thursday, Augst. 1st. [1776]
This Morning between 40 and 50 Sail appeared in Sight, which proved to be Sir Peter Parker’s Fleet, with Generals Clinton 8c Lord Cornwallis, and the Troops under their Command, on board. They have had an unsuc- cessful Attack upon Charles Town, and lost near 200 Men, in Killed 8c Wounded, belonging to the Ships. Three Frigates, who led the Charge, run aground in going up, through Ignorance of the Pilots; and, very hap- pily, the Experiment of 50 Guns, arriving the Day before, by interposing between the Fort 8c them saved the whole Fleet from Destruction. The Acteon , a new Frigate of 28 Guns, it being impossible to get off, was scuttled 8c burnt. Under all these Disadvantages, the Reinforcement of 2900 Men is an agreeable Circumstance, and especially as they are in very good Health. The Ships, in coming in, made a very fine Appearance.
1. Edward H. Tatum, Jr., ed., The American Journal of Ambrose Serle, 1776-1778 (San Marino,
Calif., 1940), 52. Hereafter cited as Tatum, ed., Serle’s Journal.
Diary of Dr. Thomas Moffat 1
[On board H. M. Sloop Swan]
Thursday Augst 1st [1776] Signal from the light House of a Fleet off. Thermometer 75 — went ashore with Captn [James] Ayscough and descryd from the Light House forty and more Sail standing in for the Hook, bathd in the Sea. A M 40 Transport with the Army from South Carolina the Sole bay Boreas and Armd vessells passed up to the Fleet. P M a Trans- port Ship with 130 Soldiers of the 50 Regt from Jamaica passd up to the Fleet.
1. Thomas Moffat’s Diary, July 30, 1775 to October 8, 1777, LC.
Diary of Christopher Marshall 1
[Philadelphia] August 1st
. . . gave pass to John Bayley to New York with Sundry goods, to 4 Sailors discharged from Sloop Sally Capt John Ball from St Croix to goe to New York 8c to Wm Ogbourn going Express there, one pass to James
6
AMERICAN THEATRE
Montgomery Capt of one of our Gondolas . . . going to Camp in the Jerseys 2 . . . News today of the Ship Sent out by Congress being
in the river from Marselleus in france with ten Tonns Gun powder, 1100 Stands of arms, Thirty Seven & half tonn of lead 1 tierce of flints.
1. Diary of Christopher Marshall, HSP.
2. Marshall was chairman of the Committee of Inspection and Observation and authorized to
issue passes to leave the city.
Captains John Hamilton and James Montgomery to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety 1
[Gentle]men Philadelphia August 1st 1776-
We have had the Honour to bear [commis]sions in the Naval Service of this Province from the First Establishement of it - But the Convuls’d State it Has been in Since the Engagements with the Enemys Ship In the River has, ever since that time determin’d us in Quitting that part of the Service of Our Country; and of going Into another — Yet the same reason, which Occassion’d this Determination, (together with the desire of many Respecable Citizens) has been the cause of Our holding, untill a Convention Shou’d put the direction of the Naval affairs of this Province In a [new] Channel — This being now done, This Board Will Permit us, to make the intended Resignation, and We do hereby Resign Our Commissions accord- ingly
We wou’d not have it believ’d from this resignation that we mean to abandon the cause of the Independant States of America no; it partly proceeds from a desire of Serving in a larger Sphere of Action, whereby we may Have an opportunity of rendering our Country some More es- sential Service, than we have any prospect of doing here We are Gentlemen [8cc.]
Jn° Hamilton James Montgomery 2
1. FDRL.
2. Hamilton commanded the Pennsylvania galley Congress; Montgomery, the galley Chatham.
Their resignations were accepted. Pennsylvania Colonial Records (Philadelphia and Harrisburg, 1851-1852), X, 664-65.
“Men In Actual Pay in the Service of Pennsylvania First of
August, 1776” 1
The Navy, vizt
|
Ship Montgomery, |
Sami Davison, Esq., |
138 |
|
Floating Battery, |
Lieut J. Hennesey, |
82 |
|
Congress, |
(no Hambleton, |
41 |
|
Franklin, |
Nathan Boyce, |
46 |
|
Effingham, |
H. Montgomery, |
25 |
|
Dickenson, |
John Rice, |
33 |
|
Chatham, |
Jams Montgomery, |
34 |
|
Hancock, |
Thos Moore, |
47 |
AUGUST 1776
7
|
Warren, |
Thos Houstin, |
24 |
|
Burke, |
James Blair, |
20 |
|
Cambden, |
Richd Ayres, |
35 |
|
Bull Dog , |
Alexr Henderson, |
41 |
|
Washington , |
H. Dougherty, |
43 |
|
Experiment, |
Lieut B. Thompson, |
28 |
|
Ranger, |
Lieut Rt Hinne [Hume] Charles Lawrence, |
30 |
|
Sallamander , |
15 |
|
|
Porcupine, |
Rt Tatnell, |
12 |
|
Brimstone, |
W. Watkin, |
11 |
|
T error, |
Rt Hardie, |
13 |
|
Vulture, |
W. Greenway, |
11 |
|
Eagle , |
Jacob Hance, |
12 |
|
Fire Brig Vesuvius, |
Edwd Bingley, |
5 |
|
do. Sloop Etna, |
W. Gamble, |
4 |
|
Sloop Hetty, |
H. Hoover, |
3 |
|
do. Defyance, |
A. Gardner, |
3 |
|
Schoonr Lydia |
J. Simpson, |
5 |
|
Sloop Sally, |
M. Wirt, |
7 |
Directed.
Estimate to 1st August, 1776. For The Council of Safety
741
9
18
768
1. Pennsylvania Archives , 1st series, V, 3, 4-5.
“Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, Aug. 1.” 1
Last night arrived an account of the capture of the brig Richmond , by the Congress, fitted out of this place. She was bound from London and Nevis for Halifax, and had on board the following articles, viz, 1078 joes, 672 guineas, 15 moidores, 41 hogsheads of rum, 6 hogsheads, 5 tierces, and 5 barrels of sugar, 1 hogshead of loaf sugar, 24 hogsheads of prize molasses, 3 cases of drugs, and a trunk of Irish linen. The brig was arrived at Egg harbour; the gold they hid in the water cask. The cash, and several London passengers, are on board the privateer, who was left in chase of a three- decker. They took several London letters directed for people in New York, also some newspapers, one of them of the 23d of April, which is the only one we have not seen before. It contains very little, except advices from Jamaica, by which they seem alarmed at the arrival of the French troops at Hispaniola, and that some of the merchants had forbid their orders for goods, expecting a visit from them. That seven ships, one of them the Hancock and Adams, with wheat, had arrived at Lisbon from Philadelphia; and that two with tobacco, and one wheat loaded ship, were arrived in France.
8
AMERICAN THEATRE
Mr. Gibb’s ship, capt. Robinson, is below, from Marseilles, with 1100 arms, 37 tuns of lead, 15 tuns of powder, flints, &c. I have just seen the supercargo, who tells me they are seven weeks out; that he could not procure a newspaper, although he offered a guinea for one, but saw one as late as the 25th of May.
1. Purdie’s Virginia Gazette, August 16, 1776.
Captain Charles Pope to Thomas Rodney 1
Dr Sir Wilmington August 1st 1776
Since I saw you in Newcastle, I have been treating with a Carpenter of this place, who engages to build and have ready for launching a Vessel by the Middle of October provided we procure three or four Workmen for him — At present he has but two, and says it will take six hands to build her in ten weeks: — The Dimensions agreed on are 54 feet Keel, 20 feet Beam and 8 feet Hold. The Dimensions of the Brig Lexin[g]ton Commd by Capt. Barrey [John Barry] is 58 feet Keel— 21 feet Beam — and 9 feet Hold — The Carpenters say her length will be a considerable advantage to her sailing — Several Labourers have been employed two or three days in cutting the Timber and Keel — the greatest part of the Plank is now ready — and he fully expects indeed is determined to have her on the Stocks in three or four Days.
I would recommend it particularly — nay request it as a Favor of Mr. McGarmot to ride down to Lewis Town — Cedar and Broadkill Creeks and employ all the Hands he can— the more hands the better for us — she will be the sooner off the Stocks, and I am certain hands may be got down there — I beg you may insist on Mr. McGarmots going down; as the Time is drawing fast that requires our presence in the English Channel - I shall endeavor to get off from this Service in a few Weeks, and think there will be no great Difficulty in procuring a Discharge Was it not that I prefer the Sea to the Land Service, should continue a Soldier as long as there would be Occasion. - 2
Best regards to the Family and remain [Sec.]
Charles Pope
1. Delaware Archives (Dover, 1919), III, 1423.
2. Pope commanded the Fifth Company of the Delaware Regiment of the Continental line.
He did not resign from the land service. On the day after this letter to Rodney, his regiment marched and arrived in Philadelphia, August 3. Christopher L. Ward, The Delaware Continentals 1776-1783 (Wilmington, 1941), 10.
Samuel Purviance, JR- to Joseph Hewes 1
Dear Sir Baltimore August 1st 1776
The intention of this is to introduce to you my very worthy freind Captn James Nicholson, who agreeable to what I lately wrote you goes up to wait on your Board 2 Sc receive their Instructions &c about the Outfit of the Frigate.3 Captn Nicholsons Merit both in private Life 8c as an Officer is very great, Sc Justly deserving the Esteem of all who know him.- I hope
AUGUST 1776
9
a proper Regard will be paid to his Deserts by your Board in settling the Rank of the Officers, that his Usefulness may be rendered the more exten- sive. He possesses in my Opinion the best Talents for Command, of any Man I know; And the good Order & Discipline of the Ships Company which he now commands 4 is a striking Proof [of] it, It being difficult to deter- mine whither he is most loved or feared by them. His Judgemt in Marine Affairs will I am perswaded be of Service to your Board. His Prudence & Discretion are deserving of the greatest Confidence. My Bro[the]r will either accompany or go next day after Captn Nicholson, & will render every As- sist[an]ce he can in collecting & forwarding such Stores 8cc as are wanted from Philada I am Sir [&c.]
Sam1 Purviance Junr
1. Hayes Manuscripts, NCDAH.
2. Hewes was a member of the Continental Marine Committee.
3. The Continental frigate Virginia, built at Fell’s Point, Baltimore.
4. The Maryland ship Defence.
Maryland Council of Safety to George Woolsey 1
No 104.
Sir The Vessel you and Company have on the stocks the Council of Safety are now desirous of purchasing, provided they can have her on Reasonable Terms. -let us know therefore whether your Company will sell, and what price they ask - we expect your answer as soon as possible, when Mr [Stephen] Steward our agent will attend to compleat the con- tract, and give directions. We are [&c.] 2 [Annapolis] 1 Aug 1776
1. Council of Safety Letter Book, No. 1, Md. Arch.
2. Woolsey & Salmon Letter Book, LC, contains August 7 notation: “Wrote the Councill of
Safety Letting them know they Could not have the Schooner that is building.”
Journal of the Virginia Navy Board 1
[Williamsburg] Thursday the first day of August 1776. -
Resolved that John Hutchings Esqr be first Commissioner of this Board Protempore
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to John Hart for Nineteen pounds twelve shillings and four pence for Necessaries furnished the Schooner Revenge Capt [William] Deane —
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to William Cook for four pounds one shill- ing and six pence for Nails Bolts and other Articles furnished Capt William Deane for the use of the Schooner Revenge —
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Capt Edward Travis for four hundred and thirty one pounds for Disbursements and for the payment of his Men from the time of their Enlistment to this day 2
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Lieutenant James Quarles for One hundred and twenty two pounds one shilling & three pence, it being the Ballance of his Account for recruiting Service and for the Payment of his Company of Marines from the seventeenth day of April One thousand
10
AMERICAN THEATRE
seven hundred and seventy six to the thirty first day of July following — Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Capt Thomas Lilly for thirty pounds on Account for necessaries furnished the Brig Liberty —
Ordered that the Gallies to be Built by Mr Caleb Herbert pursuant to an Order of the Honourable the Congress 3 be of the following Dimensions, to wit, Seventy one feet Keel Twenty feet Beam six feet Hole and six Inches dead Rise —
Ordered that Mr William Frazer one of the Contractors for the district of York River do Furnish Caleb Herbert with provisions necessary for Victualling the Workmen now Building a Row Gallie under the direction of the said Herbert pursuant to an Order of Congress — 4
1. Navy Board Journal, 27-28, VSL.
2. The galley Manley.
3. See Journal of the Continental Congress, May 18, 1776, authorizing Virginia to build six
galleys at continental expense, for the protection of troops crossing the many navigable rivers in that colony. Volume 5, 142.
4. The Navy Board sent instructions to Frazer on August 4. Navy Board Letter Book, VSL.
Journal of the Virginia Council of Safety 1
[Williamsburg] Thursday August 1st 1776.
The Members present taking under their Consideration the proceed- ings of the Committee of Safety with respect to their Directions for build- ing six Row-Gallies for the purpose of Transporting Troops across the Rivers pursuant to a Resolution of General Congress, find that the said Committee had empowered Persons upon James, York and Rappahanock Rivers to provide Materials for building the same; but as this Board do not know what progress may have been made therein, and do not look upon themselves as competent Judges of Naval affairs are of opinion that the Commissioners of the Navy be requested to take this Business under their Consideration, and carry the said Resolution of Congress respecting the said Row-Gallies into Execution.
It appearing that the Public Treasury is at present in an exhausted state, owing to the delay in getting ready the Dollar Bills lately ordered by Convention to be struck, and that there is a considerable sum of Con- tinental Money deposited with the Treasurer by the Congress for the pur- pose of exchanging the same for Gold and silver which on Trial is found to be impracticable, Ordered therefore that the Treasurer be requested to pay any warrants which may be drawn by this Board, or the Navy Board during the present situation of the Treasury out of the said Continental money to be replaced hereafter; and that he be informed at the same Time, that the Council will issue as few warrants as may be, until the Treasury can be restored to a better Condition.
Thomas Everard, Joseph Prentis, and John Tyler Esquires having sent their several Resignations in writing of their Offices as Judges of the Court
AUGUST 1776
11
of Admiralty; William Holt, George Seaton, and William Armistead junior Esquires are appointed Judges of the said Court.
1. H. R. Mcllwaine, ed.. Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia (Richmond, 1932), I, 102, 103. Hereafter cited as Mcllwaine, ed., Journals of the Virginia Council.
Journal of the North Carolina Council of Safety 1
[Halifax] Thursday August 1st 1776.
Resolved That John Gale or William Calvert be appointed to the Command of the Brigantine Betsey now lying in Edenton Bay and Laden with a Cargo of Tobacco on the Continental Account and Bound on a Voyage to Europe, and should they both refuse to take the Command of the said Brigantine in that case the Committee of the Town of Edenton be impowered to appoint some person well skilled in the Art of Navigation, and who is a known Friend to the American Independency to the Com- mand of the said Brigantine Betsey.
Resolved That Robert Smith Esquire of Edenton be permitted to Export to any of the French or Neutral Islands in the Sloop Betsey, James Ferguson Master the following Articles, to wit. twenty thousand Hogshead Staves and heading, he having entered into Bond with Security in the Sum of One thousand pounds to import into this province the Net proceeds of the Staves above mentioned in Salt Arms Ammunition and other war- like Stores.
1. Secretary of State Papers (Provincial Conventions and Congresses/Councils 1774-1776), NCDAH.
Robert Cochran to John Langdon, Portsmouth 1
Sir, I Receiv’d Yours of 3th June ult. the day we were very Busy in geting ready to Receive our Enemys which we did on the 28th 8c give them a very Genteel draubing - Particulars you have before this reaches you. - Some damage has been done to the Inhabitants of the back Settle- ments of this province by the Indians, but there are large parties gone against them, so hope there will be a Stop to these troubles.
Am very happy to find you are in so good Spirits, 8c great readiness for the Enemy; wou’d be glad to hear how far advanc’d your Shiping are in new-England. Mr. Pickran 2 that come from Piscatway had the Command of a Row-Galley 8c has taken an English Brig in one of our Inletts. We Seem to be pretty Safe from danger at present. — I am, sir [8cc.] Charlestown 1st August 1776. Rob1 Cochran
1. John Langdon Papers, Captain J. G. M. Stone Private Collection, Annapolis.
2. Captain Thomas Pickering.
John Almon’s Remembrancer , 1776 1 St. Vincent’s, Aug 1.
The Shark man of war, Capt Bennett [sic John Chapman], on her way from Antigua to this island, opposite the island of Martinico, fell in with a North American privateer, mounting 18 ten pounders. The action
12
AMERICAN THEATRE
lasted near two hours, when the latter was obliged to sheer off; and the former pursued till she received two twenty-four pound shot from the fort at Martinico, which obliged her to desist; and the captain went on shore to make his complaint to the French governor, who declared he would not suffer any English man of war to come within reach of his cannon after the Americans; that if they were pirates he would not counte- nance them, but by no means looking on them in that light; they claimed his protection while they remained at Martinico; when they put to sea it was their own affair.
Captain Bennett [s/c] learned at Martinico, that this same American vessel had taken two English ships homeward bound, and that they had 39 prisoners on board; but the captains nor names of the vessels he could not hear; the colours which the American shewed were a field white and yellow, with 13 stripes.2
1. John Almon, ed., The Remembrancer ; or Impartial Repository of Public Events. For the
Year 1776 (London, 1776), III, 277-78. Hereafter cited as Almon, ed., Remembrancer .
2. Captain Chapman described the Reprisal’s colors as red and white striped with the union
next the staff, and made no mention of any yellow. See Chapman to Vice Admiral
Young, July 29, 1776. Volume 5, 1278-79.
