February 14, 1861 – The Outrage Upon a British Captain at Savannah

A gentleman just from Savannah communicates to the Albany Evening Journal the particulars of the outrage on a British captain, which has been mysteriously hinted at by the Savannah papers:

It appears that the captain had employed a free negro stevedore to load his vessel. He was very anxious to push the work, and for this purpose encouraged the stevedore to unusual efforts by various little acts of kindness which he considered calculated to aid him in the accomplishment of his purpose. Among other things, he invited him to
take his dinner on shipboard. The invitation was accepted. This annoyed the mate, who communicated to some of his acquaintances on shore, with embellishments, what the captain had done.

It required no great effort to raise the cry of “abolitionist” against the captain, nor to induce a gang of drunken rascals to resolve upon his summary punishment. The plan adopted was carried out. A mob proceeded to the vessel during the night of Friday week last, seized the captain, dragged him from his vessel, and clothed him with a coat of tar and feathers.

The next day the captain communicated with the British Consul, who at once offered a reward of $I,OOO for the apprehension of those guilty of the outrage.

The Daily Exchange, Baltimore, MD

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