Navy Board Boston 7th Octr. 1779 Sir           We should be glad you would inform us by the bearer, what quantity of powder was on board the ship Trumbull—                                                 We are                                                 Your Humble Servants                                                 William Vernon for                                                 the Board  Dudley Saltonstall Esq. The Naval Board requested evidence about Saltonstall’s activities on […]

You voted yesterday that I had not from my Orders any Authority to call Councils of the Army and Navy – Should be glad of the Opinion of the Court. Whether by my Orders I had Authority to call to a Council of War the several Commanders of Armed vessels which sailed under my Command. […]

Philadelphia 26th Nov. 1779 Sir           My appointment to the command of the Warren, including a number of armed vessels, the expedition to Penobscot, the misfortunes that attended it, are facts of publick notoriety & familiar to your Excellency__ The natural ill humour consequent on disappointment, private animosity & popular prejudice, have subjected me to […]

My Dear Sir,                                                                                                       Groton 6th September 1779                 I hear they clamour loudly against you at Boston, but from my experiences of your former conduct have no doubt you will finally rise triumphant over your enemies & receive the approbation of the candid.   I leave my animadissions [admonitions?] on the blunders of those that formed […]

To the Honorable, the supreme Legislative Body of the States of Massachusetts in General Assembly convened. The representation of the President & members of a Court Martial for the Tryal of Dudley Saltonstall Esq. Captain in the American Navy begs leave to show That whereas the Honorable the commissioners of the Navy Board Eastern Department […]

With the Enemy in close pursuit of us – under these circumstances I ask what other Orders or Instructions were necessary to be given than the General one of making the best of their way up the River to escape from the Enemy – I was totally unacquainted with the River. The Council of Massachusetts […]

Department of War, Pension Office 25 April 1821. Sir The documents in support of Joseph Williams’ claim to a pension have been examined, and as there is no positive proof of his having served full nine months or more in the War of the Revolution on Continental establishment they are returned to you.  If Williams […]

Groton 2d Nov.r 1779  Recev’d of Capt. Dudley Saltonstall twenty seven pounds fourteen shillings lawful money it being in full for an execution in favor of Jasper Park against said Capt. Saltonstall judgment. Went on book for wood charged to ship Trumbull                    Recev’d Elijah Bingham D. Sheriff ­­­Elijah Bingham Rect 1779 Jasper Peck, Jr. […]

State of Massachusetts Bay                                                                        Council Chamber Sept’r 11th 1779 Sir, The Gen’l Assembly having appointed a Committee to inquire into the Conduct of the Officers who were engaged in the late Expedition to Penobscot which inquiry is to commence on the 22nd day of September current You are therefore hereby directed to attend the said […]

Whether from the Orders Capt. Saltonstall was at liberty to call Councils with the Land & Sea Officers and to abide by their determinations in all respects.– Lt. Green[e] – no right Lt. Waterman – no right Lt. Pritchard – no right Lt. Brown[e] – Yes- a right Lt. Yeaton – no right Lt. Thaxter […]

To Capt. Dudley Saltonstall You are hereby order’d forthwith to lay before the Committee appointed by the General Court to investigate the causes of the miscarriage of the late expedition to Penobscot & cc a copy of the results of all the Councils of War held on board your Ship with the Yea’s and Nay’s […]

The proceedings of the Honorable Navy Board as exhibited in the foregoing minutes of this Court being unprecedented, illegal and injurious___ In justice to myself, and every other Continental Officer, I protest against G. proceedings; least in any future court martial, the present should be adduced as a precedent. It is unprecedented for any authoritative […]

  Navy Board Eastern Department Boston September 13-1779 To Samuel Nicholson  Esq. and the other Officers appointed a Court martial to sit on board the Deane Frigate the 14th Inst[ant] At 10 o’clock in the Forenoon for the tryal of Dudley Saltonstall Esq. late Commander of the Continental Ship Warren agreeable to our Warrant dated […]

Warrant for Court Martial On Dudley Saltonstall Esq. September 7th 1779 Navy Board Eastern Department To Saml. Nicholson Esq. Captain Commander in the Navy of the United States of America. Whereas the principal part of the Fleet employed in the Expedition against the Enemy at Penobscot Particularly the Ship Warren, Sloop Providence, Brigantine Diligent, all […]