THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY CERTIFIES THAT THIS COPY OF THE DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM IS No. ')■ OF THREE HUNDRED COPIES, PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY ONLY THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY INCORPORATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS AUGUST 2 1, I 9 I 2 OFFICERS 1913 V PRESIDENT REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. DAVIS, U. S. N. VICE-PRESIDENT HERBERT L. SATTERLEE SECRETARY AND TREASURER ROBERT WILDEN NEESER 247 Fifth Avenue, New York City BOARD OF MANAGERS JAMES BARNES REAR-ADMIRAL F. E. CHADWICK, U. S. N. COLONEL WILLIAM C. CHURCH REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. DAVIS, U. S. N. REAR-ADMIRAL C. F. GOODRICH, U. S. N. CHARLES T. HARBECK GRENVILLE KANE REAR-ADMIRAL S. B. LUCE, U. S. N. ROBERT W. NEESER HERBERT L. SATTERLEE REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. STOCKTON, U. S. N. COLONEL ROBERT M. THOMPSON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JAMES BARNES REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. DAVIS, U. S. N. GRENVILLE KANE ROBERT W. NEESER HERBERT L. SATTERLEE PUBLICATIONS OF THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY Volume III THE DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM ,/■> M 7 '^ .77 ^. ,/< >•C'4^'"v -'/:- ../^ i/€A//...i:/rc^ir.jSi^./^A^t: <'/.t^r ,„,f rttyA/&y/2'' /,i0 \ A/ . 'A^.'/iJa^ ^f/i^ A\ KV/(>,t',J .laJi^^ Mt^9\j /V'.a^Kl^, / - t/t,., /.'y^ 7' THE DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S SHIPS IN NORTH AMERICA JANUARY-JULY, I 776 EDITED BY ROBERT WILDEN NEESER NEW YORK PRINTED FOR THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY BY THE DEVINNE PRESS M DCCCC XIII 1 1 71 ■ S6Z Copyright, 19 1 3, by The Naval History Society /^^ '0)CI.AJ}43i6-3 . CONTENTS PAGE Shuldham to Stephens, April 3, 1775 i Concerning his promotion to Rear Admiral of the White. Shuldham to Stephens, July 25, 1775 2 Acknowledges order to proceed to Boston. Shuldham to Stephens, September i, 1775 3 Fresh vegetables for his seamen. Shuldham to Stephens, September 27, 1775 5 Concerning the need of more shipwrights and carpenters. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Shuldham, September 29, 1775 6 Orders to succeed Vice Admiral Graves in command of the North American Station. Shuldham to Stephens, October 3, 1775 14 Arrival at Portsmouth. Shuldham to Stephens, October 6, 1775 15 Detained by contrary winds. Asks for another flagship. Shuldham to Stephens, October 7, 1775 17 Still detained at Spithead. Regarding other matters. Shuldham to Stephens, October 10, 1775 19 Acknowledges order of September 29, 1775. Shuldham to Stephens, October 10, 1775 19 Represents unfitness of the Chatham for service in North America. Philips to Shuldham, October 15, 1775 21 Communicates information from Pennsylvania. [ix: CONTENTS PAGE Philips TO Shuldh AM, October 15, 1775 22 Instructions to protect ordnance and stores at Bermuda and Providence. Shuldham to Philips, October 16, 1775 23 Acknowledges receipt of orders. Stephens TO Shuldham, October 17, 1775 24 Increase in complements of 50-gun ships. Shuldham to Stephens, October 18, 1775 25 Getting under sail at Spithead. Stephens to Shuldham, October 23, 1775 26 Transmits orders to burn and destroy armed vessels belong- ing to the Colonists. Shuldham TO Stephens, October 24, 1775 27 Announces arrival in Plymouth Sound. Shuldham to Stephens, October 29, 1775 28 Has entered men from the guard-ships at Plymouth. Stephens to Shuldham, November 11, 1775 29 Expedition under Sir Peter Parker to the Carolinas. Stephens TO Shuldham, November II, 1775 31 Informing him of rebel vessels seeking gunpowder abroad. Jackson to Shuldham, January 4, 1776 32 Advising him of a ship now on passage from L'Orient bound for the Colonies. Jackson to Shuldham, January 8, 1776 33 Expedition to the Carolinas. Delay in assembling of vessels. Jackson TO Shuldham, January 8, 1776 35 Sending copies of recent Acts and Proclamations of Parlia- ment. Jackson to Shuldham, January 9, 1776 36 Impressment of men from army transports into naval service. CONTENTS PAGE Shuldham to Stephens, January 15, 1776 37 Arrival in Boston. Activities of rebel privateers. Urges arming of victuallers and storeships. Shuldham to Stephens, January 19, 1776 40 Conditions at New York and Rhode Island. Intelligence from Philadelphia and Virginia. Shuldham TO Stephens, January 27, 1776 51 Concerning difficulties of contractor for supplying the fleet w^ith fresh meat. Shuldham TO Stephens, January 28, 1776 54 Has assumed command. Conditions on the station. Weak- ness of the garrison at Halifax. Scarcity of ordnance small stores. Additional intelligence from Rhode Island. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Shuldham, January 29, 1776 62 Size of complements of ships on the station to be increased. Jackson to Shuldham, February 23, 1776 63 Orders placing transports on the station under his command. Shuldham to Stephens, February 25, 1776 64 Conditions in the Province of Neve Hampshire. Rebel de- scent upon Island of St. Johns. Shuldham TO Stephens, February 26, 1776 76 Scarcity of naval stores. Arrival of the Orpheus. Capture of tw^o prizes by the Savage. Renews recommendation that supplies be sent out only in armed vessels. Severity of block- ade duty. Shuldham TO Stephens, February 27, 1776 87 Controversy with General Howe over supplies sent out by the Government. Jackson to Shuldham, February 29, 1776 103 Acknowledges Shuldham's despatch of January 15. Jackson to Shuldham, February 29, 1776 104 Acknowledges Shuldham's despatches of January 15, 27 and 28, and their Lordships' answer thereto. Cxi] CONTENTS PAGE Stephens TO Shuldham, March 4, 1776 106 Transmitting memorial of Chaleur and Gaspee fishermen praying for protection. Shuldham to Stephens, March 8, 1776 107 Fortification of Dorchester Heights by the rebels. Dis- tressed situation of the army. Insufficiency of provisions. Preparations to evacuate Boston. State of affairs in New York and Rhode Island. Intelligence from Philadelphia. Conditions in Canada. Activities of the rebel privateers. Loss of the Friendship transport. Jackson to Shuldham, March 14, 1776 136 Transmitting intelligence of vessels lately sailed from France. Jackson to Shuldham, March 14, 1776 136 Same. Shuldham to Stephens, March 17, 1776 137 Evacuation of Boston. Non-arrival of the victualling ships. Want of provisions. Observation squadron stationed in Nantasket Roads. Jackson to Shuldham, March 19, 1776 140 Stores to be provided for the Fleet. Shuldham TO Stephens, March 23, 1776 141 Departure of navy and army from Boston. Arrival of the victualler Princess Augusta with despatches. Capture of a rebel vessel. Conditions in Virginia. Apprehension of a rebel attack upon Halifax. Disposition of the vessels on the station. Jackson to Shuldham, March 27, 1776 . . . . . . 156 Ordnance small stores for the use of the fleet. Shuldham to Stephens, March 27, 1776 157 Acknowledges receipt of orders. Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Shuldham, March 29, 1776 160 Lord Viscount Howe to succeed Shuldham as Commander- in-Chief in North America. CONTENTS PAGE Jackson to Shuldham, March 29, 1776 162 Expedition under Sir Peter Parker sailed February 12. Convoy dispersed by bad weather. Jackson TO Shuldham, April I, 1776 163 Informing him of a Philadelphia brig loading at Dunkirk. Jackson to Shuldham, April 3, 1776 164 Three rebel ships at the Hague taking on board gunpowder. Shuldham to Stephens, April 16, 1776 165 Acknowledges receipt of despatches. Arrival of one vic- tualler. The others driven to Antigua and expected shortly. Shuldham to Stephens, April 16, 1776 166 Impossible to spare any of his cruisers for detached service. Some of the vessels very short of complements. Shuldham to Stephens, April 16, 1776 168 Arrival of the fleet and transports in Halifax Harbour. The Fowey and Glasgow ordered to the Delaware. Shuldham to Stephens, April 17, 1776 169 Need of stores and supplies. Stephens to Shuldham, April 18, 1776 170 Informing him of storeships, victuallers, and transports sail- ing for America under convoy of the Ranger. Reinforce- ments intended for the army. Plan for provisioning the fleet to August, 1777. Activities of rebel merchants in trad- ing with European ports. Shuldham to Stephens, April 18, 1776 i75 Three transports and the Niger ordered to Quebec. Stephens to Shuldham, April 19, 1776 176 Protection of the homeward-bound trade. Shuldham to Stephens, April 19, 1776 i77 The Glasgow's engagement with the rebel squadron under Esek Hopkins. Her shattered condition. Captain Wal- lace's account. Information concerning the rebel vessels. Cxiii] CONTENTS PAGE Howe TO Stephens, April 27, 1776 184 Report of the Glasgow's engagement with the rebel squadron. Extract from the Glasgow's Log-Book, April 6, 1776 . . 186 Shuldham TO Stephens, April 24, 1776 187 Intelligence from Georgia. Account of the batteries at Charleston, S. C. Declaration of the masters of merchant vessels at Savannah, Ga. List of vessels liberated from the rebels at Savannah. Shuldham TO Stephens, April 24, 1776 196 Appointments of officers. Shuldham to Stephens, April 24, 1776 198 Transmitting disposition of vessels of the fleet. Need of provisions. Ships now on two-thirds allowance. List of captures made. Shuldham to Stephens, April 25, 1776 206 Deficiency in complements of vessels. Alarming increase of Americans on board King's ships. Shuldham to Stephens, April 25, 1776 207 Capture of a prize. Loss of the Bolton brig. Stephens to Shuldham, May 3, 1776 208 Communicating their Lordships' approval of his operations. Stores to be sent out to America. Shuldham to Stephens, May 10, 1776 210 Scarcity of provisions and ordnance small stores. Shuldham to Stephens, May 10, 1776 211 The army still at Halifax aw^aiting provisions. Great im- portance of the yard and harbour at Halifax. Shuldham to Stephens, May 12, 1776 213 Acknowledges receipt of orders. Shuldham to Stephens, May 12, 1776 217 Receipt of despatches from England. CONTENTS PAGE Shuldham to Stephens, May 20, 1776 218 Arrival of some transports and victuallers off Cape Fear. Shuldham to Stephens, May 20, 1776 219 Arrival of the Greyhound's convoy at Halifax. Acknow- ledges receipt of orders. Shuldham to Stephens, May 20, 1776 222 Intelligence from New York. State of the fortifications there. Resolutions of the Continental Congress. Plan of the cheveaux-de-frize in the Delaware River. Captures made by the vessels of the fleet. Shuldham to Stephens, May 23, 1776 249 Disposition of the vessels under his command. Shuldham TO Stephens, June 2, 1776 254 Acknowledges receipt of orders and letters. Shuldham to Stephens, June 8, 1776 257 Boat attack on American privateer. Condition of the Flora's convoy. Shuldham to Stephens, June 8, 1776 259 Recommends appointment of officer to direct transports. Shuldham TO Stephens, July 6, 1776 263 Disposition of the squadron under his command. Shuldham TO Stephens, July 6, 1776 268 Appointments of officers. Attack upon the Roebuck and Liverpool in the Delaware River. Shuldham TO Stephens, July 8, 1776 272 Arrival of the fleet in New York Harbour. Landing of the troops on Staten Island. Disposition of the squadron. Cap- ture of four transports with troops by the Americans. For- wards journal of the American vessel Andrew Doria. Shuldham to Stephens, July 24, 1776 306 Omission of Commissioner Arbuthnot to deliver despatches to Lord Howe. cxv: CONTENTS PAGE Stephens TO Shuldham, July 25, 1776 . . . . . . 309 Directs him to return to England in the fall. Shuldham to Stephens, October 29, 1776 310 Acknowledges their Lordships' letter of July 25th. Shuldham to Stephens, February 23, 1777 311 Reports arrival at Spithead. [xvi] ILLUSTRATION First page of the Log of the Andrew Doria Frontispiece Cxvii^ INTRODUCTION The principal facts about the exploits of the American navy during the first few years of the Revolutionary War are sufficiently well known to modern readers. Our early historians of that important period have left us many interesting details of the navy's activities and of the remarkable successes of the countless vessels that, fitted out in private ventures, scoured the seas to the very ports and shores of the mother country. Based upon these old, contemporary narratives, more modern ac- counts have since been written, but all, alike, by con- fining themselves to what may almost be called the traditional sources,— sources that concerned only the American point of view, — necessarily made an under- standing of the conditions of that struggle upon the sea partial and imperfect. The various papers and documents which fill this volume are, therefore, meant as an essential comple- ment to the materials which heretofore have been avail- able to the historians of our Revolutionary War. They reveal to us, forcibly at times, the character of the naval operations as viewed by the British sailor engaged in the disagreeable task of coercion; the situation in the re- volting colonies ; the conditions attending the blockade of the extensive coast-line of continental America; the hardships endured by the ships' companies; the difficul- ties under which the commanders struggled; and the extent to which their activities were hampered by the almost continued lack of food and supplies. Cxix] INTRODUCTION The documents included in the present volume are drawn mostly from the series of "Admirals' Des- patches" in the Public Record Office in London, Eng- land, transcripts of which were a few years ago acquired by the Manuscripts Division of the Library of Con- gress. Others are taken from the "Secret Letters" and the "Secretary's Letters to Commanding Officers" and the "Orders and Instructions"; and in some cases the "Captains' Logs" and "Captains' Letters" have been consulted and used. Besides these there is also included a document which the student of United States naval history may find of greater interest than all others contained in these pages. It is the log-book of the 14-gun brig "Andrew Doria," one of the most successful cruisers that sailed under the Rattlesnake Flag and among the first of the "Conti- nental" vessels to put to sea after the regular organiza- tion of the navy. This "Journal" was kept by James Josiah, her first lieutenant, who later was captured while in charge of one of her prizes.^ The record in this way fell into the hands of the British admiral, by whom it was promptly forwarded to London as being of especial interest. The period covered in its twenty- eight pages is from January 4, 1776, the day the first American squadron under Commodore Esek Hopkins sailed from Philadelphia, to June 11 in the same year, when H.M.S. "Cerberus" fell in with the little cruiser and her valuable captures. It is among the earliest records of our own navy, and without doubt the first log-book of an American public armed vessel. From the very moment that hostilities began between 1 American Archives, Ser. 5, Vol. I, p. 659; Rhode Island Histori- cal Magazine, October, 1885. Cxx] INTRODUCTION Great Britain and her American colonies, the fact be- came evident to the British authorities that the control of the sea would have a preponderant effect upon the contest. It was clear to reason, for the thousand miles of sea-coast, with its many interior navigable water- courses, presented a military advantage scarcely to be found in the indifferent communications of the unim- proved wilderness on shore. In fact, it was the opinion of military men in the mother country— among others, of the Secretary at War, Lord Barrington^— that the operations should be entirely naval. Occupy the prin- cipal ports, cut off the coastwise trade, and make occa- sional predatory excursions inland, they urged. Any other plan would be doomed to failure.^ To attempt to conquer America by a land war, declared General Harvey, one of the military chiefs of the kingdom, was as wild an idea as ever controverted common sense. America, he wrote, was "an ugly job," and the army, if it attempted the impossible, would be destroyed by "damned driblets."^ When the strength of the British navy, which then had no enemy in Europe to oppose, is considered, one would think that such a suggestion might have found favor with the ministry. But they had other plans in view, and, blind to the real conditions, set about putting their own ideas into execution. Parliament opened on the last day of November, 1774, and the King's speech took note of the resistance to the law which prevailed in Massachusetts. But the colonists were generally 1 Life of William Wildman, Viscount Barrington, pp. 140-152. 2 Fortescue: History of the British Army, III, 167. 3 General Harvey to General Irwin, June 30, 1775; quoted In Fortescue, III, 167. Cxxi;] INTRODUCTION despised among the military men at home, and were looked upon as cowards by those high in office. Lord Sandwich, of the Admiralty, averred that their conduct in a previous war had been represented to him "as in the highest degree dastardly," and that he would an- swer for it that they "will bluster and swell when dan- ger is at a distance, but when it comes near will, like all other mobs, throw down their arms and run away."^ And this was an article of the ministerial creed which no one ventured to dispute.^ In the course of the summer of 1775, however, the British government gradually opened its eyes to the fact that a war, and a serious war, was actually staring it in the face. The coercive acts, of which so much had been expected, had proved a complete failure, from the ab- sence of sufficient means to enforce them, and, more ter- rifying still, the unpromising crisis had revealed the weakened state into which the armed forces of the kingdom had been suffered to decline. The number of ships in the navy since 1770, and the number of seamen, had been let down to a figure dangerously low even for times of peace; the machinery to cope with the inevita- ble wastage of war did not exist even on paper; while the lax and corrupt administration of Lord Sandwich^ at the Admiralty rotted the dockyards and demoralized the personnel.^ In materiel and numbers the fleet was ^ Channing: A History of the United States, III, 172. 2 Trevelyan : The American Revolution, I, 339. ^ For further particulars see the Parliamentary History ; the An- nual Register; Diet. Nat. Biog., XXIV, 143; Hannay's Short His- tory of the Royal Navy, II, 207 fF. ; and Trevelyan's George III, and Charles Fox, I, 105-111. ^ Contemporary observers noted that party spirit, increasing since 1765, was at its height between 1770 and 1782 — "a fact unfortunate Cxxii] INTRODUCTION inadequate even for the task of 1775. As late as De- cember, 1774, the establishment of seamen had been reduced from twenty thousand to sixteen thousand, while the army was left at its old number, and in the spring of 1775 was increased only by a paltry four thou- sand.^ In vain the King pleaded for troops. Not until August was an increase authorized by Parliament, and then it was found easier to vote the money and the num- ber required than to find the men.^ The naval force at the disposal of the admirals com- manding on the North American Station, who, until Lord Howe took up the command on July 12, 1776, were John Montagu, Samuel Graves, and Molyneux Shuldham, was always insufficient to patrol effectively the long seaboard (see pp. 38, 68, ']']^ 152-155, 167, 212). Most of the vessels available were necessarily limited to aiding the army at Boston, to seeking stores for the troops (see p. 167), and to supplying the naval brigade, while the rest were endeavoring to overawe hundreds of miles of sea-coast swarming with active seamen who were thrown out of employment by the interruption of trade.^ It was perhaps the most ungra- cious duty that ever has fallen to the lot of a naval offi- cer, embarrassed, besides, by the want of exact instruc- tions. For a long time, the only addition to their instructions, beyond those usual in times of peace, was for the naval power of England," as Captain Mahan aptly remarks, for, with the notable exception of Rodney, almost all of the distin- guished admirals of the time were Whigs. ^ Fortescue, III, 170. 2 It was calculated that the revolt of the colonies had deprived Eng- land of at least eighteen thousand seamen. (The Annual Register, 1778, p. 201.) 3 Cal. of Home Office Papers, 1 773-1 775, pp. viii, xviii. Cxxiii] INTRODUCTION an order to carry out the provisions of the Boston Port Bill (see p. lo), and that it was impossible to do with- out a due number of small craft, well manned and armed — craft such as were not to be found on the sta- tion (see p. 1 14) . It is not to be wondered at, then, that during the first few years the insurrection continued to gather strength, or that an incompetent ministry at home should make the commanders responsible for the hopeless state of affairs. The tactlessness of Montagu in fretting the colonists during the earlier stages of the quarrel, and the helplessness of Graves when the fight- ing actually began, have been advanced as contributing causes of the loss of Boston,^ but no charge was ever made against them, nor were they directly blamed. They were guilty, however, of not succeeding under circumstances where success was impossible, and each was in turn superseded in command. Admiral Molyneux Shuldham was born about 1717, and was the son of Rev. Samuel Shuldham. The boy entered the navy in 1732, and saw his first service with Captain George Forbes, afterwards Earl of Granard, as captain's servant on board the "Cornwall." Later he served in the "Solebay" and for nearly four years in the "Falkland." In 1738-1739, when "near twenty-two," he passed his examination, and on August 31, 1739, was promoted to be lieutenant of the "Tilbury," one of the ships which went out to the West Indies with Sir Chaloner Ogle, and was present at the unsuccessful attack on Cartagena in 1741. His first independent com- mand was in the "Sheerness" frigate (May 12, 1746), and he was successively in command of the "Queens- borough," "Unicorn," and "Seaford." In March, 1755, 1 Trevelyan's American Revolution, I, 340. Cxxiv] INTRODUCTION he sailed for the West Indies in the "Warwick," of 60 guns, but near Martinique fell in with a French 74-gun ship and two frigates, from which he was unable to escape. After two years' imprisonment at Poitiers, he was finally exchanged, and immediately ordered to join Commodore Moore in the West Indies, where he took part in the reduction of Guadeloupe and its dependent islands (March-May, 1759). The year 1766 found him at Plymouth, on board the "Cornwall" guardship, and in 1770 his orders assigned him to the "Royal Oak." Then, in February, 1772, came his first chief command, when he was assigned to the Newfoundland Station, an office which he held for three years. On March 31, 1775, he was promoted to be Rear-Admiral of the White (see p. i). In the following autumn, at the general election, he was returned to the House of Com- mons as member for Fowey, but soon after he was again ordered to sea, and on September 29 directed to proceed to Boston as commander-in-chief of the North Ameri- can Station (see p. 6). The instructions issued from the Admiralty to Shuld- ham on September 29 (see p. 6) were those already for- warded to his predecessor, and embodied such direc- tions for drastic measures as the government thought necessary to bring the insurgent colonists to terms. On the 3d of October the admiral hoisted his flag on the "Chatham" and reported his readiness to sail (see p. 14), but the wind was unfavorable, and three days later he was still at Spithead, storm-bound. The delay, how- ever, gave him the opportunity of unburdening his feel- ings at the manner in which his flag-ship had been fitted out. His apartment, he wrote, was unfit for an officer of his rank, owing to "the false and ill judg'd Oecon- Cxxv] INTRODUCTION omy, which prevails in our Dock Yards," while his ship was so old and inconvenient that he dreaded the thought of her being his constant residence (see pp. 15, 19). But none other was to be had, and he had to submit with the best grace possible, and take advantage of the first fair wind to start on his way westward (see pp. 25, 27) . It was two months, however, before the "Chatham" beat up Boston Harbor. A constant succession of storms and contrary winds baffled her every effort to shorten the passage, and when, on December 30, she finally anchored off the beleaguered town, she was so severely battered that it was weeks before she again was reported fit for sea (see p. 37). We can imagine the feelings of Admiral Graves on seeing his successor arrive; surely the disappointment at not having accomplished more must have been compensated by the feeling of joy at being able at last to turn over his ungracious duty to another. For the victory of Bunker Hill had made no change in the position of General Gage's army, which suffered greatly from the want of wholesome food and from other privations. All marketing from the country was at an end, as the town was closely invested on every side and the islands were cleared of their crops and live-stock; no fresh meat was to be had, and the unfor- tunate soldiery fasted alternately on salt beef and salt pork. It was a situation difficult to believe possible : the army of the world's greatest sea-power, strongly en- trenched in a seaport town, yet faring no better than sailors on an ill-found merchantman towards the close of a long voyage. When the condition of the besieged garrison became known to the ministry, every effort was made to supply their wants by profuse expenditure. Five thousand CxxviJ INTRODUCTION oxen, fourteen thousand sheep, and a huge consignment of hogs were purchased and sent out alive; fresh vege- tables of all kinds were cured by a special process; five thousand "chaldrons" of coal were shipped, with the very fagots necessary to kindle them; while oats, beans, and hay for the horses, and nearly half a million of money, were added to provide for every contingency. "The immense charge of supplying an army at such a distance, was now for the first time experimentally felt"^ (see pp. 87-102, 170, 174, 209) . But the transports sailed too late in the season ; contrary winds kept them long on the very coasts of England; the preserved vege- tables fermented and had to be thrown overboard; and the vessels were storm-tossed until the greater part of their live cargo perished (see p. 39). Such of the victuallers as neared their destination found themselves beating vainly against the periodical winds; others were driven towards the West Indies (see pp. 159, 165, 169) ; while those that survived as likely as not found themselves face to face with the guns of a hostile navy the first intimation of whose existence was a shot fired across their bows (see p. 112). In fact, such was their distress that Shuldham repeatedly besought the Ad- miralty to send no further stores or supplies except in armed vessels of sufficient force to resist capture by the American privateers which now swarmed the seas and hovered like birds of prey about every avenue of ap- proach (seepp. 38, 77, 257). Nor was this his only cause for alarm. From Phila- delphia came the intelligence that the Continental Con- gress had authorized the construction of thirteen frig- ates, and that a number of armed vessels were actually ^ The Annual Register for 1776, p. 51. [xxvii] INTRODUCTION fitting out for service on the southern coast (see p. 60)/ Not long before, eight small vessels had been despatched by Washington to the waters of the St. Lawrence River (see p. 41),^ and every effort was now to be made to drive the King's blockaders off the coast. Already one daring attempt had been made to destroy a man-of-war by the enterprising Bushnell, and it was unhesitatingly predicted that not many weeks would elapse before "you may expect to see the ships in smoke" (see p. 41). Yet what was the admiral to do? What few ships he had were scarcely sufficient to guard the port of Boston and perform the services already required of them. He was almost distracted by the frequent appeals for assis- tance and protection that came to him from every part of his station and from the West Indies.^ A serious in- cursion had already been made upon the island of St. Johns (see p. 69) ; from Quebec came intelligence of the most alarming nature (see pp. 145, 148) ; the naval depot at Halifax was without men or defences and utterly helpless to withstand attack (see pp. 57, 145) ; Lord Dunmore was reported in dire straits in Virginia (see p. 43) ; and the Province of New Hampshire had broken out in open revolt and her governor was a fugi- tive from his residence in the colony (see p. 64). But what was infinitely more serious, the Americans were enjoying so flourishing a trade along the eastern coast that every ship brought supplies of much-needed war material and precious gunpowder from the West Indies and from the different ports of Europe, where they found themselves only too readily served (see pp. 31, 32,72,74, 136, 163). 1 Field's Esek Hopkins, pp. 82 ff. 2 Paullin's The Navy of the American Revolution, pp. 64-66. ^ See Winsor's Narr. and Crit. Hist, of America, Vol. VI, p. 565. Cxxviii] INTRODUCTION In the meantime the army remained inactive, block- aded in Boston, distressed by cold, and in want of every- thing (see p. 107).^ Week after week, month after month, passed by without any improvement in the situ- ation. General Howe, however, was contemplating the withdrawal of his forces. As early as July, 1775, such a step had been urged upon the ministry by his prede- cessor in command. Three months later Howe had been informed that he might concentrate his army at some more advantageous base for future operations, and he now proceeded to choose his own moment for the step which he had so long delayed.^ But that was not to be. On the evening of the 4th of March, Washington decided to take the offensive. Dorchester Heights were occupied overnight, and when the British army awoke from its slumbers two works were already in existence and in a condition to protect their defenders from bombardment and assault. Over twelve thousand men, declared the astonished Shuld- ham, must have been employed on the fortifications to have completed them in so short a time; and Howe is said to have remarked that his entire army could not have done as much in a month. But the forts were there and the only alternative was to drive the Ameri- cans out of their advanced and commanding position. Two thousand troops were embarked and held in readi- ness to make the attack at dusk. But by that time it was ^ Only a few days previous to the evacuation, the army was so " very distress'd" for want of provisions, that Shuldham had to furnish a month's supply out of the naval stores, as otherwise the troops could not have subsisted for more than fourteen days longer, "and except a Supply arrives very speedily for both services," urged the admiral in alarm, "the consequences must be fatal" (see pp. 107, 137). 2 Fortescue, III, 169. [xxix] INTRODUCTION too late. The wind blew a gale. The boats could not be rowed across the bay in such weather. All through the afternoon and night of the day following the storm raged, and by the time that it grew calm again it was evident that no force could possibly drive the Ameri- cans out of their redoubts. Their guns commanded the southeastern side of the town and every anchorage in the harbor. The situation was dangerous in the extreme, and Howe had no alternative but to evacuate at once. Ten days elapsed, however, before the embarkation could be completed (see pp. 107, 137, 141). In the meantime Washington kept up an almost continuous cannonade, and, as a significant hint that the patience of the besiegers was becoming exhausted, fortified Nook's Hill, a mile nearer to Boston than Dorchester Heights. That was the notice to leave. The intimation was given on the i6th of March; on the 17th General Howe embarked his army, and Shuldham, with his men-of-war, accompanied by a fleet of transports,^ dropped down to Nantasket Roads, and a few days later sailed for Halifax, where Howe hoped soon to receive the reinforcements which would enable him to strike at New York. Then began an uninterrupted harvest for the Ameri- can privateers. They made an easy prey of the victual- lers and transports which were bringing the precious supplies and the very reinforcements for which Howe was waiting. When the belated, storm-tossed vessels at 1 Nearly eighty armed vessels and transports were required to carry away the army and its followers, while the large number of other ves- sels, laden with stores and merchandise, accompanying the fleet, in- creased the total to one hundred and seventy sail in all. (Winsor: Narr. and Crit. Hist, of America, Vol. VI, p. 158.) [xxx] INTRODUCTION last reached the waters of New England, the royal forces had gone for good, and the entire sea-coast was alive with cruisers which swarmed about as if the squadron which Shuldham had left in Nantasket Roads to see them safely to Halifax had never existed. A number of transports were captured^— two of them by one of the Continental armed vessels, the "Andrew Doria"^ (see pp. 273, 301), an occurrence which an- noyed the British to such an extent that when one of her officers was captured on board a prize with his journal of her cruise in his possession, the document was promptly forwarded to their lordships at the Admiralty as evi- dence of the activities of the rebels, and "in justice" to some of the officers of the Royal Navy (see p. 273) . Bad as it was, that was not the worst of the story. At the very moment when Howe and Shuldham needed every possible reinforcement that could be sent to them from home, the King and his ministers suffered them- selves to be persuaded to send an expedition to the Southern provinces in order to rally the loyalists of that section and wrench the country from radical control.^ General Clinton, under express orders from home, started for the Carolinas in December with a detach- ment withdrawn from the already inadequate army in 1 Emmons' The Navy of the United States, pp. 133, 149; Cooper's History of the Navy, I, 87, 88. 2 It is said of this cruiser that she made prizes of so many mer- chantmen that w^hen she got back into the Delaware but five of the sailors w^ho composed her original crew were in her, the rest having been put in the prizes and their places supplied by volunteers from among the prisoners. ^ The Admiralty's despatch, dated November 11, 1775, apprising Shuldham of the preparation of this expedition did not reach him until the latter part of March, 1776 (see pp. 29, 33, 157). Cxxxi] INTRODUCTION New England. But the expedition was long in prepar- ing (see p. 162) ; it did not leave Cork till the 12th of February; the vessels encountered heavy weather; none arrived at Cape Fear before the first week in May, and some even later. Meantime the loyalist Scots had been stirred up to take arms, but the royal forces failed to appear at the appointed time, and the luckless men, unsupported, were easily intercepted and utterly routed. Then, just five months too late. Sir Peter Parker ap- peared on the scene with his heavy ships and frigates. A junction with Clinton was at last effected, but the combined force was all too feeble for independent ac- tion. A half-hearted attempt was made upon the out- works guarding Charleston Harbor, but the affair resulted only in a useless bombardment, and the ill- considered expedition ended in nothing short of a calamity for the commodore and his vessels. In the meantime the army lay helpless at Halifax, awaiting the provision-ships which by this time were so belated as to make Howe tremble for the very subsis- tence of his troops (see p. 187). "Nothing to eat; less to drink," wrote a British officer on the 17th of March,^ and there is no doubt that starvation would have stared them in the face had not Shuldham put his crews on two-thirds allowance in order to share what little he had with the famished soldiers (see p. 198) . It was sad work at best. But the tragedy of the whole story was that from nowhere came good news to cheer up the forces in their "present desperate insignificancy."^ None of the detached squadrons had been able to main- tain their stations uninterruptedly or perform the ser- vices which had been expected of them. At New York, 1 Trevelyan, I, 383. 2 //,/^. [xxxii;] INTRODUCTION Captain Parker had been obliged early to retire from before the town, and to anchor his three unseaworthy vessels ofif the Narrows. With the withdrawal of the King's army from New England, all chances of "un- interrupted success" in the province vanished. The town became the headquarters of the American forces, which poured in from all sides, and cut ofif supplies of fresh provisions from Parker's ships. The colonists even had the temerity to fit out privateers along the waterfront, and to begin the construction of two frigates at Poughkeepsie; and on one occasion they actually captured, within sight of Sandy Hook, a storeship carrying coals, porter, etc., to the British army (see pp. 109-115, 223-229). Nor was the situation more hopeful further south. Captain Hamond, who there had two ships and a sloop, "ill-manned^ and sickly," under his command, had promised to do his utmost to execute his orders, but he ^ That the vessels of the British navy were not maintained in the most efficient state is revealed in the correspondence of the naval offi- cers on the station. " I am very much distressed for Petty officers, as vi^ell as Warrants," wrote Captain Price, commanding the Viper sloop, in 1775. "My Carpenter infirm and past duty, my Gunner made from a livery servant, neither seaman nor gunner ; my Master a man in years, never an officer before, made from a boy on board one of the guardships, he then keeping a public house at Gosport. Petty Officers I have but one, who owns himself mad at times. A Master's Mate I have not, nor anyone I can make a Boatswain's mate. I have not one person I could trust with the charge of a vessel I might take to bring her in." (Hannay's Short History of the Royal Navy, II, 215, 216.) In fact, so short-handed had the ships become a year later, that their commanders had no choice but to enter Americans taken out of "rebel" prizes in order to fill up their complements — a situation which Shuldham contemplated with alarm, in view of the constant diminu- tion of British seamen on the muster-rolls of his fleet (see p. 206). [xxxiii] INTRODUCTION had to confess that the Delaware had become rather formidable and that he hardly expected to accomplish anything without a much larger force. One of his ves- sels had to remain constantly at Norfolk to give protec- tion to the governor; no fewer than two could properly guard the Chesapeake; while along the Delaware River such extensive fortifications had been erected by the rebels that he despaired of ever checking their activities without the cooperation of at least two or three hundred troops (see p. 143). The very day that Hamond penned this letter a frig- ate was on her way to join his feeble force. She was the "Glasgow," of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Tyringham Howe, and bore important despatches from the commander-in-chief (see p. 169). But she never reached her destination. Shortly after leaving Rhode Island, on the morning of the 6th of April, she fell in with the American squadron under Esek Hopkins,^ which was returning from its successful descent upon New Providence Island, and was so badly cut up that she could not be properly refitted at Halifax, and Shuldham was consequently obliged to order her to England as soon as temporary repairs had been effected (see pp. 177-186, 287). By this time the spring was far advanced, and no change had come in the situation of the forces at Hali- fax, except that an occasional convoy managed to reach that haven of refuge (see pp. 211, 219), Reinforce- ments, however, were on their way from home. Of that fact assurances had already been received. But General Howe, in his impatience, suddenly decided to sail without them. He had been desperately uncom- ^ Field's Esek Hopkins, pp. 120 ff. [xxxiv] INTRODUCTION fortable at Halifax, — that nook of penury and cold,^ — and it is no wonder that he took advantage of the first fair wind to shape his course for the entrance of New York Harbor. On the way he picked up several trans- ports with Highland troops on board, that had not been intercepted by American privateers, and with this small but welcome increase in his depleted force, he effected a landing on July 3d on Staten Island (see p. 272), to the great joy of Governor Tryon, w^ho, for the past twelvemonth, had been vainly attempting to administer his province from the deck of a man-of-war at anchor ofjf Sandy Hook. Nine days later the long expected reinforcements arrived from England. On that day a ship-of-war, flying the St. George's flag at the fore, sailed up the lower bay and was greeted with a general salute from all the royal vessels which lay in the harbor. Admiral Lord Howe had arrived, and Shuldham's tenure of the command of the King's naval forces in American waters had come to an end. For several months longer he remained on the coast, as a subordi- nate to the new commander-in-chief, when he was finally ordered home (see p. 312), having been in American waters a little over ten months. As to the method pursued in this volume, a word may be said here. The arrangement of the documents is necessarily arbitrary, being chronological, except in the case of enclosures, which are invariably placed with the despatches with which they belong. Though not wholly satisfactory, this has seemed the simplest and most logi- cal system of arranging the papers. It should be borne in mind, however, that the letters never reached those for whom they were intended until a considerable period 1 Burke to Rockingham, May 4, 1776. [xxxv;] INTRODUCTION after they were penned. Thus (p. 156) we have the Sec- retary to the Admiralty Board writing to Shuldham on March 27, 1776; and on p. 157 we find the Admiral (Shuldham) writing to their lordships on the same date, that he had had no communication from them since a previous letter of January 16. The fact is, of course, that the reader sees these letters chronologically, and earlier than they reached either Shuldham or the Admiralty; but any attempt to arrange the papers in the order in which they reached and influenced their recipi- ents would have led to endless difficulties and confu- sion. In concluding, the editor desires most gratefully to acknowledge his obligation to the Lords of the Ad- miralty for permitting him to have access to these records in London; to Mr. Gaillard Hunt, of the Manuscripts Division of the Library of Congress, for allowing the library's transcripts of the "Admirals' Despatches" to be made use of; and to Mr. Frank J. Klingberg for his assistance in calendering the records previous to their being copied. But the editor's thanks are particularly due to Pro- fessor Charles M. Andrews, of Yale University, for his interest and generous assistance in discovering for him and securing transcripts of the more important of the "Out-Letters" and "Secret Orders"; and to Professor Wilbur C. Abbott, of Yale University, from whose sug- gestions the idea of this work sprang. [xxxviU THE DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM THE DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Craven Street 3d. April 1775.— Sir, I am to acknowledge the favor of your Letter of the I St. Instant informing me that, His Majesty having been pleased to Order a Promotion of Flag Officers of His Fleet, my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had in consequence thereof, signed a Commission ap- pointing me Rear Admiral of the White, for which in- formation I return you thanks. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant M. SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr.^ Endorsed Read ^ Secretary of the Admiralty from 1763 to 1795, when he resigned his office and, as baronet, was appointed one of the Lords of the Admiralty. Ci 1 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Craven Street 25th. July 1775 Sir I have receiv'd their Lordships Order of the 19th. Inst. Directing me to repair to Portsmouth, & hoisting my Flag On bd. His Majs. Ship Chatham at that Port, hold myself in readiness to proceed to Boston; & as that Ship is now under repair, & will not be ready to proceed for some time, I beg the favour you will Signifye my request to their Lordships that they will please to in- dulge me with leave to continue in town to settle my private affairs till the said Ship is near ready for Sea. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Minute 25 July | to be comply'd | with L^l DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Craven Street ist. Septemr. 1775— Sir, As I have received Orders to hold myself in readiness to proceed on a Command to North America, I beg leave to represent to you, for their Lordships informa- tion, that in my Opinion it will contribute much to the preservation of the Health of the Seamen Employ'd in that Country (where we shall be cut off from all Sup- plys of Vegetables from the Provinces that are in Arms) if they would please to give Orders for a Vessel to be sent, from time to time, either from this King- dom or Ireland with Potatoes & Carrots & Parsnips & Onions, which will keep good for many Months, espe- cially if She can be dispatched so as to arrive at Boston before the Frost sets in, which seldom happens 'till after Christmas; and while I am writing upon this subject may I be permitted to add, that it would be greatly in- strumental in answering the above purpose, if a small Vessel of 80 or 100 Tons, was to Sail from Lisbon or Oporto with Onions, Oranges, Lemons, &ca. by the End of October, and another of the same size by the End of February; as I presume the Commander in Chief will (if he is not already) be Authorized to send a small Vessel at proper Seasons to the Bahama Islands for Turtle, Oranges, Chaddocks, Limes &ca., the want of the usual and necessary refreshments will by these 1:33 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM means be in a great measure supplied, and the Health of the Seamen preserved. I am, Sir, Your most Obdt. humble Servant M : Shuldham Php. Stephens Esqr. Minute A Memorandum | from the Victuallg. Board | dated 22d. Septemr. 1775. [4] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Craven Street 27th. Septemr. 1775 — Sir, Captain Raynor of His Majesty's Ship Chatham hav- ing acquainted me, that by taking On board a Flat Bot- tom Boat in consequence of their Lordships Order, he shall be obliged to leave Two of the Establish'd number of Boats allowed to the Ship, at Portsmouth, I beg the ffavour you will signifye my request to their Lordships, that they will please to cause the said Two Boats to be sent out to the Chatham by the first proper Conveyance. I profit of this opportunity to represent to you, Sir, that I apprehend there will be a very Extraordinary Jnumber of Ship wrights and Carpenters wanted for the Service in North America, where I am to Command, which I submit to their Lordships consideration to take such measures as they shall think proper to provide them. I am, Sir, Your very humble Servant, M. SHULDHAM Php. Stephens Esqr. Minute 29 Sepr. f directns. to the | Navy Bd. ac | cordingly Jrefer it to the Navy | Bd. for their considn. & | opinion. Lsl DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] By &C. Whereas it is expedient his His Majesty's Service that Vice Adml. Graves^ should return to England with the three Guardships named in the Margin (Boyne, Somerset, Asia) ; And Whereas we have thought fit that you should succeed him in the Com- mand of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employ'd and to be employ'd in North America, (a List of which comes inclosed) You are hereby required and directed to repair, without loss of time, to Portsmouth, and hoist- ing your Flag on board His Majts. Ship the Chatham proceed in her to Plymouth, where having received on board the Party of Marines mention'd in the Margin, (i. Captain, i. Subaltern, 2. Serjeants, 2. Corporals, i. Drummer, 50. Private Men) which you will apply for as soon as you arrive, you are to take the Orpheus under your command, & make the best of your way to Boston, or whereever else you may hear Vice Admiral Graves to be, and deliver to him the inclosed Pacquet contain- ing Orders for his return to England. On the Departure of Vice Adml. Graves you are to take upon you the Command of the Squadron as afore- said; and, if the three Guardships should not be in the ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Orders and Instruc- tions, vol. 100, p. 138. 2 Admiral Graves had been in command of the North American Station since July, 1774. [6] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM way to return with him to England, you are to send Orders to such of them as may be left behind, to follow him home with delay, the Asia to repair to Spithead, the other to Plymouth Sound, where they are to remain until further Order. We send you herewith Copies of such Orders & In- structions as have been given to Vice Admiral Graves, during the time he has been invested with the Com- mand in North America, And do hereby require and direct you to carry into Execution such of the said Or- ders & Instructions as have not already been fully exe- cuted. Given &c. the 29th. Septr. 1775. Sandwich J. BULLER C. Spencer To Molineux Shuldham Esq. Rear Adml. of the White & Commr. in Chief of His Majts. Ships & Vessels employ'd & to be employ'd in North America. By&c. P. S. Sent to him in Town ist Octor. [73 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure Admiralty Office 29th. Septr. 1775. List of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels in North America under the Command of Vice Adml. Graves on the 17th. Augt. 1775. and of those which have sail'd from Eng- land, and also those which are now fitting out to rein- force him. Rate Ships Guns Men Commanders 4 Preston 50 320. C Vice Adm. Graves ( Captn Jno. Robinson 3 Boyne *7o 520. Brodk. Hartwell Somerset *64 520. Edwd. Le Cras Asia *64 500. Geo. Vanderput 6 Mercury 20 130. John Macartney Glasgow- 20 130. Tyrh. Howe Rose 20 130. James Wallace Fowey 24 130. George Montagu Lively 20 130. Thomas Bishop Scarborough 20 130. Andw. Barkley Tartar 28 160. Edwd. Medows Slo. Nautilus 16 100. John Collins Merlin 16 100. Wm. C. Burnaby Falcon 14 100. John Linzee Tamar 16 100. Edwd. Thornborough Otter 14 100. Mathew Squire Senegal 14 100. Wm. Dudingston Scorpion 14 100. Hble. Jno. Tollemache Kingfisher 14 100. James Montagu Slo. Swan 14 100. James Ayscough Cruizer 8 60. Francis Parry Savage 8 60. Hugh Bromedge Schr. St. John Car. S 30. wl. Lieut. Wm. Grant . Hope 6, ,10 30. Geo. Dawson * Order'd home with Vice Adml. Graves [83 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Rate Ships Guns Men Commanders . Halifax 30. John De la Touche . St. Lawrence 30. John Graves (It.) . Hinchinbrook e „ 30. . Alexr. Ellis Ad. Bg. Bolton 30. Thos. Graves . Gaspee 30. Wm. Hunter Ad. VI. Canceaux 6„ 8 45. Henry Mowat On their i Passage thither. 4 Renown 50. 300. Francis Banks Experiment 50. 280. Robert Keeler 5 Roebuck 44. 250. Andw. Snape Hamond 5 Phoenix 44. 250. Hyde Parker junr. . Niger 32. 180. George Talbot 6 Lizard 28. 160. John Hamilton . Cerberus 28. 160. John Symons Liverpool 28. 160. Henry Bellew Slo. Raven 14. 100. John Stanhope Hunter 10. 80. Thos. Mackenzie Viper 10. 80. David Pryce Car. Swl. Schor. Magdalen 6., 10 30. Lieut. Joseph Nunn Ad. VI. Cherokee 6„ 8 30. Jno. Ferguson Storesp. Adventure 4., 8 40. Jno. Hallum Fitting out in order to p roceed thither. 4 Chatham 50. 300. John Rayner . Centurion 50. 300. Rd. Brathwaite 5 Orpheus 32. 180. Chas. Hudson 6 Actaeon 28. 160. Christr. Atkins . Solebay 28. 160. Thomas Symonds . Syren 28. 160. Tobias Furneaux . Boreas 28. 160. Chas. Thompson . Triton 28. 160, Skeffn. Lutwidge Enclosures 1-19 Admty Office 29th. Septr. 1775. Schedule of Copies of Instructions and Orders from the Right Honble. the Lords Commissioners of the 1:9: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Admty to Vice Adml. Graves, sent to Rear Adml. Shuldham with, their Lordships Order to him of this date. i6th. April 1774/ [To Vice Admiral Samuel Graves directing him to proceed to Boston to assume command of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed in the River St. Lawrence and along the Coast of Nova Scotia, the Islands of St. John and Cape Breton, and thence to Cape Florida and the Bahama Islands.] 1 6th. April 1774. [Respecting the Act of Parliament for discontinuing the landing and shipping of Goods at the Town and within the Harbour of Boston.] 1 6th. April 1774. [Directing Vice Admiral Graves to make use of his own credit and authority in taking up money at places where there is no Naval Officer.] 1 6th. April 1774. [To cause the Act of Navigation and other Acts of Parliament respecting the Trade of the Colonies to be strictly enforced.] 13th. October 1774. [Empowering the Admiral to hire small vessels in order to more effectively blockade the Port of Boston in execution of the recent Act of Parliament] ^ This and the letters of instructions following are in the Admi- ralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vols. 548 to 551 ; Secret Orders, 2, vol. 1332 ; and Orders, vols. 99 and lOO. CIO] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 5th. April 1775. [Transmitting copies of "An Act to restrain the Trade & Commerce of the Provinces of Massachusets Bay, &c." (i5thGeo. Ill.cap. 10)] 6th. April 1775. [Respecting the fitting out of an armed vessel for the Service of William Gerrard De Brahm, Surveyor Gen- eral of His Majesty's American Dominions in the Southern District.] 15th. April 1775. [Enclosing copies of "An Act to restrain the Trade and Commerce of the Colonies, &c." (15th. Geo. III. cap. 18)] 22nd. May 1775. [To furnish Rear Admiral John Montague, Com- mander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships employed at or about the Island of Newfoundland, &c., with such rein- forcements as he may stand in need of.] 6th. July 1775. [Secret orders to carry on such operations upon the Sea Coasts of the Four Governments in New England as may be most effectual for suppressing the Rebellion which is now openly avowed and supported by those Colonists; to station small detached Squadrons at New York, in Delaware Bay, in Chesapeake Bay, and within the Bay of Charleston, in order to prevent contraband trade between the several rebellious Colonies.] 24th. July 1775. [Secret instructions to stop and search all merchant vessels bound to, or from. North America, and to ex- DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM amine all letters found on board as shall contain any matter tending to aid, abet, or advise the rebellious pro- ceedings of His Majesty's Subjects.] 26th. August 1775. [Transmitting copies of an Order in Council of the 23rd. August 1775, to order, require, prohibit & com- mand, that no Person whatsoever should during the space of six months presume to transport into any parts out of the Kingdom any Gunpowder, &c.] 31st. August 1775. [To permit such loyal merchants at Boston as have goods and merchandize in Warehouses exposed to cer- tain damage & destruction, to put the said goods on board Ships or Vessels in the Harbour for their greater protection.] 2nd. September 1775. [To seize & destroy all Ships and Vessels belonging to any of the said Colonies or owned by the Inhabitants thereof.] 7th. September 1775. [Directing an increase in the Complements of Ships of Twenty-four & Twenty Guns and also of the Sloops on the North American Station.] 14th. September 1775. [The Captains & Commanders of His Majesty's Ships to visit every Harbour within the said Colonies, where Ships & Vessels may be laid up, & so disable them that they may not be fitted out for the purpose of supporting the unnatural Rebellion now carrying on.] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 14th. September 1775. [To direct the Commanders of His Majesty's Ships to proceed hostilely against such Towns as may refuse to furnish, at a reasonable Price, Provisions & other Necessaries for the use of His Majesty's Fleet & Army.] 19th. September 1775. [To take measures for preventing any Ships & Ves- sels arriving in the different Ports in North America from Great Britain & Ireland from unloading Flint Stones, v^hich may have been taken on board by w^ay of Ballast] 28th. September 1775. [Forwarding Copies of an Order in Council of the 27th. of September 1775, prohibiting the exportation of Salt Petre.] CIS] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Portsmouth 3d. Octobr. 