DOCSLIB.ORG

Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Volume 1, Part 8

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Volume 1, Part 8 Naval Documents of The American Revolution Volume 1 AMERICAN THEATRE: Dec. 1, 1774–Sept. 2, 1775 EUROPEAN THEATRE: Dec. 6, 1774–Aug. 9, 1775 Part 8 of 8 United States Government Printing Office Washington, 1964 Electronically published by American Naval Records Society Bolton Landing, New York 2012 AS A WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS PUBLICATION IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. EUROPEAN THEATRE From June 29, 1775, to Aug. 9, 1775 EUROPEAN THEATRE From June 29, 1775, to August 9, 1775 SUMMARY Even the news of Lexington had not aroused George I11 or his Ministers to the seriousness of the revolt in the American colonies. Were not three major generals and three more regiments of infantry already on the high seas to rein- force Thomas Gage's force? And had not the Admiralty been ordered to aug- ment Samuel Graves's squadron by such a number of frigates as would suffice to secure obedience to the Restrictive Acts recently enacted, and prevent succour from the southern colonies reaching New England? Hhere seemed little doubt in the British mind that with "One tolerable Drubbing," rebel resistance would collapse. Warnings from Whig leaders that conquest would not be so simple, and that possible loss of the American colonies would leave the Empire an easy prey to revengeful France, were discounted as political clap-trap. France was in no position to capitalize upon the American troubles, and her partner, Spain, engrossed in the Mediterranean, could be discounted entirely. So thought the Ministry. As far as concerned Spain, this conclusion was justified. Charles I11 had spared no pains to let the world know that he was preparing to annihilate the Barbary pirates. At Alicante by mid-June he had gathered an imposing armada - fifty-one fighting ships, including six ships of the line - and three hundred and forty-four transports to convey thirty thousand men to the conquest of Algiers. This great force would sail before the month of June was ended. Not so with France! In April, 1775, with the approval of the French Court, a keen observer had spent three weeks in London studying the Ameri- can situation. He was Caron de Beaumarchais, courtier, composer and adven- turer, who, upon his return to Paris informed Louis XVI that "I am in a position to give the soundest information on the action of the English Govern- ment regarding the English colonies and the effects of the upheave1 in the Colonies on England; on what must be the consequences of one and the other; on the supreme importance of these events to French interests; on what we have to hope or fear for our sugar islands; on what can give us peace or bring about war." That information was imparted to M. de Vergennes, who sent Beaumarchais back to London with the injunction to continue his observations and report again in July. 1304 EUROPEAN THEATRE 29 June "ABSTRACTOF THE MOST MATERIAL PROCEEDINGSIN THIS [BRITISHADMIRALTY] DEPARTMENTRELATIVE TO NORTHAMERICA" [I 7751 The Kings pleasure was signified by Lord Dartmouth for 2. Vessels 29th [June] - to be taken up to carry Arms, Cloathing and Military-Stores to Virginia and Quebec, And Orders were given next day accord- ingly. N. B. In consequence of the above the Maria storeship was taken up for Virginia, & the Jacob for Quebec, the first of which went out under the Convoy of the Liverpool, and the other under that of the Lizard. The Elizabeth Storeship was afterwards taken up to carry such of the Arms &c. as the lacob could not receive, and sailed without Convoy; soon after which 3 of the Ships going to Boston were order'd if they fell in with her to see her safely into the River St Lawrence. 