May 24. 1780
Captain Landy is now at L’Orient. We hear that after he was relieved of his command of this ship at Texel by Captain Jones that he made his way to Paris to speak with Dr. Franklin and then here to L’Orient. Our officers have spoken with him and have encouraged him to take back rightful command of the Alliance as he originally obtained his commission by Congress. All of the people that formerly served under him before Captain Jones took the ship have a highly favorable opinion of him and would support him should he decide to return. There has been much trouble between the former crew of the Poor Richard and the former crew of the Alliance. Captain Landy and we have been accused of cowardice from the action on September the 23rd with the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
April 18. 1780
On the 14th instant we took it upon ourselves to petition Dr. Franklin at Paris because we hear that the Poor Richard’s crew would receive their prize money and those of us from the Alliance would not. We have also been ill treated by Capt. Jones and many of us are without proper clothes and food. To those of us who had been at Mill Prison we find our present situation not much better. Here is a copy of the letter that we sent to Dr. Franklin. I was the first to sign this letter. *
To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esq.
Sir,
We are informed that the Private Men that formerly belonged the Ship Bon Homme Richard are to receive their Wages and Prize Money in France for their Services on board said Ship. Now Sir as many of us have been absent from our Wives and Families a long Time and some of us have been Confined in Prison a great While and we have been flattered with those words that we were to receive our Wages and all our Prize money before we sailed and now we understand that only the Bon Homme Richard’s Company are to be paid and as we one and all of us have engaged in the same Cause as those Men that were in the Bon Homme Richard we think it very hard that we cannot enjoy the same Priviledges as those in the aforesaid Ship. The Reason that we are very desirous to have our Dues at this present Time is because that we are inclined to assist those our unhappy Countrymen who are just relieved from Prison and also to furnish ourselves with such Neccesaries as we greatly stand in Need of. We humbly beg that your Honour would take this Matter into your Consideration and send us an Answer as soon as possible that we may all gain Satisfaction and Contentment is the earnest Desire of your most Obedient and most Humble Servants the Private Men belonging to the Continental Ship Alliance.
On Board the Alliance at L’Orient Apr. 14th 1780.
Jacob Nuter
Thomas Chase
John Simson
Daniel Knight
Ebenezer Brown
Kirtlan Griffing and 88 others.
The Remainder of the Ships Company are Imployed upon the Ships Duty and cannot attend to Sign but they gave their Consent that it may be sent in behalf of the whole.
NB. It is the desire of the Ships Company that your Excellency would be pleased to direct your Answer to Benjamin Pierce Gunner of the Continental Frigate Alliance L’Orient.
*Editor’s note – the original copy of this letter now resides in the Benjamin Franklin Papers at the University of Pennsylvania.
On the 14th instant we took it upon ourselves to petition Dr. Franklin at Paris because we hear that the Poor Richard’s crew would receive their prize money and those of us from the Alliance would not. We have also been ill treated by Capt. Jones and many of us are without proper clothes and food. To those of us who had been at Mill Prison we find our present situation not much better. Here is a copy of the letter that we sent to Dr. Franklin. I was the first to sign this letter. *
To His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esq.
Sir,
We are informed that the Private Men that formerly belonged the Ship Bon Homme Richard are to receive their Wages and Prize Money in France for their Services on board said Ship. Now Sir as many of us have been absent from our Wives and Families a long Time and some of us have been Confined in Prison a great While and we have been flattered with those words that we were to receive our Wages and all our Prize money before we sailed and now we understand that only the Bon Homme Richard’s Company are to be paid and as we one and all of us have engaged in the same Cause as those Men that were in the Bon Homme Richard we think it very hard that we cannot enjoy the same Priviledges as those in the aforesaid Ship. The Reason that we are very desirous to have our Dues at this present Time is because that we are inclined to assist those our unhappy Countrymen who are just relieved from Prison and also to furnish ourselves with such Neccesaries as we greatly stand in Need of. We humbly beg that your Honour would take this Matter into your Consideration and send us an Answer as soon as possible that we may all gain Satisfaction and Contentment is the earnest Desire of your most Obedient and most Humble Servants the Private Men belonging to the Continental Ship Alliance.
On Board the Alliance at L’Orient Apr. 14th 1780.
Jacob Nuter
Thomas Chase
John Simson
Daniel Knight
Ebenezer Brown
Kirtlan Griffing and 88 others.
The Remainder of the Ships Company are Imployed upon the Ships Duty and cannot attend to Sign but they gave their Consent that it may be sent in behalf of the whole.
NB. It is the desire of the Ships Company that your Excellency would be pleased to direct your Answer to Benjamin Pierce Gunner of the Continental Frigate Alliance L’Orient.
*Editor’s note – the original copy of this letter now resides in the Benjamin Franklin Papers at the University of Pennsylvania.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
February 20. 1780
On the 28th of last month we got under way from Corunna in company with La Sensible. La Sensible was bound for Brest and we for L’Orient. Contrary to Captain Jones’ promise he decided to continue to cruise rather than make directly for L’Orient. On the 3rd instant Benjamin Powers, our Master at Arms died. On the 7th instant we gave chase to an English frigate who protected a fleet of merchantmen. She was a ship of 32 guns which would have been hot work for us, but we had superior numbers on our ship and should have taken her. But our crew who were close to mutiny made it known to the officers that they would not fight and therefore Captain Jones gave over the chase and we wore ship and instead were chased by them until night. On the 9th instant we raised Belle Isle and on the 11th instant we came to anchor under Isle Groix. On the 19th instant we moored the Alliance in L’Orient Harbor at the King’s mooring. Our prize, the Serapis, is here also.
