“Then, in 1738, Robert Jenkins, a British merchant captain, was summoned to appear in Parliament, where he reportedly claimed that a Spanish officer had stormed his brig in the Caribbean and, accusing him of smuggling sugar from Spain's colonies, cut off his left ear. Jenkins reputedly displayed his severed appendage, pickled in a jar, and pledged "my cause to my country." The incident further ignited the passions of Parliament and pamphleteers, leading people to cry for blood - an ear for an ear - and a good deal of booty as well. The conflict became known as the War of Jenkins' Ear.”
Quote by David Grann
Work
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
Browse quotes and source details for this work. more
Author
David Grann
David Grann is an American journalist known for his in-depth investigative reporting. Born on March 10, 1967, he graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Grann's work often delves into themes such as history, law, and crime. His books 'The Lost President' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon' have received widespread acclaim. more
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