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:

More From the Record - A Curious Reference

The Alliance sailed from L'Orient in late June of 1780, bound for America. To hear Captain Landais tell it, he was taking her to Philadelphia, but to hear the officers and crew tell it, Landais had promised them that their destination was Boston. Boston certainly suited most of the crew as a majority of them were New Englanders. The officers and crew enthusiastically supported Landais when he took back control of Alliance at L'Orient in early June while Jones was at Paris. But, things went sour soon after setting sail. The first mutinous incident occurred on August 5th, a fine day with light breezes and the ship was under easy sail and apparently not making all haste for America, the crew decided on their own to set more sail. Their was a confrontation between Landais and the crew, while the officers pretty much stood by to watch. Rather than force the issue Landais went below and allowed the ship to sail that day.

The next day Alliance struck soundings in "35 fathom" on the Banks of Newfoundland. It was traditional for a vessel after a cross-Atlantic passage to deal out fishing tackle for the the crew to fish, allowing them some fresh food after a month or more of ship's rations. In the morning of the 5th Alliance hove to and the officers distributed fishing tackle to the crew and they set about to make their catch.

3 large fish had been caught when Landais, who had been below in his cabin, noticed the ship was not making way. He went upon the quarter deck and ordered the officers to stop fishing and set sail again. The surgeon argued that there were a number of sick on board and that food with real substance would do them good. Landais responded that the sooner they sail for America, the sooner everyone would have what they wanted and that loitering on the banks would consume more stores than they would gain by fishing. The surgeon said this was ridiculous as it would only take a couple of hours to catch all they needed as they were in prime fishing ground. Landais prevailed and the ship filled away again.

Here is Landais' account from his Court Martial Proceedings:
"Next morning at six o'clock seeing the color of the water changed I ordered to steer WNW. At 9AM Mr. Buckley came to acquaint me we had bottom by 35 fathoms. I ordered him to fill again and to steer W by N but looking at my compass I saw they kept the ship bearing to the left of them. I went on the Qtr deck, seeing no officer there I told the men at the wheel which to put the helm a weather. I suppose Mr. Buckley was fishing as the rest, but seeing him soon after on the gangway. I told him to order let fall the fore sail, etc. I think staying for fishing was no more necessary in the course we were in than rigging a lightening rod and those who had initiated the first revolt might entice a second one and though inconsistent with their wishes to go to Philadelphia, to stay there. Some pretend it would be useful for the sick people. None have shown they thought so, even the officers who ought to know the meaning of an article of Congress resolve which is that no body is to have fish caught till the sick people have their sufficiency of it, but the said officers kept them fish for themselves..."

In the evening of the same day, Landais was in his cabin and I think he was probably dining with Mr. Arthur Lee, one of the former commissioners to France, headed for home. According to testimony given by Steven Waters, Captain's Steward, during Landais Court Martial proceedings, at dinner Jacob Nutter sent in to the cabin one of the fish. Who had requested it was not known, but Landais suspected it was Arthur Lee, who he imagined was colluding with the officers and crew to work against him. Landais claimed that he had ordered the fish to be given to the sick and had not ordered any for his cabin. Here is some of the testimony:

Question (from Landais): Who sent the fish for the cabin? Did you tell me who sent for the fish?

Answer (by Waters): Mr. Nutter sent them. Who sent for them I don't know.

Was this a malicious act by crew trying to antagonize the Captain? What was Jacob Nutter's role in all of this? I don't know.

This court martial testimony comes from original documents now recorded on microfiche. I purchased a copy of the microfiche from the National Archives and Records Administration. Here is a portion of the page with reference to Jacob Nutter...  (you may click on the image for a better view)