_Portsmouth Road, Nov. 1st, 1777. Saturday._--Between the hours of 8 &
9 this morning weigh'd anchor and proceeded to Sea with a moderate
breeze, before night lost sight of the American shore.[8]
[8] The Ranger 18, was built 1777, on Langdon's Island,
Portsmouth Harbor, by order of Congress, under the direction of
Colonel James Hackett.
On the 14th of June, 1777, Congress _Resolved_, That Capt. John
Paul Jones be appointed to command the ship Ranger, and under
date Philadelphia, June 18, 1777, the marine committee write to
him, "You are appointed to the command of the Ranger, lately
built at Portsmouth. Col. Whipple, the bearer of this, carries
with him the resolves of Congress appointing you to this command,
and authorizing him, Col. Langdon, and you to appoint the other
commissioned as well as warrant officers necessary for this ship,
and he has with him blank commissions and warrants for this
purpose."
Though great diligence was used by Jones in equipping the Ranger,
she was not ready to proceed on her destination until the middle
of October. Twenty-six guns had been provided for the ship, but
Jones exercised great judgment in mounting only eighteen on her,
as he considered from her size and slight construction, that she
would be more serviceable with eighteen than with a greater
number. The following extracts from his letter to the marine
committee, dated Oct. 29, 1777, two days before sailing, gives a
lively idea of the difficulties he had to contend with, and the
poverty of our resources. "With all my industry I could not get a
single suit of sails completed until the 20th current. Since that
time winds and weather have laid me under the necessity of
continuing in port. At this time it blows a very heavy gale from
the northeast. The ship with difficulty rides it out, with yards
and topmasts struck and whole cables ahead. When it clears up I
expect the wind from the northwest, and shall not fail to embrace
it, although I have not now a spare sail nor materials to make
one. Some of those I have are made of hissings. I never before
had such disagreeable service to perform, as that which I have
now accomplished and of which another will claim the credit as
well as the profit. However, in doing my utmost I am sensible
that I have done no more than my duty."
Thus imperfectly equipped, having a very good crew, but "only
thirty gallons of rum," as Jones laments, for them to drink on
the passage, the Ranger sailed from Portsmouth on the 1st of
November, 1777.--_Mackenzie's Life of Paul Jones._
_Sunday, Nov. 2nd._--A very fine morning and a favorable wind, all well
on board--except some few who are a little Seasick.
_Friday, Nov. 7th._--A strong gale at Northwest which carrys us 10
knots.
_Thursday, Nov. 13th._--About seven this morning saw a sail on our lee
Bow distant about 2 Leagues, gave chase and spoke her about 12 o'clock,
a Brig from Carolina bound for Bordeaux with several Tory Passengers on
Board, among whom were Hartley the Organist & his wife.
_Friday, Nov. 14th._--This Morning at 5 o'clock came up a severe
Thunder Storm from the southwest.
_Saturday, 15th._--Last evening came on a gale of wind which increas'd
till about 3 this morning when it began to abate, in the hight of the
gale a sail was seen under our lee Quarter, hove too till she came up,
a Schooner from St. Peters bound to Bordeaux.
_Sunday, 16th._--A fresh Breeze, and high Sea from the late Gale, about
10 o'clock our tiller Rope broke by which we were in great Danger of
the Consequences of the Ship's broaching to.
_Wednesday, 19th._--About six this morning saw a Sail under our lee
Quarter, gave Chase or rather bore away till we came within about a
mile of Her found Her to be a large Ship standing Our course clued up
Our Courses and hawl'd Our wind--got ready for Action she standing on
her course close to the wind, wore Ship when it was too late, continued
the chase till night and lost Her.
_Saturday, Nov. 22nd._--At nine o'clock this morning saw a Sail on our
weather Beam--little wind; One of Our People fell from the Chains but
was saved by a Rope's End handed Him.
_Sunday, Nov. 23rd._--Early in the morning saw a Sail supposed to be
the same we saw yesterday, came up with and made a Prize of--about 8
o'clock, a Brig laden with fruit and wine from Malaga bound to
Yarmouth, Riches Comm^r.--She is called the Mary--there are no less
than six sail in sight at this Time.
_Monday, Nov. 24th._--Spoke a Schooner from Malaga bound to Liverpool
vessel and Cargo owned by a Portugal Merch^t.
_Tuesday, 25th._--Last night spoke a Ship & Snow bound to France,--and
are now chasing a vessel under Our lee Bow, at 11 at night came up with
& made a Prize of the Brig George from Malaga bound to London laden
with fruit and wine, she was commanded by Bulfinch.
_Wednesday, 26th._--Early in the morning gave chase to a Brig under our
lee Bow, but were obliged to give over Chase on seeing a very large
Ship to windward with several other Sail in Company she appeared to be
standing athwart us, about 2 she hove too with a Fleet of 13 Sail of
Ships & Brigs at 2 Leagues Distance, clewed up Our Courses & stopp'd
our Ship's way expecting every minute when she would come down upon us
about 4 she stood on her Course, we made sail close to the wind with a
design to cut off a Brig which could not keep up with the Convoy, lost
her in the night.
