In December 1834, the federal government had sent ships, including the armed revenue cutter Alert, into Barnegat Bay to round up dozens of local citizens accused of being the infamous Barnegat Pirates. Although many were captured, the ringleader, William Platt, a corrupt Monmouth County judge, had escaped. The U.S. marshal for New Jersey was Gen. John S. Darcy, who vowed he would not rest until Platt was captured.

The Newark Daily Advertiser wrote in early January 1835, “On Wednesday afternoon, the Marshal (Gen.