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Letter to Editor
August 17, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In a 1786 letter to the New York printer, a writer warns of a ship from Dublin carrying Irish convicts to be sold as redemptioners in Philadelphia or Baltimore, predicting increased crime if they land, and proposes tarring and feathering the captain to deter such voyages.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
NEW-YORK, July 25, 1786.
Mr. PRINTER,
Gentlemen just arrived here from Dublin informs, and assures us that a Capt. E--e was about sailing from that place with a load of Convicts out of the gaols there, for which government, it is said, pay him for taking those vermin off.--On his arrival at Philadelphia or Baltimore the passengers are to pass by the genteel name of redemptioners. You will have to dread robberies, murders, &c. should they be permitted to land.
Query. Would not the Captain do an equal favour to these states by introducing a load of serpents?
And, query, Ought not the citizens of the place where he so arrives, after inquiry made, and satisfaction obtained of the truth of such villainies, to favour the Captain with a coat T. and F. &c. send him with vessel and cargo to Nova-Scotia or the Bahamas?
A Well-wisher to good Settlers.
Mr. PRINTER,
Gentlemen just arrived here from Dublin informs, and assures us that a Capt. E--e was about sailing from that place with a load of Convicts out of the gaols there, for which government, it is said, pay him for taking those vermin off.--On his arrival at Philadelphia or Baltimore the passengers are to pass by the genteel name of redemptioners. You will have to dread robberies, murders, &c. should they be permitted to land.
Query. Would not the Captain do an equal favour to these states by introducing a load of serpents?
And, query, Ought not the citizens of the place where he so arrives, after inquiry made, and satisfaction obtained of the truth of such villainies, to favour the Captain with a coat T. and F. &c. send him with vessel and cargo to Nova-Scotia or the Bahamas?
A Well-wisher to good Settlers.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Convicts
Redemptioners
Dublin
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Tar And Feathers
Crime Prevention
What entities or persons were involved?
A Well Wisher To Good Settlers
Mr. Printer
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Well Wisher To Good Settlers
Recipient
Mr. Printer
Main Argument
the letter warns against allowing irish convicts shipped from dublin to land in american ports as 'redemptioners,' predicting they will cause robberies and murders, and suggests citizens tar and feather the captain and redirect the ship elsewhere.
Notable Details
Compares Convicts To 'Vermin' And 'Serpents'
Refers To Tarring And Feathering As 'Coat T. And F.'
Mentions Capt. E E And Ports Of Philadelphia Or Baltimore