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diff --git a/old/50908-0.txt b/old/50908-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 982e462..0000000 --- a/old/50908-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6747 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Relic of the Revolution, by Charles Herbert - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: A Relic of the Revolution - - -Author: Charles Herbert - - - -Release Date: January 12, 2016 [eBook #50908] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION*** - - -E-text prepared by KD Weeks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team -(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/relicofrevolutio00herb - - -Transcriber’s note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - - - - - A RELIC - OF THE - REVOLUTION, - - CONTAINING A FULL AND PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF - THE SUFFERINGS AND PRIVATIONS OF ALL THE - - AMERICAN PRISONERS - - CAPTURED ON THE HIGH SEAS, AND CARRIED INTO - PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, DURING THE - - REVOLUTION OF 1776; - - With the Names of the Vessels taken—the Names and Residence of - the several Crews, and time of their Commitment—the Names - of such as died in Prison, and such as made their Escape, - or entered on board English Men-of-War; - until the exchange of prisoners, - March 15, 1779. - - ALSO, - - AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL CRUISES OF THE - SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF - - COMMODORE JOHN PAUL JONES, - - PRIZES TAKEN, ETC., ETC. - - - ------- - - BY CHARLES HERBERT, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASS. - - Who was taken prisoner in the Brigantine Dolton, Dec., 1776, - and served in the U.S. Frigate Alliance, 1779-80. - - ------- - - BOSTON: - - PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETOR, BY - _CHARLES H. PEIRCE._ - - 1847. - - --------------------------------------------------------- - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, - - BY RICHARD LIVSEY, - - In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. - - --------------------------------------------------------- - - Stereotyped and Printed - By George C. Rand and Company, - No. 3 Cornhill, Boston. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - CHAPTER I. - - PAGE - - The Dolton sailed—Was taken—Breach of Honor—Disagreeable - Lodgings—Advantage of being Small—A Report—English - Women—Royal Salute—Removed—A Prize brought in—Daily - Allowance on board His Majesty’s Ships—The Charming - Sally—Orders. 17 - - CHAPTER II. - - Disease and Vermin—Reports—Pressed Men—Removal to the - Tarbay—Cold Berth—Sickness prevails—General Lee—A - Friend—An Act of Parliament—Removal for better—Better - Quarters—Special Favors—Liberal Distribution—Great - Contrast—A good Friend—Sickness increases. 22 - - CHAPTER III. - - Death of E. Hunt—Gets the privilege to Work—Good Pay—Act of - Parliament—Poetry—A Captain’s Compliments—Wish granted—A - Report—Paper—A Prize—Prayers on board—A - Privilege—Reckoning—Critical - Situation—Small-Pox—Visitors—Report from America—Small-Pox - prevails—Captain Rowe—Ship Nancy taken—Terrible - Punishment—Carried to the Hospital—Treatment for Itch. 27 - - CHAPTER IV. - - Royal Hospital Buildings—An Adventure—Taken down with - Small-Pox—Three Prisoners Escape—Re-taken—Severe - Sickness—Second Death—Joseph Hatch—Recovery—Kind attention - of the Nurses—Samuel Shriggins, the third of the company, - died—Attempt to Escape. 34 - - CHAPTER V. - - Fourth Death—Captain Brown’s Escape—His Men sent to - Prison—Discharge from the Hospital—Yellow Fever—Fifth - Death—Cruelty to the Dead—Examination—Commitment to - Prison—Prison Allowance—Hunger—Prison Employments—Charity - Box—Hard Fare—Guard Alarmed—Friendly Visitors—A Mean - Trick. 40 - - CHAPTER VI. - - More Prisoners—A Present—Visit from American - Gentlemen—Black-Hole—Fleet of Transports for - America—Prisoners Escape—Death—Prospect of War with - France—First Breach in the Prison Wall—Fox Frigate taken - by the Hancock—A Newspaper—Number of Prisoners—Escape of - thirty-two Prisoners—Bounty—Punishment—Cruelty to the - Old—Captain Lee taken in the Fancy—Hears from Home—Bad - News—False Reports—Daniel Cottle died. 48 - - CHAPTER VII. - - Attempt to Escape discovered—Awful description of - Suffering—Dreadful Starvation—Gloomy Prospects—Death of - Gideon Warren—Detection—Close Examination—Commissioner—A - Newspaper—Relief Prohibited—Attempt to Escape—Oath of - Secrecy—Another Attempt to Escape—Captain Johnston and the - Lexington—Sea Fight—The Press continued—Love of - Liberty—Meeting after a long absence—A Privilege - granted—Agent in a good humor—A Purchase—More - Prisoners—Running the Gantlet. 58 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - More Prisoners—Hears from Home—Suspicion—A hot Press—1500 - Seamen wanted—News from America—Disagreeable - Company—Destitution of the Prisoners—Digging and - Detection—A Pious Wish—Twenty Years of Age—Mournful - Reflections—Letter from Bilboa—Bad Bread—Unpleasant - Reflections—King’s Speech—Bold - Project—Failure—Reports—Strictness of the - Guard—Suspicion—Privation from the Gospel—Prisoners - Threatened—Voluntary Sacrifice—Good News reported—Detail - of General Burgoyne’s Defeat—Washington and Howe. 69 - - CHAPTER IX. - - Christmas Pudding—Christmas Presents—Clothes Served—Happy - New Year—Friends appear—Presents—Friends increase—Large - Donations reported—Donation from British Recruiting - Parties—Private Donations—Exhortations to a Civil, Sober - Life—Large Distribution of Clothing—Royal Salute—Regular - Allowance from Donation Fund—Increasing Privilege. 82 - - CHAPTER X. - - Price of Tobacco—Cleanliness—Not to be - Discouraged—Blankets—Distribution—Letter from - America—Officers Escape—Arrival of a Fleet—Paper—Dr. - Franklin to the Council—State of Troops—Deserters - Taken—Visit from the Governor and Lady—Removal of - Officers—General wish for Peace—A - Newspaper—Commissioners—Public Fast—Allowance - Withdrawn—Liberality—Petition Refused—A Newspaper—Reward - of Bravery—Lights Continued. 92 - - CHAPTER XI. - - Awful Penalty for Desertion—Public Indignation—Remarkable - Health of the Prisoners—Recruiting Party in Cornwall—Howe - in Trouble—Two Fathers—Scarcity of Provisions in the West - Indies—Black-hole—American Privateer—Hot - Press—Detection—French Brig run down—Prisoners sell their - Clothes to Gamble—“Preceptor”—Extreme - Punishment—Sports—Examination—Use of Poverty—English - Ambassador returns from France—Captain - Boardman—Titcomb—Hope of Return—Commissioners to - America—Newspapers. 102 - - CHAPTER XII. - - Letter from Portsmouth—Debate in Parliament—Cost of the - War—Petition for a Trial—Traitors Detected—Traitors - Punished—Attempt to Escape—Sickness in Prison—Paul Jones - at Whitehaven—Letter from Portsmouth—Death of John - Foster—Prison Wrangle—Commissioners Sailed—Another Hole—It - Founders—Joseph Kensington died—Sick Prisoners Neglected. 113 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - French Privateer—French Fleet—Patience scarce—Escape—One - Missing—Man with Red Hair—Blockade—Ball Play—Severity of - the Guard—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—Effects of Rum—A Widow—A - Surprise—Press of Fishermen—Another Detection—Voluntary - Suffering—Captain Pulford—Attempt to Escape—Taken—Cruel - Treatment. 122 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - Death of the Doctor—Sailing of Admiral Biron’s Fleet—Rev. - Mr. Heath—Cold reception of Proposition of Peace in - America—Effort to Escape—Gen. Burgoyne’s Compliment to - American Troops—French Frigate taken—Preparation for the - Fourth of July—Amputation—Another Hole—John Dam—Allowance - to French Prisoners—Admiral Keppel’s Fleet sail—Boys - attempt to Escape. 131 - - CHAPTER XV. - - Bad Conduct in Prison—Digging out—Four Escape—Fire, and - Officers Escape—Sad News from Portsmouth—Pay Day—Admiral - Keppel returns—England’s pride humbled—A curious plan for - Escape—Battle Report—Wounded in the Hospital—Effort to - Escape by Swimming—Invitation to join the Fleet—Americans - pressed to the Ships of War. 145 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - French Prisoners—Admiral Keppel sails—Another attempt to - Escape—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—A Gale—General Clinton’s - Retreat from Philadelphia—Fever and Ague prevails—Captain - Burnell and Wife—Escape from Portsmouth—French - Privateer—Distribution of Clothing—Hot Press—Letter to - Captain Lee—French Prisoners increase. 157 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - Rols’ Escape—Very Sickly—Another Escape—Unfaithful - Doctor—Frenchmen Escape and Return—Captain Ravel’s - Escape—Mr. Kirk’s Escape—Prisoners join - Men-of-War—Cartel—Letters from Portsmouth—The Man that was - punished unjustly, Rescued—Captain Lee’s Escape—New - Arrangement—Spotted Fever among the French—Second Draft - for the Ships—The Albion taken by the French—Sabbath - Privileges lost. 168 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - Oil of Tar for Prison—Frenchmen Break Out—One Shot—Reduction - of Donation—Two Americans in Irons—Various opinions about - the Cartel—Several Holes in hand—Fearful - Apprehensions—Dominica taken by the French and - Americans—King’s Troops on Martha’s Vineyard—Drunken - Prisoners delivered up—Forbearance of the Guard—Fire in - the Black-hole—Four American Boys—Dolton as Fortune - Privateer—Base Treachery—Plans Discovered—Mitchell the - Villain—Letter of Thanks—Two Years from Home. 179 - - CHAPTER XIX. - - Twenty-one—Fort on Drake’s Island—Breach in Black-hole - King’s Speech—English Prisoners at Brest—Hyfield’s - Escape—Exposure of the Sick—John Lott died—Public - Prayer—Captain Ross’s Escape. 198 - - CHAPTER XX. - - Cruel purposes of the Ministry—Petition for Pardon—Mr. - Salter’s Escape—Cruel Act renewed—Last of the - Donation—Court Martial—General Elopement—Discovered and - carried back to Plymouth—A sorrowful New Year—Extreme - Suffering—Good Friends—New Year’s Gift—Large - Fleets—Captain Boardman Escapes—Heavy Bounty for - Prisoners. 200 - - CHAPTER XXI. - - A Hurricane—Great Distress—Kills a Dog—Dog Divided—Cooked - and eat—Rats Eat in Prison—Voluntary Surrender—Good - News—Cartel Arrived—Pardon—Great Joy—A Small - Donation—Spanish Fleet—Another Pardon—A Wonder—Number of - Prisoners left—Wait Impatiently—Another Hole in - hand—Eleven Frenchmen Escape—Good News from Bilboa—Happy - Event—Twenty-six Months a Prisoner—Penitent Sick - Prisoners—King’s Pardon. 211 - - CHAPTER XXII. - - John Foster, Elias Vickey, and Asa Witham died—Mr. Deal’s - Escape—Milford Transport—Keppel - Acquitted—Bonfires—Escape—Cartel Arrives—Leaves the - Prison—Bonner Darling died. 220 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - Journal Lost—Thirty enter with Jones—Joins the - Alliance—Arrive at L’Orient with Prize—Second - Cruise—Journal Lost—Extracts from Paul Jones’ Life—At Dr. - Franklin’s House—Joins again the Alliance—Sails Home. 229 - - - - - PREFACE. - - ------- - - -In presenting the following pages to the reader, the publisher has no -ambition to aspire to the character of an author, and what is perhaps -more rare, he has no private interest to serve; he does not seek to -gratify the fastidious part of the community, who would have more -respect for the dress, or appearance, than for the subject matter. He is -perfectly aware that the Journal is not without some imperfections; but -it must be kept in mind that it was not written for the public, with an -eye to publication, or to make a book—but simply as a memorandum of the -events of each day. Yet when we take into consideration all the -circumstances, it is little less than a miracle; consider the author: a -youth of scarcely nineteen summers—then the places where the records -were made—the cable tier of a man-of-war, the gloomy recesses of a -prison, or on board the battle ship, where three or four hundred men -were crowded together for the purposes of strife and blood; then take -into consideration the prohibition of all materials for writing in -prison, the vigilance of the guards, and the frequent search made among -the prisoners, and it becomes a matter of surprise, not that it has some -imperfections, but that it exists at all, and especially that it was -never interrupted. For the long imprisonment of more than _two years_, -it seems to have been providentially preserved, for the purposes of -bringing to light the hidden things of darkness, that those who should -come after may be admonished and instructed. - -The reader will find the Journal free from all appearance of _design_ or -effort; it is perfectly natural; what is seen or heard is recorded with -hardly a note or comment, from first to last; through their medium we -are conducted through the hold of the prison-ship, and witness the -privations and sufferings of the hapless victims; the prison hospital is -thrown open to our inspection, not as transient visitors, but as -witnesses of the daily occurrences; here we see justice and mercy -meeting together; the walls, the bars, the guards, tell that here stern -justice holds its victims, while the attendant physician, and gentle -patience of the nurse, speak of Mercy’s visits, and pity. Then the -prison doors grate on their hinges, and we enter; the vacant stare of -the sons of Sorrow meet us, while their meager forms, sallow -countenances and ragged habiliments, speak of their privations and -misery; we seem to listen to their tale of woe, and hear them tell of -happy homes and kind friends in their native land; we can almost taste -their scanty and uninviting portions, and our sympathies become deeply -interested, until we share in all their anxieties to obtain deliverance; -we are sometimes almost suffocated while following the diggers in their -excavations, to force a subterranean passage to the light of day and air -of freedom; anon we are bounding over the fields as the minions of -tyranny pursue us, until, weary and exhausted, we feel their ruthless -hands upon us to drag us back to our gloomy habitations; then we feel -the cold chill run over us, as we look forward to forty days and nights -in darkness and solitude in the “Black hole,” on half the usual -allowance of ordinary prisoners; we become acquainted with the “Two -Fathers,” the messengers of Love and Pity—and while the donations -continue we seem to enjoy a respite; hope and fear alternately rise and -sink, until the donation closes, and transient joy gives way to deeper -gloom, until some of the less determined seek relief on board the -enemy’s ships of war, where they will be compelled to meet their friends -and countrymen in the bloody strife—a destiny more horrible to the mind -capable of reflection, than the protracted miseries of the prison cell. - -At length the star of hope rises, and the news of a cartel is received; -now it arrives, and we are straining our eyes through the dim light of -the grated window to look on the ship, as she lays in the creek. Post -after post is anxiously looked for until the agent musters his wretched -charge and reads as follows: “His Majesty has been graciously pleased to -pardon one hundred of you, in order to an exchange.” The names of the -hundred are read, while tears of joy point out the happy ones. Once more -the prison doors give way—and with what rapture they hail the breath of -freedom! - -From the time that Mr. Herbert entered the service of the United States -under the command of Commodore Jones, the entries in his journal are -less frequent and less full; still, if it had not been for the -unfortunate loss of several pages of the Journal, it would have been -sufficiently full, to have conducted the reader through their several -cruizes, to their arrival home; as it is, we have endeavored to fill up -the vacuum by extracts from the official reports of Commodore _Paul -Jones_. - -It is believed that the reader will receive profit and pleasure from the -numerous and various incidents here related, and from the information -imparted on a variety of subjects, especially as it shows the views and -feelings of the people of England on the subject of the war then raging -between this and the mother country; and that the strong sympathy -manifested towards the prisoners, in the collection of upwards of -_thirty thousand dollars_ for their relief, together with all the -private donations, not included in the above, will be an everlasting -monument to the benevolence of British Christians, and may tend to -soften our prejudices and lead to stronger sympathies for each other, -and greater efforts to promote each other’s welfare, and mutual feelings -of peace and good will. - -A list of the prisoners, with the places to which they belonged, and -vessels in which they were taken, also a notice of such as had made -their escape, had died, or entered the service of Great Britain, will no -doubt be acceptable to such as had friends in the service of their -country, and of whom, perhaps, they have never since heard. The list was -taken, as will be seen, a short time before Mr. Herbert left prison. - -The indulgence of the critic is hoped for, under the assurance that the -task of preparing the Journal for the press has been arduous, as much of -it was originally written in figures to secure secrecy, and had to be -spelled out by reference to the key; that the task was performed amidst -a press of more important duties, and with a fixed purpose of devoting -all the avails of the sales of the work to the widow of the author, -after paying the expense of publication. - - - - - SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. - - --------------------- - - -It is perfectly natural to expect, in presenting any work to the public, -and more especially of the nature of a journal, that the reader will -desire to know something of the character of its author, in order to -determine what degree of confidence the writer is entitled to,—whether -the statements made are to be depended upon or not. In compliance with -this reasonable demand, we will endeavor to impart such information as -we possess, believing that it will be perfectly satisfactory. - -CHARLES HERBERT was the son of John Herbert, of Newburyport, Mass. His -mother’s name was Jane, daughter of Colonel Pierce of that town. Mr. -Charles Herbert was born November 17th, in the year of our Lord 1757, -but, being deprived of his mother by death, at the early age of two -months, he was committed to the care of a maiden aunt—Miss Lydia Pierce, -sister of his mother. The influence of early training, as developed in -the life of Mr. Herbert, is very creditable to his early tutoress. Moral -and religious principle must have taken a deep root in his young heart, -to have preserved that heart from the gross and corrupting influence of -the society into which he was afterwards thrown. The fruit appears in -lovely contrast with the abandoned profligacy of many of his companions, -and no doubt afforded him abundant consolation in the hours of suffering -and solitude. His character gave to him a sort of pre-eminence among his -fellows, and an influence with his captors and keepers, which his -companions did not share. He was a true patriot; neither frowns nor -flatteries could move him to abandon his country’s interest. If good -tidings reach him, his heart exults with joy; if dark clouds hang over -the prospects of the patriot band, he is sorrowful, and will not be -comforted; he can endure hunger, confinement, or reproach—any thing but -the extinguishing of his country’s hope. Others, for the sake of -personal liberty, can join the standard of the enemy: but not so with -him; he cannot betray the cause of his country, or go to battle against -_his brother_. - -From the Journal the reader will learn that Mr. Herbert entered on board -the Dolton, Nov. 15, 1776, being less than nineteen years of age, and -returned to Newburyport Aug. 23, 1780, having been absent nearly four -years, two of which he spent as a prisoner, in a foreign land. The -sufferings of this period were of the most distressing kind—hunger, -cold, sickness, and privation. After his release, by an exchange of -prisoners, brought about by the efforts of Dr. Franklin, then Minister -to France, Mr. Herbert joined the Alliance frigate, commanded by Captain -Landais, forming part of the squadron of Commodore J. Paul Jones. He was -one of those sent to Bergen, in Norway, then a part of the kingdom of -Denmark, with prizes—which prizes were seized by the Danish government -and delivered to the English Consul, which forms the basis of the -“Denmark Claims,” so called; and which amounted then, according to Dr. -Franklin, to at least fifty thousand pounds sterling. The crews of these -vessels, on their return from Denmark, were kindly entertained by Dr. -Franklin, at his house; and on leaving, he paid their expenses and gave -each person a crown. Mr. Herbert preserved his, as a sacred treasure, as -long as he lived, but it has since his death been lost. It is to be -hoped that those claims against Denmark will be brought to a speedy -settlement, and the few survivors of the eventful scenes of Paul Jones’ -career be rewarded for their sufferings. Mr. Herbert possessed a -remarkably active mind, prompt and ready on all occasions; he met every -emergency with the utmost self-possession. This is seen in his conduct -when the brig was taken, and after he became a prisoner. He could be -carpenter, carver, shoe-maker, merchant, could make boxes, sell tobacco, -or labor in any way to make a shift, to prevent starvation. Nor did he -neglect his mind; he bought several books at extravagant prices, which -he read, and loaned to his fellow prisoners. Among other studies perused -in prison he became master of _navigation_. His journal, which is a -standing monument of his genius and industry, was concealed, while -writing, in his boots, and as each page became full, it was conveyed to -a chest with a double bottom, and there secreted until he left prison It -is probable the existence of the journal was known to very few, if any, -in prison, as the most serious consequences must have followed its -discovery. How often in the silent hours of midnight, by the light made -from the marrow of a bone, did he trace the record of each eventful day? -It has never been known that any journal of any length of time was kept -by any other person: it is believed none exists; and to the friends of -those who were taken by the enemy and died in prison, or escaped but -have not been heard from, or who went on board English men-of-war, “to -serve, and continue to serve in his Majesty’s service,” the journal of -Mr. Herbert must be of great interest and satisfaction. After Mr. -Herbert’s return to Newburyport, Aug. 23, 1780, we have no account of -his being employed in the service of his country, other than as a -private citizen; indeed, his constitution had received so severe a shock -by his long imprisonment and great exposure, that his health was much -enfeebled. He soon entered into business as a block-maker, and on the -8th of November, 1783, was united in marriage to Miss _Molly Butler_, by -Rev. John Murray, of Newburyport. He continued in the business of -block-maker until his death, which occurred on the 4th of September, A. -D. 1808. Mr. Herbert had one brother, who died in the morning of life, -by a fall occasioned by moving some freight belonging to him on board a -vessel. Mrs. Herbert became the mother of fourteen children, six of whom -are still living. She is still, at the advanced age of eighty-four, -lingering among us as a relic of a people precious in our memory; and -should there be a surplus after paying the expenses of publishing this -work, if still living, she will enjoy a liberal share thereof. - -It is to be regretted that Mrs. Herbert has not been able to obtain -either the pension allowed by the law of our land to widows of -Revolutionary soldiers and sailors, or the prize money due to her -husband from government. How slow are we to reward those who struggled -hard for our liberties. - -The above facts might be confirmed by the testimony of some of our most -distinguished citizens, if necessary. - -Hoping that liberal sales will enable the publisher to render to the -widow of Charles Herbert a liberal donation, it is submitted to a -generous public, by the publisher. - - R. LIVESEY. - - _Boston, July, 1847._ - - - - - RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION. - - ------- - - CHAPTER I. - -The Dolton sailed—Was taken—Breach of Honor—Treatment, &c.—Disagreeable - Lodgings—Advantage of being small—A Report—English Women—Royal - Salute—Removed—A Prize brought in—Daily Allowance on board His - Majesty’s Ships—The Charming Sally—Orders. - - -The brig DOLTON sailed from Newburyport, November 15th, 1776, and from -Portsmouth, on the 26th of the same month, and on the 24th of December -following, about nine o’clock in the evening, we were taken by the -_Reasonable_, man-of-war, of sixty-four guns. As her cruise was over, -she was bound to Plymouth, England. The first lieutenant of the ship was -the first man that boarded us, and he ordered us all on board the ship -as fast as the boats could carry us, and would give us no time to -collect our clothes, promising us, however, upon his word and honor, -that we should have them all sent on board the next day. Some of our -company trusted to this assurance, but I thought it not best to do the -like. I was stationed upon the main-top when we were taken, and had not -so good an opportunity to save my clothes, as those below; yet I saved -more than any of the foremast hands; for as soon as I found that we were -taken, I made all speed from the top down to my chest. I broke it open -and shifted myself from head to foot—putting on two shirts, a pair of -drawers and breeches, and trowsers over them; two or three jackets, and -a pair of new shoes, and then filled my bosom and pockets as full as I -could well carry. Afterwards, I found it was well for me that I did so; -for when the clothes were brought on board, we found that all the best -of them had been culled out, and nothing but a few rags and a dozen old -blankets were sent to us. - -After we came on board, we were ordered upon the quarter-deck, and from -there down into the cable-tier, where we found very disagreeable -lodgings, having nothing but the bare _cable_ to lay upon, and that very -uneven. Besides this, we were almost suffocated with heat. Being, -however, very much fatigued, I slept about two hours, as soundly as if I -had been upon a bed of down. When I awoke I crawled aft upon the cable, -where was the sentinel, and spent the remainder of the night in -conversation with him. - -In the morning the _boys_ were called by the officers of the ship to -come upon deck. Now, thinks I to myself, there is an advantage in being -small. I’ll embrace this opportunity, and try for my liberty upon deck, -too. Accordingly, I went up, and no sooner were we on deck than we were -thronged about by the seamen. They told us that a few hours after they -took us, they spoke twelve or fourteen sail of transports, bound to New -York, under convoy of a frigate, and she had thrown her guns overboard -in a storm. I learned that the name of the Captain of the ship which had -taken us, was Thomas Fitzherbert. - -[The journal of the remainder of the passage to Plymouth, England, has -been lost, and the next record commences some day or two after their -arrival in this port.] - -1777. January 15th. This morning our officers were brought on board -again. We hear that the British troops have taken “Fort Washington,” -with the loss of _eight hundred men_. - -16. A number of seamen’s wives came on board to-day, and upon being told -that they had American prisoners on board, “Have you?” said one to the -other; “What sort of people are they?” “Are they white?” “Can they -talk?” Upon being pointed to where some of them stood, “Why!” exclaimed -they, “they look like our people, and they talk English.” - -17. Nothing remarkable. - -18. To-day is the Queen’s birth-day, and every ship in the harbor that -is in commission, fired twenty-one guns, as a royal salute. - -19. Sunday. To-day we were removed from the Reasonable to the Bellisle, -a ship of sixty-four guns, after having been on board the Reasonable -twenty-seven days. Here we lodged in the cable-tier, on boards laid over -the cable, which is better than we had on board the Reasonable. - -20. Nothing remarkable. - -22. Last Sunday, “a prize” was brought in here, which proved to be the -brig Triton, from Newburg, Captain Tileston, master. The captain was -sent on shore and made his escape. - -23. Nothing occurred worthy of notice. - -24. To-day, two ships-of-war sailed from the sound. The Southampton, of -thirty-six guns, and the Thetis, of thirty-two guns. - -25. There has been a great market on board to-day. - -26. Sunday. But very little respect paid to the day. - -27. The daily allowance on board His Majesty’s ships, is: Sunday, pork -and peas; Monday, birgu, butter and cheese; Tuesday, beef and pudding; -Wednesday, birgu and peas, butter and cheese; Thursday, pork and peas; -Friday, birgu and peas, butter and cheese; Saturday, beef and pudding; a -pint of wine, or half a pint of rum, when at sea; and when in port, beer -in abundance, and fresh meat twice in a week. - -28. To-day I received a pair of stockings, a present from one of the -seamen. - -30. This morning, the captain, doctor and servant, of the privateer -sloop Charming Sally, from America, came on board this ship. They inform -us that they were taken the 16th of January, by the None-Such, -man-of-war, sixty-four guns, and have been well used; having been on -full allowance, till they came on board this ship; and the captain that -took them allowed them all their clothes and bedding. - -31. It is a time of general colds with us, and about eighteen of our -number are sick. - -February 1. Windy, cold, blustering, unsteady weather. - -2. Nothing worthy of record. - -4. We are told that orders have been received from London, to repair all -the prisons along shore. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - -Disease and Vermin—Reports—Pressed Men—Removal to the Tarbay—Cold - Berth—Sickness prevails—General Lee—A Friend—An Act of - Parliament—Removal for better—Better Quarters—Special Favors—Liberal - Distribution—Great Contrast—A good Friend—Sickness increases. - - -FEBRUARY 5. It is a pay-day for bounty, on board this ship, (the -Bellisle,) which occasions a great market on board. - -6. We begin to grow very sickly, and twenty or thirty of us are -suffering with the itch, and we are all dreadfully infested with vermin. -I make a constant practice of examining my clothes every day, when we -are permitted to go upon deck. I often find them swarming with these. - -We are informed that the Admiral was heard to say, that no favor was to -be shown to us, on account of our orders. We are also told by some, that -we are to be removed, soon, on board the Ocean, which is the Admiral’s -ship; by others, that we shall be removed to prison. - -This afternoon, about _one hundred_ pressed men were brought on board -this ship. - -7. We were removed from the Bellisle, after having been on board -nineteen days, and were carried up to Ammores, and put on board the -“Tarbay,” a ship of seventy-four guns, and confined in the bay, between -decks, where there was not room for all of us to lay down; it is parted -off, like a sheep-pen, and takes in two side-ports only. - -8. Pleasant weather, but very cold for persons in our condition, as we -are obliged to lay upon a wet deck, without either bedding or clothes, -more than what we have on our backs—except a very few who have an old -blanket apiece. As there is not room enough within our narrow quarters -for every one to lay down at night, some are obliged to sit up all -night. - -9. There are now _sixteen_ of our number on the doctor’s list, and there -are but very few of us but what are either complaining with bad colds or -rheumatic pains; and if there are ten sick with as many different -complaints, they give them all alike the same medicine. - -10. Rough, cold, and some snow; all the way we have to keep ourselves -warm, in the day time, is by play, and making ourselves merry. - -11. We hear that General Lee is taken. I had to-day a handful of bread -given to me by a woman, which I _joyfully_ received. - -12. We are informed that Parliament has passed an act that all Americans -taken in arms against the King, shall be deemed rebels; and those taken -in armed vessels, upon the high seas, as pirates. - -13. Our company is in a very poor state of health. Last night I sat up -with one at the point of death. We were removed to-day from the Tarbay, -after being on board six days, and carried on board the Burford, a ship -of _seventy-four_ guns. Thanks be to God for this removal, for here we -have more room, and there are but few men belonging to the ship besides -the officers. - -14. We are now on board the Burford, where we find better usage than we -have received since we have been taken, and our sick have good care -taken of them. We are also allowed to go upon deck, twenty at a time. - -15. This morning sailed from Ammores three ships of the line, of -seventy-four guns—the Albion, the Boyne and the Tarbay. To-day nine of -our sick were carried on shore to the Royal Hospital. We were informed -by one of the lieutenants of the ship, that, although their orders were -to strip and plunder us, yet we should be allowed a bed and bedding, and -such of us as had not clothes to change ourselves, should have them; -which we may account as a favor. - -16. Clear and pleasant, (Sunday,) and as we are now between-decks, and -have more room and the light of the sun, and not confined to the -cable-tier, we have an opportunity for reading. - -17. Very stormy. To-day we had delivered to us, by the purser of the -ship, bedding and clothes. I received a shirt, and bedding, consisting -of a _flock bed and pillows_, a _rug_, and _blankets_. Some, who were -almost naked, had nearly a whole suit given them. When they gave us the -shirts, they told us to take off our old ones and throw them overboard, -“lice and all.” - -18. Those of us who did not receive clothes yesterday, have received -them to-day, and those who did not receive beds, are to receive them in -a few days. Our beds are a great comfort to our sore bodies, after -laying fifty-five nights without any—all the time since we were -taken—sometimes upon hard cables, sometimes upon boards laid over the -cables, and at other times on a wet deck, with nothing to cover us but -the clothes on our backs. Now we have good bedding for our comfort, -thanks be to God! _and a good friend_; for we are told that the captain -of the ship, whose name is Boyer, gave us these clothes and beds, out of -his own pocket. - -19. This evening the remainder of our company received beds. We never -know the true state of our condition till it is illustrated by its -contraries; neither do we know how to value what we have but by the want -of it. - -20. It is very sickly amongst us, and some one is taken sick almost -every day. - -21. The Reasonable came out of dock and dropped to her moorings. The -Ocean is stripped and going into dock. The Lizard, frigate, has lately -arrived from America, and to-day was towed up from the Sound, having cut -away her masts yesterday in a gale of wind. - -22. To-day a frigate sailed. