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of all the eastern coasts of England and Scotland, and is more dreaded than Thurot was in the late war.”
This same
Captain Conyngham, afterward, while cruising on the
American coast, fell into the hands of the enemy.
He had, of course, become odious to the
English people, and they had denounced him as a ‘pirate,’ as our Northern people have denounced the writer of these pages.
Conyngham was closely confined, and the
English admiral, whose fleet was then stationed in the waters of New York, threatened to send him to
England for trial.
Let us see what steps the American Congress took in behalf of this ‘rebel pirate,’ as soon as it heard of these proceedings.
The subject having been brought to its notice, it directed its
Secretary,
Charles Thompson, to address a letter of remonstrance to the
British admiral, threatening retaliation, if he dared to execute his threats.
I quote from the journals of Congress:—
In Congress assembled, July 1799.—A letter of the 17th instant, from Ann Conyngham, and a petition from a number of inhabitants of Philadelphia were read, representing that Captain Gustavus Conyngham, now a prisoner with the enemy, is closely confined, and ordered to be sent to England, and praying that measures may be taken for the security of his person: Ordered, That the same be referred to a committee of three.
The members chosen, Mr. Morris, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Whipple.
The committee to whom were referred the petition, and letter respecting Gustavus Conyngham, brought in a report; whereupon, Resolved, That the following letter from the Secretary of Congress, be written to the admiral, or other commanding officer of the fleet, or ships of his Britannic Majesty, lying in the harbor of New York, viz.:
Sir, I am directed by the Congress of the United States of
America to inform you, that they have received evidence that
Gustavus Conyngham, a citizen of
America, late
commander of an armed vessel in the service of the said States, and taken on board of a private armed cutter, hath been treated in a manner contrary to the dictates of humanity, and the practice of
Christian, civilized nations. I am ordered, in the name of Congress, to demand that good and sufficient reason be given for this conduct, or that the said
Gustavus Conyngham be immediately released from his present rigorous, and
ignominious confinement.
With all due respect, I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant.
Resolved, That, unless a satisfactory answer be received to the foregoing letter, on or before the 1st day of August next, the Marine Committee do immediately order to be confined, in close and safe custody, so many persons as they may think proper, in
