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John Stuart Skinner (22 February 1788 – 21 March 1851) was an American lawyer, publisher, and editor.〔Wilson, p. 545〕 == Biography == Skinner began practicing law as an attorney at the age of twenty-one in 1809. On March 10, 1812, he married Elizabeth G. Davies, the step-daughter of Theodorick Bland. Also in 1812, President James Madison made a special commission and selected Skinner to become a government agent "to receive and forward the ocean mails, to furnish the vessels with necessary supplies, and to see that nothing transpired prejudicial to the interests of the republic or offensive to enemies thus admitted under the guardianship of a flag of truce."〔 Skinner soon obtained the duty of agent for prisoners-of-war and parole. In 1813 Skinner was ordered to move his offices from Annapolis to Baltimore. He then accepted a purser's commission in the navy for the duration of the war.〔 On September 3, 1814, Skinner, as the prisoner-of-war exchange officer, was selected with Francis Scott Key, (1779–1843) by fourth President James Madison for a mission to release Dr. William Beanes, (1775–1824), who was being held prisoner by the British. Skinner and Key went on board General Ross's ship on September 7, the HMS ''Tonnant'' that was anchored in the Chesapeake Bay.〔Sedeen, p. 20〕 (Ross being a general in the British Army would not have "had" a ship. The ''Tonnant'' was the flagship of the British Admiral in command, Alexander Cochrane and it would have been he, not Ross who would have made the determination to release Beanes. ) They were carrying a flag of truce and a letter authorized by President Madison setting out the case that Dr. Beanes should not have been arrested and taken prisoner because he had been an unarmed civilian when he previously arrested some British soldiers.〔Molotsky, p. 88〕 Skinner even had letters from these British soldiers that he presented to Ross praising the American doctors on how well the British soldiers were treated. This was an argument that Ross should release Dr. Beanes because of this excellent medical care.〔 It is not known for sure if Dr. Beanes, being a medical doctor, was among those that treated the wounded British soldiers. Skinner with Key negotiated with Ross for nearly a week on board his ship and finally Ross agreed on the release of Dr. Beanes.〔Sedeen, p. 21〕 Upon the release of Beanes they were not allowed to return to Baltimore because of key information they had collected by being on board Ross's ship from September 7–13. They were transferred from the ''Tonnant'' to another British warship, the HMS ''Surprise'' and then to their own sloop. They were just allowed to watch the attack on Fort McHenry from their own sloop, known as a cartel or truce boat, under British guard. The sloop was tethered to a British ship about eight miles (13 km) from Fort McHenry and guarded by a number of British marines to prevent any escape.〔 The morning of September 13 at seven o'clock the British bombardment of Baltimore began. The city was defended by Fort McHenry in the harbor. Skinner, Key, and Beanes initially watched a huge American flag flying above Fort McHenry made by Mary Pickersgill as a representation of the American resolve to defend Baltimore.〔 The bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore went into the night of September 13 with them not knowing how the battle was going.〔 When the smoke cleared on the morning of September 14, Key along with Skinner and Beanes were able to see the American flag still waving—Fort McHenry had not been taken by the British. On their way back to Baltimore, Key was inspired to write a poem that became the American national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner."〔Wilson, p. 545 ''He was with Francis S. Key on the mission that suggested the latter's song, "The Star-Spangled Banner."''〕 It was Skinner whom Francis Scott Key first showed his work to and had it published.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title= Naval History Magazine - Issue: April 2008 Volume 22, Number 2 article: Where Naval Tradition Lives by Eric Mills ) "After the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, it was Skinner whom Francis Scott Key first showed his work known today as "The Star Spangled Banner." Documentation also exists that he was the one who had it published."〕〔Molotsky, p. 109 "Others suggest that Key's companion, Skinner, was the one who got the copies printed."〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「John Stuart Skinner」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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