as the Jason did not shew her colours also, one of thé ships fired a
shot atus;; the Jason had not many experienced sailors on bpard^
the rest of her complement consisting of men and boys who had
s never been at sèa before. The captain, in order to conceal the defect
Of his crew, had put canvas round the gunwale, and prepared for
action; but none of the guns could be pointed with accuracy.
As soon as the other ship proved likewise to bq a privateer, there
could be no doubt what must be our fate. I went down into the
cabin to make some arrangements, not knowing how Soon I might
be obliged to leavethe Jason.
The Guineaman after firing some shot struck .her colours. The
Somerset dèfended herself as well as she could, but seeing the two
fighting parties so Unequal, it seemed she tried whether she could
gain the river Marawine, which divides the territory of Surinam from
the French Guiana, in the vicinity of which this action tóök place;
but the superior force of the privateers obliged her likewise to surrender.
The Jason had been firing for near half an hour when one
of the privateers came close to our windward1 side, and the ?crew
called out è la bord, è, la bord! They could board easily by the
c&bitt windows, which were not sufficiently defended, I 'Wéhtthere-
fore upon deck to speak to the captain about-tKi»‘circumstance^
I found him still commanding, but the crew were retreating from
their guns; Whilst the musket balls were whistling Över their heads.
The privateer had a great number of men, who seemed all preparing'
for boarding the Jason. I had only time to go down and get my
, passport, and put my luggage in order, when Captain M. called to
I l f - itne that he had been obliged to surrender; he was folldwed by two
* officers of thé privateer, to whom I delivered my passport, with the
declaration, that all which I had with me were not mercantile goods,
but only for my own private use; they assuredme that as I belonged
to a neutral nation I should enjoy, the greatest favour. Captain M.
now saw the cargo of his ship taken possession off, and all his trunks
carefully examined, and with tears in his eyes he said to. me,
« There you see now. Sir; how the hard earned labour of we masters
of ships, goes; this is the sixth time I have been taken by privateers,
and all my endeavours to gain something for my advanced age,
and- for: the comfort of my family, is in Vain.”—The captain must
feel the more; as a considerable part of the cargo belonged to
himself.
I t seems very extraordinary that in our age the European governments
should continue to sanction this practices of robbing private
property at sea; In the last century,’individuals were permitted in
time of war to form regiments at their own' expon,ce, pretending
thereby to serve their country, when in reality their sole motive
was to enrich themselves by plunder. I t-o b v io u s that neither
the enemyVgovernment against which, they took up arms,.suffered
much, nor the . nation they served received : any material
benefit from their exertions, though some families were entirely
ruined; therefore this sort of freebooters, which originated in the
dark and barbarous ages, has long ceased’; but is not plundering
people h t sea, as bad as on land P it is therefore tq be hoped this
depredatory warfare will likewise soon be abolished.
After th& officers of the privateer had taken full possession of all
the goods of the Jason, they told me their Captain wished very much
to come on board, but was too much engaged. taking the; slaves ;from
the Guineaman on board the privateer, adding they were persuaded
MeMred to be acquaiifted with him ^and as the boat was ready to
take the captain of the. Jason -on board their ;shrp5 they a'Sked me
politely whether I would not like. to .accompany. him. My first
question was, what would become of my trunks, which I had put
altogether, and to prevent, any,mistake, marked.;with my name;'
they assured me that all shquldiremain untouched until my .return.
I then set off with Captain M. and when, we reached the privateer