Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-09-02
THE PRESs-GANG'S VICTIM,
AND HOW LONG THEY KEPT HIM.
BY SYLVANUS COBB, JR.

Sometime during the month of June,
1909, the American brig Sarah, of and
from Norfolk. Va, entered the port of
Liverpool with full cargo. She was
commanded by Captain VIM. Brown, and
bis first mate was Tom Macdonough, a
true-hearted Yankee sailor, who hailed
from somewhere in the little State of Della
ware. After the brig had been duly en-
tered at the custom house, she was soon
cleared of her cargo, and within one week
after her arrival she was loaded for home.
On pleasant evening one preced-
ing the day the brig was to sail-Tom
Macdonough took stroll into the town.
He had been at work all day in arranging
the cargo, and having merely started out
for a stroll, he had not thought it worth
while to change his dress. He had been
up to the Exchange, and was returning
by way of the docks. when he was ac-
costed by man who appeared to be a
citizen.
Good evening, stranger"
''The same to you," returned Tom,
never once dreaming that there was harm
in the way.
"Do you belong to any of the vessels
now in the river 2" asked the other, as
he cast scrutinizing glance over the
somewhatrough habiliments ofthe Ameri-
can sailor"
Eyes, 1 belong to the American brig
Sarah"
s'No, no-that won't do %
'ANhat won't do 2" asked Tom, not a
little amazed at the remark.
go, know you, returned the stranger,
''you are deserter from the frigate."
As he spoke he placed small whistle
to his mouth, and in moment after it's
shrill whistle had cut the air, six marines
came rushing from tap room close at
hand; and, at motion from the stranger,
they seized upon Tom and made him their
prisoner. 1t was in vain that Tom pro-
tested that he was second in command of
the Sarah, and in vain he threatened ven
geance-but against the power of six
stout fellows he could make no effectual
resistance, and so he was taken along to
the navallanding, where five other prison.
ers, all victims to the press-gang, were
awaiting their embarkation. A boat was
in waiting, in command of lieutenant,
and into it was Tom, with the rest of the
unfortunate seamen, unceremoniously
hurried, and in less than half an hour he
found himself on board an English frigate
that lay in the mouth of the river.
"A fine set of men, said the English
captain, as he ran his eye admiringly over
the stalwarC forms of the impressed sea-
men-''They will just fill up the list of
our maintopmen."
" Are you the commander of this
frigate 2" asked Tom, addressing the man
who had just spoken.
"Captain Downie, at your service"
replied the commander, with mock gravi-
ty.
"Then sir, demand my immediate re-
lease. ! am in second in command of the
American brig now ready for sea, and no
power in England can legally detain
me-"
"That won't 60 down, youngster,"
replied the captain with sneer. g You
are little too young for such an Office
The king needs men, and you must take
your chance with the rest"
"Do you mean to say that am to be
detained on board your ship?"
Certainly"
Then, sir" replied Tom, while his
eyes flashed fire, ''you will do it at your
peril. Already have your people run up
heavy reckoning, and the day shall yet
come when your king will have to settle
it. l am exempt, by your own laws, from
impressment, and you know it,
The captain showed little anger as
our hero spoke, but turning to one of his
lieutenants, he said:
Mr.. Monson, have these mems names
entered, and then station them and mess
them ;" and without further remark he
walked aft to his cabin.