On April 12, 1799, the Iris landed
in Liverpool after its voyage from Jamaica, along with eight other ships also arriving
from Jamaica: (1) the Crescent with Captain Huson; (2) the Lottery with Captain
Whittle; (3) the Louisa with Captain Brown; (4) the Augusta with Captain Smith;
(5) the Alexander with Captain Coppinger; (6) the Earl of Liverpool with
Captain Barnard; (7) the Diana with Captain Ainsworth; and (8) the Brothers
with Captain Redmayne.[1] Of
the 40 crew that started on the Iris from Liverpool, 9 died, 9 deserted, 16
were impressed and 6 returned to Liverpool.[2]
The following
were discharged from the Iris on April 12, 1799: [1] George Cannon (2), who started
as 1st Mate and ended as captain; [2] Mahlon Stacy (4), who likely
ended as 1st Mate; [3] Erick
Ohm, also referred to as Erick Ohrn (6), the Doctor; [4] Thomas Lucas (10); [5]
Isaac Broom, also referred to as Jac Broom (13); and [6] Bourd Taylor, also
referred to as Taylor (40).
North America and Iris
In or before May
1799, Captain William Burke filed an appeal of the ruling for the Iris and
against the North America in the Jamaica Court of Vice Admiralty on behalf of Edward
Stevens and his consignee, James Yard, and then sent the appeal, a copy of the
protest and a copy of the court proceeding with the May fleet, under the
command of Admiral Bligh, from Jamaica to London, to be given to a mercantile
house in London for filing with the Lords Commissioners of Appeals in Prize
Causes. Captain Burke then took passage
for London to attend to the appeal and during that voyage was impressed into
his Majesty’s service where his own papers concerning the proceeding were lost.
The original papers he sent were not filed with the court in London and William
Burke could not recall the name of the mercantile house in London he had sent
the original papers to. So Captain Burke apparently arranged for another appeal
to be filed in London and for a duplicate copy of the appeal, claim and court
proceeding in Jamaica to be sent to London for filing.
Iris
A letter dated
May 4, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Wm. Dinwiddie in Manchester: “Your favor of
the 3d just came in time to prevent me furnishing the Martha’s
Insurance at foot Captn Cannon has certified his sailing with Convoy
in the Iris, W. Martha is now getting Iris return sign’d off, as well as the
other offices”
A letter dated
May 20, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Wm. Dinwiddie in Manchester: “Pray what can
you get the Iris done from hence to Africa and a Markett, adding two more Guns
to her[,] say 20 in all. I have got the
return of 7 P Ct made by every office in this town for
sailing with Convoy, please get yours done and furnish me with a note of it.”
Another letter the same date, from Ralph Fisher to Sam I. Taylor and Withingon:
“Please order in 10 days for the Iris for the Iris for Angola. Virg
250 Best
Cotton basts as near India as possible
250 “
“ Chiloes “ “
250 “
“ Photais “ “
250 “
“ Cushteas “ “
be choice if you
please in the articles.”
A letter dated
May 22, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Bland and Ratterthwaite in London: “Can you
get me the Iris cover’d round at 12 gs certain by good men, she is
intended for Angola[,] has 20 guns[,] double fortified fours and nine powders,
will be well mann’d.” A letter the same date, from Ralph Fisher to Higginson
Bernard and Wheler in London: “Have enclosed you four bills as at foot, for the
amot of the Iris’s note supplied in May 1798, in your last you were
not very explicit in regard to the prices of Angola and Bonny goods, will thank
you for them…
/Bill self on Bland and Co £135.0.0
/…D Heywoodson Denison and Co 174.6.4
/…D Dennistrond and Co or Denniston Co
512.6.8
/…D Harvey and Co on Bailey and Co 1351.10.6
£
2173.3.6”
A letter dated May 28, 1799, from
Ralph Fisher to Chas. Isn. Wheeler and Co.: “Please forward immediately for the
Iris, Virg
1000
Byrampauts
250
blue Byjudipauts
250
Neganipauts
420
Narrow Nicanees 14 Yds
420
Tapsails in narrow 14 Yds
900
Guinea Stuffs
600 Lomauls, Ashantee
Dutch and Bonny blue”
Another letter the same date, from Ralph Fisher to Robinson
and Heywood: “Gentn
Please
order in 10 days for the Iris for Angola Virg
150 all
cotton basts as near India as possible
170 best
all cotton chillees
170 Photaus
170
Cushteas
be
choice if you please in the articles.”