2 Aug.
Journal of the Massachusetts Council 1
[Watertown] Friday - August 2d 1776
Petition of Benjamin Goodhue of Salem, in behalf of Himself & others his Partners -
Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioner in Company with said Part- ners is fitting out with all dispatch a Privateer Schooner of War call’d the Sturdy Beggar Whereof Allan Hallet is intended to be Commander. Your Petitioners Humble Prayer therefore is, that your Honors would be pleased, to Order that the said Allen Hallet may be Comissionated as Captain of the said Schooner, And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever Pray-
Benjamin Goodhue
Read and Ordered that the Abovementioned Allen Hallet be Comission- ated as Captain of said Schooner, On his giving Bonds with Sufficient Sure- ties to Comply with the Order of the General Court in such cases made - 2 Petition of Archibald Duthie, Humbly Sheweth, I was taken About three Weeks ago By the Sturdy Beggar Privateer comanded by Capt Peter Lander, in my Passage from Jamaica to London Since that time the Ship is retaken & I Apprehend carried to Halifax, it being near Night & the Sea running high when I was taken on board the Privateer, I had but little time to provide myself with Cloaths & other Necessarys, and not doubting of her being brought into Port, was not very Anxious, as She is not come, I am now without Cloaths Without Money, if your Honors thinks it right,
AUGUST 1776
13
I pray for leave to follow her to Halifax — and your Petitioner Shall ever pray, I am May it please your Honors - Your Most Obdt Sc M. H. Servt-
Archibald Duthie -
Ordered that the Officers taken by John Fisk Commander of the Tyrrannicide deliver their Swords into the Hands of Honble Richard Derby Esqr Sc he to keep them till said Officers are Liberated - Petition of John Winthrop Junr Sc others Humbly Sheweth, — That your Petitioners Owners of the Schooner Warren, burthen about Seventy Tons, Armed with Four four Pounders, Four three Pounders, twelve Swivels, Sc four Cohorns, Navigated with Fifty Men William Coas Commandr, Coas Gardner 1st Leut both of Gloucester, Moses Harris of Ipswich 2d Leut, is designed to Cruize Against the Enemies of these United States. Your Petitioners would therefore Humbly request your Honors to Commission the said Vessel Sc Captain for the purpose beforement[ione]d and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever Pray
John Winthrop Junr-
Read Sc Ordered that a Comission be Issued to the above Mention’d William Coas, Commander of the Schooner Warren, on his giving Bond Agreeable to the Resolves of Congress - 3
Ordered that the Commissary General be and he hereby is Directed to deliver unto Capt Daniel Souther Comander of the Brigantine Massa- chusetts or his Order the following Articles taking proper receipts for the same Vizt-
14 four or Six Pounders - 14 Swivels 40 Muskets 20 pr. Pistols 20 Tomahawks 1 Ton double headed 8 round Shott -
Petition of John Winthrop Junr of Boston humbly Sheweth, that your Petitioner being part Owner of the Schooner Warren now fitting out to Cruize Against the Enemies of these United States, Sc that the said Schooner having every necessary Equipment but the Article but Lie of] Gun Powder and for want of which she is Unable to proceed on her Cruize, Your Petitioner would therefore request permission of yr Honors to Allow him to purchase Seven Hundred pounds weight of the said Article of Gun Powder out of the Public Stores, Sc for which he will Imediately pay the Money or return the like weight of good Salt Petre, which he has now in his Possession, and yr Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray —
John Winthrop Junr -
Read Sc Ordered, that the Comissary be Sc he hereby is directed to deliver Mr John Winthrop Jnr Seven Hundred pounds of Gun Powder
3 . . 0 . .0 Grape Shott 100 lb Muskett Ball 50 lb Match rope 14 Powder Hornes
30 Bushells Beans Sc Pease -
14
AMERICAN THEATRE
for the beforementiond Schooner, he paying the Money or returning the Salt Petre as the Comissary & he can Agree -
Petition of Miles Greenwood of Salem, in behalf of himself, and Others his Partners, Inhabitants of Salem & Beverly, Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioner in Company with his sd partners, is now fitting out with all Dis- patch and allmost Compleated for the Sea a Private Schooner of War call’d the True American, to be Commanded by Capt Danl Hathorne, to be Mounted with twelve Carriage Guns, and Navigated with Seventy Men, with design to disstres and Captivate, the Subjects Servants & Vessels of the King of Great Britain, and all others, the declared Enemies of the United States of America -That your Petitioner is Appreh[e]nsive, that he shall not be able to procure powder for the said Schooners intended Cruize, owing to its Scarsity in this Colony -Your Petitioners Humble Prayer therefore is that the Honorable Board would be pleased to allow him and Order him to be supplied out of this Colony Magazine, with Seven Hundred pounds weight of Powder, he paying for the same at the price which the Honorable Board, or any Person or persons, whom they shall be pleased to appoint, shall set upon it and your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray- Miles Greenwood
Read & Ordered that the Commissary General be and he hereby is directed to deliver to Miles Greenwood or Order Seven Hundred w[e]ight of Powder out of the Powder Now at Salem he paying for the same at the rate of Five shillings pr pound.
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 19, 143-45.
2. Ibid., vol. 7, 162. Bond for $5,000 was made this date.
3. Ibid., vol. 7, 323. Bond for $5,000 was made this date.
New-England Chronicle , Friday, August 2, 1776
[Boston, August 2]
Messieurs Printers, In your paper of the 25th instant you mention, “last Sunday a ship of 200 tons burthen, commanded by James Arnout, was sent into this harbour by Commodore Hop- kins, &c.” In the same paper, we observe that a certain Caleb Hopkins, who calls himself “Commander of the armed ship called the George, &c.” has libelled the ship called the Queen of England.
We are greatly surprised at his assurance, in libelling said ship, as she was not within one and half miles of the George when she struck, and an island between them, and the Commodore (as he is called) did not come on board the Queen of England, ’till an hour after she struck, and then was employed only as a pilot.
Winthrop Gray Zebedee Redding
Hull, July 29, 1776.
Friday last was taken to the Eastward of Mount Desart, by two Whalemen, and last Wednesday sent in here, a large Schooner of 160
Captains.-
AUGUST 1776
15
Tons, from Jamaica bound to Halifax, laden with Rum, Sugar, Pimenta, See. She, it is said, was formerly owned in Salem.
Last Lord’s Day was carried into Marblehead, the Ship Peggy, com- manded by James Kennedy, mounts six 3 and two 2-pounders, bound for New York, taken by the armed Vessels Hancock, Capt. [Samuel] Tucker, and the Franklin, Captain [John] Skimmer. She is one of the Fleet of 24 Sail, who, it is said, by those that were taken in her, came out with trans- ports, under convoy of two men of war, the Renown of 50 and the Flora of 20 guns, having on board a number of troops. — The cargo consists of 75 doz. hose, 180 yards Irish sheeting, 2 boxes cord, 74 doz. porter, 83 doz. strong beer, 311 tierces salted beef, 6 barrels herring, 24 camp kettles, 5 doz. canteens, 2 doz. kettles with covers, candlesticks and spoons, 2648 mutton hams, 50 doz. Rappee snuff, 100 gallons rum, 3884 yards oznabrigs, 12 and half doz. claret, 4 barrels flour, 2 kegs barley, 230 doz. red port wine, 50 doz. Sherry, 53 doz. white port wine, 16 doz. strong beer, amounting to <£.1509-1-9 sterling, and some cash. Also the following Tory gentlemen and ladies, viz. Patrick Reed, Thomas Frazier, Robert Semple, and wife, Elizabeth Burns, John Burns, Abigail Pecit, Thomas Semple, and the pious Benjamin Davis and son, Thomas Pamp, and John Whitehead. The Pri- vateer Warren, Capt. Burk, engaged with another of the fleet, and near taking her, when by some accident she had three of her men blown up and seven wounded, which obliged them to put into port.1 2
The above Tories were brought to Town in a Marblehead Schooner on Monday morning, and escorted up to Gaol; - they inform that they left Halifax the 4th July; that they sailed in Company with 3 Transports with Hessian Troops bound to New-York; and that the Day they left Hali- fax, they saw a fleet of 40 Sail, which they supposed to be Transports with Hessian Troops.
1. Gray and Redding commanded two companies of the 14th Continental Infantry, stationed
at Hull and Point Alderton.
2. The Warren’s engagement was with the British transport Unity , whose captain made the
following report of the encounter:
Off the Isle of Sable, early in the Morning, we saw a Schooner, which seemed inclined to speak with us; about Noon she was only a Half a mile from us, when she fired a Shot to bring us too; she had hoisted no Colours notwithstanding she fired a Shot; we were surprised at this, and could therefore hardly think she was one of our armed Schooners, as the Officer would certainly know his Duty better: we accordingly brought too, but took Care also to get all the Soldiers up, and in Arms, and had them all ready under the Quarter-deck, and out of Sight; she ran under our Stern, and bade us strike to the Congress; on which having four Guns abaft, (all we had on board) we complimented her with a Couple; she then kept on our bow, and seemed inclined to board us, our Soldiers immediately went for- ward, and gave them such a Discharge of small Arms, that she found she had caught a Tartar. I believe we killed them five Men at this Fire. She then shot a-head of us, in order, I believe, to consider what to do; the Determination was to leave us, which they did, by steering away South, whilst we kept on for Halifax Harbour, not having suffered the least Hurt. The Schooner had ten Guns, and I believe upwards of fifty Hands.
Public Advertiser, London, August 30, 1776.
16
AMERICAN THEATRE
Agreement of Officers and Crew of the Rhode Island
Privateer Sloop Diamond 1
Providence August the 2, 1776
Whear as thear is Sum uneasyness a Rose amoung the Sloop Dimounds Crue a Bought Thomas Curtis having two And Half Sheares For acting as Leftennant of mereanes wee hous Names are under Ritten do a Gree that Said Curtis Receve two & Half Sheares out of ail prizes Taken by Sloop Dimound the Cruse he was out Bound -
his
John X Briggs mark
Benja Butts Bethanath Hodgkinson Robert Palmer Georg Hoffman Gilbert Bedell Alex[a]nder Tindall His
John X Morgain mark
Thomas Stone William Harrison John Sober John Williams
1. JCBL.
Isaa Code Cap Ms William Hurbly his
John X Adams mark
John Sowdon John Clarke Isaac Mondon Robert Bolton Asa Briggs P Desmazures his
Christopher X Hargal mark
Joseph Picher Jr Will™ Chace Mastr George W. Babcock
Journal of the Connecticut Council of Safety 1
[Lebanon] Friday, August 2d, 1776
Resolved and ordered , That Capt. John Deshon and Mr. Nathl Shaw Junr be and they are Instructed to Purchase the New Providence Sloop belonging to Mr. Charles Walker now Lying at New London 2 for the use of this government to be fitted out as an armed Vessell, at the Easiest and Cheapest Rate in their Power and to Execute Proper Contracts on the Part of this Colony for that Purpose and Receive Suitable Writings of Con- veyance to Pass the property of the Same to this State Accordingly
And that thereupon Capt Seth Harding Do Immediately Proceed to alter and fit up said Sloop as an Armed Brigantine with the Greatest Dispatch and that he make use of the Masts Sails rigging Guns and other Implements & Furniture of the Brigantine Defence now under his Com- mand for that Purpose and that he Employ the Officers Sailors and Marines of said Brigantine Defence in fitting said Sloop as aforesd.3
AUGUST 1776
17
and said Mr Shaw is Directed to furnish Capt Harding with what shall be Necessary for that Purpose
1. Charles J. Hoadly, ed., Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut . . . (Hartford, 1890),
XV, 495. Hereafter cited as Hoadly, ed., Connecticut Records. An attested copy is in Nathaniel and Thomas Shaw Letters and Papers, NLCHS.
2. The sloop Endeavour, which Esek Hopkins had impressed into service to carry some of
the cannon from New Providence, promising Walker that he would be reimbursed. This Congress did to the amount of two thousand dollars, restoring sloop and her original cargo to the owner.
3. The sloop, converted to a brigantine, was also named Defence.
Connecticut Gazette , Friday, August 2, 1776 New- London, August 2.
Since our last arrived here Capt. Joseph Packwood in an armed sloop, from the West-Indies, with ten Tons of Powder, 3 or 400 stand of Arms, and a Quantity of European Goods. And,
Last Tuesday Capt. Bigelow arrived here from the West-Indies, with five Tons of Powder, Sec. They were both chased by the Cerberus Frigate, Capt. Simmons [John Symons], but had the good Fortune to get in safe.
List of Men from Connecticut Who Served On Board the Continental Ship Alfred 1
List of Men Ship’d in Connecticut for 6 Months
|
Names |
Amount Slops Reed |
Time Entry |
Time of Discharg &c:8cc: |
||
|
James Holt |
£6. .4. .7 |
23d |
Dec: |
1775 |
Dischd 16th June 1776- |
|
Peter Holt |
2. .4. .9 |
23d |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 17th June 1776 |
|
Willm Fagan |
5.17.11 |
14th |
do |
do |
Dischd 14th Tune 1776- |
|
Samuel Lollard |
3.16. .1 |
30th |
do |
do |
Run 21. April 1776 |
|
Samuel Procter |
5. .5. .3 |
1 |
Jany |
1776 |
Run 10. April 1776 |
|
Elias Robbins |
4.10. .9 |
1 |
do |
do |
Run 17. July 1776- |
|
John Cole |
3 . . 3 . .3 |
3d |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 3 Jul 1776 |
|
Robert Babcock |
10. .6 |
2 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4th 1776 |
|
James Palmer |
3. .9. .9 |
2 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4th July 1776 |
|
Nathan Brand |
1..1..4 |
2 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4 July 1776 |
|
Daniel Palmer |
10. .6 |
2 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4 July 1776 |
|
Peter Peters |
1. .1 |
3 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4 July 1776 |
18
AMERICAN THEATRE
|
Names |
Amount Slops Reed |
Time Entry |
Time of Discharge 8cc:8cc: |
||
|
Moses Palmer |
1 . .3. .6 |
2 |
do |
do |
left Sick in Connect 8c not Returned |
|
Elihu Babcock |
13. .5 |
3 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4 July 1776 |
|
Asa Lewis |
3. .1.10 |
3 |
do |
do |
Left the Ship 4th July 1776 |
|
John Chester |
5. .7. .6 |
4 |
do |
do |
Dischd 2d Auarust 1776- |
|
Peleg Toker |
1.18. .7 |
4 |
do |
do |
Dischd 2. August 1776- |
|
Edward Derrick |
4.11. .2 |
8 |
do |
do |
Died 16. April 1776 |
|
Richard Salter |
5. .8. .- |
10 |
do |
do |
Run 13 March 1776 — |
|
Labeus Gavitt |
1. .2.11 |
6 |
do |
do |
left Sick in Connect 8c not Returnd |
|
Thomas Cook |
1.14.10 |
20 |
Deer |
1775 |
Dischd 20th June 1776- |
|
Ward Bulkley |
10. .6 |
20. |
Dec: |
1775 |
Dischfd] 20. Tune 1776- |
|
Daniel Wheeler |
1. .3. .8 |
20. |
Dec: |
1775 |
Dischd 20. June 1776 - |
|
David McKensey |
1.12.11 |
20. |
Dec: |
1775 |
Turnd over to A Doria 13 May 1776 |
|
Willm Bennett |
5 9 |
19. |
Dec: |
1775 |
Died 21. March 1776 |
|
John Perry |
2.18. .2 |
2 |
Jan |
1776. |
left Sick in Connect 8c not Returnd |
|
Bodwel Huse |
19. .9 |
22. |
Dec: |
1775 |
left Sick in Connect 8c not Returnd |
|
Rob: P. Webber |
3.18. .3 |
3 |
Jan |
1776 |
Run 15th March 1776 |
|
Oliver Bradley |
3 . . 2 . .3 |
18 |
Dec |
1775 |
left Sick in Connect 8c not Returnd |
|
Titus Dutton |
2. .6.10 |
28. |
do |
do |
left Sick in Connect 8c not Retd |
|
George Leonard |
3.13. .3 |
25 |
do |
do |
Run 13th March 1776 |
|
Will. Bidwell |
6. .5. .1 |
11 |
Jan: |
1776 |
Left the Ship 1 1th July 1776- |
|
Dixon Ewing |
8. .2. .3 |
11th |
Feb: |
1776 |
Died 9th June 1776- |
The above Sums are Exclusive of their first Months Pay which they all Reed of the Congress’s Agents Except Dixon Ewing who never Reed any Part of his first Mo Pay [August 2, 1776] 2
1. Gurley Collection, ConnSL.
2. Date is based on the discharge of John Chester and Peleg Toker, August 2.
AUGUST 1776
19
Captain Richard Varick to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Gansevoort 1
Sir Albany Augt 2. 1776
I am directed by General Schuyler to desire You to forward to Gen- eral Gates with all possible Dispatch, All the Junk Sc Oakham from Your Post Sc all the Pitch, Except one Barrel, together with all the Steel Sc Iron Sc that You will immediately send me a Return of what has been for- warded from Your Post to Tyonderoga 8c that hereafter You will send me a Return Every three Days, of what Articles You forward to General Gates. -
All the Anchors, Cables, Rigging, Cordage, Military Sc Naval Stores, Axes Sc Intrenching Tools, which are or shall arrive at Your post are immediately to be forwarded without the least Delay. -
Pray let me intreat You from Time to Time to have strict Enquiry made in the Commissaries & Contractors Stores at Your post, that None of the above Articles may be in the least delayed in forwarding.
Forward the inclosed with Dispatch. I am Sir [8ccJ.
By Order Sec: R. V. Secry.
