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Letter to Editor
May 5, 1819
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
On May 4, Robert F. Hepburn, master of the sloop Fair from Washington, recounts being violently mistaken for a mocker of watchmen by Alexandria watchmen, seized from his vessel, and dragged to the watch-house. He vows to prosecute and appeals to the public against such treatment.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Violence.
On Saturday evening last, about 11 o'clock, I was sitting on the quarter-deck of my vessel, when a man on board a craft not far from me began to mock the watchmen; and they came down, and he made his escape. One of them came on board my vessel, and took me by the shoulder, saying to the others, this is the man.
I immediately told them they were mistaken—I was not the person, for he was in the other vessel, showing them—but all in vain;—you are the man, and I will swear it, said one of them. Now I am determined if money can do me justice, and can relieve men from being dragged from their vessels by violence, to that dirty place called the watch-house, to prosecute for the assault, as I do not know what other redress I can get. If men are to be treated in this way, I am sure no decent person will come to the wharfs of Alexandria. After taking me, my hands being in the cabin, they hauled the slider over, and fastened it—so they had to remain there until they could alarm the neighboring vessels to relieve them from the cabin. I appeal to the public, whether a peaceable man should be hauled through the streets by a parcel of men who do not know their business.
ROBERT F. HEPBURN.
Master of the sloop Fair, of Washington.
May 4
3t*
On Saturday evening last, about 11 o'clock, I was sitting on the quarter-deck of my vessel, when a man on board a craft not far from me began to mock the watchmen; and they came down, and he made his escape. One of them came on board my vessel, and took me by the shoulder, saying to the others, this is the man.
I immediately told them they were mistaken—I was not the person, for he was in the other vessel, showing them—but all in vain;—you are the man, and I will swear it, said one of them. Now I am determined if money can do me justice, and can relieve men from being dragged from their vessels by violence, to that dirty place called the watch-house, to prosecute for the assault, as I do not know what other redress I can get. If men are to be treated in this way, I am sure no decent person will come to the wharfs of Alexandria. After taking me, my hands being in the cabin, they hauled the slider over, and fastened it—so they had to remain there until they could alarm the neighboring vessels to relieve them from the cabin. I appeal to the public, whether a peaceable man should be hauled through the streets by a parcel of men who do not know their business.
ROBERT F. HEPBURN.
Master of the sloop Fair, of Washington.
May 4
3t*
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Watchmen Assault
Mistaken Identification
Alexandria Wharfs
Vessel Seizure
Public Appeal
What entities or persons were involved?
Robert F. Hepburn. Master Of The Sloop Fair, Of Washington.
The Public
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Robert F. Hepburn. Master Of The Sloop Fair, Of Washington.
Recipient
The Public
Main Argument
the writer was mistakenly identified and assaulted by watchmen while on his vessel, dragged to the watch-house, and intends to prosecute for the assault to seek justice and prevent such violent treatment of peaceable men.
Notable Details
Incident Occurred On Saturday Evening Last, About 11 O'clock, On The Quarter Deck Of His Vessel Near Alexandria Wharfs.
Watchmen Mocked, Escaped, Then Seized The Wrong Man.
Hands Left In Cabin, Slider Fastened, Needed Help From Neighboring Vessels.