_Thursday, 27._--A fresh gale from the S.W. in the afternoon vear'd a
Barrel of Beef astern for the Brig, Sea running High she carelessly ran
upon our Larboard Quarter but did no other Damage than breaking our
Driver Boom--at 10 at Night saw several Sail spoke one of them found
them all to be Dutch Daugers.
_Saturday, 29th._--A very heavy gale, hove too at night in the Bay of
Biscay 60 Leagues distant from Land.
_Sunday, 30th._--Fine weather and a strong wind in the night hove too
and sounded in 80 Fathom water.
_Monday, Dec. 1._--Saw Land from mast Head at 10 in the morning, with
fine weather.
_Tuesday, Dec. 2nd._--Ran in for the Land with a fine moderate Breeze,
narrowly escap'd running on a Sand through want of a Pilot and arrived
all in good spirits at Peanbeauf on the River Loire and came to anchor
in the evening.
_Wednesday, 3rd._--Wrote a Letter to Capt. Shackford at L'Orient and
inclos'd one to my very good friend Cooper--favour'd by Cap^t.
Mutchemore.[9]
[9] The letter to his friend Cooper is given in the Memoir.
_Friday, Dec. 5th._--The Prize Brig Mary arrived here safe--went to
Nantez with Capt. Simpson arriv'd at 9 in the Evening this is a very
considerable City distant 10 Leagues from Peanbeauf am told there are
12 Parishes in Nantes in one of which are 30,000 Souls.
_Saturday, Dec. 6._--Went to the Tragedy but it was to me in an unknown
Tongue, was not much pleased or entertained, however the Musick was
good.
_Sunday, Dec. 7._--Returned to Peanbeauf, and on board the Ranger.
_Friday, 13 Feb._--Set sail for Quiberon Bay M^r. Williams & Brother on
board, in company with us Brig Independence, anchored in the Bay about
six in the Evening, 4 Ships of the Line besides Frigates in the Bay.
_Saturday, 14th Feby._--Very Squaly weather, came to Sail at 4 o'clock
P.M. saluted the french Admiral & rec'd nine guns in return this is the
first salute ever pay'd the American flagg.
_Sunday, 15th Feb'y._--Brig Independence saluted the french Flagg which
was return'd.[10]
[10] Jones, in his letter to the naval committee, dated Feb. 22,
1778, reporting this important recognition of our flag, says:--
"I am happy to have it in my power to congratulate you on my
having seen the American flag, for the first time, recognized in
the fullest and completest manner by the flag of France. I was
off this bay [Quiberon Bay] on the 13th inst., and sent my boat
in the next day to know if the Admiral would return my salute. He
answered that he would return to me as the senior continental
officer in Europe, the same salute as he was authorized to return
to an Admiral of Holland, or any other republic, which was four
guns less than the salute given. I hesitated at this, _for I had
demanded gun for gun_.
"Therefore I anchored in the entrance of the Bay at a distance
from the French fleet; but after a very particular inquiry, on
the 14th, finding that he really told the truth, I was induced to
accept his offer, the more _as it was an acknowledgment of
American Independence_.
"The wind being contrary and blowing hard, it was after sunset
before the Ranger was near enough to salute La Motte Piquet with
thirteen guns, which he returned with nine. However, to put the
matter beyond a doubt, I did not suffer the Independence to
salute until the next morning, when I sent word to the Admiral
that I would sail through his fleet in the Brig and would salute
him in open day. He was exceedingly pleasant, and returned the
compliment also with nine guns."
_Wednesday, 25th Feb'y._--Fleet got underway and left us at anchor
contrary to Expectations, about 12 o'clock it being very windy we came
to sail, ran out of the Bay without a Pilot, attempted to the Northward
of Belisle, but did not succeed, put back hoping to run into the Bay
again, but could not weather the Rocks, in the midst of our Trouble
having narrowly escap'd over setting the Ship, were alarm'd with the
cry of Fire--after all our endeavours to procure a Pilot were in vain,
& night coming on, bore away and ran out to the Leward of the Island,
very squaly still.
_Thursday, 26._--Arrived in Quiberon-Bay again the Evening after a
short but very tedious & unprofitable Cruize.
_Tuesday, March 3rd._--Weigh'd anchor and came to Sail in fine weather
& smooth water, sail'd along the Coast about 25 Leagues and came to
anchor in a small Bay near a small village called Benodett, had a
curious Adventure with a french Pilot who came on Board to pilot the
Ship but would not be compell'd to take charge of her.
_Thursday, March 5th._--Went with Joseph Ratcliff to Pontlably and
procured good lodgings for Him supposing the Eruption (which came out
last night) to be Small Pox--we were treated with great respect as we
were Americans, were waited on near half a mile to the Boat and on
parting gave them 3 Cheers which was answered with vive Le Congres.
