USA > Rhode Island > A history of the destruction of His Britannic Majesty's schooner Gaspee, in Narragansett Bay, on the 10th June, 1772 > Part 1
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Gc 974.5 B28h 1555778
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 8616
A HISTORY
OF THE DESTRUCTION
OF
HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S
SCHOONER GASPEE,
IN NARRAGANSETT BAY, ON THE 10TH JUNE, 1772; ン ACCOMPANIED BY THE
CORRESPONDENCE CONNECTED THEREWITH; THE ACTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE ISLAND THEREON,
AND THE
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY APPOINTED BY KING GEORGE THE THIRD, ON THE SAME.
BY JOHN RUSSELL BARTLETT, SECRETARY OF STATE.
THE NEWBERRY! LIBRARY CHICAGO
PROVIDENCE: A. CRAWFORD GREENE, PRINTER TO THE STATE. 1861.
1555778
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE,
·
One hundred and twenty-five copies printed for private distribution.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
[THE proceedings of the General Assembly, relative to the destruction of the British schooner Gaspee, in the waters of Narragansett Bay, on the night of the 9th June, 1772, will be found in the records of the August session of that year. What followed, connected with this important event in the colonial an- nals of Rhode Island, extends through this, and a part of the following year. In presenting this history to the public, the editor. has brought the whole of the pro- ceedings together, including the events which preceded the destruction of that vessel. This will present a continnous account of the affair, with the accompanying docu- ments, from the time it occurred, to the report of the royal commission of inqmry on the same.
The correspondence and most of the documents herewith printed, are preserved in the original, among the archives of the State, and are chronologieally arranged and bound in one volume.
In 1845, the Hon. William R. Staples caused these documents to be printed in the col- umns of the Providence Journal, with preliminary observations. He also interspersed the varions documents with his own remarks, in order to present a plain and contin- uous " Documentary History" of the destruction of the Gaspee. This was after- wards printed in a pamphlet form ; but has long been out of print.
To these various documents. the present secretary of state, and editor of the Co- lonial Records, has been enabled to add several letters and doenments of great interest which were not previously among the State archives, and which had never been printed. For several of these, he is indebted to the kindness of his friend, the Hon. George Bancroft, who procured copies of the originals on file in Her Majesty's state paper office, London. The others are from a variety of sources, including that great depository of historical documents. Copies of these several papers, have now been procured. and deposited in their proper places among the " Gas- pee documents," referred to. Among the most important of these new documents, are letters from Admiral Montagn to the Earl of Hillsborough; letters from Chief Justice Horsmanden, of New York, one of the royal commissioners of in- quiry into the Gaspee affair, to the Earl of Dartmouth, giving an account of the proceedings of the court ; and the official report of inquiry to the King, about the burning of the Gaspee.]-J. R. B.
6
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
The records of the proceedings and the correspondence of the preceding years, show that an illicit trade had long been carried on, not only in Rhode Island, but in the other English colonies. They show, too, that efforts had been repeatedly made by the commissioners of customs, to put a stop to this practice, by placing armed vessels in Narragan- sett Bay, and at other places along the coast, from Casco Bay to Cape IIenlopen, in 1764. Serious riots, too, had, in several instances occurred, in consequence of the vigi- lance of the custom house officers, in their endeavors to check this illicit trade.
The vessel assigned to this station, in 1764, by the King's authority, was the schooner St. John, Lieut. Hill, commander. This vessel seized the cargo of a brig, which had discharged near Howland's Ferry, and following her at sea, made a prize of her, and brought her to Newport. Other difficulties, which grew out of her presence, at Newport, led to the fitting out of an armed sloop, with the intention of destroying her, which was only prevented by the presence of the " Squirrel " man of war, in that harbor. Nevertheless, the people on board the sloop landed on Goat Island, seized the battery, and discharged its guns at the large ship.
