The Living History Engineer's The Sutherland Letters

(date)

HMS Somerset (64)
at anchor
Hamoze

  Mistress L. Nichols;

I take pen in hand to answer your missive of the 11th instant in the monthe of January, this year of our Lord 1777.  You may think it strange that I might write to a common laundress, but my father (a wise man) has often told me that were I in the position of having a need to know which way the "winds would blow" I should keep my ear to the servant's quarters and my eye on the Laundress!!

Since I, being aboard ship, have the opportunity to do neither, when I saw your earlier missive, I thought that perhaps my chance to alleviate some of my questions might possibly be at hand.

My name is Richard Wm. Sutherlands, and I presently am a Commissioned Officer (Third Lieutenant) aboard the HMS Somerset, a Line of Battle Ship.

We have been at anchor here since the 29 instant of the monthe of December of the year previous.  In the Spring and early summer of the year just past Somerset has undergone an extensive refit, and following that we patroled the Channel in concert with two other ships of our division  

I joined the ship on the12th instant of the monthe of November last.  We have raised some 93 men by impressment in the last two monthes, and are finally near to our proper complement. There was a loss of only five men from the crew in the last year, which is unusual in a ship of this size. Probably having to do with it's long period in refit.  Three seamen were lost at sea washed over the side in a heavy squall, good men and a significant cost to the ship, John Huddy a valuable Quartermaster was lost in second squall in the chops of the Channel, and though we searched for him at some length, he could not be found.  One was executed, one of His Majesty's "bad bargains," and of no loss to anyone.

I was able to spend some time at my home in Scotland at Sheerness, before reporting to Somerset.  There I saw my family, my Godfather and a former Naval Officer, Commander Ian McKay. His is an unusual story, in that  on the way to the North American colonies well before the present conflict as a Passenger on a liner, he was bound to take up command of the HMS Swan (Sloop of War (18) then in the colonies.   They overtook a French Privateer just off Long Island , and due to a shortage of Midshipmen on the liner, Cdr. McKay was asked to take the privateer into the nearest Admiralty Port.   On taking command, he was shot in the back by the French Master, who was immediately killed by the British prize crew and returned aboard the liner.  The ship's surgeon could do nothing and Cdr. McKay was Discharged Dead to the fever hospital in New London in certainty that he would eventually die of his wounds. However, he did not die and his step-father (a Norwich Physician -- colony of Quinneetucket or something similar) found him by accident and nursed him back to health.  He is now fully recovered and has placed with the help of my father and my Godfather, his case before the courts to regain his name, and his legal personage.  I am given to understand that, since to the law he is a non-person, the Navy has been forbidden to return him to duty until his case is heard and his name restored,  So, he volunteered for the 42nd Regiment of Foot (Black Watch) as a gentleman volunteer, at the recommendation of his legal advisor.  He was home in Scotland during the holidays at Michaelmas, on leave as his regiment was in winter quarters at Brunswick , New Jersey .  He has in the short space of one and one half years made somewhat of a name for himself, within his regiment, and has been appointed the regimental Adjutant.

Shortly after my enjoyment of the holidays in the Highlands , I was summoned to the Admiralty in London and offered the Third Lieutenancy on Somerset , which I was honored and most pleased to accept. Captain Ourry has a good name in the service, and his premier First Lieutenant John Burrows is proving to be a gentleman of the first order, and a thorough-going seaman.

Now that I have introduced myself, perhaps you would want to know why you should consider writing to a man, whom you may regard as an enemy, For that explanation we must return for a moment to my wise old father, who has been quite determined in his efforts to convince me that there are two sides and many facets to every argument.  I have heard a good many of those "British Facets" and the argument of the Britons around me as to the "stupid and rebellious" colonials. However, my father has introduced me to many admirable men and his colleagues in Parliament who say far different, and who take up the part of the Colonies.  However, they do not have at their command the detailed information to make a stronger case for the colonies here in the home country.  So when I saw your missive, I immediately thought that I might garner some ideas of what the other side of the argument might be, and be able to shed some light upon some of the "Colonial Facets" of the said disagreement.

It is my hope to follow my father into Parliament when my time has come, and I am advised from all sides by men far wiser than myself to seek information wherever it can be found.

Your Most Obedient Servant;

Respectfully;

Lt. Richard Wm. Sutherlands, Royal Navy

January 11, 1777

My dear Lieutenant Sutherlands,

You have indeed found me in a bit of an entanglement of medical and logistical compromises.  I shall endeavor to answer your missive of this instant within the turn of three days.  I beg your patience in this matter and will at that time make every effort to answer those questions that you have posted to me.