_Friday, March 6th._--This morning (being fine weather) came to sail,
in the morning went through of Passage Duroi; saw a large Ship to the
leeward which we thought was a Frigate & the same we saw yesterday: She
fail'd in attempting to get through the Passage and stood off.
_Saturday, March 7th._--Came to anchor in Baldavids Bay not far from
the River of Brest.
_Sunday, March 8th._--Weigh'd and beat up towards Brest came too in
Camaritt's Bay 4 Leagues from Brest.
[At Brest] _Tuesday, March 10th._--Last night eight of our People took
the Cutter and went on shore and ran off leaving the Boat on the Rocks.
_Friday, March 13th._--Seven of eight Deserters were bro't back under
guard & confined in Irons.
_Saturday, 14th March._--Went to Brest with Capt. Jones & Lt.
Simpson; had a slight view of the Fortifications, Shipping, and
Dock-Yards--return'd in the Evening.
_Sunday, 15th._--I had the pleasure of entertaining the Commissaries
Lady & two Sisters on Board the Ranger.
_Wednesday, 18th._--Last night died after a lingering Illness for more
than three weeks Will^m. Reading--His remains were decently interr'd
about 11 o'clock A.M.--P.M. the Ladies came to pay Capt. Jones a visit
as he was absent when they pay'd us the first Visit.
_Monday, 23rd March._--Got under way and ran up to Brest; saluted the
Admiral, rec'd the news of L^d. Stormont's having left Paris on
receiving a copy of the Treaty with America.
_Thursday, 2nd April._--Got up anchor pay'd the french flagg another
Salute rec'd. 11 for 13--One of our Seamen narrowly escap'd drowning;
when the Ship was coming to sail was turned off from the Spritsail Yard
the Ship went over Him, but He was luckily taken up by the Man who was
in the Cutter which was vear'd astern arriv'd at Camaritt about 5
o'clock P.M. and came to anchor.
_Friday, 3rd April._--Our Ship being laid on Shore for cleaning I went
with our Pilot & L^t. Wallingsford to take a view of the New Fort which
is building on an Eminence at the distance of three miles from
Camaritt.
_Sunday, 5 April._--Attempted to get out to sea with the Fortuna of 36
guns but were oblig'd to return to Brest.
_Wednesday, 8th._--Made a second Attempt to get out & fail'd.
_Friday, 10th._--About 5 o'clock P.M. came to Sail in Company with the
Frigate [Fortuna]--were detained by the Cutter which was sent after
Sand to Camaritt.
_Saturday, 12th._[11]--Fine weather but no Convoy to be seen, about 10
in the morning saw a sail to windward which prov'd quite contrary to
our fears to be the Fortuna--we were all ready for action when she came
alongside of us.
[11] Saturday was the 11th April, 1778. From this entry to that
on Friday the 24th, there is a discrepancy of one day between the
day of the week and the month.
_Monday, 14th._--Our Convoy left us, sooner than Capt. Jones Expected
which He resented but could not prevent.
_Tuesday, 15 April._--Early in the morning saw a Brig under our Lee
Bow, about 8 o'clock spoke her: from Ostend to Galway laden with
Flaxseed took the People their Baggage &c. on board scuttled and left
Her.[12]
[12] Jones, in his report to the American commissioners, written
on the 27th of May, from Brest, says: "On the 14th I took a
Brigantine between Scilly and Cape Clear, bound for Ostend, with
a cargo of flaxseed for Ireland, sunk her, and proceeded into St.
George's Channel."
_Wednesday, 16th._--Made some part of Ireland in the morning suppos'd
to be the high Land of Dungarvin.
_Thursday 17th._--Saw a Ship in the afternoon under our lee Bow, at
Sun's setting spoke Her--a Ship of about 350 Tons from London for
Dublin laden with Hemp Iron Porter &c &c. ordered her to Brest.[13]
[13] Jones calls this ship the Lord Chatham, and says that she
was captured almost within sight of her port.
_Saturday, 19th._--Made a warm attempt to take a Cutter mounting 8
Guns, she slipped through Our Fingers, had the Captain have permitted
the Marines to fire on them when they first came under our lee Quarter
might have taken Her with great Ease.
_Sunday, 20th._--In the morning near the Isle of Man sunk a schooner
laden with Barley & Oats about 60 Tons burthen from some part of
Scotland, in the Evening sunk a Sloop in ballast from Ireland.[14]
_Monday, 21st._--Bore down for Belfast Loch, took a fishing Boat with 4
Men in sight of a Ship at anchor they informed Us that she was a Man of
war of 20 guns; we made sail and stood off about an Hour, when the
Capt. ordered the ship to be put about in order to go in and cut her
out, but the wind blowing fresh and the people unwilling to undertake
it we stood off and on till midnight when the People consenting and the
wind having lulled a little we stood into the River but it being
somewhat Dark did not drop our Anchor so as to lay her along side,
therefore were oblig'd to cut and run out, which we were very lucky in
effecting.[14]
[14] Jones says with regard to these affairs: "On the 18th, in
Glentine bay, on the south coast of Scotland, I met with a
revenue wherry; it being the common practice of these vessels to
board merchant ships, the Ranger then having no external
appearance of war, it was expected that this rover would come
alongside. I was, however, mistaken; for though the men were at
their quarters, yet this vessel outsailed the Ranger, and got
clear in spite of a severe cannonade.
