Harpers Ferry Free Press

POLITE RETALIATION.

The following story appeared in an English newspaper, about the time of the disturbance at Boston, relative to the stamp duty: and it is also to be found with no material variation, in Dr. Barnaby's travels through the middle settlements of North America.—[Nat. Intel.

About forty years ago, captain St. Loe, commander of a ship of war, then in Boston harbor, being ashore on Sunday, was apprehended by the constables for walking on the Lord's Day. On Monday he was carried before a justice: he was fined; refused to pay it; and, for his contumacy and contempt of authority, was sentenced to sit in the stocks one hour, during the time of Change. The sentence was put into execution without the least mitigation. While the captain sat in durance, grave magistrates advised him to respect, in future, the wholesome laws of the province—and reverend divines exhorted him ever after to keep holy the Sabbath day. At length the hour expired and the captain's legs were set at liberty. As soon as he was freed, he, with great seeming earnestness, thanked the magistrates for their correction, and the clergy for their spiritual advice and consolation; declaring that he was ashamed of his past life; that he was resolved to put off the old man sin, and to put on the new man of righteousness; and that he should ever pray for them as instruments, in the hands of God, of saving his sinful soul. The saints were delighted with him beyond measure. They compared their wooden stocks to the voice of Heaven, and their sea convert to St. Paul; who, from their enemy, had become their doctor.

On the day of his departure, several of the magistrates and statesmen accompanied the captain to Nantucket Roads, where the ship lay with every thing ready for sailing.

An elegant dinner was provided for them on board; after which many bowls and bottles were drained. As the blood of the saints waxed warm, the crust of their hypocrisy melted away; and moral sea-saws and scripture texts gave place to double entendres and wanton songs— the captain encouraged their gaiety and the whole ship resounded with the roar of their merriment. Just at this time into the cabin burst a body of sailors, who, to the inexpressible horror and amazement of the saints, pinioned them fast. Heedless of cries and entreaties, they dragged them upon deck, where they were tied up, stripped, and the boatswain, with his assistants, armed with cat-o-nine tails, administered unto them the law of Moses, in the most energetic manner; the captain assuring them, in the mean time, that it was consonant to their own doctrine and to scripture, that the mortification of the flesh tended towards the saving of the soul, and therefore it would be criminal in him to abate a single lash.

When they had suffered the whole of their discipline, which had flayed them from the nape of their neck to the hams, the captain took a polite leave, earnestly begging to be remembered in their prayers. They were let down into the boat that was waiting for them; the crew saluted them with three cheers—and capt. St. Loe made sail.