The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-13
NAVAL OPERATIONS OF THE REVOLT
TIONARY WAR

yered by MIR. Sparks before the New York Historical
Society. The annexed sketch, embracing some of
its prominent points, will be read with interest
Bait .inieiicat.
The lecturer entered upon the subject with the
| mark, that before the of the Revolution the Co
lones had no Navy. Their merchantmen in their
voyages were protected by the British Navy not so
much protect the Colonies to benefit themselves
few armed vessels were possessed by of the
Colonies on their private account, which were COM
missoned with officers, and were fitted out mainly
for the purpose Of protecting the coast against the
inroads of the pirates who infested the waters of
Massachusetts Bay, and to repe the attacks of the
| French on the Canadian Shore Nova Scotia and
| the Islands in the Gulf of ST. Lawrence. The most
| remarkable enterprise undertaken by these vessels
was the adventurous expedition against Lousburg in
the year 1875, by the Colony of Massachusetts, and
so foolish was this expedition thought to be, that
Massachusetts received no aid from any of the Colo
MES South of New England Rhode Island and Con-
necticu furnished few vessels and the whole num-
Der Of the fleet thirteen vessels mounting from
= TO - guns. This armament with less than 1000
New England militia board made sail for Louis
burg, which, from the strength of its Notifications,
was termed the Gibraltar of America. by iortuto,s
circumstances this little force, if aided by the G
of hosts, proved entirely successful and this expedi
ton school of experience to some of the vete
rams who fought so galiantly thirty years afterwards
at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Armed vessels often sent in search Of the pi-
rates who infested the coast, among whom was the
daring Captain kyd, who sometimes 80 auda-
cous visit Boston with his pratcal crew. in the
disguise of merchantmen, and walked the streets in
open day. He finally arrested on suspicion, sent
to England, and there executed. One of the pirate
vessels was cast away upon Cape Cod. These out
laws caused continued alarm the coast but of
the principal of their visiting these shores
was supposed to be for the purpose of burying the
valuabes obtained at sea. At the beginning Of the
Revolutionary war, it is not certain that single
ed vessel belonged to any of the colonies As early
as June rs Rhode Island fitted out two small schoo
ners defend their coasting trade. Connecticut had
also one or two small vessels. The Provincial Con-
gress of Massachusetts,, it is said had at this time
solved prepare six armed vessels for the public
vice. but 1t doubtful whether this carried
into execution In the spring of &c Massachusetts
fitted out several armed vessels The flag carried on
board had on it the figure of a pine tree with the
inscription APPEAL HEAVEN - This is preslni-
ed to be the old colonial flag, but when the nscrp-
ton added is uncertain The first naval encoun-
| ter was few days after the battle of Lexington
One of these vessels, commanded by Captain Jere-
miah O'Bren, captured the first British vessel and
to one of his thirty brave volunteers, Joseph Whea-
ton, belong the honor of having first pulled down the
British flag the high Not content with this
Captain O'Brien, under authority of the Massachu-
sets Legislature, fitted out sloop and called her
Liberty, in which he made several successful cruises
and some important captures
/ Congress had sought amicable adjustment of
matters and so long as she held that attitude it was
|
towards establishing Navy Thus it will be per-
ceved that while they were negotiating for peace
and at the same time raising an army to carry on the
war, intention was entertained of carrying the war
| across the water into the British dominions. The
exigences of the time required that something should
be done Seeing this Washington took the matter
into his own hands, and acted with his usual and
promptness. He then stationed with his army
at Cambridge, with almost unlimited discretion. The
army badly supplied with the necessary NUM-
tons SC. which the British vessels were constantly
bringing into the harbor for the Of their army ly
| ing in Boston.
! Taking Just advantage of his instructions, Wash
ngton determined on lnterceptlng these supplies Tor
the use of his own troops. With view of putting
this determination into effect, he Immediately des
patched agents to Salem, Beverly, Marblehead, and
other places, for the purpose of having suitable YES
sells built and procuring to man and officer them
| By the end of October number had been properly
! manned and ready for service The instruc-
tons to the Captains, who ii seems were recognized
as part of the army itself admonlshed them that they
were not to engage any of the enemys vessels and
| they not looked upon vessels of war, but to
act in the capacity of foragng parties on land--to
procure and intercept supplies for the use OF the ar
my. From mutlny among the men, and incompetent
cy of the officers the cruises of these vessels gave but
little satisfaction. Captain Manley the most eff
icent of the officers. He captured ordnance ship
containing several brass guns, large quantity Of fire
arms and various articles for artillery and the camp
All these things were much wanted, and this prize
| was most important acquisition. lie also captured
another British vessel laden with stores for the troops
in the West Indies. Several other store ships were
taken which greatly relieved the American troops and
proportionably distressed the enemy.
| The first Legislative movement upon the subject OF
| a regularly organized navy, was made by the Legls-
lature of Rhode Island, in August, l775 in the shape
| of series of resolutions urging upon Congress the
establishment Of navy, and instructng her delegates
in that body to vote for the organization of am armed
| force upon the sea.
Congress having received intelligence of the sailing
of two English brigantnes for the mouth of the SAINT
Lawrence, instantly ordered Washington to despatch
some Of his vessels to intercept them. This order
was issued on the 5t of September, l775, and con
stuted the first naval movement under the authority
of Congress. The vessels sent upon the Expedition
failed the object of their search and installing their
| instructions, they made descent upon the island Of
St Johns, pillaged the inhabitants, and took number
of prisoners, whom they brought to Washngtons
| camp. The prisoners presented memorial to the
| Commander-in-chief, stating the manner of their
treatment whcreupon he severely rebuked those con
cemed, released and sent home the prisoners, and
| stored the plumber.
| Through the fundamentally of Mr.. Gerry ar
| engagements made by the Provincial Legislature
of Massachusetts to fit out fleet of privateers,-
Strong efforts were made in opposition TO this
by many, who commended that letters of marque
could only be granted by sovereign power. This
difficulty, however, soon set aside by cutting the
knot at law was passed authorizing the fit
ting out Of privatecrs and court for the trial and
| condemnation of such prizes as might be taken, was
established This law drafted by Messls. Gerry
and Sullivan. Shortly after this enactment, and in
conformity with its provisions Capt Nlumford took
very important prize in the bay of Boston, having on
board 500 barrels of g,mpowder-a that time very
much wanted and large quantity of military sup
plies, few days afterwards, as his little vessel the
| "Lady Washington, lay at anchor in narrow pas
sage in the outer harbor of Boston, he attacked
by thirteen British armed boats. He fought with the
most undaunted courage, Tor some time, when, as he
leaned the side Of his vessel and seized the mast