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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Letters from John Robinson, former mate of the sloop Friendship captured 17 months prior, report his 14-month confinement as a hostage in Cape Francois after a 400-pistole ransom, neglected by Jamaican owners despite opportunities to pay.
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LETTERS, dated Cape Francois, November 9, 1761, from Mr. John Robinson, of this Place, late Mate of the Sloop Friendship, Captain Robert Hutchins, belonging to Jamaica, informs, That the said Sloop was taken about 17 Months ago, and ransomed for 400 Pistoles; that Robinson went as Hostage; and altho' the Owners at Jamaica, Richard Bellomy, and others, were frequently apply'd to for the Hostage Money, yet they were inhumanly suffer'd him to be kept in Goal at the Cape; notwithstanding there were several Opportunities for them to have sent up the Money; that at the Time Mr. Robinson wrote, he had then been confined near 14 Months, and had no Prospect of being relieved; that he had been reduced to great Distresses while under Confinement; and that had it not been for the Assistance of one or two English Gentlemen who happily were at that place, he must have died for the want of Necessaries of Life.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Cape Francois
Event Date
November 9, 1761
Key Persons
Outcome
confined near 14 months in great distress; assisted by english gentlemen to avoid death from lack of necessities.
Event Details
Sloop Friendship, Captain Robert Hutchins, belonging to Jamaica, taken about 17 months ago and ransomed for 400 Pistoles; John Robinson went as hostage and kept in jail at Cape Francois despite owners' frequent applications and opportunities to pay.