1759 – A young American sailor reports his ship was “arrested” and sold in London and that he was in danger of being impressed into service on a British man-of war during the Seven Year's War
London: 1759. Envelope or Cover. This three-page stampless folded letter from William Waine to his parents measures 8” x 12¾”. It is datelined “London, Decr ye 28th 1759” and addressed “To / William Waine / in, / Boston, New England / Living in Kings Streat”. The letter was favored carried, by a sailor or passenger on another ship, so it bears no postal markings. In nice shape. A transcript will be provided.
Although many Europeans suggest the Seven Years War began in 1756, it actually was touched off in 1754 when a small party of Virginia militiamen under the command of a brash, young American lieutenant colonel, George Washington, skirmished with French soldiers in the Upper Ohio River Valley, killing a French officer. That incident ignited long-simmering tensions between England and France and began the French and Indian War. When that colonial war jumped the Atlantic and French and English allies joined the fray, it became one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 18th century and, in the words of Winston Churchill, “the first world war.”
After capture, probably by a British privateer, the merchant ship upon which Wayne served was apparently determined to be involved in trading with the French. Subsequently, it was taken to England as a “prize” and sold along with its cargo.
“I was most barbrosley delt with . . . concerning of my waiges for I did not get a farthing [from my ship’s owners] untill ye 6 of December although our Vesell was sold last June I have now been on Shore a twelve month upon [my own] Expences for I could not go any weare untill our afair was Setled and besides the Lawyer told me that [I should have been] kept in Pay from the time that she was arested untill she was sold. . .. I should be glad to hear from you I lodg at the widow Cartwrights opiset bell wharf in Shadwell [and] I intend to live as frugal as Posible I have got a very good lodging hear it is a house whear most of our new England People is Acquainted with. . ..”
He further describes his legal escape from impressment as well as fears he will be forced to serve on a British warship.
“I was Prest at New Castle and Obliged to get a man in my Boon which cost me £15 but that will not keap me Clear I was afraid to Venture to London without something to Protect me theirfore I got a Greenland Protection, and I must Either go their or loos five guines which I have giveing a Bond for the Protection but if that I go it will not be above three months Voige and them I am Clear all the Rest of the year. . .. Poor [Cousin] Cross . . . he is Prest and on Board of a man of war he was Prest there of this month [and Thomas] Cross is not been heard of since he whent from hear for Jamace which was last June. . .. I should not go to greenland upon no acct but for fear of being Prest and as I now Provided my self with Clothing fit for such a Voige I intend to preform it by the Blessing of God for I had suffer any thing [other] than to get on board a man of war. . ..”. Very good. Item #009951
Impressment, of course, was the practice of taking men with “seafaring habits,” (i.e., sailors) into the navy by compulsion or force, usually without advance notice. Men who were taken by a Royal Navy press gang could be released if they provided a substitute, which is what Waine did at New Castle. As Waine noted, that would not protect him from future impressment, so he took advantage of a legal exemption. Men who were under contract to sail on whaling vessels received paperwork, i.e. Greenland Protections, which legally prevented them from being pressed into the navy.
(For more information, see Brunsman’s The Evil Necessity: British Naval Impressment in the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic World, Dancy’s The Myth of the Press Gang: Volunteers, Impressment and the Naval Manpower, and “The John Barwis Collection of Philadelphia Postal History: Philadelphia Foreign Mail: 1709-1775 Colonial Period” at the Schuler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions website.)
Quite scarce. No original source Seven Year’s War material regard naval impressment is for sale in the trade, and none is shown by the Rare Book Hub or Stamp Auction Network as having ever appeared at auction. Two institutions hold printing British Admiralty orders regarding the exemption of fishermen from impressment, and one institution holds a printed Admiralty instruction regarding the operation of an impressment gang.
Price: $1,500.00