"The next morning (19th) off the Mull of Galloway, I found myself
so near a Scotch Coasting Schooner, loaded with barley, that I
could not avoid sinking her. Understanding that there were ten or
twelve sail of merchant ships, besides a Tender brigantine with a
number of impressed men on board, at anchor in Lochran in
Scotland, I thought this enterprise worthy my attention; but the
wind, which at the first would have served equally well to sail
in or out of the Loch, shifted in a hard squall, so as to blow
almost directly in, with an appearance of bad weather. I was
therefore obliged to abandon my project.
"Seeing a cutter off the lee bow steering for the Clyde, I gave
chase, in hopes of cutting her off; but finding my endeavors
ineffectual, I pursued no further than the Rock of Ailson. In the
evening I fell in with a sloop from Dublin, which I sunk."
_Tuesday, 22nd._--Stood off and on all Day with a design to make
another Trial if the wind lull'd at night there being no signs of more
moderate weather wore ship and stood back towards Galway Mull--Our
people very much fatigued.
_Wednesday, 23rd._[15]--Weather somewhat more moderate & our people a
little recruited, Our enterprising Capt. with about 30 men went on
shore about 11 P.M. with a Design to fire the Town of Whitehaven.[16]
[15] Jones in his report says: "The 21st, being near
Carrickfergus, a fishing boat came off which I detained. I saw a
ship at anchor in the road, which I was informed by the fishermen
was the British ship of war Drake, of twenty guns. I determined
to attack her in the night; my plan was to overlay her cable, and
to fall upon her bow, so as to have all her decks open and
exposed to our musquetry, &c.; at the same time, it was my
intention to have secured the enemy by grapplings, so that, had
they cut their cables, they would not have attained any
advantage. The wind was high, and unfortunately the anchor was
not let go as soon as the order was given, so that the Hanger was
brought to upon the enemy's quarters at the distance of half a
cable's length. We had made no warlike appearance, of course had
given no alarm; this determined me to cut immediately, which
might appear as if the cable had parted, and at the same time
enable me, after making a tack out of the Loch, to return with
the same prospect of advantage which I had at first. I was
however prevented from returning, as I with difficulty weathered
the light-house on the lee-side of the Loch, and as the gale
increased. The weather now became so very stormy and severe, and
the sea ran so high, that I was obliged to take shelter under the
south shore of Scotland."
[16] Jones's account of this important affair is as follows:--
"The 22d introduced fair weather, though the three kingdoms were,
as far as the eye could reach, covered with snow. I now resolved
once more to attempt Whitehaven; but the wind became very light,
so that the ship would not in proper time approach so near as I
had intended. At midnight I left the ship with two boats and
thirty-one volunteers; when we reached the outer pier the day
began to dawn; I would not, however, abandon my enterprise, but
despatched one boat under the direction of Mr. Hill and Lieut.
Wallingford, with the necessary combustibles to set fire to the
shipping on the north side of the harbor, while I went with the
other party to attempt the south side. I was successful in
scaling the walls and spiking up all the cannon in the first
fort; finding the sentinels shut up in the guard house, they were
secured without being hurt. Having fixed sentinels, I now took
with me one man only (Mr. Green), and spiked up all the cannon in
the southern fort, distant from the others a quarter of a mile.
"On my return from this business, I naturally expected to see the
fire of the ships on the north side, as well as to find my own
party with every thing in readiness to set fire to the shipping
on the south; instead of this, I found the boat under the
direction of Mr. Hill and Mr. Wallingford returned, and the party
in some confusion, their light having burnt out at the instant
when it became necessary. By the strangest fatality, my own party
were in the same situation, the candles being ail burnt out. The
day too came on apace, yet I would by no means retract while any
hopes of success remained. Having again placed sentinels, a light
was obtained at a house disjoined from the town, and a fire was
kindled in the steerage of a large ship, which was surrounded by
at least one hundred and fifty others, chiefly from two to four
hundred tons burden, and lying side by side, aground unsurrounded
by the water. There were, besides, from seventy to a hundred
large ships on the north arm of the harbor, aground clear of the
water, and divided from the rest only by a stone pier of a ship's
height. I should (would) have kindled fires in other places if
the time had permitted; as it did not, our care was to prevent
the one kindled from being easily extinguished. After some
search, a barrel of tar was found, and poured into the flames,
which now ascended from all the hatchways. The inhabitants began
to appear in thousands, and individuals ran hastily towards us. I
stood between them and the ship on fire, with a pistol in my
hand, and ordered them to retire, which they did with
precipitation. The flames had already caught in the rigging, and
began to ascend the mainmast; the sun was a full hour's march
above the horizon, and as sleep no longer ruled the world, it was
time to retire. We re-embarked without opposition, having
released a number of prisoners, as our boats could not carry
them. After all my people had embarked, I stood upon the pier for
a considerable space, yet no person advanced; I saw all the
eminences around the town covered with the amazed inhabitants.
