Raphael Semmes, Memoirs of Service Afloat During the War Between the States

[671] had been in my place—only I was giving a little ‘boot’— fourteen well-fed, well-clothed fellows, for eleven ragged, whiskey-filled vagabonds. It was a ‘swap’ in another sense, too, as, ten to one, all these eleven fellows were deserters from other ships that had touched at this ‘relay house’ of the sea. There was only one little difficulty in the way of my shipping these men. There was my good friend, her Majesty, the Queen —I must not be ungallant to her, and violate her neutrality laws. What monstrous sophists we are, when interest prompts us? I reasoned out this case to my entire satisfaction. I said to myself, My sailors have gone on shore in her Majesty's dominions, and refuse to come back to me. When I apply to her Majesty's police, they tell me that so sacred is the soil of England, no man must be coerced to do what he does n't want to do. Good! I reply that a ship of war is a part of the territory to which she belongs, and that if some of the subjects of the Queen should think proper to come into my territory, and refuse to go back, I may surely apply the same principle, and refuse to compel them.

When I had come to this conclusion, I turned to the landlord, and said: ‘And so you have some gentlemen boarding at your house, who desire to take passage with me?’ The landlord smiled, and nodded assent. I continued: ‘You know I cannot ship any seamen in her Majesty's ports, but I see no reason why I should not take passengers to sea with me, if they desire to go.’ ‘Certainly, your honor—they can work their passage, you know.’ ‘I suppose you'll charge something for bringing these gentlemen on board?’ ‘Some'at, your honor.’ Here the landlord pulled out a greasy memorandum, and began to read. ‘Bill Bunting, board and lodging, ten shillings—drinks, one pound ten. Tom Bowline, board and lodging, six shillings—Tom only landed yesterday from a Dutch ship —drinks, twelve shillings.’ ‘Hold!’ said I; ‘never mind the board and lodging and drinks-go to the paymaster,’—and turning to Kell, I told him to give the paymaster the necessary instructions,—‘and he will pay you your fares for bringing the passengers on board.’ The ‘passengers’ were already alongside, and being sent down to the surgeon, were examined, and passed as sound and able-bodied men.