The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume V Part 19

Ardent, 64 D'Orvilliers, Experiment, 50 D'Estaing, Minerva, 32 Montreal, 32 Le Bourgoyne, Fox, 28 La Junon, Active, 28 Ariel, 20 D'Estaing, Lively, 20 D'Orvilliers, Ceres, 18 D'Estaing, Weazel, 16 Senegal, 16 Zephyr, 14 Alert, 10 D'Orvilliers, Thunder Bomb, 8 D'Estaing.

_Destroyed._

Juno, 32 At Rhode Island, Flora, 32 Lark, 32 Orpheus, 32 Quebec, 32 By the Surveillante, Cerberus, 28 At Rhode Island, Rose, 20 At Savannah, Falcon, 18 At Rhode Island, King Fisher, 16 " " "

PRIVATEERS TAKEN FROM FRANCE.

Lion, 40 Monsieur, 40 Duc de Cogny, 36 Belhune, 30 Menagere, 30 Hercule, 30 Comte d'Artois, 28 Lis, 28 Sphinx, 20 Retaken by the French, Helena, 16 " " "

Jackall, 10 " " "

VESSELS TAKEN FROM SPAIN.

Phoenix, 80 By Admiral Rodney, Monarca, 70 Princessa, 70 Ammonica, 32 Pearl, Montagu, Margarita, 28 Johnstone.

_Destroyed._

S. Domingo, 70 By Admiral Rodney, S. Eugenio, 70 S. Julian, 70

PRIVATEERS TAKEN FROM THE SPANIARDS.

Guipuscoa, 64 San Carlos, 52 San Carlos, 32 San Rafael, 30 Sta Teresa, 28 Sta Bruna, 26 Solidad, 26

VESSELS OF WAR TAKEN FROM CONGRESS.

Hanc.o.c.k, 32 Rainbow, Sir George Collier, Raleigh, 32 Experiment, Wallace, Providence, 32 Admiral Arbuthnot, Boston, 32 " "

Delaware, 30 Lord Howe, Virginia, 30 St Albans, Onslow, Oliver Cromwell, 24 Beaver Sloop, Jones, Hampden, 20 Sir George Collier, Trumbull, 20 Venus, Ferguson, c.u.mberland, 20 Pomona, Waldgrove, Ranger, 20 Admiral Arbuthnot, Alfred, 20 Ariadne, Pringle, Hunter, 18 Sir George Collier, Cabot, 18 Hope, Dawson, Lexington, 16 Alert, Bazeley.

_Destroyed._

Bricole, pierced for 60, mounting 40 Admiral Arbuthnot, Bon Homme Richard, 44 Serapis, Pearson, Randolph, 36 Yarmouth, Vincent, Warren, 32 Sir George Collier, Was.h.i.+ngton, 32 Captain Henry, Effingham, 28 " "

Queen of France, 28 Admiral Arbuthnot, Fruit, 26 " "

General Moultrie, 20 " "

Notre Dame, 16 " "

_N. B._ Seventeen armed s.h.i.+ps, from fourteen to twentyfour guns, destroyed by Sir George Collier, at Pen.o.bscot; three frigates, and two sloops destroyed by the same, upon the stocks at Portsmouth, the gallies destroyed upon Lake Champlain, in Georgia, &c., the s.h.i.+ps destroyed in Egg Harbor, at Bedford, &c.

VESSELS OF WAR TAKEN BY CONGRESS.

Vessels. Guns.

Serapis, 44 Paul Jones, Drake, 18 Ranger, Paul Jones, Thorn, 16 Boston, Tucker, Countess of Scarborough, 22 Paul Jones.

_Destroyed._

Augusta, 64 At Mud Fort, Acteon, 28 At Fort Sullivan, Mermaid, 21 Off Cape Henlopen, Merlin, 18 At Mud Fort.

VESSELS OF WAR DESTROYED BY ACCIDENT.

_English._

Somerset, 64 Repulse, 32 Arethusa, 32 Liverpool, 28 Syren, 28 Leviathan, 26 Grampus, 26 Tortoise, 26 Glasgow, 24 Vestal, 20 Mercury, 20 Cruiser, 16 Otter, 16 Pomona, 16 Zebra, 16 Cupid, 16 Savage, 16 Pegasus, 14 Spy, 14 Swallow, 14 Viper, 14

_French._

Roland, 64 Zephyr, 32 Monarque, 64 Fox, 28

_Spanish._

Pondersoso, 70 Notre Dame, St Joseph, 70 Rosa, 30 Congres, Carmes, 36

I have the honor to be, &c.

JOHN ADAMS.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Paris, July 6th, 1780.

Sir,

In looking over the long list of vessels belonging to the United States, taken and destroyed, and recollecting the whole history of the rise and progress of our navy, it is very difficult to avoid tears.

Nevertheless, what we have done and lost, shows what we can do. Our resources of materials, artists, and seamen, are not exhausted. But it is impossible not to inquire, whether we have not committed errors in the destination of our vessels? Whether our navy is equal to the attack or defence of places? Whether our articles of war for the government of the marine, are adequate to the introduction of that obedience and discipline that are necessary? Whether cruising for the protection of our own trade, against the depredations of privateers and smaller vessels of war of our enemies, and for the purpose of making prizes of transports and merchant s.h.i.+ps, is not the object fittest in the present stage of our naval history, to encourage seamen to engage in our service, to form officers, to supply the United States with many things, and to weaken and distress our foes? Officers who have a thirst for glory, and wish to distinguish themselves by brilliant battles, ought not to be discouraged, but I cannot but think, that at this period they would do more essential service to their country, by a line of conduct leading to fewer laurels, but more wealth.

In all events, however, it is to be hoped and presumed, that Congress will give great attention to their navy, to the augmentation of s.h.i.+ps, the multiplication of seamen, the improvement of discipline, and the formation of officers. Americans, I see, must cherish their own navy.

I fear that no other nation would grieve very much at the total destruction of it, before the conclusion of a peace. I am sorry to say this; but I have heard such hints as convince me, that it is my duty to put Congress on their guard, and to entreat them to leave nothing unattempted to put their marine upon the best footing in their power.

I have the honor to be, &c.

JOHN ADAMS.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.