1. Schuyler Papers, Letters & Orders, 18 April, 1776-28 June, 1777, NYPL.
Journal of H. M. S. Rose , Captain James Wallace 1 In Hudsons River New York
AM Reev’d from the Ph[o]enix fresh Beef, at 11 weigh’d the Stream Anchor and hove short on the best Br First and Mide part little wind and clear Wr latter Calm PM at 1/2 past Mer[i]d[ian] weighd and came to Sail Steer- ing down the river as did the Phenix, Tryal Sc 2 Tenders, at i/2 past 2 the Phenix Run on shore on the Flats off Terry Town, Anchor’d in 4 14 fm as did the Tryal and Tenders Weigh’d and dropt a Mile below the Phenix P[er] Order [of] Capt [Hyde] Parker [Jr.], saw 7 Sail of Arm’d Vessels down the River, at 10 the Phenix got off
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/805.
Journal of H. M. S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.1 August 1776. Moor’d Off Singsing.
Friday 2d AM Clear’d Hawse The Master employed Sounding Modt
and fair Wear
P M 14 pt Meridian Unmoor’d Weigh’d and Came to Sail, the Rose, Tryal Sc two Tenders in Company, in runing down the River, the Ship Grounded on a flat off of Tarry Town, at 2 P M Carried the Stream Anchor out and Attempted to heave off, but without effect, got some of the Upper and lower Deck Guns forward to bring the Ship by
August 1776 Friday 2d
20
AMERICAN THEATRE
the Head, Carried the best Bower Anchor out in the Stream and at 10 Hove the Ship Off Veer’d to % of a Cable 2
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/694.
2. Ibid., 1/487 contains a copy of the log from July 15 to August 18, 1776, endorsed: “Capt
Parker’s Journal No 1 in Lord Howe’s Ire 31 Aug 1776.”
Brigadier General George Clinton to George Washington 1
[Extract] Fort Montgomery 2d August 1776.
On Thursday last the Shipping & Tenders fell down to the Mouth of Croton River where they have ever since continued at Anchor near the East Shore. Since which they have attempted once to land on this Side the River with their Barge but were repulsed by our Militia.
On Satturday last the 300 New England Militia left Peeks Kill Sc returned Home without giving me the least Notice of it, tho I believe they had the Consent of the Committee of [Provincial] Congress who expected in the New Levies from West Chester Sc Dutchess that Evening to Supply their Place. They were disappointed, the Shore, of course un- guarded Sc the very same Evening the Enemy’s Barge came up the River six Mile from where the Shipping lay, went a Mile or Upwards into the Country & took off a yoke of Oxen, a Steer, a Cow Sc 10 Sheep from the Farm of one Baily, who it is said is on Board the Phenix , and I suppose was their Guide.
1. Hugh Hastings, ed., The Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York (New York and Albany, 1899), I, 282, 283.
Journal of the New York Provincial Convention 1
Die Veneris, 4 ho. P. M.
[White Plains] Augt. 2d, 1776.
Ordered , that Danl. Shaw, commander of the private sloop of war called the Harlequin , be, and he hereby is, permitted to purchase from James and Alexr. Stewart, or any other person, 1,200 weight of gunpowder, for the use of the said sloop.
1. Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the State of New-York. 1775-1776-1777 (Albany, 1842), I, 554. Hereafter cited as New York Provincial Congress.
Peter R. Livingston to Robert Livingston 1
[Extract] Harlem 2 August 1776
. . . find every thing gitting readey with great alacrty a number of people are employed to sink Vessels logs &c &c nearly opposite to the blue bell to stop the way of the two Ships up above they lay about two miles below Tailors point Six Grandola’s See went round from the East river to the North last night which occasioned the Shiping we are told below to move up towards the town to see what we were after they intend in a few days to attack the two Ships up the river and endeavour to burn them
mMMfyObfylh.
L -ki li'in rub£u/h.: a* //*■ h ifim.JWrr^^Kfrs /t m
■Xt'&dfr swfr.
22
AMERICAN THEATRE
How[e] had a reinforcement on Monday of 2000. Highlanders and we about that number from Boston by water . . .
2 OClock. I just Returned from the City, they say last night 40 trans- ports more arrived, am very fearful the workes we have will require such a number of hands to gaurd and work them properly that in case G Howe should land at Mareneck and at Colo Philipes that he will hem them all in and cutt off all communication by Sea and land, just as I came away a flagg set off from the Army to G. Washington but could not stay to hear the purport of it . . . Our Congress has passed a Resolve Acquiessing in Gen: Washington’s Vacating the City when Ever he sees proper for the good of the Service . . . l. FDRL.
Journal of Ambrose Serle 1
[On board H. M. S. Eagle ] Friday, 2d. August.
Govr. Tryon came on board this Morning to communicate the Infor- mation he had just reed, that Hopkins, the Rebel Commodore, with the Vessels under his Command, had stolen out of Rhode Island Harbor, and intended to pass down the Sound, and through the East River by New York, in order to assist the Rebels to destroy the two Ships that passed some time since up the North River. It is not to be doubted however, if the Intelligence be true, and the Passage be made, but that the Phoenix 8c the Rose will give a good Account of them.2
1. Tatum, ed., Serle’s Journal, 52-53.
2. A rumor probably arising from the dispatch from Rhode Island of two galleys to reinforce
Washington’s small fleet at New York.
Journal of the Continental Congress 1
[Philadelphia] Friday, August 2, 1776
Resolved, That the Secret Committee and Marine [committee] be dis- charged from fitting out vessels with cargoes to Bermudas, for purposes expressed in the resolutions of Congress, of [June 6, 1776].
Resolved, That Mr. [George] Walton be appointed a member of the Marine Committee, in the room of Mr. [Button] Gwinnett, who is absent.
The Marine Committee, to whom it was referred to enquire into the conduct of Commodore Hopkins, brought in their report, which was read:
Ordered, To lie on the table, to be taken into consideration on Mon- day next.
1. Worthington C., Ford, et al., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 (Washing- ton, 1904-1937), V, 626, 628. Hereafter cited as Ford, ed., JCC. "
John Adams to Richard Cranch 1
[Extract] [Philadelphia] Aug. 2. 1776
I thank you for your Account of the Prizes taken, by our little Fleet. We may judge by a little what a great deal Means. I hope We shall have more Power at sea, before long.
AUGUST 1776
23
. . . Barry has taken another Tender. Another Prize is taken and car- ried into Egg Harbour, and a Vessell has arrived here with a rich Cargo of Arms, Ammunition, Flints and Lead, and dry Goods from Marseilles. She brings no bad News from France.
1. L. H. Butterfield, ed.. The Adams Papers, Series II, Adams Family Correspondence (Cam- bridge, 1963), II, 73-74. Hereafter cited as Butterfield, ed., Adams Family Correspond- ence.
Diary of Christopher Marshall 1
[Philadelphia] August 2d 1776
. . . granted 3 passes for Camp . . . one to Capt Job Springer of Scooner Grampus to Dartmouth N. England Government, one to Capt Corban Barnes of Schooner Julia to Plymouth New England Government. . . . accot last night was that the Congress Privater Capt [John] Craig of this port, has taken & brought her into Egg Harbour, A Brig from Nevis.2 its Said to be worth near Twenty Thousand pound &c
1. Diary of Christopher Marshall, HSP.
2. The brig Richmond, with rum, sugar, and £20,000 in gold on board.
Maryland Council of Safety to Brigadier General Henry Hooper 1
[Extract]
No 105
Sir, Since our last we have had advice from Major [Thomas] Price our commanding officer in Saint-Mary’s, that the British fleet lay near the mouth of Smith’s creek in Potowmack, that they were very weak in Land- forces not exceeding 300 men, that they were so sickly that 50 dead bodies had appeared on the shores, chiefly negroes, and that having gone up the River Potowmack to take in water & returned, he imagined they would soon sail from that Quarter. -
Their Forces appear so inconsiderable and contemptible to him, that he has dismissed all the militia, and keeps only two independent Companies to oppose them . . .
We do not expect from their weak state that any attempt will be made, except to plunder, and we think the 500 regular Troops together with the 200 Militia, a sufficient Force to protect your shore 2 until the fleet sails, which we daily expect to hear of, and if some of them go to sea & only a few remain at our Capes, and in Virginia to destroy our Trade, as is suggested to us will be the case, the remainder of the militia also may be discharged. -
If the schooner you have taken would answer to make an armed Boat or vessel for the Defence of this Colony, we should be glad you would send her over that she may be put in repair & fitted for the service, if she is unfit, an Acct of her Size, value and stores will be agreeable to us. [Annapolis] 2d Augt 1776
1. Council of Safety Letter Book, No. 1, Md. Arch.
2. The lower Eastern Shore counties of Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay.
24
AMERICAN THEATRE
Maryland Council of Safety to the Maryland Delegates in
the Continental Congress 1
[Extract]
No 107
Since our last we have reed two letters from Major [Thomas] Price, Copies of which are inclosed, from them you will learn the situation of the Enemy below, our pilot boat came up last night & informs they are not yet gone off, several vessels are dismasted, and on shore at the point of St. George’s island with intention to burn them; Middleton thinks they are going off down the Bay, and we hope soon to be able to write you to that effect, altho’ we apprehend a visit to the Eastern shore, and are preparing accordingly. - we have the Satisfaction to inform you that the report of a Landing at Colo [Williaml Smallwood’s was not true - Mr Brents houses were burnt and a good deal of damage done — we hear of no particulars of any other mischief up above. . . .
We congraulate you on the safe arrival of the Molly Captn [Thomas] Conway in great Wiccomico, Virginia, with 21,000 Wt of Gun Powder & 270 Stand of Small arms for the use of this Province, we shall get the Cargo up here, as soon as we can with safety. . . .
[Annapolis] 2d July [sic August] 1776.
1. Council of Safety Letter Book, No. 1, Md. Arch.
Journal of the Virginia Navy Board 1
[Williamsburg] Friday the 2d day of August 1776. —
A Commission signed by his Excellency the Governor appointing Ciley Saunders Capt of the Lewis Row Gallie was delivered to him by this Board. -
A Commission signed by his Excellency the Governor appointing James Markham Capt of the Page Row Gallie was delivered to him by this Board. -
A Commission from his excellency the Governor appointing Henry Light- bourn second Lieutenant of the Page Row Gallie commanded by James Markham was delivered to him by this Board. —
A Commission signed by his excellency the Governor appointing John Lusty first Lieutenant of the Page Row Gallie commanded by James Markham was delivered to him by this Board. -
A Commission signed by his excellency the Governor appointing Stafford Lightbourn first Lieut of the Lewis Row Gallie commanded by Ciley Saunders was delivered to him by this Board. —
A Commission signed by his excellency the Governor appointing Samuel Henley second Lieutenant of the Lewis Row Gallie commanded by Ciley Saunders was delivered to him by this Board which he received.
A Commission from his Excellency the Governor appointing William
AUGUST 1776
25
Green first Lieutenant of the Sloop Defiance Commanded by Eliazer Cal- lender was delivered to him by this Board which he received.
A Commission from his excellency the Governor appointing Lewis Jones second Lieutenant of the Sloop Defiance commanded by Eliazer Callender was delivered to him by this Board which he received. -
A Commission from his excellency the Governor appointing Eliazer Cal- lender Captain of the Sloop Defiance was delivered to him by this Board which he received. -
Ordered that the Row Gallie now lying in Rappahanock River whereof Ciley Saunders is Captain be called and known by the name of the Lewis. — Ordered that the Row Gallie now lying in Rappahanock River whereof James Markham is Captain be called and known by the name of the Page. — The Rules and Regulations made by this Board respecting the fitting out the several Captains and Seamen engaged in the Naval service of this common Wealth was referred to his excellency the Governor and Council and being by them approved of It is Ordered that the same be Estab- lished. -
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Capt William Dean for Twenty pounds upon Account for necessaries for the use of the Schooner Revenge. - Ordered that Colo William Finnie deliver unto Capt^ Edward Travis twenty sailors under Waistcoats for the use of the Seamen on Board the Manley Gallie. -
Ordered that Mr Gabriel Maupin keeper of the Public Magazine deliver unto Capt Edward Travis four hundred and twenty five pounds of Gun powder and twelve twelve pound Ball for the use of the Manley Gallie - Ordered that Colo William Aylett keeper of the public Store deliver unto James Quarles eight Shirts for the use of the Marines on Board the Manley Capt Travis which Shirts the said Quarles is to Account for at the rate of twelve shillings and six pence pr Shirt -
1. Navy Board Journal, 28-30, VSL.
Journal of the Virginia Council of Safety 1
[Williamsburg] Friday August 2d 1776
The Rules for the Regulation of the Navy, of the Commonwealth of Virginia, laid before the Privy Council by the Commissioners of the Navy Board were also read and approved.
1. Mcllwaine, ed., Journals of the Virginia Council, I, 105.
Virginia Navy Board to Colonel Fielding Lewis, Fredericksburg 1
Sir Williamsburg August 2d 1776 —
Your Memorandum to Capt John Craig we have had under consid- eration, we shou’d be very glad if you can with propriety stop the Salt as we have not a Bushel, and it will be impossible to send a Vessel on a cruise
26
AMERICAN THEATRE
without Salt Provisions. The Congress having directed Six Rowe Galleys for protecting Troops crossing the Rivers, one of which you’ll please to have built of the following dimensions 71 feet Keel, 20 feet Beam six feet Hole and six Inches rise.2 We wish you to employ as many Carpenters as can work on her, that She may be finish’d with all expedition. We in- close you the Commissions for the Officers agreeable to your List together with some Warrants for the inferiour Officers, to Wit the Master, Masters Mate, Surgeon, Surgeons Mate and two Midshipmen. Whatever rigging you may want, you’ll please to send to Capt Charles Thomas for at War- wick, and he will comply with your orders, being employ’d by the public for that purpose, any thing in the public Stores at Fredericksburg that may be necessary in fitting out of the Vessels you must order to them desir- ing the Storekeeper to be particular in charging each Vessel as we are desirous of knowing the Cost of them [&c.]
John Hutchings 1st Comr P.T.
1. Navy Board Letter Book, VSL.
2. Ibid., the Board wrote to Lewis on August 22 altering the dimensions to “eighty one feet
Keel, twenty feet Beam seven and half moulded Hole.”
Purdie’s Virginia Gazette, Friday, August 2, 1776
Williamsburg, August 2.
Since our last, we have certain advice that lord Dunmore, with his motley band of pirates and renegadoes, have burnt the elegant brick house of William Brent, esq; at the mouth of Aquia creek, in Stafford county, as also two other houses lower down Potowmack river, the property of widow ladies, with several ferry boats; that on Tuesday se’nnight he re- landed on St. George’s island, but was beat off by 1200 Marylanders; that he had burnt eight of his vessels, and was seen standing down the bay the Thursday after with all his fleet.
“Extract of a letter from St. Eustatia, dated August 2, 1776.” 1
We have just received an account from Martinico that the Reprisal , Capt. Weeks [Lambert Wickes], belonging to the Congress, had an en- gagement with the Shark sloop of war, of sixteen guns, belonging to his Britannic Majesty, within sight of St. Piere’s wherein the former had greatly the advantage, and acquired much honor amongst the French, many of whom were spectators of the battle. The American vessel after- wards going into the harbour of St. Piere’s, the Captain of the Shark demanded the American rebel, as he termed it, but the French General refused to deliver him up. A French frigate is just arrived from Old France, with despatches, as late as the 22d of June, to the Governors of the different islands, ordering them to protect and assist the American vessels as far as possible, and to be prepared to defend themselves, if necessary. From this it appears a French war is not far off.
1. Pennsylvania Evening Post, August 22, 1776.
AUGUST 1776
27
3 Aug.
Journal of H. M. S. Blonde , Captain Philemon Pownoll 1 Augt 1776 Moor’d off Point Champlain.
Saturday 3 AM reed fresh Beef wash’d between Decks, and work’d the
Ventilator.
do [moderate and cloudy]
put 2 Twelve Pounders, 200 Shot, 200 Cartridges &c into Transports Longboats to go to the Lakes, by order of Captain [Charles] Douglas
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/118.
The Freeman’s Journal , Saturday, August 3, 1776 Portsmouth [August 3].
By an Express from Falmouth last Evening, we are inform’d that Capt. [Joseph] White the Day before, in a privateer,1 had arriv’d there, having 40 men on board, with the particulars of the following prizes he had taken, viz. The Brig Fanny, 130 Hhds Rum from Antigua, - Sloop Betsy , 150 Hhds Rum, and a Brig from Antigua for Liverpool, with 230 Hhds Rum - Brig Harlequin from Nevis for London, 273 Hhds Sugar, & 65 Hhds Rum — Ship Polly , from Antigua, 450 Hhds Rum, 12 Hhds Sugar. Ship Anna Mariah, 495 Hhds Sugar, & 52 Pipes of Wine, and some Bails of Cotton, carried into Falmouth. The Captain also took a seventh Vessel, which he gave the Prisoners, - Capt. [Tobias] Lear, and Capt. Hoply Yeaton, of this Town, we hear, are on board one of the Vessels, which put into Towns End at the Eastward.2
1. The Massachusetts privateer sloop Revenge.
2. The Anna Maria , William Pringle, master, and the Polly, Tobias Lear, master, were brought
around from Townsend to Boston and libeled in the Admiralty Court of the Middle District, New England Chronicle, August 29, 1776.
Journal of H. M. S. Liverpool , Captain Henry Bellew 1 Augt 1776 C: Ann No 62 W 28 Leags
Saturday 3 gave chase to a sail fir’d at her and brot her too, Sent a Boat
onbd found her to be from Antigua, laden with rum, for Ire- land, but was in possessn of the Rebels, took the Rebels out Sent a Petty Officer onbd her, and 4 men.2 Prizes in Company.-
First and midle parts fresh gales and fair, latter, hazey, lying too, for the prizes, made sail at 5 PM 3
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/548.
