X" : '/ give theft. Books \for. the founding ef a College in* iffy Colony!] •YAiuE-^MVEiasinnr- Gift of MRS. VINCENZO ARDENGHI r93 1 THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY CERTIFIES THAT THIS COPY OF THE CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM IS No.. .21 OF SIX HUNDRED COPIES, PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY ONLY THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY INCORPORATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS AUGUST 2 1, I g I 2 OFFICERS 1915 PRESIDENT REAR-ADMIRAL CASPAR F. GOODRICH, U. S. N. VICE-PRESIDENT ROBERT M. THOMPSON SECRETARY AND TREASURER ROBERT W. NEESER 247 Fifth Avenue, New York City BOARD OF MANAGERS JAMES BARNES REAR-ADMIRAL F. E. CHADWICK, U. S. N. REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. DAVIS, U. S. N. HENRY O. HAVEMEYER GRENVILLE KANE WILLIAM S. LLOYD HERBERT L. SATTERLEE REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. STOCKTON, U. S. N. PUBLICATIONS OF THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY Volume VI THE CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM LETTERS AND PAPERS RELATING TO THE CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM A CAPTAIN OF THE CONTINENTAL NAVY 1777-1779 EDITED BY ROBERT WILDEN NEESER NEW YORK PRINTED FOR THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY BY THE DEVINNE PRESS M DCCCC XV Copyright, 1915, by The Naval History Society CONTENTS PAGE A Narrative Respective Lugger Surprize & Cutter revenge i The American Commissioners to the Committee of Correspondence 13 March 12, 1777. Silas Deane to Conrad A. Gerard 14 March 22, 1777. George Lupton to William Eden 15 April 30, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 16 May 8, 1777. Montmorency, Prince de Robecq, to the Comte de Vergennes 19 May 9, 1777. Silas Deane to Conrad A. Gerard 21 May 11, 1777. George Lupton to William Eden 22 May 13, 1777. Silas Deane to M. Gerard 24 May 14, 1777. George III to Lord North 24 May 14, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 25 May 14, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 26 May 14, 1777. Paul Wentworth to the Earl of Suffolk 26 May 15, 1777- Comte de Saint Germain to the Comte de Vergennes . 27 May 15, 1777. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 28 May 18, 1777. George Lupton to William Eden 28 May 22, 1777. on CONTENTS PAGE M. de Sartine to the Comte de Vergennes 29 May 22, 1777. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 30 May 25, 1777. The American Commissioners to the Committee of Foreign Affairs 30 May 25, 1777. Franklin and Deane to the Committee of Foreign Affairs 32 May 26, 1777. George Chalmers to George Carlting 36 May 26, 1777. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 36 May 28, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles . . 37 May 31, 1777. The American Commissioners to the Committee of Foreign Affairs 39 May 28, 1777. Extract from a Letter from Silas Deane to Conrad A. Gerard 40 June 2, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles ... 41 June 4, 1777. George Lupton to William Eden 42 June 4, 1777. Extract of a Letter from Guernsey 43 June 5, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles ... 44 June 7, 1777. Extract from the Remembrancer, 1777 45 Extract of a Letter from the Postmaster of Harwich to the Postmaster-General at London .... 46 June 14, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 47 June 11, 1777. Silas Deane 48 June 14, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 48 June 19, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 49 June 25, 1777. M CONTENTS Extract of a Letter from Dunkirk June 26, 1777. Paul Wentworth to the Earl of Suffolk .... June 29, 1777. William Carmichael to the American Commissioners June 30, 1777. M. de Guichard to the Comte de Vergennes July 1, 1777. Extract from the Remembrancer July 4, 1777. M. de Guichard to the Comte de Vergennes July 7, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth . July 9, 1777. George Lupton to William Eden * July 9, 1777. William Carmichael to the American Commissioners July 10, 1777. M. de Guichard to the Comte de Vergennes . July 11, 1777. M. de Guichard to the Comte de Vergennes . July 12, 1777. William Carmichael to Gustavus Conyngham July 15, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth .... July 16, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth .... July 16, 1777. Intelligence from a Very Undoubted Authority July 17, 1777. M. de Guichard to the Comte de Vergennes . July 20, 1777. Paul Wentworth to the Earl of Suffolk . July 22, 1777. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence July 23, 1777. Marquis de Noailles to the Comte de Vergennes July 25, 1777. Lord Weymouth to Lord Stormont 71 July 25, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 72 July 30, 1777. cxin 505i 5i 53 54 5657 58 5962 63646567 67 68 6970 70 CONTENTS PAGE Marquis de Noailles to the Comte de Vergennes . . 73 August 1, 1777. Lord Weymouth to Lord Stormont 74 August 1, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles . . 75 August 2, 1777. Lord Stormont to the Comte de Vergennes .... 76 August 5, 1777. Congress. John Hancock, President, Commission to Gustavus Cunningham 77 May 2, 1777. French Seamen on Board the Northampton Brig . . 79 26 July 1777. A List of the English Seamen on Board the North ampton Brig 79 26th July 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 80 August 6, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 83 August 9, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles . . 83 August 9, 1777. M. Lenoir to the Comte de Vergennes 88 August 11, 1777. M. Lenoir to the Comte de Vergennes 88 August 11, 1777. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 89 August 15, 1777. Marquis de Noailles to the Comte de Vergennes . . 90 August 15, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles . . 91 August 16, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 94 August 20, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles . . 95 August 23, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 96 August 23, 1777. Silas Deane to Robert Morris 96 August 23, 1777. M. de Guichard to the Comte de Vergennes .... 98 August 25, 1777. cxnn CONTENTS PAGE Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 99 September 10, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to the Marquis de Noailles . . 100 September 10, 1777. Statement of Moneys Expended on the Revenge . . . 100 September 16, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth 105 September 17, 1777. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 105 September 19, 1777. Lagoanere & Co. to Pierre Lapeire 106 September 19, 1777. Lagoanere & Co. to Alexorde Catarelo 107 September 19, 1777. Lagoanere & Co. to Blas. Parga Vacumonde . . . .108 September 19, 1777. Silas Deane to Messrs. Lagoanere & Co 108 September 20, 1777. M. Amelot to the Comte de Vergennes 109 September 24, 1777. Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth no September 25, 1777. Comte de Vergennes to M. Amelot no September 26, 1777. Arthur Lee to Robert Morris no October 4, 1777. Arthur Lee to Richard Henry Lee 1 1 1 October 4, 1777. American Commissioners— Sketch of Disbursements . 112 October 7, 1777. Franklin, Deane, and Lee to the Committee of Foreign Affairs 112 October 7, 1777. Intelligence Probably Collected in Paris and Delivered to Lord Suffolk 113 October 17, 1777. Silas Deane to John Ross 113 November 19, 1777. Lagoanere & Co. to Lassore & Co 115 November 28, 1777. Silas Deane to John Ross 116 December 1, 1777. [xiiin CONTENTS PAGE Silas Deane to Messrs. Lagoanere 116 December 2, 1777. Silas Deane to John Ross 117 December 18, 1777. Memorandum of Intelligence 117 December 24, 1777. Extract from the London Annual Register for 1778 . 117 Silas Deane to John Ross 118 January 15, 1778. Gardoqui & Sons to Gustavus Conyngham 119 January 17, 1778. Silas Deane to Gustavus Conyngham 120 January 21, 1778. Silas Deane to Lagoanere & Co 121 February 17, 1778. William Hodge to John Ross 122 February 19, 1778. Mr. Courten to Silas Deane 124 March 13, 1778. The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham. 125 April 19, 1778. Letter to Messrs. Jos. and George Audiben . . . .126 April 14, 1778. Extract of a Letter from an Officer on Board the Mon arch, Lately Arrived at Portsmouth from Her Cruize 127 Extract of a Letter from Plymouth 128 May 3, 1778. Brd. Dehez to Gustavus Conyngham 129 May 18, 1778. The American Commissioners to Gustavus Conyngham. 131 Letters of Introduction Given to Gustavus Conyngham by Lagoanere & Co 131 May 22, 1778. Attestation by the Crew of the Revenge 133 May 31, 1778. Lagoanere & Co. to Mr. Boutin 134 August 31, 1778. Lagoanere & Co. to Mr. Boutin 135 August 31, 1778. Lagoanere & Co. to F. Boutin 136 August 31, 1778. [xivj CONTENTS PAGE Comte de Creutz to the Comte de Vergennes . . . .138 October 1, 1778. Comte de Vergennes to the Comte de Creutz . . . .139 October 6, 1778. Examination of William Carmichael before Congress . 140 October 5, 1778. Silas Deane to the President of Congress 143 October 12, 1778. Extract from Silas Deane's Narrative, Read before Congress 145 Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand 146 October 14, 1778. Benjamin Franklin to Ferdinand Grand 148 November 3, 1778. Arthur Lee to the Committee of Foreign Affairs . . 149 November 15, 1778. William Bingham to Gustavus Conyngham . . . .150 November 29, 1778. Extract from the Journals of Congress 152 December 26, 1778. Report of the Marine Committee 152 January 4, 1779. Account of Prizes Taken in the Surprize and Revenge by Capt. Gustavus Conyngham . . table facing 152 William Bingham to Gustavus Conyngham . . . .153 January 16, 1779. Extract from the Boston Gazette 153 February 15, 1779. Extract from the Journals of Congress 154 February 22, 1779. Richard Peters to Gustavus Conyngham 155 February 24, 1779- The Marine Committee to Messrs. Jackson, Tracey & Tracey 155 March 10, 1779. The Marine Committee to Joseph Reed 156 March 12, 1779. The Board of War to Gustavus Conyngham . . . .157 March 17, 1779. Attestation of Gustavus Conyngham 158 cxvn CONTENTS Minutes from Gustavus Conyngham of His Treatment and Remarks 160 27th April 1779. Notice in the Remembrancer 174 The Marine Committee to John Beatty 174 June 2, 1779. The Marine Committee to John Beatty 175 July 5, 1779. Petition of a Number of Inhabitants of Philadelphia . 176 July 14, 1779. Ann Conyngham to the President of Congress . . .179 July 17, 1779. Extract from the Journals of Congress 180 July 17, 1779. Extract from the Journals of Congress 181 July 17, 1779. Sir George Collier to the Secretary of Congress . . .182 July 24, 1779. Benjamin Franklin to Mr. Digges 183 August 20, 1779. List of American Prisoners Committed to Old Mill Prison, England, during the War 184 The Marine Committee to John Beatty 184 August 31, 1779. Jonathan Nesbit to Benjamin Franklin 185 September 22, 1779. Benjamin Franklin to Jonathan Nesbit 186 September 29, 1779. Benjamin Franklin to M. de Sartine 187 October 19, 1779. Benjamin Franklin to M. Le Brun 189 October 25, 1779. Gustavus Conyngham to Benjamin Franklin . . .190 November 18, 1779. Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham . . . 191 November 22, 1779. John Paul Jones to Benjamin Franklin 192 November 29, 1779. Extract from the Journals of Congress 192 December 13, 1779. Gustavus Conyngham to Benjamin Franklin . . .193 December 22, 1779. [xvij CONTENTS John Adams to the President of Congress . February 17, 1780. George Hooper to Gustavus Conyngham July 13, 1780. Jonathan Nesbitt to Gustavus Conyngham July 26, 1780. George Hooper to Gustavus Conyngham August 25, 1780. Jonathan Nesbitt to Gustavus Conyngham January 24, 1 78 1. Jonathan Nesbitt to Gustavus Conyngham May 2, 1781. Benjamin Franklin to Coffin .... March 23, 1781. Benjamin Franklin to Gustavus Conyngham June 20, 1 78 1. Memorial of Gustavus Conyngham to Congress Certificate Issued by Benjamin Franklin . August 7, 1782. Report of the Committee of the War . October 13, 1783. Report of Committee of Congress on Conyngham Memorial January 5, 1784. Nesbitt & Co. to Gustavus Conyngham . December 3, 1781. Account Presented by Gustavus Conyngham . November 1, 1791. Alexander Hamilton to Gustavus Conyngham July 5, 1793. Petition of Gustavus Conyngham to Congress December 26, 1797. Observations on the Report of Benjamin Walker, Esq., to the Late Board of Treasury on the Subject of Capt. Gustavus Conyngham's Claim against the United States, as Commander of the Lugger Sur prize & the Cutter Revenge 216 Ebenezer Gilbert to Timothy Pickering 223 June 10, 1828. 195197 198 199 200202204205206207 208 209 209 212 213 214 Cxviin ILLUSTRATIONS Gustavus Conyngham Fl FAC The Taking of the Harwich Packet 2 ronnspiece FACING PAGE c The Lost Commission, March i, 1777 16 The Capture of the Harwich Packet 44 Gustavus Conyngham 80 French Print showing Britannia upbraiding Neptune and pointing to Conyngham, while the English fleet are in full flight, Victory deserting them . 100 Attestation by the Crew of the Revenge, May 31,1778 . 132 Captain Conyngham 160 [xixn INTRODUCTION "I SEE by your newspapers," wrote Benjamin Franklin to David Hartley1 during the summer of 1779, "that Capt. Cunningham, one of our cruisers, is at length taken and carried prisoner into England, where it is proposed to try him as a pirate, on the pretence that he had no commission. As I am well acquainted with the fact, I can assure you that he really had a Congress com mission. And I cannot believe that mere resentment, occasioned by this uncommon success, will attempt to sacrifice a brave man, who has always behaved as a gen erous enemy, — witness his treatment of his prisoners taken in the Harwich packet, and all afterwards that fell into his hands."2 This was, of course, none other than the famous Cap tain Gustavus Conyngham, who, in the years 1777 and 1778, so terrorized British commerce by his cruises in the Channel, that London insurance rose to twenty-eight per cent., "higher than at any time in the last war with France and Spain."3 The name "pirate" was applied to him, as it was to John Paul Jones, by every English man of the day, so that it is not surprising to find him referred to in such terms also by George III, in his cor respondence with his ministers. But the charge of 1 A member of Parliament with whom Franklin was on very inti mate terms. 2 Printed in Hale's Franklin in France, Vol. I, p. 342. 3 Wharton's Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. II, pp. 262, 311. Cxxin INTRODUCTION piracy could not be maintained against him any better than could the charge of treason be sustained against all American sailors taken in arms against the mother coun try. That Conyngham had a commission on his first cruise was always believed by some. But the fact was never satisfactorily substantiated during the captain's lifetime, and the brave man died without obtaining the satisfaction of a proper recognition of his services by his own countrymen. A few years ago there appeared in a catalogue of Charavay, an autograph- and print-seller in Paris, among a score of other notices, the following: "143 Hancock (John), celebre homme d'Etat Americain, gouverneur du Massachusetts, sig- nataire de la Declaration de l'lndependance — Piece sig. comme president du congres; Balti more, 1 mars 1777, 1 p. in-fol. Obi. Rare n The connection of the names and dates, of course, would, at the outset, attract the attention of any collector of Americana; for, more than likely, they would have something to do with Franklin's sojourn at the Court of France. The price asked was much less than the prin cipal signature alone generally brought in the auto graph market, so it was included in a list of small purchases ordered from the catalogue by Captain John S. Barnes, this Society's first president, some years be fore his lamented death. When the paper numbered 143 was opened, it was found to be a commission giving the rank of captain in the navy of the United Colonies to one Gustavus Con yngham, and appointing him to the command of the CxxiiJ INTRODUCTION armed vessel Surprize. That was all. But— Gustavus Conyngham! The Surprize! It seemed almost incred ible that it could be true! Yes; it was actually the long missing paper that is mentioned by every historian who ha§ written the his tory of our Revolutionary navy! There was no doubt of the authenticity of the document; the well known signatures of John Hancock and Charles Thompson were substantiated without difficulty, and, besides, the names written in the blank spaces were found to be in the handwriting of no less a personage than Benjamin Franklin himself! Here was the document that authorized the sailing from the French port of Dunkirk of the little vessel that flew the red-and-blue-barred rattlesnake flag of the United Colonies! Here was the instrument that is sup posed to have saved a score of lives held forfeit to the British crown! Here was the missing evidence, for the lack of which a great case in law was lost and a brave man's heart was broken. After one hundred and twenty-three years we have at last the lost commission— that document around which was woven a chapter, both recorded and unrecorded, of American history; a drama smacking of romance, filled with mysterious plotting and secret international diplo macy; a strange story of adventure, of war, of tragedy! To secure a complete collection of papers and docu ments bearing on the foreign cruises of Gustavus Con yngham, it was necessary to search among both original and printed sources. The most important selection of letters was found in the Stevens "Facsimiles of Manu scripts in European Archives Relating to America, Cxxiii] INTRODUCTION l772>-l7%2>" and m Wharton's "Revolutionary Diplo matic Correspondence." In the "Silas Deane Papers," printed for the New York Historical Society, further important letters were secured, while additional mate rial was obtained from the "Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Geography" and from the contemporary volumes of the London "Remembrancer" and "Chron icle." But, while this official correspondence has served to form the historic frame in which this remarkable story is set, other papers, fortunately, came to light at the time of the discovery of the lost commission, which offered material such as this Society primarily exists to deal with. For, intimate as the public documents here col lected are, these new manuscripts go even deeper into the well-springs of history. This collection comprises the original commission issued to Conyngham by Ben jamin Franklin on March i, 1777, the manuscript jour nal kept by the captain during his imprisonment in England in 1779, letters from the various American agents in Europe and in the West Indies, lists of prizes captured by the Surprize and Revenge, and other pa pers bearing on the cruises of these two small vessels. WHEN the American Revolution broke out, the French Government was careful to adopt a policy in accord with the true interests of their own country, and consistent with the letter, if not with the spirit, of their obligations towards the Government of England. It is true that the Comte de Vergennes pronounced Lord North's attempt to subjugate the colonies by force as "an undertaking against Nature" ; but Louis XVI's other advisers were very careful not to show their true CxxivJ INTRODUCTION hand prematurely lest England and her American col onists should happen to make up their family quarrel and celebrate their reconciliation by joining together in an attack upon the French possessions in the West In dies. So France allowed the civil war to run its course beyond the Atlantic, and patiently awaited the golden opportunity while England tore herself to pieces with her own hands. It was essential, wrote Vergennes, on March 12, 1776, to persuade George III that the intention of the two Bourbon powers towards England were not only pacific, but positively friendly, in order that the British ministry might be emboldened to entangle themselves, too deep for retreat, in a fierce, dubious, and most exhausting war against their own colonies. The courage of the colonists, on the other hand, would have to be "sustained by secret favours" from France. They should be supplied fur tively, but generously, with arms and money, and in formed that, while it was below the dignity of the French King to treat openly with insurgents, his Maj esty was disposed to recognize them as allies if they ventured upon the decisive step of renouncing their al legiance to the English crown and declaring themselves an independent nation.1 But these "Considerations on the Policy" communi cated by the Foreign Secretary were intensely distaste ful to the King. Louis XVI had no inclination to pose as the tutelary genius of a rebellion. He shrank from entering upon a course of treachery which could not fail to involve his country in a hazardous and protracted conflict. His conviction of duty and his sense of honor 1 Doniol's History, Vol. I, pp. 272-286. CxxvJ INTRODUCTION were too great. Besides, "an English war," Turgot warned him, "should be shunned as the greatest of all misfortunes; since it would render impossible, perhaps for ever, a reform absolutely necessary to the pros perity of the State and the solace of the people." But, as the King so often was wont to remark, "except for myself and Turgot, there is no one who really loves the people." Actuated by this unfeigned solicitude for the people committed to his charge, he shrank from wan tonly inaugurating, after an interval of only twelve years, another carnival of bloodshed, of national peril, and of private bereavement, impoverishment and ruin. But, with the fall of Turgot, he stood alone against the opinion of his united Cabinet. All his plans for the bet ter government of France, and for the amelioration of the hard lot of her unhappy peasantry, seemed to have been in vain. He felt himself powerless to avert the projected war with England, which shocked his con science, — a war which, in its consequences, he feared would prove fatal to his reign. Such was the situation in France when Silas Deane, the first commissioner sent by the American Conti nental Congress, arrived in Paris in June, 1776. The prospects of cordial relations between the young Repub lic and the Court of Versailles were most encouraging. Yet nothing but failure seemed destined to follow the diplomatic methods employed by the colonial leaders. Fortunately, at this moment the ability, the discretion, and the force of character of a single man retrieved the day. Benjamin Franklin was a past master in the art of diplomacy. When he landed Caron de Beaumar- chais expressed a friendly uneasiness lest the old man, left to his own guidance "in that cursed country of med- [xxvin INTRODUCTION dling and gossip," should fall into bad hands, and com mit some fatal blunder or indiscretion. But this was sympathy wasted. The Pennsylvania veteran had the craft of age without any of its feebleness, as the states men of France and Spain and Holland were destined to learn by unpleasant experience. Whoever was left in the lurch, it never was Benjamin Franklin. "From the very first moment of his arrival in Paris," says Tre- velyan, "he set himself deliberately, and most artfully, at work to tempt Louis the Sixteenth's Cabinet deeper and deeper into a policy which was the salvation of America, but which, in the end, brought utter ruin upon the French Monarchy." The influence of the great American commissioner was apparent in every depart ment of the French administration. Certain members of the King's Cabinet, who seemed to count for a great deal more than either his Most Christian Majesty or his frugal Swiss banker,1 were always as eager to give as Franklin was bold to ask. The American commission ers were soon accommodated with a loan of two million francs, bearing no interest and payable "when the United States were settled in peace and prosperity." Another million came from the Farmers General, in exchange for the privilege of buying twenty thousand hogsheads of tobacco from the warehouses of Virginia and Maryland. Four millions, ten millions, and six mil lions were afterwards forthcoming in three successive years, until the total sum obtained from France by the solicitations of Franklin amounted to six and twenty millions. How thriftily these great loans were ex pended on the purchase of military stores for Washing- 1 Jacques Necker. £xxviin INTRODUCTION ton's armies in the colonies, and on the equipment of American cruisers which preyed upon British com merce in European waters, can easily be surmised.1 When the cruiser2 which conveyed Franklin across the Atlantic had deposited him safely at his destination, she ranged the Channel and the Bay of Biscay. Within a few weeks she made five prizes; and her list of cap tures reached an enormous figure before she finally met her fate. Captain Wickes found in French harbors a sure refuge from danger, a ready market for his cap tures, and all the necessary facilities for refitting his vessel. When the English ambassador3 remonstrated, the Court of Versailles gave him fair words, and osten tatiously prohibited any further breach of neutrality in sham orders which, after a brief show of obedience, were openly and systematically disregarded by the port authorities.4 (See pp. 47, 54-55.) If such things could be done within the range of dip lomatic surveillance and protest, the American com missioners still felt that such a course caused both "trouble and uneasiness to the Court and must not be too frequently practised."5 But in spite of their remon strances, these incidents recurred, and so frequently, that in February, 1777, the British Government felt obliged to order a 70-gun ship to the Gulf of Gascony to inter cept American vessels trading in French ports, while 1 The American Commissioners to the Committee of Secret Corre spondence, January 17, 1777. See Wharton's Revolutionary Diplo matic Correspondence, Introduction. 2 The Reprisal. 3 Lord Stormont. 4 See Allen's Naval History of the American Revolution, Vol. I, pp. 260—261. 5 Lacour-Gayet's La Marine Militaire de La France sous le Regne de Louis XVI, pp. 87-88. Cxxviiin INTRODUCTION the Comte de Grasse, with L'Intrepide, 74, and a frigate, cruised in the same waters to protect foreign vessels pursued by the English which claimed his pro tection.1 About this time Gustavus Conyngham appeared at Dunkirk. He was an Irishman by birth, having been born in the County of Donegal in 1747. In his early youth his father emigrated to the colonies, and there he became an apprentice to Captain Henderson in the An tigua trade, and continued with him as sailor and mate, until, by Captain Henderson's death, he was promoted to the command of the vessel in which he had been serv ing. Then, in 1773, he married Anne Hockley, the daughter of a Philadelphia merchant, and two years later, in the fall of 1775, he sailed from the Quaker city in the Charming Peggy for Holland to bring out from that country some saltpeter and clothing, and, if pos sible, also munitions of war to aid the colonies that had already begun the struggle against the mother country. Just after entering the Channel he was captured by a British cruiser, but he rose against the prize crew, re captured his little craft, and brought her safely in behind Texel Island. But the British representatives complained to the Dutch authorities of the character of the Charming Peggy's cargo ; her sailing was prevented, and the return voyage abandoned altogether, although on more than one occasion Conyngham was tempted to take advantage of the thick weather and slip out into the Channel. But his ship was a slow sailer and would have had little chance with the swift English cutters that were on guard outside. So Gustavus Conyngham, 1 Wharton's Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. II, p. 287. Cxxixn INTRODUCTION like many a Yankee shipmate, found himself stranded in Europe, on the lookout for anything to fill up his spare moments and burning to do something (see p. 9) . Through a friend of his named Ross, Conyngham met William Hodge, a Philadelphia merchant in the employ of the American commissioners, who was pur chasing vessels at Dunkirk for the Continental naval service, and the latter seems to have recommended the captain to his superiors as a desirable commander for one of these craft. Benjamin Franklin accordingly filled out for him one of the blank commissions which he had received for that purpose, signed by the Presi dent of Congress, and dated it March 1, 1777. With this authority, Conyngham returned to Dunkirk, where Hodge had, on April 17, purchased a lugger1 of Eng lish construction, which was renamed the Surprize (see PP- h 15,21,31,37,96, 140, 143, 145)- On May 1, 1777, the Surprize sailed from Dunkirk under the guise of a bona-fide smuggler. But once clear of the roads, she threw off the mask, hoisted the Conti nental colors, and began to cruise off the mouth of the Meuse. Skilfully eluding the British cruisers on watch before the harbor entrance, Conyngham headed his vessel along the coast of Holland, and within a few days he made his first captures. On May 3 the packet Prince of Orange, en route from Harwich to Helvoetsluis, was intercepted — the third packet that England had ever lost in these narrow seas— and on the day following the 1 10-ton brig Joseph, bound from Messina to Hamburg, with a cargo of wine, lemons and oranges, was brought 1 The Admiral Pocock. She was sold by her captain, Robert Mur- dock, for the price of 500 louis d'or (12,000 livres). L>xxn INTRODUCTION to. With these two important prizes Conyngham made the best of his way back to Dunkirk (see pp. 37, 39, 45) . As he entered the port, two English ketches fouled him intentionally, and the Surprize, in consequence of this mishap, sprang a leak. This necessitated an imme diate official investigation, as the French marine ordi nances specified that no vessel captured by captains under a foreign commission should remain in port for more than twenty-four hours unless restrained by stress of weather or unless the capture had been made from enemies of France. So in order to run no risk of for feiture of his two prizes, Conyngham asked for the re quired formal inspection. This he obtained on May 9, and, with the verbal process, also the desired authority to repair his vessel and the permission to dispose of his prizes.1 But, in the meantime, the captain of the Joseph had filed protest with the British consul at Ostend. The news reached Paris by special post on the evening of the 7th of May. The next morning Lord Stormont hurried to Versailles and waited on M. de Maurepas2 and M. de Vergennes. The French ministers seemed surprised at the news which the ambassador had to communicate, and expressed to him their indignation and regret, for their subordinates had not yet apprised them of what had taken place at Dunkirk. M. de Sartine3 was di rected forthwith to order the arrest of Conyngham and of his crew, and to see to the seizure of the Surprize and the release of the two prizes. These instructions were 1 Mims's American Privateers at Dunkerque. (In Proceedings of the United States Naval Institute, Vol. XXXVI, p. 939-) 2 The French Prime Minister. 3 The French Minister of Marine. CxxxiJ INTRODUCTION promptly complied with, and it was on this occasion that Conyngham's original commission was "taken & sent up to Versailles & not returned" (see pp. i, 16, 19, 24,30,44,45)- Lord Stormont recorded with satisfaction the success of his application "with regard to the Dunkirk Pirate," which, he wrote to his Government, was "highly dis pleasing to Franklin and Deane." These assurances were well received in London. George III requested his Prime Minister to mention this "strong proof" of the French ministry's intention "to keep appearances" in his speech before the Houses of Parliament, and Lord North dwelt at length upon this extremely satisfactory attitude of the Bourbon court (see pp. 24, 26). But in this he was not quite correct. A letter received at the Foreign Office a few days later from one of its spies — Dr. Edward Bancroft, a man who received bribes from both parties, for he was in the employ of Franklin as well — confirmed the fact that "Lord Stor mont has the ear of the Comte de Vergennes, but," it added, "Franklin has the Queen on his side, and she will do what he says." And this prophecy was not long in being fulfilled. On May 24th, ten days after Lord Stormont penned his exulting note, we find the Ameri can commissioners writing that they had already been given to understand that Conyngham would "through favour be discharged with his Vessel." At all events, just before the arrival of the sloops-of-war that were to convey "the Dunkirk Pirate" and his companions to England for trial, orders were brought post-haste from Paris to release the prisoners, and Conyngham and his men were again allowed to roam at large (see pp. 28, 36, 40,41,48, 51). [xxxii] INTRODUCTION Once more there arose a state of feverish apprehen sion in British merchant circles. The packet-boat and the brig Joseph, it was true, had been surrendered upon the demand of their ambassador, but this, as Deane re marked, was only a "temporary triumph." With Con yngham again at liberty, they were left in a state of anxious perplexity, because no one could tell when or where he would strike. His movements were closely watched by British spies and agents, and his where abouts were constantly communicated across the Chan nel (see pp. 23, 69). The master of a fishing-smack who had seen Conyngham in the streets of Dunkirk lost no time in apprising the postmaster at Harwich of every detail, and this official in turn wrote to the postmaster- general at London that the American was about to put to sea in a "cutter, which is painted blue and yellow, which was built for the smuggling trade, and reported to be a fast sailer," adding that he "thought proper to give this intelligence, and make no doubt of necessary steps being taken to put a stop to the proceedings of this daring pirate" (see p. 46) . All this was, of course, duly communicated to Lord Stormont in Paris and to An drew Frazer, the British commissioner at Dunkirk, so that the French authorities were obliged to take meas ures accordingly. In order to avoid the recurrence of similar cases, M. de Sartine commanded his represen tatives to investigate the rumors current about Conyng ham, and to prevent the recurrence of affairs such as the English ambassador was making complaint of, but to make these searches "with due prudence." There were two cutters fitting out at Dunkirk. One of them appeared to be an ordinary smuggler, but the other, the Greyhound, it was "notorious," was actually £xxxiiin INTRODUCTION preparing to leave port under the American flag (see pp. 23, 28, 36, 40, 42, 47, 48, 50, 58, 112, 140). Lord Stormont hastened to file his protest with M. de Ver gennes. But the latter answered that "it had not been found upon examination that the Cutter was armed," in spite of the British ambassador's insistence that "she certainly had guns on board, and that those Guns had been purchased in France." However, the Foreign Minister did "take down in writing the Name of Hodge" and that of Conyngham on Lord Stormont's dictation and promised to give the matter his immediate attention (see p. 49) . Still there was no interruption in the proceedings at Dunkirk. The fitting out of the two cutters, which were none other than the Surprize and the Revenge,1 proceeded with expedition. One of them was being laden, so it was said, by William Hodge for Ireland, but with a large cargo of ammunition (see PP- 51, 97)- Seventeen sailors were being enrolled at Calais for her. Then came an unexpected order from the Ministry of Marine to buy her for the King's ser vice, "if it were such a good sailer" (see p. 53). It looked for a while as if the departure of the vessels would be prevented, after all. But Hodge cleverly anticipated every objection by disposing of the Re venge to an Englishman named Richard Allen, while the Surprize was sold by an Irishman to Dominique Morel, a widow (see pp. 56, 75) . The sale of the latter 1 Formerly the Greyhound. She was a little larger and swifter than the Surprize, and mounted fourteen carriage- and twenty-two swivel-guns. There were no Frenchmen on board (see p. 69) when she stood out of the harbor about the middle of July, but a number seem to have joined the vessel in the offing when Conyngham did, for, later, as many as 66 out of her crew of 106 were mentioned as being French. ^xxxivn INTRODUCTION aroused the suspicions of the Admiralty of Dunkirk, but no objection was made to the transfer of ownership in the case of the Revenge; Hodge and Allen were merely required to comply with the usual Admiralty formal ities and give bond that the cutter would not carry on privateering or take any Frenchmen aboard (see pp. 59, 69) . Then a passport was made out for the destination of Bergen in Norway, and the vessel was allowed to get under way (see pp. 68, 84, 145) . The Revenge was no sooner beyond the harbor en trance, on July 17th, than Conyngham took command, under a new commission, "as captain and commander of the armed vessel or cutter called the Revenge," dated May 2, 1777, which the commissioners had purposely dated anterior to the seizure of the old one (see pp. 2, 77) . His sailing orders directed him to proceed imme diately to America as bearer of despatches, without molesting British shipping unless he was attacked; but verbal instructions which he received on July 15th from William Carmichael, the commissioners' secretary, which "could not be committed to paper," apparently directed him to do exactly the contrary (see pp. 2, 64) . Several transports carrying Hessian troops to Eng land for service in America were known to be in the German Ocean at this moment. But the delays which attended the departure of the Revenge from Dunkirk prevented her from arriving off the mouth of the Thames in time to intercept them. Conyngham thereby "lost a glorious opportunity" (see p. 3) . Good fortune, however, pursued the Revenge in another quarter. From the very moment she slipped out under the guns of the hostile men-of-war in the offing, she began to make prizes. On July 21st she captured a large £xxxvn INTRODUCTION schooner, the Happy Return. Two days later she brought to the brig Maria. Both these vessels and the brig Patty, which was taken in the German Ocean on July 25th, Conyngham would gladly have sent into port in order to realize some prize-money from their sale. But, unfortunately, on each occasion the Revenge found herself in the presence of British ships-of-war and sorely pressed. So there was no alternative but to burn the prizes, except in the case of the Patty, which there was time to ransom for £630 sterling. Such successes within sight of the very shores of Eng land caused great excitement in London. It was so un expected, so bold, so audacious. Insurance rose quickly. British ships were no longer considered safe, even in the English Channel. At one time there were as many as forty French vessels loading with English merchandise in the Thames, while it is said that as much as ten per cent, was sometimes paid as insurance for the short pas sage between Dover and Calais. "In a word," wrote Silas Deane to Robert Morris, "Cunningham, by his first and second bold expeditions, is become the terror of all the eastern coast of England & Scotland, and is more dreaded than Thurot1 was in the late war" (see p. 98) . "But," concluded Deane, "though this distresses our enemies, it embarrasses us." With the fourth prize the clouds began to gather. On July 26th Conyngham in tercepted the brig Northampton, with a rich cargo of hemp and iron. She proved so valuable a prize that it was decided to send her into port. But both prize and prize crew fell into the hands of the British and were taken into Yarmouth roads, where it was discovered that 1 Francois Thurot, a famous French corsair of the Seven Years' War. £ xxxvi n INTRODUCTION no less than sixteen out of the twenty-one men manning the prize were Frenchmen. The British Government lost no time in communicating these details to their am bassador (see pp. 71, 74, 76-79, 80, 87). On July 1 6th Lord Stormont had already been to see M. de Vergennes about the Revenge, and on that occa sion he certainly expressed himself "fully and strongly." When the "corsair" finally slipped out unmolested, how he must have wept with rage at having been so easily duped! After all his representations, "those very Men, whom M. de Maurepas had formally promised should be tried as Pirates," were not only set at liberty, but suffered to put to sea in an armed vessel under the very eyes of the British commissioner at Dunkirk! It was true that, in accordance with the French Admiralty re quirements, an assurance and bond that the vessel would not be used as a privateer and would not take any Frenchmen aboard, were demanded of both buyer and seller of the Revenge. But what validity had this bond when the Admiralty took security from Hodge, "who cannot be considered as a responsible Man in this Case," complained Stormont, "and I believe is so in None"? "Besides Sir," he wrote to Lord Weymouth, "there is a clear contradiction in this whole affair that appears upon the face of it, Richard Allen is allowed to declare the Ship is his Property, and Hodge gives security. If the Property is not for Hodge how can He answer for what the crew will or will not do? If he is the owner how comes Allen to be admitted to make a Declaration that is manifestly false?" (See pp. 65, 72, 81.) Then came Lord Weymouth's despatch of the 1st of August conveying the news of the Revenge's successes and of the presence of "a considerable number of £xxxviin INTRODUCTION French subjects" among her crew (see p. 74). The long-suffering ambassador began to pack up his things and threaten open war, declaring that if a summary example were not made of the American agents, orders would be given to the British cruisers to intercept and seize the French Newfoundland fleet, daily expected from the Grand Banks. In fact, the Court of St. James was already hastening war preparations in England on the suspicion of connivance between the French min istry and the American commissioners. Something had to be done, therefore, to appease Lord Stormont, and done immediately. So the "chef de l'Amiraute" who had allowed Conyngham to escape was "punished by being ordered to attend Court" (see pp. 83, 96), and William Hodge was arrested and confined in the Bas tille because "it is a very serious matter to lie to a king, which he hath done."1 (See pp. 83, 88, 91, 96, 144.) This was on August nth. A few weeks later the New foundland fishing fleet was safely anchored in French ports. Thereupon "Mr. Hodge, an American, detained in the Bastille by the King's orders," was released, and the incident considered closed (see pp. 109, no, 112). In the meantime Conyngham continued his successes against English shipping. From the German Ocean he sailed into the region of the Baltic, then back again through the Straits of Dover up to the "Irish Channel & Western Ocean." For two months he kept the sea with out seeking a harbor. No stress of weather deterred him. But once, when off the northwest coast of Ireland, the Revenge sprung her bowsprit in a gale, and as the vessel was very short of supplies, Conyngham decided to 1 Comte de Vergennes to Ferdinand Grand, August 21, 1777. £ xxxviii n INTRODUCTION run into Kinehead for repairs and for "Watter, verry little else to be got theare" (see p. 4) . A little later, the news reached the Continent that a Flemish dogger recently arrived from Iceland had sighted Conyngham at sea about the first week of Sep tember. Her captain bore a package of letters and two valises which "the Pirate" had committed into his hands. The Revenge at the time had two prizes in tow and seemed to be making for some French port. Lord Stormont immediately waited on M. de Vergennes with the dogger captain's declaration. The French minister "replied in such a way as to leave no doubt that Cunningham would be punished according to his de serts," and promptly issued orders to arrest him in case he returned to the coasts of France,— though, as he wrote to the Marquis de Noailles in London, "I doubt it, for he could not do a worse thing" (see pp. 99, 100) . And Conyngham very likely also feared the conse quences, for he kept clear of the French coast, and did not again attempt to make port after leaving the Irish Sea until well in Spanish waters. One of the Revenge's prizes, the brig Venus, was re captured, but the others arrived safely at Corunna, Fer- rol, and Bilbao, where their interests were well looked after by the commercial houses of Joseph Gardoqui & Sons and Lagoanere & Company (see pp. 100, 106- 109) . Both these houses had long had business connec tions in the American colonies, and during the war the latter had firm friends in their Spanish correspondents. In fact, it was their aid and the influence at court of Diego Gardoqui that enabled the Americans to combat the efforts of the British ambassador at Madrid, and £ xxxix ] INTRODUCTION contributed so materially to the success of the colonial cause in Spain.1 Conyngham, however, made his initial appearance at Bilbao under very unfortunate circumstances. Just be fore his arrival Lagoanere & Company had cleverly dis posed of one of his most valuable prizes, the brig Black Prince, by sending her around to the French port of Bayonne under false papers covering a vessel of Spain, which had been procured from a Spanish merchant in Ferrol. But off Cape Ortegal the Revenge fell in with the French brig Graciosa, having on board dry goods valued at £75,000 sterling, "covered by a Spaniard in Comma," and fully insured in England, — "thiss and other circumstances," Conyngham wrote, "well known on board revenge." But the crew insisted on making the vessel a prize, and compelled Conyngham to place a crew on board of the Graciosa and order her to Bilbao. This was a flagrant violation of the customs of naval warfare, and the Spanish authorities naturally did not like the proceeding. No sooner had the brig dropped anchor in port than the prize crew were thrown into prison, and it was only with the greatest difficulty and by his submitting to the arbitrary terms of the Spanish governor that Conyngham was able to obtain their re lease (see pp. 4, 113, 120). The commissioners in Paris seem to have been kept well advised of the Revenge's movements, for we find Deane writing, in December, that they had received word from Conyngham, under date November 12th, that he had made new captures, and again from Co- runna on November 27th, that he was "doing very well, 1 See Allen's Naval History of the American Revolution, Vol. I, pp. 252-254. INTRODUCTION having got Liberty to sell his prize1 openly, and was pushing out on a fresh Cruise" (see pp. 1 16, 117). But all was not well. At Bilbao the time of enlistment of his crew expired. There were no funds in the hands of Gardoqui & Sons to draw upon for prize money, the men threatened open mutiny, and an outbreak actually would have occurred, had it not been for the timely ar rival of one of Conyngham's prizes. "All our seamen had left the Cutter," wrote Hodge in describing this "most troublesome affair" to the American commission ers in Paris, "but the New England seamen, going on board to pursue the Tobacco Brig (see pp. 5, 119), oc casioned our people to go on board likewise ; but as soon as she returned, our people again left the Vessell. When I went on board, there were a greater number of pris- ' oners than our Men, and its being an open port, I won der that they did not take the Vessel from our people. After my going on board with six Men as a reinforce ment, there was still danger, but thank God, we brought her safe into Bilboa, and I have had nothing but trouble with our people ever since. I have been obliged to settle with them for their wages and prize money, and after all one half have left the Vessell. The wages and dis bursements upon the Cutter amounts to Pieces of Vellon 109,284, and the share of prize Money to the officers and crew Amounts to 137,750 Pieces of Vellon besides their share of prize Money of the ship Hope and Cargo, in which they share one third ; and forty-two Volunteers who shared at the rate of one half the ship Hope, Nr. Pieces of Vellon 239,458.24, which money, together with some more I have been obliged to take up to dis- 1 The ship Hope (see table facing p. 152). cxiin INTRODUCTION charge the demands against the Cutter" (see pp. 122- 124, 125). Before the Revenge could again put to sea, however, Conyngham was obliged to change his articles, "as I could not obtain a Crew to sail under the old ones, or to engage for any term beyond a Cruize" (see p. 217). But by January, 1778, he was again on the high seas, heading WSW. and thence south along the Portuguese coast towards the Straits of Gibraltar. Seven prizes were made during this short cruise, and manned for American ports, but all but one were retaken by the British, and that one was sold by her prize-master and "Give no acct of," so that when the Revenge put into Cadiz to refit there were no funds available for the Americans to draw upon. The friendly feeling of the population towards the cause of the colonists, however, aided Conyngham out of his difficulty and enabled him to complete his preparations for another cruise, to the chagrin of the officers of the British men-of-war in the roads. "Judge of the situation of our spirited com mander," wrote an officer of the Monarch on his return from Cadiz, "when during the time we lay there (seven days being detained by the wind) we had the mortifica tion to see the usual honours paid to two Dutch frigates, and above all to the Revenge American privateer, com manded by Cunningham, who came swaggering in with his thirteen stripes, saluted the Spanish admiral, had it returned, and immediately got product; the Spaniards themselves carrying on board wood, water, fruit, and fresh provisions; all which we were eye-witnesses of, as he anchored directly under our stern, within two cables length" (see p. 127). The British tried to make a sur prise attack upon the Revenge and cut her out in the cxmn INTRODUCTION dead of night, but Conyngham was warned in time of the preparations making on board the Monarch so that the attack did not materialize (see p. 6). Returning northward, the Revenge was driven by gales into the strongly fortified seaport of Ferrol on the northwestern coast of Spain, after which she made a cruise to the southward as far as the Canary Islands and intercepted several English vessels. The brig Peace & Harmony and the brig Betsey were captured in the At lantic, the snow Fanny off the coast of Portugal, the ship Hope and the brigs Carabonnere and Tapley in the Straits of Gibraltar, the brig Maria off Cape Finisterre, two brigs in the Bay of Biscay, and a third off the mouth of the Straits (see p. 128). And this notwithstanding "those seas covered by British Cruzers of every descrip tion and [with] orders from their Government to follow the revenge into any harbour she might be in and de stroy her" (see p. 7). But Conyngham could not be caught; even in the sight of British men-of-war he continued his depredations, and on one occasion, off Cape St. Vincent, he actually brought to and burned the tender to H. B. M. S. Enterprize under the very guns of that frigate (see table facing p. 152). All these captures were entirely regular. But from Conyngham's experiences on a previous cruise, when his men compelled him to send in a French brig, we may infer that the Revenge's crew was not always amenable to discipline or willing to abide by the laws of civilized warfare. Such an unfortunate usurpation of authority on the part of the men did, in fact, occur again in May, 1778, when the Revenge fell in with the Swedish brig Henrica Sophia, bound from London to Teneriffe. Conyngham attempted to restrain his crew, but the men cximn INTRODUCTION would not be denied their capture. They manned the brig and ordered her to Boston, and even assumed full responsibility for their act by signing the following statement of their position in the matter: "Whereas Captn. Cunningham says that he has directions not to Insult any Neutral Flag yet, the Cargoe appearing so plain to be British property we have eng'd him to take her, & try her chance to America" (see pp. 133, 138, 139, 146-150). As soon as the news of this outrage reached Paris, the Swedish ambassador at the Court of Versailles registered his protest with the Comte de Ver gennes and asked the French Court's intervention, as Sweden at that time had "no relations with the United States of America." But the French Government replied that they could give no satisfaction, as they had "no right to make representations on this subject, and still less to influence their principles and their conduct towards Powers which have not only no treaty with them, but which have not yet even recognized their in dependence" (see p. 139) . Still, the matter did not rest there. The details of the affair were soon made known to the American commissioners in Paris through their friend Ferdinand Grand, and Franklin was thus able to disavow Conyngham's conduct and to denounce his seizure of the brig as an "act of piracy," for which "he will certainly be punished when duly prosecuted, for not only a regard to justice in general, but a strong dis position to cultivate the friendship of Spain" (see p. H7) • This unfortunate affair gave the British the opening which they had been long awaiting. Unable to cope with the swift sailing Revenge on the high seas, they had sought to close Spanish ports against her. But this nxiivn INTRODUCTION they had been unable to prevail upon the Court of Madrid to do. The "American corsair" was too popu lar with the people. All the efforts of the British am bassador had been in vain. Then occurred the affair of the Henrica Sophia. The attitude of the Spanish Gov ernment changed almost immediately. The appeals of the British representatives suddenly found listening ears. A word, and the "offended Court" issued the re quested orders against the American cutter, and Con yngham, when he sailed into the harbor of Corunna later in the spring, found the port closed to him en tirely. Fortunately, an anchorage in a small neighbor ing inlet was allowed him by some of his friends, and here, under the bold headlands of the Galician coast, he repaired his vessel and refitted her for another cruise (seep. 7). With no ports open to her in either of the Bourbon kingdoms, it seemed as if the Revenge's activities in European waters had come to a close. So, as soon as the vessel was again ready for sea, Conyngham, on Septem ber i, 1778, bade farewell to his former cruising ground, and set all sail for the West Indies. During the passage across the Atlantic not a single vessel was sighted. But, once in the Caribbean, better fortune attended the lucky little cutter. Two British privateers with valuable car goes struck their colors to her off St. Eustatia in Novem ber. Two schooners, a brig, and a sloop were captured in rapid succession and brought safely into St. Pierre. A despatch from Martinique even credited her with "an engagement off Barbadoes with a King's Cutter of 28 guns, which [she] pursued near the guns of the fort, and which would not have escaped, had it not been for an high sea which prevented boarding her" (seep. 154). Cxlvn INTRODUCTION In short, as Conyngham put it, the Revenge "kept the British privateers in Good order in those seas" (see p.9).1 After this, the Revenge set her course for the Dela ware Capes. She made an uneventful passage. Not a sail was sighted during the voyage, and Philadelphia was reached without mishap on February 21, 1779- Here Conyngham delivered a precious cargo of arms and munitions of war to the Continental military au thorities, and not long after the Revenge herself was turned over by him to the Marine Committee to be sold by them at public auction (see pp. 9, 154, 155, 157) . Thus ended the career of the cutter Revenge as a Con tinental vessel of war. Hers had been a glorious record. Secretly fitted out in a foreign port, she had managed, by ruse, to sail and throw off her mask under the guns of the very ships charged with preventing her departure. From that moment she began to sweep the seas of Eng land's commerce.2 English ships were afraid to leave their harbors. English merchants refused to load their wares except in French and Dutch bottoms. Conyng ham became the most dreaded man in England. The effect of the Revenge's presence at sea was immediate. In eighteen months she captured twenty-seven English vessels and sank or burned thirty-three more. The sales of her prizes in Spain3 realized sums which were of 1 During this time William Bingham, the American agent in Martinique, disposed of the Revenge as a public vessel (see p. 8). She sailed under his orders, and Conyngham was required "as an Officer in the Service of the Congress" to do his bidding on several occasions (see pp. 150, 153). 