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Story
June 11, 1796
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Thomas Cooke reports the impressment of his American boy and man by Capt. Davis of HMS L'Amiable in St. Pierre, Martinique, on April 18. Despite protests and protections, they were seized. Three men from the ship Ardent were also brutally pressed, and Capt. Smith assaulted.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Evidences of British Amity.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
ST. PIERRE, (MART.) APRIL 18.
This day my boy went on shore to take off a hand, who hailed the boat for the purpose: after he had got into the boat, to go on board of the brig. and had proceeded about half way from the shore to her. Capt. Davis, of his Majesty's ship L'Amiable, came down, with four of his men belonging to the barge, and said, "come on shore my lad, with the boat." The boy hesitated: the barge's crew ran into the water, and caught hold of the man and boy, and dragged them out of the boat, through the water, to the shore. I then went to Capt. Davis, and told him, that it was my boy and relation; and that both man and boy were Americans, and had protections, which I offered to show; but he would not look at them, and said, "I have nothing to do with you." I then went to the Governor's Secretary, to demand the man and boy, who said "he had nothing to do with the business: that he could not command a Captain of his Majesty's ship." I returned to Capt. Davis, and told him, that it was hard that I should have my man and boy pressed and carried to slavery. He replied "if you say a word, you rascal, against the Government, I will have you taken to gaol like a vagrant."
They also pressed three men from Capt. Smith, of the ship Ardent, belonging to Baltimore, whom they beat in a most shocking and cruel manner, and knocked the Captain down, when he went to their assistance; which was in my presence.
The above is a simple narrative, which I am willing to attest to.
THOMAS COOKE,
of the brig Diana.
N. B. The boy was born at Martha's Vineyard.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
ST. PIERRE, (MART.) APRIL 18.
This day my boy went on shore to take off a hand, who hailed the boat for the purpose: after he had got into the boat, to go on board of the brig. and had proceeded about half way from the shore to her. Capt. Davis, of his Majesty's ship L'Amiable, came down, with four of his men belonging to the barge, and said, "come on shore my lad, with the boat." The boy hesitated: the barge's crew ran into the water, and caught hold of the man and boy, and dragged them out of the boat, through the water, to the shore. I then went to Capt. Davis, and told him, that it was my boy and relation; and that both man and boy were Americans, and had protections, which I offered to show; but he would not look at them, and said, "I have nothing to do with you." I then went to the Governor's Secretary, to demand the man and boy, who said "he had nothing to do with the business: that he could not command a Captain of his Majesty's ship." I returned to Capt. Davis, and told him, that it was hard that I should have my man and boy pressed and carried to slavery. He replied "if you say a word, you rascal, against the Government, I will have you taken to gaol like a vagrant."
They also pressed three men from Capt. Smith, of the ship Ardent, belonging to Baltimore, whom they beat in a most shocking and cruel manner, and knocked the Captain down, when he went to their assistance; which was in my presence.
The above is a simple narrative, which I am willing to attest to.
THOMAS COOKE,
of the brig Diana.
N. B. The boy was born at Martha's Vineyard.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Impressment
British Navy
American Sailors
St Pierre
Martinique
Capt Davis
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas Cooke
Capt. Davis
Capt. Smith
Where did it happen?
St. Pierre, Martinique
Story Details
Key Persons
Thomas Cooke
Capt. Davis
Capt. Smith
Location
St. Pierre, Martinique
Event Date
April 18
Story Details
American sailors from the brig Diana and ship Ardent are impressed by British naval forces in St. Pierre; Cooke protests but is threatened, and violence occurs against Capt. Smith.