JOHN BESSAC ROLLS THE DICE

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America, Baptiste Bessac, Brest, British, Chesapeake Bay, Continental Army, Dublin, French Fleet, International trade, John Bessac, New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia

Baptiste Bessac had purchased a load of flax seed that filled the entire ship. It sailed out of Philadelphia for Brest on the westernmost tip of France.

The British men-o-war must have been too busy with outgoing goods headed for America. The ship load of flax seed made it safely to Brest. Baptiste sold the goods to a German merchant who had a customer ready to receive the seed in Dublin.

Business was going quite well in Europe.

Not so in America.

British forces had been camped in the area of New York City. They made a sudden excursion into New Jersey which was defenseless. They ravaged the countryside and plundered the inhabitants. This was not the honorable warfare as the French had practiced it nor as the Americans had expected. The principles of war were turned upside down.

Business and trade in New Jersey ebbed to a trickle. John Bessac needed merchandise for resale. The Continental Army had need of supplies. On the other hand there was not much faith put into the American currencies. The new nation was deeply in debt. The gloom of failure for the citizens of America was starting to weigh heavily. They had pledged “life, fortune and sacred honor” as their collateral for their independence. The British were ready to collect on that debt.

Another French fleet had arrived near the Chesapeake Bay; the mouth of the Susquehanna River. The fleet was in need of provisions. John Bessac purchased what he could with his remaining money and chartered a vessel to deliver the supplies. Unfortunately the pilot of the vessel pulled out of a fog bank only to find himself looking into the canons of an English man-o-war.

The vessel was taken as a prize. The crew and John Bessac were held as prisoners of war.

John Bessac’s calculated risk ended in disaster. John was starting to question this life of international merchandising.

JOHN BESSAC THE PRIVATEER

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1779, American revolution, American Society, Atlantic Ocean, Baptiste Bessac, Bay of Biscay, Bordeaux, Caribbean, Central America, Continental Congress, Count d'estaing, Declaration of Independence, Delaware Bay, Diplomatic Meeting, dye wood, East River, George Clymer, Gulf of Mexico, John Bessac, Letters of marque, molasses, New York, Philadelphia, Prison Ship, Prisoners of Brittan, Prisoners of War, privateering, rum, South Sea, sugar

The privateer “Letter Of Marque”, who was ready for her dangerous mission, sailed out of the Port of Bordeaux in the early summer months of 1779.

There was, surprisingly, little action in the Bay of Biscay. The destination for the “Letter of Marque” was the West Indies. Her intentions were to sail both the Atlantic Ocean and the “South Sea” which was becoming known as the “Caribbean.” The Gulf of Mexico was quite calm aside from the privateering action.

The Marque took two prizes consisting of rum, sugar, molasses and dye woods which were rare except for in Central America. The ship was loaded to the point where it was best to head for port. She entered the Delaware Bay and sailed up to Philadelphia.

There, the prize was exchanged for money which was divided between the ship owners, the officers and the crew. John and Baptiste deposited their money with Clymer & Sons, a reputable ship builder and banker.

Money had been set aside for repairs and refitting of The Marque. As soon as that task was complete she sailed once more, in search of a prize.

A British sloop-of-war outmaneuvered The Marque. The sloop fired a majority of its eighteen guns and The Marque lost the battle. Three men were killed and several wounded. The Marque was captured and held by the British. Likewise, Baptiste and John Bessac also came to the same fate.

The British had a prison ship docked in the East River of New York. Baptiste, John, the officers and crew were imprisoned within this ship. Diplomatic efforts were made between the British and the French. An exchange of British for French prisoners was made. John and Baptiste Bessac headed to Philadelphia to retrieve their money from Clymer.

The gentleman handed over their money and the two brothers traveled to Jersey City across the Hudson from New York. Once there, they intended to start merchant and commercial businesses.