2 Arthur Lee to Samuel Adams, October 4, 1777. 3 For the list of the prizes sold in Spanish ports by Gardoqui & Sons and Lagoanere & Company, see table facing p. 152. Cxrvij INTRODUCTION great moment to the American commissioners in Eu rope. It is even affirmed that the money advanced to Mr. Adams for traveling expenses, when he landed in Spain from the French frigate La Sensible, a year or two later, was derived from this source (see p. 195). But the dash and pluck of the intrepid Conyngham did even more. From the moment he returned to Dun kirk with the Harwich packet the eyes of Europe were centered upon him. His name became a catchword in the taverns of the Continent. His achievements aroused the enthusiasm of the people of the Bourbon countries. His captures embroiled the Courts of St. James and Versailles. From that moment the intervention of France in the American Revolution became an assured fact. A few weeks after the sale of the Revenge, odd to remark, Conyngham was again on the quarter-deck of the cutter. The State of Pennsylvania had been one of the bidders at the auction, but the successful purchaser was a firm of Philadelphia merchants, who intended to use her as a privateer. For about a fortnight the Re venge was chartered by the Executive Council for the protection of the city's commerce on the river, under an agreement which included Conyngham as her com mander. But by the month of April the charter ex pired, and Conyngham put to sea from the Capes of the Delaware, as privateersman and part owner of the Re venge, though under his former Congress commission of May 2, 1777. Upon this cruise Conyngham's good fortune seems to have forsaken him. "I went round to New York," he writes, "laid in the roads, two privateers who followed me kept in sight— I made every effort to get them to CxlviiJ INTRODUCTION come down, but to no effect— then made chase after them, but to no purpose— at length, as the d— 1 would have it, led me into the very teeth of the Gallatea (Cap tain Jordan). I made effort to escape, but in vain, her teeth were too many. I was taken— my crew were sent on board the prison ship in New York— I was lodged in the condemned dungeon for fourteen days."1 (See pp. n, 159.) The date of the capture of the Revenge was the 27th of April, 1779. During the first week of July, Conyng ham arrived in England in irons to "receive that punish ment from his injured country, which his crimes shall be found to deserve" (see p. 183). What he suffered, we know from the pages of his own diary. In fact, such was his treatment, that, when the news of it reached the ears of his fellow citizens, a memorial was at once pre sented to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia. The accusation upon which the British authorities in New York based their action towards Conyngham was "that he had acted without a Commission when early in the year 1777 he commanded a small vessel called the Surprize and in her captured the Harwich Packet in the British Channel" (see p. 174). This charge the Marine Committee of Congress hastened to deny, add ing that, unless immediate satisfaction were given, "re taliation will be made." In addition, the Secretary of Congress was directed to write to Sir George Collier, in command of his Majesty's naval forces at New York, protesting against the American captain's "rigorous and ignominious confinement" (see p. 181). But the British admiral refused "to answer demands when they 1 Barnes's The Tragedy of the Lost Commission (in The Outlook, January 3, 1903, p. 81). Cxlviiin INTRODUCTION are made in an uncivil way." Conyngham continued in irons, and the members of Congress were compelled to carry out their threat of retaliation by ordering the close confinement in the American prison at Boston of an officer of the Royal Navy (see pp. 184, 191). In England, Conyngham was constantly reminded of the gallows that awaited him. "Lodgd. in the Black Hole as usall," he remarks almost daily in his prison journal. Then from Pendennis Castle at Falmouth he was transferred to Plymouth, where he was confined in Mill Prison "to stand a tryale with his most Gracious Sovering George the 3rd." "On rebel Allowance 6oz beef & 6 of bread for 24 hours," he relates, "the least fault as they termed it, 42 days in the dungeon on the half of the above allowance of beef & bread— of the worst quality. Suffered a seveare & cruel treatment, dogs, cats rats even the Grass eaten by the prisoners, thiss hard to be credited, but is a fact" (see pp. 11, 171). Twice Conyngham attempted to escape. Once he ac tually walked out of the prison gate in the dress of a visiting doctor. But on his third effort, on November 3, 1779, he did get away, digging himself out, with fifty- three American prisoners, and committing "treason through his majesties earth" (see p. 194). Reaching London, he found there friends and money. The au thorities made every effort to apprehend him, but "the pirate" easily evaded their clutches, and after a while made his way safely to the Channel coast, whence he had little difficulty in reaching Dutch shores (see p. 1 1 ) . It happened that at this moment John Paul Jones was in the Texel with his squadron and the captured Serapis. So Conyngham placed himself under the commodore's orders and with him escaped to sea, evading the British CxlixJ INTRODUCTION blockading squadron on the night of December 27, 1779 (see p. 11). After a cruise in the English Channel, the Alliance ran down the Bay of Biscay, stopping first at L'Orient and then at Corunna. Here Conyngham de cided to leave her, and boarded the tartan Experiment bound for the United States. Unfortunately for poor Conyngham, the Experiment was captured, on March 17, 1780, by the British Admiral Edwards, and again he found himself committed to the hardships of Mill Prison. It was not until June, 1781, that Franklin was able to congratulate Conyngham on his safe return to French soil (see p. 205). "Proceeded to paris," writes Con yngham in his journal, "then Lorient Afterwards to Nantes," where he prepared for another cruise in the fine 24-gun ship Layona. But "the day she was Launched We had the information of peace Materials guns & Greater part of the crew engaged." So in great disappointment all plans were changed, and Conyng ham returned to Philadelphia in the ship Hannibal (see p. 12). As soon as Conyngham was free again he found him self in a peculiar position. The original commission which he had received from the American commission ers in Paris had never been returned to him after the French authorities seized his papers in May, 1777. Consequently some documents of identification had to be obtained before he could be placed "in the same Situ ation he was by virtue of the said Commission." So he appealed to Congress, forwarding in support of his application a copy of the certificate Franklin handed to him in Paris on August 7, 1782 (see pp. 131, 207). This memorial was favorably reported upon by the Congres- cm INTRODUCTION sional Committee of the War in October, 1783. But, for some reason, the Government deferred the settle ment of the matter to a future date. So a second time Conyngham made his appeal. And then came the blow, unexpected as it was cruel, that the committee of Con gress to which was referred his memorial had reported that the commission issued to him by the commissioners in Paris did "not give rank in the Navy" but had been "intended for temporary expeditions only" (see p. 209) . Again and again Conyngham repeated his request, pe titioning yearly, as he himself states, from 1779 to 1798. In 1793 the case came under judgment. The Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, assured Conyng ham that a "report on the Petition, which was referred to me, will be made to Congress next session." But many of the witnesses were dead, Dr. Franklin among them. Some of the commissioners' agents turned against him. His suit for the restitution of funds owing him and back payments was held not proven (see p. 158). During the quasi-war with France, Conyngham was in command of the armed brig Maria, of which he was part owner, and made several cruises in her, but with little success. Again, at the outbreak of the War of 1812, though advanced in years and broken in health, he endeavored to repeat the successes of his Channel ventures, but was forced to give up the attempt. But never could he give up his fight for recognition. Year after year he sent petitions to Congress and tried to get a review of his claims. Year after year he made inquiries for his lost commission, the possession of which would have determined at once his position and rank in the navy. Twice he himself searched Paris nin INTRODUCTION for the precious document, but no trace of it could be found. That Conyngham could produce no proof in substantiation of his assertion was a fact upon which Benjamin Walker laid particular stress in his review of the case for the Government. The commission had not been recorded at the time of its issuance by Franklin. Even the one that he had in his possession when cap tured by the British in 1778 could not be produced in evidence. In vain he presented his sworn accounts, his receipts, and his bills from the Spanish agents. He re ceived always the same answer, until at last the end came. He died in Philadelphia, on the 27th of Novem ber, 1819.1 1 "The characters of the Surprise and Revenge," says Fenimore Cooper, in his Naval History of the United States, Vol. I, pp. 97-99, "appear never to have been properly understood. In all the accounts of the day, and in nearly if not in quite all the subsequent histories, these vessels are spoken of as privateers, authorized to act by the com missioners at Paris. It is not clear that the commissioners sent private armed vessels to sea at all, though the act may have come within the scope of their powers. That the two cutters commanded by Captain Conyngham were public vessels, however, is proved in a variety of ways. Like the Dolphin, 10, Lieutenant Nicholson, an officer who may be said to have almost passed his life in the navy, the Surprise and Revenge were bought and equipped by agents of the diplomatic com missioners of the United States, on public account, and the commis sions granted to Captain Conyngham were gifts of personal authority", and not powers conceded to particular vessels. It is known that Dr. Franklin, at a later day, and with an especial object in view, granted temporary commissions in the navy, but there is no evidence that either of those bestowed on Captain Conyngham possessed this conditional character. The Revenge was finally given up to the Navy Board in Philadelphia, and was sold on public account. It is certainly com petent for a government to consider its public vessels as it may see fit, or to put them in the several classes of vessels of war, revenue cruisers, packets, troop-ships, transports, or anything else, but it would, at least, be a novelty- for it to deem any of its own active cruisers pri vateers. The very word would infer a contradiction in terms. Paul Jones speaks of his desire to obtain Captain Conyngham as a member cwn INTRODUCTION In concluding, the Editor wishes most gratefully to acknowledge the Society's appreciation of Mr. James Barnes's permission to publish the historic documents which were drawn from his collection and to reproduce the illustrations which are included in this volume. It had been hoped that Mr. Barnes would himself under take the preparation of the Conyngham papers, but his absence abroad prevented him from fulfilling this wish. And to the officials of the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, the Massachusetts His torical Society, and the Bureau of Rolls and Library of the Department of State, the Editor's thanks are also due for their interest and assistance in the preparation of this history of the cruises of the Surprize and Revenge. of a court martial, as late as 1779; and in a remonstrance against the treatment shown to Captain Conyngham, then a prisoner of war, made by Congress, through its Secretary, Charles Thompson, of the date of July, 1779, that officer is termed 'Gustavus Conyngham, a citizen of America, late commander of an armed vessel in the service of said States, and taken on board a private armed cutter,' &c. &c. Here the distinction between public and private armed vessels is unequivocally made, and the fact that Captain Conyngham had served in both is as clearly established ; it being admitted that he was acting in a privateer at the precise moment of his capture. The latter cir cumstance in no degree affected the rank of Captain Conyngham, officers of the navy quite frequently serving in private armed ships, after the first two or three years of the war, in consequence of there not having been public vessels to afford them employment. That there was some irregularity in giving Captain Conyngham two com missions for the same rank, and bearing different dates, is true, but this arose from necessity; and want of regularity and system was a fault of the times, rather than of those who conducted the affairs of the American marine during the Revolution. There can be no reason able doubt that both the Surprise and the Revenge were public vessels of war, and that Gustavus Conyngham was a captain in the navy of the United States of America, in virtue of two commissions granted by a competent authority ; and that, too, subsequently to the declaration of independence, or after the country claimed all the political rights of sovereign power. CWin THE CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM THE CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM A Narrative respective Lugger surprize & Cutter revenge.1 i st The Lugger2 surprize was purchased in dunkirk early in the Year 1777, and fitted out by order of the Commissioners of the United States at paris, doctor Franklin & silas dean,3 & the appointed Agents in dun kirk for that purpose, & my commission, a Captain of the Navy of the United States, Given to me by P. Com missioners in Paris; signed by John Hancock, then president in Congress, dated first day of March 1777, attested Chas. thompson Sectr. In thiss vessell made a cruze to the East, took the harwick packett4 & Brig Joseph on the 3d & 4th May 1777, secured the mail & delivered it to one of the agents on our return to dunkirk with those prizes, which were Given up by order of the french Government, Capt. & crew confined in prison, my commission taken & sent up to Versailles & not re- 1 In The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Geography, Vol. XXII, pp. 479-488. 2 A small vessel carrying two or three masts, with a running bow sprit upon which she set lug-sails. 3 The American Commissioners to the Court of France. 4 The Prince of Orange, carrying the mails from Harwich to Helvoetsluis in Holland. c 1 n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM turned— here it is to be observed the Commissioners was not well informed as to the views of the f rench court or by designe from every circumstance Led to beleive the Latter from political motives, the court of Versailles carried on their duplicity & blinded the British minis ter Lord stormount. Also that the Crew should be delivered up, and actually sent two sloops of War & tenders to dunkirk to receive us. 3d The revenge cut ter1 was also purchased and fitted out at dunkirk by the same directions.2 Viz— the Commissioner at paris & their Agents, first a house to advance the money. 2d A person to purchase a vessell & that in England, 3d the material, 4th a person With a priest to execute, thiss to shew the caution necessary at that time, and my Com mission as before mentioned as a publick one— Given to me by Wm Carmichael Sect to the commissioners at paris, dated 2d May 1777 attested by Chas thompson Sect. 4th Notwithstanding all this Caution & obscurity the french Government required a surety that the re venge should not commence hostilys on the British— the Commissioners procured an American Citizen3 for the purpose & Wm Carmichael4 came to dunkirk to ex pedite the Cutter & gave me verbal explanations, could not be committed to paper.5 Also a Letter not to attack, but if attacked at Liberty to retaliate in every manner in our power— Burn— Sink & destroy the Enemy.8 5th 1 6th Jully 1777, the revenge left dunkirk next day at- 1 A small vessel with one mast and a straight running bowsprit ; a class of vessel common to the Channel of England. 2 By William Hodge, a Philadelphia merchant in the employ of the Commissioners. 3 William Hodge. 4 Secretary to the American Commissioners at the Court of France. 5 See p. 51. e see p. 64. c*n *l5he taking of the cf&atwich J=>acket FW> CIWNINCHAM neeint in't Kanaal fen Entfelfche Palfetboot. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM tackd, fired on, chased by several british frigatts sloops of War & Cutters. Without an enquiry into the Cir cumstances attending the hostilety commenced, the french Government threw the Surety into the bastile,1 further deception to appease Lord Stormount & his court for the surety was done away & the revenge at Liberty to retaliate, the coast lined by British frigatts & Cruszers of every description. A vessell in disguise in dunkirk peers to give Signals on our going out & Was executed & answered in the offing by their ships of War; 6th Count de Stang2 was fitting a fleet at toulon by report destined for the protection of their Coloneys so he should be clear of the European seas— the real object in view. A secret, our ministers at Court urging a declaration of those intentions brought it to a close the Compt de Vergennes could no longer avoid. Count de Stang was but 24 hours late of capturing Lord howe in the delaware — 7th In the first instance of those Armaments at dun kirk it was to Capture & destroy the transports & to lib erate the hessians & the other troops from the Continant bound to England, on Certain Conditions, destroy the Enemy; plan in sending those troops to America from dificulty & delay in paris & dunkirk. We lost a Glori ous Opportunity. 8th Leaving dunkirk we stood to the E & N E, made several prizes in the German Ocean, N. Seas, Irish Channel & Western Ocean, destroyed several others, ordered to America, West Indes, to such places as their Cargoes would answer, few of them Got in safe, some of the prize masters made the most of them to their own 1 See pp. 83 and 88. 2 Comte d'Estaign. c 3 a CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM use. Also by deception Arrived in England— We suf fered from Gales sprung our bowsprit, short of supplys put into Kinehead— N. W. Coast of Ireland— We got Watter, verry little else to be got theare, the little we Got, paid them their own price— Leaving this place Bare away for ferrol— on our Arrival there No Agent or person Would Undertake to supply us at Corruna— the house of Lazonere & Co.1 undertook to supply the revenge on condition of my responsibility for the pay ment of Advances they should make — I complydwith — 9th I wrote the Commissioners at paris Giving them every information of our cruze & our situation, Also the names of the Mercantile houses in spain our prizes should be addressed too & they approved of and ap pointed the house of Lazonere & Co. Consul & Agents for every Continental vessell or their prizes that should enter that port, or other ports in Gallicia — Giving me orders to cruze in those seas & where most probable to make prizes to bilboa to the house of Guardozine,2 se lecting the most difficult port they could have pointed out, Also into the hands of the principal merchts were they should arrive. We made several cruzes from Cor runa & ferroll the prizes as before mentioned with di rections on arriving safe — to Give every information to the Commissioners to take their directions to those houses they were addressed too— 10th in 1777 fell in with the french Brig Grasiosa of Cape Ortinzal from London bound to Corruna, a valu able Cargo amt pr Invoice 75,000 pounds sterl. covered by a Spaniard in Corruna, thiss and other circumstances 1 Lagoanere & Co., the American agents at Corunna, Spain. 2 Gardoqui & Sons, the American agents at Bilboa. L4 3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM well known on board revenge, thiss vessell & cargo was fully insured in England against all. the crew insisted she should be stoptd otherways would do no further out cry, put a crew on board, ordered her to bilboa, from Gales & seveare W. arrived at St Sebastians— the officer & Crew sent to prison, french Capt & crew put in comd of the brig. On my arrival at bilboa in the revenge I went to St Sebastians by Land, then every difficulty ensued to Get our people Liberated from prison, I was obliged to submit to their terms, viz— the Governour & Secty, I protested against such arbitrary proceedings & claiming a restitution on the Spanish Govermt & left St Sebastians, nth the Spanish Governour & his secty by representations to Court reed orders to discharge the Brig, they disposed of the Cargo, pay the french Capt. the freight & proceed as he saw fit, he refitted, that they had no right either to detaine the vessell or make sale of the Cargo. After Long delay the Spanish Court deter mined that the Captors should pay the damages in four teen days from the date of said decission, if not paid by them in that time, the french Capt should pay it, so much for diplomatick proceedings. A concerted plan of Villany at Court & St Sebastians; it is to be observed the time specifyd by the Spanish Courts that the Captor should pay they was out of their power & they knew it. —Appearance of a public sale md of thiss Cargo & St. Sebastians, the Greater part of purchased for that Gov ernour & secy most arbitrary & clandestine manner. 1 2th at Bilboa the time the crew was engaged for Expired, no provision made for paying them off the Agent theare had no funds for that purpose, one of our prizes Getting in safe at Bilboa otherways would have been attended with disagreeable circumstances. A crew C5n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM consisting of all nations not possible to Govern or be Governed, short of mutiny in several instances, After wards could not engage a crew for any term beyond a Cruze & to be settled with at the expiration of— No Wages pr month, a bounty advanced to be deducted from their shares in prizes as pr orders of Congress, & regulation of seaman. 13th 1778 left bilboa on a Cruze to the Wt S W. & So strights of Tib, made several prizes, sent some to [America], & different ports in Europe, few Got in safe. Seven prizes ordered to Am. all retaken but one, that the prize master sold and Give no acct of, we were badly situated for prize master. 14th put into Cadiz to refit & apply to the house of Lacoute & Co. no funds there. A prize getting in we were able to refit & proceed on a cruze to the Wt N. E— & No Lattd 500 No made prizes & destroyd several, had a bad Acct of their fate som of them we never heard of, An English ship of the Line & two frigatts were lay ing in Cadiz on our arrival — in their usual & diabolick mode of Warfare had determined in the Night by their boats to set the revenge on fire— A Good french man on board one of them Gave notice to the french Consul of their designe, who advised us of. Consequently was prepared for them, they did appeare in the dead of the night but took Care to Keep their distance, the Spanish admirall had thiss notice & he politely offered a 74 Gun ship to protect us — We acknowledge the favor, but was noways apprehensive of any danger, to the 15th Con trary it was our wish they would make the Attempt. from several Gales & short supplys put into ferrol— fitted out, Went on a Cruze to the Western & Canary Islds, made severall prizes & destroyd others ordered as before observed to AM. & ports of Europe— came to c 6 n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Anchor at Punto Nego, tenerif, to Wood & Watter, Also how we should be reed at the Capitol, received notice we should be received with hospitality, pro ceeded to Sandy-Cruze, Got provisions & Necessarys— the house of Cassalon & Co furnished us— here we learned that one of our prizes— Cargo Wine, fruit & Oyle, was at Island of Palma, the prize master was dis posing of the Cargoe in League With the British Con sul, We proceeded to sd Island & found he had disposed of the Cargoe, a part delivered, took the Necessary steps, Got possession of the vessell & that part of Cargo on board, with thiss obliged to be satisfyd— put a crew on board, ordered her to Martinique. 16th We Left palma, Went on a cruze to the N W. N. E & So made some prizes retaken & others no account of. those seas covered by British Cruzers of every description and orders from their Govermt to follow the revenge into any harbour she might be in & destroy her. for prizes none could be Got in, the cruze being finished put into Corruna — thear was orders from Spanish Govermt that we should not be protectd or admittd General O'Neal the Commd Officer was friendly to us, Also the Cause of our Country— Gave us Liberty to proceed to punto- dema a private harbour in Gallicia & refit & be supplyd in future to avoid the ports in Gallicia, every difficulty in our Way by British influence at Court & infamous representations of their Consuls the Agents by order Commison made the Advances— 17th ree'd a Letter from Arthur Lee Esq. informing he was sole commison for Spain. I wrote him in Answer & Gave him the same information as I had the commison at paris, viz. the Names & firms of those houses the prizes were orderd or would arrive & he might direct C7n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM as he saw fit— and he did Write the agents & orderd. 17th On arrival of prizes my directions to the prize masters & agents they should advise the Commison & take their orders in disposal of the property, Arthur Lee Esq did write the Agents that all prizes made by Continental vessells ; the funds to be held at his disposal, the revenge, no other vessell had any prizes or funds, to the contrary continental vessells of War putting into ports in Gallicia in want of repairs and supplys— Also citizens of the U. S. of America, captured in those seas put on shore coast of Gallicia, Vigo & elsewhere in the greatest distress by british cruzers — also his excellency John Adams on his way to paris reed Moneys at Cor runa and at Bayone, All those expenses & charges from the funds of the revenge, cutter, will be found to be no small amount, not a word from the Commisrs of any funds or Credit being ordered to pay any expenses that might occur, without considering the Great Expense attending a Cruzer, and at that day our flag under many difficulty. 1 8th We left punto-dema, the Consul Lazo nere settled with the crew in 1778, under articles of agreement same as the last & proceeded for the West Indies, advising the Commisrs of the difficultys we Laboured under— Arrived at Martinique, made no prizes — William Bingham Esq AM. agent theare dis posed of P. cutter revenge as a publick vessell — viz. the crew engaged for a cruze, bounty advanced them, to be deductted from their prize money & settled with when finished in same manner as at bilboa and had continued in, made several cruzes to Windward & among the Islands — made some prizes of little value, protected several AM. merchantmen & convoyed others clear of [8] CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the Island. Kept the British privateers in Good order in those seas, Captured two of them— 19th left Martinique in 1779 arrived shortly after in Febry. philaa— the Navy board took the direction of P. Cutter & sold her at public sale by an act of Congress 12' March '79— I petition Congress for a settlement of my Acct & they refered to Alexander Hamilton Esqr Secty of State my accounts & vouchers of every descrip tion, and he promised should be reportted on first Ses sion of Congress— he did not, petition after petition to Congress time after time to deer 26th 1797 to no Effect. 20th Some time after Peace by an order of Congress a commercial Agent was appointed to settle every ac count relative to the public in Europe & did call or Write to every house or agent Concerned with the re venge, cutter, for that purpose, through the Agency of William Carmichal at Madrid. Gustavus Conyngham. By a resolve of Congress, that the Capt of any single ship or armed vessel have two twentieth parts of his share, but if more ships or armed vessels be in Company when a prize is taken then the two twentieth parts to be divided amongst all the said Captains; I went on a voyage from Philaa in the Brig charming peggy to Europe to procure Munitions of War of every description— arrived at dunkirk after circuitous route, here we could not accomplish in any way our object— the Agent Jont Nesbett1 Went to holland & procured every article desired & ordered in philaa our vessell could not take such a cargo on board there, if possible 1 Jonathan Nesbitt. C9n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM no person would or could undertake it— such must be procured in holland the only alternative to ship P. goods on board two dutch vessells in the Texel— the powder— saltpetter & such in one vessell, the other vessell Arms— flints medecine, cloathing & to avoid ac cidents to be put on board our vessell Nieuport roads, on our getting there the dutch men as usuall had not arrived, a Gale came on were obliged to slip our Cables & run into the Canal leading to Nieuport about 2^ miles from the town 4 days after the dutch men arrived We took out their Cargoes, detained by contrary winds in a canal & other difficulty^ at the entrance of the canal its requisite to have a fair wind— the tide so rapid other wise carryd on the sand banks, here I am sorry to say an Irishman sailor on board the name of brackenridge is father usher to a school in Londonderry under a Mr Ewing— dezertted & Got to Ostend informed the British Consul of every particular in consequence we were stopd arrested, a guard put on board in 3 days after a light air wind & fair in our turn We put the Guard under arrest took their arms proceeding out, fell calm air of Wind came right in our case became des perate — took to our boats left the agent to claim as he did not appeare to have any hand in it, a deception should we faile — breaking an arrest under that des- potick Govermt not to be trifled wh that verry guard md Oath that the agent was in same state as themselvs after this a long & tedious business took place the vessell & Cargoe damaged through ignorance of the balief; burgomaster, fisherman Wt Embezzlement a valuable cargo & vessell turned out to nothing when solde from the different charges costs & by that corrupt Govermt under the sanction of their Court & their prince Charles Don CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM —I remained in dunkirk & after-wards took the Comd of the Surprize, also after the revenge, as related in the Narative. G: CONYNGHAM. March 1779, the Cutter revenge being purchased by individuals — I continued in Comd of her — Went on a cruze under my former Commission U. S. Navy — taken carried into N. York1 — sent to England in a packett in Irons Wt 55 lbs, arrived at Falmouth, pen-dominis Cas tle2 & figure of 4 hand Irons added to the others, sent to plymouth committed on the high treason Act to stand a tryale with his most Gracious Sovering George the 3rd— on rebel Allowance 6oz beef & 6 of bread for 24 hours, the least fault as they termed it, 42 days in the dungeon on the half of the above allowance of beef & bread — of the worst quality. Suffered a seveare & cruel treatment for number years, dogs, cats rats even the Grass eaten by the prisoners, thiss hard to be credited, but is a fact— After Burgoine's & Cornwallis Capture, same allowance, but a little better treated, not so often reminded of the Gallows, After several attempts to escape from prison, as often brought back, at last Got to texel Went on board the Alliance frigatt paul Jones comd proceeded on a cruze down channel & towards the Western Islands put into Corruna to refit Supplyd by Messrs Lazonere & Co.— here I went on board the tartan.3 Experiment bound to the U S N. on the 17 day of March captured by the Admiral Edwards private cruze carryed to dartmouth from theare to Mill prison4 1 See pp. 158, 160. 2 Pendennis Castle. 3 A small one-masted coasting vessel common to the Mediterranean. 4 This prison was situated on a promontory, projecting into the CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Lodge, as usual dungeon recovering from a seveare sickness, some time after made my escape Got over to Ostend proceeded to paris then Lorient Afterwards to Nantes, Layona ship to mount 24 twelves and Nines, the day she was Launched We had the information of peace Materials guns & Greater part of the crew engaged- Citizens of the US of AM coming to Nantes numbers every day in the greatest distress — no provision made for them actually begging for a morsel of bread- Jonathan Williams and Jonathan Nisbett did every thing in the power of man for their releive. We took on board the ship hannibal 95 as we posible could and the crew 35 men no Wages, Landed them at Philaa, Without any charge to them or the Govermt thiss very differt from the Conduct of many other AM Vessells in that port & other ports in f ranee at that time— G. CONYNGHAM. Sound, between Plymouth and Plymouth Dock, two considerable towns: it lies on the right hand, as you go from Dock to Plymouth, and about an equal distance from either. Formerly there stood wind mills on this eminence, which circumstance gave it the name of "Mill Hill;" hence the prison was called "Mill Prison." There were three buildings, one of which had been built in Queen Anne's time, as tra dition informs us. The largest building was a hundred feet long and about twenty feet wide; situated at the north end of the yard. It was two stories high, built with stone and lime, having no windows on the north front. There was a space of about twenty feet between this building and the Commissary's office, which stood to the west, but had no windows in the east end. A wall on the north as high as the eaves of the prison, extended from the prison to the office ; a simi lar wall on the south, joined the two buildings. In this wall was a gate leading into the main yard. (From The New England Histori cal and Genealogical Register, 1865, Vol. XIX, p. 74.) Other interesting particulars may be found in the Memoirs of Andrew Sherburne, who was for some time confined in this prison (pp. 81-89). c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE1 ] (Extract) Paris, March 12th. 1777 In ours of Feb. 6 of which a Copy is enclosed, we acquainted you that we are about purchasing some Cut ters to be employed as Packet Boats. We have suc ceeded in getting one from Dover in which we propose to send our present Dispatches. — Mr. Hodge who went to Dunkirk & Flushing, where he thought another might be easily found, has not yet acquainted us with his Success. [ THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE2 ] (Extract) Paris, March 12th. 1777 Mr. Hodge writes us that he has provided another Cutter. We intended to employ one of them as a Packet, but several of yours being now here, and have- ing lately made a Contract for sending one every Month, a Copy of which we enclose, we shall make use of this new Purchase as a Cruiser. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XIV, No. 1 448-1. 2 Ibid., No. 1448-9- Dsn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ SILAS DEANE TO CONRAD A. GERARD1 ] c. Paris, March 22d, 1777. Sir,— Enclosed is a letter from his Excellency, which I pray you to deliver. I have also troubled you with a short Memoir on the subject I had the honor of men tioning to you the other day, and pray you would send me a line, informing me whether the petition of Mr. Cunningham can be granted, and what will be the ex- pences attending it. As he proposes going out of town soon, I am the more urgent for an early answer. I have the honor, etc. Monsr. Gerard.2 S. DEANE. Memoir Mr. Cunningham, a gentleman of family & fortune in Ireland, who has been for many years respectably established in business in Philadelphia, is about to settle at Martinico, for carrying on to the greatest advantage commerce between France and the United States of America, for which reason he is desirous of being naturalized in this Kingdom. He is a protestant by religious profession, but will ever make it his study to maintain the character, he has hitherto universally held, of a peaceable and useful member of society. As his business obliges him soon to leave Paris, he prays to be 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 31. 2 Later, in 1778, the first Minister Plenipotentiary of France to the United States. He sailed from Toulon, on April 13, 1778, with the Comte d'Estaign's fleet. Cnn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM informed whether his petition can be granted, and what are the forms & modes of proceeding necessary to be at tended to. Paris, March 22d, 1777. [ GEORGE LUPTON1 TO WILLIAM EDEN2 3 ] Wednesday Evening Dear Sir k° April, 1777] The present serves to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour of 25th Current, but as I have very lit tle time to spare, shall not enter into Particulars, save I must mention the last dispatches was under my care for near two hours, while Conyngham was Preparing him self for his intended Journey, of course you '11 see it was possiable for me to have come of with same, but you may depend I shall not enter into those schemes rashly, unless a finishing stroke could be done by same, — at same time I flatter myself I can be of more consequence to you here, than if you was made acquainted with the Contents of one of them, therefore shall follow your advice and act very cautiously on those delicate points- Mr. Deane dines today with the Countess D'anville & is very intimate with the Vice Admiral of France, the Count his name I recollect not at present,— Shall answer your letter very fully by the next Courier. Adieu! Good Sir, & believe Yours Sincerely G..L.. 1 An Englishman in France watching the course of events. 2 Of the British Foreign Office in London. 3 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. II, No. 147-4- c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT1 TO LORD WEYMOUTH2 3 ] Paris Thursday Morning .. T , May 8th. 1777 My Lord J '" Last night I received the enclosed Letter from Mr. Frazer which at his desire was sent from Calais by Ex press. I thought the Business too important to brook Delay and therefore went this Morning to Versailles I waited first on M. de Vergennes4 and began by saying that I was sorry to trouble him but that I was come to speak to him upon a Subject of a very serious Nature I added that I should confine myself to bare Matter of Fact leaving it to his Excellency to make those Reflec tions qui se presenteroient la dessus en foule after this Short Preface which sufficiently Raised his Attention I stated the Facts as they were Stated to me by Mr. Frazer5 and at the same time delivered to Him a Short note which was nothing but a Repetition of what I had said. M. de Vergennes seemed surprized and answered with great seeming Frankness that this was a case where it was unnecessary to make des Representations and that le simple expose du fait was sufficient. I replied that I was so convinced of this that both in what I had said to him and what I had given in writing I had simply stated the fact without accompanying it with any Re- 1 The British Ambassador to the Court of France. 2 Secretary of State for the Southern Department. 3 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1529— 1, 5. 4 Louis XVI 's Minister of Foreign Affairs. 5 The British Inspector of Fortifications at Dunkirk. See p. 20. c^n \5he JoOdt Gommiddion, c/lbatch 1, if1/ J '• ''/?'s In CONGRESS. The Dblegatps of tit United Colonies jo/New-Hampfliire.Maflkchufetci Bay, Rhode-fland, Con- nefticut, New-York, New-Jerky, Perlnfylvania, the Counties of New-Caftle, Kent, aWSuflVlo* Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to r^/i*.,^ ^L^^^C \ y \ E rcpofing efpecial Truft and Confidence in your Patriotifm, Valour, Conduit and Fidelity, D O by thefc Prefents, conftitute and appoint you to be c^»«»*«fc>Vw. or the Armed ^'-/called the t/L^w* ;„ tlie fervice of the Thirteen United Colonies of North- America, fitted out for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hoflile Invafion thereof. You are thcreforj) carefully and diligently to difcharge the Duty of ^bww.w.^U' /.^J . -i. .!' -/A/./ by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do ftrialy ¦charge and require all Officers, Marines and Seamen under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as /,«./6'/, /-^/-y/ And you are to oblerve .and follow fuch Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you (hall receive from l!i:s or a future Congrcfs of the United Colonies, or Committee ot Congrcfs, for that Purpofe appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Navy of the United Colonies, or any other your fuperior Officer, according to the Rules and Difcipline of War the Ufage of the Sea, and the Inftruclion^herewith given you, in Purfuance of the Truft repofed in you. 1 his Commiffion to continue in Force untill revoked by this or a future Congrefs. By Order oj the Congreft Pmjidjnt. Atttfl. fa A a /Aerm / (i it/u ,y y ureter oj the uongrtji '-tS^ CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM flexion, any Demand; being persuaded that it was bet ter to leave this Court to do instantly of their own accord what their Wisdom and Justice could not fail to prompt upon such an occasion. He thanked me, said that such proceedings were certainly not to be suffered et qu'on y mettroit bien ordre. He then asked me If I did not mean to see M. de Maurepas and upon my tell ing Him I did, he said he would immediately follow me thither that we might settle this affair. I was scarce sat down at M. de Maurepas1 when M. de Vergennes came in and Read the Note I had given Him. M. de Maure pas said without a Moments hesitation that it was an irregular unlawful proceeding which must not be suf fered and that orders must be sent immediately to Dun kirk. He then joked a little upon the pretty Spot of work such fellows would make if they were not kept in awe, and ended with begging that M. de Vergennes would go to M. de Sartine2 to have an order sent by Express to Stop and Examine the Pirate and set at Lib erty the Prizes He had taken. I desired that the order might mention Prizes in the Plural Number thinking this a necessary Precaution to include the Packet if she has been brought into Dunkirk or any other Prizes that might have been taken since the Date of Mr. Frazers Letter. I did not till my Return from Versailles know the Pirates Name which Mr. Frazer mentioned in his first Letter by Post that is just arrived. I see he is an American Cunningham. This however makes no ma terial difference as the Arming a Vessel in the french Kings Ports going from thence to cruize against us and 1 The French Prime Minister. 