1. Germain Papers, CL. Sir, Whitehall, 29 June 1775 I am directed by Lord Dartmouth to desire you will acquaint me for his Lordship's information, what steps have been taken for augmenting the Squadron under the command of Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves, pursuant to His Majesty's Pleasure signified to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in Lord Dart- mouth's Letter of the 17th Instant. I am &ca J. Pownall 1. PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/12 1, LC Transcript. Sr Admiralty Office 29th June 1775 In return to your Letter of this date, desiring to be acquainted, for the Earl of Dartmouth's information, what Steps have been taken for augmenting the Squadron under the Command of Vice Adml Graves, pursuant to his Majesty's Pleasure signified to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in Lord Dart- mouth's Letter of the 17th Instant, I am to acquaint you, that their Lordships gave immediate directions for fitting out, with the utmost expedition, the five Frigats mentioned on the other side in order to be sent out to Boston as soon as possibly may be. I am Sir [&c.] Php. Stephens JUNE 1775 [Verso] Guns Milford 28 at Chatham Solebay 28 at Plymouth Lizard 28 at Portsmouth Actaeon 2 8 at Woolwich I. PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/12 1, LC Transcript. 2. Although Stephens's letter says five frigates, only four are listed My Dear Lord Plymouth June 29, 1775 Not having heard, or imagining that there will be any alteration in the meas- ures relative to North America, I have written a letter to Mr [Philip] Stephens which I have desired him to communicate to your Lordship, directing some far- ther reinforcements which are pointed out by Admiral [Samuel] Graves as Neces- sary; and which if approved by your Lordship & the rest of His Majesty's confidential Servants, should be immediately carried into execution in my opinion. I have the honour to be [&c.] Sandwich [Endorsed] Plymouth June 29, 1775 Ld Sandwich/R/ June 30th 1775 1. PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/ 12 1, LC Transcript. Hessom arrived here this Morng and I now redispatch him with Answers to such Parts of the Letters you have sent me, as require Measures to be immediately taken upon them. Sir H[ugh] Palliser & I are of Opinion that in consequence of Adml [Samuel] Graves's Wish to have more Boats, the Navy Board should be directed to supply each Ship for America with a Cutter on [or] Yawl above the Established Number; and to send 20 Cutters by the first Transports that go to America, to be delivered to the Storekeeper at Boston, to be disposed of as Adml Graves shall direct. Also to prepare an additional Assortment of Stores to be immedi- ately sent to Halifax, suitable to the Ships employed in America. Admiral Graves should be told that his Idea of putting additional Marines into the Schooners & Small Vessels, is in our Opinion very proper; but as that we have none to spare as yet from hence, he must lend them from the Com- pliments of the Ships now with him, and he may depend upon it, that all the Ships that are coming out to him shall bring as many supernumerary Marines as we can possibly get; but he should at the same time be told, that he must not break into the Marine Battallions on Shore. As Adml Graves mentions his Wish to have some 50 Gunships, and gives very substantial Reasons in my Opinion for such a Requisition; which it is 1306 EUROPEAN THEATRE hoped would enable .him to send home the three Guard ships, which should not be withdrawn from the defence of this Country but in a Case of Necessity; we think it advisable that the Experiment a small 50 Gunship, & the Phoenix & Roebuck of 44 Guns (which will answer the same purpose) be immediately commissioned; but upon this point you will ask Lord Dartmouth, to whom I have now written, & to whom you will communicate everything in this Letter that relates to America, whether he approves of this additional Reinforcement, before you lay the Commissions before the Admiralty, and send the proper Orders to the Navy Board. -[Endorsed] Ext. of Letter from/ Lord Sandwich to/ Mr Stephens, dated/ Plymouth 20th June 17751 In Mr Stephens's Letter/ to J. P. of 1st July 1775. 1. PRO, Colonial Office, class 5/12 1, LC Transcript. 2. Graves's requests were contained in his letters to the Admiralty of May 18-19, 1775. 