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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Account of the naval encounter between British frigate Boston under Capt. Courtney and French frigate Emboscade under Citizen Bompard off New York in July 1793, caused by a misinterpreted challenge from a revenue cutter captain, leading to many lives lost. Emboscade arrived in New York; Boston reportedly shattered in Delaware. Includes Bompard's letter rejecting informal challenge.
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The account of the rencounter between these frigates, received by the last Mails, are not variant from those already received. The cause of the meeting is, however, differently told; for there are not less than a dozen different accounts of the challenge said to be given. By one, a Card is said to have been sent by "Subject Coffin, to Citizen Bombard." Other accounts are, that Capt. Courtney sent various verbal, and various written messages to the French Commander.—The truth at last appears to be, according to several letters from New-York, no other than a misconception of the Capt. of the New-York Revenue-Cutter, who, being boarded by a boat from the Boston frigate, off the Hook, and proffering his services to the officers, was told, by a young Midshipman, that they should be glad to see the Emboscade off the Hook. This Capt. Dennis placed on the Coffee-House Books, which was construed into a formal challenge; occasioned the meeting of the two frigates, and the loss of many lives. The Emboscade has arrived at New-York, and there are reports in town, that the Boston has arrived in the Delaware, very much shattered. The official accounts of both Commanders may therefore be daily expected.
The following letter was transmitted by Citizen Bompard, to Capt. Courtney, of the British frigate Boston, on hearing that the latter's would be happy to see him at the Hook.
"On board of the French Republic's frigate, L'Emboscade, 29th July, 1793,
The Second year of the Republic.
SIR,
I have received an invitation by a sloop which you boarded yesterday, to sail out of this harbour and fight your frigate. I should not have hesitated a moment to comply with your wishes (which seems to me only ostensible) had you conveyed your challenge in the mode that honor prescribes. Upon an occasion of this kind, I should have written to the opposite commandant, and have pledged my honor, that I was unattended by any artifice or stratagem, unbecoming the character of a brave and candid soldier.
As you have conducted yourself in a different manner, you must be sensible that I cannot consistently with my duty, expose the brave men I have the honor to command, on vague and unauthenticated reports.
Therefore, Sir, if you are really the brave man you pretend to be, pursue the above measures, and as soon as I receive your answer, I shall do myself the honor of waiting on you.
(Signed)
BOMPARD.
Captain Commandant of L' Emboscade,"
What sub-type of article is it?
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
29th July, 1793
Key Persons
Outcome
loss of many lives. the emboscade has arrived at new-york, and there are reports in town, that the boston has arrived in the delaware, very much shattered.
Event Details
The account of the rencounter between these frigates, received by the last Mails, are not variant from those already received. The cause of the meeting is, however, differently told; for there are not less than a dozen different accounts of the challenge said to be given. By one, a Card is said to have been sent by "Subject Coffin, to Citizen Bombard." Other accounts are, that Capt. Courtney sent various verbal, and various written messages to the French Commander.—The truth at last appears to be, according to several letters from New-York, no other than a misconception of the Capt. of the New-York Revenue-Cutter, who, being boarded by a boat from the Boston frigate, off the Hook, and proffering his services to the officers, was told, by a young Midshipman, that they should be glad to see the Emboscade off the Hook. This Capt. Dennis placed on the Coffee-House Books, which was construed into a formal challenge; occasioned the meeting of the two frigates, and the loss of many lives. The Emboscade has arrived at New-York, and there are reports in town, that the Boston has arrived in the Delaware, very much shattered. The official accounts of both Commanders may therefore be daily expected. The following letter was transmitted by Citizen Bompard, to Capt. Courtney, of the British frigate Boston, on hearing that the latter's would be happy to see him at the Hook. "On board of the French Republic's frigate, L'Emboscade, 29th July, 1793, The Second year of the Republic. SIR, I have received an invitation by a sloop which you boarded yesterday, to sail out of this harbour and fight your frigate. I should not have hesitated a moment to comply with your wishes (which seems to me only ostensible) had you conveyed your challenge in the mode that honor prescribes. Upon an occasion of this kind, I should have written to the opposite commandant, and have pledged my honor, that I was unattended by any artifice or stratagem, unbecoming the character of a brave and candid soldier. As you have conducted yourself in a different manner, you must be sensible that I cannot consistently with my duty, expose the brave men I have the honor to command, on vague and unauthenticated reports. Therefore, Sir, if you are really the brave man you pretend to be, pursue the above measures, and as soon as I receive your answer, I shall do myself the honor of waiting on you. (Signed) BOMPARD. Captain Commandant of L' Emboscade,"