I only ask at this instant that you withhold any knowledge of our communiqué to my Captain as it is without a doubt not to my best interest in retainment if he should know of my words to one not within our cause.

Be well kind sir....and good voyage

Respectfully yours,

Luisa Nichols

Laundress attached to the 6th Connecticut Regiment

  January 12, 1777

SOMERSET (64)
At anchor
Hamoze

Mistress Luisa Nichols;

You need have no fear, dear lady, of my telling anyone else of our communications. It is my desire to learn and not to accuse or cause any concerns.  If I am indeed to pursue my political dreams, I must have friends everywhere.  This I can only accomplish by my own will and wit, depending upon no others.

Today, being Monday and a working Day, Captain Ourry has cleared the ship of "wives" and has promised the crew to have them back this Sunday next if we do not sail.  The Captain has gone ashore to meet with the Port Admiral, and I have sent Thomas Sotherby, the Third Lt. ashore with a strong "recruiting" Party.  We are still twenty hands short of our complement.  I do not expect much, but Thomas has a unique idea, and so I gave him his chance..  It will provide a run ashore for a few good lads, as well.

The Purser has identified a bad barrel of beef and we must rouse it out of the hold and exchange it while we are in port.  The Bosun' and his mates are hard at work on that project as the barrel is in one of the lower tiers.  His mates have also rigged out the launch to take the bad beef ashore and fetch back a fresh batch.  God help us if here are more of the same down below,

Today, I will be working closely with the Master and the Second Lt. in bringing the Watch / Quarter and Station Bill up to date.  The Sailmaker and his mates are rousing old canvas from the sail locker for a full inventory.  Capt. Ourry wants to work up a full suit of "storm sails" and to do so I strongly suspect that  there will not be sufficient heavy canvas to carry out that requirement.  The shipyard watch their canvas supplies with a hawk's eye, and some of the shipyard bully-boys are armed with cudgels and knives.  However, there are ways around that, I would think!

Down below on the Main Gun / Berth deck, the Petty Officers are hard after the personal pests that infect the ship.  They are tiny insects which infect the men, and until we bought the women aboard we had no such troubles.  However, the lower-deck men must have their "leisure" andnow they are paying the price with vinegar, fire and paint, cleaning up after our (guests.")  The surgeon insists that these pests are somehow associated with the men's diseases, and has convinced Capt. Ourry that cleanliness is important on the lower deck.   I suppose that he has a point since our sick-call increases after every "wives" visit.

The gunner and his mates are filling cartridge and blacking the guns One of the forward chaser carriages has some signs of rot in it, and the Carpenter is rousing out some deal to make a repair.  There can be no concerns with the long eighteens as the "chaser" are our pride and have brought up many a Frenchie short and sudden 

The Surgeon is ashore visiting the Hospital, and a few of SOMERSET 's crew that have been sent there.  Most of them victims of the Surgeon's "fevers", but three who have honest injuries gained while husbanding the ship. 

The Armourer has his forge going red hot, and is straightening some boarding pikes, while his mate puts an edge on some of the worst of the bladed boarding weapons,  A noisy pair for fair,  the clanging sounds throughout the ship and penetrates even here into the gunroom.

High in the tops our top-men are stropping blocks with red leather.  The red leather comes out of the Captains pocket but the ship is beginning to look the part of a "barkee" to be proud of.  She is slowly but surely losing the drab and dull look of a recently refitted ship, with the mess that the shipyard matees have left.  It is a long and difficult struggle to win back the ladie's beauty from those who mask it carelessly with their unlovely ways.

Well the Master stands before me with is journalunder his arm, and he is attended by the Second Lt.  So I must bring this message to an end.  My thanks, dear lady, for your very kind reply, and fear not, your secret is safe with me.

Your Humble and Obedient Servant;

Very Respectfully;

R. Sutherlands

January 15, 1777

Dear Lieutenant Sutherlands,

I hope that this missive finds that the good Lord has kept you safe and in good health.  I further trust that under your capable command and eye that your crew continues to perform that which they must in good order to the Somerset .  When is it that you will see your way to set sail from Hamoze? 

It is still with caution that I regard your desire to correspond with the such of a laundress rather than someone of your own ranking.   Though your intentions seem honest, if as you say, it is only to ascertain the pulse as it were of the "colonial facets" of our differences. Forgive me if I shall use caution for a time in this regard.  I dare say that this one who writes you has little to do with the intellectual affairs of our cause and keep my time to what I can to clothe, feed and pray for those whom I know and love and give their all for it.

