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Story
September 4, 1761
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In 1761, Samuel Blackden won 800 pounds in damages against Capt. Gambier at London's Guildhall for violent seizure, house burning, and 125-day detention in Nova-Scotia, highlighting British justice for colonial subjects.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From the London Magazine for May 1761.
On Wednesday the 6th of April was tried at Guildhall, London, before Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice, the Cause of long depending between Samuel Blackden of Halifax, in Nova-Scotia, Plaintiff, and Capt. GAMBIER, of his Majesty's Ship Burford, Defendant.
The Action was brought for Damages the Plaintiff sustained in Nova-Scotia, by the Defendant's taking him by violence from his Freehold there, burning his House, and detaining the Plaintiff unjustly on board the Burford 125 Days; when after a hearing of three Hours, a special Jury of Merchants gave the Plaintiff, Eight Hundred Pounds Damages, and Costs of Suit. [This Verdict must give great Satisfaction to all his Majesty's Subjects in America, and increase their Esteem and Affection for their Mother Country, whose excellent Laws will not suffer any Injury to the Subject in the most remote Part of the British Dominions, to pass with Impunity; and convince all military Officers that they are accountable, at home, for every arbitrary Act of Power, even in the most distant Parts of his Majesty's Dominions.]
May this Serve as a Caution to some other Commanders of his Majesty's Ships, and Officers under them.
On Wednesday the 6th of April was tried at Guildhall, London, before Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice, the Cause of long depending between Samuel Blackden of Halifax, in Nova-Scotia, Plaintiff, and Capt. GAMBIER, of his Majesty's Ship Burford, Defendant.
The Action was brought for Damages the Plaintiff sustained in Nova-Scotia, by the Defendant's taking him by violence from his Freehold there, burning his House, and detaining the Plaintiff unjustly on board the Burford 125 Days; when after a hearing of three Hours, a special Jury of Merchants gave the Plaintiff, Eight Hundred Pounds Damages, and Costs of Suit. [This Verdict must give great Satisfaction to all his Majesty's Subjects in America, and increase their Esteem and Affection for their Mother Country, whose excellent Laws will not suffer any Injury to the Subject in the most remote Part of the British Dominions, to pass with Impunity; and convince all military Officers that they are accountable, at home, for every arbitrary Act of Power, even in the most distant Parts of his Majesty's Dominions.]
May this Serve as a Caution to some other Commanders of his Majesty's Ships, and Officers under them.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Trial
Damages
Nova Scotia
Military Detention
British Navy
Jury Verdict
What entities or persons were involved?
Samuel Blackden
Capt. Gambier
Lord Mansfield
Where did it happen?
Guildhall, London; Nova Scotia
Story Details
Key Persons
Samuel Blackden
Capt. Gambier
Lord Mansfield
Location
Guildhall, London; Nova Scotia
Event Date
6th Of April 1761
Story Details
Samuel Blackden of Halifax, Nova-Scotia, sued Capt. Gambier of HMS Burford for damages from being violently taken from his freehold, having his house burned, and being unjustly detained on the ship for 125 days. After a three-hour hearing before Lord Mansfield, a special jury awarded Blackden 800 pounds damages and costs.