Jeremie, with despatches containing the requests of Lord Effingham and Admiral Affleck, that Lieutenant Perkins might be delivered up; which the Council of Commons there absolutely refused; adding, that the imperious voice of the law called for his execution.
No sooner was Captain Russell apprised of this state of the business, than he declared that he would sacrifice as many Frenchmen as there were hairs on Perkins’s head, if they murdered him. His determination was soon known amongst the Diana’s crew; the anchor was up, sail crowded, and, the wind favouring them in an uncommon manner, the frigate and sloop appeared off Jeremie in a portion of time astonishingly short. Both of the vessels hove-to close to the harbour, and prepared for battle; every soul on board of them panting for vengeance, should Perkins be murdered.
Captain Nowell was sent on shore, with the following letter, to demand him instantly; and with verbal instructions for his conduct, should they hesitate;
“Sir. I applied to the Provincial Assembly at Aux Cayes for the liberation of Lieutenant John Perkins, of His Britannic Majesty’s Royal Navy; and my application was immediately and of course complied with. M. Billard, the President, promised me an order to your Assembly, to deliver him up to me. That order had not arrived at l’Isle de Vache, where I lay, before I sailed, which must be no impediment to your sending him off to me in safety immediately.
“If, however, it should unfortunately be otherwise, let it be remembered, that I do hereby, in the most formal and solemn manner, demand him. Captain Nowell knows my resolution, in case of the least hesitation.
“To M. Plicque, President of the
Council, at Jeremie.”
Captain Nowell, on landing, was surrounded by a mob. The President read the letter, and said &endash; “Sir, suppose I do not?” “In that case,” replied the British Officer, “you draw down a destruction which you are little aware of. I know Captain Russell; I know his resolution; beware, if
