American Pirates...

[Capt. Morgan]

Just found this as I was doing some research for a PME (Period of Military Education)... kind of a research paper delivered orally, that NCOs and Officers are required to give... This is the first Marine recruiting notice, which was posted all over Philadelphia, especially near and around Tun Tavern, where the Marine Corps was born (started in a tavern!! Where else would ya find eager privateers?!? )...

GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

What a Brilliant Prospect does this Event Present to every Lad of Spirit who is

inclined to try his Fortune in this highly renowned Corps.

The Continental Marines

When every thing that swims the Seas must be a

PRIZE!

Thousands are at this moment endeavoring to get on Board Privateers where

they will serve without pay or reward of any kind whatsoever, so certain does

their chance appear of enriching themselves by PRIZE MONEY! What an

enviable Station then must the CONTINENTAL MARINE hold,--- who with

far superior advantages to these, has the additional benefit of liberal Pay, and

plenty of the best Provisions, with a good and well appointed Ship under him,

the Pride and Glory of the Continental Navy; surely every Man of Spirit must

blush to remain at Home in Inactivity and Indolence when his Country needs

his Assistance.

Where then can he have such a fair opportunity, reaping Glory and Riches in

the Continental Marines, a Corps daily acquiring new Honors, and here, once

embarked in American Fleet, he finds himself in the midst of Honor and Glory,

surrounded by a set of fine fellows, Strangers to Fear, and who strike Terror

through the Hearts of their Enemies wherever they go!

He has likewise the inspiring idea to know, that while he sails the Ocean to

protect the Liberty of these states, that the Thanks and good Wishes of the

whole American people shall send him forth on his mission and participate in

his Glory. Lose no Time, then, my Fine Fellows, in embracing the glorious

Opportunity that awaits you: YOU WILL RECEIVE

Seventeen Dollars Bounty.

And on your Arrival at Head Quarters be comfortably and genteely

CLOTHED. And spirited young BOYS, of a promissing Appearance, who are

Five Feet Six Inches High, will receive TEN DOLLARS, and equal Advantage

of PROVISIONS and CLOTHING with the Men. And those who wish only to

enlist for a limited Service, shall receive a Bounty of SEVEN DOLLARS, and

Boys FIVE. In fact, the Advantages which the MARINE receives are too

numerous to mention here, but among the many, it may not be amiss to state ---

that if he has a WIFE or aged PARENT, he can make them an Allotment of

half his PAY which will be regularly paid without any Trouble to them, or to

whomever he may direct, that being well Fed and Clothed on Board Ship, the

remainder of his PAY and PRIZE MONEY will be placed in Reserve for the

Relief of his Family or his own private Purposes. The Single Young Man, on his

Return to Port, finds himself compelled to cut a Dash on Shore, with his GIRL

and his GLASS(I like that part!! LOL ), that might be envied by a Nobleman. Take Courage then,

seize the Fortune that awaits you, repair to the MARINE RENDEVOUS,

where on a FLOWING BOWL of PUNCH, on Three Times Three, you shall

drink.

Long Live the United States and Success to the Marines

The Daily Allowance of a Marine when embarked is One Pound of BEEF or

PORK. One Pound of BREAD. Flour, Raisins, Butter, Cheese, Oatmeal,

Molasses, Tea, Sugar, &c. &c. And a Pint of the best WINE, or half a Pint of

the Best RUM or BRANDY, together with a Pint of LEMONADE. They make

Liberty in warm countries, a plentiful Allowance of the choicest FRUIT. And

what can be more handsome than the Marines' Proportion of PRIZE MONEY,

when a Sergeant shares equal with the Fleet Class of Petty Officers, such as

Midshipmen, Petty Officers, &c. which is five shares each; a Corporal with the

Second Class, which Is Three Shares each; and the Private with the Able

Seaman, one Share and a Half each.

Desiring Greater Particulars, and a more full account of the many Advantages

of this Invaluable Corps, apply to CAPTAIN MULLAN at TUN TAVERN,

where the bringer of a Recruit will receive THREE DOLLARS.

January, 1776

Tell me if that doesn't make ya wanna go to sea and plunder enemy ships!! Woo Hoo!!

[the Royaliste]

Great ad!!!....But without startin' a political rant, and armed with the knowledge of the sucess rate for the average privateers, it would seem to me that the speech writers of the times were no different than those of today, namely....full of sh*t!!!!!!!!!! :)

[JoshuaRed]

Definitely, Royaliste! I have a good book on privateering in the Revolution that includes a nice pic of the original broadside of this ad, and a nice explanation about how it's basically, as you said, full of sh*t.

Still though, makes it sound like a grand time, eh?

[Capt. Morgan]

Some might argue that recruiters today are STILL full of sh**... woulnd't trade it for the world, though!!