403 



You will, perhaps, be furprlfed to know 

 that the tranfports In Carllfle bay have been 

 feveral times interrupted, and the w^hole har- 

 bour difturbed, and brought Into a ftate of con- 

 fufiOD, by the vifitlngs of different prefs-gangs, 

 in the exerclfe of that neceflary cuftom, fo re- 

 pugnant to the feelings, and the freedom of 

 Englifhmen. 



In one inftance an alarming fcene took 

 place in confequence of the failors of one of 

 the fhlps refifting this arbitrary and uncon- 

 ftitutional method of obtaining their fer- 

 vices. They oppofed the boarding, and beat 

 off the agent, and two boats with the prefs- 

 gang. This refiftance was foon followed by 

 the appearance of a party of foldiers, with fire- 

 locks and fixed bayonets, who had been call- 

 ed upon to aid the prefs-gang, and to force the 

 failors to fubmifiion. Upon feeing the troops 

 approach, thus formidably armed, the failors 

 jumped into the (hip's boat, and made the beft 

 of their way towards the fhore. The prefs- 

 gang and two or three boats, filled with armed 

 foldiers, purfued them. A general fenfation of 

 alarm overfpread the harbour, and it was fear- 

 ed that much blood would be flied. Every 

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