1 July KING GEORGEI11 TO LORDSANDWICH [Extract] Kew, 1st July 1775. Lord Sandwich - Your letter accompanying those received from Major Pitcairn is just arrived : that officer's conduct seems highly praiseworthy. I am of his opinion that when once those rebels have felt a smart blow, they will submit; and no situation can ever change my fixed resolution, either to bring the colonies to a due obedience to the legislature of the mother country or to cast them off! The admiral's dispatches convince me that 50-gun ships would be more fit for that service than the larger ones: I have therefore proposed that the three guardships should be recalled, and the fleet in America strengthened by fitting out six ships of fifty guns. I have observed to Lord North that this equipment will require the raising all the men necessary to man those ships, for that you cannot from any of the ships in commission furnish a single man. 1. Barnes and Owen, eds., Sandwich Papers, I, 63. [Extract] Whitehall 1st July 1775 (No 21) On the 10th of last Month in the Morning, Lieut Nunn arrived at my Office with your dispatch containing an Account of the Transaction on the 19th of April, of which the public had before received Intelligence by a Schooner, to all Appearance, sent by the Enemies of Govt on purpose to make an Impres- sion here, by representing the Affair between the King's Troops & the Rebel Provincials in a light the most favorable to their own Views.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • May 1975 Vol. XXII, No. 2
    Masonic Culture Workshops Scheduled In Four Areas The PENNSYLVANIA To Assist Lodge Officers The Grand Lodge Committee on Ma­ sonic Culture has divided the Jurisdic­ FREE1VIASON tion into four areas, one more than was previously announced. AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF Masonic Culture Seminars are being FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA conducted in these areas to assist Lodge Officers to prepare interesting Lodge meetings. The agenda for the Seminars covers VOLUME XXII MAY • 1975 NUMBER 2 introduction materials and services pro­ vided by the Grand Lodge Committee "Rededication Month" on Masonic Culture. 197 6 Lodge Programs A " Packet" of informative papers, pamphlets and other helpful guides is Are Being Distributed Five members of the Rodd family, all Officers of Chartiers Lodge No. 297, Canonsburg, are being distributed to those attending the Grand Master Calls Craft to Labor shown with Bro. Eugene G. Painter, District Deputy Grand Master for the 29th Masonic District. Front row, left to right: Bro. Robert C. Rodd, Senior Deacon; Bro. Painter, and Bro. Seminars. October has been designated " Re­ John T. Rodd, Worshipful Master. Rear row, left to right: Bro. John R. Rodd, Past Master The four Area Chairmen, Members of dedication to Freemasonry" Month by By District Deputies and Secretary; Bro. Howard J. Orr, Past Master and Secretary Emeritus and cousin of Bro. the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic John R. Rodd; and Bro. Robert C. Rodd II, Junior Warden. Bro. John R. Rodd is the father the Grand Master. of the three Rodds. Culture, are responsible for the follow­ In making the announcement, Bro.
    [Show full text]
  • Liiuit Paper Flernld
    NEW Y<DKK HERALD, SATIJRDA r, APRIL 10, 18G9..TRIPLE3 SHEET. 7 effect of this upon the political stability of the ENGLAND. TU£ IkLW lUith U UAi.U. Fd.GHTFUl TBAG'OY IN I filESOTA. ISCAL ItiTELLiGE-'iCE. country can only be estimated in part by A Mother and Foar Children Killed with An A Maw Hon )oww..Last evening Henry KeesGu. Hill Creatine Life Pe«>rageo.The Ilndnon Bay A PrnnwYlTiinln «n Ihr bow absolutely essential it its that suchjudgingan liiuiT Paper flernld. Axe.The Father and Murderer Insane. a laborer on tie railway track, oo '«e corner or Company Agree to Cede their Territorial the Lancaster immense as ours should be FROM [Prom (N. II.) Republican. April A] [f'hicugo (April 8) despatch to the Philadelphia sixteenth stree and Tlilrd avenue, was run down territory very ltluhtm.The Neutrality CommlMian. As a the Nkw York Hbralu is ' newspaper Daii.Y Telegram.] Eveningand had a leg Iroken and otlier injuries inflicted by tied together by quick aud cheap closely London, Apul 9, 1-ww. unrivalled tu America arid in the world. A despatch to the Tuttwa iroiu At. Paul gives tka probably details of the murder which occurred on a butcher carl <riven by Charles Gilbert, living if we our ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD In the House of Lords tno bill introduced Carl It* horrible would preserve communicationspresent by advertising patronage in immense, and its uews Wednesday morning 111 Oakdale township, tea miles of la&th strict and Third avenue. The woundedcorner national boundary lines. ltnsscil authorizing the creation of life peerages was columns present a daily report or the condition of from that city.
