American Revolution
Two Historic American Revolutionary War "Privateers" Letter to Attack British Shipping at New York & Halifax
July 28, 1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Autograph Letter Signed, "Nat(haniel) Tracy", Newbury Port, the Historic Massachusetts Privateer and Merchant Sailor, to "Cartel" partner Major Samuel White (Privateer) at Boston, Very Fine.
This excellent War content Letter measures about 7.25" x 9.5", 1 page, written at Newbury Port, (Massachusetts) written and signed by "Nat(haniel) Tracy." Here, Tracy is writing his friend Major Sam(uel) White, stating that he is sending him two men to be a part of the "Cartel" forces they are preparing, going north to either New York or Halifax, Nova Scotia to "contest" British forces there. Scattered age spotting and some faint prior owner's pencil informational notations at bottom. There is an Integral Address Leaf with folds addressed to: "Majr. Samuel White - Boston." This Privateer campaign planning Letter reads, in full:
"Newbury Port - 28 July 1779 --- Dear Sam -- This will be handed to you by Mr. Warrand & Capt. Wylie two gentleman who wish to go in the Cartel to Halifax, or New York --- I should be much obliged if you would immediately enter their names at the Companys office & as soon as the vessel is ready introduce them to Mr. Henderson who has already engaged to exchange them ---- pray provide a Boarding place for these Gentlemen in Case the Cartel should be detained & when they go on board furnish them with some necessities to make the Heart glad ---- You'll please to pay what Expense they are at in Boston & charge it to me. do include Mr. Warrands servant in if possible. -- I'm positive you'll not consider their business troublesome, as it will be returning the unfortunate to serving -- your sincere Friend - (Signed) Nat Tracy".
Tracy's Original Orders by George Washington were sent as Instructions to Nathaniel Tracy, September 2, 1775, as follows (not present):
"Head Quarters [Cambridge] Septr 2. 1775"
You are hereby authorized & impowered to take up for the Service of the sd Colonies so many Vessels as shall be necessary for the transporting a Body of Troops to be detached from this Army on a secret Expedition: 1 Freight of such Vessels to be paid in such a Manner and at such a Rate as is indorsed hereon: And in Case of Loss or Damage to such Vessels or any of them such Loss or Damage to be compensated by the Publick according to an Estimation to be made before the sd Vessels proceed in the above Service. -- G. Washington"
The Princeton University Library collection holds an "Articles of agreement, 1780." between Samuel White and John Cushing (1743"1822). Samuel White and John Cushing were also merchants and Privateers during the Revolutionary War. Privateers were privately-funded, government-sanctioned ships that preyed on enemy vessels. Captured ships were known as "Prizes," and their cargo was sold to profit the Privateer's owners and crew. The division of Prizes was outlined in Articles of agreement, such as this one for the ship "Tracy." Privateers played a significant role in the Revolutionary War, far outnumbering government-owned vessels and capturing hundreds of British ships. No doubt this ship named "Tracy" is directly related to Nathaniel Tracy (1751-1796), and John Cushing also part of the Privateer Cartel.
The Ship "Tracy," Commander John Burroughs Hopkins was a Sloop-of-War, (May 19th, 1780 to September 13th, 1780), Massachusetts Privateer Ship Commissioned-First Date: 19 May 1780 and on September 13th, 1780 was Captured by HMS Intrepid and HMS
Frigate Cyclops. The Owners: John Cushing and Samuel White of Boston, Massachusetts. Boldly Signed, "Nat Tracy" in rich deep brown ink with his large flourish at the conclusion.
Nathaniel Tracy (1751-1796), merchant and Revolutionary War Privateer, was born in Newbury (later Newburyport), Massachusetts, the son of Captain Patrick Tracy, who emigrated from County Wexford, Ireland. The elder Tracy became a wealthy merchant and sea captain.
After attending the Boston Latin School and receiving his B.A. in 1769 and M.A. in 1772 from Harvard College, Nathaniel followed in his father's footsteps. In 1774 he went into business with his brother John and Harvard classmate John Jackson of Boston, who had married his sister Hannah.
In 1775 Tracy married Mary Lee, the daughter of Colonel Jeremiah Lee of Marblehead, thus uniting the leading families of two maritime communities. They had eleven children. The Tracys were ardent supporters of the Patriot cause.
In 1775 Nathaniel had constructed and outfitted the first Yankee Privateer, and was so successful that a fleet of warships followed, all acting under Letters of Marque. He also built merchant ships and began buying property on the east coast of the American colonies. It was said that he could journey by land to Philadelphia sleeping only in his own houses.
In 1775 also he married Mary Lee, considered to be "a great beauty." Her father was elected to the First Continental Congress by Marblehead. For their wedding gift Patrick had constructed a new mansion on State Street (the center of the city), now the library.
Nathaniel Tracy (1751"1796) was a prominent merchant in Newburyport, Massachusetts. During the Revolution he outfitted a large number of Privateers and for a time achieved considerable wealth. Tracy was bankrupt by 1786, however.
1. Benedict Arnold needed transports to take his expeditionary force to the Kennebec River, up which he planned to march toward Quebec. For Arnold's expedition, see GW to Schuyler, 20 Aug. 1775, and General Orders, 5 Sept. 1775. On 7 Sept. Joseph Reed wrote to Tracy:
"Colo. [John] Glover has just informed the General that there are 5 Vessells at Beverly & two at Newbury which were fitted out for another Purpose, but will answer the Present equally well"as they are completely equipp'd with Platforms, Wood, Water &c."It will be a saving both in Time & Expence to make Use of these, You will therefore be pleased in your Transaction of this Matter to consider these seven Vessells as a Part of the Transports, & only extend your Care to the Remainder. Whatever Expence may have accrued in preparing any Vessells which will not be necessary by this Arrangement must be carried to the General Account. But you will be careful not to add any Thing to it after this Comes to hand".
Arnold's force sailed from Newburyport aboard eleven transports on 19 Sept. and landed at Gardiner, District of Maine, three days later.
2. On the reverse of this draft Joseph Reed wrote: "To prevent any Disputes which may arise respecting the Freight of the within Vessels it is agreed that Col: [Azor] Orne of Marblehead with two other Persons to be nominated by him fix the Price which shall be binding on both Parties and that the sam Gentlemen do appraise the Vessels before they proceed. - J. Reed Secy &c."
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Privateer Ship Tracy - Commander John Burroughs Hopkins
Sloop-of-War from 19 May 1780 to13 September 1780
Massachusetts Privateer Ship
Tonnage: 200
Battery: Date Reported: 19 May 1780
Number/Caliber Weight Broadside16/
Total: 16 cannon/
Broadside: 8 cannon/
Swivels:
Date Reported: 6 July 1780
Number/Caliber Weight Broadside
18/4-pounders and 6-pounders
Total: 18 Cannon/
Broadside: 9 Cannon/Swivels:
Date Reported: 13 September 1780
Number/Caliber Weight Broadside 22/ Total: 22 Cannon
Broadside: 11 Cannon/Swivels:
KEYWORDS:
American Privateers, Revolutionary War American Navy, American Naval Warfare, Privateers