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Letter to Editor
March 13, 1798
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A letter to Mr. Russell in Boston details the 1794 capture of a Providence-owned schooner by a French privateer, which destroyed papers, imprisoned the crew, and condemned the vessel and cargo in Martinique after a mock trial, labeling it an act of Algerineism.
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Full Text
FRENCH (ANTE-TREATY) SPOLIATION.
BOSTON, February 5. 1794
MR. RUSSELL,
AMONG the various instances of Algerineism, committed by the French against the persons and property of our fellow citizens, the capture of a schooner belonging to Messrs. Brown & CORLIS and Co. of Providence, ought not to be forgot. This vessel sold her cargo at Barbadoes, and loaded back for Providence with the proceeds ; but on her passage she met a French privateer, the Capt. of which compelled the master of the schooner to go on board his vessel with all his papers, which he had no sooner possession of than he tore them to pieces and threw them overboard ; after this daring outrage, he ordered the schooner to Martinique, where he imprisoned the master, mate and crew, and in a few days a mock trial was had, the result of which was, that not only the cargo, but the vessel also, was condemned and sold.
Providence, Jan. 20, 1794.
BOSTON, February 5. 1794
MR. RUSSELL,
AMONG the various instances of Algerineism, committed by the French against the persons and property of our fellow citizens, the capture of a schooner belonging to Messrs. Brown & CORLIS and Co. of Providence, ought not to be forgot. This vessel sold her cargo at Barbadoes, and loaded back for Providence with the proceeds ; but on her passage she met a French privateer, the Capt. of which compelled the master of the schooner to go on board his vessel with all his papers, which he had no sooner possession of than he tore them to pieces and threw them overboard ; after this daring outrage, he ordered the schooner to Martinique, where he imprisoned the master, mate and crew, and in a few days a mock trial was had, the result of which was, that not only the cargo, but the vessel also, was condemned and sold.
Providence, Jan. 20, 1794.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical
Informative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Military War
What keywords are associated?
French Spoliation
Privateer Capture
American Schooner
Providence Merchants
Martinique Condemnation
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Russell
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Russell
Main Argument
the capture of an american schooner by a french privateer exemplifies outrageous french aggression against u.s. citizens and property, akin to algerine piracy, and should not be forgotten.
Notable Details
Algerineism As Metaphor For French Actions
Destruction Of Papers By Privateer Captain
Mock Trial In Martinique Leading To Condemnation And Sale