Gazette Of The United States

In the year 1739, Capt. Jenkins was commander of one of those vessels which had been boarded by the Spanish Guarda Costa. This ship was rummaged on pretence of searching for contraband commodities; but finding nothing that might justify their search, they insulted Jenkins in the most abusive language, they tore off one of his ears, wounded him in several places, and tortured him with the most shocking cruelties; they ordered him to carry his ear to the King, and to tell him that they would serve him in the same manner if they had the opportunity. The bold seaman was examined at the bar of the House of Commons. When his ear was produced, he was interrogated by a Member, what he thought when he was in the hands of those barbarians: to which he replied, that he recommended his soul to God, and his cause to his country. This noble reply, the sight of his ear, his detail of his sufferings, and the indignities offered to the Sovereign, threw the House into a flame; this brave man's wrongs filled the Members of the opposition with indignation, and on the 10th of July, 1739, orders were given for making reprisals on the Spaniards.