2 The French Minister of Marine. n^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM returning thither as to an Asylum is clearly contrary to all Rule and inconsistent with the friendship between the two Courts as M. de Vergennes himself readily al lowed. I took this opportunity My Lord of mentioning to M. de Maurepas and M de Vergennes the Instructions sent to Lord Grantham with which they seemed highly satis fied. M de Vergennes then left us to go to M de Sar- tines but desired first to speak for a Moment to M de Maurepas who immediately returned to me and in his chearful way said well, My Lord I hope you will allow that we are very ready to do you Justice and that we did not take much time to deliberate. I told him he had done Exactly what I expected and that I purposely came to Him before the Messenger set out that by the same Dispatch that mentioned this incident I might be able to add that the Evil was cured. He thanked me and we parted very good friends. I must do Him and M de Vergennes the Justice to say that nothing could be franker than their behaviour on this occasion or readier than the Promises they made— I hope they will be ex actly fulfilled. I am with the greatest Truth and Respect My Lord Your Lordships most obedient humble servant Stormont P.S. I send your Lordship inclosed an extract of a let ter a friend of mine received from St. Malo. C18H CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ MONTMORENCY, PRINCE DE ROBECQ, TO THE ,_, COMTE DE VERGENNES1] (Translation) Sir Dunkirk, 9th. May 1777 I had the honour of reporting to you yesterday what happened in the port of this town relative to the prizes taken by one Cunningham, an American corsair. I Details on the sub- have now that of sending you the ject of the American copy of the judicial and extra-ju- vessel which brought dicial declarations which that man into Dunkirk an ha§ mad tQ whkh j anngx the r6_ English packet , ' . . going to Helvoet- sume or the explanations which I sluys and the resti- have been able to procure relative to tution of which had another small vessel which is being prepared in this port, and which the English Commissary, who is here, suspects of wishing to carry on privateering against the vessels of his nation. The look-out man, who is on the tower of this town, has this moment informed me that the two small vessels of the King of England which were anchored yesterday in sight of this port to examine what was going on, and which, at the evening tide, cast anchor in the Fosse du Mardick, had just fired a gun to cause two small vessels which had just left here to lay to, that they launched a small boat to go and examine them, that they remained about a quarter of an hour on board, and that they after wards allowed them to go on their way. I was about to finish this letter, Sir, when M. de Vil- lers, Naval Commissary, communicated to me the or ders which M. de Sartine has addressed to him, and brought me the courier who handed me the letter which 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 15 30-1, 3. rion CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the Minister wrote to M. de Chaulieu, the Commandant of this fortress, who is absent, and which I opened. In consequence of the orders it contained, I gave assistance to the Naval Commissary, who has just arrested the two officers and almost all the crew of the American pri vateer, and has placed sentinels, with which I caused him to be furnished, to guard this privateer and its two prizes, which it is impossible to release at present, as they each have a leak, and all the people who formed the crew have been sent to sea on a Dutch vessel, which has landed them in Holland. There consequently re mains not a single man to resume possession of them, which will oblige M. de Villers to have them guarded, until on the intimation which the Court or Lord Stor mont will give concerning them in England, someone is sent to whom they may be handed over. I have the honour to be with sincere and inviolable attachment, c- oir, Your very humble and very obedient Servant Montmorency Pce. de Robecq. P.S. I do not know in what form Mr. Frazer presented the complaint to Lord Stormont, but I have reason to believe that the account which he gave him by the courier whom he sent was a little exaggerated, and that, on this occasion he overstepped the limits of the com mission, the only object of which is the execution of the Treaty of Utrecht.1 1 Which contained a stipulation, revived in the year 1763 by a special article in the Treaty of Paris, that no fortifications should be erected by France at Dunkirk on the front which faced the sea, — for the enforcement of which article England maintained at that port an Inspector of Fortifications. [>on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ SILAS DEANE TO CONRAD A. GERARD1 ] Paris n May 1777. Sir Agreable to my proposal last Evening I now have the honor of sending you this by Mr. Carmichael, impa tient to know what is the Fate of Capt Cunningham, I pray you to inform me by Mr. Carmichael if he is, or is not Arrested, and whether any other of the Officers or Crew are Arrested— Also whether the Prize may be permitted to quit the Port. The Report of Capt. Cun ninghams not being an American Subject but of Ireland is groundless — he has lived many years in America, is a Citizen of Philadelphia & had property there as well as a Wife & Children there born in America— it is true he was born in Ireland which is the case of many of the most respectable Inhabitants of that City with whom Capt. Cunningham has always been Concerned in Busi ness, what may have occasioned the Report, was his passing for an Irishman sometime since in holland to extricate himself from some Difficulties to which Amer icans are now immediately liable at the present Time— The Facts then really are, that an American purchased a Vessel in England, took in Warlike Stores at Dunkirk Armed his Vessel at Sea, & having a Commission from the United States made two prizes, with which he im prudently returned to Dunkirk— I acknowledge he was very much to blame for this last Act, but have no ap- 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. Ill, No. 690-1, 2. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM prehension that in Consequence he can be held as a Pirate. I have the honor to be with the most profound respect Sir your most Obedt & Very Humbl. Servt. S Deane. PS since writing the Above I reed, a Lettr. from Bayonne, which is dated May 5th. & says A Vessel is arrived at Bilboa in twenty four Days from Boston which says that Genl. Howe after joining Lord Corn- wallis had been obliged to retreat to New York with great Loss, that the Amphitrite was arrived in Amer ica,1 & the People of the United States, unanimous in their high Spirits. [ GEORGE LUPTON TO WILLIAM EDEN2 ] (Extract) Dear Sir, Paris, May 13th. 1777 I am still without any of your favours save the first, but flatter myself this night will do me that honour I have at last with some certainty discovered the intended voyages of Nicholson, Weakes, & Johnson,3 they have all sail'd from Nantes, and mean if possible to intercept some of your transports with foreign troops, but in what place or latitude cannot say, this plan has been laid long 1 At Portsmouth in April, 1777, with a valuable cargo of military stores. 2 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. II, No. 158-1. 3 Commanding the Continental cruisers Reprisal, Lexington, and Dolphin. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM while, & the original one was, that Capt. Conyngham who brought the packet into Dunkirk some days since, should have intercep'd the transports when they were crossing the channel for England as they had no Con voy for protection of same, but the plan was laid aside, as they could not purchase a Vessell of sufficient force, — a Mr. Hodge has been the acting person on this occa sion, he fitted out Capt. Conyngham Vessell, & he tells me he has got another of much larger force,1 therefore it behoves you to be very Carefull and keep a constant watch on him, I dont imagine she will sail from Dun kirk but 'twill be from some of the Neighbouring ports, —this affair has made a great noise here, & I believe you may depend on having the same delivered up, — Car michael was with Murepas 2 at Varseilles on Sunday last, but from what he tells me they are much displeased at Capt. Conynghams carrying the prizes into Dunkirk, they say if he had brought them into Havre or any other port, it would not have been taken notice of, if Lord Stormont makes a formal demand the same will be return'd, unless they should be so wanton as to burn them which have heard hinted at, but cannot imagine 't will be done— For God sake be careful of your pack ets which pass from Dover to Calais, as there is a plan laid of intercepting them, this I have heard hinted, and doubt not but the attempt will be made, therefore the officers of packets ought to have strict orders to sink the mail immediately on the approach of any vessell that carries the Appearance of a Rebel privateer. I only mean to give my advice, and with the greatest submis sion say, it ought to be adopted, but must submit to your better judgment. 1 The Revenge. 2 M. de Maurepas, the French Prime Minister. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ SILAS DEANE TO M. GERARD1 ] (Extract) 14 May 1777 Sir We attended your advice by Mr. Carmichael respect ing the Letters, & have now directed him to wait on you to know if you can give Us any further intelligence re specting the unhappy Affair at Dunkirk— unhappy for Us, but most fortunate for Our Enemies, if Capt. Cun ningham & his Crew are to be treated as Pirates, as it will be by confirming the report industriously spread at this Time in England of the Disposition of the Court, confirm the Credit of the Ministry, and by raising the Stocks, eventually procure to them, the substantial aid of Millions for the next Campaign. The within is a true extract from the Amounts we have received from Amer ica express, on which I cannot but make one reflection, I wish you to Communicate the Same, to his Excellency, the Comte de Vergennes. [ GEORGE III TO LORD NORTH2 ] St. James's, May 14th, 1777. Lord North- 58 min. pt. M. The preparing for the business of the House of Com mons this day will naturally prevent your coming here ; I therefore think it right to apprise you that the Post 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. Ill, No. 692—1. 2 Printed in the Correspondence of King George III with Lord North, Vol. II, p. 68. C24n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Office have received notice from the agent at Dover that news is come by a letter from Captain Frazer at Dun kirk, that Cunningham, the commander of the pyratical vessel that seized the Prince of Orange packet-boat, is thrown into prison, and the said pacquet-boat and the other prizes ordered by the Court of France to be re stored. This is so strong a proof that the Court of Ver sailles mean to keep appearances, that I think the news deserves a place in the speech you will make. [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] (Extract) My Lord Paris May 14th. i777 Yesterday morning I had the Honour of your Lord ships Letter No. 34, with its several inclosures, relative to a Business, which is now upon the point of being ter minated, and I hope to your entire satisfaction. Before I went to M. de Vergennes (who received me yesterday at his House in Town) I was informed that the Prom ise, He, and M de Maurepas made me, had been punc tually fulfilled, The Moment I came into Him, he asked me with a smile, if I had received Letters from Dun kirk, and without waiting for an answer, said, that the courier was returned, that part of the Orders he carried were executed already, as the Pirate Captain and his crew were in actual custody, and that the Packet, and the Brig, should be immediately delivered, but that a proper Person must be appointed by us, to receive them. He proposed to me, that I should write to Mr. Frazer 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1531-1, 2. osn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM to desire Him", de sentendre avec le Commandant de Dunkerque, with regard to the delivery of these Vessels. I readily agreed to this, and have accordingly written the enclosed Letter to Mr. Frazer. M de Vergennes said, that it was a satisfaction to them, to find, that there was not a single frenchman on board the Pirate. [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 J (Extract) Paris May 14, 1777 The success of my application with regard to the Dunkirk Pirate has been highly displeasing to Franklin and Deane. They made strong remonstrances but were given to understand that there are some things too glar ing to be winked at, and that this was a point in which they could not be supported. [ PAUL WENTWORTH2 TO THE EARL OF SUFFOLK3 4 ] (Extract) [About 15 May, 1777] I do not ground my opinion on the happy issue of the very able & dextrous management of Lord Stormont in the Dunkirk business, to which only, & not to the good disposition of this Court, is due the success which has followed that affair— 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1533—2. 2 An American in the employ of the British ministry. 3 Secretary of State. 4 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. Ill, No. 694-2. c^6n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ COMTE DE SAINT GERMAIN1 TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES2 ] (Translation) Versailles 15th May 1777. Details concerning the American vessel which has brought to Dunkirk a packet going to Hellevoetsluys I have the honour to send you, Sir, a letter which I have received from the Prince de Robecq containing fresh details concerning the American privateer which has brought two English prizes into the port of Dun kirk. I think it my duty to communicate it to you, and I shall be much obliged to you if you will return it to me with your opinion. I have the honour to be with very perfect attachment, Sir, your very humble and very obedient Servant. Saint Germain. M. le Comte de Vergennes 1 The Minister of War. 2 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1534. £271 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence1 18 May 1777 Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth No. 90: — Encloses a letter from Andrew Frazer at Dunkirk which announces the arrival of the Ranger and Grey hound cutter and that an officer from each came on shore to learn the particulars of the American pirate and his prizes, and states also, that these vessels had fired shots at an English collier coming into port, which inci dent is regarded by the French officials in Dunkirk as a serious insult. [ GEORGE LUPTON TO WILLIAM EDEN2 J (Extract) 22 May 1777 This Monsieur Poulze told Moylan that the putting the Crew of Conynghams Vessell into prison was only a temporary affair, and no more than a Cloak for their other Actions & that they would be released in a very short time, but hope you'll put a stop to that; the French are very much against War with England at present (indeed its their Interest) and would suffer almost any thing sooner than break with you — 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1544—8. 2 Ibid., Vol. Ill, No. 696-4. osn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ M. DE SARTINE TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Extract— Translation) Versailles, 22 May 1777. Extracts annexed of letters from the Admiralty at Dunkirk on the subject of the American privateer which had brought in there two English packets which it had seized. You know, Sir, what has taken place at Dunkirk, and the orders given there on the occasion of the arma ment carried out in that place of a vessel, which, hav ing left the port under the English flag, returned to it the next day under another name than that which it had on leaving, and which brought in, as prizes; two English vessels, I have the honour to send you extracts of letters2 which I have received from the Officers of the Admiralty of that port, and from the Commissary in Ordinary of Ports and Arsenals, who is performing there the functions of director in the absence of the Commissary General, from which you will see that several vessels of the King of England, which have cast anchor before the said port, not only fired on vessels of their own nation which were leaving or entering it, but even on French vessels; such a proceeding, in general, taking place in a roadstead, and before a port, will doubtless appear to you, as it does to me, very extraor dinary, but especially at a moment when it was not known what orders the King had just given. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1537—1. 2 Mentioned, but not given. caan CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence1 25 May 1777 Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth: — Enclosing copy of his letter to Vergennes transmitting an extract of Frazer's letter relative to Cunningham's prizes, and of the answer by Vergennes, which acknow ledges receipt of the extract and states that the orders given for the restitution of the prizes has been delayed by transference from the Commissary of the Marine to the judge of the Admiralty. [ THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS2 ] (Extract) Paris May 25, 1777. The points principally in view are (besides the ac knowledgment of American independency) an open port for German commerce, and the permission of fit ting out armed vessels to annoy the enemy's northern trade, and of bringing in and selling our prizes. If these points can be obtained we are assured we might soon have a formidable squadron there, and accumulate seamen to a great amount. The want of such a free 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1544-8. 2 Ibid., No. 1 540-1, 2. Don CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Port appears in the late instance of Capt. Cunninghams arrest at Dunkirk with the Prizes he brought in. For though the fitting out may be covered and concealed by various pretences so at least as to be winked at by Gov ernment here, because those pretences afford a good example for not preventing it, yet the bringing in of Prizes by a Vessel fitted out, is so notorious an act, and so contrary to Treaties, that if suffered it must occa sion an immediate War. — Cunningham will however through favour be discharged with his Vessel as we are given to understand, but we must put up with the loss of the Prizes which being reclaimed will be restored. This is an occasion of Triumph to our Enemies which we must suffer them to enjoy for the present, assured as we are by the most Substantial Proofs of the Friendship of this Court and of Spain, which we are persuaded will soon manifest itself to all the World. The latter has already remitted to us a large sum of money as you will see by Mr. Lee's Letters, & continues to send Cargoes of supplies of which you have herewith sundry accounts. Many of these transactions are by some means or other known in England which does not resent them at pres ent, but the opinion of an approaching War gains ground every day. C3i3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ FRANKLIN AND DEANE TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS1 ] Gentlemen: Paris, May 26, i777- The Navy of the United States, increasing in the number of its ships and force, it is of the utmost im portance to direct the cruises of the ships of war, which belong either to the States or individuals, so as to annoy and alarm the enemy the most effectually, and at the same time to encourage our brave officers and seamen by the value of prizes. The West India trade was so intercepted the last season that, besides endangering the credit of every West India house in England, and abso lutely ruining many, greatly helped towards sinking the revenues of Great Britain, which it was confidently as serted the other day in the House of Commons, and was not contradicted by the minister, had sunk the last year nearly one million below the usual incomes. This trade can not be attacked the coming season to equal advan tage, as it will not be by any degree so large, and will be armed and under convoy. But as the commerce of Great Britain is very extensive, good policy dictates that we attack it in more than one sea, and on different coasts. The navy of Great Britain is not sufficiently numerous to infest the whole coast of North America, and at the same time guard their own, much less protect and con voy their trade in different seas. We have not the least doubt but that two or three of 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. II, pp. 325—327. D^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the Continental frigates, sent into the German ocean, with some lesser swift-sailing cruisers, might intercept and seize great part of the Baltic and northern trade, could they be in those seas by the middle of August at farthest; and the prizes will consist of articles of the utmost consequence to the States. One frigate would be sufficient to destroy the whole of the Greenland whale fishery, or take the Hudson Bay ships returning. In a word, they are unsuspicious and unguarded on that quarter, and the alarm such an expedition would give must raise the insurance in England at least twenty per cent., since Captain Cunningham's adventure occa sioned ten percent to be given on the packet boats from Dover to Calais. Captain Cunningham having been put in prison, and the prizes restored, they are again lulled into security; the whole western coast of England and Scotland, and indeed almost the whole of Ireland, is at this moment unguarded either by ships of war or troops, except a few sloops or cutters to watch smug glers. We submit to the Congress the following plan: To send three frigates, loaded with tobacco for Nantes or Bordeaux, and that they be manned and commanded in the best possible manner. That on their arrival in either of the above rivers, they make but little appearance of strength, and endeavor to pass for common cruisers; while they are refitting, which should be in different ports, near each other, intelligence might be had of the position of the British fleet, and the circumstances of the different towns on the sea-coast, and of the merchant ships in them; in consequence of which a blow might be struck that would alarm and shake Great Britain, and its credit, to the center. The thought may appear L"33n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM bold and extravagant, yet we have seen as extraordinary events within these two years past, as that of carrying the war to our enemy's doors. As it appears extrava gant, it will be in consequence unexpected by them, and the more easily executed. The burning or plundering of Liverpool or Glasgow would do us more essential service than a million of treasure and much blood spent on the continent. It would raise our reputation to the highest pitch, and lessen in the same degree that of our enemy's. We are confident it is practicable, and with very little danger, but times may alter with the arrival of the frigates, yet in that case their cruise on this coast bids fairer to be profitable than on any other, and they may at least carry back in safety many of the stores wanted, which is a most capital object, should the other be laid aside. Every day's experience confirms to us what is pointed out indeed by nature itself, the necessity of rendering America independent in every sense of the word. The present glorious, though trying contest, will do more to render this independence fixed and certain, if circum stances are seasonably improved, than would otherways have been effected in an age. The manufacturing of any one necessary article among ourselves is like break ing one link of the chains which have heretofore bound the two worlds together, and which our artful enemies had, under the mask of friendship, been long winding round and round us, and binding fast. Thus, as found- eries for cannon, iron as well as brass, are erecting, if they are at once erected large enough to cast of any size, we may in future be easy on that important article, and independent on the caprice or interest of our pretended friends for a supply; and to forward this we shall take C343 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the liberty of sending over some of the most skillful founders we can meet with. The jealousy which reigns among the maritime pow ers of Europe with their narrow, weak, and contempti ble system of politics, prevents our being able to procure ships of war, to remedy which you have with you tim ber, iron, and workmen, and we must send you over sail-cloth and cordage as fast as we can. The impor tance of having a considerable naval force is too obvious to need our saying more than that we conceive no appar ent difficulty or obstruction ought to deter us from push ing it forward to the utmost of our power. We have sent you, by a former conveyance, a plan of a frigate on a new construction, and now send you the duplicate, which we submit to the judgment of those better skilled than we pretend to be in naval affairs, but imagine that on our coast and, perhaps, any where, ships constructed in some such manner may be as formidable as those of seventy-four guns, and it is certain they will cost us less. The vessel building in Amsterdam1 is on this plan, which we hope will be in season for service this fall or autumn. We are, with the utmost respect, etc., B. Franklin. S. Deane. 1 The Indien, of 44 guns, but owing to international complications she was sold to the King of France, who later turned her over to the Chevalier Luxembourg, by whom she was leased in 1779 or 1780 to the State of South Carolina. [35n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ GEORGE CHALMERS TO GEORGE CARLTING1 ] (Extract) 26 May 1777 I did not return from my little excursion until late on Saturday night & therefore have been as yet able to make no further progress in our business, little of any consequence has occurred since I left there— Franklin and Dean have been several days in Possession of an Order for the discharge of the seamen at Dunkirk; but as they are thought too useful to be lost or allowed to separate, no use has as yet been made of it & con sequently they are will be left in their present state until other employment is prepared, in order that they may thus be kept together — I think they will be used in an other Privateer. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence2 28 May 1777 Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth No. 94:— That he expressed to Vergennes His Majesty's satisfaction at the speedy justice done in the restitution of Cunningham's prizes he mentioned at the same time a project now in agitation at Dunkirk for arming two cutters to be commissioned by Franklin and Deane, upon which Vergennes desired that Mr. Frazer should write and inform the Commandant at Dunkirk. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. V, No. 473—1. 2 Ibid., Vol. XV, No. 1544-10. [36n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 2 J ( Extract— Translation ) Explanation of Versailles, 31st. May 1777. what took place in \ have received, Sir, the despatch connection with -»T , • , , • i ^. . ,T n ¦ , No. 42, which you did me the honour Mr. Cunningham ~ ' J an American com- of writing to me on the 23rd of this mander of a priva- month. teer who brought We are not astonished, Sir, at the into Dunkirk two , . . ... . English packet boats diversity of opinions respecting our which he had seized, conduct with regard to Mr. Cun- Principles which ningham ; each one judges it ac- guided our conduct. cording t0 his personal feelings, or according to how the facts are reported, and I see that they are reported very inexactly: I am going to transmit them to you as they are stated in the proces-verbaux on which His Majesty has given his decision. An English cutter came into the port of Dunkirk; it cleared there with goods for North Faro. A certain Beach was its captain, and it was under his name that the Admiralty permit was granted. Having reached the roadstead, a certain Cunningham, who had secretly collected some sailors, and who, it is said, was furnished with a commission by Congress, got on board this vessel, must have taken command of it, and, under cover of the American flag which he substituted for the English one, ventured to make the captures which he was stupid 1 The French Ambassador at the Court of St. James. 2 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1 543-1, 3. t37l CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM enough to bring into Dunkirk. Nothing, assuredly, Sir, is more contrary to the rules of the sea, and to the re ceived usages amongst all nations, and even if the case had not been provided for in the Treaty of Utrecht, the King's justice would not the less have urged His Maj esty to give entire satisfaction in the matter to the Court of London : indeed, a neutral nation cannot and ought not to allow armaments in her country, much less those which have such a special stamp of irregularity. There is a great distinction to be drawn between simply admit ting, in case of need, and for the moment, a privateer with her prize, and permitting that same privateer to lie, so to speak, in ambush in a neutral port: this latter case is precisely that of Mr. Cunningham; it is there fore, manifest that he could not be regarded as a mere corsair, that he has infringed the laws of the sea, and that he has consequently deserved the treatment which he has experienced, whatever may have been the com mission with which he was furnished by Congress. The King owed it to himself to act with rigour on this occa sion, and it matters little to His Majesty whether his determination has or has not excited the gratitude of the English. His Majesty in acting as he has done, had no other aim than that of giving to the Court of London a public proof of his justice, of his fidelity in observing treaties, and a striking example of the consideration which nations mutually owe one another. This, Sir, is what we have to answer to the English observers who criticise our conduct. D8n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS1 ] (Extract) Paris May 28 1777 Agreeable to what we mentioned in ours of the 14 march & 9 apl. (a third Copy of which we send here with) Mr. Lee tarryed here some weeks after his return from Spain. No news arriving (tho' we received Let ters from you) of any Commissnr. being actually ap pointed for Prussia, and the necessity for a good under standing with that Court in order to obtain specially a port in the Northern Seas, appearing more and more every day on various occasions, he concluded with our approbation to set out for Berlin which he did a bout a week since, and we have reason to hope good effects from that Journey. The points probably in view are (besides the acknowledgment of american Independ ency) an open port for German commerce & the per mission for fitting out armed Vessels to annoy the Enemys Northern Trade & disposing of our Prizes. If those points can be obtained, we are assured we might soon have a formidable squadron there, & accumulate seamen to a great amount. The want of such a free port appears in the late Instance of Mr. Cunningham's ar rest in Dunkirk with the Prizes he bro't in: for tho' the fitting out may be Covered & Concealed by various pre tences so as at least to be winked at by Gov't here, because those pretences afford a good Excuse for not 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XV, No. 1541-1. L*39n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM preventing it, yet the bringing of prizes by a vessel so fitted out, is so Notorious an act and so Contrary to treaties, that if suffered must occasion an immediate war. Cunningham will however thro' favor be dis charged with His Vessels we are given to understand, but we must put up with the loss of the prizes, which being reclaimed will be restored. This is an occasion of triumph to our Enemies which we must suffer them to enjoy for the present, assured as we are by the most substantial proof of the Friendship of this Court & of Spain. [ EXTRACT FROM A LETTER FROM SILAS DEANE TO CONRAD A. GERARD1 ] [Paris, June 2d, 1777] With respect to the Cutter at Dunkirk, I mean that last purchased,2 in which individuals are interested, I can only say that I advised my Freinds to get her away as quick & as silently as possible, & to stand directly of the Coast, & on no Consideration permit her to return to France or near Any of its Ports. If I shall be instructed to give better advice, I shall most readily do it, & I doubt not my advice will be attended to, but the Owners have already expended Two Thousand pounds Sterling in the purchase and repairs, which they cannot afford to loose. I hoped farther that Capt. Cunningham & his 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New-York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 62. - The Revenge. uon CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM People might get a passage in her to their Own Coun try, where they might be useful. I hope at least they may be dismissed from Prison, & be permitted to depart in such manner as they can, though if they disperse, there will be danger of their not returning, & conse quently of Our loosing a number of brave and honest Subjects. I can only add, that I am ready to follow most exactly the advice which shall be given me on this & every other Occasion by his Excellency, but am at an uncertainty what to do untill more explicitly informed. [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 J (Extract — Translation) Paris, June 4th. 1777 Motives which de- „,. . , cided the restitution Wlth regard to Captain Cunning- of the Harwich ham's adventure, the account which packet, brought into j gave you in my preceeding des- un ir y aptam patcri W1ii have enabled you to Cunningham an f ' J American. judge, Sir, of the principles and mo tives which have directed our con duct on this occasion. We were well persuaded in advance that it would not excite the English to grati tude; nor was it for love of them,— but only to do homage to the principles of justice and equity which direct his actions, that His Majesty acted with severity towards the American corsair. Moreover, Sir, Lord Weymouth must know the Treaty of Utrecht imper- 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1546-3. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM fectly, if he confounds the affair of Captain Cunning ham with that of the frigate Reprisal. If that Minis ter will give himself the trouble to read this Treaty again, he will find there the two cases well distin guished, as you have pointed out to him. [ GEORGE LUPTON TO WILLIAM EDEN1 ] (Extract) 4 June 1777. Hodge, the fellow that fitted out Conyngham Vessell is return'd to Dunkirk, from some port near that place he means to fit out a Vessell and proceed for America —New port I think will be the place, therefore it will be necessary to keep a sharp lookout, — . . . Their is a Capt: Bell here who I mention'd in one of my former letters, he sets out this Evening for Mar- seillie, at which port or some other near that place, is a ship purchased for him. She Carries 20 — twelve pounders on one deck, he is intended to Cruize in the Mediterranean to intercept some of your homeward bound Italian Ship loaded with silks, which at this time of the year is very rich— She is the property of Conyng ham & Nesbit, Witting & Morris2 of Phi"a. & Mr. Deane of this place, he has a proper Commission, and everything suitable, the Ship intended for him Sails very fast, she is called the Sartar, will Carry two hun dred men, mostly frenchmen, he has a Credit from Thos. Morris of Nantes on Stephen Cathalan of Mar seille for what money he may want. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. II, No. 168-3. 2 Robert Morris. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Extract of a Letter from Guernsey, June 51 An American privateer of twelve guns came into this road yesterday morning; tacked about on the firing of the guns from the Castle, and just off the Island took a large brig bound for this port, which they have since carried into Cherburgh.2 She had the impudence to send her boat in the dusk of the evening to a little island off here, called Jetto, and unluckily carried off the Lieutenant of Northey's Independent Company here, with the garrison Adjutant, who were shooting rabbits for their diversion. Two gentlemen of consequence are gone to Cherburgh to demand them. The poor pilfer ers got nothing but six or seven little Guinea pigs made into a pye for the gentlemen's dinner, and a few bottles of claret, though the brig they took is valued at 7000/. belonging to 'Squire Tupper. 1 In the Remembrancer, London, J. Almon, 1777, p. 143. 2 Cherbourg, France. C43n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 ] (Translation— Extract) Versailles, 7th. June 1777 Motives which de- Wkh d tQ Captain Cunning- cided the restitution =» r . of the Harwich ham s adventure, the account which packet, brought into I gave you in my preceding despatch, Dunkirk by Captain wil, haye enabled you to judge, Sir, Cunningham, an r , ... , . . . , . • of the principles and motives which American. ~ r have directed our conduct on this oc casion. We were well persuaded in advance that it would not excite the English to gratitude ; nor was it for love of them, but only to do homage to the principles of justice and equity which direct all his actions, that His Majesty acted with severity towards the American cor sair. Moreover, Sir, Lord Weymouth must know the treaty of Utrecht imperfectly, if he confounds the affair of Captain Cunningham with that of the frigate Re prisal. If that Minister will give • f M d himself the trouble to read the treaty Noailles on the help again, he will find there the two cases furnished by our well distinguished, as you have commerce to the pointed out to him. I abstain from insurgents. . . , , , speaking of the reproaches cast on us with regard to the help which our commerce furnishes to the insurgents, because there is nothing to add to the reflections which you have made on the subject to Lord Weymouth. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1546. U4n r^st ~< . tftit/ . /' t/~~' C\:^iUr jtJTurns? C ret* « CRUISE-S 01 Extro Prince M-' Wm. Carmichael. The Lugger1 is made French property, & is ready to be sent round to Nantes whenever Mr Hodge shall re ceive your orders. Since writing the preceeding I find that we shall have no farther delay in getting out this vessel, which we shall set out with as much expedition as possible. To the honorble Benjamin Franklin & Silas Deane, Esqrs, at Paris. 1 The Surprize was sold to Dominique Morel, a French widow. C6in CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ M. DE GUICHARD TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) Dunkirk nth. July 1777. M. de Rayneval answered 16th. July Monseigneur Order held by Mr. Harvey command ing an English snow to burn even in the Dunkirk Road every American vessel. I have the honour to inform you that M. de Villers, Naval Commissary, had just told me, before M D'Her- sin, Lieutenant General of the Admiralty, that Mr. Frazer had just informed him that the snow Speed well, commanded by Captain Harvey,2 which had been at anchor at the entrance of the harbour since the 7th. instant, had orders to remain in the road to await the departure of the vessel which Mr. Hodge has sold to an Irishman and which is fitted out as a smuggler, to burn it wherever he might find it, were it even in the road. I have the honour, Monseigneur, to annex to my letter copy of one from the Due de Choiseul, which does not agree with [qy. disapproves of] a similar act of violence. As we have neither boom nor guns to defend the port, the channel nor the road, Mr. Harvey can easily carry out his orders. Mr. Frazer also told M. de Villers that that officer did not intend to molest any other vessels leaving the port, but the American Mr. Hodge declared this morning to M. D'Hersin in the 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1569-1. 2 See p. 57. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM presence of M. de Villers that several merchant vessels from the United Colonies were expected here, which will arrive immediately, and will doubtless be captured by Captain Harvey or by other vessels of the King of England, which make their appearance every moment in our road. I am with very profound respect Monseigneur Your very humble and very obedient servant De Guichard. [ M. DE GUICHARD TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) Dunkirk, 12th. July 1777 M. de Rayneval 12-30 p.m. received the 15th. answered 1 6th. July Monseigneur Mr. Frazer declares X haVe the honOUr t0 reP°rt t0 y°U that Mr. Harvey that Mr. Frazer has this morning left commanding an my house, accompanied by an of- English snow, has ficer of me small vessel which is in orders to attack and , , ^ , . , L ., 2 to burn, even in the the roadstead, aside of the snow2 roadstead of Dun- commanded by Mr. Harvey. Mr. kirk, all American Frazer confirmed to me all that I vessels- had the honour of reporting to you yesterday, assuring me that Mr. Harvey had orders from his Court to attack every American, or vessels sus- 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1570. 2 The Speedwell. See pp. 57 and 62. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM pected to be such, and to destroy them without distinc tion of place. Mr. Frazer told me that he thought it his duty to communicate to the Commandant of the place the order held by Mr. Harvey. I replied to him that this order might appear extraordinary to the French Court. I have had the honour, Monseigneur, to report to you the situation of the port, the channel, and the roadstead; these three objects are absolutely defenceless : I venture to beg you to be good enough to send orders to me as soon as possible concerning the conduct I am to observe ; meanwhile, I will do what I can to defend myself against a premeditated insult, in case it should take place, and which is announced to me by Mr. Frazer, the English Commissary. I am with very profound respect, Monseigneur Your very humble and very obedient servant De Guichard. [ WILLIAM CARMICHAEL TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] Captn Cunningham as with much difficulty the Commissioners of the United States of North America now at Paris, have obtained Liberty for you to sail from Dunkerque, and as it has been on express Condition that you should not cruise against the Commerce of England, I beg&intreat you In the name & by the orders of the Commissioners, 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM that you do nothing which may involve your security or occasion umbrage to the Ministry of France. Notwith standing which if necessity obliges you to obtain pro visions of which your stock is not abundant, on account of the abrupt manner in which you are obliged to leave the Port, or If attackd first by our Enemies, the circum stances of the case will extenuate in favor of your con duct, either in making prizes for your own preservation, or in making reprisal for damages sustaind, Nothing of this sort happening you are to proceed directly to Amer ica, Delivering as soon as possible the dispatches in trusted to your Care & taking your further orders from your Employers there. Wishing you success & pros- perity I am &c Wm Carmichael Dunkerque July 15th. 1777 [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH 1 ] (Extract) Paris July 16th. 1777 I spoke fully and strongly to M de Vergennes about the Greyhound Cutter, observed to Him how very Extraordinary it was, that notwithstanding all the cir cumstances of the case, and all my Repeated Represen tations, those very Men, who M de Maurepas had formally promised should be tried as Pirates, should not only be set at Liberty, but allowed to equip and arm a Vessel in the self same Port, with an avowed intention 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1575-6. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM of cruizing against us, and should be suffered actually to put to sea, which I knew was the case, for tho' an acci dent had prevented the ship getting out of the Harbour, she certainly was under sail ; I added, that it was now Notorious that she had ammunition, as she had un loaded a very considerable Quantity of Gunpowder. (M de Vergennes said that she had been forced to un load it) He added that it now appeared that she was not the property of Hodge, but was publicly claimed by an Englishman (one Richards if I remember right,) He admitted however that this might be a fraud, and concluded with saying, that his advice to M. de Sartines was to end the whole Matter at once by purchasing the Vessel. I told Him in Reply to this, that I knew Cun ningham had not relinquished the Project of cruising with this cutter, that He had an Intention of Lying in wait for a Rich West India Man, and that I knew some frenchmen to be on board of Him. (for the sake of my Informer I did not care to say more; the Persons I alluded to are two cadets in the Duke of Fitzjames Regt) M de Vergennes repeated the advice he had given M de Sartines, and I could not but admit that this Expedient would effectually stop Cunninghams Design. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH ' ] (Extract) Paris July 16th. 1777 I spoke to him of the two Americans gone to hire Ships at Nantes— of the constant encouragement Frank lin gave to all such Designs, and of the aim he Franklin had in view; He admitted this, said it was clear that all this was done in Hopes of forcing a Rupture, that these insults on our coast, and cruizing against us in Europe, could have no other View, and was of no sort of con sequence pour decider I'affaire Generale. He ended with saying, that this Project should be presented, and dropped a Word or two about Franklin, that He had been properly wrote to et savoit a quoi sen tenir. I spoke of the Dunkirk cutter. He assured me she never would put to sea ... of the two Ships at Marseilles, and He repeated what He said last Week, that they were Stopt and would not go. Intelligence from a very undoubted authority2 Carmichael sent to Dunkirk to join Hodge in fitting & sending to see [sic] a large Cutter mounting 14 Guns, Commanded by Cunningham & having 70 Men, includ ing the whole Crew of the Surprize. One of Cunning hams officers being lately wounded in an affray at Dunkirk two English Seamen were imprisoned on suspicion of giving the wound. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1 575-17- 2 Enclosure in the letter from Paul Wentworth to the Earl of Suffolk, 17 July 1777; in Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. II, No. 182-20. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ M. DE GUICHARD TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) Dunkirk, 20 July 1777. Monseigneur Departure from Dunkirk of the vessel commanded by Mr. Harvey. Departure of the smuggling vessel of the American Mr. Hodge. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th. instant. The frigate l'Etourdie has been in our roadstead since the 18th. I do not doubt for a single moment that the English Commissary caused the two vessels of his nation to leave; he may have thought that I should report to the Court the declara tion which he made me ; he will have judged the time necessary for me to receive a reply, either by post or a courier, and concluded that the two vessels which blocked the port, not being strong enough to resist, it was better to cause them to retire than to expose them. I should not have failed, Monseigneur, if the occa sion had presented itself, to repel force by force, as far as it would have been possible for me to do so without artillery. The smuggling vessel of Mr. Hodge, who is the owner of it, left on the 17th., at half past nine in the evening in compliance with the intentions of the Court. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1 582-1. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM This smuggler has undergone two examinations, one by the Naval Commissary, and the other by the Admiralty, the vessel being under canvas. No Frenchmen were found upon it. I had this smuggler escorted along both jetties: two or three Englishmen who had remained in town on business returned to the vessel; but, Monsei gneur, if, in the country, on the coast, or in the dunes during the night any Frenchman has been hidden, who may have found means of joining the smuggler, that is impossible for me to anticipate or prevent. The Prince de Robecq did me the honour to write to me on the 18th. that he would sup with me this evening. I am with very profound respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient servant De Guichard. [ PAUL WENTWORTH TO THE EARL OF SUFFOLK1 ] (Extract) 22 July 1777 The pleasure in obeying your lordship's Command, will sometimes induce me, as at present, to trouble you with trivial occurrences. A fisherman boarded Capt. Baggot of the Desborough, as He was carrying us out of Harwich Harbour, to give him caution about Cun ningham, who sailed out of Dunkirk Harbour in a Privateer mounting 14 Guns last fryday Evening steer ing N.E. by N.