Veterans Day
...when Captain Doyle returned there was a full report. A peace treaty had been negotiated restoring Great Britain and the United States to their antebellum status.
“But what of the prisoners?” Charley asked Captain Doyle.
“A Yankee trader from France bound for Charleston put into port a few days back. That is how we heard the news. The governor is not interested in having a gang of Americans roaming through Kingston, and asked if we would ‘host’ them for a while longer until they can ship out with their countrymen.”
It was that simple. Men who two days earlier would have run each other through or blown each other to pieces, now were up on deck toasting each other’s countries with carefully rationed grog. Captain Doyle wisely put a limit on the amount of alcohol served, knowing that it wouldn’t take much to re-ignite the conflict on a smaller scale.
“Captain Fletcher told me I do not understand men, Mr. Bryant,” Charley said in bemusement later that night. “I have to agree with him.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “They fought when they needed to fight. Now they’re anxious to go home. We sailors are not complicated creatures, Doctor.”
Researching Sea Change (High Seas #1) I learned about the history of American privateers, and how their actions were vital to the new nation both during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. It always tickles me that Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution allows Congress to issue letters of marque and reprisal, i.e. a license to be a privateer. It's still there! It's only international treaties we've signed that keep Congress from doing that, but you never know...
Anyway, on #VeteransDay I put out my flag, remember our veterans (especially the ones in my own family) and think about the brave privateers who did their part for our young nation, bringing back money and materiel to fund our war efforts. #HappyVeteransDay to all who served!
Comments