During the same year, another event took place in the har- bor of Newport, which tended greatly to exasperate the peo- ple. The Maidstone, a vessel belonging to the British navy, lay here, several months, and gave great dissatisfaction, by im- pressing seamen from vessels entering the harbor, as well as in taking them from the boats and small craft in the bay. Other ships of the royal navy, which visited Newport, also had difficulties with the people there, all of which tended to arouse them, and lead to some measures of retaliation. The climax was reached, when a brig from Africa, entering the port, was boarded by the officers from the Maidstone, and her entire crew pressed into the naval service. The same night, a mob of about five hundred men and boys, exasperated by the affair, seized one of the boats belonging to the Maidstone, which lay at the wharf, pulled her on shore, and after dragging her
7
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
through the streets to the Common, in front of the court house, burnt her, amid the shouts of an immense crowd, which the occasion had brought together. The affair was so suddenly concocted and carried into effect, that the authorities had no time to interfere.
The next important event in order, in resisting the authority of the government in its efforts to suppress illicit trade, was the affair of the armed sloop Liberty, Capt. Reid, which the commissioners of the customs had sent to Newport, in 1769. This officer had exhibited an extraordinary zeal in executing the orders he had received, and had greatly annoyed vessels entering our ports.
On the 17th July, while cruising in Long Island Sound, he took a brig and a sloop, belonging to Connecticut, which he suspected had been engaged in illicit trade, and brought them to Newport. The commander of the brig, Capt. Packwood, it appeared, had duly reported his cargo at the custom house, before sailing, and no proof was exhibited that he had made any attempt to evade the revenue. On the 19th, as no charges had been made, or prosecution entered against the brig, Packwood went on board the Liberty. The captain be- ing absent, some difficulty took place, which led to the firing of several musket balls at Capt. Packwood's boat on her re- turn to the shore. Obtaining no redress for this outrage, the people of Newport boarded the obnoxious vessel, cut her cables, and suffered her to drift on shore, near Long Wharf. They then cut away her masts, threw her armament overboard, when, with the first high tide, she drifted over to Goat Island. The first night she lay here, a party from Newport, went over and burnt her.
His Majesty's armed schooner, the Gaspee, of eight guns, Lieut. Dudingston, accompanied by the Beaver, made their ap- pearance in the waters of Narragansett Bay, in March, 1772, on duties similar to those of the "St. John " and " Liberty," to which allusion has been made, viz .: to prevent breaches of the revenue laws, and to stop the illicit trade, so long and so success-
S
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
fully carried on in the colony. The commander of the Gaspee was quite as exacting as Capt. Reid of the Liberty had been. He stopped all vessels, including small market boats, without showing his authority for so doing ; and even sent the property he had illegally seized, to Boston, for trial, contrary to an act of Parliament, which required such trials to be held in the colonies where the seizures were made. In these acts, Dudings- ton had clearly transcended his powers. Shortly after the Gas- pee had commenced her illegal proceedings, the complaints from the people of Providence were so numerous to the Deputy Governor, Darius Sessions, that he submitted the question to Chief Justice Hopkins, who did not hesitate to give his opinion, " that no commander of any vessel has a right to use any au- thority in the body of the colony, without previously applying to the Governor, and showing his warrant for so doing ; and also being sworn to a due exercise of his office." Upon re- ceiving this opinion, the Deputy Governor, who then resided in Providence, addressed the following letter to Governor Jo- seph Wanton, at Newport :
The Deputy Governor to the Governor of Rhode Island.
Providence, March 21, 1772.
Sir :- The inhabitants of this town, have, of late, been much disquieted in their minds, by repeated advices being brought of a schooner, which, for some time past, hath cruised in the Narragansett Bay, and much disturbed our navigation. She suffers no vessel to pass, not even packet boats, or others of an inferior kind, without a striet examination ; and where any sort of unwillingness is discovered, they are com- pelled to submit, by an armed force. Who he is, and by what authority he as- sumes such a conduct, it is thought needs some inquiry ; and I am requested by a number of gentlemen, of this town, on their behalf, to acquaint Your Honor therewith, and that you would take the matter into consideration ; and, if the com- mander of that schooner has not as yet made proper application, and been duly authorized in his proceedings, that some proper measures be taken to bring him to account.
It is suspected he has no legal authority to justify his conduct ; and his com- mission, if he has any, is some antiquated paper, more of a fiction than anything else ; and this seems to be confirmed by Mr. Thomas Greene, who says he saw it, and believes it to be no other than the commission the famous Reid had, who lost his sloop at Newport, or something else, of no validity.