2. The Devonshire, Fisher, Public Advertiser, London, October 2, 1776.
3. The Liverpool with two prizes and one recapture arrived at Halifax on August 10, 1776,
New-England Chronicle, September 5, 1776.
28
AMERICAN THEATRE
Account Book of William Sever 1
[Kingston] August 3d
Cash pd for 1 Months Advance pay to Crew of Brigt Independence
1. Sever Account Book, 264. Courtesy of Captain and Mrs. Noel Sever O’Reilly, Glenview, Illinois.
Will of John Ernest Kessler, Surgeon on Board the Continental
Ship Columbus 1
I John Ernest Kessler now Resident in Providence in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and Surgeon on Board the Ship Colum- bus, belonging to the Free States of America, being Bound on a Cruise against the Enimies of the American States, and Considering the uncertinty of my Lifes being continued, and the chance of being Captivated by the Enimy and having no Relations in America. Do by these presents make, constitute, and Appoint my Friend William Bowen of the Town and County of Providence, Phesitian, my Attorney in all Cases whatsoever. (cum Facilitate substituends) more Especially to claim and Receive for me all my Wages, that shall be Due to me from these States, and all shares of Prize Money, that is or may be due to me from Time to Time, and in Case of my Decease or of my not Returning again to America, I do hereby Give and Bequeath to my said Friend Doctor William Bowen, to his Hires and Assigns, all my said Effects and Estates that I shall leave in America. Reserving and Giving first of all the Sum of Twenty Pounds (Lawful Money) to my Friend Daniel Nauman, Surgeon in Philadelphia as some acknowledgment for Favours already Received from him. and I do hereby annul and make Void, any former Will or Power of Attorney that I may have made, Ratifying and Confirming This as my Last Will and Power of Attorney.
In Witness of all the above I the said John Ernest Kessler have hereunto put my Hand and Affixed my Seale This Third Day of August Annoq. Domini nostre Millissimo Septengentissimo Septigessimo Sexto et anno Libertatis Americani Republicee Primo. 1776 Signed Seald and pronounced By the said John Ernest Kessler as his Last Will and Power before us
James Munro John Ernest Kessler, Surgeon
Obadiah Bowen to the ship Columbus 2
[Endorsed] August 3d A D 1776.
In Providence ss. Doctor John Ernest Kessler the Signer of the Instru- ment on this sheet of paper Appear’d in Person and Acknowledged that the same was done Freely and Voluntarily By him.
Corum Jabez Bowen
Justicario Pacis
1. Miscellaneous Collection, Vol. 12, RIHS.
2. Kessler entered on board the Columbus on January 18, 1776, as surgeon’s mate and was
promoted to surgeon on January 25, 1776. He succeeded Dr. Henry Malcolm who was transferred that day to the Continental sloop Providence, Columbus Muster Roll, Transcript of Military Papers, Arch.
230.18. .-
AUGUST 1776
29
Journal of the Committee Appointed to Build Two Continental
Frigates in Rhode Island 1
[Providence] August 3d 1776
Wheiras we have had the Misfortune in heaving out the Ship Warren , this Day, to carry away her Fore Mast, and to spring h[er] Main Mast which must greatly retard compleating the said ship [illegible] but that we do all in our powers to have them replafced] This Voted that Col William Russell go [to] Middletown, and their procure one Main Mast Work 28 Inches, 87 Feet long, one fore Mast [illegible] Inches. Diamiter 80 feet long one Mizen Mast [illegible] Inches Diamiter 78 feet long, also Sparrs For Main and Topsaile Yards and Topmasts and that a Vessell be procured to bring them Round hear on the best Termes they can. and as soon as possible, if Sparrs are to be gott the Vessell is to be Loaded with them.
Voted That Mr Daniel Hawkins go to Portsmouth and their procure Masts and Sparrs of the above dimentions, that he have a Vessell on the best termes he can. and freight the Sparrs hear takeing smaller ones enough to Load her, that he spare no reasonable Expence in dispatching this Business as soon as he can. and that the Treasurer supply him with Money.
Voted that Jabez Bowen Write Letters to Mr Barnabs Dean of Weathersfield and John Langdon Esqr of Portsmouth to procure the above Sparrs for this Committee
Voted that Mesers Russells be desired to write to Mr William Foster and request him to purchase Two Hundred Butts for Water Cask for the Ships and have them Transported hear as soon as possible.
Voted That their be a Bill drawn on the Honble Stephen Hopkins Esqr at Philadelphia for one Thousand Dollars in favour of Mr Wili[a]m Arnold, he paying the Cash hear in One Month.
Voted That Mr James Sumner be paid Ten Shilling pr Day for his and his Boys Wages, from last Monday Morning provided he keeps steddily to Work till he has finished [illegible] Gun Carriges. also that Cord be allowed five shillings P Day, from this date provided he continues to Work with Mr Sumner.
1. Journal of the Committee who built the Ships Providence and Warren for the United States AD 1776, RIHS. Hereafter cited as Journal R. I. Frigates, RIHS.
Libel of Captains Daniel Bucklin and Joseph White Against
the Prize Brigantine Harlequin 1
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence, ss.
A Libel is filed before me, in Behalf of Daniel Bucklin, of Providence, in the County of Providence, in the said State, Mariner, and Commander of the private Sloop of War called the Montgomery, duly commissioned by the Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Esq; Governor of said State; and also in behalf
30
AMERICAN THEATRE
of John White, Mariner, and Commander of the private Sloop of War called the Revenge, belonging to Salem, in the State of Massachusetts Bay, also duly commissioned with Letters of Marque and Reprisal, to cruize against the Enemies of the United States of America, against the Brigantine called the Harlequin, of the burthen of about 180 Tons, with her Ap- purtenances, late commanded by Capt. John Goodwin; and also against the Cargo of the said Brigantine, consisting of about 119 Hogsheads, 137 Tierces and 20 Barrels of Sugar, 62 Hogsheads of Rum, 2 Boxes of Shell- work, See. bound from the English Island of Nevis, in the West Indies, to the Port of London, in the Kingdom of Great Britain; which said Brigan- tine, her Appurtenances and Cargo, as ’tis said, were lately taken and captured upon the high Seas, by the said Daniel Bucklin and John White, their respective Officers and Men, belonging to said Sloops of War, and brought into the port of Providence aforesaid, and at and before the said Time of Capture, belonged to and were the Property of some of the In- habitants of Great Britain, and were used for the Purpose of carrying Supplies to the British Fleets and Armies now acting against the said United States.
The Justice of the above Capture will be tried, at the Court erected in and for said State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, for Trial of maritime Causes, to be holden at Providence on the 19th Day of August, A.D. 1776, at the Hour of Ten in the Forenoon. This Notice is given, pursuant to Law, that the Owner or Owners of the said Brigantine, her Appurtenances and Cargo, or any Person or Persons concerned therein, may appear and shew Cause, if any they have, why the same should not be condemned.
John Foster, Judge of said Court.
1. Providence Gazette, August 3, 1776. This issue also carries notice of libel against brigantine Mary sent in by privateer sloop-of-war Diamond, William Chace, but also taken earlier by Wingate Newman in Philadelphia privateer Hancock.
Providence Gazette, Saturday, August 3, 1776
Providence, August 3.
Sunday last the Montgomery Privateer, Capt. Daniel Bucklin, of this Port, returned from a Cruize, during which she took three valuable Prizes, also two others in Company with a Privateer belonging to Salem:1 She brought in with her a Snow of 180 Tons, Capt. [John] Goodwin, bound from Nevis to London, having on board 119 Hogsheads, 137 Tierces and 20 Barrels of Sugar, 62 Hogsheads of Rum, 8cc.2
On Monday arrived a Brig, taken by the Diamond Privateer, Captain William Chace, of this Port; her Cargo consists of 195 Hogsheads and some Barrels of Sugar, 65 Bales of Cotton, 25 Tons of Fustick, and a Quantity of Staves and Heading: she was bound from Tortola to Liverpool.3 Extract of a Letter from a Planter at Tortola to his Friend in Liverpool, dated July 1, 1776, found on board the last mentioned Prize.
AUGUST 1776
31
If this unhappy Dispute between Great-Britain and America should be brought to a Conclusion, and they be once more united, there will be an Opening for Sale of Rum, though to the Wind- ward the Price keeps up I hear to 2s. 6d. per Gallon owing to Gov- ernment contracting with Mr. Blackburn for One Hundred Thous- and Gallons for the Troops in America, I am afraid many Planters here will suffer for want of Lumber, as they have it not in their Power to send for it. I am informed there is a Deal of good Lumber to the Southward of Georgia.
1. Captain Joseph White, of the Massachusetts privateer sloop Revenge.
2. The brigantine Harlequin.
3. The brigantine Mary.
Partial Payroll of the Continental Brig Andrew Doria 1 Cash Paid by Mr [Benjamin] Dunn to the following People 3rd Augt 1776
|
Mr [Dennis] Leary |
15drs |
<£4-10-0 |
Andw Scott |
7drs |
£2- 2-0 |
|
Mr [William] Lamb |
9 |
2-14-0 |
Sami Dobbins |
2 |
12-0 |
|
Mr [William] Moran |
15 |
4-10-0 |
Robt Cockran |
8 |
2- 8-0 |
|
Mr Cheles |
9 |
2-14-0 |
James Brown |
4 |
1- 4-0 |
|
Mr. [John] Dent |
12 |
3-12-0 |
Danl Duffy |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Mr. [Elias] Rohl |
9 |
2-14-0 |
James Williams |
3 |
18-0 |
|
[John] Young |
10 |
3- 0-0 |
Isaac Duverse |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Geo Dickson |
3 |
18-0 |
Wm Kenedy |
12 |
3-12-0 |
|
Jas Brade |
6 |
1-16-0 |
Geo. Cowell |
2 |
12-0 |
|
Jno Mackee |
8 |
2- 8-0 |
Alexr Liviston |
9 |
2-14-0 |
|
Jas McGuire |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
Jerry Towhig |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Jno McCoy |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
Timy Ohara |
3 |
18-0 |
|
Patk Kinney |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
John McNeal |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Jas Heath |
8 |
2- 2-0 |
James Campbell |
4 |
1- 4-0 |
|
Michl Bready |
8 |
2- 8-0 |
Benjn Tate |
5 |
1-10-0 |
|
James Hayse |
8 |
2- 8-0 |
Sami Johnson |
12 |
3-12-0 |
|
Jasper Chamberln |
4 |
1- 4-0 |
Nichs Cooney |
5 |
1-10-0 |
|
Cornelus Grimes |
4 |
1- 4-0 |
George McCain |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Richd Wilson |
5 |
1-10-0 |
David Clark |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Bill Adams |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
James Duffen |
9 |
2-14-0 |
|
Jno Glacker |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
Andw Campbell |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
David Edmiston |
15 |
4-10-0 |
Danl Harper |
3 |
18-0 |
|
Jno Christian |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
James Angus |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
John Anderson |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
John Campbell |
3 |
18-0 |
|
Thos Fisher |
8 |
2- 8-0 |
Henry Frazer |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
Willm Haselip |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
Lawrce Meadows |
2 |
12-0 |
212
156
32
AMERICAN THEATRE
Cash Paid by Mr [Benjamin] Dunn to the following People 3rd Augt 1776
|
Dick |
3drs |
£ 18-0 |
212] |
|
Peter Miller |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
1561 505 Drs |
|
Jacob. Cook |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
137J |
|
John McCormick |
5 |
1-10-0 |
9 3/4 |
|
Willm Robertson |
5 |
1-10-0 |
5143/ |
|
Wm Hughes |
5 |
1-10-0 |
|
|
Wm Johnston |
4 |
1- 4-0 |
Receiv’d 534 |
|
Willm Steward |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
514.3/4 |
|
John Lee |
5 |
1-10-0 |
191/4 Dollers |
|
John Cook |
6 |
1-16-0 |
|
|
John Lee |
2 |
12-0 |
|
|
Dragoon |
3 |
18-0 |
|
|
Mr Jennings |
14 |
4- 4-0 |
|
|
Wm Henderson |
8 |
2- 8-0 |
|
|
Mr Leary |
2 |
12-0 |
|
|
John George |
1 |
6-0 |
|
|
Jerry Mahaney |
7 |
2- 2-0 |
|
|
Willm Wilding |
1 |
6-0 |
|
|
John Pindor |
2 |
12-0 |
|
|
Robt Kearns |
4 |
1- 4-0 |
|
|
Danl Duffy |
9 |
2-14-0 |
|
|
Geo Kelly |
10 |
3- 0-0 |
|
|
John Chisnell |
10 |
3- 0-0 |
|
|
Michl. Bready |
10 |
3- 0-0 |
|
|
137 drs<£ 151-10-0 |
|||
|
Wm Johnson |
.-8-0 |
||
|
Sami Dobbins |
. -6-9 |
||
|
Ml Bready |
.-1-6 |
||
|
Patk Kenney |
1-17-3 |
||
|
John Mackee |
.-5-0 |
||
|
£154.8.8 |
1. Nicholas Biddle Papers, HSP.
Nathaniel Shaw, Jr. to Captain Nicholas Biddle 1
N Londn Satturday [August 3, 1776] Dr Sir/ 4 ocock after Noon
This day we din’d on a Turtle wich you Sent in hear, and was taken out of the Wreck 2 and as he was destin’d for the Support of the Pres’t In- famous Ministry in Great Brittain we Condemn’d him as a Tory — and have dealt with him Accordingly — and I hope you’l have the Good Luck to alter the Course of many more of them, that are sent on the same Purpose Viz to fill their Damn’d Gutts Sec
AUGUST 1776
33
- how Ever to the Purpose Next time you send a Prize oblige the Prize Master to Bring them Safe into NLondn 8c [not] Run them on Rocks 8cc — but Capn [Elisha] Hinman desires you! take up his People and Send them up in Irons — 3
- I have all the shirts shoes &c you desir’d me to git — The Ladys are much Concern’d about your Health are Certain if you were well you would be hear
- God Bless you if you Can Read this Letter its more Than I Can — I wish you Luck — Never Quit the Andrew Doria —
Remember I give you this advice — a Frigate is not the Thing — I am Dr Sir [8cc.]
N Shaw Jr
Nicholass Biddle Esqr Commandr of the Continantal Briggnt Andrew Doria att New Port
1. Nicholas Biddle Papers, on deposit at HSP.
2. The prize ship Nathaniel and Elizabeth which had been driven on the rocks by H. M. S.
Cerberus.
3. Probably the prize crew that had taken the ship True Blue into Providence on June 8, 1776.
“Extract of a Letter, dated Ticonderoga, August 3, 1776.” 1
We have now on the Lake two schooners which mount 12 Guns each, two Sloops, and five Gundaloes, the Gundaloes mount 4 Guns each; and five Gundaloes more are almost finished. I hope we shall be able to give our Enemies a warm Reception if they should dare to come.
1. Boston Gazette , August 12, 1776.
Captain Richard Varick to George Washington 1
Albany August 3d 1776
May it please Your Excellency
Agreeable to General Schuylers Orders I do myself the Honor to Inclose you three Lists of Articles wanted for the Public Service on Lake Chamblain, contained in the Paper marked A and do also inclose Your Excellency another Paper marked B containing a true Account of such Articles of these Lists as cannot possibly be procured at this Place.2
An Express is sent from this Place to Connecticut, with Instructions to purchase the Sail Cloth 8c Cordage; which General Arnold says is to be had in that Colony — And an Express is also sent to the Forges 8c Furnaces at Livingstons Manor & Salisbury to procure the Swivel 8c Grape, double headed 8c Chain Shot — if to be had there — None of the other Articles are to be had nearer than New York — and I am directed by the Genl to request your Excellency in his Name to Order the several Articles which are wanting, to be sent up with all possible dispatch to this place — With the Assistance of the Public Store keeper, I have procured from the Proprietors of Vessels and the Merchants of this Place 8c Schenactady all
34
AMERICAN THEATRE
the Anchors, Cables 8c Cordage that was to be had from them — for which I have made a full allowance. - I am with Respect 8c Esteem [&c.]
Richd Varick Secry to M. Gen: Schuyler
1. Washington Papers, LC.
2. Ibid., the various lists which are in minute detail, from sail needles to speaking trumpets,
are headed as follows:
A. List of Articles wanted for the Gundaloes Arm’d Vessels & Batteaus
Articles wanted immediately for the Vessells and Gundaloes on Lake Champlain,
July 20- 1776
List of Articles wanted for the Vessells on the Lake Champlain July 24th -1776
B.
No. 1 Return of Articles wanted for the Public Service on Lake Champlain, which cannot be procured at Albany, or at any Place between this & New York -except for NB at the Bottom Albany August 3d 1776 No 2d Genl Arnolds first Requisition Articles wanted immediately for the Vessells & Gundoloes on Lake Champlain - July 20- 1776 No 3 General Arnolds second Requisition - List of Articles wanted for the Vessels on Lake Champlain July 24th 1776.
Captain Richard Varick to Hermanus Schuyler,
Assistant Commissary General 1
Dear Sir Albany Augt 3. 1776
Your Letter as well as that of Colo: [Cornelius D.] Wynkoop of the first instant, directed to General Schuyler were delivered me Yesterday Afternoon. —
I have some Days since sent a Bellows 8c set of Blacksmiths Tools, one Ton of Iron 1 Hogshead of Oakham 8c a Quantity of Junk to Tyonderoga, to be forwarded to You & have sent Orders to have It pushed on with Dispatch. By the Genl Directions I have ordered the Pitch 8c Tar & steel to be sent to You from Fort George. —
I shall however by the Very first Waggons, send to Mr [Christopher J.] Yates at Cheshires, for Your Use 500 Iron 200 steel 3 Grindstones, some more Oakham 8c spades & Axes. — The General desires that all Your Req- uisitions may be made in Time, that the Service may not suffer.