1775 Sir I am to acquaint you that on my arrival here this morning I caus'd my Flag to be hoisted On board his Majesty's Ship Chatham, & shall proceed to Sea by the first Opportunity of Wind & Weather. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Humble Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Minute 4 Octr. | Own rect. D4] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Spithead 6 October 1775. Sir The Chatham was unmoor'd yesterday with a Mod- erate Wind at WNWt. and I expected you would have been informed of her being at Sea, but about three OClock it came round to the SWt. in which Quarter it continues now blowing fresh and Captain Raynor was under a necessity of giving Orders to moor again. This detention gives me an Opportunity of representing to you the Careless and unfinished manner in which I found my Appartment, as well as those of the Captain and Officers of the Chatham, indeed mine so very unfit for an Officer of my Rank that I am sure there is not a Man on board her who is not furnished with a more Warm and comfortable Lodging; whether this is owing to the negligence of the Workmen, or those who overlook them, or to the false and ill judg'd CEconomy, which prevails in our Dock Yards, is not my business to en- quire, but I am confident. Sir, it is a matter of such importance that requires the interposition of their Lordships Authority to enquire into and correct in all His Majesty's Ships, but particularly in those destined on the laborious Service, and in the severe Climate where I am appointed to Command, lest their Lord- ships should suppose I have exaggerated in this repre- sentation I beg leave to refer them for a confirmation of the truth of it, to Commissioner Gambler and Sir Peter Parker who did me the honor to dine with me yesterday on board the Chatham. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM As the Season is now so far advanced that it is likely I shall meet very severe Weather on the Coast of Amer- ica, I apprehend the Weight & Inconvenience of the Flat bottom Boat now on board may be of very bad con- sequence, therefore should be glad to be disincumber'd of her, and that she may be sent at a more favourable opportunity. I am Sir Your most obedient humble Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 6 Oct 1775 | R. A. Shuldham Minute 9 Oct ] let him know I | will lay it before | their Ldps. at their | next Meeting. 12 Octor. I Send it to the | Navy Board with | directions to enquire | into the matter com | plained of &to report | to their Lops, how they find | the same to be & whether | the offrs. appd. & particularly the naval, have been fitted in | the usual Manner | Flag Ships are usually fitted, & if any | thing has been omitted to supply | it if there is time for it. Let him know it in | further answer to his Lre I & that as the Flat bottm. | Boat will be much | wanted in No. America their | Ldps. cannot consent to his | leaving it behind Navy Board Report | dated 20 October 1775. C16] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Spithead 7th. Octor. 1775 — Sir, As I am still detain'd by a contrary Westerly Wind, I profit of the Opportunity of Writing to you again on the subject of the Service on which I am going, and as it is probable I may be under a necessity of sending many of the Vessels under my Command to the Leward Islands to Clean and refitt, I shall be glad you will sig- nifye my request to their Lordships, that the Com- mander in Chief on that Station may be directed to send me One of the Cleanest of his Cruizers he may have, to replace Each of those I may be oblig'd to send to An- tigua, and that this mode, if their Lordships approve of it, may be pursued and provided for as long as they may think proper: I must likewise beg the favour their Lordships will please to give directions that Mittings or Woolen Gloves may be made an Article in the Slops sent out to America, and that, as it is not impossible but the Ships on that Service may be cut ofif from a constant supply of Water, that the Coppers of those Ships may be fitted according to Mr. Irvines invention for Distil- ling Fresh Water from Salt, and also that they may be supplied with Mr. Osbridge's Machine for Sweetning bad Water. I am, Sir, Your very humble Servant M. SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed y Octor. 1775 | R. A. Shuldham DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Minute [worn away] Octr. | Let him know | I will lay it be I fore their Lops, at | the next meeting [on 4th page] 12 Oct I Acqt him that | their Lops, cannot | agree to the Adml. at | Antigua sending him any | of his cleanest Frigates as | he will have occasion for all | of them in his own department, | & that therefore he must send to Engld. | from time to time such of his Ships as | may stand in need of much repair, | from whence he will have a competency of | clean Ships; and when he does send | any to England their Lops, recomd it | to him to send them to Plym — that | they may be the more speedily repaired | & sent back to him Their Lops, will give directns. for | the sending out Mittens & | woolen Gloves for the Seamen in | No. America, & also for fittg. | the Ships that are to follow | him with Mr. Irvines | opperation & Mr. | Ossbriges Mac. CiS] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Spithead loth. Octor 1775 — Sir, I am to Acknowledge the Receipt of Their Lordships Order to me of the 29th. past for proceeding to Boston, together with the other Orders and instructions for my Government, accompanying it, which should have been acknowledg'd sooner but thr'o mistake and the hurry I was in at leaving Town. I am Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant M: SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. nth. [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Spithead loth. Octor. 1775— Sir, As Their Lordships have been pleased to appoint me to the important Command at North America, I must take the liberty of representing to you, that the Chat- ham is the worst and Oldest of any of the Fifty Gun- ships upon that Service, as well as extremely unfit and DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM inconvenient for a Flag-Officer Commanding in Chief on a Service where his Ship is to be his constant resi- dence, without the probability of lying a Night out of her during the course of his Command; I must there- fore beg the favour you will signifie my request to Their Lordships, that they will please to Order, that the Vigi- lant at this Port may be fitted properly for me and sent out in the Spring; the difference of the Draught of Water is Trifling and the additional number of Men I am confident will never want constant and necessary Employment. The reason of my particularising and making choice of the Vigilant is, that she is the most Floaty Ship of her Class in this Harbour. I submit the propriety of this request to Their Lordships Considera- tion, and am Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Minute 1 8 Oct | Let him know | that their Lordships | cannot consent to the | employing the Vigilant in | the manner he proposes as 50 | G Ships are judged to be of a sufft. I size for the Service on which he is going | to be employed, & that as the Chatham has | lately had a V Adml. on bd. of her their Ldps. cannot | conceive but that she is very fit for the Service | She is now going upon L2o2 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ E. PHILIPS TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ^ ] Sj. 15th Octo. 1775 Intelligence being received that the Inhabitants of Pensylvania in open Rebellion against the King have been for some time past, preparing a number of armed Craft in the form of floating Batteries for the purpose of annoying and attacking His Majesty's Ships that may be sent into that River and that they have also pre- pared and sunk in the Channel of the River Machines for obstructing the Navigation; And the Earl of Suf- folk (in the Earl of Dartmouth's^ absence) having transmitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Ad- miralty the particulars of the aforesaid Intelligence and signified His Majestys Pleasure that you should be apprized of these preparations and instructed that you do immediately upon your arrival in America send some of the Vessels under your command of a proper size and force to endeavour to destroy those floating Batteries and to weigh up or otherwise render useless the Machines sunk in the Channel of the River with a view to obstruct the Navigation; I am (in the absence of the Secretary) commanded by their Lordships to send you herewith Copies of the Intelligence aforemen- tioned and to signify their direction to you immediately on your arrival in America to send some of the Vessels under your command of a proper size and force to en- deavour to perform the said Service accordingly &c Rear Adml. Shuldham— Spithead ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 550, p. 218. 2 Secretary of State for the Colonies. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ E. PHILIPS TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 15th Octo. 1775 Sr. The Earl of Suffolk^ having transmitted to my Lords Commrs. of the Admiralty a List of Ordnance and Stores belonging to His Majesty in the Bermuda Islands and at the Island of Providence in the Government of the Bahamas the first of which Places being intirely with- out Troops for its defence, and the other having only a very inconsiderable Detachment from one of the Regi- ments serving in North America, there is reason to apprehend some attempts may be made by His Maj- estys rebellious Subjects to possess themselves of those Stores; And Lord Suffolk having signified the King's Pleasure that you should be instructed to Station one of the small Ships under your command or some Armed Vessel at the Bermuda Islands, and a like Vessel at the Island of Providence; I am (in the absence of the Secretaries) commanded by their Lordships to send you inclosed a List of the Ordnance & Stores, and to signify their direction to you to Station one of the small Ships of your Squadron or some armed Vessel at the Bermuda Islands and a like Vessel at Providence for the safety & preservation thereof, in case any Attempts should be made upon them &c E. Ph: Rear Adml. Shuldham— Spithead 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 550, p. 219. 2 Secretary of State, Southern Department. [22;] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Iventory of Stores at Providence Bahama Islands. 600 Barrels Gun Powder 3 Iron Mortars 75 Iron Guns of different Calibres 1500 Stand of Fire Arms or Musquets Inventory of Stores at Bermuda 700 Barrels of Gun Powder 153 Iron Guns of different Calibres 1200 Stand of Fire Arms or Musquets [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO ERASMUS PHILIPS ] Chatham, Spithead 16 Octor. 1775 — Sir, I have received by Express both your Letters of yes- terdays date, with the Four Inclosures to which they refer. One of those Letters signifying to me their Lord- ships Directions, to Station One of the small Ships under my Command, or some Arm'd Vessel at the Ber- muda Islands, and a like Vessel at Providence, for the safety and preservation of the Ordnance and Stores be- longing to His Majesty at those places, in case any at- tempts shou'd be made upon them; and the other Letter signifying Their Lordships Direction to me, to send some of the Vessels under my Command, of a Proper Size and Force, to Endeavour to to destroy. Weigh up or otherwise render useless the Machines sunk in the Channel of the River leading to Philadelphia to ob- DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Struct the Navigation thereof; All which Orders shall be Executed immediately on the Command devolving to me after my Arrival in America. I am, Sir, Your very humble Servant M. Shuldham Erasmus Philips Esqr. Endorsed Read [PHILIP STEPHENS TO REAR ADMIR.\L SHULDHAM^] lyh October 1775 Sir My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having directed Vice Admiral Graves to cause the Comple- ments of His Majesty's Ships of 50 Guns under his Command to be increased to 350 Men each; I am com- manded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you to order the Captain of the Chatham to encrease her Complement to the same number of Men, and to apply to Vice Admiral Sir James Douglas^ for such a number of the Supernumeraries borne on board the Barfleur as may be wanting for that purpose. I am &ca. P. S. Rear Admiral Shuldham, at Portsmouth ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 550, p. 226. 2 The Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Spithead i8th. Octobr. 1775 Sir Few things have given me greater Concern than my long Detention at this place, which I have been Oblig'd to submit to on account of the Westerly Winds, which have blown, & still continue without any intermission ; I am now getting under sail with a fresh Wind at WSWt. to try, tho' without much Expectation of Success, to make some progress to the Westward. I am, Sir, Your most Obedt. Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 20 & Read L^il DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 23d. October 1775. Sir My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having, by their order of this date, addressed to Vice Admiral Graves or the Commander in Chief for the time being of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North America, directed him to give the most positive Orders to the Captains of the several Ships under his Command to burn and destroy every armed Vessell that shall appear to be fitted out by the Inhabitants of the Colonies in general which are associated in Arms against the King; I am commanded by their Lordships to send you here- with a Copy of the said order for your information and guidance in case you shall happen to fall in with any of the said Vessels in your passage to North America. I am &c P: S: P:S: You will please to deliver the inclosed Packet con- taining the above Orders to Vice Admiral Graves upon your arrival. Rear Admiral Shuldham, at Plymouth By Express at >4 past 5 O'Clock P.M. 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 550, p. 247. 1:263 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Plymouth Sound 24th. Octor. 1775 — Sir, I am to acquaint you of my arrival here this day in His Majesty's Ship Chatham, and as soon as her Party of Marines is Embarked and the Provision and Water completed, I shall not fail of making use of the first Opportunity of proceeding to Sea agreeable to my Or- ders. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Minute 27 Oct | Own rect. C27] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Plymouth Sound 29th. Octor. 1775. Sir, As the Chatham and Orpheus were Short of Comple- ment, I have thought proper to give Captain Graves, Senior Officer of the Guard Ships at this Port, an Order to Discharge Sixteen Men which arrived here a few days ago from Bristol, where they were raised for His Majesty's Service, and were to be Enter'd on board the Nonsuch as Supernumeraries, into the said Ships Chat- ham and Orpheus. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Minute I Nov | Own rect. & | approve 1:283 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] Q. nth. Novr. 1775. His Majesty having judged it expedient that a Body of Land Forces supported by a Squadron of Ships of War should be sent to North or South Carolina not only to encourage & support His loyal Subjects in those and the adjacent Colonies to the Southward, but in order to make a Division from the Rebel Army acting against His Towns to the Northward; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you therewith, and that in consequence thereof Sir Peter Parker in the Bristol with the Ships and Bomb Vessel named in the Margin (Actaeon, Boreas, Solebay, Deal Castle, Sphynx, Thunder, Bomb), will proceed from Corke in about a Month's time with Seven Regiments of Foot to Cape Fear, where he will be joined by the Syren, now under orders to proceed from Plymouth, with Dispatches to the Governors of North and South Carolina to collect such information as may be neces- sary to regulate the Operations of the said Sea & Land Forces. — Their Lordships will send Duplicates of the abovementioned Dispatches as also Dispatches to the Governors of Georgia and East Florida, upon the same subject, in a few days by the Hawke Sloop, whose Com- mander will also join Sir Peter ofif Cape Fear with such Advices as he shall have obtained, and when Sir Peter can conveniently spare the Sloop, proceed to Jamaica to reinforce the Squadron under the Command of Rear Admiral Gayton. 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Secret Letters, vol. 1333- C293 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM As it is probable that from the Advices Sir Peter Parker may receive upon his arrival on the Coast, the Operations may be directed against Charles Town; the reinforcement of one, or two, two-decked Ships, may contribute greatly to the success thereof; Their Lord- ships therefore recommend it to you to send the Experi- ment, or a 40 Gun-ship, or both, to join Sir Peter off Cape Fear, if you can spare them from other Services; In which case you will also send him any Pilots you can collect who are acquainted with the Ports on that part of the Coast, and such Advices of the State of Affairs in America as you may think proper to communicate to him. Their Lordships command me to add that altho' Sir Peter Parker is appointed to Command upon this par- ticular Service, you are nevertheless to consider the Ships that accompany him as a part of your Squadron, and to take both him & them under your command & employ them in such manner as you shall judge best for the General Service; without diverting them however from the Operations beforementioned, the progress & success of which he will be instructed to inform you of. — But when these Operations are over, you will di- rect Sir Peter Parker to station the Ships he has with him in such manner as you shall think most proper; And to the end that they may be the better enabled to continue upon those Stations, their Lordships have or- dered a Storeship & a Victualler to be prepared to send with the Squadron from England in order to supply their wants. I have the honor to be &ca. Php Stephens. Rear Admiral Shuldham, at Boston. C30] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] nth. Novemr. 1775. Sir, My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having received Advices that Vessels belonging to His Maj- estys Rebellious Subjects in North America and more particularly those of Philadelphia, do find means to elude the vigilance of His Majesty's Cruizers, and pro- ceed with Cargoes to Ferrol, Lisbon, & several Ports in France, and return with Cargoes of Salt-petre, Gun- powder and other Warlike Stores;^ and that there are at this time two Vessels at Port L'Orient belonging to Philadelphia laden with Saltpetre ready to return thither, the one a Brigantine, the other a Schooner of about 100 Tons burthen, fitted out like a Privatier and mounted with eight carriage Guns; And their Lord- ships having also received Advices of the Track these Philadelphia Vessels pursue in their voyage to Europe after they leave Sandy Hook; I am commanded to send you Copies of some of the most material of the said Ad- vices, and particularly of the last mentioned for your information. I am &ca. Php. Stephens Rear Adml. Shuldham, at Boston. 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Secret Letters, vol, 1333- 2 Holland was one of the chief markets to which the Americans re- sorted and where they found they were very readily served; while France, the West Indies, Portugal, Spain, and even London itself furnished them what they desired in no small amounts. See Cal. of Home Office Papers, I773-I775. § 7i7, 732, 1045, 1074, 1093. DO DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 4th. Janry 1776. Sir, My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having received Intelligence of a Ship now on her passage from L'Orient to some Port in North America with 200,000 ii Salt Petre on board; I send you by their Lordships directions a Copy of the said Intelligence for your information, that you may give such Orders there- on to the Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under your Command as you think most likely to answer the purpose of intercepting the said Ship. I am &ca. Geo. Jackson D S.^ Rear Adml. Shuldham, at Boston. 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Secret Letters, vol. 1333- 2 Second Secretary to the Admiralty and Judge-Advocate since Nov. II, 1766, and until 1782, when he retired from the Navy Board. U2-2 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM' ] 8th. Janry 1776. Sir, My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were pleased in a Letter from Mr. Stephens dated the nth. of Novemr. last, which was forwarded by the Triton, to acquaint you that His Majesty had judged it expedient that a Body of Land Forces supported by a Squadron of Ships of War under the command of Sir Peter Parker should be sent to North or South Carolina with a view to the Objects mentioned in the said Letter. The Triton sailed from Plymouth on the 21st. of Novemr., but on the 14th. of last Month had the mis- fortune of losing all her Masts in a hard gale of Wind, which has obliged her to return to Plymouth and now lays their Lordships under the disagreable circum- stance of transmitting their aforementioned informa- tion in this Letter by the Milford, whose sailing at this time may probably occasion the Reinforcement you are therein directed to send to assist the Operations of Sir Peter Parker's Squadron to arrive later than was ex- pected ; but it is from that reason more strongly recom- mended by their Lordships that upon the Milford's arrival you give such immediate Orders with respect to such Reinforcement as you conceive will be most effec- tual to his Majesty's Service. The Instructions given to Sir Peter Parkerbeingdrawn conformable to what is mentioned in Mr. Stephens's 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Secret Letters, vol. 1333- [333 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM aforementioned Letter, I have only to trouble you fur- ther on this Subject with observing that the Boreas which was intended to have made part of his Squadron, in turning from Spithead unfortunately got on the Dean Sand and received such damages as made it expedient to order the Active to proceed in her room. — That the Deal castle another of his Squadron has likewise had the misfortune to lose her Masts, but it is expected she may be refitted so as to arrive on her Station by the time or soon after Sir Peter shall get there. — That their Lordships instead of ordering the Hawke as mentioned to you in Mr. Stephens's Letter to join the Squadron at Jamaica, have directed Sir Peter to continue her as one of the Vessels under his Command; And that an addi- tion is made thereto of the Carcass Bomb and the Friendship a hired Vessel of 489 Tons to serve occasion- ally as a Transport or Armed Vessel, for which last mentioned purpose she is provided with Eighteen Nine Pounders & Six Six Pounders and a proper proportion of Ordnance Stores. The severity of the Weather which there has been of late has prevented the Ships employed on this Expedi- tion assembling at Corke so early as was expected ; the Ships of War are now on their passage thither, and my Lords have confidence that no time will be lost in em- barking the Troops and putting to Sea the first favor- able opportunity that may afterwards offer. I am &ca. Geo. Jackson DS. Rear Adml. Shuldham, at Boston. [3411 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 8th J any 1776 Sr. An Act having pass'd the present Sessions of Parlia- ment "To Prohibit all Trade & Intercourse with the "several Colonies in North America therein named "during the continuance of the present Rebellion within "the said Colonies". In which Act it is declared that all Ships and Vessels trading to & from any of the said Places except as in the said Act is excepted shall be for- feited & become the Sole property of the Captors; I am commanded by my Lords Commrs. of the Admty to send you one of the said Acts also of the Kings Procla- mation appointing the distribution of the Prizes that may be taken in consequence thereof for your informa- tion & guidance. I send you 70 more of the said Acts & Proclamations which you will please to distribute to the Captains of the several Ships & Vessels under your command & to such as you may happen to meet with who have not al- ready been furnished with them &c GJ DS Rear Adml. Shuldham— Boston (BytheMilford) ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 550, p. 507. l3^1 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO REAR ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] g^ 9th Janry 1776. My Lord George Germaine^ having transmitted to my Lords Commrs of the Admiralty a return He had received from Major General Howe of the Transports in His Majts. Service at Boston by which it appears the greatest part of the said Ships are deficient in the Com- pliments of Men which by the Charter Parties with the Owners they are required to have; And the General observing that sixty five of the Men wanting to com- plete the Transports have entered or been pressed into His Majesty's Ships on that Station; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith & to sig- nify their direction to you, if it shall be found that Men have entered or been pressed as aforementioned to cause such Men to be returned to the Transports to which they .properly belong, and in future, Order the Captain's of His Majts. Ships or Vessels under your Command, not to receive any Seamen belonging to the Transports or other Vessels in the King's Pay, and on no Account to suffer any such Men to be impressed into the Service. I am &c Geo. Jackson DS Rr. Adml. Shuldham &c &c &c North America "at Boston" (BytheMilford) 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 550, p. 522. 2 Secretary of State for the Colonies since November, 1775. 1:36] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Boston 15th. January 1776. Sir I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my Arrival here in His Majesty's Ship Chatham the 30th. past after a passage of Sixty One Days; for a Circumstantial Ac- count of the Occurrences of which, I beg to refer you to my Journal accompanying this Letter, in which I shall only say on that Subject; that the Voyage was almost a constant Succession of Storms and contrary Winds, at- tended with the most severe Weather I ever felt, which has so Shatter'd the Chatham that she must remain un- fit for any Sea Service 'till she is Caulked and repaired ; This I hope we shall be able to do here before she is wanted. You will see by my Journal, Sir, that the Orpheus parted Company from me in a most Violent Gale of Wind on the 21st. November notwithstanding the great care and attention of Captain Hudson, who is not yet arrived; and that Captain Munroe, Command- ing the Party of Marines on board the Chatham, Dy'd the 30th. of the same Month. Immediately on my Arrival I delivered all the Pack- ets committed to my care, to Admiral Graves and Gen- eral Howe, and communicated to the Admiral the Copys of those Letters you had furnished me with and wrote to him lately, the Originals of many of which he has not yet received, and I presume are in the Experi- ment and Centurion, not yet arrived; I likewise com- 1 Shuldham had been, on December yth, 1775, promoted to be Vice Admiral of the Blue. C37I DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM municated to him your Letters (with the Intelligence accompanying them) Signifying their Lordships Or- ders to me, to send Vessels of proper Force and Size to the River Delaware, to oppose the Operations the Rebels are carrying on there, and to send a Vessel to Bermuda and another to the Bahama Islands, to protect the Ordnance Stores belonging to His Majesty at those Islands but I am glad to inform you, that Admiral Graves has certain Intelligence that the Inhabitants of Providence are faithfully afifected to His Majesty, and are determined, and able to defend those Stores without any Additional Force ; and as soon as any proper Vessel arrives after Admiral Graves's Departure, I shall send her to Bermuda. I was much concerned to hear on my Arrival of the Number of small Arm'd Vessels fitted out by the Rebels, and which had taken many unarmed Ones of Ours bringing Stores and Supplies to this place notwith- standing it appears to me, that our Cruizers are Sta- tioned and distributed in all the most likely places to intercept them; and that there has been no failure on the part of Our Officers ; but the Success of the Rebels may reasonably be accounted for, if Their Lordships will please to consider the Advantage they have over us by being too early Sufifer'd to take possession of all the Harbours, Creeks and Rivers on this Coast, many of which they have Fortify'd, and where these small Ves- sels Lye ready, 'till by Signals from Eminences on the shore of a Vessel in the Offin, they push out and Seize her before it is possible for our Cruizers to Relieve, or perhaps from the Sholeness of the Water venture to follow her; for this reason. Sir, I beg leave to recom- mend it to their Lordships, that no Stores or Supplys C38] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM may be sent in future except in Arm'd Vessels, which will Answer a double purpose by leaving part of their Men on their return home for the use of the Fleet, which I find is in great want, as well as the number of Ships far from Sufficient for the Various Services I am Order'd, and shall find Necessary to execute, which Their Lordships I doubt not will be convinced of by observing, that this place will in a few days be left un- protected by any other Naval Force than the Chatham and Lively Frigate under repair. Convoys are not to be depended on, for by the Fogs which prevail upon this Coast in the Summer and the Violent Northwest Winds in the Winter Seasons, it is almost impossible to prevent Seperation. Of the Thirty five Vessels Freighted by Mure and Company with Provisions and Supplys for the use of the Fleet and Army only Eight are Arrived, and on board those not above a Twentieth part of the Sheep were brought in Alive. I must beg leave to refer you for an Account of the Operations and State of the Squadron to that which I presume you will receive from Admiral Graves by this Conveyance, He is preparing for, and intends proceed- ing to England in a few Days on board the Preston. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant M. Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 14 Feby. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Boston 19th. Janry 1776 Sir, Vice Admiral Graves intending to proceed to Eng- land in a few days in the Preston gives me an oppor- tunity of transmitting to you, some late Intelligence from Captains Parker and Vandeput, and Governor Tryon, of the State of Affairs at New York, by which I hope their Lordships will see the necessity of con- tinuing the Asia some time longer at that place, and that they will please to dispense with my immediate Obedience to their Order for sending her home at this Critical Juncture when perhaps the appearance of that Ship, may be the means of bringing over many of the disaffected, to a sense of their Duty to His Majesty, and disuniting that Colony from those where the Inhabi- tants are in a more open and avowed state of Rebellion; and in this opinion General Howe, whom I have con- fer'd with and consulted on this Subject, is pleased to concur with me. I transmit to you likewise, Sir, a Copy of the last Let- ter received from Captain Wallace of the Rose at Rhode Island, giving an Account of the State of, and the Situation he is in at that place and as Captain Wal- lace's services deserve every reward can be confer'd on him, I humbly recommend it to their Lordships Con- sideration sending him out a Larger and better Ship, especially as the Rose is Two years Foul, and that from his keeping the Inhabitants of that Province in so much Awe it would be improper to remove him from it. I have the Pleasure to acquaint you of the Arrival of DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM His Majesty's Ship Centurion at this place the i8th. In- stant after a Passage of Twelve Weeks, in which Cap- tain Brathwaite informs me all his Sails were blown away except those now bent to his Yards. I am; Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant M. Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 22 Feby | Ansd. Enclosure A [ INTELLIGENCE FROM GOVERNOR TRYON ] Philadelphia Novemr. i6th. 1775. The great news of the day with us is now to Destroy the Navy, a certain Mr. Bushnel has compleated his Machine, and has been missing four weeks, returned this day week. It is conjectur'd that an attempt was made on the Asia, but proved unsuccessfull— Return'd to New Haven in order to get a Pump of a new Construction which will soon be completed,— When you may expect to see the Ships in Smoke. The Congress has now about Ten Sail of Vessels, five a Cruizing in the Mouth of the River Saint Lawrence, in order to take the Trans- port from England, and to speak with Carleton in his flight from Quebec, One, a certain Captain Whipple, DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM has been Cruizing for the Packet, and most likely will take the Outward bound Packet, Whipple carries twelve Guns in a'Sloop. Endorsed (Copy) | Governor Tryon's Intelligence | from Philadelphia Novemr. | i6th. 1775.— | Rd. in V. A. Shuldham's Letter | 19 Janry Enclosure B [ INTELLIGENCE FROM CAPTAIN PARKER ] (Copy) The Master (supposed to be John Hetherington) of the Pilot Boat named the Black Joke, and another Pilot are engaged with their Boats at 20 Shillings ^r. Day, to stop up the narrowest part of the Channel, between the East and West Banks, for which purpose, they were Sounding the Depth &ca. last Friday and Saturday, the Materials to execute this Work, are preparing on Staten Island. 5th. Decemr. 1775 N.B. The above John Hetherington is now on board the Asia, and Acknowledges to the having been em- ployed upon the Occasion. H Parker Endorsed Captain Parker's Intelligence | from New York, 5th. December | 177^.— \ Rd. in V. A. Shuld- ham's letter | 19 Jany. 1:42] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure C [ INTELLIGENCE FROM GOVERNOR TRYON ] Intelligence received from Philadelphia the 1 2th December 1775. "Lord Dunmore is entrenched at Suffolk with 2000 Men certain, I have heard from two Gentlemen that he has 5000, and that five Counties have joined him to a Man; there are great preparations making at Phila- delphia to attack Lord Dunmore; Five Vessels getting ready with the greatest dispatch, one of them carries 20 Nine pounders, and 12 Sixes, One of Twenty Nine Pounders, Two of Fourteen Guns and one of 16, besides a New England Sloop of 14 Guns, lying before the Town,^ and had brought Officers for the other Vessels; the Commodore who commands this Fleet is from Rhode Island, his Name is Hopkins.— There are now Orders for three Regiments, Viz : two from Pensyl- vania, and one from Jersey to March towards Suffolk by way Chisepeak to attack Lord Dunmore." Endorsed (Copy) Governor Tryon's Intelligence | from Philadelphia 12th. Decemr. | 1775. | Rd. in V. A. Shuldhams Letter | 19 Janry 1 The Alfred, Columbus, Andrew Doria, Cabot, and Providence, under the command of Commodore Esek Hopkins. C433 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure D [ CAPTAIN VANDERPUT TO VICE ADMIRAL GRAVES ] (Copy) Asia, New York i8th. Decemr. 1775. Sir, I received your Letter by the Sloop George, and Mr. Lobb who arrived here on the nth. Instant from Rhode Island, deliver'd to me your Orders of the 4th. all which I have communicated to Capt. Parker, as I have whatever Intelligence I have thought necessary for you to be informed of. I have sent to Boston (ac- cording to your Order) the Brigg Helena with Salt from St. Ubes which Captain Parker has directed the Commander of the Sloop George to take under his Convoy, the Owner of the Brigg, Mr. Bache, (for whose Character I beg to refer you to Major Moncreiffe or any of the Officers who have been at New York) informs me that Five Guns which are under the Salt, have been always in her as part of her Ballast, which he says he will take care to send proof of.— We have for a considerable time past had every Supply that we have demanded sent on board to Us, without any Molestation to the Boats which have brought it; nor do I expect there will be any unless some of the Rebel Troops from Connecticut, or New Jersey, should come into the Town, and prevent the Towns People from acting as they seem at present inclined. Enclosed I send you a Form of Two Vessels I have Stopp'd, the Helena Brigg and the Sloop Charity, the latter who is very Deep, and deep Waisted is not fit to be 1:443 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM sent round at this Season of the Year.— John Sharp and Thomas Smith two Volunteers whom I have Dis- charged into the Preston, are both Pilots for the Sound, John Sharp knows all the Coast from Boston, and is a Pilot for the Delaware, and is acquainted with James River. I am, Sir&ca. Geo: Vandeput Samuel Graves Esqr. Vice Admiral of the White, &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Captn. | Vandeput to Vice Admiral | Graves, Dated Asia, New | York i8th. Decemr. 1775.— | In V. A Shuldham's | Letter of the i9janry Enclosure E [ INTELLIGENCE FROM GOVERNOR TRYON ] In Congress) Payment being provided The next thing to be considered is how to Convey the Vessels safe to America as there is no doubt but Brittish Cruizers will Seize all American Ships, if they fall in with them, neither will they spare Foreign Ships if they are met with on the American Coast, should Quebec Grace the American Laurels and by that means all Canada will fall into our hands, it might be well then to have a plentifull supply of Indian Goods brought out in a French Ship early next Spring to the Island of St. Peter or Miquelon from whence they are ready to run up the Us:] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM River St. Lawrence as soon as the Navigation opens, the goods to be Shipped by French Merchants as their own property and consigned by Bill of loading and invoice to a person appearing as their Factor but in reality ours — Another parcel of goods may be Shipped from France this Winter in French Bottoms to Cape St. Nichola in Hispaniola consigned to an Agent Stationed there, who can readily provide American Ships to run them to any part of the Continent that might be order'd, should it be judged expedient to send any Indian goods into the River Missisipy whither French or Americans might be employed to carry them, as the Navigation of that River remains free to both, and from New Orleans the goods might be brought in the River as far as Fort Pitt, in Batteaus. Had not time to copy the whole but this is the par- ticulars. — Bernard Romans is appointed Engineer of the For- tress in the Highlands, he had 50 pounds a Year from the Crown as Botanist for one of the Florida's. It is imagined that goods might be had from France nearly as cheap as we have been supplied from Eng- land, many Articles indeed are known to be much cheaper; if Orders were sent to France, or an Agent employed to go there to Ship a few thousands Pounds worth of Goods from thence in a number of Vessels, and could get Insurances made thereon in France the Merchants and Manufacturers would soon tast the Sweets of such an intercourse with us, and perhaps it would soon become a National Commerce. I appre- hend there would be little difficulty therein, and imma- C463 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM gine that Vessels loaded from hence with our produce for foreign Markets by order of Congress might be In- sured in France, as well as Vessels bound from thence to America, if so, and only half of them or one third should arrive safe, the Trade would be beneficial or at least answer very Valuable purposes. Resolved that in case any difficulty shall arise or be apprehended in forming the new Army destined for the Defence of the Lines near Cambridge, General Wash- ington be intituled to request the respective assemblies and conventions of the Four New England provinces to contribute their utmost aid to compel the Levies which shall be desired. — NB. This from Governor Tryon who had it from un- doubted Authority. Signed, H : PARKER. Endorsed Captain Parker's Intelligence | from Govr. Tryon— | In V. A. Shuldhams Letter of | the 19 Janry Enclosure F [ CAPTAIN WALLACE TO VICE ADMIRAL GRAVES ] (Copy) Rose, Rhode Island the 28th. Decemr. 1775— Sir, Since my last of the loth. Inst, the Rebels Issued out Orders from Providence to break off all Communica- C47] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM tion with the King's Ships, not to supply them with any thing whatever, on pain of Death; Upon which I ac- quainted the Town, if they were a Town, we must be upon other Terms — A Committee came on board, de- sired a Truce, while they could send off a Number of Inhabitants to Providence, to represent their situation, and to obtain permission to supply us with every thing we wanted— this I granted— Twenty of them accord- ingly went ofif, and obtained leave to supply us; so that now we are upon the same Footing as before — But this I know can't last long. The Rebels suspect Newport is intended to be made a Post for the King, this has brought Lee here with more Troops, what his Inten- tions are I can't at present penetrate, unless to erect Bat- teries and provoke us to destroy the Town.— If Govern- ment has no Intentions upon the place, would it not be better to destroy it, and carry the War along the Coast; the Destruction of a Great Town, without particular Orders, is a serious matter; however something must be done for the King's Service, if they won't endeavour to save their own Towns, why should we— 'tis better they should be destroyed than that they should be Enemies to us. Lee enter'd the Town the 25th. Instt. with a Detach- ment, leaving his Main body (about 2000) without the Town: — Began, with sending for a Number of the Principal People, who were suspected to be Friends to Government— Tendered them the inclosed Affidavit; some that refused he took away Prisoners with him ; this Visit 'tis said was in consequence of a Report, that a Number of Inhabitants were ready to join me, for the King's Service — however I suppose he was convinced to the contrary, and after Vapouring two or three days C483 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM left US again. They still assure me that the Rebel Phila- delphia Fleet is destined here, which will oblige me to detain the Transport some time longer as a Store and Hospital Ship. Upon the departure of Lee, they sent on board and offered us every thing we wanted ; I ac- cepted till the 8th. JaiTry— Indeed we can do but little at present, the Weather having been very severe— Seven or Eight of our Men have been Frost-bit— And no In- structions from you since the Swan arrived — Accounts from York mention Lord Dunmore's making a brave Stand, and collecting an Army of 5000 Men. I am, Sir I &ca. | JAS. WALLACE There is a Report that Lord Dunmore is Defeated & 160 Men killed.— Vice Admiral Graves. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Captn. | Wallace of His Majesty's | Ship Rose, Senior Officer | at Rhode Island, to Vice | Admiral Graves | dated 28th. Decemr. 1775 I Rd. in V. A. Shuldhams Letter of | the 19 Janry Enclosure G Affidavit, Tendered by Lee to the inhabitants of Rhode Island. I do now in the presence of Almighty God, as I hope for ease, honor and comfort in this World, and happi- ness in the life to come, most earnestly, devoutly and religiously swear neither directly or indirectly to assist 1:493 / DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the wicked instruments of Ministerial tyranny and vil- lainy, commonly called the King's Army and Navy, by furnishing them with Provisions or refreshments of any kind, unless authorised by the continental Congress or the legislature as at present established of this particular Colony of Rhode Island. I do also swear by the same tremendous and almighty God, that I will neither directly or indirectly convey any Intelligence, nor give any advice to the aforesaid enemies here described, and that I pledge myself that if I should by any accident get the knowledge of such treasons, to inform immediately the Committee of safety. And as it is justly allowed that when the rights and sacred liberties of a nation or community are Invaded; neutrality is not less base and criminal than open and avowed hostility: I do further swear and pledge myself as I hope for eternal salvation, that I will, whenever called upon by the continental Congress, or by the Leg- islature of this particular Colony under their authority to take up arms and subject myself to Military dis- cipline, in defence of the common rights and liberties of America. So help me God. Endorsed (Copy) | Affidavit, Tendered by Lee | to the inhabitants of Rhode | Island. | Rd in V. A. Shuldhams Letter | 19 Janry CSO] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Boston 27th. Janry 1776— Sir, Herewith I transmit to you Copy of a Letter I have //received from Mr. Alexander Brymer, Agent to Mr. Robert Grant Contractor for Supplying His Majesty's Ships at this place with Fresh Meat, together with the Articles of Agreement between Him and the Victual- ling Board for that Contract; and beg the favour you will signifie my request to Their Lordships, that they will please to take the proper measures for removing the Difficulties Mr. Brymer complains of, that His Majesty's Squadron under my Command may meet with no Obstruction in receiving its proper and neces- sary Supplys of that Article of Provision, I am Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 22 Feby | Ansd. Minute 28th. Feby. | Send a Copy of Mr. | Brymer's Letter to the Victg. | Board and direct them to take the I same into their consideration & report as soon | as convenient their opinion what may be proper to do | thereon— 1:51] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ ALEXR. BRYMER TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Boston 25 January 1776 Sir Mr. Robert Grant of London having enter'd into an Agreement, the 7 July last, with the Principal Officers and Commissioners for Victualing His Majestys Navy, to supply the Squadron at this Place with Fresh Beef when to be had, on a Commission of 5,^r. Cent; I beg leave to inclose a Copy of the Agreement and to make some remarks thereon as Agent to Mr. Grant for exe- cuting this Business. You will please to Observe that I am restricted from charging the Exchange I may be obliged to raise Money at to make purchases. And only to have the Ex- change at the times my Accounts shall be respectively made up, and then to draw only in favour of Mr. Grant, which prevents my negociating or passing the Bills away here. From this Mode of transacting the Busi- ness and the Fluctuation of Exchange, it already has and may frequently happen, that Mr. Grant shall lose more than the Commission of 5, ^r. Cent. To illus- trate, Exchange has fallen lately from 17^ ^r. Cent discount to izy^ and 10 ^r. Cent, consequently all Money laid out and that I may have to draw for on closing my Account Mr. Grant will Suffer from 5 to 7^ ^r. Cent loss on. Cargoes of Cattle frequently arrive just after a Vessel has sailed for London and another may not offer for a Month or Six Weeks after, and 'tis well known that all DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Bills drawn just after a Ship is sailed, depreciates in Exchange generally about 2^ ^r. Cent, which loss Mr. Grant must Sustain and be in Advance Six Weeks or two Months for the Amount of the Purchases and run the Risk of a further Loss on Exchange at the time my Account is made up and that I draw for the Amount. These are difficulties which I presume did not Occurr either to the Board of Commissioners or Mr. Grant. To obviate these Obstacles and to prevent dis- appointment in purchasing Supplies of Fresh Meat, which is not at all times even to be effected by Bills, I wou'd humbly beg Leave to offer the following Sug- gestions to your Consideration. That I should have leave to draw on the Board of Commissioners, and to pay the Bills away as I make purchases, having the Accounts first approved by you and also the Bills, and even to pass Bills by Anticipa- tion when the Exchange is favorable to enable my pur- chasing a Cargo or Cargoes as soon as they Arrive, which at present I cannot do without injuring Mr. Grant by Exchange or at least hazarding it, as well as putting him to a very considerable Advance, as I can- not draw on the Board 'till my Accounts are made up; And I likewise beg leave to Submit whether it may not be found expedient to have Money out early in the Spring for this purpose to prevent disappointment or injury to the Service. I have the honor to be Sir ! Your most Obedient and very humble Servant Alexr. Brymer Rear Admiral Shuldham l^3l DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE APMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] • :- Chatham, Boston 28th. January 1776. Sir, -In pursuance of an Order from Vice Admiral Graves of Yesterday's Date, I have taken upon me the Com- mand of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels which will //remain in North America after his Departure, the Disposition of which, together with the State and Con- dition of those at, and near this place, I transmit to you herewith, and am to acquaint you. Sir, that by advice received last Night from Halifax, His Majesty's Ship Somerset' Sailed from that place for England the 15th. and the Roebuck for Virginia the 14th. Instant, and that Commissioner Arbuthnot writes to me in the fol- lowing terms; "I presume as soon as the Commander "in Chief can spare Forces that he will think of Sending / "two, Two Deck Ships to command the Heights all "round the Land part of this Yard which command it "very much." Their Lordships will without doubt see the impossibility of my complying with this application under my present Circumstances. / I likewise transmit to you, Sir Copy of a Letter from Lieutenant Hunter Commander of the Gaspee Armed Bfig informing Admiral Graves of his being taken^with thirteen of his Men by the Rebels at Saint Johns, and if I find that the Vessel has not fallen into their hands (which does not possitively appear by the Lieutenant's Letter) I shall send an Officer to Com- mand her. Admiral Graves informs me there is a Scarcity of 1:543 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Ordnance Small Stores at Halifax for the use of the Fleet, particularly Three and Four Pound Shot for the small Cruizers, and as it is very inconvenient sending so- far for all kind of Ordnance Stores, I shall be glad Their Lordships will please to recommend that a Sup- ply in a Store Ship may be sent to this place or wherever the Commander in Chief may be. I likewise transmit to you, Copy of a Letter from /Commissioner Arbuthnot to Vice Admiral Graves re- lating to the State of Halifax; together with Captain /Wallace's Additional Intelligence from Rhode Island; and must beg to refer you to my former Letters for an Account of all other Occurrencys and Intelligence nec- essary for Their Lordship's information. Lam Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 22d. Feby Minute The Intellce. reed, this, was reed, also Mr. Graves's Lre dated 29 Jan & which Copies were | sent to Ld. G. G. 3 Feby. C553 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ LIEUTENANT HUNTER TO VICE ADMIRAL GRAVES ] \. ^"^ Weathersfield, Connecticut i6th. Deer. 1775. I have the misfortune to inform you, that I was taken Prisoner at St. Johns with Thirteen more belonging to His Majesty's Brig Gaspee; Ten Seamen are quartered at Canaan, and myself and Officers are in this Place- As to particulars I am not permitted to Write; and I am, Sir, with respect. Your most obedient Servant, Signed, WiLLM. HUNTER Admiral Graves. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Lieut. | Hunter of the Gaspee | Brig to Vice Adml. Graves; | Dated i6th. Decemr. 1775— j 3. | In V. Adml. Shuldham's | letter of 28 Janry. 1776. Enclosure B [ COMMISSIONER ARBUTHNOT^ TO VICE ADMIRAL GRAVES ] ^. ^^' Halifax Jaiiry 15th.— 1776.— oir. In obedience to Orders, the Somerset and Roebuck sailed the 14th. Instant, the former for England, the 1 Marriot Arbuthnot, Commissioner of the Navy at Halifax, N. S., from 1775 to 1778, and Commander-in-Chief on the North American Station in 1779. -^ 1:563 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM latter for a private Station, by which the Sea Force re- maining at this Port for the defence of the Yard are the Cerberus, and Savage Sloop, the former dismantled alongside the Wharfe, in order to repair the Damage she has sustained by running twice on different Rocks, which I shall use every possible means to Effect altho' the inclemency of the Season is such at present as makes it doubtful, which if it continues will lay me under the disagreeable necessity of replaceing her Ballast and Guns in order to make the best defence our feeble state will permit, if the Rebels should pay us a Visit. I am sorry to say that the Garrison is not only very Weak, not more than 500. Many just recruited from the Newfoundland Fishery, but is very Sickly, nor have we a single Work erected, nor can be untill Spring, which I hope will not be too late, I am therefore under the necessity to say unless such Force is sent, by sending Two Deck Ships, to command the heights about the Yard, as well as the labour of the Crews to assist in Bar- racading the Yard, for no other have I, or shall have, either to make it defencible, or to defend it in case of an Attack; because the whole of the Troops as I under- stand are to be employ'd on the Heights, without, in which case I am sure I cannot let them into the Yard, if they are defeated, because I most certainly will prevent by every means the Gate from being forced. This is a true state of this place which I think my Duty to lay before you for Your Consideration. I am Sir &ca. Mt. Arbuthnot Commandr. in Chief of His Majs. Ships, North America L57l DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Commisr. | Arbuthnot to Vice Adml. | Graves, dated Halifax | 15th. Janry 1776— I 4 I In V. Adml. Shuldham's | letter of 28. Janry. 1776. Enclosure C [ CAPTAIN WALLACE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) ^ Rose at Rhode Island 14th. Janry 1776.— Sir, The Rebels having for some time past kept from one to two Hundred Men upon the Islands, to prevent our Supplies— and by a Law, making it Death for any one to Supply us, have put us to a great inconvenience, being much in want of Hay,— On Friday Morning the 1 2th. Instant I stood up the Bay, with His Majesty's Ships Glasgow, Swan, and Tenders, in order to procure some.— At about 12 at Noon, being a breast of Pru- dence, we saw a Body of Armed Men, with a Field Piece, who followed us as we Sailed along. At the South end of the Island, I saw a Quantity of Hay, and determined to Land and Seize it, this they perceived, and set fire to the Stacks, and retired to their Stone Fences to oppose us, (every Field has stone Inclosures) — We landed beat them from fence to fence, for four Miles into their Country, firing and wasting the Coun- try as we advanced along; We burnt Twelve or Fifteen Farm Houses, took a great deal of Stock, when. Night coming on, we gave over the pursuit, and retired back [58: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM to our Ships, bringing with us the Stock. When we got back to our Boats, the People was fatigued and Cold, and fearing they might be Frost Bit, Ordered them to Embark and leave the Cattle behind 'till next Morn- ing—Next Morning we landed again to bring the Cat- tle off, but, during the Night, reinforcements of five or six hundred Men had been sent on, and drove the Cattle to the other extremity of the Island, and large Bodies of armed Rebels stood behind stone Fences to oppose us, — In this situation we contented ourselves with taking ofif some Haystacks in their sight, and Embarked our Men again. In the attack the first day, we killed two of their Men, and took two Prisoners, both of them Wounded, — with only three of our Men slightly Wounded. The next day, some of the Swans and Glasgow's Men, stray- ing too far from the Main Body, fell into an Ambush, and one Man of the Swan's was killed, two Mortally Wounded, and one Slightly — One Man of the Glas- gow's was Shot through the Thigh, and fell into the hands of the Rebels, and one slightly wounded. Our loss would have been less, had our People have had less Spirit. — The Country is kept in Alarm all round. I am, Sir, &ca. Signed, JAS. WALLACE Rear Admiral Shuldham &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Captn. | Wallace to Rear Admiral | Shuldham, dated Rose, at | Rhode Island 14th. Janry 1776— | 5 | In V. Adml. Shuld- ham's I letter of 28 Janry. 