A
letter dated May 30, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Robinson and Heywood: “In reply
to yours of the 29th have only to say I would not wish you to exceed
14 days and the Photais and Cushteas usually taken to Angola. I wish 15 basts less than ordered.”
Uncle Toby
June
8, 1799 – The Uncle Toby arrived in New York. Henry Martin was paid $404 for
his services and wages, which was about $30 per month, much more than the $12 a
month he was paid at the beginning.
Iris
A
letter dated June 13, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Charles John Wheler and Co. in
London: “Have received the Iris’s invoice and documents, hope the carrier will
be punctual in the delivery”.
On
June 17, 1799, a Spanish Letter of Marque was issued to George Cannon of the
ship Iris, 285 tons burthen, with 20 guns carrying shot of six and nine pounds
weight. Letters of Marque and Reprisals were authorized “for apprehending,
seizing, and taking, the Ships, Vessels and Goods belonging to the King of
Spain, or to any Persons being Subjects or inhabiting within any of the
Territories of the King of Spain” after November 11, 1796, which was shortly
after France and Spain entered into the Treaty of San IIdefonso.
A
letter dated June 25, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Wm. Dinwiddie in Manchester:
“Please get insured for me on the Iris[,] Captn Cannon[,] from hence
to Africa and a market, by very choice Men £2,500 valuing the ship at
£8,000[,] slaves £50 per head, Ivory £20 P __, Palm Oil £40 p ton, don’t give more
than 12 Gs PCt round, she is doing in
London at 12 to return 2, I give 12 here in Mather and Henderson’s Offices[.] I
have put 2 more 9 pounders into her, she now carries 20 guns, if you can’t get
it done immediately please advise me, she is now in the [Mersey] River, in
expectation of your immediate reply”.
A
letter dated June 26, 1799, from Ralph Fisher to Charles I. Wheler and Co. in
London: “Have inclosed you a bill value £1357.10.6 for my ½ division of the
Iris’s note, which considering all things hope will prove agreable… My one half
of Iris’s note
£1491.3.3
discount £-149.2.3
£1342.1.0”
On July 5, 1799,
the Iris left Liverpool for Angola.
On
July 7, 1799, Ralph Fisher, owner of the Iris, wrote a letter to Lindo, Lake
and Co. in Kingston, Jamaica. He acknowledged the bills for sales of the Iris
“for which I once more repeat my thanks, the produce turned out in good order,
save the sugar, the coarse I cannot sell and the fine very indifferent after
they were sold[,] on redrawing[,] green sugar being in the middle. In respect
to the North America after what has passed in the admiralty with you there can
be no appeal, if he does it will cost him some pounds, and he can have no Redress,
the affidavits made by the Iris and North America’s crew declares W. Bruces
vessel [the Mary] was not in sight, admitting he was, he can have no claim,
except he absolutely rendered assistance by some means in the capture, we have
many instances of cases being settled against claiments in our admiralty, tho’
very near the vessel captured, but was not assisting. W. Bruce must think better of it on mature
deliberation at same time I expect interest from the time of sale, until the money is
remitted, also damages for his frustrating the sale, I hope you will very soon
get it settled and remit me[. I]f you want any indemnity W. Thos Asprinall will
give it you on my acco[un]t to any amount will thank you for a remittance with
the accts as soon as possible, I hope that will be the case ‘en this reaches
you. If W. Thos Asprinall has left
Jamaica[,] Messr Hardy Pennack and Brittan will give you any indemnity on
application[.]”
On
July 21, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At 6 P.M. St. Meary’s Light House Bore:--
E.B.S. Distand 7 Lgs. from witch I take my Departure It Being in Lattitude ---
49..57[,] Longitude--- 06..36 At Trd
Ship to ye Wrd St. Mary’s Light House Bearing ENE 9 Legues:-- 4 Ships in
Company”
On
July 23, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At Meridian Saw a Sail to the
Southward Standing to the N.Wrd.”
On
July 24, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At 1 P.M. Trd Ship to Ye N.W. The Ship
Lottry Spoke the Before Menchined vessel:--“
Iris and Bonetta
On
July 25, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At ½ Past 2 A.M Saw a Sail in the N.W.
Quartor[. A]ll at there Quartors: -- At 3 Do. Fired a Shot and Brought Hur too:
-- She Prooved to Be a Span[i]ard from St. Andera [Santander[3]] Bound
to river Plato[.[4]] Man[ne]d hur and Sent Hur
for Liverpool. At 3 Hove too at ½ Past 11 Made Sail” This is the capture of the
Spanish ship Bonetta as a prize. See the entry for August 7th when
she reaches Liverpool.
