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Domestic News May 1, 1777

The Newport Gazette

Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island

What is this article about?

Four Englishmen captured the American vessel Aurora at sea, securing the crew and steering to Liverpool. They delivered an unopened packet from Congress to Dr. Franklin to Lord North in London, informing the British government of Franklin's motives for his journey to France.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

The American Dispatches brought over in the Aurora, have afforded great Satisfaction to the Ministry. The Vessel was taken by the Bravery of four Englishmen, who happening to be upon Deck with their loaded Fusees, whilst the American Sailors were up in the Shrouds, presented their Pieces, and ordering them to come down singly, secured them under the Hatches, and steered for Liverpool. Enclosed was a Packet from the Congress to Dr. Franklin, sealed with their Arms, which, with a Delicacy not always to be met with in British Tars, they forbore to open, rightly judging it improper for the Contents to be made known to any other than Administration. This Packet they brought to London, and on Saturday Morning delivered it into the Hands of Lord North. The Contents of this Packet will inform Government of what they have long wished to know, the true Motives of Dr. Franklin's Journey to the Court of France.

What sub-type of article is it?

Shipping Politics

What keywords are associated?

Vessel Capture American Dispatches Dr Franklin Lord North Congress Packet

What entities or persons were involved?

Dr. Franklin Lord North

Where did it happen?

London

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

London

Key Persons

Dr. Franklin Lord North

Outcome

vessel aurora captured and steered to liverpool; american crew secured under hatches; packet delivered unopened to lord north.

Event Details

Four Englishmen on deck captured the American vessel Aurora by presenting loaded fusees to the sailors in the shrouds, ordering them down singly, securing them under hatches, and steering for Liverpool. They brought a sealed packet from Congress to Dr. Franklin to London and delivered it to Lord North on Saturday morning.

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