Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-12
NORWICH sHlpMAsTERs oF,LoNc AGO

pOSSeSStOn- or Gua0alOup6 ana unique. They preyed upon American commerce without restraint condemn ing every vessel from a French port that carried sugar. cotton or coffee.
 The Norwich Weekly Register of Capt Meech arrived from Cape Nich- ola Mole, in the schooner Polly, re- ports that all the West India islands are in possession of the British, ex- cept Cape Francois and Aux Caves
 Capt. John Fannins, of the brig un- ion, when he arrived from the West Indies, July 10, 17s3, had an interest ing experience to relate.
 He reported that 200 sail of Amert- can vessels had entered the harbor of Cape Francois between the 18th and 23rd of June. While Capt. Tanning was there, a terrific battle was fought between the races, white, mulattoes and negroes struggling for mastery. The town was plundered and burned massacred. Many took refuge in the mountains, others on board the ships in the harbor. At this period, great numbers of refugees from San Domingo came to the States, seeking an asylum. Norwich had her share of these un- fortunate exiles, whose. descendants have since formed proportion of the population.
 Things commercial came to a head, when, In May 1794, Congress laid an embargo of thirty days duration. A war with Great Britain was greatly feared. In Norwich the merchants convened on the 18th of April, 1794, at the home of Elijah Lathrop; Eben- ezer Huntington was chairman, and memorial was drafted to Congress, complaining of British depreciation and urging retaliatory action. This me morial was forwarded to the House of Representatives.
 The threatened storm soon blew over, the difficulties with England be- ing temporarily settled in November, by Jays treaty, so that American com merce could resume its f1ourishing course. Still, craft were subject to vexatious impoSitionS, such as the plundering of French privateers and impressment by British men of war. But the gain was so great that the bold Sailormen were willing to risk the hazards, which included not only the possibility of plunder, capture, and death by men, but the terrifying fear of the deadly tropical fever.
 In spite of all these risks, there appeared to be no difficulty in obtain ing seamen to form the crews of the
  ways ready to chance the danger of shipwreck and death, filled with the love of adventure and inspired by the lure Of share in a profitable voyage. It is stated that if a vessel was de- ficient in her crew, it was only neces- sary to hang out a signal to that ef- feet from her masthead, and appli- cants would speedily appear to sign up for the voyage.
 A A,.,- year were considered sufficient good fortune by the average Norwich skip per, although there were a few ex- captions to this rule. In 1791, the schooner Chloe, Jabez Lord, master, entered port March 2, June 15 and Oct. Tanning, entered Il March, II July, and December.
 The brig Minerva accomplished four teen voyages in little more than five years, from Feb. 1901 till the spring of 1S06, four under Capt. John French and the last seven under Capt. San ger.
 It was considered a big achievement. when the sIoop Nesociator, Capt. for the West Indies. June 10, 1798, and returned into port July 30th, having completed her voyage in fifty days, a notable example of a short and pros porous trip.
 The voyage to or from the islands usually occupied from twelve to thirty days; to or from Demerara, from twenty to forty days. And so the frail craft-as we would consider them - fitted up and down stream, in that busy commerce which founded the for tunes of many of the still influential families of ancient Norwich, or 'Chel- sea, as 1t was then called.
 THE DICTAGRAPH