Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

AUGUST 1775 1175
HIS MAJESTY'S OFFICERS FOR THE ANNAPOLIS DISTRICTO
ROBERT EDEN, GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND
Sir Annapolis 18th. Aug 1775
In answer to the Letter Your Excellency was pleased to write to Us the 12th
Instant, respecting the Ship Totness Capt. Warren, which was lately destroyed
about Twelve Miles below this Place. We can only report to your Excellency,
from hearsay, that the Vessel being bound from Liverpool to Baltimore with a Cargo
of Salt and other Articles on Board, run on Shore in the Night of the 9th or loth
of last Month on a Shoal, near some Islands called the three Sisters, where She
lay several Days without the Master taking any Measures to get off by lightening
Her. The second or third Day after she had remained in such Situation, some
Gentlemen, who had been chosen by the Inhabitants of that part of the Province
to see that the Association relative to the Non-Importation of Goods from Great
Britain should be strictly observed, went on Board, asked the Master some Questions
about his Cargo, & Destination of his Vessel; & being assured by him that it
was not his Intention to land any of his Cargo there - They did not interfere
further but consented to his proceeding to Baltimore if He should think fit to do SO.
The ship continuing aground some Days afterwards, & no Steps being taken by the
Master to get her off, many People at different times went on Board, & a Report
was spread that there were many other Goods than the Master had acknowledged
to the Committee, & that He was not sollicitous to get his Vessel off or to proceed to
any other Place. It likewise became a Subject of Conversation that this was the
Third Ship which Mr Gildart of Liverpoole had sent thence, loaded to this Province,
after He had been apprized of the Association, & that some Persons from
Liverpool had declared he avowed a Resolution to pay no Regard to it. Such
Discourses having made an Impression on a Number of young People who live
in the Neighbourhood, They went on Board, and after advising the Master & Crew,
to take out such things as were their own private Property set Her on Fire; but
we have not yet been able to learn certainly who the Persons were that committed
such Outrage, nor did the Master or any of the Crew come to, or pass thro this
Place, so as to give either of Us an Opportunity of asking them any Questions.
Had not the Vessel been unluckily run ashore, the Master wd probably have
been ordered back from Baltimore, without landing the Cargo; but we do not
think any Attempt would have been made either there or in this Place to destroy
Her, unless Goods had been Ianded ; in which Case she would not, We apprehend,
have been in safety any where in this or either of the Neighbouring Provinces.
We are with real Respect Your Excellency's [&c.]
Benedt Calvert Collr John Ridout Navl Off Wm Eddis Surveyr
1. Eden Transcripts, MdHS, from PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5.
PURDIE'S Virginia Gazette, FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1775
Williamsburg, Aupst 18.
From unquestionable authority we can assure the publick that forty tuns of
Gunpowder have been lately imported into Philadelphia, six tuns and a half