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - -Death of E. Hunt—Gets the privilege to Work—Good Pay—Act of - Parliament—Poetry—A Captain’s Compliments—Wish granted—A - Report—Paper—A Prize—Prayers on board—A Privilege—Reckoning—Critical - Situation—Small-Pox—Visitors—Report from America—Small-Pox - prevails—Captain Rowe—Ship Nancy taken—Terrible Punishment—Carried to - the Hospital—Treatment for Itch. - - -FEBRUARY 23. Sunday. We have an opportunity for reading. - -24. Mr. Holland, the master-at-arms of the ship, has been on shore; he -informs us of the death of one of our company—_Ebenezer Hunt_. He died -on the 20th of this month, in the Royal Hospital; he was one of the nine -that were sent on shore the 15th inst. - -25. This morning Mr. Holland came into our apartment inquiring for a -joiner. I offered myself, and went upon deck to work for him. He -obtained the liberty of the carpenter’s bench and tools, and I went to -work, getting, also, permission for one of my acquaintances to come upon -deck and work with me. We made him a table, for which he gave us a bag -to put our clothes in, half of a salt fish, a quart of potatoes, six -biscuits, and butter to eat with our fish, besides a good hot supper. - -26. I had an opportunity of reading a newspaper wherein was a -confirmation, in several different places, of General Lee’s being taken. -I saw, also, an Act that was moved in Parliament and passed in the -affirmative, 112 to 35; according to which we are guilty of high -treason, and are sentenced to prison, there to lay, without bail, until -the first of January, 1778, and then to have a trial. - - As we are prisoners in a cage, - It’s our misfortune sure; - ’Tis folly to be in a rage, - Though hardships we endure. - - God grant that we may live to see - Once more our native place, - For to enjoy our liberty, - Before we’ve run our race. - -27. Last night the Boyne came up to her mooring, having sprung a leak -and carried away her fore-topmast. She is the second, out of the three -which sailed on the 15th inst., that has returned in distress. This -ship’s guns and carriages were brought alongside, and there were not men -enough to hoist them in; so the captain sent his compliments to us, to -see if we would assist in getting them on board, which we willingly did, -because he appears to be the best friend to us that we have met with -since we have been taken. - -28. We had a paper wherein is an account of the march and defeat of the -King’s troops towards Philadelphia, with the loss of fourteen or fifteen -hundred men. - -MARCH 1. Myself and one of my shipmates have again been upon deck to -work. We made a chest for the master-at-arms, for which he gave us some -biscuit. We mended, also, a table for the ship’s cook, for which he gave -us a supper and some spare bread and meat. It is in the paper that the -ship which brought Dr. Franklin from Philadelphia to France, as she was -returning, took a brig laden with fish, three days out of port, -belonging to the same gentleman that bought the Dolton. - -2. Prayers were read on board this ship to-day, and we were allowed to -go on deck to hear them. A frigate arrived, after a six months’ cruise, -as we know by her firing a salute—which they are not allowed to do -unless they have been six months absent. Myself and another have the -liberty from the carpenter of the ship to work every day when we can get -work to do. - -26. It is four months since we sailed from Portsmouth, having been in -that time twenty-eight days on board the Dolton, twenty-seven days on -board the Reasonable, nineteen on board the Bellisle, six on board the -Tarbay, and forty-one on board the Burford, which is our present place -of abode. - -27. We are told that we are to go on shore to-morrow to prison. Our -company, one after another, are daily dropping sick, and about forty of -us have the itch; but our sick have as good care taken of them on board -this ship as we could expect, and we are visited morning and evening by -the doctor. - -28. I have been poorly some days past, and having no appetite for my -food I bought a quarter of a pound of sugar to sweeten some water gruel, -which is the best that I can get here. - -29. To-day two more were sent on shore to the Hospital, sick. - -30. Sunday. But the time is badly spent for persons in our situation, -who do not know how soon the gallows may be our doom. - -31. I had sent to me, by the surgeon of the ship, about a pound of sugar -and two ounces of tea, for some work which I did for him some time ago, -and this morning I made some tea for my breakfast, which I drank with a -good relish. - -APRIL 1. To-day I took an emetic of the doctor. There is another one of -our company attacked with the _small-pox_, and to all human appearances, -it will go through the company. I do not know that I ever can have it -better than now, as I am well dieted, and therefore do not try to escape -it. - -2. To-day the Admiral and his lady, with several other ladies, came on -board this ship to dine. This afternoon the man with small-pox was sent -on shore, to the hospital. - -3. Windy, cold weather. We hear that _three American_ privateers went -into Ireland, victualed and watered, and went out again, before it was -known who they were. - -4. This ship is bending her sails; it is reported that she is bound to -sea soon. I suppose she is bound to Spithead, where a number from this -place have gone. - -5. Last evening the master-at-arms told us that we were to go on shore -to-day at ten o’clock, but we are not there yet. To-day we had an -opportunity of reading a newspaper, wherein is an account of the -Americans taking nine hundred Hessian troops, on Christmas evening. As -we are not allowed a paper, when we get one we are obliged to be very -cautious how and when we read it. - -6. Sunday. Again there has been prayers on board this ship, and a sermon -preached. Another one of our company has broken out with the small-pox. - -7. To-day the man with the small-pox was sent on shore. - -8. There is another broken out with small-pox, and I expect every day to -be attacked myself. - -9. Two more of our company are quite unwell, and we expect it is -small-pox. A lad who stole, and was obliged to run the gauntlet twice -before, stole again, and to-day was punished in the same manner. - -10. To-day three more were sent on shore with the small-pox, and three -returned from the Hospital well, who were carried on shore the 15th of -February. They tell us that they were used well. We hear that Captain -Joseph Rowe has been taken in the ship “_Nancy_,” from Newbury, and has -been brought in here. He has now his liberty on shore, but his men are -on board the Ocean, which is the Admiral’s ship. - -11. To-day the same lad who has stolen and run the gauntlet three times -before, stole again; and we took another method with him. We tied him -up, and our boatswain’s mate gave him two dozen with the cat, on his -bare back. At the least computation, in the three times which he run the -gauntlet, exclusive of the punishment he received to-day, he must have -had seven or eight hundred lashes, with hard nettles, on a bare back. - -12. Pleasant weather. To-day _eight_ more of our company were carried on -shore to the Royal Hospital, with the _itch_, and myself amongst the -number. Alas! little did I think, six months ago, that I should ever set -my foot on this island. It is four months and seventeen days since I -left Portsmouth, all of which time I have been on the water. There are -now twenty-four of our company in these hospitals, some with the -small-pox, and the rest with the _itch_. - -13. Sunday. I have been taking sulphur, to prepare for anointing this -evening. - -14. The first day I came here I was put upon diet; I had only half a -pound of bread and a quart of milk, but now I am put on full allowance, -which is a pound of beef, a pound of potatoes, and three pints of beer, -per day. - -15. We take a large spoonful of sulphur mixed with honey and cream -tartar, morning and evening, and in the evening also use the ointment. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - -Royal Hospital Buildings—An Adventure—Taken down with Small-pox—Three - Prisoners escape—Re-taken—Severe Sickness—Second Death—Joseph - Hatch—Recovery—Kind attention of the Nurses—Samuel Shriggings, the - third of the company, died—Attempt to escape. - -APRIL 16. Within these hospital wards there are _ten grand buildings_, -three stories high. Each building contains six wards, each ward can -accommodate twenty-five patients—so that there is room for fifteen -hundred patients, besides attendants. - -To-day our food, with our names entered in a book, was sent, which was -headed, “Upon such a day a ward was opened for the _rebel prisoners_;” I -scratched out the word rebel and wrote American. When the book was -returned, a messenger was sent with sixpence reward for any one who -would tell who did it, but he returned no wiser than he came. - -17. There are now fifteen of us in this ward, and seven are upon what -they call half-diet, (on account of their drawing coals and candles;) so -that every other day we draw a half a pound of mutton, a pound of bread, -a pound of potatoes, and a pound of greens. - -18. To-day there are two more of our company brought on shore, with the -itch. - -19. I am very unwell; I have a bad pain in my head and back—the symptoms -of small-pox—and the doctor ordered me something to take, immediately. - -20. I have had six applications for the itch, but am not half cured; and -to-day when the doctor came in to see me, he told me I had the -small-pox, and ordered the nurse to remove me immediately, into the -small-pox ward, which she did. After I got there, I was ordered to strip -off all the dirty clothes that I had upon me. I washed myself in warm -water, and put on a clean linen shirt, a woollen gown, waistcoat and -drawers, and turned into bed with clean sheets. - -21. I feel something better, and my pock comes out very fast; but it is -the small sort, which is the worst. - -Also, last evening three prisoners made their escape from the -fifty-sixth ward, which is the same I left yesterday. - -22. This morning got up, but my pock has come out exceedingly thick. - -23. We are informed that the men who ran away are taken. - -24. I am broken out so very thick, and the ointment for the itch -inflamed my blood so much, that my flesh feels as if I was raked up in a -bed of embers; and I am so sick at my stomach that I vomit up every -thing I eat, and am unable to write. - -25. Kept my bed, and was in great pain. - -26. My head was swollen very much, and I was so blind that I could -scarcely see daylight. - -27. My pock was almost to the full. - -28. I feel easier as to pain. - -29. My pock begins to turn. - -30. I was very easy as to pain, but so very sore that I could scarcely -lay in bed. - -MAY 1. I got up, but was hardly able to walk. - -2. I got up again, but my legs and feet swell very much. - -3. To-day I feel something better. - -4. I am some better, and got up again, but was unable to sit up long; my -pock begins to dry very well, and my swelling to go down. - -5. This morning Joseph Hatch, one of our company, died with small-pox. -He is the second of our company that has died in these hospitals. - -6. I begin to grow bravely, and have a very good appetite for my -victuals. I remain very sore, yet not so sore as I was two or three days -ago; as my pock ran all together then, when I used to rise up in bed to -receive any thing, and stuck to my linen and the sheets, so that it -would tear off the scab from the whole length of my back, when I arose. - -7. I am very sore yet, but am doing finely, considering that it is with -some difficulty that I can get to the table to write; and I have a good -appetite to eat. I asked the doctor for mutton, which he granted, so -that I now have a pound of bread, half a pound of mutton, and a quart of -beer. - -8. There are two of our company now in this ward, very sick with the -small-pox; but they have faithful care taken of them by the nurses, and -the doctor is very kind. He allows them near half a pint of wine, or a -small bottle of cordial, almost every day. The nurses, also, have been, -and still are, _very kind to me_. When I first came into this ward, I -brought a little tea and sugar with me, which I obtained on board the -ships, and after it was all expended, the nurses gave me out of their -own stores, tea twice a day, or as often as they make it for themselves. - -[Mr. Herbert often in after life spoke in the highest terms of the -kindness and attention of the nurses.] - -9. Near half the scab has come off my body, and every morning when I get -up, there is near a handful of scab left in the sheet, which comes off -in the night. - -10. I have several biles upon my legs, which cause a great deal of pain. - -11. My legs are very sore, so that I am obliged to have them bound up -from my ancles to my hips. - -12. I am indifferently well, except my legs and thighs, where I have -nearly a dozen biles, with which I am so lame I can scarcely walk. - -13. To-day I took another portion of physic, which makes the sixth. - -14. There are now twenty-six Americans here. Some are almost well of the -small-pox, and have gone below into the recovering ward. - -15. It is six months to-day since I left Newbury, and I fear it will be -six more before I return. - -16. To-day I took the seventh portion of physic. - -17. This morning, died here, one Ebenezer Willis. He was a young man -taken with Captain Brown, in the sloop Charming Sally. Also, this -afternoon, of small-pox, Samuel Shriggings, he being the _third_ of our -company that has died in these hospitals, and the second in this ward, -since I have been in it. - -18. Last evening three of our company in the fifty-sixth ward, attempted -to make their escape, but were discovered and taken before they got over -the wall. - -19. To-day I took my eighth portion of physic. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - -Fourth Death—Captain Brown’s Escape—His Men sent to Prison—Discharge - from the Hospital—Yellow Fever—Fifth Death—Cruelty to the - Dead—Examination—Commitment to Prison—Prison Allowance—Hunger—Prison - Employments—Charity Box—Hard Fare—Guard Alarmed—Friendly Visitors—A - Mean Trick. - - -MAY 20. There is a great frolic near by, called a bull-bating. We have a -view of the people, but not of their sport. - -We hear that the prisons are ready for the reception of the rebel -prisoners, as we are called, and I daily expect our company to come on -shore to them. - -21. I gather strength, but as yet I am so weak as to be able to walk but -very little. My chief employment is reading, but my eyes are weak, -caused by rubbing them when I was almost blind. - -22. There are two other Americans now in this ward, very sick with the -small-pox; and one or two of our company, who are very sick. - -23. I took my ninth portion of physic. - -24. It is six weeks to-day since I came on shore, and five weeks -to-morrow since I was brought into this building with small-pox. To-day -I asked the doctor for some beef, which he granted; he also ordered me -to go below into the recovering ward. - -25. To-day I was upon full allowance, and drew a pound of beef, a pound -of bread, a pound of potatoes, and three pints of beer. - -26. This morning about seven o’clock, died James Jutson, an old man, -prisoner from the Queen, taken with Captain Brown in the privateer sloop -Charming Sally. - -27. To-day we were forbidden the liberty of going up stairs to speak to -our sick shipmates. - -28. Yesterday, seven of Captain Brown’s crew were sent to prison, from -the ship, and Captain Brown made his escape from the “Fountain Tavern,” -in Plymouth Dock, where they were sent to be tried. Also, to-day took my -tenth portion of physic. - -29. To-day twelve of us were discharged from the hospital, but the boat -did not come for us. We hear that the Bellisle has arrived in the Sound, -has the yellow fever on board, and has been laid under quarantine, in -the Sound, some time. - -30. As we were discharged yesterday, and the boat did not come for us, -to-day we were put upon what they call cazzelteer, and only draw half a -pound of bread and a quart of milk. A prisoner in the middle story, last -night, being very sick with the small-pox got out of his bed, threw up -the window and jumped out. He fell head first, about twenty feet, upon -the hard ground, bruising himself sadly. - -31. It is now seven weeks since I came on shore, and six weeks to-day -since I was brought here with small-pox. - -June 1. It being pleasant weather, the nurse permitted me to walk in the -garden. - -2. We expected to have been removed, either to the ships or to prison, -but were not. - -3. To-day we were again discharged, but the boat did not come for us. -Last night, one William Woodward, a prisoner, taken in the sloop -Charming Sally, made his escape from this ward. - -4. As we were discharged yesterday, and the boat did not come for us, we -were again put upon cazzelteers and draw only a quart of milk, and a -half pound of bread. - -To-day is the King’s birth-day, and there is great firing of cannon, and -chiming of bells, in Dock and Plymouth. - -This morning about three o’clock, another prisoner died of small-pox—the -same person who jumped from the window, as before mentioned. He was -taken in the privateer sloop Charming Sally. After he was dead, his -coffin was brought, which proved to be near six inches too short. But -rather than have another made, they jammed him into that, in a most -shocking manner. - -5. This morning early, the boat came for us and twelve of us went on -board and were carried along side the Blenheim, to which ship our -company, and that of Captain Brown, had been removed since we went on -shore. Four of the twelve that were in the boat belonged to the -captain’s crew. They were put on board the Blenheim, but the rest of us -were carried on shore again, and guarded to the Fountain Tavern, to be -tried by the judges; for that is the place where they sit. We were put -into a small room, surrounded by a guard, and having eat nothing through -the day, were very weak; so we got the soldiers to boil us a little -meat, which we had obtained at the hospital. After this, we were all -called up before the judges and examined. They asked each of us in what -province we had been born, and whether or not we had a commission from -Congress? At what time we entered on board the Dolton? Whether we were -taken by the Reasonable? To each of their questions we answered. We were -then sent below into the little room again; then we were called up the -second time, one at a time, and asked the same questions, to which we -answered. They then read them over to us, and asked us if it was true, -to which we replied it was. We told them we were out to fight the -enemies of the thirteen United States. After we were examined one by -one, the third time, we were all called up together, as at the first, -and our commitments were read to us and delivered to the constable. My -commitment read as follows: - -“Charles Herbert, you are supposed to be guilty of the crime of high -treason, and committed to prison for the same until the time of trial.” - -We were then delivered to the constable, and guarded to Old Mill Prison, -Plymouth. - -Alas! I have entered the gates but the Lord only knows when I shall go -out of them again. - -June 6. Our allowance here in prison is a pound of bread, a quarter of a -pound of beef, a pound of greens, a quart of beer and a little -pot-liquor that the beef and greens are boiled in, without any -thickening,—per day. - -7. Pleasant weather, but we are kept in all day as a punishment for a -misbeholden word spoken to the sentry on guard. - -8. Sunday; and there has been a great number of persons at the gate to -see us, who gave in, for our relief, several shillings. - -9. Rainy weather, so that we keep house all day, except when we go out -to draw our provisions. - -10. There have about ten or twelve prisoners come from the ships to -prison to-day. Having so lately had the small-pox, and being so long -physiced afterwards, I require more victuals now, than I ever did -before; and our allowance is so very small, and having only sevenpence -left of what little money I had when I came to prison, I had a continual -gnawing at my stomach; and I find that unless I take some method to -obtain something more than my bare allowance, I must certainly suffer, -if not die, and that soon. As necessity is the mother of invention, I am -resolved to try to get something, and to-day when a carpenter came to -put in a window at the end of the prison, I entreated him to bring me -some deal, and I would make him a box, which he did. - -11. To-day we have made a charity-box, and put it up at the gate. There -is written upon it, “Health, Plenty, and Competence to the donors.” I -have finished the box for the carpenter, and he likes it so well that he -wants more made, and he brought me some more wood for that purpose,—some -for him, and some for myself. - -12. I have been busy all day making boxes, and some of the prisoners are -making punch ladles, spoons, chairs, and the like; for which they, now -and then, get a shilling. - -13. We have chosen a purser amongst ourselves to take charge of the -avails of the charity-box. Some days we get four or five shillings, and -upon others, not more than four or five pence. - -14. To-day we drew only half a pound of greens. They tell us it is by -the order of the board; our meat is very short, and our broth only the -pot-liquor with the fat skimmed off. - -15. Last night the guard was alarmed. They supposed that they heard -noises as if we were breaking out of prison; this is the second time -this guard has been alarmed when we were all silent. - -16. Wet weather, so that we keep house. - -17. I have been employed for several days past, making boxes, and -carving them. To-day I sold two, one for a shilling, the other for -ninepence. - -18. To-day there have been several gentlemen and ladies to see us, and -they gave us several small books; I sold, also, another box for a -shilling. - -19. There is one of the prisoners who has been unwell for several days, -and is now broke out with the small-pox. - -20. There are about ten prisoners brought to prison nearly every day; -but there are only a few more to come. - -21. I have now got into such a way of making boxes and selling them, -that I can afford to buy myself a breakfast every morning; commonly -bread and milk, which is brought to prison every morning for sale. - -22. Sunday; there have been great numbers of people to see us, and the -prison guard, confederating with the turnkey, have got a box put up at -the gate, and they will let no one look in to see us, without paying in -a certain amount. To-day we are told that they got fifteen shillings in -their box, which they divided among themselves; but the people who put -it in thought it was for the prisoners. We, therefore, took in our box, -and are resolved to put it out no more. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - -More Prisoners—A Present—Visit from American Gentlemen—Black-hole—Fleet - of Transports for America—Prisoners escape—Death—Prospect of War with - France—First breach in the Prison wall—Fox frigate taken by the - Hancock—A Newspaper—Number of Prisoners—Escape of thirty-two - Prisoners—Bounty—Punishment—Cruelty to the Old—Captain Lee taken in - the Fancy—Hears from Home—Bad News—False Reports—Daniel Cottle died. - - -JUNE 23. To-day we divided the money which we had got in our -charity-box, and it was only five farthings per man. - -24. To-day there were two more prisoners brought in; they were taken in -France. Having been invited on board an English vessel, and not knowing -who they were, went on board, and were immediately seized and confined. -The vessel then weighed anchor and came out of the harbor. The prisoners -proved to be the captain and lieutenant of a Virginia pilot boat. The -captain is now confined in the yard, in a prison by himself, and is not -allowed to speak to us, but the lieutenant is in prison with us. - -25. Rainy weather. - -26. Continued wet, so that we keep house. - -27. To-day another broke out with small-pox. - -28. To-day Captain Ross, one of our prize-masters, had a present of some -bread and cheese. - -29. Sunday. To-day there have been great numbers to see us, but they -were disappointed; for they kept the outer gate shut, and would not let -the people look at us. - -30. We are so confined here that we are out of the way of all news; we -are not allowed a newspaper, and at present no one is allowed to come to -the gate to speak to us. The week past, I have received three shillings -and two pence, for boxes. - -JULY 1. Nothing remarkable. - -2, 3. Very rainy, so that we are obliged to keep house. - -4. Fair weather. This is the only fair day we have had for nearly a -week; and to-day a fleet of transports with troops, bound to America, -put in here for a harbor. - -5. To-day several American gentlemen came to see us. They came to -England before the war began; they gave considerable money to some with -whom they were acquainted; to one they gave _two_ guineas, to another -_one_, to another half a guinea, and to three more five shillings -apiece. The week past I have received one shilling and two pence for -boxes. - -6. Sunday. A great number of persons came to see us, but the gate was -kept shut, so they could not speak to us, or give us any thing; but some -that were in prison took a small bag and tied a string to it and let it -down at a window at the back side of the prison. About a sixpence was -put into it, but the guard came in and forbid it. - -7. They have placed lanterns all round the prison yard, for fear that -some of us should make our escape in the night. - -8. Last night the guard became alarmed by our people laughing and -singing, and they came in and took one of the prisoners to the -_Black-hole_, a place of punishment so called, where he is to lay _forty -days_, on half allowance, and nothing to sleep on but the ground. We -were all threatened to be put on half allowance. This afternoon there -sailed from the Sound a fleet of transports of about thirty sail, and -three convoys, bound to America. According to the best accounts, there -are about four thousand troops on board. - -9,10,11. Warm and pleasant weather. Nothing remarkable. - -12. Last night, four of the prisoners that were in the hospital, one -that was in the Black-hole, and one from a prison where there are a -number using applications for the itch, made their escape through a -drain that leads to the river edge. For this week past I have received -three shillings and sixpence for boxes and ladles. - -13. Sunday. Those who remain in the itch apartment are all put on half -allowance, to make them tell which way the man got out who made his -escape from that building; and a sentinel is set before the prison to -keep us from giving them any thing, or speaking to them. - -14. The Yarmouth, a ship of seventy-four guns, dropped down into the -Sound, in order for sailing. - -15. The prisoners in the itch apartment told the agent which way the man -got out of prison, and were put upon their usual allowance. - -16. We hear of the death of Thomas Rines, one of our company, whom I -left sick at the Royal Hospital; he died of the small-pox, and is the -fourth of our company who has died since we were taken. - -17. Several in prison have broken out with the small-pox, all of whom -inoculated themselves from the first that were attacked with it. - -18. There has been a great deal of talk of a French war ever since we -have been taken, and it appears now to be very near, for the English -vessels are often receiving insults at sea from the French. Three years -ago they would have resented this, but now they appear to be afraid. - -19. The remainder of the prisoners who have not had the small pox have -had an offer from the doctor to be inoculated. - -20. Last night we made a breech in the prison wall, and began to dig -out, which we expect will take near a fortnight to accomplish, as we -have near eighteen feet to dig under ground to get into a field on the -other side of the wall. - -21. For the week past I have received, for boxes and ladles, two -shillings and sixpence. - -22. The hole that is now in hand is to be only just large enough for a -man to crowd himself out. The men that dig it have made great progress -since they have been at work; we put all the dirt into our chests, as we -have several of them in prison, and when they leave work they stop up -the hole with the same stones that came out, and daub it over with lime, -so that it appears like the other wall. - -23. Last evening transports arrived here from America, with six hundred -wounded marines on board. - -24. We had a present sent us of several pounds of leaf tobacco. - -25. To-day three of the number who broke out of the sick ward, on the -12th of this month, were brought back again, and put in the Black-hole, -there to lay forty days, on half allowance. - -20. We hear that Captain Manley, of the Hancock frigate, has taken the -Fox frigate, of twenty-eight guns. - -27. For the week past I have received eighteen-pence for boxes. - -29. The remainder of the prisoners who have not had the small-pox, -removed into a seperate building, in order for inoculation. - -30. Although we are not allowed newspapers, yet we have them almost -weekly, and we now have one that gives an account of the before -mentioned frigate being taken; also of Captain Giddson, in the “Civil -Usage,” being seen off the Lizzard. - -August 1. To-day six more of our people came on shore from the ship; the -occasion of their not being brought to prison sooner was, that they were -detained with small-pox in the Royal Hospital. One of these is yet very -unwell, and has been put in the prison hospital. - -2. We learn, by those who came in yesterday, that Captain Adams, who was -taken in a merchantman, was set at liberty last Sunday. The week past I -have received two shillings for boxes. - -3. Sunday. The number of prisoners now in these wards, is one hundred -and seventy-three. - -4. Some of our people who first broke out with small-pox in prison, are -so far recovered as to be able to come up from the hospital. - -5. Pleasant to-day, but stormy last night; during the storm, some of our -people made their escape through the hole which they began to dig on the -nineteenth of last month. This hole is dug eighteen feet under ground, -and comes up in a field the other side of the wall. Thirty-two in number -went out, three of whom have been brought back. We are told that they -have five pounds bounty for taking up any rebel prisoner that attempts -an escape; and when taken, the prisoners are to be put on half -allowance, and placed in the Black-hole for forty days. - -6. To-day one more was brought back that went out night before last. - -7. Four more were brought in to-day, so that there are eight out of the -thirty-two taken already. The four who were brought back to-day are put -in with us, as the Black-hole is full, but they will be put on half -allowance, the same as if in the Black-hole. - -8. The guards are now so very suspicious of us, that they number us two -or three times a day, and visit us as often by night; and once or twice -they will overhaul all our chests to see that there is no dirt in them, -or any tools secreted that we can dig out with. To-day an old man was -put into the Black-hole for only complaining that our meat was not good. - -9. To-day there was one more brought back that passed under the wall. -For the week past I have received three shillings for boxes. - -10. We hear that an American privateer is taken. - -11. To-day nine more prisoners came on shore to the prison from the -Blenheim. Eight of the number were taken in one of Captain Weeks’ -prizes, bound to France; the other was one of our company, who has been -sick at the Royal Hospital. They inform us that Captain John Lee is -taken in the brig Fancy, twelve guns, fitted out at Newbury, belonging -to the Traceys, and forty-two of his hands came on board the Blenheim -before they left her. To-day two more were brought back who went out at -the hole. - -12. To-day eight more prisoners came to the prison from the Blenheim; -three of the number were taken in the Fancy with Captain Lee. They -inform us that they were chased on shore at Mount Bay, near Land’s-end, -by the Fieutryant, a ship of eighty-four guns. They are only about eight -weeks from America, and had taken four prizes. - -13. Ten more of Captain Lee’s men came to prison. - -14. Ten more were brought to-day. - -15. To-day Captain Lee and his first and second lieutenants came to -prison. From Captain Lee I hear of the health of my friends. - -16. A number more of Captain Lee’s men came to prison to-day. - -17. Sunday. For the week past I have received six shillings and three -pence for boxes and ladles. - -18. Warm and pleasant, so that we carried our hammocks out into the yard -to air. The remainder of Captain Lee’s men were brought to prison. Those -who came to-day were the last who were taken after they got on shore. -They inform us that they are all here now except their doctor, who, in -all probability, has made his escape. - -19. To-day three more were brought to prison who belonged to the Literal -Mark, fitted out of Philadelphia. - -20. Warm and pleasant weather, so that we can comfortably go barefoot; -but many of us would be obliged to do so if it were in the middle of -winter, for want of stockings and shoes. - -21. To-day fourteen of Captain Lee’s men, who have not had the -small-pox, were inoculated. The prisoners who are on half allowance have -had a meal of victuals sent them by some friend. - -22. We hear that Ticonderoga is taken by the King’s troops, and also -Philadelphia; that the Hancock, Captain Manley, is taken, and the Fox -retaken; but we cannot tell what to believe by what we hear; for since -we have been taken we have heard, nearly twenty times, that Philadelphia -was taken, and as many times that Washington was killed; that Congress -was divided, that continental money was disgraced, that the Americans -had laid down their arms, and that they were starving to death for want -of provisions, and naked for want of clothing; all these things have -been published in the newspapers, times without number, since we have -been taken. - -23. For the week past I have received three shillings for boxes. - -24. Sunday. This is the greatest market day for our wooden ware, as most -people come on this day to see us. - -25. Yesterday Daniel Cottle died in the prison hospital of the -small-pox; he is the sixth of our company that has died since we have -been in England. - -26. It is reported that general Prescott is taken by the Americans. