[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
us being at anchor in the waters of South Carolina, to prevent any breach of
the tariff laws. When I had been on board the Alert about a month, a new
cutter called the Jackson, came in from New York, and being the finest craft
on the station, our officers and crew were transferred to her in a body; our
captain being the senior of all the revenue captains present.
I must have been at least six months in the waters of South Carolina, thus
employed. We never went to sea, but occasionally dropped down as far as
Rebellion Roads. We were not allowed to go ashore, except on rare occasions,
and towards the last, matters got to be so serious, that we almost looked upon
ourselves as in an enemy's country. Commodore Elliott joined the station in
the Natchez sloop-of-war, and the Experiment, man-of-war schooner, also
arrived and remained. After the arrival of the Natchez, the Commodore took
command of all hands of us afloat, and we were kept in a state of high
preparation for service. We were occasionally at quarters, nights, though I
never exactly knew the reasons. It was said attacks on us were anticipated.
General Scott was in the fort, and matters looked very warlike, for several
weeks.
At length we got the joyful news that nullification had been thrown
overboard, and that no more was to be apprehended. It seems that the crews of
the different cutters had been increased for this particular service; but, now
it was over, there were more men employed than Government had needed. We were
told, in consequence, that those among us who wished our discharges, might
have them on application.
I had been long enough in this 'long-shore service, and applied to be
discharged, under this provision. My time was so near out, however, that I
should have got away soon, in regular course.
I now went ashore at Charleston, and had my swig, as long as the money
lasted. I gave myself no trouble about the ship's husband, whose collar-bone I
had broken; nor do I now know whether he was then living, or dead. In a word,
I thought only of the present time; the past and the future being equally
indifferent to me. My old landlord was dead; and I fell altogether into the
hands of a new set. I never took the precaution to change my name, at any
period of my life, with the exception, that I dropped the Robert, in signing
shipping-articles. I also wrote my name Myers, instead of Meyers, as, I have
been informed by my sister, was the true spelling. But this proceeded from
ignorance, and not from intention. In all times, and seasons, and weathers,
and services, I have sailed as Ned Myers; and as nothing else.
It soon became necessary to ship again; and I went on board the Harriet and
Jesse, which was bound to Havre de Grace. This proved to be a pleasant, easy
voyage; the ship coming back to New York filled with passengers, who were
called Swiss; but most of whom, as I understand, came from Wurtemberg, Alsace,
and the countries on the Rhine. On reaching New York, I went on to
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ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Philadelphia, to obtain the effects I had left there, when I went out in the
Amelia. But my landlord was dead; his family was scattered; and my property
had disappeared. I never knew who got it; but a quadrant, watch, and some
entirely new clothes, went in the wreck. I suppose I lost, at least, two
hundred dollars, in this way. What odds did it make to me? it would have gone
in grog, if it had not gone in this manner.
I staid but a short time in Philadelphia, joining a brig, called the Topaz,
bound to Havana. We arrived out, after a short passage; and here I was exposed
to as strong a temptation to commit crime, as a poor fellow need encounter. A
beautiful American-built brig, was lying in port, bound to Africa, for slaves.
She was the loveliest craft I ever laid eyes on; and the very sight of her
gave me a longing to go in her. She offered forty dollars a month, with the
privilege of a slave and a half. I went so far as to try to get on board her;
but met with some difficulty, in having my things seized. The captain found it
out; and, by pointing out to me the danger I ran, succeeded in changing my
mind.
I will not deny, that I knew the trade was immoral; but so is smuggling; and
I viewed them pretty much as the same thing, in this sense. I am now told,
that the law of this country pronounces the American citizen, who goes in a
slaver, a pirate; and treats him as such; which, to me, seems very
extraordinary. I do not understand, how a Spaniard can do that, and be no
pirate, which makes an American a pirate, if he be guilty of it. I feel
certain, that very few sailors know in what light the law views slaving. Now,
piracy is robbing, on the high seas, and has always been contrary to law; but
slaving was encouraged by all nations, a short time since; and we poor tars
look upon the change, as nothing but a change in policy. As for myself, I
should have gone in that brig, in utter ignorance of the risks I ran, and
believing myself to be about as guilty, in a moral sense, as I was when I
smuggled tobacco, on the coast of Ireland, or opium in Canton. [15]
As the Topaz was coming out of the port of Havana, homeward bound, and just
as she was abreast of the Moro, the brig carried away her bobstay. I was busy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl exclamation.htw.pl
us being at anchor in the waters of South Carolina, to prevent any breach of
the tariff laws. When I had been on board the Alert about a month, a new
cutter called the Jackson, came in from New York, and being the finest craft
on the station, our officers and crew were transferred to her in a body; our
captain being the senior of all the revenue captains present.