9
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
In consequence of the above mentioned application. I have consulted with Chief Justice Hopkins thereon. who is of opinion, that no commander of any vessel has any right to use any authority in the body of the colony, without previously apply ing to the Governor, and showing his warrant for so doing ; and also. being sworn to a due exercise of his office ; and this, le inforuis me, has been the common custom in this colony.
I am, sir, &e., &c., DARIUS SESSIONS.
To Governor Wanton.
This letter led to the following correspondence between the Governor and the commanding officer of the schooner :
The Governor of Rhode Island to the Commander of the Gaspee.
Newport, Rhode Island, March 22, 1772.
Sir :- A considerable number of the inhabitants of this colony have complained to me, of your having, in a most illegal and unwarrantable manner, interrupted their trade, by searching and detaining every little packet boat plying between the sev- eral towns. As I know not by what authority you assume this power. I have sent off the high sheriff, to inform you of' the complaint exhibited against you, and ex- pect that you do, without delay, produce me your commission and instructions, if any you have, which was your duty to have done when you first came within the jurisdiction of tlus colony. I am your humble servant,
J. WANTON.
To the commanding officer of a schooner near Brenton's Point.
Lieut. Dudingston to the Governor of Rhode Island.
Schooner Gaspee, Rhode Island, March 23, 1772.
Sir :- Last night I received your letter informing me, that a " number of the in- habitants of this colony had complained " to you, of my having, " in a most illegal and unwarrantable manner, interrupted their trade, by searching and detaining every little packet boat, plying between the several towns."
In answer to which, I have done nothing but what was my duty ; and their com- plaint can only be founded on their ignorance of that. When I waited on you, on my arrival, I acquainted you of my being sent to this government, to assist the revenue. I had my commission to show you, if required, as it was ever understood by all His Majesty's governors I have had the honor to wait on, that every officer commanding one of His Majesty's vessels, was properly authorized, and never did produce it, unasked for. The officer I send, is equally qualified and has been in the boats in boarding most of the vessels, and can give any information relative to my proceeding. Sir, your humble servant, W. DUDINGSTON.
To Governer Wanton. 2
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THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
The Governor of Rhode Island to Lieut. Dudingston.
Newport, Rhode Island, March 23, 1772.
Sir :- Yours, of this day. I have received, which does not give me that satisfaction I had a right to expect ; neither was the bearer of the letter qualified to give me any authentie information respecting the legality of that authority you have presumedl to exercise within this colony. I expect that you do, without delay, comply with my request of yesterday ; and you may be assured, that my utmost exertions shall not be wanting to protect your person from any insult or outrage, on coming ashore. I am your humble servant, J. WANTON.
To Mr. W. Dudingston, of the schooner Gaspee.
With this, the correspondence between Governor Wanton and Lieut. Dudingston ended. The lieutenant's sense of pro- priety was evidently shocked by the letters from Governor Wanton, and of his peremptory demand to exhibit to him his commission and instructions. He seems to have believed that the authority from which his commission emanated, was paramount to that of the colonial governor. He therefore enelosed the letters of Governor Wanton, together with his own, to Admiral Montagu, at Boston, who was then in command of Ilis Maj- esty's fleet on this station. The admiral plainly espoused the side of Dudingston, and feeling his own dignity wounded at the demand of the Governor on his lieutenant, addressed the inso- lent letter, which follows, to Governor Wanton :
Admiral Montagu to the Governor of Rhode Island.
Boston, 8th April, 1772.
Sir :- Lieutenant Dudingston. commander of His Majesty's armed schooner, and a part of the squadron under my command, has sent me two letters he received from you, of such a nature, I am at a loss what answer to give them, and ashamed to find they come from one of His Majesty's governors. Ile informs me, that he waited upon you, and showed you the admiralty and my orders for his proceedings ; which, agreeably to his instructions, he is to do, that you may be acquainted that he is on that station to protect your province from pirates, and to give the trade all the as- sistance he can, and to endeavor, as much as lays in his power, to protect the rev- enne officer, and to prevent (if possible.) the illicittrade that is carrying on at Rhode Island.