On the 28th of last month we got under way from Corunna in company with La Sensible. La Sensible was bound for Brest and we for L’Orient. Contrary to Captain Jones’ promise he decided to continue to cruise rather than make directly for L’Orient. On the 3rd instant Benjamin Powers, our Master at Arms died. On the 7th instant we gave chase to an English frigate who protected a fleet of merchantmen. She was a ship of 32 guns which would have been hot work for us, but we had superior numbers on our ship and should have taken her. But our crew who were close to mutiny made it known to the officers that they would not fight and therefore Captain Jones gave over the chase and we wore ship and instead were chased by them until night. On the 9th instant we raised Belle Isle and on the 11th instant we came to anchor under Isle Groix. On the 19th instant we moored the Alliance in L’Orient Harbor at the King’s mooring. Our prize, the Serapis, is here also.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
January 24. 1780
We are at anchor at Corunna Spain and have been here since the 17th instant. Yesterday I went ashore on liberty with a number of the other men.
Since sailing from Texel on the 8th instant we took an English brig from Liverpool bound to Leghorn. On the 13th instant we took a Portuguese ship bound to Cork Ireland. We put a prize crew aboard of her but found the next day that she was leaky and she had lost her foreyard arm in a gale during the night and we decided to put her crew back aboard of her and let her go.
After arriving at this port the people refused to do their duty because Captain Jones had promised we would sail directly to L’Orient where we were to be paid but instead we have cruised for several weeks. Captain Jones spoke to us and in every way tried to get us back to our duties with the crew continuing to demand at least partial payment of wages. Captain Jones was frustrated in his attempts and only after he made promises to make directly for L’Orient once we departed Corunna did he get our cooperation.
We are at anchor at Corunna Spain and have been here since the 17th instant. Yesterday I went ashore on liberty with a number of the other men.
Since sailing from Texel on the 8th instant we took an English brig from Liverpool bound to Leghorn. On the 13th instant we took a Portuguese ship bound to Cork Ireland. We put a prize crew aboard of her but found the next day that she was leaky and she had lost her foreyard arm in a gale during the night and we decided to put her crew back aboard of her and let her go.
After arriving at this port the people refused to do their duty because Captain Jones had promised we would sail directly to L’Orient where we were to be paid but instead we have cruised for several weeks. Captain Jones spoke to us and in every way tried to get us back to our duties with the crew continuing to demand at least partial payment of wages. Captain Jones was frustrated in his attempts and only after he made promises to make directly for L’Orient once we departed Corunna did he get our cooperation.
Monday, December 29, 2008
December 29. 1779
At sea, off the coast of Bolougne France. On the 17th instant the Dutch admiral at Texel sent one of his officers on board the Alliance to inform Captain Jones that we must depart the roadstead immediately, to which Captain Jones politely refused since the British were still waiting for us just off the bar. Yesterday, with fair winds that had pushed the British off their station we made for sea. The Dutch sent boats to assist us in getting over the bar. Soon after getting over the bar we saw the two British ships bearing down on us, but then they stood off, but continue to follow us as we cruise down the channel between France and England.
At sea, off the coast of Bolougne France. On the 17th instant the Dutch admiral at Texel sent one of his officers on board the Alliance to inform Captain Jones that we must depart the roadstead immediately, to which Captain Jones politely refused since the British were still waiting for us just off the bar. Yesterday, with fair winds that had pushed the British off their station we made for sea. The Dutch sent boats to assist us in getting over the bar. Soon after getting over the bar we saw the two British ships bearing down on us, but then they stood off, but continue to follow us as we cruise down the channel between France and England.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
December 3. 1779
Squally weather with fresh gales which is much of what we have had for these past two weeks. Captain Jones has the crew making many changes to the rigging of the Alliance. Today the carpenters are busy at reducing the cross tack yard and the mizzen top sail yard. He also complains that Captain Landy left him a foul ship and many of the crew are employed at continual cleaning. We are told that we should be prepared to put to sea at any moment as the Dutch are harassing us to leave. There is much grumbling from the crew as to our conditions, many have little clothing fit to wear. Mr. Blodgett our purser paid each of us 1 ducat last week, but we have no opportunity to spend it.
Squally weather with fresh gales which is much of what we have had for these past two weeks. Captain Jones has the crew making many changes to the rigging of the Alliance. Today the carpenters are busy at reducing the cross tack yard and the mizzen top sail yard. He also complains that Captain Landy left him a foul ship and many of the crew are employed at continual cleaning. We are told that we should be prepared to put to sea at any moment as the Dutch are harassing us to leave. There is much grumbling from the crew as to our conditions, many have little clothing fit to wear. Mr. Blodgett our purser paid each of us 1 ducat last week, but we have no opportunity to spend it.
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