Americcm Colonies during the Revolutionary War. 59 



by Robt. Shelden and Wm. Goodrich, merchants of Bermuda. Sev- 

 eral other privateers were fitted out there and commissioned by Gov. 

 George James Bruere,* in 1778 to 1780, "to cruise against the French, 

 Spanish, and Americans." Gov. George Bruere. in one of his earliest 

 addresses, Nov. 23, 1780, also referred to their great success and 

 urged the fitting out of more. Among those recorded were the 

 " Miraculous Pitcher,"' Capt. H. Middleton ; sloop " Whalebone," 

 Capt. John Brice ; the "Spitfire"; the "Jolly Bacchus." Others 

 might be found recorded, very likely, by a more thorough search of 

 the Bermuda records. 



In an address by Gov. George Bruere, June 19, 1781, he said that 

 " a noble ship " was being fitted out as a privateer by a private family, 

 and added: " I flatter myself her success, as well as the good fortune 

 the other armed vessels constantly meet with, will convince the rea- 

 sonable and dispassionate that interest as well as duty lay on the side 

 of equipments against our Confederate Enemies." 



Some of the Bermuda privateers were also captured by the Amer- 

 icans. One which was captured and taken to Boston and condemned 

 there had 70 negro sailors on board. 



I have not attempted to compile a list of American vessels cap- 

 tured by the Bermudian privateers and condemned there, but a con- 

 siderable number are recorded. 



After the arrival of Governor Wm. Brown, in 1782, privateering 

 was discouraged f He said " the spirit of privateering will draw the 

 resentment of the enemy." 



IV. Plans for the Capture of Bermuda hy the Americans and 



French. 



Although the various petitions and letters from the Bermudians, 

 referred to in the journals of the Continental Congress, have not 

 been preserved, the character of the wording of the resolutions is 

 sufficient to show the strong sympathy between the Bermudians and 

 Americans. It is well known that there were many in authority in 

 this country who advised the capture of Bermuda. Very likely the 



* Gov. George James Briiere, appointed 1764, died in Aug., 1780. He was 

 succeeded by Lt.-Gov. Thos. Jones, Sept., 1780. He was replaced Oct., 1780, by 

 Gov. George Bruere. who was replaced by Governor Wm. Brown, Jan. 4, 1782. 



f Governor Brown was a native of Salem, Mass. He was a very able and 

 much respected citizen, and an eminent jurist. He was, however, a devoted 

 loyalist, and was obliged to leave his country and sacrifice his property on that 

 account. His letter as to privateering is in " The Lansdowne MSS." vol. 78. 



