Martinica, Dominica (fl. 1777-1778) [Legal document of privateer from Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida claiming enslaved people]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01411.01 Author/Creator: Martinica, Dominica (fl. 1777-1778) Place Written: s.l. Type: Document signed Date: 7 February 1778 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 30.4 x 18.3 cm. Order a Copy
One document countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood of the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida dated February 7, 1778. Signed with an "X" as the mark of Lieutenant Dominica Martinico. Document states that Martinico, the commander of the privateer schooner "Recovery," had taken several schooners off the coast of South Carolina during a cruise. Two of these schooners, the "Betsey" and "Grace," held enslaved people. Probably written in St. Augustine.
"Dominica Martinica" is likely the country Dominica Martinique. The signer of the document may have been using "Dominica Martinica" as an alias. It seems possible that Catherwood was colluding with the signer, likely a pirate.
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