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - -Attempt to Escape discovered—Awful description of Suffering—Dreadful - Starvation—Gloomy Prospects—Death of Gideon Warren—Detection—Close - Examination—Commissioner—A Newspaper—Relief Prohibited—Attempt to - Escape—Oath of Secrecy—Another attempt to Escape—Captain Johnston and - the Lexington—Sea Fight—The Press continued—Love of Liberty—Meeting - after long absence—A Privilege granted—Agent in a good humor—A - Purchase—More Prisoners—Running the Gauntlet. - -AUGUST 27. Last night, as our people who are on half allowance in a -separate prison, were trying to dig out, the guard went in and caught -them. Two of these are now confined in the Black-hole. To-day a prize -was brought in here; she appears to be a small brig. - -30. For the week past, I have received four shillings for boxes. - -31. Sunday. To-day we had a newspaper, wherein was a confirmation of -Ticonderoga and Philadelphia being taken; also, of the Hancock frigate -and Fox being retaken; this news is very disagreeable to us, for we are -sorry to hear of the enemy being in any way victorious; for should they -conquer the country, or even get the upper hands of it, we are positive -that the gallows or the East Indies will be our destiny. But as to -conquering the country, it never disturbed, for me, an hour’s rest, -though it appears that they are in a fairer way for doing it now, than -ever before. We have trouble enough here, without hearing bad news; for -it is enough to break the heart of a stone to see so many strong, hearty -men, almost starved to death through want of provisions. A great part of -those in prison, eat at one meal what they draw for twenty long hours, -and then go without until the next day. Many are strongly tempted to -pick up the grass in the yard, and eat it, and some pick up old bones in -the yard, that have been laying in the dirt a week or ten days, and -pound them to pieces and suck them. Some will pick up snails out of the -holes in the wall, and from among the grass and weeds in the yard, boil -them and eat them, and drink the broth. Often the cooks, after they have -picked over our cabbage, will cut off some of the but-ends of the stalks -and throw them over the gate into the yard, and I have often seen, after -a rain, when the mud would be over shoes, as these stumps were thrown -over the gate, the men running from all parts of the yard, regardless of -the mud, to catch at them, and nearly trample one another under feet to -get a piece. These same cabbage stumps, hogs in America would scarcely -eat if they had them; and as to our broth, I know very well hogs in -America would scarcely put their noses into it. Our meat is very poor in -general; we scarcely see a good piece once in a month. Many are driven -to such necessity by want of provisions, that they have sold most of the -clothes off their backs for the sake of getting a little money to buy -them some bread. I find it very hard, myself, but it is not so hard with -me and a few others, who have got into a way of making boxes and punch -ladles, for which we get a trifle, as it is with the prisoners, in -general, who are obliged to live upon their allowance; but I expect that -boxes and punch ladles will soon become an old thing, for many who buy -them now, buy them more out of charity than any thing else. - -September 1. Nothing remarkable, but repeated confirmation of the -before-mentioned sad news. - -2. We are informed by a friend, that he is fearful that we shall be -distributed on board of His Majesty’s ships. - -3. There is one of our company who lays very ill with small-pox, but all -Captain Lee’s men, who were inoculated, are better. - -4. Last night Gideon Warren, one of our company, died of small-pox, in -the prison hospital. He is the sixth of our company who has died since -we were taken—five of the number died of small-pox. - -5. To-day the carpenters have been at work, altering the hanging of our -hammocks, to make them hang on the middle rail, for fear that we should -make a breach in the wall and conceal the same by our hammocks hanging -against it until we make our escape. - -6. For the week past, I have received one shilling and ninepence, for -boxes. - -7. Sunday. We were threatened to be put on half allowance, on account of -the orders being torn, which are put up in the prison. - -8. Several who have recovered from small-pox, came up from the hospital. - -9. To-day two large ships sailed from the Sound. - -10. This morning, early, while some of our people were digging out, the -guard came upon them, and we were all immediately turned out and -searched, and all our knives taken from us, that they could find; some -other tools, and some paper which they found in prison, as we are not -allowed paper, pens or ink; but I passed the search with two knives and -my journal about me. Captain Bird, captain of a packet bound to America, -came to see us, and offered to carry letters for us. - -11. Eleven of Captain Lee’s men came up from the hospital, recovered -from the small-pox, after being inoculated. - -12. To-day a commissioner came here from London. He told us, with other -business, he came to see us righted about our provisions; he said that -he lodged twenty-five miles distant last night, on purpose to be here at -the time of our drawing our provisions. He also gave us liberty, -whenever we wished to make our grievances known, to write to the Board, -without inspection by the agent. - -13. To-day we wrote our petition to the Board, for redress of -grievances, and it was read before the prisoners. Also, we had a paper, -wherein was a melancholy account of the barbarous treatment of American -prisoners, taken at Ticonderoga, and an account of the Indians in -Burgoyne’s army proving treacherous. - -14. Sunday. The week past I have received three shillings for boxes. - -15. For nearly a month past, the carpenter, of whom I have had my wood, -has not been here, so that I have been working a chest up into boxes, on -shares. When finished and sold, it brought nearly thirty-two shillings; -but I have had a partner to work with me, and one third of the avails we -paid for the chest, so that only one third belonged to myself. - -16. Mr. Bell, the commissioner, has been here again, and measured our -cans, in which we draw our beer, and he says he shall come again and try -the weights and measures by which we draw our provisions. To-day about -twenty old countrymen petitioned the Board for permission to go on board -His Majesty’s ships. - -17. To-day the bells have been chiming in Plymouth and Dock, on the -election of a new Lord Mayor. - -18. Yesterday some friends, from without, sent victuals to those men who -are on short allowance, but the agent would not let them come in. - -19. The commissioner has again been here; he came precisely at the time -of drawing our meat. We complained to him about the market, and he told -us that no one should be allowed to retail any thing out to us, but that -there should be an open market at the gate, three hours in a day. Also, -those knives that were taken away a few days ago, were handed in again. - -20. For the week past, I have received one shilling and eightpence for -boxes. - -21. Sunday. Last evening about nine o’clock, it being very dark, a -number attempted to get over the wall by the help of a line, but as the -sixth man was getting over, they were discovered, and three of the -number immediately taken. - -22. To-day is the King’s coronation day, and each ship in commission, in -the harbor, fired a salute. - -23. To-day the masons have been at work, building the wall higher where -the men got over. - -24. Pleasant weather. - -25. We are informed that the Lexington, privateer, Captain Henry -Johnston, of sixteen guns, is taken by a cutter of ten guns. - -26. Last evening one of our company made an attempt to get over the -wall, but no sooner was he over than he was discovered and taken. The -commissioner again visited us, and spoke in particular to each of our -requests. He informed us that a newspaper could not be allowed us, and -that persons on half allowance must not be helped by any donations; he -told us that he had written to the Board for an addition of a quarter of -a pound of beef to a man; and as cold weather was coming on, for shoes -and stockings for such as are destitute. Since this gentleman has been -in town, our provisions have been much better than they were before. -This afternoon, Captain Johnston, of the Lexington privateer, and six of -his officers, were brought to prison in a coach. - -27. Ten more of Captain Johnston’s men came to prison to-day. They -inform us that they were taken by a ten gun cutter after almost four -hours’ engagement, and having expended all their shot; they were so -disabled by having their shrouds, stays, and braces shot away, and so -nearly wrecked, that they were obliged to strike to their inferiors. -They had six men killed and a number wounded; their first lieutenant had -an arm shot off, and after they were taken they were not stripped as our -company had been, but were allowed all their clothes; and Captain -Johnston was allowed even to wear his hanger, which he brought to prison -with him, and delivered to the agent. He had considerable money with -him, which the agent took, and he is to have it in small quantities as -he wants it, for immediate use. - -28. Sunday. Two large men-of-war came up from the Sound to Ammoors; -also, a frigate arrived in the Sound, dismasted. - -29. Michaelmas day. - -30. Within a few days, three East Indiamen arrived here, and we are told -that a great part of their men are pressed on board of the men-of-war. -This afternoon a number more of Captain Johnston’s men were brought to -prison. - -October 1. A number more of Captain Johnston’s men came to prison; they -inform us that the Frenchmen which they had on board, are not likely to -come to prison. There were about twenty of them. - -3. Captain Lee, being unwell, was sent to the hospital. - -4. To-day the remainder of Captain Johnston’s men came to prison, except -the Frenchmen. - -5. Sunday. Pleasant weather. - -6. To-day one of our company was brought back, who made his escape over -the wall on the 20th of last month. This is the fourth time that this -man has tried to escape without success. - -7. The father and mother of one of Captain Lee’s men came to see him; -they had not seen each other before, for nearly fifteen years. - -8. One of the officers of the Fieutryant came to prison to see Captain -Lee. He informed us that they have been cruising two hundred and fifty -leagues to the westward, and have taken one of the schooner Hawk’s -prizes. - -9. When the commissioner was here, we requested of him the privilege of -two men per day, to go into the cook-room and cut up our meat, and see -it put into the copper, which he granted. - -10. Warm and pleasant - -11. To-day the captains of the Burford and Fieutryant came to see us. - -12. Sunday. Of late, there have not been so many people to see us as -formerly. - -13. To-day our agent has been in a very good humor, and he informed us -that there is great expectation of a French war, and within a few days -there have been four ships of the first class put in commission, and -orders have come from London to man them as quickly as possible. He also -tells us that he has had a letter from the commissioner, which says that -Mr. Knapp, and another Newbury man, who made their escape from this -place on the 5th of August last, are taken up. - -14. To-day a mess of us bought a bag of potatoes, containing seventeen -gallons, for three shillings, which is much cheaper than to buy them at -the gate for fourpence a gallon. - -15. It is eleven months to-day since we sailed from Newburyport. - -16. To-day a Marblehead man came to see us, who has been on board the -men-of-war ever since the disturbance. He informs us that there are a -few Marblehead men on board the Blenheim. - -17. This afternoon there were seven more prisoners brought on shore to -prison; some of whom belong to the schooner Hawk’s prize, that was taken -by the Fieutryant, and the rest belong to the Oliver Cromwell privateer, -that was taken by the Beaver sloop-of-war. - -18. We learn by those who came to prison last, that Dr. Franklin has -written to the English ambassador, concerning an exchange of prisoners. - -19. Sunday. This morning we found out that one of our company, -confederate with a black man, had stolen, last night, an allowance of -bread and cheese from those who came last to prison,—for which they made -him run the gantlet up one side of the prison and down the other, one -hundred and thirty feet, through a double file of men armed each with a -nettle. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - -More Prisoners—Hears from Home—Suspicion—A hot Press—1500 Seamen - wanted—News from America—Disagreeable Company—Destitution of the - Prisoners—Digging, and Detection—A Pious Wish—Twenty years of - age—Mournful Reflection—Letter from Bilboa—Bad Bread—Unpleasant - Reflections—King’s Speech—Bold Project—Failure—Reports—Strictness of - the Guard—Suspicion—Privation from the Gospel—Prisoners - Threatened—Voluntary Sacrifice—Good News reported—Detail of General - Burgoyne’s Defeat—Washington and Howe. - -OCTOBER 20. There has been a prospect of a French war ever since we have -been taken, but now I believe it is inevitable. - -21. To-day we have drawn new hammocks, which are nearly a foot shorter -than those we had before, on account of the hanging of them being -altered. - -22. To-day the remainder of the prisoners came on shore to the prison, -and among them is a young man belonging to one of the schooner Hawk’s -prizes. This young man formerly lived with Thomas Tennant, of Newbury. -From him I obtained intelligence of the health of my father and brother, -and many other friends. It is a great satisfaction to me to hear from -home, though it is very uncertain whether or not I ever see it. - -23. Wet weather. - -24. Warm and pleasant. - -25. King Charles’ restoration day. The garrison, fort, and each ship in -the harbor, in commission, fired a salute. We are told that twelve sail -of the line have been put in commission within a few days. We learn that -there are suspicions that a French fleet has gone to the West Indies. -To-day a large ship came in here in distress, having carried away her -main-mast and mizen-topmast. - -26. It is eleven months to-day since we left Portsmouth. - -27. Last night two prisoners, Cutter and Morris, made their escape from -the prison hospital; also to-day another prisoner ran the gantlet for -stealing a penny loaf from one of the prisoners. - -28. We are informed that two sentries, who were knowing to those two -prisoners making their escape, are confined upon suspicion, and one of -them has turned King’s evidence, and informed of the other. - -29. Cold and windy weather. - -30. A bad storm, so that we keep house all day, except when we get out -to draw our provisions. - -31. Pleasant and warm, for the season. - -November 1. We are informed that a few days ago, in a storm, a ship -appeared, at a small distance from land, and gave a signal of distress, -and in about ten hours was not to be seen; it is supposed she foundered. - -2. We are informed that there is as hot a press now going on as ever was -known in England; and that fifteen hundred seamen are wanted -immediately, to fit out a fleet. - -3. We have a paper, dated the 21st of last month, wherein is an account -of General Burgoyne’s losing two thousand men, besides a number taken -prisoners. - -5. To-day is Gunpowder Treason, and they make but little account of it -compared with what I expected. To-day a boy ran the gantlet, for -stealing. - -6. To-day some prisoners, in a separate prison, who have been trying for -some time to make their escape by digging out, were discovered by the -guard. - -7. We have a paper wherein are several fine pieces in behalf of America, -which I hope will prove of advantage, as the Parliament is to set about -the 15th or 20th of this month; I am persuaded that the American affairs -will be called up as the first question, and the subject of the most -importance. - -8. Two ships-of-war dropped down into the Sound, in order for sailing. - -9. Sunday. Somewhat cold, and there are a great many in prison who have -neither shoes nor stockings for their feet, and scarcely a jacket or -shirt for their back: these must inevitably suffer, if not perish, this -winter, with cold, if not supplied with clothing. As to myself, I have -enough to keep me comfortable as to clothes, which is more than -two-thirds in prison have; for many have been obliged to sell their -clothes to buy provisions. - -10. To-day six persons, in a separate prison, as they were at work in a -drain under ground, digging out, were discovered by the guard, and -caught in the drain, and carried to the Black-hole. - -11. Two of the turnkeys, who used to tend the doors and gates, have been -discharged; I suppose on suspicion of their being too good friends to -us. - -12. To-day an American captain, belonging to Manchester, who was taken -in a merchantman, came to see us. He is set at liberty, and is bound -home. Several in prison sent letters by him, but we could not write a -true account, because our letters were examined. - -13. Wet weather. Our yard, which was a pleasant spot when we came into -it, is now nearly a mud pond in wet weather, and in dry a dust heap. - -14. This morning, as some in prison were at work, trying to dig out, the -guard came in and found the hole; and when they came to turn us out, -there were one or two who did not move so soon as they wanted them to -do, and they struck and abused them; afterwards, when one of the -prisoners went to one of the prison windows to look for something, the -sentry in the prison yard saw him and struck him over the back, and -broke his bayonet. - -15. It is twelve months to-day since we sailed from Newburyport. I hope -the Lord in whom we ought to trust, will, in his own good time, deliver -us out of the hands of our enemies, and return us to a free -country,—which would be a day of good fortune, a day of agreeable -surprise and great joy. Then would I say— - - Thrice happy youth, though destitute and poor, - These are my restoration days; - The Lord, who brought me out, I’m sure - Can teach me how his name to praise. - -16. Sunday. Pleasant for the season of the year. - -17. This day I am twenty years of age. I have often read in authors of -some great transaction to be laid open to the world in the year 1777, -and I have been looking for it, in hope of seeing the event; but, alas! -little did I think that at the age of twenty years I should have spent -almost a twelvemonth of my time a prisoner. - -19. It has been reported for several days past, that Philadelphia is -taken. I believe I may assert with truth, that since we have been taken, -we have heard fifty times that Philadelphia was taken, and often I have -seen it in the papers, and many people believe it. It is in this manner -that the poor and common people in England are blinded, by false -reports; and some of the gentlemen of Plymouth hired the sexton to ring -the bells, for rejoicing. - -19. Captain Lee received a letter from Bilboa, and had an offer of being -supplied with money. This letter informs us that Mr. Stevanson, Captain -Lee’s lieutenant, who made his escape from prison on the 21st of -September, has arrived safe in Bilboa. - -20. This morning William Moody, a Newbury man, taken with Captain -Tileston about nine months ago, came to see us. He has got invalided, -and intends to make the best of his way home. - -21. We are told that six more large ships have been put in commission. - -22. Our bread to-day is intolerably bad; it appears to us as though it -was made of the grain of malt, or chopped straw: there are straws in it -an inch long, and it is so hully and tough, that it is scarcely fit for -a beast to eat. We complained of it, and were told if we would put up -with it to-day we should have no more such. - -23. Sunday. There are so many men in the prison, and so few books, that, -in general, we are but poorly employed. - -24. We hear that there has a packet arrived from America, but we shall -not learn what news she brings, until their contents have been to London -and refined. - -25. We hear that Captain Thompson, of the Bailey frigate, is now in -France. - -26. It is twelve months to-day since we sailed from Portsmouth. It is -enough to vex the spirit of any man, to think that such a number of men -should be thrown away, and brought into trouble through the misconduct -of one man. If there had been good conduct on board of our vessel, we -should have made up our cruise in twenty-four hours from the time we -were taken; for, that same night, in a few hours after we were taken, -the Reasonable spoke twelve or fifteen sail of transports bound to -America, and their convoy had thrown their guns overboard in a storm. - -27. We are informed that the King’s Speech is in the papers, and that he -is resolved to carry on the war with America, at all hazards. - -28. For the two months past I have received ten shillings for boxes. -Ever since about ten days after I came to prison, I have bought myself a -breakfast of bread and milk, every morning it was to be had; and of late -I have had potatoes to eat with my meat almost every day, which, I am -sorry to say, is more than two thirds in prison can get. - -29. To-day I had an opportunity of reading the King’s Speech to the -House of Lords, on the 20th of this month, in which he acknowledges that -he is much grieved at the great expense the nation is at in this war; -but he hopes that the Parliament will assist him still in carrying it on -with vigor. - -30. Sunday. Last evening, it being very dark and stormy, we were in -general resolved to put in execution a plan proposed—to dig out at the -back side of the prison, seize the sentry, confine him, and carry him -out of call, but not to hurt him. Upon breaking ground, they -unexpectedly saw a lamp placed near the hole, which gave light all -round, so that they thought it impracticable to put their design into -execution. I think if it had been otherwise, nearly two thirds in prison -would have gone out. I got myself dressed and ready, and was in hopes of -getting out, but to my sorrow, I find myself still in Mill Prison. - -December 1. I had an opportunity of hearing the paper read, which gives -an account of General Lee being exchanged; but for my own part, I do not -expect we shall be exchanged before the conclusion of the war, unless -France and Spain declare war, which to appearance, cannot be avoided. - -2. We are informed that two packets have lately arrived, and confirm the -reports that Philadelphia is taken. Also, they have reported that the -Americans have blown up an English seventy-four, which was attempting to -go up to Philadelphia. - -3. This morning the guard discovered another hole which we begun to dig -yesterday. I think we have been very diligent and careful to improve -every opportunity to make our escape, but the guard is so very strict -with us, that I think it almost impossible to succeed, and we have -reason to think that there are some traitors amongst us, who give -information of every thing of the kind which we undertake. - -4. We, in our mess, bought another bag of patatoes, for three shillings. - -5. This day twelvemonth I was at sea in a storm; the same day, by what I -can learn, was a day of thanksgiving in America. - -6. Last evening, a man in prison received a letter from a friend in -London, which desired him to make himself easy, for we should be -delivered before we were aware of it; but we have been told such stories -ever since we have been in England; so we place very little confidence -in it. - -7. Sunday. It is a great grievance to be shut up in prison, and debarred -from hearing the gospel preached on the Lord’s day, though I did not -make much improvement of it when I had the opportunity. - -8. To-day we were all mustered, and after this was over, the agent -informed us that he had received a letter from the Board, to put all in -this prison on half allowance, for breaking orders and attempting to -make our escape, until the transgressor should be found out. But as we -all, with one voice joined in one cause, we thought it inhuman to pitch -upon any one man; therefore, by way of contribution, we raised money -enough to hire one man to own the same and suffer for all, so that we -are obliged to support him while on half allowance and make him amends -for his sufferings. - -9. To-day the man delivered himself up, to go to the Black-hole, and the -agent allows him every indulgence consistent with his orders, which is a -very uncommon thing for him. - -10. Warm and pleasant, for the season of the year. - -11. There have been various reports for several days past, but I thought -them not worthy of observation, because they did not come from so good -authority as I could wish they might; but to-day we have a very -authentic account from Captain Henry Johnston’s brother, who is lately -from London, that General Burgoyne and his army are totally routed, many -killed, and taken to a man; and as I do not doubt the truth of it, it -gives me more satisfaction than any news I have beard since I have been -a prisoner. Also, we have good reason to believe that Howe is in -possession of Philadelphia; but Washington, of choice, without any -molestation, let him march in, for we hear that the Americans have -possession of all the forts on the river. - -12. I purchased a book called the “American Crisis,” on purpose to lend -it to a friend without. We are told that the generality of the people in -England are very much disaffected at the proceedings of the ministry. - -13. To-day we all carried our clothing out into the yard, and were -examined to know who wanted clothes, and who did not. But for my part, I -am not in need of any thing, for with what little money I have got in -time past, by making boxes, I have clothed myself tolerably well. We -were told, by a gentleman who came to see us, that our countrymen at -home have something to be proud of, though we are a little humbled by -our imprisonment. - -14. To-day Captain Lee received a letter from Captain Trott, who was -taken in one of the Civil Usage’s prizes. He informs us of their taking -ten valuable prizes, and six of the number were arrived safely at the -place of destination. - -15. Cold weather to what it has been for some days past. - -16, 17. We have a paper wherein is a confirmation and the particulars of -General Burgoyne’s being taken, with six thousand men, seven thousand -stand of arms, seven thousand suits of clothes, seventy thousand -guineas, sixty batteaux, with a thousand barrels of provisions, and a -great many pieces of artillery, which in England they acknowledge to be -the best ever sent out of the country, against any nation. We have, -also, a melancholy account of the cruelty of the Indians in the back -settlements, set on by the inhuman Burgoyne, and an account of General -Lincoln’s taking two forts, up North River, and putting the people to -the sword. We hear, besides, of General Washington’s giving Howe battle, -and after the battle was over, there were six hundred wagon loads of -dead and wounded seen to go into Philadelphia. After hearing this news, -joy is plainly seen in the countenance of every American here. - -18. We hear that Lord North has made a motion for peace, in the House, -but they thought as he was one of the chief instigators of war, that he -had no right to have any hand in making peace. - -19. We hear that General Putnam had intercepted several letters sent by -Howe to Burgoyne, which showed their determination, and proved of happy -consequences to the Americans. According to the last accounts, the -American loss in the late engagements is very inconsiderable. - -20. To-day six men came up from the Black-hole, who were sent there on -the tenth of last month—their forty days having expired. - -21. Nothing remarkable, except repeated confirmations of what we have -heard before. - -22. We are informed that Parliament has adjourned till the twentieth of -next month; I suppose, to hear further intelligence from Lord Howe, and -to know whether he has made any progress in the country. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - -Christmas Pudding—Christmas Presents—Clothes served—Happy New - Year—Friends appear—Presents—Friends increase—Large Donations - reported—Donation from British Recruiting Parties—Private - Donations—Exhortations to a civil, sober life—Large distribution of - Clothing—Royal Salute—Regular Allowance from Donation Fund—Increasing - Privilege. - - -DECEMBER 23. To-day we have new printed orders put up in prison, which -are from the commissioners, to be strictly observed by us. - -24. It is twelve months since I was taken, and as to-morrow is -Christmas, and we have a little money, we are resolved to have something -more than we had last Christmas; accordingly we sent out for five pounds -of flour, one pound of suet, one pound of plums, half a pound of sugar, -half an ounce of spice, and two quarts of milk, to mix the same for a -pudding. - -25. Christmas. To-day had our intended pudding, and as there was so much -of it that we could not conveniently boil it all in one bag, we made two -of it, and the largest was as much as seven of us wanted to eat at one -meal, with our other provisions; these seven were of our own mess, and -three of our neighbors, whom we invited. To-day our baker, who supplies -us with bread, instead of brown bread, sent us white, and our butcher, -instead of beef, gave us mutton, and instead of cabbage we had turnips; -and the butcher’s wife gave us oatmeal to thicken our broth, and salt to -salt it; so that on the whole, we had not so hungry a Christmas as the -last. I must confess I have a very agreeable expectation, if my life is -spared and the Lord pleases to permit me, to sit down at my father’s -table next Christmas. - -26. To-day considerable bread was given in the yard, by gentlemen who -visited us, besides a penny loaf to each mess, sent in by our friends -outside. - -27. For some days I have been unwell, and this morning I took a portion -of salts. - -28. Sunday. Warm weather, as it is natural in this country and different -from what it is in America, at this season of the year. - -29. For a month past, I send out every few days and buy half a pound of -tobacco, and retail it out, so that I can afford to sell better measure -than can be bought at public market at the gate, and thus oblige myself -and my neighbors. - -30. To-day we had clothes served out to us, and some who were almost -naked received a jacket, breeches, and two shirts, two pairs of -stockings, a pair of shoes, and a cap. I received only a pair of shoes. -Although I have been a prisoner more than twelve months, I have received -only a pair of shoes from government; for we have reason to think that -the clothes and bedding which were served to our company on board the -Burford, were given us by the captain of the ship. - -31. Those who did not receive clothes yesterday, had them to-day, except -shoes, which they are to have in a few days; and those who petitioned -the Board to go on board His Majesty’s ships, received an answer from -the Lord of the Admiralty, that all those who are legally committed to -prison could not be bailed. However, our long-wished-for day draws near, -for to-morrow the Act will expire, by which we were committed to prison. -But we hear that it is likely to be renewed again; God forbid it should -be so. - -1778. January 1. I wish myself and all my brother fellow-sufferers a -very happy new year. I do not know how to express my joy for so good a -beginning, but by hoping that it will end better. No sooner is this very -impolitic Act out, than our friends make themselves known to us, which -before they dared not do. To-day we had sent to us a plum pudding, and a -sixpenny white loaf, to each mess, as a new year’s gift, which, with our -allowance, was sufficient for one day. Some gentlemen, also, who are -friends, came to see us, and among the number was one Mr. Hancock, -cousin of John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress. They -inform us that upwards of £800 sterling have been raised in London for -the relief of the prisoners here, and that they are daily raising more. -They further told us, that we should not want for any thing, so long as -we are prisoners in England. Transporting words! We have found friends -in adversity. “Friends in need, are friends indeed.” - -2. To-day we received nothing but our usual allowance. - -3. To-day we had sent to us a pound of soap to each man! - -4. Sunday. We had sent to us a four pound loaf, and about six ounces of -shag tobacco, to each mess, which we are told was given us by private -gentlemen. - -5. We had sent us a gallon of potatoes, to each mess, and oatmeal to -thicken our broth. - -6. To-day we had half a pint of peas instead of greens, to each mess; by -order from the Board, we are to have peas four times a week, which we -like very much. Again, also, we had a white loaf sent us to each mess, -and a small number of books. To-day two boys, in prison, were tied up -and whipped, a dozen each, for making game of the provision, because it -was not cooked well. - -7. To-day one hundred and fifty blankets were sent us, to be given to -those who need them most; and as there are two hundred and eighty-nine -prisoners here, there is not one to each man; so those who have the best -bedding receive none, and as I have sufficient, I want none. - -8. We had a threepenny loaf to each mess, sent us to-day, and as four of -our number, who came last to prison, have not had the small-pox, they -went to the hospital to be inoculated. - -9. This afternoon a number of gentlemen came, and read a letter to us, -which gives an account of upwards of £200 sterling having been raised in -Bristol, for the relief of the prisoners here; also, an account of -£2,276 raised in London, for the same purpose. In Portsmouth, we hear -that there are about one hundred and forty prisoners, so that the number -here and there, amounts to four hundred and twenty-nine. What we have -received hitherto, has no connection with these donations, but was given -by private gentlemen. - -10. We had sent us a threepenny loaf to each mess, and three hundred -herring, to be divided amongst us. Also, it being a pleasant day, the -prison was smoked with charcoal and brimstone, as is customary once in a -few days. - -11. We hear that Parliament is warned to meet six days sooner than it -adjourned for. - -12. To-day is the first that we have received any thing from the -donation raised for us, and now we have a stated rule, which is a -fourpenny loaf each day, out of the money raised in Bristol, except a -few officers, who of choice, receive the money instead of bread. We hear -no more as yet, of the money raised in London, but we suppose it is not -come down. - -13. We are told that ten recruiting parties are gone out into the -country, from the regiment which guards us. Also, Captain Henry Johnston -received a letter from his brother in London, wherein he desires him to -make himself easy, for we shall all be exchanged in the spring. - -14. To-day two ministers came to see us, and informed us of many good -things preparing for us, which are too numerous to mention here; but if -we receive them, I shall give an account of them hereafter. - -15. It is fourteen months to-day, since we sailed from Newbury. Also, we -had sent us to-day, a yard of tobacco to each mess, and we are told that -we are to have a yard every other day, which is four inches and a half -to each man, per day. - -16. Those who did not receive shoes on the 30th or 31st of last month, -received them to-day. Also, we hear that all the wearing apparel that we -have received as yet, was given us by government, but we are told that -each of us is to have a great coat and a suit of clothes out of the -money raised for us. Also, to-day we have another fourpenny loaf to each -mess, which makes eight pennyworth of bread to each mess, per day, -besides our allowance by government. We are advised by all our friends -without, to make ourselves contented for a little while, for they tell -us that they have all the reason in the world to believe that we shall -be out of prison in three months. We had sent us a number of printed -exhortations, urging us to lead a civil, sober life, and to leave off -swearing and profaning the name of the Lord, for that is the last thing -that many do before they sleep, and the first after they awake. - -17. To-day we had clothes served out to us, out of the money raised for -us; such as two shirts, two pairs of stockings, a pair of shoes, jacket -and breeches, to those who needed them, and caps. The officers received -white linen shirts instead of check, and hats instead of caps. They tell -us we are all to have great coats in a few days; the clothes have not -all come, so we are not all served. I was served to-day. I received two -shirts, two pairs of stockings, a pair of shoes, a jacket and cap. We -had also, a pound of pork to each mess, to eat with our peas; and we are -told that we are to have it every Saturday. We had tobacco served again, -and are told it is to be continued. - -18. Sunday. We have an addition of about half a pound of beef to each -mess. - -Lord Cornwallis arrived yesterday in the Sound, from America. We hear -that Howe has taken all the forts which command the Delaware. - -19. Last night there was a heavy thunder-squall, and if I mistake not, -there has been but one thunder-shower since I have been in England. -Yesterday was the Queen’s birth-day, but on account of its being Sunday -they did not fire; but to-day each ship in commission, the fort and -garrison, fired twenty-one guns as a royal salute. - -20. To-day they have again been serving clothes, but have not finished. - -21. The remainder in prison had clothes served to them, so that each man -in prison has received a great coat, and a suit, or nearly a suit, of -clothes, out of the donation fund. We have, also, had our broth -thickened, and it is to be continued; besides a pound of beef to each -mess more than our allowance by government. - -22. We have now got into a settled rule of receiving our donation. The -officers, such as captains and lieutenants, are allowed five shillings a -week; sailing masters and prize masters, four shillings a week; -boatswains, carpenters, and such like, three shillings per week, and -privateers-men, two shillings per week, which is laid out in such -provisions as we think proper. What we receive in provisions, besides -the government allowance, is as follows: one pound and a quarter of -bread to each mess, and a quarter of a pound of beef per day, except -Saturday; we then receive a quarter of a pound of pork. We have -thickening and leeks in our broth; tobacco we receive every other day; -soap we receive as we want it; but the officers, what they do not -receive in provisions receive in money. We have now every thing that we -want as to provisions and clothing; but there is one thing yet lacking—a -thankful heart. - -23. As keeping ourselves clean is conducive to health, the agent has -indulged us, for a few days past, with liberty for six of us per day, to -go down into a separate yard to wash, where there is a pump and -convenience for washing. - -24. I have heard little or no news, for this week past, and indeed no -news is the best news for us; for if there is any thing against us, they -are ready enough to tell us. - -25. Sunday. Cold, blustering, unsteady weather. - -26. It is fourteen months to-day, since we sailed from Portsmouth. -To-day I went down into the hospital yard to see one of my sick -acquaintances, who is down with the small-pox, under an excuse to go to -wash. