Deposition of Simon Newcomb (1)

I, Simon Newcomb, of lawful age, do testify and say, that, as I was going from Wellfleet to Salem in a small schooner, burden about twenty-five tons, loaded with oysters, on the twenty-fifth day of July last, off Race-Point, we were boarded and taken by a boat from a man of war, (the Falkland (sic Falcon), commanded by Captain Lindsey (John Linzee), and was carried into Boston, and there sold; (2) and I myself detained on board a man of war for some time, and finally dismissed. And do further testify and say, that, according to the best of my judgement, said schooner, with her appurtenances, was worth at that time (including her cargo,) fifty six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence, lawful money, and belonged to Mr. Zoheth Smith and others; and since I was taken, the man that was my partner is deceased.  And further saith not.

Simon Newcomb
Eastham (Massachusetts), January 26, 1776
Barnstable, ss

The above-mentioned Simon Newcomb personally appeared before me, one of his Majesty's Justices of Peace, and, after being duly cautioned, made oath to the above-written Deposition.

      John Atwood, Justice of  Peace

(1) Force, comp., American Archives, 4th, V, 164-65
(2) The schooner Hawke, condemned and sold in Boston, Graves's Prize List, December 31, 1775. Graves's Conduct, II, 36-38, BM
 
 

Admiralty Office 1st December 1775
The present disposition of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in Sea Pay
IN NORTH AMERICA
Under the Command of Vice Admiral Graves
50 Ships with a grand total of 7,460 sailors: Under his command.
The man of war Falcon, under the command of Captain John Linzee departed England on February 26, 1775, destination Boston, equipped with 14 guns and a compliment of 110 men.

Minutes of The Baltimore Committee (1)

Monday 12 February 1776 - The Committee met-
Application being made by Captain Daniel Adams of the Schooner Hawke for Liberty to take in a Cargo of flour for Beverley or Newbury Port in New England, it was granted to him on his producing a proper Certificate from the Committee of Beverley in Essex County in the Massachusets Bay -

(1) Baltimore Committee, LC.
 
 

Journal of H.M. Sloop Falcon, Captain John Linzee (1)

January 1776  Cape Hatteras S81 deg. W 181 Leagues
Tuesdy 23  at 1 PM Spoke a Brigg from Hispaniola to Halifax
Wednesy 24 at 1/2 past 11 am hove too Mn T Sail to the mast Hoisted the long Boat out  Sent the master 4 men & 2 Midshipmen on Board her.
 First part modt and Cloudy Middle Squally latter fresh Breezes & Hazey
 At 1 PM the Master Returned with the Longboat  Hoisted her in & made Sail. (2)

(1) PRO, Admiralty 51/336
(2)  The brig Hibernia, Samuel Avery, master, Thomas & James Cochran, owners, carried into Cape Fear by the Falcon with a cargo of molasses, sugar and coffee. Although her clearance from Hispaniola had been for Halifax, Linzee apparently surmised a different destination was intended. Shuldham's Prize List, May 23, 1776, PRO, Admiralty 1/484

Narrative of Vice Admiral Samuel Graves (1)

       (Boston) 1776 Jany 15

 It was now agreed between the Generals and the Admiral that the Kitty Transport should go to New York with General (Henry) Clinton under Convoy of the Mercury and that the Falcon should proceed to Cape Fear alone.  And the Admiral having acqauainted Rear Admiral Shuldham that he should on the Morrow direct him to take all the Kings Ships to the southward of boston under his Command, sent Captains Graeme and (John) Linzee Orders to wait upon him for his Dispatches thither, and directed Captain Linzee to proceed without the Kitty Transport and to return her sealed Rendezvous, she being put under the Convoy of Captain Graeme.