A Captain Bernard Eddy from Rhode Island is on his Way to Skenes- borough with fifty Ship Carpenters under his Command, these persons are to be Employed in Constructing such Vessels as You shall direct. — You will prepare for their Reception 8c Employ them in the most advan- tageous Manner possible to forward the public Service. I am 8cca
Richd Varick
L Schuyler Papers, Letters & Orders, 18 April, 1776-28 June, 1777, NYPL.
Captain Richard Varick to Captain Bernard Eddy 1
Sir Albany Augt 3. 1776
You will proceed with the Carpenters under Your Command with all possible Dispatch from Williams Town by the best 8c most closest Rout to Skenesborough. Upon Your Arrival at that Place, You will put Yourself
AUGUST 1776
35
under the Direction of Harmanus Schuyler Esqr Assistant Deputy Quarter Master General, who has General Schuylers Orders Sc will furnish You with Directions for Employing Your Men. —
As in the present state of Affairs, Every Article allowed You by Your Contract may not be had, the General hopes Nay he has the fullest Confi- dence that You will be Contented with such as can, Especially as the Gen- eral engages that Every Deficiency will be made up in Money. —
The General hopes that You Sc the Men Under Your Command, will be early Sc late at a Work as the Constructing Vessels to maintain our Superiority on the Lake. -
The General wishes Sc Expects that little Jealousies Which are the Bane of Every service will not take place in Your Minds, but that You will harmonize with every Person Employed in the public Service. — I am Sir [&c.]
By Order of the Genl - R.V. Secry 1. Schuyler Papers, Letters & Orders, 18 April, 1776-28 June, 1777, NYPL.
Captain Richard Varick to Lieutenant Timothy Hughes 1
Sir Albany Augt 3. 1776
You, with the Party of Men under Your Command, will immediately embark in three large Batteaus Sc proceed from this Place with all possible Dispatch to Poughkeepsie, where You will deliver the Letter directed to Mr [Jacobus] Van Zandt or in his Absence, to the Gentlemen having the Direction of Building the Fr[i]gates there, Sc will there receive from him or them six Coils slow Match, six Dozen large Sail, Bolt Rope & Marline Needles, one hundred Weight of Twine Sc as many Blocks, as are already finished for the Northern Army Sc a Quantity of Oakham Sc other Articles, which You will take on Board Sc Immediately Reembark Sc Return with Your Charge to this Place. —
Captn Peter Dop of this Place is to Embark with You on Board one of Your Batteaus, he has' Orders to purchase Anchors Sc Cables Sc Other Articles from the Proprietors of Sloops between this Place Sc Poughkeepsie, You will order one Batteau to attend him Sc stop at such Places as he shall chuse to land It, for the purpose of fullfilling his Orders, And proceed with the Others to Poughkeepsie without Delay. — 2
If the Articles to be procured at Poughkeepsie Sc the [anchors] Sc Cables to be purchased by Captn Dop shall prove too Burthensome for Your Batteaus, You will embark Part of Your Cargo on Board of Sloops coming up to this Place, taking the Skippers Receipt, thereby promising to deliver It, to Mr Ph: Van Rensselaer, at this Place. —
I have the fullest Confidence that You will make No Delay in Execut- ing this Business. — I am Sir [&c.]
By order of the Genl R. V. Secy.
1. Schuyler Papers, Letters & Orders, 18 April, 1776-28 June, 1777, NYPL.
2. Ibid., Varick wrote his instructions to Captain Peter Dop this date.
36
AMERICAN THEATRE
Captain Richard Varick to Captain Leonard Van Buren 1
Sir Albany Augt 3. 1776
I do herewith deliver You an Invoice of Sail Cloth Sc Cordage wanted for the public Service, on Lake Champlain, Which You are to purchase for the United states, at the Cheapest Rate they can be procured, in the Colony of Connecticut or Elsewhere.
Mr [Jonathan] Trumbull [Jr.] the Paymaster General will furnish You with a Letter of Credit, to the Amount of the Articles mentioned in the Invoice. —
General Arnold informs Me, that the Sail Cloth may be had of Mr Thomas Mumford of New London Sc Cordage of Mr Mortimer of Middle- town, to which Places & persons You will be pleased to go Sc Endeavour to procure these Articles; But You are not to confine Yourself to these Persons only; If the Articles are to be had nearer to this Place or at a Cheaper Rate, You will purchase them Sc bring them to this Place without Delay, [or] forward them by a safe Hand, by the quickest Cheapest Sc most direct Rout.
If You should need Assistance in procuring or forwarding any of these Articles, You will apply to His Honor Governor Trumbull for his Order, to be furnished therewith.
You will make no Delay in procuring Sc dispatching these Articles to Albany, as a Delay in this Matter May prove detrimental to our Army in the Northern Department.
A Captn Bacon who left this Place last Tuesday for New York, has Directions from General Arnold to procure the Articles mentioned in these Lists, in Connecticut, You will probably meet him at Governor Trumbulls, You will make Enquiry for him there, Sc in Case he shall not have reached that Place, You will leave a Letter for him there, Informing him that You are sent to Connecticut on this Business, & requesting him to desist from purchasing; That double the Quantity ordered, may not be procured. - I am Sir [8cc.] By order 8cca
Richd Varick Secy
[Enclosure]
Invoice of Articles to be purchased for the Use of the United Colonies - by Mr Leonard Van Buren.
50 Bolts Thick Sail Cloth
20 Do Light Toe Cloth or Oznabrigs
|
15 |
Hawsers |
41/2 Sc 5i/2 Inches — |
50 to |
60 Fathoms |
|
10 |
do |
4- 41/2 do |
50 to |
100 do |
|
1 |
Coil |
6 Inch Rope |
60 |
Faths |
|
1 |
do |
5 do |
60 |
do |
|
1 |
do |
4 do |
60 |
do |
|
2 |
do |
3 14 do |
60 |
do |
|
2 |
do |
3 do |
60 |
do |
AUGUST 1776
37
|
1 |
do |
2 1/2 do |
120 |
do |
|
4 |
do |
2 do |
120 |
do |
|
2 |
do |
I34 do |
120 |
do |
|
4 |
do |
li/2 do |
120 |
do |
|
4 |
do |
Ratlin Stuff |
||
|
1 |
Coil |
spun Yarn 2 & 3 Threads |
||
|
20 |
Hausers 5 to 5i/2 Inches |
40 to 120 |
Fatlrs |
|
|
5 |
Coils Cordage 4 Inches |
120 |
Faths |
|
|
5. |
Coils |
Cordage 4 Inches |
120 |
Fathoms. |
|
5. |
do |
do 2 1/2 do |
120 |
do |
|
10. |
do |
do 2 do |
120 |
do |
|
10. |
do |
do I34 do |
120 |
do |
|
10. |
do |
do 1 1/2 do |
120 |
do |
|
5 |
do |
12 Thread Ratling. |
||
|
5 |
do |
9 Thread Ratling. |
||
|
20 |
Cwt Spun Yarn. |
|||
|
16 |
Cwt 214 Inch Rope. |
|||
|
20 |
Cwt 5 Inch Shrowd Hauser. — |
|||
|
Sir You will |
be pleased to give the Bearer |
Mr Leonard |
Van Buren a |
|
|
Credit on the |
public Account for the Amount of the Above |
Articles, to be |
||
|
purchased by |
him & forwarded to this Place. |
Dated this |
3d of August |
1776.
By Order of General Schuyler.
Richd Varick Secy. —
1. Schuyler Papers, Letters & Orders, 18 April, 1776-28 June, 1777, NYPL.
Memoirs of William Smith 1
[Haverstraw] 3 Augt.
The Phoenix and Rose mean to escape and joined the Fleet at Staten Island -The River was nearly obstructed off the North End of N York Island & Preparations made to set them on Fire. The Phoenix got aground in Tappan Bay above Fort Washington.
1. William H. W. Sabine, ed., Historical Memoirs from 12 July 1776 to 25 July 1778 of William Smith, Historian of the Province of Neiv York, Member of the Governor’s Council and Last Chief Justice of That Province under the Crown (New York, 1958), II, 2. Hereafter cited as Sabine, ed., Memoirs of William Smith.
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Tupper to George Washington 1
Sir Dobbs’s Ferry 5. Afternoon 3d August
I am now to inform your Excellency that my Flag being hoisted on board of the Washington I came up with the Ships & attacked at past One this Afternoon. The Pheonix fired the first Gun which was return’d by the Lady Washington whose Shot went thro the Pheonix - Upon my Orders the Lady Washington put about to form a Line the tide was such that the Washington & Spit fire was exposed to the Broad Sides of the Ships for i/2 of an hour without Suffering mutch Damage, we en-
38
AMERICAN THEATRE
gaged them an hour & a half and then we thought to retreat to Dobbs s Ferry about 4 miles below the Ships The Damages we Sustaind is as follows. Viz
Washington 4 Slightly wounded Sail & riging mutch Damaged 13 Shot in her hull —
Lady Washington Craiht her 32 Pounder no other Damage Spit fire one killed 2 badly wounded hull 8c riging mutch Damaged — Shark none kill’d or wounded hull’d four times.
The Whiting one Man lost both leggs and 4 more wounded riging mutch Damaged two Men wounded one of them mortally,
it is thought of but not yet determin’d whether we shall retreat to Spiking Devil or not we wish to give them another Drubing we Saw many Splinters drifting down, I am Your Excellency’s [8cc.]
Benjm Tupper.
Lt Colo and Commander
1. Papers CC (Letters from George Washington), 152, II, 337, NA. Enclosed in Washington’s letter of August 5 to the Continental Congress.
Journal of H. M. S. Phoenix, Captain Hyde Parker, Jr.1 August 1776. At Single Anchor in Tapan-Bay
Saturday 3d AM Weighed the Best and let go the Small Bower at Day
light Five Sail of Vessels in Sight. —
Light Airs and fair Wr at \/2 past Noon three Schooners and four Row Gallies, in sight working up the River; carried the Stream Anchor out for a Spring and hove the Ship broad- side too; at 1 Six of Rebels Schooners 8c Row Gallies attacked us; we began, 8c kept up a constant Fire at them for two Hours, at which time they Row’d away down the River & came to an Anchor in sight of us. Perceived one of the Gal- lies to have Reed considerable damage, by the Rebels being under the Necessity of hauling one on shore. At \/2 past 3 hove Short on the Stream 8c Weighed the Best Bower An- chor, in order to Run down to the Rebels Vessels but the wind coming more to the Westwd The Pilot thought it to dangerous an Attempt, the Channell being so narrow as not to allow the Ship room to Cast, let go the Small Br Anchor 8c Veer’d to i/2 a Cable. In this Action we Reed two Shott only in our Hull.
I. PRO, Admiralty 51/694.
Journal of H. M. S. Rose, Captain James Wallace 1 August 1776 In Hudsons River New York
Saturday 3d AM at 9 saw the Galleys under way turning up the River,
clear’d Ship for Action at Noon Calm, 6 Galleys and 12 Launches about 3 Miles below us rowing up to board us.
AUGUST 1776
39
At 1/2 past Mer[i]d[ian] weigh’d and drop’t near the Phenix , came too 614 fm Cheaton-Hook-head Ni/^Wt Tarry Town EBNi/^N carried out the Stream Anchor and Cable to the Westwd for a Spring aft] 1 4 before 1 the Galleys began a smart fire on us brot our broad side to bear and kept a Constant fire, at 3 the Gally’s much disabled row’d off it being Calm we could not follow them. Thos Mayet Marine Kild 1 Do Wounded & 3 Seamen: The Starbd Quarter Gallery Shot away, some of the Rigging hurt & several Shot in the Hull, the small Br Stranded 5 fm from the Clinch at 4 light Airs at 5 Weigh’d the Best Br and hove to 14 on the Stream, at 6 weigh’d the Stream and let go the best Bow’r the Gally’s 6 miles below us.
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/805.
Journal of the New York Provincial Convention 1
Saturday Morning
[White Plains] Augt. 3d, 1776.
A letter from Pierre Van Cortlandt and Zeph. Platt, Esqrs. was received and read, and is in the words following to wit:
Head-Quarters, Mouth of Croton, Augt. 2d, 1776. Gentlemen — The enemy’s ships lie off here, and their barges row up and down the river a nights; and notwithstanding our utmost exertions some infamous rascal must have given them information that the New-England troops went off on Saturday last, and not a sufficient number coming in to guard the shore, they landed at one Bailey’s on Sunday night, and went back a half a mile and drove off one pair of oxen, two cows, one calf, one heifer and eleven sheep: no doubt had the assistance of some tories on shore. . . .
1. New York Provincial Congress , I, 554, 555.
Constitutional Gazette, Saturday August 3, 1776 New-York, August 3.
Last Thursday, a number of ships, arrived at Staten-Island. They are supposed to be part of the fleet, with the Hessian troops on board.
John Covenhoven to the New Jersey Delegates in the Continental Congress 1
In Convention of the State of New Jersey New Brunswick Augt 3d 1776
Gentlemen - As it is of great Importance that the Communication be- tween New York, this & the Southern Colonies be preserved, and no ade- quate provisions that we know of, having been made to keep open the Ferries over Pasaick & Hackinsack Rivers between Newark & Powles Hook,
40
AMERICAN THEATRE
which in their present Situation may not only be safely obstructed by a single armed Vessel of the Enemy lying near them; but the Ferry Boats may be seized 8c the passing 8c re passing of our Troops on emergent Oc- casions, thereby, for a considerable time impeded; And as from the ex- posed 8c unguarded Situation of the Settlements up said Rivers, the Creeks 8c Country adjacent to Newark Bay the Enemy may receive Supplies of Provisions either by Plunder or from disaffected Persons; And the making Provision for the above Purposes; as they intimately consider all the United States belonging to Your honorable House, We must desire You to propose, at first Opportunity, in Congress, that the most speedy 8c ef- fectual Measures may be adopted to obtain these salutary Ends —
We conceive there are but two Practicable Methods - Vizt By Batteries at the Several Ferries or by armed Vessels. — The Ground on each Side of the Ferries, being low salt Marsh, will not, without very great Expences, admit of being fortified; but if this had not been the Case, a larger Number of heavy Cannon wou’d be necessary to answer our Purposes than perhaps can be procured; or if procurable, than woud be necessary if employed on board one or more Vessels of the Row Galley or Gondola Construction - Protection by armed Vessels have a further Advantage over Fortifications at the Ferries; the Fortifications must have great Strength, a considerable Number of Cannon 8a a large Body of Men stationed there, or a Descent of the Enemy might take Cannon 8c Men together, as the Cannon cou’d not be retreated with, and the Distance of the Ferries from Succour, too great to expect Supplies in Time — On the Contrary, an armed Vessel stationed at or near each Ferry of the Row Galley or Gondola kind, carrying only an 18 Pounder each, with Swivels, Cohorns or Blunderbusses may be suf- ficient, 8c their Forces may be occasionally united; for being so contiguous, they may readily act in Concert; and by being made to draw but little Water and to row swiftly, may if they find the Force attacking them too powerful, secure a safe Retreat where the Enemy’s Tenders cannot pursue them ~
But perhaps heavy Cannon may be spared for one Gondola 8c not more; in such Case a Vessel of the Cat Schooner kind might be usefully employed for the other Vessel: — We are informed there are two in Pasaick River, well built 8c almost new 8c that either of them may be hired for a small Consideration provided their Owners are assured of their being returned in as good Order as when delivered or of being paid the Value in Case they shou’d be irreparably damaged — The Dimensions about 45 feet in Length — 14 feet, Breadth 4i/2 feet depth, draw but little Water 8c one of them sails remarkably swift.
Altho Gondolas may not so advantageously attack Ships of War, yet their Tenders, or Vessels of such Size as can approach the Ferries will not chuse to come in the Way of an 18 or 24 Pounder —
If not a single Cannon of this Weight can be spared; perhaps both the above-mentioned Cat Schooners may be usefully employed in this
AUGUST 1776
41
Service; they will probably carry either two six Pounders on each Side, Sc a 6 or 9 Pounder in the Bow, or three 4 Pounders on each Side Se a 6 Pounder in the Bow — besides Swivels, Cohorns & Blunderbusses (as they may be procurable,) Spears Sc small Arms —
We were so perfectly convinced of the Importance & Utility of mak- ing Provision for the above Purpose, that had the State of our Funds per- mitted it, as much depends on Dispatch, We might probably have gone into the Measures necessary to that End, not doubting but Congress, when convinced of their general Utility to the United States wou’d have ordered a Reimbursement of the Expences - Sec
Two other armed Vessels might be advantageously stationed at proper Places between the Ferries abovementioned Sc the Mouth of Raritan River; they might Cooperate occasionally, either for the Purposes afsd, or for an- noying the Enemy, or be employed to protect the Ferry from South to Perth Amboy Sc the Navigation of Raritan River; which Protection wou’d be a great Saving either in Troops crossing the Ferry to Amboy or in transporting Provisions, Baggage Sec. from Brunswick, by Water, to the Camp at Amboy —
As it is important that no Time be lost in making the afsd Provision; And as from the Multiplicity of interesting Business before Congress, this may be delayed; If Congress will provide for the Expence, Sc request it, We shall be willing to give a helping hand towards carrying their Resolu- tions on this Subject into Effect
We are Gentlemen [8cc.]
By Order of the Convention John Covenhoving Vice President 2
1. Papers CC (New Jersey State Papers, 1775-88), 68, VI, 203, NA.
2. This letter was read in Congress August 6. It was resolved that provision should be made
“for keeping open the communication between that state and New York, by way of the ferries over the rivers Passaick and Hackinsack . . . and that this Congress will reimburse the expences of such service to the state of New Jersey.” Ford, ed., JCC, V, 634.