1776. [593 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure D [ INTELLIGENCE FROM RHODE ISLAND ] Intelligence from Rhode Island the 21st Janry 1776. Says, That the Morning of the 31st. Ulto. the Rebels Army Commanded by Montgomery attempted to get Posses- sion of Quebec by Escalade, but were repulsed with the loss (by their own Accounts) of 70 killed on the Spot, and 300 taken Prisoners within the Walls. Among the Dead are General Montgomery and his Aid De Camp — Colonel Arnold wounded in the Thigh, but not a Prisoner— Major Green, of Varnum's Regiment, a Prisoner and many other Officers Killed and Wounded. N.B. This account from Genl. Wooster to Govr. Trumbull. That the Congress had order'd 30 Ships to be built, and ready for Sea by the ist. of April, force, from 20 to 36 Guns^— All the Carpenters in this part of the Coun- try (Vizt. Newport) are gone to Providence to assist in building Two Ships, that are ordered to be got ready there, one of 28 the other of 32 Guns.^ That the Rebel Army about Boston, consists of about 12,000 Men, and that General Lee was gone to New York. That a Detachment from the King's Forces (under command of Lord Dunmore) Commanded by Captain 1 Reference is apparently made to the law passed on December 13th, 1775. which provided for the construction of thirteen vessels, to carry 32, 28, and 24 guns. 2 The Providence and the Warren. C603 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Fordyce, attacked a Party of the Rebels in their In- trenchments near the great Bridge at Norfolk, in which Captain Fordyce was killed on the Spot, and the De- tachment lost 90 or 100 Men killed and taken Prisoners. That Lord Dunmore with the Main Body of his Army, had retreated to the Ships, and had Cannonaded the Town of Norfolk.— Signed J AS. Wallace Endorsed Captain Wallace's Intelligence | from Rhode Island the | 21st. January ijjb.— | 6 I In V. Adml. Shuldham's | letter of 28th. Janry. 1776 C^O DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^] By&c. Whereas we think fit that the Complements of His Majestys Ships under your command of the following Classes shall be increased to the Number of Men set out against each ; You are hereby required & directed to cause their Complements to be increased to those Num- bers accordingly, directing their Captains to bear them until further Orders. Guns Men 44 288 32 220 28 200 24&20 160 16 & 14 Sloops . . . 125 10 . do no 8 . do 80 Given &c. 29th. J any 1776 To Sandwich J BULLER H. Palliser Molineux Shuldham Esqr. &c. &c No. America By&c GJDS ^ Admiraltj'^ Records, Secretary's Department, Orders and Instruc- tions, vol. 100, p. 379. C62] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM' ] 23 rd. Febry. 1776 Sir Lord George Germain having in his Letter of the 17th. Instant signified the Kings Pleasure that the Transports which are now in North America, or may be hereafter sent thither, be put under the direction of the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships of War, With Authority either to return or discharge them as he shall think fit; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you therewith for your information and government; And that the Commissioners of the Navy have Orders to direct their several Agents to follow your directions accordingly. But in the Orders you may give respecting the said Transports, it is their Lordships directions that you do take Care to detain such a Number as shall, under all Events, be necessary for the removal of His Majesty's Troops from place to Place as the Commander in Chief of those Troops shall think necessary and proper. I am, &c, Geo. Jackson DS Vice Adml. Shuldham, at Boston By the Greyhound at Spithead Duplicate sent 29 March To Mr. Pownall ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 161. 1:633 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Boston 25th. Febry 1776. Sir,' Herewith I enclose to you a Copy of a Letter I re- /ceived yesterday from Mr. John Wentworth Governor of New Hampshire, together with a Copy of One from /that Gentleman to Vice Admiral Graves, also Copy of /a Letter I lately received from Mr. Phillips Callbeck //His Majesty's Attorney General of the Island of Saint John's, and my Answers thereto, which I submit to their Lordships Consideration and am, Sir Your most Obedient Servant M: SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed R | 2 May Enclosure A [ GOVERNOR WENTWORTH TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Boston, 24th. February 1776.— Sir, I beg leave to inclose herewith a Copy of the Letter, which I did myself the honor of mentioning to you lately to have written to Admiral Graves relative to the 1:643 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM State of New Hampshire; — By several Accounts from that Province I learn that the People are making many Preparations and daily erecting Works of Strength on the different Islands at the Mouth of Piscataqua River, where a Body of Troops is kept up to obstruct and pre- vent Access for the King's Ships that Way, the only navagable Inlet, into the Province; That they had en- tirely subverted His Majesty's Authority and proceeded to establish and administer a new mode of Government of their own Formation, enforcing Obedience to their Measures by Violence and Outrage on the Persons and Properties of Individuals, who, if not acquiescing in Rebellion, are unavoidably exposed to destructive Re- sentments, being wholly destitute of any Protection or Defence, of which Circumstance the Rebels have also availed themselves in fitting out Armed Vessels from Portsmouth to commit Depredations on the Transports bound for Boston. Permit me. Sir, to assure you of my utmost Attention and Readiness toward restoring the King's Authority in that Government, and Zeal to apply every Effort and Means in my Power to give Facility to any Operations undertaken for that Purpose. I have the Honor to be with great respect and Esteem, Sir, &ca. | J : Wentworth Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Govr. Wentworth to Rear | Admiral Shuldham | relative to the State of \ the Province of New | Hampshire, Dated | Boston 24th. Feby. 1776.— | In V. A. Shuldham's | 25 febry. | i. l(>sl DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B [ GOVERNOR WENTWORTH TO VICE ADMIRAL GRAVES ] Copy of a Letter from Governor Wentworth to Admiral Graves. Boston 24th. November 1775. Sir, By late Advices which I have received from the Earl of Dartmouth, his Lordship informs Me that Measures were pursuing for augmenting the Fleet in North America, and that you would be instructed to exert the most vigorous Efforts for suppressing the Rebellion now openly avowed and supported in this Country that the Commanders of His Majesty's Ships should be di- rected to receive on Board, and give Protection to any Officers of the Crown, who may be compelled by the Violence of the people to seek for such an Assylum, and to proceed as in the Case of a Town in actual Rebellion against such of the Sea Port Towns, being accessible to His Majesty's Ships, as should offer any Violence to the King's Officers or in which any Troops should be raised or Military Works erected, other than by His Majesty's Authority, or any attempts made to Seize or plunder any public Magazines of Arms and Ammunition. After the many communications which I have already had the honor to make to you relative to the Proceed- ings and transactions of the People in the Province of New Hampshire which obliged Me to take refuge here, further repetitions must at this time be needless to shew how deeply they are in general unhappily engaged in this unnatural Rebellion;— The great advantages which 1:66] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the natural situation of Pi^cataqua Harbor gives to the Rebels having already encouraged them, as I am well in- formed, tocarrytheirFrenzytosogreataheight as to erect several Batteries on different Eminences commanding the River to annoy the King's Ships, it is very manifest, considering the Spirit prevailing in the Country, that a strong Force will be necessary to reduce and hold pos- session of the Harbor; — Such a Measure however, if effected, would, it is hoped, very much check their presumption, answer other good purposes conformable to His Majesty's intentions, and probably enable Me to maintain a Residence in the Province to Execute His Majesty's Commands as far as in my Power. Whenever it shall be your pleasure to adopt any plan of proceeding with regard to that Province, as it is My duty so shall it be my most hearty desire to exert every endeavour and Employ every means in my Power to aid and Support all such Operations as you may think proper to undertake for executing His Majesty's Orders and restoring the Authority of His Government, and be very happy to embark the first Opportunity of going to the Province whenever you think it expedient to send a sufficient Force there to Command Possession of Pisca- taqua River. I have the honor to be with great respect and Esteem. Sir I Your most Obedient and Most humble Servant | J : Wentworth Saml. Graves Esqr. Vice Admiral of the White &ca. &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Governor Went- worth to ! Admiral Graves, Dated | Boston 2/\h. No- vember 1775. I In V. A. Shuldham's | of the 25 febry. | 2 C673 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure C [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO GOVERNOR WENTWORTH ] Copy Boston 25th. February 1776. Sir," I have the honor of your Excellency's Letter of Yes- terday's Date, relative to the State of the Province of New Hampshire under your Government, together with a Copy of a Letter you had lately wrote to Vice Admiral Graves on that Subject; in the former of which you are pleased to "Assure me of your utmost "Attention and readiness towards restoring the King's "Authority in that Province, as well as your Zeal to "apply every effort and means in your power to give "Facility to any Operations for that purpose" ; In An- swer to which I am sorry to Acquaint you of my present inability to Co-operate with you in so usefuU and neces- sary an undertaking, from the very small Force and bad Condition of the Ships now under my Command, which are hardly Sufficient to Guard this Port, and pre- vent the Supplies coming to it falling into the hands of the Rebels, whose Privateers are numerous and dayly increasing, I must therefore be Obliged to defer under- taking an Expedition against Piscataqua, where you say a strong Force will be necessary to reduce and hold possession of the Harbour, at least 'til the Arrival of a Reinforcement from Europe, which if consistent with the other Services I am Ordered to Execute, I shall very willingly employ for the important Purposes you mention, namely, the Reduction of the Rebels to a Sense [68] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM of their Duty, the Restoration of the King's Authority in the Province of New Hampshire, and the Re-estab- lishment of your Excellency in that Seat of Govern- ment, which you have so long filled with Honor to yourself, and so much to the Satisfaction of His Maj- esty and His Ministers. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's most Obedient and very Humble Servant M. Shuldham His Excellency Governor Wentworth Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Rear Adml. Shuld- ham to I Governor Wentworth | Dated 25 Febry 1776. | In Vice Admiral | Shuldham's of the | 25 febry. | 3 Enclosure D [ PHILLIPS CALLBECK TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Halifax loth. January 1776.— Sir, I beg Leave to acquaint you, that on the Seventeenth November last, two Privateers belonging to Beverly, one of them Armed with Six Six Pounders, the other four Six Pounders, and each of them with a number of Swivels, and Seventy five Men, Arrived at Charlotte Town, the Capital of His Majesty's Island of St. John (where I reside as Commander in Chief, the Governor being absent on Leave:) and immediately made Prepa- rations to fire on the Town, at the same time their Com- 1:69: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM manders with armed Partys landed.— Not having heard that the Colonys had fitted out Privateers, I judged them to be Pirates, and by their Conduct they were Actually such. Therefore in order to preserve the Town from being burnt, I determined Singly to face them, not having force of any kind to make resistance. Upon their landing they made me Prisoner, and in- stantly conveyed me on board one of the Privateers; after which they proceeded to to commit the most wanton and flagrant Outrages on Governor Paterson's and my House, possessed themselves of the whole of my Property, after which made a Prisoner of a Mr. Wright one of the Council, and then Sailed for New England. We landed at Winter Harbour, and proceeded to Cam- bridge, where, upon relating our distresses to Mr. Washington, our being torn from our Families in the most cruel manner, and I being robbed of all I had, he thought proper to release us, and I am thus far in my way back to re-assume the Government. The reason, they assigned for their Conduct, was, that I had re- cruited for the King's Army, and sent the People, I got, to the assistance of Quebec. Prior to their attacking the Island they had remained in the Gut of Canso sometime, during which they took five Vessels laden with Fish, and in their return they took three more, without meeting with the least oppo- sition. I have taken the Liberty, Sir, to trouble you with this detail, in order to excuse my observing that if there had been last Summer, a Frigate, cruizing as usual in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, our Persons and Property, and the unfortunate Owners of the Vessels before men- tioned, would have been secured against the hostile Depredations, we have had the misfortune to experi- 1701 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM ence ; at the same time to make my most earnest request, that you will be pleased to order a Frigate to be as early as possible in the Spring at the Island, and to remain there as long as the Season will permit; Otherwise the Gentlemen belonging to His Majesty's Government and Myself will be under the disagreeable necessity of de- parting from our duty, and abandoning our Fortunes, most of which have been expended on the Island in Improvements. To take this Step, Sir, will naturally occur to you to be very disagreeable to us; Yet our Preservation so much depends upon being secured in the manner I have made free to point out, that unless you are pleased to give me hopes that our Request for Protection will be granted, we certainly shall, as I have said before, be obliged early in the Spring, to take the sad alternative of seeking an Assylum else where. I am to observe. Sir, that if you should be pleased to grant my request, it will not only be a means of making us happy in being secured, but it will also prevent the Rebels from making an Acquisition of Sixteen Nine Pounders, one eight Inch Mortar, some Cannon ball, and Grape Shot, which are now at Fort- Amherst, at the entrance of Port la Joye— If there were no other Temptations for making a second Visit, the Object of gaining this Artillery, would to them be a sufficient In- ducement, not to Add the Gratification of their avowed revengefull Disposition (on those who in a manner assist the Crown:) by ruining several Gentlemen's Set- tlements, their Tenantry and others on the Island. These Gentlemen were Inhabitants, but stimulated by Loyalty to His Majesty, immediately enter'd his Ser- vice, and have taken ofif Recruits, all of whom are now on Duty in dififerent parts of America. There was a Circumstance took place while I was DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Prisoner, which I think my Duty to communicate to you. A Transport from London called the Jenny, Cap- tain William Foster, was taken by a Privateer, who decoyed her by an Imitation of one of the King's Armed Schooners. The Master after he found his mistake, threw over board his Pocket book in which he had the Signals. This he did five Leagues from the Coast. In two days afterwards, I saw the Pocket book, which was found a Shore. Of Course the Rebels are in Pos- session of the Signals. I am sensible. Sir, that your Vigilance in your im- portant Station, inclines you to procure every necessary Information, and that you will not think I too far en- croach on your time (while (as a faithfull servant of the Crown) I endeavor as briefly as possible, to communi- cate to you a few Observations I made, while I was in New-England : The trade they carried on, surprised me exceedingly. At most of the Ports east of Boston, while I passed, and re-passed, there were daily Arrivals from the West-Indies, but most from Saint Eustatia; every one brings more or less Gun-Powder. Some Vessels had Sailed, Numbers were fitting out, loaded with Fish, Lumber, and some with Specie, all I believe bound for the West Indies, and Saint Eustatia. At Portsmouth there were four ready to Sail, at Sachs two Brigs. I suppose they will be on their return in March, and most of them will bring Gun-Powder. At Cape Ann, Mar- ble head and Beverly, they have Forts, and now some Powder; the second is a stong one. Salem and New- berry have Vessels sunk, so, as to confine the Channel to a narrow Pass. Portsmouth has the same, besides a boom and three strong Forts. From Portsmouth to Casco every harbour and Creek has some insignificant 172-} DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Redoubt, Logwall, or other defence, and upon the least alarm, the Country People come in, but from their ap- pearance and Preparation, I should imagine their stand would be of short duration. I have nothing further to add, but my Request that you will be pleased to favour me with an Answer di- rected to this place, where I shall wait for it, and that I have the honor to be with great respect. Sir, &ca. ., . , ^, ,,, Phill: Callbeck. Admiral Shuldham. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Phillips | Callbeck Esqr. Attorney | General of the Island of | St. John, to Rear Admiral | Shuldham. | Dated Halifax lo Jany. 1776. I In V. A. Shuldhams | of the 25 febry | 4. Enclosure E [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILLIPS CALLBECK ] .^P^ Boston 6th. February 1776 oir, I am favor'd with your Letter from Halifax of the loth. January and take the earliest Opportunity to com- miserate your Sufferings and to Assure you and all the Inhabitants of the Island of St. John's of my Attention and hearty Inclination to afiford them every Protection the Naval force I have the honor to Command will allow. To promise an immediate complyance with your Re- quest of having a Frigate at your Port early in the 1:73] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Spring is what I am afraid I shall not be able to per- form as it must wholly depend upon the Arrival of the remainder of the Force ordered to join me, a circum- stance which the uncertainty of a Winter's Voyage to this boisterous Climate makes extremely precarious. It is therefore not in my power to do more than repeat my Assurances of granting you all the Protection the Naval Force under my Command and the exigency of Afifairs will allow, as I am at this time applyed to for the Pro- tection of four or five Frigates for various and Neces- sary Services upon this Continent, which I am not Able to comply with. I am sorry to find from your Account, which Corre- sponds with many others I dayly receive that the Rebels enjoy so flourishing a trade along the Eastern Coast, and indeed they have been too successul upon every part of it, as well as with their Privateers. But I persuade myself a numerous Fleet with the Intelligence and Co- operation I may expect from the friends of Govern- ment, will enable me to form such a Plan for the ensueing Operations as will put a speedy Stop to their progress. I wish you a safe return to Charlotte Town, and the re-establishment of your tranquility which I shall en- deavour to promote by all Means in my power. I am. Sir Your most Obedient and very Humble Servant M. Shuldham Philips Callbeck Esqr. His Majestys Attorney Genl. of the Island of Saint John 1:743 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Copy | of a Letter from Rear Adml. | Shuld- ham, to Phillips | Callbeck Esqr. His Majesty's | At- torney General of the | Island of St. John | Dated 6th. February 1776. | In V. A. Shuldhams. | of the 25 febry | 5. im DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS] Duplicate Chatham Boston 26th. February 1776. Sir I acquainted you in my last that on the 27th. of Janu- ary, a few days previous to the departure of Admiral Graves, who Sailed the 2d. instant, I took upon me the Command of His Majesty's Squadron in North Amer- ica, and finding upon enquiry a great Scarcity of Naval, as well as Ordnance Stores at this place, belonging to the King, and few or none of either to be purchased but at the most extravagant Prices, I thought it the first part of my Duty to dispatch a Transport under Convoy of an Armed Vessel to Halifax, to bring a Supply of both kinds of those Stores, on which Service they Sailed from hence the i ith. Instant. On the 13th. Instant an Advice Boat belonging to General Howe Arrived here from that Port, and brought me a Letter from Captain Hudson of His Maj- esty's Ship Orpheus with the satisfactory Account of his Arrival there, tho' in a very shattered Condition, to- /gether with one from Capt. Bromedge of the Savage /Sloop (Copies of both which accompany this) and the latter informing me of the Seizure of Two Vessels laden with Naval Stores, which tho' perhaps legally cleared out in England, were certainly designed to Sup- ply the Rebellious Inhabitants of the American Col- onies, as the Owners and Claimants of both of them are reported here to be notorious and principal inflamers of the present unhappy Rebellion, as a confirmation of DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM /which I transmit to you Sir, herewith, a Copy of a Let- ter to me from General Howe on that Subject, and shall be glad to receive through You His Majesty's or their Lordships pleasure, with regard to these two Vessels, as well as to Thirty Six More, Seized and detained by Vice Admiral Graves's Orders and now lying in this Har- bour under similar Circumstances, Application having been made to me lately, by the Agents, for my direction /relating to them. Copy of whose Letter I send you here- with. In a former Letter I took the liberty of recommend- ing to their Lordships through You, that all Supplies to this Country might be sent in Armed Vessels, I mean such as our old Forty Gun Ships with only their upper Tier of Guns, for however Numerous our Cruizers may be, or however attentive our Officers to their Duty, it has been found impossible to prevent some of our Ordnance and other valuable Stores in small Vessels falling into the hands of the Rebels; and here I must take occasion to say that in the Course of my Service I never found Officers perform their Duty with so much perseverance and Vigilance as Ours, on this important Service, indeed, the firmness with which they have resisted the rigour of this long and Severe Winter, in constantly keeping the Sea on their respective Stations, is uprecedented and incredible; at the same time I must beg leave to observe to you the very few Ships I am provided with to enable Me to Co-operate with the Army, Cruize off the Ports of the Rebels to prevent their receiving Supplies, or protect those destined to this place from falling into their hands, and as it must be the first and principal object of my Consideration I have not been able yet to comply with their Lordship's 1:773 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Order of the loth. October for sending a Vessel to Ber- muda for the safety and defence of the Ordnance Stores belonging to His Majesty at that Island, but intend sending the Nautilus Sloop on that Service immediately on her Arrival from her Cruize. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant M: Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Enclosure A [ CAPTAIN HUDSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Orpheus, Halifax 31st. JaiTry 1776. Sir, With what reluctancy do I inform you that on the 2 1 St. of November when I lost sight of the Chatham, I was on that day rendered to a state disagreeable indeed, by the total loss of all our principal Sails then bent, which was occasioned in some Measure by the Violence of the Wind, but more so by the badness of the Cordage and Iron Work that the Ship was equipt with, and to add to my Misfortunes, I lost on the 30th. of that Month our Fore and Main Masts, with all the re- mainder of the Essential Sails in the Ship, a fore, and foretopsail excepted. In this Condition I continued till I got Jury Masts erected, with a determined resolution to gain the Coast [78] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM of America, which I persevered in and happily at- tained on the 29th. Instant, and yesterday got into this port, where I shall exert every endeavor in my power to get the Ship re-established with her proper Materials in order to join you, in this I am convinced, that I shall be much assisted by Commodore Arbuthnot, who in truth gives assured proofs of his abilitys and expedition in forwarding the Service. I am happy to hear of your safe arrival at Boston, which place I shall repair to as soon as in my power. — Inclosed I send the State and Condition of the Orpheus, and believe me assuredly to be &ca. Charles Hudson Rear Admiral Shuldham &ca. &ca. Endorsed 25 febry 1776 | V. A. Shuldham | R 2 May | (5 Inclosures) Enclosure B [ CAPTAIN BROMEDGE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) _ Savage Sloop, Halifax 27th. Janury 1776— Sir, I Embrace this opportunity of transmitting to You, Copies of my last Orders from Vice Admiral Graves, by Captain Le Cras, and pursuant to those Orders, the i6th. Instant I boarded the Ship Nicholas of Boston, burthen 120 Tons, (by her Register) John White Mas- ter ( :but pretends to be no other than Super Cargo:) [79] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM from Petersburgh and Cowes, laden with Naval Stores, Iron, Hemp, Sail Duck, and light Canvas, all which was cleared out at Cowes for Halifax, as at Cowes I am informed, the Master could not Clear out for Salem, or Boston, where the Ships and Owners belong to, the 19th. I boarded the Ship Boston Packet of Boston, burthen 140 Tons, James Shepherd Master, from Petersbourgh and Cowes, laden with the same kind of Cargo as the Ship Nicholas, but different Owners, as you will observe by the report herewith transmitted ; I beg leave, Sir, to observe to you, that there are no Rope Walks, nor any Consumption for those Two Cargoes in this place, nor in the Province, but a very easy, and even daily conveyance by small Coasting Vessels, from this place to New Liverpool and Cape Sable, from which places it is but a short way across the Bay of Fundy to the Continent of Massachusetts Bay &ca. &ca. and those Two Cargoes are Consigned to the Masters: Those two Ships sailed from Salem in December 1774 for Charles Town South Carolina, there loaded Rice for Cowes, and from thence proceeded for the Baltic; the Crews of both Ships Entered for my Ship, and I am informed by the Crew of the Boston Packet, that the Master De- clared repeatedly on the Passage, that, could he make Cape Codd, he would go in there and land his Cargo, or could he make Cape Ann, he did not fear meeting with some of his Friends, to carry him into Beverly or Salem, but the Wind hanging to the Southward, he with difficulty made this Harbour: I am firmly of Opinion, that if I have the delivering and Searching those Two Ships, I shall find more than is in their Clearance from Cowes; I shall be extremely happy to know your pleasure respecting those Vessels likewise DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Vessels from the French West India Islands with Melasses, and with Salt from Spain and Portugal &ca. as this place is now made the Magazine and Repository which is easily transported to the Continent. I am, Sir, &ca. Hugh Bromedge. Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North America &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Capt. Bromedge to Rear | Admiral Shuldham. | Dated Savage, Halifax | 27 January 1776. | with one inclosure | In V. A. Shuld- ham's I Lre of 26 Febry | 2. CSi] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Copy An Account of Ships and Vessels Seized or Taken b} Where Names of the When Seized or Taken Vessels Masters Owners and where be- longing From Whence 1776 Januarj'^ i6th Halifax- Nicholas, Ship Jno. White Thos.Boilston Boston Ship Ni Signed, Petersburgh and Cowe cholas's Cargo as ^r. Hugh Bromedge 1776 January 19th Halifax Boston Packet Jas. Shepherd Wm. Denny Boston Ship Boston Petersburgh and Cowe Packet's Cargo as ^r. Signed Hug Endorsed Accot. of Ships & | Vessels Seized | In Captn 1:82] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM lis Majesty's Ship Savage Hugh Bromedge Esqr. Commander Where Lading respectin g the Crew and Passengers Bound Names Qualities Where Born all fax Bars of Iron 1652 Nathl. Atkins Mate Cape Cod Bales of Hemp no Thos. Martin Prest - - - Boatsn. Devonsh : Engld. Married in Salem Matts of Sail Duck 500 Two Davd. Campbell Ab Scotland Voir. eport - - Bolts each Matt 1000 Chas. Noble Ab Philadelphia Do. Bales of light Canvas, 20 Richd. Goddard Ab Sussex Engld. Do. Josh. Douglas Ab Scotland - - Do. Php. Williams Ab Liverpool Eng.Do. Wm. Ridsdle Ab Bristol Engd. Do. Medcalf VVm. Haynes Ab Port Glasgow Do. alifax Bars of Iron - - 2158 Thos. Seon Mate Maryland Bales of Hemp - - 103 Geo. Love Ab London Voir. Matts of Sail Duck 268 Two Jas. Sawyer Carpenter Cape Ann Do. ;port - - Bolts each Matt 536 Php. Sullivan Ab Cork in Ireld. Do. Sundry Bales of light Ch. Gustavus Scot Ab Sweden Do. Russia Sail Cloth Josh. Perkins Ab Portuguese 16 yrs. in the Eng: Service Jno. Williams Ab Do. Do. Jno. Dixon Ab Co. Durham Do. •omedge Thos. Glover Cook Cape Ann omedge's | to V. A. Shuldham | In V. A. Shuldham's | of the 26 Febry | 3. I83I DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure C [ GENERAL HOWE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Boston i6th. February 1776. Sir, I am favor'd with Copies of Captain Bromedge's Letter, and an Account of the Cargoes on board the Ships Nicholas and Boston Packet, the Properties of Thomas Boilston and William Denny of this Town. Admitting it should appear that the Laws of Trade have not been infringed, yet the Probability of these Stores being smiggled away to the Enemy if not prevented, makes me think it highly proper that they should be detained: I am more particularly led to this, William Denny having been guilty of notorious Trea- son, and Thomas Boilston's Principles of Loyalty much to be doubted. Your superior Judgment in Affairs of this nature, coming more particularly under your own Department, does not require this Intrusion of my private Opinion, which I flatter myself you will excuse, as proceeding from that Regard and Esteem wherewith I have the Honor to be most sincerely. Sir, &ca. A/r , 01- iju -c^ W: Howe Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Rear Admiral of the White &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | General Howe to Rear | Admiral Shuldham | signifying his Opinion | on the detention of Two I Ships with Naval Stores | at Halifax.— | Dated 16 Febry 1776. | In V. A. Shuld- hams I of 26 Febry | 4. :84] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure D [ RICHARD LECHEMERE AND ALEXR. BRYMER TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Boston, i6th. February 1776. Sir, Having already had the Honor of acquainting you of our Appointment, by Samuel Graves Esqr. Vice Ad- miral of the White, to be Agents or Factors for selling such Vessels and Cargoes, as have been brought into this Harbour by His Majesty's Ships of War, and are either deemed Rebel Property, or v^anted for the use of the Garrison, and having laid our whole Proceedings before you, which we flatter ourselves have met your Approbation; we now beg leave to furnish and inclose you the State and Condition of the Vessels and Cargoes in our Charge, and to request that you would be pleased to have Reference to Admiral Graves's Order to us on that Head, which empowers us not only to take charge of the Vessels mentioned in it, but likewise of such others as we may find in the Harbour, not owned by People residing in this Town, agreeable to which we have added, all that have come to our knowledge in the List now presented. And as he empowers and orders us discretionally to sell Vessels or Cargoes that are liable either to Perish or to be embezzled, and as we humbly conceive the In- clemency of the Weather has opened the Seams of the sides and Decks, that most or all the Cargoes, are sub- ject to Perish, and as most of the Vessels have been Stript of their Sails, Cables, Anchors and small Stores, DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM and in general have not Sufficient Ground Tackle to Moor them, this added to our Inabillity to procure a sufficient number of Men to take care of them, we there- fore think it incumbent upon us to acquaint you there- with, and to pray your Directions for our future Conduct respecting them; and to offer it to your Opin- ion, whether it would not be better, under their present Circumstances, that the Cargoes that are in Danger of suffering be sold, for the Benefit of Government or who ever may be proved to be the Proprietors. We have the Honor to be. Sir, &ca. RiCHD. Lechemere. Alexr. Brymer. Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Rear Admiral of the White &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Messrs. Lechmere and Brymer | to Rear Admiral Shuldham | Dated i6 Feby. 1776. | with one Inclosure. | In V. A. Shuld- hams I of the 26 Febry | 5 [86] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Boston 27th. February 1776.— Sir, A few days ago I applied to General Howe, signify- ing my Opinion that the great Supplies of Provisions and Refreshments sent out by Government to this Coun- try were intended for the use of His Majesty's Fleet and Army agreeable to your Letter to Vice Admiral Graves of the 26th. of September last on that subject, and here- with I think it my Duty to transmit to You, the Friendly ///but Official Letters which passed between the General and Me relating to those Supplies, that Their Lord- ships may be undeceived in any supposition they may entertain of His Majesty's Fleet having received any greater Share of His Royal Bounty in that great and Extensive Donation, than the Quantity of about Fifty Butts of Porter. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant M. SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed R 2d. May. (Copy) Extract of a Letter from Lord Dartmouth to Major General Howe, Dated Whitehall 22d. Septemr. 1775. "I also enclose to you a Copy of the State of the Ships ^'taking Stores and Provisions for the use of the Army, "together with a Copy of my Letter to the Lords of the "Admiralty thereupon." 1^71 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO GENERAL HOWE ] Copy. Boston 24th. February 1776. Sir, Herewith I have the honor of transmitting to you, a /Copy of a Letter from Mr. Stephens Secretary to the Admiralty, to Vice Admiral Graves relative to the Provisions and Supplies sent out by Government for the Use of His Majesty's Forces in America, and as it ap- pears by that Letter, that His Majesty's Naval Forces /are entitled to an equal Proportion of the Cargoes of the Vessels in the annexed List, as the Troops under your Excellency's Command, I think it my indispen- sible Duty to beg the favor you will please to give such directions as you may think proper for the distribution of those Supplies. I am with great respect and Esteem. &ca. M : SHULDHAM. His Excellency the Honble General Howe, &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Rear | Adml. Shuld- ham to Genl. Howe | relative to the Provisions and | Refreshments sent out by | Government for the Use of His I Majs. Fleet and Forces in North | America, dated Boston 24th. Feby. 1776. | wth. Two Inclosures. | In V. A, Shuldham's letter | 27. Feb. 1776 | i [88: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO VICE ADMIRAL GRAVES ] Copy Admiralty Office 26th. Septemr. 1775 — Sir, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith a List of the several Ships and Vessels taken up to carry Stores Provisions /and live Stock to North America for the use of His Majesty's Fleet and Forces in those Parts, and am to signify their Lordships direction to you in pursuance of His Majesty's pleasure signified to them by the Earl of Dartmouth to station some of the small Ships under your command in such situations as to fall in with them upon their coming upon the Coast with Orders to their Captains to see them safely into Port, a precaution which will be more particularly necessary in case His Majesty's Army shall remove from Boston to any other Station.— I am, &ca. Ph. Stephens. Vice Admiral Graves at Boston, (by the Centurion) Endorsed Admiralty Office 26th Sepr. 1775. | Copy of a Letter from | Mr. Stephens to | Vice Admiral Graves. | with one Inclosure | (A Copy) | In V. A. Shuldhams of I 27. Feb. 1776 I 2 1:893 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure C [ LIST OF SHIPS CARRYING OUT STORES TO AMERICA ] Copy Thames David Lairdi Has onboard loi Chaldron Master j of Coals, 37 Tons of Pota- toes, 200 Butts of Porter, 192 Bales of Hay, 60 Quar- ters of Oats, 22 Puncheons of Water, and will take on board to day 150 Sheep. Friendship . . . James Millar Irwin Smith Mary Robt. Reed Felicity Brun Britannia Jenkins Echo Moncur Price Frigate .... Fisher Fame .... Willm. Thornton Harriott . . . Wemyss Orrock Generous Planter .... Calf Prince Rupert Dear Reward Strivens Blue Mountain Valley . Dempster Eleanor Oswald Charming Nelly . . P. Millar Britannia .... Heskett Davis Rebeccah . . . Isaac Blackburn Britannia .... Martin White Generous Friend . Thos. Williams Aurora Geo. Hannell Nielson Harp Fanny Sinclair 1:90: The Cargoes of those Ships will be nearly similar to that of the Thames, ex- cept that they will have a greater propor- tion of Coals and less Porter, and about half of them will have Hogs instead of Sheep. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM A farther List of about ten or twelve more Ships will be given in a day or two. Mure, Son, and Atkinson— London 23d. Septemr. 1775. Endorsed Copy | List of Ships carrying out | Stores to America. | In Letter to Vice Admiral | Graves of 26th. Sepr. 1775. I A Copy I 3 Enclosure D [ GENERAL HOWE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Boston 25th. February 1776 Sir, I have the Honor to Acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of Yesterday's Date, enclosing the Copy of a Let- ter from Mr. Stephens, Secretary to the Admiralty to Vice Admiral Graves, with a List of Ships taken up to carry out Stores, Provisions, and live Stock to North America, for the use of His Majesty's Fleet and Forces in those parts. Be assured. Sir, I have the strongest Disposition that the Fleet under your Command should share with the Army in every thing contributing to supply their Mu- tual or real Wants And that I should not wait for the Authority of Orders to direct Me in this respect where the smallest Necessity Appeared. But permit me to Observe, that from the first Intimation of His Majesty's gracious Intentions to send out Store Ships with Re- freshments and other Supplies, all the Advices relative DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM thereto from the Secretary of State, and from the Treasury uniformly Agreed, that they were designed "for the Use and Comfort of the Army", known to be Suffering from a Want of a Change of Diet, and of proper Food for the Number of Sick and Wounded, with which the Hospitals were Crowded after the Ac- tion on the 17th. June, and without any Prospect of Relief from this Quarter. In order to give you the fullest Satisfaction on this Head, I send enclosed Ex- tracts of several Letters received from the Lords Com- missioners of the Treasury before and after the Date of Mr. Stephens's Letter to Vice Admiral Graves, Marked No. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, Also One No. 9 from Lord Dartmouth's Dispatch of 22d. September enclosing his Letter to the Lords of the Admiralty whereupon Mr. Stephens has founded his Suggestion in regard to the Stores &ca. Shipped for this Place, which may serve to put His Majesty's Pleasure in a clearer Point of View. But upon the receipt of a Letter from Vice Admiral Graves dated the 12th. January, enclosing a Copy of a Letter delivered to him by you (the same with the One now received) I ordered without Hesitation a Propor- tion of Porter to be delivered to the Fleet. The Car- goes that Arrived before were so reduced in the Voyage, and in so perishing a Condition, that they were mostly distributed among the Hospitals and Regiments as they came in, and were essentially Necessary for the Health of the Troops, who had been for some time without the small Species of Provisions usually issued. You will also be pleased to Observe that many of the Stores sent out were in consequence of an Inventory made by Colonel Robinson, Deputy Barrack master General, which, by pointing out the particular Wants C92] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM of the Army, gave rise to the Idea of their being Sup- plied in this Manner; and that many things were Ac- cordingly Ordered only applicable to the use of the Soldiery, Vizt. Blankets, Ruggs, Duffil, Oznaburgs, Watch Coats, Shoes, Hose, Thread &ca. &ca. not in Quantity Sufficient to bear a Division, but to be dis- posed of as I should see proper "for the use and Com- "fort of the Army". I flatter myself that you will do me the Justice to be- lieve that there is not any thing hereby designed as an Objection to Requisitions you may make on the part of the Fleet, but as it is meant, solely to explain the real matter of Right by Submitting the enclosed Papers to your Perusal. To evince the contrary, I shall be happy as far as it is in my power to relieve the immediate Wants of the Fleet under your Command, to which, I shall always be led no less by Inclination, than from a Sense of indispensible Duty. With the most perfect Respect and Esteem I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedient and most humble Servant W. Howe Endorsed Copy | Letter from Genl Howe to R. Adml. Shuldham relative | to the Provisions & refreshments | sent out by Government for the | use of His Majs. Fleet & Forces i in North America, dated | Boston 25th. Febry. 1776.— | with Eight Inclosures | 4 1:93] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure E [ JOHN ROBINSON^ TO GENERAL HOWE ] (Copy) Extract) Whitehall Treasury Chambers 9th Septr. 1775 Sir "As it is apprehended General Gage may have left Boston on a Leave of Absence to return to England be- fore this can Arrive in America: I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, it having been represented to them that Colonel James Robertson Barrack master General had applied to Messieurs John and George Erving Mer- chants at Boston, for the importing into Boston sundry Articles in the Schedule herein enclosed marked Letter A, for the Service and use of the Army, And that Mes- sieurs Ervings had directed their Correspondents here to execute such Commission which they had endeavored to do but could not: Their Lordships, altho' no Infor- mation thereon had been sent to them, thought it right to direct due enquiry to be made into this Business; and upon such Enquiry their Lordships have judged it ex- pedient to order such Stores to be provided : I am there- fore directed to Acquaint you, that several of the stores Mentioned in the Schedule A, are now Shipped Ac- cording to an Invoice marked Letter B, on board the Ship Friendship James Holmes Master, under Sailing Orders to go to Spithead, and from thence to come under Convoy of One of His Majesty's Ships of War,' consigned to the Order of the Officer Commanding His ^ Secretary of the Treasury. 1:943 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Majesty's Forces at Boston or elsewhere, as he shall direct her to proceed, And as will appear by the Charter Party, a Copy of which shall be sent by the Ship— You will observe by my former dispatches to General Gage of the 30th. June and 26th. July last, and by the Re- marks on the Schedule A, that the Articles of Coals and Oats had been before provided by the Board. "Their Lordships having since taken into Considera- tion what may be further wanted for the Army, have Ordered Thirty Watch-Coats to be sent out for the use of each Battalion, and for Twenty Battalions, which will come by the same Ship, And have also Ordered the different Articles in the Paper Marked Letter C, to be provided with all possible Expedition. This last Order is not so forward as to enable Me to inform you more particularly than I have endeavored to do by the Re- marks in the Paper C, but I hope soon to do it." Major General Howe Endorsed (Copy) | Extract of a Letter from | John Robinson Esqr. | 9th. September 1775 | No. i | 5 Enclosure F (Copy) A Account of the several Goods and Stores which were desired to be sent out by Colonel Robertson. 4,000 pair of Blankets, six feet wide, & Seven feet long, if to be had soon, if not a full %. They must be n9s3 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM troilled if to be had, if not, plain; to be course yet strong and well milled. 1,000 pair Blankets % such as is used for the Army. 2,000 Ruggs %, with Thrumbs, to be coarse & Strong and no to exceed in price 9 or 10 Shillings. 64,000 Ells of Oznabriggs, Two thirds to be as low as yd ^ Ell ; if to be had ; and the other Third to be still inferior, yet it must be strong and substantial. 14 Boxes Tin Plates No. i— one third cross. 13 Do. Do. No. 2 Do. 13 Do. Do. No. 3 Do. 10 Do. Do. Double. 50 m Tinn'd Rivets. 1,200 large Lanthorn Leaves. 1600 Middle Do. 1200 Small Do. 100 Bushs. Split Pease— packed in Tierces. 4,000 Bushels of Oats 1,800 Chaldrons Coals, London Measure. 50 Iron Stoves made at the Carren Works very cheap Inches In 24 Long, 18 Wide, with thickness in propor- tion, to be fitted with doors and every thing ready to set up. 2,500 Wt. of Iron plates, for Funnels for the same. 2,000 Pr. of white Yarn Stockings, Stong & Substan- tial for Soldiers. 2,000 Pr. of Mens Shoes, different Sizes for Soldiers. 300 Wt. of small Pigtail Tobacco. 60 Kegs of Barley, 40 of the inferior Sort— 10 of the 6d sort, & 10, of the best. 800 Bushels of Potatoes. 3 Ton of Cheese. [:963 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Copy | Schedule A. | Acct. of the several Goods I & Stores which were desired | to be sent by Colo. Robertson. | No. 2. | NB. No. 3. An Invoicel , . Marked B. OmittedJ ' ' Enclosure G [ ACCOUNT OF STORES ORDERED TO BE SENT OUT TO BOSTON ] (Copy) Flock Beds .... Ordered by the War Office Coals .... 3000 Chaldrons . . 3000 Chaldrons were before Ordered and now 3000 are Added which is a greater Quantity than is mentioned as necessary in both Col : Robertson's Orders. Porter . . 375,000 Gallons . . This Quantity is on a Calculation of allowing to each Man a Pot of Porter ^r. day, and for 10,000 Men for 150 Days, and is sent to be used at the Discretion of the Commander in Chief. Sheep . . 2000 .... After the Minutest inquiry in respect to sending out black Cattle that we found to be impracticable, but it is hoped that Sheep may be sent with tolerable degree of Safety and without much Loss, what will be the exact Number that can be sent out can't yet be Ascertained 'till the Shipping is fixed, but this Number is proposed to be sent, And it is hoped it may be Accomplished and will be of considerable Service. C973 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Potatoes ... A Cargo besides what has been Ordered on Col. Robertson's Plan. Carrotsl A few of each for Hospital use and Onions J • • • • particular Cases, many can't be sent. Sour Crout ... A good Quantity will be sent as soon as the proper Season comes for making it, the Cabbages are not yet quite in their perfection for this purpose. Sallad Seed ... A good Quantity of this small Sallad- ing Seed will be sent out, as it will grow on being Sown any where Almost on a little Earth and with Moisture and Warmth and may be raised by the Soldiers on a little space by each Mess in Sufficient Quantities for their refreshment and Use. Malt .... Some will be sent out for the Hospital use and for Scorbutic Cases to be used as may be Judged proper. 100,000 Gallons of Jamaica Rum . . Information hav- ing been given that the Rum which the Troops get is bad and New and Unwholesome it is proposed that some of the Ships which must be Chartered for carrying these Stores out to Boston shall be sent from thence to Jamaica for Rum of a good Quality, and that they shall bring back to Boston at least this Quantity of Rum — By this means the Troops will have a supply of good Rum and it is proposed that it shall be at the disposal of the Commander in Chief, to be distributed by him on particular Services, and in such Manner as he shall think proper. Vinegar— 100 Hogsheads. It has been represented that 1:983 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM no Vinegar almost can be had, a Considerable Quantity has been sent out for the Hospital use, and it has been thought that a Quantity being sent to be served out as the Commander in Chief shall see fit may be of use and there- fore this Quantity will be sent out with the other things. Endorsed Copy | Schedule C | Account of stores and other I Necessaries Ordered to be | sent out to Boston. | No. 4. I 7 Enclosure H (Copy) Extract of a Letter from John Robinson Esqr. to Major Genl. Howe, dated Treasury Chambers 22d. September 1775.— *the same List as that reed, from Mr. Stephens "In a former Letter I advised you of the Orders that had been given for the Shipping, consigned to your Order, a large Quantity of Provisions and Stores for the use of the Army under your Command. I now send you a List 1 marked Letter A,* Containing an Ac- count of the Ships which have been taken up for this Purpose. The Thames David Laird Master is already loaden, and will fall down the River in a Day or two— you have an account of her Cargo in the List, and Messrs. 1:99] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Mure, Son, and Atkinson, the Mer- chants employed to Ship the Stores will send the Bill of lading to you by that Ship. As the others are loaden they will be dispatched, and you may be assured of having advice thereof." Endorsed Copy | Extract of a Letter from | John Robinson Esqr. | dated Treasury Chambers | 22 Sepr. 1775- I No. 5. I 8. Enclosure I (Copy) Extract of a Letter from John Robinson Esqr. to Major General Howe, dated Treasury Chambers Whitehall 25th. Sepr. 1775 — Sir, "You will receive this Letter from the Commander of the Storeship the Friendship Mr. Holmes, Master, who has Orders to deliver his Cargo according to your Di- rections, and in his future Destination to obey your Orders — I send you inclosed an Invoice of his lading, and am Directed by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury to desire, that you will dispose thereof as you shall see proper for the Comfort and use of the Army." Endorsed Copy | Extract of a Letter from John | Rob- inson Esqr. to Major Genl. | Howe, dated Treasury Chambers I Whitehall 25th. September 1775. | No. 6. I 9. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure J (Copy) Extract of a Letter from John Robinson Esqr. to Major Genl. Howe, dated Treasury Chambers Oc- tor. I St. 1775— "I have lately from time to time advized you of the several Ships that have been sent out with Stores for the use of the Army, and I now send you a Copy of a Letter from Messrs. Mure and Atkinson to me with a dupli- cate of their Letter and inclosures to you." Endorsed Copy | Extract of a Letter from | John Rob- inson Esqr. to Major | General Howe dated | Treasury Chambers Octor. ist. | 1775.— | No. 7 | . 10. Enclosure K (Copy) Extract of a Letter from John Robinson Esqr. to Major General Howe, Dated Treasury Chambers 19th October 1775. "This will be delivered to you by Robert Salmond, "Master of the Ship British King, loaded with Stores "for the use of the Army under your Command, agree- "able to the Bill of Loading, transmitted to you by "Mure, Son, and Atkinson." NB The Letters of Advice from the Treasury are all similar to this— DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Copy | Extract of a Letter from | John Rob- inson Esqr. to | Major General Howe | dated Treasury Chambers | October 19th. 1775. | No. 8. | 11. Enclosure L [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO GENERAL HOWE ] Copy Boston 26th. February 1776. Sir, I have the honor of your Letter of Yesterday's date, accompanying Extracts of several Letters from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury relating to the intention and distribution of the Supplies and Refresh- ments which His Majesty was Graciously Pleased to Order to be sent out to this Country; in consequence of which information and the probability that those Sup- plies were only designed for the "Use and Comfort of the Army," notwithstanding the Suggestion in Mr. Stephens's Letter, that the Fleet was to receive an equal Share of that Bounty, I shall give directions that you shall not be troubled with any further Application on that Subject, fully convinced and sensible of the hu- manity and impartiality of your disposition that nothing will ever be wanting in your power to supply the wants and Necessitys of His Majesty's Subjects of either Ser- vice, as they shall become known to you. I have the honor to be with great respect and Esteem. Sir, &ca. M. SHULDHAM Honorable General Howe. D02] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Copy of Letter from Rear | Admiral Shuld- ham to I General Howe dated Boston | 26th. February 1776.— I In Vice Admiral | Shuldham's of the | 27 Febry | 13 [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ^ ] gjj. 29th. Febry. 1776 It was with great satisfaction I received & read to my Lords Commissioners of the Admty your Letter of the 15th. of last Month acquainting their Lordships of your Arrival at Boston, the Account thereof having been expected with great impatience, I have also re- ceived your Journal of the Occurrences upon the Voy- age. The only observation I have to make in return to your said Letter is on that Part of it respecting the Care to be used as to the Vessels which may in future be employed to carry out Stores or Supplies, And on this their Lor- ships are pleased to direct me to inform you that every Precaution will be taken for their Security the Nature of the business may admit of. I am &c, A, , o, 11, Geo: Jackson DS Vice Adml. bhuldham at Boston in No. America By the Greyhound at Spithead, Duplicate sent the next day to Cork to go by the Greyhound Triplicate sent 29 Mar. To Mr. Pownall ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, P- 192. [103] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 29th. Febry. 