Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser
Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
In 1793, the American brig William, owned by William Gray of Salem and captained by Benjamin Henderson, was assaulted and plundered by the French privateer Citizen Genet at sea after leaving St. Kitts. Henderson was flogged 20 times, goods worth £350 stolen, and four prisoners forced aboard, reducing rations. Reported in Philadelphia.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Parallel to Capt. Jeffus's case.
The Brig William, Capt. Benjamin Henderson, belonging to Mr. William Gray, jun. of Salem, Massachusetts. On a voyage from Point-a-Petre, was captured by the privateer Prince William Henry, and carried to St. Kitts, where some French property she had on board was taken out and condemned. After her departure from St. Kitts, she was met with on the 19th October, '93, by the French privateer Citizen Genet, which had left Philadelphia ten days before. The privateer obliged Capt. Henderson to hoist out his boat and bring his papers on board, which being done, he was asked to whom the French sugar on board belonged? He replied, to William Gray, of Salem; upon which the person who asked the question, and whom he understood was the French captain, called him a damned liar, and walking forward spoke to the men: five sailors immediately advanced, took Capt. Henderson by the collar, dragged him to one of the guns, where they held him, cut his trousers behind, and beat him with 20 lashes on the bare flesh, until he was black and blue. On expostulating on the extraordinary treatment of a neutral vessel, he was told, that the Americans were a parcel of damned rascals, and did not deserve better treatment.
On captain Henderson being dismissed, six French sailors were sent with him on board the William: these immediately fell to ransacking the vessel, and plundered from her in cash and goods to the amount of about 350l. Before she was dismissed, however, four Bermudian sailors, who were prisoners on board the privateer, were put on board her, although Capt. Henderson urged, that he had scarcely provisions enough for his own crew; the consequence was, that captain Henderson was under the necessity of retrenching the allowance of all the ship's company, himself included.
The foregoing is presented to the public as an accurate statement; the occurrence is known to many; and Mr. Gray is now in possession of authentic proofs to support it.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
At Sea (After St. Kitts)
Event Date
19th October, 1793
Key Persons
Outcome
capt. henderson beaten with 20 lashes; vessel plundered of about 350l in cash and goods; four bermudian prisoners forced aboard, leading to retrenched provisions for crew
Event Details
The Brig William from Point-a-Petre was captured by privateer Prince William Henry and taken to St. Kitts, where French property was condemned. After departure, on 19th October 1793, met French privateer Citizen Genet, which had left Philadelphia ten days prior. Captain Henderson's papers examined; he was called a liar, dragged to a gun, trousers cut, and flogged 20 lashes on bare flesh until black and blue. Told Americans deserved such treatment. Six French sailors plundered the vessel. Four Bermudian prisoners from the privateer put aboard despite limited provisions.