The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-16

shot. Tho trade was hazardous but re-
munerative. and many an ocean race was
sailed with the Kings ships which for dar-
Ing seamansip equaled any modern mug
hunting race, The prize was liberty and
dollars, and defeat meant imprisonment
or worse
Washington could not have continued
the struggle without st. Eustatius. Corn
wallis would not have had to surrender
but for Gov. De CRAFTS order to return
the Andrea Doria' 3 salute.
For four long years after the Andrea
Doria had dropped anchor In the roadstead
opposite Port Orange the trade OF the island
hourished. Gov. De Graan had made
some sort Of satisfactory explanation to
his homo Government and was back again
at his old post.
And still that salute ranked In British
hearts. It was trying enough to have her
soldiers shot down with bullets made In
Holland. 1t was uncomfortable to have
Holland recognize, even tacitly, the inde-
pendenoe Of British colonies.
1t seemed to the British Government that
something must be done, and late In 17so
something was done. War was declared
suddenly upon Holland. On the same
day secret orders were sent to the feet
under Admiral Rodney to sail at once and
capture st. Eustatius, to strike at once at
the very spot that had caused England
so much modification.
Admiral Rodney was then at the British
island Of Barbados, where he had just gone
from Chesa peake Bay to keep an eye on the
French feet under Admiral de Grasse, which
was preparing at the French island Of
Martinique to proceed northward and
take an active part in the struggle the
oolonists were making for liberty. Leaving
Comte de Grasse to his own devices, Ad-
miral Rodney sailed promptly to st. Eus-
tatius and easily captured 1t, together
with $4,000, 900 worth Of various kinds
Of merchandise which WAS piled in the
storehouses awaiting conveyance to Hol-
land and America.
Now, Admiral Rodney, like good many
other worthy seamen of his time and Of
later years also, had found his income
insufficient to meet his expenses, and as
result he was deeply in debt. The sight
Of so much treasure may have turned his
head-he received one-sixteenth part OF the
booty as his share-at any rate he stayed
of st. Eustatius for several months super
intending the disposal OF his capture. and
in the meantime Comte de Grasse slipped
away northward.
In the Colonies things were approa ching
a crisis. Lord Corn wallis was campaigning
in Virginia, and Washington, with the allied
French and American forces. was after
him with every soldier he could muster.
Every schoolboy knows how CORVALLIS
was finally besieged at Yorktown and how
the reenforcements that were sent him
by sea from New York under Sir Henry
Clinton were driven of by Comte de Grasses
fleet. 1t ia recorded In history how finally
after a siege CORVALLIS surrendered and
how his capitulation meant the triumph
of the Colonies.
The point that the good people OF st.
Eustatius insist on Is this: II Gov. De
Graaff had not returned the Andrea Doria's
salute Admiral Rodney would not have
been ordered to capture the island, but
would have remained to harass the French
fleet; Comte de Grasse would not have
been able to keep Sir Henry Clinton's reen-
forcements from reaching CORVALLIS, Corn
wallis would not have been obliged to sur
render, and you and and our sisters and
cousins and arnts would be loyalty singing
God Save the King" this very day instead
of attuning our voices to "The Star Spangled
Banner"
The reader will have to judge for himself
as to the justice Of the assertion. The
people of ST. Eustatius believe in it thor