1776 Sir Having received & communicated to my Lords Com- missioners of the Admiralty your Letters of the 19th. 27th. and 28th. of last Month, I do by their Lordships direction sit down to make the necessary replies thereto. The Intelligence transmitted in the letter of the 19th. has been also received from Vice Adml. Graves. Their Lordships have satisfaction in your recommen- dation of Captain Wallace, and will as you propose re- move him into a larger & better Ship than the Rose, the first Opportunity there is for so doing. The Letter you have transmitted from Mr. Brymer, Agent to Mr. Grant, who contracts for supplying fresh Meat to His Majesty's Ships at Boston in regard to drawing his Bills for the same, is referred to the Com- missioners of the Victualling for their immediate Con- sideration and Opinion what can be done towards re- moving his difficulties, their Lordships being equally desirous with you that every facility may be given that can with Propriety, to the supply of an Article so essen- tial to the well carrying on the publick Service. It is not in their Lordships power at present to com- ply with the Proposal contained in Commissioner Ar- buthnots letter of sending two Deck'd Ships for the Protection of the Yard at Halifax; and they Hope from the several other Measures now taking not only for the 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, P- 193. [104:1 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM security of the Province of Nova Scotia but all His Majesty's Colonies in North America, the same will not be found necessary, Their Lordships approve of your appointment of another Officer to the Command of the Garpee Armed Brig, if on your farther Information concerning her, she is not in possession of the Rebels. Their Lordships have made the Master General of the Ordnance acquainted with the Want of Ordnance small stores at Halifax; and with your proposition of having a Supply sent in a Storeship to Boston, or wherever the Commander in Chief may be, it being in- convenient to send to Halifax when supplies are wanted, and have recommended the same to be com- plied with. Lieut. Mouat having informed my Lords that there is a Ship at Boston of Tonage and dimensions very fit to be established as a Sloop, and their Lordships intending that she shall be purchased for His Majestys Service I have it in Command from them to acquaint you there- with and that you may expect their Order for so doing, also for establishing the said Vessel as a Sloop and ap- pointing Mr. Mouat to the Command of her, who will return in the Canceaux so soon as she can be got ready which they expect will be in the Course of a few days and there will be sent in her a set of Guns proper to be supplied for the said Sloops use. I am &c, Geo. Jackson DS Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston No. America By the Greyhound at Spithead Duplicate sent the next day to Cork to go by the Greyhound Triplicate sent 29 March to Mr. Pownall — DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 4th. March 1776 Sir My Lords Commissioners of the Admty having re- ceived a Memorial from the Gentlemen concerned in the Chaleur and Gaspee Fisheries and places adjacent in the Gulph of St. Lawrence, praying their Lordships to grant protection for the Ships &c. employed therein, I am commanded by their Lordships to send you here- with an Extract of their said Memorial, And to recom- mend it to you to take every proper Care in your power to give protection to the said Fisheries agreeable to the directions in your Instructions on that Head. I am &c. PS Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston By the Greyhound at Cork, By Express at 6. PM. Duplicate sent 29 March To Mr Pownall 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 210. D06] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Boston 8th. March 1776— Sir. Herewith I transmit to you Copies of Two Letters I //received since my last of the 26th. past from Captain A. Parker at New York, and Captain Wallace at Rhode B Island, with their Intelligence and information of the State of those Colonies; And [I am now to inform you, Sir, that on the Morning of the 4th. instant we observed that the Rebels had the preceding night taken post on the heights of Dorchester, and had thrown up so exten- sive and strong a Redoubt that it was supposed not less than Ten or Twelve thousand Men could have been em- ployed in perfecting it in so short a time; This was so alarming and I presume unexpected an Event from the Advantageous situation of this Post, commanding the Town and Harbour of Boston, that General Howe Or- dered an Attack to be made upon it that night, and Two thousand Troops were Embarked and in readiness for that Service, but the Wind blowing too fresh for the Boats to Row ahead the Expedition was laid aside, and the next day the 5th. Orders were issued for the Army to prepare to embark with all the dispatch possible, which the very distress'd Condition it is in for want of Pro- vision makes absolutely necessary, for 'till I gave Or- ders a few days ago for a Months Supply out of the Naval Stores, it had not then more than a sufficiency for SS^ Fourteen days, and except a Supply arrives very speed- ily for both services, the Consequence must be fatal. We are now using our utmost efforts and attention in Em- 1:107] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM barking the Ordnance and other Stores, and preparing for Evacuating this Town and Harbour to proceed to Halifax, the nearest and most likely place of refuge for an Army under such necessitous and Singular Circum- stances, where I shall Convoy it with part of His Maj- esty's Squadron under my Command, leaving all the Force I can spare for the protection of the Supplies in- tended for this place. On the representation of General Howe of the small importance the Ships under Captain Wallace's Com- mand are now at Rhode Island, and the very few I have to protect our Supplies from falling into the hands of the Rebels, especially on our leaving Boston, I have Ordered Captain Wallace to send two of them (the Swan and Bolton Armed Brig) to Cruize in the track of any Vessels bound here, and to see them in safety in their way to Halifax, The Glasgow, I have Ordered to New York and from thence to the Southward with General Howe's and my Dispatches, and the Rose I have Ordered to Halifax to clean and refit. /c I likewise herewith transmit to You Copy of a Letter from Captain Talbot of the Niger, informing me of the loss of the Friendship Transport which General Howe had sent with his dispatches to New York, and on board which, on the Generals Application to me, I had Or- dered a Petty Officer and Ten Men from the Chatham, and the same number from the Centurion, to assist the Master in the Navigation and defence of her upon that Service, all which I am sorry to acquaint you are be- come Prisoners to the Rebels to whom they were obliged to fly and submit to save their Lives when the Vessel was Wreck'd Captain Parker having acquainted me of the Death [io8: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM of Mr. George Clepham Purser of the Asia on the 24th. January last, I have Appointed Mr. Edward Bragge my Secretary to Succeed him in that Employment, which I hope their Lordships will be pleased to confirm him in. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 8 March 1776 | Vice Adml. Shuldham | R 2 May I (with 14 Inclosures) R 2 May Answd. Enclosure A [ CAPTAIN PARKER TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy Sir, On the fifth of this Month Mr. Lee the Rebel Gen- eral came into this City, with a large Body of Men said to Amount to Three Thousand, on the Eleventh they removed all the Guns upon the lower Batteries up to what is called the Liberty Pole near the Barracks, this it was impossible for His Majesty's Ships to prevent, the Battery being so Situated, that I Should have been Obliged to place one Ship in the North River, which at that time was Absolutely impossible; from there being a Strong Wind at W.NWt. and a Flood Tide, which DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM effectually prevented our moving out of the East River; besides very large fields of floating Ice that would have Subjected the Ships to the most extreme danger of being carried Adrift. Firing upon the Town and judged by the Governor, General Clinton and myself, too Severe a Measure, being Confident that the Majority of the Citizens, particularly those of Property are faithful to the King; neither was this Act of Violence, an Act of the City's, but of the Rebels who have invaded it, as appears by the Minute of the Committee for removing the Records. I must Sir, beg leave to remark, that I feel myself in a very difficult Situation to know how to Act, Convinced as I am of the Attachment to His Maj- esty of many Men of great Property in this Town, at the same time knowing that it is Garrisoned by Rebels, And they have even had the Audacity to place Centinels immediately before Me, which I could never Submit to, was I not persuaded that my firing upon them would involve the City in ruins, which I must confess I cau- tiously Avoid, being determined if possible to make the Act of committing Hostilities theirs and not Mine, I should hope I am doing right, and that this lenity on my side, may not be Misconstrued, as a want of Zeal in car- rying on the King's Service. We have had a most severe Winter during which it has been with the greatest difficulty we have maintained our Stations, this has not been done without the Ships Sustaining some damage, the Asia making Sixteen or Twenty Inches of Water in Twelve Hours, the Phoenix does not make Water but her Bottom is a good deal cut with Ice. On the Eleventh we hauled off from the Wharfs to which we had been fast ever since the Twenty Ninth of December. Our fasts to the Shore DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM were watched by the Citizens, to prevent their being Cut by 111 disposed persons, until the Arrival of Lee. We did not haul ofif without great apprehensions of Ice, but after the taking away the Guns, I thought it prudent to have the Ships in a Situation to Act; Until the thir- teenth our Minds were much Agitated for fear of the Ice, having had many large Fields come in upon us, but fortunately of no Substance. On the Sixteenth Mr. Clark the Officer Commanding the Armed Tender came and reported he had seen a great number of Armed Rebels upon the Blufif Point of Staten Island and that he imagined they were Fortify- ing; Upon this information I thought it my Duty to throw every Obstruction in the way of such an Under- taking; I therefore sailed with His Majesty's Ship under my Command to the Narrows, and Anchored close off the Point of Staten Island, lay there four or five Hours, but could not, either from the Mast Head, or from the Deck, discover any ground to be broke, or that there was any appearance of such an Intention. A great number of Armed Rebels paraded about, but as I could not fire upon them with any certainty, I did not choose to accustom them to Cannon Shot, where there was so little probability of having any good efifect. At the same time I moved down with the Phoenix, I ordered Captain Vandeput to move into the North River, and place himself in such a Situation as to pre- vent the Rebels taking Post, upon either Governor's or Hangman's Island. I am now laying in the Phoenix off of the Narrows, where nothing can pass but must come within reach of my Guns, nor can any thing move upon the Heights but must be seen from the Mast Heads. Ci"3 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Should any attempt be made to Fortify, I shall en- deavour to retard it as much as possible, but cannot flatter myself with a Hope of being able to stop such Proceedings effectually the Land being above the height of my Tops. In this Situation I also Command the View of the Hook, and can see a great way to Sea; am therefore ready to dispatch the Armed Tender with Pilots to any Ship or Vessel that may be coming in. The Asia Commands the most Material passage up to the Town, And I am persuaded the Rebels never will dare to take possession of either of those Islands while she is able to keep her Station, which nothing but Ice can drive her from. Mr. Lee much against the Inclination of the City, has cut of]f all supplies of Fresh Provisions ; in return I have given Orders to Stop every necessary from going to it. It is reported and I have it from good Authority that Lee means to Fortify the back part of the Town by Intrenchments, and to erect some Batteries upon the Heights to Obstruct the Passage of both Rivers; as yet nothing of that sort is begun, nor do I apprehend any Batteries he can erect will be of any great consequence while we are able to prevent his doing of it at the Two passes where the Ships now lye. I was much hurt at the Rebels taking the Ship Blue Mountain Valley, One of those loaded with Coals, Porter &ca. for the Troops, but in that case was par- ticularly unfortunate, having the day before she was taken, dispatched a Lieutenant and fifteen Men in a Pilot Boat to the Hook, upon the report of a Ship being off; The Master on that day had stood off to Sea, the Lieutenant therefore returned and reported that there was not any Vessel in Sight; The day after the Ship [:"2: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Stood in and was taken not without some Suspicions of Treachery on the Master's side. The Sloop that brings you these Dispatches was the Vessel seized upon as the Owners say for the above purpose, but I thought it a proper Step to Seize upon her, leaving it to you to determine how far they can justify such an Act of Piracy. Governor Tryon's Letter of the 19th. of January was of such an Alarming Nature, that I thought it my Duty to guard against the consequences if possible; I there- fore Ordered the Cargo to be taken out of the James Schooner lately Seized, and Armed the said Schooner (having no small Vessel of the King's upon this Sta- tion) to enable her to be so placed as to give me the earliest Intelligence, should the Enemy attempt to As- semble the Vessels mentioned in the Letter; since the Hauling ofif the Ships from the Wharfs she has been of infinite Service as a Cruizer. I am Sir, to Acknowledge the Receipt of your Orders by the Mercury, she Arrived here the third of this Month and Sailed the Eleventh, I compleated her Pro- visions for three Months, during her stay the three Transports also Arrived and sailed with her. On the Twentieth Arrived the Harriot Transport from England bound to the Army with Coals, Porter &ca. she left England the Ninth of December; I pro- pose as soon as she is refitted, pushing her, the Ship with Salt and the Sloop loaded with Naval Stores, on to Rhode Island, in hopes of their getting from thence a Convoy to Boston. I have received a Letter from the Mayor of New York, dated the Twenty first Acquainting me that His Majesty's Ships are to be supplied as usual with Pro- 1:1133 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM visions; In consequence of which I have given Orders to allow the Market Boats to pass to the City. I am just now informed that the Rebels are pushing large Supplies of Flour &ca. from New York up Long Island Sound, this it is impossible for me to prevent; there is a Battery erected upon Long Island to defend the passage through Hell Gate, Another is began upon the Island of New York at a place called Benson's Bay, which will annoy any Vessels that may be coming hither through the Sound; as it is meant to defend the passage between Blackwell's Island and New York; It is also said Mr. Lee's plan is to Fortify the Wharfs by raising Platforms in the Cellars, where he means to place Guns so as to be upon a height with the level of the River at high Water; but this will never Answer his purpose, as Ships of any Size may come within Twenty Yards of the Wharfs. On the 24th. January, Died Mr. George Clephan, Purser of His Majesty's Ship Asia; I appointed Mr. John Saunders to be Acting in the Station until your Appointment shall take place In future I find by the Agent's Letter there is little probability of his being Able to Supply His Majesty's Ships with Rum, Pease, Beef or Pork; the first from it's not being allowed to be imported ; the latter Articles from the Country People being terrified at the thoughts of being detected bringing them in. I must Sir, beg leave to request you will be pleased to Order, by the first Man of War or Vessel that may come here, the Stores for both Ships, according to the enclosed demands, the Asia being distressed for want of them, and the Phoenix in great want of many Articles. We are much distressed for want of small Vessels, I C"43 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM should therefore hope Sir, you would be pleased to dis- patch this Vessel to me Again ; with such Orders as you may have for me. I have the Honor to be, Sir Your most Obedient and most Humble Servant H. Parker Phoenix, ofif the Narrows of Graves End Bay, New York 25th. February 1776 Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Rear Admiral of the White &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Captn. | Parker to Rear Admiral | Shuldham, dated New York 25th. Febry 1776. | with 11 Inclosures | In Vice Admiral | Shuldham's Lre | of the 8 March | A— with 11 In- closures Enclosure i Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union en- tered into by the Delegates of the several Colonies of New Hampshire &ca. in General Congress met at Philadelphia May loth. 1775/ 1 For the text of these articles see the Journals of the Continental Congress, 1 774-1 789, vol, II, pp. 195-201. 1:115] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure 2 [ INTELLIGENCE RECEIVED ] Copy Received the begining of Jany. 1776. The following is a Copy of what was written under a Bill of such Goods as was immediately to be procured, the List of the Goods I had not time to Copy but they were Various Sorts, Gunpowder, Lead, Flints &ca. to the Amount of Twenty five thousand pounds Stlg Vizt. These Goods should be purchased in Holland and France, and the most probable way to efifect it will be immediately to send Vessels with Provisions for Por- tugal, Spain, and the Streights— Order the Proceeds to be remitted by Bills to Amsterdam or London. A Fac- tor Capable of Transacting this bussiness in Holland, Hamboro, and France should be immediately em- ployed. Goods at Holland may at a Small risque and Charge, be sent to Dunkirk, and there be sent off — At Holland Dutch Bottoms may be got for Saint Austatia — at Holland or Hamboro, Danish Bottoms for St. Croix. I cannot find that the persons are Nominated as yet for this Bussiness, I shall endeavour to learn who they are to be, and what Vessels. — I thinkby what little I can learn that the Vessels fiting out here are part of them that are to be employed for the above Expedition one of them is a Ship of 36 Guns, her Head is the figure of a Man as Drawing a Sword. Bottom white. Sides Black and Yellow above— The Brig has no head at all, how- ever as they dont sail yet I will let you know more par- ticulars about them and who will be their Commanders. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM There is to be Issued a further Sum of Three Mil- lions of Dollars. I have enclosed part of a letter from Mr. Hellegas the Treasurer, it is broke to pieces but it will serve to Convince you that a further Sum is to be Issued. They are very resolute to persevere in their Wars. News Came Yesterday, that one Regiment of Foot and three Companies of Light Horse was come to Long Island. Coll. Floyd said he was glad if they were, that they would soon be their Horses, he said if the regulars should guard a certain place between some Noted Name and Hell gate it would be difficult for the Pro- vincial Troops to get on Long Island. Here is three persons from New York, One Captn. Greenol, One Bras- sier, and one Palmer, with a New Draft of Hudsons River, Signifying the Necessity of Building another Fort on Poop lopers Hill in the above River they also brought letters from the Convention of New York; I Copied off the following but opportunity would not allow me any further. We take the Liberty to enclose you a Copy of our proceedings, respecting the Delinquents in Queen's and Richmond's Counties, we apprehend we have pro- ceeded against them as far as prudent, with regard to present Circumstances of the Capital of this Colony and the Safety of the Colonies in general as far as it depends upon the Security of its Capital will permit, and for this Assertion we beg to Suggest the following reasons, to wit I St. The Power which the Kings Ships have for destroy- ing the Property in this City. 1:1173 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 2d. Our being almost utterly destitute of Powder for the defence of the City, was it in other respects defensible against Naval Forces. 3d. The great probability that an Array of Troops against the Abovementioned delinquents by Authority of this Congress, even were we Sufficiently provided for the purposes with Powder would bring on a Firing upon this City. 4th. We are now expecting Vessels from the Importation of Powder &ca. &ca. this object should we unnecessarily incense the Navy we may lose, as well as the Opportu- nity of Supporting the Inhabitants of this City with the Necessaries of Life in a severe Season, which Neces- saries it is well known we are Almost entirely supplyed with by Water. The latter part of this letter signified that Troops should be sent from some other parts against the Above- mentioned Counties. Another Letter and a Copy of One that had been sent to Governor Thrumbull requesting him that the Types &ca. taken from Rivington might be delivered into the hands of the Chairman of the Committee of New York, and he would use his endeavour to prevent any inroads or incurtions into the Province of New York for the fu- ture. Here is one Captain Sollick in this Town with three C"8] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Others that came down from the back Forts with the Prisoners taken at Saint Johns &ca. I have made it my bussiness to get acquainted with them, Sollick is the fellow that took the Goods and Stores from Turtle bay; with his own Sloop, which he made free to tell me (being a friend of his) says he I had Authority and went to New York on purpose to take that old Tryon myself. I warrant I would have secured him; but when I came there the Damn'd Tories pretended to say it would be best to let him alone a little longer, had it not been for them I should have had him safe enough; he is now applying to the Congress for a reward for his bravery, he told me he intended to fit out his own Sloop with 6 Guns and a Number of Swivels for Privateering he is one of Connecticut, he further Assured me that there was at that Place two fine Schooners fiting out. One for Captain Sears, of New York, the other for Captain Craig— One of the others told me that three Companys of Troops was Stationed atTycontoroga and St. Georges with a great number at at Saint Johns, 27,000 Men was fixed on to be embodied next Spring, but Since the News Came from England that an Army of 30,000 Men are to be sent over, I believe they are about to Augment their forces, however probably I may learn what forces they intend to resolve on. The Privateers is froze up, but now the thaw will free them, and I shall know when they Sail, here is upwards of 100 Flatts built to be set on fire if any Fleet Comes up this River, they are to be Chain'd One to another in two Rows across the River and a large Chain to be put across, There is something of Great Consequence going to be put in Motion at Boston as soon as the Frost sets in, they mean to use the Utmost in their power, as I heard i:i>93 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM one of them say, that it would be of greater Conse- quence than Reducing of Canada. Endorsed Copy | No. 2. | In V. A. Shuldhams | 8 March 1776 Enclosure 3 ' [ INTELLIGENCE FROM PHILADELPHIA ] (Copy) Thursday, 4th. January 1776. This day about one o'Clock sailed the Ship Alfred and the Ship Columbus with Two Brigs,^ the Alfred Carries 36 Guns 9 and 12 pounders, 60 Marines, and about 200 Sailors. Columbus about the same number of Men, and 32 Guns, the Two Brigs carries 16 Guns, they sailed with 5 or 6 Merchant Ships Loaded with Flour from the Congress. Hopkins Commands the Alfred, she has Yellow sides, her Head the figure of a Man, English Colours but more Striped;— The Co- lumbus is all Black, except white bottom, with no Head, Commanded by one Whipple. Hopkins says he will board after a few Shot at all events, they have got a Number of Grapnels, Spikes &ca. for boarding, with Cohorns on the Main top. A Sloops of 12 Guns is to sail this Evening, she is a Sloop that came from Rhode Island. I dont know whether or not these Vessels are going but it is probable they will Convoy these Merchant men off the Coast as they are ^ The Cabot and the Andrew Doria. 2 "Yh-t Providence. D203 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM going for Powder &ca. to Spain, Portugal and Holland and to France but I cannot understand they have any particular Alliances as yet by some words as I heard I believe they will pay Lord Dunmore a Visit soon, he is on board and is fallen down Ten Miles below New port he has lost many Men. Three Companies is going to March from here very soon Captain Williams Alens, Dawson and Jenkenses all for Virginia. The Neptune and the Aurora is Two of the Above Merchantmen, there Names is in their Sterns, they are Certainly going for Powder and Ammunition let their pretence be yhat they will, very bad News from Canada Arnolds Regi- ment have lost great Numbers of Men Starved to Death and Perished with Hunger and Cold. Governor Carl- ton has great Numbers in Quebec. Long Faces in the Congress because they are Almost out of hopes of taking it : the head of the Tories on Long Island are to be taken and Secured in Goal and the Others to be disarmed; more Vessels are loading here with Flour none of them Cleared out at the Custom House, they are all Freighted by the Congress. N. B. The first part of this Information was a Mis- take, The Privateers having only fell down the River and did not sail.^ (Sign'd) H. Parker Endorsed Copy | No. 3. | In V. A. Shuldham's | 8 March 1776 1 See the Andrew Doria's Log, Jan. 4 and 17, 1776. Dzil DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure 4 From several Informations the following is the State of Commanders Names Number Guns Ships or Vessels Name Pounders U) 32 24 18 9 6 > C/3 Alfred (Ship) " Hopkins (1 (( 1- 10 - - - Columbus (Ship) " Whipple (( (( {- 10 Annodora^ (Brig) " Dunn^ (( i( n 16 12 Cabinet^ (Brig) " Hopkins Junr. (( (< " 14 12 Providence (Sloop) " Hazard u K (( 12 10 Row Gallies Thirteen No. Vizt. One Mounting I (( ( ( (( (( (< Some - - - - i( I U " " (( and some - - - " " I (1 <( (( One Floating Battery 120 feet long, 20 f eet wi de, the Parape t of wh ich is nly Thirty Fire Rafts, Bu ilt like a Scough i 8 feet long a nd 12 f eet Wi de. Two Ships Twenty G Two Brigs 14 and i6 Thirteen Frigates, or dered to be Built b y the Contin ental C ongres s from 28 to EndorsedCopy | State of the Rebel's Marine | Forces.— | N0.4. i In V.A. Shuldhams | ^Andrew Doria. ^ Cabot. ^Nicholas Biddle. [122] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the Rebels Marine forces. Vizt. of Remarks Men Philadelphia Lower Deck 220 Including ) Figure head, Yellow sides, her lower Deck Ports ) not above 18 inches from the Water. Upper Deck 60 Marines Lower Deck Upper Deck 220 Including 60 Marines r- Black sides without a Head. - - - - 130 Including 30 Marines |- Black sides without a Head. - - - - 120 Including 30 Marines j- Figure Head and Yellow Sides. 90 Including 28 Marines \ .... 3 50 each Plank. Baltimore. - - - New Haven Fitting out. - - Fitting out. 36 Guns, Two Allotted to be B uilt at this Port.* 8 March 1776. *Four of the vessels were eventually built at Philadelphia: the Randolph, 32; the Wash- ington, 32; the Effingham, 28; and the Delaware, 24. D233 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure 5 . [ ORDER ISSUED BY THE NAVAL COMMITTEE ] (Copy) The Naval Committee give possitive Orders, that every Officer in the Sea and Marine Service, and all the Common Men belonging to each, who have enlisted into the Service of the United Colonies on board the Ships now fiting put, that they immediately repair on board their respective Ships as they would avoid being deemed deserters, and all those who have undertaken to be Security for any of them are hereby Called upon, to procure and deliver up the Men they have engaged for, or they will be immediately Called upon in a proper and effectual Way. Boats will Constantly Attend at Messrs. Welling and Morris's Wharf to Carry all people on board the Ships. Philadelphia Jany. 4th. 1776. By order of the Committee Ty. MaLTACK Secy, Endorsed Copy | No. 5. | In V. A. Shuldham | 8 Mar 1776 D24:] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure 6 [ GOVERNOR TRYON TO CAPTAIN PARKER ] Copy Ship Dutchess of Gordan, off New York 19th. January 1776. Sir, This evening I have received intelligence of a Plan intended in Connecticut Government against the King's Ships. Vizt. that a number of Sloops loaded with Combustibles, are to Sail through Hell Gate, and to rendezvous off Blackwell's Island, where they are to be chained together and sent down to New York with the Ebb Tide, in some dark and Tempestuous Night, when they think the Ships of War cannot escape being de- stroyed by the Fire. General Lee is Supposed to have been consulted on this Scheme, an intention that may be forwarded without the knowledge of this City. I am , . Sir, Your most Obedient Servant Wm. Tryon Captain Parker Endorsed Copy \ Copy of a Letter from Govr. | Tryon to Captain Parker. | New York 19th. Jaiiry 1776. | No. 6 I In V. A. Shuldham | 8 March 1776 1:1253 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure 7 [ INTELLIGENCE RECEIVED ] Copy 28th. January 1776. That General Carlton ordered Two Parties from Quebec, One Marched under the Command of Colonel Mc. Clean, and posted themselves between Col. Arnold and General Montgomery; who were One Mile Asun- der; That upon a Signal given by the fire of a Cannon, General Carlton with the second Party, attacked Ar- nold in Front and Mc.Clean in Rear, by which Mancevre, Arnold's party were all killed, or taken ; The Alarm then reached Montgomery's Intrenchments which he Mounted with his Aid De Camp who were immediately Shot. His Party fell in confusion and was routed totally. General Wooster had shut up the Mass Houses (in Montreal) on Christmas Eve; which with other matters has turned the Canadians. The Priests are very warm in the King's Service; And refuse Absolution to all who are not in his Service; So that it is imagined Wooster and Easton with 200 Men are Taken or fled from Montreal. Their people pass daily through and will not stay, Several Die, in attempting to get over the Lake Frozen to Death, in some places 6, and some 7, lie dead together. The Lake is not passable by Land or Water, nor do I imagine it will be this Winter, before General Carlton clears Canada. No Provincials has passed yet, nor do I believe any body can get to Canada to be feared. In the Spring the Wheel will turn. Things here wear a better face. General Washington wants [126] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 8,000 Men, but they are not to be had. They talk of raising 3,000 Men in Connecticut for Canada — and 2000 Massts. but the people will not turn out for Can- ada. The Multitude would willingly accept of Lord Norths Speech; but are led by bad Heads which begin to Totter. Powder is much wanted, they have it not; I hope Lee's expedition will do more good than hurt, a friend to— Conolly Queen's street May fair Endorsed Copy | No. 7. | In V. A Shuldham | 8 March 1776 Enclosure 8 Copy Intelligence received by persons who may be de- pended upon. Since i8th. Decemr. 1775. 1776 Janry. 4th. Two Brigs fitting out as Privateers from New Haven in the Colony of Connecti- cut, 12 or 14 Guns each. Their Plan was sup- posed to make an Attempt upon the Magazine of Gunpowder at Needham's Fort upon the Island of Barbadoes, which they had Intelli- gence was weakly Guarded. . . . 4th. By two Seamen who deserted from the Row Gallies at Philadelphia, that then there was Six Privateers laying there, that the Reb- els had Sunk seventeen Caissoons in the Chan- nel about Nine Miles below Philadelphia (and had five more ready) in such a form as C1273 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM to make a Serpentine Channel, and that each Caissoon was Armed with very large Iron Spikes, the bigness of a Man's thigh. . . . 8th. By a Letter from Baltimore, there were Two Ships -^f Twenty Guns each, then fitting out as Privateers at that place. . . . 9th. By Letters from Philadelphia about the 2d. of January, Two of the Privateers fell down the Delawar; the rest were to follow as soon as possible. . . . 9th. By a Letter of Authority from the Island of Hispaniola, dated the 23d. of November. The Port of Ocayes, was opened as a free Port by Proclamation for Six Months for the Im- portation of North American Produce; the same Letter also Mentions their expectation of the Arrival of Seven Thousand five hundred French Troops at Cape Francois and the same Number at Martinique, and that there is a great Importation of Ordnance Stores daily coming upon that Island. 1776 Janry. 23d. A Schooner the Master's name Stanbury is to discharge her Cargo of Gun- powder at Egg Harbour or Cape May; Or- dered not to come within Cape Hinlopen for fear of King's Ships. A great many Merchant Ships cleared out from Philadelphia for the West Indies, and many expected in the last of January, or the first Week in February. . . . 23d. Received the disagreeable News that the Ship Blue Mountain Valley loaded with Coals, Porter, &ca. was Seized off Sandy Hook by William Alexander commonly 1:1283 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM called Lord Sterling, he having Arm'd Two Sloops from Elizabeth Town for that pur- pose. Endorsed Copy | No. 8. | In V. A. Shuldham | 8 March 1776 Enclosure 9 [ ORDER OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF NEW YORK FOR THE REMOVAL OF PUBLIC RECORDS ] Copy In Committee of Safety New York February nth. 1776. This Committee observing that the Cannon and Mili- tary Stores on and near the Battery are now under re- moval to other parts of the City, and knowing that this Transaction both in its design and Execution is without the Consent of this Committee and even without their knowledge otherwise than as discovered from the Transaction itself, And as perhaps such a removal may bring on a firing upon the City from the Ships of War in this Port, which may greatly endanger the Publick records of this Colony. This Committee is fully of Opinion that the Publick Records ought to be imme- diately removed to a place of greater safety than that in which they now are; Therefore Ordered that the said Publick Records of this Colony together with Samuel Bayard Junr. Esqr. the Deputy Secretary of this Colony be forthwith Conveyed under a proper Guard of the 1:1293 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Militia of the City of New York to the dwelling house of Nicholas Bayard Esqr. Alderman of the outward of the said City and be there Securely kept under such Guard until further Order of the Provincial Congress of this Colony or of this Committee of Safety. And the said Guard are hereby expressly required to permit the said Samuel Bayard Esqr. to have Continual access to and the direction of the said Records, except that he and every other person be prevented from removing them or any of them from the place where they are hereby Ordered to be deposited until the further Order of the Provincial Congress, or of this Committee. And or- dered that Coll. Lasher be requested to furnish a proper Guard and see this order Executed. And Ordered further that Colonel Lasher fix on such Officers and Company of his Regiment for this and any other Duty that may be directed as he shall think proper and report the same to this Committee. The Committee hereby giving assurance that Provision will be made for the Pay and Subsistance of such Company equal to the Continental Establishment while Contin- ued in Service. A true Copy from the Minutes RoBT. Benson Secy. A true Copy of the Original furnished me by the said Robt. Benson Saml. Bayard Junr. Endorsed Copy | No. 9 | In V. A. Shuldham | 8 Mar. 1776 C130II DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure lo Copy Private Intelligence from Philadelphia 13th. Feby. 1776. 1776 January 8th. Forty Ton of Salt Petre Arrived from Saint Croix. 17 Fleet saild to Reedy Island and Seventy Hands arrived, from Rhode Island to help them. 20 Twenty two of the Cheveaux de frizes drove by the Ice from their Moorings. — Eighty hands more for— February 12th. Fleet sailed in the Morning under old Hopkins from Reedy Island, destination a Secret. Four Frigates on the Stocks, the Keels 140, 136, 124 and 120 Feet— to carry they say from 36 Guns to 28 Do. but not quite Certain — A Guard Ship on the Stocks of 18 Guns, to be launched in about three Weeks, to be Sta- tioned just below the Cheveaux de f rize. The Deserters that are here would very willingly return to their Duty, if they were sure of a Pardon, and could be informed when they would be received; and it is believed would bring many with them. Endorsed Copy | No. 10. | In V. A. Shuldham | 8 March 1776. D3O DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure ii Copy Wages ordered by the New York Provincial Con- gress, to be given for Seamen, to Man the Privateers at Philadelphia. Gunner ^r. Month ... 15 Dollars Gunner's Mate . . Do 10^ Do. Boatswain Do 15 Do. Boatswain's Mate . Do gy^ Do. Boatswain's 2d. Mate Do 8 Do. Able Seamen . . . Do 6^ Do. Endorsed Copy | Wages Order'd by the New York | Provincial Congress to be given | for Seamen to Man the Privateers.— | No. 11. | In V. A. Shuldham | 8 March 1776 Enclosure B [ CAPTAIN WALLACE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy, _ Rose, Rhode Island Febry 28th,= i776. Sir, A Vessel from Captain Parker at York arrived here in her way to Boston, by which opportunity I acknow- ledge the receipt of Letters and Orders of the ist. In- DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM stant, His Majesty's Vessels here, are Employed Cruizing about the Bay and sometimes making De- scents harrassing the Rebels as much as possible, they have abandoned the Island of Prudence to Us, and I expect the Island of Connanicut every day, what Hay and Stock they can't take away with them they burn and destroy they are making New levies. New Laws, every one who does not take a Test to join them, they dis- posses of their Houses, and send them Prisoners into the back Country, some that have escaped on board His Majesty's Ship, acquaint me that several of the Inhabi- tants are exceedingly tired of the War, wishes for Troops to arrive, that they may join them, it seems their Policy, to Distress the Country and the People in Order to leave them no alternative but entering into the Rebel- lion. We have found the Transport so necessary for our Wounded Men, that I could not conveniently send her, they are near recovered, and I flatter myself I shall soon send her loaded. I beg leave to observe, by the Weekly Return we run short of some Articles of Pro- visions, not to be got here. Indeed Fresh Beef and Greens &ca. Market stufif is all we do get. In some former Letters I mentioned to Admiral Graves the situ- ation of the Towns about here, and my reasons for not destroying them, it would be a great satisfaction to know you sentiments upon that head, it has been my Opinion some time, that a small additional Land Force tack'd to the Squadron would secure this Post, and ob- lige them to keep a greater Number of Men to guard the Coast along the Sound, harrass, and do them great Injury and oblige them to give up all the Islands to us. — Lee has been sometime at York. — Hopkins is Sailed with the Philadelphia Fleet.— The Continental Con- D33] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM gress has Voted themselves perpetual, so says report, our Intelligence is not much to be depended upon they keep so strict a look out. — Inclosed is the State and Con- dition of His Majesty's Ships. — I have the honor to be Your most humble and Most Obedient Servant James Wallace Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Adml. &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from Captn. | Wallace to Rear Admiral | Shuldham, dated, Rose, | Rhode Island 28th. Feby. 1776— | In Vice Admiral | Shuldham's Lre I of the 8 March I B Enclosure C [ CAPTAIN TALBOT TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Niger at Sea, 3d. March 1776. Sir, If Mr. Dawson has not already informed You, I am now to convey to you the disagreeable News, that the Friendship which Sailed lately from Boston for New York was cast away about 4 o'Clock in the Morning of last Friday Three Leagues to the Southward of Cape Cod— My first sight of her as I was standing towards the Land, was about 1 1 the same day, and appeared to be at an Anchor in a dangerous Situation on the open Coast, on my nearer approach I found she was high and dry on Shore; it blew Violently at NWt. by which C134II DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM means it prevented any commtinication between us; at 8 the same Evening I got round to the Northward of the Cape, came to an Anchor off the Coast and fired a Gun, as I knew there was then but a Neck of Land about Two Miles between me and the Wreck; I then expected to have got her Crew on board, but all to no purpose, it blew so Violently that Night and all the next day;— The Pilot of her is the only Person secreted from the Rebels, he was conveyed on board the Hope Brig, and Mr. Dawson has I believe been prevented putting him on board You agreeable to my directions, by He and Lieutenant Brown Chasing two Schooners to the Southward of Cape Cod. I am, Sir &ca. Geo : Talbot. Rear Admiral Shuldham Commander in Chief &ca. &ca. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Captain Talbot of His Majs. I Ship Niger to Rear | Admiral Shuldham, | relative to the loss of | the Friendship Transport. | dated 3d. March 1776. | In Vice Admiral | Shuldham's Lre | of the 8 March I C. D353 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 14th. March. 1776 Sir Sir Stanier Porten, Secretary to Lord Weymouth, having transmitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a Letter giving Intelligence of two Vessels being lately sailed from Bourdeaux to America, laden with Powder, and Ammunition, and that another is at the same place taking in the like Lading, and will soon sail for for America, I am commanded by their Lord- ships to send you the inclosed Copy of the said Letter for your information. And am &ca. Geo: Jackson DS Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston By the Greyhound— sent to Cork 16 Mar Duplicate sent 29 March To Mr. Pownall [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ^ ] 14th. Mar: 1776 Sir My Lords Commissioners of the Admty having re- ceived an Extract of a Letter from Nantes giving Intel- ligence that there was an American Vessel in that Port, ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out- Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 267. 2 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 267. [1363 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM and that there were several in other Ports of France, in search of Ammunition; I am commanded by their Lordships to send you the inclosed Copy thereof for your information And am &ca. Geo Jackson DS Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston in North America By the Greyhound sent to Cork i6 Mar. Duplicate sent 29 March— To Mr. Pownall [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham King Road, Boston Harbour 17th. March 1776. Sir, [Since my last to you of the 8th., the Fleet and Army have been busily Employed in Embarking the Ord- nance and other Stores belonging to the King, in which the Rebels have given us little or no interruption, tho' their Cannon and Mortars have not been totally unem- ployed, and this Morning the Embarkation of the Troops was completed without the loss of a Man, and the Transports proceeded to, and Anchored at this U^^place,] but I find a Considerable Quantity of Ordnance and other Stores are rendered useless, and left behind by the Army for want of time, as well as Shipping to carry it away, tho' the Troops are allowed but one Ton a Man in the Transports, and the extreme want of Pro- visions will not allow us to wait, I have therefore Ap- propriated a Transport (the Francis) to take on board DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM all the Naval Stores I could collect, which the Adven- ture Storeship could not contain, and have the pleasure to inform you as little will be lost in our Department as could be expected in so Sudden and unprepared for an event; I have also appropriated the Richmond Trans- port to the use of an Hospital Ship, 'till the Arrival of one from England for that Service. Of the Ships taken up by the Commissioners of the Victualling, a List of which you transmitted to Vice Admiral Graves, accompanying your Letter of the 28th. of September those in the Margin (Resolution, Layton, Manners, Killingworth)^ are not arrived, nor have any Account of them, by which Disappointment and the Necessity I have been under of Supplying the Army, there is but a small Quantity of any Provisions remain- ing, especially Beef and Pork proportionate to the Squadron, as you will please to observe by the Agent /Victuallers Account of Remains accompanying this. Nantasket Road at the Entrance of this Harbour being at too great a distance for my observation of the Occurrences constantly passing there, I Ordered Cap- tain Banks of the Renown to Superintend and Com- f mand the Necessary Duty at that place, and as he is the Senior Captain at present under my Command and an Active Officer, to hoist and wear a Distinguishing Pen- dant, except in the presence of a Senior Captain. I informed you in my Letter of the 26th. past of the number of small Vessels detained at this Port by Order of Vice Admiral Graves, several of which, that I could refit and Man, I have taken with me, and the others, either Sunk or destroyed, to prevent their being of use 1 These vessels were driven out of their course to Antigua, whence they were to sail, under convoy, early in March. D38] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM to the Rebels, among which are two Vessels of Three hundred Tons belonging to the Notorious Rebel Han- cock, which were upon the Stocks. As the Chatham and Centurion drew too much Water to be moved from their Station before the Town, except with a particular Wind, and at a Critical time of tide, as soon as our retreat was determined on, I ordered their Captains to take the first favorable opportunity of moving those Ships down to King Road, and Ordered Captain Montagu in the Fowey up to Boston to Defend the Embarkation of the Troops and Transports, and Cover the retreat, which he has done with the greatest propriety and Officer-like Conduct; Captain Raynor had the Command and Regulation of the Embarkation on Shore, in which He, and the Officers under him, acquitted themselves with equal Propriety, and in the disposition formed in concert with the General, shewed themselves Active, Attentive, and Intelligent Officers; JI have the pleasure to acquaint you that the greatest Unanimity and Harmony subsists between His Maj- esty's Fleet and Army, each party endeavouring to emulate each other in giving the strongest proofs of their Zeal and forwardness in the Discharge of their mutual trust and duty to His Majesty and the impor- tant Cause we are Engaged in. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed ij March 1776 j Vice Adml. Shuldham | R 2 May I (i Inclosure) D39!] DESPATCHES OF MOLVNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIR.AL SHULDHAM^ ] I9h March 1776 Sir My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having directed the Navy Board by their order of the 6h. In- stant to cause a proper assortment of Stores to be pro- vided for the Ships intended to be employed this Year in America of the several Classes mentioned on the other side hereof, And to get them in readiness to sail with Convoy from Spithead as soon as possible: Also to send out to America a set of Careening Geer tit for Ships of 50 Guns, in two different Ships, to be used where the Commanding Officers for the time being shall direct, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you herewith. Their Lordships also direct me to ace]uaint you that the Levant Victualler (which was intended to have sailed with Sir Peter Parker, but prevented by spring- ing a Leak) is now ordered to proceed under Convoy of the Greyhound to join the Fleet under your Command, the Provisions on board being to be made use of in addi- tion to the other Measures taken for supplying the same. I am &c Geo: Jacksox D: S: Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston in North America— By the Canceaux Duplicate sent to Mr. Pownall 29h March ^ Admiralty Records. Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551. p. 304. C140] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Ships Guns I of 64 7 50 3 44 ^5 32 J 2 28 7 24 & 20 16 Sloops 2 Bombs I Fireship I Hospital Ship 12 Schooners & Armed Ships [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Vice Adml. Lord Shuldham's Letter dated 23 March 1776. Nantasket Road Boston 23d. March 1776. Sir, [I acquainted you in my last of the 17th. instant of His Majesty's Troops being safely Embarked, and the Transports Anchored in King Road, from whence, as fast as they were Watered and ready for Sea they pro- ceeded to this place; where they are all collected and will proceed by the first opportunity of Wind and Weather under Convoy of the Ships in the Margin (Chatham, Centurion, Lively, Kingfisher Sloop, Tryal & Dispatch, Schooners), to Halifax; I have Ordered Captain Banks of the Renown to take under his Com- DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM mand such other of the small Cruizers as I can spare from this Service, and employ them Cruizing before this Port and in the track of such Vessels, as may be bound here with Supplies, and to see them in safety to Halifax, where I shall hope to receive their Lordships further directions; except the Operations of the Army make it necessary for me to move from that place, of which you shall have the earliest information.] The Princess Augusta Victualling Sloop Arriving yesterday, brought me your three Letters directed to Vice Admiral Graves of the 21st. November, One Sig- nifying His Majestys Bounty in the Disposal of that Vessel's Cargo of Sour Krout for the use of the Fleet, and the other Two Containing Intelligence of the Destination of Vessels from Philadelphia, which I shall pay proper regard to. His Majesty's Sloop Kingsfisher having Arrived yes- terday from Virginia, I send you Extract of Captain Hamond's Letter and some Intelligence accompanying /it, together with Copies of Letters lately received from //Mr. Arbuthnot and Governor Legge, and an Account /of a Vessel taken by Captain Graeme of the King's-fisher laden with Gunpowder, Salt Petre, and Sulphur from Port L'Orient, the Master and Mate of which, both Irish, I shall send to England as Prisoners, by the first safe Conveyance. Captain Hamond having Acquainted me that the Liverpool had Arrived at Virginia without a Second Lieutenant, I have Appointed Mr. Richard Boger to fill up that Vacancy, and sent his Commission to Cap- tain Hamond. / I likewise transmit to you the State and Condition of such part of the Squadron as has yet come to hand since [142] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM //the Command devolved on me, With the Disposition of it, and a List of the Appointment of Officers. I am | Sir Your most Obedient Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. P.S. By the next Conveyance I hope to be able to transmit to you, a List of such Seizures of the Rebel Vessels as have been made by the Cruizers, since the Command of His Majesty's Ships devolving upon me, Amounting to about Nine Sail at this port. Endorsed Vice Adml. Shuldham | R 2 May | (7 In- closures) Enclosure A Extract of a Letter from Captain Hamond to Rear Admiral Shuldham, dated Roebuck at Virginia the 3d March 1776. Sir, By His Majesty's Ship the Mercury which arrived here the 17th. of last Month, I had the honor to receive your Orders respecting the River Delaware, and you may depend. Sir, that I will do my utmost to execute them : I confess, however that, I am of Opinion, as the River is now become rather formidable, a much larger force is necessary for that Service, than I am Able to carry thither from hence. I have only here the Liverpool, ill Manned and DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Sickly, the Otter in as bad a State, And the King's fisher Sloop : One Ship at least must be left at Norfolk to pro- tect the Governor and the Fleet there, and not less than Two can properly guard the Mouth of the Chesepeak bay. In my Judgment, Sir, not less than three or four Ships of good force with a small one to Cruize off the Capes Can promise much Success in opening the passage up so narrow a River, which the Rebels have employed their whole Art and Industry for this Year past to block up. I understand those Chevaux de Frizes which the Rebels have Sunk, have at least forty or fifty Tons of Ballast in them, which I conceive will be very difficult to raise, especially as they are protected by Batteries on the Jersey shore and the Armed Craft in the River: Therefore, Sir, if you should think proper to Send more Ships as I hope you will, I should be glad to have a few Howitzers or Cohorns which will certainly be of great Service. I must also take the liberty of Saying that as Philadelphia is now an object of great consequence, I really think, if any Troops can be Spared, Two or three hundred Men to land Occasionally on each side of the River would be a great Assistance to the Expedition. P.S. of a Private Letter from Captain Hamond, dated the 6th. March 1776.— "We have just received an Account that the Rebels "have met with a most total overthrow in North Caro- "lina." Endorsed Extract of a Letter from | Captain Hamond to Rear | Admiral Shuldham | dated Roebuck at Vir- ginia ! the 3d. March 1776.— | In V. A. Shuldham's \ of the 23 Mar. | i. D44II DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B [ COMMISSIONER ARBUTHNOT TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy Halifax 15th. February 1776. Sir, Yesterday a Corporal belonging to the 65th. Regi- ment arrived here express from Cumberland and brought an Account addressed to Brigadier General Massey from Lieutenant Barron of the King's Regi- ment, lately wounded at Boston; and Obtained General Howe's leave to pass the Winter with his Father who lives at that place. He says that Cumberland and its Neighbourhood have formed themselves into a Committee, the same as the other Rebellious Meetings, in which they are joined by the Acadians, and the Majority of the Country peo- ple in general thereabout; for what they Call the preservation of Liberty. They have resolved, to kill all the Bullocks, that re- main in those parts, which have been purchased for the use of the Army and salt them for the Subsistence of the Rebels, by whom they say they are to be joined as soon as the Season breaks. I have not the smallest doubt but the Rebels intend to make an Attempt upon this Province, the moment the Weather will permit, and I am no less confident that they have the hearts and good Wishes for Success, of by much the Major part of the People; under those Cir- cumstances, I should presume it becomes a Serious con- sideration, how this Province is to be preserved; (with DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM its present force :) I pronounce it impossible, barely five hundred fit for Duty at this moment out of Nine hun- dred Men upon Paper, as I hear. The Cerberus, alongside the Wharf for to be cleaned, the Orpheus's Masts I hope to get in the beginning of the Week, and shall lose no time in refitting her; and you may rest Assured that we will not be Surprised with the Cerberus dismantled, because, we will soon get her Guns in and put her in a State of defence, but what then! two Frigates commanded by all the Heights about this place. The Yard has had a Scaffolding erected round the Walls for Men to stand upon to fire over, but where are they? I have a Lieutenant and thirty Marines which Captain Le Cras left behind, by Order of Vice Admiral Graves; this is all I can reckon upon for I am Sure Brigadier Massey can spare none, neither will the State of the Frigates admit of any Assistance of consequence. I hope you will therefore excuse my repeating my Opinion, that Two, two Deck Ships are much wanted, for the defence of this place; And if the Nature of the Service is such that no Addition to our force can be spared; I mean to put the Stores at present in the Yard, into such Transports and Vessels as I can find, for their Security; which I hope you approve of. I could wish also, Sir, that you will procure a Vessel, for the business of my Sending you the earliest Account of our State; if you have none, here is a small Schooner, belonging to Captain Maltby, which can be purchased for loo pounds that will do, as I am told she sails well. I must likewise pray you will Order, a list of the Ships you mean to have Cleaned this Spring, that I may prepare for them. D463 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM You will find in a Letter to Admiral Graves a remark respecting Messrs. Grant issuing broken Species, such as Pork, Flour, &ca. and the rest are to be supplied out of the Fortitude Transport, by which you will perceive by the State of the said Ship herewith inclosed, that she has no more than Nine Puncheons of Beef left, and therefore I must request that you will Order a Supply of Beef to this place, or cause the Ships to be Victualled before they leave you ; for I cannot answer the Demand of the two Frigates at this place, when you may have commands for them. I am with the greatest Deference. Sir, Your most Obedient and most humble Servant Mt. Arbuthnot Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels North America. