MDDM Ch. 17 The Jenkin's Ear Museum

[Steve Maas]

The following is from the aforementioned Internet Library of Early Journals:
http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/ilej/

The Gentleman's Magazine, Vol. 1, June 1731, p.265.
"SHIP News this Month.
The Rebecca, Capt. Jenkins, was taken in her paffage from Jamaica, by a 
Spanish Guarde Costa, who put her People to the torture; part of which was, 
that they hang'd up the Capt. three times, once with the Cabin-boy at his 
feet; they then cut off one of his Ears, took away his Candles and 
Inftruments, and detain'd him a whole day.  Being then difmifs'd, the Capt. 
bore away for the Havana, which the Spaniards perceiving ftood after her, 
and declar'd, that if fhe did not immediately go for the Gulph, they would 
fet the Ship on fire; to which they were forced to fubmit, and after many 
Hardfhips and Perils arrived in the River Thames, June 11.  The Capt. has 
fince been at Court and laid his cafe before his Majefty."

The Gentleman's Magazine includes a couple of other mentions of Jenkins' Ear 
as well.  The July 1731 issue (Vol 1, pp. 287-8) has what I would guess is 
an essay by a supporter of the war party that eventually forced Robert 
Walpole to declare war on Spain in 1739, and forced Walpole out of office in 
1742.  The essay references Jenkins as one example of the mistreatment of 
British subjects by the Spanish.  The October 1742 issue (Vol. 10, pp. 
523-4) discusses the (apparent) capture of Don Apolanko, "the humane 
Gentleman who cut off Jenkin's Ear."

Steve Maas


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