"When we had rowed to a considerable distance from the shore, the
English began to run in vast numbers to their forts; their
disappointments may easily be imagined when they found, I
suppose, at least thirty heavy cannon rendered useless. At
length, however, they began to fire, having, as I apprehend,
either brought down ship's guns, or used one or two cannon which
lay on the beach at the foot of the walls, dismounted, and which
had not been spiked. They fired with no direction, and the shot
falling short of the boats, instead of doing us any damage
afforded some diversion; which my people could not help showing,
by discharging their pistols, &c. in return of the salute. Had it
been possible to have landed a few hours sooner, my success would
have been complete. Not a single ship, out of more than two
hundred, could possibly have escaped, and all the world would not
have been able to save the town. What was done, however, is
sufficient to show, that not all their boasted navy can protect
their own coasts; and that the scenes of distress, which they
have occasioned in America, may soon be brought home to their own
door. One of my people was missing; and must, I fear, have fallen
into the enemy's hands after our departure. I was pleased that in
this business we neither killed or wounded any person. I brought
off three prisoners as a _sample_."
In a memorial to congress Jones says, "His first object was to
secure an exchange of prisoners in Europe, and his second to put
an end, by one good fire in England, of shipping, to all the
burnings in America," and he expresses the opinion, that had his
officers in the Providence and Alfred been with him in the
Ranger, two hundred and fifty to three hundred large ships at
Whitehaven would have been laid in ashes. In the Ranger's logbook
the man left on shore is named David Smith, and it was thought he
remained on shore voluntarily, and that under the name of
Freeman, he gave information at several houses that fire had been
set to the ships.
_Thursday, 24th._--After watching the night and all the morning till
broad day light in expectation of seeing the smoke of the Town and
Shipping (ascend as the smoke of a Furnace) began to fear that Our
People had fallen into the Enemies Hands; however about half an hour
after sun rise we discovered two small Boats at a great Distance coming
out of the Rivers mouth, and clouds of smoke arising from the Shipping,
soon after we saw them fire on the Boats from the Shore, but most of
the Cannon being spiked up by our People they could do but very little
the Boats were soon out of their Reach and came along-side with 3
prisoners for one left behind.
The same Day crossed over to the other side of the Bay to the Mull of
Galway Capt. Jones with Lt. Wallingsford and about 12 Men went on shore
[at St. Mary's Isle] with design to take L^d. Selkirk, Prisoner. As he
was not at Home and no man in the House, for the sake of his Lady & her
Company they came off without doing any further Damage than plundering
Him of Plate to the amount of (as near as I can judge) 160lb. weight of
Silver.[17]
[17] _The attempted Seizure of the Earl of Selkirk_, &c.--On the
8th of May following, Jones wrote from Brest to the Countess of
Selkirk, with regard to the taking of this plate, that he was
obliged to command while he did not approve of the act, and thus
expresses the object of the expedition.
"Knowing Lord Selkirk's interest with the King, and esteeming as
I do his private character, I wished to make him the happy
instrument of alleviating the horrors of a hopeless captivity,
when the brave are overpowered and made prisoners of war," and
"it was my intention to have taken him on board the Ranger, and
to have detained him until, through this means, a general and
fair exchange of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had
been effected. When I was informed, by some men whom I met at the
landing, that his Lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat,
determined to leave the Island. By the way, however, some
officers who were with me, could not forbear expressing their
discontent, observing that, in America, no delicacy was shown by
the English, who took away all sorts of moveable
property--setting fire not only to towns, and to the houses of
the rich, without distinction, but not even sparing the wretched
hamlets and milch cows of the poor and helpless, at the approach
of an inclement winter. That party had been with me the same
morning at Whitehaven; some complaisance, therefore, was their
due. I had but a moment to think how I might gratify them, and at
the same time do your ladyship the least injury. I charged two
officers to permit none of the seamen to enter the house, or to
hurt anything about it,--to treat you, Madam, with the utmost
respect, to accept of the plate which was offered, and to come
away without making a search, or demanding any thing else.
"I am induced to believe I was punctually obeyed; since I am
informed, that the plate which they brought away is far short of
the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. I
have gratified my men; and when the plate is sold I shall become
the purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings by restoring it
to you, by such conveyance as you shall please to direct."
Lord Selkirk wrote a letter in reply, intimating that he would
accept the return of the plate, if made by order of congress, but
not if redeemed by individual generosity. The letter, however,
was detained in the general post office, London, and returned to
the earl, who requested a gentleman to communicate the cause of
its miscarriage and its tenor orally to Dr. Franklin, who at once
informed Jones of the substances of the communication. Meanwhile
the plate had fallen into the hands of the prize agents, and it
was not until the beginning of 1780, and by the purchase of
seventeen twentieths of it, that Jones obtained possession of it.