~- 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. II, No. 183-1- on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence 1 23 July 1770 Lord Stormont to Lord Weymouth. Most Confidential: — In a conversation with a friend of Lord Stormont's [qy. Mr. Forth], Count de Maurepas expressed his sentiments on the difficulty of his situation surrounded by cabal and intrigue— the disposition of the King is for peace but he is beset by people who en deavour to shake him — the Minister seemed excessively angry at the Greyhound cutter being allowed to go out of Dunkirk and spoke of the conduct of Spain in the dispute with Portugal with some displeasure. [ MARQUIS DE NOAILLES TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES2 ] (Extract— Translation) London, 25th July 1777. Complaints of Lord „,, . . Weymouth of the That We Were at PreSent S1Ving departure of Cap- assurances which left nothing to be tain Cunningham desired, but that all depended now from Dunkirk to go Qn fhe execution 0f the orders which privateering. had been sent to our ports, to prevent henceforth the American captains from abusing the refuge which they found with us; and not wishing to express his distrust too clearly relative to the non-execu tion of these orders, he spoke to me again about Captain Cunningham, who had been released, and had now left Dunkirk to go privateering. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1600-7. 2 Ibid., No. 1587-6. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD WEYMOUTH TO LORD STORMONT1 ] St. James's 25th July 1777 What has lately happened at Dunkirk does not give great encouragement to believe that a severe execution of the orders sent to the ports will be observed; since Cunningham's vessel has been allowed to sail on se curity being given by Hodge, who cannot be considered in this case as a responsible man. This circumstance does not agree with the assurances given to Your Excel lency by M de Vergennes, and confirmed by M. de Maurepas, and does not imply that good faith on which He values Himself, which the frankness and candour of this Court deserves, and which the present situation re quires. I am to signify to Your Excellency His Majesty's commands, that you acquaint the French Ministers of these particulars; and further inform them, that their professions are agreeable to Him ; but that Your Excel lency is directed to apprize them of every circumstance that shall come to your knowledge in which the orders which they engage shall be observed shall in naywise have been eluded. In such critical situations a relaxa tion in the execution would be of the utmost importance. Your Excellency will endeavour to obtain informa tion what has become of the five prizes taken by the Reprisal and her consorts, and said to have been carried into Nantes. That in case they are still permitted to 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1588-3, 5. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM remain in that Port, Your Excellency may claim them for the benefit of the owners. The sequestration of the three privateers the Re prisal, the Lexington, and Dolphin would be a proper measure if such security will be required of them as shall be of effect; but if such is taken, as has been with respect to Cunningham; it would seem that they are only waiting till a favourable opportunity shall offer to do more injury to this Country. [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH : J (Extract) Paris July 30th. 1777 Notwithstanding the most positive assurances given to me by M. de. Maurepas that the Greyhound Cutter should not sail ; a very few Days ago, after that promise was given, which, as was my Duty I mentioned to my Court exactly as it was, that Vessel was publickly suffered to put to sea, and the Admiralty of Dunkirk took Security from Hodge who cannot be considered as a responsible Man in this Case, and I believe is so in None; besides Sir there is a clear contradiction in this whole affair that appears upon the face of it, Richard Allen is allowed to declare the Ship is his Property, and Hodge gives security. If the Property is not for Hodge how can He answer for what the crew will or will not do? If he is the owner how comes Allen to be admitted to make a Declaration that is manifestly false? To 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 159 1-4. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM compleat the whole that Pirate Cunningham is suf fered to go on board this Vessel not indeed in the Har bour but in the Road. M de Vergennes seemed uneasy and ashamed whilst I was speaking on the Subject, and when I had done attempted no Justification but said if Cunningham had been suffered to go on board ses Mes sieurs de l' Amiraute ne s'en etoient pas vante that He did not know that Hodge had given security but under stood that the Ship had been suffered to put to sea upon Richard Allen's Declaration that she was his Property. He assured me that the whole was without the approba tion of this Court, and had been owing to a Blunder of the Amiraute who had thought that after Allen had claimed Her the ship was no longer within the Orders, but was to be treated like any other English Vessel. [ MARQUIS DE NOAILLES TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] ( Extract— Translation ) London, ist. August 1777 Captures made by Continuing to speak with warmth; Cunningham, one of , „ , , , t u-„t, t ,- . ,' he2 related to me a fact of which 1 which was recap- tured by the Eng- had been informed three days be- lish, and on which fore; that the corsair Cunningham nineteen Frenchmen ha(j made thrge captures jn the Ger- " ' " '" man Ocean, of which one3 had been recovered and taken into Yarmouth: that the vessel which had been recovered (and which I know had been 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1592-6. 2 Lord Suffolk. 3 The Northampton, captured on July 21st. See p. 76. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM despatched to Bilboa) had twenty-one men on board, of whom sixteen were Frenchmen. I did not display any surprise at this account, telling him that in a great na tion there were many turbulent spirits eager to run after adventures ; that in speaking to Lord Weymouth of the latest proofs which we had given of our friendly dis position, conformably to our treaties, I had taken care to warn that Secretary of State that we could not prom ise to prevent transgressions of private individuals, but only to bring them to justice when they were denounced to us: that, moreover, I did not reclaim the Frenchmen of whom he had just spoken, and that it was enough to declare that they appeared to us to be guilty. [ LORD WEYMOUTH TO LORD STORMONT1 ] (Extract) St. James's i, Augst. 1777 Cunningham's vessel immediately on sailing from Dunkirk has taken several prizes. He had a consider able number of French subjects on board. This fact is clearly ascertained. He put twenty one men on board one of the vessels he had taken; the English have brought this prize2 into Yarmouth; and on examination it appears that sixteen out of the twenty one men from Cunningham's ship, were French; whose names I in close with the several papers respecting this report. The Agents of the American Rebels boast that as the 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1 593-1, 2. 2 The Northampton. See pp. 73, 76. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Reprisal was not in a situation to put to sea from the damage sustained in her chase by the Burford, a pre tence has been concocted with M. de Sartine that shall allow a sufficient delay to enable her to refit for another cruize; and that the Dolphin is to be continued as a Smuggler, as she was at first; and a frigate bought at St. Malo is to be fitted out to replace Her. [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 ] ^ ' Versailles, 2 August 1777 Explanation on the With regard t0 Lord Weymouth's subject of Captain , , , . , , , Cunningham, and reproaches on the subject of Mr. the ruse which he Cunningham, they are ill founded, made use of to con- and prove that this Secretary of State tinue privateering [$ nQt gerved accurately by his g ies on leaving Dunkirk. r^. , . . . 1 here was no legitimate motive to detain that corsair any longer; and if his vessel is again privateering, it is without our knowledge, and only through the interposition of an English subject, named Richard Allen. That individual bought at the Ad miralty of Dunkirk, from Mr. Hodge, this same vessel, which is a corvette called the Levrier (Greyhound) : he obtained from the Admiralty on having made that purchase, permission to leave, on guaranteeing that the said corvette was going to Bergen in Norway for the purpose of trade, and that it was not intended for pri vateering, a guarantee which was ratified and con- 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1594-7, 8. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM firmed, it is said, by Mr. Hodge. The English Ministry will see, by these details, that we have not favoured, directly or indirectly, the new destination of the vessel in question. Strictly speaking, the Admiralty at Dun kirk might be accused of having been too easy; but the Government has had absolutely no share in the matter, and besides, the English Ministry ought not to impute it to any but one of His Britannic Majesty's own sub jects. [ LORD STORMONT TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) d • .a, a .. -~~ v ' Pans, 5th. August 1777. Lord Stormont sends a Congress Com mission with the list of Frenchmen taken on the vessel Northampton Capt. Cun- ingham.2 Sir I have the honour to send you herewith the two pa pers of which I spoke to you this morning. I will not send any remarks with them, being persuaded, Mon sieur le Comte, that it is sufficient to submit them to your judgment. I have the honour to be, with perfect attachment, Sir, Your Excellency's very humble and very obedient servant Stormont His Excellency Count de Vergennes. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1595. 2 See p. 73. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [CONGRESS. JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT. COMMIS SION TO GUSTAVUS CUNNINGHAM1 ] (Extract) avec la lettre de M. Stormount du 9 aout 1777 In Congress' 2 May 1777 The Delegates of the united Colonies of new Hamp shire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensilvania, the counties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex' on Deleware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia' To Gustavus Cunningham Greeting. We reposing special Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity do by these presents con stitute and appoint you to be Captain and Commander of the Armed Vessel or Cutter called the Revenge in the service of the thirteen united Colonies of North America, fitted out for the Defence of American Lib erty, and repelling every Hostile Invasion thereof. You are carefully to discharge the Duty of Captain and Commander by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging and we do strictly charge and require all Officers, Marines and seamen under 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1589-1, 2. 2 This was the new commission issued by the American Commis sioners to Conyngham to replace his of March 1, 1777, which was sent to the Court of Versailles, when he was imprisoned, in May, 1777, and never returned to him. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM your command to be obedient to your orders as Com mander. And you are to observe and follow such Or ders and directions from Time to Time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the united Colonies or a Committee of Congress for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in chief for the time being of the Navy of the United Colonies, or any other su perior officer according to the Rules and Discipline of War the usage of the sea, and the Instructions herewith given you in pursuance of the Trust reposed in you This commission to remain in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. May 2d Philadelphia ^777 ) By order of the Congress John Hancock President Attest Chars. Thompson Secy a True Copy I do hereby certify that this Congress Commission was delivered to me on board the Revenge cutter by Gus tavus Cunningham on the 21st day of July 1777, when appointed Prize Master of the Brig Northamp ton by the Name of James Smith as Witness my hand in Yarmouth Roads 6th July 1777 Benj. Bailey Witness Jno. Moore. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM avec la lettre de M. de Stormont du 5 aout 1777 Copy. French seamen on board the Northampton Brig 26 July 1777. Nicholas Blanche Pierre Mongoner Michael Covar Alexander Tellois Sanome Bodin Jean Nicard Henry Tille Louis Lecomte Charel O'Charel Joseph Nerbal Battaywz Bodin Frangois Mulle Francois Bzoipi Frangois Noimielle Aimable Tillois Alexander Boll A List of the English seamen on board The Northampton Brig 26th. July 1777. Benjm. Bailiy, Alias Smith, Prize Master— an American. Francois Mulligan Joseph Buchannan James Ashley Pridman Anderson on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] (Extract) My Lord Paris August 6th i777- When I went to M de Vergennes I told Him, that I must beg his particular attention, as what I had to say was by Express order from My Court. The King my Master, who received with real satis faction the solemn assurances conveyed, first thro' me, and repeated by the french Ambassador, sees with con cern and surprize; that Notwithstanding those assur ances, your orders were scarce received, when they were openly violated at Dunkirk, and that too, avec les cir- constances les plus aggravantes for what sir is the Fact, that cutter, about which I spoke to you again and again, is publickly suffered to go out of Dunkirk, Notwith standing all my Representations, Notwithstanding a positive formal Promise from. M de Maurepas to me, that she should not stir out of the Harbour, nay more, that Pirate Cunningham, so justly obnoxious to me, and whom M de Maurepas expressly promised to punish, is suffered to go on board Her, This Sir I mentioned to you on Thursday last, but I am now to add, what I did not know till last Night, and what will deserve all your attention. Scarce was Cunningham out of Dunkirk Harbour, when He began to cruize against us; He has taken several ships, one of them2 has fallen again into our hands. The crew put on board of the Vessel con sisted of one and twenty Persons, and sixteen of that number are Frenchmen, so that if that Proposition holds throughout, three-fourths of Cunningham's crew 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVI, No. 1597— 1, 2, 10. 2 See p. 73. on QuAtavud Gonyngham AV ItU S TaTU S KUNINGAM •iij, ¦,-_,.-., J!,rrtu t'rim •<•/"¦<' „•// Jrj/'/i <¦ ,v, j /^/,i/j h/ii.i ci' i. l/nciii/nr ,//,/ t,r/;-//r /¦> CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM are subjects of France,— on these Transactions so repug nant to every Principle of of Friendship, so contrary to your most solemn Professions, the King my Master orders me to make the strongest, and most serious Representation. M de Vergennes seemed surprized, and confounded, protested that they had been deceived by the Admiralty of Dunkirk, and that to his certain knowledge, the Rapport made was, that not a single Frenchman was on board. He attempted no Justifica tion, but on the contrary said, it was a thing against all Rule, and directly contrary to His M. Xr1 Majesty's Intentions. I answered that when I had finished all I had to say, I would produce my Proofs which I had in my Pocket. I then shewed M de Vergennes the Papers I had brought with me, which were the List of the sailors; Cunningham Commission; his Letters to Messrs. Gar doqui, and Instructions to Captain Smith.2 M de Ver gennes answer was short but explicit, He said that they had been grossly deceived with regard to the Dunkirk Cutter, assured me, that the orders had been renewed in the most Positive Terms, that can be used. I will tell you in confidence added He, a Circumstance that shows clearly the King's Intentions— After the Council that was held Thursday Evening at Choisi, His Majesty came up to M de Sartines and me, and said to M de Sar tines, that He had heard that there was a Doubt in some of the Ports how far the orders he had given were to be strictly obeyed, Let them all know, that I expect the strictest obedience. Upon this the orders were imme- 1 Most Christian. 2 James Smith, prize master of the brig Northampton. See p. 78. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM diately renewed, I saw M de Sartines Letter, I desired to see it, not as suspecting in the least that He would wilfully express Himself in Ambiguous Terms, but I had sometimes observed a want of Vigour dans ses Bu reaux, and wished to be sure that there was nothing of that kind on the present occasion. I have read the or der, nothing can be clearer, or more positive, the differ ent Officers are made Personally responsible for the Executive, beyond this it is impossible to go. I an swered, that these orders if they were once known to be sincere, would be punctually obeyed, that I heartily wished, that might be the case, as it is upon that Execu tive that all depends. He pressed me to let him have copies of two of the Papers I had shown Him, with the List of the Sailors, and the Commission of the Congress to Cunningham. I saw no particular objection to this and therefore answered that tho' I had no orders I would take upon myself to comply with His Excel lency's request. I accordingly sent Him Copies of those two Papers yesterday Evening and accompanied them with a short note to which I have received the inclosed answer. Your Lordship sees that in the Execution of the Im portant orders transmitted to me in your Letter No 48 I took nearly the same line I had taken a few Weeks ago on a similar occasion. I thought I could not do better than follow the same Plan, as my Conduct had met with His Majesty's most Gracious Approbation. I am with the greatest Truth and Respect My Lord Your Lordships Most Obedient humble Servant „ _0 _ Stormont. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] (Extract) paris Saturday night August 9, 1777 M de Maurepas seems really concerned for what passed at Dunkirk with regard to the Greyhound Cut ter. Hodge and Allen2 are confined in separate jails and the chef de Lamiraute is ordered hither to give an account of his conduct. [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES3 ] (Extract— Translation) Versailles, 9 August 1777. If the English Ministers will be sincere, they will admit that this difficulty or impossibility is common to them; at least we piously believe so, to save their good faith, otherwise, how should we explain so many dis agreeable incidents from which we daily suffer. All that we respectively can do, then, is, whenever contra ventions are recognized and proved, to grant most prompt and exact justice. That is the course we are 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVII, No. 1644-7. 2 Richard Allen. 3 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1646-2-6. on taking vessel. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM relative to the departure of Cunningham's Explanation as to the device adopted by Captain Cun ningham in order to obtain permission to leave Dunkirk. I have already had the honour of informing you, Sir, of the devices adopted to induce the Admiralty of Dunkirk to permit the departure of that cutter. A subject of the King of England, named Richard Allen, pre sented himself as the purchaser of that vessel, the con tract for the sale of which was passed by the Admiralty, and requested to be cleared for Bergen in Norway. The Admiralty, who had orders only to detain the privateer, seeing it assume the form of a merchantman, did not think themselves obliged to observe the same rigour, and were all the more easily persuaded to allow it to depart, as they thought by this means to prevent the scandal re sulting from the threat of Mr. Frazer, who had declared to the Commandant that the English cutter had orders to destroy and burn that vessel anywhere, without any regard for the King's territory. I annex to this in proof, the letter which M. de Guichard, then Commandant at Dunkirk, wrote to me. The Admiralty thought it would obviate everything by taking security of the buyer and the seller that the vessel, having become English again, would not carry on privateering. I mention this detail not in order to justify the Admiralty, which pre sumed too much in taking on itself to interpret the King's orders, but to enable you to show on Letter from M. de Guichard annexed, proving the declara tion made by Mr. Frazer that the Commandant of an English vessel had orders to burn Capt. Cunningham's ves sel anywhere regard less of the King's territory. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the English Ministry that it was the threatening and in sulting language of its officers which occasioned, and in a way necessitated the departure of the vessel. The Admiralty, which has very precise orders to avoid anything which might compromise the good un derstanding between the two nations, understood that this would cease to exist, if the threat made by Mr. Frazer were carried out. This it wished to obviate, and thought of no better means of doing so than by removing the cause of the trouble. This foresight was doubtless out of its sphere, but as it cannot be supposed that Cun ningham's departure should be the match we have prepared to kindle the flame of war, it is unquestionable that Captain Harvey's threat,1 if carried out, would have been the most prompt signal, and that it would have taken place, failing the most complete satisfaction, — which it would probably not have been in the power of the British Ministry to give. In the explanation I had on the Explanation with th instant on this subject with Lord Lord Stormont z. , . . , heated on his part, Stormont, and which was very on the subject of the heated on his part, I avoided speak- departure from jng to him of Mr. Frazer's threaten- Dunkirk of Cun- - dedaration . J shall avoid even ningham s vessel. ,° still more carefully in the future all discussion with him, because I have some reason to suspect that his views are not directed towards concilia tion, and that, whether from a bad intention, or from fear of being mistaken, he always puts things in the worst light. One thing which strangely surprised me in him is that he ventured to attack by name M. de Sar- 1 See pp. 62 and 63. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM tine, whom he accuses of acting in opposition to the King's intentions. In their giving We have reason to tQ guch personalities, he throws suspect that Lord J x -hi Stormont's views the reins to his zeal, especially when are not directed the imputations are only supported towards conciliation. . . . , , , He has ventured to by reP0rtS which afe alm0St alwayS attack M. de Sar- inexact. . . . Because the insurgents tine by name with ^ M de Sartine is meir f riend imputations. because it has been supposed that this Minister, who is appointed to carry out the King's or ders regarding the Navy, not being able to tolerate the continuance of the prizes in our ports, said.— "Why do they not take them to Spain or elsewhere?"— and be cause one of these prizes, which fell into the hands of the English, was sent to Bilboa, Viscount Stormont con cluded positively that M. de Sartine had a regular understanding with the insurgents, that he was the soul of their councils, and the supporter of their views. . . . Much patience is necessary, Sir, to listen calmly to such talk, my position obliges me not to lose it, and I am faithful to the obligation ; thus, putting aside everything which could have given rise to sharp disputes, I limited myself to assuring Lord Stormont that, the King's senti ments being constantly the same, His Majesty was not disposed to allow things contrary to the friendship which he wishes to keep up with the King of Great Britain. I begged that Ambassador to give me a copy of the Commission which Cunningham handed to the person to whom he entrusted the Brigantine North- on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM ampton, and the list of Frenchmen found on board. The first of these documents was nec- Order sent to Dun- essary t0 prove that, notwithstanding kirk to put Mr. j t- i & Allen in prison, also the assurance given, Cunningham the person who sold has made some captures, and as Mr. Mr. Cunningham's A,, , ^, , , , ^ ssel Allen and the person who sold the vessel became security that he would make none, the King has caused orders to be sent to Dunkirk to arrest and put them in prison. But it re mains to be seen whether they will be found there, and whether these people, who perhaps only had a tem porary dwelling there, have not departed. It will not be long before we know. With regard to the sixteen French- Explanation on the meni found on board the Northum- subject of the six- . teen Frenchmen berland, 1 have much difficulty in who were found on believing that the officers of the oar ap . un- Admiralty who attested here that ningnam s vessel. J they had allowed none to go on board Cunningham's vessel would have dared so impudently to deceive the Ministry; it is more likely that the sailors embarked out at sea, and hid themselves from the in spection of the Commissioners. 1 See p. 74. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ M. LENOIR TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) Sir n August 1777. I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Hodge, an Anglo-American lodging in the Rue de Richelieu, at the Hotel de Vauban, was arrested this morning, and taken to the Bastille in execution of the King's orders. I am with respect, Sir, Your very humble and very obedient Servant Lenoir. M. le Comte de Vergennes [ M. LENOIR TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES2] (Extract— Translation) ., A v ' 1777 nth. August M. le Ray de Chaumont was anxious to know the causes of the detention.3 I limited myself to saying that it was the King's order. He left me saying, — it is no doubt for the Cunningham ( ?) affair, they have wished 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1647. 2 Ibid., No. 1648-4. 3 Of Hodge. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM to give the small satisfaction to the English Ambas sador. He added, moreover, that the Ambassador has spread a report that the Americans had been beaten, that they had lost four thousand men, and that their general had been killed, but that on this subject the Doctor1 said "Truth is one thing and Stormont an other." Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence2 (Extract) 15 August 1777 Lord Weymouth to Lord Stormont No. 50 Draft:— Acknowledges various letters— ap proves the sending to Count de Vergennes a list of the French sailors found on board Cunningham's prize and copy of that Captain's commission from the Congress3 — refers to the French military force preparing for the West Indies, etc. 1 Franklin. 2 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1702-2, 6, 7. 3 See p. 81. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ MARQUIS DE NOAILLES TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES 1 ] ( Extract— Translation) London 15 August 1777. Complete satisfac- Nothing better justifies our con- tion which we have ° ., , . , , given England by duct than the detail which you have ordering the impris- been good enough to give me of all onment of the seller that took place at Dunkirk from the an uyer o un- entrance until the leaving of the ningham s vessel. ° vessel equipped by the American corsair Cunningham. If that corsair continues to make captures of the English, and to disturb their trade in the direction of the Baltic, we are by no means responsible. I remember now that Lord Weymouth told me about a month ago that it was proposed here to the Govern ment to buy the vessel, adding that this expenditure would willingly be incurred, if by that means every sort of difficulty might be avoided. Why has this course not been adopted? They could then have prevented Mr. Richard Allen, who, although an English subject is alone guilty in this affair, from becoming the pur chaser of this vessel, and no deception would have been practised on the Admiralty at Dunkirk, who thought they were only clearing a merchant vessel for Bergen in Norway. Moreover, as the purchaser and the seller, Mr. Hodge, according to orders which have been despatched, are to be put in prison, to make good their security. I think that we have done all that is possible on our part. Was the insolent threat of Captain Hervey 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1 650-1, 3. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM to be expected after that, of destroying all the American vessels, or all those which might be suspected of being such, wherever he might find them, without distinction of place? [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 ] (Extract— Translation) ,, TT , , Versailles, 16 August 1777. Mr. Hodge, one of ' ° ' ' ' Cunningham's se- l have spoken to you so much at curities, arrested length in my preceeding despatches, and put in the Sir, of Cunningham, that I would not mention him here but to tell you r, r t ¦ r T , that Mr. Hodge, one of his securities, Refutation of Lord ° ' ' Weymouth's asser- having come to Paris, has been ar- tion that Cunning- rested and put in the Bastille, where ham ought never to he is at present, (and) if the remarks have been released. , . , T , TT7- . , which Lord Weymouth made to you does not appear to require explanation He asserts that this Cunningham ought never to have been released. I should like to ask him from what code he takes this as sertion. It is assuredly not from that of English laws, which could not be less favourable than they are to every kind of reciprocity. So we ought not to have punished Mr. Cunningham for the crimes of which he may have been guilty towards England or some Eng lishmen! If a prosecutor had presented himself to at tack and prosecute, access to the tribunals would have 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1651-1-3. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM been open to him; but nobody appeared, so we could only punish for the offence which directly concerned us. The only grievance we had against him was that he Very detailed ex- cleared at the Customs as a smuggler, planation of our and returned as a privateer, which conduct regarding made him liable to be suspected of Cunningham. piracy; but, on due examination, he was in order in this respect— he had a commission. We had, therefore, nothing else to complain of than that he had concealed his real condition; for, with regard to his armament, he got it all complete from England. For this simple fact we kept him nearly a month in prison, and the tribunal, finding nothing to pronounce against him, set him at liberty pending further inquiry, a form of absolution which allows of no claim for damages or interest. The prizes which he had brought in were released and restituted by authority. It is astonishing that such marked demonstration of justice, and even of partiality, should excite complaints, instead of the grati tude which we had a right to expect. Lord Weymouth adds that he was set at liberty on an ill-chosen and insuf ficient security. There is a mistake here. Cunningham was set free without security, and there was no occasion to require any for him personally. That which the Admiralty took, some time before, had reference to the vessel, whose departure had been forbidden on the sup position that it was intended for privateering. The King is so little disposed to conceal this contravention of his orders that the Master Lieutenant of the Admiralty of Dunkirk has been ordered here to give an account of his conduct and his motives. They surely do not expect in England that we would punish people without hear ing them ; and orders have been given to arrest the two on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM securities. Hodge, as I have just told you, is in the Bastille; he apparently thought to escape by coming to Paris, but he thereby hastened his imprisonment. I am not aware whether Mr. Richard Allen has been found at Dunkirk,— we expect news from there every moment. As regards the French sailors Reasons which may whom Cunningham must have taken make the Admiralty , , , , , of Dunkirk excusa- 0n board> and °f whom S1Xteen Were ble regarding the found on the vessel when recaptured, embarkation of six- it is very possible, Sir, that the Of- teen Frenchmen on ficers of the Admiralty are exempt board Cunningham s . ... ,„ vessel from blame in this respect. You know the state of that port, and you are aware that beyond its boundary we have no power nor resources. It is very possible these people em barked in the roadstead or out at sea. It is because we cannot be sure of our sailors in that part that they are not brought under the laws of naval conscription (Les classes) . on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] (Extract) paris Augt 2Qth 1?7? ... In the course of my yesterdays Conversation with M de Vergennes ... I told him, that I was by no means authorized to accept of this Proposal, and intimated that what passed at Dunkirk must beget in us very strong suspicions of all such sales. He answered with vivacity, that what had been done at Dunkirk gave us very just ground for complaint, but was in his opinion still more injurious to France : I gave this opinion added He this very Day to the King my Master, and told His Majesty that there was so much Stupidity in one part of the Admiralty of Dunkirk, and so much Knavery in the other, that I really did not know s'il Lui falloit du foin ou des Verges, this said He was I assure you the very Expression I used not an Hour ago, (I may observe to your Lordship here, that in this affair of Dunkirk, the french Ministers seem now to be in Earnest as Hodge is sent to the Bastille). M de Vergennes assured me, that the Purchase proposed was of a very Different Na ture from that at Dunkirk, and that there could not be a possibility of fraud as it would be made by French men, Men of Substance, of whom the Ministers would be sure and for whom they could answer. I reported that I was not authorized to adopt this or any other Experiment, and that my orders were clear and precise, to demand that these ships might be immediately sent out of Port without convoy, and left to take their chance. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1652-4, 5. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 ] (Extract— Translation) Versailles, 23rd. August 1777 Escape of Mr. j have already had the honour of Richard Allen on . <¦ 0. . , , A Cunningham's ves- "^"lling you, Sir, with regard to sel, for which he the Dunkirk incident, that Mr. had become security. Hodge has been arrested. It was not possible to arrest Richard Allen, he , . , , had taken the precaution of embark- Reasons which the . . ...... Lieutenant-Gover- inS on the vessel for the destination nor of the Admi- of which he had become security. ralty of Dunkirk His escape certainly does no honour gives in his defence tQ fhe foresight 0f the Admiralty of upon the Cunning- . 5, . J ham affair. Dunkirk. 1 he president of that Board is here, and justifies himself by reasons which are half good and half bad. The Admiralty, not suspecting an understanding between Allen and Hodge, believed the sale of the vessel and its despatch to be purely a commercial affair. Neither Cunningham nor the French sailors were on board at the time of the examination ; they must have been taken on board at sea. This justification is by no means im probable, in the opinion of those who know the condi tion of Dunkirk, its roadstead and its coast. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1655-2. on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] (Extract) paris gaturday Night Aug 23 1777 In my further conversation with him (Maurepas) his Excy mentioned Hodge being still confined in the Bas tille. . . . Hodge punished by being kept in the Bastille and the chef de Lamiraute punished by being ordered to attend the Court. [ SILAS DEANE TO ROBERT MORRIS2 3 ] ( Extract) par^ August 2?> ^ t ??7 Soon after Mr. Hodge's arrival, we bought a lugger4 at Dover, and sent her to Dunkirk. Mr. Hodge went after her, and equipped her with great secrecy, design ing a blow in the North Sea. He sent Captain Cun ningham in her, and ordered him to intercept the packet between England and Holland, and then to cruise northward toward the Baltic. Cunningham fell in with the packet in a day or two after leaving Dunkirk, and 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1654-8, 16. 2 Vice-President of the Marine Committee and a member of the Continental Congress. 3 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. II, pp. 378-382. 4 The Surprize. C96n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM took her. As she had a prodigious number of letters on board, he imagined it was proper he should return to Dunkirk instead of continuing his course. In his return he also took a brig of some value, and brought both prizes into port. This spread the alarm far and wide, and gave much real ground of complaint, as he had been entirely armed and equipped in Dunkirk, and had returned thither with his prizes. The ministry, there fore, to appease England, ordered the prizes to be returned, and Cunningham and his crew to be impris oned, which gave the English a temporary triumph. But not discouraged thereby, another cutter1 was bought, and equipped completely in the port of Dun kirk. Cunningham and his crew were set at liberty, and with some address and intrigue he got again to sea from the same port, in a swift-sailing cutter, mounting four teen six pounders and twenty-two swivels, with one hundred and six men. His first adventure greatly raised insurance on the northern trade : even the packet- boats from Dover to Calais were for some time insured. On his leaving the port of Dunkirk the second time, he had orders to proceed directly for America; but he and his crew, full of resentment for the insults they had re ceived from the enemy whilst in prison at Dunkirk and afterwards, attacked the first vessels they met with, and plundered and burnt as they went on. Our last accounts are, that they had taken or destroyed about twenty sail, and had appeared off the town of Lynn, and threatened to burn it unless ransomed; but the wind proving un favorable, they could not put their threats into execu tion. In a word, Cunningham, by his first and second 1 The Revenge. t97n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM bold expeditions, is become the terror of all the eastern coast of England and Scotland, and is more dreaded than Thurot was in the late war. But though this dis tresses our enemies, it embarrasses us. We solicited his enlargement; and Mr. Hodge engaged for his going directly for America. I know now how his engagement was expressed, but to appease the British ministry, and drive off an instant war, Mr. Hodge has been arrested and confined. His friends need not be in distress for him : he will soon be at liberty. He merits much from his country, having been ready at all times to promote and serve its interests. [ M. DE GUICHARD TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) M. de Rayneval Dunkirk 25 August 1777 Monseigneur Testimony given by M de Guichard in the conduct of M d'Hersin. I have the honour to inform you that I have just learnt that M d'Hersin, Lieutenant-General of the Admiralty of this town has been charged by the Court to give an account of his conduct concerning the ship Greyhound, of which Mr. Hodge is the owner, and which left here on the 17th. of last month. It is said M d'Hersin is accused of having countenanced the emi- 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1657-1. casn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM gration of the King's subjects in favour of the American vessel. I had the honour, Monseigneur, to inform you on the 20th July of this year of all that passed on that occasion; every possible precaution was taken in order that no Frenchmen should embark on the Greyhound, but as I had the honour of informing you, if in the coun try, on the coast, or in the dunes, during the night, some Frenchmen might have hidden, who would find means of reaching the vessel, such a thing is not possible to foresee or prevent. No doubt someone has contrived to cast suspicion on M. d'Hersin's conduct. He enjoys here the reputation of a man who fulfils his duties with exactitude. For my part, I regard him as incapable of neglecting the orders of the Court. I am with very profound respect Monseigneur Your very humble and very obedient Servant De Guichard Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence1 10 September 1777 Lord Stormont to Lord Wey mouth No. 141 :— That he had told Count de Vergennes there was reason to believe that the pirate Cunningham intended returning to some port in France with the 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1702-6. C993 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM prizes— Vergennes replied in such a way as to leave no doubt that Cunningham would be punished according to his deserts. [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE MARQUIS DE NOAILLES1 ] (Extract— Translation) Paris, 13th. September 1777. I saw Lord Stormont on the 9th. ; our meeting had no object, and he had no complaints to make. I could have made some myself to him, but I reserve them for you for next week, not yet having all the explanations which are necessary. This ambassador says he has information that the famous Cunningham is preparing to return to our ports ; I doubt it, for he could not do a worse thing. Statement of Moneys Expended on the Revenge2 (Translation) Account of the various expenditures made by Mr. Miguel Lagaonere and company of Corunna for the expenses, repairs and lodging of the armed sloop of war named the Revenge, property of the Congress of the thirteen United States of America, Capt. Gustavus Con yngham who brought his vessel into port in the Ria del ferrol, as follows 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1684-4. 2 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. Doon cJ tench Jotint showing cJStitannia upbtaiding loeptune and pointing to (jonyngham, while the Snglidh fleet ate in full flight, victory dedezting them CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Itemized For a large mast 46 cubits long, five planks, iron nails, pitch, tar, grease and various other things, details taken from the mari time warehouses of Corunna according to the account submitted by the Captain of the Navy Yard keeper of the warehouse. Amount 9025 " 16 For the wages of carpenters employed to make the large mast according to the ac count and receipt signed by Domingo de Murcia, foreman of carpenters employed in the Navy Yard Workshop 691 " 00 For the export duties of the large mast and one of the planks, paid to the Royal Cus toms House of Coruna, and a real for the porter 607 "21 For four cwt. of cheese bought from Messrs. Gerner & Co., according to receipt 800 " 00 For twelve measures of white beans ac cording to receipt of Ant. Montero 192 " 00 For four cwt. of Levant rice according to receipt of Franco. Pissang & Company 432 " 00 For two barrels of French flour bought from Messrs. Lagoanerey & Co. 320 " 00 For one barrel of vinegar according to re ceipt of Mr. Isidro Dalmon 225 " 00 For two cwt of broken sugar according to receipt of Mr. Ftys. de Llano 344 " 00 For twenty five lbs of wax candles bought from Mr Peter Marick 238 " 00 Carried forward 12765 " 03 Doi3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Brought forward 12765 " 03 For eight barrels of Rum and Case Brandy of six pipes bought from Mr Joseph Manoy Murrietta at twelve pesos a barrel 1920 " 00 Paid to the Royal Customs House of Co runna for export duties of all the foregoing comestibles, including a real for the porter 502 " 33 For three different barrels for the beans and rice 5 " 00 For three wagons for transport to the Cus toms House of all comestibles, including the boy and the embarking on board the sloop 28 " 00 For freightage of the barge which trans ported the mast and comestibles to Ferrol as put down 20 " 00 For the following bought in Ferrol and charged to the account of Mr Miguel Lagoanere & Co. 40 cwt. and 35 lbs ofcaptain'sbis- cuit at 100 ron a cwt. 4035 " 00 25 cwt & 35 lbs salt pork at 2 40 r. a cwt. 3684 " 00 25 cwt & yj lbs of salt beef at 1 40 r cwt 2207 " 27 9926 " 27 D02 n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM For Customs House duties for these three arti cles 2352 " 00 For going to Alca- rala 200 " 00 Cartage of grain and portage 20 " 00 1562 " 00 1 1488 " 27 For amount of various sums of money de livered to Capt. Conyngham according to his nine receipts collected by Mr John Lembeye of Ferrol who charged them to the account of Messrs. Lagoanere & Co. 9288 " 00 36127 " 29 For commission for disbursements and an interest at 4% 1445 " 05 37573 Money deducted that we have had deliv ered to us by Captain Conyngham 12000 Total 25573 copper Reales Proved Error and Omission : We certify the foregoing account which amounts to Twenty five thousand five hundred and seventy three copper reales, and we have received a draft for the same amount payable at forty days Cio3n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM drawn by Mr Gustavus Conyngham to our order and charged on Messrs. Gardoqui and Sons of Bilbao pay able in Madrid, for first, second and third: and in set tlement of which we sign this. Ferrol sixteenth of September one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven. For Messrs. Migl. Lagoanere & Co. = Miguel Lagoanere Toben. I, Gustav Conyngham acknowledge that Messrs Lago anere & Company of Coruna have made the disburse ments mentioned in this account, amounting to the Sum of Twenty Five thousand Five hundred and seventy three copper reales, for the payment of which I have given them a draft for the same amount payable at forty days to the order of Messrs. Gardoqui & Son of Bilbao, payable in Madrid, and in payment of which I pledge in case of need, my person, my belongings present and future, and generally and especially the armed sloop of war the Revenge which I command and the prizes and ransoms that I have already taken and will take in vir tue of a commission from the Congress of the'thirteen United States of America which I hold. Desiring and expecting that the present obligation will have the same force as if it had been signed before a notary. In faith of which I have signed it and for greater authenticity I have also had it signed as a witness by the chief officer of my staff, made in triplicate at Ferrol the same day and year as above. G. CONYNGHam THOMAS HEASE c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] ^ ' Paris Sept. 17th 1777 I have pretty good reason to believe that Beaumar chais is at present upon very bad terms with Franklin & Deane. They impute to his indiscretion the Discovery of all that Hodges did at Dunkirk, & upbraid him with being the original cause of Hodge's imprisonment. Memoranda of Some of Lord Stormont's Correspondence2 19 September 1777 Lord Weymouth to Lord Stor mont. No. 58 Draft. . . . His Majesty is willing to believe the professions made by the French King are sincere and that the several late regulations respecting the rebel privateers will be observed. A postscript states that it is reported from Corunna that Cunning ham has arrived at Ferrol where he is allowed to refit. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1687-1. 2 Ibid., No. 1702-7. Do5n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LAGOANERE & CO.1 TO PIERRE LAPEIRE, MERCHANT2 ] (Translation.) Corunna the 19. September. 1777 Mr. Pierre Lapeire in Vigo Sir We are giving this letter to Capt. Gustavus Conyng ham commanding the armed vessel of war, named the Revenge belonging to the Congress of the Thirteen United Provinces of America, to beg you to be so kind as to render all the services within your power to the Captain and to those who may come from his part, requesting you likewise to make such disbursements for our account as he or his representatives may be in need of, giving us immediate advices of the same that we may reimburse them to you. You may count on our grati tude as well as on the perfect regard with which we have the honor to be Sir Your very humble & very obedient servants Lagoanere & Comp. 1 The American agents at Corunna, Spain. 