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Editorial
September 16, 1812
Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger
Norfolk, Virginia
What is this article about?
Editorial refutes a deposition from the Democratic Press alleging British seizure of the ship John Davis and its crew in 1810, calling it false propaganda used to justify war. Details the actual loss of the Jane, commanded by Capt. John P. Davis, off the river Jade in June 1810, with all aboard perishing.
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REMARKS.
The preceding article is copied from the Democratic Press, and, will no doubt, run the round of publication, in all those papers, who have displayed their zeal and talents in driving the nation into a ruinous war.
We have ever felt and expressed our indignation at the conduct of the British officers in respect to our seamen, but we have at the same time known that false statements were made in a variety of instances, and imposed on the publick for facts. The circumstantial manner in which this narrative is given, and sealed with the solemnity of an oath, would induce a belief in its correctness whereas it is to our knowledge void of truth in its material points.
No ship or vessel owned John Davis did in the year 1810 or in another year sail from Petersburg for Amsterdam. There never was such a firm or house of trade as Bell & Moore, in Petersburg. The deponent must have heard of such a ship as the John Davis, but the history of that ship and the fate of Capt. Davis are relied upon to prove the falsity of this deposition.
The Jane commanded by Capt. John P. Davis owned by Mr. John Bell of Petersburg sailed from this port the first day of April 1810 went to Madeira, from thence she sailed for Varel on the river Jade, at the mouth of which river she was lost, on the 26th June, 1810. The captain and every person on board perished. His body and some of the ship's papers were found a few days afterwards, by which his, and the fate of the vessel were ascertained.
The facts which we have stated are known to many respectable persons in this place. There are other parts of this deposition, which we could shew to be false, as most parts are ridiculous.
The preceding article is copied from the Democratic Press, and, will no doubt, run the round of publication, in all those papers, who have displayed their zeal and talents in driving the nation into a ruinous war.
We have ever felt and expressed our indignation at the conduct of the British officers in respect to our seamen, but we have at the same time known that false statements were made in a variety of instances, and imposed on the publick for facts. The circumstantial manner in which this narrative is given, and sealed with the solemnity of an oath, would induce a belief in its correctness whereas it is to our knowledge void of truth in its material points.
No ship or vessel owned John Davis did in the year 1810 or in another year sail from Petersburg for Amsterdam. There never was such a firm or house of trade as Bell & Moore, in Petersburg. The deponent must have heard of such a ship as the John Davis, but the history of that ship and the fate of Capt. Davis are relied upon to prove the falsity of this deposition.
The Jane commanded by Capt. John P. Davis owned by Mr. John Bell of Petersburg sailed from this port the first day of April 1810 went to Madeira, from thence she sailed for Varel on the river Jade, at the mouth of which river she was lost, on the 26th June, 1810. The captain and every person on board perished. His body and some of the ship's papers were found a few days afterwards, by which his, and the fate of the vessel were ascertained.
The facts which we have stated are known to many respectable persons in this place. There are other parts of this deposition, which we could shew to be false, as most parts are ridiculous.
What sub-type of article is it?
War Or Peace
Partisan Politics
Foreign Affairs
What keywords are associated?
False Deposition
Ship John Davis
British Impressment
War Propaganda
Petersburg Shipping
River Jade Wreck
What entities or persons were involved?
Democratic Press
British Officers
John Davis
Capt. John P. Davis
John Bell
Bell & Moore
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Refutation Of False Deposition On British Impressment Incident
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Pro War Propaganda And False Statements
Key Figures
Democratic Press
British Officers
John Davis
Capt. John P. Davis
John Bell
Bell & Moore
Key Arguments
The Deposition's Narrative Of The Ship John Davis Sailing From Petersburg To Amsterdam In 1810 Is False.
No Such Firm As Bell & Moore Existed In Petersburg.
The Actual Ship Was The Jane, Commanded By Capt. John P. Davis, Owned By John Bell.
The Jane Sailed From Port On April 1, 1810, To Madeira, Then To Varel On The River Jade, Where It Was Lost On June 26, 1810, With All Aboard Perishing.
False Statements Like This Were Used To Drive The Nation Into War.
Many Parts Of The Deposition Are Ridiculous And Known To Be Untrue By Respectable Persons.