Concord of Greenock - captured by the Americans

The following is the first hand account of Captain James Laurie of the ship Concord of Greenock, of his ship's capture and his subsequent treatment as a prisoner during the American Revolution.  He obviously had a horrendous journey before his ship was taken and he did not think much of his captors.  It is a fascinating read.

The newspaper article starts - "A correspondent has favoured us with the following Journal of Captain Laurie of Glasgow."

“I am happily satisfied with the sight of Old England once more, after eight months misery, from great losses and afflictions.  As I wrote you before, of my intended voyage, I sailed 25th September 1775, for Boston, with a cargo of coals, provisions, and sundry necessaries, for the use of the navy in America, after a very hard passage of ten weeks; four of which I beat on the coast, with strong gales and contrary winds."

You can read more about the Greenock ship Concord and her capture on my previous post - An Appeal to Heaven.  The article continues -

"On sounding on the 2nd of December, about twelve leagues south east from Cape Anne, at six in the evening, was boarded and taken by a schooner, of six carriage and twelve swivel guns, manned with about sixty piratical vagabonds, headed by one John Manley styling themselves American Cruizers.  I was, with the most of my people, bundled on board the schooner, and my ship taken possession of by the above crew."

Cape Anne is about thirty miles northeast of Boston.  The Concord was captured by Captain John Manley, a very successful American privateer.  His ship was the Lee.

"By break of day next morning, made our appearance off Marble Head, where a large body of people, who were throwing up a battery for defence of said place, shouted with joy at our appearance.  From thence proceeded to Beverley, where the people came in numbers from the country, much overjoyed at Manley’s great success.  In midst of the crew, we were told not to be afraid, for we should be treated like gentlemen, and meet with the best usage, crying out, “That it was not private property they wanted, but to hinder supplies going to the Ministerial Butchers”, meaning the troops at Boston; and I, with many others, think it great scandal to the British flag, so many of us were made sacrifices, after so severe a passage to be taken by such vermin, right under their noses."

Marblehead is just north of Boston and Beverley is now a suburb of Boston.  The British troops were under siege at Boston and could only get supplies by sea.

"Myself, and one gentleman passenger, and nine of the sailors, were landed, and put under the guard of a parcel of fellows, with guns and bayonets fixed, who marched us with fife and drum to Salem, where we were stared on by men, women, and children, as villains, shouting out, “see the prisoners”!  Our guard were styled the Rangers, dressed in checquered home spun; the Captain of which, during my imprisonment, made me two pair of shoes, for the common price, as a customer.  So much for the Yankee Captain."

Salem during the Revolutionary War was a centre of privateering.  The Rangers were a force which once was loyal to the British, but during the Revolution many fought on the American side.  Laurie mocks them as wearing "checquered home spun", during the War there was a ban on British imports and loyal Americans chose fabric made by their own people.  There's a very interesting article - "The Hands that Spun the Revolution" on the Library of Congress Blog.  (Click the link to read.)

George Washington

"It was, with much difficulty, unable to walk from fatigue, I procured carriage to Cambridge, to appear before Washington, whom they styled General and Commander in Chief of the United American army; a very hard and disagreeable circumstance, that must be performed by all whom they make prisoners, let the distance be even a hundred miles from the headquarters.  From the lameness  of the sailers, we could not reach the first day; but, on the second, by ten in the morning, two or three vessels crews of us entered Cambridge, amidst thousands, of all nations, ages, colours, and dresses, from a cobbler Captain, to a brother Jonathan with his pickaxe and hoe, crying out, “You see what we Americans can do; you may as soon pull the stars from the skies, as subdue us free-born Americans by force of arms."

Cambridge is now a suburb of Boston and home of Harvard University.  During the Revolution, George Washington had his headquarters in Cambridge.  The Cobbler Captain refers to the Captain of the men guarding Laurie who made him two pairs of shoes. "Brother Jonathan" was used a term used to describe loyal Americans, an early Uncle Sam. 

"We were brought to the house where Washington lived, but was not admitted to his presence, at that time, being engaged in other business, but all sent to confinement; the sailors sent to gaols, and sundry masters of us sent to a house, all under guards." 

Longfellow House, as it is now named, was Washington's HQ for a few years during the siege of Boston.  It got its name because the American poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) lived there for much of his life.