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from | Mariot Arbuthnot Esqr. I to R. A. Shuldham | dated Halifax 15th. Feby. 1776.— I In V. A. Shuldhams | of 23 March | 2 Enclosure C [ GOVERNOR LEGGE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy. Halifax 25th. February 1776.— Sir, I take the first opportunity that offers to inform you, that by advices I received some time since from Cum- [1473 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM berland, the People there, have got intelligence, that Canada is in the hands of the Rebels, and that they pro- pose, an attempt from thence on this Province, early in the Spring, By the Bay of Verte, this has thrown the people of that Country into great confusion, from which it is apprehended, that the greatest part of those Inhabitants, who were originally from the Colonies, will at least remain Neuter, if they do not Join them, I have laid these matters before the Council, and shall transmit to General Howe, their Results thereupon. I thought it my Duty to give you the Earliest Notice, that proper steps might be taken to prevent, if possible a Descent on this Province, from that Quarter, which unless opposed, they might easily effect, if they are in possession of Quebec, they will thereby, have in their hands a Frigate, a Sloop of War, and the Gaspee Brig, and therefore will require a considerable Naval Force to oppose them: I apprehend they will not be able to leave Quebec, till the first of May unless there should be an early Spring, the Navigation of the Gulph is free about a fortnight before the River of Canada is open, and as the places of Descent must be either in the Bay of Verte, Tatamagouch, or Pictou Harbour, a Course of Shore about twenty Leagues. Ships Stationed be- tween St. John's Island, and that part of this Country, would effectually prevent it. How certain this Intelligence may be I am not suffi- ciently Authorized to Affirm, but from the proceedings of the People at Cumberland, their having their Con- gresses, and meetings to consult upon the measures they shall pursue, gives it the greatest Air of Truth. Captain Barry, my Secretary, who will have the honor to deliver you this, from his Situation here is well DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM enabled to give any further information in this, or any other respect, relative to the Province, that you may think necessary to require. I am with great respect. Sir, &ca. Signed, Frans. Legge. Admiral Shuldham. Endorsed Copy of a Letter from His | Excellency Govr. Legge to I Rear Admiral Shuldham, | dated Halifax 25th. Febry 1776.— | In Vice Adml. Shuldham's | of 23 March | 3. [149] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure D An Account of Ships & Vessels Seized or Taken by His between the 23 d. Feby. When Seized Where Name of the From Whence Where or Taken Bound Vessels Masters Owners 1776 Off the Capes John Pringle Waterford 28th Feby. of Philadelphia Juno Wm. Keith and Wm. Keith last from Ft. L'Orient Philadelphia Copy Endorsed Copy | Account of a Vessel Seized | by Captain Petre, and | Sulpher, from Port L'Orient | bound to 4- ^ DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Majestys Sloop King's Fisher Alexr. Graeme Esqr. Commander and the 23d. March 1776.— Lading To what Port Sent Respecting the Crew & Passengers Names Qualities Where Born Intelligence Gunpowder Salt Petre & Sulpher Norfolk Virginia Wm. Keith Robt. Cunningham Hugh Johnston Thos. Pringle Thos. George John Dennis Edwd. Corran Wm. Richmond Danl. McCartney John Sinclair Danl. McMichael Master Mate Seaman Do. Do. Do. Do. Boy Seaman Boy Do. Ireland Do. Philadelphia Ireland England Hungary Ireland Do. Do. Scotland Philadelphia Graeme of the Philadelphia | King's F [n V. A. S isher, laden with | Gi )huldhams | of the 23 inpowder, March [ I Signed A Salt exr. Graeme Enclosure E Dis position of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North America Rate Ships Commanders 4th Chatham | Real Admiral Shuldham j Capt. John Raynor 3 Renown Centurion " Frans. Banks " Richd. Brathwaite 6th Lively " Thos. Bishop 5th Niger " Geo. Talbot 6th Fowey " Geo. Montagu Sloop Savage " Hugh Bromedge ■ At Boston (( Nautilus " John Collins (( Kings fisher " Alexr. Graeme, Actg. Brig Diligent Lieut. Edmd. Dod Store ship Adventure " John Hallum Brig Hope " Geo. Dawson Schooner Tryal " John Brown (< Dispatch " John Goodridge 6th Rose Capt. James Wallace -.._--- " Glasgow " Tyrm. Howe ► At Rhode Sloop Swan " Jas. Ayscough Brig Bolton Lieut. Edwd. Sneyd 5th Phoenix Capt. Hyde Parker [ At New 3d Asia " Geo. Vandeput . Sloop Viper " Saml. Graves, Actg. Supposed to late Intelli- 5tl 1 Roebuck " A. S. Hamond 6tl 1 Liverpool " Heny. Bellew l At Vir- Sloop Otter " Mattw. Squire [152] - under the Command of Rear Admiral Shuldham. Disposition In Nantasket Road, j^njler Orders to proceed with a Fleet of Transports to (Halifax. ■Q _ _ I Under Orders to Cruize and Rendezvous occasionally in Nan- (tasket Road, and Boston Bay. [Ordered to accompany and protect the Fleet of Transports to Do. " " '1 Halifax, and then to return, and put himself under the com- [mand of Capt. Banks. P)^ S Ordered to accompany and protect the Fleet of Transports to /^°; ■ " '"^ Halifax. Cruizing in Boston Bay under the Command of Capt. Banks. f Under Orders to proceed with those Transports which are In Nantasket Road, ready to Halifax, and then to return and put himself under I the Command of Capt. Banks. T~) _ _ ) Ordered to New York under the Command of Capt. ^Parker. f Ordered to Rhode Island with Dispatches (to be sent to the Do. " ■ ■ 1 Southward by the Glasgow) and from thence to proceed to the Island Bermuda. T^ S Ordered to Accompany and protect the Fleet of Transports to ^°- ■ " '^Halifax. Y) j Ordered to proceed with the Fowey, to accompany and protect ^ the Fleet of Transports to Halifax. Do. - - - Ordered to accompany the Convoy to Halifax. Cruizing in Boston Bay, under the Command of Capt. Banks. In Nantasket Road 1/-wjj^ j ...ut-i r^ I Ordered to accompany and protect the Fleet of Transports to Do. J ^^^'^^^- - - - Ordered to Halifax to refit. ■ - - Ordered to the Southwd. with Dispatches and to remain at Virginia. Island — ■ - - -1 Ordered to Cruize between the Latitudes of 42. .OO and 43. .20 N. and ^Longitude of St. Georges Bank And to be under the Command of Capt. J York. 36 blown off the Coast when on her passage to New York, and by ^ence Arrived at Antigua. gmia. - Banks at Nantasket. DS33 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Rate Ships Commanders Sloop Cruizer Capt. Frans. Parry (( Scorpion " Honble. John ToUemache 6 Mercury " James Montagu Sloop Falcon " John Linzee (( Tamer " Edwd. Thornbrough 6th Scarborough " Andw. Barkley Sloop Raven " John Stanhope Schooner St. Lawrence Lt. John Graves (< Hinchinbrook " Alexr. Ellis (< St. John " Willm. Grant Arm'd Ship Cherokee " John Ferguson Sloop Merlin Capt. Wm, Chair. Burnaby C( Senegal " Wm. Duddingston 5th Orpheus " Chas. Hudson 6 Cerberus " John Symons Schooner Halifax Lieut. Wm. Quarme 6th Lizard Capt. Wm. Hamilton Sloop Hunter " Thos. Mackenzie Brig Gaspee Lt. Willm. Hunter Chatham in Nantasket Road, Endorsed In V. A. Shuldham's | Letter of 23, D543 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Disposition Ordd. to Boston this Spring by V. A. Graves. ^At North Carolina. supposed to be Cruizing off Cape Fear with General Clinton )n board and three Transport with Troops under her Convoy. Supposed to be Cruizing off Cape Fear. \t South Carolina. Ordered to Boston this Spring by Vice Adml. Graves. Supposed to be at Savannah, \.t St. Augustine. Ordered to Boston this Spring by Vice Adml. Graves. Jailed with the Scarborough to relieve the St. Lawrence. \t the Bahama Islands. supposed to be Surveying the Southern Coast. \t Annapolis Royal Vt Liverpool -At Halifax refitting -Nova Scotia. At Quebec. Lieut. Hunter and part of the Crew taken Prisoners (by the Rebels) at the Island St. John. Boston 22d. March 1776. Vlarch | 1776 | 6. M : Shuldham CiSS] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 27h March 1776 Sir The Ordnance Board having been made acquainted with your representation in your Letter of the zSh. Janu- ary last of the great scarcity of ordnance small Stores at Halifax for the use of the Fleet, particularly three and four Pound Shot for the small Cruizers ; And they hav- ing in return, by their Letter of the 23d Instant, ac- quainted my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that a Supply of ordnance Stores is already sent to Hali- fax, and that a further supply is getting ready for that purpose, I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith, in further answer to your Let- ter abovementioned I am &c Geo: Jackson D:S. Vice Admiral Shuldham at Boston Sent to Mr. Pownall 29 March Duplicate sent by the Conceaux 19 April ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 352. 1:1563 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Nantasket Road 27th March 1776. Sir, The day following the date of my last Letter which I sent by the Lord Hyde Packet, (Duplicate of which accompany's this) I was joined by the Milford, and Captain Burr delivered to me the Orders and Letters undermentioned, to which I shall pay all due attention. Their Lordships Order of the 6th. of October 1775, to take the Syren under my Command; three Orders of the same Nature respecting the Boreas, Actaeon, and Triton, dated the 20th. October 1775; An Order dated the 2ist. October 1775 to send to Halifax, the Artificers who came out to be employed in the King's Yard there; An Order of the 24th. October 1775 to send the Fore- man to the Smiths, to Halifax with the Artificers; and one to take the Milford under my Command dated 5th. January 1776. Your Letter of the 20th. October 1775, signifying their Lordships direction that I should send the Charm- ing Sally, an Ordnance Store Ship, under a proper Con- voy to Halifax, another dated the 4th. November informing me of their Lordships having directed the Navy Board to send Three hundred Jackets for the use of the Marines serving on board the Ships under my Command; one of the nth. November to acquaint me of Sir Peter Parker's being Ordered to North or South Carolina; another of the same date with four Inclosures of Articles of Intelligence relative to the Rebels Trad- ni573 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM ing to European Ports for Warlike Stores ; two others of the same date inclosing Schedules of Packets for the different Governors; one of the 17th. November ac- quainting me that two Subaltern Marine Officers were Ordered to Boston in the Triton two of the 19th. No- vember one of which inclosed Commissions for Cap- tains Montagu, Graeme, and Graves, the other a Commission for Lieutenant Tyffe of the Marines who is on board the Experiment; From Mr. Jackson, one of the 4th. January 1776 respecting a Ship from Port L' Orient bound to some American Port laden with Salt Petre; another dated the 5th. January to inform me the Men sent to England from Fyal belonging to the Re- nown and Experiment were sent out in the Milford and Grey hound ; one of the 6th. of the same Month convey- ing to me their Lordships pleasure that I should send the Artificers who were to have come out in the Boreas, but now Arrived in the Milford, to Halifax; Five of the 8th. January one of them signifying Sir Peter Parker's being on his passage to Cork, and of some Alterations made respecting the Ships of his Squadron; another to inform me of American Armed Vessels being in the Gulph of St. Lawrence and Canso Bay; one accompanying intelligence from Virginia and Maryland; the two others with the late Acts of Parlia- ment and the King's Proclamation, and Draughts of different parts of the Coast of America; two of the 9th. one of them to signify their Lordships directions to me that such Men as had been taken from the Transports by His Majesty's Ships, should be returned to the Transports from whence they were taken; the other acquainting me of there being sent Marine Treatises, Statutes and Books of Instructions ; and one of the i6th., DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM inclosing a Duplicate Order relative to the Ordnance Stores on the Islands of Bermuda and Providence. I think it necessary to inform you that the Charming Sally laden with Ordnance Stores mentioned in your Letter of the 20th. October 1775 is not yet arrived, and I must likewise acquaint you that the Brownhall which by your Letter of the 20th. September 1775. to Vice Admiral Graves, informs me was Ordered hither with Naval Stores is also not arrived, nor have I had intelli- gence of either of them, I have further to add that the disappointment of the Arrival of these Ships has occa- sioned him a great scarsity of Naval Stores, and that many Species of Ordnance Stores are much wanted by the Fleet, particularly for the small Arm'd Vessels. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 27 March 1776 | Nantasket | Vice Adml. Shuldham | R 6 June | 5 oclock P.M. DS93 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] By&c. Whereas it is intended that Lord Viscount Howe, Vice Admiral of the Blue, shall proceed from Spithead in the course of next Month with a considerable Body of British and Foreign Troops to reinforce the Army under the command of General Howe, and that his Lordship shall take upon him the Chief command of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employ'd, and to be employed, in North America, and co-operate with the General in such Measures as shall be judged proper to be taken to quell the Rebellion which unhappily sub- sists in some of His Majesty's Colonies there; You are hereby required and directed to assemble at Boston such of the Ships and Vessels under your command as can be spared from other necessary Services, and continue with part of them in that Port and to keep others cruizing off that part of the Coast to meet his Lordship, until he arrives, taking care that they be held in constant readi- ness for the Sea ; But if you shall learn that his Lordship instead of going to Boston, as is now intended, shall have proceeded to some other Port in North America, You are to concert with General Howe what part of the Naval Force it might be proper to leave at Boston in case he himself should continue, or should leave any part of the Army there, and proceed with the remainder to join Lord Howe at the Port where you learn he is ; 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Orders and Instruc- tions, vol. lOO, p. 561. ni6o3 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Or, if it should be the General's Intention to proceed with the Troops from Boston to the Port where his Lordship with the abovemention'd Reinforcement shall be, You are, in such case to give all necessary assistance in embarking the Troops, and to convoy the General and then to such Port accordingly. Upon joining Lord Howe you are to deliver to him attested Copies of our Instructions to you, and of such Orders as you shall have received from Us which re- main in the whole, or in any part unexecuted; And to furnish his Lordship with such Information as may be necessary or in any degree useful to him in the execu- tion of the important Service on which he is to be employed; And you are to put yourself under His Lordships command and follow his Orders for your farther proceedings. Given &c. the 29th. March 1776 Sandwich J BULLER LiSBURNE To Molineux Shuldham Esq. Vice Adml. of the Blue & Commr. in Chief of His Majts. Ships & Vessels in North America, at Boston By&c. G.J.D.S. [161] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ^ ] 29h March 1776 Sir Having in obedience to the Commands of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in my Letter of the 8h January last acquainted you with all that was then necessary respecting the Ships under the command of Sir Peter Parker I now do myself the honor to inform you that Sir Peter Parker put to Sea from Cork with the Ships and Transports under his Convoy on the i2h. day of the last Month but after being six days at Sea was met by bad weather which seperated him from part of his Convoy— Such of these as have put into Ports in England have been refitted and ordered to as- semble at Plymouth, and they are now waiting to pro- ceed under convoy of the Ranger which will put to Sea the moment the wind is favorable. The Greyhound has been under Orders some time to join you, and is now on her way to Cork where she will take a Convoy of Victuallers and others and her Cap- tain on his arrival at Boston is ordered to put himself under your Command and follow your directions for his further proceedings. Besides this Ship there have sailed the Iris and Triton for the River St. Lawrence and with them two large Ships named in the Margin with Lieutenants to command them, (Lord Howe— Lieut. Pringle, Bute- Lieut. Parrey) which last mentioned Ships after land- 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, P- 358. C1623 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM ing the Troops they have on board are to be fitted as armed Ships and put on the establishment of Sloops, and the said Lieutenants are then to take upon them the command as such ; having Commissions from their Lordships appointing them thereto. These four Ships have taken in Troops intended for the relief of Quebeck, and have Orders to use their ut- most endeavours to that end, and to remain at Quebeck or in the River St. Lawrence til they shall receive direc- tions from you or the Commanding Officer of the Squadron in North America whose Command they are then to put themselves under. Having obeyed their Lordships commands in these particulars you will I hope believe that I am &c. Geo. Jackson D : S. Vice Admiral Shuldham at Boston Sent to Mr. Pownall zgh March Duplicate sent by the Canceaux 19 April [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] I St. April 1776 Sir Mr. Robinson, Secretary of the Treasury, having transmitted to my Lords Commissioners of the Ad- miralty a Letter from Mr. Stanley, Secretary of the Customs dated the 26 past, accompanied by an Extract 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, P- 381. D633 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM of one from Mr. Kelly of the Active Cutter in that Service dated z^h. past, respecting a Philadelphia Brig then at Dunkirk which had taken on board between 30 and 40 Tons of Shot, and were to receive Gunpowder expected from Holland, which Ship was to clear out for Ireland, but her real destination is for North America; I am commanded by their Lordships to send you the inclosed Copies of the said Letters, for your informa- tion. I am &c Geo. Jackson D : S : Vice Admiral Shuldham At Boston— By the Canceaux. 18 Apr [ GEORGE JACKSON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 3rd. April 1776 Sir My Lords Commissioners of the Admty having re- ceived a Paper of intelligence dated Hague March 26th. 1776 of three Ships having a Quantity of Gun- powder on board which it is said are intended to be conveyed to North America I am commanded by their Lordships to send you herewith a Copy thereof for your information. I am &ca. G Jackson DS Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston By the Canceaux 18 Apr. 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 388. D643 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour i6th April 1776. Sir, I am to inform you that His Majesty's Sloop Viper belonging to the Squadron under my Command which had been blown ofif the Coast and forced to bear away to the West Indies, arrived here yesterday from An- tigua; and the Hawke Sloop having lost her Masts and forced to that Island by stress of Weather, Admiral Young^ has transmitted to me the Dispatches which were to have been brought out in her; but as Duplicates of those Orders and Letters have been already received and acknowledged, I omit particularizing them. The Packets for several of the Southern Governors, as mentioned in Captain Cooper of the Hawke's Order, (a Schedule of which is therein inclosed) I have also received, and shall forward them by the first Oppor- tunity. Admiral Young having transmitted to me an Account of such Ships and Vessels as were destined to America, and had been driven to Antigua I have the pleasure to inform you that the Layton, Killingworth, Resolution, and Manners, Victuallers are among the number, with several other Ships laden with Coals, Porter, Vege- tables &ca. The Layton is Arrived here with the Viper, and the others Admiral Young informed me would be ready to Sail from thence by the first of ^ James Young, Admiral of the Red and Commander-in-Chief on the Leeward Islands Station, April, 1775-July, 1778. 1:1653 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM March, and would come under Convoy of the Experi- ment, which Ship has also been forced to Antigua. I have the further pleasure of acquainting you, that the Albion, on board which Ship you inform me by your Letter of the 21st. November were Vegitables for the use of the Fleet, is among those, of which I have received information from Admiral Young. I am Sir Your Most Obedient Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 16 Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham | R 6 June [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour i6th April 1776. Sir, I am to inform you that pursuant to their Lordships directions to me, I have Ordered the Nautilus to Ber- muda for the protection of His Majesty's Stores on that Island. The Saint-John Armed Schooner has been for a considerable time at the Island of Providence, but as I am informed by Lieutenant Grant who Commands her, that she is very much out of repair and in want of Stores, I intend to relieve him as soon as it is in my power; But as the safeguard and protection of the Store [166] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Ships and Victuallers which are hourly and impatiently expected upon the Coast, is an object of so great im- portance, it is impossible for me at present to dispense with the want of any one of the few Cruizers I have for that purpose; and I must further add that the Milford is the only Ship which has joined me from England since this Command has devolved upon me, except the Orpheus which I found here, and not yet ready for Sea, so that I have not Ships to appropriate to the various Services that demand my attention. Captain Banks in the Renown remains in Nantasket Road, and has the Command of the Cruizers in Boston Bay, to intercept and send to this place the Ships with the Supplies Or- dered to Boston, and which will consequently be ig- norant of the removal of the Fleet and Army. You having by your Letter of the nth. November communicated to me their Lordships desire that I should send a Reinforcement to Sir Peter Parker; in answer thereto I am to acquaint you, the Experiment which you mention, having been drove to the West Indies is not yet arrived, but is daily expected, and I have left with Captain Banks Orders for her to proceed immediately on her Arrival upon that Service, and it is my intention agreable to their Lordships recommenda- tion, to send another Ship to him as soon as the Arrival of the Victuallers and Storeships will permit me to alter the present disposition of the Squadron. Mr. Jackson by his Letter of the 8th. January inform- ing me of several American Armed Vessels Cruizing in the Bay of Canso, and one in the Gulph of St. Law- rence, I have to acquaint you that I have not as yet been able to send a Ship to either of these places, but I intend the Orpheus for that Service, the moment she can be n'673 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM got ready, and I mean to send another as soon as it may be in my power. Their Lordships will observe by the State and Con- dition of the several Ships sent herewith, how much short of Complement some of them are; and they will be pleased to consider the impossibility of Supplying in this Country the losses Sustained by Deaths and Deser- tion, the total cessation of commerce, rendering Press Warrants very ineffectual for that purpose. I am I Sir | Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Endorsed i6 Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham \ R 6 June [VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour i6th. April 1776. Sir, I am to inform you that I left Nantasket Road on the 27th. March with the Centurion, Lively, and Tryal Armed Schooner, the Transports with the Troops and other Vessels, and that the whole Fleet arrived at this place on the 2d. April; and I have much satisfaction in acquainting you that not the least accident or loss hap- pened during the passage. Captain Hamond of the Roebuck having by his Let- ter of the 3d. March (an Extract of which I sent you with my last) acquainted me that the Liverpool and Otter were in want of sundry Stores, and short of Pro- [168: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM visions, I have sent a Supply for them by the Fowey, and have Ordered Captain Montagu to continue under the direction of Captain Hamond; I have also added the Glasgow to the Ships under his Command, so that with the Force he will now have, I hope he may be able to effect some, if not all the Services in the Delaware, pur- suant to their Lordships directions. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant— M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed K 6 June [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour 17th. April 1776. Sir, I have the pleasure to acquaint you I have received information that the Brownhall, laden with Naval Stores, and destined to this place, is safe at Antigua, where she is said to have arrived the 13th. of February last, and I hope this Ship may be ready to avail herself of the Convoy of the Experiment. [The arrival of that Ship will be a very seasonable Supply to us, although I fear by no means adequate to our wants; for I must beg their Lordships to consider, that added to the Demands from the numerous Squad- ron under my Command, I have many applications DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM from the Transports for Pitch Tar and Sundry Articles of Naval Stores, which cannot be by any means Pur- chased in this Country; and as the good Condition of these Ships (which already amount to a very great num- ber and must necessarily be more) is of the greatest consequence to His Majesty's Service, the method by which they may be Supplied deserves the most serious Consideration.] I am | Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed ij Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham | R 6 June [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM' ] 1 8th. April 1776 Sir Inclosed you will please to receive a Duplicate of a Letter of the 29th. of Last month wherein you are in- formed of every thing which at that time occurr'd to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty necessary for your information, in addition to what were con- tained in other Letters & Orders forwarded by the same conveyance. ^ Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 457- D703 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM In the aforesaid Letter mention is made of the Ranger being appointed to convoy the Stragglers from Sir Peter Parkers Fleet; I am now to acquaint you that the said sloop sailed from Plymouth, on the 28th. of Last month, with the ships mentioned in the inclosed List marked A and that by Letters from Captn. Dick- son of the Greyhound, also mentioned in the aforesaid Letter, My Lords are informed she sail'd from Cork, on the 5th. inst, having a Convoy consisting of four Ord- nance Storeships, five Army Victuallers and the Levant with provisions for the use of the Seamen in the Fleet under your command, the Names of which are men- tioned in the List B. This last Ship was originally meant to have accompanied the Ships which sailed with Sir Peter Parker, but not arriving at Cork in time, and from other circumstances, their Lordships have found it most advisable to send her to Boston, and they leave it to your discretion to send her or any other Victualler to join Sir Peter as you shall see fit, observing that from this deviation of the Orders to the Servant, the Ships under his command have no other supplies than the provisions each ship carried from England. In addition to the Ships & Troops which you have been acquainted had sailed for the relief of Quebec; there have also sailed for the same place two convoy's One from Plymouth on the 7th. inst consisting of the Juno & Blonde with Transports carrying a Body of Brunswick & Hanau Troops whose numbers are about 3,000 Men, and the 21st. Regiment: & they likewise give Convoy to several Ordnance Storeships, the Names of all which Transports and Storeships are in the List C. The other Convoy sail'd from Cork on the 8th. instt. & consists of the Carysfort & Pearl with Trans- DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM ports having on board seven Battalions of British Troops whose names are in the List D. Some other Vessels which were intended to have joined the Convoy from Plymouth, but could not be got ready in time, are now collecting & so soon as they are all at Plymouth will proceed to Quebec under Convoy of the Tartar, their Names you will find in the List E. The Captains of the Carysfort & Pearl, Juno and Blonde have the same Orders as were given to the Cap- tains of the Isis & Triton, which are to remain at Quebec til' they receive directions from you, & then to follow such Orders as you may think fit to give them for their further Proceedings : The Tartar will proceed under the like Orders. There are two Highland Regiments consisting of 3,500 Men under Orders to be embark'd in the River Clyde & to join the Army under the Command of Gen- eral Howe; The Transports appointed to carry them are now in the Clyde, ready to take the Troops on board, and the Flora in on the Way thither to take them under Convoy, and proceed to join General Howe's Army accordingly; and having so done her Captain is directed to put himself under your Command. Since the appointment of Lord Viscount Howe to the Chief Command of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels in North America, My Lords have thought it necessary to Order Captn. Hotham to proceed thither in the Pres- ton, with a distinguishing Pendant & with a Captn. under him ; And I am to inform you the Eagle in which Lord Howe will hoist his Flag as well as the Preston are now at Spithead & ready to put to Sea. But those Ships with the Emerald Brune & Repulse, The Jersey Hospital Ship, Strombolo Fireship & Carcass Bomb DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM are all unavoidably detained at Spithead waiting the arrival (which however is daily expected) of a body of about 9,100 Hessian Troops: but so soon as that hap- pens, and the arrangements which always attends upon so great a number of Troops are made, they will sail with the Transports having the said Troops on board, together with those appointed to carry a Party of His Majtys. Foot Guard's somewhat exceeding 1,000 Men. There will go under this last mentioned Convoy the several Navy Victuallers named in the Margin, (Suc- cess, Nancy, Success increase. Integrity, Stanly, Brit- tannia. Providence, Medway, Shipwright, Alborough) except the Alborough whose destination is changed from Boston to Quebec, loaded with four months Pro- visions for 10,000 Seamen, the particulars of which will be transmitted to you by the Commissrs. of the victual- ling, there will sail at the same time a Storeship with all kinds of Naval Stores to replenish the Magazines at Halifax, but she will be ordered to call first at Boston to give opportunity for any part of the Cargo to be taken out that may be wanted for ships which may be there at the time, & in this you will please to govern yourself as you shall see fit. There is in a Naval Storeship which sailed with Sir Peter Parker a Compleat Set of careening Geer; An- other is put on board the Storeship aforementioned; And a third Set with a further assortment of Stores is providing & will be sent as soon as possible to be made use of at such Ports or Places as the same may be found applicable to. Besides the provisions now sending out for the Fleet which are calculated to serve to the 4th. of December next, a further supply for 4 Months for 13,000 Men is [173:] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM collecting, which their Lprdships expect may sail in about Six Week; & by the end of August the like supply will be ready, which when arrived it is computed will serve to the beginning of August, 1777. And in the Orders for furnishing these Supplies, the Commissrs. of the Victualling are directed to provide & send sufficient Quantities of Candles for the time, and for the Number of Men last mentioned. My Lords have frequent accounts of the assiduity of the Rebels in sending out Vessels with Trade to foreign Parts to barter for Arms and Ammunition, which make their Lordships extremely solicitous it may be watched, and prevented as far as possible; and of which they have great hopes from the Number of Ships and small vessels employ'd under you Command, & the Orders given to the same purpose to the Admiral's command- ing at Jamaica, Leeward Islands & in the Mediterra- nean, their Lordships cannot doubt of your vigilence, as you, and every other Officer in His Majesty's Service, must be sensible the putting a Stop to this intercourse is of the first importance, & cannot fail of producing the most desireable Effects. By a Vessel which came from Philadelphia with Flour &ca. for Nantz,^ where Arms & Ammunition were to be taken in exchange, but which was seized on the Passage by the Mate & Seamen & is now brought into Bristol, their Lordships have learnt several particulars proper for your Information, & the same are therefore transmitted for that purpose in a printed Paper accompanying this, which is found to correspond with the whole of what the Mate gave in upon examination in their presence; the Ship & Cargo are order'd to be proceeded against in the High Court 1 Nantes, France. D743 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM of Admiralty, and in case of being condemned there, it is apprehended the Court will Order a Considerable part, or perhaps the whole of the Value to be given to the Mate & Seamen as a Reward for their Loyalty in seizing the Vessel aforementioned, and which it is their Lordships directions you make known as fully as you have opportunities of doing in hopes it may prove an Encouragement to others to do the same Justice to their Country as has been done by those Men. I am &ca. P:S: Vice Admiral Shuldham at Boston. By the Canceaux 19 April A Duplicate sent 26th. Aprl. with all its Inclosures,^ by Commodore Hotham.^ A copy also given to Lord Howe. [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour i8th. April 1776. Sir, General Howe having thought proper to send three Transports with a Reinforcement of the 47th. Regt. to General Carleton at Quebec, and having made applica- tion to me for a Convoy to conduct them thither, I am to inform you that I have Ordered Captain Talbot of ^ The lists A, B, etc., mentioned in the letter follow in the vol- ume, but have not here been printed. - William Hotham, First Lord Hotham. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the Niger to take the said Transports under his care, and proceed with them accordingly. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed i8 Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham | R 6 June [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 19th. April 1776. Sir The West India Merchants having applied to my Lords Commissrs. of the Admty for the protection of their Homeward bound Trade, and their Lordships having sent directions to Vice Adml. Gayton Com- mander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at Jamaica, to appoint Convoy to see the trade from eighty to one hundred & twenty Leagues Clear of that Island, & to Vice Adml. Young Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at Barbadoes the Leeward Islands, to appoint Convoy to see it, from eighty to one hundred & Twenty Leagues clear of Anguilla ; And my Lords being desirous that the Trade should have every 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, p. 469. [176] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Protection that can be given to it, they therefore com- mand me to signify their direction to you (in addition to those aforementioned) that you order the Captns. of such of His Majestys Ships and Sloops under your Command as you shall think fit, to cruize occasionally off the Bermuda Islands, and in the Tract of the Home- ward bound West India Trade, with Instructions not only to use their best endeavours to secure the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects, but to take or destroy any Rebell Cruizers they may happen to meet with in those parts. I am &ca. P. S. Vice Adml. Shuldham at Boston By the Canceaux [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Halifax Harbour 19th. April 1776. Sir I am sorry to acquaint you that yesterday Captain Howe arrived here very unexpectedly in His Majesty's Ship Glasgow having on the 6th. Instant off Rhode Island fallen in with and been attack'd by several Armed Vessels of the Rebels, in which Action she re- ceived so much damage that she was thought unfit to proceed on the execution of the Orders Captain Howe had received for carrying General Howe's and my Dispatches to the Southward, which were unluckily /thrown into the Sea ; Herewith I transmit to you a Copy of Captain Howes Account of that Action together with DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM /a Copy of Captain Wallaces Letter to me on the same subject, and as I find the Glasgow is in so shattered a Condition, and would require so much time, and more Stores than there is in this Yard to put her into proper repair, I intend sending her to Plymouth as soon as she can be got ready. I am Sir ' Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 19 Apl. 1776 | Halifax \ V. A. Shuldham | R 6 June | (2 Inclosures) Enclosure A [ CAPTAIN WALLACE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy Rose, at Sea the loth. April 1776. Sir, I am Honoured with your Orders and Letter by the Nautilus of the 20th. 22d. & 23d. Ulto. for sending His Majesty's Ship Glasgow to the Southward, and the Bolton and Swan to Cruize on each side of St. George's Bank, agreeable thereto, I immediately gave them their Orders, but still desired them not to seperate, 'till we had all got out of the Port, and executed a a piece of Service I had in View— The Bolton Brig, and the Armed Schooner belonging to us, was desired to Cruize 1:178: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM off Block Island 'till joined by us-The 5th. Instant we got under way, and Turned out of the Port, but being Apprehensive, some of our Sternmost Vessels would not be able to get out. Bore up, and Anchored again with the Squadron, except His Majesty's Ship Glasgow, who stood on, and about 3 OClock the next Morning (A.M.) fell in with the Enemy's Squadron, Com- manded by Hopkins (Inclosed is Captain Howe's Ac- count of that Affair) at 8, ditto she returned, firing of Guns— Got under way turned out of the Port, and de- sired the Glasgow to follow as soon as possible- Cruized about Block Island three or four days, Miss'd the Bolton and Schooner; from which imagine they have fell into the hands of the Enemy.— The Glasgow having received so much damage in her Mast, and hav- ing thrown her Dispatches Overboard, thought it proper to send the Nautilus in her Stead, with what in- formation I could give to His Majesty's Ships at York and Virginia— The loth. Instant made the Signal to seperate, and follow the Orders, which I send you in- closed. I am Sir Your most Obedient and most humble Servant Jas. Wallace Rear Admiral Shuldham Endorsed 10 April 1776. | Copy of Captain Wallaces | Letter giving an Account | of an Action between the | Glasgow, and some Rebel | Armed Vessels under the | Command of one Hopkins. | In V. A. Shuldhams \ Let- ter of 19 Apl. 1776 D79:] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B Copy Remarks on board His Majesty's Ship Glasgow Saturday the 6th. day of April 1776. At two AM. Block Island then bearing N.W. abought eight Leagues, discovered a Fleet on the Weather beam, consisting of seven or eight Sail ; tacked and stood towards them, and soon perceived them to be, two, or three large Ships, and other Square Rigged Ves- sels; Turned all hands to Quarters, and hauled up the Mainsail, and kept standing on to the NW with a light breeze, and smooth Water. The Fleet then coming down before it. At half past two a Brig much like the Bolton, but larger, came within hail, and seemed to hesitate about giving any answers, but still kept standing towards us, And on being asked what other Ships were in Company with her, they answered ''the Columbus and Alfred, a two and twenty Gun frigate" And almost immediately, a hand Granadoe was thrown out of her top. We exchanged our Broadsides, she then shot ahead, and lay on our bow, to make room for a large Ship, with a top light, to come on our Broadside, and another Ship ran under our Stern, Raked us as she passed, and then luft up, on our Lee beam, whilst a Brig took her Sta- tion, on our Larboard Quarter, and a Sloop kept alter- ing her Station occasionally. At this time the Clerk having the care of the dispatches for the So.Ward to destroy, if the Ship should be boarded, or in danger of being taken, hove the bag overboard with a Shot in it. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM At four the Station of every Vessel was altered, as the two Ships had dropt on each quarter, and a Brig kept a Stern, giving a continual fire. Bore away and made Sail for Rhode Island, with the whole fleet within Musket shot, on our Quarters and Stern. Got two Stern chase Guns out of the Cabin, and kept giving, and re- ceiving a very warm fire. At day light perceived the Rebel fleet to consist of two Ships, two Brigs, and a Sloop, and a large Ship, and Snow, that kept to Wind- ward, as soon as the Action began. At half past six, the Fleet hauled their Wind, and at Seven tacked, 'and stood to the S.S.W. Employed, reeving, knotting, and Sphcmg, and the Carpenters making fishes for the Masts. At half past seven, made a Signal, and fired several Guns occasionally to alarm the Fleet at Rhode Island Harbour. The Rose, Swan, and Nautilus, then being working out. NB. We had one Man killed, and three Wounded by the Musketry from the Enemy. Signd, Tyring^. Howe Copy M. Shuldham Endorsed Copy- Remarks on | board His Majestys Ship I Glasgow, Saturday the 6th. | Day of April 1776- I In V. A. Shuldham's | Letter of 19 Apl. 1776 D8i:i DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure C From several Remarks and Informations, the following the Glasgow off Rhode Commanders Name Number of Guns and Men Ship or Guns On what Deck Vessels Name Pounders Men in each 32 24 18 9 6 1 Alfred Columbus Annadona^ Brig. Cabinet^ Brig Providence Sloop Hopkins Whipple Biddle Hopkins Junr, Hazard K II II II II II II II II II II l( II 11 II II II 10 10 16 14 12 II II "I 12 12 10 Lower Upper Ditto Upper Ditto Ditto 220 Including) 60 Marines S 220 Including^ 60 Marines ) 130 Including) 30 Marines 3 120 Including) 30 Marines ) 90 Including ) 28 Marines S Endorsed List of the Rebel | Frigates &ca, that j attack'd to Mr. I Stephens, ^Andrew Doria. 2 Cabot. D82:] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM is the State of the Rebel Armed Vessels which attacked Island 6th. Aprl. 1776. Remarks A Figure head and Yellow Sides, her lower Deck Ports not above eighteen Inches from the Water, Mizen T. G. Sail. Black Sides without a head, Mizen Top Gt. Sail. Black sides without a head. A small white Figure head and Yellow Sides with hanging Ports. Black Sloop without a head. the Glasgow | In a private Letter from | V. A. Shuldham DSs] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ CAPTAIN HOWE TO PHILIP STEPHENS^ ] Glasgow at Halifax the 27th. April 1776. Sir. Please to acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that on my passage from Rhode Island to New York April the 6th. At half past two AM Rhode Island then bearing about N. b E. distant 14 or 15 Leagues, I fell in with a Rebel squadron, consisting of one Ship of Thirty guns, another of Twenty eight, Two Brigs, one of sixteen, the other fourteen guns, and a Sloop of twelve, and all full of Men, and continued en- gaging them broadside, and broadside an hour, and a half, when my Masts, Sails, and Rigging being very much shattered, and an Attempt made to board us; I bore away for Rhode Island, and continued a close run- ning fight, until half past six, when they left us. As their principal intention was to disable, and then board us, our Masts, Sails, Rigging, and boats have suffered very much, by which means I was so fortunate as to lose but one man, and only three wounded, all by their mus- quetry. At Eleven I joined the Rose, Swan, and Nau- tilus at Rhode Island, who immediately went in pursuit of them; And after fishing all my Masts, and refitting my rigging as fast as possible, I made the best of my way for Halifax, where I arrived the Nineteenth In- stant. I should do great injustice to Lieutenant Pulteney, ^ The original of this letter is No. 22 in volume 1902 of the Cap- tains' Letters, Admiralty, Secretary's Office, In-Letters. ni84] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM did I not mention to their Lordships, his great coolness, and bravery, during the whole action, As well all the rest of the Officers, whose good conduct. Animated the Men, and made them fight like British Seamen. I am. Sir, You most Obedient and very Humble Servant Tyringham Howe. Philip Stephens, Esqr. [1853 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Extract from "A Journal of the Proceedings of His Majestys Ship Glasgow Tyringm. Howe Esqr. Com- mander, Commencing the 21st. April 1775 and End- ing the 30th. of August 1776"/ Saturday April 6, 1776-Wind SSW, S b N, N b E, N b W. At single Anchor off Rhode Island. Light Airs & fair at 3 the light house WNW ^ a mile at 5 the squadron bore away into the harbour at 3 AM saw 8 strange sail to windward Do. Kd. stood for them & prepar'd for action they prov'd to be the Rebell fleet consisting of 2 ships 2 Briggs & a sloop at ^ past 3 one of the Briggs attempted to lay us on board the two ships one a head-& the other a stern began the action by Rak- ing us, we immediately fired & Continued a very hot action till ^ past 4 when we bore away & made Sail & continued a very hot running fire, but the Enemys Ships frequently Yaw'd and rak'd us at 6 they hal'd Close by the Wind at i^ pt. 7 they Kd. & stood to the SSW Do. fired several Guns to alarm the fleet at Rhode Island we had one marine kill'd & one wounded all the lower masts disabled & most of the standing & running rig- ging shot away at 1 1 Came too in Rhode Island spoke the Rose & Squadron working out in pursuit of the Rebels, the Rebels fleet consisted of one ship of 30 Guns one of 22 one brig of 16, one of 14 & a Sloop of 10 Guns the Adml. hoisted Dutch Colours & the others Strip'd. 1 This Log of the Glasgow is in the Admiralty Records and is No. 398 of the Captains' Logs, [186] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Halifax Harbour 24th. April 1776. Sir I am to inform you that on the 19th. Instant Captain Barkley in the Scarborough arrived here from Savan- nah in the Province of Georgia, to which place their Lordships have been acquainted he was sent with two Transports and a small Body of Men under Major Grant, to procure Rice and other Supplies for the use of the Army; and I have the pleasure to inform you that the Quantity which has been Obtained by this measure is very considerable and is of the greatest Consequence in the present necessitous State of the Army. I must also acquaint you that Sir James Wright the Governor of that Province being forced from his Gov- ernment by the Violences of the people, arrived here in the Scarborough with his Family. Captain Barkly having informed me in the Account of his proceedings that he had from Savannah by the Duke of Cumberland Packet sent information to my Lords Commissioners of the State of that Country, with other occurrences as well as that a Rebel Armament had Visited Providence with a view to carry off the Powder and Ordnance from that Island, I forbear mentioning any thing further on these Subjects, but I have great reason to believe that the Vessels which attacked the Glasgow, were those which had been at Providence. I inclose to you a Copy of the information I have re- /ceived of the different Batteries at Charles Town South /Carolina, also Intelligence that the Rebels meant to DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM intercept the Merchant Ships in their passage from Jamaica to England, both which Articles were Ob- tained by Captain Barkley during his stay at Savannah, and he thought the last of such importance that he sent immediate information of it to Admiral Gayton at Jamaica. / You will also herewith receive an Account of Ships and Vessels detained at Savannah, and which were set at Liberty by the Ships and Troops under Captain Bark- /ley and Major Grant, and likewise the Declaration of the Masters of the Ships so liberated. I have also to inform you that Captain Barkley in returning from this expedition was under the necessity of putting into Rhode Island, where he expected to find some of His Majesty's Ships, but as those which were Stationed there had been obliged to quit that place the Rebels having erected several Batteries from which they were much annoyed, he was also fired upon and received some damage in his Masts and Rigging. I am I Sir Your most Obedt. Servant, M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 24 Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham | A. I R 6 June \ (4 Inclosures) [188] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ DECLARATION OF ANDREW BREEDON ] Copy On board the Scarbr'o 20th March 1776.— Andrew Breeden, Master of the Friendship Schooner Declares that he went from on board the Scarbr'o at Cockspur 9 Days ago to his Owners house at Gehal in South Carolina where he met Mr. John Hutchison (whose Brother is a member of the Carolina Congress) at the House of Mr. Hamilton his Owner, who in- formed him that there were Eight Sail of the North- ward Fleet off Charles town barr, two of them in Five fathom hole, two of thirty two Guns, two of Twenty four Guns and the others of fourteen or twelve Guns; that their first intention was to attack the Syren and any other Vessel that might be at Cape Fear, from thence they were to proceed to Georgia, to attack or wait for the Ships at Cockspur.— After which they would en- deavor to intercept the Jamaica fleet of Merchantmen homeward bound— he adds that Mr. Hutchison said that the People of Carolina were hurt at the Ships being taken from Savanah, and that he has no doubt of their being retaken. These he declares were Mr. Hutchison's Words or the purpose of them, and that he is ready to make Oath to the Truth of what he has asserted. Andw. Bredon Endorsed Copy | The Declaration of Mr. | Andw. Breedon dated | the 20th. March 1776.— | In V. A. Shuldhams 1 Letter 24 Apl. 1776 | A. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B [ ACCOUNT OF THE BATTERIES AT CHARLESTON, S. C. ] A List of Cannon, where placed at Charles Town South Carolina. At Fort Johnson 20 Guns, 9, 12 and 24 Pounders. A Mile further up the River there is 6 : 24 Poundrs. and two Eighteens. The first Battery at the Town 3 : 24 Pounders 4 Twelves & 2 Nines. The second Battery 2 Eighteen pounders and 16 Twelves and Nines. The third Battery 10:9 & 12 Pounders. On Beals's Wharf 2 : 24 Pounders. On Champney's Wharf 2 : 24 Do. On Brailford's Wharf 3 : 24 Do. & 2 : 1 8 Do. On Gatson's Wharf 4 : 24 & 2 : 18 Pounders. They have three Miles from Town twenty five pieces of Cannon 12 and 9 Pounders. At Dorchester they have 1 8 : 8 & 12 Do. In Town 3 Brass three pounders, Eight Brass Coehorns of five and seven Inches. They have a vast Quantity of Shot and Shells & One hundred Boxes of Grape Shot for Twenty four pounders.— Endorsed An Account of the | different Batteries | at Charles Town | South Carolina. | In Vice Adml. Shuldham's | Letter of 24 Apl. 1776 \ A. D903 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure C [ DECLARATION OF THE MASTERS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPS LIBERATED AT SAVANNAH, GA. ] (Copy) Province of Georgia North America We the Masters of the Undermentioned Ships and Vessels do declare and Attest that about November last We had permission to load our Ships and Vessels with Rice and other Commodities for Great Britain, at the Port of Savanah in Georgia, and having taken our Car- goes on board accordingly, we were stoped on the fif- teenth day of December following by orders of the Council of Safety and detained by them at Savanah, and that We were at great loss and a heavy Expence of Seamens Wages and Victuals, in keeping them On board, which if we had not done they would have gone and Joined the Rebels, who offered them three pounds a Month. That upon the Arrival of the King's Ships in Savanah River, several of us applyed to Captain Bark- ley Commander of His Majesty's Ship Scarborough, and to Major Grant Commanding Officer of the Kings Troops, for protection, who assured us. We shoud have every protection in their power and further say that Captain Barkley and Major Grant having got up to the Town of Savanah with Several Armed Vessels and a Body of Troops— We were desired by the above Gen- tlemen to get our Vessels ready to sail up the Back River under Cover of His Majesty's Armed Vessels, as DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the Rebels had shut up the other Ship Channel both by Sinking a Hulk in it and erecting a Battery upon the Bluff— and that we were obliged in order to proceed under Cover of the said Armed Vessels to bring our Ships and Vessels to the draught of between Nine and Ten feet which obliged many of us to throw over board a Quantity of Rice, and we are of opinion and firmly believe that our Ships and Vessels have been saved by the interposition of His Majesty's Ships and Troops under the Command of Captain Barkley and Major Grant as they must otherwise have been detained or de- stroyed by the Rebels then assembled in Arms in Sa- vanah, as they repeatedly ordered us to unreeve our rigging unbend our sails, and Unhang our Rothers. And when the Kings Troops had got on board our Ships an Officer came from the Shore and declared if we did not immediately begin and Unbend our Sails We should be destroyed, which Officer was taken Pris- oner. To the truth of the Above We have hereunto Set our hands on board His Majesty's Ship Scarborough in Savanah River this 22d. March 1776. Thos. Glenders Thos. Walker Rt. King J NO. Alexander J NO. Wallace Andw. Lee Geo. Craik Wm. Pinkerton ^RiCHD. Chapman (Signed) Andw. Barkley [1923 Signed DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Copy | A Declaration of the Masters I of the Merchant Ships | Librated at Savanah. | In Vice Adml. Shuldham's | Letter of 24 Apl. 1776 | A. [193] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure D A List of the Ships and Vessels Librated from the Rebels of Ship or Vessels Name Masters Name Where Belonging Owners Name Lading Christian, Brig Jno. Alexander Glasgow Jno. Alexander Rice Christie, Brig Geo. Craick Aberdeen Geo. Craick Rice Marlborough, Ship Thos. Walker Whitby Jonas Brown Rice Live Oak, Brig Samuel and 1 Charles, Brig 3 Jno. Wallace Wm. Pinkerton Glasgow Barbadoes Jno. Wallace &Co. Thos. Welch Rice Rice Christie, Brig Maria, Schooner Georgia, Pacquet Andw. Lee Rt. Welch Thos. Glenders Glasgow Liverpool Scarborough Alexander & Rt. Donald Hugh & Henry Lee & Thos. Case Jno. Glenders Rice Rice & dry Goods Rice Jane, Schooner Jno. Mills Savanah Fellfair & Co. Indigo & Rum Sally, Sloop Jas. Weston Savanah Fellfair & Co. Sugar and Bale Goods Adventure, Ship Rd. Chapman Jamaica Johnson & Co. Ballast Esther, Schooner Dl. McNess Savanah Fellfair & Co. Dry Goods Charming Nancy, Ship Rt. King London Simons & Co. Ballast (Copy) Endorsed A Copy of a List of Ships | and Vessels Liber- & Majr. Grant. | In V. A Shuldham's | Letter of 24 Apl. 1776 | [;i943 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Savanah by Captain Barkley & Major Grant the 4th. March 1776. Quantity of the different Species of the Cargo & to whom belonging No. of Sea- men Where the Owners reside Value of the Sloop and Cargo Tons 290 Whole Barrels of Rice, 57 half Bar- rels, Do., 221 Deer Skins & a Quantity of Lumber. 