Allow me this time to further your information on myself.  I am as I have told you a laundress attached to the 6th Connecticut Regiment.  Winter quarters provides little work or ability for laundering for soldiers so I must find other ways to keep myself.   I provide household help for our Governor and Mrs. Trumbull in their commodious house here in Lebanon . It is here that my days are spent from early rise to late eve seeing that the household is fit up properly, that my lady has all that she desires to be served and suited for her family. 

We were blessed that a late fall yielded sufficient stores from both garden and trade of goods.   They were packed in our cellar, the spring house as well as the barn.  Fearing that we should endure much more bitter winds, snow and cold in the next coming weeks I and the scullery maid, named Mary had moved much into the main house just a fortnight ago.  Our unused chambers and buttery now hold a great supply of grains, dried apples and pompion, potatoes, squash, coffee, butter and potted and salted meats.  I look upon these plentiful mounds with a sense of guilt for we have so much while I understand our soldiers go without. 

The Governor is one who spends much of his day in correspondence with many who lead the cause for our independence.  We must at all times have the house ready for visitors...and there are many who cross these doors.  It is a rare day that a courier does not arrive with dispatches from officers and those in the Commissary department.  Our Governor has by some divine guidance, his many contacts in trade, and his own sheer determination been able to procure much in the way of supplies for our soldiers. It has already earned him a respect that many would vie for.   Bless him for his untiring efforts. 

I must beg my leave now and lay pen to rest.  There is much to do in the house. 

Your obedient servant,

Luisa Nichols

January 18, 1777

Mistress Louisa Nichols;

I can understand your caution Mistress nor do I attempt to deny that you might think it strange for me to be corresponding with you, but I give you two reasons for this strange condition.

The first, of course, is the letter that you were willing to correspond, talk, and to improve yourself, thereby, and the second is simply that I have my fill each day, in the gun room, from those who, as you say, talk of the "Intellectual Affairs" of the colonies but who when engaged in any kind of intellectual discussion fall back upon the inherent stupidity of an individual simply because of his or her birth in a colony instead of the Mother-Country.  These arguments have been exploded forever in history, for those who are willing to read. 

No one here, or anyone that I have recently met really, to my mind, has a feeling for those who live in the colonies.  It is obvious that a change is wanted and equally obvious that from the last war, and from the successful attack on Williamsburg prior to the last war, that our Colonies have both men and women who are as loyal and brave as any on the soil of Mother England.  Therefore, from where I stand, I am greatly confused about the problem between us.  I am a King's Officer and that means much to me.  I am not sure what is meant by the term "freedom" as the colonist's use it.  Freedom to me is freedom from slavery or bondage, but I perceive that you are neither of these, and yet you use the term almost as a banner.  Freedom from what?   That is the answer which I am eager to entertain,  and eager to understand in it's meaning to those of the colonies.  I do not mock you, for I think you to be sincere, nor do I think you ignorant because your letters reflect a skill of communication, a wisdom of mind, and perhaps a love of your country.  Why, then I ask myself, do not I and this Colonial Lady, both of whom love their country, not love the same ideals or the same things that we hold dear?

I have not been able to get anywhere near a satisfactory answer here and so I have gone elsewhere to understand this question.  I hope these words will set your heart at ease.  I have made you a promise.  I am an English Gentleman and my word is the most valuable precious that I have. I can be no more assurance of my intentions than that.

My thanks for your gracious inquiry about my ship.  The clean-up is going well and the naval yard here has surprised me greatly by granting my requests without the usual argument and the loud crying "Thief and Wastrel!!!!!" as is so common.  One would almost think that these Civilian Jobbers owned the materials in storage therein under their control.  They have received my bad pickled meat casks and returned replacements which if not exactly fresh, the Surgeon has been pleased to pass as fit for consumption.  The crew labors on day by day, and day by day our new crew-lads gathered by the press become more and more proficient at the drills.  The Captain and I keep them hard at it, and with any luck they will be tough enough when finally we are under-way on our next commission.

We have not taken on our full  powder allowance as yet, so we will yet abide a while herein this place.  But as the war escalates, it is very likely that we will soon be in it again.  This ship was there in Boston , you know, in '75, and SOMERSET had a hand in the uproar about your Concord and Lexington , as well as the disagreeable activity on the small hill above Charle's Town known as Breed's Summit or some such.  She has received much praise from from no less a personage than Admiral Graves, and has credited SOMERSET and her alone with the rescue of the British detachment sent to Lexington and Concord to destroy unauthorized military stores and capture the Rebellious Leaders of the, at that time, uprising.

