of this he was sent to the east end of Jamaica, with directions to complete his complement by impressment.
The execution of these orders gave great offence to the masters of merchant vessels at Port Morant, and they resolved to insult Captain Clement the first opportunity that offered: accordingly, on the Goelan’s anchoring there a second time, in order to complete her water, they took advantage of his absence up the country to set a large Newfoundland dog upon his gig’s crew, consisting of four young lads, one of whom was bitten in a most deplorable manner. On returning to the boat, and learning what had occurred. Captain Clement remonstrated with the parties, who replied that they would serve him in the same manner, and followed up their threat by instantly collaring him, and some of his officers then on the spot. Having a horse-whip in his hand, and feeling it necessary to act in self-defence, he immediately began to exercise the same upon the ruffian who had assaulted him, and very properly gave him a sound trimming. As the case originated in impressment, however, their merchants made it a pretext for an action at law, and managed to have it tried during his absence at sea, so that not one of his own witnesses could be personally examined. A verdict of 500l. damages was given against him, and the costs amounted to nearly 200l. more. The jury, it should be observed, were also merchants, and equally as inimical to impressment as those who had promoted the prosecution for an assault.
About this period, the Goelan’s boats captured, after an arduous pursuit, the Spanish schooner Berrena, of 4 guns and 30 men, on the south side of Cuba.
In the course of 1807, Captain Clement experienced a dreadful hurricane off Porto Rico, and it was with great difficulty that he got back to Port Royal, with the loss of all his guns.
At Jamaica, Captain Clement exchanged into the Favorite, a ship-sloop, which vessel was principally employed in protecting the trade from the depredations of the enemy’s privateers. Whilst employed on that service, the Favorite hap-