8 Glasgow 140 200 whole Barrels 6 Aberdeen 120 189 Whole Barrels, 15 half Do. 13 Whitby 213 250 Whole Barrels, 15 half Do. 6 Glasgow 250 210 Whole Barrels 5 Barbadoes 150 220 whole Barrels & a Quantity of Dry Goods 7 Glasgow 140 70 whole Barrels & a great Quantity of dry Goods 6 Liverpool 100 45 whole Barrels 9 Scarborough 120 47 Barrels of Indigo, 15 Punchns. Rum, Nails & Dry Goods Sugar & Bale Goods 3 3 Savanah Savanah 30 30 (( 8 Jamaica 160 Dry Goods 4 Savanah 20 (< 14 London 200 (Sign'd) Andw. Barkley ated at | Savannah the 4 of | March 1776 by Capt. | Barkley A. 1:195] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour 24th. April 1776. Sir, Mr. Charles White Surgeon, and Agent for the care of the Sick and hurt belonging to His Majesty's Ship at Boston and who on the Evacuation of that place was removed on board the Richmond Hospital Ship, having represented to me by Letter that his ill State of health rendered him incapable of performing his duty with that Diligence and attention it required, and desiring that a person may be authorized to succeed him in his employment; I have therefore thought proper to Ap- point Mr. James Dickson the Surgeon of the Chatham to that Office in the room of Mr. White. Lieutenant David Ramsay of the Orpheus, Lieuten- ant John Kneebone of the Marines on board the Chat- ham, and Mr. Thomas Carr Gunner of the King's-fisher having represented by Letter to their respective Cap- tains that they were rendered unfit to perform their sev- eral duties by their ill State of Health, and requesting leave to go to England for the recovery of the same, I have on representation being made to me by their Cap- tains Ordered the Surgeon of the Hospital and two Sur- geons of His Majesty's Ships to examine into the healths ///of the said Officers and as by the reports of the Sur- geon's examinations, (Copies of which I enclose to you) it appears they are not able to discharge the duties of their different employments, I have complied with their requests. I have Appointed Mr. Robert Barton to Act as Sec- 1:196] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM fond Lieutenant on board the Orpheus in the room of Lieutenant Ramsay, and hope their Lordships will be pleased to confirm him in that Employment. For all other Appointments and Removals, I refer you to the General Account I herewith inclose. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 24 Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham | B. I R 6 June | (4 Inclosures)^ Minute 6 June | f Mr. Barton to have a Commissn. ] for the Orpheus dated | this day Send in Lre again | Mr. Barton does not appear to have passed an Exami- nan. | Note, The examinan. has been since brought to the Office | & Commissn. made out accordingly. ^ As the enclosures contain no additional information it has seemed unnecessary^ to print them. D973 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour 24th. April 1776. Sir, / You will herewith receive the Disposition of His Majesty's Ships under my Command, as also the State /and Condition of such Ships of the Squadron from which I have received them since my last Dispatches to you. From the disappointment of the Arrival of the Vic- tuallers, and having Supplied a considerable quantity of the Provisions intended for the Fleet for the sub- sistence of the Army, I have judged it necessary to Or- der the Crews of His Majesty's Ships to be put to Two thirds allowance until a farther Supply may arrive. / I likewise transmit to you the Sentence of a Court fMartial held on the late Boatswain of the Roebuck, and /also an Account of such American Vessels as have been taken and detained by the Fleet under my Command according to the latest information I have received. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M: SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. C1983 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed 24. Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham C. I R 6 June | (4 Inclosures) Minute 6 June | f Mr. Wright to | note the Sentence in Black Book | Send in Lre again C1993 Enclosure A Disposition of His Majesty's Ship and Vessels in North America under the Command of Rear Admiral Shuldham. Rate Ships Commanders Disposition 4th Chatham j R. A. Shuldham (Captn. John Raynor Moored off the yard. Under Orders and will pro- 5th 6th Orpheus Scarborough " Chas. Hudson " Andw. Barkley ceed in a Day or two to Cruize between the West end of Long Island and Cape Henlopen. Refitting. Rose Glasgow " Jas. Wallace " Tyringm. Howe In ■Halifax Harbor Refitting, Under Orders to Cruize off Rhode Island. Preparing to proceed to England. Sloop Tamer " Edwd.Thornbrough Refitting. u Kings fisher " Alexr. Grsme Will sail in a few days to Cruize in the Bay of Fundy. Storeship Adventure Lieut. John Hallum Alongside the Jetty. Schooner Tryal " John Brown ,Off Major's Beach. Sloop Senegal Capt.Wm.Duddingston At Liverpool in Nova Scotia, Ordered to Halifax. Schooner Halifax Lieut. Wm. Quarme Cruizing off Sable. Sloop Merlin Capt. Wm. C. Burnaby At Annapolis in Nova Scotia, Ordered to Halifax. (( Viper " Saml. Graves On his passage to Annapolis to relieve the Merlin. 4th Centurion " Richd.Brathwaite Cruizing between CapeSable and CapeAnne) in the Longitude of Saint George's Bank. ) a Renown " Fras. Banks Cruizing and Rendezvousing Occasion-^ ally in Boston Bay and Nantasket Road. 3 6th Lively " Thos. Bishop ~ Sloop Brig Milford Swan Hope " John Burr " Jas. Ayscough Lieut. Geo. Dawson Cruizing in Boston Bay and off Piscat- aqua, under the Command of Captain • Banks. Brig Bolton " Edwd. Sneyd Schooner Dispatch " John Goodridge Nantasket Road, Ordered to Halifax. 6th Cerberus Capt. John Symons Cruizing and the E between Martha's Vineyard, ast end of Long Island. [200] Rate Ships Commanders Disposition Brig Diligent Lieut. Edmd. Dod Under the Command of Captain Symons, on the same Station. 5th Phoenix Captn. Hyke Parker 3d Asia " Geo. Vandeput At New York. Sloop Savage " Hugh Bromedge J 5th Roebuck " A. S. Hamond In the River Delaware. 6th Fowey " Geo. Montagu In his passage to the Delaware. Sloop Liverpool Otter " Hy. Bellew Mattw. Squire At Virginia. Cruizer Scorpion " Fras. Parry " Hon. Jno. Tollemache Ordered to Boston this Spring by Vice Admiral Graves. At North Carolina. 6th Sloop Mercury Falcon " Jas. Montagu " John Linzee Supposed to be Cruizing off ■Fear, General Clinton on board J the Mercury. Armed Ship Raven Cherokee " John Stanhope Lieut. John Ferguson [At Savannah, Province 1 of Georgia. J Schooner Saint Lawrence '' John Graves Sent to Cape Fear, and from thence ordered to Join Me. (< Hinchinbrook " Alexr. Ellis At Saint Au ustine. Sloop Nautilus Captn. John Collins Supposed to be at Bermuda. Schooner Saint John Lieut, Wm. Grant At the Bahama Islands. 6th Lizard Captn. Jno. Hamilton Sloop Hunter " Thos. Mackenzie At Quebec. Brig 5th 6th Gaspee Niger Syren Lieut. Wm. Hunter Captn. Geo. Talbot " Tobias Furneaux Lieut. Hunter and part of the Crew taken Prisoners by the ■ Rebels at Saint Johns. On his passage to Quebec, three Transports with Troops under his Convoy. At Cape Fear. Chatham in Halifax Harbour 24 April 1776. — M. Shuldham Endorsed Dispostn. of V. Adml. | Shuldham's Squadron | In his Letter of 24 Apl. 76 I C. [201] Enclosure B An Account of Vessels Seized or Taken by His Majesty's Squadron When Seized or Where By what Ship or Vessel What sort of Vessel Names of the Taken Vessels Masters Owners Febj^ 19 1776 Off Cape Anne Lively Tartar Benjn. Warren Wm. Prosser 25 Boston Bay Do. Unity Davd. Lunt Jacb.Boardman March 4 Within the Isle of Shoals Do. Schooner John Danl. Merchant Danl. Serjeant 5 Off Cape Anne Do. Sloop Mary Abner Lowell Benjn. Rogers 7 OffAdimenticut Hope Do. John Coes Gardner Danl. Rogers Do. Do. Schooner Molly James Lovitt James Lovitt Feby. 14 Off Cape Cod Tryal Peggy John Lothrop Echa. Thatcher and Geo.Welch Do. Do. Grampus John Brackett Mark Alexander 15 Off Liverpool Halifax King Solo- mon Danl. Turner Jany. 16 Halifax Savage Ship Nicholas Jas. White Thos. Boilstone 19 Do. Do. Ship Boston Packet Jas. Shepherd Wm. Denny 20 Nevv^ York Asia Schooner James Feby. 3 Do. Phoenix Ship Sally John Bagley Saml. Franklin 19 Do. Do. Do. York Davd. Collins Jany. 19 Off the Capes of Virginia Kings fisher Schooner Peace and Plenty — Lightboy — Midd 4 Do. Do. Do. Molly — Waters Feby. 28 Jany. 23 Off the Capes of Philadelphia OffCapeCharles Kings fisher Liverpool Juno Susanna Wm. Keith Frs. Bright John Pringle and Wm. Keith Messrs. Christie and Gilmore 25 " Henry Do. Betsy and Molly Jas. Calvert Corns. Calvert 31 Do. Do. Polly Saml. Nichols Wm. West Feby. 14 " Charles Do. Joseph John Hill Jonas Smith I At Sea Scarborough Violenti Stepn. Cleavland Frs. Cobbett [202] n North America under the Command of Rear Admiral Shuldham. From Whence Where bound Where belong- ing To what Port sent for Security Cargo How disposed of Dominica Halifax and 1 Newfoundland 3 Boston Sugar, Coffee, Cocoa and Melasses [jrand Terer Newbury Do. Melasses and Coffee Baltimore Cape Anne Do. Flour, and Indian Corn Philadelphia Newbury Do. Flour, Iron and Steel Virginia Ipswich Do. Flour, Indian Corn, and Wheat So. Carolina Piscataqua Do. Rice and Indigo Baltimore Barnstaple Do. Flour &ca. Do. Do. Do. Do. Castaway Cape Bisore Bilboa Halifax 850 Quintals of Fish Petersburgh ) and Cairo ) Do. Halifax Do. Boston Do. Do. Do. Iron, Hemp, Canvas &ca. New York To the rebel Camp New York Provisions, Dry Goods &ca. Alicant New York Do. Salt New York Do. Ballast Philadelphia Rappahanack Norfolk Salt Sold St. Eustatia Baltimore Do. Rum Port L'Orient Philadelphia Do. Gunpowder, Salt Petre and Sulphur Antigua Baltimore Do. Salt Glasgow Norfolk Do. Ballast Salem Potomack Do. Do. Do. Baltimore Do. Salt Marblehead Winyah Boston Ballast [203] When Seized or Taken Where By what Ship orVessel What sort of Vessel Names of the Vessels Masters Owners Feby. 4 Mar. 13 5 Feby. 24 March i Septr. 24 Novr. 9 Jany. 5 20 Deer. 28 Jany. 20 Feby. 4 March 12 Feby. Mar. 1776 OfifTibeBar At Savannah At Sea Do. 1775 1776 (( 1775 1776 At Sea Do. Charles 1 town, I South I Carolina J Do. Cut out of Stono Savannah OntheCoast of Virginia Savannah Off Savan- nah Bar Do. Augustine Creek Entrance of Savannah At Sea Scar- borough Do. Do. Do. Rose Do. Do. Do. Do. Viper Do. Tamer Do. Tamer Do. Raven Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Mercury Sloop Do. Do. Do. Do. Brig Do. Schooner Do. Brig Sloop St. John Phoenix Greyhound John and Joseph Hannah Sally Greyhound John Snow Bird Tartar Sawney Polly George 1 Town [ Pacquet J Elizabeth YorkPacket Retten house Clarissa St. John Georgia Packet Jane Phoenix Hope Gilbt. Harrison Norton Cole Increase Pote Danl. Dishon Benjn. Dean Frs. Skinner Heny. Stone Alexr. Wylly Php. Sullivan Stepn. Weeks Ambs. Bartlett Rd. Bissell Gilbt. Harrison Geo. Bunner Willm. Mills Norton Cole Andw. Brown Coddington and Morris Minos and Cole Increase Pote Joseph White, Miles and Greenwood Unknown Stone & Devaul Benjn. Hague and Isaac Hague Colonels in the Rebel Army Alexr. Wylly John Scott Waltr. Franling Messrs. York and Potts Messrs. Roch and Lopez Bright, Pechin, Clay and Halresham Wm. Mills Jno. Dennis & Co. Andw. Brown & John Burress [204] From Whence Where bound >t. Croix Ihode Island Virginia IlapeNichola Mole jreorgia Do. santee Do. Barcelona New York Lisbon Jamaica Santa Cruz Philadelphia Sunbury Rhode Island Charles town St. Maries Georgia Cases Bay New London Tortola Santa Cruz Charles Town Do. Do. Georgia Philadelphia Jamaica Savannah Do. Do. Do. New York Where be- longing To what Port sent for Security Cargo Savannah Do. Halifax Ordd. to Halifax Antigua Do. Left with Lord William Campbell Cape Fear Cape Fear Savannah [ Do. ! afterwards [to Boston J Savannah Do. [ Do. 1 ■! afterwards [to Boston J Savannah Do. Cape Fear How disposed of Dry Goods and Gunpowder Cyder, Potatoes and Apples Indian Corn and Tobacco Melasses, Coffee and Gun- powder Melasses &ca. Grain &ca. . Flour Lumber Lumber and Indigo Shot French Flour, Wine and other Merchandize Brandy and Salt Bread, Flour, Rum, Cyder, Apples & Bar Iron Ballast and £2,000 Lumber Gunpowder and Bale Goods Flour, Bread, Beer, Rum &ca. Damaged Rice Cyder and Potatoes Rice and Indigo Foundred at Sea Endorsed An Acct. of Vessels Shuldhams Squadron I In his C. Chatham in Halifax Harbour 24th April 1776. M : Shuldham I seized by Vice Adml. | Letter of the | 24 Apl. 1776 | 1:2053 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour the 25th. April 1776. Sir Having in my Letter of the i6th. Instant offered to their Lordship's consideration the deficiency in the Complements of several of His Majesty's Ships under my Command, and as their Lordships will perceive by the States and Conditions of the Ships transmitted to them, that many Supernumeraries are borne, I must beg they will please to observe that these being composed of Men taken out of the Rebel Vessels no confidence can be placed in them, and although the Captains of His Majesty's Ships under my Command have all of them more or less, entered Americans to fill up their Com- plements, and are now by Law empowered to do so, with regard to Men taken in future, yet it deserves to be seriously considered, that if by a constant diminution of the British Seamen upon this Service, this measure was carried to excess, without any Supply from home to be distributed among the Fleet the consequence may be very alarming: their Lordships will therefore see the necessity there is of my keeping compleat the parties of Marines belonging to the dififerent Ships, but as I have directions to send to the Battallion serving on shore the Marines of such Ships as I may Order to England, I submit it to their Lordship's judgment whether it will not be for His Majesty's Service that I compleat the Marines on board the Ships that may want them, out of [206] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM those they have designed for the Battallion before they are disembarked. I am Sir I Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 25 Apl. 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldham | R 6 June [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour 25th April 1776. Sir, I am to inform you Captain Furneaux of the Syren has acquainted me that, on the 15th. Instant he took a Brig belonging to the Rebels which was carrying from Philadelphia to Charles town in South Carolina, a Company of Artillery consisting of a Captain Commis- sioned by the Continental Congress, and Seventy nine Men, the most of whom have since Entered into His Majesty's Service with General Clinton. I am likewise to acquaint you that, there having been taken a Sloop belonging to New York and bound to Saint Martin's with Flour and Lumber, the Master of her has given the following information; that he left New York on the 2d. Instant, and on the 5th. he fell in with several Armed Ships and Vessels belonging to the Rebels, (which I believe are the same that attacked the Glasgow) that he was carried on board the Rebel Com- modore to be examined, and that while he was there a 1:2073 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM person was brought on board who wore the Uniform of a Lieutenant of the Navy which from his Description was probably Lieutenant Sneyd who Commanded the Bolton Armed Brig,^ for as she is still missing I am afraid she has fallen into their hands; and he farther adds that he was informed they had been at the Island of Providence, from whence they had taken the Gov- ernor, his Secretary, and most of the remaining Stores.^ | I am I Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed R 6 June [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 3 May 1776 Sir I had yesterday the honor to receive your Letters of the 25th. 26th. & 27 of Feby. & of the 8th. 17th. & 23rd. of March last, all which with the several Inclosures were immediately communicated to my Lords Commrs. of the Admty; In return I have it in command from their Lordships to acquaint you that a Case respecting 1 The Bolton was captured by Commodore Hopkins' squadron on April 4, 1776, the day before the engagement with the Glasgow. 2 See the Log of the Andrew Doria. 3 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, vol. 551, P- 534. [208] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the seizure mention'd in your Letter of the 26th. feby. will be stated for the Opinion of the Law Secretary of the Crown, & that you will receive their Lordships direction in Consequence thereof without delay. Their Lordships entirely approve of the Steps taken for embarking the Army & of the diligence and activity of the Officers employed on that service & it is with great pleasure they receive the Account you give of the unanimity & harmony which subsist between His Maj- estys Fleet and Army— Their Lordships approve of the supply of provisions which you spared to the Army & with respect to the 4 missing Victualling Ships men- tioned in your Letter of the 8th of March I am to ac- quaint you that they were driven to Antigua, from whence they were to sail, the beginning of March, un- der Convoy of the Experiment together with several of the Army Victuallers in the same predicament and their Lordships hope they will have joined you before this comes to your hand, & that the Provisions they have on board will serve 'til the arrival of the Victuallers men- tioned in my Letter of the 18 Ult. by the Canceaux which Victuallers have (exclusive of the Provisions on board the Alborough) a supply of 4 Months for 9,000 Men & are now at St. Helens upon the point of sailing under Convoy of Commr. Hotham. The first supply of 4 Months for 13,000 Men men- tioned in that Letter will be ready to sail by the end of this Month. The next supply for the same time & num- ber of Men which was intended to be sent out in Augst. next will now be Dispatched earlier to you; & such further supplys will follow in the Course of the Sum- mer, as shall be judged necessary. My Lords approve of the order you gave Captn. [2093 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Banks to wear a distinguishg. Pendant while employed on the service mentioned in your Letter of the ij of March; but as there will soon be two officers in North America with distinguishing Pendants and Captains under them, their Lordships Judge that it will be no longer necessary for Captn. Banks to wear one, and you will therefore please to order him to discontinue it upon the Arrival of W Hotham. I have &c P. S. Vice Adl. Shuldham at Halifax Sent the same day to Lord George Germain's Office to be forwarded in their Dispatches to Halifax— And a Duplicate sent 4 May to Ld. G. Germain A copy of this Letter sent to Lord Howe 6 May at 5 A : M : by a Messenger [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbor loth May 1776. Sir, Mr. Brymer Agent to the Contractor for supplying Rum to His Majesty's Ships upon this Station, having /by Letter (Copy of which I herewith inclose you) fur- nished me with his reasons why he could not comply with the Contract, and the Ships being in immediate want, I have been under the Necessity of making appli- cation to General Howe and borrowing Ten Thousand Gallons from the Store belonging to the Army, of which I have acquainted the Victualling Board, that DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the necessary Measures may be taken for a future Supply. I profit likewise of this Opportunity to inform you fthat there is a great Scarcity of Ordnance Small Stores, particularly Match, at this place, of which the Store- keeper tells me he has repeatedly acquainted the Ord- nance Board some Months ago. I am Sir, Your most Obedient Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed lo May 1776 | Halifax \ V. A. Shuldham | R 7 June Minute 7 June | Acqt. the Bd. of | Ordnance herewith | & desire that proper | Supplies may be sent | out as soon as possible | Send it in again [ VICE admiral shuldham to PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour loth May 1776. Sir, I am to acquaint you that General Howe and the Army under his Command, still continue at this place waiting for the Arrival of a Supply of Provisions; and having informed you in my Letter of the 19th. past which with my other Dispatches I sent you by the 1:2113 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Princess Augusta Victualling Sloop (Duplicates of which you will now receive) of the Accident that had happened to the Glasgow, and my intention to send her to England to be fitted ; I have therefore Ordered Cap- tain Howe to take under his Convoy Such Vessels as are ready to accompany him, (among which is the Harriot Packet having on board Mr. Legge Governor of this Province) and proceed to Plymouth. I need not represent to their Lordships of how much greater importance the King's Yard and Harbor of Halifax, as well as the whole Province of Nova Scotia is now become, than formerly; and of consequence they will please to consider the great necessity of keeping the Bay of Fundy well guarded to prevent any Hostile attempts being made upon this Province from thence by the Rebels ; this will require an Additional Number of Ships, and their Lordships will please to Observe by the Disposition of the Squadron, how very inadequate even the great number I have under my Command is to the various Services I am Ordered to Execute, and the different Posts I have to defend, especially as the Reb- els are indefatigably employed in Equipping a Naval Force in all their Sea Port Towns in the several Prov- inces. The Orpheus being refitted sailed the 5th. Instant under Orders to Cruize between the West End of Long Island and Cape Henlopen, calling in occasionally at New York and the Delaware: and having intended to have put the Glasgow under the Command of Captain Hamond in the Delaware, I have sent the King's fisher Sloop to supply her place. I have Ordered on board the Glasgow Such Seamen and Marines, belonging to the Ships under my Com- [212] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM mand, as from Accidents and Disorders have been on examination found unfit for His Majesty's Service. I am, Sir Your most Obedient Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed lo May 1776 | Halifax | V. A. Shuldhams | R 7 June [ VICE ADMIR.AL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, Halifax Harbour 12th. May 1776. Sir, I am to inform you His Majesty's Sloop Swan being on a Cruize off Cape Ann on the 5th. Instant fell in w^ith the Despencer Packet from Falmouth, bound to Boston with Dis- patches for General Howe and myself, and that Captain Ayscough thinking it expedient to take the Dispatches on board the Swan for their more safe and Speedy conveyance ar- rived here last Night, and the Despencer is expected to come in every Moment. I have received from Mr. Jackson the fol- lowing Letters to which I shall pay a proper attention ; Duplicate 7th Febry. 1776 Informing me that Mr. Peacock was appointed to take charge of the C;2i33 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Elizabeth Storeship, and after delivering his Cargo to put himself under my Command. Duplicate 13th Febry. . Acquainting me that Mr. Rob- erts was appointed to the Charge of the Eliza- beth, in the room of Mr. Peacock. Duplicate 23d. Febry. To acquaint me it was His Majesty's pleasure that for the future the Transports were to be under the directions of the Commander in Chief of the Fleet. Triplicate 29th. Febry. Acknowledging the receipt of my Letters of the 19th. 27th. and 28th. January last with their Lordships replies thereto, and their pleasure respecting a Ship at Boston, recommended by Lieutenant Mowat to be purchased for His Majesty's service Triplicate 29th. Febry To acknowledge the receipt of my Letter of the 15th. January acquainting their Lordships of my Arrival at Boston. Duplicate ist. March Signifying their Lordships approbation of Mr. White the Surgeon of the Hospital at Boston, his returning to England, and my appointing a Surgeon of One of His Majesty's Ships to Succeed him. Duplicate 4th. Mar. Enclosing an Extract of a Memorial from the Persons concerned in the Chaleur and Gaspee Fisheries, and their Lordships pleasure upon that head. Duplicate 14th Mar: Enclosing an Article of In- telligence that an American Vessel was at Nantz, and that several were at other Ports in France in search of Ammunition. Duplicate 14 Mar. With intelligence of two Vessels [214;] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM having sailed from Bourdeaux to some Port in America with Gunpowder &ca. Duplicate i6. Mar. Enclosing a particular Account of the Alfred and other Rebel Privateers. Duplicate i6 . . With Intelligence of there being at Bourdeaux Several Vessels laden with Gun- powder &ca. supposed to be bound for Amer- ica. Duplicate i6th . . Giving information of some American Vessels taking in Gunpowder at Corunna, and others having Sailed to America with the like Commodity. Duplicate i6th. Relative to sending Transports to St. Vincents for the 6th. Regiment, also to carry the 48th. Regiment from Grenada and the ceded Islands to England. Duplicate 19th. Mar. To Acquaint me their Lord- ships had Ordered an Assortment of Stores for the Ships in America, as also that Careen- ing Geer would be sent, and that the Levant Victualler, was to come out under Convoy of the Greyhound. Duplicate 27th. Informing me that Ordnance Stores had been sent to Halifax, and that a further Supply was getting ready for that purpose. Duplicate 27 March Signifying His Majesty's pleas- ure that the 48th. Regiment should continue some time longer at the Ceded Islands, revok- ing their Lordships directions in your Letter of the 1 6th. Instant, respecting that Regiment, and further instructions relative to the 6th. Regiment. Duplicate 28th. With Extract of a Letter from Sir DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Joseph Yorke to the Earl of Suffolk, a Letter from Sir Joseph Yorke to Mr. Eden, one from Mr. Irvine to the Earl of Suffolk, and an Ar- ticle of Intelligence from Amsterdam, all which relate to the Exportation of Gunpow- der &ca. from Holland. Duplicate 29th Relative to the Sailing of Sir Peter Parker; of the Greyhound being sailed for Cork where she will take a Convoy of Vic- tuallers and others; the Isis and Triton being sailed for Quebec with the Bute and Lord Howe two large Ships, Commanded by Lieutenants, and that they were to be put on the Establishment of Sloops, for which their Commanders have Commissions. I am, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant, M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 7 June C216] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Halifax 12 May 1776. Sir I am to acquaint you that last night His Majesty's Sloop Swan arrived at this place having a few days ago fallen in with the Dispencer Packet, bound to Boston, and taken out of her the Dispatches for General Howe and me; all which I have received and caused to be delivered; and am particularly to acknowledge the re- ceipt of their Lordships Order of the 29th. March, wherein they are pleased to inform me that "it is in- tended Lord Viscount Howe should proceed to the Course of last Month to take upon him the Chief Com- mand of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed in North America, and on his Lordships arrival to put myself under his Command and follow his Orders for my further proceedings," in answer to which I beg leave to acquaint you for their Lordships information that I shall with great Chearfulness resign that Command to his Lordship in the consciousness of having discharged my Duty with Fidelity to His Maj- esty, and with the Diligence and attention the im- portance of the Service required during the short Period in which I had the honor of being entrusted with it. The Evacuation of the Town and Harbour of Boston by the Fleet and Army I find was not known to their Lordships at the time their Orders were dated, and I presume they will see by my Letters that all proper measures were taken on that event taking place; I shall 1:217:1 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM now consult with the General what further steps are necessary to be taken previous to, and respecting the Ar- rival of Lord Howe with the great reinforcement of British and Foreign Troops proceeding with His Lord- ship to America, and act conformable thereto, and I hope to their Lordships approbation— I am Sir, Your most Obedt. Servant M: Shuldham Geo: Jackson Esqr. Endorsed 12 May 1776 | Halifax | Vice Adml. Shuld- ham I R 7 June [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Halifax Harbour 20th May 1776. Sir I am to acquaint you that an Armed Sloop sent from Cape Fear with dispatches for the General and myself arrived here the 13th. instant, and that by a Letter from Captain Hunt of His Majesty's Ship Sphinx I am ac- quainted with his arrival there with the Pigot Hospital Ship, Aurora and Emanuel Transports, the Sover- eign Victualler, and the King George Transport one of Sir Peter Parkers Squadron, which joined him upon the Coast. Captain Hunt further informs me that on the 14th. of March he spoke the Solebay off Madeira, when he was 1:2183 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM acquainted that Ship parted from Sir Peter Parker the preceeding day, who had with him only Thirteen Sail of Transports, the Actaeon, Active, and Carcass Bomb, with many Transports having seperated from him. I have also been informed from Cape Fear, that sev- eral Transports which sailed with the Bristol, but which had parted from her, were arrived there. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. M: Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 20 May 1776 | Halifax | Vice Adml. Shuld- ham I R 26 June I A. Minute 27 June | Send a Copy to Ld. Geo. | Germain for the Kgs Informal: | 20 July | Answd. by the Per- seus [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham Halifax Harbour 20th. May 1776. Sir [I am to inform you of the arrival of His Majesty's Ship Greyhound at this place the i6th. instant, and also of the whole of her Convoy except the Hope, laden with Gunpowder and Ordnance Stores, which Ship I am sorry to acquaint you seperated from the Greyhound the loth. in a very thick fog, and has not since been [219] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM heard of; but as I am acquainted by Captain Dickson that he having before his departure from England re- ceived an anonymous Letter which intimated that the Master of that Ship was disaffectedly inclined, and that he on that account had put a Petty Officer and two Men on board her giving directions to the Officer "to attend "very particularly to the conduct of the Master, and if "he suspected him of any design to seperate from the "Convoy, or to put the Ship in the way of being taken "by the Rebel Privateers to confine him, and take the "Command of her, and ofifer a handsome reward to the "Seamen on board for their Assistance, if it should be "necessary" and as in my disposition of the Cruizers, I have taken every precaution for the protection of such Vessels as may come upon the Coast, and particularly those that may be Ordered to Boston, I hope she will be met with by some of His Majesty's Ships.] Captain Dickson delivered to me the following Or- ders and Letters, which shall be duly attended to.— Orders. 29th. Januy. 1776. . To increase the Complements of the Ships as therein mentioned. 26th. Febry. . . To put the Hope on the establish- ment of a Sloop 29 ... . To take Captain Dickson in the Grey- hound under my Command. Letters. 20th. February Mr. Jackson's inclosing Commis- sions for two first Lieutenants of Marines. 23rd Do. acquainting me of my being pro- moted to Vice of the Blue. [220] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 5th. March Do. to acquaint me of a Subaltern and twenty three Marines being sent in the Grey- hound to be distributed to the Ships short of complement, and of their Lordships intention to send out Marines in future for that purpose in Vessels laden with Supplies. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 20 May 1776 | Halifax | Vice Adml. Shuld- ham I R 26 June I B. R 26 June | Ansd. 20 July by the | Perseus Minute 27 June | Send a Copy within [ | ] to Ld. Geo. Germain for | the Kgs. informatn. | 29th. June | And send the like Ext. to the | Bd. of Ordnance for their informatn. [221] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour the 20th. May 1776. Sir [I am to inform you His Majesty's Sloop Savage ar- rived here the 17th. Instant with dispatches from New York, bringing under Convoy the Ship Lady Gage and two other Vessels taken at that place by His Majesty's Ships. I herewith transmit to you Copies of Captain Park- /er's Letter, and the several Articles of Intelligence with which it was accompanied.] Their Lordships having by Mr. Jackson's Letter of the 29th. February signified to me their directions that I should purchase a Ship at Boston recommended by Lieutenant Mowat to be established as a Sloop in His Majesty's Service, which Vessel having been destroyed at the Evacuation of that place by the King's forces, and as the Lady Gage appears to be in every respect proper for that purpose, it is my intention to purchase and es- tablish her as a Sloop of War. [You will also receive by this Conveyance a List of /such Vessels as have been Seized or Taken by His Maj- esty's Ship as have come to my knowledge, since my last Account. Their Lordships will observe among them a Schooner which was laden with Gunpowder, Arms, and other Military Stores, taken by the Cerberus, and Dili- gent Brig, the Cargo of which Vessel appears to have cost Twenty seven thousand Livers at Cape Francois, and the additional number of Ships which will in fu- [222] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM ture be employed upon the American Coast must neces- sarily render the Rebels obtaining Supplies of these, and other Articles, still more difficult and precarious.] I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant M. Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 20 May 1776 | Halifax | Vice Adml. Shuld- ham I R 26 June I C. | (with 10 Inclosures) Minute Copy within [ ] to Ld. G. | Germain with Copies of Nos. | i. 2. 3. 4. 6. 7. 9. 10. | Enclosure A [ CAPTAIN PARKER TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy Sir, I received your Dispatches of the Sixth Instant, by Captain Bromedge of His Majesty's Sloop Savage; Your Letter of the Twentieth of March is truely dis- tressing and am afraid the unhappy cause that Obliged His Majestys Troops to go to Halifax will in a great Measure interrupt the Success upon this Province; there being now in the City of New York, upon Long Island, the Jerseys and Straten Island, Ten or Fifteen Thousand of the Provincial Army, which have, ever [223] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM since the Embarkation of the King's Troops from Bos- ton, been pouring in from the Camp at Cambridge and Pensylvania, these are now indefatigable in Fortifying every Height; The Fortifications about the Town you have an Account of in the Papers Marked Number One and Two; Ground is Marked out upon each side of the Narrows for Batteries. You will see Sir, by the Printed Advertisement of General Putman's that all communication with us is cut off, and Hostilities commenced by them upon the Sev- enth; Suspecting that it would soon happen, I was desirous of having the Ships Water compleated, for which purpose I Ordered Captain Bromedge to the Watering place upon Straten Island (a place we had always Watered at without interruption) Captain Bromedge's Orders were not to Fire, until our People were fired upon; these Orders were punctually exe- cuted ; for, at half past Nine in the Morning, about Five hundred of the Rebels came down a hollow way, and were not discovered, until they were so near the People placed to look out, that their retreat to the Boats was effectually cut off. The Rebels without any sort of Warning fired immediately upon the People employed filling the Water, upon which Captain Bromedge be- gan, and not until then, he very soon dispersed the Body to about Fifty, which Sheltered themselves behind Rocks, and in little Hollows, laying upon their Bellies and keeping up a very galling Fire, so much so, that he dare not venture a Boat to bring off his Cutter, which his Petty Officer very imprudently had allowed to Ground, finding he was not able to dislodge those Reb- els, I made his Signal to come off. The Situation of the Two Ships at the Arrival of the [224] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Savage was the same Sir, as when I had the Honor of writing you by Mr. Clark. But having received in- formation that the Rebels had an intention, of making an attempt to set the Asia on Fire, by means of a Number Vessels chained together, to be sent down upon an Ebb Tide, which runs very Strong. I was apprehensive this might be attended with disagreeable consequences, if not fatal, as her own Boats would be of very little effect upon such a Weight as a Number of Vessels chained together, in so strong a Tide's Way. Besides the great probability there was that the Rebels would erect Bat- teries upon Red Hook, from whence they might have Annoyed her very much. These reasons induced me to Order her down, nor should I have risqued that Ship so long, had I not been in daily expectation of the Fleet and Army. For while we were Able to keep those Sta- tions; a clear passage was kept open up the North River. Since the Asia has drop'd down, the Rebels have taken possession of Governor's Island where they have thrown up some Works, and also upon Red Hook. As any attempt of ours to interrupt their Fortifying the Narrows must in the end prove ineffectual from the great Height of the Lands upon each side. I judged it would be most conducive to His Majesty's Service, to preserve this place as a Port, and effectually Block it up, for which purpose, I have now placed the Asia, just above what is called the upper Middle Ground, a pass that the Rebels might in a great Measure, by sinking of Vessels, interrupt the passage of the Channel for the present. The Phoenix is at the Hook, which is the only place we can get Water, and this is of so Brackish a Nature, that I dread the Effects of it upon the Men's health's. [225 3 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Upon the Twenty Seventh of March having informa- tion, that the Ship Lady Gage, was moving from the Kilns (a place she had lain Aground from the time of her Arrival in the Winter) in order to go to Elizabeth Town, from whence it was proposed to push for Phila- delphia, to fit her out as a Privateer, I immediately Or- dered the Boats of the Two Ships under the directions of Lieutenant Robertson, to go and if he found it prac- ticable, to cut the said Ship out, if not to set her on Fire ; At the same time to send a Boat to Elizabeth Town Point, where the Blue Mountain Valley Transport laid (the Ship taken during the Winter) and if the Officer found her unguarded, he was to board her and set the Ship on Fire, both these Orders were Executed with punctuality and without loss. The Lady Gage is a fine New Ship, and a remarkable fast sailing One. On the Thirteenth the Nautilus Arrived with your Circular Letter; the other Dispatches you sent by the Glasgow, having been thrown Overboard in their En- gagement with the Rebel Privateers. The Situation His Majesty's Ships were in at this Port for want of Water, induced me to detain the Nau- tilus until the Twenty fourth, in Order to cover the Boats upon that service, until we had put the Light house in a State of defence, in doing of which I was reduced to the Necessity of burning the Dwelling house Annexed to it. The Lanthorn of it was totally destroyed by the Rebels on the Tenth of March, which has ren- dered the Light wholly useless as to Navigation. I think it my Duty Sir, from the confidence you have been pleased to place in me by communicating the Situ- ation of His Majesty's Troops, to tell you, that I do not imagine any Quantity of Provisions is to be expected in C226] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM this Province, until the Continental Army has received a severe Blow, and the King's Troops get possession of the Country, for however well inclined the greatest part of the Inhabitants of this Province are to give every Assistance, it is not in their power; As the Rebel Com- mittees are in possession of all the Landing Places, which totally prevents the Shipping of Provisions &ca. unless by their Permission. The Rebels have sent large Detachments of Troops towards Quebec, and a strong report prevails, that they have lately received another severe Check in that Quarter, but it is impossible in our present Situation to get at the Truth. They are exceedingly Assiduous both here and at Philadelphia in fitting out small Privateers, which I am apprehensive will in a very short time In- fest this Coast so, that no Vessel unless well Armed will be able to approach this Port. Considerable Exporta- tions of Flour are also carried out by the East end of Long Island. The News Papers say that the Privateers which fell in with the Glasgow, have lost a good Many Men and are considerably Shattered. These Ships by the same Channel are said to have been at Providence, taken the Governor Prisoner and brought off all the Military Stores to a considerable Amount. The Continental Congress Publickly publish in their News Papers Or- ders for making reprisals of all British Property, as also Copies of Commissions and Instructions for their Pri- vateers. From the Contractor of this Port, not being able to furnish the Ships with Rum, Pease, Butter and Cheese, the Asia begins to feel a great want in the three last Ar- ticles, to remedy this Evil as much as possible, I have 1:2273 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Ordered her to be Supplied with Flour and Melasses from the Prizes in lieu of those Articles, and have also compleated the Spirits on board both Ships to three Months, from Rum of the Cargo of the Brig Mary. It having been represented to me, that the Limes on board the Brig Diligence were perishing; I have with Advice of the Surgeons; Divided what remained between the two Ships with Orders for a Quantity of the Juice to be Mixed with the Grog. His Majesty's Pacquet Boat the Swallow Arrived at this place, March the Tenth and has been detained by the Governor, for Government Dispatches until the Nineteenth of this Month; Since which it has not been in my power to give her Convoy, being under the Ne- cessity of keeping the Savage constantly in Store to Cover the people employed Watering. Lieutenant Oldfield of the Marines having died since my last Letters, has induced me to defer the complying with your Order, for the Discharge of Lieutenant Sterling, until you shall be pleased to Order another Lieutenant to the Command of the Party. You will see Sir, by the report of Vessels taken that a Number of them have been Sunk, and destroyed, these were such that were by no means fit to be sent to Halifax and the putting Men into them would have Weakened our Ships considerably, I therefore saw no other Method of disposing of them, but destroying of them. Having received intelligence of a Schooner with Arms from Providence being to sail soon after the Ves- sel in which those Letters for Admiral Graves came; I judged that those Letters might have contained some Intelligence respecting the Schooner, I therefore took upon me to open them. 1:228] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosed Sir, I have the Honor of transmitting the State and Condition of His Majesty's Ships under my Command, as also the different reports &ca. respecting them since my last Letters. I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedient and most Humble Servant. H. Parker Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Rear Admiral of the White &ca. &ca. Phoenix, Sandy Hook New York 29th. April 1776 Endorsed 29 April 1776. | Copy of a Letter from | Captn. Parker to Vice | Admiral Shuldham. | In Dup. V. A. Shuldham's I 20 May 1776. C229] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B State of the Fortifications at New York Nature of Guns. Pounders. H Where placed on the different Batteries. The Form of the Batteries. 32 18 12 6 2 i< 4 6 6 6 3 Behind the Governors House near the) old Church, facing the North Riverf Above Black Sams Hill on Greenwich) road facing the North River 5 Behind Mr. Harris's Brew house by) the Forge facing Do. Do. 3 In broad way facing the Fort - - - E Half Moon E Half Moon. E Cock Pitt E across the street 4 if " " 4 On the Dock opposite the Albany) Pier, facing the East river 3 E Square 4 2 a 6 8 At the Ship Yards, facing Do.- - - By the Jews burying ground, behind) the Ship Yards 3 Mr. Byards Hill near the Bowery road Round the New Hospital, by the New/ road 3 E In Squares E S Breast Works n " 4 4 Behind Mr. Waltons House at Horns) Hook facing the East River ) E Angles. 4 2 2 II 8 6 On the Height, So. of Long Island) Ferry, facing the East River - -3 Fort George ----- E Angular. E 57 C230] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM The above where the Letter E stands are Batteries with Guns mounted as stands in the Columns. The Letter S is Breast Works for small Arms only. That Breast work on the Hill by the Jews Burying Ground will contain near 400 Men, it is made in an Angular form, with a large Trench all round; The Entrance into it on the bark part facing Mr. John's House on the Hill going to Corleys Hook. The Breast work round the New Hos- pital is in Squares with a Trench all round, 10 feet wide at the Top, and at Bottom one foot and half, this Breast Work will contain about 300 Men, and as they intend to Line the Hospital with Men to Fire over the Breast Works I know not how many Men it will contain. There is one thing I shall remark that their Embra- zures are so narrow and confined, that should any Ship pass, there is no one Gun can bear more than once to do any Damage to any Ship. That Battery on Long Island is so narrow and confined that it will not contain above 300 Men. I need not give the Names of the Streets in the Town that is Blockaded, as every Street facing both North and East Rivers has wooden Trunks made across 10 feet thick filled with Earth, in Order to intercept any Troops that may attempt landing. I cannot see any Cover for the Rear, only Mr. Byards Hill, it will con- tain near 300 Men, One Gun points across to Greenwich and one over Mr. Delancy's House, Two directly up the Road to Kings Bridge, and four Guns over the Town, but I never saw any Works worse Plan'd on such a Spot of Advantageous Ground. The Numbers placed in the Total Column has not yet their Guns placed, but are to mount the Number as above Marked. In the Total Column, the half moon Battery on Black Sams Hill C23O DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM will contain about 400 Men ; This Battery is Open on the Side next to the New Hospital as the Hospital Cov- ers it. The Cock Pitt Battery behind Mr. Harris's Brew House will contain about 250 Men. The Battery be- hind the Governors House, it may contain about 200 Men or more. The Battery at the Ship Yards may con- tain 500 Men ; they have began a Redout about a quar- ter of a Mile behind the Battery on Long Island, which appears to be pretty large, but as they have not done any work at it for this two Days, I immagine they are going to alter the Plan of it. As to Fort George, they have pulled down all the Square, fronting Broadway and the Embrazures on the Ramports not finished I shall leave that 'til another opportunity. Endorsed State of the Fortifications | at New York &ca. I No. I. Enclosure C New York April 17th. 1776. Secret Intelligence. Since my last of April 9th. I have endeavour'd to collect the number of the Brigade which arrived from Boston the 9th. and loth. Instant commanded by one Sullivan, which is Six Regiments, about 550 Men in each Regiment, and on the nth. instant the following brass field pieces arrived here from Cambridge, Four 6 Pounders, two of which are the King's, Four 3 Do. and Two, 4 Do. Total Ten. Eight 6 Poundrs. belonging C232] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM to New York, which were cast at the Forge on Green- wich Road— those Six belonging to New York are joined in a Park with the King's, by the Liberty Pole. The total in all Eighteen. From Philadelphia the 12th. instt. arrived here 40 Artillery Men— Mr. Washington arrived here the 13th. as a private Gentleman the 14th. and 15th. arrived from Boston 120 Men and from the best Accounts I can get from them, they left in Boston Six Regiments which may be near 3060 Men; and they are the whole of Washington's Troops left in or near Boston. But if any attempt should be made by the King's Troops there, they wholly depend on the Assistance of the Country Militia. The two Privateers fitted out here has not met with such good success as they expected, they cannot get Men to man them as yet— One that carries Six 4 Pounders is to have 40 Men, and the other that carries Four, 4 Pounders is to have 30 or 35 Men— They have now mounted on Fort George Seven Guns 32 and 12 Pounders; and on the lower Battery under Fort George have mounted Ten 32 Pounders— the Em- brazures on this last Battery, are not as yet finished. They have three 32 Pounders mounted on the Cock pit Battery, behind Mr. Harrison's Brew-house near the Forge. —There is no alteration in the rest of the Bat- teries since the Account given the 9th. April, only the redoubt on Long Island is entirely left off, which was all the cover they had for their rear, they have made one small Breast Work between the Ferry and the Battery on the Bank, forty paces round and open in the rear. The works on Governors Island and red Hook, they are now working at. I have not seen, but am made to un- [233] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM derstand, that on the Governors Island is to have Four Guns, the works are about 400 Yards round— Red bank is to mount Three Guns. I am informed they are throwing up some works on each side of the Narrows, but cannot affirm it for a certainty. I can say no more at present, but will do every thing in my power to serve his Majesty's Arms. I am &ca. NB. Since I wrote the fore part of the above, two Brigs and three Sloops, are come down the Sound, with the remaining part of Washington's Army about 300 Men. It is a great pity that some method cannot be taken to stop the communication down the Sound to the Town; as it would certainly prevent the Rebels from receiving any supplies but by Land. NB. This Letter is from a Man whose Information has proved he may be depended upon. No. i is from the same person. H. P. Endorsed Secret Intelligence. | No. 2. [234] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure D [ RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS ] Philadelphia, April 8. In Congress March 6th. 1776. Resolved, That any goods, wares and merchandizes, except staves and empty Casks, other than shaken or knock'd down casks for Molasses, may be exported from the Thirteen United Colonies, by the Inhabitants thereof, and by the people of all such Countries as are not subject to the King of Great Britain, to any parts of the world which are not under the dominion of the said King: Provided that no Vessel be permitted to export any greater number of shaken or knock'd down Mo- lasses Casks than the same Vessel is capable of carrying when they shall be filled with Molasses. Resolved, That any Goods, wares and merchandize, except such as are of the growth, production or manu- facture of, or brought from any Country under the dominion of the King of Great Britain, and except East India Tea may be imported from any other parts of the world, to the Thirteen United Colonies, by the Inhabi- tants thereof, and by the people of all such countries as are not subjects to the said King, liable however to all such duties and impositions as now are or may hereafter be laid by any of the said Colonies. Resolved, That nothing herein contained shall be understood to prevent such future commercial regula- tions as shall be thought just and necessary by their United Colonies or their respective legislatures. [235] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Resolved, That no Slaves be imported into any of the Thirteen United Colonies. Resolved, That it be recommended to the Assemblies and Conventions in the several Colonies to appoint proper Officers at Convenient places in their respective Colonies to take Bond in adequate penalties, for ob- serving the regulations made by the Congress or Assem- blies or Conventions, concerning Trade, and for securing the observation of such parts as are not incon- sistent therewith, and that the obligor shall within Eighteen Months after the departure of the Vessel, pro- duce to such Officers a Certificate under the hands and seals of three or more reputable Merchants residing at the Port or place where the Cargo shall be delivered, that the same was there unladed, and take manifests upon Oath of the Cargoes exported and imported, and keep fair Accounts and Entries thereof, give bills of health when desired, grant registers shewing the prop- erty of the Vessels cleared out, and Sign Certificates that the requisites for qualifying vessels to trade have been complied with, and that the fees of the said Offi- cers be stated by the respective Assemblies or Conven- tions Provided always that no prosecution upon any of the said Bonds shall be commenced but within three Years after the date thereof. Resolved, That all goods, wares and merchandize, except such as are made prize of, which shall be im- ported directly or indirectly from Great Britain or Ire- land, into any of these United Colonies, contrary to the regulations established by Congress, shall be forfeited and disposed of agreable to such rules as shall be made by the several Assemblies or Conventions, or shall be liable to prosecution and condemnation in any Court, 1:2363 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM erected or to be erected for the determination of mari- time affairs in the Colony where the seizure shall be made. By Order of Congress, (Signed,) JOHN HANCOCK, President. Endorsed Copy of the Resolves | of the Continental | Congress 6th. March 1776. Enclosure E [ PLAN OF THE CHEVEAUX-DE-FRIZE IN THE DELAWARE RIVER ] If any part of the Fleet are Ordered up to Philadel- phia, the formidable bug-bears which the Philadel- phians have sunk in their River, and which they call Cheveaux de f rize, may be passed by bribing one of the Pilots which carries their own Vessels through them. They are about Twenty feet high, and the Hypothenuse about thirty feet, made of Spars about Eighteen Inches Square, and One foot long, the Wood frame pretty well joined ; and the Side view of it is thus. It is about 16 or 18 feet wide, and the lower part will contain about 15 or 20 Tons of Stones. They bar the Channel across in this manner. [;237l DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM I I I z: I I : I J : They are guarded by two Brigs which carry i8 Pound- ers, and a floating Battery which carries Ten 12 Pound- ers ; but they are not Manned with Sailors. I should be very sorry to hear of the destruction of so fine a City, but should rejoice to hear of two or three Men of War passing through or weighing up their Cheveaux de frise, and taking their Vessels; that they may be con- vinced, that nothing is impossible to the British Tars, and that 'tis in vain to contend with Great Britain. This from a Gentleman of Credit at Philadelphia. H. P. Endorsed Plan of the Cheveaux | de f rize in Delaware | River. Enclosure F Extract of a Letter from Philadelphia dated 1 8th. March 1776. We are all hearty and in good Spirits. The People from the Country are coming in and enlisting daily. On the i6th. February Francis Proctor with Seventy Montrosses Sailed for Carolina in a Brig. On the 17th. Fleet sailed from the Old Kill Road; DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM the Pilot left them about three Leagues distance from the False Cape, steering to the Southward. On the 27th. a French Tartan Arrived with Arms and Powder, a Brig belonging to one Hodges of this place with 300 Stand of Arms 24 Tons of Powder and Linnin from Amsterdam. Our floating Battery is Launched, she is to mount Eighteen 9 Pounders, 200 Men and 18 Oars to be sta- tioned at the Fort, where Two Piers are to be sunk to swing the Chain ; A Brig a three New York Pilot Boats arrived with Powder, the Brig was a Sloop Lengthened at New York, she is purchased by the Congress to carry 1 10 Men and to Mount sixteen 4 Pounders, and 16 Oars. They have been trying to Sink Shiver De Frieux at Marcut's Hook. The Association Act does not take the efifect they expected, they talk of a Convention and lay aside the Assembly but it is opposed. Lee set off the 15th. of March with about 100 Men, (that he brought with him from Virginia, There are several Companies going to New York this Week if they can get in Cloaths. Major Coats sets off with a considerable Sum of Gold and Silver the 28th. of this Month for New York to go to Quebec. There is a great many people who want to get on board His Majesty's Ships if they could tell how. They go on very brisk with their Frigates, the Guard- ship will be launched next week, she that belonged to New York is now called the Lexington Captain Barbut; I believe she will not be readily manned, if the people could get any encouragement to go into His Majesty's Service and be sure of a Discharge at the end of the Trouble for a great many has engaged out of necessity, but are very unwilling. They have used the Prisioners [239] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM very ill that was taken at Egg Harbour put five of them in a Dungeon in Irons. The Assembly have passed an Act to raise 1500 Men more, 1000 Rifle and 500 Musquet Men. There is about 2000 Stand of Arms and about Seventy Tons of Powder come in since the 13th. February. They expect many Vessels and there is several going out to Sea. There is a great many New England Vessels here for Flour and other Provisions, which will be ready to sail next week, I wish we could have a Cruizer or two to intercept them Endorsed Duplicate | Extract of a Letter from | Phila- delphia, Dated i8th. March 1776. Enclosure G [ ORDER ISSUED BY GENERAL PUTNAM ] Head-Quarters New York, April 8th. 1776. The General, informs the inhabitants, that it is be- come absolutely necessary, that all communication, between the ministerial fleet and shore, should be im- mediately stopped, for that purpose, has given positive orders, that the ships should no longer be furnished with Provisions. Any inhabitant, or others, who shall be taken, that have been on board, or near any of the Ships, or going on board, will be considered as enemies, and treated accordingly. All boats are to sail from Beekman's-slip; Capt. James Alner is appointed Inspector, and will give per- il 240] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM mits for oyster men: It is expected and ordered, that none attempt going without a pass. Israel Putnam, Major General in the continental Army, and Commander in Chief of the Forces in New York/ Endorsed Copy of General Putmans \ Advertisement at New I York— April 8. 