    [Show full text]
  • V 52, #1 Fall 2015
    THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Cincinnati fourteen 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. P A I D fourteen Cincinnati Washington, DC 20008-3640 WASHINGTON, DC PERMIT NO. 8805 Volume 52, Volume No.1 Fall 2015 Fall 2015 Members and guests of the New Hunter Lowell Davis, son of Pennsylvania Society member Brad Jersey and Pennsylvania societies Davis and grandson of former president Lowell Davis, was admitted convened on April 25 on a perfect as a successor member this fall. A student at the Friends School in Spring Saturday for a tour of Fort Baltimore, Hunter is spending the fall at the prestigious School for Mifflin, south of Philadelphia. The New Ethics and Global Leadership in Washington. The Davis family Jersey group started at Fort Mercer traces its lineage to two brothers who served as officers in the on the eastern bank of the Delaware Pennsylvania line. River and were joined by the Pennsylvanians at Fort Mifflin on Mud Island on the western bank. Lunch Friends of Independence National Historical Park; “We want as little busing to get to venues as was served inside the fort, followed by the National Park Service; Bartram’s Gardens possible,” said Jim Pringle, the state society’s vice a guided tour of the stone fortress and (oldest surviving botanic garden in North president. “By staying in the historic district, we demonstration of musketry and America); the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; can minimize all forms of transportation,” Pringle Revolutionary War cannon. The the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and explained. “We will concentrate the activities so dogged defense of Fort Mifflin by Accepted Masons; The Barnes Foundation (art they’re easily walkable, as much as possible.” American soldiers under constant museum); and The Barnes Arboretum (gardens).
    [Show full text]
  • Chronology of the American Revolution
    INTRODUCTION One of the missions of The Friends of Valley Forge Park is the promotion of our historical heritage so that the spirit of what took place over two hundred years ago continues to inspire both current and future generations of all people. It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that we are able to offer to the public this chronology of events of The American Revolution. While a simple listing of facts, it is the hope that it will instill in some the desire to dig a little deeper into the fascinating stories underlying the events presented. The following pages were compiled over a three year period with text taken from many sources, including the internet, reference books, tapes and many other available resources. A bibliography of source material is listed at the end of the book. This publication is the result of the dedication, time and effort of Mr. Frank Resavy, a long time volunteer at Valley Forge National Historical Park and a member of The Friends of Valley Forge Park. As with most efforts of this magnitude, a little help from friends is invaluable. Frank and The Friends are enormously grateful for the generous support that he received from the staff and volunteers at Valley Forge National Park as well as the education committee of The Friends of Valley Forge Park. Don R Naimoli Chairman The Friends of Valley Forge Park ************** The Friends of Valley Forge Park, through and with its members, seeks to: Preserve…the past Conserve…for the future Enjoy…today Please join with us and help share in the stewardship of Valley Forge National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Hilary Arnold
    GENTEEL WIDOWS OF BATH I- MRS MARGARET GRAVES AND HER LETTERS FROM BATH, 1793-1807 Hilary Arnold In November 1792 Mrs Margaret Graves (1727-1808), the wealthy widow of Admiral Samuel Graves,1 moved into the newly built house at 15 Lansdown Crescent. Over the next fourteen years she wrote regularly to her great niece Eliza Simcoe. Her letters not only describe some of Bath's social events, her concerns about servants and the cost of living, and contemporary reaction to events in France, they also reveal some of the problems and pleasures of moving into a new house in Bath.2 In particular they provide evidence of the use of rooms and garden which is slightly different from other recent interpretations, for it shows that Mrs Graves and her staff were the sole occupants of the house, and that the planting was for fruit rather than flowers. 3 Margaret Spinckes was baptised on 16 March 1727 in the parish church of All Saints atAldwinkle, Northamptonshire, youngest daughter of Elmes Spinckes who owned the manor. She married the widower Admiral Samuel Graves on 15 June 1769. After the death of her sister Mrs Elizabeth Gwillim, in September 1762, Margaret helped her mother to rear her orphaned niece, Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim, and then took the six year-old child to her new home, Hembury Fort House at Buckerell, near Honiton, in Devon (fig.1). Fourteen years later, Elizabeth met and, on 30 December 1782, married Admiral Graves's godson, Colonel John Graves Simcoe.4 1. Hembury Fort House, Buckerell, Devon. 79 The Admiral died in March 1787 and his nephew Captain Richard Graves inherited Hembury Fort House.