Caesar Rodney to Thomas Rodney 1
[Extract] Philada. August the 3d 1776
Yesterday Came to Town a Ship belonging to the Congress from France with ten Tunns of Powder, about forty Tunns of Lead, one thousand Stand of Arms Sec. Sec. And the Same day an Armed Veshell taken by Captain [John] Barry 2
At sea -
Since I finished my other Letter have been up to Congress where We Reed Inteligence by letter from Captn. Weeks [Lambert Wickes] in the Congress ship, the Reprisal , That he has at Sea on the 13th of July taken two prizes, a Ship and a Schooner bound for Liverpool Loaded with Cotten, Sugar Rum Sec.3 The Letter Came by the Prize Schooner which
42
AMERICAN THEATRE
arrived in an Inlet near Egg Harbour — and the Ship Prize has been Seen off the Capes of Delaware and Supposed by this time got in 4. . .
1. George Herbert Ryden, ed., Letters to and from Caesar Rodney 1756-1784 (Philadelphia,
1933), 100-01. Hereafter cited as Ryden, ed.. Letters to and from Caesar Rodney.
2. The sloop Lady Susan.
3. The ship Friendship and schooner Peter.
4. Two letters were written to Thomas Rodney this date. This entry is an extract from both
letters.
“Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, August 3.” 1
Since my last, we have arrived, a sloop from North-Carolina with naval stores, and a sloop of 8 four pounders; she belonged to the Goodrich’s of Virginia, and was commanded by one of them; was out 3 days from Bermuda, when he discovered and gave chace to the brig Lexington , Captain Barry, but finding his mistake, put about too late; for in about an hour and a half, Barry ran along side, when she struck. She has 8 Ne- groes on board; all, or most of the men, to the amout of 25, entered on board of Barry - 2
This morning we have an express from a schooner taken by Captain Weekes, in the Continental ship Reprisal ; she was bound from St. Vincents for Liverpool, with upwards of 100 hogsheads of rum, and is safe at Absecomb Inlet. They bring an account of his having taken a ship of 4 or 500 tons burthen, from Grenada for London; she was quite full, and by the captors said to be worth 35,000 1. A ship was seen last Wednesday to the southward off our Cape, by the North-Carolina man, which we hope is the prize.3
Captain Fowler, in a sloop belonging to your city, is arrived safe in port with 4,000 1. worth of indigo, in 12 or 13 days from Charlestown; she passed the [British] fleet in a thunder storm. - By him we learn, that two deserters from the fleet confirm the accounts which General [Charles] Lee received from the five deserters, already published here, and further add, That the brig that had the Captain of the Commodore on board for London, had returned off Spencer’s Inlet: the said Captain died soon after he got on board, and was buried on Long-Island the 3d of July: That the men began to grow sickly, and they are dissatisfied with General Clinton’s conduct; they suspect he keeps a private correspondence with General Lee: That there was some talk of his being under an arrest: That the last rumour among them was, of their embarkation for Long-Island in New- York government. The Commodore’s ship is so much shattered, it will take them some time to refit. The 4th of July he hoisted his pendant on board the Experiment. One shot from the fort, took off three midshipmen’s heads, who happened to stand in a range, one of whom is a Nobleman’s son.
A few days before Captain Fowler sailed, the whole fleet was in mourning, supposed for the death of Sir Peter Parker, who was wounded, and lost a part of his breeches in the late engagement. — 4 Captain Fowler
AUGUST 1776
43
thinks the two large ships will not be able to go over the Bar, so as to get out.
1. Constitutional Gazette, August 7, 1776.
2. The Lady Susan, Captain William Goodrich. Among those who entered on board the
Lexington was Richard Dale, whose Memoir in The Port Folio (June, 1814), reads in part: “upon his return from Bermuda - whither he had gone with William Gutteridge pic] - he was captured by captain John Barry, commander of the United States’ brig Lexington, and on the same day entered as a midshipman on board said brig. This occurred in July, 1776.’’ The owner of Lady Susan, Joseph Hinckson of Bermuda, chal- lenged the capture on the grounds that his sloop had been illegally taken over by Lord Dunmore. On August 22, 1776, the Adimralty Court in Philadelphia ruled that the owner receive one half the money arising from the sale of Lady Susan. The remainder to go one third to Barry and his crew, and “two-thirds for the Use of the thirteen united States.” Records of the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania, April 13-December 3, 1776, LC Photocopy.
3. The schooner Peter was the vessel arrived at Absecon, and the prize ship Friendship was
the one sighted by the North Carolina sloop.
4. Sir Peter Parker remained very much alive after the engagement, but the nature of his
wound brought forth a satirical verse in the Constitutional Gazette, July 27, 1776:
If “honor in the breech is lodg’d,”
As Hudibras has shewn;
It may from thence be fairly judg’d Sir Peter’s honor’s gone.
Journal of the Virginia Navy Board 1
[Williamsburg] Saturday the 3d day of August 1776 -
Ordered that Mr. Gabriel Maupin keeper of the public Magazine deliver unto Thomas Meriwether One hundred and twenty Gun Flints and six Quire of Musquit Cartridge paper for the use of the Cruizer Liberty Capt [Thomas] Lilly —
Ordered that Colo. William Aylett keeper of the public Store deliver unto Doctor William Christie four pounds of Bark for the use of the Cruizer Liberty Capt Lilly —
Ordered that Cornelius Forrest do supply Capt Deane with two thousand pounds of Bread for the use of the Schooner Revenge —
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Doctor Thomas Christie for Ten pounds and eight pence for Medicine furnished for the use of the Brig Liberty Capt Lilly —
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Captain Thomas Lilly for One hundred and fifty nine pounds three shillings and ten pence upon Account for Disbursements of the Brig Liberty —
Ordered that a Warrant Issue to Capt William Deane for forty four pounds fifteen shillings and four pence the Ballance of his Account this day settled for the payment of his Seamen on Board the Schooner Revenge from the time of their Enlistment to the thirtieth day of July One thou- sand seven hundred and seventy six also for sundry Disbursements and pay of Carpenters on Board the said vessell —
1. Navy Board Journal, 31-32, VSL.
44
AMERICAN THEATRE
Journal of the Virginia Council of Safety 1
[Williamsburg] Saturday August 3d 1776.
Ordered, That Commissions issue appointing Edward Travis Esquire Captain of the Manley Galley, John Harris first Lieutenant, and Joshua Singleton Second Lieutenant.
Also Commissions appointing Thomas Lilly Esq Captain, Thomas Herbert first Lieutenant and George Rogers second Lieutenant of the Brig Liberty.
Ordered That a Commission issue appointing James Quarles Gentle- man, first Lieutenant of Marines under Captain [John Catesby] Cocke.
1. Mcllwaine, ed., Journals of the Virginia Council , I, 107.
Dixon Sc Hunter's Virginia Gazette, Saturday, August 3, 1776 Williamsburg, August 3.
We have just received at a certain port in this colony a supply of 450 barrels of gunpowder, and near 200 stand of arms.
Governor Sir Basil Keith to Vice Admiral Clark Gayton 1
Sir Spanish Town Augt 3: 76
I met the Council this Morning, when I laid your Letter of yesterdays date before them, which gave the greatest Satisfaction to the Board, and in consideration of the protection and Assistance of those Ships Sc Vessels you assure us are to remain in the Ports of the Island for that purpose, and that the Stormy Season is fast advancing they have unanimously advis’d me to take the embargo off the Trade which is done, and they may conse- quently proceed to Great Britain as soon as you are pleased to give orders, and regulate their time of Sailing I must beg you will inform me what day the Man of War is to Sail from Port Royal and the last day of sailing from Bluefields that I may be guided accordingly
The Inhabitants of Hanover express themselves in terms of the great- est respect Sc Gratitude for your most ready Concurrence with me for their Assistance. I am Sir with great respect [&c.]
Basil Keith
[Endorsement by Gayton] August 3d 1776 Copy of a Letter from the Governor of the Embargo being taken off with the Thanks of the Council and the Principal Inhabitants of the Parish of Hanover for my Assistance during the late general alarm of an intend’d insurrection.
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/240.
Valentine Morris to Vice Admiral James Young 1
(Copy) St Vincent, August the 3d 1776.
Sr: Least you should not have heard it, I take this opportunity of in- forming you, that the day before yesterday an American Vessell mount- ing Twenty six Carriage Guns was at Souffnir bay in St Lucie, and in that
AUGUST 1776
45
Bay and the Carenage were from ten to twelve other Americans, Whalers and on Traffick; the Privateer is represented as an uncommon fine Vessell, whether a consort of the one the Shark had her engagement with I cannot say: you Sr may rely on this information, which I could not forgive myself not forwarding to you as early as I could with any tolerable degree of safety do, and remain Sr [&c.]
Valentine Morris.
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/309.
4 Aug. (Sunday)
Captain Charles Douglas, R. N., to Vice Admiral Richard
Lord Howe 1
My Lord, Isis, Quebec, August the 4th 1776
This is conveyed by the Pearl, having under her Convoy, three Trans- ports carrying round the Rebel Prisoners. And the Tartar, forthwith to be relieved by the Bute at the Isle of Bic, after ranging round a great part of the Gulph of St. Laurence, taking a State of the several Fisheries, & cruizing until the 15th of September between Cape Ray and Scatari, is to wait upon your Lordship.
Very shortly after my last was sent away, I received Information by Express from Chambly, that because of Want of density of the Ground, thro’ which the Engineers were preparing a Road, the Enterprize of getting the Hulls of the three Vessels, transported overland from thence to St. Johns, would not answer: as to remedy the looseness thereof, would require more time and Labour, than the Season and several other Circumstances could admit of. General Carleton being just then returned from Montreal, and approving of the measure, all the Artificers I could muster superin- tended by Lieutenant [John] Schank who commands the Canceaux, were set to Work on the 23d Ultimo, to take down the Frame of a Ship building here — On the 26th her Stern frame, Stem, Keel, and some of her Floor Timbers went away in Long-boats for the River Sorel, and I hope are by this time at St. Johns; where Blocks were previously ordered to be laid, for her Reconstruction; her length from Stem to Stern is eighty Feet — the said long boats My Lord were willingly ceded, as may appear by the herewith inclosed, And are to be employed on Lake Champlain. I flatter myself that the Masters of the Transports, above the Rapids of Richlieu, may still (for since my last they have made Difficulties,) be prevailed upon, to follow the laudable Example Set them by their Brethren here — Who are all to depart for Spithead, the moment their men return from the Sorel.
In Consequence of the pressing Requisition of General Carleton, apprized of Mr Schank’s Men instead of reserving the Canceaux arm’d Ship, to carry his more recent dispatches to the Eastward as was intended (keeping the Gaspee for that purpose) I have sent her up to the Sorel. Lieutenant Schank is to superintend the Reconstruction of the Vessel at
m** *
rawing of British Warship Used on Lake Champlain, 1776. Possibly HMS Inflexible.
AUGUST 1776
47
St. Johns, which he saw pulled to pieces at Quebec, and to command her on the Lake, with his Officers and Men from the Canceaux, about forty in Number making Part of her Crew — A Frame taken down in the Sorel, & that of the Maria arm’d Schooner, are some time ago taken in hand - but how soon all our Force will be afloat, is impossible for me to ascertain; so much being necessary, 8c our Means respecting the Magnitude of the Enterprize, so scanty; 8c the Loss of Time in getting every thing sent so far up against predominating Westerly Winds and opposing Currents, so great; Yet I’d fain hope it might be brought to Completion, some time in September. — The Major part of the Seamen necessary for this Equip- ment, must be furnished by His Majesty’s Ships; are to be attached to the three Vessels above alluded to; (when rebuilt,) to our flat bottom’d and the Gun-boats; And are to be commanded by Capt. [Thomas] Pringle of the Lord Howe- Lieut. [Joseph] Nunn has declined serving on Lake Ontario, and resumed the Command of the Magdalen. Mr John Stone 2d Lieutenant of the Lizard by my order, & Mr John Curling Mate of this His Majesty’s Ship, who were to have served as Lieutenants under him, are transferred to Lake Champlain, where a good many Officers of that Rank are wanted. - All such Officers 8c Seamen, thus to be employed, are only lent or to be lent, from their respective Ships, until further Order: and for their Encouragment, are to have extraordinary Pay from General Carleton, equal to what they would have in their several Classes, on board His Majesty’s Ships of War at Sea — Capt. Pringle 8c Lieut. Schank, are paid as Masters and Commanders - Warrant and petty Officers, the same Pay as in the Ships to which they belong, and each able and ordinary Seaman is to have 17s/6d P Mensem added to his Navy Wages -His Excel- lency wishes the Isis , the Juno , the Blonde, the Triton and Lord Howe to continue in this River, 8c in their present Stations; the Canceaux in the Sorel; the Bute at the Isle of Bic, the Gaspee 8c Magdalen Schooners, to be kept in readiness for carrying Dispatches as is the Juno for any par- ticular Exigency — The Triton is returned to the Foot of the Rapids of Richlieu.
For farther particulars, I beg leave to refer You to Captain [Thomas] Wilkinson, And have the honor most respectfully to remain [8cc.]
Chs Douglas
P.S. I have been under the necessity of ordering Guns, with their Carriages, proportion of Shot, Tackle, Furniture 8cc. to be spared from His Majesty’s Ships ’till the Lake Business be over: vizt. from the Isis, ten twelve, 8c four Six Pounders. Blonde Six twelve Pounders. Juno four twelves 8c two Sixes. Pearl the same; Triton, four Nines and the Lord Howe and Bute, also four Nine pounders each.
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/487.
Memorial of Agreen Crabtree 1
To The Honorable Council of the State of the Massachusets Bay Sitting at Watertown the 4th Augst 1776
48
AMERICAN THEATRE
The Memorial of Agreen Crabtree, Commander of the Schooner
Hannah & Molly Humbly Sheweth -
That your Memorialist would Set forth to Your Honors that there was a Proclamation Issued out at Hallifax the 17th October 1775 to Encourage persons to take Shelter in the Province of Nova Scotia and that there are Numbers who Resort there for the Sake of their Trade, and many of Our profess’d Enemies that belong to that Government are known to be Sup- plying them. Your Memorialist Prays that in Case he shall find any Such in the Seas or on our Coast, He may have Your Honors particular Direc- tions therein, and Your Memorialist as in Duty bound Shall Ever Pray &c —
Agreen Crabtree
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 164, 45.
Journal of the Massachusetts Sloop Tyrannicide , Captain John Fisk 1
Remks on Sunday 4th of August 1776 At 7 A M saw two sail gave Chaise to the Eastermost one at 10 spake her a Briggt from St Nicola mould [Mole] bound to Novascotia Sent first Leiutenant 6 men on board took the Capt Joseph dean and 6 men on board of us Gave Chaise after the Other sail the Brigt foll[ow]ing after us left the Briggt very fast at half after 1 1 made the other sail to the west ward pleasant weather
Lattd in 38d.55m Longd in 63d. 57m 1 [P. M.] Pleasant weather in Chaise of the schooner Came up with 5 her found she was from Domin[ica] bound for halifax sent
the 2 Leiutenant and 6 hands on board put A prize master & hands on board both Vessels and Ordered them both for salem 2
1. John Fisk Journal, AAS.
2. The brig was the Betsey, Joseph Dean, master; the schooner was the Three Brothers, David
Smith, master.
Journal of the Rhode Island Sloop Independence ,
Captain Jabez Whipple 1
Remarks on Sunday August th 4 1776 At 8 AM One Eight Dollar Bill Lost
a 10 Am took In the top Gaelon Sail the wind Breses Forwards the Laters part plesant A Good Ozservation
Lattd 38:55 Londgd in 63:49
The First of these 24 Hours Begins With plesent wether smuth See handed Sail Atd took In topsail and set for sail a [il- legible] in Flying Jibb Reefs Ma[in]sail In foursail at PM Sot Trysail a Large [sea ahead] 2 sot Fo[re] sail at 12 Do Took in Topsail
1. Independence Journal, RIHS.
2. Ibid., taken from what seems to be a mate’s log.
AUGUST 1776
49
“A Letter from a Gentleman, who was in the Engagement wth the Ministerial Pirates off Tarry-Town, dated
Sunday Morning, Aug. 4.” 1
Sir, I have just Opportunity to inform you, that Yesterday at 1 o’Clock, P.M. the Gallies attacked the Phoenix and Rose off Tarry-Town. The Lady Washington fired the first Gun on our Side, in answer to one re- ceived from the Phoenix ; this first shot from us, entered the Phoenix. The Washington Galley, on board of which the Commodore’s Flag was hoisted, then came up within Grape-Shot of the Ships, and singly sustained their whole Fire for above a Quarter of an Hour before any other of our Ves- sels took a Shot from her (the Tide wasting them more than the Pilots expected, to the Eastern Shore, and the Lady Washington falling back to take her Station in the Line according to Orders.) The Spitfire advanced in a Line with the Washington, and with her behaved well. We had as hot a fire as perhaps ever was known for an Hour and an Half. The Washington, on which I was on board during the whole Engagement, had the Ledgings of her bow Guns knocked away, which prevented our working them, and was otherways considerably damaged, being thirteen Times hulled, had three Shot in her Waist, many of her Oars carried away, &c. The Lady Washington, after hulling the Phoenix six Times, had her bow and only Gun, a Thirty-two Pounder, on which we placed much Dependence, split seven Inches, and her Gun Tackles and Britchings car- ried away. The Spitfire was hulled several Times, and received one Shot between Wind and Water, which not being quickly discovered, occasioned her making much Water. The rest of the Gallies received considerable Damage in their Rigging, Sails and Spars. Under these Circumstances, our Commodore, Colonel Tupper, thought it prudent to give the signal for our little Fleet to withdraw, after manfully fighting a much superior Force, for two Hours. — Never did Men behave with more firm determined Spirit than our little crews; one of our Tars being mortally wounded, cried to his Messmates, “I am a dying Man, revenge my Blood, my Boys, and carry me along Side my Gun, that I may die there.” -We were so preserved by a Gracious Providence, that in all our Gallies (which consisted of Six) , we had but two Men killed and Fourteen wounded; two of which are thought dangerous. - We hope to have [anjother touch at these Pirates before they leave our River, which God prosper.
