"CENSURED BY CONGRESS & DISMISSED FROM SERVICE"

GENERAL WASHINGTON APPOINTS NAVY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

Philadelphia (JFK+50) On December 22, 1775, Esek Hopkins* was appointed Commodore of the Continental Navy and Commander-in-Chief.  Hopkins was put in charge of eight ships and would later sail on his flagship Alfred to attack Fort Nassau** which was captured on March 6, 1776.

Despite this accomplishment, Commodore Hopkins was in disfavor with some members of the Continental Congress because he did not follow orders to go to Chesapeake Bay.

Hopkins was censured by Congress in June 1776 and dismissed from service in January 1778.

*Esek Hopkins (1718-1802) was born in Scituate, RI & went to sea at age 20.  He commanded a privateer in the French & Indian War & was the only Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy in the Revolutionary War.  After leaving naval service, EH served in the RI General Assembly.

**Fort Nassau, located in the Bahamas, was built in 1697 & fortified with 22 cannons.  It was demolished in 1897.

SOURCE

"The Continental Navy," The Orders of the Founders and Patriots of America, www.founderspatriots.org/

 

 

Statue of Esek Hopkins

by Theo Alice Rugger Kitson

Providence, RI

Photo by Kenneth C. Zirkel (2020)

 
 

TO INTERCEPT ARMS & PROVISIONS ON ROUTE TO THE BRITISH ARMY

CONTINENTAL NAVY AUTHORIZED  

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress of the United States of America gave the authorization for a Continental Navy.  the wake of news that a British naval fleet was en route to the United States.

The American navy, with the city of Boston under martial law, was to "intercept arms and provisions" on the way to supply the British army.

By the end of the month, four armed vessels were authorized for purchase by the Continental Congress. 

The first fleet of the United States, composed of seven ships, was commanded by Esek Hopkins.*  The Department of the Navy would be established in April 1798.

*Esek Hopkins (1718-1802), the only Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy during the War for Independence, was born in Rhode Island.  Unable to pay his crews as much as those of privateers, Hopkins was censured by the Congress and terminated in 1778.

Commodore Esek Hopkins

Commander in Chief

Continental Navy

Anne S.K. Brown Collection

by Thomas Hart (1781)

CONTINENTAL NAVY AUTHORIZED

October 13, 2013

CONTINENTAL NAVY AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) 238 years ago today, October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress of the United States of America gave the authorization for a Continental Navy.

The decision came in the wake of news that a British naval fleet was en route to the United States.

The 1st fleet of the United States, composed of 7 ships, was commanded by Esek Hopkins.*

The Department of the Navy would be established in April 1798.

*Esek Hopkins (1718-1802), the only Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy during the War for Independence, was born in Rhode Island.  Unable to pay his crews as much as those of privateers, Hopkins was censured by the Congress and terminated in 1778.

Commodore Esek Hopkins

Commander in Chief

Continental Navy

Anne S.K. Brown Collection

by Thomas Hart (1781)

CORNERSTONE OF PRESIDENT'S HOUSE LAID IN WASHINGTON 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 221 years ago today, October 13, 1792, the 1st stone of the President's House was laid here in the Nation's Capital.

The description of this historic event comes from a news story appearing in the Charleston City Gazette of November 15, 1792.

"On Saturday the 13th inst. the first stone was laid in the southwest corner of the President's House, in the city of Washington, by the Free Masons of George-town and its vicinity who assembled on the occasion.

The procession was formed at the Fountain Inn, Georgetown.  The ceremony was performed by brother J.T. Casneve, the master of the lodge.  He delivered an oration well adapted to the occasion."

The news story also informed readers that a brass plate was placed inside the cornerstone with the following inscription:

"George Washington, President.
T. Johnson, Doctor Stewart, Daniel Carroll, James Hoban, Architect
Collen Williamson, Master Mason
Vivat Respublica*

*Source:  1792-Strange Secrets of the White House, Rense.com

                     The White House
                        North Portico
                 September 24, 2011
               Photo by John White