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Story
November 14, 1806
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Affidavit by David Brown detailing the execution of pressed American seaman Isaac Van Dyckman on HMS Victory on July 11, 1805, for toasting American independence on July 4 aboard the ship at Spithead.
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NEW-YORK, Nov. 3.
Our old Friends—The following affidavit is submitted to the reader without a comment.
(N. Y. Citizen.)
City of New-York, ss.
David Brown, being duly sworn deposeth and says that he was born in New-York, and was in the American service as a seaman, in the ship Mary Ann, of this port, commanded by captain Seton.—This deponent says he was pressed from on board said ship in the East-Indies, and remained on board of British war Ships for six years, and was two years and six months on board the Victory, a British war ship commanded by Lord Nelson: and it happened that on the 4th of July, 1805, lying at Spithead, that this deponent and several pressed Americans was drinking and singing songs and when they came to reflect on its being the day of their National Independence, Isaac Van Dyckman said he would give a toast, and drank that the Liberty Tree might be planted down the main hatchway, and its branches spread through the British Navy. Shortly after the said Van Dyckman was put in irons for the saying, and was tried for it on the 5th and found guilty, and executed on the 11th of the same month, on board the aforesaid Victory, for nothing but drinking the toast as above.
The deponent says Van Dyckman's release was on board of said ship for eleven months before this took place, and further this deponent saith not.
DAVID BROWN.
Sworn to before me this 23d day of September, 1806.
JAS. DRAKE, Alderman.
Our old Friends—The following affidavit is submitted to the reader without a comment.
(N. Y. Citizen.)
City of New-York, ss.
David Brown, being duly sworn deposeth and says that he was born in New-York, and was in the American service as a seaman, in the ship Mary Ann, of this port, commanded by captain Seton.—This deponent says he was pressed from on board said ship in the East-Indies, and remained on board of British war Ships for six years, and was two years and six months on board the Victory, a British war ship commanded by Lord Nelson: and it happened that on the 4th of July, 1805, lying at Spithead, that this deponent and several pressed Americans was drinking and singing songs and when they came to reflect on its being the day of their National Independence, Isaac Van Dyckman said he would give a toast, and drank that the Liberty Tree might be planted down the main hatchway, and its branches spread through the British Navy. Shortly after the said Van Dyckman was put in irons for the saying, and was tried for it on the 5th and found guilty, and executed on the 11th of the same month, on board the aforesaid Victory, for nothing but drinking the toast as above.
The deponent says Van Dyckman's release was on board of said ship for eleven months before this took place, and further this deponent saith not.
DAVID BROWN.
Sworn to before me this 23d day of September, 1806.
JAS. DRAKE, Alderman.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Biography
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Bravery Heroism
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Pressed Seaman
American Independence
Liberty Tree Toast
British Execution
Hms Victory
What entities or persons were involved?
David Brown
Isaac Van Dyckman
Lord Nelson
Captain Seton
Where did it happen?
On Board The Hms Victory At Spithead
Story Details
Key Persons
David Brown
Isaac Van Dyckman
Lord Nelson
Captain Seton
Location
On Board The Hms Victory At Spithead
Event Date
July 4 To 11, 1805
Story Details
Pressed American seaman Isaac Van Dyckman, aboard HMS Victory under Lord Nelson, toasts the Liberty Tree spreading through the British Navy on July 4, 1805; arrested, tried on July 5, and executed on July 11 for sedition.