Another Reference by Landais to Jacob Nutter

Less than a week away from raising the American coast, the officers and passengers were so concerned about the near mutinous state of the crew that on Friday August 11th 1780, the officers went to Landais' cabin and attempted to convince him to make for the nearest American port; that being Boston.  Landais complained of being ill and refused to hear their petition.  Instead, he retired to his bed and fell asleep.  The officers, dismayed at Landais' lack of command since the incident of August 5th decided that they would appoint one of their own to command the ship.  The logical choice was the first lieutenant, James Degge.  The catch was that he had been previously put under arrest and confined to his cabin by Landais since the 14th of July for refusing to take Landais orders and assaulting him during a drunken fit.  The officers went to Degge and asked him to take command of the ship, which he accepted.

During the evening of the 11th, Landais awoke and looked at the compass mounted over his bed and noted that the course was not set as he expected for Philadelphia.  He went on deck to confront the officer of the watch about the unexpected course change.  Here is Landais' account per written testimony given at his court-martial.

"About an hour after, I believe, the steward brought me word all the officers wanted to speak to me.  I told them they might come, however they came in and told me they thought in their opinion in the present circumstances that the ship was not in a proper condition to go to Philadelphia and the neccesity to go to Boston and present me with a paper they said containing it.  I answered them I knew the situation the ship was in and thought selfish interest  was in great part the occasion of it.  As to their opinion I had not asked it since Congress' order was to carry the ship to Philadelphia I would never consent to break them.  They asked me to go on the Qtr deck.  I told them I was sick and knew too well how they had supported me and that they wanted me to go for to see me laughed at.  Mr. Elwood told me then to show him my orders as if I had satisfied him and the others it was in their power to go to Philadelphia.  I thought it pretty high of Mr. Elwood after I had told him it was Congress' orders to carry the ship to Philadelphia, to ask me to see it.  One may observe what share they had in all the people's conduct.  Mr. Blodget began to read their opinions.  I told them I would never listen to opinions against Congress' order.  Keeping looking then they resolved to leave their opinions on the table and went away.  I sent for my clerk who said their opinion as it is now.  The ship went always under sail.  I heard no tumult, neither saw the course altered, what convinced me it was the officers who initiated the people.  For how could I have prevented it if the people resolved to get Master of the ship.  As I have look half past nine the course was always kept.  I fell asleep and half past two AM I awoke, look at the compass, since the ship was steering WNW I got up, went to the companion, called for the officer on watch.  He did not hear.  Jacob Nutter, Qtr Master called Mr. Buckley who was laying on one of the starboard guns.  I told him to mind that the course was altered against my written order and went away... "

Here is the original handwritten testimony referencing Jacob Nutter:

AllIiance Crew - Second Letter to Franklin

As mentioned in the previous post, the Alliance Crew became more frustrated at their condition, having not received a response from Franklin in more than a month and a half.  The crew sent a more forceful letter to him on June 1st, which Jacob Nutter also signed.  Here is the body of the letter...

"L'Orient, 1 June 1780 on board the Alliance
May it please your excellency
Once more to hear the humble petition of the Mariners and Marines on board the Continental ship Alliance now lying in the port of L'Orient.

Excellent Sir

Having repeatedly petitioned your Excellance on this subject, Receiving No answer Obliges us to Address you again.

Considering ourselves therefore as free people We suppose that we have an undoubted right to ask for that which is to all intents and purposes our own, more especially when we recollect that we have taken so many valuable prises which are all safely arrived in the different ports where they were ordered. If the Union And Betsy are given up, it is not for us to sustain the loss, But when we consider that they are paid for, as in all probability they are, our suffering families, makes our hearts to ache at the thought of Leaving France without our full due of prise money and six months wages during the time of that successful cruise, it cannot be expected that we can or will quietly weigh our anchor till we have received the farthing, we therefore Once more apply to your Excellancy as the person Intended And appointed by our country to see Justice done by Every Subject of the United States in (Europe) to take our posts and see that we Enjoy our full property, and also Restore unto us our Rightful commander under whom We entered and are willing to serve, as we are conscious that he is undeserving of the aspersions that are cast upon his character and reflects cowardice upon ours Whereas upon the Evening of the 23 of Sept. had things been managed According to his Wise decerning No ship would have been lost nor so much blood spilt and the ships have been taken with less Damage done them, we are fully pursuaded that had we not left the scarborough to the pallace the momement we did the Richard must have Sunk or Struck Which is the opinion of many of the Richards crew. Moreover if our request be granted most of the people who came from prison will be content to serve their country under him But at present we are unanimous in our Resolve to Claim our Lawful Commander Pr. Landais as our Captain has done no wrong, and provided he be cupable let us take him with us to be granted a greater uneasyness will prevail among us, we hope therefore that Your Excellency will well consider the matter and send a satisfactory answer to Mr. Pearce our gunner as we desired before, as a meer Receipt will only aggravate us more. If this be granted it will warm our minds with fresh courage and bind us under fresh Obligations to pray for your Excellency and serve our country.

We whose names are underwritten do declare the whole of What is Recorded hearin are our Real sentiments."

Most of the crew signed this letter.  Interestingly, there were several men that signed and then crossed their names out.  These were former crew members of the Bonhomme Richard who were protesting in their own way, signifying that they did not agree with the majority sentiments of the Alliance crew and were remaining loyal to John Paul Jones.  At this time, Landais had already returned to L'Orient and the Alliance crew were aware of his presence and would have preferred him for their commander over John Paul Jones.  Here is a post-note to the letter commenting on the Richard's crew signatures..

"n:b: those few whose names are oblitterated are belonging to the Richard who did it unknown to us, the greater part of them being anxious to signe the same"

If I obtain permision for UPENN I will also publish an image of the original letter.