MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AND SUNDRY DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE REQUISITION FOR AND DELIVERY OF JONATHAN ROBBINS; IN PURSUANCE OF A RESOLUTION OF THIS HOUSE, OF THE 4TH INSTANT. 7TH FEBRUARY, 1800
1800 · [Philadelphia
by Adams, John
[Philadelphia, 1800. 8pp. Disbound, with original plain rear wrapper. Very Good.
Robbins had joined a mutiny aboard the British frigate Hermione. He was jailed in South Carolina; England sought his extradition. But Robbins claimed he had been impressed into British service; that he was in reality an American citizen, by virtue of his birth in Danbury, Connecticut; and that he thus should not become a victim of British justice. The case became a cause celebre, driven by anti-British sentiment.
Documents included with Adams's Message demonstrate that Robbins lied: he was "not an American citizen, but a native Irishman, who to his other crimes added perjury, in the hope, thereby, to escape the punishment due to piracy and murder."
Evans 36124. (Inventory #: 22924)
Robbins had joined a mutiny aboard the British frigate Hermione. He was jailed in South Carolina; England sought his extradition. But Robbins claimed he had been impressed into British service; that he was in reality an American citizen, by virtue of his birth in Danbury, Connecticut; and that he thus should not become a victim of British justice. The case became a cause celebre, driven by anti-British sentiment.
Documents included with Adams's Message demonstrate that Robbins lied: he was "not an American citizen, but a native Irishman, who to his other crimes added perjury, in the hope, thereby, to escape the punishment due to piracy and murder."
Evans 36124. (Inventory #: 22924)