When he had succeeded in effecting this object, he wrote again to
the Countess of Selkirk; but his voyage to America retarded its
delivery until 1784. It was eventually returned in the same
condition in which it had been removed, and Lord Selkirk
subsequently acknowledged, as the following extracts from his
letter to Paul Jones, dated _London, August 4, 1789_, the
unwearied pains Jones had taken to secure its restoration.
"I received the letter you wrote to me at the time you sent off
my plate, in order for restoring it. Had I known where to direct
a letter to you, at the time it arrived in Scotland, I would then
have wrote you. * * * Notwithstanding all the precaution you took
for the easy and uninterrupted conveyance of the plate, yet it
met with considerable delays; first at Calais, next at Dover,
then at London; however, it at last arrived at Dumfries, and I
dare say quite safe, though as yet I have not seen it, being then
in Edinburgh." "I intended to have put an article in the
newspapers about your having returned it * * and on all occasions
both now and formerly, I have done you the justice to tell, that
you made an offer of returning the plate very soon after your
return to Brest; and although you yourself was not at my house,
but remained at the shore with your boat, that yet you had your
officers and men in such extraordinary good discipline, that your
having given them the strictest orders to behave well, to do no
injury of any kind, to make no search, but only to bring off what
plate was given them; that in reality they did exactly as
ordered, and that not one man offered to stir from his post on
the outside of the house, nor entered the doors, nor said an
uncivil word; that the two officers staid not a quarter of an
hour in the parlor and the butler's pantry, while the butler got
the plate together, behaved politely, and asked for nothing but
the plate, and instantly marched their men oft' in regular order,
and that both officers and men behaved in all respects so well,
that it would have done credit to the best disciplined troops
whatever."
_Friday, 24th._--Early in the morning our Capt. proposed making a
second attempt to cut out the Ship in Caraefergus, which was now within
a small Distance, the People both officers & men discovr'd great
unwillingness to make the attempt. Capt. Jones notwithstanding declar'd
publickly his determination to go in, in short it seem'd impossible to
avoid it for the Tide & what little wind there was, had imperceptably
carry'd us in so far that there was very little chance for an Escape,
and now which was about sun-rise we saw the Ship with Her Sails loos'd
and had nothing to do but to get ready for Action Our People at the
same Time discovering the greatest readiness to engage Her. When she
[the Sloop of war Drake] came out at 11 almost Calm about 12 Saw a Boat
coming from the Ship which we Decoy'd and took on board a Midshipman &
5 Men; there being a light Breeze of Wind & understanding by the People
from the Ship that she was coming Out to us; clung our wind and stood
out under easy sail till 4 o'clock, P.M. & hove too for Her, she came
up about 6 and hailed after the usual Compliments were pass'd we wore
Ship and gave her a whole broad side, without receiving a Shot: the
Action continued till 5 minutes after seven very warm when her 2
Commanding Officers being the one Capt. Brurdon killed & the other Lt.
Dobbs mortally wounded and about 20 of Her Men disabled and the Ships
Rigging Sails &c. very much damaged they were oblig'd to give her up by
the wave of the Hat; & a call for Quarters for having the Second Time
cut away their Ensign staff they had no Colours to Strike.
Lost on our side,--Lt. Wallingsford[18] killed by a musket shot in the
head. John W. Dangle by a double H^d. shot cut in two in the Fore Top.
[18] Lieut. Wallingford's christian name was Samuel. Doct. Green
told his son he was a lieutenant of marines. His son George
Washington Wallingford, born in Somersworth, N.H.; and an infant
two months old at the time of his father's death, was a
distinguished lawyer of Maine. (See Willis's _Law and Lawyers of
Maine_, pp. 252,256.)
Wounded,--Pierce Powers lost his right Hand, & his left badly wounded.
James Falls by a musket shot through the Shoulder. Tho^s. Taylor lost
his little Finger by a musket shot at the wheel.
_Saturday, 25th._--Very pleasant and almost Calm a fine Opportunity for
repairing and fitting for Sea from on board the Drake buried the
Remains of Capt. Burdon with the Honors of war--spoke a Brigg from
white Haven of about 300 Tons commanded by Capt. More, put a Prize
Master and Hands on Board Her: at 12 we were not far from the place of
action about 2 o'clock P.M. having a light Breeze sent away the Fishing
Boat's crew with a present of Money 17 Guineas and the Drakes Main Sail
& M^n. Top Sail; in the Evening committed the Body of Lt. Wallingsford
to the deep with the Honours due to so brave an Officer.
_Monday, 4th May._--Died of his wounds and the same day were decently
buried the Remains of Nath^1. Wells of Portsmouth, America.
_Thursday, May 7th._--Arrived at Brest with the Ship Drake in Company.
_May 9th, Saturday._--Sent on Shore to the Hospital Pierce Powers,
James Falls & Tho^s. Taylor from the Ranger at the same Time sent from
the Drake 13 Prisoners.
