Commodore Robert F. Stockton, 1795–1866: Protean Man for a Protean Nation
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Commodore Robert F. Stockton, 1795–1866: Protean Man for a Protea ...

Chapter 1:  Educating Stockton
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Persona as “Chivalrous Champion”

In the “American Editor's Preface” to the 1806 Memoirs of Nelson, the editor offered some “characteristic traits and anecdotes” of Nelson, and one of these, from his school days, is most telling:

His master, the rev. Mr. Jones, had some remarkably fine pears, which the scholars often wished for; but the attempt to gather them was so hazardous that none would undertake it. Horatio on seeing them all staggered, offered to brave the danger. He was accordingly one night lowered down from their dormitory by their sheets tied together, and thus secured the prize: but the boldness of the deed was all he regarded, for on being hauled up again he shared the pears among his school fellows, without reserving any for himself, and added “I only did it because every other boy was afraid to do it.” Five guineas were offered in the morning to discover the thief, but every boy loved him too much to betray him.48

In this one story, the reader sees Nelson's creative disobedience in taking the pears; his care for his fellows in giving away the pears; and his role as champion in taking the pears, claiming, “I only did it because every other boy was afraid to do it.” Repeatedly in Stockton's career both on sea and on land, he too took on the role of champion for those who he believed were less powerful, less brave, or less daring. For example, in Stockton's first published proclamation as commander in chief of American forces in California, he wrote:

In the first place, however, I am constrained by every principle of national honor, as well as a due regard for the safety and best interests of the people of California, to put an end at once, and by force, to the lawless depredations daily committed by General Castro's men upon the persons and property of peaceful and unoffending inhabitants.49

Despite the fact that no “lawless depredations” had been committed upon “unoffending inhabitants,” Stockton could only justify his actions by assuming they were all party to him being the champion of the people, just like Nelson.