1. David Jewett was an American-born Brazilian naval officer known for his role in the sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata over the Falkland Islands.
26 Facts About David Jewett
1. 2.
David Jewett was a naval commander in the Quasi-War with France and following the end of that conflict he offered his services as a mercenary in both the United Provinces and the Empire of Brazil.
3.
David Jewett studied for a career in law, but after the experience of a sailing trip to Europe he changed his mind.
4.
David Jewett joined the United States Navy in 1791, at age 19.
5.
David Jewett was authorized as commander of the Trumbull to capture any vessel sailing under the flag of France.
6.
David Jewett left the Navy but rejoined during the War of 1812 against Britain, when he acted as a privateer.
7.
David Jewett had earlier crossed the line between privateer and pirate after taking the Portuguese ship Carlota as a prize.
8.
On June 22,1815, David Jewett arrived in the port of Buenos Aires, aboard his own ship the Invincible.
9.
David Jewett offered his services to the newly independent United Provinces of the River Plate, which accepted his proposal and authorized his corsair activities against the Spanish.
10.
David Jewett was given command of the frigate Heroina, a ship owned by Patrick Lynch, acting as a privateer.
11.
David Jewett's activities were licensed by letter of marque that Lynch obtained from the Buenos Aires Supreme Director Jose Rondeau.
12.
Captain David Jewett chose to rest and recover in the islands seeking assistance from the British explorer James Weddell of the British brig Jane.
13.
Weddell reports only 30 seamen and 40 soldiers out of a crew of 200 fit for duty, and how David Jewett slept with pistols over his head following an attempted mutiny for which he had executed 6 members of his crew.
14.
On November 6,1820, Col David Jewett raised the flag of the United Provinces of the River Plate and claimed possession of the islands.
15.
Weddell stated that some ship-masters were alarmed by David Jewett's appearance, fearing being robbed or captured and said that one contemplated an armed response.
16.
Weddell was able to convince him David Jewett was no danger and after being introduced to David Jewett, he overcame his fears.
17.
David Jewett did not mention the claim in his 13-page request for resignation to the government of Buenos Aires, nor did the government gazette the sovereignty claim in the Gazeta de Buenos Ayres.
18.
David Jewett arrived in Rio de Janeiro in 1822 in command of the Maipu of 284-tons and armed with 18 cannons.
19.
David Jewett acquired her and in 1822 sold her to Emperor Dom Pedro I, to serve as the Caboclo.
20.
David Jewett then offered to join the Brazilian Navy and was appointed commander of the frigate Uniao on October 6,1822.
21.
David Jewett was accused of misconduct, whilst in command of the ship Pedro I, and sentenced by the Supreme Military Court to 2 years of imprisonment, on May 20,1824.
22.
In 1824, David Jewett fought in the revolt in Pernambuco, against the rebel forces of Manuel de Carvalho Pais de Andrade.
23.
Cochrane's forces, including David Jewett, took an active role in the restoration of public order.
24.
Whilst on a trip to New York on Brazilian navy matters in 1826, Jewett married Eliza Lawrence Mactier, daughter of NYC Alderman Augustine H Lawrence.
25.
David Jewett was awarded the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross for service in the Imperial Navy of Brazil.
26.
David Jewett was interred the day after in the Sao Francisco de Paula church; his wife Eliza died a few months later.