    [Show full text]
  • ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JANUARY 29, I7 7 8. IS Majesty Was This Day
    ADMIRALTY-OFFICE, JANUARY 29, i778. IS Majesty was this Day pleased to order the following Promotion of Flag Officers of His Ma- H 1 jesty's Fleet, vi2. Sir Charles Hardy, Knt. 1, Right Honourable George Earl of Northefk, Admirals of the Blue, Sir Thomas Pye, Knt. Francis Geary, Esq; ^To be Admirals of the White. Sir George Bridges Rod Bart. Vice Admirals of the Red, James Ybung, Esq; 1 Sir Piercy Brett, Knt. Sir John Moore, Bart, and Knight 1 of the Bath, Sir James Dduglas, Knt. Rt. Hon. George Lord Edgcumbe, Samuel Graves^ Esq; yVice Admirals ofthe Red,—To be\ Admirals of the Blue, William Parry, Esq; Honourable Augustus Keppel, John Amherst, Esq; His Royal Highness Henry Frede^ riek Duke of Cumberland, Sir Peter Denis, Bart. Mathew Buckle, Esq; Robert Man, Esq; • Vice Admirals of the White,-r-Tq be Psice Admirals of the Refi. Clark Gayton, Esq; John Montagu, Esq; Right Honourable Washington Earl Ferrers, Hugh Pigot, Esq; .Vice Admirals cftbe Blue,. I ^ u ^ Admirah ef ^ m^ Right Honourable Molineux Lord Shuldham, John Vaughan, Esq; Rear'Admiral of the Redy Jdhn Lloyd, Esq; Robert Duff, Esq; > Rear Admirals of the Red, John Reynolds, Esq; bir Hugh Palliser, Bart. }To le Vice Admirals cftbe Blue* : Honourable John Byron, ^Rear Admirals ofthe Red, Right Honourable Augustus John Earl of Bristol, George Mackenzie, Esq; Si^ Peter Parker Knt. $ &ear Admirals ofthe White,-.—To, be Rear Adpiirats of the Red. Honourable Samuel Barrington„, 1 John Campbell, Esq; Christopher Hill, Esq; y-Rear Admirals of the Blue, —To be Rear Admirals of the Wbite.
    [Show full text]
  • Hamond Collection
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c86w9hqc No online items Hamond Collection Finding aid prepared by Gayle M. Richardson The Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2191 Fax: (626) 449-3477 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org © 2019 The Huntington Library. All rights reserved. Hamond Collection mssHamond 1 Descriptive Summary Title: Hamond collection Inclusive Dates: 1706-1926 Bulk Dates: 1715-1902 Collection Number: mssHamond Creator: Hamond family Extent: 8,484 pieces in 83 boxes, plus 7 volumes and ephemera (74.7 linear feet) Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, California 91108 Phone: (626) 405-2191 Fax: (626) 449-3477 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.huntington.org Abstract: A transnational collection of 18th-19th century material pertaining to three generations of a British Naval family; includes letters, manuscripts, journals, ship's logs, letter books, ship's papers, maps, volumes and ephemera. Language of Material: The records are primarily in English, with some material in French, Spanish and Portuguese. Access The collection has been fully processed and is available for research. The majority of the collection is in good condition and may be copied; for any questions about the collection, please contact [email protected] . Publication Rights The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.
    [Show full text]
  • January 28, 17838 Sir
    The Journal of the Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution Vol. 11, No. 5 November 2016 Gen. Andrew Williamson’s Self Defense This amazing letter was first located by Will Graves, annotated and published in SCAR in May of 2005.1 Since we have learned so much about the geography of the Southern Campaigns and the particulars of the people in the last ten years, I thought it worthy of revisiting, updating the annotations, and slightly expanding. This letter was written to Gen. Nathanael Greene by Gen. Andrew Williamson who surrendered himself with many of the western South Carolina backcountry militia leaders to the British after the fall of Charlestown in May 1780. Thereafter, Williamson was courted by the British, no doubt offered money, property, and position to take an active leadership role for the British in South Carolina, and was considered by many contemporaries as colluding with the Enemy. Some later writers have dramatically labeled him as the “Benedict Arnold of the South” though that tag is in no way deserved.2 In the latter stages of the Revolution, the State of South Carolina reconvened its representative government and began to wrestle with the problem of how to treat her Loyalists, those who accepted British protection, and those who actively supported the Crown.3 Williamson was initially named on the lists of “Obnoxious Persons” whose lands were to be confiscated by the SC General Assembly. This letter is one in which he struggled to prove that the rumors of his collaboration with the British, starting in 1779, were not true.4 In a very unusual move, Gen.