2 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. [>6n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LAGOANERE & CO. TO ALEXORDE CATARELO1 ] (Translation) My dear Sir: We herewith present Captain Gustavus Conyngham of the armed sloop of war named the Revenge property of the Congress of the thirteen United States of Amer ica, to request you to be so good as to favor the said Cap tain, and also the persons whom he will recommend to you, as much as depends on you. Asking you also to put down to our account all the expenditures that he, and those whom he recommends, may require, advising us of the amount in order that we may remit it to you immediately. You may count on our gratitude as on the true affec tion with which we pray God to protect you. Coruna 19th September 1777. B. L. M. deVM. Your obedient servants Migl. Lagoanerey and Co Mr. Domingo fernando Alexorde Catarelo. Rivadeo 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. cio7n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LAGOANERE & CO. TO BLAS. PARGA VACUMONDE1 ] (Translation) My dear Sir: We herewith present Captain Gustavus Conyngham who is in command of the armed sloop of war named the Revenge, belonging to the Congress of the thirteen United States of America, to request you to be so good as to favor the said Captain, and also the persons whom he will recommend to you, as much as depends on you. Asking you also to put down to our account all the ex penditures that he, and those whom he recommends, may require, advising us of the amount in order that we may remit it to you immediately. You may count on our gratitude as on the true affec tion with which we pray God to protect you. Coruna 19th. September 1777. B. L. M. deVM Your obedient servants MlGL. LAGOANERY AND CO. Mr. Bias. Parga Vacumonde Vivero [ SILAS DEANE TO MESSRS. LAGOANERE & CO.2 ] Gentlemen- Paris> SePtr- 20th, 1777- Your Favor of the 30th. ulto. I received & am much obliged to you for the Favors shown Capt. Cunning ham, who I hoped indeed had gone direct to America, 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. 2 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 140. Ciosn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM but conclude he must have met with some misfortune in his voyage, which obliged him to go to Spain. The Necessary articles to repair his vessel for the voyage are, I hope, by this Time supplied, for which Capt. Cun ningham's Bills on Messr. Gardroquis1 of Bilboa will be honored, as they have been wrote to on the subject. I thank you for your kind offers of Service, & have the honor to remain, with the highest Esteem, Gentlemen, yours etc., S. Deane. Messrs. Lagoanen & Co.,2 Mecrts., Coruna, Spain. [ M. AMELOT3 TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES4 ] (Translation) M. de Rayneval PariS; ^ September I?77. Liberty granted to Mr. Hodge Cunningham's security. The Comte de Maurepas has told me, Sir, that the King's intention, as settled by you with His Majesty, was to set at liberty Mr. Hodge, an Englishman, de tained in the Bastille by his orders. I have the honour to inform you that I have in consequence just given those necessary for his release. I have the honour to be with perfect attachment, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant M. de Vergennes. Amelot. 1 Gardoqui. 2 Lagoanere & Co. 3 Minister of the Household to Louis XVI. 4 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1694. Cl09n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LORD STORMONT TO LORD WEYMOUTH1 ] (Extract) paris 2^ geptr I777- — Hodge is set at Liberty.— [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO M. AMELOT2 ] (Translation) M. Amelot. Versailles, 26 September 1777. T ., . „ I have received, Sir, the letter Liberty given to ' ' Mr. Hodge, Mr. which you did me the honour to Cunningham's write to me on the 24th. instant. I security. thank you for the notice you have been good enough to give me of the King's orders re garding Mr. Hodge, an American who had been de tained in the Bastille. [ ARTHUR LEE TO ROBERT MORRIS3 ] (Extract) Paris Oct. 4th. 1777 Mr. Dean has determined to give you an account of the fitting out & directing Cunningham's vessel, at Dun kirk, which has done so much injury here, & caused the 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XVIII, No. 1700. 2 Ibid., Vol. XIX, No. 1703. 3 Ibid., No. 1 714-3. cnon CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM late unfriendly measures. We are unable to explain it in conjunction, because it was done by Mr. Dean with out our knowledge. It will not however be fair to judge of this Court by measures, which they have taken unwillingly as they assure us, & from the necessity pro duced principally by this illegal transaction. [ ARTHUR LEE1 TO RICHARD HENRY LEE2 3 ] (Extract) 4 October 1777 I enclose you a copy of a late measure of the Court here wch. seems unfavorable to us. The reason they give for it is our having armd Cunningham in their port & sent him to cruize in the Channel, contrary to their treaty, to their repeated requests & our promises. The fact is so, & it was done by Mr. Deane without consultg. or informing us. He has therefore thought it necessary to write an apology for it, which I understand is to be shown about privately, & he seems desirous of persuad ing us & others to be in ill-humour with the Court for taking violent measures to which they have been com- peld by his unwarrantable conduct. All I can say is, that it will be doing them great injustice to form an opinion of their disposition, from steps which they as sure us were taken from necessity, & to which We are conscious those proceedings forced them. 1 United States Commissioner to France. 2 Chairman of the Marine Committee and delegate to the Conti nental Congress. 3 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. Ill, No. 269-6-7. C"0 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM American Commissioners— Sketch of Disbursements1 (Extract) [About 7 October 1777] To Mr. Hodge for equipment of the ) , T . ,_ i-i 1 • 1 > 60000 Livres 1 wo Cutters at Dunkirk y [ FRANKLIN, DEANE, AND LEE TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS2 ] (Extract) passy; October 7, 1777. Mr. Hodge is discharged from his imprisonment on our solicitation, and his papers restored to him; he was well treated while in the Bastile. The charge against him was, deceiving the Government in fitting out Cun ningham from Dunkirk, who was represented as going on some trading voyage ; but as soon as he was out began a cruise on the British coast, and took six sail. He is got safe into Ferrol. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. Ill, No. 272-1. 2 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. II, p. 406. CH2] CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Intelligence probably collected in Paris1 and delivered to Lord Suffolk2 (Extract) When he left Dun kirk his vessel mounted 14 car riage & 22 swivel guns, having 106 Seamen 66 of which were Frenchmen, Entered with an obligation to return in three months to Dunkirk. [About 17 October 1777] Cunningham has again sailed from Ferrol on a Cruizer— after selling His Prizes— he says for half price— & refitting His Ship the Revenge- He procured Papers from a Mercht there (which were intended for an other Ship belonging to Spain) to Cover the Black Prince— a Prize- laden with wine, Fruit & oyl which he sent to Bayonne. [ SILAS DEANE TO JOHN ROSS3 ] Dear Sir- Paris, 19th. Novr., 1777. Mr. Hodge went for Dunkirk on Saturday; he will return, I expect tomorrow. The Little Vessel in which Capt. Cunningham formerly sailed is by Mr. Chau- mont ordered round to L'Orient. I mention this, as she 1 By Paul Wentworth. 2 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. Ill, No. 274-7. 3 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 227. C»33 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM may probably answer for Mr. Hodge to take a passage in, if no objections are made to his going in her, which I am apprehensive of, & that the objections will Lye equally against the Dolphin, on account of their having been formerly employed in a Cruize,1 & on Mr. Hodge's account, on whose motions our Enemies have a jealous Eye; consequently his taking a passage in either of them, however innocent his attentions may be, will unavoidably, if observed & complained of, occasion difficulties of which you ought to be apprized. Both the Dolphin & Luggar were long since prohibited going out as American property, unless to America or some foreign Port. The Commissioners have ordered the Dolphin to be sold, & it is indifferent to them who pur chases her. If you think she will suit you either to send to America or any foreign port on any business, except that of Cruizing against the English, advise you to pur chase her, otherwise not. But I will discourse with Mr. Hodge on his return, and write you the result, as well as what he may do at Dunkirk. I saw Mr. Moylan last evening, and since received a Letter from Mr. Wil liams, informing that Mr. Gourlade had applied to him on the same subject. I have replied to Mr. Williams that Mr. Moylan had been spoken to by you when here, & by Mr. W. Lee since, on the subject. It is indifferent to me personally, but shall be sorry for any interference, real or apparent. I am, etc., Mr. Jno. Ross. SlLAS DEANE. 1 Around Ireland in company with the Reprisal and Lexington. C"43 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LAGOANERE & CO. TO LASSORE & CO., MERCHANTS1 ] (Translation) Corunna the 28 November 1777 M. Lassore brother & Compe. in Cadiz Gentlemen Captain Gustavus Cunyngham commanding the Cut ter of War named the Revenge belonging to the Con gress of the Thirteen United Provinces of America having asked us for a recommendation for your city, we are giving him this letter by which we beg you to be so kind as to render him every service within your power in case he should find himself obliged to put into your port and to furnish him with whatever money he may be in need of to refit his vessel. He will hand you drafts on the deputies of the Congress in Paris or on his other correspondents, or on us. We shall be under the great est obligation to you for the services you may be able to render him & have the honor to be, with perfect con sideration, Gentlemen Your very humble & very obedient servants Lagoanere & Comp. 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. C»S3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ SILAS DEANE TO JOHN ROSS1 ] (Extract) Paris> Decr Ist ; I777. Cunningham has lately carried another Prize into Spain, loaded with Fish, and Suffer'd himself, in a Gale of Wind, on accot. of his Mast being too large; he was altering it, & getting ready for another Cruize. The Letter from thence was dated the 12th. Novr. [ SILAS DEANE TO MESSRS. LEOGANERE2 ] Gentlemen,- Paris' Decn 2d'> ^ Yours of the 12th. of Novr. I received, & return you my thanks for your kind attention to our affairs in your Port. This will be handed you by Mr. Hodge, a Gen tleman of Philadelphia, whom I recommend to your civilities. He is empowered to take the care and direc tion of Capt. Cunningham's Vessel, and it is with pleas ure, I assure you, that you may rely on him as a person well acquainted with American affairs, and on whose information you may depend. I shall be happy in the continuance of your correspondence. I am, etc. Messrs. Leoganere & Co. SlLAS DEANE. 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 259. 2 Ibid., p. 263. n »6:i CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ SILAS DEANE TO JOHN ROSS1 ] ^ ' Paris, Decemr. 18th., 1777. I this moment received a Letter from Cunningham. He was at Corrunna the 27th. Novr., doing very well, having got Liberty to sell his prize openly, & was push ing out on a fresh Cruise. Memorandum of Intelligence2 3 ^ ' [About 24 December 1777] Cunningham lately carryed a prize to Corruna & sold her publickly — Extract from the London Annual Register for ry/84 When a bold American adventurer, one Cunning ham, had taken and carried into Dunkirk, with a pri vateer fitted out at that port, the English packet from Holland, and sent the mail to the American ministers 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New-York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 280. 2 Obtained by Paul Wentworth. 3 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. VII, No. 721-1. 4 Page 37. C"73 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM at Paris, it then seemed necessary in some degree to discountenance so flagrant a violation of good neighbor hood, as well as of the standing treaties between the two nations, and even of the particular marine laws and regulations established in France, in regard to her con duct with the people of other countries. Cunningham and his crew were accordingly committed for some short time to prison. Yet this appearance of satisfac tion was done away by the circumstances which at tended it. For Cunningham's imprisonment was repre sented to the Americans, as proceeding merely from some informality in his commission, and irregularity in his proceedings, which had brought him to, if not within, the verge of piracy, and which were too glaring to be entirely passed over without notice. And he was, with his crew, not only speedily released from their mock confinement, but he was permitted to purchase, fit out, and arm a much stronger vessel, and better sailer than the former, avowedly to infest as before the British commerce. [ SILAS DEANE TO JOHN ROSS1 ] ^ ' Paris, 15th. Jan'y, 1778 Cunningham had, on the 20th. December, carried in two prizes to Carogne, one of which sold for 6,000 & the other for 4,500, & was gone out on a second Cruize. 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New-York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 331. C"8] CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ GARDOQUI & SONS TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] Bilbao the 17th Janry 1778. Capt Gustavus Cuningham — Sir By your very agreable & esteem'd favour of the 14th. Instant are glad to see the fair disposition your affair stands in, thro' the assistance of the Gentlemen you are recommended to, & flatter ourselves that they will be able to compleatt the same to your Intire satisfaction. We suppose you are allready informd that the Cutter departted hence on Tuesday last in order to retack if posible a Tobaco Brigg that was given up by the forg ery of the Spanish Pylott to a Jersey Privateer not fur ther than a Muskett shott from the Spanish land which resolution we had the pleasure to be approved of by our worthy Freind Mr. Hoadge who arrived safe in Towne the day before yesterday, as such doubt not your being pleased therewith, Expecially when have to informe you that the same day that she went out she fell in, & tooke a ship from the Land bound to this port with 2373 Quintales of fish & 59 Tons of oyl on Board of whome Capt Beach putt in as a prize Master Jeremiah Hibbert Master of one of the American Privateers in the river who went as a Volunteer in the Cutter; the ship tho' believed bound to this place has not yet made her ap- 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. CII9] CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM pearance with us, butt when does, depend on our giving you punctuall advice, mean while remmain with sincere reggards Sir yQur mh obt hbk gerts Joseph Gardoqui & Sons We are this Instant informed that the Prize ship is safe in our river aGoverno [ SILAS DEANE TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM 1 ] Sir,— Paris, 21st. J any., 1778. I received your letter of the 4th. inst., and consulted on the contents with my Colleagues. It is very unlucky that you fell in with that Vessel. Every such adventure gives our Enemies advantage against us by representing us as persons who regard not the Laws of Nations. Your Idea that you are at Liberty to seize English Property on board of French2 or other neutral Vessels is wrong; it is contrary to the established Laws among the mari time Powers in Europe, tho' it is true that the English, in the last war, paid little or no regard to this Law, but their superiority at sea carried them thro'. They have practiced the same this war, but their situation and ours is very different in point of Force, tho' not so in point of right. You will, therefore, represent the case to the Admiralty just as it was conducted, as you have represented in your Letter to us, & drop your claim; & in future let French, Spanish & other Neutral Vessels pass without detaining of them, unless you find them loaded with warlike stores & bound to the Ports of our Enemy, in which Case only they may be detained agree able to the Laws & Treaties between the Maritime States 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New-York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 340. 2 gee p I23 c^on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM in Europe. I hope Mr. Hodge is with you by this time, who can give you more particulars than is proper for me to write. Wishing you Success, I am, with Esteem, Yours, etc., Capt. Cunningham. SlLAS Deane. P.S. I have not as yet received the Ransom Money, nor have I any answ. to my last Letter on the Subject, in which I sent forward the letter of the Hostage, & a Copy of yours to me. [ SILAS DEANE TO MESSRS. LAGOANERE1 ] Sir,— Paris, Feby. 17th., 1778. By a Billet I this moment received from my Col league Mr. Lee, I learn you had not received my answer to yours respecting Capt. Cunningham's Prizes You, who are on the Place, must be the judge of what is proper & what can be done, and the Commissioners have the fullest (confidence) in you that every necessary step will be pursued to obtain the delivery of those Prizes, and that they will be disposed of to the best advantage. The last news from America gave us most favourable accounts of the situation of our Forces, though nothing of Consequence had happened at the close of the month of December, when the armies were still in the Field. Permit me to recommend the Bearer, Capt. Courten, to your Civilities, & as he setts out this instant, I have no time to add, save that I am, with the utmost respect, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & very Humble Servt., Messrs. Ligoniere & Co. SlLAS Deane. 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New-York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 375. D^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ WILLIAM HODGE TO JOHN ROSS1 ] DearSir,- Bilboa, Feb'y, 1 9th, 1778- You will probably think that I have been very neglectfull in not writing to you oftener, and the only apology that I can offer is, that I have been engaged in the most troublesome affair that ever I undertook, and had I expected that I should have had half the trouble to Encounter with, the Cutter might have remained in Bilboa, before I would have taken the Management of her; but as I engaged with you and Mr. Deane that I would take charge of her, I am determined that nothing shall be wanting on my part. All our seamen had left the Cutter before my Arrival at Bilboa, but the New England seamen, going on board to pursue the Tobacco Brig, occasioned our people to go on board likewise; but as soon as she returned to St. Anthonys, our people again left the Vessell. I immediately went up to St. Anthony, and when I went on board, there were a greater number of prisoners than our Men, and its being an open port, I wonder that they did not take the Vessell from our people. After my going on board with six Men as a reinforcement, there was still danger, but thank God, we brought her safe into Bilboa, and I have had nothing but trouble with our people ever since. I have been obliged to settle with them for their wages and prize Money, and after all one half have left the Vessell. The wages and disbursements upon the Cutter amounts to Pieces of Vellon 109,284, and the 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 376. c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM share of prize Money to the officers and crew Amounts to 137,750 Pieces of Vellon besides their share of prize Money of the ship Hope and Cargo (which was brought into this port since my Arrival), in which they shared one third; and forty-two Volunteers who shared at the rate of one half the ship Hope, Nr. Pieces of Vel lon 239,458.24, which Money, together with some more, I have been obliged to take up to discharge the demands against the Cutter. A letter from the Honl. Arthur Lee, Esqr., to Capt. Conyngham has been of consider able detriment to me, and has puzzled me to know how to act in regard to the Accounts; it appears very artfull and wicked, As well as a Letter he wrote to Corrunna, likewise one wrote to the Gardoques, who he desires to furnish the Cutter with a Credit only for one half of her disbursements and charges as only half he says belongs to the Congress. I shall Enclose you a Copy of the Let ter to Mr. Ligoniere at Corunna and likewise a Copy of the letter to Captain Conyngham. I hope you will em ploy your pen with these Gentleman, and send the Copy to Mr. Deane. The Vessell is very indifferently manned, nevertheless I shall set sail to morrow for Martinique, to which place I hope you will write me, and inform me what answer you have from Arthur Lee, Esqr. Mr. Roach, our first Lieutenant, has left us, and will be with you in a few weeks ; he will be a proper person to take charge of the Cutter that is with you, if she is not disposed off. I would recommend that you would send her to Marti nique if she is delivered up to us. Capt. Conyngham, unfortunately taking the French Brig,1 has been the 1 See p. 120. CI23n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM occasion of upwards of Ten Thousand dollars being stopped in our friends hands at Corunna, and how the affair will End I know not. I shall leave Capt. Conyngham's accounts of wages and disbursements upon the Cutter to be forwarded you by Messr. Gar- doques. I am obliged to hurry out of the port, as it is possible that an order may come against the Cutter, in consequence of her taking the French Brig. Capt. Conyngham requests me to inform you that there is a ballance due him, and in case any accident should happen, that you would take care that his wife might receive it. My Compliments to all friends, And accept the same from your friend and humble Servt., at t u r> W. Hodge. Mr. John Ross. [ MR. COURTEN TO SILAS DEANE1 ] (Extract-Translation) March ^ ^ Messrs. Leogene render me every possible service, and have begged me to look upon their house as my own. They have told me that Captain Cunningham and Mr. Hoge were at Bilboa, and that they expected them at Corunna. 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. VIII, No. 801-2. Cl24n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] G- Paris April 19th 1778 oir We have received a Complaint from the remaining part of your officers and Crew, of an unfair distribution of prize Money by Mr. Hodge. To prevent any such Complaints in future we desire that you will put your prizes into the Hands of Messieurs Gardoqui at Bilboa, and into those of the principal Merchants at Cadiz or Corogne, directing them to make a speedy distribution of the prize Money among the Crew and account to us for the public part. You will inform us, at the same time of their Contents and what they are supposed to be worth. We wish to have immediately an account of what you have hitherto taken, their supposed value and to whom committed. You will use your utmost endeavours to make up your Crew and taking a Cruise where you can with safety, come to Bourdeaux,, Brest or Nantes. We can there examine into your Disputes and settle your future Establishment, with much more ease and effect. Where you make a prize you should take Copies of her Bills of Loading or an Inventory of her Contents; by sending Us Copies of which we can check the Mer- 1 MSS. in the Papers of the Continental Congress — Letters of John Adams, 84, Vol. I, p. 149 (Bureau of Rolls and Library, De partment of State). [>5n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM chants account and prevent any Imposition. We wish to be favoured with a Copy of your Commission. We are x To Capt. Cunningham of the Revenge at Cadiz. N.B. You will inform your Ships Company of the directions we have given to provide for their Satisfac tion in future. [ LETTER TO MESSRS. JOS. AND GEORGE AUDIBEN1 ] (Translation) Gentlemen: Cadiz, April 14, 1778. Mr. Conyngham commanding the American pri vateer The Revenge, counting on leaving this port to go into the Mediterranean, — to send the prizes he may take from the English into Marseilles, for sale,— has asked me to procure for him in the said town the name of a business house, to whom he can apply with confi dence. We believe, gentlemen, we could not recom mend a better house than yours, and we shall be obliged if you will render him any services he may require. We are depending on you to arrange the same and on all other occasions for those who have the honor to be, with the greatest consideration, Your very humble and obedient servants, Messrs. Jos. and George Audiben. 1 In the collection of Mr. James Barnes. ci26n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Extract of a Letter from an Officer on Board the Monarch, lately arrived at Portsmouth from her Cruize.1 We are at length, thank heaven, arrived once more in an English port. Our last foreign port was Cadiz, where we experienced such treatment as will scarce be credited ; though the vouchers which government will receive by another channel, as well as ours, will surely set them on a scheme to resent the insult offered to a King's ship. We came into Cadiz harbour on the Sun day afternoon, when the Captain, according to custom, ordered the boat on shore to get what is termed product, which could not be obtained: the next day another was sent, and a third, and a fourth ; but to all we could not even get an answer. A spirited memorial was at last sent to the commandant, who also gave no answer; in short, they seemed resolved to take no notice of us. Judge of the situation of our spirited commander (who is a true British seaman) when during the time we lay there (seven days being detained by the wind) we had the mortification to see the usual honours paid to two Dutch frigates, and above all to the Revenge Ameri can privateer, commanded by Cunningham, who came swaggering in with his thirteen stripes, saluted the Spanish admiral, had it returned, and immediately got product; the Spaniards themselves carrying on board wood, water, fruit, and fresh provisions ; all which we 1 In the London Chronicle for 1778, May 5-7, p. 439. [I27n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM were eye-witnesses of, as he anchored directly under our stern, within two cables length. There are at Cadiz twenty-two ships of war of the line, besides frigates and chebecs : the first are as fine vessels to look at as ever put to sea : they all appear full manned, and are deep in the water, as if provided with all necessaries ready to put to sea on the shortest notice. There were also riding here eleven vessels bearing the American flag; and six more ships of war were expected daily from Ferrol to join the above fleet, which we were informed of by the Captain of one of the Dutch frigates, who behaved barely civil to us. We were happy on our coming up to Spithead, to see so fine a fleet ready to chastise our insolent and natural enemies. I am so far from exag gerating the account of our reception at Cadiz, that I have been obliged to omit some very humiliating cir cumstances that happened during our stay there, as being too much for the limits of a letter, especially as the boat is expected to put off immediately. Extract of a Letter from Plymouth, May 3, If/81 Arrived the Earl Bathurst armed ship in six weeks from New York, where every thing remained quiet. The Bathurst has retaken a brig with fruit, called the Betsey, a prize to Cunningham. 1 From the London Chronicle for 1778, May 5-7. osn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ BRD. DEHEZ TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] (Translation) May 18, 1778. Mr. Gustavus Conyngham at St. Sebastian, Sir: Some one has assured me that you are actually at Cadiz; I am addressing the present letter to my friend, Mr. John Walmsley, of the said town. The friend in question and myself are very impatient to become ac quainted with your good news. Your business is in very good order, and we will do all that is possible in order to turn it to your favor and advantage, and we hope to succeed. If you desire the welfare of your interests, give us a pledge by Mr. Larralde or Mr. Gardoquiz; they both tell me they cannot do anything without your order, and that you must give them dispensation to do it. The assessor of the cause demands that you warrant the judgment of the suit; this is a formality which it is nec essary to go through, and by means of which the pro cedure can be put in court to be judged here or at the council of war, and without any difficulty to your ad vantage. The barrister you saw with me, defends the case— you could not have a better. But Captain Le- tournois claims upon you— and the damages you told him it occasioned, and he is not willing to leave here in spite of the fact that some one has informed him, on your behalf, that he could go away having his power of attorney, but about this will say nothing, it will be without doubt rejected from the claim; and we will do our best to put everything in your favor, as has 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM been done up to . . . but it is absolutely necessary that you immediately give security, without losing a moment. You know, my dear sir, that the friend in question did this on your word of honor and upon the assurance that you would be guarantee for all emergencies, and that upon this promise he delivered to you your crew from prison, so you must not refuse it for a moment, I im plore you. I wrote to Messrs. de Lagoanere of Corona about this, they defend themselves saying that they have neither your signature nor power from you. However, Mr. Macmahon wrote me on your behalf that he would do all that is necessary in the matter, you are not thus left in a scrape, and may be upon that view the orders that you have from Congress, that you risk nothing. On the contrary you would put your business in a right con dition, and bring it about so that it can be heard in a Court of Justice just as well as in the Council of War. — The minister, after several pleadings having ordered to decide who should act in your defence, and allegations ; to hear all parties here in a Court of Justice; and to . . . that your friends will not give bail without consenting to take charge of your interests. It would be a very unhappy thing for you, and for us, if this business turns out badly through any fault of yours and theirs. And I will not believe that you will break your word to us nor your honourable sentiments, which I believe will al ways accompany your signal renown and wide reputa tion; and if you should forfeit it the judicial order of Pecheroit would arrest you anywhere, — perhaps in France, perhaps in Spain— of your goods and person. So sir, do what is right, and be more than persuaded that we will defend you so that you will come out vic torious and give you what you desire— the contrary is impossible. Be kind enough then to answer me, and L*i3on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM write to Messrs. Gardoquiz of Bilbao, by the return of the courier; this I should see with the greatest pleasure, for the desire we have here is to oblige you, and upon that you can count. I have the honor to be always at your service, and with the most distinguished and perfect consideration, sir, Your humble and obedient servant Brd. Dehez. [ THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS TO GUSTAVUS Sir> CONYNGHAM1 ] [No date] The interest which the public has in the vessel you command, makes us regard her as a Continental ship of war. Mr. Hodge and Mr. Ross have heretofore no right to direct or control you, neither had Mr. Deane alone any right to dispose of the prizes you made, as Mnsr. Lagonere informs us he has done. You will give us an account for the future of your plans and proceed ings ; and the individuals who may be concerned in her, — for we know not who they are, nor how far they may have contributed, — will have their share when they prove their right. Letters of Introduction Given to Gustavus Conyngham by Lagoanere & Co.2 (Translation) Gentlemen: La Corogne, May 22, !778. Our friend Mr. Gustavus Conyngham commanding the war cutter The Revenge, belonging to the thirteen 1 Draft of a letter printed in Hale's Franklin in France, Vol. I, p. 342. 2 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. CI30 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM United Colonies of North America, having asked us for a letter of credit, in order to procure the money he would want for his individual account, we have given him the present letter, which he has signed with our selves, and which he will return to you if he makes use of it. In this case we ask you to render to him or to have rendered all the attentions which will depend on you, and to charge him or have charged all the money he will ask of you, upon drafts on us directly or payable in Madrid forty to sixty days from date. That we will collect with promptitude, we ask you to be convinced. We pray you to receive likewise our gratitude for all that you will do in favor of our recommendation and that you will always find us disposed to give you similar proofs on all other occasions. We have the honor to be very sincerely, Your very humble and very obedient servants G. Conyngham. LAGOANERE & Compy. Messrs. Francois Aguirre & Comp. at Nantes M. Dome. Cabarras Jr. at Bordeaux. MM. Robert Brothers at La Rochelle. M. De Cabarras Sr. at Bayonne. Mr. Ante. Betbeder at St. Sebastien. M. Martin Dibiry at Bilbao. M. Ante. Delmaro at St. Ander. M. Pre. Lapeire at Vigo. MM. Lassore Brothers and Comp. at Cadiz. MM. J. Bape. famin Devoire & Comp. at Barcelona. MM. Roux Brothers at Marseille. MM. Cassalon & Comp. at Canaries Ste. Croix de Teneriffe. c^n S^ttedtation by the iotevo of the cJoevenge, cflloay 31, iyy8 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Attestation by the Crew of the Revenge1 On board Sloop Revenge the 31st May 1778 Whereas on this day we fell in with the Swedish Brigg Henerica Sophia2 Laden with British Goods from London to Tenerif & whereas Captn. Cunning ham says that he has directions not to Insult any Neu- teral Flag yet, the Cargoe appearing so plain to be British property we have eng'd him to take her, & try her chance to America Matthew Lawler3 Benjamin Peel4 Patrick Hease Josiah Smith5 Thomas Hease Richard McCarthy James Duggan W. Scallon Mattw. Stanton Dr. Lee George Brown Hugh Qannon Philip Singelton John William Latimore James Naile John Mason James Mc.Cartey John Lewis James Harvey John Downey Thomas Grayling Franceso Persano James Fogarty his John x Driver mark Thayer See p. 138. 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. 3 First lieutenant of the Revenge. 4 One of the Revenge's officers. 5 Surgeon of the Revenge. L*I33 3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LAGOANERE & CO. TO MR. BOUTIN, MERCHANT1 ] (Translation) La Corogne August 31, 1778- Mr. F. Boutin at St. Pierre Martinique. Sir: Mr. Benjamin Peel officer of the armed cutter named The Revenge, belonging to the United States of North America, commanded by Mr. Gustavus Conyngham, having remitted to us a sum of five hundred and ten piastres, has asked us to give him a letter of credit of this amount on your town, we have taken the liberty to give him the present letter for you, Sir, and we ask you in consequence to be willing to charge him — the said Mr. Peel — the aforesaid sum of two thousand five hun dred and fifty livres to a farthing, and to take your re payment for our said account in your agreement of one hundred days at sight upon our friend Mr. Dque. Ca barras Jr. of Bordeaux, who will there do all that is necessary for our said account, referring us to the sur plus, to which we have the honor to point out to you in our letter of recommendation and credit which we have given to Captain Conyngham who is the bearer of it and which we confirm in all its contents. We have the honor to be with great consideration, sir, Your very humble and very obedient servants, Lagoanere & Comp. 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. Ci34n CRUISES of gustavus conyngham [ LAGOANERE & CO. TO MR. BOUTIN, MERCHANT1 ] ^ ' La Corogne, August 31, 1778. Mr. F. Boutin at St. Pierre, Martinique. Sir: Mr. Mathew Lawler, officer of the armed cutter named The Revenge, belonging to the United States of North America, commanded by Mr. Gustavus Conyngham, having remitted to us a sum of six hundred piastres, asked us to give him a letter of credit for this amount on your town, we have taken the liberty to give him the present letter for you, Sir, and we ask you in consequence to be willing to charge to him the aforesaid sum of three thousand livres to a farthing, and to take repayment upon our said charge at one hundred days on sight on Mr. Dque. Cabarras Jr. Merchant at Bor deaux, who will there do all that is necessary for our said charge, referring us to the surplus, which we have the honor to point out to you in the letter of recommen dation and credit we have given to Captain Conyng ham, who is the bearer of it and which we confirm in all its contents. We have the honor to be with great consideration, sir, Your very humble and obedient servants Lagoanere & Comp. 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. [^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ LAGOANERE & CO. TO F. BOUTIN1 ] (Translation) La Corogne; August 31, 1778. Mr. F. Boutin at St. Pierre, Martinique. Sir: Our friend Mr. Gustavus Conyngham, commander of the bilander or armed cutter The Revenge, belong ing to the United States of North America, having asked us for a letter of credit in order to procure money for which he seems to be in want for his personal ac count, we have given him the present letter which he has signed with ourselves, and which he will bring to you if he makes use of it; in that case we ask you to render him or have rendered to him all the duties which will rest with you, and to charge him or charge our ac count with the amount of eight or nine thousand livres to a farthing, upon these receipts in triplicate take reim bursement from the sum you will give him at one hun dred days on sight p^ upon Mr. Dque. Cabarras Jr., merchant at Bordeaux, who will honor your negotia tions for the said amount. We are informing the said Mr. Cabarras Jr., of this matter, so you can count upon his promptness in negotiating your draft and we pray you to give it your consideration or do it for any other house in your town with which he could be put in correspondence. We have also given under date of to-day two other letters of credit upon you, sir, one for two thousand five 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. D36n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM hundred and fifty livres to a farthing, in favor of Mr. Benjamin Peel and the other for three thousand livres to a farthing in favor of Mr. Mathew Lawler, both officers on board with the said Mr. Conyngham, who will certify to you the identity of their persons and their signature when he makes use of these letters; and ask you at once to take your reimbursement upon Mr. Dque. Cabarras junior at one hundred days on sight p^, having also informed the said gentleman of it. Our Mr. Lagoanere, head of our house established in this town nine years, has given us your address, and it is with his knowledge that we are writing you, offering you our services for you and your friends. Our Mr. Lagoanere also profits on this occasion in the renewal of your remembrance, as well as in that of madame your wife, his cousin, and asks that you both accept a thousand expressions of good will on his part. For you, we con clude, by asking you to be assured that on any other occasion you will find us always ready to prove to you the sincerity of the sentiments with which we have the honor to be, sir, Your very humble and obedient servants, Lagoanere & Compy. G. Conyngham1 1 Signature. D37n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ COMTE DE CREUTZ TO THE COMTE DE VERGENNES1 ] (Translation) M. de Rayneval 1778 October 1. Memorandum The undersigned, Ambassador Extraordinary of His Swedish Majesty to His Most Christian Majesty, has the honour to communicate to His Excellency Count de Vergennes, Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, an event of which he has just been informed, and which obliges him to claim the good offices of His Most Christian Majesty. A Swedish merchant vessel named Henrica Sophia, Captain Peter Heldt, laden at London, for a Spanish house, with bales of cloth and other similar merchan dise destined for Teneriffe, left London on the 9th. May last to proceed to its destination. On the 31st. of the same month it met on the high seas an American corsair named Cunningham, who seized it and sent the ship, with the captain and three men of the crew, to America. The rest of the crew, consisting of seven men with the pilot were transferred on board the privateer, put at the bottom of the hold as prisoners, and made to experience all sorts of hardships. He at last, at the end of three months, put into port at Corunna, where these unfortunate men found means to apply to the Dutch consul, who took an interest in them and procured their liberty. The undersigned has no need to point out to His Ex cellency the utter irregularity of this proceeding. But 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XXIII, No. 1967-1, 2. CI38-J CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM as Sweden has no relations with the United States of America, he confidently addresses himself, as the Am bassador of a King who is the friend and ally of France, to His Excellency, to beg him to be good enough, by his intervention, not only to obtain the restitution of that vessel and its cargo, with all suitable damages, but also to cause that corsair to be punished exemplarily, show ing the said State the indispensable necessity for them to observe the law of nations and respect the flag of neutral powers. Le Comte de Creutz Paris, ist October 1778. [ COMTE DE VERGENNES TO THE COMTE DE CREUTZ1 ] (Translation) Versailles, 6th. October 1778. His Excellency M. le Comte de Creutz. Monsieur, Impossibility of J haye receiyed the memorandum granting our good offices for the resti- which your Excellency did me the tution of a Swedish honour to address to me on the ist. vessel taken by an instant concerning the Swedish vessel American corsair. , , A . „ii„j seized by an American corsair called Cunningham. The King would have had pleasure in intervening with his good offices in order to procure the restitution of that vessel, but he has no right to make representations on this subject to the United States of North America, and still less to influence their prin ciples and their conduct towards Powers which have not only no treaty with them, but which have not yet even recognized their independence. •/• 1 Stevens's Facsimiles, Vol. XXIII, No. 1969. C I39H CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Examination of William Carmichael before Congress1 Monday, October 5, 1778. Q. Are you sure that the public had any share in those two vessels which were purchased in the Mediter ranean? A. I apprehended at the time that they had, and my reason for apprehending was, that the Captain had a Continental commission; I thought they were on the same footing as those fitted out at Dunkirk. Q. Were you anywise concerned in equipping Capt. Conyngham from Dunkirk? A. I was in no way concerned in the equipment. I was sent by Mr. Franklin and Mr. Deane to facilitate the departure of that vessel from the port. Q. Was Captain Conyngham's vessel fitted out at Dunkirk more than once? A. Captain Conyngham commanded two vessels from that port, one a lugger, the other a cutter. Q. Were they fitted at the same time? A. At different times. Q. Were they or either of them public or private property? A. I apprehended that each of them were part public and part private, but I do not certainly know. Q. When you were sent to dispatch these vessels, did 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. II, p. 497. Cnon CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM you consider yourself as acting for the public or for private persons? A. Every service I performed for the Commissioners I considered as done for the public, and so I considered in this instance. Q. What reason had you to consider these vessels as part private property? A. From conversations I had at the time, particularly with Mr. Hodge, I had reason to apprehend he was concerned. Q. Had you reason to suppose that Mr. Deane was concerned, or any of the Commissioners? A. I did apprehend at that time that Mr. Deane was concerned in the first equipment. Q. What reasons induced you to apprehend that Mr. Deane was concerned in the first equipment? A. I cannot recollect the reasons that induced that belief, but I know that I did at the time apprehend he was concerned. Q. At what time was the first equipment made, what year, and what month? A . At present I cannot precisely recollect. I think it was in the spring, 1777. The captain of the Harwich packet will nearly point out the time of the sailing. Q. Do you know if any and what instructions were given to Captain Conyngham respecting that cruise? A. I think there were instructions given, but I cannot be particular what those instructions were. Q. By Mr. Lee. Do you know that the vessels, or either of them, were ordered to cruise on the coast of England? A. I speak to the first vessel. I beleive the object was CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM to cruise for one of the Harwich packets. I myself gave directions. Q. Was this equipment at Dunkirk made with or without the knowledge of the French ministry? A. I cannot answer as to the knowledge of the French ministry. Q. Did you overhear that the French ministry objected to it? A. I know they gave proofs that it did not appear to be agreeable, for the Captain was imprisoned upon his return to Dunkirk. Q. Did you hear that the French ministry objected previous to the sailing? A. I do not know that they knew of the first vessel previous to her sailing, therefore they could not object to the equipment. Q. Did you ever hear that the French ministry of fered to pay the expense of equipping those vessels, or either of them, to prevent their sailing? A. Of the first vessel I never heard that they did; of the second, I heard after she had sailed that they had given orders to pay the expense to prevent her sailing. Q. Did you understand that much diligence was used to push these vessels, or either of them, out of Dunkirk, to prevent the effect of the measures the ministry had taken to stop their sailing? A . With respect to the last, I believe all possible dili gence was used to accelerate her departure, to prevent measures from being taken by the ministry to stop her sailing. Q. Did you ever see or hear of a letter or letters c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM written by the Count de Vergennes to M. Grand, or the Commissioners, complaining of this measure? A. I have heard that there was such a letter, but I do not know whether to M. Grand or the Commissioners. Q. Do you know whether the Commissioners had received any orders from Congress or the Secret Com mittee relative to the fitting out of these two vessels? A. I do not know whether they had received orders relative to the fitting out of these two vessels. O. Did you ever hear that they had? A. I never heard that they had received orders to fit out these two vessels particularly. I heard that they had general orders to fit out vessels. Q. Do you mean vessels of force to cruise against the enemy? A. I do, because they received Continental commis sions for the Captains. [ SILAS DEANE TO THE PRESIDENT1 OF CONGRESS2 ] (Extracts) Philadelphia, 12th October, 1778 Mr. Hodge went to Dunkirk by order of the commis sioners. They sent him in consequence of orders from the Secret Committee ; he purchased and fitted out two vessels, a fact, though forgotten by Mr. Lee, known to everyone at the time. From what that brave and vir- 1 Henry Laurens. 