Connections had to be established. A light ship of shallow draft was chartered with the intent of visiting the French Fleet laying off the coast. The chartered ship was sufficient enough to avoid the heavy British men-o-war that remained hovering off the coast. The British were attempting to strangle the American uprising by starving it of needed goods.

The Bessac brothers met with Count d’Estaing who commanded the fleet. Arrangements were made for newly shipped goods to be delivered to Jersey City. These good would be sold and distributed by the Bessacs.

From Wikipedia

It was a very lucrative business and the brothers did quite well for themselves. John, cutting a masculine figure about town, rapidly commanded the English language. He was graced with the polished manners of a well-bred Frenchman and soon became a known figure within the best of American society.

Another chapter of John Bessac’s life was in full bloom.

JOHN BESSAC SAILS TO BORDEAUX

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1779, Baptiste Bessac, Bessac the Pirate, Bordeaux, British animosity, French animosity, French schooner, Letter of Marque, Montvalant, Santander

John Bessac spent very few days in Santander. Just enough time to rest up and book a place on a schooner to Bordeaux.

John could hardly wait to set his brother Baptiste. So much had taken place since the day that John had left everything in Montvalant behind. There was much to talk about.

Seamen were a tight knit group so John asked everyone, including the captain, if they knew of his brother Baptiste and what ship he may be on. No one seemed to have ever heard of a Baptiste Bessac. John became concerned about his situation. He reread Baptiste’s letter several times to make sure that he had not overlooked some word that may change the interpretation of what Baptiste had said.

No sooner had the schooner docked when John leaped off and started making inquiries about Baptiste.

John finally ran across a sailor who seemed to know something about Baptiste.

“Oh, you mean Bessac the Pirate?” said the sailor.

“No, he is not a Pirate. He is a merchant” answered John.

The sailor responded “Well, if you go down to dock four you will find ‘The Letter of Marque’ tied up there. I have heard that Baptiste the Pirate is on board.”

John decided there was no point in correcting the ignorant sailor again.

“Even so, there may be another Baptiste Bessac in this world and he may be a pirate” John thought.

John found dock four and a ship there was named “The Letter of Marque.”

“Ahoy” called John in his best new-found seaman’s vernacular. “Is there a Baptiste Bessac aboard?”

No sooner had he finished his words when his brother’s head popped up over the gunwale. Simultaneously both brothers were overcome by the biggest smiles that either had in the last year. Each of them ran towards the boarding plank; John on the dock and Baptiste on the boat. On that narrow board they hugged each other with deep feeling. Their eyes became a little misty. They both turned their heads and hoped that the other had not noticed.

“Come up and let me show you our enterprise” said Baptiste.

Several men were busy securing canons on the deck and powder below.

“Why all the arms?” asked John.

Baptiste’s answer verified the supposedly ignorant sailor’s words “Oh, you have heard of Bessac the alleged Pirate?”

Baptiste informed John that he and a few other gentlemen had received a letter of marque from the king. The letter gave them a commission to make reprisals on British vessels and cargos. The letter also gave indemnification for any injuries or losses that they may suffer while in the course of their duties.

John was now satisfied that his brother was not a “pirate” but rather a “privateer.” They would be supporting the American cause with the approval of the king. As always, French and British animosity continued.

John was so close to Montvalant that he gave thought to visiting his family. However, Baptiste informed him that they were about to set sail. There was not enough time for a visit.

John considered this dangerous future that he was about to embark upon. Knowing that he had to make amends he sat down and wrote a letter.

To his father he wrote a deep apology and asked for his blessing, forgiveness and all the derelictions of duty that he had made. To his mother he tried to write his love for her. But alas, only a few lines could be completed before he completely broke down. Even those few lines could hardly be read due to the tear stains that fell upon the wet ink.

The privateer “Letter Of Marque” was ready for her dangerous mission. John, fueled with his natural enthusiasm, was aboard.

The brothers Bessac and the Letter of Marque sailed out of the Port of Bordeaux in the early summer months of 1779.