    [Show full text]
  • The Essex Antiquarian
    THE ESSEX ANTIQUARIAN A MONTHLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO THE BIOGRAPHY, GENEALOGY, HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SlDNEY PERLEY, EDITOR. ILLUSTRATED. SALEM, MASS. : Qe @ssex '3Itltiquarian. 1901. CONTENTS. ABORIGINES,OUR, 39. INSCRIPTIONS.See Brad'ordInsrrip/ions. AGER,WILLIAM, Will of, 132. KENNING,JANE, Will of, 57. ANDREWSNOTES, 6. KENT, RICHARD,Will of, 149. ANNABLENOTES, 63. KNOWLTON,JOHN and MARGARY,Wills of, 52. ANNISNOTES, 76. LIVERMORE,HARRIET, 7. ANSWERS,95, 80; 100, 32; 133, 32; 154, 48: LOST AT SEA, 157. 163, 64; 165, 16; 170, 16; 193, 64; 194, MII.IARD, THOMAS,Will of, 41. 64; 197. 32; 204, 144; 2082 192; 2.57, C6; NORFOLKCOUNTY RECORDS, OLD, 12, 46, 77, 3075 1447 192; 320,329 48; 3219 48; 322, 133, 179. 96; 323, 80; 330, 144; 3408 192; 3429 192. PASSACONAWAY,87. ANTRUMNOTE, 71. PIKE. TOHN. sr.. Will of. I ~6. ARCHERNOTES, 86, 120. PI~RIMST~NGER,"'T~~, 7. AVERILL,WILLIAM, Will of, 30. PUMP,THE TOWN,71. BABSONGENEALOGY, I. PUMP,THE OLD TOWN,71. BACONFAMILY, 24. QUERIES,316-320, 16; 321, 322, 32; 323, 324, BACON,WILLIAM, Will of, 45. 48; 325-3299 64; 330-334, 80; 335, 3369 BADCOCKFAMILY, 37. 96; 337-3421 144; 343' 344, 192. BADGERGENEAWGY, 49. QUILTER,MARK, Will of, 70. BAGLEYGENEALOGY, 65. SALEM,15. BAILEY-BAYLEYGENEALOGIES, 81, 110, 123. SALEM,PART OF, IN 1700, NO. 6, 33. BAKERGENEALOGIES, 158, 163, 166, 168. SALEM,PART OF, IN 1700, NO. 7, 145. BLIGH'S,PEGGY, VOYAGE, FROM, 23. SALEMQUARTERLY COURT RECORDSAND FILES, BRADFORCINSCRIPTIONS: 26, 55, 88, 120, 169. Ancient Burying Ground, 17, 41, 58, 72, 92, SCOTT,THOMAS, Will of, 92.
    [Show full text]
  • Crucible of War: Conflict in North America 1757–1792
    CATALOGUE THREE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN Crucible of War: Conflict in North America 1757–1792 WILLIAM REESE COMPANY 409 Temple Street New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 789-8081 A Note This catalogue derives its title from Fred Anderson’s superb history of the French and Indian War, The Crucible of War. That colonial war shaped an aftermath of colonial dis- sent and imperial struggle which led directly to the American Revolution and ultimately to the federal government of the United States as we know it. The third of a century covered in this catalogue is the crucible out of which the United States emerged. We are pleased to offer many landmark books here, among them the Paris 1785 edi- tion of Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia; a wonderful James Sharples portrait of Alexander Hamilton; Simcoe’s Journal..., a legendary Revolutionary rarity; and General Gage’s proclamation of martial law after Lexington and Concord. Also offered are sets of the Journals of the Continental Congress and The Pennsylvania Magazine of 1775-76; a series of crucial Revolutionary pamphlets; a set of the Intolerable Acts; and much more. Available on request or via our website are our recent catalogues 311 American Women, 313 World Travel & Voyages, 314 Recent Acquisitions in Americana, and 315 The Only Copy For Sale, as well as Bulletins 33 American Natural History, 34 Adams & Jefferson, 35 American Travel, 36 American Views & Cartography, 37 Flat: Single Significant Sheets, and many more topical lists. Some of our catalogues, as well as some recent topical lists, are now posted on the internet at www.reeseco.com.