2 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. Ill, pp. 18, 21. CI43 3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM tuous young American did and suffered on the occasion, it was the common topic of conversation every where ; it raised insurance in England ten per cent for a time. Mr. Hodge to appease the British Ambassador, was sent to the Bastile, and Cunningham, making his cruise around England and Ireland, put into Spain without prize money equal to the repairs he wanted. Mr. Hodge was released from his imprisonment, and one of the first things he did was to give Mr. Lee the account of his whole disbursements in writing. Mr. Hodge had taken a small interest in the adventure from the first, and proposed following Cunningham into Spain by land, and making a cruise with him. He proposed that Mr. Ross and he should purchase the vessel; but as a price could not easily be agreed upon, they proposed to take the vessel as she was, and do the best with her against the common enemy, and to account to Congress therefor. Mr. Ross desired that such an agreement should be signed by the commissioners for his security. I know not that it was ever done. I have only to add on this subject, that all the monies received by Mr. Hodge amounted to 92,729 livres 18.3 in the whole, and that Mr. Hodge rendered us other services besides equip ping these two vessels. Having forgot to mention it in its place, I must be permitted to add here, that the first vessel purchased and fitted out by Mr. Hodge was, on the return and imprisonment of Cunningham, detained by order from Court, and a second purchased, in which Cunningham went on his second cruise. The first was put up for sale at Dunkirk, but not disposed of when I left Paris at least I had not heard of it. CI443 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Extract from Silas Deane' s Narrative, Read before Congress1 From Dunkirk, Mr. Hodge fitted out Captain Conyngham in a cutter, with the design of intercepting a rich packet-boat from Harwich, to destroy some of the transports carrying over the Hessian troops to England, and to cruise in the Northern Ocean. Captain Conyng ham captured a packet-boat, and supposing he had in tercepted important intelligence, unadvisedly returned into port. He also took a brig on his return. Mr. Hodge came up to Paris with the letters taken in the packet. Orders were sent from the court to restore the two prizes, to detain Captain Conyngham's vessel, and to imprison him and his people. These orders were executed ; but these expeditions caused a great sensation to the British commerce; and for the first time since Britain was a maritime power, the River Thames and other of its ports were crowded with French and other ships taking in freight, in order to avoid the risk of hav ing British property captured. After the alarm had a little subsided, liberty was obtained to send Captain Conyngham and his people out of France, in another vessel. To effect this, Mr. Carmichael went with Mr. Hodge to Dunkirk, pur chased and fitted out a second vessel well armed against the insults of British cruisers, and ordered Captain Conyngham not to cruise or commit hostilities on the coast of France. Captain Conyngham sailed with the 1 In The Deane Papers, Collections of the New- York Historical Society, Vol. Ill, p. 167. CH5 3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM resolution of following his orders, but he had not been long at sea before his people mutinied and obliged him to make prizes. This renewed the alarm in England, occasioned fresh and warm complaints from that side; to silence which, Mr. Hodge was confined in the Bastile for five or six weeks, where he was treated as well as a prisoner could be, and suffered in nothing but the con finement, which indeed was sufficiently severe to one of his spirit and feelings. Captain Conyngham pursued his cruise, sailed round England and Ireland, and carried a prize with him into Spain, which, from the then situation of affairs there, turned to little account, as did also some others he after wards captured. [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO FERDINAND GRAND1 2 ] o- . Passy, October 14, 1778. I have considered the note you put into my hands con taining a complaint of the conduct of Captain Conyng ham in the Revenge privateer. We have no desire to justify him in any irregularities he may have com mitted. On the contrary, we are obliged to our friends who give us information of the misconduct of any 1 A French Protestant from Switzerland, who through influence obtained the reputation and emolument of being banker to the Amer ican Ministers; his brother, Sir George Grand, was in partnership with a banking house in Amsterdam and enjoyed the favor and con fidence of the French Ministers of State. 2 MSS. Department of State ; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. II, p. 784. Cn6n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM cruisers, that we may take the occasion of representing the same to our Government, and recommending more effectual provisions for suppressing, punishing, and preventing such practices in future. By the papers I have the honor to send you enclosed, and which I request you would put into the hands of his excellency Count of Aranda, the care of the Congress, to avoid giving offense to neutral powers will appear most evident: First, in the commission given to pri vateers, wherein it appears that sureties are taken of their owners that nothing shall be done by them "incon sistent with the usage and custom of nations," and those sureties are obliged to make good all damages. Courts of admiralty are regularly established in every one of the United States for judging of such matters, to which courts any person injured may apply, and will certainly find redress. Secondly, in the proclamation of Con gress, whereby strict orders are given to all officers of armed vessels to pay a sacred regard to the rights of neutral powers and the usage and customs of civilized nations, and a declaration made that if they transgress they shall not be allowed to claim the protection of the States, but shall suffer such punishment as by the usage and custom of nations may be inflicted on them. Lastly, in the particular care taken by Congress to secure the property of some subjects of Portugal (a power that has not been very favorable to us) , although no reclamation has been made. All these will show that the States give no coun tenance to acts of piracy; and if Captain Conyngham has been guilty of that crime he will certainly be pun ished for it when duly prosecuted, for not only a regard to justice in general, but a strong disposition to cultivate lH7l CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the friendship of Spain, for whose sovereign they have the greatest respect, will induce the Congress to pay great attention to every complaint, public and private, that shall come from thence. I have, etc., B. Franklin. [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO FERDINAND GRAND1 ] Passy, November 3, 1778. We owe our thanks, sir, to the person who has trans mitted to us, through you, the complaint we have re ceived against Mr. Conyngham, and we can assure him anew that penetrated with respect for S. M. C, nothing pains us more than complaints on his part against our people. He will have seen, by the papers transmitted by you at the time from us to S. E. M., Count d'Aranda, the measures which Congress have taken to prevent any misconduct on the part of our privateers and seamen, and nothing better proves its solicitude in this regard than the proclamation it has just issued, of which the enclosed No. 2 is a copy, and to which we join its resolu tion for the protection of the property of a ship although belonging to a power with which we have no sympathy. But if one directs his attention to the atrocious pro- 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. II, pp. 827-828; translated from a French version transmitted by Count d'Aranda to Florida Blanca and now deposited in the Archivo General de Reino in Simancas. In the correspondence between Grantham (British Minister at Madrid) and Weymouth (Secretary of State), the ex ploits of Conyngham are constant topics of discussion. CH8 3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM ' ceedings of the English towards all nations without dis tinction, he will not be surprised that their pernicious example finds imitators among some individuals of a nation which they have so greatly outraged. But this does not excuse Conyngham. It is a crime in our eyes to have displeased a power for which Congress is pene trated with respect, and although justified in seizing, by way of reprisals, the English prize which Conyngham had brought to Teneriffe to be sent to Martinique, we will none the less inform Congress of the grounds for complaint which this privateer has given to his catholic majesty. This will certainly be a new motive for pay ing to his flag the homage and respect which it enter tains for him. I hope from the wisdom as well as from the justice of S. M. that he will confide in this expres sion of our sentiments towards him and in turn will permit us to experience the effects of them. I have, etc., R Franklin. [ ARTHUR LEE TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS1 ] (Extract) PariS; November 15, 1778. I am informed that a Swedish ship, the Henrica Sofia, Captain P. Held, loaded with Spanish property, bound from London to Teneriffe, has been taken by Captain Cunningham in the Revenge, which, being considered in Spain as a violence done to them, has 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. II, p. 840. D49n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM given great offense. I have assured them that, upon its being made to appear in the admiralty court in America that the property is neutral, it will be restored, with such damages as are just. The court of Spain is so much offended at Captain Cunningham's conduct before this, that they write me orders have been sent to all their ports to prohibit his entrance. From the beginning to the end of this business of Cunningham, it has been so bad, that Congress only can correct it by punishing those who are concerned. It has cost the public more than 100,000 livres, and embroiled us both with the French and Spanish courts.1 [ WILLIAM BINGHAM2 TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM3 ] St. Pierre M/que Novem 29th. 1778 Capt Conyngham Sir The Instructions which I gave you under Date of October 26 will serve to regulate your Conduct in most Cases in regard to the present Cruize. As the defensive Alliance entered into betwixt France & the United States of America will point out to you one Common Object as the Motive that our Con duct is mutually to be regulated by, that of annoying & circumventing the Designs of the Enemy, I must se riously recommend to you not to lose sight of it— And 1 This, so far as concerns France, was a mistake. The displeasure of the French Minister with Conyngham was only put on to save appearances. See Deane to Morris, August 23, 1777; the Commis sioners to the Committee, May 25, 1777. 2 The Continental agent at St. Pierre, Martinique. 3 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. CI503 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM as it is certain that the Count D'Estaing has taken his Departure from America bound for this Place, I beg that you would studiously endeavor to deliver the in closed Letter to him, as it is of very material Impor tance. Accounts have been received this Day of the sailing of a Frigate with Transports under her Convoy & a great Number of Troops from France;— If you should fall in with this Fleet you will take Care to advise the Captain of the Frigate that Admiral Barrington has fixed his Cruizing Ground to the windward of this Island, that he may take Care to avoid falling into the Hands of the Enemy— Another grand Object that must attract your Atten tion is the endeavouring to capture some of the Trans ports that have sailed from Newport bound for the English West India Islands— It appears that they have suffered by a Gale of Wind & have lost their Con voy, so that perhaps they will fall an easy Prey — No Recompence could requite the services you would render your Country by capturing some of those that have Troops on board, as it might perhaps hinder the success of their Operations in these Seas— With wishing you a pleasant & successfull Cruize I remain with great Regard Your obed hble Servt Wm Bingham PS— I herewith enclose you the Signals that you are to make if you should fall in with any Fleet that you may suppose to be that of the Count D'Estaing— As they are in French you will take Care to have them interpreted by those such Persons on board that you may repose unlimited Confidence in— D50 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Extract from the Journals of Congress, Dec. 26, 17781 A memorial from Josiah Smith, surgeon, and others, late of the Revenge cutter, Captain Cunningham, was read: Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Com mittee. Report of the Marine Committee, Jan. 4, 1779* The Marine Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of Josiah Smith, Surgeon, and others late of the Revenge Cutter Captain Cuningham, beg leave to report as their Opinion. That Captain Cuningham the Commander of said Cutter be directed forthwith to re pair to this City or any other place where Congress may be sitting and render an account of his conduct during his command of the said Cutter, in pursuance of com plaints exhibited against him by divers of his officers and crew. January 4th 1779 1 In Journals of the Continental Congress (Lib. of Cong. Edit.), Vol. XII, p. 1256. 2 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 37, folio 165; printed in Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. XIII, p. 25. r^n Account of Prizes taken in the Surprize by Capt. iGustavus Conyngham.1 Date When Taken Names of Prizes Guns Men Cargo Whole Value Ports Where Sent Agents in Those Ports Occasional Notes 1777 May 3d Harwich Packet £5000 Sterlg Dunkirque Morrill, Murdock (Forced into Dinkirque by contrary Winds & English 1 Cruizers & deld up by order of the Court of France Hodge & Coffin " 4th Brig Joseph Winef OilRaw ruit silk £15000 Stlg do. ditto Ditto both taken in the German Ocean In t he Revenge July 21 Schoon Happy Return Tea, Gin j £20,000 Stlg (Taken in the German Ocean & there burnt lin Sight of an English Ship of War & Brandy > Cordials " 23d Brig Maria Ballast £2500 Stlg (Taken in the same Ocean & there burn*t as it was (impossible to get her in for English Cruizers 25 Brig Patty Ransom' d for £630 Stlg Taken in same Ocean & ransom'd for above Reasons 26 Brig Northampton Hemp Ik Iron Ordered to France Carried to England by Bayley Prizemaster) (taken in the North Seas) or Spain Brig Venus Whale lOil for Martinique Retaken off Barbadoes do. channell Brig Black Prince Wine Oil Fruit & in (part of wine Rls. 23.13.6 1 80,000 j Hull Ferroll Lagoneire & Co. Arrived & afterwards sent to Bayone under direction « ^ of Mr. Lagoneire (taken in Bay of Biscay) %* Brig Brothers dry Coid fish Rls. 187,518 Corunna Do. ditto. (off Oporto) 3 u Ship Two Brothers 4 IO Goods & Ballast Rls. 19.420 Hull | 10,284 Cargo) Do. Do. Ditto. (off Cape Finnister) 8 2 0 1-H 0 Brig Graciosa Dry Goods St. Sebastian's Gardoqui & Co. sent for Bilboa (by distress of Weather St. Sebastians) & there given up by order of Court of Spain (taken off Cape Ortingal) P4 *" Ship Hope 6 15 Fish S Revenges Bilboa ditto Arrived, taken in Bay of Biscay 7%2oth part is Rls. 145,670 March 1 1 Brig Peace & Harmony Fruit Newbury Port Tracey Prize Master Squire carrd to Nantucket & sold her (taken in the Atlantic) 12 Brig Betsey Barilla Do. do. retaken on the Coast of America (Taken in the Atlantic) 13 Snow Fanny 8 15 Fruit & Wine Lrs. 32,675.17.0 Do. do. (On Coast of Portugal, arrived at Martinique & sold by (DH Conyngham & paid into the hands of Mr Bingham. 20 Enterprize Kings Tender 6 20 ¦ £2000 Stlg Do. Taken off Cape St Vincents & there burn'd on acct. of an English Frigate. 24 Ship Hope 16 25 Fruit &t Raw Silk Do. Taken off the Straights mouth & retaken by the Enterprize Frigate April 19 Brig Carbonnere 4 IO Salt Do. (ditto) carried by Prize master Hornsby to Halifax 16 Brig Tapley Butter j& Ballast Rls 100,000 Cadiz Lacouta & Co (ditto) & Arrived. 19 Brig Countess of Mouton Fruit &b. Wine Lrs 40,947.9.8 Newbury Port taken Ss. Mouth Arrived at Martinique sold by D H Conyngham & the Amot. paid into the hands of Mr Bingham May 4 Brig Maria 6 15 Porter fcheese & Corunna Lagoneire & Co Off Cape Finnister — Arrived Brig Dispatch dry goq dry Fis US f rls 81,080 Ditto. Do. Bay of Biscay. do. Brig Siren Dittc Ditto. Do. Ditto. do. at Ferroll. 31 do. Honoria Sophia dry Go ads Newbury Port Off Cape Finnister, retaken of Cape Codd Novr. Sloop Two Friends Ballast Martinico W. Bingham Off St Eustatia, retaken Novr. Two Schooners Dittc ) Lrs 6,270 St Eustatia Curson & Govermus Ditto. & there ransommed Novr. Schooner Adml. Barrington 6G. 14 S. 37 Private er Lrs 19,500 Martinico W Bingham Ditto. Arrived Brig Loyalist 10 G. 14 S. 50 Dittt > Lrs 6650 Do. Do. Windwd. St. Martins do. Brig Suckey Ballast Lrs 2600 Do. Do. Off Antigua. do. 66 197 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. Rls. stands for reales (Spanish) ; Lrs., for livres (French) ; ,£, for pounds - sterling (English). CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ WILLIAM BINGHAM TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM 1 J I do require you as an Officer in the Service of the Congress to repair on board the Danish Brig, captured by an American Privateer & seal down the Hatches of said Vessel, her Cargoe appearing to be the property of the Subjects of the King of Portugal, that Justice may be duly administered in the Case. And for so doing, this shall be your sufficient warrant. Given under my Hand, this sixteenth Day of January, in the year of our Lord 1779. T Wm. Bingham Gustavus Conyngham, Commander of the Continental armed Cutter, the Revenge. Extract from the Boston Gazette, February 1 5, 1 779 St. PEIRRE, (Martinico) Dec. 10. The American vessel the Revenge of 18 guns, com manded by the brave Cunningham, arrived here from Corunna, which he left on the ist of September. This intrepid Commander, so well known for his having taken an English Packet-boat, and by that a Cutter of 18 guns, having spread terror through the coasts of Eng- 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM land, Scotland and Ireland, carried his flag with the same success to the Mediterranean. In 18 month's cruize, he has taken 27 English vessels, and sent them into different ports, and has sunk or burnt 33. Dec. 20. The American cruizer the Revenge, com manded by the celebrated Cunningham, is returned from her cruize, bringing with her an English brig, the Loyalist, Capt. Morris, of 12 guns, and the sloop Ad miral Barrington, Capt. Pelham, of 8 guns. He has taken besides another vessel which he has sent to Guada- loop; and two small sloops which he ransomed. He had an engagement off Barbadoes with a King's Cutter of 28 guns, which he pursued near the guns of the fort, and which would not have escaped, had it not been for an high sea which prevented his boarding her. Extract from the Journals of Congress, February 22, I77Q1 The Committee of Commerce communicated to Con gress a letter from W. Bingham, by which it appears that he has shipped on board the Revenge, cutter, 50 chests of arms : Ordered, That the Board of War give directions to have the arms which are arrived in the Revenge, cutter, Captain Cunningham, examined and send by the safest and most speedy conveyance to South Carolina such of them as are fit for service. 1 In Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. XIII, p. 236. r^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ RICHARD PETERS TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM 1 } Sir War Office Feby. 24. 1779 Please to deliver to the Order of Col. Benjamin Flower Commisary General of Military Stores Fifty Chests of Arms the Property of the United States im ported in the Revenge Cutter from Martinique & con signed to the Hon: the Marine Committee by whom they were delivered over to this Board. I am your very obed Servt Richard Peters By Order & in Behalf of the Board. Capt. Cunningham Officer Comanding the Revenge Cutter Philadelphia. [ THE MARINE COMMITTEE TO MESSRS. JACKSON, TRACEY & TRACEY2 3 J March 10th. 1779. Messrs. Jackson, Tracey, & Tracey Gentlemen This Committee have very important public rea sons for developing with great certainty and exactness, the origin, progress and designs of Captain Conyngham and the Cutter he commanded called the Revenge. By Captain Conyngham's narrative it appears to the Com mittee that many Prizes taken by him have been ad- 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. 2 Probably an American commercial house. 3 Marine Committee Letter-book, p. 201. L^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM dressed to your House, in consequence of which the Committee request of you Gentlemen that you will send them by the next post after you receive this an account of what Prizes have arrived to your address from Cap tain Conyngham, and for what and how they have been disposed. And also a Copy of all the Instructions you may have received from any person whatever concern ing such Prizes. The honorable mention that has been made of you Gentlemen to the Committee, induces me to believe that you will excuse the trouble that may arise from furnishing the particular account above de sired, as the public business demands it. I have the honor to be Gentlemen Your very hble servant Richard H. Lee Chairman [ THE MARINE COMMITTEE TO JOSEPH REED1 ] March 12th 1779 His Excellency Joseph Reed Esqr President of Pennsylvania Sir I have the honor to inform your Excellency that upon a full consideration of the complicated affairs of the Cutter Revenge it has been thought proper and it is determined by Congress that the Vessel with her Guns, Apperal &c shall be sold at Public Auction and the 1 Marine Committee Letter-book, p. 201. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Marine Committee has derected that the sale shall be made at the Coffee House in this City next wedensday evening. I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Hble Servant RlCHD. Henry LEE Chairman [ THE BOARD OF WAR TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] Marine Office March 17th 1779 Sir The Marine Committee desire that you will deliver to the Board of War the Piglead now on board the Cut ter Revenge — taking care to ascertain the weight and taking a receipt for what you deliver I am Sir Your Obed Servant per Order John Brown Secry Captain Gustavus Conyngham of the Cutter Revenge 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. ci57n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Attestation of Gustavus Conyngham1 ijyq left martinique for AM arrived at phila Febry. 1779 shortly after the Navy board took the direction of sd. Cutter revenge & under their direction and she was solde at public sale by an act of Congress 12th. March 79. Some time after peace by an Order of Congress a commercial agent was appointed to settle every Acct. relative to the publick in Europe & did call on every house concerned with the revenge for that purpose through the agency of Willm. Carmichal at Madrid. from the first day of the revolution my Motive was to Injure & distress the Enemy every way possible in my power some of they Commissr object was a commd. of funds, this I had no concearn with or a controul. on my accts. being presented at the Secry. of State Office, Alexd. hamilton & papers, he assured me a report should be to Congress without delay — Notwithstand every difficulty was throwed in my way of a settlement by Arthur Lee Esqr. & his influence being in Congress & the departmt of State at the time, petition after peti tion to Congress time after time to no effect from 1779 to decembr. 26th. 1797— the cutter purchased by indi viduals I applyed to the Marine board if the Commis sion I held was or was not sufficient to entitle me as expressed an officer in the AM Navy, should I continue in the comd. of said cutter, & they, and different mem bers of Congress assured me it was. In consequence 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. D^sn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM went on a cruize under sd. AM commss. — taken carried to N. York, Lodged in the condemned dungeon 14 days on a 4 penny Loaf of Bread & a little Watter, afterwards with Irons 55 lbs. wt. sent to England by order of that monster Sr. George Collier to be kept in the coal hole on bread & watter for the passage. Capt. Bull comd. of the packett had other feelings than that tyrant, Collier, releived me from the coal pit, had he not, I must have perished. On arrival at falmouth Lodged in pen- dinnes Castle, further punishmt, figure of 4 hand Irons as the sd. to be all of a piece, 120 days I suffered in dun geons on half alowance for 24 hours viz 6 oz beef & 6 of bread the worst Quallity, Committd on high treason Act to that prison at plymout to stand trial wh. our Gracious Good Soverng George the 3d. the Letter of my beloved wife to Congress & the order taken on it I refer for more information, this I new nothing of. When removed from prison in N. York to be put on bd. the packett, I was put in the hang-mans cart. A Negro Called George Washington, decorattd. as usall wh. ropes taking dezerters & others to the gallows & executted often before us close to the prison. Attended by a Garde of hessians, such we were often condoled wh. during our captivity. You will go next. NB, in the yr. 1775 I. went on a voyage from philad. to Europe to procure powder salt-peter, arms, medecins & every thing Necessary for War well known the Great need & scarcity the little Supply we had at that day. Arrived at dunkirk— here the suplys could not be pro cured, some part could, but we could not take any thing in heare— a agent went to amsterdam— Ci593 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Minutes from Gustavus Conyngham of his treatment and remarks 27 th A prill I7791 On the Latter end of Aprill year 79 taken by the Galatea Capt. Jordan. On first Going A board the ship abused by a Mr. Coaupe who acted as first Lieut. and took my Commission, he sent everyone without ex ception to the hold. After some time a message came for Capt. Conyngham; introduced to the Gun room. Mr. purser of the ship Mr. Thomas Surgeon of the ship Mr. Murry Master, After some little time Mr. Coaupe the Lieut, makes his appearance. I find his behaviour Different to what I had reason to expect. I am made to understand it is the Capt. Orders to be treated well and liberty on his Quarter deck, the of ficers and men still in the hold Verry disagreeable so warm, the following day Mr. Welsh my first Lieut, Mr. Heyman 2d Lieut., Mr. Lewis Capt. of Marines, Mr. Downey, Master, releived from the hold Liberty of the Lower Decks. Mr. Cambel a prize master order into Irons, by Mr. Coaupe Lieut. Mr. Coaupe spoke to me on the subject Desired I should speak to Cambell acknowledge his fault and should be let out of irons. I went to Cambell Ask what he had said he declared Mr. Coaupe Called where is that rascall or damned scoundrell Campbell, (I do not recollect the Answer made by Campbell) but declared he said nothing to Give him offence, in consequence could not acknow- 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. D6on Cuningham. .' CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM ledge a fault not Guilty off, some time afterwards Let out of Irons— At our arrivall in New- York Mr. Welsh sent on board the Commodore Sr. George Collier, & Mr. Welsh at his return on boarde the Galetea told me he was solicited to enter on board his ship. What an honour to walk his majestey Quarter deck, Mr. Welsh Declared he would not he was a prisoner on ship Answer, he was made you shall go to england with Mr. Conyngham & Dismisd. Soon Learned by Mr. Coauper that my people was to be Distrubuted among the Men of War. Boats came A Longside with officers for the prisoners, (One officer in particular by his ap pearance A Lieut, an Irish man, addressed me in those words. So Mr. Conyngham you have Long and in Different stages. I answered him not so many or so long. I no better, can you be quallifyd. After some hesitation walk. off. I do declare I never seen this per son before) the crew and officers sent on board Different Men of War, as I have understood after many threat- nings to get them to enter the Major part was Sent on board the prison ship with the officers. After being in the east river Detained On board the Galetea with one Leg in Irons I petitioned Capt. Read to alter my situa tion if posible to be put a long with other America Pris oners, in a short time was sent to the purvoest prison, With officers and Guard of Marines, application made A Deputy Serjeant or rather the turnkey A Mr. Leang conductted me to the condemned room, where was one person that was in on suspision of being concerned in thieft, another supposed to be a Spy. A dismall pros pect, at evening the provest Master Cunningham came to see me. I beg to know the reason of such usage. he said his order was to put me in the strongest room D6in CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM without Any person A long with me. Keept in this room one week without the least Morsel of Bread, from the Jeaoler. Watter I had give to me. Continentall prisoners found a Method through the key hole of the door to convey some Nessaries of Life through, altho a second door obstructed the Getting in very much, at the end of the week let out of this room. Introduced into the congress room by Mr. Cunningham, liberty of the prison, the 17 June Dupty Serjeant a Mr. Ghiby, Desired I should Get ready to Go on board the prison ship; After some little time Mr. Leang came to the door, calld. for me, took my leave of fellow prisoners Went down stairs ; was Conveyed to another privatt apartment, then a large heavy Irons was brought with two Large Links and ring Ordered on. Limped to the Jaol door, impossible to walk Got into a cart that was provided for that purpose and led to Watter side by the hang man. took in a boat a Long side of the Com modore Sr. George Collier his ship reasonable, there I was showne an order to take me on boarde the packett in irons. Singned, Jones, to this time was made to believe Going on board the prison ship, but from every circum stance attends this place coulde expect Nothing but De ceit and falsehood. A tale coulde be told that would if posible for the heardend rocks to hear would Melt them Asunder G. Conyngham. At night put into Irons in a room by myselve next the Guarde house . . . 9th. In the morning taken out of Irons, room lockt up the Scentry at the door, heare I. understand the Man who keeps the Cantin is at Liberty, and the Serjeant, to C1623 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM fetch me what is Nessary, and the leave to Go to the Nessary, with two Sentrys, when wanted. This day Capt. Bull and Lady came to see me and very politley asked if I wantted money, or any thing, Answered No with complasance, tho at the same time could not comd. any one thing. A person, Something came to the Win dow asked if he had not seen me 3 months agoe in Lon don, he declared he had he observe, that another, old acquaintance of mine was heare or words to that pur pose, this Gentl. appears at the Window, I could not make my selve acquainted with, this man his behaviour apperance spoke him the gentl. Night the Irons put on. roth. In the morning Irons took off. Nothing worthy of remarking At night Irons on. nth. Taken out of Irons people very Curious. Nothing worthy of Notice, At Night put in Irons. 12 in the morning Irons off, the room so close confined begged to have the door oppend. Granted with having the Irons put on my Legs, Agreed too, A young man Named Deserra calld. into my room. Appd. sorry to see me in such a condition Offerd me Books to amuse me, having a person to condole with me Drew tears from me. Sodger May Sutler for the Garison bought for me a small Looking Glass, pockett Book & combe payd him % the first money every payd in england. put into Irons. 13th. Irons taken off Learned from a soldier that last war being in America, and on their march from Albany, to N. York, had made a stop at kings-bridge that their officers on the march before them had re turned and desired them to put up at such a house and after feingning, some pretences, to do all the mischief in their power, thiss did not require a long studdy, the Ci63n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM furniture, soon to destruction. A number of canary birds in same manner, Complaint made to the officers : why did you give soldiers Liquor; what will soldiers not do, when drunk, it is not in our power to punish them heare, my friend. Mr. Cooper, Doctor of the packett calls to see me frequently, at 4 in the evening Irons put on, then the door left open to Give some air. I have been told the french have stopd. the dutch Mercht. Men in their ports. A young man the Name of hartshorne stopd. at my door, appeard, something dejectted. A person in Black wh. him. A woman I took to be a soldiers wife used some abusive Language to me. 14th. Nothing verry particular. Capt. Gibson called in to my room. The 2d Lieut, of a press Gang. stopd. at the steps made some curious observations. Corporal of the Guarde this day (toulson) I find a good sort of aman and well acquainted with the world, in the morning took out of Irons, at night put in, door Lockt. Verry warm & sultry, troubled with a severe head-ack. A person of the Name: Sammuel Manning, Sent me a message, that he would come to see me, only that did not like trouble, that he was well acquainted with me being mess mates and I was born in Newrey. this man I was told is above 60 year of age. Arrivd a small fleet from Irland & 4 Tenders with pressd men. 15th. In the morning Irons taken off. Weather something more cool. Not so warme been informed the english Grand fleet consisting of 30 ships of the Line sailed the nth, and that 10 Ships of the Line had Ar rived in the downs from russia, and was suspectted would joine their fleet, at night Irons put on. Door lockt. 1 6th. The english fleet in sight stand to the Westd. D64n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM from appearance about 35 sail of the Line, 10 sail of frigates & fire Ships, the person of the Name of Man ning called to see me after some little time he declared I was not that person— the Serjeant of the Guarde Mr. Williams at the time ask this man did he meane Wil liam Cunningham Borne in thomas Street Dublin that was taken at Stoney Batter by a Serjeant and Guarde, that said Cunningham killed 1 Serjeant and two pri vates. Afterwards the rest secured him Lodged him in New-Gate. Afterwards the same Conyngham was executed in Dublin, two Gentl. called into my room and verry politley enquired in the Manner I was treated. Lord Viscount Beatmen commands the herd- fordshire Militia in this place, this Nobleman has 2702 pounds pr. year for being Master of his Majestyes Buck-hounds. A person by the name McDermed De clares he New me about 10 years agoe in this place having the Command of a schooner and that he beleived she belonged to Virginia, that I had sent him sd. Mc. Dermont with a message to Stephen Clear to see if he would sceat 2 pair of Breeches for me. A Mr. homes, Declared he New me at St. Column in the County of Cornwall, 4 or 5 people enquired is that the piratt. by their appearance Country Squires or something there abouts. Afterwards I found this person to be an ale keeper who pretended to know me . . . in the morning Irons taken off, put on for the Night. 17th. in the morning Irons taken off. I find the officer, thomas reckt, ensigne, who Gives and sees the Capt. orders executted steady well disposed, if in his ; this day the room close confined. A New Lock and hinges order for the door, the women heare falls short of the discreption I have often hearde off. t>5n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Men in common, Dark complection, not tall. Dress plain, round bottom wigs, verry fond of sticks when walking, Black their favorite coloure, pendinnis castle commanded by Capt. thomas tidd. George Lewis ham ilton Lieut, at preasant under an arrest, thomas Reckt, ensigne (4 Sergeants 4 Corporals those commands a Guard of 14 men turn about that do the dutty of this place) This day so close confined could not make any observations. I find an alteration in the officer of the day and centry. in the evening Irons put on Doctor Coopper call at the window. Not liberty speak. 1 8th. In the morning Irons took off Dark and cloudy with small drops of rain Wind to the Southd. Capt. Dickson, born in Derry called in to my room, conversed some time, and found him acquainted with some of my friends. I have learned the people of this part of the country are so fond of tea that the Commonly buy one half-pennys worth, and make up of it without sugar, (4 people called to see me after being admitted at the door, the ask the Corporal is that Mr. Conyng ham, he said no. I knew it for we well know Capt. Conyngham) A woman pretty Good appearance, verry curious to see me. Centinel would not admit of it. Many people this day and curious almost impossible for the centry to keep them from the windows. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays the post comes in heare; Monday night, Thursday and Saturday night post Goes out of this place. Irons put on. 19th. Irons took off wrote a few lines to Capt. Tidd requesting some little Liberty. Could not be grantted that his order was to keep me continually in Irons. I have obserd. that the soldiers wwho do the dutty heare, makes not any difference let who will pass—, the are D66n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM mostly f without the least manner of notice on either side. Some little rain, at 12 cleard. up, the wind to the Westd. This day I am told that an order is come from London to keep me in Irons, booth Legs and Arms constantly at night on my Legs and my Arms Irons put. 20th. Nothing particular. Close wr. the Door ad mitted open. Irons on according to orders. 2 1 st. two Gentlemen, one of them a Doctor Bonne belonging to falmouth the other from plymouth called in to see me behav. Verry genteel. The weather cool. my room being so full of fleas it is realy a torture, to lay down, my hands confined cannot rub or scratch. I can not rest, nor can I move with the Greattest Difficulty from place to place. 22d. fresh winds from the Westd. & rain. 23d. Do. Do. A Sailor Declared in falmouth be fore different people he could take his oath that I was with Capt. Jones when he threatened to set White heaven on fire. This was told me by sergeant Williams of the Guarde. On the 20th of June sailed under con voy of the Camilla for England, 45 Lg. from the hook parted convoy, On the passage applyd to the Capt. to have the Links taken off my fetters if possible not being able to move with them. After some time the Links and ring taken off, about the Banks of Newfoundland took a sloop Capt. Glover bound to some part of N. eng land. On the 7th of Jully arrived in falmouth harbour, the Americans taken into the press boat. 8th. the first insult reed, from a Mr. Jowlings of that place, a mid dling stout man, Dark Complection, Likewise from a taylor the name of Clear. A little man red eyes appear ance of a worthleys man. Capt. Bull came on boarde shewed me and read his order from Sr. George Collier, ci67n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the purport of it was to keep me in close confinement to be arrived in falmouth ; there put me in close confiment in pendinnis Castle, to the order of the Lords was known. At about u o'clock put on shore, reed, by a Guard and Capt. thomas who comd. at the Castle. On the road to the Castle Manny insults and observations by the people ... 2 Surprizing remarks, two men ap- plyed to see me, they saying they new me. I begd of the scentry robert Beatle, to see those men, the being granted Liberty to come to the Guarde house door, one of them obserd. is that the man. Yes. I do not believe it by G — d. the other, If it is he is a rascall and D — m scoundral &c &c. this day the Irons on my hands beat close to my ribs. Lord Beatmon, Sr. John Major of the Militia and reguallitting Capt. of the press called into my room. After severall questions, Lord Beatmon verry polittley leaft the room and his Company. 24th. this day very warme and sultry. Lieut. Gayton took me from the Castle told me he was to Lodge me in mill prison, plymouth, put on board the tender fanny in falmouth harbour at night Irons put on and double centinals placed. Lodgd press room. 25th. This morning the reguallatting Capt. Bean. I apply to him to have my Irons took of my hands. Grantted. this room in the vessell is made to keep there presd. men in. Verry close, this day severe head ack. John Beach his Brother called on me to enquire after him. Lieut. John haris came on board. After some Little conversation told me I should have the same Lib erty as the pressd men, while under his Comd. 26th. this is the first night Lay out of Irons since the 20th June. Lieut, haris called me & took my name on D68n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM what account I can not tell, this day have not that lib erty expectted, the names of people I find wrote in the press room R. Stuart, Andrew Miller, John Williams, Samuel Lewis, Ritchard Nicker, Pritcher Skinner, William Chadwell, Abraham howard, Pritchard perry, piere hamel, Unmored their ship Lieut, haris told me his order of so strickt. could not be admittd. on deck without the Irons being on. I agreed to, the hold so warme not able to endure it. 27th. This day came on boarde prisoners that was taken belonging to the Black prince privateer prize- master Jonathen Arnold the English fleet off the Man acles the wind to the Westd. Jonathen Arnold and his crew was marched 38 miles chained two and two with a guard of 24 men and officer charged Bayonnets peces Loaded. A Spanish Capt. & passenger Bryan Murphy, A Clergyman Going horn to his Native Country was marched with 2 soldiers Drawn Cutlasses all these peo ple was Lodged in the press room, from the peoples Accts. was most terribly use by the Natives. No light this night. 28th. this morning Dark and intermitting showers of small rain Lord Beatmon and regullating Capt. Beane came on board the priest Got his liberty, Spanish Capt his parole. Mr. Arnold and crew closley examined, english fleet off falmouth. 3 pressd men brought abd. and put along with us. 29th. this morning Got under way in falmouth har bour the wind at S W fresh Breeze, the English fleet off the Deadman. at 4 in the afternoon came to anchor Plymouth A brest the stone house in a small Bite within 80 yds. of the shore, the tide coming in heare runs verry strong Theare is one flag flying at the fore top git rat. t>9n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM hd. on the hill to the westd. of the sound of plymouth is a camp about iooo Men at 5 in the afternoon Brought too Mill prison. The officer Lieut, haris have behaved verry politley. brought me a by road, not insulted by any mob. Confined to a room over the Guard house wh. 2 centrys. 30th. this day nothing verry particular to me. at night moved too the Black hole in the french yard where theare was some french dezarters. A horrid room. . . . 31. this morning took out of the Black hole brought to the room I was first put in. Several people heare say I am that Conyngham who Broke out of fortune prison. A soldier, the name of Davis, who came particularly to see me Declared before me he well knew that Conyng ham that I was not that person. Others heare will heave that I am from Devonshire. I understand the Order of putting me in the Black hole was from the Capt of the Guarde his name, under schackles Noth ing very remarkabble. I find the Serjeant of the Guard more strick — I not permitt the centrys to speak, at night put into the Black hole. reed, a Letter from Wm. heysham prisoner of War. ist. August in the morning took out of the Black hole. I have been told the reason of this usage that I cannot be admitted into the prison where the AM. is without being taken before a Justice & Committed by him. Sundays, thursdays and fridays, the post comes in and Goes out of plymouth the Capt. of the Brig tapley called, his behaviour not like a Generous enemy, A middle size man, pocks Marks, came with him, md. use of some words very disrespective & some others of same company, &c. &c. I find very strick Orders Given the D7on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Centinel every hour or two. A Gentleman Capt. of Militia, Mr. parsons, insisted that I was that Conyng ham who broke out of fortune prison and took adam and three others with me thiss was in May 78, Lodgd. in the Black Hole as usall. 2d. August in the Morning took out of the Black. hole. I find Capt. taylor of the Guarde a reasonable man well Disposed. Conversed with me and more mod erate than I am used to of Late At night put into the Black hole As Customary. 3d. August, in the morning took out of the Black hole, brought to the room I. was first put in. A en signe of the Devonshire Militia the Name Schiver from Gosport positively he says he knows me well. At night lodge as usall in the Black hole. I have been I have been told that Mr. Arnold is Committd. to Mill prison The english fleet I understand keeps nigh thiss coast. I have been told that Corporal Spelman being on Dutty at fortune prison under the command of Capt. parsons of the Middle Sex Militia, that an America prisoneer the Name of White said Corporal shot him with a ball through the Boddy. 4th. in the morning took out of the Black hole as usall, Dark weather & cool. At night put in the Black hole as usall Capt. Wise of the Guarde of the Devon shire Militia verry strickt, he cautioned not to Convey my Ideas by books to the Am prisoneers, if he found I did, should be Deterd. the privilege of Reading— 5th. took out of the Black hole as usall. Capt. Whit- pew of the Guarde verry politley let me have the Lib erty of the rooms, thiss Gentlm. treatted me verry politley. this is the Greatest Liberty I have been D70 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM showne since I have been heare. Not put into the Black, hole. Sleep in the room. I have Liberty by day.— 6th. I find a verry material Difference in the officers orders of the Guarde. At 7 in the evening Lodged in the Black hole at 8 in the morning took out — 7th. August, took before the Justices of the peace, after many questions, Commt. to mill prison for high treason thiss prision the have a Good Yard, the pris- oneers have such a time to walk in the air Nothing but what is customary in such places to the 17th. A fleet of plymouth we are told is the french and english all day a canonading from Mill prison could perceive the smoak. A Great number of people collected to the forts in the night firing the Alarm Guns the inhabitants busy throwing up Lines Ditches &c. All in confusion— 20th. we find the fleet that appeared on the 17th. & 1 8th. to be the french fleet on the 1 8th. at night & 19 fresh Gale from the eastward that it is to be supposed has drove the french fleet to the Westd. the english fleet out we have no Account off. no news worthey of observation, but in the Old Stile, Double Guardes round our prison and at every corner, thiss day Capt. of the Guarde came into the different apartments and verry politely enquired into the manner we wheare treatted. he said while he comd. he would inspect to the provisions to see if it was to contracts. 20th. one of the Am prisoners having some words with the Centinall, verry narrowley escaped the plunge of his bayonett Capt. parsons of the Guarde came into the prison yard behaved verry improper — 2 1 st. nothing very material Capt. kelly of the Guarde verry polite we are told the Ardent is taken by D72n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the french. 22d. thiss day a ensigne the Name of Ban- ton, of the Guarde behaved and used abusive Language. 23d. the french prisoneers marchd. from Mill prison, fife & drum. 24th. Capt. Burt of the Willtshire Militia came into the yard Made use of threatning expressions such as shooting and spitting the prisoners. from the 24th to 29th nothing worthey of notice provisions verry ordinary for some time past this day a man called at the prison Gate he declared he was my brother could not persuade him to the contrary. Tin miners employd. throryhing ditches round plymouth & Dock. 31st. nothing verry material this day the prisoners having a dispute with the Baker A scuffle insued. the Guarde orderd into the prison yd. prisoners orderd in after some little dispute, the prisoners having nothing to eat for 14 hours Opned the door came into the yd. the Guarde Orderd to Load & prime after some Con versation with the officer of the Guarde the doors opend. r Sept. A fleet in sight Sr. Charles hardy put back to St. helena 7th. A Captain Martin calld at the Gate after some little conversation he says knows C. Conyngham well formeley belonging to Guersnsey. 28th Sept. A Capt. Dunn called to see me. . . . A bout the 10th. Octobr. a Singalure circumstance. A soldier who had stole a pair of Buckles had pawnd them was detectted he declared that C. Cony, had Gave them to him to pawn for him. 28th Octobr. provisions verry bad & little of it. 30th. A Mr. Cummings called at the prison gate— ofered me his services. Ci73 3 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Notice in The Remembrancer1 Captain Conyngham was brought from New York to Falmouth, on board the Sandwich Packet, was kept in irons the whole voyage and sent ironed to Pendennis Castle, from which he was in a few weeks removed to Mill Prison, Plymouth, on petition to the Board of Sick and Hurt, and is now rated as an exchangeable prisoner, together with near 190 of his countrymen, for whom there is a cartel settled, and now passing to and from France. [ THE MARINE COMMITTEE TO JOHN BEATTY2 3 ] Sir June 2d> :779 We have been informed that Captain Gustavus Conyngham late Commander of the Cutter Revenge which sailed from this Port, now a Prisoner at New York is ill treated under pretence that he had acted without a Commission when early in the year 1777 he commanded a small armed vessel called the Surprize and in her captured the Harwich Packet in the British Channel. The Enclosed Certificates, from Silas Deane Esqr and two other Gentlemen then in France under whose direction that vessel was fitted out and who are well 1 London, 1779, p. 341. 2 A colonel of the Continental army, and Commissary-General of Prisoners. 