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Story
May 14, 1811
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
French privateer Diligent, Capt. Grassin, captured U.S. ships Hebe and Gideon, extorting bills of $10,000 and $6,000. Upon arriving in Philadelphia on April 30, 1811, captains Ogle and Smith recovered and annulled the bills via endorsement on May 4, 1811.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
PHILADELPHIA, May 7.
The French privateer Diligent, captain Grassin, arrived in this port on the 30th ult. from a cruize, as mentioned in the public prints of that day and she being the same that captured the Hebe, Wm. Ogle, master, of this port, on her passage from Cadiz and also the barque Gideon of New-York, commanded by Francis Coffin, returning home from Lisbon, both of which were declared by Capt Grassin to be good and lawful prize and that he would have to sink or burn them such being he orders of his government; but that if capt Ogle would give him a bill for 10,000 dollars, and Mr. Smith, the Supercargo of the Gideon, one for 6,000, he would let them both proceed-- this they were compelled to do, rather than to see their vessels destroyed; and on their arrival in their own country, advertised said bills, and the illegal manner in which they had been extorted from them. Captain Grassin's arrival in this port having afforded the parties an opportunity of demanding their said bills: they have applied for and fortunately obtained them : that is the second and third bill of each sett with an endorsement on them, signed by A. Grassin & J. B. Goyon, a resident of New York, who declares himself a part owner of said privateer, by which endorsement (they jointly declare) the said bills for $ 10,000, drawn by Wm Ogle, and $ 6,000, drawn by Hatfield Smith, to be null and void; and they further declare, that the first bills of each sett, which have been forwarded to France, have not been negotiated, nor transferred by them to any persons whatever;--and that if said firsts of exchange ever return to their hands, they engage to deliver them up to the drawers in the same manner as they have delivered and cancelled the 2d & 3d.
The following is a literal translation of the endorsement:
" We, the undersigned, declare to annul and we do hereby annul the present bill of exchange and engage the first which has been sent to France has not been negotiated nor transferred by us to any person whatever, and that if it shall return to our hands, we will deliver it to the drawer in the same manner as we have done with this."
Philadelphia, May 4, 1811.
(Signed) A. GRASSIN.
(Signed) C.B. GOYON.
The French privateer Diligent, captain Grassin, arrived in this port on the 30th ult. from a cruize, as mentioned in the public prints of that day and she being the same that captured the Hebe, Wm. Ogle, master, of this port, on her passage from Cadiz and also the barque Gideon of New-York, commanded by Francis Coffin, returning home from Lisbon, both of which were declared by Capt Grassin to be good and lawful prize and that he would have to sink or burn them such being he orders of his government; but that if capt Ogle would give him a bill for 10,000 dollars, and Mr. Smith, the Supercargo of the Gideon, one for 6,000, he would let them both proceed-- this they were compelled to do, rather than to see their vessels destroyed; and on their arrival in their own country, advertised said bills, and the illegal manner in which they had been extorted from them. Captain Grassin's arrival in this port having afforded the parties an opportunity of demanding their said bills: they have applied for and fortunately obtained them : that is the second and third bill of each sett with an endorsement on them, signed by A. Grassin & J. B. Goyon, a resident of New York, who declares himself a part owner of said privateer, by which endorsement (they jointly declare) the said bills for $ 10,000, drawn by Wm Ogle, and $ 6,000, drawn by Hatfield Smith, to be null and void; and they further declare, that the first bills of each sett, which have been forwarded to France, have not been negotiated, nor transferred by them to any persons whatever;--and that if said firsts of exchange ever return to their hands, they engage to deliver them up to the drawers in the same manner as they have delivered and cancelled the 2d & 3d.
The following is a literal translation of the endorsement:
" We, the undersigned, declare to annul and we do hereby annul the present bill of exchange and engage the first which has been sent to France has not been negotiated nor transferred by us to any person whatever, and that if it shall return to our hands, we will deliver it to the drawer in the same manner as we have done with this."
Philadelphia, May 4, 1811.
(Signed) A. GRASSIN.
(Signed) C.B. GOYON.
What sub-type of article is it?
Piracy
Crime Story
Deception Fraud
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Crime Punishment
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Privateer Capture
Ship Extortion
Bill Annulment
French Privateer
Maritime Prize
What entities or persons were involved?
Grassin
Wm. Ogle
Francis Coffin
Hatfield Smith
A. Grassin
J. B. Goyon
C.B. Goyon
Where did it happen?
Philadelphia
Story Details
Key Persons
Grassin
Wm. Ogle
Francis Coffin
Hatfield Smith
A. Grassin
J. B. Goyon
C.B. Goyon
Location
Philadelphia
Event Date
May 4, 1811
Story Details
French privateer Diligent under Capt. Grassin captured ships Hebe and Gideon, extorting bills worth $10,000 and $6,000 to avoid destruction. Upon arrival in Philadelphia, the captains recovered the duplicate bills, which were annulled by endorsement, with assurance the originals sent to France remain unnegotiated.