_Sunday, 10th May._--Arrived here the Prize Brig Patience.
_Wednesday, 13th._--Sent to the Hospital John Mott a Prisoner taken in
the Drake.
_Friday, 29 May._--Drew a petition in behalf of my good Friend Simpson
now in gaol in Brest which was sign'd by Lt. Hall M^r. Cullam and
myself & sent on shore to the Office in order to go to the
Commissioners at Paris.
_Thursday, 18th June._--Rec'd the news of an Engagement between a
French & English Frigate not far from Morleaux, the French Frig. was
ordered out to Adm^l. Byron to speak, she refus'd to Obey therefore
were fired on by the Eng--the action began about half past 4 on the
afternoon of yesterday and continued 5 hours, though the Eng^h. struck
they were prevented bringing her off by Adm^l. Byron's Squadron 12 sail
of the Line besides Frigates--the French Frigate lost 1 Lt. 1 officer
of Marines and 38 men killed, and about 60 wounded.
_Thursday, 2nd July._--Had the company of Col. Frazier & M^r. Pringle
to Dine, afternoon went with them & Lieut^s. Simpson & Hall on board
the Britaigne of 110 Guns & 1400 Men were treated with the greatest
civility & Respect from all on Board.
_Friday, 3rd July._--This day arrived a Schooner called the Spy from
New London with Dispatches from Congress.
_Saturday, July 4th._--This being the Anniversary of American
Independence, was observed as such Our Ship was dressed 13 guns
discharg'd at 10 o'clock; At undressing 13 more; on drinking the Duke
de Chartre's Health 9 guns were fired; a number of Patriotic Toast were
drank; and universal Joy was diffused throughout the whole Ship's
company.
_Wednesday, July 8th._--This day the Fleet sail'd from this Place about
33 sail of the Line besides Frigates.
_Thursday, 9th._--This Day arrived here a Brig from Carolina with
Rice--no news C. Ray.
_Friday, July 10th._--This Day the Lively Ship of war was brought into
this harbour. On her refusing to comply with the commands of Capt. of
the Frigate by which she was taken, she receiv'd a broadside from the
Cannon & the fire from the Swivels & musketry both from below and
aloft, which was returned by 3 guns when she struck. Her loss was about
20 kill'd & 40 wounded most of whom are since dead.
_Friday, July 17th._--This day was brought in here the prize Cutter
Alert of 12 guns the same which took the Lexington Brig of 14 guns
Johnson Comm^r. She was taken by a Frigate.
_Sunday, 28 June_ last were brought in here Two Cutters from Guernsey
taken by Frigate Snow.
_Wednesday, 22 July._--Rec'd the news of C. De Astangs arrival in
Boston.
_Monday, July 27th._--This day Thomas Simpson Esq^r.[19] came on board
with orders to take command of the Ranger; to the joy and Satisfaction
of the whole Ships company.
[19] This change of commanders was at Jones's request on the 4th of
July. He wrote to the commissioners at Paris,--"When Congress thought
proper to order me to France it was proposed that the Ranger should
remain under my direction, not be commanded by a Lieutenant. And as the
French ministry have now in contemplation plans which promise honor to
the American flag, the Ranger might be very useful in carrying them
into execution. Lieut. Simpson has certainly behaved amiss; yet I can
forgive, as well as resent; and upon his making a proper concession, I
will with your approbation not only forgive the past, but leave him the
command of the Ranger. By this means, and by some little promotions and
attentions, I hope to be able to satisfy the Ranger's crew, so that
they will postpone their return as long as the service may require."
On the 13th of August, he wrote the commissioners from Brest, "I have
been five days in this place since my return from Passy, during which
time I have neither seen nor heard from Lieut. Simpson; but Mr. Hill,
who was last winter at Passy, and who sailed with me from Nantes,
informs me truly, that it is generally reported in the Ranger, and of
course throughout the French fleet and on shore, that I am turned out
of the service; that you gentlemen have given Mr. Simpson my place,
with a Captain's commission, and that my letter to you of the 16th of
July, was involuntary on my part, and in obedience only to your
orders. That these reports prevail, is not an idle conjecture, but a
melancholy tact. Therefore, I beseech you; I demand of you to afford me
redress--redress by a court martial," &c. On the 15th of August, he
wrote Capt. Abraham Whipple, then at Brest, requesting that a court
martial might be summoned for the trial of Simpson, but Capt. Whipple
writes him, explaining the impossibility of forming a court, and
expressing it as his opinion, that as he had given up the parole of
Simpson, in the most ample manner without asking for concessions,
nothing could be done.
