We'd love to learn what originally brought William M Shackford who was only 20 to Cuba in 1809 and would like to learn more about the ship the Robert. We've done a preliminary search for other references to the Robert and William M Shackford but have not yet found any other sources connecting William to this ship although we have found a 1810 reference in the New York Price showing Wm M Shackford bringing Sugar and Coffee from Havana to New York. We'll continue to research William's early sailing career.
The Petition:
FRENCH REFUGEES TO NEW ORLEANS IN 1809.
(With Documents.)
BY LUIS M. PEREZ To his Excellency, James Madison, President of the
United States. The Petition of George Davis, of the Artic,
Wm. Jefferson, of the Genl. Green, Wm. Hendy, of the Mil-
ford, Robt. I. Sparrow, of the Freeman Ellis, Wm. M.na,
Shackford of the Robert, Wm. Warnum, of the Collina, &c.
That your petitioners severally masters and owners afore-
said are threatened with the forfeiture of their vessels and
cargoes, and with the infliction of severe and grievous pen-
alties, and being advised that in your Excellency alone is
invested a competent authority to relieve them from the
peculiar hardships of their condition, they beg leave to
submit those extraordinary circumstances which they be-
lieve and confidentially hope will induce your Excellency to
exercise toward them the discretion with which you are
invested.
Your petitioners severally being in the port of St. Yago
de Cuba were urged to transport the French inhabitants of
that place by Governor Kindelan who, by proclamation, had
previously ordered them peremptorily to depart from the
Island. Your petitioners aver that at this period these per-
sons were exposed to the unrelenting fury of an incensed
and lawless Spanish population; and without an immediate
departure not only their properties, but also their lives would
in all probability have been sacrificed.
Your petitioners moreover declare that they also know
the order of Governor Kindelan though it affects to be a
request or prayer, and the impossibility of procuring the
transportation of these persons, otherwise than in American
vessels, felt a coercion on themselves to furnish means for
their departure.
And further your petitioners beg leave to state to your
Excellency that from certain verbal assurances of Maurice
Rogers, Esqr., Consul of the United States at St. Yago de
Cuba, and also from a letter which he addressed to the
Governor of Louisiana, as well as from a letter from Briga-
dier General Wilkinson commanding the army of the United
States, your petitioners were relieved of any apprehensions
which they might have had of the propriety of their voy-
ages; and accordingly proceeded thereon under a firm con-
viction that no evil could happen to themselves even from a
violation of the strict letter of the laws of their country.
But so it was, may it please your Excellency, upon their
arrival at the port of New Orleans, their vessels and car-
goes were seized and are now libelled in the District Court
of the U. States for this Territory.
Wherefore your petitioners pray that your Excellency
may be placed to interpose your authority and direct the
Attorney of the United States to enter a nolle prosequi on
their several cases, or grant such other relief to your pe-
titioners as your Excellency may in your discretion be
pleased to dispense to them. And your petitioners wille ver,
&c., &c.
[Here follow the names of the petitioners as above.]
[July 7, 1809.]
SOURCES:
Meriwether Colyer, editor, Publications of the Southern History Association, Volume IX (Washington D C: The Association, 1905), page 300-301; digital images, Google Books (http://books.google.com : accessed 23 February 2015
Ming, A, Ming's New York Price-current, New York, Saturday, March 3, 1810, p. 3