P.S. The following are the Particulars of the Gallies, with their killed and wounded:
The Washington, Capt. Hill, 4 wounded.
Whiting, M ’Clave, 1 killed, 4 wounded.
Spitfire, Grimes, 1 Killed, 3 wounded.
Crane, Tincker, 1 wounded.
On board a whale boat 2 wounded.
1. New-York Gazette, August 12, 1776.
50
AMERICAN THEATRE
Master’s Log of H. M. Brig Halifax 1
Augst 1776 Remarks off Staten Island, New York
Sunday 4 AM Perceivd the Rebels at New York towing some Old Ves- sels up the No River which we Supposed were to Sink in the Channel to prevent the Passage up or down. Sent on bd the Adml to Acquaint him there with
1. PRO, Admiralty 52/1775.
Journal of Ambrose Serle 1
[On board H. M. S. Eagle] Sunday, 4th [August].
In the Afternoon the Renown of 50 Guns and the Flora of 32 Guns, with 22 Sail of Convoy, came into the Harbor. We have had so many Arrivals of late, that the Rebel Commanders, we learn, give out to their People, that we send Ships down in the Night, which come up in the Course of the next Day, as a manoeuvre to intimidate them.
The Structures, which we supposed yesterday to be Fire Stages, were towed up the North River this morning; and seem to be intended for Cheveaux de Frize to block up the Passage, either to prevent the Ships, that are now above, from coming down, or our Fleet from getting up, without being raked by their Batteries. It is of a peculiar Construction; and all the Industry of malevolence, which is the most active Sort of Industry, has been used to complete it. Our People don’t seem to regard it, and fancy they can easily run it down, or remove it out of their way.
1. Tatum, ed., Serle’s Journal, 54.
Diary of Dr. Thomas Moffat 1
[On board H. M. Sloop Swan]
Sunday Agust 4th Thermometer 68. noon 74 PM the Renown Flora and a Transport Ship and Brigantine with a Prize Sloop from Hamburgh passd up to the Fleet and the Niger came to Anchor at the Hook.
1. Thomas Moffat’s Diary, LC.
Diary of Christopher Marshall 1
[Philadelphia] 4th Augst 1776
. . . wrote 2 passes . , . one to James M’Cluer Liuetenant Marines Ship Randolph, to the Camp.2
1. Diary of Christopher Marshall, HSP.
2. James McClure was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant on June 25, 1776. Ford,
ed., JCC, V, 478. The above entry is the only evidence that he was assigned to the Randolph. His Marine service seems to have ended with his departure for camp. McClure, on January 1, 1777, was commissioned a captain-lieutenant in the 2d Regiment of Philadelphia Artillery, Hazard, et al., eds. Pennsylvania Archives, 5th series, III, 1030.
AUGUST 1776
51
Lord Dunmore to Lord George Germain 1
[Ship Dunmore in Potomac River, Virginia], 4th of August -
Seeing a Tender of Captn Hamonds (that he had sent to Sir Peter Parker) coming up I would not close my letter till I saw Mr [Richard] Whitworth, who commands her, and I am extremley sorry to find that No 4 contains but too true an Account of our loss before Charles Town. I have letters from Sir Peter [Parker] and General Clinton, both informing me that it is perfectly out of their Power to give me any sort of assistance, which will render my Situation (if possible) more intollerable than it has been for these fourteen Months past, that I have been constantly pened up in a Ship hardly with the common Necessaries of life, but what makes it now a thousand times worse, in that I am left without even the hope of being able to render His Majesty the smallest Service, this I must say is truely discouraging, and leaves me in the utmost difficulty to determine what to do; my utmost desire is (when I do resolve) that I may do what may be most agreeable to His Majestys wishes and the best for His Serv- ice. Mr Simenton, the bearer of this, or Governor Eden, who accompanies him, will be able to inform your Lordship particularly, of the forlorn State in which they have left us; and I have the Honor to be, My Lord [8cc.]
Dunmore
1. PRO, Colonial Office, 5/1353. Continuation of July 31 letter.
Vice Admiral James Young to Count d'Argout 1
English Harbour, Antigua, Sir 4th August, 1776
Captain Chapman of His Brittannic Majesty’s Ship the Shark has transmitted me an Account of His being attacked off St Pierres road, Martinique, by an American Pirate, called the Reprisal , carrying 120 Men, and 18 Six pound Guns; which He would have taken, had She not been protected by the Forts, and received into the Road of St Pierre. Captain Chapman acquaints me he desisted from Engageing the Pirate, as soon as the Fort at St Pierre’s by firing at him, had Signified they deemed the Vessel under their protection, as He supposed they believed her to be only an American trading Vessel comeing into their Road; however after- wards when Captain Chapman followed her into St Pierre’s Bay, and acquainted Your Excellency, with the particulars of his Engagement; and desired your permission to Seize and take possession of her as an American Pirate; who could carry no Kings Commission, nor be Armed by any lawful Authority to Wage War; I am certainly very much Surprized to find you should hesitate or make any difficulty to permit him to do so. Surely, your Excellency cannot intend to Open the Ports of His Most Christian Majesty and give an open and avowed protection to Ships Armed for Offensive War, by His Brittannic Majesty’s Rebellious Subjects in America, who are professedly sent into these Seas to Cruize & Annoy, and take the
52
AMERICAN THEATRE
Vessels and property of the King of Great Britains Faithful and Peaceable Subjects. After this Explanation, I cannot suppose your Excellency will any longer protect the Pirate abovenamed; and I have sent Captain [Thomas] Eastwood of His Brittannic Majesty’s Ship of War the Pomona , to De- mand in the Name of the King of Great Britain (my Master); the delivery of said American Vessel, her Men, Arms Sec., that I may bring them to tryal for the Offences Committed by them contrary to the general Law of Nations, and their Duty as Subjects. —
Since I have had the honour to Command the British Squadron in these Seas, I have endeavoured all that lay in me, to Cultivate friend- ship, and good faith, with His Most Christian Majesty’s Governors at all his different possessions in these Seas, as likewise with those of other European Powers in Amity with Great Britain and whenever during the present trouble, any mistakes may have happened, have readily en- tered into proper Explanations concerning them, and if I thought the Officers, under my Command, at any time wrong, I have blamed, and Reprimanded them for such Conduct, and given all due Satisfaction in my power; after such friendly behaviour, and inclination in me towards the Allies of Great Britain, I could not but expect an equal return, and confess the greatness of my Disappointment to find so gross an Insult now offered to the British Flag, through your Excellency’s Acquiescence — Whilst the American Vessels came into these Seas unarmed, (’tho the Traffick they were employed in, was often very pernicious and dangerous,)
I did not in any instance, suffer the Ships under my Command, to attack them within the limits of any Port in Amity with Great Britain; however I presume your Excellency, as well as I do will readily draw the Line of distinction, between Vessels Manned and Armed for Offensive War, and Trading Vessels, and that the Neutrality and protection which was af- forded and claimed by the latter, cannot be given the former, but they must be treated by all Powers in Amity with Great Britain as Pirates. — I wish to receive you[r] Excellency’s answer, and a clear explicit explana- tion of your Sentiments on this Subject; by which my future Conduct must be regulated, and that I may likewise transmit the same to the Court of London, by a Ship of War I shall send to England, immediately on Captain Eastwoods return: I have the honour to be Your Excellency’s [8cc.]
[James Young]
P.S. I must entreat your Excellency will signify your determination about giving up the American Vessel to Captain Eastwood; that He may be enabled to Act in that matter agreeable to Commands he has received from me.
[Copy]
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/309.
AUGUST 1776
53
Vice Admiral James Young to Captain Thomas Eastwood,
H. M. Sloop Pomona 1
(Copy)
Secret Orders
In case the American Vessel [Reprisal] you are directed, by my Order of this date, to Demand the delivery of, from the Governor of Martinico, is still remaining in that Bay; You are to Anchor in the Pomona as near to her as you can; and constantly to watch her motions; and be ready to Slip and follow her in case She should attempt to get away from thence before you receive the Governor’s Answer, You are in that case to follow her (notwithstanding the Forts may fire to prevent your doing so) until you get beyond the Limits of the Port, and then attack, and use your utmost endeavours to take, burn, sink, or otherways destroy said American Vessel. Should you Succeed in your Endeavours to take her you are not to return back to St Pierres but bring her forthwith to me. — However should the Compte D’argout agree to give up the Vessel, her Arms, Tackle, Furniture Sec. to you, but Object to Giving up the Company of said Vessel to be tryed by the Laws against Pirates; You are in that case to accept the Vessel, her Arms, Tackle, Furniture Sec, and Suffer the People to go on shore, bringing away the Vessel as directed in your other publick order of this date. - During your Stay in St Pierres Bay you are to use your best Endeavours to get the best Intelligence you can, concerning the American Vessels, and the Trade now carried on by them, and report the same to me at your return, but you are to be careful to make these Enquiries with privacy and delicacy so as to give no publick offence to the French Government; for which this shall be your Order.2
Given under my Hand onboard the Portland in English harbour Antigua the 4th August 1776.
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/309.
2. Ibid., Young directed Captain Eastwood to make his request for the Reprisal “with firm-
ness, tho in such decent terms as cannot be deemed affrontive.”
Master’s Log of H. M. Sloop Hawke 1
August [17]76 At Anchor in Prince Rupert Bay Dominica Cus-
tom house NE 2 Miles
Saturdy 3d at 7 weighed Se Stood out of the bay Under Single Reefd
TSls Standing to the SoWd after the Seaford Made a Shortend Sail Occasionally
First Se latter Parts fresh Gales Se Cloudy Middle fresh Gales Se Squally with Constant Rain Attended with Thunder Se lightning at Noon Standing for Martinico the Seaford in sight at 3 PM spoke a french Ship from St Piers to Marsails at 5 Spoke the Seaford brot too hoisted out a boat Se sent the Captain on Shore Ship Plying in for St
54
AMERICAN THEATRE
Piers 8c the Seaford stood to the No Wd to speak a sail ]/2 past saw the Seaford fire at a brigg in Shore on which the Batterys fird 6 Shoats at the Seaford at 8 the Captain Re- turned on bd Hoisted in the boat 8c Plyd off 8c on till 4 in the
Sunday 4th Morning then brot too at 7 saw the Seaford to Leeward
bore Down 8c spoke her Hoisted out the boat 8c sent on board her \/2 past she Returnd Hoisted in Do Made Sail 8c parted Company with the Seaford 1. PRO, Admiralty 52/1780.
5 Aug.
Captain Charles Douglas, R.N., to Vice Admiral Richard
Lord Howe 1
(Copy) [Isis, Quebec] August the 5th
An Account from St: Johns just received, gives me reason to believe, that the Frame which was building in the Sorel, 8c which I (with General Carleton’s Approbation) ordered to be taken down, before I left Chambly, will be ready for Launching about the 16th and the Maria about the 30th of this Month - the Lieutenants Butler 8c Starke 2 (such by my Order only) superintend their Reconstruction - Captain [Thomas] Pringle’s Command, My Lord, on Lake Champlain will be very extensive, 8c I dare assure myself, his Execution of the important Duties thereof, will justify my having appointed him thereto; As also General Carleton having sollicited, my so doing: And I’d fain hope recommend him to such advanced Rank, as your Lordship only can bestow.
It has been represented to me, since the foregoing was written, that there is an additional Number of prisoners, (hourly expected down the river) to be sent away, I have added the John & Christopher to the three other Transports.
As many of the Transports are immediately to sail, I confine the Tartar s Cruize between Cape North 8c Cape Ray, until the 15th of next Month, 8c shall send Orders to Captn [Thomas] Mackenzie of the Lizard at St. John’s, to take a State of the Fisheries for your Lordship. Tho’ our preparations for Lake Champlain, will at any rate be late, seeing many things have been in a Manner to create, yet if the hourly expected Victuallers do not arrive, I most fear Delay from a want of salted Pro- visions for the Army, on their leaving this Country — We are able to supply all the Seamen to be employed on the Lake, either belonging to His Majesty’s Ships, or others, being in number about three hundred; but out of our Stock of four Months victualling sent out under the Tartar s Convoy, and the Remains of what We brought with Us (comparatively little) We can do hardly any thing at all for the Troops.
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/487. Continuation of August 4 letter.
2. Lieutenant John Starke, of the Maria, wrote, of this period:
The Maria was the only Vessel on the establishment of the Navy ordered for this
AUGUST 1776
55
Service, the rest being Provincial Vessels — Lieut Starke had her taken to pieces, and carried over land, the distance of twelve Miles, together with her Masts, rig- ging, Guns, Stores &c and had her rebuilt, and again equipped for Service, in a short time. He also exerted himself with zeal, in the carrying over the other vessels and craft intended for the expedition on the Lake, and in the equipment of them. These services were beyond the usual course of his duty as an officer serving under a Commission from the Admiralty, whose authority does not extend to the Lake; but the advantage and even the necessity of His Majesty’s Service required them —
His indefatiguable diligence and activity upon this occasion, and also his knowl- edge in various branches of the Mathematics, displayed in constructing Machines, and in applying the various mechanic powers, necessary for transporting the Vessels and craft from the foot of the Rapids of Chambly to St John’s, have been men- tioned much to his credit by the officers who were present, particularly by Sir Charles Douglas the commanding Naval Officer, who directed and superintended these operations; and for which, he had the honour to receive the thanks of Sir Guy Carleton the Commander in Chief, given out in Public Orders.
This very extraordinary and singular piece of Service, which can scarcely be paralelled in any age or country, of carrying twelve Miles over land, and dragging up the rapid and shallow stream of the River Sorell, a number of Vessels of various sizes and constructions to form a great Naval Armament, was carried into execution and completed with great exertions of ingenuity and labour, in the space of three months.
“The case of Lieutenant John Starke of His Majesty’s Navy, together with a Short Sketch of the Operations of the War in Canada, in which he was employed, during the years 1775, 1776 and 1777,” NMM, Ms. 49/129. Hereafter cited as Lieutenant Starke’s Narrative, NMM.
Master’s Log of H. M. Armed Vessel Canceaux 1
August 1776 Anchord abreast of Deschembeaux Point [St. Law-
rence River] -
Monday 5 At 4 A M the Capt set out for St Johns - 2
1. PRO, Admiralty, 52/1638.
2. Lieutenant John Schank had been detached to take command of one of the British ves-
sels outfitting for service on Lake Champlain.
John Langdon to William Whipple 1
[Extract] Portsmouth 5th August 1776
My Friend — Your favo’r of the 22d ult is now before me, in which you mention the number of Men, that are to be allowed each Ship, and that they must be shipped for One Year, or more, this is the very first of my knowing these two matters — I am very impatient to know my Depart- ment as we may Expect some prizes bro’t in by the Schooners, every Day, in that Case I should not be able to Act. if there is only to be one Agent let me Know it, & also inform General Washington, that Orders may be given to those Armed Vessels employed by the Continent, to call on me for Supplies, and deliver Prizes 8cc. I understand that Captain Bradford the Agent for Prizes for Massachusetts has the direction of those Armed Vessells, I hope it is only meant while in that Coloney. when they are in this Colony, I hope the Agent here, will have as much Power as the Massachusetts this you’ll look into, as I think there are some Schemes on foot to keep every thing in their own hands, by no means let the Agent of any Colony have it in their power to order Continental Vessels to Cruize where he pleases, and to bring the prizes into his own Colony when other Harbours are more handy, pray dont fail to see this matter done
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AMERICAN THEATRE
immediately that there might not be any interference of Agents it is very Odd that the President does not Signify to me my Appointment, and what I am to do, all this time I am Agent and other People doing the Business, I mean of what comes in now since my Appointment, it is not so when any one appointed for the other Colony -
You say you tho’t I had ample power, to fit the Ship for Sea I tho’t the [Marine] Committee meant so, but it was impossible for me to prevail on them to say so, and therefore could not Act upon Uncertainties - It is very unaccountable that Governor [Stephen! Hopkins will say the Ships at Providence are as toward as this, when he has not seen neither. I have myself seen both, and when its certain we have waited since first of June for Guns to go on withall and those at Providence not a Mast made, or Tops, and the Ships tho’ Launched not more than three Quarters or two thirds done at this time now these things are fact, for which you have my word, which I hope is equal to Mr. Hopkins’s, and if that will not do, can produce Thousands of Witnesses, by our not having the first Guns, and proper attention paid our Ship the Continent have lost full as much as would pay for the whole 13 Sail, however things will go on Just so, it is hard that we can’t have Orders for some of them Carbines which were taken for our Marines they are the proper Guns, only 100 would do very well, I suppose the Ship to find all Arms of all sort . . .
Pray what Wages had the Master builders at Phila who built the Ships P Day? am glad the Officers are appointed agreeable to Memo — as some of them have been Employed on board . . .