Washington's HQ in Cambridge

"In three days time, we petitioned to know our destiny, as it was impossible for the men to live in the place into which they were crowded, not even having room to lie down to rest.  Offer being made, to give my parole, for self and sailors, to deliver ourselves up to a Committee of Safety at Concord, till further orders, we gladly accepted of the same, rather than be marched through the different towns, with such a gang.  After delivering ourselves up, we became much in want of necessary clothing.  I complained of such treatment, on behalf of self and people, as we had given them no cause of offence, without they made that one, of getting our daily bread; a doctrine very contrary to what they foolishly call their own (that is, liberty and property).  After begging and praying, and using every other interest I could, was permitted, by a fresh parole, to return to my ship for some clothing, for self and people; but how great was my surprise, after all that had been said, by people, who I thought from principle would not lie, to learn the cargo was taken out, and everything in the ship ransacked, chests, desks, etc broke open, and most of our things taken away, by an unlawful authority of men, calling themselves Agents for the Continental Cruizers.  What was remaining, was glad to put up with, and walk off."

Committee of Safety - during the Revolutionary War they were akin to local government.

"As there was no redress where rapine had taken place, in room of humanity and justice, after being marched and counter marched, sundry times to Cambridge and Concord, by several applications made, was permitted to the precincts of Salem, a prisoner on parole, without even bread or water to subsist on, but what I pay for.

I was not the only sufferer, sundry other masters will share the same fate; and what may appear very extraordinary, as I dare say unparalleled, a number of the poor sailors were marched, under guard, a hundred miles of the country, in frost and snow, and left to the mercy of the people, almost ready to destroy one another, much more prisoners, whom they looked on as enemies to their country and cause without the smallest means of support. 

After twelve weeks spent, and no views of recovering my employer’s property, or any provision made to subsist on, personal safety being daily in danger, I with several others, made application to Washington, who granted us a pass to get away the best manner we could, after giving our parole of honour not to go to Boston, or any other way where any of his Majesty’s ships were.

This letter from Robert Hanson Harrison (1745-1790) was in charge of Washington’s HQ during the war to William Bartlett who was Washington’s naval agent shows that Laurie and the others captured with him could have passage away from America.  It is interesting to note the statement that Washington  "would not wish too great a number of them should be in one vessel ... it is only right to guard against accidents."  The other men captured on the Concord of Greenock were, Archibald Templeton, James Crawford, Joseph Douglass, James Hamilton, and John McIver.

I took passage to Antigua, with John Bourke, Esq of said island, who had suffered the same fate, and was permitted to purchase a small sloop for that purpose and happy for us, we got away ere the advice of the restraining bill took place.  We left Salem 1 March 1776, arrived in Antigua 2nd April, where I took first opportunity for Britain, which was in his Majesty’s sloop of war Lynx; and got to Spithead on the 2nd June."

John Burke of Antigua had been travelling to Boston as a passenger in the ship Little Hannah, Robert Adams master, which, like Laurie's ship Concord, had been captured by John Manley of the ship Lee in December 1775.  The Little Hannah was carrying a cargo of rum and gineva.  Washington reported that the cargo was for "the use of the Army and Navy at Boston".  Sloop of war Lynx - more information here. 

"The manner of proceeding in America is almost beyond description; for instead of humanity, which the newspapers are filled with, some are compelled to enter their service, others have barely enough to keep life and soul together in gaols, and many left to shift for themselves or starve; men, women and children, suffer the same fate, whoever fall into their hands, as I to my woeful experience have seen; and was it not for some, who were not lost in their human feelings, the case of prisoners in America would be too shocking to relate; and what service they do is at the risk of their lives and fortune.  In some of my examinations before Washington, he seemed much dissatisfied, that I did not say the people of Britain were all in associations against Government, as he seemed to be advised to that purpose by private correspondence, whom they all depended much upon; but I took the hint, and excused myself, not being versant in politics.  Upon the whole, they seemed to be sickening of the frolick, as they called it.  None of them every expected that it would have come that length; and excepting those who keep their spirits up with Yankee rum, the rest appeared rather melancholy than otherwise, but they were all in hopes of their time of service being expired before the regulars landed from England, as they were only by the month till May".

So ended Captain James Laurie's woeful tale of his capture and imprisonment in America.  He does not give a positive description as to the morale of the people he meets during his time there.  As a first hand account, it makes very interesting reading.  However, there are factors which have to be taken into account.  Having lost his ship and his valuable cargo, he would have to face meeting the ship owners and merchants who had entrusted them to deliver the goods.  Not all of his crew would have made it home - perhaps still imprisoned in America or taken by press gangs to serve on other ships.  These and other factors give an insight into how he may have been viewing his capture.  It is not difficult to imagine that personal pride would also account for the tone of his writing.

Glad to be home, he went back to sea shortly afterwards.  This notice dated July 1777 from the Manchester Mercury shows that despite his ordeal, he continued to voyage across the Atlantic after his return to Britain.