He, sir, has done his duty, and behaved like an officer ; and it is your duty, as a governor, to give him your assistance, and not endeavor to distress the King's offi-
-------
11
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
cers for strictly complying with my orders. I shall give them directions. that, in case they receive any molestation in the execution of their duty, they shall send every man so taken in molesting them, to me. I am also informed, the people of Newport talk of fitting out an armed vessel to rescue any vessel the King's schooner may take carrying on an illicit trade. Let them be cautious what they do ; for as sure as they attempt it, and any of them are taken. I will hang them as pirates. I shall report your two insolent letters to my officer, to His Majesty's secretaries of state, and leave them to determine what right you have to demand a sight of all orders I shall give to all officers of my squadron ; and I would advise you not to send your sheriff ou board the King's ship again, on such ridiculous errands. The captain and lieutenants have all my orders, to give you assistance whenever you demand it, but further, you have no business with them : and, be assured, it is not their duty to show you any part of my orders or instructions to them.
I am, sir, &c., &c., J. MONTAGU.
To Governor Wanton.
This produced the following dignified and spirited answer :
The Governor of Rhode Island to Admiral Montagu.
Rhode Island, May 8, 1772.
Sir :- Your letter, dated April the 8th, at Boston, I have received. Lieutenant Dudingston has done well in transmitting my letters to yon, which I sent him ; but I am sorry to be informed there is any thing contained in them that should be con- strued as a design of giving offence. when no such thing was intended. But Mr. Dndingston has not behaved so well, in asserting to you " he waited on me, and showed me the admiralty and your orders for his proceedings, which, agreeably to his instructions, he is so to do ;" but in that he has altogether misinformed you ; for he, at no time, ever showed me any orders from the admiralty or from you ; and positively denied that he derived any authority either from you or the commission- ers; therefore, it was altogether out of my power to know, whether he came hither to protect us from pirates, or was a pirate himself. You say, " he has done his duty and behaved like an officer." In this, I apprehend you must be mistaken : for I can never believe it is the duty of any officer, to give false information to his supe- riors. As to your attempt to point ont what was my duty as Governor, please to be informed. that I do not receive instructions for the administration of my govern- ment, from the King's admiral, stationed in America.
You seem to assert, that I have endeavored to distress the King's officers, for strictly complying with your orders. In this. you are altogether mistaken ; for I have at all times heretofore, and shall constantly for time to come, afford them all the aid and assistance in my power, in the execution of their office.
The information you have received, "that the people of Newport talked of fitting out an armed vessel to rescue any vessel the King's schooner might take carrying on an illicit trade," you may be assured is without any foundation, and a scandalous imposition ; for, upon inquiring into this matter, I cannot find that any such de- sign was ever conceived, or so much as talked of; and therefore, I hope you will
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THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
not hang any of Ilis Majesty's subjects belonging to his colony, upon such false information.
I am greatly obliged for the promise of transmitting my letters to the secretary of state. I am. however. a little shocked at your impolite expression. made use of upon that occasion. In return for this good office, I shall also transmit your letter to the secretary of state, and leave to the King and his ministers to determine on which side the charge of insolence lies.
As to your advice, not to send the sheriff on board any of your squadron, please to know, that I will send the sheriff of this colony at any time, and to any place, within the body of it, as I shall think fit.
In the last paragraph of your letter, you are pleased flatly to contradiet what you wrote in the beginning; for there you assert that Dudingston, by his instructions. was directed to show me the admiralty and your orders to him : and here you assert, that I have no business with them ; and assure me, that it is not his duty to show me them, or any part thereof. I am, sir, &c., &c., J. WANTON.
To Admiral Montagu.
The Governor laid the preceding letter from Admiral Mon- tagu, before the General Assembly, at their May session, 1772, and the following resolution passed that body, in relation to the answer sent to the admiral :
" Resolved, that His Honor the Governor, be requested to transmit a copy of the letter written to Admiral Montagu ; and likewise, that His Honor the Governor, be requested to transmit to the secretary of state, a narration, containing the proceedings referred to in said letter, together with a copy of the admiral's letter, as soon as may be ; and that he present a copy thereof, to this Assembly, at the next session of the same."
