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

AUGUST 1775 1209
Water's Edge) we may suppose the head came out. It is imagined that it may
be carried off, either to Philadelphia or South Carolina, as a correspondence by
some of the Inhabitants of this Place hath been carried on to those two places.
And a Sloop belonging to Virginia called the Lady Catherine in Ballast Bound
to Philadelphia, Geo Ord Master, was seen under Sail the next morning, cbut could
not be overtaken by the Custom house boat; And likewise a Schooner called the
Charles Town and Savannah Packet, John Turner, Master, belonging to South
Carolina with 2,000 Sawed Stones, bound to Barbadoes, but perhaps may have
altered her Voyage & may be gone to South Carolina, she cleared out the 1 lth
Augt at the same time the Sloop did & was under sail the 15th of Augt in the
morning, but the Custom house Boat could not overtake either of them. This
is certainly a most daring & Villianous Crime. As this place from its' remote situation,
might otherwise have remained easy and unconcerned, as it is greatly to be
feared that some of the Inhabitants must have given assistance, I hope your
Excellency will be able to perswade some of His Majts Captains of Men of War to
call here for further Intelligence, and to acquaint Genl [Thomas] Gage of it, &
likewise his Majts Ministers at home. As I have endeavoured to Charter or Hire
a Bermuda Vessel to carry some live Stock to the General, Mrs Gage &ca and to
some of the Sick & Wounded, & they have all refused me, giving for answer, that
their Vessel would be burnt. I have the honor to be &c.
Bermuda 22d. of Augt. 1775
P.S,
George James Bruere Govr
I am in great tribulation fearing I may have lost either one or two Sons
1. PRO, Admiralty 1/309, enclosed with Vice Admiral James young's letter of October 23,
1775, to Philip Stephens. A copy is in PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/122, 53d, LC
Transcript.
Sr. Portland English Harbour Antigua 22d Augt 1775.
I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 17th Inst. dated from the Council
Chamber at St. Johns in which you inform me the Council of this His Majestys
Island Antigua "have no authority to prevent the buying & selling of Merchandize
which hath been fairly imported & would advise an application to the Commander
in Chief of these Islands for a proclamation to restrain the selling of Powder & other
Warlike Stores to the No. American Traders. ["I I cannot avoid remarking to You
& the Gentlemen of His Majestys Council, that notwithstanding Gunpowder &
Warlike Stores may have been fairly imported to these Islands yet I presume the
selling them as Merchandize to the NO American Traders, at a time their Countrymen
are declared to be in open rebellion will be deemed Treasonable especially
as the Kings proclamation for prohibiting the exportation of Gunpowder & Warlike
Stores from the Kingdom of .Great Britain &c hath been published in the London
Gazette of the 19th Octo, 1774 & of the 5th. of April 1775 which last Proclarnation
still continues in force, And I have no doubt before the expiration thereof the
same will be extended to a longer time.