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Letter to Editor
February 14, 1806
Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger
Norfolk, Virginia
What is this article about?
Captain John Shaw of the USS John Adams recounts an October 1805 incident in the Atlantic where the brig Commerce's captain, John Harper, refused to supply bread to the frigate's crew of 265 without specie payment, demanding $10.50 per barrel, despite their long service in the nation's battles, decrying his inhumanity.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
The U.S. Frigate John Adams, under my command, on her passage from the Mediterranean
towards the Chesapeake, was compelled through necessity to
place all hands on half allowance of bread per day. October
8th, 1805, in lat. 27, 19, long. 66, 17, W. at 1 A. M: fell
in with and spoke the brig Commerce, of Alexandria, John
Harper, master, (owner Robt. Young, & co.) Lieut. Edward
N. Cox, of said frigate, boarded with orders to get supplies
of bread or flour.—The note of captain Harper is as follows:
John Harper, brig Commerce of Alexandria, out 20 days, no
papers, I can let you have what quantity of bread you may
want at a reasonable price, the bread is in bags, one bag con-
taining a barrel, Mr. Fish, Potomack Pilot.—In consequence
I ordered Mr. John Carr, Purser, on board the brig to get the
needed supplies, and on his return, as we had no specie on
board, much to my astonishment capt. Harper peremptorily
refused to take government bills at sight, and at his own
price of ten and a half dollars per barrel for his bread.
The foregoing plain statement of facts, is given to shew
the world the inhumanity of a man, who thus refused to re-
lieve a crew of 265 Americans, the greater part of whom had
been nearly three years absent fighting their country's battles.
John Shaw.
Feb. 7.
4t
towards the Chesapeake, was compelled through necessity to
place all hands on half allowance of bread per day. October
8th, 1805, in lat. 27, 19, long. 66, 17, W. at 1 A. M: fell
in with and spoke the brig Commerce, of Alexandria, John
Harper, master, (owner Robt. Young, & co.) Lieut. Edward
N. Cox, of said frigate, boarded with orders to get supplies
of bread or flour.—The note of captain Harper is as follows:
John Harper, brig Commerce of Alexandria, out 20 days, no
papers, I can let you have what quantity of bread you may
want at a reasonable price, the bread is in bags, one bag con-
taining a barrel, Mr. Fish, Potomack Pilot.—In consequence
I ordered Mr. John Carr, Purser, on board the brig to get the
needed supplies, and on his return, as we had no specie on
board, much to my astonishment capt. Harper peremptorily
refused to take government bills at sight, and at his own
price of ten and a half dollars per barrel for his bread.
The foregoing plain statement of facts, is given to shew
the world the inhumanity of a man, who thus refused to re-
lieve a crew of 265 Americans, the greater part of whom had
been nearly three years absent fighting their country's battles.
John Shaw.
Feb. 7.
4t
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Commerce Trade
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Uss John Adams
John Harper
Brig Commerce
Bread Supplies
Naval Crew
Inhumanity
Government Bills
Mediterranean Passage
What entities or persons were involved?
John Shaw
Letter to Editor Details
Author
John Shaw
Main Argument
captain john harper inhumanely refused to supply bread to the crew of the uss john adams without immediate cash payment, despite their service to the nation and the frigate's dire need.
Notable Details
Location: Lat. 27, 19, Long. 66, 17, W.
Date Of Incident: October 8th, 1805
Crew Size: 265 Americans
Service Duration: Nearly Three Years Fighting Country's Battles
Harper's Price: Ten And A Half Dollars Per Barrel
Refused Government Bills At Sight