(1) Graves's Conduct, II, 28-29, BM

 When the Kitty transport is ready to sail, you are hereby desired and directed to take her under your Convoy and proceed without Loss of time in his Majesty's Sloop under your Commandto Sea, and when you are to the Eastward of Cape Cod open the sealed Pacaquet herewith inclosed and follow the Orders therein contained for your further Proceedings.
Given under my hand on board his Majs Ship Preston
At Boston 13 January 1776
(1). Graves's Conduct, Appendix, 117, BM

 (The Baltimore Committee in March 1775 prepared an oath to be taken by all masters of vessels entering that port, swearing they had not imported any products of the British Isles or British Colonies. It read:

You A.B. do make Oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, that you have not Imported in the Ship or Vessell called the _________ whereof you are Master during this present Voyage, except necessary Stores for the use of the said Vessell, which are not for Sale, any Goods Wares or Merchandize whatsoever from  Great Britain or Ireland or __________ of the growth or Manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, or any Goods exported from them or either of them, or any East India Tea, or any Molasses Syrups, Paneles (2) Coffee or Piemento of the Growth of the British West India Islands or Dominica or any Wines from Madeira or the Western Islands, or Foreign Indigo, or any Slave or Slaves.

Each master signed his name, and wrote in the name of his vessel and from whence he had come, upon a form headed by the above oath.  The entry list provides an interesting view of the orthographic attainments of many of the captains.)

Several ship names, their captains and where they are from are listed.
Of which one was the Hawke. (THSemelbauer)

The Entry Below:

April 3, 1775   Willm Harper  Hawke from the granada.

(1) Baltimore Committee, LC.
(2)  Pinole

To His Excellency George Washington Esquire Generalissmo of the Army of the Twelve United Colonies of America -

May it Please your Excellency

 The Liberty we take in Addressing a Person of so Exalted a Rank, will we presume be fully pardon'd when you perceive the Occasion of it -
 The Inhabitants of Nova Scotia & in particular those of the County of Cumberland have been under the greatest anxiety and apprehensions ever since the Great Contest subsisting between Great Britain and the American Colonies, Our situation has been such that we have not had it in our power to do any thing in Conjunction with the Other Colonies. The form of Government we are under, and the manner of Executing its Authority has been such, that we are rather to be looked upon as Slaves than Freemen-
 With Anxious desires have we been waiting for the success of your Righteous Cause, and that you would cast an Eye of pity towards this forlorn part, we have indeed nothing to Recommend us but misery, and impending destruction, and devastation  we trust our manner of Proceedings will have the desired Effect on you - As well as the Others who are the Instruments of supporting the Liberty of Mankind-
 We have been har(ass)'d much, Occation'd by Different proceedings of Government, threaten'd are we, because we have such sentiments Concerning the Cause Contended for by our Brethren on the Continent, News have been Received that Troops will soon be sent among us, This in a manner has Rous(e)'d many, who were Invisone'd in Lethargy, Committee's have been Appointed from the different Towns (Including the Accadians) to fall upon some method for safety- there being a Number among us (vainly Called Government men) Are Continually prying into Our proceedings, and with Accumalated Tales, Give information To the Government at Halifax - Liable therefore are we to be Cut in pieces, having no Expectation of succour but what comes through your Excellency - We agreed in Our Committees that nothing should be done Publickly as it might Agravate the Others to fall upon us, sooner than they intended, further as we could not tell the Intention of the Honorable Continental Congress Concerning us - Therefore as Individuals who beling to the Aforsesaid Committee, Do Recommend Johathan Eddy Esqr to Your Excellency who will acquaint you with our Situation, & Praying with Ardency that your Excellency will please to releive us; so that we may be Able to give our Sentiments publickly, & Join with our little Strenght, in Conjunction with the Other Colonies, in preventing the Ensigns of Slavery from being sett up in any Part of this Great Empire. - We further Pray Your Excellency, will keep this our Request as a Secret for the Present
 We do Seperately & Jointly Pray for the Success of your Arms, and that you may be Victorious & Vanquish all Your Enemys-
 We are with the Greatest Respect (&c.)

Elijah Ayer                Jesse B(ent)
Nathaniel Reynolds   William Maxwall
Mark Patton               George Forster
John Allan                 Simon Newcomb
William Lawrence    Robert Foster
Amasa Killam           Simeon Chester
    (February 8, 1776)

(1). Papers CC (Letters from George Washington), 152, I, 567-68, NA; enclosed in Washington to Hancock, March 27, 1776.