The taxes here in Britain are very high and it is a common complaint among those in the trade.  The taxes received from the colonies in 1774 and 1775 have been some small relief, but Britain still labors under the debts of the previous war and the French press us with great energy. Thank God there are no seaman among them.

The ship herself is shaping well, and the officers are coming together as a band of brothers.  We are still short an officer (4th Lt.) but there may be one made soon.  Midshipman Meekes is a promising lad, and he has passed his Lt's Examination, some weeks ago.  It is anticipated that his family's standing with the Navy and in Parliament may well be sufficient to provide him with a Commission, in a relatively short period of time, and his step to Lt.  Captain Ourry has confided to me that he has made every effort to provide the youngster with his highest recommendations.  My best wishes echo his own.

Your Humble and Obedient Servant;

Very Respectfully;

R.W. Sutherlands

25 January, 1777

Dear Lt. Sutherlands,

Indeed I trust this missive finds you well, aboard the Somerset in fair Hamoze.  Regretfully, my domestic obligations here at the Governor's house has kept me most busy for the past weeks.  His work to find sorely needed supplies for our dear soldiers at Valley Forge causes him many sleepless nights and for us in the house a constant flow of visitors, traders, merchants, officers and those from the Commissary Department both day and night. As we speak Colonel Champion and his son range the countryside procuring beef to be quartered here in Lebanon by arrangements made through the Governor.  Once sufficient head are in store, and the reproach of winter somewhat subsided, they will be driven to Penn’s Woods.  I can only hope that the time will not be too late for those who wait with aching bellies and hollow eyes.  Despite short supplies I understand that the spirit of our men has not wavered as the lifeblood of freedom and independence warms them even in their tribulation.

The weather here continues bitter with snow frequenting the landscape every several days.  Our stores as I have previously noted are well endowed and we are not of want for any-- save perhaps a bud on a tree to signal an early spring.

You have asked me in a most honest and forthright manner of why I have embraced our cause for independence.  In my next few missives to you I shall endeavor to give explanation and justice to this most noble of feelings and causes.

I can only speak for myself so please bear this in your esteemed regard.  Having come from Germany as an indentured servant to this continent just six years prior I perhaps have an even fonder appreciation for that virtue we call freedom.  I have been unbound for only the past one year and have found it a most glorious beverage but not without its tribulations.  Independence and freedom I find have rooted themselves into a warm bed in the colonies because once one touches a life that allows full thinking and actions it becomes almost an intoxicant of sorts.  To move about as one desires, to create sustenance from virgin soil that one owns, a homestead from the brambled woodlands, or a village from an untouched landscape people have become the masters and artists of their own destinies.  In England and indeed in my own beloved country so much was prescribed and preordained.  Life was already constricted, liberties given only at the command of those who rule,  villages were set, houses were crammed upon each other, the want of the poor and the caste of lots was so defined one never felt there was any chance of change or breath of air.  Here in the colonies even a woman has a voice, albeit a quiet one.  Our dear Abigail Adams sees that we are not forgotten even in the halls of Philadelphia .

It is by my choice that i continue in service here for the Governor and my Mistress Trumbull.  They have no bound on me but value my service for what I can provide.  I am free to take my leave whence ever I would desire it.  I can travel to visit my dear relatives and friends, I can own property and I can even become educated though I am not one of high standing.  This would not be possible in your England for the likes of me.  Hence Sir,  my deliberation to you on what independence means has begun.

Be well dear sir.  I hope that any afflictions you suffered last weekend have not left your constitution in any compromised fashion.

With the utmost respect and care, I am,

Luisa Ernest
Lebanon , Connecticut

6 February, 1777

Mistress Louisa Ernst;

At last I have a moment to myself, and as I write this letter the sun is streaming through the aft windows of the Gunroom.  Only the Officer's Stewards are about preparing for the Officer's Dinner.  A great sea pie is planned for supper tonight, and the lads are hard about it.  We have been loaned the Captain's steward for the occasion and he has sharpened the cooks up a bit. 

