Letter from Captain Turpin

Page v3:20

The House being informed that Captain Joseph Turpin, commander of the armed Brigantine Comet, belonging to this State, is absent and gone to Georgia without leave,

Ordered, That Captain Turpin' s Letter of the 16th instant, addressed to this House, laid before them on the 17th instant, and then ordered to lie on the table, be now read.

And the same being read accordingly, is as followeth:

"HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: Having had the honour to serve in your Navy with some reputation, think it my duty to acquaint you before I quit that service, with my reasons for so doing. The Navy of England have ever been invincible, and from no other cause than the great encouragement they give their officers and people, and the wise and honourable footing they are set on. All prizes taken from their enemies are divided into eighths in the following manner: Three-eighths to the Captain, one to the Lieutenants, Master and officer of marines, if a Captain; one to the warranted officers; one to the petty officers; and two to the men before the mast. One of these two-eighths George the Second gave to the seamen in the year forty, as an encouragement. All ships of war, either King' s ships or privateers, taken from the enemy or destroyed, the King allows ten pounds for each man and ten pounds for each gun the enemy had on board. Captains of the Navy serving under an Admiral gives up one of his three-eighths to that officer. No other deductions are made whatever. As to rank, all Post-Captains rank with Colonels of horse or foot in the land service; Commanders who have not taken post, with Majors; and the Lieutenants of the fleet with Captains of the Army.

"To conclude, I humbly offer this plan for your perusal, and on those terms shall be ready and proud of the honour to serve you; and am, honourable gentlemen, your most obedient and most humble servant,

"JOSEPH TURPIN.

"Charles-Town, South-Carolina, 16th September, 1776."

Resolved, That this House will, on Monday next, ballot for another commander of the Brigantine Comet.

Letter from Captain Turpin, acquainting the House with his reasons for quitting the Navy. [1776-09-21] [S5-V3-p0020] [Document Details][Complete Volume]