    [Show full text]
  • Old Brookfield and West Brookfield
    THE ROAD TO FOSTER'S HILL. OLD BROOKFIELD AND WEST BROOKFIELD. By D. H. Chamberlain. HEN in May, 1660, forty little record has been preserved, and of years after the landing of the which little, too little is known, much W Pilgrims at Plymouth and less familiar, even to those whose feet thirtv vears after the establishment of now daily tread in the footprints of the ~ .f;ssaclmsctts Day Colony, John those valorous and adventurous I ps­ \!Varner, John Ayres, vVilliam Prich­ wich men. Ipswich, a town which ard and perhaps a half dozen others, shall not be unremembered here, being "severall the inhabitants of though settled only in 1633, was now Ipswich," were granted by "The looking westward, as if at least dimly Great and General Court of Election conscious of the great destiny which at Boston" "sixe miles square or so was unrolling long before the good much land as shall becontejned in such Bishop Berkeley, himself a victim of a compasse in a place nere Quoboag· this destiny, wrote his memorable Ponds," the first step was taken in line. And in truth it was part of a a history which has not only stretched vast movement, one of those well over two hundred and forty years, but marked epochs which seem to me, covers events and men of whom too alone considered, to lend quite as ,182 OLD BROOKl'!IiLD AND WEST BROOKFIELD. THE OLD FOSTER HOME. much color and reason to the time­ few Ipswich men, grantees of 1660, honored theory of providential guid­ visited Q uaboag in that year: ance and intervention as to the cur­ and tradition has it that the site rently accepted theory of merely nat­ of the first settlement of Brook­ m al evolution-the great F ranco ~ field was then chosen.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles University in Prague Faculty of Social Sciences The
    Charles University in Prague Faculty of Social Sciences Institute of International Studies Department of American Studies The Aspirations and Ascent of George Washington in the Context of His Times: From His Early Years to the End of the Revolutionary War Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Author: Mgr. Stanislav Sýkora Supervisor: Prof. PhDr. Svatava Raková, CSc. Year: 2012 ABSTRACT George Washington’s relatively obscure beginnings did not preclude him from admiring and acquainting himself with chivalrous role models and genteel guidelines. Longing for recognition, Washington sought opportunities to serve his influential patrons to merit their further approbation. The dissertation sets Washington’s aspirations in the context of honor-based sociocultural milieu of his day and thus provides the reader with an insight into the conventional aspects of his ascent to the upper echelons of the colonial society of Virginia. At the time of the Revolution, Washington’s military reputation, leadership, and admirable character earned him a unanimous election to the chief command of the American armies. The complexity of Washington’s venture of accepting, exercising, and ultimately resigning the supreme military powers in relation to his reputation and sense of patriotic duty is thoroughly analyzed. Key words: George Washington, convention, ascent, ambition, patriotism, virtue iii I declare that I have worked on this dissertation independently, using the sources listed in the bibliography. …………………………………… Author’s signature iv CONTENTS Introduction 1 Chapter One: The Early Influences 11 Chapter Two: “Honour and Glory” 42 Chapter Three: The Gentleman of Mount Vernon 113 Chapter Four: “It Surely Is the Duty of Every Man Who Has Abilities to Serve His Country” 123 Chapter Five: “My Plan Is to Secure a Good Deal of Land” 168 Chapter Six: “Certain I Am No Person in Virginia Takes More Pains to Make Their Tobo Fine than I Do” 184 Chapter Seven: “George Washington, Esq.
    [Show full text]