Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-07-21


position. But the poor fellow made such hor-
rible outcres, and seemed in such dreadful ag-
ony when they tried to siraighten his arms or
legs. that they soon relinquished the undertak-
ING. The Board finally declared that there
was no impos,ure---that the seaman was in an
unnatural condation----but they acknowledged
that they were unable to discover the true char
acter of his disease.
Jack Morris accordingly remained in his
hammock for some months longer The sur
geon of the ship exerted all his skill to cure
! him, but without effect. Jack took his medi-
cines without any opposition or remonstrance;
but applications, internally or externally, SEEM
ed to possess no virtue in this case. Day and
night, sleeping Or walking his limbs and his
| BODY obstinately refused to become straighten-
ed By remaining in this unnatural position
so long, and using no exercise whatever Jacks
frame soon became emaciated, and his whole
physical powers seemed weakened and de-
stroyed His muscles were relaxed, and his
cheeks were sunken and of deadly pallor
His case was prounced by the surgeon hope
less one, and in spite of the remonstrance of
the first Lieutenant, who declared all the time
that the fellow was only "shamming Abraham"
and that CATO nins-tailS would soon restore
him TO health, he was sent home 10 England
with number of invalids, for final examina-
tion and discharge.
Jack Morris was placed in Haslar Hospital,
and his case, from its singular character, al
tracted much attention. He was examined by
the medical men attached to the Hospital, who
were also acquainted with the fact, that he was
thought by some Of practising deception. This
idea, however, was secuted by all, excepting
one or two individuals, and pronounced ampoS-
SiJle---and several ingenious theories TO account
for the character of his disease were broached
and defended with much learning and ingenuity
There were one or two physicians, however,
who were not fully convinced that all was right;
and although they subjected themselves to rid
icule and ill-malured remarks from their more
credulous associates. they tried several exper-
imenis to ascertain the real facts of the case---
such as causing pistol to be fired close to his
head; pricking him unexpectedly in his limbs;
raising the alarm of fire in the dead of night,
and leaving him, apparently, TO perish in the
flames, or escapes by means of his own loco
motive power but Jack was guarded at all
points, and they could elicit nothing which ten
ded TO confirm their suspicious of imposture.
At length the day arrived when Jack Nor
ris, with some other invaids, was TO be dis
charged from "His Gracious Majesty service"
This was day which Jack looked forward TO
as to the consummaton of all his wishes Be-
fore the discharge was made out, however, one
of the surgeons of the Hospital obtained per-
mission TO make one further attempt to discov-
er imposture in the case. Jack was taken
from his bed, and placed on pallet in the
centre of the room; while some of the surgeons
were conversing with him with great apparent
kindness, and protesting sympathy for his pro-
tracted sufferings, several men approached from
behind each bearing large bucket filled with
water from the pump, and at given signal,
/ the buckets were simultaneously emptied on
/ the head of the unfortunate deceiyer.
/ The event was so unexpected, and the shock
which his system received, was SO great, that,
/ while almost sufocated, he was thrown off his
guard land he invounlarily threw himself into
position nearly erect This was only for an
ant----horror-struck at the idea of the con-
sequences of his imprudence, he Immediately,
and as i, were, spasmodically, resumed his for
mer crippled position. But il was too late--
keen eyes had been watching hlm---and his
{
Chief Surgeon, in :. stern voice, called out, at
won't do, my fine felowyou are found out at
/ las,-and shall be rewarded for your ingenui-
Ity."
And he spoke the truth. Jack Morris was
in day or two, taken on board the flagship at
Spthead A Court Martial was held upon
him, and in addition to the dreadful sufferlngs
and deprvations which he had voluntarily sub
mitted to, within the previous eight or nine
months, he was sentenced to be f0gged through
the fleet, as an example TO others, who were in
clined to practise imposture, for the purpose of
escaping from an English Man of War.
The case Of Jack Morris will serve TO illus
trate two things-first, the horrid injustice and
oppression Of the impressment system, which
subjects man 10 slavery, more odious and de-
grading than elsewhere exists on the face of
the earth, and secondly, the extent 10 which
person, shrewed, intelligent and determined,
may deceive even learned and professional men,
provided he calls into action all his energies to
awaken their creduity, and put their reasoning
powers TO sleep Many illustrations of a sim