3 Marine Committee Letter-book, pp. 217—218. [i74n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM acquainted with the whole transaction fully satisfy us that Captain Conyngham did not act without authority but that he was duly commissionated to command that vessel. Of this you will please to acquaint the British Commissary, and we request you will inform yourself in what manner Captain Conyngham is treated, which if you discover to be rigorously or with undue severity, it is our desire that you inform the Commissary that retaliation will be made unless they change their con- duct towards him. We are Sir Your Hble Servants [ THE MARINE COMMITTEE TO JOHN BEATTY1 ] Colonel Tohn Beatty T , Sir July 5th 1779 We wrote you the 2d. Ultimo respecting Captain Gustavus Conyngham of the Revenge Cutter the receipt of which you have not yet acknowledged. We want to know if you have received that Letter and what you have done in consequence of it. We have been told that Captain Conyngham has lately been sent off from New York for England the truth of which we desire to know and request you will inform us. We have seen your letter of the 20th June respecting Mr Nicholas Ogden. it is our desire that you offer him in Exchange for Mr. James Willing now a Prisoner at New York. We re quest you will write to us shortly respecting Captain Conyngham. We are sir Your hble servants 1 Marine Committee Letter-book, p. 225. D75n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Petition of a Number of Inhabitants of Philadelphia1 tt , , 0. Philadelphia July 14th 1779 Honorable Sirs ^ j j t //y Affected at the distressed situation of a fellow Citi zen, and feeling it our duty as well as our disposition to render him every service in our power, we humbly entreat the attention of this Honorable House to the case of Captain Gustavus Conyngham now a Prisoner with the enemy, closely confined and ordered by them to be sent to England. We have learned his condition from his own Letter to his distressed wife dated on board the Packet Boat June 12th 1779 a Copy of which we beg leave to lay before you. "Sorry I am to inform you that I am on board and to be sent to England. I have in part lost my health and cannot live long in this manner. If it pleases God to call me to himself out of this troublesome World, I live in hopes to meet you in Paradise. I am not able to write more. If possible rest contented. I would leave this western world easy if I had you with me. I must once more I believe for the last time recommend you to God, and live as contented as possible. Your loving affectionate husband 'till Death "Gustavus Conyngham." 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, folio 218. c^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Our Prayer to this Honorable House is that you would be pleased to claim Captain Gustavus Conyngham as a Citizen of the United States and demand the reason why he is thus distinguished by a severity of treatment; and if such satisfaction and relief as the case may re quire be not instantly given, that you will take measures for the security of his Person by holding some Prisoner or Prisoners of the enemy, of the same Rank or similar thereto, subject to the same pains and punishment as they may inflict on him. And we are the more urgent in this request as many of us (being Masters of Vessels) may probably fall into the hands of the enemy, and are apprehensive if a just line of retaliation is not agreed upon, of suffering the same harsh and ignominious treatment. And your Petitioners will ever Pray. Andw. Hodge John Nixon Saml Meridith Wm. Davis Jno. Patton Saml. Crawford John Barclay Saml. C Morris Davd. Duncan Jno. Shee James Caldwell Wm. Bradford John Mease Seth Harding James Montgomery Thos Barclay Robt Morris John Donnaldson Saml. Caldwell Mathw. Irwin Thos. Pryor A. Stewart Wm. Turnbull Robt Totten Thomas Irwin James Ash Alexr. Foster Sharp Delany Cad. Morris Geo Meade D77n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Jas. Craig junr. Andw Caldwell John Wilson John McNachtane Tho. Bell Harmon Courten Thomas Housten Saml. Howell Jun William Budden Jay Castle Thos. Read William Brown W. Gamble Thos Moore Stephen Beasly Isaac Roach Nathan Bogs John Rice Edw Yorke Ephraim Doane J. M. Nesbitt David H Conyngham Alexr. Nesbitt Rich. Bache James Mease Francis Lewis Junr Joseph Bullock Blair McLenachan John Pringle J. Wilkinson Thos. Smith Robert Gray Thomas Morris Wm. Hall Benjamin G. Eyre Jas. Budden J. Metcher Isaac Wikoff Thos Fitzsimons Robt. Bridges William Sharp Frans. Gurney Benjn. Davis John Benezet Wm. Lawrence Isaac Cox James Wilson Andw. Hodge Junr. Hugh Hodge Endorsed: Petition of a number of inhabitants of Philada relative to Capt Conyngham Read 17 July 1779 Referred to Mr Morris Mr Dickinson Mr Whipple CI783 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ ANN CONYNGHAM TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS1 ] Hond Sir Philada- Jul? ^ l779 I beg leave to trouble your Excellency, and the Hon orable Congress with the perusal of the inclos'd Letter from my Husband Capt Gustavus Conyngham late Commander of the Cutter Revenge now a Prisoner & in Irons on board A British Packet bound to England. As these Extraordinary and (in the present Stage of the War between Britain & America) Singular Cruel ties exercised upon the Person of my Husband have been inflicted in consequence of his Zeal and successfull exertions against the common Enemy in the English Channell where he first hoisted the American Flag, I take the Liberty of calling the Attention of Congress to his distressed situation and of requesting that they would be pleased to take such steps for his relief as have in similar Instances prevented the Execution of the bloody and Vindictive purposes of the Enemy upon the Officers & Citizens of these States. I hope it is unnec essary to say any thing to the Honble Congress of my Distress upon this Occasion. To have lost a worthy & belov'd Husband in Battle fighting for the honour & Liberties of his Country would have been a light afflic tion. But to hear of a Person thus connected being chained to the Hold of a Ship, in vain looking back towards the belov'd Country for which he had fought, wasting his health and spirits in hopeless Grief, and at 1 The letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, V, folio 371. D79n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM last compleating the measure of his sufferings by an ignominious Death under Good God my heart shudders! at the thought. Forbid it Heaven, Forbid it Honble Gentlemen the Guardians of the Lives and Happiness of the good People of these States that a Freeman & a Soldier of America, should even fear or feel a moments distress or pain from the hand of Eng lishmen, Unrevenged. The Delay of a single Hour may fix my Husband's fate for ever, Pardon me therefore whilst I once more intreat your immediate Attention to his Case; consider Sir's the safety of your numerous officers, and soldiers, by Sea and Land is connected with that of my Husband. This I presume will be a sufficient motive with you to procure Justice for him & to afford some Consolation to, Honble. Sir's & Gentlemen, Your most obedient and most devoted Ann Conyngham. Extract from the Journals of Congress, July If, I77Q1 A letter, of 17th, from Ann Conyngham, and a peti tion from a number of the inhabitants of Philadelphia, were read, representing that Gustavus Conyngham, 1 Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. XIV, p. 844. The letter of Ann Conyngham is in the Papers of the Continental Con gress, No. 78, V, folio 371 ; the Pennsylvania petition, dated the 14th, is in No. 42, VI, folio 218. ci8on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM now a prisoner with the enemy, is closely confined and ordered to be sent to England, and praying that mea sures may be taken for the security of his person : Ordered, that the same be referred to a committee of three : The members chosen, Mr. [Gouverneur] Morris, Mr. [John] Dickinson, and Mr. [William] Whipple. Extract from the Journals of Congress, July If, I77Q1 The committee to whom were referred the petition and letter respecting Gustavus Conyngham, brought in a report; Whereupon Resolved, That the following letter from the secre tary of Congress be written to the admiral or other commanding officer of the fleets or Ships of his Britan nic Majesty, lying in the harbor of New York: "Sir: I am directed by the Congress of the United States of America to inform you that they have re ceived evidence that Gustavus Conyngham a citizen of America, late commander of an armed vessel in the Service of the said states, and taken on board a private armed cutter, hath been treated in a manner contrary to the dictates of humanity and the practice of Christian civilized nations. I am ordered in the name of Con gress to demand that good and sufficient reasons be given for this conduct, or that the said Gustavus Con- 1 Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. XIV, p. 849. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM yngham be immediately released from his present rig orous and ignominious confinement. "With all due respect, I have the honor to be, "Sir, your most obedient and humble servant." Resolved, That unless a satisfactory answer be re ceived to the foregoing letter on or before the first day of August next, the Marine Committee do immediately cause to be confined in close and safe custody such, and so many persons as they may think proper in order to abide the fate of the said Gustavus Conyngham. Ordered, That the above letter be immediately trans mitted to New York by the Board of War, and that copies of the said letter and resolution be delivered to the wife of Captain Conyngham and to the petitioners. [ SIR GEORGE COLLIER TO THE SECRETARY OF CONGRESS1 ] o- Raisonable, off New- York, 24th July, 1779. I have the honour to inform you by direction of Sir George Collier, Commodore and Commander in Chief of his Majesty's ships in America, that he has received the letter you wrote him by order of the Congress, re specting Gustavus Conyngham; and I have it in com mand from the Commodore to say, that, not holding himself accountable for his conduct to any of his Maj esty's subjects in this country, he is still less inclined to answer demands when they are made in the uncivil 1 This letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 78, XV, folio 477. Printed in the Pennsylvania Gazette, August 4, 1779 (from Rivington's New-York Royal Gazette, New- York, July 28). [i82n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM way they appear to him in your letter of the 17th in stant. He however is pleased to bid me inform you, that no prisoners are ever treated (to his knowledge) by the King's Officers contrary to the dictates of hu manity; and as it is the practice of civilized nations to punish criminals in the usual course of justice, Gustavus Conyngham, whom you enquire after, stands in this predicament, and is therefore sent to England to receive that punishment from his injured country, which his crimes shall be found to deserve. I am, Sir, Your very humble servant, John Marr, Secretary to the Commander in Chief Charles Thomson, Esq. [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO MR. DIGGES1 2 J Dear Sir- Pass^ Au& 2°' l^9- I hear Capt. Cunningham is confined in England a prisoner. I desire you would take care to supply him with necessaries, that a brave man may not suffer for want of assistance in his distress. I ordered payment of your bill, but it has not yet appeared. I am ever Your affectionate B. F. 1 An American merchant in London, who, a few years later, turned out to be a British spy, a defaulter, and an embezzler of nearly all the money he had received for the use of the prisoners. 2 In Hale's Franklin in France, Vol. I, p. 344. t:i83n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM List of American Prisoners committed to Old Mill Prison, England, during the War1 (Extract) Cutter taken, only Captain committed Aug 23, 1779. — Gustavus Cunningham, Philadelphia, ran away. [ THE MARINE COMMITTEE TO JOHN BEATTY2 ] Col. John Beatty Sir August 31. 1779 As we understand that Captain Porterfield of the Ship Jason is in close confinement at Boston on Account of the enemys treatment of Captain Gustavus Conyng ham, and as we have chosen Lieutenant Hele3 of the British Navy as a fitter person for that purpose and have him now confined at this place, we desire that you will give Orders that Captain Porterfield be treated in the same manner with the other Prisoners of War pro vided his present rigourous treatment has been ordered in retaliation for Capt. Conyngham. We are Sir Your Hble Servant 1 In the New England Historical and Genealogical Register Vol XIX (1865), p. 138. 2 Marine Committee Letter-book, p. 230. 3 Christopher Hele, Lieutenant, R. N. [i84n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ JONATHAN NESBIT TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN1 ] G. L'Orient, Sept. 22d, 1779. oir, — By the Brig Retaliation, Capt. Kolloch, which left Philadelphia the 10th August, I have received letters informing me that Capt. G. Conyngham, late com mander of the Cutter Revenge, had the misfortune to be taken last spring by the Galatea and sent into New York, from whence he has been sent to England with a design to have him tryed for Piracy. They pretend to say that he took the Harwich Packet without having any commission, which your excellency must know to be false, — as I believe you were in Paris at the time that his Commission and orders were delivered him. The Commission under which he acted as Captn of the Re venge is dated, I apprehend, after the taking of the Harwich packet2 It is on this circumstance, no doubt, that the charge of piracy is founded. His first commis sion was taken from him in Dunkirk after he was put in gaol, and sent up to Paris, and I think was lodged in the hands of Monsr le Comte de Vergennes. I have to request that your Excellency will do everything in your power to prevent this poor fellow from suffering. Considering the smallness of his vessel and the difficulty he labored under when he first left France, he has done a great deal for the service of his country. He has done 1 In Hale's Franklin in France, Vol. I, pp. 344—5. 2 Nesbit is here wrong. The first commission was dated March 1 , 1777 ; the second, May 2 of the same year. The Harwich packet was taken on May 7. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM so much harm to the enemy that he can expect no mercy at their hands, and if they can find any pretence what ever, they will certainly destroy him. Capt. Kolloch informs me that he was sent home in irons. I should certainly have heard from him was he not already con fined. I once more take the liberty to recommend the unhappy man's case to your excellency's particular attention. I have the honor to be wth great respect, Jonathan Nesbit. [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO JONATHAN NESBIT1 ] o- _ Passy, September 29, 1779. Captain Conyngham has not been neglected. As soon as I heard of his arrival in England, I wrote to a friend2 to furnish him with what money he might want, and to assure him that he had never acted without a commis sion. I have been made to understand in answer that there is no intention to prosecute him, and that he was accordingly removed from Pendennis Castle and put among the common prisoners at Plymouth, to take his turn for exchange. The Congress, hearing of the threats to sacrifice him, put three officers in close confinement to abide his fate, and acquainted Sir George Collier with their determination, who probably wrote to the 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence, Vol. Ill, p. 350. 2 Mr. Digges. See p. 183. CI863 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM British Ministers. I thank you for informing me what became of his first commission. I suppose I can now easily recover it, to produce on occasion. Probably the date of that taken with him, being posterior to his cap ture of the pacquet, made the enemy think that they had an advantage against him. But when the English gov ernment have encouraged our sailors intrusted with our vessels to betray that trust, run away with the vessels, and bring them into English ports, giving such traitors the value as if good and lawful prizes, it was foolish imprudence in the English commodore to talk of hang ing one of our captains for taking a prize without com mission. I have the honour to be, with great esteem, sir, B. Franklin. [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO M. DE SARTINE1 ] Passy, October 19, 1779. I received the letter your excellency did me the honor of writing to me the 14th instant relating to the claim of Francois Vermeille to be paid wages and prize money due to him from Captain Cunningham, commander of the Revenge privateer. I find on inquiry that the said Vermeille and several other French sailors who said 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. Ill, pp. 386-387. ci87n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM they had belonged to that vessel, having been a long time imprisoned in England, were exchanged by the last cartel. When they passed through this place on their return to Dunkirk I gave them some money to help them on their journey, and advised them to apply to Mr. Coffin, our present agent there, who I supposed could inform them who it was that did the business of equipping Cap tain Cunningham, and must therefore know what men were shipped, on what terms, what they had received in advance, and what prizes were taken (of all which I was totally ignorant), and by that means ascertain their claims, in which I desired Mr. Coffin to assist them, so that I might take the proper means of obtaining for them what is their due. Mr. Coffin wrote me a letter in answer to my request, of which I enclose a copy. Mr. Deane and Mr. Hodge, who were concerned in that enterprise, are neither of them at present in France, but Mr. Deane is soon expected here. Captain Conyngham is now a prisoner in England, but I hope will soon be exchanged and appear here. Nothing is more just than that these men should be paid what is really due to them; but as I had no concern in the affair and never saw any account of the prizes taken and know nothing of the agreement made with the sailors, it is impossible for me to adjust their claims. All I can do is to com municate them to the proper persons and solicit, which I shall do warmly, that justice be done. With great respect, etc. D88n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO M. LE BRUN1 ] q. . Passy, October 25, 1779. Mr. Arthur Lee has not been recalled, the States in Congress being equally divided on the question; but he has mentioned to me his intention of returning im mediately to America, as no certain provision has been made for his support in Spain. Captain Conyngham was sent to England in irons, to be tried for his life as a pirate. The Congress ordered some English prisoners of equal rank to be put in irons, by way of reprisal, to abide his fate. Since his arrival in England his irons have been taken off and he is treated as the other prisoners, and will probably soon be exchanged. Here are a number of Frenchmen that had served with him, and being put on board one of his prizes afterwards carried into England, were kept pris oners there till lately, when he exchanged them. They demand their wages and a share of his prizes. I shall be obliged to Messrs. de Lagfaner for any information they may be pleased to send me. What has been done with the produce of these prizes sold in Spain? With great respect, etc. 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. Ill, pp. 393-394. L^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN1 ] Dr Sir,— Amsterdam, Nov. 18th, 1779. I have the pleasure to inform you that on the 3d in stant, with about 50 of our unfortunate countrymen, broke out of Mill prison. I brought 3 officers with me. I came by the way of London, it being the safest. At London we meet with our good friend Mr. Digges, who did everything in his power to serve me and all his countrymen that chance to fall in his way. Happy we to have such a man among that set of tyrants they have in that country. The treatment I have received is un paralleled. Irons, dungeons, hunger, the hangmans cart I have experienced. I shall set off from here the 19th for Dunkirk. There I shall be glad to hear from you. I shall always be ready to serve my country, and happy should I be to be able to come alongside some of those petty tyrants. I find something of the effects of my confinement. In a short time wil be able to retaliate. I should at this time go out with Capt. Jones or in the squadron, could I have heard from you. I should be glad to go for the Continent if a good opportunity served. In this I shall take your advice, and act accord ingly. The cash Mr. Digges supplied me with, and some necessaries I got at Plymouth the amt could not procure; the friend we have at Plymouth is obliged to act with the greatest caution. Mr. Redmond Conyng ham, in Ireland, has ordered me some little supply through the hands of David Hartley of London, a mor- tel enemy of America by all accounts. From your most obet and very humble servt, G CONYNGHAM. 1 In Hale's Franklin in France, Vol. I, pp. 346-7. c^on CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] c. Passy, Nov. 22, 1779. oir, — It gave me great pleasure to hear of your escape out of prison, which I first learnt from 6 of the men who broke out with you and came to France in a boat. I was then anxious lest you should be retaken, and I am very glad indeed to hear of your safe arrival at Amsterdam. I think it will be best for you to stay awhile at Dunkirk, till we see what becomes of the little squadron from Holland, for which it is said the English are lying in wait with a superior force. The Congress resented ex ceedingly the inhuman treatment you met with, and it ordered three English officers to be confined in the same manner, to abide your fate. There are some Frenchmen returned to Dunkirk who were put by you into one of your first prizes, which was afterwards carried into England. I wish you would adjust their claims of wages, prize money, &c, and put them in a way of getting what may be due to them. I write to Mr. Coffyn by this post, to supply you with necessaries. You will be as frugal as possible, money being scarce with me, and the calls upon me abundant. With great esteem, Lhave, &c. 1 In Hale's Franklin in France, Vol. I, pp. 347-8. CI90 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ JOHN PAUL JONES TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN1 ] (Extract) Alliance, Texel, Novr. 29th. 1779 I wrote from Amsterdam the nth. Octr. a letter to you which I fear has miscarried. I have the pleasure to inform you that Capt. Cunningham is now here with me. Extract from the Journals of Congress, December I J, I77Q2 A memorial of Christopher Hele, was read, praying to be exchanged, and to have leave to go to New York upon his parole for a few days, to procure a person in his room:3 Resolved, That Mr. Hele be informed that the prayer of his memorial cannot be granted until Captain Cun ningham is released, as it has been determined that he must abide the fate of that officer. 1 In the Franklin Papers (Library of Congress), 193—247. 2 Journals of the Continental Congress, Vol. XV, p. 1373. 3 This memorial, dated December 10, is in the Papers of the Con tinental Congress, No. 41, IV, folio 99. D92n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN1 ] . , _. Texel Road, December 22, 1779. Honourable Sir,— I wrote you last from Amsterdam. At that time in formed of my going to Dunkirk; but meeting with Comd. Jones prevented me, and supposing the Alliance will be ordered home as soon as she may get to France. The hurry I was obliged to leave England could not get my account with me. Mr. Digges was to send it to Dunkirk as soon as he could get it from Plymouth. I hope ere this you have a settlement from the Geoine of the prizes left in care of Mr. Lagoanese & Co. Should be glad to know the result in that quarter. The two west india men that was given up by the Court of France, they paying the captors. I must think we have an undoubted right to be paid for the packet and Brig. of . The Brig had a valuable cargo. In reality they should [pay] for the confinement we were under. I shall acquaint you of the many favours I received since I became a captive, ist, in New York, that Sir George Collier ordered irons on my legs, with a centry on board the ship. Mr. Collier going on an expedition ordered me to jaole, there put me into the condemned room. The first night a cold plank my bed, a stone for a pillow. 2nd night allowed a something to lay on ; in this horrid room was kept for eight days without the least morsel of bread, or anything but water, from the keeper of the 1 In the Complete Works of Benjamin Franklin (ed. Bigelow, 1888), Vol. VI, p. 482. D93n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM prison. After many notes, &c, sent to the jailer, at last he made his appearance. After expostulating of the impropriety of such treatment he told me he had such orders, but would take it upon himself to release me on my giving him my strongest assurances I would not make my escape. I readily consented, — it not being in the power of man to get out of the condemned room. By all accounts this the first instance of this jailers hu manity. A creature after Clinton's own heart. In the prison of New York I continued till that tyrant Collier returned. A stranger to his mode of war would be cer tain he was from Gambia, or that quarter. Then I was told to get ready to go on board the prison-ship, was moved to a separate apartment in the prison ; then a pair of criminal irons put on my legs, weight 50 pounds; at the door, put into the hangman's cart,— all in form as if bound to the gallows. I was put then into a boat and took alongside of the Raisonable then showed a paper, signed Commd. Jones, ordering me to be sent to Eng land in the packet. In those Irons I was brought to Pendennis Castle. Then not contented, they manacled my hands with a new fashioned pair of ruffels fitted very tite. In this condition I was kept there 15 or 16 days, then brought to Plymouth and lodged in the black hole for eight days, before they would do me the honour of committing me on suspicion of high treason on his maj esties high seas; then put into) Mill prison, where we committed treason through his earth and made our es cape. This, Sir, is an account of their favors, insults excepted. I must acquaint your excellency that the poor unfortunate prisoners in Plymouth are in a most distressed situation. The donation, when I left that had been at 6d per week. I am afraid could they not be CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM exchanged soon, will be obliged to enter in their service. They cannot live on the Government allowance. I hope to have the favour of a letter from you. I am, sir, Your most obedient servant, G. Conyngham. [ JOHN ADAMS TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS1 ] q- Paris, February 17, 1780. It is necessary that I should inform Congress in what manner I have been able to procure money to defray my expenses in my long journey through the greatest part of Spain and France to this city. On my arrival at Ferrol I was offered the loan of money by the French consul, M. de Tournelle, who at the same time told me there was a gentleman at Co runna, M. Michael Lagoanere, who had heretofore acted as an American agent at that place, and who would be very happy to supply me. On my arrival at Corunna, M. Lagoanere did me the honor of a visit, and offered me every assistance in cash, otherwise tell ing me at the same time he had some money in his hands which he supposed belonged to the United States, being part of the proceeds of some prizes heretofore made by Captain Cunningham. That this money, however, had been attached in his hands by some Spanish merchant, who had commenced a lawsuit against 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. Ill, p. 499. Ci95n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Captain Cunningham. I accordingly received three thousand dollars for myself and Mr. Dana, and a letter of credit on the house of Cabarous, at Bayonne, for as much more as I should have occasion for. On our arrival at Bayonne Mr. Dana and I received of that house fifty louis d'ors, and a bill of exchange on another house of the same name and family at Bordeaux for the like sum, our expenses having exceeded all our compu tations at Corunna, as our journey was necessarily much longer than we expected, on account of the uncommon bad weather and bad roads. This bill was paid upon sight. So that, upon the whole, we have received the amount of seventeen thousand four hundred livres, all on account of M. Lagoanere, of Corunna. Of this sum Mr. Dana has received the amount of four thousand nine hundred and seventy-one livres and fifteen sols, and I have received twelve thousand four hundred and twenty-eight livres and five sols, for which sums we desire to be respectively charged in the treasury books of Congress. As this money is expended, if M. Lagoanere should draw upon us for it, all the authority we have to draw upon his excellency the minister here will not enable us to pay it; and if M. Lagoanere should be so happy as to avoid the attachment and leave us to account with Con gress for this money, the small sum we are empowered to receive from his excellency will go a very little way in discharging our expenses. We must, therefore, pray that Congress would forward us authority to draw upon his excellency for the amount of our salaries annually, which, without all doubt, will be paid. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect etc. John Adams. CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ GEORGE HOOPER TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] Capt Gustavus Conyngham 3JUY 7 Sir By letter from Messrs. Holdsworth and Co. of Dartmouth acquainting me of your being carried to Plimouth, I now Inclose you a letter from Mr. Thos. Hockley of Philadelphia under cover of one to me dated Augt. 7th. 1779 Desiring me to give you Creditt ... as this will be Handed you by my Friend Joseph Squires Esqr. I have Desired him to take your bill on me for £20 or 30 should your Necessitys Require more a future Draft shall be duly Honoured, in your bills please to say to be placed to Acct. of Mr. Thos. Hock ley, of Philadelphia, I hope soon we may meet as Friends, att present I can only wish you a speedy re covery of your Health and am Sir Your most Humble St Geo Hooper (Addressed to Capt Gustavus Conyngham, att Ply mouth, pr favor of Joseph Squires Esqr.) 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. D97n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ JONATHAN NESBITT TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] Dear Sir l'Orient July 26th: 1780 Your Letter of the 10th: Inst: which I receiv'd by the way of Morlaix, gave me great pleasure altho' dated from a Prison, for now your friends know where you are it is in their power to render you some assistance. you cannot conceive how unhappy we were to hear of your being taken ; the more so as we understood you had fallen into the hands of a man who treated you with great inhumanity, and Doctor Brooke wrote his friends here that you were in a very poor state of health. I wrote last Post to Doctor Franklin, & represented to him your situation, and doubt not but he will use his utmost endeavors to get you exchanged as soon as pos sible, and like [letter is here torn] ith money or a Credit to En [torn away] and purchase such things as may [torn away] your health.— but for fear that the multi plicity of business may prevent him from remitting you immediately, I have wrote this day to my Banker in Paris to order his Correspondent in London to honor your drafts to the amount of Fifty pounds sterling, and at same time to desire his said Correspondent to write you immediately to acquaint you thereof, but at same time if Mr. Franklin gives you a sufficient Credit, or furnishes you with money, I must request that you will not make use of mine. It will give me great pleasure to hear that you are 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. CI983 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Exchanged, & to see you here shortly where you will have constant opportunity^ of returning home. I have lately receiv'd Letters from my Brother who seems very anxious for your return [torn away] a fine Ship [torn away] I must desire above all things that you will endeavor to regain your health for which purpose it is Necessary that you should keep up your Spirits. Consider how many men there are in your situation who have no friends in a Capacity to render them the smallest assis tance, whereas you have many that are able & willing to render you every service. I remain with Sentiments of the most sincere friendship Dear Sir Your most hble Servt. Jonatn. Nesbitt. [ GEORGE HOOPER TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] London 25 Augt. 1780 Capt. Gustavus Conyngham Sir I duly Rec'd. yours of the 7th Covering one for Mr. Thos. Hockley which I shall forward by the first good ship. I have made Inquiery att ye. Sick & Wounded if any 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. L*I993 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Exchange of prisoners is soon expectd. Rec'd for answer that nothing of the kind is expected yett I am Glad to hear you are Recovering your Health again, its what I wish you a long Continuance off and am Sir your obdt Humble St. Geo. Hooper (Addressed to Capt Gustavus Conyngham, Mill Prison, Plymouth) [ JONATHAN NESBITT TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] t-. r> , L'Orient Tany. 24th, 178 1 Dear Conyngham j j t j / I this day receiv'd your Letter of the 25th. Deer: which really gave me pleasure tho' dated in Prison, for I had heard of your escape & being retaken, & really feard that hard treatment had put an end to your exis tence & sufferings together — the Papers inclosed in your Letter are sent forward this day for Philadelphia, and I have caus'd Copys to be taken (fearing that the orig inals might miscarry) which shall be forwarded by other Vessels very shortly.— I hope Congress will take your situation into Consideration, & order one or more British officers to be treated in the same manner that you have been, untill satisfaction is made you; but can not flatter you that they will do so, for the English officers that are Prisoners to the Americans are treated 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. Ooon CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM like Gentlemen (tho' few of them deserve the Caracter) whilst the Americans in the power of the English are treated like Dogs or worse than Dogs.— Almost the only instance of Retaliating was on advice being receiv'd of your treatment at New York & being sent to England in Irons, when the Congress thought proper to order a British officer then at Philadelphia on his Parole, into Prison, from which he was however releas'd in a very short time in Complaining of a slight indisposition. The person in London employ'd to pay you the money which I order'd you, has constantly declared that he found it impossible, except thro' the hands of the Com missary, whom he had no orders to trust with it. I in tend this day to give fresh orders, and at same time beg that you will endeavor to inform me if I can by any means convey money directly into your hands. — point out how it can be done & you may be assured of my attention thereto. There are several very fine American Vessels now in this Port, all strongly Armed, by which I have Accounts from America as late as the 23d Deer, when every thing was favorable on our side— the American Privateers met with amazing success, not only the owners, but the officers & Seamen made fortunes, — I wish you were at liberty to take a turn amongst them & remain very sincerely Dear Conyngham Your most hble Servt: Jonath : Nesbitt. P:S : I do not know how it happend that I did not in form you in my last Letters that your Negro boy Tom is Dead this long time. [>oin CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ JONATHAN NESBITT TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] ^. r, , L'Orient May 2d. 1781. Dear Conyngham J ' I have receiv'd your several favors of the 15 & 31st. March & 10th, April, the last of which came to hand this day. I cannot possibly answer particularly what you say about the Negro boy Tom, but on Mr. Coffyn's writing me that he was unwell & desiring to know what should be done with him, I requested that he would endeavor to get him cured & that I would be answerable for the expences. Shortly after I heard of his Death, and at same time an account of sd : Expences was trans mitted me; — as for Fitzgerald, nothing could be ex pected from him, for the Boy was almost always sick, and four years past I was told by Doctor that he could not live long.— besides poor Fitzgerald, was, & still is if living, Disorder'd in his sences in such a manner as to be incapable of doing anything. I have very little at present to say, being without any News from America,— the English may bragg as much as they will, but they have little to brag of in America, where our brave Troops never meet them in equal Num bers, but what they defeat them, and from the last accots ; which come by the way of Spain, there is great Reason to hope that the infamous Arnold & his Army will meet the same fate as Burgoyne. Mrs. Conyngham will write you this Post — she has determined to stay here untill she hears further from 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. [202n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM you, in which I think she is quite right, for certainly a Journey to England would be attended with many difficultys & disagreeable Circumstances, besides if an exchange was to take place, you might happen to be in this kingdom by the time she arrivd in England. — for my part I have heard no mention of an exchange of Prisoners, but wish most ardently that it may take place. — such a thing might be readily brought about if there were any English, Prisoners to the Americans, in this kingdom, but this is not the case, and I have already mention'd to you that there are no American Vessells cruizing in these Seas. I have receiv'd powers of Attorney from Wm : Reed & Lambert Murphy to receive their part of Prize Money due for the prizes taken, by, & their services on board the Privateer called the Due de Coigni, also their orders on Monsieur Re Moyone. — you will please to inform them that I shall do everything possible to re cover their Money, but untill I hear from Granvill, I cannot say how far I may succeed. I remain, Dear Conyngham, Your most hble. servt. Jonatn : Nesbitt. (Addressed to Captn. Gustavus Conyngham, Mill Prison, near Plymouth) L"203n cruises of gustavus conyngham [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO COFFIN1 ] gir. Passy, March 23, 1781. I received your favor of the 10th. I have heard noth ing of Mr. Wharton since my former. The Ariel has not arrived, at least her arrival was not heard of at Boston the nth of February, which makes me fear she has either been taken, or has been blown off the coast of North America by the N.W. winds of that country, and is gone perhaps to Martinique. I am sorry you have had so much trouble with those people of Captain Cunningham. The affair has been very perplexing to me. The vessel was fitted out by Mr. Hodge. You certainly had no share in her or con cern in fitting her out, and it was only at my request that you took the part of those people in advising them how to ascertain their dues. Mr. Hodge was apprehended here and put into the Bastile for arming her clandes tinely in a French port, it being before the war between France and England. He is now in America; Captain Cunningham is in prison in England. When he was in Holland with Captain Jones I was in hopes he would have called at Dunkirk and then the affair might have been settled there, but he went directly to Spain, and in sailing from thence was taken. I sent to America the declaration of those men which you forwarded to me in 1779. I suppose it miscarried, for I never heard of its being received. I should be glad to serve them in ob taining their just demands, but those should be ascer- 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IV. L*204n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM tained. They would do well, therefore, to renew their declaration upon oath, and make four copies of it, to be sent by different vessels to America. I will solicit that their claims be enquired into and an order obtained for the payment of what shall appear to be their just right. This can only be done in America, for nowhere else is there any account to be found of the produce of the v With great esteem, etc. [ BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] g-r. Passy, June 20, 1781. I received with great pleasure the news of your being safely arrived at Dunkirk. Mrs. Conyngham is not yet come to Paris. I believe she has continued at L'Orient ever since her arrival. I shall write to her to-day to acquaint her with your escape. Now you are at Dunkirk, I wish you would settle the demand of a number of men who went out with you from thence and were taken in a prize and carried into England. They have long worried me to be their ad vance money and wages and prize money, in which I could do nothing, having no information of what might be due to them. The minister here has applied to me in their behalf ; and I know not what answer to make him till I hear from you. j ^ etc 1 MSS. Department of State; printed in Wharton's Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IV. oc^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Memorial of Gustavus Conyngham to Congress1 To the Honorable the Delegates of the United States of North America in General Congress Assembled— The Memorial of Gustavus Cunyngham Most Hum bly Sheweth— That your Memorialest on the first Day of March 1777 received from the Honorable Commissioners of the United States of North America at the Court of France a Commission of Congress appointing him a Captain in the Navy of the said States and to Command a Vessel then fitting out at Dunkirk on their Account, to Cruize against their Enemies, in which Vessel your Memorialist took the English Packet Boat going from Harwich to Holland, But there being no war at that time Between France and England and the Clandestine Equipment of an Armed Vessel in a French Port to Cruize against the English being therefore an Unjusti fiable Proceeding, your Memorialist was apprehended by Order of the French Government and his papers seized among which was the said Commission, which was never restored to your Memorialist and Cannot now be found, all which facts are duly Certified by the Honble Benjamin Franklin Minister Plenepotentiary for the United States of America at the Court of France given at Passy the 7th day of August in the year of our Lord 1782 a true Copy of which Certificate / the origi- 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 152. C2o6n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM nal remaining in the Hands, of Colo Walter Stewart of the Pennsylvania Line / is hereunto annexed, That your Memorialist is Desirous of being placed in the same Situation he was by virtue of the said Commission, He therefore prays Congress to take his Case into Con sideration and either by a New Commission to be Granted him for that purpose or otherwise as to Con gress shall seem best to reinstate him in his former Situ ation. And Your Memorialist will ever pray &c Gustavus Conyngham. Certificate issued by Benjamin Franklin1 I do hereby Certify whom it may Concern that the Commissioners of the United States of America at the Court of France, Did issue on the first day of March One thousand seven hundred and seventy seven to Cap tain Gustavus Conyngham a Commission of Congress appointing him a Captain in the Navy of the said States and to Command a Vessel then fitting out at Dun- kerque on their account to Cruise against their Enemies, in which Vessel he took the English packet Boat going from Harwich to Holland but there being no war at that time Between France & England, and the Clandes tine Equipment of an Armed Vessel in a French port to Cruise against the English being therefore an unjus- 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, II, folio 154. C207n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM tifiable proceeding He was apprehended by Order of the French Government and his papers seized, among which was the said Commission, which was never re stored and Cannot now be found. It is therefore that at the request of the said Capt. Conyngham, and to ascertain the Fact that such a Commission was issued to him, I give this Certificate at Passy this 7th day of August 1782. B. Franklin (Seal.) Minister plenepotentiary from the United States of America at the Court of France. Report of the Committee of the War1 [October 13, 1783] The Committee of the War report That the Memorial of Gustavus Conyngham be re ferred to the Agent of Marine and on the facts stated in the Memorial being made appear Resolved that he take order for carrying the prayer of the Memorialist into effect. 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 32, folio 523. C2osn CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Report of Committee of Congress on Conyngham Memorial1 [January 5, 1784J The Committee to whom was referred a Memorial from Gustavus Conyngham praying for the renewal of a Commission of Captain in the Navy of the U. S. receiv'd from the Commissioners in Paris in 1777 & lost by him, or to be re-instated in his former situation beg leave to report that such Commissions were in tended for temporary expeditions only & not to give rank in the Navy; & therefore that the prayer of the said Memorialist cannot be granted. [ NESBITT & CO. TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM2 ] Philadelphia, Dec. 3, 1781. Captn. G. Conyngham Dear Sir The foregoing is Copy of our last of St. James to which refer. DWC was yesterday favoured with yours 1 Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, I, folio 621. 2 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. [209n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM 1 8th Septn. to Captn. Josiah in respect to what you mention of coppering the new Ship we have wrote J N & Co. and directed them to act as you and them thought most for the Owners advantage, we again request you will not leave Europe untill all your affairs at Conrunna are fully settled and hope you will be able to lodge the money due there in J N & Co's hands otherwise neither you nor us will ever have any satisfaction made us, in respect to your affairs in our hands both before you went to Juland or what you lodged with us when last here the Ballances still remain with us unemployed the prin cipal Reason for this was that we never thought the British would have sent you to England we daily ex pected your Release and as we were constantly building fine vessels we always supposed you would be glad to take the Command and an Interest in one of them be sides as we never had any positive Order to employ your money we decided it most prudent to keep it ready for you. You'l observe we paid Mrs. C. several large sums and the Money due you by Patrick Moore never came to our Hands. Mr. Joseph Wilson claims fifteen Guineas as advanced you in England and which we mean to pay Him and Mr. Diggs writes his Brother he has a Demand on us for the same amount this with the Money advanced Mrs. C. on her going to France re duces your continental Ballance considerably & you'l observe that the Ballance due you by Mr. Enkine of Boston never has been settled nor any of it paid us that Gentn. was on board the Shililah & perished we pre- C2ion CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM sume with her his Partner Mr. Donnatona will soon administer to his Estate & we shall take Care of your Claim on so short Notice we have not been able to make you any Remittance by this Vessell but we shall take care to do it as soon as possible & before you are ready to leave France as to your Demands on the Brig Peggy both for the Bill you mention and other Moneys and for Her if J N has recovered any thing from her affairs its proper you should have that Amount settled & paid by Him & this we hope he is enabled to do long e'er this though we have not lately heard from him on the Subject we hope you will soon get the ship in the Water & that you will make up by your Success in Her for past Misfortunes, the Success of Troops in capturing the Brit ish Army under D. Cornwallis will probably make some Alteration in Affairs in Europe if so tho your Ship may cost high She may still be a valuable Vessell as a Merchantman for peaceable Times & in such a Trade you would no Doubt have great Satisfaction though we think you are intituled to a little Revenge all Friends join in wishes for your safety I am with Compliments to Mrs. C. Yr. humble Servants I. M. Nesbitt & Co. oun r— I l_I ACCOUNT PRESENTED BY GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM' THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, OWNERS OF THE LUGGER SURPRISE & CUTTER REVENGE To GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM, Dr. To Amount of my acct. rendered to the late Board of Treasury To do. Account omissions herewith It is to be observed, that in the Settlement of this account, I am at least entitled to Interest at the rate of 6 p cent per Annum from the 25th day of March 1779 (when I exhibited my claim before the Navy Board) but in strict Equity an Interest ought to commence on the Prize Money at the time of the completion of the Sales, and on my Disbursements from the Date of the Advances- G Conyngham Endorsed on back Coppy of Acct left in the Auditors Office Novr. it. 1 791 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. Martinique Cy Reals Villon Sterling Penn. Cur rency 2892 /,9n 21,29328,289 5 11 2381 //IO 633 48 18 £2892 ,i9n R49,582 „i6 £2381 //IO £681 18 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM [ ALEXANDER HAMILTON TO GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM1 ] o- . Treasury Department July 5th 1793 I have to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the ist instant, respecting your claim upon the United States, and to assure you that a report on the Petition, which was referred to me, will be made to Congress next session. T 0. 