The letter of the Governor, led to some further correspond- ence between the admiral and the lieutenant, of which only the following letter is found among the archives :
Lieut. Dudingston to Admiral Montagu.
Schooner Gaspee, Rhode Island, May 22, 1772.
Sir :- I have received your letters of the 14th and 18th instant, and copy of com- sioners' to you. By theirs, I see plainly, I cannot look to them to be supported for sending the sloop and rum to Boston, notwithstanding I was assured by their of- fieers at this port, no seizure could be safe with them. There was only the alterna- tive to send her. or remain in this harbor, and guard twelve hogsheads of rum; a
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THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
bait, the inhabitants of this government would willingly put in my way. if that could fix the schooner. I was not, at the time. ignoraut of the statute to the con- trary ; but never doubted. if the sloop got safe. I should be supported by them, as I informed the board.
The owner of the rum resided in Coventry, which is but little further from Boston, than Newport ; and of course, could. at as little expense, defend this property at the one as the other. \- I find the exigencies not considered, but law referred to by them. for the future shall take care not to act repugnant to it. let what may be the con- sequence. If I should have any doubt about that. I will take the opinion recom- mended to their officers, relative to the officers in the navy being arrested here by the attorney general. I shall also be on my guard, not to put it in their power to arrest me. or any officer under my command in this government.
What passed between the Governor and me. was, as near as I can recollect, what follows. The morning after my arrival from Boston, was when I first saw him.
Lieut. D .- Sir, I command His Majesty's schooner Gaspee, and am ordered into this government by Admiral Montagu, to assist the revenue.
Governor-Is it the schooner Capt. Allen commanded ? (meaning the lieutenant I superseded).
Lient .- Yes.
Governor-We have had many different schooners here lately; (mentioning the Sultana, St. John and Halifax).
Lieut .- Yes; and you ma: remember me here about two years ago, when the Colonels Dalrymple and Robinson came with me. (I am not sure whether he said he did or not.)
Governor-What vessel was that which seized the packet ?
I told him whom she was commanded by and belonged to, and my being there at the time, and said, it would not have happened had the officer come near the Gav. pee, which was his duty, with more on the subject, too trivial for you to hear. Ile then related the conduct of the collector and Mr. Reid, late commander of the custom house sloop Liberty, and said it was in their power to have saved her be- fore she had received much damage ; and said he would not mind what they repre- sented concerning him, if they had told facts. I said I had heard it otherwise men- tioned; but hoped I should meet with no difficulty in the execution of my duty.
Governor-You may depend on my support. and assistance.
I then observed, it was not clear to me, if I made a seizure, it would be safe.
Governor-I will do all in my power.
I then instanced what had been the fate of one made by the officers of the port a little before; and added, I did not think if I made one, I should put it to the trial.
Governor-I suppose you will be much here. I shall always be glad to see you.
Lieut. D .- I shall be where I find I can best execute the service. I was much obliged to him.
Governor -- I hope, Captain, we shall have a good understanding.
I said it was my wish, and should give him as little trouble as possible. Much was said about his government and police; but never did he ask me to show my orders, or even mention them. The weather kept me some days in the harbor ; and I was in company with some of his friends; but never heard my authority questioned, till I sent the sloop to Boston, on my return here ; at which time, I gave him my reason in a letter, (a copy of which, I enclose to you), for not showing my
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THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GASPEE.
orders, as he, till then. had never required me to do so: at which time I sent them by an officer, which I informed you of.
I must now beg leave to observe, it' he had asked me to show my orders. is it possi- ble Ishould behave so much unlike an officer and gentleman, in telling a falsehood. by doing which, I minst be ruined as an officer. and in reputation forever ? The fallacy is easily seen, when it is considered, the only thing that makes the schooner respect- ed, is said to be denied by me. Had such an assertion come from a private char- acter, I should hope for reparation, for an attempt to wound my reputation as an officer. In my present situation, I have only to hope my word will be respected as an officer, as much as his, as a Governor, who can make it appear by no better evidence than an old woman and clerk in the naval othice, and not in the station of a gentle- man ; and I do not think either would be base enough to witness so great a falsehood.
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