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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
British naval officers from Spencer and Leander demanded $2000 ransom from Truro, Massachusetts, for salt works, reduced to $1200 after negotiation; similar threats to nearby towns like Brewster, Wellfleet, and Orleans in retaliation for U.S. actions in Canada; Barnstable targeted for destruction.
Merged-components note: This is a continuation across pages of the article reporting British demands for ransom on the Massachusetts coast during the war; relabeled to domestic_news as it concerns actions on US territory.
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On the Southern Coast of Massachusetts
Letters and gentlemen from Cape Cod state that on Wednesday last two officers from the Spencer and Leander British men of war then lying in Truro, announcing to the inhabitants the intention of Com. Raggett, who commands the squadron, to destroy the Salt Works erected there, unless ransomed by the payment of two thousand dollars, and requiring an answer in 15 minutes.
The weather would not permit any answer being returned; and the officers were prevailed upon to remain there that night.
On Thursday morning a committee went on board the Spencer, and obtained the reduction of the ransom to 1200 dollars, and promised to make good some baggage belonging to the Leander, which had been cast away on the Cape, in a despatch boat, and which has since been libelled in Court.
Capt. Roger informed the Committee that he had orders to destroy all the towns which were assailable, in retaliation of the depredations committed by the American forces in Canada—that it was an unpleasant business to him; and therefore on his responsibility he would accept a stipulated ransom, and spare the towns; and that the dismantled vessels would be spared, but the vessels in employ would be taken.
Similar requisitions have been made of Brewster of 4000 dollars: of Wellfleet, 3000; Orleans, &c. As the towns were defenceless, it was expected they would be compelled to capitulate. Permission was refused for vessels to carry salt to market, to raise the ransom money. It is added that the Commodore had expressed his determination to destroy Barnstable, for an indignity to one of his officers!—Centinel.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Southern Coast Of Massachusetts
Event Date
Wednesday Last And Thursday Morning
Key Persons
Outcome
ransom reduced to 1200 dollars for truro salt works; promised to make good baggage from leander; towns spared if ransom paid; dismantled vessels spared but vessels in employ to be taken; similar requisitions to brewster (4000 dollars), wellfleet (3000 dollars), orleans; expected capitulation; permission refused for vessels to carry salt to market; determination to destroy barnstable
Event Details
Officers from British men-of-war Spencer and Leander in Truro announced Com. Raggett's intention to destroy salt works unless ransomed for 2000 dollars, requiring answer in 15 minutes; weather prevented response, officers stayed overnight; committee negotiated reduction to 1200 dollars and baggage compensation; Capt. Roger stated orders to destroy assailable towns in retaliation for American depredations in Canada, but accepted ransom on his responsibility; similar demands made to other towns; towns defenceless