1776. Enclosure H [J. K. TO GOVERNOR TRYON ] New York April 26th. 1776 Several expresses have lately arrived to General Washington from the Northward, who bring disagre- able Intelligence from the Army in Canada, and has occasioned a meeting of the General Officers in Town. —All things are kept a profound Secret and scarce any- thing to be got out of them,— but from the best intelli- gence they have been severely drub'd in that Quarter, some say the Rebels have lost 1600 Men, some say more, some say less— be that as it may they are quite Crest fallen— General Washington sent his Aid de Camp to Philadelphia to the Congress with some News or Dis- patches he would not trust by any other person, and last night or this Morning sent one of his Officers to the Congress. It is said that General Wooster, in Order to suppress Idolatry obstructed the Host on Easter Sunday and shut up some of the Churches grosly insulting the people. This excited the indignation of the Canadians and a ^ Putnam was in command at New York until the arrival of Wash- ington, April 13, 1776. [241] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Religious Frensy seized them. They are determined to support Government to the utmost. A large Body of them have offered their Service to Carlton there are said to be between Two and three thousand Men— The In- dians have received their presents as usual by the Mis- sisipy — and that they have taken up the Hatchet — The People of Albany are greatly alarmed— Wooster has thrown the blame of his imprudence on one Walker who it is said is under an Arrest by order of the Con- gress—A Report prevails that Lee has given himself up to Lord Dunmore with Five hundred Men, after fleec- ing the Congress of all their Gold and Silver,— what gives Credit to this report is that Lewis Morris Junr. his Aid de Camp is returned and appears without any Military mark of Distinction— General Thompson ap- peared to leave this place with great regret and the Troops went off with great reluctance, nay much against their wills, and they were obliged to pay them well to get them off— It is supposed about three thou- sand went with the last Embarkation, a number of Negroes said to belong to the Tories are in the Army— The CoUedge is taken for Barracks, And the Inhabi- tants not suffered to Walk the Streets after Ten o'Clock at night without the Countersign— Several Houses on the Church ground have been pulled down. JK A Copy of a Letter sent to Governor Tryon April 28 and appears to be from a Confidential Friend to Gov- ernment. Endorsed 26 April 1776 | Copy of a Letter from a | Gentleman at New York | to His Exy. Governor Tryon | containing Intelligence | from Canada &ca. [;242] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure I [ GOVERNOR TRYON TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Ship Dutchess of Gordon Sandy-Hook ist. May 1776. Sir, Tho personally unknown to you I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of acquainting you of the Spirited behaviour of Captain Bromedge in the attack at the Watering place on the 7th. Instant when the Enemy treacherously fired upon the Seamen on Shore. Not- withstanding they have secreted their loss it appears by the Affidavit of a Countryman who was on the spot a few Hours after the Action that the Rebels had Twenty four Men killed and Sixteen Wounded. The particu- lars of this affair I presume you will receive from Cap- tain Parker. This circumstance so honourable to Captain Bromedge, and happening within my own view induces me to wish, and I would even beg leave to solicit, that his merit and long Services may be re- warded by you with a better ship. I am with respect Sir Your most Obedt. Servt. Wm. Tryon. Admiral Shuldham. Endorsed i May 1776 | Copy of a Letter from | Gover- nor Tryon, I relating Capt. Bromedge [243:1 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure J An Account of Vessels Seized or Taken by His Majesty's the last Account When Seized or Where What Sort of Vessel Names of the Taken Vessels Masters Owners March 9th 1776 Liverpool u Mermaid Davd. Bray Wm. Freeman 24 (( it Ebenezer Jno. Clemons Jno. Pedrick April 21 Port Meetoon a York Robt. Down Jno. Stone Janry 23 Febry 25 March 8 At Sea Cape Fear Har- bor At Sea Brig Do. Sloop Hibernia Two Friends Adventure Saml. Avery Dougl. Magregor Fras. Beardman Thos. & James Cochran Robt. Campbell Dougl. Magregor Wm. McKane and the Master April 18 <( Schooner Martha Josh. Brownlow Abram. Eve March 2d 8 Gravesend Bay N. York Sloop Do. Ranger Betsey Thos. Dobbs Alexr. Gardner 17 (( Brig Diligence " Robinson Mr. Barnard 20 K Do. Mary Anty. Shoemaker Jno. Ellis 22 Cranbury Inlet Sloop Wanton Jno. Mount Saml. Burling 28 Elizabeth Town Ship Lady Gage (( (( April 5 Gravesend Bay Sloop Betsey Chrisr. Bradley Rd. Westcott 5 (( Do. Hannah Isaac Buck Jas. Howell 10 Gravesend Bay Do. Sukey (1 (( 15 (( Do. Do. Diana Jona. Haddon Jona. Haddon 17 a Do. Do. Industry Wm. Roach Jas. Wells 17 (1 Do. Brig Amazon Jno. Clark (( [244] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM lips and Vessels in North America, received IS transmitted. smce From Whence Where Bound By what Ship Taken To what Port sent for Security Cargo How dis- posed of minica rm N. Scotia Liverpool Do. Senegal Do. Halifax Do. Melasses Rum Flour and Coffee Wood d York spaniola Fishing Halifax Do. Falcon Do. Cape Fear Some Salt and 6 Weeks Provisions Melasses Sugar and Coffee iladelphia Cape Fear Do. Do. Ballast orge Town rmuda w York Salem Cleared for St. Augustine Bound to the Rebels Egg Harbor Do. Do. Phoenix Do. Do. Rice, Indigo and Skins Salt Ballast Sunk iladelphia Do. Do. (( Do. Sunk w Providence New York Do. Halifax Melasses, Fruit &ca. Christophers Said to be bound to Cork Do. New York One hundred and Seventy two Hhds of Rum anbury Inlet " Do. 11 Ballast t from a Wh arf Do. Halifax Do. g Harbor (( Do. u Melasses and Sugar Sunk Lucia i( Do. (( Melasses and Brandy ack point N. York Do. u Oysters rnigatt Amboy Do. l( Cedar Rails Do. Stoning town Do. " Lumber ladalupe Said to be bound to St. Peters Do. Halifax Ballast 1:2453 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Time When Seized Where What Sort of Vessel Names of the or Taken Vessels Masters Owners Febry. 6 1776 New York Sloop (( " Murray " Murray Mar. 19 i( Do. Do. Elizabeth Jas. Woglum Jas. Woglum 19 (( (1 Do. Mary (( " April 21 (< (( (( Hetty Jno. Hortwick Jno. Hortwick May I (> Off Block Island Schoonr. Lyon Moses Barlow Endorsed Accot. of Vessels | Seized by His Majts. Ships | No. 9. 1:246: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM From Whence Where Bound By what Ship Taken To what Port sent for Security Cargo How dis- josed of Jerseys Do. Do. Long Island Cape Francois North River New York Do. Do. Jerseys Rhode Island Asia Do. Do. Do. Cerberus Halifax Pig Iron Flour Pig Iron Sand Arms Ammunition &ca. Sunk Chatham Halifax Harbour 23rd. May 1776. M : Shuldham In Vice Adml. Shuldhams | Lre of 20 May ] Marked C | 1:2473 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour 23d. May 1776. Sir, [Herewith I transmit you the Disposition of His /Majesty's Squadron under my Command;] also a List /of the Promotions and removals of Officers since my last Account which I beg their Lordships will be pleased to Confirm by sending out the several Commis- sions and Warrants for them. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 23 May 1776 | Halifax | Vice Adml. Shuld- ham I R 26 June | (2 Inclosures) R 26 June | Answd. 20 July by the Orpheus Minute 27 June | Send a Copy within | [ ] with a Copy of the | disposition to Ld. G. Germain for | &ca. [2493 Enclosure A Disposition of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North Rate 4th 6th Sloop (< Store Ship Brig Schooner Ships Sloop 4th 6th Sloop Brig 4th 6th Chatham Lively Scarborough Greyhound Savage Swan Adventure Diligent Halifax Tryal Dispatch Merlin Viper Tamer Senegal Centurion Renov^^n Milford Hope Bolton Experiment Rose Cerberus Commanders V. Admiral Shuldham Captn. John Raynor " Thos. Bishop Andw, Barkley " Archd. Dickson " Hugh Bromedge " Jas, Ayscough Lieutt. Jno. Hallum " Edmd. Dod " Wm. Quarme " Jno. Brown " Jno. Goodridge Captn. W. Chr. Burnaby " Saml. Graves " Chrr. Mason " Wm. Duddingston " Richd. Brathwaite " Fras. Banks " John Burr " Geo. Dawson Lieut. Edwd. Sneyd Capt. Alexr. Scot " Jas. Wallace " Jno. Symons 1:2503 In Halifax Harbour At Annapolis in In the Bay of At Windsor in Cruizing between Cruizing between Cruizing and Do. Cruizing in Bos- Supposed to be Supposed to be Ordered to Cruize of St. George's Cruizing between America, under the Command of Vice Admiral Shuldham. Disposition Moored off the Yard. I Under Orders to proceed with the Levant Victualler to New York and the) (Delaware, and from thence to Cape Fear and Saint Augustine. ) Refitting. Intended to accompanj' the Convoy to New York. Alongside the Jetty preparing to heave dovv^n. Intended to accompany the Convoy to New York, To accompany the Fleet. Under Orders to proceed to the Island St. John to bring away Ord- nance Stores. Refitting. Lying at the entrance of the Harbour to examine all Vessels. . To accompany the Convoy, the Bay of Fundy, Ordered to Halifax with a Convoy laden with Forage. Fundy, Cruizing. the Bay of Fundy to Convoy Transports with Troops to Cumberland, the Isle of Shoals and Penobscott Bay. Cape Sable and Cape Anne in the Longitude of Saint Georges Bank, rendezvousing occasionally in Boston Bay and Nantasket Road, under the Command of Captain Banks. ton Bay and off Piscataqua under command of Captain Banks, taken by the Rebels. in Nantasket Road, Ordered to join Sir Peter Parker. between Cape Cod and Cape Anne, Stretching off to the North part Bank. Martha's Vineyard and the East end of Long Island. 1:2513 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Rate Ships Commanders 5th Orpheus Capt. Chas. Hudson (( Phoenix (( Hyde Parker 3d Asia (( Geo. Vandeput 5th Roebuck (( A. S. Hamond 6th Fowey u Geo. Montagu Sloop King's fisher <( Alexr, Grame 6th Liverpool u Henry Bellew 1 Sloop Otter (( Mattv^. Squire J (( Cruizer (( Fras, Parry 1 (( Scorpion (( Hon. Jno. Tollemache J 6th Sphynx <( Anty. Hunt 1 (< Syren " Tobias Furneaux J (< Mercury a Jas. Montagu ] Sloop Falcon (( John Linzee J (( Raven a Jno. Stanhope 1 Armed Ship Cherokee Lieut , Jno. Ferguson J Schooner St. Lawrence (( Jno. Graves u Hinchinbrook <( Alexr. Ellis Sloop Nautilus Capt. John Collins Schooner St. John Lieut . Wm, Grant 6th Lizard Capt. Jno. Hamilton Sloop Hunter (( Thos. Mackenzie Brig Gaspee Lieut Geo. Wilson 5th Niger Capt. Geo. Talbot 1:2523 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Disposition IStationed between Long Island and Cape Henlopen. At New York. In the River Delaware. jSent to the Dalaware, to be under the Command of Captn. Hamond. On his passage to the Delaware, to put himself under the Command of Captain Hamond. At Virginia. Ordered to Boston by Vice Admiral Graves. At North Carolina. At Cape Fear. Supposed to be Cruizing off Cape Fear, General Clinton on board the Mercury. At Savannah, in the Province of Georgia. At Cape Fear. At St. Augustine. Sent to Bermuda, for the protection of the King's Ordnance Stores. At St, Augustine. At Quebec. Sent to Convoy the 47th Regiment to Quebec. Chatham in Halifax Harbour the 24th May 1776. M : Shuldham. 1:253] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Duplicate. Sir, Chatham, In Halifax Harbour, June 2d. 1776. I am to acquaint you that the Canceaux ar- rived here Yesterday and that I have received the following Orders and Letters, with the Several papers referred to in them, and also duplicates of other Letters and Orders, which have been received before and Acknowledged. Orders April 1 8th. 1776. To send the Fowey to Newfound- land and to deliver a Pacquet inclosed to Cap- tain Montagu. 4th— To Purchase a Ship at Boston called the Britania, and to Establish her as a Sloop by the Name of the Albany, to appoint Lieutenant Mowat to Command her, and to put a Lieutenant to Command the Canceaux. 1 2th— That the Marines sent from the Ships to the Battalions should be discharged by Pay List. 1 8th. To take Lieutenant Mowat in the Can- ceaux under my Command — Letters 1 8th— Enclosing to me Lists of the Several Vessels sent under the different Convoys to America &ca 1:254:] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 19th. Relative to Cruizers being sent off Bermuda, for the Protection of the homeward bound West India Trade. Respecting the Orders, I must inform you that the Ship Lady Gage, which by my Letter of the 20 May, I acquainted you I intended to purchase in lieu of the Britannia (which Ship was destroyed at Boston at the Evacuation of that place,) was upon being Surveyed by the proper Officers found insufficient for the Metal sent out in the Canceaux; I have therefore purchased an- other ship every way suitable to their Lordships inten- tions, and have taken the Necessary measures for Establishing her as a Sloop by the Name of the Albany, agreeable to their Lordships Commands, and shall cause her to get ready for Sea as fast as possible. The Fowey is now in the River Delaware under Cap- tain Hammond, but I shall lose no time in ordering her to Newfoundland. With reference to your Letter of the i8th. of April, I am to Inform you that I have been acquainted by Cap- tain Talbot of the Niger, (which Ship arrived here Yesterday and brought me the News of the happy Sit- uation of His Majesty's Affairs in Canada) that the Juno and Blonde with the Transports under their Con- voy were as far up the River Saint Lawrence as Cape Chat on the 21st. May, and that the Convoy under the Carysfort and Pearl were then in the Gulph. Their Lordships may be assured I shall Continue so to dispose of the Ships under my Command, that the Rebels may be as far as possible prevented from holding any intercourse with foreign parts, and that the Utmost vigilance has been Used by his Majesty's Cruizers to 1:2553 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM hinder their obtaining the Supplies, which from the very great extent of Coast I have to Guard, have un- luckily fallen into their hands. I shall at every opportunity make known, according to their Lordships directions, the Reward intended to be given to the Mate and Seamen of the Ship from Philadelphia (which you inform me has been carried into Bristol by them,) and I flatter myself the Encour- agement these Men have met with for their Loyalty and attachment to their Country, will induce others to fol- low their Example. In answer to your Letter of the 19th. April signify- ing their directions that I should send occasional Cruizers ofif the Bermuda Islands for the Protection of the West India Trade, you will please to Acquaint their Lordships I shall pay all the Attention in my power to that Service but they will be pleased to observe that not- withstanding the number of ships that have sailed from England for this Country, I have been joined by no more than the Milford, which I cannot remove from Boston Bay, the Greyhound is now here, and which I must detain to assist in Convoying the Transports with the Troops and other ships from hence, which are ex- pected to move in a few days, and the Canceaux that ar- rived here but yesterday which I intend to send express to Quebec in a few days with the General's and my Dis- patches, I will however as soon as it is possible Comply with their Lordships requisition on this head. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant M: Shuldham. Philip Stephens Esqr. C256] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham in Halifax Harbour 8th. June 1776. Sir By a Letter from Captain Banks of the Renown of the 24th. past* he informs me that a few days before, he had sent his Boats with those of the Experiment Manned and Armed to destroy a small Rebel Privateer which had run ashore in one of the Channels leading to Boston; That in this attempt his First Lieutenant Mr. Harris was killed, and Seven more Men of the party were either killed or Drowned by the Barge oversetting at the instant she had got alongside the Vessel, upon which the other Boats were obliged to retire, and by the account of a Deserter who arrived at Nantasket, the Captain and several of the Men belonging to the Pri- B^^vateer were killed in this Action, but I am sorry to in- form you that we find she had a few days before taken the Hope Ordnance Vessel mentioned in my former Letter. I cannot upon this occasion omit repeating my earnest request, that Stores of such great importance, and upon which so much depends, may be sent out in Ships of some considerable Force, and under the Com- mand of a King's Officer. For as, the generality of the Masters of Merchant Ships and persons of little prop- erty or consideration and easily to be Bribed, their Treachery must be productive of the most fatal conse- quences which there is great reason to suspect was the cause of this valuable Ship the Hope being taken. The Bowman Transport, one of the Flora's Convoy * Suppose May 1776 [2573 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM arrived here last night by which Ship I have informa- tion, that a few days after their departure from the River Clyde, they met with a Gale of Wind which oc- casioned a seperation of the Fleet. On approaching this Coast the Bowman at different times, fell in with several others of their Convoy, which parted Company at the time she did, until Seven of them were collected together, and upon St. George's Bank they spoke the Merlin Sloop, by which Ship they were informed of the Evacuation of Boston, and had directions to proceed to this place and there are now four of them oflf the Har- bour. I have adopted proper measures for these Ships being intercepted as they come upon this Coast, that in- stead of going to Boston they may be conducted to the place where the Army may be. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Halifax \ Vice Adml. Shuldham | Rd. by Cap. Duddingston I 5 July 1776. 1:258] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, In Halifax Harbour, June 8th. 1776. Sir, I herewith Inclose you a Copy of a letter I received from General Howe representing that, as the Trans- port Department which was already very extensive, would during the Course of the ensuing Campaign be greatly increased, it was his Opinion it would be for his Majesty's Service that an Officer of Superior Rank to a Lieutenant should have the direction of the Other Agents; and Applying at the same time that Lieutenant Bourmaster may be appointed a Master and Com- mander for that purpose. In order therefore to Contribute every thing in my Power to the Success of the Operations of the Cam- paign, I gave Lieutenant Bourmaster an Order to Com- mand the Albany for a few days to give him Rank, and fhope their Lordships will be pleased to Confirm him a Master and Commander in Consequence of the Gen- erals request and my opinion of the propriety of the Measure. I am Sir, Your most Obedient Servant M: SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. C2593 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Endorsed Halifax | 8 June 1776 | V. Adm. Shuldham 2 Inclo Ansd. 23. July, by the Perseus ^ Minute 11 July | fto be confirmed | when sent hither | for that purpose 1:2603 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ GENERAL HOWE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] Copy Plalifax 25th. May 1776. Sir, From the present very extensive Business in the Transport Department, and the certainty of a large encrease of Shipping in the course of this Campaign, I humbly apprehend His Majesty's Service in that Line does require an Officer of Superior Rank, to have the Command and direction of the other Agents: I am therefore induced to make application to you, to ap- point Lieutenant Bourmaster to be Master and Com- mander in the Navy, being at the same time hopeful, this is not an improper request, and that you will be- lieve my Intentions are to Submit the Propriety of the Measure entirely to your better Judgment: Neither should I recommend Lieutenant Bourmaster were he not an old Officer, in addition to his laborious good Ser- vices during his employment in this Department, which done, will, I am confident entitle him to your favor. I have the Honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant Signed— W HoWE Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Vice Admiral of the Blue &ca. &ca. 1:260 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure B [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO GENERAL HOWE ] (Copy) Chatham, Halifax Harbour, 25th May 1776. Sir, I have the honor of your Letter of this date and shall always find the Utmost Satisfaction in Complying with any of your requests either of a Publick or Private Na- ture, but particularly when they happen to be made in favor of an Officer of Lieutenant Bourmaster's Merit and Abilities, and tho' I do not recollect any Precedent for Such a Measure, yet that Nothing may be Wanting on my part which you think. Sir, will contribute to the Success of Our Operations in the approaching Cam- paign; I shall Venture to take upon me to appoint Lieutenant Bourmaster, Master and Commander for a few days of a Vessel I intend to Purchase for the King, which appointment in justice to that Officers Preten- tions and Services as well as your recommendation, I heartily wish my Lords Commissioners of the Ad- miralty will be pleased to Confirm— I have the Honor to be with great regard and Esteem. Sir, Your most Obedient and Most Hble Servant M. SHULDHAM Honble General Howe C262] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham, ofif Staten Island near New York, the 6th. July 1776. Sir, / I herewith transmit you the Disposition of His Maj- esty's Squadron under my Command, also the State and /Condition of those Ships from which I have been Able to Collect them. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed 6 July 1776 | Staten Island | Vice Adml. Lord I Shuldham R 10 Aug 1776 I Answd. 6 Septr. l26n DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A | Disposition of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North America Rate Ships Commanders 4th Chatham I Centurion V. A. Shuldham Captain John Raynor Rd. Brathwaite 5 Phoenix Hyde Parker 3 Asia Geo. Vandeput 6 Rose James Wallace (( Greyhound Archd. Dickson Storeship Adventure Lieutt. John Hallum Sloop Senegal Captain Rogr. Curtis Schooner Tryal Lieutt. John Brown Sloop Swan Captn. Jas. Ayscough 5th Orpheus Chas. Hudson Roebuck ' A. S. Hamond 6th Fowey ' Geo. Montagu Sloop Kings fisher ' Alexr. Graeme (( Otter ' Matw. Squire 6 Sphinx ' Anty. Hunt (( Syren ' Tobias Ferneaux Sloop Falcon ' Jno. Linzee <( Cruizer ' Fras. Parry (( Scorpion ' Honble Jno. Tollemache Schooner St. Lawrence Lieutt. Jno. Graves 4 Bristol Commodore Sr. Petr. Parker Captain John Morris (( Experiment " Alexr. Scott Sloop Raven " John Stanhope Armed Ship Cherokee Lieutt. John Ferguson Schooner St. John " Wm. Grant (( Hinchenbrook " Alexr. Ellis C2643 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM mder the Command of Vice Admiral Shuldham. Disposition Moor'd off the Watering Place on Staten Island, New York bearing N N E >^ Et., distance 4 Miles. n the Creek between the S W part of Staten Island and the town of Amboy to Cut off le communication with New Jersey. n the Creek off the N. W. part of Staten Island. Lt Sandy Hook. 'ruizing between the West end of Long Island & Cape Henlopen. it Virginia. Supposed to be At, or Cruizing off the Delaware. At Cape Fear. At Charles Town South Carolina. ■ At Savannah in the Province of Georgia. I- At Saint Augustine. 1:265: Rate Ships Commanders 6 Lively Captn. Thos. Bishop Sloop Nautilus " Jno. Collins 6 Liverpool " Hy. Bellew a Cerberus " Jno. Symons Sloop Merlin " W. C. Burnaby 4th Renown " Fras. Banks 6 Milford " Jno. Burr Sloop Hope " Geo. Dawson Brig Halifax Lieut. Wm. Quarme 6th Scarborough Captn. Andw, Barkley Sloop Viper " Saml. Graves (( Tamer Chrr. Mason Schooner Dispatch Lieut. John Goodridge 5th Niger Captn. Geo. Talbot Sloop Savage Hu. Bromedge (( Albany " Heny. Mowat Armed Ship Canceaux Lieut. John Schank 6 Mercury Captain Jas. Montagu Brig Diligent Lieutt. Edmd. Dod 4 Isis Captain Chas. Douglas 6 Lizard " Jno. Hamilton ii Triton Skiffn. Lutwidge Sloop Hunter Thos. McKinzie Armed Ships | Lord Howe Bute " Jno. Pringle " Anty. Parry Schooner Magdalen Lieutt. Josh. Nunn Brig Gaspee " Geo. Wilson n266: Disposition 3rdered to Saint Augustine with Cash & Necessaries for HiS Majs. Forces, sent to Bermuda for the protection of the King's Ordnance Stores. ■Cruizing between Martha's Vineyard and the East end of Long Island. J 1- Cruizing in Boston Bay. I In the Bay of Fundy, to prevent any Hostitle Attempts on the Province of Nova !■ Scotia, the latter Ordered to Convoy Transports with Hay &ca. to Halifax, and from thence to Sandy Hook. J Cruizing between Cape Samborough & the Isle of Sable. At Halifax. Ordered to Convoy the Transports with the Light Horse to Sandy Hook. " Ordered to protect the Colliery at Spanish River in the Island Cape Breton. Fitting. Ordered to Quebec with General Howe's & my Dispatches. Sailed for Halifax with Dispatches to Me from Sir Petr. Parker Supposing to find Me at that place. At the Island of Saint Johns. 1 Supposed to be sailed for England. In the River Saint Lawrence. Chatham off Staten Island near New York the 6th July 1776. M: Shuldham [267: DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham off Staten Island near New York the 6th. July 1776. Sir, I acquainted you in my Letter of the 9th. of June, that I had Appointed Mr. Evan Nepean Purser of the Falcon, and my Secretary, Purser of the Roebuck, in the room of Mr. James Mason, whose Death was re- ported to me by Captain Linzee of the Falcon, but as that Information is since found to be groundless, I have withdrawn the Warrants I had Signed on that occasion. Captain Bellew of His Majesty's Ship Liverpool having acquainted me in his Letter of the loth. past, (a /Copy of which I inclose for their Lordships informa- tion) that Mr. Richard Boger his Second Lieutenant is taken Prisoner by the Rebels I have Appointed Mr. Richard Hinckley Midshipman on board His Majesty's Ship Chatham Second Lieutenant of His Majesty's Ship Liverpool in his room, which Appointment I hope their Lordships will be pleased to confirm, by sending out a Commission for him. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Staten Island | Vice Admiral | Lord Shuld- ham I R 10 Augt. 1776 | (i Inclosure) Reed. 10 Augt. 1776 I Answd. 6. Septr. C2683 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ CAPTAIN BELLEW TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Liverpool, Hoar Hill road, loth. June 1776. Sir! . Captain Graeme of the Kingsfisher having joined me at this place the 7 inst. and taken a Brig from Cape Francois laden with Melasses bound to this Port, I have Approved of his sending her to Halifax, more from thinking it Necessary you should be acquainted Sir with the Situation of His Majesty's Ships here, than the Value of the Seizure, which is by no Means equal to the loosing five Men for an uncertain time. I arrived here the 2d. May from Virginia in Consequence of an Order from Captain Hamond on the 6th. we went up the Delaware to Water as far as a few Miles above New Castle, where we was Attacked two different days, by fourteen Row Gallies carrying each One large Cannon, either an Eighteen, Twenty four, or Thirty two pounder, the River being very Wide and the Channel very Narrow they took Care to keep at that distance which made our fire very Uncertain, at no time So near as a Mile, in general much more, we fired away an im- mense quantity of Powder and Ball, to no other pur- pose than killing about thirteen Men, and disabling three of their Gallies, the Roebuck had One Man killed, one Shot through my Bowsprit and both our Sails and rigging much torn. Captain Hamond left this place the i6th. May to go to Virginia, since which time C269] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM I have heard nothing from him, his Orders to Me were to join him in Hampton road when in want of Pro- visions or Water; although I have a good quantity of the latter On board, yet, owing to the putrified State of it, which I fear Causes the Unhappy Sickness among my people I shall be under the Necessity of repairing Soon to Some place to procure What is better. I pro- pose to try the probability of getting it at New York, rather than at Virginia, for this reason. Captain Graeme who run thither on missing Me here, being then Cruiz- ing ofif, neither Saw or Could learn any thing of any Ship Whatever; I cannot Account for the removal of so large a Number of Vessels as were at Norfolk, only their being gone up Some of the Fresh Water Rivers.— You will pardon me Sir, for observing that tho' not less than Five or Six Ships is equal to a total intercep- tion of the Trade of this river yet the Necessary Ar- ticles of their Support Such as Salt, Rum, Melasses and All kinds of Cloathing is advanced in its Price at least three hundred ^ Cent, some Articles Much More. I have only taken a small Vessel laden with Linnen, and Twelve thousand Dollars out of a Spanish Snow which I sent to Norfolk and by the Mark on it, I have all reason to believe, to be the property of Willen and Morris^ at Philadelphia two most Notorious Rebels. There has been some time past laying in Cape Mary road a large Ship Privateer of Eighteen Eighteen pounders, a Brig of Sixteen Sixes and Fours, and a Sloop of Ten Six pounders; they have given Me but One Opportunity of Seeing them at Sea when they drew me upon the Over falls, but having a Good Pilot, I 1 Robert Morris. [270] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM escaped touching the Ground, and they got into the road again, where is not more than fifteen feet Water. I am informed by very good Authority they will have in less than a Month four Ships of thirty Guns each, at Philadelphia, fit for Sea.— I believe Captain Hamond informed you of my very great misfortune in having been taken by the Rebel Privateer, now in my Sight, my Tender, with a Lieuten- ant & Twenty Nine Men. — If Sir I should not meet with any Supplies of Pro- visions and Water Soon, or this Rage of Sickness among my people Continues under these Circumstances, I hope you will think me blameless in repairing to Halifax, tho' both my Main and Fore Masts are bad, nothing but the loss of One of them Can make me leave this Station. I am well informed that these three lower Counties are ripe for Arms, had they the least Support, Several have been ofTf to me for protection in Case of Need, and de- clare the Tyranny of their present rulers to be insup- portable. Inclosed is the State and Condition of His Majesty's Ship under my Command and of His Majestys Sloop Kingsfisher. I have the Honor to be | Sir, Your most Obedt. and Very Hble Servant Heny. Bellew Molyneux Shuldham Esqr. Endorsed Copy of Captain | Bellew's Letter | to V. A. Shuldham | dated lo June 1776 \ In V. A. Ld. Shuld- hams I Lre dated | Staten Island. 1:270 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham off Staten Island near New York the 8th. July 1776. Sir, I am to acquaint you of my Arrival at this place with His Majesty's Ships under my Command and the whole Fleet of Transports, Victuallers, and Storeships, under their Convoy, fortunately without any loss or separation the 3rd. Instant, and that His Majesty's Troops under the command of General Howe were landed on that and the next day on Staten Island without any Opposi- tion or interruption, the Inhabitants having immedi- ately on our landing surrendered and put themselves under the protection of His Majesty's Arms, Two hun- dred of them are Embodied and the whole Island have taken the Oath of Allegiance and fidelity to the King, and I have the pleasure to acquaint you that a party of Sixty Men with their Arms made their Escape from the Province of New Jersey a few days ago and joined the King's Troops. General Howe having Yesterday represented to me that it will be attended with many salutary consequences of Two of His Majesty's Ships were Stationed up the North or Hudson's River to cut off and intercept any Supplies coming to New York to give Protection to His Majesty's well disposed Subjects, and answer many other good purposes, I have given Orders to Captain Parker of the Phoenix (taking the Rose under his Com- mand) to proceed the first favourable Opportunity upon this Service, tho' from the number of Batteries 1:2723 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM they will have to pass, it will be an Arduous and im- portant undertaking but I hope will be attended with the wish'd for success. Their Lordships will please to observe there will then remain with me for our future operations only the Chatham, Asia, Centurion, and Greyhound Frigate, which I hope will be sufficient, as it appears to me the General does not think himself suf- ficiently strong to proceed further 'till the Arrival of the Reinforcement under Lord Howe, and Commodore Hotham, which my Cruizers are Stationed ofif Rhode Island and other places to intercept and direct hither. I am sorry to find myself under the necessity of send- ing you the disagreable Intelligence I received from Captain Symons of His Majesty's Ship Cerberus whom I joined in my passage to this place, that Four Trans- ports, part of the Flora's Convoy (two of them the Crawford and Oxford) had been taken in their passage by the Rebels, one of which was retaken by Captain Symons, but after the Troops had been removed out of her into one of the others; and in this Ship he found a Journal of the Prize Master, who was a Lieutenant^ of one of the Rebel Vessels^ which attack'd the Glasgow, and as an Account of that Action is mentioned in it, in /justice to Captain Howe I transmit it to you for their Lordships and Your information. His Majesty's Ship Mercury with Dispatches for General Howe and me from General Clinton and Sir Peter Parker arrived at Sandy Hook the ist. of June, and not finding me there was Ordered to Halifax which has prevented my receiving them, and of consequence sending you a particular Account of Sir Peter's pro- ceedings to the Southward, but by the information of 1 James Joslah. 2 Xhe Andrew Doria. [273] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Captain Parker of the Phoenix, Captain Montagu in the Mercury left the Bristol the 21st. of May at Cape Fear and was then preparing to proceed to Charles Town, South Carolina. The Light Horse not being ready to embark on our leaving Halifax, for want of Forage, and the Tamer being hourly expected from the Bay of Fundy, having under her Convoy a number of small Vessels with that Article, I have directed Captain Talbot of the Niger to continue at Halifax, and with the Tamer (when the Transports are ready) to Convoy them to Sandy Hook at which place I daily expect their Arrival. The Savage which I left refitting as soon as she is ready I have Ordered as a Convoy and protection for the Collery to be carried on at Spanish River in the Island of Cape Breton, for the Supply of His Majesty's Troops and the Inhabitants of Halifax, conformable to a Scheme of General Howe's. I am Sir Your most Obedient Servant, M: Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 10 Aug 1776 | Answd. 6. Septr. 1:2743 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A A Journal of a Cruse In the Brig Andrew Doria Nicholas Biddle Esqr. Commander from ye. Port of Philadelphia, Begun January 4th. 1776— Thursday- January 4th. Friday January 17 th, Sunday Feby. nth. Sunday Feby. i8th. At 2 P. M. Cast off from ye. Warf In Company Math ye. Comodore Ship Alfred, Columbus & Cabot, Light airs from ye. Westward & much Ice in ye. River, At 6 Do. Came to at ye. Pierse at Liberty Hand, & was there Detain'd by ye. Ice till the 17th. At 9 A M Cast off from ye. Pierse, with a fresh Breeze at N W. & Run Down to Reedy Hand, there Being much Ice In ye. River was Oblige to haul In to the Pierse and was there Detain'd by the Ice till ye. nth. of February Employ'd her Wooding & Wartering the Sloop Provi- dence & Fly Join'd ye. Fly since we left Philadelphia & gott 40 Men for ye. Fleet from Rhode Hand in ye. Fly — At 10 A M Cast off from ye. Pierse in Company with all ye. Fleet, and on Tuesday ye. 13th. was Join'd, by ye. Sloop Hornet Schooner Wasp, Arm'd Vessels from Baltimore, Within Cape Henlopen, where all ye. Fleet Anchor'd in Holekill road where we lay till ye. i8th.— At I P. M. Weigh'd & put to sea in Company with all ye. Fleet, having on board One Hundred & four Officers & Men. On Monday Feby 19th. Hard gales & thick Weather, Lost sight of ye. Sloop Hornet & Fly, in the Night, Nothing remarkable Hapen'd us till we made ye. Hand of Abbacco one of ye. Bahama Hands where we Came too at ye. S West Side In 12 fathoms Water on Friday March ist. having seen nothing of 5^e. Hornet nor Fly since we parted with them, Employ'd here puting Our Marines On bd. ye. Sloop Providence, Likewise all ye. Marines belonging to the Fleet on board two small Sloops, the Comodore had taken for to Cary them to The Hand of Providence, On Sunday 3rd. W & put to Sea with ye. Fleet, Steering SBE^E&SSE54 then made ye. Hand of Provi- dence Bearing S S E 3 Leagues Where we lay off and on Waiting for ye. rest of ye. Fleet at 10 AM Came too Under Roze Hand, with ye. rest of ye. [275:1 A Journal of a Cruse In ye. Brig Andrew Fleet in 4 fathom Water, The Comodore sent ye. Sloop Providence, Schooner Wasp & two Sloops with all the Marines, amounting to two Hundred and fifty under ye. Command of Capt. Nichols ; and at 3 in the afternoon they gott posses- sion of ye. Eastermost Fort, Without Loosing a Man, the Inhabitance having Desarted it, after firing 15 on 20 Cannon at them Early the next morning they march'd in to Providence and took possession of fort Nausaw without any oppo- sion, a schooner and Sloop having gone off the night Before with most of ye. Powder, Our people found in ye. fort. Large Quantitys of Sheel & Shott, Sixteen Mortars of Different Sizes; 20 Cask of Powder & some Provisions fifty two Cannon Eighteens Twenty fore & Thirty two pounders Loaded with Round Shott Double headed & Grape & several other Articles, belonging to ye. Garrison, At 6. In ye. Morning March ye. 6th. Weigh'd from Roze Hand with the re- mainder of ye. Fleet & run down to ye. Barr where we gott a Barr Pilot from Providence, & gott safe into ye. Harbour and came too of Fort Nausaw in Three fathom Water, Employ'd here getting the Guns out of ye. Fort & all ye. Warlike Stores Belonging to it, on board ye. Fleet, & putting our Ballace on, shore, re- ceiv'd on Board 4780 Shott and Sheels of Different Sizes for Ballis, The Como- dore took a large Sloop in ye. Service to Carry, Some of ye. Cannon ; On March iith. was Join'd by the Sloop Fly which was supparated from us On ye. 19th. of February who gave us Account of ye. Sloop Hornet Carreing away her mast head two Daj's after they parted from ye. Fleet, and suppos'd bore away for some part of ye. Continent : While we lay here our people takeing very Sickly with the fever, altho as much Care as possible was taking to pervent it, On Saturday March 16 having Gott all the stores & Cannon out of the fort, Embark out Marines and receiv'd orders for Getting under Way ; 1:276: Doria Nicholas Biddle Esqr. Commander H K 4 5 4 4 4 2 2 2 HC Courses Winds Remark's On Sunday March 17th 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 M N E NEBN N East NE BE lies ^ Log ESE EBS ESE SEB E g Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather at 4 P. M. Weigh'd and putt to sea with all the Fleet Cloudy Weather At 6 A M, Saw ye. Hand of Abacco Bearing N W B W 7 or 8 Leagues, from Which I take my Departure, In Latt. 26.. 15 .. 77.. 20 — Spoke ye. Brig Cabot & gott a Bell out of her and sent news on board ye Schooner Wasp. All ye Fleet in Sight under Single reefs topsail 62 Latt. Observ'd. 26 .. 12 Longitude In 76 .. 49 Course D 28 N S 2 E 28 W Latt f>, Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longitude made S 86E 26.. 13 00 ..3 I 28 00 ..28 — 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 I I I I I 87 NEB E E N E Miles f S EB E SE Logg Monday i8th Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather Sett T G Sails & staysails In T G Sails & Staysails Clear pleasent Weather Between 30 & 40 of our people Bad of a fever, & Doctor & mate very 111 All ye Fleet in Sight Latt. ^r, Obsern. 26 .. 42 Longitude In 75 .. 43 Course D N 31 S E 59 w Latt ^ Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longitude made N 62E 67 26 ..43 66 87 1-34 — 1:277] A Journal of a Cruse, H K 4 4 3 2 3 4 4 3 3 4 6 5 94 I I I I Mi Courses Winds Remark's on Wednesday March 20th 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 N East NE BE N East les f L South s s w ogg Moderate Breezes & Pleasant Weather Shorted sail for ye. Fleet Heazy Weather Made sail, sett T G Sails & royals Clear Pleasent Weather All ye. Fleet in sight Latt Observd. 27 .. 55 Longitude In 73 .. 41 Course D 80 N 45 S E 65 w Latt f^ Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longitude made N55E 27 "57 73 196 3 .. 36 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 4 2 5 4 5 5 6 5 6 5 3 I 107 I I I I I Mi N East N N N E North les f r. L s s w N W W N W Variable ogg Thursday 21 Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather Shorted sail, for ye. Fleet Much Lightning to ye. N West Fresh Breezes & Squally Close reef 'd ye. Topsail & Handed them, & sett Main sail Heavy rain Down T G Yards Our People Still continue Sickly No. Observation Longitude In 72 .. 15 Course D N 75 s E 75 w Latt fl, Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longitude made N45E 107 29 .. 10 I .. 26 271 5-2 1:2783 In ye. Brig Andrew Doria 1776- H K I 3 4 4 4 4 3 I I Courses Winds Remark's, on Friday, March 22d 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 NEBE N E S West Light Breezes & thick Close Weather Sett Topsails & Main sail I I E N E E BS North NEBN Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather 4 6 8 lO 4 2 2 4 5 I I E S E NWB N N NW N East NEBN N East Tack'd to ye. Northd. Sett Jibb & Staysails Moderate & Cloudy 12 5 I - - 97 Mi les ^r. L ogg Latt Observ'd 29. .52 Longitude In 71.. 49 Course D N 40 S E 23 w Lattfl, Acot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made N30E 47 •• 29.. 50 00.. 26 294 5 .. 28 2 4 6 8 10 12 3 3 2 2 2 2 I ENE NEBE SS E South Tuesday March 19th. Through a Mistake omited in its place Light Breezes & pleasent Weather At 2 P M. The Commodore Barge came on Board & Deliver'd ye. Capt a Letter 2 2 - 4 6 8 10 12 2 2 2 2 2 ENE N E - - - Employ'd Exerciseing ye. Guns & Clearing Ship 53 Miles ^ Logg Latt ^r. Obsern. 27. . 12 Longitude In 74. .54 Course D N 28 S E 44 w Lattf, Accot. X Longt. Mer.Dist. Longitude made N 58E 52 •• 27 .. 10 00 .. 49 131 2 .. 23 1:2793 A Journal of a Cruse In H K 4 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 3 79 HC I I I M Courses Winds Remarks; On Saturday Mar 23 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 N BE North NBE N N E N B W iles B Log EBS South s w N B S g Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather with much Lightning to ye. Westward Fresh gales with Heavy rain, Hd. ye. Topsails & foresail Sett M Staysail Sett F Staysail & foresail Hard gales, & Cloudy Weather, all ye. Fleet in Sight Latt Observd. 31. .17 Longitude In 71.. 49 Course D N S E W Latt. f, Acot. X Longt. Mar. Dist. Longt. made North 85 85 •• 31 •• 17 294 5 .. 28 - 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 4 4 3 4 2 2 2 3 3 3 I up I up I I I N B W North NWBWof N B W N N E N N E NBE 65 Miles WB S N N W West of N E N W NWBW Br. Logg Sunday 24 Fresh gales with a Heavy sea from ye. Westward, ship'd much Water upon Deck — At 6 P M, Hd. foresail & hove to for ye. Fleet under M staysail, at 8 Do. Sett Forestaysail Heavy Squalls of Wind & rain, Down Fore & M Staj^sail & Hove too under Poles, at 4 Do. Sett F Staysail Fore & M Topsail & Main Sail, Lost sight of ye. Schooner Wasp Fresh gales & a heavy sea Hd. Main top sail Our people very sickly Latt Observd. 32. .20 Longitude I 71.. 14 Course Dist. N 63 S E 30 w Latt. f, Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made N26E 70 32 .. 20 00 .. 35 324 6 .. 03 1:280] the Brig [Andrew Doria- H K ns: I up I Courses Winds Remarks On Monday March 25 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 4 4 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 2 71 N B E N N East N BE N N E WNW N East WNW N W Fresh gales & Clear Weather, At 4 P M Hd. Fore topsail — Hove too under ye. Foresail — Sett Fore stay & Balance M Sail- Fresh Breezes & Cloudy with a heavy sea from ye. N West Saw a sail to Windward, a signal was made for us to Chase, Tack'd to ye. South & made sail Tack'd to ye. North ye. Chase Bearing North Latt Observd. 33. .12 Longitude In 70.. 30 . _ - - Mi SWBW les f Lo Tack'd N WB N gg Course D X Latt Departure Latt ^ Act. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made N35E 64 52 37 33- 12 44 361 6 .. 47 — 2 4 6 8 4 2 I 6 7 6 7 6 4 4 I I NEBN N N E NBW..W NWB N N W WB S Tuesday 26th. Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather, At 2 P. M, The Sloop Providence, Brought ye. Chase too, A Schooner from Cari- lona, Bound to France, Handed ye. Topsails & Mainsail, Blowing Hard with a Cross sea. Handed Foresail & sett M Staysail M Staysail with ye. rest of ye. Fleet in sight Blowing Hard & Close Weather — Latt Observd. 34. .44 Longitude In 70. .47 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 I I I I up 100 N NW Hove too NWoff Miles f S W under N NW Logg Course D XLatt Dept Latt f>, Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made N8 W 97 96 14 34 ■• 48 00.. 17 34. 7 6 .. 30 1:281: N A Journal of a Cruse In ye. H K 2 4 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 3 I 7 75 I I Courses Winds Remark's Wednesday March 27th 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 N BE North s w Hard gales-& thick Weather with a heavy Sea, Ship'd much Water upon deck Pumping every y2 hour Sett Fore & Main Sail Tack to ye. Westward & sett F Topsail & M. Topsail I I I N B E N N E N E N WBN West N W N N W N EB N 4 6 8 lO 12 I N N W NE Saw a Sail to Win<^^'^rd Gave Chase in Company with ye. Fly find a Cur- rent to the Southd. ^ Tack'd to ye. Eastward Our People Still Continue very Sickly with ye. Fever ' ^ Latt Observ'd 35-. 00 Longitude In 70. .38 1 M ESt iles ^ L6g g Course D X Latt. Dept. Latt. f^ Acct. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made N 25 E i8 l6 7 35 •• 00 9 354 6 .. 39 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 6 4 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 77 I I I M D E SE W N W NWBW WN W NWBW iles ^ Log N E North N B E g Tack'd Thursday 28th., Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather At 2 P M Brought ye. Chase too after firing two Guns, she Prov'd to be a French Schooner, from New London bound to Cape Franchway out 6 Daj^s who gave an account of ye. Provincials Troops, taken Boston At 3 A M, Joseph Pope, Departed this Life who came out of ye. Comodore Blow'd all ye. Guns off ye. Carterages having gott Whet Moderate & Clear find a strong Current to ye. South Latt Observd. 35 . . 8 N Longitude In 71 . . 44 W Course X Latt. Dept. Latt. f, Acct. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longitude made N82 W 85 7 54 35 .. 07 66 300 5 .. 33 [282] rigg Andrew Doria 1776 — i K 2 2 I I 2 2 4 34 Hv I I I I I I Mi Courses Winds . Remark's, On Friday March 29th 2 4 6 8 2 2 4 6 8 2 N W North les ^ Lo N NE Calm South s s w ' gg Light Breezes & Cloudy Weather — Sent a Tierce of Rum on board ye. Colunlbus Clear pleasent Weather -/ Out all reefs & sent T G Yards up — Hoisted ye. Haul, out and ye. Capt went on board ye. Columbus — Moderate & Heazy Latt Observd. 35. .30 Longitude In 72. . Course D XLatt Dept. Latt fl, Acct. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made [ 27 w 29 25 13 35^ •• 33 16 287 5 •• 17 — 2 4 6 8 2 2 4 6 8 2 5 2 4 3 4 4 5 5 5 2 85 I I I I I I I up Mi North E N E les f L s s w S SE S East offNEBN ogg Saturday 30th. Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather At 3 P M ye. Capt Came on board, hoisted ye. Yaul in, . . Double reefd ye. Topsail — Squally with heavy Rain — Close reefd Topsails — Hd. Main Topsail & foresail Hd. T Topsail & Balance ye. M Sail & hove too. Lost sight of ye. Providence Sloop Blowing hard with a Cross sea No. Observation Longitude In 72.. 00 bourse D XLatt Dept. Latt fl, Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longitude made North 82 82 . . — 36 .. 32 00 — 289. . 5 .. 17 C2833 A Journal of a Cruse, In H K Hv up Courses Winds Remark's, on Sunday March 31st. 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 EBS offEBN Fresh Gales & Cloudy Weather with a cross sea .... - - up SEB S offEBN Thick rainy Weather Sett fore & Main staysail Wore Ship & sett Fore & fore topsail Hd. Fore topsail Fresh gales & Heazy Weather No. Observation Longitude In 71 .. 57 2 4 3 19 up I SWofE North S B W WN W M Dist. NB E lies ^r. Log NWBW g Course X Latt. Dept. Latt. f^ Accot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. Longt. made N ^ E 19 19 2 37 •• II 3 299 5 .. 20 2 4 6 8 lO 12 2 4 6 8 lO 12 - - up N B E off N EB N Monday April ist. Fresh Breezes & Close Weather 2 2 I 2 2 I I 6 6 I I N BE N NE NWBW N West Brisling rain. Sett topsails Fresh Breezes & Drisling rain — Our people still Sickly the Doctor not able to tend them No. Observn, Longitude In 72. .7 I I 8o N East E N E N W Miles f L North Calm N N E ogg Course Dist. 42 X Latt. Dept. Latt. f, Accot. X Longitd. Mer. Dist. Longitude In N B W 42 8 37 •• 53 10 293 •• 1:284] e. Brig Andrew Doria— 1776- H K 6 5 4 up Courses Winds Remark's On Tuesday April 2 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 NWB N NNWof NEBN f NW Fresh Breezes & thick Weather In 2nd. Reef Topsails At 6 P M, Hd. Topsails & Hove to under Fore sail 4 4 6 6 4 I N N W N NW N E N E Sett Topsail & M sail Sounded No Bottom 90 fathom line No. Observation Longitude In 72. .41 Course D XLatt Dept. Latt fl, Acot. X Longt. Mer. Dist. . ^ NW 71 66 27 38.-59 34 26.6 — 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 I 2 2 3 2 3 3 I I I I I I I I I I North N B W N E ENE E S E Wednesday 3rd., Moderate & Heazy Sounded 50 fathom, Thick foggy Wr Died Thomas Vernon Turner, Sergeant of Marines 33 fathom Thick & Rainy No. Observation Longitude In 72 .. 44 W c D 40 XLatt Dept. Latt f^ Acct. X Longt. Mer. Dist. ^ X W 48 2 W 39 .. 47 3 264 1:2853 A Journal of a Cruse In ye. Andrew Doria Week Days Month Days Winds Course Distance Lattitude In Longi- tude In Bearings & Distance at Noon Thursday April 4 Variable N EB N ^ N54 40 ..26 71 ..56 Friday 5 Westerly Saturday 6th W NW - n2863 Remark's- Fresh Breezes & thick foggy Weather, At 8 P M, Sounded, 45 fathom Lost sight of ye. Fleet, At 5 P M, Saw a Sloop to Leward, Bore Down, to her, it prov'd to be ye. Gun Sloop Capt Hilman who parted, from us March 30th., At 9 AM, made Long Hand Bear N N W, about 6 Leagues At Meridian made Montock Point Bearing N B W, and Block Island, E N E, 4 Leagues, the Sloop In Company — Fresh Breezes & Clear Weather, At 2 P M, Wore, Ship, and Stood off to Southd. At 3 Do. Came up with ye. Fleet, & Spoke ye. Comodore & Columbus, who, had taken, a Schooner, tender, belonging to Capt Wallace's Fleet, At 4 Do. Stood in to ye. Northd., we being order'd to look after ye. tenders, At 6 A M Spoke ye. Comodore who had Just, taken a brig tender belonging to Capt Wal- lises Fleet, Latter Part Moderate & Clear- Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather, At 5 P M, the Providence Join'd ye. fleet At 6 Do. Saw a Brig & Sloop, to ye. Northd, who, we gave chace too, The Columbus Brought the Brig & the Cabot, the Sloop both from New York, put Men on board, and Detain'd them, they being Bound to London, At I A M Saw two Sail, to ye. E S E, we made the Signal, for the Comodore to Bear, down with the rest of the Fleet, At 2 Do, the Cabot, came a long side of the Chace she prov'd to be the Glascow, Capt Howe, upon which ye. Cabot, gave her a Broad side, and she return'd two, fold, which oblig'd ye. Cabot, to sheer off and had like to have been foul of us, which oblig'd us to, tack, to get Clear, the Comodore came up next, and Discharg'd several Broad side and received as many which did Considerable, Damage in his hull & Riggin, which oblig'd him to sheer off, The Glascow, then made all the sail she possible could, for Newport, & made a running fight for 7 Glases we receiv'd several shott in ye. hull & riggin, one upon the Quarter, through the Netting and stove ye. arm Chest, upon the Quar- ter Deck and wounded our Drumer in ye. Legg At 6 Do, ye. Comodore made ye. Signal for giveing over Chase, she being two nigh Wallace to follow her, At 7 Tack'd to ye. Southward, At Meridian was Join'd by all the Fleet, the Schooner we had taken, had taken the tender, belonging to ye. Glascow [287] DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Remarks on Tuseday May 2ist. 1776 ^ on the first part wind to the S. Ward the latter part at Yz past 4 A M we Saw a Sail in Chase of us and She soon Came up with us and hild and ordered the Capt on Bord and Sent the penance for him & afterwards for me with N Bowen George Barber and N Russell and Sent the Capt on Bord with a prize Master and 4 Sailors and took out one of our Sailors and left the other on Bord the Sloop and sent her for Newport and the Brig stood to the W S W the Brig Nd Andrew: duriah of 14 Guns belonging to Philadelphia Commanded by Capt. Biddle — and so end the day Wednesday May 22d. 1776 The first Small Light Breezes the latter Nothing Remarkable Stand- ing to the S.Ward Thursday May 23 The first part Moderate Breezes and Smoaky air and So nothing more remarkable Standing to the S. E. Remarks on Fryday May 24th the first part Small Breezes and a large Swell from the S ward at Noon in Latt 39 . . 