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Story
August 11, 1795
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Sloop Pallas, Capt. George Russell Cushing, from Martinique, boarded at sea by French ship Hercules (alias Sans Culotte) under Peter Martial. Passengers, mostly French citizens fleeing Martinique, robbed of trunks, money, and bills totaling thousands. Ladies distressed; some property returned partially.
Merged-components note: The table lists the losses from the capture described in the story.
Clipping
OCR Quality
65%
Fair
Full Text
July 28.
George Russell Cushing, of the sloop Pallas, from St. Pierres, Martinique, arrived at this port, on Saturday, states, that being thirteen days out from St. Pierres, and nine from St. Thomas's, in lat. 31, 15, N. long. 71, 10, W. his vessel was boarded at 11 o'clock at night, by the ship called the Hercules, (alias Sans Culotte,) Peter Martial, commander. After looking some time at the passengers on deck, came on board, ordering him to lay to until morning, and left one officer on board—The ship's company spoke English; and Capt. Cushing supposed the ship to be from Bermuda, and that they would search his passengers baggage in the morning; but to his surprize, the boat was on board again in 15 minutes, ordered all the passengers servants in their boat, saying they were an exceeding good prize for the English—They took both his boats out, and began taking out the passengers trunks, cases, bales, money and bills of exchange. By day-light they had the principal part out, and at sun-rise they took part of the gentlemen passengers on board—At 8 they sent for Capt. C. and his papers.
The captain of the vessel, said she was a French ship, which Capt. C. discovered to be manned with French and Americans. He enquired what Capt. C's cargo consisted of, and was informed, it consisted-of Cassia, and American property; shewing him at the same time, the bill of lading, which was the only paper he looked at. He then asked the reason of the passengers leaving Martinique, and was told that it was because they would not take up arms against the republic of France, and were ordered off the Island, by the commander in chief.
He threatened to carry Capt. C. into Port-de-Paix, for he was a lawful prize; and that he had 20 bags of money in his hold. Capt. C. told him if there was one dollar, it was unknown to him, and he might search. The Officers on board, ordered their men not to take any thing that belonged to the Americans, which they did not. But the brutal manner in which the passengers were deprived of their property, (the ladies crying out to Captain C. for assistance,) was distressing beyond expression.
At 5 P. M. they sent the Gentlemen and servants on board, and some of their trunks of Clothes—but there were 3 ladies who were left without a change. At 7, a signal was given for Capt. C. to make sail.
The following is a list of the gentlemen and ladies, with their respective losses, agreeable to estimation given in next day, to Captain Cushing.
George Russell Cushing, of the sloop Pallas, from St. Pierres, Martinique, arrived at this port, on Saturday, states, that being thirteen days out from St. Pierres, and nine from St. Thomas's, in lat. 31, 15, N. long. 71, 10, W. his vessel was boarded at 11 o'clock at night, by the ship called the Hercules, (alias Sans Culotte,) Peter Martial, commander. After looking some time at the passengers on deck, came on board, ordering him to lay to until morning, and left one officer on board—The ship's company spoke English; and Capt. Cushing supposed the ship to be from Bermuda, and that they would search his passengers baggage in the morning; but to his surprize, the boat was on board again in 15 minutes, ordered all the passengers servants in their boat, saying they were an exceeding good prize for the English—They took both his boats out, and began taking out the passengers trunks, cases, bales, money and bills of exchange. By day-light they had the principal part out, and at sun-rise they took part of the gentlemen passengers on board—At 8 they sent for Capt. C. and his papers.
The captain of the vessel, said she was a French ship, which Capt. C. discovered to be manned with French and Americans. He enquired what Capt. C's cargo consisted of, and was informed, it consisted-of Cassia, and American property; shewing him at the same time, the bill of lading, which was the only paper he looked at. He then asked the reason of the passengers leaving Martinique, and was told that it was because they would not take up arms against the republic of France, and were ordered off the Island, by the commander in chief.
He threatened to carry Capt. C. into Port-de-Paix, for he was a lawful prize; and that he had 20 bags of money in his hold. Capt. C. told him if there was one dollar, it was unknown to him, and he might search. The Officers on board, ordered their men not to take any thing that belonged to the Americans, which they did not. But the brutal manner in which the passengers were deprived of their property, (the ladies crying out to Captain C. for assistance,) was distressing beyond expression.
At 5 P. M. they sent the Gentlemen and servants on board, and some of their trunks of Clothes—but there were 3 ladies who were left without a change. At 7, a signal was given for Capt. C. to make sail.
The following is a list of the gentlemen and ladies, with their respective losses, agreeable to estimation given in next day, to Captain Cushing.
| Cityens | Mallifpine, | 12000 |
| Leydet, | 8000 | |
| Chipin, | 1320 | |
| Durand, | 1600 | |
| Luvare, | 2160 | |
| Dunamel, | 2540 | |
| Pecquet, | 50 | |
| Noel, | 600 | |
| Billionia, | 60 | |
| Fezil, | 24 | |
| Mallifpine's two Sisters, | 6400 | |
| Nadaran, | 4200 | |
| Olive, | 3200 | |
| Servants, | 600 | |
| Two bills of exchange belonging to Citoyen Chipin, | 8000 |
What sub-type of article is it?
Piracy
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Piracy
Boarding
Robbery
Passengers
Sloop Pallas
Hercules
Sans Culotte
What entities or persons were involved?
George Russell Cushing
Peter Martial
Mallifpine
Leydet
Chipin
Where did it happen?
Lat. 31, 15, N. Long. 71, 10, W.
Story Details
Key Persons
George Russell Cushing
Peter Martial
Mallifpine
Leydet
Chipin
Location
Lat. 31, 15, N. Long. 71, 10, W.
Event Date
July 28
Story Details
Sloop Pallas boarded at night by French ship Hercules under Capt. Martial; passengers robbed of property, money, and bills; some items returned partially; total losses estimated in table.