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - -Price of Tobacco—Cleanliness—Not to be - discouraged—Blankets—Distribution—Letter from America—Officers - Escape—Arrival of a Fleet—Paper—Dr. Franklin to the Council—State of - Troops—Deserters Taken—Visit from the Governor and Lady—Removal of - Officers—General wish for Peace—A Newspaper—Commissioners—Public - Fast—Allowance withdrawn—Liberality—Petition Refused—A - Newspaper—Reward of Bravery—Lights continued. - - -JANUARY 27. We are informed by the man who contracts for our tobacco, -that it is very scarce, and hard to be got for the money; it is three -shillings and sixpence per pound, which is one shilling and twopence -dearer than it was at Christmas. The officers, in a separate prison, are -allowed to burn candles in the evening until gun-fire, which is eight -o’clock. - -23. To-day some new washing troughs were brought to prison for us to -wash our clothes in, and now we have plenty of clothes, soap, water and -tubs to wash in. In general, we are tolerably clean. - -29. It being a pleasant day, the prison was again smoked. Concerning -being released, we have no reason to think that those gentlemen who gave -us encouragement intend to flatter us, as often the darkest hour of the -night is just before day. It may be so with, us, as those things which -we have received since new year, came entirely unexpected to us; who -knows but our redemption may come as suddenly and unexpectedly; so that -I think it becomes us to put things on a medium, and make the best of a -bad bargain; not to let our fears exceed our hopes, nor to put so much -dependence on getting out, as to be disappointed of it; but as we are -committed to prison by a civil magistrate for high treason, it is the -opinion of some, that it is not in the power of the King or council to -release us without some sort of a trial. - -30. Yesterday afternoon, about sixty pairs of blankets were sent for -those who had none. We also have the paper, wherein is an extract of a -letter from a nobleman in the British service in America. He writes, -that Cornwallis embarked on such a day, for home, to lay before the King -and council the true state of America; he writes that the Americans want -for nothing that is necessary, while they are in want of every thing. -Beef is four shillings per pound in Philadelphia, and other fresh -provisions in proportion; and flour is not to be had. He states that it -is wholly owing to Howe’s good conduct that they are not totally cut off -to a man, but if the Schuylkill freezes over, it is not too late to do -it yet. We also have a paper, wherein is Lord North’s proposition for -reconciliation with America. - -February 1. Sunday. Last evening, between seven and nine o’clock, five -of the officers in a separate prison, who had agreed with the sentry to -let them go, made their escape and took two sentries with them. The five -officers were Captain Henry Johnston, Captain Eleazer Johnston, Offin -Boardman, Samuel Treadwell and one Mr. Deal. Captain Henry Johnston -having several suits of good clothes, he gave each sentry one, which -they put on, and left their regimentals at their posts, with their -firelocks, and made off; they were soon discovered by the guard, and -pursued, but not taken. - -3. I had a quantity of cedar brought to me to make boxes of. - -4. This afternoon a fleet of about twelve or fifteen sail, with a -convoy, arrived in the Sound, and saluted the admiral. It is thought -they are part of Burgoyne’s fleet, as we have heard that they were -expected home. - -5. To-day two large ships went from the Sound up to Ammoors, one of -which had lost her main-top-mast. We are told that the three parties -that went in pursuit of those who made their escape a few evenings ago, -returned unsuccessful. - -6. For two or three days I have been out of wood, so that I have done -very little work, but to-day I had enough brought to last me a month. - -7. To-day we had half a pound of pork more than usual, to each mess, -which makes a pound and a half to each mess. - -8. Sunday. We have the paper wherein is an extract of a letter from Dr. -Franklin, Dean and Lee, to Lord North, and to the ministry, putting them -in mind of the abuse which the prisoners have received from time to -time, and giving them to know that it is in the power of the Americans -to make ample retaliation, but they hoped that there was more humanity -left in their hearts. They also wrote concerning an exchange of -prisoners, and that if they would not exchange, they hoped that Congress -would be permitted to appoint an agent to supply the prisoners in -England with such things as were necessary, at their own expense. We -learn that their answer was, that in America there was an exchange. - -11. For some days past, the masons have been at work building a chimney. - -12. We have a paper wherein is an account of the House of Parliament -being very full, and that there is upwards of two hundred and fifty for -carrying on the war, and upwards of one hundred and fifty for settling -it. I am glad to find that the minority increases fast; the same paper -informs us that there is nearly one half against the method they take in -raising money to carry on the war, and there is a disturbance about the -method they take for raising troops. The same paper also informs us, -that their troops at home are five thousand six hundred and -seventy-three short of the peace establishment, and that there is only -about ten thousand troops in England, Ireland, Scotland, Gibraltar and -Mahon. - -13. Many people in England, besides us prisoners, thought that -Burgoyne’s troops were to be sent home, as we have heard, agreeably to -their capitulation, but by this time we are persuaded to the contrary. - -14. For two or three days I have been out of wood, so that I have done -but little work; till within a few days I have received three shillings -for boxes. - -15. To-day it is fifteen months since we sailed from Newbury. - -16. To-day it snowed about three hours, just so as to cover the ground. -It is the first time the ground has been covered this winter. - -17. Clear and cold. It is now we find the benefit of our great coats. We -hear that the two soldiers that deserted and went off with the -before-mentioned officers, from the prison, have been taken; which I am -sorry to hear, for they will undoubtedly both be shot; and not only so, -but I am afraid that their being taken will be followed with other bad -consequences. - -18. The chimney, in a separate prison, is so far completed, that we have -a fire in it. To-day about twelve o’clock, the Governor of Plymouth and -his lady, came to see us, and bought some of our wooden ware, and tasted -of our broth; he said it was very fine, as indeed it has been, ever -since we have had it thickened, and leeks put into it. - -19. We are told by almost every one that comes to the gate, that a -French war is near at hand, and cannot be avoided. - -20. To-day each man in prison had a check linen handkerchief sent to -him, which was given us by the donation. Also, to-day the officers in -this prison moved into another, which has been preparing for them, so -that all the officers who were committed to prison, as such, are in a -prison by themselves. - -21. Some time ago we had two fourpenny loaves to each mess, per day, but -one of them was soon taken off; and as they told us we should have as -much provision as we wanted, we made it known to them, that we were -desirous of having a sixpenny loaf instead of the fourpenny one, which -they granted, and to-day we received a sixpenny loaf to each mess. - -22. Sunday. We hear that General Gates sent a letter to one of the -Parliament, in which he deplores the state of Great Britain, and advises -them to make peace, before the Americans form alliance with any other -nation. But he states that they will accept of nothing short of -independence. - -23. We have been informed several times, lately, that all the Acts since -the year 1763, are likely to be repealed. “Peace with America and war -with France,” is the cry of almost every Briton. We have a paper in -prison wherein is Lord North’s speech in the House. He confesses that -the English troops in America, have been beaten by inferior numbers. For -several evenings past, we have had candles burning in prison, unknown to -the agent, turnkey or guard; but I expect it will not be long before we -shall be allowed to burn them, as we have written to the Board -concerning it. We hear that a proclamation is issued for public fast -throughout England, Ireland and Scotland. - -25. We hear that commissioners are appointed to go to America to treat -with Congress; and they are to be considered a legal body while in -treaty with them. - -26. Last night the snow fell about two inches deep, on a level, which is -more than it has snowed, put it all together, during the winter. - -27. This day is kept as a public fast, throughout the united kingdom. I -suppose they did not think it worth while to proclaim a fast before, as -I do not remember that there has been one since I have been a prisoner, -except a yearly fast. It is the opinion of many in prison, that if the -proposals have not already gone to America, that we shall be sent with -them, to give an assurance that they are real. - -28. We are credibly informed that America has formed an alliance with -France, for the space of twenty-one years; but whether it is any thing -more than an alliance for trade, we have not yet learned. We hear that -it took place the 26th of this month. We also hear that the money raised -in England for the Americans here, amounted to £7000 sterling. - -March 1. Wet, dirty weather, which obliges us to keep house most of the -time. To-day is the first day of spring, and I have some secret -expectations of being liberated before the season is expired, as there -is a fleet of transports, with provision, bound to America, which will -be ready to sail by the last of this month, or the first of April. Some -think it probable that we may be sent with them. - -2. Warm and pleasant for the season. We received an answer to the -petition we wrote for the liberty to burn candles in the evening, but -the answer was that we could not be allowed the privilege. - -3. We have a paper in prison, from which we learn that Congress has made -a present of a gold medal to General Gates, and a sword to the commander -at Mud Island, for their bravery. There is also a slur upon Howe, in the -paper, which is, that he has got three miles in length, and two in -breadth, in the late campaign. - -4. To-day, every man’s clothing was examined to see if we keep ourselves -clean. Last evening one of the prisoners was sent to the Black-hole, for -abusive words spoken to the agent, and another to-day, for selling his -clothes, which were given him, to get money to gamble with. - -5. Remarkably pleasant weather for the season. It is so warm, and the -yard is so dry, that we all carried our hammocks and bedding out to air. -Yesterday, Captain Lee received a letter, by the way of Bilboa, from -Newbury, from Mr. Tracy, by which we learn that he is daily striving for -our exchange. - -6. Although we are not allowed lights in prison, yet we have them every -evening, and intend to till we are found out; and then they can do no -more than deny us of them, for when we cannot get candles, we burn -marrow-bones, which give a very good light, and a good bone will last as -long as half a candle. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - -Awful Penalty for Desertion—Public Indignation—Remarkable Health - of the Prisoners—Recruiting Party in Cornwall—Howe in - trouble—Two Fathers—Scarcity of Provisions in the West - Indies—Black-hole—American Privateer—Hot Press—Detection—French - Brig run down—Prisoners sell their clothes to - gamble—"Preceptor"—Extreme Punishment—Sports—Examination—Use of - Poverty—English Ambassador returns from France—Captain - Boardman—Titcomb—Hope of Return—Commissioners to - America—Newspapers. - - -MARCH 7. We are told that the two soldiers who deserted and carried five -of the officers from prison, on the evening of the 31st of January, have -had their trial. One of them is condemned to be shot, the other to -receive seven hundred stripes. After their trial some handbills were -sent to the barrack, to the dock, and to Plymouth, to set forth the -heinousness of their crime in deserting their colors and carrying off -rebels with them; but the people in the King’s dock-yard, and some -sailors who were on shore from the men-of-war, gathered in a mob; got -all the bills together that they could find, and burnt them. - -8. Sunday. We hear that there has been several commissioners chosen to -go to America, but they all refuse to go. - -9. For the week past I have been something poorly, but the prisoners in -general are remarkably healthy; never did I hear of such a number of men -confined together who enjoyed such perfect health, and had so little -sickness as we have. Even upon short allowance we enjoyed our health, -though every man pined away to merely skin and bone. Those who had no -money to help themselves, and looked pale and ghastly, and were so weak -as scarcely to be able to walk, now look brisk, lively, and we all are -strong, fat, and hearty. - -10. We are informed that about three hundred merchants in London, -Bristol and other places, have petitioned for peace with America, -otherwise they will be entirely ruined. We hear that a great part of the -merchants in Bristol are broken, and worth nothing. - -11. We learn that some recruiting parties that went into Cornwall to -obtain recruits, met with a very severe reception; the people gathered -together and disarmed them, and drove them out of their territory. -Indeed, all England seems to be in commotion: it is the opinion of some, -that should the American war continue another year, there would be civil -war in England; it seems to be but little short of it now. - -12. We are informed that General Howe has written home for a -reinforcement immediately, or he must inevitably share the fate of -Burgoyne; this inspires us with fresh courage. To-day our two fathers -came to see us, as they commonly do once or twice a week. They are Mr. -Heath and Mr. Sorry, the former is a Presbyterian minister, in Dock; the -latter a merchant in Plymouth. These are the two agents appointed by the -committee in London to supply us with necessaries. A smile from them -seems like a smile from a father; they tell us that every thing goes on -well on our side, so that I hope our long wished for prize is just at -hand—a prize that is preferable to any other earthly enjoyment. I hope -our days of trouble are nearly at an end, and after we have borne them -with a spirit of manly fortitude, we shall be returned to a free country -to enjoy our just rights and privileges, for which we have been so long -contending. This will make ample satisfaction for all our sufferings. -To-day we received two shillings per mess, which is sixpence per man; -this is back money that we had not received, as we receive two shillings -per man a week; what we do not receive in provisions we have in money. - -13. Three Marblehead men came to see us, who were lately taken in a -merchantman bound to France. They are about two months from America. -They had the liberty to talk with us for nearly an hour. To-day three -men were brought to prison, they being officers of a privateer that was -taken and carried to the West Indies. They inform us that provisions are -so scarce in the English islands that the inhabitants move from one -island to another on that account, and are almost starved; they also -inform us that Mr. Samuel Treadwell is taken, and is now on board the -Blenheim; he is one of the five who went out on the 31st of June. - -14. To-day Mr. Treadwell was brought back to prison and put immediately -in the Black-hole, where he is to lay forty days on half allowance. This -afternoon, for the misbehavior of three or four persons, we were all -confined in prison; and it being a very pleasant afternoon, it -aggravated many so that they ran fore and aft the prison screaming, and -some cried murder, which alarmed the guard, and we were turned out, and -the offenders delivered up and sent to the Black-hole, where they must -lay until orders come from the Board to take them out. - -15. Sunday. For some days past I have spent most of my time in reading, -and I can better compose myself to it now than I could six months ago. - -16. We are informed that on Saturday an American privateer chased a -merchantman into the mouth of this harbor, and then hoisted her colors -and made the best of her way from land; and that a frigate, that lay in -the Sound, slipped her cable and went after her. - -17. St. Patrick’s Day. By what we can learn, a French and Spanish war is -very near at hand. The French are making all preparation for the -contest, so also are the English, for we are told that all the ships -belonging to the navy, that with repairing will be fit for sea, are to -be put in commission immediately; and such a hot press as there is now -in England was never known—they press against all protections. - -18. To-day another was sent to the Black-hole, for selling the clothes -which were given to him; which is no more than right. We are informed -that we are to be removed very soon and carried to Chester castle, but -we pay no regard to it; for I believe two-thirds in prison expect to be -sent to America within three months. - -19. We hear again that we are to be carried to Chester, but pay no -regard to it, as I said before. - -20. We are informed that last night two or three hundred men were -pressed in Plymouth, and Dock; even the lamp-lighter who tends the lamps -about the prison, was pressed; but as he was in the King’s service he -was released. A lieutenant of one of the King’s ships came to prison and -advised those who had a mind to go on board the men-of-war to petition -immediately. Accordingly a petition was written and signed by six old -countrymen, and sent to the commissioners. - -21. Dull, thick weather, some rain, so that we keep house. - -22. Sunday. Some time ago we heard that some troops were to be sent to -America this spring, but to-day we hear that their orders are -countermanded. - -23. To-day four or five large ships sailed from the Sound, bound to -Spithead to join a fleet. We were found out to-day in conveying bread to -the half allowance men in the Black-hole; so there is now a stop put to -it. - -24. Pleasant, for the season of the year. We received a letter from two -of the officers that made their escape from prison on the 31st of -January last; they inform us that they were taken up in London, and are -now on board a guard ship in Portsmouth, waiting to come round. - -25. We were informed that a few days ago a large ship accidentally ran -down a French brig in the Sound; eleven men were drowned, and her -mainmast carried away. - -26. Last evening the guards discovered our lights in the prison, so that -I am afraid there will be a stop put to it. - -27. There are many in prison who have sold all their clothes that were -given them by subscription, to get a little money to gamble with, and -buy strong beer; some of these have been found out, and justice is -likely to be done them. - -28. We hear that an American Captain, who has long been confined in -prison, in London, petitioned for a trial, and was cleared and set at -liberty. He then sued them for false imprisonment, but he was -immediately apprehended and sent to Newgate. He again petitioned for a -trial, was again tried, acquitted, and set at liberty, and went off. - -29. Sunday. Stormy, so that we keep house, except when we go to draw our -provisions. - -30. We are informed that tobacco is 5s. a pound; at Christmas it was -only 2s. 4d. - -31. To-day I received the books which myself and another sent out to -buy. These are the “Preceptor,” in two volumes; the price of them was -twelve shillings. The reason of its being so long after we sent out for -them before we received them, was, they could not be bought in Plymouth, -and the bookseller had to send to London for them. - -April 1. To-day the two soldiers who went off with five officers, on the -evening of the 31st of January last, received their punishment; one was -shot, the other whipped; they belonged to the Light Infantry in the -regiment. - -2. Warm, and something pleasant, and the yard begins to be dry again, so -that we can return to our former sports; these are ball and quoits, -which exercise we make use of to circulate our blood and keep us from -things that are worse. - -3. This afternoon the agent and his clerk, the steward and doctor, -seated themselves opposite the prison door and called over the roll, and -ordered us one by one to pass out, and we were examined to see if we had -our full compliment of clothing that was given us, and that they were -clean and in order. - -4. To-day each of us again received sixpence, which was back money, as -before mentioned. Also, three of his Majesty’s ships sailed—the Queen, -of ninety guns, the Ocean, of ninety guns, both three-deckers, and the -Fieutryant, a two-decker of eighty-four guns, which was taken from the -French, the last war; we are told that she is the longest ship in the -navy. - -5. Sunday. It is ten months to-day since I came to prison. One Sunday -passes away after another, seemingly disregarded by us, to our shame. - -6. We keep house to-day on account of it being wet weather, and the -prison yard is very muddy. - -7. Mr. Heath, one of our fathers, has been in London, for near a month, -and Mr. Sorry is to set out in a few days. To-day the latter came to see -us, and we desired him, for the future, to send us a fourpenny white -loaf to each mess, per day, in place of a sixpenny one, for we have more -provisions than many of us want to eat; and any person can easily -conjecture that prisoners in our situation, who have suffered so much -for the want of provisions, would abhor such an act as to waste what we -have suffered so much the want of. - -8. We are informed that the English ambassador has returned from France, -and upon his return he informed His Majesty that the King of France had -recognized the independence of America. - -9. Very warm and pleasant, so that all the prisoners in this prison -carried their bedding out into the yard to air, and the prison was -smoked with charcoal and sulphur, as is customary every few days. To-day -we received a fourpenny loaf according to our request. - -10. To-day Captain Boardman and Mr. Deal were brought back to prison, -which makes three of the number brought back who went out on the 31st of -January last. The other two were Captain Henry Johnston, of the -Lexington, and Captain Eleazer Johnston, of the Dolton. These, we -suppose, have got clear. Also, this afternoon William Titcomb, a Newbury -man, came to see us, about half an hour, and very glad was I to see him. -He was taken in the Yankee Hero, by the Milford. He informs us that he -has belonged to the Milford ever since he was taken, and he has been -present at the capture of four American privateers. Upon their passage -home, they took a vessel, which was one of the Civil Usage’s prizes. The -Milford arrived about three weeks ago. Titcomb has been unwell, and has -been in the royal hospital most of the time since he arrived. He told us -that he had rather be in our situation than his. - -11. Very warm and pleasant; it is as warm as it was any time last -summer. The spring is very forward, much more so than the last; but we -were told that last spring was uncommonly backward. - -12. Sunday. It is twelve months to-day since I set my foot upon this -island, but now I think the auspicious day is about to dawn, when, if it -is the Lord’s will, we shall bid it farewell. To-day, by an order from -the Board, we drew cabbage instead of broth, and we are to have cabbage -two days in a week, peas two, and broth three, which we like much -better; for when a person is confined to one steady diet, and has -enough, he soon gets tired of it. - -13. We are informed by Captain Boardman, that while he was out, he saw -one Mr. Bapson, lately from America, who belonged to Cape Ann. He -informed him that a new ship of twenty-six guns, which was built by the -Marine Society of Newbury, Captain William Friend, master, just after -she got over the Bar, filled and sunk, and a number of men were drowned. -He also informs us that Captain James Tracy in the new ship Hero, has -not been heard of since he sailed; and that the schooner Washington has -been absent some months, and they are afraid she is lost. William -Titcomb, who was here a few days ago, told us that Tracy, in company -with another frigate, was cruising off the Cape of Good Hope. - -14. We are informed that Governor Johnston and two others, have kissed -His Majesty’s hand, and are appointed commissioners to go to America. - -15. What money I have received for boxes since I have been in prison, -amounts to over three guineas. Had it not been for this money, I must -inevitably have suffered more than I did. - -16. Very warm and pleasant; the grass and herbs in the fields appear to -us as forward, from what we can see from the prison, as they do the -first of June in America. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - -Letter from Portsmouth—Debate in Parliament—Cost of the War—Petition for - a Trial—Traitors Detected—Traitors Punished—Attempt to Escape—Sickness - in Prison—Paul Jones at Whitehaven—Letter from Portsmouth—Death of - John Foster—Prison Wrangle—Commissioners Sailed—Another Hole—It - Founders—Joseph Kensington Died—Sick Prisoners Neglected. - - -APRIL 17. To-day one of the prisoners received a letter from Captain -Harris, of Portsmouth. He writes that we may rely upon it, that he had -it from good authority, that the vessels were taken up, and were under -repairs, to carry us home; and according to his letter, he expects to be -on his passage in a month’s time. There are many in prison who gather -some encouragement from this. - -18. According to the best accounts, there has been a great debate in the -House of Commons.—The Duke of Richmond is for giving the Commissioners -full power, before they return, even to declare the States independent, -if nothing short will answer; Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke are of the same -mind. But Lord Chatham declares that he had rather be in his grave than -see the day that America is declared to be independent. According to -their own account, this American war has cost Great Britain, -£30,000,000, and thirty thousand of their best disciplined troops—eleven -thousand eight hundred the last campaign. - -19. We are informed that a packet has lately arrived from America, but -as yet we know not what news she has brought. - -20. We have a paper in which is an account of twenty-eight sail of -vessels, laden with English goods, laying in some port of England, bound -to America. - -21. We have accounts in the paper of the Boston frigate, and another -frigate out of Boston, having taken a number of valuable prizes. - -22. There was one man came from the Black-hole, his time being up. There -are four more left therein, but we find means to help them, as we have -others before them; we having a plenty of provisions, can help them, and -not injure ourselves. To-day I went out to buy a small pocket Bible, the -price of which was three shillings and sixpence. - -24. Three more came out of the Black-hole; there is but one left, and he -will be out in a few days. - -25. Captain Lee received a letter from Captain Trott, a prisoner in -Bristol. He wrote that those of us who have a mind to write to America, -can do so, by immediately sending the letters to him. He will send them -to France by a man bound there. Several, therefore, wrote, and sent them -to him. He also informed us, that by his own desire, he is going to -London to receive his trial, which put us in mind of petitioning for a -trial, also. Accordingly, a petition was drawn up, and about one half in -prison signed it. The contents of the petition were as follows: - -“To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty: the petition of sundry of the -subjects of the United States of America, showeth, that your petitioners -were at several respective periods, in the year of our Lord 1777, -committed to Old Mill Prison, in the County of Devonshire, for the -suspected crime of high treason; your petitioners are unable to be -exactly positive as to the particular style or wording of the crime -represented, in whole or either of their commitments, but as their -bodily health is at present much impaired, and they fear it will be more -so, so that their lives may be endangered by a longer confinement in -prison, they humbly request that your Majesty will be pleased to order -them to be brought to trial with all possible speed, for the crime or -crimes of which they may be supposed guilty. And your petitioners,” &c. - -26. For some months past we have thought it presumption to try to make -our escape from prison by digging out, on account of there being -traitors amongst us. An innocent man has borne the scandal of this a -good while, but upon being told of it by a friend, he took no rest day -or night until he had found the traitors, and upon examination we -discovered them to be two negroes, a man and a boy. Accordingly, they -were tied up and whipped—the boy was whipped by a boy, two dozen and a -half lashes, on his bare back; and we thought it the man’s prerogative -who had borne the blame of being a traitor and was innocent, to lay the -stripes upon the negro man. Accordingly, he gave him three dozen upon -his bare back, and spared not; had the negro stayed till night he would -have left his ears; but I suppose that he was suspicious of that, so he -went and jumped over the gate and delivered himself up to the guard and -told his story. The negro boy was sent for so now they are both -separated from us in another yard, and it is well for them that they are -so. - -27. A man came out of the Black-hole, his time being up, and Mr. -Boardman and Deal, who have been only seventeen days on half allowance -in the prison hospital, were sent into this yard. They are the only -persons who have broke out and been taken, who have not suffered forty -days on half allowance in the Black-hole. - -28. Last evening being somewhat dark, two young men had a mind to try to -make their escape; one of whom cut his hammock and blanket into strips -and tied them together; got over the wall at the end of the prison into -the yard, and was there caught and sent to the Black-hole. Today all the -negroes were taken out of this prison, and put into a separate building, -called the itchy yard. - -29. To-day is Wednesday, which is our pay day, and each man received -sixpence; and as we have received it regularly for some weeks past, we -are told that we are to have it weekly; so in future, I shall only -mention when we do not have it. - -30. There is a number sick now, more than has been since we came to -prison, except in time of small-pox. There are three or four in the -prison hospital who are very sick with fever, and several more in this -prison who are very ill. For a few weeks past, the agent has indulged us -with the liberty of pens, ink and paper, so that we have an opportunity -for writing and cyphering. - -May 1. To-day the Tarbay, a ship of seventy-four guns, as she lay at her -moorings, accidentally took fire, and we are told that her upper works -are burned to a coal, and being old, she is not worth repairing; she has -been but a few days out of dock. - -3. We have a newspaper, from which we learn that an American privateer, -commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, from Portsmouth, went into -Whitehaven, sent her boat on shore, and spiked up the cannon, and set -fire to a ship, and had it not been for a man that deserted the boat and -alarmed the town, the boat’s crew would have set fire to all the -shipping in the harbor. They then set off and went to Scotland, where -they went on shore and plundered Lord Selkirk’s house of £5000 worth of -plate, and took several cattle. To-day a large ship arrived in the -Sound, which we took to be an East Indiaman, but have since heard that -she is a transport from New York. - -3. Sunday. To-day we received two letters from the prisoners in -Portsmouth. They inform us that there are one hundred and eighty -prisoners there. They also inform us that Captain Weeks, in a privateer -of sixteen guns, bound from France to America, foundered upon the Banks -of Newfoundland, and all were lost but one. - -4. To-day, Captain Lee, taken in a merchantman belonging to Manchester, -came to see us. He informed us of Captain Tracy’s arrival, and that he -had taken an East Indiaman; but we do not hear of any homeward bound -East Indiamen missing. - -5. To-day several of us had an opportunity of writing letters to send by -Captain Lee, who came to see us yesterday, as he is bound directly home. - -6. This morning about eight o’clock, Mr. John Fowler, a prisoner, died -in the prison hospital, with a pleurisy fever. He was only a few days -sick, and in the afternoon there was a jury over him. They will not tell -us the occasion of a jury’s being called, but it appears that the public -were jealous that there had been bad usage. This man is the fourth that -has died since I came to prison. He is the first of Captain Lee’s men -that has died since they were imprisoned. - -7. To-day there have been several men drunk in prison, as there often is -when they can get money to buy beer; and there has been a wrangle -between the old countrymen and the Americans. The Americans unanimously -hang together, and endeavor to keep peace in prison, but if the former -party were stronger than the latter, we should have a hell upon earth. - -8. This afternoon there were three prisoners brought to prison, who were -taken in a prize upon the Grand Bank, bound to America, by a large old -East Indiaman, which has been made a transport. She was bound from New -York to England, with a few of Burgoyne’s officers on board, wounded and -exchanged. The three who came to prison tell us that they had the offer -of entering the English service, yet they chose to come to prison. The -prize-master’s mate entered the service; of those who came to prison, -there was one Newbury man, one Casco Bay man, and one Philadelphia man. - -9. To-day three large two deckers dropped down into the Sound, from -Ammoors, bound to Spithead, to join the fleet that is bound to sea, for -the purpose of watching the motions of the French. - -10. The commissioners sailed from Portsmouth in the Trydant man-of-war, -of sixty-four guns, bound for America, April 22d. - -11. We have a hole now in hand, and as we have not convenient places in -prison to conceal all the dirt, for many days past many of us have been -employed in the smuggling way, by carrying it out in our pockets and -under our great coats, and emptying it into the vaults; but this -afternoon we met with a misfortune, for a hole which we had been digging -for ten days past, by times, foundered. - -12. This morning after we were turned out, we so contrived it that the -officer should enter into conversation with the turnkey and sentry on -guard, and draw their attention, and in the meantime we stopped the -hole, so that it was not discovered. - -13. We are resolved to be in the way of our duty, by embracing every -opportunity to make our escape. - -14. To-day about one o’clock, another prisoner died in the prison -hospital. It is thought that he died of consumption. His name was Joseph -Kensington; he was taken in the Lexington privateer, with Captain Henry -Johnson. He is the fifth man that has died since we came to prison. If a -man is ever so sick in prison, he has nothing allowed him by the doctor -that is nourishing, but a little barley-water and milk broth; but we -have reason to think that all necessary things are allowed by -government, but it is left to the doctor’s option; so the sick do not -have them at all. - -15. It is eighteen months to-day since we sailed from Newbury, but I -hope in a few months to be exchanged; and I expect that matters will be -settled amicably, for it is the opinion of many people that come to the -gate to see us, and of a great part in prison, that the commissioners -are invested with full power to settle the difficulties before they -return, upon the best terms; even to declare the States independent, if -necessary. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - -French Privateer—French Fleet—Patience scarce—Escape—One - missing—Man with Red Hair—Blockade—Ball Play—Severity of the - Guard—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—Effects of Drink—A Widow—A - Surprise—Press of Fishermen—Another Detection—Voluntary - Suffering—Captain Pulford—Attempt to Escape—Taken—Cruel - Treatment—Just Retaliation—King’s Birthday—Contribution for the - Sick—Twelve months in Prison—Reflections. - - -MAY 16. We are informed that a French privateer was taken by a Guernsey -privateer, a few days ago, and brought in here. She had eighty men on -board, a number of whom were officers bound to America. We are informed -that she had a commission to sink, burn and destroy all that she met -belonging to Great Britain. We have also a newspaper, by which we learn -that a French fleet, consisting of twelve sail of the line, and six -frigates, sailed from Toulon on the 13th of April, and passed through -the Straits of Gibraltar on the 24th, commanded by Count D’Estaing, -supposed to be bound to America. - -17. Sunday. We are informed by the paper, that on the 10th of this -month, William Pitt died. I think that all England has reason to mourn -the loss of so great a man, at this critical juncture, and the house of -Bourbon to rejoice. - -18. Mr. Sorrey, one of our “fathers,” has returned from London. He -informs us that General Burgoyne had arrived in London before he left, -but whether he is exchanged, or come home on parole, we have not yet -learned. Mr. Sorrey tells us that we must exercise a little more -patience. We cannot, however, gather much patience in the yard, it is -rather inclined to nettles. - -19. We hear that General Burgoyne came home on parole of honor, and is -to return as soon as he has dispatched his business. - -20. To-day Mr. Walch, one of the lieutenants of the Lexington, about two -o’clock in the afternoon, had an invitation from a sentry that stood -without the wall at one corner of the yard, to go out. Accordingly he -dressed himself, and went as directed. At night, when the guard came to -turn them into the prison, it was so contrived that a small boy should -go in first, and then slip out of a window and be counted in twice; so -that they had their number and did not miss him. - -21. This morning when they were turned out they did the same, and by -that means it was not found out. This contrivance was to screen the -guard that was on duty, when he went out, fearing lest if it was found -out, they would mistrust which way he escaped, and thus the sentry be -exposed. - -22. Last night, the second time the guard went into the officers’ ward, -they found that one of them was missing; but it was about thirty hours -after he went away, before they had the least suspicion of it. This -morning, after we were turned out, we were mustered to see if there were -any more gone, and while they were mustering us, one of the prisoners, -with red hair, said something to the officer that he did not like, for -which he threatened to put him in the Black-hole. After muster, -accordingly, they made search for him, but could not find him, as they -had no other mark for him but his hair. They then sent us into prison, -and took aside each one that had red hair, but they could not find him -among the number, so they let the matter pass. This afternoon, another -man got over the wall at the corner of the yard, by the vault, and, by -his own folly, was taken and sent to the Black-hole. On account of this -futile attempt, we were sent into the prison in the midst of a pleasant -afternoon; and as they were turning us in, there was one man a little -obstinate, who would not voluntarily go in; they therefore took him to -the Black-hole also. - -23. This forenoon, as some of the prisoners were playing at ball in the -prison yard, the ball happened to lodge in a spout that is placed under -the eves of the prison to convey the water, when it rains, into the well -in the yard. They sent a boy up after it, and one of the sentries -without the wall saw him, levelled his gun at him and fired, but the -ball happened not to touch him. To-day Admiral Biron and his fleet -arrived in Plymouth Sound, from Spithead. The fleet consists of thirteen -sail of the line, and one frigate. They are bound to America, in search -of the French fleet that sailed from Toulon. - -24. Sunday. For two days past, the guard has been so strict with us that -they have placed a sentry at the gate, and do not allow a prisoner to go -near it upon any occasion whatever; and this afternoon after we were -turned into prison, one of the prisoners got up to a window to look out, -and a sentry without, saw him and bade him get down; as he did not get -down as soon as asked, he fired at him, but did not hurt him. We think -the occasion of the guard’s being so strict with us lately, is the -conduct of a few evil-minded men in prison, who, as regularly as they -receive their sixpence per week, lay it out at the gate for strong -beer—drink it all at once, and so get drunk. Then they abuse any one who -comes across them. - -25. We hear that the King has granted all the men in the fleet, that now -lay in the Sound, eight days to frolic and make themselves merry. - -26. To-day a poor American widow came to see us; she is daughter to Dr. -Murray, in Newtown Chester, Maryland. She told us that she was lately -from America, that her husband is dead, and she is left with three small -children in a strange land, and with nothing to help herself. I do not -know what business she had here, but as there were some who knew her in -America, and as she seemed to be an object of charity, we contributed -among us about a guinea, and gave it to her. - -27. This morning, very early, the guard came in and surprised some of -us, while we had a piece of the wall down, and were digging. Some one -must go to the Black-hole for it, but as yet there is nothing done about -it. - -28. We hear that night before last, all the Fishermen in the harbor were -pressed out of their fishing boats, on board of the fleet which now lays -in the Sound. - -29. To-day is what they call Royal Oak, or King Charles’ restoration -day, and each ship, fort, and garrison, fires a salute. - -30. To-day another hole was begun. - -31. This forenoon we were all turned out into the yard, but a few who -stayed in to dig; and while they were at work, the guard happened to -come in to drive a prisoner down from an end window; so they went -directly up stairs, which gave those who were at work an opportunity of -making off into the yard. But the guard, before they went out, found out -the hole, and the agent declared that he would have four men go to the -Black-hole, or the whole should be put on half allowance. He gave us -until four o’clock in the afternoon to consider of it, and at the time -four men delivered themselves up of their own accord, to go to the -Black-hole, rather than that all should suffer. But as we are all -equally concerned in every such scheme, satisfaction will be made to -them by us. - -This afternoon, one Captain Pulford, came to see us. He is only about -forty days from North Carolina, and was taken in a merchantman bound to -France. He informed us that General Lee has been exchanged. - -June 1. Two gentlemen who came to see us to-day, informed us that the -French Admiral, now laying in Brest with thirty-six sail of the line, -besides frigates, sent a challenge to the English Admiral to meet him -off Brest. We are also informed that there are orders from London for a -larger prison, three stories high, separate, and in another yard, to be -repaired for the reception of the French prisoners. - -2. In expectation of some making their escape, a difficult piece of work -was undertaken, which I hope we shall prosper in. - -3. Ever since I have been in prison there have been vaults dug in the -yard, for the prison offal, until within a fortnight. The vaults having -since then been full, each man has taken his turn to empty the tubs, -twice a day, into the river. This morning two in the Black-hole went to -empty their tubs at the river’s edge, about twenty-rods distant, and -having a mind to try to make their escape, although part of the guard -was with them, they left their tubs and ran. They were immediately -pursued by the guard, and overtaken about a quarter of a mile distant; -and after they were secured, they used them shamefully, knocking them -down two or three times, and very badly injuring them. As our cook, who -prepares our victuals, gave chase and caught one of them, we determined -that he should suffer for it. This same cook has lately got a license to -sell strong beer, and his wife tends daily at the gate, and there are -many in prison who have bought of her a great deal. But we are -unanimously agreed to buy no more of him. A man who has been only two -days out of the Black-hole, was carried there again to-day, for abusing -the sentry in the yard. - -4. To-day is the King’s birth-day, and each ship, fort, and garrison, -fired twenty-one guns as a royal salute. I think that his subjects would -have more reason to rejoice at his death than at his birth-day; for -according to the best accounts, the national debt is more than one -hundred and forty-six millions. A commissioner has been here to-day, -reviewing the prisons; I suppose to give orders in what manner they -shall be repaired for the accommodation of the French. There are two of -our ship’s company that have been very ill for some months past, and as -the doctor will not let them have things necessary for their comfort, we -think it our duty to contribute to their relief, as Providence has put -something in our hands. Accordingly, to-day we raised among us a trifle -of money to buy them such things as they want, and we shall raise more -as they need it. This afternoon, there were thirteen prisoners brought -to prison from the Blenheim. They were lately brought from Liverpool, -and have been taken nearly five months; they were captured in a -privateer, fitted out of Salem, The captain’s name is Ravel. Today a -fleet of fishermen, consisting of about thirty sail, went out of the -Sound, bound to Newfoundland. - -5. The fleet that sailed yesterday for Newfoundland, meeting with -contrary winds, and the weather looking likely for a storm, put about -and came in again. It is twelve months to-day since I came to prison. I -believe four months ago it was the opinion, of every one within these -walls, that we should be out before this day, but I believe now, most of -us despair of being exchanged this summer, unless General Burgoyne’s -coming home should be of advantage to us. He is able to represent the -case as it is, for we hear that the Congress told him, before he left -America, to go home and take his seat in Parliament, and speak the -truth, for the truth could not hurt them. - - Twelve months in prison we have spent,— - This judgment for our sins was sent, - To awake us from our carnal sleep, - And teach us God’s commands to keep. - -6. There are now four prisoners, who are sail-makers, at work in this -prison, making hammocks for more prisoners. They are employed by a -sail-maker without, and are allowed a trifle for their labor. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - -Death of the Doctor—Men in the Drain—Sailing of Admiral Biron’s - Fleet—Discouragements—Prison in an Uproar—Punishment—Revenge—Men in - Irons—Rev. Mr. Heath—Cold reception of Proposition of Peace in - America—Number of Prisoners—Rigor of Prison Discipline abated—A Letter - from the Committee of Appropriation—Gratitude for Friends—Effort to - Escape—Scheme continued—Discovered—Black-hole—Gen. Burgoyne’s - Compliment to American Troops—Unsuccessful attempt to - Escape—French Frigate taken—Bad Meat refused—Unsuccessful attempt - to Escape—Preparation for the Fourth of July—Fourth of - July—Continued—Amputation—Another Hole—John Dam—Allowance to French - Prisoners—Admiral Keppel’s Fleet sail—Boys attempt to Escape. - - -JUNE 7. Sunday. This morning we are informed that our chief doctor is -dead. He died very suddenly; I believe there are not many in prison who -will mourn, as we have no reason to expect that we can get a worse one. -This forenoon, after we were turned out, two men of this prison got into -a drain at one corner of the yard, and were digging, when one of the -turnkeys present found out that they were at work, and alarmed the -guard. They were taken and carried to the Black-hole, but we shall find -means to help them, as we have done others before. The hole in which -they were at work was commenced five days ago. They had nearly finished -the work before it was found out. Thus every method we take to make our -escape is found out before it is accomplished, and our unhappy efforts -are not blest. - -8. We hear that the fleet of men-of-war, now lying in the Sound, have -received orders for sailing; also, that the convoy of the Newfoundland -fleet, while they were out, took a sloop from North Carolina, loaded -with indigo, bound to France. - -9. This morning the fleet sailed, under the command of Admiral Biron; it -consists of eleven sail of the line, and two frigates. They are bound in -search of the French fleet, commanded by Count de Estaing, which sailed -from Toulon, bound to America. To-day Captain Dennis, from Cape Ann, -came to see us; he was taken in a brig out of Newbury. He informs us -that Captain Tracy is wholly given over, which I am very sorry to hear. -Captain Dennis has got his clearance, and is bound directly home, and -will carry letters for those who desire to send. This afternoon thirteen -more prisoners came to prison from the ships; they belonged to the same -privateer with those who came last Thursday. For my own part, I think it -very poor encouragement for us to see the number of prisoners increase; -I think it looks very melancholy within these walls, and more and more -so every day. I am so uneasy that I cannot content myself to do any -thing; let me seem to be ever so busy, my mind is not fixed upon what I -am about. It is dwelling upon my situation and condition. - -10. To-day several of us wrote letters to send to America by Captain -Dennis, but he has not yet come after them. When Mr. Sorrey came to -bring us our money, he told us that orders were come for us to be -exchanged for the prisoners in France. We put more confidence in what he -says, because he has been very cautious hitherto of telling us news. -To-day the whole prison has been in an uproar, occasioned by one or two -drunken fellows, who, as regularly as they get any money, get drunk with -the beer which is bought at the gate. One of these was so outrageous -that he drew his knife, and walked fore and aft the prison, striking and -abusing those he met. When we were turned out in the afternoon we -complained to the agent, and he, by a desire of most of the men in -prison, was sent to the Black-hole. After we delivered him up, he, out -of spite, told of a window where some one in prison had sawed off a bar. - -11. The commissioner has again been in the yard to talk with us. - -12. To-day the fleet of Newfoundland fishermen sailed again, and I am -afraid Captain Dennis has gone and left our letters. - -13. There are now several masons and carpenters at work on an old three -story prison, in another yard, repairing it for the reception of French -prisoners. The man who was delivered up to the agent, a few days ago, is -put in irons. He is the only one that has been put in irons since we -came to prison. - -14. The Rev. Mr. Heath has returned home from London, having been gone -nearly three months; and yesterday afternoon he came to see us. He tells -us that he has been informed that many of us pay no regard for the -Sabbath, which is too true; for it is equally the same with many in this -prison, whether it be the Sabbath or any other day. They will run about -the yard, and play, and curse, and swear, and blaspheme, the greater -part of the time. Many of them are the most wicked and profane men that -I ever saw or heard of; but there are a great number of steady men. Mr. -Heath gave us a few books, and he says that he has a number more to give -to such as will make good use of them. - -15. We hear that the reconciliation bill, which was sent to America from -England, last February, met with a very cool reception, both by the -American and Howe’s troops, and was even treated with the greatest -indignation by both. General Howe, we hear, is expected home soon, and -General Clinton is to take the command at Philadelphia. We hear that -there is now a Spanish fleet of twenty-one sail of the line riding at -anchor in Cadez, ready for sea. We have also heard it reported of late, -that the American army is so destitute of clothing that they are obliged -to strip the women of their petticoats to cover them. These things are -put in the papers to amuse the public; but we know better; it is -inconsistent with reason, and utterly false. - -16. To-day we received a letter from one Captain Harris in Portsmouth -prison; he writes to us that there are two hundred and fifty prisoners -in France, and that we may depend upon it, that he had it from good -authority, that we are to be exchanged for them, as far as they will go. -But in this prison we are very faithless; we have been flattered too -long for our profit. I heard some days ago that there were six hundred -prisoners in France. There are now in these prisons three hundred and -sixteen American prisoners. - -17. We hear that Parliament is prorogued until the middle of July. I -suppose by that time they expect to hear from the commissioners. - -18. Yesterday, after we were turned out and the doors shut, three small -boys entered through the grates into the prison and damaged several -hammocks, for which, this morning, their ship’s company tied them up and -whipped them. Today four men came out of the Black-hole, who went in on -the 31st of May; they have been in only eighteen days; the reason of -their not tarrying longer is, a commissioner being here from London, -they petitioned him for pardon, and he granted it. There are only three -left in the Black-hole now. - -19. I hear, privately, that the soldiers have orders not to fire on the -prisoners if they see any making their escape; to fire only clear powder -to alarm the guard; and they are not to strike any of us, nor offer a -bayonet to us: thus their rigor has been abated since Burgoyne has been -taken. - -20. This forenoon, Rev. Mr. Heath came and delivered us a letter, which -we found to be from a gentleman who is one of the committee of -appropriation for the money raised by subscription for the relief of -American prisoners in this country. He desired that we should send him -the name, former residence, and occupation, of all the prisoners; he -assures us that there is a prospect of an exchange for some, if not all -of us; he also desired that we should keep good order, and by no means -attempt to elope. I lack words to express my gratitude to these -gentlemen; for had it not been for our numerous friends, doubtless many -of us had now been in our graves. - -21. Sunday. Notwithstanding our friend’s advice, we have a plan in -agitation for making our escape, and are resolved to go on with it. Our -design is to get into a drain at the corner of the yard, where the last -hole was found out, and dig up on the other side of the wall. For this -purpose, yesterday afternoon three men took down a piece of wall under a -window, in an old prison adjoining this drain. These men got into the -prison and the wall was put up again, and plastered up with dirt. They -dug into the drain and tarried there all night and till after we were -let out in the morning, when we let them out. Last night, when we were -counted into prison, three boys went in first and got out at the window, -and were counted twice, to make up the number. - -22. Last night and to-day this scheme was carried on as before. This -afternoon Captain Dennis and Captain Talford came and took our letters. -They have got their clearance and are bound directly to France. I sent a -letter by Captain D. to my father. Captain Dennis’ hands consisted of -nine Beverly men; they are all kept on board the men-of-war, as they -have served all others during the war taken in merchantmen, except the -captains, and them they clear. - -23. Last night the scheme was carried on the same as before, till about -8 o’clock in the evening, when they were discovered by the guard and -sent to the Black-hole; after which they went into the officers’ prison, -where were Captain Bunten and Captain Boardman walking; they were -ordered to bed, and they refused to go, for which they carried them to -the Black-hole. This afternoon one of the prisoners was sent down to the -prison hospital; he had been so sick and weak for some days past, that -when we were turned out into the yard, and the door locked, (they having -driven him out,) as he could not walk, we were obliged to lead him. When -out, he could not stand, but was forced to lay down on the ground; and -when down, could not rise up without help. - -24. Last night, there were two more carried to the Black-hole from the -officers’ prison, for not being in bed when the guard came in, which was -between nine and ten o’clock. The officers in prison have drawn up a -petition to send to the board, to know if Mr. Coudry, the prison keeper -has orders to confine any one for not being in hammock at nine or ten -o’clock in the evening. - -25. According to the newspapers, General Burgoyne gives the American -troops a brave name; he says that the troops he had at his command were -as good as double the number of any other troops the King has, and that -the American troops were as good as his, and would fight as well. - -26. Yesterday afternoon, while the guard was turning us into prison, -four that were in the Black-hole, and one that was in the hospital, -broke out through the drain, and got a boat a quarter of a mile off, but -they were soon discovered, and pursued by the guard. The militia were -raised, and they were all taken in about half an hour and brought back. -This afternoon, those five, with all the rest, were sent up into this -yard. Those who came to prison last had clothes given them, which were -allowed by government. I received a pair of breeches, as I had not -received any before since I came to prison. This morning a French cutter -was brought in here, taken by an English cutter; and at the same time -two French frigates were taken, which, I hear, have arrived in -Portsmouth. Six of the wounded Frenchmen were brought from the cutter to -prison, and put in the hospital. - -27. This afternoon two of the officers in prison had an invitation by a -sentry to go over the wall, which they did, but were discovered, taken, -and sent to the Black-hole. - -28. We hear that the Arathusa frigate was dismasted in the engagement -with the two French frigates above mentioned. - -29. Joseph Barnum, one of our company, who has been unwell ever since he -had the small-pox, more than twelve months ago, has now got the white -swelling in his knee, which the doctor thinks will occasion his death, -if not cut off; and he is so weak that I fear he is not able to undergo -the operation. - -30. For a long time we have been imposed upon by the agent and butcher, -by sending us bad meat. Yesterday there were maggots found in our beef, -and we told the two butchers who go into the cook-room to inspect our -meat—that if it was the same to-day as yesterday, not to cut it up. -Accordingly, they went out this morning, and as the meat proved to be -very poor, our butchers refused to cut it up. Upon this, the agent -ordered the cook to cut it up, which he did, and cooked it. At twelve -o’clock the meat was brought in, in a tub; but we had all agreed not to -take any of it. The agent told us if we would accept of it to-day, as it -was cooked, we should have no more like it, but have better in future. -He has, however, told us these stories too often, and we thought if we -took it to-day, we should have the same another day; therefore we -positively refused it; for we can live as well upon the fat that we have -gathered from the donation, two days, as we could seven months ago upon -all our allowance. - -July 1. Last night six men in this prison attempted to make their -escape; they got out at a window into the yard, but as they were trying -to get over the wall, they were discovered by a sentry, so they returned -and got in at the window where they got out. - -2. To-day forty-seven more French prisoners were brought to prison, but -they were all foremast hands; for all the French officers are allowed to -go on parole. To-day the New Duke, a ship of ninety guns, dropped down -in the Sound, in order for sailing. She is a new ship, and has been -launched since I came to prison. - -3. As it is two years to-morrow since the Declaration of Independence in -America, we are resolved, although we are prisoners, to bear it in -remembrance: and for that end, several of us have employed ourselves -to-day in making cockades. They were drawn on a piece of paper, cut in -the form of a half-moon, with the thirteen stripes, a Union, and -thirteen stars, painted out, and upon the top is printed in large -capital letters, “Independence,” and at the bottom “Liberty or Death,” -or some appeal to Heaven. - -4. This morning when we were let out, we all hoisted the American flag -upon our hats, except about five or six, who did not choose to wear -them. The agent, seeing us all with those papers on our hats, asked for -one to look at, which was sent him, and it happened to be one which had -“Independence” written upon the top, and at the bottom, “Liberty or -Death.” He, not knowing the meaning of it, and thinking we were going to -force the guard, directly ordered a double sentry at the gate. Nothing -happened till one o’clock; we then drew up in thirteen divisions, and -each division gave three cheers, till it came to the last, when we all -cheered together, all of which was conducted with the greatest -regularity. We kept our colors hoisted till sunset, and then took them -down. - -5. The carpenters and masons have been at work for some days past, -repairing an old prison in the yard. - -8. This afternoon, Rev. Mr. Heath came to see us, and gave us several -books; he informs us that General Howe has arrived home, and that the -King’s troops have left Philadelphia. - -9. We are told that Captain Dennis and Captain Talford, with five or six -other American captains, bought a small vessel to carry them to France, -and yesterday morning set sail. - -10. To-day Joseph Barnum, one of our company, and one of the French -prisoners that was wounded, had their thighs cut off. Barnum has been -unwell more than a year; he has had a white swelling in his knee. - -11. We have a hole now in hand, which we thought this afternoon was -found out, but it happened to be one within a few feet of it, which was -discovered some time ago, and was of no great consequence. - -12. Sunday. To-day Captain Lee received a letter from Portsmouth prison, -from Jonn Dame, a Newbury man. He informs us that he was taken with -Captain Dennis in a new privateer brig, of sixteen guns, that sailed -from Boston on the 25th of May. On the 30th of the same month he was -taken by the same frigate that General Howe came home in. - -13. Since the Frenchmen came to prison we have been of considerable help -to them, as we have now plenty of provisions, and many of us more than -we want to eat. What we have to spare we give to them, and we daily give -them more or less. Their allowance of bread is six pounds to four of -them per day, which is one and a half pounds per man; but we rebels are -allowed only one pound of bread a man, per day, from government. The -other allowances of the French is the same as ours. - -14. Admiral Keppel has lately sailed from St. Helena with about -twenty-eight sail of the line and six frigates; and a French fleet has -sailed from Brest; but I cannot learn the exact number of ships of which -the fleet consists. It is expected, whenever these two fleets meet, -there will be a bloody engagement, for England’s chief dependence is in -her fleet. - -15. It is twenty months to-day since I left Newbury. To-day Admiral -Keppel’s fleet was seen from the prison to pass by this harbor, and it -is expected that two or three ships from this port will join them. This -afternoon four boys tried to make their escape; they got over the wall -into the Frenchmen’s yard, and hid in their hammocks, but were soon -discovered, and taken. - -16. We hear that Parliament is prorogued until some time in September -next. To-day the Sudbury, a ship of seventy-four guns, sailed to join -Admiral Keppel’s fleet, which now appears off this port. The guard now -consists partly of the Cornish, partly of the Somersetshire, and partly -of the Devonshire militia, and some of the thirteenth regiment, which is -the regiment that has guarded us ever since we came to prison. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - -Bad Conduct in Prison—Its Consequences—Rules—Prison Quiet—Digging - Out—Four Escape—General alarm—Fire, and Officers - Escape—Discovery—Prison in an Uproar—Its Cause and Cure—Sad news from - Portsmouth—Pay-day—Drink—Trouble—Invitation to go over the - Wall—Admiral Keppel returns—England’s pride humbled—False - Reports—Studies Navigation—A good turn—A curious plan for - Escape—Detection—Battle Report—Wounded in the Hospital—Effort to - Escape by Swimming—Disturbance in Prison—Prisoners Return—Difficulty - of Escape—Invitation to join the Fleet—Thirty join—Brave Americans - pressed to the Ships of War. - - -JULY 17. There are a number of very quarrelsome, lawless men in prison, -who have been the occasion of a great deal of mutiny and disturbance -amongst us, which has obtained for us the ill-will of our friends; and -we have been informed that unless there is an alteration among us, our -donations will be stopped; so that we thought it proper to have Articles -among ourselves. These were drawn up to-day; they forbid all gambling, -and blackguarding, which have caused great disturbance in the yard, and -occasioned much fighting. They also forbid any improper language to any -officer or soldier, who are now, or may hereafter be, appointed to -preside over us. These articles were read in the yard before all the -prisoners, and then stuck up in prison, and two men out of each ship’s -company were appointed to see them put into execution. - -18. We hear that Count D’Estaing’s fleet has arrived in Boston. I learn, -also, by the papers, that twenty-five sail of the line are now laying at -single anchor in Cadiz, ready for sea. Their place of destination is not -known. - -19. Sunday. As there have been many books given in lately, the prison is -much stiller of Sunday than formerly, and the people are much better -employed. This forenoon, as some were in a drain digging, they were -heard by the guard, but they got out before the guard reached the hole. - -20. Wet, rainy weather, so that we kept house most of the day. There has -been little or no rain, for two months, until last night and to-day. The -ground has been so parched for want of rain, that the fields look like -the fall of the year. - -21. Last night about nine o’clock, it being very dark and rainy, we -opened a hole at the back side of the prison, large enough for two men -to go out abreast. This hole has been ready for some time past—they have -only been waiting for a dark, stormy night; when they broke ground, the -pavement fell in, and four men jumped out and got off. A sentry within -ten feet of the hole, saw them, and immediately alarmed the guard; so -that no more could escape. The guard came in, and while they were in -prison the guard-house chimney took fire; upon which the drum beat to -arms, and fire was cried. The cry was that the prisons were on fire, and -the prisoners were breaking out. After this was over, the guard came in -again and took nine of the prisoners and put them in the Black-hole, -because they were up and had their clothes on. To-day, about one -o’clock, four of the officers from the officers’ prison got over the -wall into the hospital yard; two of whom got out, but were soon -discovered and taken. The other two were taken in the yard, and all put -into the Black-hole last night, but came out to-day. - -22. Yesterday noon, another hole was begun in this prison, and at night -when we were turned in again, they went to work until nine or ten -o’clock; but were then discovered by the guard, who immediately came in -and carried two to the Black-hole. In the afternoon, they took two boys -at work in the drain before mentioned; and to-day two of those who went -out night before last, were brought back, and another came back of his -own accord. - -23. Most of this day the prison has been in an uproar, occasioned by a -few men that will not be conformable to the rules and articles that we -have amongst ourselves, but threaten to take them down and destroy them. - -24. This morning we found that our articles were abused, and we took -three of the before-mentioned men and tied them up to a post in the -prison, and poured cold water down their arms and neck, for the space of -half an hour. One of the three was afterwards complained of to the -agent, who ordered him to be put in irons, and separated from us. - -This afternoon, six more Frenchmen we brought to prison. - -25. Yesterday a ship of seventy-four guns, and a frigate, arrived in the -Sound, from Admiral Biron’s fleet, with two hundred and forty-six sick -men on board. The occasion of this ship’s coming home was that she had -sprung a leak, and the frigate came with her for fear that she might -founder at sea. - -26. Sunday. I daily expect to hear of an engagement between the English -and French fleets as we have heard several accounts of their being seen -in sight of each other. - -27. Cool weather for some days past, which is much better for us, as so -many of us are confined together. - -28. This afternoon we received two letters from Portsmouth prison—one -from John Dame, the other from Benjamin Tappan. They give us a very -disagreeable account of thirty-nine young men belonging to Newbury, who -were lost with Capt. Tracy. Many of their names were mentioned in the -latter; some of them I was intimately acquainted with. I could rather -wish them in prison with us, than entirely lost. - -29. This morning a large three-decker dropped down into the Sound, in -order for sailing. Also, we have the London Evening Post, which informs -us of the Lively, twenty gun ship, and a frigate, being taken. The last -paper before this gives an account of two cutters being taken. They were -captured by the French and carried to France. - -30. Yesterday was pay-day, and there are a number of men who make it a -practice to get drunk every opportunity, and two men last night, who -were in liquor, struck and abused two Frenchmen, who were taken in the -American service, and the majority of those in prison who were -Americans, took their part, and complained to the officer of the guard. -The offenders were sent to the Black-hole, and this morning we took the -Frenchmen up stairs with us, where they will not be abused any more. - -31. Yesterday, some in this prison had an invitation by a sentry to go -over the wall, but as it was in the day time, they thought it not -proper; but at twelve o’clock at night, the same sentry came to the same -place and gave a signal, upon which seven men went out at a window where -one of the iron bars were loosened, ready to be pulled out. After these -seven men got out, the sentry alarmed the guard, and four of the number -were soon taken. If they had waited a few moments longer, we should have -had a hole in the back side of the prison, for a number more to have got -out. The guard tell us that they have orders to fire at any one they see -getting over the wall, and also, that the soldier who let these men go -is now under confinement, and will be either whipped or shot. - -This forenoon, Admiral Keppel’s fleet arrived in the Sound. The greatest -part of this fleet now lay where we can see them from this prison. We -hear that they have had an engagement with the French fleet, but have -not learned the particulars. To-day, also, a dozen more Frenchmen were -brought to prison. Six came out of the Black-hole; among whom was -Captain Lee. While he was there, he received a letter from General -Burgoyne. There are six remaining there still. - -August 1. All that I can say to-day concerning the fleet, is, that -several of the ships are very much shattered. Two or three are now lying -on their beam-ends, in the Sound, and the boats have been passing and -re-passing from them ever since they came in. We have seen a vast number -of men come from the ships, in boats, whom we suppose to be wounded, as -we are informed that there are between seven and eight hundred wounded -men in the royal hospital, who were taken out of the fleet. This is the -fleet which they have been raising for the two years past, concerning -which they have boasted so much, and which they have called the terror -of France. This was England’s pride—the fleet that was to sweep the -seas, and accomplish such wonders. Alas! many of them are disappointed -of their expectations, for in their first engagement they were worsted. - -2. A man in prison received a letter from his brother, who is in the -fleet. He informed him that he was in the engagement, and there was only -twelve sail of the English fleet that engaged the French fleet; but I -suppose that he was not allowed to write the particulars. - -3. For these two months past, since we have been allowed pens, ink and -paper, I have employed them to as much advantage as possible. Most of -the time, I have busied myself in writing and cyphering. I have had as -much writing to do as I could accomplish; and to-day I sent out to buy -books and instruments to learn navigation. To-day a number more -Frenchmen were brought to prison. - -4. To-day one of the two shattered ships that lay in the Sound warped -up, went to Ammoors, and the other lays opposite to our prison. To-day I -began to study navigation. - -5. A gentleman, who came to see us to-day, gave in half a guinea, to be -drank by the prisoners; but we thought it better to divide it among the -sick of the respective crews. - -6. The masons and carpenters have been at work repairing an old prison -in the yard; and this afternoon, as one of the laborers was at work, he -pulled off his coat and hung it up against the prison, in the yard, and -left the basket, that he had to bring slate in, with it. One of the -prisoners went and put on the coat, and put the basket over his head, -and went to the gate; and the turnkey, thinking it to be the laborer, -let him out. As he was walking through the street, the laborer met him, -knew his coat, and ran and alarmed the guard, who went in pursuit of him -and soon took him. - -7. We have been waiting impatiently to hear from the commissioners, for -some time past, hoping that they would settle affairs; but we have had a -flying report for some weeks, that they are likely to return as they -went, without doing any thing. When they first sailed, it was the -opinion of many in prison, that they were invested with full power to -settle it; but soon after, we were convinced to the contrary. - -8. From the Exeter paper we learn that there was only twenty-five sail -of the line of battle-ships that engaged the French fleet, and that they -had but five hundred and six men killed and wounded; but the royal -hospital, where the wounded are, is but a small-arms’ shot from this -prison, and we have been repeatedly and credibly informed by those who -reside in the neighborhood, that there is upwards of a thousand wounded -men in the hospital, and a cart is seen to carry away the dead every -day. The engagement took place on the 27th of July. - -9. Sunday. Last evening, as four men went to empty their tubs, two of -them took to the water to swim away, but were soon taken up. The -commissioner who was here a few weeks ago, came again to-day, to -regulate affairs. - -10. This afternoon the guard came in and turned us all out, and locked -the doors, which aggravated many, who wanted to be in prison—some -reading, some writing, some cyphering, and some studying navigation. -Some went and picked the locks, opened the doors, and went in; upon this -the guard came in again, and turned us all out and placed a sentry at -the prison doors. Two men, out of spite, went to fighting, and it took -most of the guard to separate them. Soon after, another fight happened, -and about the same time the commissioner came into the yard, and ordered -one of them to be sent to the Black-hole. In all this disturbance, the -officers of the guard appeared very mild and calm; they are officers in -the militia. Most of those that have been on guard since we have been -guarded by the militia, have behaved very well towards us, and very much -like gentlemen, as they are chiefly gentlemen of fortune. To-day the -other three men were brought back that made their escape from prison on -the 30th of July, in the evening. - -11. Those who were brought back yesterday, were sent up out of the -Black-hole to-day. They tell us that they would not go out again if the -gates were set open; for they said it is a thing impossible, to get off -the island. While they were out, they saw a number of ships belonging to -Admiral Keppel’s fleet, which lay where we cannot see them from the -prison, that were very much shattered and disabled in the engagement. - -12. To-day we were all examined, as of late has been customary once a -month, to see who need clothes, and who do not. - -13. Those who wanted shoes, were served to-day. These are allowed by -government. - -14. This morning, three French prizes were brought into this port—a -ship, a brig, and a sloop. - -15. This forenoon some officers from the ships, who were sent by Admiral -Keppel, came here to take a list of the names of those who have a mind -to go on board the men-of-war, and thirty in number gave in their names. -Among the number were some Americans, but they were chiefly old -countrymen. The officers brought with them an American who was taken -with Captain Martingale in the first of the disturbance. His officers -gave him a guinea to treat his countrymen. - -16. Sunday. To-day another officer came from the ships. He, also, came -for men. - -17. We hear that Admiral Keppel and his fleet, are to sail in a few -days. - -18. This afternoon there were five Americans brought to prison. They -were all taken in different vessels. Some of them belonged to armed -ships, others to merchantmen. Some of them have been taken this six -months, and have been hurried about from ship to ship, and used -scandalously. They had a bounty offered them to go on board this fleet, -now lying in the Sound, but they, like brave Americans, refused, and -chose rather to come to prison. They were sent here without being -examined, or committed by any justice of the peace. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - -French Prisoners—Admiral Keppel sails—Another attempt to - Escape—Americans brought back—Another Hole—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—A - Gale—Number of French Prisoners—General Clinton’s retreat from - Philadelphia—Elias Hart died—Fever and Ague prevails—A - Discharge—Captain Burnel and Wife—Escape from Portsmouth—French - Privateer—Letter from Portsmouth—Distribution of Clothing—Hot - Press—Letter to Captain Lee—French Prisoners increase—Thomas - Pillar—Fever and Ague prevails—A Vote for Money—Poor Beer—Drunkenness - and Fighting. - - -AUGUST 19. This afternoon an officer from the ships came for those five -men who were brought here yesterday. When they found out that they were -to be carried on board the ships, as they were advised by the people in -the yard not to go out at the gate, without they were dragged out, like -brave men, they resisted, and swore that they would never lift a hand to -do any thing on board of King George’s ships—neither would they go out -of the yard. As the key was turned upon them, the guard was called in, -and the officer of the guard and agent plead with them, telling them -that they were put in here through mistake; and being over-persuaded by -them, they went out. - -20. Another French prize was brought in here to-day. - -21. It seems that some of the sick and wounded men that came out of -Admiral Keppel’s fleet, are recovered. They have made several attempts -to escape, and they are obliged to keep a guard here to prevent them -from running away. - -22. Early this morning, part of Admiral Keppel’s fleet sailed. Last -night, and this morning, a number of Frenchmen were brought to this -prison. This afternoon, Captain Lee received a letter from General -Burgoyne; he wrote him that he would do all he could to get bail for -him. - -23. Sunday. Early this morning, the remainder of Admiral Keppel’s fleet -sailed, except a few ships that are not ready. The squadron that sailed -yesterday morning, appeared this morning in sight, off the harbor. I -suppose they are all bound on a cruise together. - -24. The men that gave in their names, to go on board the men-of-war, are -apprehensive that they will not be allowed to do so, and last evening -some of them went to work to try to dig out, but upon breaking ground -they were discovered, and the sentry discharged two guns into the hole, -but they injured no one. - -25. To-day, four of the five men who were brought to this prison on the -18th of this month, and carried away again the next day, were brought -back because they would not enter. One of the number was an Italian. He -was put in a separate yard, with the Frenchmen. Also, to-day a captain -of an armed vessel, that was captured by an American privateer in the -North Channel, came here to see Captain Lee. He informed him that he -gave bonds, for a large sum of money, to return to America as a -prisoner, unless he could get Captain Lee exchanged for him. This man is -bound for London. - -26. This afternoon a prize was brought in here, which proved to be a -large French West Indiaman, a ship of about four hundred tons. Also, a -number of French prisoners were brought to prison. - -27. We learn from the papers, that the Parliament is prorogued until -Thursday the first of October. We also learn from the same source, that -the damage to the French fleet, in the late engagement, was very -inconsiderable. - -28. This morning the guard discovered another hole in the prison, which -was begun a few days ago; but as yet there has been but little said -about it. - -29. We have a paper, from which we learn that Admiral Biron’s fleet that -sailed from this port on the 9th of June last, bound to America, upon -their passage, met with a gale of wind which separated the fleet and -dismasted several of their ships. The Albion has arrived in Lisbon, -dismasted. She was one of the fleet. - -30. Some of us are sick with fever and ague. - -31. Some carpenters are now at work building a new Black-hole, in an old -prison in this yard, that has lately been repaired. - -September 1. It is the opinion of some in this prison, that all the -American prisoners in this yard will be removed to some other prison, to -make room for the French prisoners, as there are now about four hundred -Frenchmen in another yard; and there are a great number of French -officers gone into the country, on parole. - -2. This afternoon, Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey came to see us, and brought -bad news for our officers, in a letter from the committee in London. The -contents read nearly as follows:— - -“Not from any prejudice or alteration in our affection for you, but -fearing that you will remain in prison another winter, and the money -raised for your support be expended, we thought proper to deduct two -shillings per week from those officers who have hitherto been allowed -five shillings; the other officers and privates, to remain as before.” - -3. Nothing remarkable. - -4. To-day four American gentlemen came to see us; one of whom belonged -to Baltimore. He is a young man, and was bound to France to finish his -education, when he was taken. He left America since General Clinton -retreated from Philadelphia to New York, and he gave us a very -satisfactory account of the battle—different from what was reported to -us before. This young man had liberty to converse with us nearly two -hours. - -5. This morning, Elias Hart, one of Captain Lee’s company, died of -consumption in the prison hospital. He is the sixth man that has died -since I came to prison. Of late, our sick have fared much better than -formerly. As we all draw money once a week, each respective crew -contributes, weekly, for their sick, which supplies them with every -necessary; so, that of late, there is always some money in the bank for -the use of the sick. Since two shillings per week has been deducted from -the officers, who formerly received five, most of them, from choice, -receive what they are allowed from subscription, in money, and draw no -other allowance than what is afforded by government. They can buy -provisions as often as they want them, in public market, at the gate. - -6. Sunday. This afternoon, three American captains came to see us. They -have been taken some months, and are bound directly home.—Among the -number, there is one Captain Potter, belonging to Boston. - -7. Several of our men have been taken sick with fever and ague, within a -few days, and a great number in prison are unwell. - -8. This afternoon, thirteen American prisoners were brought to prison. -They were lately brought round from Liverpool, and are the remainder of -Captain Ravel’s crew. - -9. To-day, one Thomas Pillar, of Portsmouth, visited us. He was one of -the five who were brought here on the 18th of August; he was carried on -board the men-of-war the next day, having been taken in a merchantman. -They kept him for a time, but he has since received his discharge, and -intends to return home. Several letters were delivered to him to carry, -and he is to call and get more. - -10. This afternoon, Rev. Mr. Heath came to see us, in company with a -young American gentleman, who has been taken, lately, on his passage to -France. Our agent, or prison-keeper, being sick and absent, Mr. Heath -came into prison and discoursed nearly two hours with the officers. - -11. We have accounts in the papers, that Winchester castle is to be -repaired for the reception of one hundred American prisoners—a larger -number than they now have in England. - -12. Captain Burnel, who is a prisoner here, taken in the American -service, and has a wife and family in England, has received a letter -from his wife, informing him that she has been turned out of doors, -wholly on account of his being in the American service. The prisoners -are about raising money for her relief. - -13. Sunday. This afternoon, Captain Rols received a letter from Captain -Harris, in Portsmouth prison. He informs him that forty-five officers -and eleven privates, had made their escape lately, out of that prison, -twenty-five of whom were brought back—the other thirty-one had got off. - -14. We are informed, that last evening, a French privateer was brought -in here, with eighty prisoners on board, and the sailors having got a -number of prostitutes, and gone below, drinking, the Frenchmen rose, -closed the hatches on them, cut the cable and went off with the vessel. - -15. To-day, several letters were received here, from the prisoners at -Portsmouth. They inform us that they have received a letter from Captain -Cowes, in France, who made his escape from that prison. He writes that -he has been at Paris, and conversed with Dr. Franklin, and told him our -situation. His answer was, that he expected orders from America for the -release of all of us.—This agrees with a letter which was received by -the prisoners in Portsmouth, from a gentleman in London. In conversation -with Mr. Heartley, who is a great speaker in the House of Commons, he -informed him, that it lay in Dr. Franklin’s power to exchange us when he -pleases. It seems by their writing, that they give credit to the report; -but our faith has been so long tried, and we have been flattered so -often, many in prison will not believe that they are going, until they -see the prison gates open. - -16. Considerable rain in the first part of the day. I believe there has -not been two hours steady rain, before to-day, for nearly three months. -To-day some jackets, shirts and stockings were given us by the agent, by -order of the Board. I received one shirt, which is the only one I have -received from Government, since I have been a prisoner. - -17. The West India fleet that put in here a few days ago, sailed to-day, -bound up channel. We heard that most of their hands were pressed, and -that they were manned by men-of-wars-men. To-day I finished my studies -in navigation. - -18. To-day Captain Lee received a letter from a man that was here a few -weeks ago, and who informed him that he was taken by an American -privateer, and came home upon condition that he was to return to -America, if he could not get Captain Lee exchanged for him. He now -writes that he has done his utmost, but it is impossible for any man to -get out, so long as this Act is in force. - -19. To-day about forty French prisoners were brought to prison, who were -captured in a privateer. There are now about five hundred French -prisoners here. - -20. To-day Thomas Pillar came again to see us. He informed us that he -expects to sail this afternoon. They are first bound to Ireland, to join -a fleet; from thence, to New York. A number in prison sent letters by -him. I sent one to my father. He also informs us that he is to work for -his passage, and that he has no money to purchase his sea stores. We -collected about sixteen shillings, and gave it to him. - -21. I expected that Admiral Keppel’s fleet would have come in before -this time, on account of the sun’s crossing the line; but they are not -yet in, so that I am in daily expectation of hearing that there has been -an engagement between the two fleets. - -To-day, eight more of our sick were carried into the prison hospital. -They are attacked with fever and ague, and a number more are very unwell -with the same complaint; and I am afraid it will be very sickly among -us, unless cold weather sets in very soon. - -22. To-day is King George’s coronation day, and between twelve and one -o’clock the fort and garrison fired a salute. There was but very little -firing to what there was last year, on account of there being but few -ships in the port. To-day, also, one Captain Smith came to see us. He -belongs to Portsmouth. He was taken in a merchantman bound to the West -Indies, and brought in here. His men are all put on board the -men-of-war; but he has got his liberty, and is bound home. A great -number in prison will send letters by him. - -23. There are a great many in prison, who contemplate having the beef -which we receive from subscription, and the soap, tobacco, and oatmeal, -and the herbs which we have in our broth, all taken off, and receive a -white loaf and some money instead of them. In order to ascertain the -mind of the majority, we all drew up in the yard and passed a vote, -which was in favor of the change; but whether the gentlemen, Mr. Heath -and Mr. Sorrey, will agree to it or not, we do not know; or whether the -agent will allow the money to come into the yard, is not yet determined. -I was for receiving the provisions, fearing that if the money was -allowed to come into the yard, it would be attended with many bad -consequences—too many to enumerate here. - -24. This afternoon, Captain Smith came to see us again, and took our -letters. I sent one by him to my father. To-day our small beer was very -bad, and we refused to take it; they afterwards got some that was a very -little better; but a great part in prison carried theirs and turned it -over the gate, before the eyes of the prison officers, chosing rather, -to drink water. The prison has been in an uproar all day, it being -donation day. Several in prison became intoxicated, and went to -fighting; but after a few battles the prison was again quiet. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - -Rols’ Escape—Very Sickly—Another Escape—Unfaithful Doctor—Frenchmen - Escape and Return—Captain Ravel’s Escape—Mr. Kirk’s Escape—A - Pardon—Thirty-two released, to go on board Men-of-war—Fourteen more - petition for the same—An Indian Pow-wow—Cartel—Letters from - Portsmouth—Beer Troubles—The Man that was punished unjustly - rescued—Cartel encouragement—Captain Lee’s Escape—Commemoration—New - Arrangement—Spotted Fever among the French—Second Draft for the - Ships—The Albion taken by the French—Twenty-two months a Prisoner—101 - Sabbath privileges lost. - - -SEPTEMBER 25. To-day Captain Ellenwood, belonging to Beverly, came to -see us; he was taken, but has since been discharged, and is now bound -home. A great number of letters were sent by him; I sent one to my -brother. Last night, one Captain Rols made his escape from a separate -prison, incognito, and it was not discovered till eleven o’clock to-day; -and would not then have been, had it not been for his messmates, who, -when they drew provisions, told of it; fearing that if they drew for -him, they would be brought into trouble, as there are express orders -against it. - -26. To-day two French prizes were brought into this port. - -27. Sunday. Last night, a young man in this prison, having a mind to go -on board the men-of-war, made his escape over the wall in a shower of -rain, and was not discovered. He was one of the number that lately -petitioned to go on board the ships. To-day several more of the sick -were carried down to the prison hospital. I think there is more than -double the number sick now than has been at any time since I have been -in prison, except when the small-pox went through the prison. If a man -is sick, and very bad, the doctor will take him to the hospital a few -days, as a matter of form. He has served several thus, and sent them up -again before they were half recovered, and oftentimes when they were -scarcely able to walk. - -28. To-day our clothing was examined, as of late has been customary once -a month, and as they called the roll they missed the man that made his -escape the night before last; but they know when, where, or how he went. - -29. We learn, by the paper, that General Carlton has arrived home; and -also that Parliament is prorogued till the 26th of November. - -30. Wet, stormy weather, which renders our confinement very tedious. We -are informed that a few French prisoners, who made their escape a few -nights ago, out of a prison in a separate yard, got a boat and set out -for France, but meeting with the storm, put about and came back again, -and delivered themselves up. - -October 1. The first part of last night was very dark, and stormy, and -had it not cleared away just as it did before the moon set, immediately -after she set there would have been an elopement from this and the -officers’ prison; but as it was, one Captain Ravel made his escape from -the officers’ prison, incognito, which I hope hereafter fully to -describe. Our new Black-hole is finished to punish Yankees in, and -to-day a man was put in for little or nothing—for what they call abusing -the turnkey—and ever since he has been in, he has been cutting with a -small penknife, and has got a hole through the door near six inches -square. To-day nearly one hundred Frenchmen were brought to prison; they -were taken in a French East Indiaman. - -2. Last night one Mr. Kirk made his escape from the officers’ prison; he -took the same method that Captains Rols and Ravel did before him. - -3. This morning, when the guard came to let the officers out, they -missed Captain Ravel and Mr. Kirk, but they knew not when, where, or how -they went, so they made no great stir about them. - -4. Sunday. This forenoon a gentleman came with a pardon for thirty-three -men that petitioned to go on board the men-of-war, which was nearly as -follows: - -“His Majesty has been graciously pleased to grant a free pardon to -thirty-three men, by name ——, resident in this prison, upon condition -that they will serve, and continue to serve in His Majesty’s Navy.” This -gentleman said that these men are to be taken out of prison to-morrow, -but one of the thirty-three has lately made his escape, and we have -heard since that he is on board a man-of-war. He also said that those -whose names are not on the list, but wish to enter on board the -men-of-war, if they would petition, the same course would be taken, and -he had no doubt it would be answered to their satisfaction. Accordingly, -this afternoon a petition was written, and about fourteen signed it. - -6. Last night there was but very little sleep in this prison, for the -men who went on board the men-of-war this morning, were so overjoyed at -the thought of being released from prison, that they could not, or would -not, sleep the fore part of the night, but ran about the prison, -hallooing, and stamping, and singing, like mad-men, till they were tired -out, and then went to bed; but the rest in prison were resolved, as they -would not let us sleep the first part of the night, we would not let -them sleep the latter; accordingly, we all turned out, and had an Indian -Pow-wow, and as solid as the prison is, we made it shake. In this manner -we spent the night, and in the morning early the men were called out, -twenty of whom were immediately carried on board the Russel ship-of-war, -now lying in the Sound. The other twelve were taken out about eleven -o’clock, and sent on board the Royal George, now lying in Plymouth dock. -As they went out, they gave us three cheers; we returned it, for in joy -we parted. Among those who went to-day were about a dozen Americans, but -they were chiefly inconsiderate youths. This is a move that I have long -wished to see, but it came now very unexpectedly. For my own part, to -enter on board a ship of war is the last thing I would do. I would -undergo every thing but death before I would think of such a thing. This -prison has been a little hell upon earth, but I prefer it as much before -a man-of-war, as I would a palace before a dungeon. Ten days ago there -were 330 prisoners here, now there are only 294. - -6. There is a great alteration to be seen in this prison since those men -went away, and I make no doubt that after another draft, we shall have -peace and tranquillity, and live in harmony, and make ourselves happy, -considering our situation, to what we have been for months past. - -7. This morning, when Mr. Sorrey came to bring us our money, he desired -the butcher to tell us that we might depend upon it that a cartel was -settled, and that we are very soon to be exchanged for prisoners in -France. The strongest circumstance that induces us to believe it is, -that those men were admitted on board the men-of-war. This news also -agrees with a letter which we received clandestinely from Captain -Harris, in Portsmouth prison; he writes that a Rev. gentleman, who has -been a friend from the beginning, told him that there was actually a -cartel negotiating. - -8. Nothing remarkable, but repeated confirmations of what we have heard -before. - -9. It is four months to-day since Admiral Biron’s fleet sailed from the -Sound, and as yet we have heard of no arrival, except one ship. Also, -this afternoon the brewer that supplies us with beer, through a mistake -brought a cask of strong beer instead of malt, and he did not find out -his mistake until he got here, and so was obliged to carry it back -again. Afterwards, he brought us some that was small enough, and was not -according to contract; we received it, but several took theirs and -turned it over the gate. The man that was put in the Black-hole, nine -days ago, has ever since been punished unjustly, and to-day he was -resolved to get out, and we were resolved to get him out. After tearing -the Black-hole yard down, which is about twenty feet long and eight -wide, he got out and came into this prison, and in the afternoon the -whole guard came in with their arms, and demanded the man. But, with one -accord, we all said that he should not be punished unjustly, and if they -put him in the Black-hole it should not stand an hour. All this time the -man had posted himself advantageously upon a beam over head in this -prison, with a large stone in each hand, and a stocking full besides, -swearing, in a most determined manner, that he would crack the first -man’s skull that offered to touch him. The guard went in to persuade him -to go peaceably, but he would not, and they dared not, or did not touch -him; and after a long controversy, they went out without him. - -10. We learn, by the papers, that the Fox frigate, and a ship of -eighteen guns, and one of sixteen guns, are taken by the French and -carried into France. - -11. Sunday. To-day we received a pound of potatoes per man, instead of -cabbage, which the late draught has rendered very scarce. - -12. To-day three letters were received in this prison, from prisoners in -Portsmouth. They agree concerning the cartel which is expected to take -place. They write that passports are signed and passed from Dr. Franklin -to the ministry. They write, also, that they had it from the American -agent in Paris. - -13. To-day, a fleet consisting of fifty sail, with convoy, passed this -harbor. We suppose them to be an outward bound West India fleet. - -14. Last night Captain Lee made his escape from the officers’ prison, in -the same manner that Captain Rols and others did, before him; and there -are several others who are fixed, and only waiting for an opportunity to -go the same way. - -15. It is twenty-three months to-day since I left Newbury. This morning -when the guard counted the officers out, they missed one; and after a -long search, they found it to be Captain Lee. But all they know about -it, is that he is gone. - -16. As it is twelve months to-day since General Burgoyne was taken, in -commemoration thereof, at one o’clock, we all drew up in the yard, and -gave three cheers: and at night, before we were turned in, we did the -same. This afternoon, seven more American prisoners were brought to -prison. They were lately brought from Liverpool, and were captured in -different vessels. - -17. For two days past, there have been no doctors here to attend to our -sick, and I hear that the chief physician at the royal hospital has the -charge of them. To-day a number were removed into this prison, from a -separate prison, called the itchy ward, to make room for the sick. The -masons are now at work, building a chimney in an old prison, in this -yard, that has lately been repaired. This prison is to be made an -hospital for the sick, as the other hospital is wanted for the French -prisoners; for there is between five and six hundred of them in one -large prison, in a separate yard, and they are very sickly. They have -the spotted fever among them, which was brought by those taken in the -French East Indiaman. - -18. Sunday. Yesterday the officers in the other prisons received a -private letter from without, which confirms the news concerning a -cartel, giving the particulars, which causes great satisfaction in the -yard. - -19. A man in prison received a letter from the Russell, ship-of-war, -which is now lying in the Sound, from those who went on board from this -prison. They write that they are bound to a station in the East Indies. - -20. This morning a pardon arrived from the King, for the fourteen men -who petitioned to go on board the King’s ships. - -21. This morning, the same man that brought the first draft, came, and -called over the names of those fourteen men, and asked them of what -country they were, and how long they had been to sea. Two of them being -sick of their bargain, denied that their names were there. - -I am in hopes of soon hearing that Rhode Island is taken, for I hear -that the British troops there, have burnt five frigates and two -sloops-of-war, fearing that they would fall into the hands of the -Americans. From the same source we learn that the Albion, a ship of -sixty-four guns, is taken by the French, and carried into France.—Also, -that four sail of the line have lately sailed from France, bound to -America, to join Count D’Estaing; and also, that the English have taken -another East Indiaman from the French, besides that which was brought in -here. - -22. To-day some officers from the ships came after those men, and the -two before mentioned denied that they signed their names. They did not -ask them to go, but one man went that did not sign, so that on the whole -they got thirteen, which, with the first draft, makes forty-five men -that have gone on board the men-of-war. But those who remain, I believe, -are true sons of America. - -23. Notwithstanding the encouragement we have about being exchanged, -last evening a man made his escape by getting over the wall. It being -very dark and rainy, more would have gone the same way, but they were -discovered by the guard. - -24. It is twenty-two months to-day, that I have been a prisoner; but now -I think the auspicious day is at hand, when, with God’s blessing, we -shall all take our departure from this place. If I mistake not, this is -the only day since I have been a prisoner, that we have not been -counted. But this morning we were let out, and at night turned in, -without any such thing; so that it appears they grow very careless about -us to what they have been, which I consider a good omen. - -25. Sunday. One hundred and one Sundays have passed since I have enjoyed -a Sabbath day’s privilege. To-day being King Charles’ restoration day, -the garrison and fort fired a salute. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - -Oil of tar for Prison—Frenchmen break out—One Shot—Reduction of - Donation—Two Americans in Irons—Various opinions about the - Cartel—Several Holes in hand—Fearful Apprehensions—Dominica taken by - the French and Americans—King’s Troops on Martha’s Vineyard—Drunken - Prisoners delivered up—Forbearance of the Guard—Fire in the - Black-hole—Four American Boys—Dolton as Fortune Privateer—Base - Treachery—Plans Discovered—Mitchell the Villain—Letter of Thanks—Two - Years from Home—Unsuccessful Attempts. - - -OCTOBER 26. It is twenty-three months to-day, since we sailed in the -brig Dolton from Portsmouth. It is a long time since this prison was -smoked, so that it is exceedingly foul, and smells very offensive. -To-day, by order of Dr. Far, the principal physician of the royal -hospital, who has now the care of our sick, some stuff was procured, -which they tell us is the oil of tar, which was put on the posts fore -and aft the prison, above and below. They inform us that it is better -than smoking. Be it as it may, it gives the prison a very disagreeable -smell. - -27. As the evenings are now of considerable length, although we are not -allowed candles, yet we have them every night, and have had them for -several weeks past. - -28. Last night the French prisoners broke out of their prison, through a -hole which they had dug several yards under ground. I cannot learn the -exact number that got out. However, they were discovered by the guard -and pursued, and one of them was shot through the breast. After which, a -turnkey struck him on the head with an iron poker, but he is yet alive. -The Frenchmen are very sickly; they have the spotted fever amongst them, -which carries off great numbers. - -This morning, Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey came to see us, and informed us -that they had received a letter from the committee, in London, with -orders to deduct sixpence per week from each officer, and ninepence from -each private; so that for the future, the officers are to receive two -shillings and sixpence each, per week, and privates one shilling and -threepence each, per week. All the reason I can assign for this change, -is, that the donation grows short. - -29. The camp at Coxheath is now broken up, and the Somersetshire -militia, with the 13th regiment, have removed to the barracks at -Plymouth dock; so that one day we are guarded by the militia, and the -other by the 13th regiment.—To-day, about fifty Frenchmen were removed -from a separate prison, in another yard, to the prison-ship, for want of -room in that prison. - -30. To-day Mr. Sorrey came and answered a petition which we sent out, to -receive what we are allowed in money, as it is so trifling. Mr. Sorrey -says that Mr. Heath is absent, so that he will continue the provisions -until he returns, and then he will consult him. - -31. We learn, from the papers, that Lord Howe and Sir George Johnston, -have arrived home in the Eagle man-of-war, of sixty-four guns. - -November 1. This afternoon two Americans were brought to the gate, in -irons, having four or five men, with pistols, guarding them; but who -they were, or where they were taken, I cannot tell. I suppose, however, -that they were not committed, by their being carried away again. - -2. It is almost four weeks since Mr. Sorrey told us that we were to be -exchanged; and some in prison, who believed it at first, begin to think -it very doubtful; some did not believe it at first. For my own part, I -am persuaded it is true, and believe it will be soon—how soon I cannot -tell; but every day since I heard of it, seems as long as a week before. - -3. At this time we have several holes in hand, one of which was -discovered this morning, by some dirt that was carried out in the tubs -to the edge of the river, to empty. To-day two large two-deckers came -in, which, I suppose, belong to Admiral Keppel’s fleet; and hear that -they are all in Portsmouth, and other ports. I also hear that the Ocean, -a three-decker, a ship of ninety guns, which came in a few days ago in a -storm which she experienced, sprung a leak, and threw overboard most of -her guns. - -4. To-day Mr. Sorrey came, and brought some money for the officers, but -none for us, as our provisions for the week past amounts to what we are -allowed. Mr. Sorrey says that he expects the cartel very soon. The Lord -have mercy upon us, if it does not arrive before the donation is all -expended, for the second death will be worse than the first. - -5. To-day, being gunpowder treason, at one o’clock the garrison and fort -fired a salute, and the bells in Plymouth have been chiming most of the -day. - -6. To-day about one hundred more of the French prisoners in another -yard, were removed on board the Cambridge, a prison ship. For several -days past, a number of men have been at work laying the foundation of a -large prison hospital, which is to be built. - -It has been strongly reported this week, that Dominica has been taken by -the French and Americans, and this evening I had the pleasure of seeing -it confirmed, in the paper, by authority. The Lieutenant Governor of -that Island is now a prisoner in France. - -7. We learn, by the paper, that the King’s troops in America, have been -to Martha’s Vineyard, disarmed the inhabitants, and demanded ten -thousand sheep and five hundred oxen. - -8. Sunday. Nothing very remarkable. Various conjectures concerning a -cartel. Some imagine it is to come from France; others think it will be -fitted out in England, and others are doubtful if it will come at all. - -9. I thought that all who had any idea of going on board the men-of-war, -had gone; but I understand that a number have sent their names out, to -go; how many I cannot tell, as they did it very slyly. We shall know who -they are, and how many, when an order comes to take them out. - -10. This morning two of our men got some liquor, clandestinely, and made -themselves drunk. One of these, about twelve o’clock, went to the gate -to buy some strong beer, which was denied him, and being in a passion, -without any provocation, he swore that he would break the agent’s -windows, and took up some old shoes, bones and stones, and threw them -till he had broken seven squares in one window, and one in another, in -the front of the agent’s office. There being three of them intoxicated, -one of them took hold of the sentry at the gate, and would have taken -his gun from him, but the guard came in, and the captain of the guard -took hold of one of them, and being a militia man, and a very great -gentleman, he said that he was lothe to bring his men who were armed, -against us who were unarmed, and so went out. Upon which, we took one of -them ourselves and pitched him out of the gate by the nape of the neck, -and so delivered him up. In the afternoon, after we were turned out, we -took the other two and delivered them up. All of which were sent to the -Black-hole. So, that if any man misbehaves and deserves punishment, we -will deliver him up, or punish him ourselves, rather than he should go -unpunished; but rather than see a man chastised unjustly, we will do our -utmost for his rescue. As for instance, on the 19th of October, when we -released one of these same men from the Black-hole. - -11. Those three men who were put in the Black-hole yesterday, employed -themselves last night, in cutting through the bulkhead that separates -the Black-hole from the hospital, and piled up the chips and set them on -fire. Where they obtained the fire we cannot tell, but they were soon -glad enough to put it out, as the smoke increased. This afternoon four -American boys came to see us, that were taken with Captain Claston, in -the Freedom, above twelve months ago. Those boys were detained, and now -belong to the Apollo frigate. - -12. As a fortnight has passed, and we have received no money, we begin -to fear that we shall receive no more; but what is left of the donation, -I expect we shall receive in clothes and provision; and for that reason, -and the want of employment, I to-day began to make boxes. - -13. We learn, from the paper, that the Fortune privateer, Captain George -Tarton, which was formerly the Dolton, has made more money by -privateering, than any other privateer out of England, since the -commencement of hostilities between the English and French. - -14. Last evening, it being dark and rainy, two holes were opened at the -back part of the prison, and five men went out. They had agreed with a -soldier to let them pass for so much money. This soldier’s name was -Mitchell; he was once a stage-driver in America. He let them out, and -they gave him two pounds nineteen shillings; but after they delivered -him the money, he let them out where the guard stood ready to receive -them and carry them to the Black-hole. This morning, the guard went into -the officers’ prison and discovered a hole under the stairs, where they -had dug down about six feet, and then proceeded through the guard-house -and came up under the guard bed.