The Captain is to be the guest of the gunroom tonight, and the marine officers are practicing their German flutes below in the cable tier, and the Surgeons Mates both play the violin, with something like passable music and they are in the crosstrees practicing as well.  All this in hopes of having a small concert as something somewhat different for the Captain as it is his 10th year as a Post Captain. He is only three names below the Admiral's list and two of those gentleman will be "yellowed" as they have not had a command at sea in some time.  Captain Ourry, has been in continued command for the past 10 years, and he is well thought of in the service as well as having some interest at court.  There is little doubt here that when his time comes he will fly his flag and take command as a flag officer.

In five more days we will shift our berth to the powder hulk " St. Ann " and thereby fill our magazine with powder once again.  These last few days have been unusually stormy and the ship has been under the constant abuse of rain and sleeting snow.  We have six men in sick bay with a fever, and four  men at the hospital recovering from broken limbs, and one will have to undergo the removal of part of is skull to take pressure off his brain.  The Surgeon has reported to the Captain that he hopes to get back at least half of those from the Hospital ashore, and he feels that most of the men in sick bay will recover as well. 

Our Surgeon, Mr. Watson, is a strange man with some strange ideas about the men's health.  He has insisted on acquiring soap for all the messes and has organized bathing parties on deck under the spouting sea water of the wash-deck pump.  Captain Ourry has indulged him even though the cost of the soap must come out of the Captain's  pocket.  Mr. Eynon, the Purser has been heard to scoff at this expenditure.  and I, in my turn, have spoken to the purser emphasizing that it is with the Captain's approval that the Surgeon is indulged and from Captain's own pocket.  Of late, the Purser has been seen to keep his opinions behind his teeth!!

On Tuesday last, Lt. Meeks was commissioned as 4th Lt.  The crew was mustered, the day was dry but windy, and Capt. Ourry "read him in" and led the crew himself in three cheers.  With the third Lt. away just now on a recruiting detail Mr. Meeks will take over the Mizzen Topmen, and the Waisters.  A relief for me that has come none too soon!!!!  That evening we had a roaring party in the Gunroom as we drank to Mr. Meeks advancement and the merriment carried on until the small hours of the morning.  There were sore heads on the morning of the next day.

Returning just briefly to the Surgeon, I was as skeptical as any on the ship regarding the Surgeon's claimant  about the soap, since so many of these warranted "certificate" surgeons are mere butchers that have leave to walk the quarterdeck.  But Mr. Watson seems to be cut from a different bolt of cloth.  Our sick people have decreased significantly, and I don't care how the men are kept well and able to do a day's work, As long as the soap or whatever continues to be effective I shall be honored to support the gentleman in question.

It is apparent, Mistress from your letter that you have indeed some advantages over those poor souls crammed into the dreadful closeness of central London, but I beg that you will remember that it is from Mother England that has flowed the commerce and the trappings of civilization that make the colonies the bright place that you describe.  It is only the British colonies that offer such freedom to their colonial minions. The Spanish and French and indeed the Portuguese and Dutch have a far more stringent hold on their colonies than does His Majesty.  The rule of law which to which you refer in your description of those special privileges that you entertain -- may they not be as a result of a lesser crowded land in which more freedoms can be granted while under the protection of the forces of the King?  I do not in any way wish to deny you the "freedoms" that you speak of, but were not those freedoms provided to others before this brutal war was undertaken??

I recall where I was just a nipper Middie, and I watched the 42^nd Regiment leave New York and take ship for England    The tears of the women on the pier were flowing hugely in grief over the departure of those stout Highlanders who had labored hard in pushing back the French invader.  But when these same men landed again on Staten Island in defense of the King and the loyal subjects of the Crown these lads were spat upon by the same women who saw them away with tearful eyes not many years before.  What happened  to change the minds of the colonists, for I would not suppose that the attitude of the 42nd Regiment has changed greatly in that time??  

I am assured by my father that many in the Parliament oppose the war, and they gather strength each day, to force the Crown to reconsider the position of the government.  Is it not possible in the colonies to hold the war until those concerns which separate us can be worked out??  Is it worth a thousand lives or more to rush into a war, when there are those who support you in the Mother country??

I have traveled widely the world over, and I have honestly never seen such liberties allowed as are permitted in the English Colonies.  With all of that it seems to me that the very least that can be provided to his Majesty is allegiance for his generosity in the face of those restrictions that bind other Royal colonies in Canada and South America .

I must close this missive now, dear lady, as the Captain is returning from the Port Admiral's Office where he has gone to make arrangements for loading powder from the hulk in six days.  The Midshipman of the watch is here and fairly dancing in the passageway to be released to return to the deck.   

Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant;

Very Respectfully

Lt. Richard Wm. Sutherlands
1st Lt.
Somerset (64)

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