Lieut. Simpson sailed in the Ranger for America. On the 30th of August,
Jones's friend Mr. Williams, writing to him from Nantes, in relation to
the pending sale of the Drake, said, "I am sorry your affair with
Lieut. Simpson was not settled with mutual satisfaction. If he was not
gone, I should answer his charge of falsehood with the following
paragraph of his own letter to me, of the 1st of August, to mine, which
you say he calls false, viz: 'I recollect my telling you when at Brest,
that if Capt. Jones had condescended to have made any inquiry, or
permitted him to speak to me on the matter of my confinement, I was
ready to give him any satisfaction consonant with truth.' It is strange
he should recollect this when he wrote me the letter, and forget it
again when he told Mr. Hill it was false. Lieut. Simpson's letter to me
is in very respectful terms, and I wrote him a letter of thanks in
return. He desired me to present his respects to you, and tell you that
'your recommendation to the commissioners, which I mentioned, would,
with any services you had done him, be ever remembered with
gratitude.'"
The Ranger arrived safe in America, and Lieut. Simpson was continued in
command of her until she was destroyed at Charleston, after which we
hear no more of him in the naval service.
In February following, the commissioners addressed a letter to Jones,
stating, that as his separation from the Ranger, and the appointment of
Lieut. Simpson to the command of her would be liable to
misrepresentation, they certified that his leaving her was by their
consent, at the express request of M. de Sartine, who informed them
that he had occasion to employ Jones in some public service; that
Simpson was appointed to the command by the consent of Jones, who had
released him from the arrest he had placed him under; that Jones's rank
in the navy was not prejudiced by his leaving the Ranger; and that his
commission remained in full force.
In a letter addressed to Robert Morris, dated Oct. 10, 1783, Jones
says, he "received orders to proceed to Europe, to command the great
frigate building at Amsterdam, for the U.S.; then called the Indien,
and since the South Carolina,"--and "it was proposed that he should
proceed to France in a ship belonging to that kingdom; but, some
difficulties arising, the sloop of war Ranger of 18 guns was put under
his command for that service, and to serve afterwards as a tender to
the Indien, but political reasons defeated the plan, and after seeing
the commissioners in Paris, agreeably to their order to consult on the
means of carrying it into execution, he returned to Nantes and resumed
the command of the Ranger."
_Tuesday, July 28th._--This Day arrived from the Lamp [illegible] of 60
guns, with news of an Engagement between the Fleets.
_Wednesday, July 29th._--Last night arrived a 74 This Day arrived the
Fleet, excepting 1 of 80 1 of 60 and 1 Frigate, which they say parted
from them in the Fog--they appear to have sustained no very
considerable Damage in the late Fight.
_Saturday, Augt. 8th._--Sent to the Hospital three of the Drake's
People viz: Jn^o. Wilkinson Pilot John Colbert & John Rickets Seamen.
_Sunday, Augt. 9th._--Sent to the Hospital Joseph Larcher a Prisoner
from y^e Drake.
_Saturday 15._--Last night arrived Here the Barton & Providence,
Whipple & Tucker from Nantes.
_Thursday, 20th Augt._--Moved down in Company with the Providence &
Boston Frigates, about four Leagues & came too, to give the People an
Opportunity of expending their Prize Money. I had a very Fatiguing Time
up to Brest on Business for Capt. Simpson and the widow of my deceas'd
Friend Lt. Wallingford for whom I bought 32 Crowns worth.
_Friday, 21st._--Very little wind this morning came to Sail & got down
about 2 Leagues & anchored. At 3 P.M. came to Sail again and ran out
with a fine Breeze.
_Saturday, 22._--Very fine weather in the morning saw a Sail ahead were
order'd by our Commodore to give chase came up with Her about 5 P.M. a
Spanish Snow bound to Haver du Grace.
_Sunday, 23rd Aug._--Chased a Dutchman all Day.
_Monday, 24._--Spoke Brig call'd the Sally from London laden with
Provisions, Beef Flour & Butter, 150 Tons Burthen. Sent her to America.
Lat. 45.32 Long. 10.22.
_Wednesday, September 2nd._--Being in chase in Latt. 47.21 Long. 27.24
at 3 P.M. carry'd away Our fore Top Mast and Main Top gall. Mast.
_Wednesday, Sept. 9th._--Latt. 46.7 Long. 36.29. Took a Brig called the
Friends from Granada bound to Glasco with Rum & Cotton about 100 Tons
Burden. 10 Bags Cotton 134 Puncheons Rum.
_Wednesday, 16th Sept^r._ in Latt. 45.45 Long. 41.47 Took a Snow from
Newfoundland Laden with Fish 150 Tons Burthen.
_Thursday 17th._--7 Morn gave chase to a large Ship to windward as far
as we could see them from Top of mast head 7 in the Evening, came very
near them but night coming on lost sight of them.
_Friday, 25th September._--In Latt. 44.45 had soundings on the Banks of
Newfoundland in 82 Fathoms, Foggy.
_Sunday, 27th Sept._--Spoke a Brig from Amsterdam called the William
Robert Stonehouse Comm^r. bound to Boston the same Day saw an Island of
Ice at a Distance which had the appearance of a Lofty Sail we pass'd
within a League of it to windward. The Brig is Laden with Tea and
Cordage.