1 am, Sir, Your obedt. Servant, Capt. Gustavus Conyngham. A HAMILTON. [Endorsements by Conyngham^ Capt. Conyngham once more takes the liberty of stat ing to the Secretary of the Treasury— that his old claim for services rendered to the United States during the last war— still remains undecided on, The Secretary of the Treasury having assured Capt. Conyngham by note dated July 5th 1793 that a report on his petition would be made to Congress at their next Session — he begs leave to urge to the Secretary his anxiety to have it one way or the other as speedily as possible determined— 31st March 1794. Philade. 28th May 1794 Capt Conyngham feels himself under the necessity of stating— that from the assurances of the Secretary of 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. o^n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the Treasury— he has anxiously waited for the Secy. report on his petition this Session of Congress— but as it has not yet been made— Cap. Conyngham once more earnestly requests the Secretary to report before the Close of the present Session— as it is a matter of impor tance to him to have it speedily decided. Phila. Dec. 8th. 94 No report having yet been made on Cap. Conyng ham's Petition to Congress— and the Sect, of the Treas ury having explicitly assured the Cap. that it should be done during their last Session of Congress, He earnestly urges to the Secretary his great anxiety to have this tedi ous business determined if possible in the Course of the present Session— it being to the Cap. of serious impor tance. Petition of Gustavus Conyngham to Congress1 Philadelphia Deer. 26 1797 To the Honourable the Senate & House of Representa tives of the United States of America in Congress Assembled. The petition of Gustavus Conyngham Respectfully Sheweth That he feels it incumbent on him once more to apply 1MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. L2I4n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM to your honourable Body, on a subject which has been of equal Anxiety and Importance to him, for many years past, without having been able to obtain any De cision on his Claim on the United States To re capitulate to your honourable Body his services and dangers during his command of the Revenge Cutter, or to paint in just and glowing Colours, the cruel & grevious Sufferings he experienced, during a long tedi ous captivity, would be at this time irrelative to the sole object of this petition, which is simply to request of your Honbl. Body, that his claim, of compensation for ser vices rendered to his country, during her revolutionary War ; should be decided on Altho' he has sent peti tion after petition, to the proper Authority from the year 1779, until his last petition to your Honble. Body in the year 1793, yet it remains to this day in the same state of Doubt & uncertainty to him, no investigation or report having yet been made.— The nature of the Claim of your petitioner will be explicitely stated by him, to whom your Honourable Body, may think proper to refer it. That a speedy en quiry may be made, and an early decision adopted by your Honble. Body, is the Earnest & Solemn Prayer, of your Petitioner.— Gustavus Conyngham. [2i5n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Observations on the Report of Benjamin Walker Esq to the late Board of Treasury on the Subject of Capt. Gustavus Conyngham's claim against the United States, as commander of the Lugger Surprize & the Cutter Revenge.1 ist First. The Lugger Surprize was purchased, & fit ted out by order of the Commissioners of the United States, and my commission given to me by Doctor Franklin in Paris ; which commission, was sign'd by John Hancock, the then President of Congress, & dated in Philadelphia the 2nd. of May 1777; Attested by Charles Thompson Secy. — The revenge was also purchased, & fitted out by the same direction. 2nd. I know nothing of this, as I did not then, nor do I yet suppose it my duty to inquire into the costs and outfitts of the vessels I commanded. 3rd. The Lugger Surprize was never in my possession after I was cast into prison at Dunkirk— She re mained there when I left that place in the Revenge Cutter. 4th. Several Prizes were made and put into the hands of Messrs. Legoneire & Co, how the Proceeds were disposed of I do not particularly know, but Messrs. Legoneire & Co. had the American Commissioners orders respecting them. See Copy of Arthur Lee 1 MSS. in the collection of Mr. James Barnes. c2i6n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Esq.'s Letter to Legoneire & Co. Dated Paris 21st Nov. 1777. 5th. I received a Letter from Mr. Silas Dean to this purport, but I paid no regard thereto, as I afterwards received orders from the American Commissioners at Paris contradicting those of Mr. Dean, and directing me to put my Prizes into the hands of Messrs. Gar doqui & Sons, and the principal Merchants at Co runna & Cadiz. — See the Commissioners Letters to Me dated 19th April, 1778 6th. What Mr. Walker here states is by no means the fact. — No such transaction took place, nor was any change made at Saint Antonio. I sailed from thence under my old Papers, in January 1778, and arrived soon after at Bilboa, where I was obliged to change my Articles, as I could not obtain a Crew to sail under the old ones, or to engage for any term beyond a Cruize, but those Articles (unless in this particular), differed very little from the old ones, as the Crew engaged to be govern'd by the regulations made for Seamen in the Continental Service. At Bilboa I paid the Crew their Wages by order of Mr. Gardoqui, from whom I received money for that purpose, Mr. Hodge at the same time made some settlement with the Crew for their prize money— This the Crew in sisted should be done, by what authority Mr. Hodge acted I do not know, but I suppose under that of the American Commissioners. I made no settlement whatever with Mr. Hodge. The Several Officers mentioned by Mr. Walker as having deposed, that "I readily subscribed to private articles put on board L"2i7n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM by Mr. Hodge" were Dr. Smith (a man of a very troublesome & mutinous disposition) his servant boy and one Marine Officer. 7th. The Revenge did take a number of Prizes, all of which I put into the hands of the Principal Mer chants of Bilboa, Corunna & Cadiz, and not "into the hands of Mr. Hodge," as Mr. Walker asserts in his report. This will fully appear by the Letters of those Agents to the American Commissioners. 8th. I always acted under the orders of the Commis sioners, and none other. I understood (merely by hearsay) that money was advanced by private per sons, but did not know the terms of such advance, and I never received the smallest shadow of orders from any private person or persons whatever. 9th. I know nothing of the first part of this Article of report. The two little expeditions, as they are called, I will know were made under the immediate orders of Dr. Franklin & Mr. Dean, the then Commissioners in France, and I never received a Letter from Mr. Ross, much less instructions from him and Mr. Hodge. 10th. This assertion I know nothing of. 1 ith. Under such Articles as were signed at Bilboa the Revenge sailed to Martinique, yet this did not render her less a public vessell. — Mr. Bingham, the Ameri can Agent there, disposed of her as such. See Mr. Binghams Letters. 12. This Article of report needs no reply. 13th. When the revenge came into the Port of Philada. [>i8n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM the Navy Board took the direction of her, and under the orders & direction of that Board she was sold. As to the claims of Mr. Hodge & Mr. Nesbitt I am ignorant of them, but suppose the American Com missioners Letters will explain their foundations. 14 Doctor Franklin as well as Mr. Dean well knew the purpose for which the Lugger Surprize & the Cutter Revenge were bought; and so far was it from the American Commissioners refusing to have any concrn with them, that it was by their and their Agents express orders I was uniformly and at all times governed, and into their and their Agents hands the Proceeds of the Prizes went. See the orders of Mr. Secy. Carmichal & others. The last paragraph in this Article of Mr. Walkers report does not merit any other reply than that if any such transaction ever took place I am totally ignorant of it— 15 This Article of report I know nothing of 16 The American Commissioners Letters1 and orders to me and to the different Agents will plainly shew she was always considered as a public vessell. See the American Commissioners Letter to me Dated 19th April 1778 Arthur Lee Esqr. do to Legoneire & Co Novemb 21st 1777 Ditto. . . . Do. to me . . . . April 26th 1778 Ditto. . . . Do. do J any 16th. 1778 1 Not found. C2i9n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM This last letter was laid before the Navy Board in Philadelphia, but it seems cannot now be found.— 17 I admit that the command I was engaged in was intricate in its nature, but I must observe that I did all in my power to prevent any obscurity in the busi ness, so far as related to myself & the Commissioners, under whose authority I acted, and at as early a period as I possibly could laid my claim before the Navy Board in Philadelphia. I know not what Mr. Walker calls sufficient evidence to prove or Justify the idea of the Vessels being private property— for my own part I know of no such evidence existing, nor did I ever consider myself under the direction of any private person or persons. — 18 The Officers alluded to by Mr. Walker were Doc tor Smith, the Master at Arms, & the Steward.— If these men come under the description of Officers of the Vessell their testimony might carry some weight, but their assertions are altogether groundless.— Any Gentleman acquainted with Naval transactions must know that men who fill these capacities on board a Vessell of War is altogether deprived of the necessary information to substantiate an assertion of this nature. —The Idea of my dismission and the Command be ing given to another is distitute of the smallest shadow of truth. It must appear that I did not receive my instructions from Mr. Hodge, but from Mr. Car michael, Secretary to the American Commissioners at Paris, which will fully appear by refering to that [2200 CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Gentlemans Letter to me Dated Dunkirk July 15th. 1777.-1 19th. Mr. Carmichael came down to Dunkirk for the express purpose of giving me my instructions, but such was the delicacy of our then situation, that great caution and secrecy was necessary to be observed, and the Idea of my receiving instructions from Mr. Hodge is utterly void of any foundation or truth. I believe it will be found that none of the Seamen, who are charged with monies paid them, have pretended to deny the receipt thereof at the times they stand charged therewith. The men who are said in the re port to have sworn that they had not received any wages must have been those seamen who were taken in prizes.— If the Navy Board have paid any other they must have paid them to their own prejudice or that of the United States.— 20th. I am very confident (and hope it will not be doubted by any) that I am Justly entitled to all my pay, and a full & compleat reimbursment of all mon ies advanced on account of these vessels — I also think myself entitled to two twentieths of all prizes sent into Port agreeably to an express Resolve of Congress. The information I have received of the Wl amount of Prizes was from the different agents who received & sold such prizes, and not from Mr. Hodge, as Mr. Walker supposes— I know not how the inference is drawn that Mr Hodge was possessed of the amount of those Sales, but I believe that on inquiry it will be 1 See p. 64. L*22in CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM found that the Agents have furnished the American Commissioners with particular statements of the Sales of all the Prizes. — I must further observe that the amounts have not been exactly charged in the ac counts I have heretofore laid before the late board of Treasury, but as nearly so as I was able from the information I was then possessed of. 2 1 St. This was sacredly promised to me by the Ameri can Commissioners at Paris, which I can prove by living Testimony, when called on. However extraor dinary it may appear to Mr. Walker, it is not un precedented for Foreign Courts to give up prizes, for Political motives, and to pay the Captors the amount of such prizes. This has been practised in one or more instances by the Court of France during the time of the American Revolution. 22nd. This assertion is fully obviated by the Letters of the American Commissioners to me dated the 19 April 1778, wherein they direct me to put the prizes into the hands of Messrs Gardoqui & Sons, of Bilboa, and the principal Merchants of Corunna & Cadiz, which I did & I believe it can be well attested that Messrs. Lagoneire & Co were of this description— Indeed they were the only merchantile House that would make any advances on my arrival at Corunna, and it will be found by the Commissioners Letters to those Gentlemen that they by no means disapproved of their agency, but gave them instructions for the ap plication of proceeds of the prize money. I never received any instructions on this subject, either from Mr. Hodge or Mr. Conyngham, and I am utterly at [>22n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM a loss to conceive how such Idea could have origi nated with Mr. Walker, as I am confident nothing can appear to Justify such an assertion. [ EBENEZER GILBERT TO TIMOTHY PICKERING1 J Middletown June ioth 1828. Timothy Pickering Esqr. Salem. Hon. Sir, I take the liberty of addressing you this letter, invit ing you to favour me with such information as your situation will permit, while you were one of the Navy Board, at Philadelphia, in the year 1778 & 9, respecting the continental, armed Cutter, Revenge, Gustavus Con yngham Esqr. commander, of 18 guns, who arrived at or near Philadelphia, in the year 1779 from a cruise in the European & Westindia Seas. This Vessel was pur chased by order of our Minister, in f ranee ; there armed, and the command given to Gustavus Conyngham, by our minister, who was furnished with Blank Commis sions by Congress, at the beginning, of our revolution ary war. The command of this Vessel, was given to Gustavus Conyngham, after he had captured the Fal mouth Packet, the first British Commissioned Vessel, 1 Pickering MSS. in the Massachusetts Historical Society, Vol. XXXII, p. 378. [>23n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM that surrendered to the Flag, of the United States. I am particularly interested to substantiate her character, as a Vessel, belonging to Congress, and it is from you, as one of the Gentlemen of the Navy Board, at that period, that I can call upon ; the other gentlemen of that depart ment, I have no knowledge of, and suppose them dead. Mr. Matthew Lawler, of Philadelphia, who was first lieutenant, commanding on board the Cutter Revenge, referred me to you for information that may be neces sary to substantiate her character as a continental Vessel. Mr. Lawler, and myself are probably, the only surviv ing officers that belonged to her. I was surgeon on board of her in the years 1778 & 9, and hold my cer tificate of the same, from Gustavus Conyngham, commr., who told me that Congress would reward me for my services, but for which I never called, being in dependent in my circumstances; but ruinous losses having overtaken me, now in an advanced age, compen sation for services in our revolutionary war would be most acceptable, and all that is necessary for that pur pose, is to satisfy our government that she was a Vessel belonging to Congress. The Public papers of that Pe riod being partly destroyed by fire, I must solicit your kind office, on this subject, so far as your recollection will authorise you in establishing the character of the Vessel. I have been thus particular in my communication of the subject, as it may tend to freshen the memory on transactions of fifty years past. The name of Conyng ham in our little navy, at the commencement of our revolutionary war was very conspicuous. [>24n CRUISES OF GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM Any expense or trouble that my request may occasion you, will be acknowledged with gratitude. I have the honour to be, Sir Your mst. Obdt Servt. Ebenezer Gilbert. [Addressed,] Honble. Timothy Pickeringe, Salem, Masstts. per mail. [The postmark stamp is] Middletown Conn June 13. [Memorandum, in Pickering's hand,] Ebenr. Gilbert, Middletown June 10. 1828 reed. 1 6th. answd. same day. Answer. I was a member of the Continental Board of War & not of the Navy Board, & know nothing of the subject of the inquiry. C22sn INDEX Adams, John, United States Com missioner to France, 8, 195 Admiral Barrington, privateer, Capture of, table facing 152, 154. Admiralty, Lords of, asked for protection to British commerce, 55 . Aguirre, Francois, & Company, Merchants at Nantes, 132 Allen, Richard, Escape of, 95 ; Purchases the Greyhound, 56, 57, 66, 72, 73, 75, 84, 90; Re ported confined, 83, 93 ; See also Greyhound, cutter. Alliance, Continental frigate, Cruise of Conyngham in, 11, 192 Amelot, M., Minister of the Household to Louis XVI, 109, no Amphitrite, ship, 22 Amsterdam, Holland, Arrival of Conyngham at, 190, 193; Con tinental frigate building at, 35 ; Visit of agent to, 159 Anderson, Pridman, 79 Annual Register, London, ex tract from, 117 Anville, Comtesse d', 15 Aranda, Count of, 147, 148 Ardent, H. M. S., Capture of, by the French, 1 72 Arms, from Martinique, 154, 155; From Holland, 159 Arnold, Jonathan, 169, 171 Ash, James, 177 Ashley, James, 79 Audiben, George, Merchant at Marseilles, 126 Audiben, Jos., Merchant at Marseilles, 126 Bache, Richard, 178 Baggot, Captain, 69 Bailey, Benjamin, Prize master of the Northampton, 78, 79, 81, table facing 152 Bancroft, Dr. Edward, an Eng lishman in the service of the Commissioners, 61 Barbadoes, W. I., table facing 152, 154 Barclay, John, 177 Barclay, Thomas, 177 Bastille, the, Imprisonment of William Hodge in, 3, 83, 88, 90, 9L 94, 95, 96, 98, 105, 144 Beach, Captain, 37, 119 Beach, John, 168 Bean, Captain, 168, 169 Beasly, Stephen, 178 Beatty, John, Colonel, Continen tal Army, and Commissary- General of Prisoners, 174, 175, 184 Beaumarchais, Caron de, 58, 105 Bell, Captain, 42 Bell, Thomas, 178 Benezet, John, 178 Bergen, Norway, 84 Betbeder, Antoine, Merchant at Saint Sebastien, 132 Betsey, Brig, recaptured by the British, 128, table facing 152 C227n INDEX Bilbao, Spain, 5, 22, 122, 218; Prizes sent to, 5, 74 Bingham, William, Continental agent at Martinique, 8, 150, table facing 152, 153, 154, 218 Black Prince, privateer, 169 Black Prince, vessel, captured by the Revenge, 113, table facing 152 Blanche, Nicholas, 79 Bodin, Battaywz, 79 Bodin, Sanome, 79 Bogs, Nathan, 178 Boll, Alexander, 79 Bonne, Dr., 167 Bordeaux, France, 33, 58, 125, 132 Boutin, F., Merchant at St. Pierre, Martinique, 134, 135, 136 Bradford, William, 177 Brest, France, 125 Bridges, Robert, 178 Brothers, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Brown, George, 133 Brown, John, Secretary to the Board of War, 157 Brown, William, 178 Buchannan, Joseph, 79 Budden, James, 178 Budden, William, 178 Bull, Captain, 159, 163, 167 Bullock, Joseph, 178 Burford, H. B. M. S., 75 Burnell, Captain, 51 Burt, Captain, of the Willtshire Militia, 173 Bzoipi, Francois, 79 Cabarras, Dominique, Jr., Mer chant at Bordeaux, 132, 134, 135, 136 Cabarras, Dominique, Sr., Mer chant at Bayonne, 132, 196 Cadiz, Spain, 6, 126, 127 Caldwell, Andrew, 178 Caldwell, James, 177 Caldwell, Samuel, 177 Cambel, Mr., Prize master of the Revenge, 160 Camilla, H. M. S., 167 Cannon, Hugh, 133 Carbonnere, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Carmichael, William, Secretary to the Commissioners in Paris, 9, 21, 23, 24, 158; Assisting Conyngham at Dunkirk, 58—61, 140, 145; Examination of, be fore Congress, 140-144 ; Instruc tions to Conyngham, 2, 64, 142, 145, 219, 220, 221 ; To join Hodge in fitting out a cutter, 67; Visit to Dunkirk, 2, 51-53, 59, 67, 221 ; See also Hodge, William ; Conyngham, Gustavus Carding, George, 36 Cassalon & Company, Merchants at Teneriffe, 7, 132 Castle, Jay, 178 Catarelo, Alexorde, Merchant at Rivadeo, 107 Cathalan, Stephen, 42 Chadwell, William, 169 Chalmers, George, 36 Charming Peggy, brig, voyage to Holland, 9, 159 Chaulieu, M. de, French com mandant at Dunkirk, 20, 26, 36, 47, 50, 96 Chaumont, M. le Ray de, 88, 113 Cherbourg, France, 43 Choiseul, Due de, 62 Clements, James, British post master at Harwich, 46 Coauper, Lieutenant, R. N., 160, 161 Coffin, Mr., American agent at Dunkirk, 188, 191, 202, 204 Collier, Sir George, Commodore, C228n INDEX R. N., 159, 161, 181, 182, 186, 193 Commerce, British, 32 Commissioners, United States, in France, advised as to situation in Dunkirk, 59-61 ; Announce Conyngham's expected release, 31, 40; Despatches of, 13, 30, 32, 39, 112; Expenditures on account of cutters at Dunkirk, 112; Fitting out cutters at Dun kirk, 13, 23, 36; Instructions to Conyngham, 64, 125, 131, 133, 141, 218; Order the Revenge to sail on merchant voyage, 5 1 ; Plan for European naval opera tions, 33 ; Regard the Revenge as a Continental ship-of-war, 131, 141, 174, 207; Remarks on Conyngham's adventure, 30, 39; Reports by Conyngham to, 4, 116, 117; See also Frank lin, Benjamin; Deane, Silas; Lee, Arthur ; Adams, John Congress, Continental, Commis sions issued to Conyngham, 1, 2, 21, 37, 76, 77, 81, 86, 89, 140, 143, 174, 185, 187, 206, 216, 223 ; Orders to Commissary- General of Prisoners, 174, 175, 184; Examination of William Carmichael before, 1 40-144; Extracts from journals of, 152, 154, 180, 181, 192; Petitions to, by Gustavus Conyngham, 9, 206, 208, 209, 213, 214, 216; Petition to, by the inhabitants of Philadelphia, 176-178; Pe tition to, by Ann Conyngham, 179, 180; Protest of, against Conyngham's treatment, 181— 183; Retaliation on British pris oners, 186, 189, 191, 192 Congress, Continental, Commit tee of Correspondence, Reports to, by the Commissioners, 13, 30 C2 Congress, Continental, Commit tee of Foreign Affairs, Reports to, 32, 39, 149 Congress, Continental, Commit tee of the War, report of, on Conyngham's petition, 208, 209 Congress, Continental, Marine Committee, 152, 155, 156; On the British treatment of Conyng ham, 174, 175, 184 Conyngham, Ann, Petition of, to Congress, 179, 180, 202, 205 Conyngham, David H., table facing 152, 178 Conyngham, Gustavus, Captain, Continental Navy, affray at Dunkirk with English seamen, 67 ; Account of expenditures, 212; Appeals to Congress for settlement of his claims, 9, 206, 208, 209, 212, 213, 214, 216; Application for French citizen ship, 14; Arrival at Dunkirk, 9, 159; In the Texel, n, 190, 193; In the West Indies, 8; At Philadelphia, 9; Attestation of, 158; Brings arms from Mar tinique, 154, 155; Captured by the British, n, 159, 160, 174, 185; Claims for damages against, 129; Commission of, from Congress, I, 21, 37, 140, 143, 174, 185, 187, 206, 207, 209, 2 1 6, 223 ; Commissioners' re marks on his adventure, 30, 39 ; Compelled by his crew to seize neutral vessels, 4, 5, 120, 123, 133, 138, 146, 148, 149, -Com plains of unfair distribution of prize money, 125 ; Conduct of, 152; Confined in New York, 160-163, 174, 176, 179-183, 193; Confined in Mill Prison, n, 168, 184; Cruises in the German Ocean, 3, 97, 144; I" the Irish Sea, 3, 144; In the 29 n INDEX West Indies, 153, 158; Cruise in the Surprize, 145; Cruise with Jones in the Alliance, 11, 192; Cruise as privateersman under his Congress commission, n, 159; Crew of the Surprize to be included in Hodge's new cutter, 48, 67; Deane respon sible for fitting out his vessel, in; Descent upon Lynn, 97 ; Engagement with a King's cut ter, 154; Escape from Mill Prison, 11, 12, 190, 191, 194, 200; Expected at Corunna, 124; Experiences in Holland at the outbreak of war, 10; Fits out privateer Layona, 12; Fits out the Revenge, 2, 11, 58, 144, 223 ; Funds forwarded to, 197, 198; First cruise in the Chan nel, 1, 21, 96, 117, 144; French severity towards, explained, 44; Hodge security for, 59, 71, 88, 98, no; Imprisoned by the French authorities, 2, 17, 20, 24, 25, 28, 33, 45, 65, 97, 117, 142, 144; Imprisoned in Pen dennis Castle, n, 159, 165, 174, 175, 189; Instruction to, from Deane, 120; Intends re turning to France, 99, 100; Keeps British privateers in or der, 9 ; Lord Stormont's com plaint of his fitting out the Greyhound, 49 ; Maurepas' promise to punish, 80; Not al lowed to refit at Corunna, 7 ; Letters of introduction to mer chant in France and Spain, 106, 107, 108, 126, 131; Lord Stor mont's complaint of his being allowed to sail, 72 ; Orders to, from the Commissioners, 51, 52, 125, 131, 133, 141, 145, 218, 219, 221 ; Orders to, from Board of War, 157; Origin, progress and designs of, 155; Prepares for another cruise, 15, 40; Prizes of, 1, 4, 6, 45, 73, 74, 80, 97, 118, 119, 121, 123, 133, table facing 152, 154, 155, 195, 218, 221 ; Public sale of prizes at Corunna, 117; Puts into Kinehead, Ireland, 4; Refits Re venge at Ferrol, 100, 105, 109, 112; Release of, and crew, 31, 36, 40, 45, 48, 51, 54, 65; Re lease of, begged by Deane, 48; Reports concerning, 46; Re ports to the Commissioners, 4, 116, 117; Restitution of his prizes, 30, 36; Return to Dun kirk, 1, 19, 27, 29, 37, 96; Re turn to Paris, 12; Said to have secured his armament in Eng land, 92; Sails from Dunkirk in the Revenge, 50, 68, 69, 70, 85, 146; Sails in the Surprize, 1, JI, 37, 96; Sails from Co runna in the Experiment, 1 1 ; Sails from Philadelphia in the Charming Peggy, 9 ; Sailing or ders received from the commis sioners, 2, 64; Sails for the Bay of Biscay, 4; Sails from Ferrol on a cruise, 113; Sale of the Revenge, 9; Saluted by the Spanish admiral at Cadiz, 127; Second commission issued to, by Franklin, 2, 76, 77, 81, 86, 89, 185; Sent to England in irons, 11,159,164, 167,174,175,189; Sufferings of, while confined, 11, 170-173, 179-183, 190; Surprize reported restored to, 5 1 ; Transferred to prison at Plymouth, n, 168, 174, 186, 183, 184, 194, 199; Under or ders of William Bingham, 8, 150, 153, 154; See also Hodge, William ; Dunkirk, France ; Sur prize, Continental lugger; Re- L23on INDEX venge, Continental cutter ; Prizes ; Greyhound, cutter. Conyngham, Redmond, 190 Cooper, Dr., 164, 166 Cornwallis, Lord, 22, 211 Corunna, Spain, Arrival of John Adams at, 8 ; The Revenge not allow to refit at, 7 ; Visits to, by Conyngham, 4, n, 124, 153 Countess of Mouton, brig, Cap ture of, table facing 152 Courten, Captain, 121, 124 Courten, Harmon, 178 Covar, Michael, 79 Cox, Isaac, 178 Craig, James, Jr., 178 Crawford, Samuel, 177 Creutz, Comte de, Swedish Am bassador to the Court of Ver sailles, Protest against seizure of the Henrica Sophia by Con yngham, 138, 139 Cummings, Mr., 173 Dalmon, Isidro, 101 Dana, Mr., 196 Dartmouth, England, 1 1 Davis, Benjamin, 178 Davis, William, 177 Deane, Silas, United States Com missioner to France, 1, 14, 15, 21, 24, 36, 40, 42, 61, 105, no, 113, 116-118, 124, 140, 141, 143, 174, 188, 217; Begs release of Conyngham, 48 ; Has no right to dispose of Conyngham's prizes, 131 ; His account of the Dunkirk affair, 96, 97 ; Instruc tions to Conyngham, 120; In structions to Lagoanere & Co., 108, 116, 121; Responsible for the Dunkirk affair, m, 188 Dehez, Brd., 129 Delany, Sharp, 177 Delmaro, Antoine, Merchant at St. Ander, 132 Desborough, a British vessel, 69 Devoire, J. Baptiste, Merchant at Barcelona, 132 Dibiry, Martin, Merchant at Bil bao, 132 Dickinson, John, Member of the Continental Congress, 178, 181 Digges, Mr., American agent in London, 183, 190, 193, 210 Dispatch, Brig, capture of, table facing 152 Doane, Ephraim, 178 Dolphin, Continental cutter, 22, 72, 74; Ordered to be sold, 114 Donnaldson, John, 177 Dover, England, Purchase of a cutter at, by Hodge, 13 Downey, Mr., Master of the pri vateer Revenge, 160 Downey, John, 133 Driver, John, 133 Due de Coigni, Privateer, 203 Duggan, James, 133 Duncan, David, 177 Dunkirk, France, Affair at, 11, 24, 25 ; Arming of the Revenge at, 47, 58; Arrival of Conyng ham at, 9, 159; British inspector of fortifications at, 20; Conyng ham and his crew at large in, 51 ; Departure of the Greyhound from, 7, 68, 72; Fitting out of the Surprize at, 1, 21, 31, 96; King displeased with Lieutenant of Admiralty at, 92; Presence of British men-of-war off, 19, 29, 33, 57, 59, 62, 63, 68; Purchase of the Revenge at, 2, 97 ; Reports concerning Conyng ham from, 46; Return of the Surprize and her prizes to, 23, 27, 28, 37, 39, 44, 45, table facing 152 ; Revenge ordered not to return to, 48; Sailing of the Revenge from, 50, 68, 69, 70, 80, 90, 95 ; Silas Deane respon- C23O INDEX sible for the affair at, 1 1 1 ; Visit of Beaumarchais' secretary to, 58; Visit of Carmichael to, 51- 53, 67; Visits of Hodge to, 13, 42, 143 Dunn, Captain, 173 Earl Bathurst, armed ship, 128 Eden, William, of British For eign office, 15, 22, 28, 42, 58 Enterprize, H. M. S., Capture of, table facing 152 Estaign, Charles Henri Theodat, Comte d', French Admiral, 3, Etourdie, 1', French frigate, 68 Ewing, Mr., 10 Experiment, tartan, captured by the British, 1 1 ; Cruise of Con yngham in, 11 Eyre, Benjamin G., 178 Fanny, H. M., tender, 168 Fanny, snow, Capture of, table facing 152 Ferrol, Spain, Arrival of Conyng ham at, 4, 112; Refitting of the Revenge at, 100-104, 105 Fitzjames, Duke of, Regiment of the, 66 Fitzsimons, Thomas, 178 Flower, Benjamin, Colonel, Com missary-General of Military Stores, 155 Flushing, Holland, Visit of Hodge to, 13 Fogarty, James, 133 Forth, Parker, 60, 70 Foster, Alexander, 177 Franklin, Benjamin, United States Commissioner to France, 1, 26, 36, 45, 61, 67, 89, 105, 140, 146, 148, 187, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 198, 204, 205; Correspondence on Conyngham's imprisonment, 183, 185, 186; Issues captain's commission to Conyngham, I, 2, 21, 37, 76, 77, 140, 206, 207, 216; Solicits release of Conyngham, 48 ; See also Commissioners, United States, in France. Frazer, Andrew, British Inspec tor of Fortifications at Dunkirk, 20, 28, 30, 36, 47, 50, 62, 63; Announces orders to seize the Greyhound, 84; Authorized to receive Conyngham's prizes, 25 ; Informs Stormont of Conyng ham's adventure, 16, 17 Galatea, H. M. S., 160, 161, 185 Galicia, Spanish province, 4, 7, 8 Gamble, W., 178 Gardoqui & Sons, American agents at Bilbao, Spain, 81, 104, 109, 119, 124, 125, 129, table facing 152, 217, 222 George III, Satisfaction of, at honorable action of the French Court, 25 Gerard de Rayneval, Conrad Alexandre, French Minister, 14, 21, 24, 40, 53, 56, 62, 63 German Ocean, Cruise in, by Conyngham, 3, table facing 152 ; Cruise in, by Continental frig ates, 33 Gerner & Co., 101 Ghiby, Mr., Deputy Sergeant in the New York military prison, 162 Gibson, Captain, 164 Gilbert, Ebenezer, Surgeon of the Revenge, 224 Glasgow, Scotland, Plan for raid upon, 34 Glover, Captain, 167 Gourlade, Mr., 114 Graciosa, French brig, Capture of, 4, 5, 120, 123, table facing 152 L^n INDEX Grand, Ferdinand, 143, 146, 148 Gray, Robert, 178 Grayling, Thomas, 133 Greyhound, cutter, allowed to sail on Hodge's security, 71 ; Ar rival of, at Dunkirk, 28, 61 ; Captain Harvey ordered to burn, 62, 63, 84; Clears for Bergen, 75 ; Crew of Surprize to go on board of, 48, 67 ; Examination of , by Dunkirk port authorities, 69 ; Not to be allowed to sail, 67; Purchase by Richard Allen, 56, 57, 75, 84; Ruse by which she left Dunkirk, 75, 98; Sails from Dunkirk, 68, 69, 70; Sale of, 54, 56, 60, 62; Sartine ad vised to purchase, 66; Stor mont's complaints concerning, 49, 65, 72; To sail on a cruise, 48; To be sold at Dunkirk, 58, 142; See also Revenge, Conti nental cutter. Guernsey, Descent upon, 43 Guichard, M. de, French com mandant at Dunkirk, 53, 56, 62, 63, 68, 84, 98 Gurney, Francis, 178 Hall, William, 178 Hamel, Pierre, 169 Hamilton, Alexander, Secretary of the Treasury, 9, 158, 213 Hamilton, George Lewis, Ensign, 166 Hancock, John, President of the Continental Congress, 1, 77 Hannibal, ship, 12 Happy Return, Schooner, Cap ture of, table facing 152 Harding, Seth, 177 Harris, John, Lieutenant, R. N., 168, 169, 179 Hartley, David, 190 Harvey, Captain, R. N., of the Speedwell, ordered to burn the Greyhound, 62, 63, 68, 85, 90 Harvey, James, 133 Harwich, England, 1, 46, 69, 145; Postmaster at, 46 Havre, France, 23, 46 Hease, Patrick, 133 Hease, Thomas, 104, 133 Heldt, Peter, Captain of the Henrica Sophia, 138, 149 Hele, Christopher, Lieutenant, R. N., ordered in close confine ment at Boston, 184, 192 Helvoetsluis, Holland, 1 Henrica Sophia, Swedish brig, Capture of, by Conyngham, 133, 138, 139, 146, 148, 149, table facing 152 Hersin, M. d', Lieutenant-Gen- eral of the French Admiralty, 62, 98 Hessian troops, 3, 145, 159 Heyman, Lieutenant, of the pri vateer Revenge, 160 Hibbert, Jeremiah, 119 Hockley, Thomas, 197, 199 Hodge, Andrew, 177 Hodge, Andrew, Jr., 178 Hodge, Hugh, 178 Hodge, William, a merchant in the employ of the American commissioners, account for equipment of the cutters, 112; Awaiting the commissioners' orders, 61 ; Assisted by Car michael in fitting out a cutter, 67 ; Captain Harvey ordered to burn his vessel, 62, 63; Com plaint against, by Lord Stor mont, 49, 58; Distributes prize money, 125, 217; Departure of the Greyhound, 68; Conyng ham's "troublesome affair" at Bilbao, 122; Equips the Revenge, 2, 42, 141, 204; Fits out the Surprize, 23, 42, 96, 144, 145; [>33n INDEX Gives security for Conyngham, 2, 84, 98, 146; Goes to Co runna, 116, 119, 124; His se curity worthless, 72 ; Imprisoned in the Bastille, 3, 83, 88, 90, 91, 94, 95, 96, 98, 105, 144, 204; Has no right to control the Re venge, 131 ; His release ordered, 109; Is set at liberty, no, 112, 144; Order for his confinement, 87; Purchases a cutter, 13, 23, 143; Representation of, as to detention of his ship, 53 ; Re quired to give bond for Conyng ham, 59, 71 ; Sale of the Grey hound, 54, 56, 60, 62, 75 ; Visits to Dunkirk, 13, 42, 113, 143, 145, 188 Holdsworth & Co., of Dart mouth, 197 Holland, Voyage of the Charm ing Peggy to, 9 Hooper, George, 197, 199 Hope, Ship, Capture of, 123, table facing 152 Hortalez & Company, a fictitious French mercantile house, 58 Housten, Thomas, 178 Howard, Abraham, 169 Howe, General, 22 Howell, Samuel, Jr., 178 Indien, Continental frigate, build ing at Amsterdam, 35 Insurance, Rise in, as result of Conyngham's cruises, 33, 144 Irwin, Mathew, 177 Irwin, Thomas, 177 Jackson, Tracey & Tracey, Mer chants, table facing 152, 155 Jason, ship, 184 Johnson, Henry, Captain, Conti nental Navy, 22 Jones, John Paul, Captain, Con tinental Navy, cruise of Conyng ham with, n, 192; Conyngham accused of being with, at White haven, 167 Jordan, Captain, R. N., 160 Joseph, brig, captured by the Surprize, 1, table facing 152; Release of, by French Govern ment, 17, 25 Josiah, Captain, 210 Jowlings, Mr., 167 Kelly, Captain, 172 Kolloch, Captain, 185, 186 Lacoute & Co., Merchants at Cadiz, 6, table facing 152 Lagoanere & Co., American agents at Corunna, n, 130, 131, table facing 152, 193, 195, 216, 219, 222; Expenditures made by, on the Revenge, 4, 100; In structions to, 108, 116, 121, 123, 217; Introduce Conyng ham to their correspondents, 106-108, 115, 131, 134-137 Lapeire, Pierre, Merchant at Vigo, 106, 132 La Rochelle, France, 132 Larralde, Mr., 129 Lassore & Co., Merchants in Cadiz, 115, 132 Latimore, William, 133 Laurens, Henry, President of the Continental Congress, 143 Lawler, Matthew, Lieutenant, Continental Navy, 133, 135, 137, 224 Lawrence, William, 178 Layona, Privateer ship, 12 Leang, Mr., the turnkey at New York, 161, 162 Le Brun, M., 189 Lecomte, Louis, 79 Lee, Dr., 133 Lee, Arthur, United States Com missioner to France, 7, 8, 31, i>34n INDEX no, m, 123, 143, 149, 158, 189, 216 Lee, Richard Henry, Chairman of the Continental Marine Com mittee, in, 156 Lee, W., 114 Lembeye, John, 103 Lenoir, M., 88 Letournois, Captain, 129 Levrier, le, cutter; See Grey hound, cutter Lewis, Captain of Marines, of the privateer Revenge, 160 Lewis, Francis, Jr., 178 Lewis, John, 133 Lewis, Samuel, 169 Lexington, Continental brig, 22, 72 Liverpool, England, Plan for raid upon, 34 Llano, Ftys. de, 101 Lloyd's Coffee-House, London, 46, 54 London, England, Postmaster- General at, 46 Loyalist, privateer brig, Capture of, table facing 152, 154 Lupton, George, Correspondence with British Foreign Office, 15, 22, 28, 42, 58 Luxembourg, Chevalier, 35 Lynn, Conyngham's descent on, 97 McCartey, James, 133 McCarthy, Richard, 133 McLenachan, Blair, 178 Macmahon, Mr., 130 McNachtane, John, 178 Manning, Sammuel, 164 Mardick, Fosse du, Dunkirk, France, 19 Maria, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Marick, Peter, 101 Marine Committee; See Con gress, Continental, Marine Com mittee Marr, John, Secretary to Sir George Collier, 183 Marseilles, France, 42, 67, 126, 132 Martin, Captain, 173 Martinique, Arrival of the Re venge at, 8, 218; Departure of Conyngham from, 9 ; Prizes or dered to, 7, 149 Mason, John, 133 Maurepas, Jean Frederic Phely- peaux, Comte de, French Prime Minister, Opinion of the Dun kirk affair, 60, 70-72, 83; Promises to punish Conyngham, 80 ; Representations to, by Lord Stormont, 17, 25, 65, 96; Visit of Carmichael to, 23 Meade, George, 177 Mease, James, 178 Mease, John, 177 Meridith, Samuel, 177 Metcher, J., 178 Miller, Andrew, 169 Mill Prison, famous English prison at Plymouth, 11-12, 159, 168, 174, 184, 186, 190, 194, 200 Monarch, H. M. S., 127 Mongoner, Pierre, 79 Montgomery, James, 177 Montmorency, Prince de Robecq, 19, 20, 27, 69 Moore, John, 78 Moore, Patrick, 210 Moore, Thomas, 178 Morris, Captain, 154 Morris, Cad., 177 Morris, Robert, Member of the Marine Committee, 42, 96, no, 177, 178, 181 Morris, Samuel O, 177 Morris, Thomas, 42, 178 Moylan, Mr., 114 C235n INDEX Mulle, Frangois, 79 Mulligan, Francois, 79 Murcia, Domingo de, 101 Murphy, Bryan, 169 Murphy, Lambert, 203 Murrietta, Joseph Manoy, 102 Murry, Mr., Master, R. N., 160 Naile, James, 133 Nantes, France, 12, 22, 33, 58, 67, 71, 125, 132 Naval operations in European waters, Plan for, 32-35 Navy Board, Continental, 9, 220, 224 Nerbal, Joseph, 79 Nesbit, Alexander, 178 Nesbitt, Jonathan, 9, 12, 42, 178, 185, 186, 198, 200, 202 Nesbitt & Company, Merchants in Philadelphia, 209 Neutral vessels, Capture of, by Conyngham, 4, 5, 120, 123, 133, 138, 146, 148, 149 Newport, R. I., 151 Nicard, Jean, 79 Nicholson, Samuel, Lieutenant, Continental Navy, 22 Nicker, Richard, 169 Nieuport, Holland, 10 Nixon, John, 177 Noailles, Marquis de, the French Ambassador at the Court of St. James, 37, 41, 44, 70, 73, 75, 83, 91, 100; Remarks on the Greyhound affair, 90 Noimielle, Francois, 79 North, Lord (Frederick Baron North), 24 Northampton, brig, Capture of, 73, 74, 78, table facing 152; French sailors on board, 74, 76, 79, 80; Recapture of, 86 O'Charel, Charel, 79 Ogden, Nicholas, 175 O'Neal, General, Commanding officer at Corunna, 7 Packets, British, Plan for intercepting, 23 Paris, France, Return of Conyng ham to, 12 Paris, Treaty of [1763], 20 Parsons, Mr., Captain of the Middlesex militia at Plymouth, 171, 172 Patton, John, 177 Patty, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Peace & Harmony, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Peel, Benjamin, an officer of the Revenge, 133, 134, 137 Pelham, Captain, 154 Pendennis Castle, British prison at Falmouth, 11, 159, 166, 174, 186, 194 Perry, Pritcher, 169 Persano, Franceso, 133 Peters, Richard, Secretary to the Board of War, 155 Philadelphia, Inhabitants of, pe tition of, with regard to Con yngham's confinement, 176 Pickering, Timothy, Member of the Navy Board, 223 Plymouth, England, 11, 172, 194 Porterfield, Captain, kept in close confinement on account of treat ment of Conyngham, 184 Portsmouth, N. H., 22 Poulze, Monsieur, 28 Prince of Orange, Packet, cap tured by the Surprize, I, 45, 60, 96, 117, 141, 145, table facing 152 ; Release of, by French Gov ernment, 17, 25, 97 Pringle, John, 178 Privateers, Arming of, in French ports, 17, 23, 30, 47, 54, 67; Depredations of, on British L^n INDEX coast, 43, 55; British, kept "in Good order" by Conyngham, 9 Prize money, Share of captain in, 9, 221; Share of the Revenge's crew, 122, 187, 189; Unfair distribution of, 125 Prizes, Captured by the Reprisal, 71; Captured by the Revenge, 4-9, 97, H3, n6, 118, 119, 123, 131, 133, 138, 139, 154, 155, 193, 195, 218, 221; Cap tured by the Surprize, I, 25, 28, 30, 45, 96, 154, 155; Captured by privateers, 153; Disposition of, 8, 216; Proceeds of sale of, 8; Recapture of, 86, 128; Resti tution of, 30-33, 45, 60, 97, 145; Sale of, 117 Pryor, Thomas, 177 Punto Nego, Teneriffe, Arrival of the Revenge at, 7 Raisonable, H. M. S., 82, 162, 194 Ranger, Cutter, Arrival of, at Dunkirk, 28 Read, Captain, R. N., 161 Read, Thomas, 178 Reed, Joseph, President of Pennsylvania, 156 Reed, William, 203 Reprisal, Continental brig, 22, 42, 44,. 75; Prizes, 71 Retaliation, Brig, 185 Revenge, Continental cutter, Ar mament of, 113; Arms shipped in, 154, 155 ; Arrival of, at Fer rol, 4, 112, 113; At Bilbao, 5, 217; At Cadiz, 6; At Marti nique, 8, 153; At Santa Cruz, 7; At Philadelphia, 219; Attes tation by crew of, 133; Boat at tack on, 6; Capture of the Black Prince, 113; Capture of French brig Graciosa, 4, 5, 120, 123; Capture of ship Hope, C237 123; Capture of brig Henrica Sophia, 133, 138, 146, 148, 149; Clears for Norway, 90; Com plaint of depredations of, 80; complaint of unfair distribution of prize money, 125; Composi tion of crew, 1I3; Cost of re pairs to, at Ferrol, 100-104, 105 ; cruise in German Ocean, 3, 146; In West Indies, 8, 158; Dismasted in a gale, 116; Dis posed of by Bingham as a public vessel, 8, 218; Escape of, from Dunkirk, 2, 50; Engagement with a King's cutter, 154; Fits out at Dunkirk, 46, 47, 58; French sailors on board, 46, 58, 69, 74, 76, 79, 80, 81, 87, 89, 93, 95, 99, 113; Has positive orders not to return to Dun kirk, 48 ; Imprisonment of prize crew of, at San Sebastian, 5 ; Keeps British privateers "in Good order," 9; Leaves Co runna, 153; Leaves Martinique, 9 ; Mutiny of crew, 5 , 122, 217; Operations in Irish Sea and Bay of Biscay, 4, 97, 146; Ordered to sail as merchant vessel, 5 1 ; Origin of, 155; Prizes of, 4, 6, 7-9, 73, 74, 80, 86, 97, 116, 118, 119, 128, 131, 133, 138, 139, table facing 152, 154, 155, 195, 218; Purchased by Hodge, 2, 21, 40, 58, 97, 144, 204; Re fits at Kinehead, 4; Refits in a private harbor of Galicia, 7 ; Reaches Philadelphia, 9 ; Re garded by Commissioners as a public vessel, 131, 140, 144; Sails from Dunkirk, 68, 69, 84; Saluted by Spanish admiral at Cadiz, 127; Sells her prizes at Corunna, 117; Sold at public auction, 9, 156, 158, 219; n INDEX Threat to burn, 62, 63, 68, 84, 90 ; See also Greyhound, cutter Revenge, privateer cutter, cap tured by H. M. S. Galatea, 11, 159, 160, 174, 184, 185; Pur chased by Philadelphia mer chants, 11, 219 Rice, John, 178 Roach, Lieutenant, of the Re venge, 123 Roach, Isaac, 178 Robert Brothers, Merchants at La Rochelle, 132 Roberts, Captain, 50 Ross, John, 113, 116, 117, 1 1.8, 122, 131, 144 Roux Brothers, Merchants at Marseilles, 132 Sailors, French, on board the Re venge, 46, 58, 69, 74, 76, 79, 81, 87, 89, 93, 95, 99, 113; In the Surprize, 26, 60 Sainte Croix de Teneriffe, 132 Saint Germain, Comte de, the French Minister of War, 27 St. Malo, France, frigate pur chased at, 75 Saint Sebastien, Spain, 5, 132, table facing 152 Sandwich, Packet, 174 Santa Cruz, Arrival of the Revenge at, 7 Sartine, M. de, French Minister of Marine, 50, 51, 81, 187; Advised to purchase the Grey hound, 66; Allows the Reprisal to refit, 74; Attack on, by Lord Stormont, 86; Orders arrest of Conyngham and seizure of Sur prize, 17, 19, 26, 29 Scallon, W., 133 Schiver, Ensign, 171 Sharp, William, 178 Shee, John, 177 Sick and Hurt, Board of, 174, 199 Signals, Recognition, with the French, 151 Singleton, Philip, 133 Siren, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Skinner, Pritcher, 169 Smith, James (alias). See Bailey, Benjamin Smith, Josiah, Surgeon of the Revenge, 133, 152, 218, 220 Smith, Thomas, 178 Spanish people, friendly feeling towards the Americans, 6; Change of attitude, 7, 150 Speedwell, H. B. M. S., 57, 62, 63 Spelman, Corporal, 171 Squires, Joseph, 197 Stanton, Matthew, 133 Stewart, A., 177 Stewart, Walter, Colonel of the Pennsylvania Line, 207 Stormont, Lord, British ambassa dor at the Court of Versailles, memoranda of correspondence, 28, 30, 36, 70, 83, 89, 99, 105 ; Representations to the French ministers on Conyngham and his prizes, 2, 16-18, 23, 25, 26, 45, 47, 48, 49, 57, 65, 67, 71, 72, 76, 80, 85, 94, 96; Satisfaction at the honorable action of the French Court, 3 ; Complaint to, from Captain Frazer, 20; Suc cessful application displeases Franklin, 26, 105 ; Dexterous management of the Conyngham affair by, 26; Reports release of Hodge, no Stuart, R., 169 Suckey, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Suffolk, Earl of, British Secretary of State, 26, 51, 67, 69, 113 [>38n INDEX Surprize, Continental lugger, Crew of, to go on board the Greyhound, 48, 67; Imprison ment of crew, 2, 20, 24, 25, 28, 144; Is made French property, 61 ; No Frenchmen on board, 26, 60; Prizes of, I, 25, 28, 30, 31, 33, 60, 92, 96, 117, 141, table facing 152, 154, 155; Purchase of, by Hodge, 1, 96, 140, 144, 216; Release of crew, 31, 36, 40, 48, 51, 54; Return to Dun kirk, 1, 19, 27, 29, 37, 39, 45, 97 Tapley, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Taylor, Captain, 171 Tellois, Alexander, 79 Thames, River, 145 Thayer, John, 133 Thomas, Dr., Surgeon, R. N., 160 Thomson, Charles, Secretary, Continental Congress, I, 78, 183 Tidd, Thomas, Captain Com manding Pendennis Castle, 166, 168 Tille, Henry, 79 Tillois, Aimable, 79 Todd, A., Secretary to the Post master-General at London, 46 Totten, Robert, 177 Toulon, France, 3 Trade, British West India, 32, 53 Transports, British, in the West Indies, 151 Treasury, Board of, 212, 216 Turnbull, William, 177 Two Brothers, ship, Capture of, table facing 152 Two Friends, sloop, Capture of, table facing 152 C2 Utrecht, Treaty of [1713], 20, 38, 41, 44 Vacumonde, Bias. Parga, Mer chant at Vivero, 108 Venus, brig, Capture of, table facing 152 Vergennes, Charles Gravier, Comte de, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, 19, 24, 27, 29, 37, 53, 56, 62, 63, 70, 73, 88, 89, 90, 91, 109, no, 185; Ar guments in favor of not punish ing Conyngham, 92; As to the fitting out of the Greyhound, 49, 66, 68, 71 ; Disclaims all knowledge of Greyhound's per mission to sail, 72 ; Explains at titude of his Court towards Con yngham, 38, 41, 44, 91; Ex plains sailing of the Revenge, 75, 95, 83; Lord Stormont's conversations with, on Conyng ham and his prizes, 16—18, 23, 25, 36, 47, 48, 49, 57, 65, 67, 76, 80, 85, 94; Opinion on Con yngham's intention to return to French ports, 99, 100; Protest to, by Swedish ambassador, 138, 139 Vermeille, Francois, Claim of, for wages and prize-money, 187 Versailles, Court of, I Vigo, Spain, 132 Villers, M. de, Naval Commis sary at Dunkirk, 19, 20, 62 Walker, Benjamin, Report of, on Conyngham's claim, 216-223 Walmsley, John, 129 War, Board of, 154, 155, 157, 182 Welsh, Lieutenant, of the priva teer Revenge, 160, 161 39n INDEX Wentworth, Paul, an American in the British employ, 26, 51, 67,69,113,117 West Indies, French military force preparing for the, 89 Weymouth, Lord, British Secre tary of State for the Southern Department, 16, 25, 26, 28, 30, 36, 41, 44, 49, 67, 70-74, 83, 89-91, 94, 96, 99, 105, no, 148; Appeal to, by British mer chants, 55 ; Remonstrance of, 73 Whale fishery, Greenland, 33 Wharton, Mr., 204 Whipple, William, Member of the Marine Committee, 178, 181 Whitpew, Captain, 171 Wickes, Lambert, Captain, Con tinental Navy, 22 Wikoff, Isaac, 178 Wilkinson, J., 178 Williams, John, 169 Williams, Jonathan, 12 Williams, Sergeant, 165, 167 Willing, James, 175 Wilson, James, 178 Wilson, John, 178 Wilson, Joseph, 210 Wise, Captain, of the Devonshire Militia, 171 Yarmouth, England, 73, 74 Yorke, Edward, 178 C24on THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY The Naval History Society has been established for the purpose of publishing and preserving manuscripts, docu ments, and writings relating to our naval history, naval art and science, and the surroundings and experiences of seamen in general and of American seamen in particular. The Society has already issued : In 1910: Volume I. The Logs of the Serapis, Alliance, Ariel under the Command of John Paul Jones, 1778- 1780. Edited by Captain John S. Barnes. In 191 1 : Volume II. The Narrative of Nathaniel Fan ning, an Officer of the Revolutionary Navy. Edited by Captain John S. Barnes. In 1912: Volume III. 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 1776. Edited by Robert W. Neeser. In 1913: Volume IV. The Out-Letters of the Conti nental Marine Committee and Board of Admiralty, 1776- 1780. Volume I. Edited by Dr. Charles Oscar Paullin. In 1 9 14: Volume V. The Out-Letters of the Continen tal Marine Committee and Board of Admiralty, I77&~ 1780. Volume II. Edited by Dr. Charles Oscar Paullin. In 1915: Volume VI. Letters and Papers relating to the Cruises of Gustavus Conyngham, a Captain of the Continental Navy, 1777-177Q. Edited by Robert W. Neeser. Other works in preparation are the Despatches of Thomas Graves and American Naval Songs and Ballads. Any person wishing to become a member of the Society is requested to apply to the Secretary ( Robert W. Neeser, 247 Fifth Avenue, New York City), who will submit his name to the Board of Managers. The annual subscription is Five Dollars, the payment of which entitles the member to receive one copy of all works issued by the Society for that year. C24O *-**& i ¦ ,