1. John Langdon Letter Book, Captain J. G. M. Stone Private Collection, Annapolis.
John Langdon to Josiah Bartlett 1
[Extract] Portsmouth 5th Augt 1776
... I am at a loss for words to Express my feelings on the good News from the Southward [Charleston] they behave most manfully, the Reg- ulars poor Devils How an Admiral or a General looks with his Breetches shot away it would been happy if they had lost what was in them. . . .2 We have Just got glorious News from the Eastward, one of our Privateers has taken Six prizes West India Men, one of which is Capt Lear of this Place, who owns his Ship himself, tho’ she is made over to Lane Sc Co for Security against British Ships only, pray you and Brother Whipple, ask about that matter, there can be no doubt but the Ship 8c his Adventure is Lears, and never in the Hands of our Enemies, they are all Loaden with Sugar Sc Rum Sec taken by one Privateer from Salem to the Southwd of Bermudas, and Eastward the British Ships and Cargoes will be Condemned and the Cargo of Lear but it will be hard to have him loose his Ship as he is worked hard for it and is a staunch Friend to his Country - 3
L John Langdon Letter Book, Captain J. G. M. Stone Private Collection, Annapolis.
2. Commodore Sir Peter Parker had his trousers shot away during the action at Charleston.
3. The prizes were taken by Captain Joseph White, in the Massachusetts privateer sloop
Revenge. See The Freeman’s Journal, August 3, 1776. Captain Lear was the father of
Tobias Lear, who became Washington’s secretary after the war.
AUGUST 1776
57
Journal of the Massachusetts Sloop Tyrannicide, Captain John Fisk 1
Remks on Munday 5th of August 1776
4 [A. M.] Stood to the Southward
12 Ends pleasant weather
Lattd in 38d.5m Longd in 64d.23m Squally weather and rainy at 1PM saw a sail to the southward gave Chaise at 7 spake with her the Briggn Salley from Rode Island for Suranam Jno Tower Master 1. John Fisk Journal, AAS.
Journal of the Massachusetts Council 1
[Watertown] Monday August 5th 1776
On a Certificate, from Henry Gardner Esqr it appearing that Agreen Crab- tree, Commandr of the Armed Schooner, Hannah if Molly had given Bonds Agreeable to the Resolves of the General Court, his Commission as Com- mander of said Schooner was delivered to him as Also his Instructions — The Petition of Benjamin Goodhue Sc Miles Greenwood both of Salem, Humbly Sheweth -
That your Petitioners in Company with several other persons are fitting out a Privateer Schooner of War call’d the True American, to be Mounted with Ten Carriage Guns, and to be Navigated with Eighty Men And whereof Daniel Hathorne is intended to be Captain — Your Petitioners Humble Prayer therefore is that the said Daniel Hathorne may be Comis- sionated as Captain of the said Privateer Schooner of War; and your peti- tioners as in duty bound Shall ever pray Sec Sec —
Read Sc Ordered, that a Commission be issued to the Above named Daniel Hathorn as Commander of the Schooner True American, on his giving Bonds Agreeable to the Resolves of Congress - 2
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 19, 146, 147.
2. Ibid., vol. 7, 243, Continental Bond, $5,000, was given this date.
David Cobb to Robert Treat Paine 1
[Extract] Boston Augt 5th 1776
My Dear Sir I [t] wou’d give me great pleasure Sc satisfaction to have a line now & then from Philadelphia so that I might peep into the Secrets Sc Mysteries of the Grand Book of Temporal Fate; but if I do not, my Weekly Journal will go on, such as it is, ’till eternal fate, prevents it. Monday 29th Benja Davis Sc others that were taken yesterday, landed at the Long Wharf from Marblehead Sc from thence conducted to the prison; they have a number of Women with ’em. - the Cargo of the Ship consist of £15,00 Sterling in Cash, a quantity of English Goods, 200 Tierces of Beef &c 2
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Tuesday 30th Nothing. -
Wednesday 31st A Schooner was bro’t into this port today, taken by two Whalemen; she is from Jamaica to Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Laiden with Rum 8c Salt; she is said to be own’d by Derby of Salem 8c sail’d from thence above a year ago, when the Capt had orders to make her Jamaica property; since which he has been Trading from Jamaica to Nova Scotia - her Condemnation is uncertain.3 - the Tory Ship came from Marblehead to this port to day - Thursday, Angst 1st A General Fast. - no particular occurrance - Fryday 2d A Large Jamaica Ship is arriv’d at Townsend at the Eastward, sent in by one of our Privateers 4
Saturday 3d The Juliana a Jamaica prize Ship, was tri’d at Salem yester- day, when the Mate claim’d \/s of the Ship 8c some of her Cargo, as being Jamaica property; the evidence was so clear, that the Jury were oblig’d to acquit the part claim’d. - it gives some uneasiness. - but I am just inform’d that the Congress have allow’d the seizure of all West India property, exceept Bermudas 8c the Bahamas, which I re- joice at — 5
Sunday 4th Capt [Joseph] White of Darby’s Privateer has arriv’d at Casco Bay with two very large Jamaica Ships, having taken on this Cruize no less than 4 or 5 of sd Ships - what grand fortunes will soon be amass’d.6 . . .
1. Robert Treat Paine Papers, MassHS.
2. The ship Peggy, from Nova Scotia for New York, taken July 27 by Washington’s schooners
Hancock and Franklin.
3. Probably the schooner Patty, taken east of Mount Desert and libeled against August 15,
1776. Neiv-England Chronicle, August 15, 1776.
4. The ship Anna Maria, taken by Captain Joseph White in the Massachusetts privateer
sloop Revenge.
5. The Lady Juliana, taken by Captain John Adams in the Pennsylvania privateer sloop
Chance. Cobb refers to the Congressional resolve (July 24) to no longer respect *British West India property. Ford, ed., JCC, V, 606.
6. Captain White commanded the Massachusetts privateer sloop Revenge. She was the prop-
erty of Joseph Lee, Miles Greenwood and others, rather than Richard Derby. Lee was a resident of Beverly; Greenwood, of Salem, Mass. Arch., vol. 6, 339.
John Bradford to John Hancock1
Dear Sir Boston 5th Augst 1776
I have the Honour to inclose You an Ac/ct of the Ship peggy s Cargo, as it stands in her Clearance from Hallifax, I have not yet begun to un- load her being all the last week at Salem Attending the trial of the scotch Vessells which are Apportion’d as follows vizt %6 of the ship Lord How[e ] to the Schooners 4/16 to the Connecticut Brig %6 to this Colony Sloop. n/i6 of the Brig Annabella and the ship George to the Schooners %6 to the Brig 2
The principal part of the Cargo’s of the Scotch vessells being sent to [Newl york, and as it will be some time Ere any moneys will be Reed for any of the vessells wch are in my hands and my not being Able to git
AUGUST 1776
59
any from the late Agents, Occasions a great want of money. I flatter my self some way may be found out to Supply me, it gives me pain to be thus troublesome Sir but if the intercourse was not shut up between philada & here, I shou’d be able to get supplies the Brig Dispatchs Cargo Amounts to near 10,000 Dollars, and her out fit is very Considerable, and I’ve paid of three portlidge Bills one of wch had run Six months, besides a great sum I’ve been Oblig’d to advance for the schooners, which are very Expensive; I hope Mr Morris will send my dispatches forward for the Brig, as she has been Ready for the Sea five weeks, with fish a perishable, and Oil a wasting Article on board.3
I cant yet Obtain any Accounts from the Late Agents But they tell me they have Ballances due to them. I shou’d feel happy to Receive my Commission, as it woud give me a Sanction with the Late Agents, which at present they are unwilling to allow me, its marvelous to me that [Jonathan] Glover & Bartlet [William Bartlett] shou’d not have money’s in their hands belonging to the Continent as they’ve had so many valuable prizes. I shall not add but present You my most Respectfull Salutations praying for a Continuance of your health, that your importance in the States of America, may be continued till she becomes very Respectable among the Nations of the Earth I am Dear Sir [8cc.]
Jn Bradford.
1. Walter Fuller Don Collection, SI.
2. Five of Washington’s armed schooners, the Connecticut state brig Defence , and the Massa-
chusetts state sloop Tyrannicide shared in the proceeds.
3. The brig Dispatch, formerly the prize Little Hannah taken by John Manley in Washington’s
armed schooner Lee on December 8, 1775, was purchased by Bradford at the end of
May. He acted on orders from Robert Morris who planned to send dispatches by her
to France, and to put on board a certain John Philip Merkle who was to sell the
Dispatch’s cargo and invest the proceeds in munitions.
Advertisement of Sale of the Cargo of Prize Ship Lady Juliana 1
On Wednesday, 7th of August at ten in the morning, will begin the sale of the cargo of the prize ship Lady Juliana, from Jamaica, now lying at the Hon. John Hancock, Esqrs Wharf,
consisting of
315 hogsheads and 57 tierces of choice sugars, 94 puncheons and hogs- heads of rum. 180 bags and 14 casks of piemento, 390 bags of ginger, 19 tons of dying wood 568 Jamaica hides, very large, 63 planks of Mo- hogany, 19 Tons o’ Fustick, 25 tierces Spanish cocoa, 1 cask tortoise shell, 1 hogshead of old copper, brass and pewter, 17 elephants teeth
Conditions of Sale
1. That every bidder shall advance 5 per cent on every bid, and the highest to be the purchaser.
2. That every purchaser shall pay down as earnest money 10 per cent, and the remainder in three days after the purchase, on forfeiture of the advance money.
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AMERICAN THEATRE
3. If any dispute arises between two or more bidders, the article in dispute shall be put up again.
J. Russell, Auctioneer.
1. Boston Gazette, August 5, 1776. The sale was not completed on that day, and the New- England Chronicle for August 8 advertised: “To-morrow Morning, at Eleven o’Clock, Will be continued the Sale of the Cargo of the Lady Juliana, at Hancock’s Wharf, J. Russell, Auctioneer.” The Chronicle, August 15, announced that Lady Juliana, “an excellent Ship and well found.,” would be sold the next day.
Captain Abraham Whipple to Nicholas Brown Sc Co.1
Gentlemen Cranstown August. 5. 1776 —
In my first Vige in your Sloop George to Barbados and Martnico the Harbour-Master att. Martnico Gave me the Two Guns that Stands by Mr Nicholas Browns Sc John Browns hous which att the time theay was Sot there I Lent them to you to Stand thare While the Next War Which has Now Cominsed the 4 July thare foare I Desiare that you Would Dilver the Guns or pay me the price that theay may Valued at by Inde- frant men I Licke wise Lent Nicholas Brown Sc Company one pare of Swivel Guns When Comdoar Hopkins Was A Going to Gunia In the Briggt Salley Which you Never Returned to Me Which I Desiare that you will pay the price of New pare Reday Swivld or Return me the Guns As you Know I want the Value of them from Yours att Comand.
Abraham Whipple
N B - Settle it With Mrs Whipple 2
1. Nicholas Brown Papers, JCBL.
2. Ibid., Whipple wrote again the same day asking the Browns to settle with Captain William
Wall. This letter contains the following endorsement: “Memodm Brother Jno Brown bot & paid for the 2 Guns to Capt Whipple @ 50 Dols for the two & I paid John my half wch he Indost with a pencil on Sd Recpt Nt>vr. 1776. Test Nichs Brown.”
Newport Mercury , Monday, August 5, 1776 Newport, August 5.
Last Friday se’nnight a sloop from Bermuda arrived at Nantucket, who the day before, to the southward of that island, saw 53 sail of square rigged vessels, standing to the westward; which ’tis likely, are part of the Hessian fleet.
Last Wednesday arrived at New-London, the sloop Betsey, Capt. Benjamin Bigelow, in 15 days from St. Eustatia, with a large quantity of duck, 6 tons of powder, some small arms, See. Mr. William Turner, of this island, came passenger in the above vessel, and informs that a large number of troops have lately arrived at Martinica and 9000 at Porterica.
Last Monday morning two brigs went up the east side of the island; one of which is an Antiguaman, loaded with sugar, rum and cotton, sent in by the privateer Diamond , Capt. Chase, but had been taken before by Capt Newman, of Philadelphia, and was taken again by Capt. Chase, be- cause she had no copy of Capt. Newman’s commission on board: 1 — The other brig is a whaleman, which is released.
1. The brigantine Mary. She was condemned as a prize in favor of Captain Newman, Septem- ber, 2, 1776. Admiralty Papers, vol. 9, 1776, R. I. Arch.
AUGUST 1776
61
Captain James Wilkinson to Captain Richard Varick, Albany 1 [Extract]
let me inform you my Dear Sir that Genl Arnolds Character has been here traduced lately in the most villainous assasign like manner, and I understand the aspersions prevail with you. allow me then to obey the Dictates of justice, by asserting that I have been a spectator of His Conduct in the Hour of Danger, in the Moment of Gay Security have observed His exertions where the public Interest was concerned & have always found Him, the intrepid, generous friendly, upright Honest Man — is it for Men, who cant boast more than an easy enjoyment of the Continental Provision, to blast the Reputation of Him, who having encountered the greatest perils, surmounted extremest hardships, fought and bled in a Cause which they have only encumbered? No forbid it Honor, forbid it Justice - these are effusions of a Heart actuated by no partial Tie or prej- udiced View. -
We have an Acct from Canada (which wants confirmation) that the Enemy had left St Johns with their Artillery, all to two hundred Men who remain in the Garrison, and this in consequence of the Arrival of a French Fleet — whether this is a Fact, whether it is meant only as a Decoy or whether they have drawn their Force from this, in order to penetrate the Country in a different Quarter is the Question. We understand that in attempting to bring several Vessels into the Lake from Chamblee the Carriages failed and they were destroyed - that they had continued their old mode of Tyranny in such a Degree as again to establish the Canadians Our Friends, and that the foreigners deserted in great Numbers to the back settlements or Country.
Our Navy are in great forwardness but I seriously believe we shall have no other use for them than to transport our Army into Canada. - Mount Pleasant on Mount Independence 5th August 1776
1. Andre de Coppet Autograph Collection, PUL.
George Washington to John Hancock 1
[Extract] New York, August 5, 1776.
The inclosed copy of a Letter from Col: [Benjamin] Tupper, who had the General Command of the Gallies here, will inform Congress of the Engagement between them and the Ships of War up the North river on Saturday Evening and of the Damage we sustained; what injury was done to the Ships I cannot ascertain. It is said they were hulled several times by our Shot. All accounts agree, that our Officers and Men, during the whole of the Affair, behaved with great Spirit and bravery; the damage done to the Gallies shews beyond question, that they had a warm time of it, the Ships still remain up the river and before any-thing further can be at-
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tempted against them, should it be thought advisable, the Gallies must be repaired. . . .
By a Letter from General Ward of the 29th. Ulto, he informs me, that two of our armed Vessels the day before had brought into Marblehead, a Ship bound from Halifax to Staten Island, she had in about 1509 £ Cost of British Goods, besides a good many belonging to Tories. A Hallifax paper found on board her, I have inclosed, as also an Account sent me by Mr. [Ebenezer] Hazard transmitted him by some of his Friends, as given by the Tories taken in her; their Intelligence I dare say is true, respecting the arrival of part of the Hessian Troops. General Ward in his Letter men- tions the day this prize was taken, Capt. [William] Burke, in another of our Armed Vessels had an engagement with a Ship and a Schooner which he thought were Transports and would have taken them, had it not been for an unlucky accident in having his Quarter Deck blown up. Two of his men were killed and several more were wounded.2
The Hulks and three Cheveaux de frieze that have been preparing to obstruct the Channel, have got up to the place they are intended for, and will be sunk as soon as possible.
1. John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931-1944), V,
370-72. Hereafter cited as Fitzpatrick, ed., Writings of Washington.
2. The ship Peggy, taken by Washington’s armed schooners Hancock and Franklin. Captain
Burke commanded Washington’s schooner Warren.
George Washington to John Bradford 1
Sir Head Quarters N Yk. 5th Augt 1776
Yours of the 29th Ulto is duly Received; for the future I must desire all Warlike Stores 8c Necessaries for an Army, taken by the Armed Vessels in Public Service, may be safely Stored, under care of the Different Agents ’till they receive Orders from proper Authority, you will please to enjoin it upon the different Commanders of the Continental Cruisers, to be par- ticularly careful no Embezelment is made by their Crew or others. - I am sir your [8cc.]
G. Washington
To Mr John Bradford one of the Continental Agents at Boston
1. Washington Papers, LC.
General Orders of Vice Admiral Richard Lord Howe 1
Memo/ [H.M.S. Eagle ] August 5th. 1776
The Captains 8c Commanders of His Majs Ships 8c Vessels of War in this Port, are respectively to keep their Provisions 8c Water compleated to a Proportion for three Months unless they are otherwise, particularly directed / 8c to hold their Ships in Constant readiness for Sea. - 1. Order Book of Captain William Cornwallis, R. N., NYHS.
AUGUST 1776
63
Journal of the Continental Congress 1
[Philadelphia] Monday, August 5, 1776
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into con- sideration: Whereupon,
Resolved , That the commanders of all ships of war and armed vessels in the service of these states, or any of them, and all letters of marque and privateers, be permitted to inlist into service on board the said ships and vessels, any seamen who may be taken on board any of the ships or vessels of our enemies, and that no such seamen be entitled to receive the wages due to them out of the said prizes, but such as will so inlist, and that all other seamen, so taken, be held as prisoners of war, and exchanged for others taken by the enemy, whether on board of vessels of war or merchantmen, as there may be opportunity:
A petition from Esek Hopkins, commander in chief of the continental fleet, was presented to Congress, and read; setting forth, that “he has been informed that certain complaints, interrogatories and report, charging him with sundry crimes and misdemeanors, had been exhibited to the honor- able Congress; the purport of which complaints, Sec. he is ignorant of; and praying that he may be furnished with copies thereof, and of all other proceedings against him, which are now before this honorable body; and that time may be allowed him to prepare for, and a day assigned for, his being heard before Congress in his own defence.”
Resolved , That the prayer of the petition be granted, and that Friday next be appointed for hearing Commodore Hopkins.2
Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to order the ships and armed vessels, belonging