I must have been at least six months in the waters of South Carolina, thus
employed. We never went to sea, but occasionally dropped down as far as
Rebellion Roads. We were not allowed to go ashore, except on rare occasions,
and towards the last, matters got to be so serious, that we almost looked upon
ourselves as in an enemy's country. Commodore Elliott joined the station in
the Natchez sloop-of-war, and the Experiment, man-of-war schooner, also
arrived and remained. After the arrival of the Natchez, the Commodore took
command of all hands of us afloat, and we were kept in a state of high
preparation for service. We were occasionally at quarters, nights, though I
never exactly knew the reasons. It was said attacks on us were anticipated.
General Scott was in the fort, and matters looked very warlike, for several
weeks.
At length we got the joyful news that nullification had been thrown
overboard, and that no more was to be apprehended. It seems that the crews of
the different cutters had been increased for this particular service; but, now
it was over, there were more men employed than Government had needed. We were
told, in consequence, that those among us who wished our discharges, might
have them on application.
I had been long enough in this 'long-shore service, and applied to be
discharged, under this provision. My time was so near out, however, that I
should have got away soon, in regular course.
I now went ashore at Charleston, and had my swig, as long as the money
lasted. I gave myself no trouble about the ship's husband, whose collar-bone I
had broken; nor do I now know whether he was then living, or dead. In a word,
I thought only of the present time; the past and the future being equally
indifferent to me. My old landlord was dead; and I fell altogether into the
hands of a new set. I never took the precaution to change my name, at any
period of my life, with the exception, that I dropped the Robert, in signing
shipping-articles. I also wrote my name Myers, instead of Meyers, as, I have
been informed by my sister, was the true spelling. But this proceeded from
ignorance, and not from intention. In all times, and seasons, and weathers,
and services, I have sailed as Ned Myers; and as nothing else.
It soon became necessary to ship again; and I went on board the Harriet and
Jesse, which was bound to Havre de Grace. This proved to be a pleasant, easy
voyage; the ship coming back to New York filled with passengers, who were
called Swiss; but most of whom, as I understand, came from Wurtemberg, Alsace,
and the countries on the Rhine. On reaching New York, I went on to
Page 102
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Philadelphia, to obtain the effects I had left there, when I went out in the
Amelia. But my landlord was dead; his family was scattered; and my property
had disappeared. I never knew who got it; but a quadrant, watch, and some
entirely new clothes, went in the wreck. I suppose I lost, at least, two
hundred dollars, in this way. What odds did it make to me? it would have gone
in grog, if it had not gone in this manner.
I staid but a short time in Philadelphia, joining a brig, called the Topaz,
bound to Havana. We arrived out, after a short passage; and here I was exposed
to as strong a temptation to commit crime, as a poor fellow need encounter. A
beautiful American-built brig, was lying in port, bound to Africa, for slaves.
She was the loveliest craft I ever laid eyes on; and the very sight of her
gave me a longing to go in her. She offered forty dollars a month, with the
privilege of a slave and a half. I went so far as to try to get on board her;
but met with some difficulty, in having my things seized. The captain found it
out; and, by pointing out to me the danger I ran, succeeded in changing my
mind.
I will not deny, that I knew the trade was immoral; but so is smuggling; and
I viewed them pretty much as the same thing, in this sense. I am now told,
that the law of this country pronounces the American citizen, who goes in a
slaver, a pirate; and treats him as such; which, to me, seems very
extraordinary. I do not understand, how a Spaniard can do that, and be no
pirate, which makes an American a pirate, if he be guilty of it. I feel
certain, that very few sailors know in what light the law views slaving. Now,
piracy is robbing, on the high seas, and has always been contrary to law; but
slaving was encouraged by all nations, a short time since; and we poor tars
look upon the change, as nothing but a change in policy. As for myself, I
should have gone in that brig, in utter ignorance of the risks I ran, and
believing myself to be about as guilty, in a moral sense, as I was when I
smuggled tobacco, on the coast of Ireland, or opium in Canton. [15]
As the Topaz was coming out of the port of Havana, homeward bound, and just
as she was abreast of the Moro, the brig carried away her bobstay. I was busy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]