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In this section of
Gaspee History
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Go to
Gaspee Raiders
for biographical
information on the Americans in the boats attacking the Royal Navy ship
Gaspee.
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Books: American Colonial and
Revolutionary War history or the people involved. We have suggestions
for you.
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Leonard H. Bucklin.
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Here follows the Petition of Capt. Wm. Dudingston, late Commander of the
Gaspee Schooner, setting forth the dangerous wounds he received on the said
Schooner on the Coast of Rhode Island, and praying for relief.
Notice how Dudingston now is increasing the size of the attacking force, his own
valor in defense, and the extent of his "miserable Situation" while the
colonists where feeding and housing him and caring for his injuries and hoping
he would not die!
| The 17th: Decr :1772
To the King's most excellent Majesty
The Petition of Captain William Dudingston late Commander of Your
Majesty's Schooner the Gaspee Most humbly sheweth
That your Majesty's Petitioner was ordered by Admiral Montague to
cruise in your Majesty's Schooner the Gaspee on the Coasts of Your
Majesty's Province of Rhode Island. That in the performance of his Duty on
that Station he made several Seizures, and put almost an entire Stop to
the illicit Trade of that Colony; which so exasperated the Inhabitants
that at midnight between the 9th & 10th of June 1772, while your Majesty's
Schooner the Gaspee lay aground on a Spit of Sand in Providence River
several Miles from any Town, about Two hundred Men in seventeen armed long
Boats attacked your Majesty's said Schooner, and after your Majesty's
Petitioner was disabled from acting took & burnt Her. That your Majesty's
Petitioner in doing his Duty in Defence of Your Majesty's said Schooner
received two Musket Shot. One Ball broke & shattered his left Arm and the
other lodged in the lower part of his Body. That your Majesty's Petitioner
suffered the most excruciating Pains from his Wounds for want of Proper
assistance, and remained nine Weeks in a miserable Situation among the
Author of his Misfortune, who daily threatened to take away his Life;
until he was rescued at last by Capt. Linzee in Your Majesty's Sloop
Beaver with an armed force.
That Your Majesty's Petitioner still labours under a painful, expensive
and hitherto ineffectual Cure, having a Ball lodged in the lower part of
his Body which cannot be extracted, and not having the Use of his left
Arm; so that Pains & Lameness are probably entailed on him for Life. That
what little Property Your Majesty's Petitioner had was with him in Your
Majesty's said Schooner with Her was burnt & destroyed. That Your
Majesty's Petitioner has been tried by a Court Martial for the loss of
Your Majesty's said Schooner and honorably acquitted.
Your Majesty's Petitioner therefore most humbly prays that Your Majesty
would be graciously pleased to take his Case into Your Royal Consideration
and grant him such Support as in Your Majesty's Wisdom shall seem fit. And
Your Majesty's Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c, &c, &c.
W. Dudingston
18th De__ Read and referred to the Admiralty
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