28 Remarks on Saturday May 25th The first part of these 24 hours fresh gales of Wind from the E N E In Latt. 38. .20 Remarks on Sunday May 26th. 1776 the first part wind and we Tack'd Stood to the Eastward and it Came on ruged and Sqwalley Remarks on Monday May 27th the first part of this 24 hours fresh gales of wind and rain and we are Standing to E N E Remarks on Tuseday May 28 the first part Light Breezes the Latter Brisk Gales from the South- ward and we ran E B N^^N no Observa. .Some rain and misty Weather Remarks on Wednesday May 29 Cloudy weather and some rain ^ On a separate leaf bound in the journal. — Editor. 1:2893 Week Days Month Day Winds Course Distance Lattitude In Longi- tude In Bearings at Noon Sunday 7 ss w S West Monday 8 N East Tuesday 9th Variable Wednesday loth Variable Thursday II South&SW l29o'2 Remark's &c. Light Breezes & Cleer Weather, At 2 P M. Tkd. to Southd. & Westward At 6 P M, Block Hand Bore E ^ S Distance 3 Leagues and Montock Point S W B W, 4 or 5 Leagues, the Middle & latter foggy Weather with rain none of the Fleet in Sight, but ye. Cabot Thick foggy Weather, at i P M, came to In 6 fathom water, a Breast of New London Light house. In Company with several of ye. Fleet At 4 P M the fogg Began to Clear then hove up & run in for ye. Harbour At 6 Came to within ye. Light house. The Comodore Columbus & Providence not in sight, At 10 A M ye. Comodore & Columbus, came to off the Light house, At 8 A M, hove up Beat in a Brest of y town in Company with all the Fleet Moderate & Cloudy, Receiv'd orders to go out on a Cruse, Sent all the sick men on Shore to ye. Hospital & gott men from ye. Columbus & Providence, At 5PM Hove up with Light Breezes from ye. Southd. & Beat down abrest of the Light house & came too, it being foggy & the tide a Flood, At 1 1 A M hove up & beat out — The first & middle part, Light airs & thick Weather At 2 P M, gott a ground, a little to ye. Westward, of the Light house, but being Flood tide we soon gott off. At 5 P M, the south part of Fishers Hand Bore E B S Distance 3 Leagues, At II Do. thick foggy Weather Run a shore on Long Hand, on Long Hand, about 6 Leagues from Montock Point, hove all a back & soon gott off and came to in 15 fathom Water, At 10 A M Hove up with a Fresh gale at W N W, and, made sail to ye. South, & Eastward Fresh gales & Clear, At 6 P M the East end of Block Island Bore North Distance 5 Leagues, At 12 M Night, Tack'd & stood In to ye. Westward At 6AM Wore Ship & Stood in N W for Montock Point at 9 Do. made Montock Bearing N W B W stood in under the fore sail. But it Blowing Hard, was oblig'd to stand off under ye. M Staysail & Fore, sail, at 10 Do. Sett, Fore & Main Sail, [291] Week Days Month Days Winds Courses Dist Latt In Longt In Bearing at noon Friday 12 ws w Saturday 13 w sw sw Sunday 14th N W Monday 15th N W Tuesday 1 6th NW to West Wednesday 17th W to S West Thursday 1 8th Westerly * Friday 19th Westerly 112923 Remark's &c Fresh gales & Clear Weather, At i P M Montock Bore N W about 7 Leagues, At 6 Tack'd & stood off At 12 M. Night Came to in 18 Fathom, At 7 A M Hove up, Point Judith & stood off to the Southd. At meridian saw a sail under Montock Point. Moderate Breezes & Heazy Tackd & stood off for S W sail under Montock At I Brought her too, she had been taken by ye. Scarborough man of War about 8 Days before, took out a Midshipman & Six Hands & put a Lieutenant & 3 Hands, on board, she was from Hispaniola bound to new London, Loaded with Molasses Coffee & Powder, Beat up the Sound, with ye. Schooner, At 12 M Night Struck ye. Bottom to the Westward of Fisher's Hand, Back'd off & Came to in 3 fathom Water; At 6 Hove up and Beat up the Sound, At meridian, Calm Came too with the Streem Anchor — Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather, At i A M hove up, with a fresh Breeze from ye. South & run in, with ye. Light house, & came too abrest of the Como- dore, Fresh Breezes & Clear Weather, sent 10, Men on board ye. Prise Schooner to take the Coffee out Fresh Breezes & Pleasent Weather Employ'd, accordingly — Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather, Employ'd in Sundrys Fresh Breezes & Clear Weather, Sail'd the Brig Cabot for Rhode Island- Moderate Breezes & Clear, Gott a Lif tenant & 17 Private, Marines from ye. Alfred, At 10 A M Weigh'd from New London, with ye. Fleet, At Meridian ye. Comodore gott aground on a Ledge of rocks to ye. Se East of the light, which oblidg'd all the Fleet to come too 1^931 Week Days Month D Winds Course Distance Saturday 20 Westerly Sunday 21 Variable Monday 22 Northerly Tuesday 23 Variable Wednesday 24 N W Thursday 25 Variable In new London Harbour Friday 26 WN W Saturday 27 Variable Sunday 28 Westerly Monday 29 S W Tuesday 30 s w Wednesday May 1st Westerly Thursday 2 Variable Friday 3 Southerly Saturday 4. S W C294I] Remarks &c— Moderate Breezes & Cloudy Weather At 5 P M the Comodore gott off after getting out all his guns, & starting his Water and run in ye. Harbour. Moderate & Clear, run up to town & Discharg'd some Shott & shells Moderate & Clear, Employ'd wartering — Light Breezes & Clear, At 4 P M Weigh'd & run down to ye. Fleet of the Light house & came to — Fresh Breezes & Clear, Weigh'd & run up to town, to Cleen — Moderate & Cloudy ; gott in to Mr. Shaw's Warf & gott, out, our guns ; Moderate & Clear, Gott ye. Provisions and Water out & Hove out the Lar- board Side, but she made so much Water, she fild & over sett Fresh Breezes & Clear, Employ'd strikeing topmast & top gallant. Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Hove out ye. Larboard Side — Fresh Breezes & heazy. In heaving out ye. Starboard Side she fil'd full of Water, Employ'd righting her — Light Breezes & Cloudy, hove out ye. Starboard Side Fresh Breezes & Rainy Employ'd Wartering & Clearing ye. Hole Moderate & Cloudy Employ'd in Sundrys — Fresh Breezes & heazy Employ'd stowing ye. Water & taken in Balace Moderate Breezes & Cloudy At 6 P M left New London in Company with several merchantmen Bound out. At 10 Do. saw a sail at Block Hand, made a Signal for ye. merchantmen to stand in, at 1 1 saw a schooner of Montock, spoke her from Salter tides Bound to new London, At meridian saw a Large Ship to ye. Southd. of Block Hand — 1:2953 Week Days Month Day Winds Course Distance Lattitude In Longi- tude In Sunday 5 S W: ■ Monday 6 Southerly Tuesday 7 Variable Wednesday 8 Easterly Thursday 9 N E — Friday lO Northerly Saturday 1 1 N W Sunday 12 Westerly Monday 13 Sourthyly Tuesday 14th S w Wednesday 15 Variable Thursday 1 6th Sourtherly Friday 17 s s w Saturday SE Sunday 19 Westerly [2963 Remarks &c.— Moderate Breezes & Cloudy, At 5 P M, The Merchant ship with ye. York Sloop, Haul'd there Wind, to ye. Southd., the Ship of Block Hand Bearing E S E about 5 Leagues, At 6 Do. Bore away for Rhode Hand, at 9 Do. past ye. Light House, and at 1 1 Came too of Kenemecut Point — Fresh Breezes & Cloudy, At i P M Hove up and run up the river and came to below ye. Cruek, a longside ye. Alfred, sent ye. Alfreds & Columbus men on board, that we had takeing from ye. Hospital at New London Moderate & Clear Weather, Employ'd in Sundry's Moderate & Heazy, Employ'd Accordingly — Fresh Breezes & thick Weather- Fresh Breezes & Clear, Employ'd about ye. riggen — Fresh Breezes & Cloudy Employ'd getting stores on board- Moderate Breezes & Clear, Sent ye. Marines on board ye. Providence, that we gott at New London, to ye. Camp at York — Light airs and Calm, Weigh'd, in Company with ye. Cabot & drap'd, down to Petuckoct and came too — Moderate Breezes & Clear, Hove up and beat Down, and at 6 P M, gott a Ground on ye. Gull rocks — Light airs & Calm, At 3 A M Gott off & tow'd down abres of new Port & came too Moderate Breezes & Clear, Employ'd filling Watar Fresh Breezes, the first part, the Latter Rain — Moderate Breezes & Cloudy thick Weather, The Fly ariv'd from Providence . Light Breezes & Clear, At 2 P M, took a Sloop, from ye. Warf, Bound to Halifax, & fetch'd her a Long side & overhauld her. At 3 A M. Weigh and at 7 Do. abrest of the Light house, almost Calm — . [2973 Week Days Month Day Winds Courses Distance Lattitude In Longi- tude In Bearing & Distance at Noon Monday 20 s w SE 90 40 .. 20 68-44 Tuesday 21 Variable X EBS 52 40,. 10 67-37 Wednesday 22 Northyly S48 E 42 39-42 66-56 Thursday 23 Variable N74E 48 39-55 65-56 Friday 24 Southerly South 24 39-31 65-56 Saturday 25 N E S 42 E 95 38 ..20 64-35 Sunday 26 S East N67 E 102 38.-59 62-34 Monday 27th Variable N 70E 105 39-35 60 -. 27 At Meridian ye- He Sable Bore N 13 E Distance 292 Miles by Estimation C298] Remark's &c— Moderate Breezes & Clear, At 6 P M, Nowman's Land, Bore, N B W 5 Leagues, at 7 Do. Saw a large Ship, a Stern standing after us, At 8 Do. Sounded 25 fathom, At 10 Do. saw ye. Ship a Stern come- ing up fast The Cabot, bore away to the Eastward, & we made sail to ye. Southd., At 11 Do. Lost sight of her— Light Breezes & Heazy At 8 Sounded 50 fathom, white sand with Specks, At 4 A M saw a sail, to Leward, gave Chase, and at 8 Do., fir'd 2 Swivels, & brought her too, she prov'd a Sloop from Tertolo, bound, to Liverpool in Nova Scocia, with Kings Clearance, which we made a prize off, her Cargo Consisting of 20 Barrels Sugar, 22 Hhds Rum 26 Hhds. of Molasses, and 1000 Bushels of Salt, sent Mr. Brown prise master & 13 Men to Carry her in to Providence left ye. Master and one man on board. Light airs & Heazy Weather, the Middle & Latter Moderate & Clear Light airs and Calm acompani'd with small Rain & a Smoth Sea Light airs and Calm all these 24 Hours, Bent ye. Old M Sail — Fresh Breezes & Heazy Weather with a Swell from ye. Eastward Under Single Reef Topsails, Hous'd all 5^e. Guns- Fresh Breezes & heazy Weather, vyith a Swell from ye. Eastward Under Close Reef Topsails, At 12 M N the Barge got out of ye. Chocks & had like to kill one of the Seaman that was Sleeping under it Fresh Breezes & thick close Weather attented, with rain and a Great Swell from ye. Eastward, At iq Tack'd to ye. Northward, At Merid- ian Tack'd to ye. Southward, Thick Close Weather — [299] Week Days Month Days Course Distance Lattitude In Longitude In Bearing and Distance Tuesday 28 No. 70 E i, 82 40 .. 03 58 .. 44 Wednesday 29 N42 E 103 41 .. 19 57 •• 12 V Thursday 30 S45 W 25 41 .. 01 57 .. 30 — Friday 31 S 77 w 113 40 .. 35 59 •• 56 N W Saturday June 1st S68W 80 40 .. 05 61 .. 33 Northerly Sunday 2 N 44W 70 40 .. 56 62 .. 35 S West CsooH Remark's &c— 1776- Moderate Breezes & dark Weather the first part of this 24 Hours, the latter fresh Breezes & thick Weather, accompanied with rain. At 8 P M Tack'd to ye. N At 4 A M, Sett T G Sails & Steering sails, at Meridian In T G sails & Steer- ing sails Fresh Breezes and Squally with Rain, At 4 A M Saw two Ships to ye. North'd, Made Sail and Haul'd, our Wind to ye. North'd, At 6 Do. Brought the Norther- most too, a Ship from, Glascow, bound to Boston with 100 Highland troops on Board & Officers, made her hoist her Boat out & the Capt came on board, detain'd the Boat, till we Brought the other too, from Glascow with ye. same number of troops, went on board and sent ye. Capt. and four Men on board ye. Brig, receiv'd orders for sending, all the troops, on board ye. other ship and sent Prise master with Eleven Hands Sent all the Arms on board ye. Brig from-both Ships, two Hundred & odd — Light airs & Calm all this 24 Hours, At 6 P M. gott all the Troops out on board ye. other Transport, and made sail to ye. S W, The Brig & ship in Com- pany, Thick foggy Weather — Fresh Breezes & thick heazy Weather, attended with rain, all sail Convenient Sett, The Brig & ship in Company — Fresh Breezes and Clear Weather, the first part of this 24 Hours the Middle & Latter Moderate and Clear, all sail sett, the Brig & ship In Company — Light Breezes & Pleasent Weather the first Part of this 24 Hours the Middle & Latter fresh Breezes & Heazy, Hoisted ye. Yaul out & sent I ^ox of musket Carterages fild i Barrel Powder, ^ Barrel Ditto i Bell on board ye. Brig at 9 P M, Hoisted ye. Yaul in, and made Sail in Company with ye. Brig & Ship, at 4 A. M. Hd. T G Sails CsoO Week Days Month D Winds Courses Distance Lattitude In Longi- tude In Bearings & Distance Monday 3 SWest N 56W 77 41 ..41 63-59 At Meridian Cape Codd Bore N 82 W. Dist 222 Miles By Estimation Tuesday 4 Variable N 58 W 68 42.. 17 65.. 17 1 Wednesday 5th Northerly S25 W 131 40.. 18 66 ..30 Thursday 6 Northerly West 70 40.. 19 68 ..02 Friday 7 SWest N36WI 38 40.. 49 68 ..31 i Saturday 8 Variable from S W to N W West 24 40 .. 49 69 ..02 Sunday 9 N West S66 W 81 40.. 17 70 ..37 [302] Remarks &c.— Fresh Breezes & Heazy Weather with a Long Swell from ye. Westward, At 6 A M, Sett Top gallant sails, & staysails, The Brig & ship in Company Fresh Breezes & dark Weather the first part of this 24 Hours the Middle & latter Moderate Breezes & Squally Weather, at Meridian Single reef'd ye. Top- sails, and Tack'd to ye. Southd. ye. Brig and Ship in Company — Fresh Breezes & thick foggy Weather the first Part of this 24 Hours the Middle & latter Fresh gales & Clear. At 12 M Night, Shortend sail & Hove to under Double reef'd Topsails with our head to ye. East\vard, at 4 A M made sail with ye. Brig and ship Moderate Breezes & Clear Weather, at 6 P M. sent a new M T G Yard up and sett the sail, find a Strong Current setting to ye. Northd, and Eastd. Light airs and Clear the first part of this 24 Hours the Middle & Latter Fresh Breezes and Squally with rain, at 9 A M Handed T G Sails at 10 Do. Single reef'd ye. Topsails, the Brigg & Ship in Company — Fresh Breezes & Squally with heavy rain the first part of this 24 Hours, ye. Latter fresh Breezes and Clear at 8 P M Wore Ship to ye. Southd., At 2 A M Sounded no Bottom with a Hundred fathom of Line, at 10 Do. out reefs & sett Jibb & Staysails the Brig & ship in Company — Fresh Breezes & Squally with rain & a heavy sea from ye. Westward, at 6 A M Double reef'd ye. Topsails, At 4 A M Close reef'd ye. Topsails & handed them, Sounded no Bottom, The Brig & ship in Company [303] Week Days Month Day Winds Courses Distance Lattitude In Longi- tude In Monday 10 N W South 100 38.-37 70 ..37 Tuesday II Variable N29 W 52 39 ..22 71 ..00 113043 Remark's &c. Fresh Breezes & Squally With rain the first part of this 24 Hours the Latter Light airs & Calm, At 8 P M sett ye. Topsails, At 12 M N, Sett Jibb & stay sails, At 4 A M, out all reefs of ye. Topsails — Moderate Breezes & heazy Weather the first part of this 24 Hours the Fresh Breezes & Squally At 4 A M saw five Sail to ye. N West of us Bore down to ye. Brig & shoke her she advis'd me to stand to ye. south'd & Westward ye. other Ship to ye. Westward at 8 Do. finding the they did not come up with us hauld our Wind to ye. W S W at 1 1 Do. bore Down to ye. Brig the ships hauld there Wind to ye. Westward and the Brig to ye. Eastward, the Oxford stood in to ye. Westward & lost sight of her. 1:3053 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Chatham off Staten Island 24th. July 1776. Sir, On the arrival of Lord Howe at this place a few days ago, I was not a little surprized to find that on His Lordship's calling off Halifax, He was informed by Commissioner Arbuthnot that there was no intimation left with him to what place His Majesty's Squadron un- der my Command and the Transports under my Convoy had proceeded. This indeed, if Fact, would have been a very gross and unOfficer-like Omission, of which I think it my duty to acquit myself, by sending you here- with a Copy of a Letter I wrote to, and left with the Commissioner a few days before my Departure from Halifax, which was delivered to him by my Secretary, which he acknowledged the receipt of, but which in the Multiplicity of Business he is Engaged in, in his several Departments, I presume he must have forgot or mis- laid, and therefore beg you will please to communicate it to their Lordships for my Justification. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M : SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. 1:3063 DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO COMMISSIONER ARBUTHNOT ] (Copy) Chatham in Halifax Harbour the 5th. June 1776. Sir In case the following Measures which I judge to be necessary for His Majesty's Ser- vice, should not be carried into execution be- fore my departure from this place, I think it expedient to make you acquainted with them, that the proper Orders for the purposes here- after mentioned may be given, when the Command in this Port may devolve on you. I St. I intend the Savage, as a Convoy and pro- tection for the Collery to be carried on at Spanish River in the Island of Cape Breton, Her Orders! for the Supply of His Majesty's Troops and wTthtou y^^ Inhabitants of this place; and her Com- mander must have Orders conformable to the Scheme of General Howe, a Copy of which you herewith receive. 2d. The Tamer is expected with Forage for the Army, which is to be distributed to the several [307I DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Ships left there to take on board the Light Dragoons, and carry them to join the Army at New York. These Ships (with any others Captain Talbot's ^^^^ "^^^ chuse to avail themselves of the Con- Orders are left with voy) are to Sail under Convoy of the Niger,f y°"' whose Commander must be particularly en- joined to take uncommon pains to prevent any of the Ships committed to his care being sepa- rated from him; The Embarkation of this Regiment and their Sailing, must be as soon as possible after the Arrival of the Forage, & in case there should be more Forage purchased for the King in the Bay of Fundy, than can be brought round to this place by the Tamer's Convoy, then the Tamer is to take with her so many Vessels as may be sufficient to contain it. proceed to the place or places where it may be. And after it is put on board the Vessels in- tended to receive it take them under Convoy, adopting every precaution to prevent separa- tion, and proceed to the Hook, at the Entrance of New- York. 3d. Relative to the Ships that may arrive ex- pecting to find the King's Forces at this place; such as need no Convoy must be directed to follow Us, and those of no Force must wait until an opportunity offers for their being pro- tected on their passage to New- York, which may be expected soon to happen, by the Sail- ing of the Niger. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM 4th. You will be pleased to take the necessary Measures for getting the Albany ready for Sea, as soon as the King's Service in general, dependant on your Office will admit; And whereas I have thought it expedient to impress every fifth Man out of Ships arriving at this Port, you will please to give directions for the same practice being continued, as there is no other resource to fill the Vacancies in His Majesty's Ships occasioned by Deaths, Deser- tions, and other Accidents. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant M Shuldham. Mariot Arbuthnot Esqr. The Letter, of which the above is a Copy, was de- liver'd to Commodore Arbuthnot by me at Halifax, and which he acknowledged the receipt of to me. Evan NepEAN, Secretary [ PHILIP STEPHENS TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM^ ] 25th. July 1776 My Lord My Lords Commrs. of the Admty having directed Vice Adml. Ld. Howe, to order you to return to Eng- 1 Admiralty Records, Secretary's Department, Out-Letters, 2, voL 552, p. 322. DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM land in His Majts. Ship Chatham towards the fall of this Year, unless his Lordship shall judge it expedient for His Majestys Service, that you should continue with the said Ship in No. America; I am commanded by my Lords to acquaint your Lordship therewith &c. PS Rt. Honble. Ld. Shuldham No. America Bv the Perseus at Portsmouth [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] Bristol off New York 29th. Octor. 1776. Sir, I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 25th. July signifying to me that their Lordships had directed Vice Admiral Lord Howe to Order me to re- turn to England in His Majesty's Ship Chatham to- wards the fall of this Year, unless His Lordship shall judge it expedient for His Majesty's Service that I should continue with the said Ship in North America. I am Sir Your most Obedient humble Servant Shuldham Philip Stephens Esqr. Endorsed Reed. 29 Deer. & Read DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM [ VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM TO PHILIP STEPHENS ] His Majesty's Ship Bristol at Spithead 23d February 1777. Sir, I have the pleasure to acquaint you of my arrival here this day in His Majesty's Ship Bristol, in pursuance of /an Order from Vice Admiral Lord Howe, (a Copy of which accompanys this) having Sailed from New York the 8th. of last Month, without meeting any thing more extraordinary than the common occurrences of the pas- sage, as are particularly set forth in the Journal of my proceedings, which Mr. Robertson First Lieutenant of the Bristol will have the honor of delivering to you herewith, together with Two Packets on His Majesty's Service committed to my charge by Lord Howe. I am Sir Your most Obedt. Servant SHULDHAM Philip Stephens Esqr. D'O DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Enclosure A [ LORD HOWE TO VICE ADMIRAL SHULDHAM ] (Copy) Shuldham By the Viscount Howe, Vice Admiral of the White, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed &ca. in North Amer- ica. Whereas there is not any apparent Necessity for the longer detention of His Majesty's Ship the Bristol in which Your Lordship is embarked, with respect to the military Operations impending, or proposed to be un- dertaken for the King's Service, by His Majesty's Land Forces in this and the adjacent Provinces; You are therefore to repair in the said Ship with all convenient diligence to Portsmouth : Being upon your arrival there, to make the same known to the Secretary, that you may receive Orders from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for your future Conduct, and the further ap- pointment of the Ship. Your Lordship is at the same time to direct Captain Raynor to forward in the charge of a trusty Officer, by Express, the several Dispatches for the Admiralty and Secretary of States Offices, transmitted herewith ; to be delivered as they are respectively addressed — DESPATCHES OF MOLYNEUX SHULDHAM Given on board His Majesty's Ship the Eagle at New York the 27th. day of December 1776. HoWE. To Vice Admiral The Right Honble. Lord Shuldham, | Bristol. By Command of the Vice Admiral. Jos. Davies. [313] INDEX Abacco, Island of, Bahamas, 275, 277 Actaeon, H. B. M. S., 9, 29, 157, 219 Active, H. B. M. S., 34, 219 Active, Revenue Cutter, 164 Admiralty, High Court of, 174, 175 Admiralty, Letters of, 6, 9-13, 62, 160 Admiralty, Lords Commissioners of the, I, 3, 5, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 40, 63, 89, 103, 104, 106, 136, 140, 156, 162, 163, 164, 170, 176, 184, 206, 208, 222, 309 Adventure, Sloop, 244 Adventure, Storeship, 9, 152, 200, 250, 264 Albany, H. B. M. S., 254, 255, 266, 309 Albion, Victualler, 166 Alborough, Victualler, 173, 209 Alens, Williams, Captain, 121 Alexander, Jno., 192, 194 Alexander, Mark, 202 Alexander, William, 128 Alfred, American Ship, 297 ; Fit- ting out, 43 ; Armament, 1 20 ; I Description of, 120, 122, 182, I 215; Sails from Philadelphia, 120, 275 ; Action with the Glas- gow, 177-186, 287 Amazon, Brig, 244 Amboy, N, J., 264 Americans, large number of, serv- ing on board naval ships, xxxiii, 206 C3 Amsterdam, Holland, 116 Andrew Doria, American brig, Fitting out for sea, 43 ; Sailed from Philadelphia, 120; De- scription of, 122, 182; Action with the Glasgow, 177-186, 287 ; Captures made by, xxxi, 273, 289, 293, 297, 299, 301; Log-book of, XX, 275-305 Anguilla, 176 Annapolis Royal, N. S., Vessels stationed at, 155, 200, 250 Anne, Cape, 72, 80, 202, 213, 251 Antigua, 17, 18, 153; Vessels driven to, 165, 166, 169 Arbuthnot, Marriot, Commis- sioner, 54, 79, 104, 142, 306- 309 ; Letters of, 56, 145 Arnold, Benedict, Colonel, 60, 121, 126 Artificers, 157 Asia, H. B. M. S., 6, 7, 8, 40, 42, 44, 109, 114, 152, 201, 252, 264, 273 ; Attempt to destroy the, 41, 225 ; Condition of, no, 227 ; Captures made by, 202, 247 Atkins, Christr., Captain, 9 Atkins, Nathl., 83 Aurora, Transport, 218 Aurora, Vessel, 121 Avery, Samuel, 244 Ayscough, James, Captain, 8, 152, 200, 213, 250, 264 Bache, Mr., 44 Bagley, John, 202 Bahama Islands, 3, 10, 38; De- 15] INDEX fencelessness of, 22, 23 ; Mili- tary Stores at, 23; Vessels sta- tioned at, 155, 201; Descent upon, 275 Baltimore, Md., Vessels fitting out at, 122, 123, 128 Banks, Francis, Captain, 9, 138, 141, 152, 153, 167, 200, 210, 250, 251, 257, 266 Barbadoes, Island of, 127, 176 Barber, George, 289 Barbut, Captain, 239 Barfleur, H. B. M. S., 24 Barkley, Andrew, Captain, 8, 154, 187, 191, 192, 200, 250, 266 Barlow, Moses, 246 Barnard, Mr., 244 Barrington, Viscount, Secretary at War, xxi Barron, Lieutenant, 145 Barry, Captain, 148 Bartlett, Ambs., 204 Barton, Robert, Lieutenant, 196 Bayard, Nicholas, 130 Bayard, Samuel, Jr., 129, 130 Beardman, Fras., 244 Bellew, Henry, Captain, 9, 152, 201, 252, 266, 268, 269 Benson, Robert, 130 Bermuda Islands, Defenceless- ness of, 22, 23, 77; Military Stores at, 23, 159; Mentioned, 38, 256; The Nautilus ordered to, 166, 201, 253, 267 Betsey, Sloop, 244 Betsy and Molly, Vessel, 202 Beverly, Mass., 69, 72 Biddle, Nicholas, Captain, 122, 182, 275, 289 Bishop, Thomas, Captain, 8, 152, 200, 250, 266 Bissell, Rd., 204 Black Book, The, 199 Blackburn, Isaac, 90 Black Joke, Pilot boat, 42 1:3 Block Island, 179, 180, 287, 291, 295, 297 Blonde, H. B. M. S., 171, 172, 255 Blue Mountain Valley, Ship, 90; capture of, 112, 128 Boardman, David, 202 Boger, Richard, Lieutenant, 142, 268 Boilston, Thomas, 82, 84, 202 Bolton, H. B. M. S., 9, 108, 152, 178, 200; Captured by Ameri- can Squadron, 179, 208, 250 Bordeaux, France, 136, 215 Boreas, H. B. M. S., 9, 29, 157; Grounding of, 34 Boston, Mass., Shuldham ordered to, 2, 6, 19; Graves ordered to, 10; Blockade of port of, 10; Stores intended for, xxvi, xxvii, 97-99; Loyal merchants at, 12; Arrival of Shuldham at, xxvi, 37; American army at, 60; Evacuated by the British, xxix, XXX, 107, 137-139, 141, 209, 217, 223 Boston Bay, Vessels stationed in, 267 Boston Packet, Ship, 80-84, 202 Boston Port Bill, xxiv Bourmaster, Lieutenant, 259 Bowen, N., 289 Bowman, Transport, 257 Boyne, H. B. M. S., 6, 8 Brackett, John, 202 Bradley, Chrisr., 244 Bragge, Edward, 109 Brassier, Mr., 1 16 Brathwaite, Richard, Captain, 9, 41, 152, 200, 250, 264 Bray, David, 244 Breedon, Andrew, 189 Breton, Cape, 10 Bright, Frs., 202 Bristol, England, 28, 174 163 INDEX Bristol, H. B. M. S., 29, 264, 274, 310, 311 Britannia, Ship, 90, 254 Britannia, Victualler, 173 British King, Ship, loi Bromedge, Hugh, Captain, 8, 152, 201, 223, 224, 243, 250, 266 ; Report of, 79-84 Brown, Andrew, 204 Brown, John, Lieutenant, 152, 200, 250, 264 Brown, Jonas, 194 Brown, Lieutenant, 135 Brownhall, Storeship, 159, 169 Brownlow, Josh., 244 Brun, Captain, 90 Brunswick troops, for service in America, 171 Brymer, Alexander, Agent, 5 1 , 52, 85, 104, 210 Buck, Isaac, 244 Buller, John, Lord Commis- sioner of the Admiralty, 7, 62, 161 Bunner, George, 204 Burling, Samuel, 244 Burnaby, Wm. C, Captain, 8, 154, 200, 250, 266 Burr, John, Captain, 157, 200, 250, 266 Burress, John, 204 Bushnel, Mr., Attempt to destroy the Asia, xxviii, 41 Bute, H. B. M. S., 162, 266 Cabot, American Brig, 277, 291, 297, 299; Fitting out for sea, 43 ; Sailed from Philadelphia, 120, 275; Description of, 122, 123, 182; Action with the Glas- gow, 177-186, 287; Captures made by, 287 Calf, Captain, 90 Callbeck, Phillips, Capture of, by the rebels, 64, 69-75 C3 Calvert, Corns., 202 Calvert, Jas., 202 Cambridge, Mass., American Army at, 47 Campbell, David, 83 Campbell, Robt., 244 Canada, 45, 60, 121, 126, 127, 148, 241,255 Canceaux, H. B. M. S., 9, 105, 140, 156, 163, 164, 175, 209, 254, 266 Canso, Bay of, 70, 158, 167 Cape Breton Island, 267, 274, 307 Carcass, H. B. M. S., 34, 172 Carleton, Sir Guy, 41, 121, 126, 175 Carpenters, Need of, 5 Carr, Thomas, Gunner, 196 Carysfort, H. B. M. S., 171, 172, 255 Case, Thos., 194 Centurion, H. B. M. S., 9, 37, 139, 141, 152, 200, 250, 264, 273 ; Arrival of, at Boston, 41 Cerberus, H. B. M. S., 9, 57, 146, 154, 168, 200, 222, 250, 266 ; Captures made by, xx, 247, 273 _ . Chaleur Fisheries, Protection for, 106 Chapman, Richard, 192, 194 Charity, Sloop, 44 Charles, Cape, Va., 202 Charleston, S. C, Expedition against, xxxii, 29 ; Batteries at, 187, 190; Vessels captured at, 204 ; Vessels stationed at, 264 Charlotte Town, St. Johns, Rebel descent upon, 69 Charming Nelly, Ship, 90 Charming Sally, Storeship, 157, 159 Chatham, H. B. M. S., 5, 9, I9, 23, 27, 28, 141, 152, 196; Shuldham to hoist his flag in, 2, 173 INDEX 6, 14; Detained at Spithead, 15, 17, 25; Unfitness of, xxv, 15, 19; Increase of complement of, 24; Passage to Boston, xxvi, 37 ; under repair, 39; At Boston, 40-139; In Nantasket Roads, 157; At Halifax, 165-269; At New York, 263-306 Cherokee, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 Chesapeake Baj^ Detached squad- ron to be stationed in, 11; Men- tioned, xxxiv, 43, 144 Clarissa, Vessel, 204 Clark, Mr., iii Clark, John, 244 Cleavland, Stephen, 202 demons, John, 244 Clepham, George, Purser, 109, 114 Clinton, General, xxxi, no, 155, 201, 253, 273 Clyde, River, 172 Coats, Major, 239 Cobbett, Frs., 202 Cochran, James, 244 Cochran, Thomas, 244 Cod, Cape, Mass., 134, 202, 302 Cole, Norton, 204 Collins, David, 202 Collins, John, Captain, 8, 152, 201, 252, 266 Columbus, American Ship, 283, 287, 291, 297; Fitting out for sea, 43; Description of, 120, 122, 123, 182; Sailed from Philadelphia, 120, 275; Action with the Glasgow, 177-186, 287 ; Captures made by, 287 Committee of Safety of New York, 129 Complements, Increase of, on board naval vessels, 12, 24, 62, 220; Shortage in, xxxiii, 168, 206, 309 Confederation, Articles of, 115 C3 Congress, The Continental, 41, 45, 46, 47, 60, 115, 134, 235 Cooper, Captain, 165 Cork, Ireland, Assembling of Sir Peter Parker's expedition at, xxxii, 29, 34, 162, 171; Men- tioned, 103, 105, 106, 136, 137 Corran, Edward, 151 Craig, Captain, 119 Craik, George, 192, 194 Crawford, Transport, Capture of, 273, 301 ; Recapture of, 305 Crews, see Complements Cruizer, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 201, 252, 264 Cunningham, Robert, 151 Curtis, Roger, Captain, 264 Dartmouth, Earl of, 21, 66, 87, 92 Davies, Jos., 313 Davis, Heskett, 90 Dawson, Mr., 135 Dawson, George, Lieutenant and Captain, 8, 152, 200, 250, 266 Deal Castle, H. B. M. S., 29, 34 Dean, Benjn., 204 Dean Sand, 34 Dear, Captain, 90 De Brahm, William G., 11 De la Touche, John, Lieut., 9 Delaware, American frigate, 123 Delaware Bay, Detached squad- ron to be stationed in, 1 1 Delaware River, xxxiv, 38, 131, 143, 169, 201, 237, 253, 255, 264 Dempster, Captain, 90 Dennis, John, 151, 204 Denny, William, 82, 84, 202 Diana, Sloop, 244 Dickson, James, Surgeon, 196, 220, 250, 264 Diligence, Brig, 244 Diligent, H. B. M. S., 152, 201, 222, 250, 266 18] INDEX Dispatch, H. B. M. S., 141, 152, 200, 250, 266 Dispencer, Packet, 213, 217 Distilling coppers, 17 Dixon, John, 83 Dobbs, Thomas, 244 Dock Yards, Conditions at, 15 Dod, Edmd., Lieut., 152, 201, 250, 266 Douglas, Charles, Captain, 266 Douglas, Sir James, Vice Ad- miral, 24 Douglas, Josh., 83 Down, Robert, 244 Dudingston, Wm., Captain, 8, 154, 200, 250 Duke of Cumberland, Packet, 187 Dunkirk, 164 Dunmore, Lord, xxviii, 43, 49, 60, 121 Eagle, H. B. M. S., 172,313 Ebenezer, Vessel, 244 Echo, Ship, 90 Eden, Mr., 216 Effingham, American frigate, 123 Eleanor, Ship, 90 Elizabeth, Brig, 204 Elizabeth, Sloop, 246 Elizabeth, Storeship, 214 Ellis, Alexander, Lieut., 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 Ellis, John, 244 Emanuel, Transport, 218 Emerald Brune, Ship, 172 Erving, George, 94 Erving, John, 94 Eve, Abram, 244 Experiment, H. B. M. S., 9, 29, 37, 158, 166, 167, 169, 209, 250, 257, 264 Falcon, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 201, 252, 264, 268; Captures made by, 245 l3 Fame, Ship, 90 Fanny, Ship, 90 Fear, Cape, N. C, 29, 155, 189, 201, 218, 251, 253, 264 Felicity, Ship, 90 Fellfair & Co., 194 Ferguson, John, Lieut., 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 Ferneaux, Tobias, Captain, 264 Ferrol, Spain, American trade with, 31 Fisher, Captain, 90 Fisher's Island, 291 Flint stones. Measure to prevent unloading of, 13 Flora, H. B. M. S., 257 Florida, 29 Florida, Cape, 10 Floyd, Colonel, 117 Fly, American Sloop, 275, 276, 282 Forbes, George, Captain, xxiv Fordyce, Captain, 61 Fort Amherst, Island of St. Johns, 71 Fort Pitt, 46 Fort Ticonderoga, 119 Foster, William, 72 Fowey, H. B. M. S., 8, 139, 152, 169, 201, 252, 254, 255, 264 France, American trade with, 31, 32, 46, 116, 136, 158, 214, 215 Franklin, Samuel, 202 Franling, Walter, 204 Freeman, William, 244 Friendship, Ship, 90, 94, lOO Friendship, Transport, Loss of, 108, 134 Friendship, Vessel, 34 Fundy, Bay of, 200, 212, 251, 267, 274, 308 Furneaux, Tobias, Captain, 9, 201, 207, 252 Gage, General, 94 Gambier, Commissioner, 15 193 INDEX Gardner, Alexr., 244 Gardner, Goes, 202 Gaspee, H. B. M. S., 9, 54, 56, 105, 154, 201, 252, 266 Gaspee fisheries, Protection for, 106, 214 Gayton, Rear Admiral, 29, 176 Generous Friend, Ship, 90 Generous Planter, Ship, 90 George III., 29, 63 George, Thomas, 151 George, Sloop, 44 George Town, Packet, 204 Georgia, 29, 187, 189, 191, 201, 253, 264 Georgia, Packet, 204 Germaine, Lord George, 36, 55, 63, 210, 219, 221, 223, 249 Glasgow, H. B. M. S., 8, 58, 152, 200, 212; Ordered to Vir- ginia, xxxiv, 108, 177, 178; En- gagement with American Squad- ron, xxxiv, 177-186, 207, 212, 227, 273, 287; Extract from Log-book of, 186 Glenders, Thos., 192, 194 Glover, Thos., 83 Goddard, Richard, 83 Goodridge, John, Lieut., 152, 200, 250, 266 Graeme, Alexr., Captain, 142, 151, 152, 158, 200, 252, 264, 269 Grampus, Vessel, 202 Grant, Major, 187, 191 Grant, Robert, Contractor, Diffi- culty of victualling the fleet, 51, 52, 104 Grant, William, Lieut., 8, 154, 166, 201, 252, 264 Graves, Captain, 28 Graves, John, Lieut., 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 Graves, Samuel, Captain, 152, 158, 200, 250, 266 Graves, Samuel, Vice Admiral, C3 xxiii, xxvi, 24, 37, 38, 54, 56, 64, 66, 67, 79, 85, 89, 91, 104, 138, 142, 147, 159; Recalled from America, 6 ; Orders to, xxv, 7, 10-13, 26; Departure from Boston, 39, 40, 76 ; Vessels under the command of, 8-9 Graves, Thomas, Lieut., 9 Green, Major, 60 Greenol, Captain, 116 Greyhound, H. B. M. S., 63, 103, 105, 106, 136, 137, 162, 171, 219, 250, 264, 273 Greyhound, Sloop, 204 Greyhound, Vessel, 204 Gunpowder, 31 ; Export of, out of the kingdom, prohibited, 12 Haddon, Jona., 244 Hague, The, Holland, 164 Hague, Benjamin, 204 Hague, Isaac, 204 Halifax, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 200, 250, 266; Captures made by, 202 Halifax, N. S., 76, 78, 104, 108, 141, 153, 157, 177, 200, 202, 250, 251; Critical situation of, 54, 145, 147, 212; Scarcity of stores at, 55, 56, 57, 156, 173; Vessels stationed at, 155; Ar- rival of fleet at, xxx, xxxii, 168; Importance of King's Yard, 212 Hallum, John, Lieut., 9, 152, 200, 250, 264 Hamilton, John, Captain, 9, 201, 252 Hamilton, William, Captain, 154, 266 Hamond, Andrew S., Captain, xxxiii, 9, 142, 143, 152, 168, 201, 212, 252, 255, 264, 269 Hampton Roads, Va., 270 Hanau troops, for service in America, 171 Hancock, John, 237 20] INDEX Hannah, Sloop, 204, 244 Hannell, George, 90 Harp, Captain, 90 Harriot, Transport, 113, 212 Harris, Lieutenant, 257 Harrison, Gilbt., 204 Hartwell, Brodk., Captain, 8 Harvey, General, xxi Hawke, H. B. M. S., 29, 34, 165 Haynes, Wm., 83 Hazard, J., Captain, 122, 182 Helena, Brig, 44 Hellegas, Mr., 116 Henlopen, Cape, 200, 212, 253, 264, 275 Henry, Cape, Va., 202 Hessian troops, for service in America, 173 Hetherington, John, 42 Hetty, Sloop, 246 Hibernia, Brig, 244 Highland troops, for service in America, xxxv, 172; Captured by the Andrevv^ Doria, 273, 301 Hill, John, 202 Hilman, Captain, 287 Hinchinbrooke, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 Hinckley, Richard, Lieutenant, 268 Hispaniola, Colonial trade with, Holland, American trade with, 31, 116 Holmes, James, 94, 100 Hope, H. B. M. S., 8, 152, 200, 220, 250, 266; Captures made by, 202 Hope, Brig, 135 Hope, Ordnance Vessel, Capture of, 257 Hope, Storeship, Capture of, 219 Hope, Vessel, 204 Hopkins, Esek, Captain, xx, xxxiv, 43, 122 ; Sails from Phila- delphia, 120, 133; Orders for [132 sailing of squadron, 124; Sails from Reedy Island, 131 ; Action with the Glasgow, 177-186 Hopkins, J. B., Captain, 122, 182 Hornet, American sloop, 275, 276 Hortwick, John, 246 Hotham, William, Commodore, 172, 175, 209, 273 Howe, Richard, Admiral (Earl), 210, 307, 309, 310, 311, 312; Appointed to command in America, 160, 172, 217; Ar- rival of, at New York, xxxv, 306 Howe, Tyringham, Captain, 8, 152, 200; Action with Ameri- can Squadron, xxxiv, 177-186, 273, 287 Howe, Sir William, General, xxix, xxxiv, 36, 37, 40, 76, 77, 84, 99, 100, 102, 107, 148, 160, 172, 175, 210, 211, 213, 217, 259, 272; Relations with Ad- miral Shuldham, 87-103, 259- 262 Howell, James, 244 Hudson, Charles, Captain, 9, 37, 76, 154, 200, 252, 264; Report of. 78 Hudson River, 272 Hunt, Anthony, Captain, 252, 264 Hunter, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 201, 252, 266 Hunter, William, Lieut., 9, 154; Capture of, by the rebels, 54, 56, 201 Hutchison, John, 189 Impressment, of men from army transports, 36, 158; Necessity of resorting to, 309 Industry, Sloop, 244 Integrity, Victualler, 173 Iris, H.B. M. S., 162 INDEX Irvine, Mr., 17, 18, 216 Irwin, General, xxi Irwin, Ship, 90 Isis, H. B. M. S., 216, 266 Jackson, George, Second Secre- tary to the Admiralty, Letters of, 32, 33, 35, 36, 63, 103, 104, 136, 140, 156, 158, 162, 163, 164, 167, 213, 220, 222 Jamaica, Island of, 29, 34, 174, 176 James, Schooner, 202 Jane, Vessel, 204 Jenkins, Captain, 90 Jenny, Transport, Capture of, by the rebels, 72 Jersey, Hospital Ship, 172 John, Schooner, 202 John, Sloop, 202, 204 John and Joseph, Vessel, 204 Johnson & Co., 194 Johnston, Hugh, 151 Joseph, Vessel, 202 Josiah, James, Lieutenant, xx, 273 Juno, H. B. M. S., 171, 172, 255 Juno, Vessel, 150, 202 Keeler, Robert, Captain, 9 Keith, William, 150, 202 Kelly, Mr., 164 Killingworth, Victualler, 138, 165 King, Rt., 192, 194 Kingfisher, H. B. M. S., 8, 141, 142, 144, 150, 152, 196, 200, 212, 252, 264; Captures made by, 202, 269 King George, Transport, 218 King Solomon, Vessel, 202 Kneebone, John, Lieut., 196 Lady Gage, Ship, 222 ; Capture of, 226, 244, 255 n3 Laird, David, 90, 99 Lasher, Colonel, 130 Layton, Victualler, 138, 165 Lechemere, Richard, 85 Le Cras, Edward, Captain, 8, 79, 146 Lee, Andrew, 192, 194 Lee, Charles, General, in Rhode Island, 48, 60; At New York, 109, 112, 114, 125 Leeward Islands, 17, 174, 176 Legge, Frans., Governor, 142, 147, 212 Levant, Victualler, 140, 251 Lexington, Guardship, 239 Linzee, John, Captain, 8, 154, 201, 252, 264 Lisbon, Portugal, 3 ; American trade with, 31 Lisburne, Wilmot, Viscount, Lord Commissioner of the Ad- miralty, 161 Lively, H. B. M. S., 8, 39, 141, 152, 168, 200, 250, 266; Cap- tures made by, 202 Liverpool, H. B. M. S., 9, 142, 152, 201, 252, 266, 268; Attack upon, 269; Condition of, 142, 168, 270; Captures made by, 202, 270 Liverpool, N. S., Vessels sta- tioned at, 155 Lizard, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 201, 252, 266 Lobb, Mr., 44 London, England, American trade with, 31, 116 Long Island, N. Y., Arrival of American troops in, 116; Men- tioned, 200, 212, 264, 287 Lord Howe, H. B. M. S., 162, 266 Lord Hyde, Packet, 157 Lothrop, John, 202 Love, George, 83 Lovitt, James, 202 22] INDEX Lowell, Abner, 202 Lunt, David, 202 Lutwidge, Skeffn., Captain, g, 266 Lyon, Schooner, 246 Macartney, John, Captain, 8 McCartney, Daniel, 151 McClean, Colonel, 125 McKane, William, 244 Mackenzie, Thomas, Captain, 9, 154, 201, 252, 266 McMichael, Daniel, 151 McNess, Dl., 194 Magdalen, H. B. M. S., 9, 266 Magregor, Dougl., 244 Maltack, Ty., 124 Manners, Victualler, 138, 165 Marblehead, Mass., Fort at, 72 Marines, Detailed to the Chat- ham, 6, 27 ; On board ships, 206, 254 Martha, Schooner, 244 Martha's Vineyard, 200, 251, 267 Martin, Thos., 83 Martinique, Island of, 128 Mary, Brig, 228, 244 Mary, Ship, 90 Mary, Sloop, 202, 246 Maryland, 158 Mason, Chrr., Captain, 250, 266 Massachusetts, Act to restrain trade of, 1 1 Massey, Brigadier, 146 Meat, Fresh, 52 Medcalf, Wm. Ridsdle, 83 Mediterranean Sea, 174 Medows, Edward, Captain, 8 Medway, Victualler, 173 Merchant, Daniel, 202 Mercury, H. B. M. S., 8, 113, 143, 154, 201, 252, 266, 273; Captures made by, 204 Merlin, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 200, 250, 258, 266 Mermaid, Vessel, 244 Milford, H. B. M. S., 33, 35, 36, 158, 167, 200, 250, 266; Joins the fleet, 157, 256 Millar, James, 90 Millar, P., 90 Mills, John, 194 Mills, William, 204 Mississippi River, Colonial trade on, 46 Molly, Schooner, 202 Moncreiffe, Major, 44 Moncur, Captain, 90 Montagu, George, Captain, 8, 152, 158, 169, 201, 252, 264 Montagu, James, Captain, 8, 139, 154, 201, 252, 266 Montague, John, Rear Admiral, xxiii, II Montauk Point, L. L, 287, 291, 293 Montgomery, Richard, General, 60, 126 Montreal, Canada, 126 Morris, John, Captain, 264 Morris, Robert, 270 Mount, John, 244 Mowat, Henry, Lieut., 9, 105, 214, 222, 254, 266 Munroe, Captain of Marines, - — Death of, 37 Mure & Co., 39 Mure, Son, and Atkinson, 91, 100, lOI Nancy, Victualler, 173 Nantasket Roads, Squadron sta- tioned in, XXX, 138, 141, 153, 154, 157, 167, 168, 200, 251 Nantes, France, 136, 174, 214 Nassau, Fort, Bahamas, 276 Nautilus, H. B. M. S., 8, 78, 152, 166, 178, 179, 181, 184, 201, 252, 266 Naval Committee, 124 Navigation, Act of, 10 1132311 INDEX Navy Board, 5, 16, 140, 157 Nepean, Evan, Purser, 268, 309 Neptune, Vessel, 121 Newfoundland, Island of, 11, 254 New Hampshire, Situation in, xxviii, 64-69 New Haven, Conn., 41 ; Vessels fitting out at, 122-123, 127 New Jersey, Troops from, 43 New London, Conn., 291, 293, 295 ■ New Orleans, 46 Newport, R. I., Situation at, 48 New Providence Island, Baha- mas, xxxiv, 275 New York, 60, 152, 153, 201, 202, 251, 253, 264; Conditions in, xxxiii, 40, 41, 44, 109-115, 223, 232, 240, 241, 272; De- tached squadron stationed at, 1 1 ; Plan to destroy the King's Ships at, 125 ; Removal of pub- lic records, 129; Fortifications at, 230-233 ; Arrival of fleet at, 272 New York Provincial Congress, 132 Nicholas, Ship, Capture of, 79- 84, 202 Nichols, Captain, 276 Nichols, Saml., 202 Nielson, Ship, 90 Niger, H. B. M. S., 9, 108, 134, 152, 176, 201, 252, 255, 266, 274 Noble, Charles, 83 Nonsuch, H. B. M. S., 28 Norfolk, Va., 61, 144, 270 North America, Shuldham or- dered to command in, 3, 6 North Carolina, Expedition to, xxxi, 29, 33, 157, 162; Vessels stationed at, 155, 201, 253, 264 Nova Scotia, 10, 105, 155; 200 Nunn, Joseph, Lieut., 9, 266 Ocayes, Port of, 128 Ogle, Sir Chaloner, xxiv Oldfield, Lieutenant, 228 Oporto, Portugal, 3 Orders, of the Naval Committee, 124 Orders in Council, 12, 13 Ordnance, Master General of the, 105 Ordnance Board, 156, 211, 221 Ordnance stores, Scarcity of, 55, 76, 105, 156, 211 ; Sent to Hali- fax, 215 Orient, 1', France, 142; Rebel trade with, 31, 32, 158 Orpheus, H. B. M. S., 6, 9, 28, 36, 76, 78, 146, 154, 167, 196, 197, 200, 212, 252, 264 Orrock, Wemyss, 90 Osbridge, Mr., 17, 18 Oswald, Captain, 90 Otter, H. B. M. S., 8, 152, 168, 201, 252, 264 Oxford, Transport, Capture of, 273, 301 Palliser, Sir Hugh, Lord Com- missioner of the Admiralty, 62 Palmer, Mr., 116 Parker, Hyde, Captain, xxxiii, 9, 40, 44, 107, 125, 132, 152, 153, 201, 252, 264, 272; Intelligence from, 42, 47, 109, 223 Parker, Sir Peter, 15, 173, 218, 251, 264; Expedition against the Carolinas, xxxi, 29, 30, 33, 34, 157, 158, 162, 167, 171, 216, 273 ; Instructions to, 33 Parliament, Acts of, for suppress- ing the rebellious colonies, 11, 12, 35 Parrey, Lieutenant, 162 Parry, Anty., Captain, 266 Parry, Frans., Captain, 8, 154, 201, 252, 264 Paterson, Governor, 70 [324II INDEX Peace and Plent_v, Schooner, 202 Peacock, Mr., 213, 214 Pearl, H. B. M. S„ 171, 172, 255 Pedrick, John, 244 Peggy, Vessel, 202 Pennsylvania, Intelligence from, 21, 238; Troops from, 43 Perkins, Josh., 83 Perseus, H. B. M. S., 310 Petty officers, Dearth of, xxxiii Philadelphia, Pa., Defences of, 23, 127, 237, 239 ; Trade of, 31, 239 ; Intelligence from, xxvii, 43, 45, 116, 120, 131, 238; Ves- sels fitting out at, 122, 123, 132, 275 Philips, Erasmus, Letters of, 21, 22 ; Letters to, 23 Phoenix, H. B. M. S., 9, in, 152, 201, 225, 252, 264, 272; Condition of, no; Captures made by, 202, 245 Phoenix, Vessel, 204 Pigot, Hospital Ship, 218 Pinkerton, William, 192, 194 Piscataqua River, 200 ; Fortifica- tions on, 65, 67, 68 Plymouth, England, 18, 29, ^^j 171, 178; Shuldham directed to proceed to, 6 Plymouth Sound, 27, 28 Polly, Schooner, 204 Polly, Vessel, 202 Pope, Joseph, 282 Porten, Sir Stanier, 136 Portsmouth, England, 5, 14, 24, 26; Shuldham directed to re- pair to, 2, 6 Portsmouth, N. H., Merchant- men loading at, 72 Portugal, American trade with, 31, 116 Pote, Increase, 204 Pownall, Mr., 63, 103, 105, 106, 136, 137, 140, 156, 163 Press vi^arrants, 168 Preston, H. B. M. S., 8, 40, 45 ,* 172 Price, Captain, xxxiii Price Frigate, Ship, 90 Prince Rupert, Ship, 90 Princess Augusta, Victualler, 142, 212 Pringle, Lieutenant, 162 Pringle, John, 150, 202, 266 Pringle, Thomas, 151 Privateers, American, .Activities of, xxxi, 38, 233; Fitting out, 119, 127, 128, 132; Boat attack on, 257 Prizes, 77 ; Disposition of, 85 Proctor, Francis, 238 Prosser, William, 202 Providence, American brig, 281, 283, 291 ; Fitting out for sea, 43 ; Sails from Philadelphia, 120, 275; Description of, 122, 123, 182 ; Action vi^ith the Glas- gow, 177-186 Providence, American frigate, 60 Providence, R. I., Conditions in, 47> 133; Ships building at, 60 Providence, Island of, Defence- lessness of, 22, 23 Providence, Victualler, 173 Provisions, Correspondence be- tween Shuldham and Howe concerning, 87—103; Need of, 138, 168, 226, 227; Sent to America, 173, 174, 209 Pryce, David, Captain, 9 Pulteney, Lieutenant, 184 Putnam, Israel, General, 224, 240 Quarme, William, Lieut., 154, 200, 250, 266 Quebec, Canada, xxviii, 41, 45, 121, 148, 163, 171, 173, 175, 201, 216, 227, 239, 241; As- sault on, 60; Vessels stationed at, 155, 201, 253, 267 I325I INDEX Ramsay, Davfd, Lieut., 196 Randolph, American frigate, 123 Ranger, H. B. M. S., 162, 171 Ranger, Sloop, 244 Raven, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 201, 252,264; Captures made by, 204 Raynor, John, Captain, 5, 9, 15, 139, 152, 200, 250, 264 Rebeccah, Ship, 90 Reed, Robt., 90 Reedy Island, 275 Renown, H, B. M. S., 9, 138, 141, 152, 158, 167, 200, 250, 257, 266 Repulse, Ship, 172 Resolution, Victualler, 138, 165 Rettenhouse, Vessel, 204 Reward, Ship, 90 Rhode Island, 152, 153, 177, 184, 186, 188, 200; Situation in, 40, 47, 49, 55, 58, 60, 133 Richmond, William, 151 Richmond, Hospital Ship, 196 Richmond, Transport, 138 Roach, William, 244 Roberts, Mr., 214 Robertson, James, Colonel, 94, 95, 97 Robertson, Lieutenant, 226, 311 Robinson, John, Captain, 8 Robinson, John, Secretary of the Treasury, 94, 95, 99, lOO, loi, 163 Roebuck, H. B. M. S., 9, 143, 152, 168, 198, 201, 252, 264, 268; Sails for Virginia, 54, 56; Attack upon, 269 Rogers, Benjamin, 202 Rogers, Daniel, 202 Romans, Bernard, 46 Rose, H. B. M. S., 8, 40, 47, 58, 108, 132, 178, 181, 184, 200, 250, 264, 272; Condition of, 40; Ordered to Halifax, 108; Captures made by, 204 Russell, N., 289 Sable, Cape, 200, 251 Sable Island, 267, 298 St. Augustine, Fla., Vessels sta- tioned at, 155, 201, 251, 253, 264, 267 St, Croix, American trade with, 116, 131 St. Eustatia, American trade with, 72, 116 St. George's Bank, 178 St. John, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 166, 201, 252, 264 St. John, Vessel, 204 St. Johns, Island of, 10, 54, 64, 155, 201, 251, 267; Descent of rebels upon, xxviii, 69-75 St. Lawrence, H. B. M. S., 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 St. Lawrence, Gulf of, 70, 167 St. Lawrence, River, 10, 46, 162, 267 ; American cruisers in, xxviii, 41 St. Nichola, Cape, 46 St. Pierre de Miquelon, 45 St. Ubes, 44 Sally, Ship, 202 Sally, Sloop, 204 Salmond, Robert, lOi Salt Petre, Exportation of, pro- hibited, 13; Mentioned, 31, 32, 131 Sandwich, John, Earl of, Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty, xxii, 7, 62, 161 Sandy Hook, N. J., 267 Saunders, John, 114 Savage, H. B. M. S., 8, 57, 152, 201, 222, 223, 250, 266, 274, 307; Captures made by, 79-83, 202 Savannah, Ga., Vessels stationed at, 155, 201, 253, 264; Condi- tions in, 187; Merchant ships detained at, 188, 191; Vessels captured at, 204 Sawney, Brig, 204 1:326] INDEX Sawyer, Jas., 83 Scarborough, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 155, 187, 189, 191, 200, 250, 266; Captures made by, 202, 204, 293 Schanlc, John, Lieut., 266 Scorpion, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 201, 252, 264 Scot, Gustavus, Ch., 83 Scott, Alexander, Captain, 250, 264 Scott, John, 204 Sears, Captain, 119 Senegal, H. B. M. S., 8, 154, 200, 250, 264; Captures made by, 245 Seon, Thos., 83 Serjeant, Danl., 202 Sharp, John, 45 Shepherd, James, 80-83, 202 Shipwright, Victualler, 173 Shipwrights, Need of, 5 Shoemaker, Anty., 244 Shuldham, Molyneux, Vice Ad- miral, xxiii, 152, 200, 250, 264; Birth, xxiv ; Career, xxiv ; Ap- pointed Rear Admiral of the White, XXV, I ; Directed to pro- ceed to Portsmouth, 2 ; Ap- pointed to command in North America, 6, 19; Hoists his flag in the Chatham, 14; Detained at Spithead, 15, 17, 19, 25; Ar- rival at Boston, 37 ; Promotion to Vice Admiral of the Blue, 37, 220; Insufficiency of his fleet, 38, 68, 77, 212, 256; Activities of the rebels, 38 ; Recommends arming victuallers, 39, 77, 103; Non-arrival of storeships, xxix, 39, 198; Difficulty of obtaining fresh provisions, 5 1 ; Assumes command, 54; Conditions on the station, 54; Scarcity of naval stores, 76; Severity of blockade duty, 77 ; Relations with Gen- eral Howe, 87-103 ; Storeships destined for Boston, 90, 91 ; Evacuation of Boston, 107, 137-139, 141 ; Lord Howe to succeed in command, 160; In Halifax harbor, 165-259; Ap- pointments of officers, 196, 197; Superseded in command, 217, 309; Return to England, 311- 312; Letters of, i, 2, 3, 5, 14, 15, 17, 19, 23, 25, 27, 28, 37, 40, 51, 54, 64, 73, 76, 87, 102, 107, 137, 141, 157, 165, 166, 168, 169, 175, 177, 187, 196, 198, 206, 207, 210, 211, 213, 217, 218, 219, 222, 249, 257, 259, 268, 272, 306, 307, 310, 311 ; Letters to, 21, 22, 26, 29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 44, 52, 58, 62, 63, 64, 69, 78, 79, 84, 85, 91, 103, 104, 106, 109, 132, 134, 136, 140, 143, 145, 156, 160, 162, 163, 164, 170, 176, 178, 208, 223, 309, 312; Orders and instructions to, xxv, 6, 9, 62, 157, 160, 165, 254 Signal-book, Capture of, by reb- els, 72 Simons & Co., 194 Sinclair, Captain, 90 Sinclair, John, 151 Skinner, Frs., 204 Smith, Jonas, 202 Smith, Thomas, 45 Sneyd, Edward, Lieut., 152, 200, 208, 250 Snow Bird, Sloop, 204 Solebay, H. B. M. S., 9, 29, 218 Sollick, Captain, 118 Somerset, H. B. M. S., 6, 8, 54, South Carolina, Expedition to, xxxi, 29, 33, 157, 162; Vessels stationed at, 155, 264; Defences of, 187, 190 Sovereign, Victualler, 218 1:3273 INDEX Spain, American trade with, 31, 116, 215 Spanish River, 267, 274, 307 Spencer, Lord Charles, Lord Commissioner of the Admiraltj-, 7 Sphynx, H. B. M. S., 29, 218, 252, 264 Spithead, 7, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 34, 63, 94, 103, 105, 106, 140, 172, 311 Squire, Matthew, Captain, 8, 152, 201, 252, 264 Stanbury, Mr., 128 Stanhope, John, Captain, 9, 154, 201, 252, 264 Stanley, Mr., Secretary of the Customs, 163 Stanly, Victualler, 173 Staten Island, N. Y., 42, iii, 224, 264; Arrival of fleet at, 263, 272 Stephens, Philip, Secretary of the Admiralty, 33, 34. 9 1, 99; Let- ters of, 24, 26, 29, 31, 89, 106, 170, 176, 208, 309; Letters to, I, 2, 3, 5, 14, 15, 17, 19, 25, 27, 28, 37, 40, 51, 54, 64, 76, 87, 107, 137, 141, 157, 165, 166, 168, 169, 175, 177, 184, 187, 196, 198, 206, 207, 210, 211, 213, 217, 218, 219, 222, 249, 257, 259, 268, 272, 306, 310, 311 Sterling, Lieutenant, 228 Sterling, Lord, 129 Stone, Henry, 204 Stone, John, 244 Stores, Sent out to America, 90, 91, 95, 96, 97, 98, 100, loi, 102, 173, 174, 209, 215; Need of, xxix, 138, 168 Stores, Naval, Scarcity of, 76, 169, 170; Provided for the ships, 140 Strivens, Captain, 90 Strombolo, H. B. M. S., 172 Success, Victualler, 173 Success increase, Victualler, 173 Suffolk, Earl of, 21, 22, 216 Suffolk, Va., 43 Sukey, Sloop, 244 Sullivan, Philip, 83, 204 Supply ships. Capture of, by reb- els, 38, 77, 220; Non-arrival of, 39, 198; Driven to Antigua, xxvii, 165, 209; Convoy of, 167, 171, 258; Fleet of, for America, 171, 173 Susanna, Vessel, 202 Swallow, Packet, 228 Swan, H. B. M. S., 8, 49, 58, 108, 152, 178, 181, 184, 200, 213, 217, 250, 264 Symons, John, Captain, 9, 154, 200, 250, 266, 273 Svmonds, Thomas, Captain, 9 Syren, H. B. M. S., 9, 29, 157, 189, 201, 252, 264; Capture made by, 207 Talbot, George, Captain, 9, 108, 134, 152, 175, 201, 252, 255, 266, 274, 308 Tamer, H. B. M, S., 8, 154, 200, 250, 266, 274, 307 ; Captures made by, 204 Tartar, Brig, 204 Tartar, H. B. M. S., 8, 172 Tarter, Vessel, 202 Thames, Ship, 90, 99 Thatcher, Echa., 202 Thompson, Charles, Captain, 9 Thornborough, Edwd., Captain, 8, 154, 200 Thornton, Willm., 90 Thunder, H. B. M. S., 29 Tollemache, Hon. John, Captain, 8, 154, 201, 252, 264 Trade, Colonial, Acts of Parlia- ment respecting, 10, 11, 35 Trade, Colonial, Measures to 28] INDEX promote, 45, 46; Extent of, xxviii, 72, 116, 118, 136, 157, 158, 164, 174, 239 Trade, West India, Protection of, 176, 188, 255, 256 Transport department, 259, 261, 262 Transports, Impressment of crews of, 36, 158; Placed under direc- tion of Shuldham, 63, 214; Convoy of, 171, 173, 176, 258; Direction of, 259 Treasury, Lords Commissioners of the, 100, 102 Treasury Chambers, 94, 99, 100, lOI Triton, H. B. M. S., 9, 157, 162, 216, 266; Dismasted in a gale, 33 Trumbull, Jonathan, Governor, 60, 118 Tryal, H. B. M. S., 141, 152, 168, 200, 250, 264; Captures made by, 202 Tryon, William, Governor, xxxv, 40, 41, 43, 45, 113, 119, 125, 241, 243 Turner, Daniel, 202 Turner, Thomas Vernon, 285 Tw^o Friends, Brig, 244 Tyffe, Lieutenant, 158 Unity, Vessel, 202 Vanderput, George, Captain, 8, 40, III, 152, 201, 252, 264; Report of, 44 Vegetables, Fresh, Supplies of, re- quired for the fleet, 3 Victuallers, Capture of, by reb- els, 38, 77, 103; Convoy of, 162, 167; Driven to the West Indies, 165, 166, 209; Fleet of, for America, 171, 173; Non-ar- rival of, 198 Victualling Board, 4, 51, 52, 138, 174, 210 Vigilant, H. B. M. S., 20 Violenti, Vessel, 202 Viper, H. B. M. S., xxxiii, 9, 152, 200, 266; Blown off the coast, 165 ; Captures made by, 204 Virginia, 54, 143, 153, 158, 179, 201, 202, 204, 253, 269 Wages, of American seamen, 132 Walker, Thos., 192, 194 Wallace, James, Captain, 8, 40, 55, 104, 107, 108, 152, 200, 250, 264; Letters of, 47, 58, 61, 132, 178 Wallace, Jno., 192, 194 Wanton, Sloop, 244 War Office, 97 Warren, American frigate, 60 Warren, Benjamin, 202 Washington, George, General, xxix, 47, 70, 126, 233, 234, 241 Washington, American frigate, 123 Wasp, American Schooner, 275, 276, 277, 280 Weathersfield, Conn., 56 Weeks, Stepn., 204 Welch, George, 202 Welch, Rt., 194 Welch, Thos., 194 Wells, Jas., 244 Wentworth, John, Governor, 64-69 West, William, 202 Westcott, Rd., 244 West Indies, American trade with, 31, 72, 128; Vessels driven to, 165, 166, 167; Pro- tection of trade of, 176 Weston, Jas., 194 Weymouth, Lord, 136 Whipple, Abraham, Captain, 120, 122, 182 Whipple, Captain, 41 [;3293 INDEX White, Mr., 214 White, Charles, Surgeon, 196 White, Jas., 202 White, John, 79-83 White, Martin, 90 Williams, John, 83 Williams, Php., 83 Williams, Thos., 90 Wilson, George, Lieutenant, 252, 266 Woglum, Jas., 246 Woolen gloves, 17, 18 Wooster, General, 60, 126, 241 Wright, Mr., 70, 199 Wylly, Alexander, 204 York, Ship, 202 York, Sloop, 297 York, Vessel, 244 York Packet, Sloop, 204 Yorke, Sir Joseph, 216 Young, James, Admiral, 165, 176 1:3303 FEB n 1913 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 011 800 946 iM