Iris
On
July 27, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At 6. P.M. Saw a Sail in the S.E.
Quartor Laying too[.] Boreaway after Do. --
At Do. Spoke Her Prooved to Bee a Dean [Dane?] from Bound to Ba[r]salona
with wheate and Spars: ----------- At 10 wore Ship to the S.Wrd and Made Sail”
On
July 28, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At 9 P.M. 2nd Ship to ye
No. and Wrd. – At 8 A.M. wore Ship to ye Westward: -- At Meridian Saw a Sail to
ye S.E Quartor Standing to ye Eastard[.]
All Hands to Quartors”
Iris and Ceres
On
July 29, 1799, the Iris logbook states: “At ½ Past Meridian:-- Boreaway after
the Before Menchined Ship[. A]t 3 P.M. Brought Do. too: Shee Prooved to Bee a
french vessell from the Isle of france Bound to Bordox: ------ At 5 Do. wore
Ship to ye to ye Srd and Westward: -- Sent ye Prize for Liverpool” This is the
capture of the French ship Ceres as a prize. See the entry for August 11th.
The Ceres actually ended up in Milford Haven, Wales instead of Liverpool.
Iris
On July 30, 1799, the Iris logbook
states: “At 3 P.M. Saw a Sail in the S.Wst Quartor: -- At 10 A.M. Saw a Sail in
the S.Wst. Quartor:-- At 10 A.M. Sent hur Boat on bord the Mary[,] Captain
Connell:---”
On August 2, 1799, the Iris logbook
states: “At 7 Sprung up a Bree[ze] from ye S.Wrd.---- At 4 A.M. Saw two Sails
to windward Standing to ye Eastward fired a Shot & Brought them too: --
Prooved to Bee Proshien [Prussian?] and Gave us the Account of the french fleet
Being to the N.Erd. of us Standing to the N.Erd.”
Uncle
Toby
Libel for
Recapturing the Ship Uncle Toby, filed August 2, 1799 in District Court of the
United States for the New York District.
At the time of recapture, Henry Martin believed the Uncle Toby to be
worth $12,000 and the cargo of salt to be worth $3,500. While in Jamaica,
Martin, Royce and Bowen were urged to libel the Uncle Toby, that a very
handsome salvage would be adjudged to them, and they were assured by merchants
that they were entitled to do so. After the Uncle Toby was discharged in New
York, Murry & Mumford, the owners, decided to give Martin, Royce and Bowen
$500 for retaking the ship and their services and these men said they would not
take it.
Bonetta
On August 7,
1798, the Bonetta, a prize of the Iris, Lottery, Diana, Louisa and Mary arrived
in Liverpool.[5]
 |
| Lloyd's List for August 9, 1799 |
Uncle Toby
An Answer to
Libel and Claim of John Mumford and other owners was filed on August 8, 1799.
Judge John Sloss Hobart ordered the Uncle Toby and her tackle, apparel and
furniture be appraised by Anthony Rutgers and James Farquhoor, two Wardens of
the Port of New York. They determined a value of $8,000. The judge ordered a
bond of $16,000 be obtained by the owners and the Uncle Toby would be released
to them.
[1] Lloyds
List, dated April 16, 1799. Captain Cannon is referred to as “Connor.” There
are also ships from Charleston, Martinico (2), and St. Vincent’s which were
probably also part of the convoy.
[2]
For the ships that left Liverpool in 1798 in the slave trade, there was an
average of 6.7 deaths and 4.1 desertions.
[3]
Santander, Cantabria, Spain, has an excellent harbor, part of the Bay of
Santander, and is part of the largest estuary on the north coast of Spain. It
is located on the larger Bay of Biscay, which is between the north coast of
Spain and the west coast of France (Wikipedia, “Santander, Cantabria” and “Bay
of Santander”).
[4]
The River Plate, in British English, is the Rio de la Plata or “river of silver”
which forms part of the border between the current countries of Argentina and
Uruguay on the east coast of South America (Wikipedia, “Rio de la Plata”).
[5] Lloyd’s
List, dated August 9, 1799, confirms that the “Bonetta, Prize to the Lottery
and 4 other African Ships” arrived in Liverpool on August 7th. From the Iris logbook
entry for August 13, 1799, the four other ships appear to be the Iris, Diana,
Louisa and Mary.
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