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The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Letter from Cape Nicholas Mole, Sept. 8, 1776, reports French in Saint-Domingue strongly favoring America, building forts amid inevitable war tensions. French frigate ordered to protect American vessels. After a Philadelphia merchant's pilot boat was captured and sent to Jamaica, French ships pursue to demand its return, causing French exasperation.
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"The French here are to a man in favor of America. There are 10,000 men in this island, 1000 here, who with 500 negroes, are busily employed in building forts, & a French war is inevitable. A French frigate arrived the other day from France, with orders to the General to protect all American vessels. A pilot boat belonging to a merchant in Philadelphia was taken the day before yesterday, and sent to Jamaica: a French frigate of 36 guns and a guarda cota, which last hoisted continental colours, were immediately sent after her, with orders to follow her into Port Royal harbour, if they could not overtake her before, and demand her: what will be the consequences time will discover. The French were very much exasperated at her being taken, which was within two leagues of this land."
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Cape Nicholas Mole
Event Date
Sept. 8, 1776
Outcome
french ships dispatched to pursue and demand return of captured american pilot boat; consequences unknown; french highly exasperated.
Event Details
French residents fully support America; 10,000 men on island (1,000 locally) with 500 negroes building forts; French war inevitable. Frigate from France orders general to protect American vessels. Philadelphia merchant's pilot boat captured two days prior, sent to Jamaica; French 36-gun frigate and guarda costa (hoisting continental colors) sent in pursuit, to enter Port Royal if needed to demand it back. Capture occurred within two leagues of shore.