Subject: New London & Privateers in the Revolution Source: Sea-Drift from a New England Port by L. W. Champney Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. 60, issue 355 - December 1879 p.60 Sheriff Joshua Hempstead, of New London, during the war of the Revolution, secured two prisoners at Norwich - two runaway sailors who, having pocketed the bounty paid for en- listing have determined to quit the service while they are still in a condition to enjoy it and at early dawn he sets out again for New London, tying his prisoners together and driving them before him. While still at a distance from the town he notices that the fastenings have become loosed and that the sailors are free. He springs from his horse but the men at the same instant exchange glances: their only safety is in separation, and they set out at a run in different directions. The Sheriff plunges after one but the other is already out of sight in the wood, and his escape seems very probable. Joshua Hempstead returned to the place where he alighted from his horse, holding the arm of the unlucky sailor in his powerful clutch but the animal which he neglected in his haste to fasten is no longer there. The captive grins at this contretemps but a whinny is heard a little further on and the sheriff drags his unwilling companion towards the sound. There stands the black horse with his teeth in the collar of the other runaway. When his master had given chase to the first, he had comprehended the situation and dashed after the other. Sheriff and deputy-sheriff return in triumph with their prisoners, and the deputy is after this a public character in New London. Sheriff Joshua Hempstead carried the dispatches between Boston and New London during the war, bringing news of the battle of Bunker Hill in one day and night - a distance, as the road was then travelled, of one hundred and ten miles. And, Joshua Hempstead was no light- weight: "there were giants in those days." When lately the sheriff's bones were removed from one cemetery to another, men gazed with wonder at his colossal frame, whose huge jaw bones would have fitted easily as a visor over any modern countenance. The work of New London during the Revolution was very much the same as Sheriff Joshua Hempstead's - that of furnishing sailors, willing or unwilling, for the American Navy. The antiquarian, turning over snuff-colored files of the Connecticut Gazette, a little sheet published in New London during the Revolution, will be struck by the frequent insertion of notices such as the following: "All Gentlemen Volunteers who are desirous of making their fortunes in 8 weeks' time are hereby informed the fine Privateer called the New Broome, mounting 16 pieces and 4 Pounders, besides swivels, is now fitted out for an 8 weeks' cruise near Sandy Hook, in the Sound, and will have the best chance that there has been this War of taking prizes. She only waits for a few more Men, and then will immediately sail for her cruise." "July 25, 1778." "The New and swift sailing Privateer Brigantine Le Marquise de la Fayette, mounting sixteen 6 pound cannon with swivels and small arms compleat, will sail on a cruise against the enemies of these United States in eight days from the date hereof at earliest. All Gentlemen Seamen and able-bodied Landsmen who are desirous of making their fortune an Opportunity now presents, by applying on Board said Brig, when they will meet with good Encouragement." "New London, Feb 7, 1781." The call was repeated again and again and again with very little variation except the names of the commanders and vessels. In the latter a grim humor was often displayed. The New Broome, already mentioned, was evidently designed to become a "besome of destruction." The Wilful Murder and the Sturdy Beggar, both authentic names of Privateers, strike a somewhat piratical key-note, but they were regularly commission- ed vessels of war sailing under letters of marque and reprisal issued by the govern- ment, and stand in the relation of great-grandfathers to our present Navy. The official history of the navy of the Revolution is comprised in the corsair-like exploits of these privateers. [See The Navy in the American Revolution http://www.americanrevolution.org/nav1.html] In December 1775, Congress chose a committee for carrying into execution its resolutions for fitting out armed vessels. New London became the headquarters for the Connecticut quota. Its fitness as a naval station is demonstrated by a report made to the British government in 1774, before the breaking out of the Revolution: "New London, the best harbor in Connecticut, from the lighthouse at the mouth of the harbor to the town is about three miles, a breadth of three fourths of a mile, from five to six fathoms of water and entirely secure and commodious one mile above the town, for large ships. The principal trade is to the West India Islands, excepting now and then a vessel to Ireland and England and a few to Gibralter and Barbary. There are 72 sail now belonging to this district, in which there are 496 sea-faring men employed besides upward of 20 sail of coasting vessels. Almost every sort of British manufactures are here import- ed of 150,000 or 160,000 pounds sterling per annum. The custom house officers here are attentive to their duty, besides which this harbor is so situated that the coming in from sea is between the east end of Long Island and Block Island and the west end of Fisher's Island, where the king's cruisers are generally upon the look-out, and very critical in examining the vessels they meet with," etc. Blank letters of marque were sent to the Governor of Connecticut, vessels were built and remodelled, notices requesting "Gentlemen Volunteers" began to appear in the Gazette and the work of enlisting went merrily on. Four captains' commissions were issued by Congress at this time: one to Dudley Saltonstall of New London, who afterward rose to the rank of lieutenant- at the same date was the famous John Paul Jones. Twenty-six vessels were fitted out from Connecticut and sailed away to dispute the arrogant boast: "The winds and seas are Britain's wide domain, And not a sail but by permission spreads." Prizes as they were brought in were announced in the Gazette and referred to the decision of the Maritime Court, where the owners of the property seized were summoned to appear and claim their goods, first having proved themselves loyal to the new government. The following summons is taken at random from a score of similar ones and will serve as an example of the established procedure: "State of Connecticut, County of New London - To Whom it may Concern: "Know Ye that Libels are filed before the Honorable Richard Law, Esq., Judge of the Maritime Court of New London, in Favour of John Murow, Commander, Elias Parshal, Owner, and the Men on board the Sloop Halker, against two whale boats laden with British Goods taken on the 18 of March 1781...In Favour of Amos Judson, Commander of Boat Revenge and his associates, against two trunks and a box of European and India Goods seized and taken on Long Island....which Whale Boats and Goods the Libellants claim as Lawful Prizes. The hearing of said Libels will be at New London the 17th day of April 1781; of which all persons claiming Property are to take due notice. Per Order of the Judge. Winthrop Salton- stall, Regr." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth See the many narratives by this author at: http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/browse.author/c.67.html