Captain William Straughan to Lieutenant Thomas Simpson, July 30, 1778

Document

Transcription

Brig Patience¹ Bres Road
July 30^th- 1778.

Copy.
Cap: Simpson
Sir

Nothing but the Distressed Situation of my family, and fearing a french prison at the begining of a War should oblige me to be So troublesome to you and your officiers. The State of my family is truly deplorable. About Eighteen Months ago I had a brig seized from me with many other things and Sold, being almost my all I then got y^e- Lord Chatham, my first voyage became A Victim to y^e- Ranger,² If I am sent to prison Will certainly ruin me. I have a large family Eleven in number, a Wife, Children, and grand children all females except one Boy of Six years of age; the father of the grand Children in y^e- american Service I have Nothing left to maintain them but my labour. If I am confind my family must become a public charge, God of his infinite mercy grant it may not be the case. I am now near sixty years of age and sending me to Prison will by no means serve the States of america, and will forever destroy my family. There has not been any masters of american Vessels not armed detained in England. Cap. Whipple³ generously sent the Masters away for a dutch Ship that he brought to Nantes. I have not heard of any men being served by the americans as we have been by Cap. Jones, since this unhappy War, I pray God of his infinite Goodness put an end to it. As you have been always very kind I flatter myself you will do what lies in your power for me and that you will be kind enough to speak to the Agent in my favor. I need not point to you y^e- ways I might be set free. I have also a boy an apprentice a relation of my own I should be glad to get with me, if it can be done. your interest in this affair, I am in hopes, will set me free, for which, and my distressed family shall ever pray for your wel fare I am &c

W^m- Stroughan

P.S. After you left the Ranger as well as before, I was always willing to contribute to the safety of y^e- Ranger, particularly when it looked so bad coming thro’ y^e- North Channel. Cap. Jones asked me what he should do, as he was afraid to go through the South Channel and thought he should not be able to go to y^e- Northward. I told him I could take y^e- Vessel into Lough Endal⁴; he then promised me to set me free.⁵ If D^r- franklin knew his promises and my age I think he would give orders for my clearance.⁶

Copy, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, vol. 47, fol. 127. Addressed: “To Cap Tho^s- Simpson Commander of the/Continenta frigate the Ranger.—” Docketed: “Copy of a Letter from a prisoner/to Lieu^t. Simpson/ Brest July 30./1778.” This was the third time Straughan had petitioned the commissioners for his release. There is no evidence that the commissioners acted on Straughan’s petition. The first petition, and discussion of the second, are at Christian Stenger and William Straughan to the Commissioners, 18 May 1778, in Adams Papers 6: 134–35 and 135n.

1. John Paul Jones used the captured brig Patience as a prison ship.

2. For a discussion of the capture of Lord Chatham by Continental Navy ship Ranger, commanded by Capt. John Paul Jones, see Jones to American Commissioners, 27 May 1778, in NDAR 12: 756.

3. Captain Abraham Whipple, who commanded the Continental frigate Providence.

4. Loch Indaal, or Lochindall, a bay or sea loch of the isle of Islay, Scotland.

5. Straughan had also noted in an earlier petition that he gave Jones “knowlege when on the Coast of Ireland” that “Contributed for the Safity of the Ranger.” Adams Papers 6: 134. However, Straughan did not mention here his failed escape attempt with Christian Stenger, former master of Ranger’s prize Dolphin, on 21 May. See David Cullam to Jones, 21 May 1778, in NDAR 12: 738.

6. Straughan’s earlier requests for release had been directed to the American Commissioners in France rather than Lt. Simpson of Ranger. Benjamin Franklin was one of the three American commissioners.

Document Information

Date

1778 July 30

Volume

Volume 13

Series

European Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778

Naval Documents of the American Revolution

Captain William Straughan to Lieutenant Thomas Simpson, July 30, 1778

Document

Similar Documents