Washington sent Selman with
Nicholson Broughton to lead an expedition off Nova Scotia to interrupt two British ships full of armaments bound for Quebec. Broughton commanded the
USS Hancock, joined by Captain Selman in the Franklin. Salem and Broughton gathered intelligence at Canso, Nova Scotia that the two ships en route to Quebec had already gone to Quebec the month earlier. Broughton and Selman wrote Washington that "we are however something comforted in that no Vessel passes this season to Boston, Halifax or to any part of America from Quebec but must pass within gun Shot of us."
Canso Broughton and Selman captured seven British vessels around Canso. On 29 October Broughton captured the schooners Prince William (Capt. William Standley Cr) and Mary (Capt. Thomas Russell). Two days later, Selam and Broughton wrote to Washington, that he captured the sloop Phoebe commanded by Captain James Hawkins. The sloop was owned by Boston loyalist Enoch Rust. Broughton indicated that Rust was “contrary … to the Association of the united American Colonies.” He also described Loyalist Boston as a “Den of Mischievous Violators of the rights of Humanity.” Five days later, on 5 November, Broughton took the sloop Warren owned by
Thomas Cochrane of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Warren was commanded by Captain John Denny, who Broughton described as not being in “a very favorable light respecting their attachment to American Liberties.”
Charlottetown Selman and Broughton gathered intelligence that the Governor of
St. John's Island was recruiting for the war efforts against the Americans. Selman wrote the Vice President of the United States that they were, “supposing we should do essential service by breaking up a nest of [loyalist] recruits.” As a result, Broughton headed for
Charlottetown. They ransacked Callbeck's home, emptied his stores and took the province silver Seal weight 59 ounces and Governor Patterson's Commission. They also broke into plundered Governor Patterson's House. Higgins's wife was the daughter of Job Princes of Boston. Before the privateers left, they spiked the cannons at the fort. In 1776, Selman became Captain in Colonel
Jonathan Glover's 5th Essex County Regiment. Three years later, he became 1st Major under Colonel Willian Bacon. In 1806, he became a director of the Marblehead Bank. His house — The Selman House — is still standing near the corner of Selman Street and Franklin Street, both named is his honour. == See also ==