—They then went up stairs and demanded -the keys of the officers’ chests, which they opened, and found a suit of -uniform which one of the officers had purchased to make his escape in. -This was the method Captains Rols, Ravel, Lee, and Mr. Kirk took to make -their escape,—following the guard out when they used to come at night; -but this scheme is blasted. The hole in the officers’ prison had been -finished near a month, and they had been only waiting for an opportunity -to put their plans into execution; but as this Mitchell has appeared to -be a friend, I suppose that some one of the officers communicated it to -him, and he informed his officer; so by that means it was discovered. - -This afternoon Mr. Sorrey and Mr. Heath came to see us, and we presented -them with a letter of thanks for the many favors we have received at -their hands, and requested them to let us have part of what we are to -receive, in money. This favor we probably shall obtain. We have not -received any coals from government, for the comfort of our sick in the -hospital, for nearly six weeks, but have been obliged to use the -donation coals. We informed Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey of this, and we -find that we have been cheated, by the agent and doctor, out of nearly -forty bushels of coals. - -15. Sunday. It is two years to-day since I left Newbury. Alas! little -did I think that I should be here now. Last night, a hole that we have -had in hand nearly a fortnight, unfortunately foundered in the street. -This hole was dug down by the side of the prison, about ten feet, and -our intention was to dig across the street under ground, into a garden -on the opposite side of the way; but, by the time it was half across, it -foundered. - -16. Night before last, we heard a firing which we could not account for. -We have since heard that the Royal George ran ashore from her moorings, -but was got of again with but little trouble. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - -Twenty-one—A Sorrowful Freedom—Fort on Drake’s Island—A Report—A Request - granted—London Evening Post—Breach in Black-hole—Disagreeable - Confinement—William Moody—Evening Post—John Howe—Escape - prevented—King’s Speech—Anthony Shomaker’s Escape—Thoughts about the - Cartel—Roll of Prisoners called by the Board—English Prisoners at - Brest—Bad Money—Sorrowful Day—Donation Money closes—Hyfield’s - Escape—Unsuccessful Attempt—Exposure of the Sick—John Lott died—Public - Prayer—Insolent Captain rebuked—Letter of Thanks to the Hon. - Committee—Escape of Captain Ross. - - -NOVEMBER 17. Tuesday. I am twenty-one years of age. Alas! little did I -think, three years ago, that at this age I should have spent so much of -my time immersed in prison. A sorrowful freedom this; or rather no -freedom at all. There has been nothing to be purchased within these -walls to-day, to drink, but cold water, and we came near having nothing -to eat; for, it being rainy last night, some in prison broke a hole -through the wall, with the intent to go out, but were discovered, and -this morning our butcher went out to cut the meat up, but the agent put -all in prison on half allowance, and then went off. When the butcher -came in, we told the cooks not to cut the meat up, for we would not -receive half allowance. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon the agent came -back, in a great passion, swearing by all that was good or bad, that all -in this prison should go on half allowance. The men that dug the hole -offered to go to the Black-hole, but he refused their offer; but after a -long controversy, he became a little more calm, and took the men and -gave us our allowance, which we received about dark. - -18. For several days past, a large number of men have been at work upon -an island, called Drake’s Island. It seems that they have been building -new works; I suppose for fear that a landing may be attempted by the -French; and another fort is building further up the river. - -19. To-day Joseph Burnham, one of our company, who had his leg cut off -some months ago, has so far recovered as to come up into this yard. - -20. We learn, by the papers, that 10,000 troops are to be sent to -America in the spring, and the war is to be pushed with the utmost -vigor, both by sea and land. - -21. To-day we received a letter from Mr. Sorrey and Mr. Heath, which -informs us that the beef shall be deducted, which we have received by -subscription, and the other articles continued as before, and that we -shall receive sixpence per week in money, according to our request. - -22. Sunday. Wet, dirty weather, as it has been for three or four weeks -past, in which time there has scarcely been a day in which it has not -rained more or less. - -23. This evening I had the privilege of hearing the London Evening Post -read, which is a paper we seldom see, and in which is a burlesque on the -Ministry, very severe. - -24. I have been a prisoner three-and-twenty months to-day. - -25. To-day we received sixpence per man, and the beef was deducted; the -rest of the provisions continue, which, with sixpence per week, amounts -to what we are allowed—fifteen pence, as before mentioned. This -afternoon, the men in the Black-hole, being vexed by ill usage, and not -being allowed to come out and take the air, broke down the Black-hole -door, which alarmed the guard, and the agent ordered five of them to be -put in irons; but the militia being on guard, and the officer being a -great gentleman, he put only one of them in irons. - -26. It is two years to-day since we sailed in the brig Dolton from -Portsmouth. To-day the Parliament is to set, according to adjournment. - -27. Wet, rainy, blustering, unsteady weather, which renders our -confinement more tedious than in good weather, on account of our being -obliged to keep house a great part of the time. At present, many in -prison are destitute of shoes, and of late our prison has become very -leaky. Along through the last of summer and the first of fall, for -nearly three months, there was scarcely rain enough to wet the dust; but -now, for a month past, there has been scarcely a day but there has been -more or less rain; so that the grass in the fields looks much better now -than it did in the month of August, when the fields were parched up for -want of rain. - -28. Nothing remarkable. - -29. Sunday. To-day William Moody came to see us; I had not the least -expectation of ever seeing him again in these parts, for I expected that -he had got home before this, as he was cleared a long time ago. Where he -has been ever since I cannot tell, but he tells us that he is now a -carpenter of a privateer of eight guns, belonging to this port, in which -he has been one cruise, and taken one French St. Domingo vessel. - -30. Nothing remarkable. - -December 1. This evening I had the privilege of reading the London -Evening Post, in which is an account of the capture of three English -frigates, by name the Minerva and the Acton, carried into the West -Indies, and the Thundering Unicorn, into Boston. - -2. This afternoon, one John Howe came to see us. He made his escape out -of this prison a few months ago, and went on board the Blenheim, a guard -ship in this port; and as he was one that petitioned to go on board the -men-of-war, after he made his escape his pardon came down for him with -the rest; so that he may come on shore, as often as he can get liberty, -with safety. He induced two of the number who petitioned last to run -away, at night, when they went out with their tubs, which they did, and -a boy with them, but they were pursued by the guard, taken, and lodged -in the Black-hole. - -3. The three that were put in the Black-hole last night were taken out -to-day. To-day I had the opportunity of seeing and reading the King’s -speech on the 26th of last month, in which he seems very cool and -moderate to what he was at the opening of the session last year. His -speech was not long, but too long to be comprehended here; but he -confesses that his arms have not met with the success that the justness -of the cause and their exertions promised; and I think that he seems -rather inclined to peace, as he says, if it can be attained consistently -with the honor and dignity of the crown. - -4. This evening we had two papers in prison, the Exeter paper and the -London Evening Post; in the latter were the proceedings of Parliament. -This paper says that the King was never seen to look so melancholy, and -to speak so sorrowful, as on the 26th of Nov. last; and he was never -seen to exert himself, except when he addressed the House of Commons for -support. In the same paper are several fine speeches in favor of -America; they lament the loss of Dominica, and deplore the situation of -Great Britain and all her foreign territories. - -5. Last evening Mr. Anthony Shomaker privately made his escape from the -officers’ prison, and but very few in this yard knew any thing of it -until this evening; and neither the agent nor the guard know it yet, -which makes it well for the mess he left, as they draw his provisions. -But this is not the only thing; the reason we keep it from them is that -he may have a better chance to get off, and to screen the militia on -guard at the time. - -6. Sunday. By this time I begin to feel very sad about our cartel, for I -expected that it would have been here before this time, but I entertain -the same opinion, about its being agreed upon, now, as I did at first; I -am fearful, however, that something has turned up to prevent its being -put in execution. - -7. We were all called to muster just before night. We thought it was on -account of Mr. Shomaker being gone, but we were soon convinced to the -contrary, as they did not find it out till his name was called; and I -have heard since that the Board sent down for an immediate list of all -the prisoners here. There are various conjectures concerning this -uncommon affair; some are encouraged by it, others not. - -8. We learn, from the papers, that there are 7000 English prisoners in -and about Brest. - -9. To-day Mr. Coudry, the agent, and Mr. Turner, his clerk, told us that -we should be exchanged very soon; it was but a few days ago that they -contradicted the story concerning a cartel, and wanted to entice us to -enter on board the men-of-war, so that I pay no regard to what they say, -whether it be for us, or against us. - -10. To-day the story concerning a cartel is rumored again; we are told -that the transports are engaged for that purpose; and some say that we -shall be gone in a fortnight, others in a month. - -11. At this time, there is considerable bad money in prison, which was -brought and handed in as change for good money, by some of the turnkeys -or market people, and now that they begin to be suspicious of our going -away soon, they will take no more of it, though it has passed in and out -for several months, so that there is considerable laying on our hands, -which we are obliged to lose. Some in prison have several shillings in -bad half pence. - -12. I fear that I shall forever have cause to remember this day, to my -sorrow; for this morning, when we were turned out, it was reported from -the officers’ prison that the Act by which we were committed was again -renewed, but upon further inquiry, and upon searching the paper, we -found it to be nearly as follows: Sir Gray Cooper made a motion in the -House for leave to bring in a bill to renew this act, for a certain -limited time, which passed without a debate. But the worst is yet to -come; Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey, who hitherto have been messengers of -good news, came this afternoon with tidings of bad news, in a letter -from the committee in London, which gives an account of all the donation -being expended. This occasions many long faces in prison; but in this -letter there is a word of comfort, for they write that the time is so -short which we have to stay in prison, that they thought it not worth -while to open a new subscription, though they have the same feelings for -us that they ever had; which seems to imply, that if it was necessary, -or if we were to stay here long, they would do it again. - -13. Sunday. The sudden, disagreeable, and unexpected news that we -received yesterday, has greatly added to our affliction, and this is the -last day that we may expect any thing from the donation. To-day we -received a fourpenny white loaf per mess, which came last night; so that -from this time we may bid it adieu. This donation has lasted exactly -eleven months and one day; so that it was eleven months yesterday since -we received the first of it. Doubtless many of us would have been in our -graves before this day, had it not been for this; and heaven, I hope, -will reward the donors. - -14. To-day we received another fourpenny loaf per mess; the occasion of -it I cannot tell. Last evening, about eight o’clock, Mr. Hyfield made -his escape from the officers’ prison, in disguise; and about ten o’clock -another attempted it in the same way, but was discovered, and sent to -the Black-hole. There are a number sick in another prison in this yard, -which is called a hospital; but it is not worth the name, as there is no -fire-place in it, neither is it water tight, but whenever it rains, as -it has done most of the time of late, it beats in upon the sick as they -lay in their beds. At this time there are several sick with the fever, -three, of whom now appear to be at the point of death. - -15. Last evening John Lott died with fever; he was an Indian that was -taken with Captain Brown, in the sloop Charming Sally. He is the seventh -man that has died in prison since I came here, and he is the seventh -that Captain Brown has lost of his men since he was taken. Six of our -crew have died since we were taken, two of Captain Lee’s, and one of -Captain Henry Johnson’s. There are two men in prison who lay dangerously -sick, and to-day we got leave for Mr. Heath to come and pray with them, -which is the only public prayer that has been made in this yard since we -came to prison. I think it not amiss to mention a few words that this -Rev. gentleman said concerning the sick. He said that they should be -supplied with such necessaries as they wanted for their comfort, if he -had to go about the country with a bag and beg them. To-day we came upon -our old government allowance, which, I must confess, is better than it -was in 1777; the quantity is the same, except half a pint of peas on -Saturday, which we were then cheated out of; our beef and bread are the -same in quantity, but better in quality. To-day the agent served out a -few clothes to such as were in immediate need, but poor Charles gets -none. - -16. To-day the sick were removed from one prison, in this yard, to -another that has been some time preparing for them. - -17. Yesterday the captain of the grenadiers in the 13th regiment was on -guard; last evening he came into this prison and used two or three men -very ill. As this man has lately boasted that no man could make his -escape while he was on guard, and as they had not found out that Mr. -Hyfield was gone, who made his escape several evenings ago, and on -account of the captain’s insolence and abuse last evening, we let them -know it this morning, so that they think he went away on this captain’s -guard, and the blame, if there is any, will fall upon his head. To-day, -by the request of the whole prison, a letter of thanks was written, and -sent to the honorable committee in London, and we desired that it might -be made public, by putting it in the paper. As there was something in it -which we did not wish the agent to see, we sent it out by the officer of -the guard, who, being a gentleman in the militia, and approving mightily -of it, promised to forward it on its way. - -18. A report has prevailed in prison, to-day, that information has been -received that two ships have been engaged, in Portsmouth, to carry us to -Boston. - -19. Last night Captain Alexander Ross made his escape from the officers’ -prison. Our officers that have made their escape so many times lately, -may thank good friends and their money for getting off; but a poor -foremast hand, with no friends, and no money in his pocket, would stand -but a poor chance to get off, if he was without the walls. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - -Cruel purposes of the Ministry—Petition for Pardon—Mr. Salter’s - Escape—Cruel Act renewed—Last of the Donation—Solemn - Covenant—Sorrowful Christmas—Court Martial—Another Hole—Great plan - for a general Elopement—Arrangement of Escape—Plan put - in execution—Wandering in the Fields—Lost—Limb out of - joint—Surprise—Carried to Plymouth—Number escaped, 109—How - discovered—Punishment—A sorrowful New Year—Extreme Suffering—Good - Friends—New Year’s Gift—Not discouraged digging—Large Fleets—Captain - Boardman escapes—A Reprieve for a Dog—Heavy Bounty for Prisoners. - - -DECEMBER 20. We learn, by the papers, that the ministry are resolved to -carry on another campaign in America; and, if they can do nothing else, -spread horror and depredation from one end of the continent to the -other. They have a new mode for carrying on the war; as I believe they -have given up all idea of conquering the country. They mean now, to -destroy their seaports, and render the country of as little use to -France as possible; but poor old England is in a deplorable situation, -and this, I believe, will be her last dying struggle. - -Thirty-one lords have drawn up a protest against this new system of war, -to warn the public and to screen themselves from the evil that may fall -upon those who persist in this inhuman and bloody conflict. - -21. There has been no answer to the last petition that was sent to the -Board; and to-day another petition was written and signed by a -considerable number. This short allowance strikes such a dread upon a -great number in this prison, that I am afraid it will frighten many, and -induce them to go on board the men-of-war, who otherwise would have no -thoughts of going. For my own part, I have received about a half a -guinea for boxes, of late, but if I had not a farthing it would be -equally the same, for as long as I can get provision enough to keep body -and soul together, I shall prefer this prison to a man-of-war. - -22. Last evening Mr. Salter made his escape from the officers’ prison. -Captain Boardman attempted it, but was discovered, and put in the -Black-hole. - -We learn, by the papers, that the high treason Act is again renewed; for -how long a time, is uncertain. - -23. To-day Mr. Heath came and served out the remainder of the clothes, -that were left of the donation. I received only a pair of shoes. This is -the last that we may expect from the donation, either in provisions or -clothes, though we are allowed oatmeal to thicken our broth, and coals -to burn; which are given, as I suppose, by private gentlemen. - -24. It is two years to-day since we were taken. To-day a paper was drawn -up in prison, to discover who and how many were of a side, and to hasten -those who have a desire to petition, and to prevent petitioning -hereafter; for we have reason to think it has already been of great -damage to us. The contents of the paper were as follows: - -“We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do, of our own free and -voluntary consent, agree firmly with each other, and hereby solemnly -swear, that we are fully determined to stand, and so remain as long as -we live, true and loyal to our Congress, our country, our wives, -children and friends, and never to petition to enter on board any of His -Britannic Majesty’s ships or vessels, or into any of his services -whatsoever.” - -The above was signed by upwards of a hundred. I was one of the number. -Some of the number that did not sign this, would not go on board of a -man-of-war any sooner than those that did sign it. - -25. This is Christmas, and a sorrowful one it is, though we had sent us, -by our friends without, a fourpenny white loaf per mess, and a little -cabbage. Little did I think, last Christmas, of being here now; neither -did I expect, three months ago, to be here to-day. But all signs seem to -fail; and it seems as though we were enchanted here. A third year of our -imprisonment has begun. - -26. We learn, by the papers, that Admiral Keppel is to receive a trial -by court martial, for his behavior on the 27th of July last, in an -engagement with the French fleet, off Brest. He is confined to his -house, with two sentries at his door. - -27. Sunday. At this time, we have a hole in hand, which we began near a -month ago. This hole is dug down by the side of the prison, about nine -feet perpendicular, and from thence it is dug about fifteen feet under -ground, across a road; and our intention is to dig up into a garden on -the other side of the way. A great quantity of dirt has already come out -of this hole, and we have much trouble in concealing it. We have filled -every hole and corner in the prison where we can with safety hide it, -and a great many large stones are laid fore and aft the prison, in -piles, under our hammocks, with old garments laid over them.—There has -been so many holes discovered of late, in this prison, that we are very -cautious how we proceed with this. We work only when the militia are on -guard, which is every other day, because they are not so suspicious and -exact in searching, as the 13th regiment. - -28. We have now got the hole almost completed, and mean to put our plan -into execution to-night, and I hope God will be with us. Never did I -know the true value of money until now; if I had four or five guineas, I -could scarcely have a doubt of my liberty; but from the want of this I -expect to be brought back again if I should have the good fortune to get -out. While I now write, we are dividing ourselves into companies, to -cast lots who shall go out first, so as to give every one an equal -chance that intends to go; except three that dug the hole—they are to go -first. I believe that nearly one half in prison intend to go, if -possible; but I fear that but very few will get out before we shall be -discovered, on account of their being four walls to get over, about -eight feet high, each, after we get into the garden, and before we get -into the road. - -29. Last night we opened the hole and shut it up again, until about -twelve o’clock. We then opened it again, and a man went out and opened a -window in the first wall. We likewise chose two of the principal men in -prison, that did not intend to go, to take the list of each company, and -stand one upon each side the hole, to see that every man went out in his -turn. It fell to my lot to go out in the first company, after those who -dug the hole. I went through, and came to the first wall, where the -window was open. Three more walls I had to get over, which were so high -that I could just jump and catch the tops of them; all of which, we went -over like greyhounds. Then six of us met and concluded to go together. -We then ran back into the country until we judged we were two or three -miles out of Plymouth, and in this manner we rambled about the fields, -up hill and down dale, over hedges and through ditches, till we were -lost and could not find the right road to Tinemouth, which was the town -we meant to aim for, about thirty-six miles from Plymouth. Before we -were lost, we walked about twenty miles, as we judged, backwards and -forwards, through the fields. We then sat down by the side of a hill, -till we were almost chilled to death. We then proceeded to a haystack, -under the lee of which we lay until the day began to break, and it being -cloudy, we could not discover the east from the west; so we wandered -about till daylight, when we found the road to Tinemouth, and pressed -forward till we came to a bridge, where, by the help of a milestone, we -found, to our great surprise, that we were only three miles from -Plymouth. At this bridge I pulled off a pair of trowsers, which I wore -to keep my breeches and stockings clean, and threw them into the stream. -We then pushed on two miles farther, in the road. By this time, the -people began to stir about, and we concluded it was no longer safe to -walk by daylight. We then took a cross road that led into the country, -and travelled about a mile, and then cut across some fields, and went -into a hedge, where we determined to lay till night, and then proceed on -our journey. It was almost seven o’clock in the morning when we went -into the hedge, and we lay there undiscovered, as we supposed, until an -hour before sunset. All this time, we lay on the wet grass, and had -nothing to eat or drink. We had only a penny loaf apiece, and that we -meant to save to eat in the night following, and so travel all night; -the next morning we expected to reach Tinemouth. About nine hours we lay -in the hedge, wet, hungry, and almost chilled to death with the cold; -lying all the time in one position, longing for the night to come. I -went to stir one of my legs and a bone snapped and went out of joint, -and as one of the company was setting it, about ten farmers, with a -soldier, came upon us. One of them had a pistol, one a bayonet, one a -flail, and all the rest had clubs; we told them that we came into -Plymouth in a prize, and were bound to Tinemouth. The country was -alarmed, and we were taken. They carried us to a little village and gave -us a good glass of brandy, and a halfpenny cake, apiece. We were then -guarded by a sergeant of the militia, and about a dozen farmers, to -Plymouth. We stopped on the road to get something to drink, but they -would not let us stop to eat. We came to Plymouth in the evening, and -some hundred men gathered round us and caused great confusion and -excited a tumultuous broil. In this fray I lost my penny loaf. From -thence we were brought to prison again, where we found that about thirty -were taken before us, and the Black-hole was full; so that we were put -in the long prison again. I was here informed that one hundred and nine -men got out at this hole, and that it was carried on with the greatest -regularity, till a boy went out who was unable to get over the wall, and -he called for help, which alarmed the guard; otherwise, every man in -prison might have got out, that had any inclination to do so. - -30. Last night and to-day, about forty more were brought back, and those -in the Black-hole taken out, and all put on half allowance. - -31. To-day a number more were brought back, and those of us who are on -short allowance, are divided into messes, eight men in a mess, all to -sit down to a four pound loaf, and three pounds of beef, before it is -cooked, a bowl of broth, and a little cabbage, which we have only every -other day. To-day a mess of us joined together and bought a bag of -potatoes, of fifteen gallons, for two shillings and ninepence, which -will be of great service to us, on our forty days’ half allowance. - -January 1, 1779. This is a new year, and a sorrowful one it is, though -our friends sent us a white loaf to every mess on full allowance, and -would have sent one to those on half allowance, but our cruel agent -would not let it come in. This so vexed us that we went and reasoned the -case with him, and he at last consented to let it come in, if it was -intended only as a new year’s gift. We have also received greens, for -four days past, instead of cabbage or peas, which is not half so good as -either. We have to-day written a petition to the Board to see if they -will grant us peas, and another, to see if they will favor us in regard -to provision or time, while on half allowance. Two more men were brought -back this afternoon. As yet, I have not got over my frolic. My knee is -stiff where I put it out of joint. My hands are sore, being torn with -burs. In short, I have not got a place about me the size of a halfpenny, -but what is stiff and sore. - -2. To-day we wrote a note to Mr. Heath, to let him know that Mr. Coudry -had consented to let a loaf come in to each mess on half allowance, as a -new year’s gift. Also, to-day the agent served out shoes to almost every -man in prison, except those on half allowance. We have received a letter -from Portsmouth, which informs us that fifteen men had gone from that -prison on board the men-of-war, last week, and that there are two -hundred and thirty American prisoners there. - -3. Sunday. In answer to the note we sent yesterday, to Mr. Heath, we -received a white loaf to each mess on half allowance, and the generosity -of our friends led them to send us a sixpenny loaf, which make our -hearts glad. - -4. Notwithstanding there are so many of us on half allowance, it does -not discourage us from digging, for yesterday we began another hole, and -last night it was unfortunately discovered. - -This afternoon another man was brought back, who had got as far as -Torbay, where he saw three hundred sail of vessels, in three fleets, one -of which was bound to New York, one to Halifax, and the other to the -West Indies, most of them with provisions, and some troops. - -5. Last night, Captain Boardman made his escape from the officers’ -prison, and as there has been none brought back to-day, it gives us -reason to hope, that those who are now out, will escape from this -detested place. The number not yet returned is twenty-four, as -eighty-five out of one hundred and nine have been brought back again. - -6. This morning, I began to set myself up to sell bread, to enlarge the -little amount of money I have, while on half allowance. I send out to -the baker’s and purchase by the dozen, and retail it out; by which means -I realize twopence on a dozen. As necessity is the mother of invention, -so necessity obliges me to take every honest method to get a penny, -especially at this time, when we have greens, or cabbage as they are -called, instead of peas, but unworthy of the name of either, for it is -more like kelp than cabbage, and it is not fit for any human being to -eat. - -7. To-day a gentleman came to the gate and gave in a crown, to be -divided among ninety of us in prison, who are on half allowance. This -crown gains a reprieve for a dog, which keeps in the yard and belongs to -some of the officers on guard. This dog we are resolved to kill and eat, -in a few days, as necessity will oblige us to do so. This evening two -more men were brought back, who went out on the 28th of December. They -were taken about forty miles distant, at a place called Exmouth. There -are now only twenty-two out, as eighty-seven have been brought back. We -are told that five pounds a head is given for every one that is taken -up; if so, it has cost government four hundred and thirty-five pounds -for the eighty-seven that are brought back. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - -A Hurricane—Great Distress—Kills a Dog—Dog divided—Cooked and - eat—Rats eat in Prison—Voluntary Surrender—Good News—Cartel - arrived—Pardon—Great Joy—A small Donation—Spanish Fleet—Another - Pardon—A Wonder—Number of Prisoners left—Wait impatiently—Another - Hole in hand—Eleven Frenchmen escape—Good News from Bilboa—Happy - Event—Twenty-six months a Prisoner—Incendiary—Penitent sick - Prisoners—King’s Pardon. - - -JANUARY 8. It is two years, to-day, since we arrived in this Sound. One -of those that were brought back yesterday, brought a paper in with him, -in which is an account of an hurricane that happened about ten days ago, -at London, in which a great number of houses were blown down; and by the -same tornado, a great many vessels were cast away, at Margate Roads, and -a number of lives lost. Among the rest was an East Indiaman. By the -paper, we also learn, that a great part of Greenwich Hospital was -consumed by a fire that took place there. - -This is a much worse time to be on short allowance than any time since -we have been in prison. As there are so many on half allowance, those -who are on full allowance, and are willing to help us, are unable, for -their own allowance is not sufficient to support nature; and the half of -that is intolerable. There are numbers in prison on half allowance who -have not a penny to help themselves with. New shoes have been sold for a -shilling, and new shirts for the same price, by persons who, perhaps, -had no others to wear; in short, there are a great many long faces in -prison, for nothing but hunger rages throughout. To such a degree is -this the case, that we killed a dog this afternoon, in order to let him -cool by to-morrow, and his in-sides were scarcely out, before his liver -was on coals broiling. - -9. This morning we divided the dog into quarters, and he was dressed so -neat, and being so fat withall, that if I had seen him in a butcher’s -shop I should have thought it to be a young lamb, and good meat. We had -a bag of potatoes given us, to eat with our venison. Some stewed theirs; -others roasted it; and I must confess, I made a tolerable meal out of -some of this roasted dog, with potatoes dipped in its drippings. Rats -have been eat in this prison often before. To-day the agent told us that -he had received an answer to our petition, and that we are to be allowed -peas instead of greens, which is much better. He had received an order, -that if we would deliver up those who were most active in digging the -hole, the rest should be restored to full allowance. But the majority in -prison were inclined to give them no satisfaction. This afternoon, -however, two young men, of their own accord, went and delivered -themselves up, and were sent to the Black-hole, thinking to live well, I -suppose, while there, as doubtless they will. - -10. To-day we were all restored to full allowance, and received peas. We -had, also, white bread sent in by our friends. Thus, it is either a -feast or a famine with us. I have been only eleven days on half -allowance. To-day, about twelve o’clock, Mr. Heath sent a man to inform -us that a cartel had arrived in Plymouth, for us. Soon after, Mr. Sorrey -came with a letter which he had received from the committee in London, -and read it to us, which informed us that one of the committee had -waited on Lord Savage, the head lord of the Admiralty, to know the truth -concerning this cartel, and he informed him that the Milford transport -was engaged for that purpose, as a flag ship, and that we should be -exchanged, one hundred at a time, and the first draft is to be from this -prison, as we were committed first; so we shall embark and proceed to -Nantz, where they will take an equal number, and so go on till all the -American prisoners in England are exchanged, if there be enough English -prisoners in France that were taken by the Americans. There were only -about forty or fifty committed before me, but as there have been upwards -of one hundred who have lately attempted to escape from here, and most -of them brought back, myself among the number; and as it is customary in -time of war for such to forfeit their turn, I began to despair of going -in the first draft. In the mean time, all hands were called to hear a -letter read, which the agent had received from the Lords of the -Admiralty, who desired him to inform us that we were to be exchanged for -the English prisoners in France, taken by the Americans; and that, -notwithstanding a number of us had attempted our escape, and by this -means had forfeited our turn, yet, in this instance we should be -forgiven upon condition that we discovered through what corruption, or -negligence, we effected our escape. This being read, he ordered the -Black-hole doors to be opened. This is joyful news to us. Joy is to be -seen on every man’s countenance. This is a blessed day! - -11. This afternoon Mr. Heath came to congratulate us on our prospect of -deliverance, and brought a letter with him, which informed us that the -cartel is now in Plymouth, waiting only for a man to come from France to -take charge of us. - -12. To-day Mr. Sorrey came, and brought every man a sixpence, which is -part of twenty pounds that has lately been sent down from London, and -which was left of the old stock; but we hear that they are about opening -a new subscription. - -13. We learn, from the papers, that the Spaniards have now seventy sail -of the line, besides frigates and sloops, in different parts of Spain, -mounting in all, seven thousand and three cannons, of different bores. - -14. The sick, in the hospital, are most of them on the recovering order -now, except three that moved down yesterday; and to-night I am to go -down and watch with them, as of late, since there has been so many sick, -we have been allowed, two of a night, to go down and watch with them. - -15. This afternoon a pardon came down from the King, for fifteen men in -this prison, that petitioned last to go on board the men-of-war; three -of the number are already on board. They went out at the last hole, for -that purpose. After the officers came to receive them, out of the twelve -that remained in prison only four went, which makes forty-nine, in all, -that have gone on board the men-of-war from this prison; besides numbers -who have broke out and gone. It is astonishing to me, that men who have -been used by the English as we have been, with all the severity that -they have been masters of, should afterwards voluntarily enter their -service. - -16. Nothing remarkable. - -17. Sunday. Nothing remarkable. - -18. This forenoon, some officers from the ships came for some Frenchmen -in the other yard, to carry them on board the men-of-war, and five out -of the eight who would not go last Friday, altered their minds, and -went, which makes fifty-four that have gone out of this yard, on board -the men-of-war. - -There are exactly two hundred and fifty American prisoners left here. -This being the Queen’s birth-day, the garrison and fort, and each ship -in the harbor, in commission, fired twenty-one guns, as a royal salute. - -19. We wait very impatiently for the man which we hear is to come from -France to take charge of us. Though I am sensible he will make no -unnecessary delays, yet he seems a long time coming; so long, that some -in prison begin to be doubtful whether he will come at all. - -20. Some in prison, so far despair of a cartel, that they have begun -another hole. There was brought again, to-day, sixpence apiece for each -man in prison. - -21. Last night eleven Frenchmen made their escape from a separate -prison, in another yard, and five soldiers are confined on the same -account. - -22. This forenoon Mr. Sorrey came again, and brought a couple of letters -which he received from Bilboa, one of which was from Mr. Emery, of -Bilboa, to Captain Lee’s crew, which informed them that Captain Lee had -arrived in Bilboa, and that his whole crew, if they would write, might -be supplied with fifty shillings a share, and Captain Bradbury, in this -prison, with six guineas. - -This afternoon, all hands were called, and the agent called over the -names of the hundred that were to go in the first draft, and desired -that we should hold ourselves in readiness to be exchanged. Never was I -so rejoiced to hear my name called, upon any occasion, as upon this. I -am about the fortieth upon the agent’s list. It appears that we are not -to be exchanged as we were captured, but according to the date of our -commitment, so that all our crew will not be included in the first -draft. Out of one hundred and twenty which arrived in England, belonging -to the Dolton, only eighty-six are left in prison to be exchanged. - -23. We are so well assured of a cartel, now, that we lay aside all -schemes for effecting our escape, and look out daily for orders to -embark. An officer that belonged to the Mermaid frigate, that was chased -ashore in America, who has been a prisoner in Philadelphia about a -month, and has since been exchanged, and now arrived home, came to see -us this afternoon, and talked with us. He gave us a very sad account of -the price of provisions in America. - -24. It is twenty-five months this night, that I have been a prisoner. We -have been informed that last night, some men were discovered, in -attempting to set fire to the King’s dock-yard, in this port. - -25. There are seven or eight now in the hospital, sick with fevers, but -most of them are upon the recovering order, except those who were lately -taken sick, two of which number labor under great concern of mind, -relating to their future state, and to-day we obtained liberty of Mr. -Coudry, to send for a minister. - -26. It is two years and two months, to-day, since I sailed from -Portsmouth, in the brig Dolton. - -27. Nothing remarkable. - -28. As to-morrow is port day, we put great dependence on it, expecting -an order from London concerning our exchange. - -29. This morning Mr. Sorrey brought each of us another sixpence, which -balances the twenty pounds before mentioned; and two of our officers, as -usual, went up into the agent’s office, to receive the money. The agent -showed them a letter which he had received from London, with a pardon -from the King for the first hundred that is to be exchanged. - -30. Nothing remarkable. - -31. Sunday. This is port day again, and there is no news for us to-day. -It was a week last Friday since we were told to hold ourselves in -readiness to be exchanged, and no signs of a cartel appears. If Job -himself was here, his patience would be worn out. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - -John Foster, Elias Vickey, and Asa Witham died—Mr. Deal’s Escape—Effect - of long Imprisonment—New Subscription—Milford Transport—Joyful - News—Hole Discovered—Keppel Acquitted—Bonfires—Escape—No Coals in - Plymouth—Excitement about the Dog—Love to Friends—James Valentine - died—Bills of Exchange from Bilboa—Cartel Arrives—Lieutenant Knox - Arrives—Leaves the Prison—Kind Usage on Cartel—Bonner Darling died. - - -FEBRUARY 1. This morning about three o’clock, Mr. John Foster died in -the prison hospital, of a nervous fever. Some of Mr. Foster’s townsmen -were of a mind that he should be buried in a white linen shirt, but they -received for an answer, that no person in this country was allowed to be -buried in any thing but sheep’s clothing. The American prisoners, who -died in the royal hospitals, were buried in black, but very rough -coffins; but those who die in prison are buried in a rough white coffin. -This Mr. Foster is the eighth man that has died since I came to -prison—the seventh man of our crew that has died since we have been -taken, and the seventeenth American prisoner that has died in prison and -in the royal hospital, since we were captured. - -2. To-day a gentleman came here, whom we are informed is but fourteen -days from Dunkirk, but last from London, and he brought a letter from -the Board, which ordered the agent to let him inspect every thing which -he had a mind to. He looked at our meat, weighed our bread, and tasted -our beef, and we are told that he has been in every prison in France. - -3. This morning about five o’clock, Elias Vickery died. He was a -Marblehead man. He was taken in one of the Freedom’s prizes; and about -six o’clock, Asa Witham died. He belongs to New Gloucester, and was -taken in the Dolton. They have both been sick upwards of twelve -months.—They make ten in number that have died since I have been in -prison, and eight of our crew since we have been taken, and nineteen in -all that have died of different crews since we have been taken. Last -evening Mr. Deal made his escape from the officers’ prison. - -4. Three men have died this week, and there are sixteen or eighteen now -sick. Of late, every day more or less are taken sick, and most of them -with fever. Yesterday a French frigate, of twenty-six guns, was brought -in here, which was taken by an English frigate. - -5. This is another port day, and no news for us, concerning a cartel. It -is unaccountable to me that it is so long coming. It is twenty months -to-day, since I entered this prison. - -6. It is so long since we heard of a cartel that the greater part in -prison begin to despair of its coming. Many of those in prison are like -so many children; as long as a rattle is ringing in their ears, they are -quiet and easy, but as soon as the rattle stops, they are faithless and -impatient. - -We have another hole in hand, which will take us nearly a month to -complete; so that if this news proves abortive, we may have recourse to -another way. - -Last evening a man made his escape over the wall, but before any one -could get out, it was discovered. - -7. This is another port day, and no news for us. - -8. Nothing remarkable. - -9. This afternoon Mr. Sorrey sent us sixpence apiece to each man in -prison, which we are informed, is part of a new subscription which is -opened. - -10. Yesterday was port day, and this morning the agent informed us that -His Majesty had been graciously pleased to pardon one hundred of us, in -order for an exchange; and that he had received an order from the Board -of Commissioners of sick and wounded seamen, to deliver one hundred of -us to Lieutenant Knox, whenever he should call for us. This Lieutenant -Knox is to command the Milford transport, which is the cartel. - - Transporting news! who can tell, - The joy that doth this joy excell; - Long as we live we should adore - The goodness God lays up in store. - -11. We have been informed that the cartel is in Portsmouth, and never -heard to the contrary, until to-day, when the agent informed us that she -is in Dartmouth, waiting only for a fair wind to come down the channel. - -12. Nothing remarkable. - -13. Nothing transpired worthy of notice. - -14. Through some dirt that was laid about the prison, and discovered by -the turnkeys, which gave them cause to suspect we had another hole in -hand, the guard came in, and after a long search, found it. - -15. It is two years and three months since I sailed in the brig Dolton, -from Newbury. - -16. Nothing remarkable. - -17. Last night two men made their escape from the officers prison, but -were taken up and brought back to-day. Last night, Plymouth was -illuminated on account of Admiral Keppel being acquitted with honor. - -18. The wind is to the eastward to-day, but no signs of a cartel -appears. - -19. Upon a large hill, a little distance from the prison, we see a -couple of flag-staffs erected, but we know not the occasion of it. - -20. Upon the same hill where the flag-staffs were erected yesterday, -there were two large bonfires last night, and the houses all around -illuminated, which, we are told, was on account of the plot being -discovered against the King’s dock-yard, and last night was the time it -was to be put into execution. - -21. Nothing remarkable. - -24. Last night a man made his escape out of this prison, by getting over -the wall. This morning Mr. Sorrey came, and brought each of us another -sixpence. For a few days past, we have had no coals to burn. Mr. Sorrey -informed us that a bushel of coal is not to be purchased in Plymouth, at -any price. He also informed us that fourteen sail of vessels, laden with -coal, had lately been taken, bound from Newcastle. This afternoon, also, -Mr. Heath came to see us; he has lately returned from London. He read a -letter to us, which informed us that the cartel is in the Downs, -detained only by contrary winds; also, that there has been a great talk -in London, concerning our eating a dog, and that it had been published -in the papers, and he desired that we would let him know the truth of -it, whether we eat it from actual necessity or not. Mr. Heath sent us -some soap and tobacco. - -25. This forenoon, a gentleman came to see us, who is lately from -London. He told us that when he sailed, the cartel absolutely lay in the -Downs. By this time I hope we have got the truth of it. - -26. Yesterday three gentlemen, who are our friends, came with Mr. Heath -to see us. We have been so long confined, that when a friend comes into -the yard to see us, we flock around him like children, and love the -ground he treads upon. Also, to-day, we wrote them out the facts -relating to the dog, agreeably to their request. - -27. Nothing of interest. - -28. Sunday. The wind hauls round to the northward and eastward, which -gives us now to hope that our cartel will be here in a few days. - -March 1. Nothing remarkable. - -2. Nothing worthy of notice. - -3. We understand that there is a fleet bound to the East Indies, and -another to the West Indies, that lay wind-bound, up channel, as well as -our cartel. - -4. This morning, James Valentine died with a fever. He was a Marblehead -man, and belonged to Captain Lee’s crew. He is the twentieth man that -has died since I have been taken, and the eleventh since I have been in -prison. This has been a fast day with us; for the beef that came in this -morning was so bad, and so far from being according to contract, that we -sent it back again.—The second that came, was worse than the first, and -we refused it, also. Our peas are also bad, so that we could not eat -them, and by applying to the officer of the guard, who spoke in our -behalf, we received cheese instead of beef, but not until evening. - -5. This morning we received the joyful tidings that our cartel had -arrived. Some of the Marblehead men received letters from home, by way -of a vessel that was taken. The bills of exchange for one hundred and -nine pounds sterling, have arrived from Bilboa, for Captain Lee’s crew, -and are sent to London to be answered. - -6. Notwithstanding our cartel has arrived, we understand that she is to -wait for orders from London, before she can embark us. - -7. Nothing remarkable. - -8. This forenoon the outward bound East India fleet, with their convoys, -passed by this port. - -9. Nothing of interest. - -10. This morning Lieutenant Knox, who is to transact the business of our -exchange, came to see us, and informed us that he expects to embark us -the beginning of next week. The cartel has come up to Stonehouse creek, -where we can see her from the prison. - -11. Nothing remarkable. - -12. The wind has now veered round to the southward, and blows up rain, -which I fear will delay our going. - -13. This afternoon the agent, Mr. Coudry, informed us that on Monday, at -ten o’clock, we are to embark. - -14. Sunday. We are so impatient to be gone, that every moment of this -day seems an hour long. - -15. It is two years and four months to-day, since I left Newbury. This -forenoon, about eleven o’clock, ninety-seven of us in number, were -guarded down, and embarked on board the cartel—two of our number having -died since we received the King’s pardon, and one being dangerously ill. - -16. We are now on board the cartel, and waiting only for a fair wind to -sail. We are allowed the liberty of the deck, by day and night, and we -have tolerable good accommodations. We lodge in cabins; most of us have -beds of our own, and those who have not, have King’s bedding. There are -three or four sick amongst us, and they have single cabins by -themselves. To-day we had salt beef and pudding, which is a great -rarity. - -17. The wind is still against us, but I feel much easier here than I -should be in prison. Here we have a change of diet, though it is no more -than prisoners’ allowance, and both officers and men behave very civil -to us. - -18. To-day Mr. Heath came on board, and another of our friends, and -brought some wine, tea, and sugar, and other necessaries, for those who -are sick. - -19. To-day the prison doctor came on board, and informed us that Bonner -Darling is dead—a negro man that belonged to Marblehead, and one of our -crew. He makes twenty-one that have died since I have been taken; and -nine of the number were of the Dolton’s company. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - -Journal Lost—Thirty enter with Jones—Joins the Alliance—Arrive at - L’Orient with Prize—Second Cruise—Journal Lost—Extracts from Paul - Jones’ Life—At Dr. Franklin’s House—Joins again the Alliance—Sails - Home. - - -[The journal of their passage to France is lost. The next record that is -preserved, presents Mr. Herbert to us at Nantes, situated on the river -Loire, in the south-western part of France.] - -April 12. We lay here under pay, from the 5th of this month; have our -board paid, and have nothing to do but walk about town. I have tried, -but can get no labor, as business is very much stagnated here. Nearly -forty sail of merchantmen are hauled up, and lay idle in this port. - -14. About forty of our men have entered with Captain Jones, for twelve -months, and this morning they set out for L’Orient, about seventy-five -miles distant, by land. - -17. Yesterday and to-day, I have been at work on board the Pallas, a -French ship. To-day, the Alliance arrived here, with prisoners to be -exchanged for us. - -28. This day I received from Mr. Odaire, sixteen livres, which, -including the four crowns before received, amounts to forty livres, -which is a month’s pay. - -30. This day we embarked on board the Alliance.[1] - -May 16. This day we sailed for L’Orient.[2] - -Footnote 1: - - The Alliance is said by Commodore Jones to have been so called, for - the following reasons: - - “When the treaty of alliance with France arrived in America, Congress, - feeling the most lively sentiments of gratitude towards France, - thought how they might manifest the satisfaction of the Country by - some public act. The finest frigate in the service was on the stocks, - ready to be launched, and it was resolved to call her the Alliance.” - -Footnote 2: - - Extract from correspondence of Dr. Franklin, at this time, throwing - light upon the journal of Mr. Herbert: - - _Passy, June 26th, 1779._ - - Dr. Franklin from the Committee on Foreign Affairs. - - GENTLEMEN, - - The Marquis de Lafayette, who arrived here on the 11th of February, - brought me yours of October 28th, and the new commission, credentials, - and instructions, the Congress have honored me with. I immediately - acquainted the minister of foreign affairs with my appointment, and - communicated to him, as is usual, a copy of my credential letter, on - which a day was named for my reception. The end of that part of the - instructions, which relates to American seamen taken by the French in - English ships, had already been obtained; Captain Jones having had for - some time, an order from court, directed to the keepers of the - prisoners, requiring them to deliver to him such Americans as should - be found in their hands, that they might be at liberty to serve under - his command. Most of them, if not all, have been delivered to him. The - minister of marine requesting that the Alliance might be added to - Commodore Jones’ little squadron, and offering to give Mr. Adams a - passage in the frigate, with the new ambassador, I thought it best to - continue her a little longer in Europe, hoping she may, in the - projected cruize, by her extraordinary swiftness, be a means of taking - prisoners enough to redeem the rest of our countrymen now in the - English jails. With this view, I ordered her to join Captain Jones, at - L’Orient, and obey his orders, where she is now, accordingly. - -June 19. This day we sailed from L’Orient, on a cruize in company with -Captain Jones, a French frigate, a brig and a cutter.[3] - -Footnote 3: - - [From Paul Jones to Dr. Franklin.] - - _On board the Bon homme Richard, at anchor, } - Isle of Groaix, off L’Orient, July 1st, 1779._ } - - _His Excellency Benjamin Franklin._ - - HONORED AND DEAR SIR, - - On the 19th ult., the American squadron under my command, consisting - of the Bon homme Richard, 42 guns, Alliance, 36 guns, Pallas, 30 guns, - Cerf, 18 guns, and the Vengeance, 12 guns, sailed from hence with a - convoy of merchant ships and transports with troops, &c., bound to the - different ports and garrisons between this place and Bordeaux. - - On the evening of the following day, I had the satisfaction to see the - latter part of the convoy safe within the entrance of the river of - Bordeaux, the rest having been safely escorted into the entrance of - Nantz, Rochefort, &c. But at the preceding midnight, while lying-to - off Isle of Vew, the Bon homme Richard and Alliance got foul of one - another, and carried away the head and cut-water, sprit-sail yard, and - jib-boom of the former, with the mizen-mast of the latter; - fortunately, however, neither received damage in the hull. In the - evening of the 21st, I sent the Cerf to reconnoitre two sail, and - Captain Varage was so ardent in the pursuit, that he had lost sight of - the squadron next morning; and I am now told, that he had a warm - engagement with one of them, a sloop of 14 guns, which he took, but - was obliged to abandon, on the approach of another enemy of superior - force. The action lasted an hour and a half; several men were killed - and wounded on board the Cerf. That cutter is now fitting at L’Orient. - On the 22d we had a rencontre with three ships of war. They were to - windward, and bore down in a line abreast for some time, but seeing we - were prepared to receive them, they hauled their wind, and by carrying - a press of sail got clear, in spite of our utmost endeavors to bring - them to action. On the 26th, we lost company of the Alliance and - Pallas. I am unable to say where the blame lays. I gave the ships a - rendezvous off Penmark rocks, but did not meet them there. - - I anchored here yesterday noon, having had a rencontre the night - before with two of the enemy’s ships of war in the offing, in the - sight of this island and Belle Isle. Previous to this I had given the - Vengeance leave to make the best of her way to this road, so that the - enemy found me alone in a place where I had no expectation of a - hostile visit. They appeared at first earnest to engage, but their - courage failed, and they fled with precipitation, and to my - mortification out-sailed the Bon homme Richard and got clear. I had, - however, a flattering proof of the martial spirit of my crew, and I am - confident, that had I been able to get between the two, which was my - intention, we should have beaten them both together. - -June 20. Last night, precisely at 12 o’clock, just as the starboard -watch was going on deck, it was very pleasant weather, and we were lying -to, with our topsails back to the masts. Captain Jones came down before -the wind and run us down upon our starboard quarter, carrying away our -mizen-mast, and doing us much damage, and himself more, by springing his -bowsprit, carrying away his head and cut-water, but fortunately no one -was killed on board either of the ships. - -July 2. We arrived at L’Orient, after a cruize of thirteen days; -likewise, the prize brig, which we took on the 28th of June, from -Bordeaux bound to Dublin, with five hundred and sixty casks of wine and -brandy on board.[4] - -August 14. Having repaired our ships, and got a clean bottom, we sailed -this day for L’Orient on a cruise with Captain Jones, two French -frigates, two brigs, and a cutter. With this fleet we made the best of -our way to Ireland. On our passage, we took in company a ship; soon -after, Captain Jones took a brig laden with provisions. A few days -after, we made Ireland. Upon making land, Captain Jones took a brig from -Newfoundland, laden with oil and blubber, and after cruizing a few days -along shore, we parted from the fleet in a gale of wind. - -Footnote 4: - - [Dr. Franklin to Paul Jones.] - - I can say nothing about Captain Landais’ prize. I suppose the minister - has an account of it, but I have heard nothing from him about it. If - he reclaims it on account of his passport, we must then consider what - is to be done. I approve of the careenage proposed for the Alliance, - as a thing necessary. As she is said to be a remarkable swift sailer, - I should hope you might by her means take some privateers and a number - of prisoners, so as to continue the cartel, and redeem all our poor - countrymen. - -[Here some pages of the journal are lost, but the journal of Captain -Jones will supply its place.] - - [From Paul Jones to Dr. Franklin.] - - _On board the ship Serapis, at anchor without } - the Texel, in Holland, Oct. 3d, 1779._ } - - _His Excellency Benjamin Franklin._ - - HONORED AND DEAR SIR, - - When I had the honor of writing to you on the 11th of August, previous - to my departure from the Road of Groaix, I had before me the most - flattering prospect of rendering essential service to the common cause - of France and America. I had a full confidence in the voluntary - inclination and ability of every captain under my command to assist - and support me in my duty with cheerful emulation; and I was pursuaded - that every one of them would pursue glory in preference to interest. - - Whether I was, or was not deceived, will best appear by a relation of - circumstances. - - The little squadron under my orders, consisting of the Bon homme - Richard, of 40 guns, the Alliance, of 36 guns, the Pallas, of 32 guns, - the Cerf, of 18 guns, and the Vengeance, of 12 guns, joined by two - privateers, the Monsieur and the Granville, sailed from the Road of - Groaix at day-break on the 14th of August. - - The evening of the 26th brought with it stormy weather, with the - appearance of a severe gale from the S. W. The gale continued to - increase in the night, with thick weather. To prevent separation, I - carried a top-light, and fired a gun every quarter of an hour. I - carried, also, very moderate sail, and the course had already been - clearly pointed out before night, yet with all this precaution, I - found myself accompanied only by the brigantine Vengeance in the - morning, the Granville having remained astern with a prize. As I have - since understood, the tiller of the Pallas broke, after midnight, - which disabled her from keeping up, but no apology has yet been made - on behalf of the Alliance. - - On the 31st, we saw the Flamie Islands situated near the Lewis, on the - N. W. coast of Scotland; and the next morning, off Cape Wrath, we gave - chase to a ship to windward; at the same time two ships appeared in - the N. W. quarter which proved to be the Alliance and a prize ship - which she had taken, bound, as I understand, from Liverpool to - Jamaica. The ship which I chased brought too at noon; she proved to be - the Union letter of marque, bound from London to Quebec, with a cargo - of naval stores on account of government, adapted for the service of - the British armed vessels on the lakes. The public despatches were - lost, as the Alliance very imprudently hoisted American colors, though - English colors were then flying on board the Bon homme Richard. - Captain Landais sent a small boat to ask whether I would man the ship - or he should, as in the latter case he would suffer no boat nor person - from the Bon homme Richard to go near the prize. Ridiculous as this - appeared to me, I yielded to it for the sake of peace, and received - the prisoners on board the Bon homme Richard, while the prize was - manned from the Alliance. - - On the morning of the 4th, the Alliance appeared again, and had - brought too two very small coasting sloops, in ballast, but without - having attended properly to my orders of yesterday. The Vengeance - joined me soon after, and informed me that in consequence of Captain - Landais’ orders to the commanders of the two prize ships, they had - refused to follow him to the rendezvous. I am at this moment ignorant - of what orders these men received from Captain Landais, nor know I by - virtue of what authority he ventured to give his orders to prizes in - my presence, and without either my orders or approbation. - - * * * * * - -Two rich Letters of Marque were taken off the coast of Scotland, and -Captain Landais took upon himself, even under my very nose, and without -my knowledge, to order them to Bergen, in Norway, where they were given -up to the English.—_Paul Jones to the Board of Admiralty._ - - * * * * * - -Three of their prizes sent into Bergen, in Norway, were, at the instance -of the British minister, seized by order of the court of Denmark, and -delivered up to him.—_Letter from Dr. Franklin to Samuel Huntington, -Esq. President of Congress._ - - * * * * * - -The following letter from Dr. Franklin to Paul Jones, shows the value of -those prizes, taken and delivered up as above. There can be no doubt -that Mr. Herbert was sent in one of the above prizes, as the next entry -in his journal is from Bergen, in Norway. - - _Havre, July 21st, 1785._ - - _The Hon. Paul Jones._ - - DEAR SIR,—The offer of which you desire I would give you the - particulars, was made to me by M. le Baron de Waltersdorff, in behalf - of His Majesty the King of Denmark, by whose ministers he said he was - authorised to make it. It was to give the sum of ten thousand pounds - sterling, as a compensation for having delivered up the prizes to the - English. I did not accept it, conceiving it much too small a sum, they - having been valued to me at sixty thousand pounds. I wrote to Mr. - Hodgson, an insurer in London, requesting he would procure information - of the sums insured on those Canada ships. His answer was, that he - could find no traces of such insurance, and he believed none was made, - for the government, on whose account they were said to be loaded with - military stores, never insured.—But, by the best judgment he could - make, he thought they might be worth about sixteen or eighteen - thousand pounds each. - - * * * * * - -By the following letter it will be seen that Bergen was one of the -places designated by Dr. Franklin, for sending prizes to. - - _Passy, June 30th, 1779._ - - _Hon. Captain Jones._ - - DEAR SIR,—The prizes you may make, send to Dunkirk, Ostend, or - Bergen, in Norway, according to your proximity to either of those - ports. - - February 5th, 1780. This day our officers received a letter from - France, from a gentleman in Paris, which informs us that the King of - Denmark is to pay for the prizes we brought in here, fifty thousand - pounds Stirling, which is two hundred and fifty thousand Rix dollars. - He is likewise to pay all our expenses while here. We likewise - received orders to repair to Dunkirk as quick as possible, but we are - to have a pass from the King of Denmark, which is what we wait for. - -8. This day I received a pair of shoes, in balance of four shillings due -me as wages. - -25. This day I received half a guinea of a Scotchman, for which I gave -him eleven shillings. - -March 4. This morning arrived here from Virginia, a ship laden with -tobacco, under French colors. - -18. Fortunately I have got another guinea for which I paid only -twenty-one shillings. - -21. This day I received a pair of shoes, at five shillings. - -April 1. I have received one shilling and sixpence for repairing shoes. - -5. This day I received of Captain Thomas White, in behalf of wages due, -four Rix dollars, each valued at four shillings stirling. - -I have worked several days on board the before-mentioned tobacco ship, -and have likewise made some chests for the seamen, for all of which I -received four dollars. - -10. This day I received of Captain Thomas White, two pounds six -shillings and sevenpence halfpenny, stirling, which was the ballance due -me for clothing which I was charged with, but did not receive—all of -which was given by the King of Denmark. The occasion of this was, that -when we were turned on shore, many of our men were in want of clothing. -Our officers interceded for them, and procured the amount of four pounds -four shillings sterling each; and as I received only a trifle in -clothing, I received the remainder in money. - -11. This day we embarked on board a gallion, of about seventy tons, -found and provisioned by the King of Denmark, to carry us to Dunkirk, -after boarding us here nearly six months. - -19. This day we sailed from Bergen, after being there seven months and -five days. - -May 4. We arrived at Dunkirk, after a passage of seventeen days. - -5. To-day I received of Captain Thomas White, forty livres, in behalf of -wages due. - -16. We set out to travel to Paris, which is one hundred and eighty -miles, having a wagon to carry our baggage, and received eighteen livres -per man, of Mr. Coffin, the American agent in Flanders, to bear our -expenses to Paris. - -21. This day, about eight o’clock in the morning, we arrived in the city -of Paris, after a pleasant journey of more than three days, through -Flanders into France and Paris. After we arrived at Paris we put up our -horses, and stopped not either to eat or to drink, but made the best of -our way to Passy, about four miles from Paris, where Dr. Franklin -resides. After we came to Dr. Franklin’s house and had a little -conversation with him, he ordered his servants to get us breakfast, -which we eat in his house, and likewise dinner. The Dr. sent his -servants to provide lodgings for us, which he could not procure, on -account of the King and Queen, and all the nobility, being in town, and -all the public houses being taken up; therefore we carried our luggage -to Dr. Franklin’s house, where we were well entertained; and here we saw -Mr. Adams and Mr. Dean. We procured lodgings for ourselves in the -afternoon. The gentleman who owns the house where Dr. Franklin resides, -ordered one of his servants to show us his gardens, to guide us through -the town, and show us the King and Queen and all the nobility; these we -have seen twice to-day, as they passed through the town, besides many -other curious objects, both in Paris and Passy. - -23. To-day our board was paid, and we received two guineas to bear our -expenses to L’Orient, which is three hundred and sixty miles, and -likewise a pass.[E] We shall be obliged to travel on foot; therefore I -am compelled to sell, or give away, all my clothing, except a trifle of -the best, which I shall retain as a change. - -[Footnote E: The widow of Mr. Herbert has now in her possession a crown -piece, which her husband received of Dr. Franklin, at this time.] - -24. This day we commenced our journey to L’Orient. - -June 5. We arrived at L’Orient. - -7. To-day I went on board the Alliance. - -8. We sailed in the Alliance for America, in company with a ship, a -brig, a schooner and a lugger. Also, I received this day of the purser, -on board the Alliance, two shirts, one pair of shoes, a pair of trousers -and a knife. - -July 10. This day I received of the purser, one outside jacket. - -August 13. We made land, which proved to be Cape Ann, having a passage -of thirty-eight days, from land to land. - -I left the Alliance, August 21st, and arrived home at Newbury, August -23d, 1780. - - - - - LIST OF PRISONERS TAKEN IN THE BRIGANTINE - DOLTON, AND COMMITTED TO - MILL PRISON, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, - JUNE, 1777. - - -The following marks denote [A] dead—[B] escaped—[C] joined English -men-of-war—[D] died or escaped before any were committed to prison—(P. -J.) means with Paul Jones—(A.) in the Alliance. - - Captain Eleazer Johnston[B] Newburyport, Mass. - 1st Lieut. Anthony Knapp[B] " - Lieut. John Buntin " - Daniel Lunt[B] " - Alexander Ross[B] " - Offin Boardman[B] " - Moses Cross " - Thomas Cluston[B] " - Cutting Lunt (P. J.) " - Wym’d. Bradbury " - Henry Lunt (P. J.) " - Samuel Cutler[B] " - Francis Little " - Joseph Asulier[B] " - Joseph Brewster (P. J.) " - Nathaniel Wyer[B] " - John Knowlton[D] " - Joseph Racklief " - William Shackford (A.) " - John Key[B] " - John Barrenger[B] " - —— Stickney " - Joseph Poor (A.) " - Nathaniel Warner " - Josiah George[B] " - Moses Merrill " - Jacob True (P. J.) " - John George " - Richard Lunt (A.) " - Ebenezer Brown (A.) " - Paul Noyes (A.) " - Joseph Plummer (A.) " - Reuben Tucker " - John Smith (A.) " - Charles Herbert (A.) " - Joseph Choate (A.) " - Thomas Bayley (A.) " - Nathaniel Bayley (P. J.) " - Benjamin Carr (A.) " - Samuel Woodbridge " - Henry Smith " - Ebenzer Edwards (A.) " - Jonathan Whitmore[C] " - Edward Spooner[C] " - Daniel Cottle[A] " - Ebenezer Hunt[A] " - Asa Witham[A] New Gloucester. - Zebulon Davis " - Daniel Lane[B] " - Benjamin Yolin (A.) " - Nathaniel Marshall Portsmouth. - Benjamin C. Stubbs " - Jacob Nutter " - George Triffering " - Benjamin Babb[B] " - John Abbot[C] " - Joseph Shilaby (A.) " - Guppy Studley " - Samuel Stacey (P. J.) Kittery, N. H. - Joshua Casual " - John Foster[A] " - Hugh Kenniston[B] " - Peter Tobey " - John Perkins " - William Lewis " - Richard Sowards " - Nathaniel Kennard (P. J.) " - Stephen Lawley " - Samuel Fletcher (P. J.) " - Thomas Mahoney (P. J.) " - Winthrop Willey " - Jacob Brewer " - Daniel Knight (A.) " - Nathaniel Staples " - George Fernel " - Ephraim Clark (A.) " - John Gunnison (P. J.) " - Samuel Scriggins[A] " - Tobias Weymouth, Berwick, N. H. - Gideon Warren[A] " - Thomas Hammet (P. J.) " - Thomas Rines[A] " - Ebenezer Libbey " - Ichabod Lord (P. J.) " - Aaron Goodwin " - John Higgins " - Andrew Whittam " - James Sellers, Old York, N. H. - Tobias Sellers " - Timothy Harris " - John Downs (P. J.) " - John Simpson (A.) Windham. - Andrew Templeton " - John Burbank (P.J.) Cape Porpoise. - Israel Lasedel " - William Maxwell, Block Point. - Samuel Carroll (A.) " - John Maddon (P.J.) " - Joseph Burnham " - Samuel Smith " - Joseph Clark,[C] Boston, Mass. - John Bass[C] " - Robert Burgoyne[B] " - Joseph Hatch[A] " - Nathaniel Porter, Cape Pursue. - Jacob Wyman " - Dr. Samuel Smith,[B] Hampton. - Elisha Johnston " - Ichabod Shaw " - James Lawrence, Salem. - Henry Barrett,[B] Ireland. - William Smith[C] " - William Horner[C] " - Adam Ladley,[B] Scotland. - Clement Woodhouse,[B] England. - William Ford,[C] Virginia. - John McCoffrey, Casco Bay. - Isaac Leajor " - Bonner Darling,[A] Marblehead. - - ROLL OF MILL PRISON, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, - FEBRUARY 7, 1779. - - _Sloop Charming Sally, taken January 16th, 1777._ - - Captain Francis Brown,[B] New Haven. - Refiter Griffin, " " - Jonathan Hodgcare, " " - William Woodward,[B] " " - - Anthony Shomaker,[B] Long Island. - William Keys, " " - - Benjamin Powers, Millbury. - Arthur Bennett, " - Isaac George, " - - Kirtland Griffin, Gilford. - - Henry Wrightinton, Dartmouth. - Samuel Knast, " - John Hathaway, " - James Bounds, " - William Cuff, " - Prince Hall[C] " - Humphry Potter[C] " - Ebenezer Willis[A] " - Absalom Nero[A] " - Thomas Brightman, " - Silas Hathaway, " - - Joseph Fredrick, Martha’s Vineyard. - Thomas Chase, " " - Jeremiah Luce, " " - Thomas Luce " " - Abisha Rogers, " " - Barzilla Crowell, " " - Samuel Lambert " " - Manuel Swasey, " " - John Lot[A] " " - Cuff Scott[C] " " - William Harden[D] " " - Eliphalet Rogers, " " - James Dean,[C] Hartford. - Jacob Norris, Carolina. - Alexander Frazier,[C] New York. - William Black, " " - Henry Sheaf[B] " " - Phineas Smith[B] " " - William Vanderson[C] " " - William Andrews,[C] Ireland. - Thomas Welch[C] " - Bartley Barrell[C] " - Benjamin Shakle,[A] England. - William Creper[C] " - Francis Kirtland[C] " - William Carpenter[C] " - William Asburn[C] " - John George Stamfield,[C] Holland. - John Daghan[C] " - Robert Richey,[C] Scotland. - James Judson[A] " - - _Lexington Prize, taken April, 1777.—Committed to prison June, 1777._ - - Nicholas Simpkin,[A] Jersey. - William Stearns, Maryland. - Thomas Haley, England. - Benjamin Locket,[C] " - William Lane, Philadelphia. - John Gordon,[C] Ireland. - - _Brigantine Fancy, taken August 7th, 1777._ - - Captain John Lee,[B] Newburyport. - Daniel Lane, " - John Bickford, " - William White, " - Francis Salter,[B] Marblehead. - William Laskey, " - Joseph Barker[B] " - Thomas Barker[B] " - Richard Goss, " - Nicholas Thorn, " - Samuel Beal, " - John Lio, " - James Fox, " - Thomas Mack[B] " - Robert Swan[B] " - John Swan[B] " - Jonathan Bartlett, " - Samuel Hawley, " - Jacob Vickery, " - Nicholas Gardner, " - James Valentine,[A] " - John Crow, " - Elias Hart[A] " - William Pickett, " - Robert Pierce, " - Robert Brown, " - Skillings Brooks, " - Thomas Horton, " - William Cole, " - Jacob Vickery, Jr. " - John Adams, " - Edmund Baden, " - Samuel Whitrong, " - Benjamin Masten, " - Michael Treffrey, " - Andrew Slyfield[B] " - Cæsar Bartlett, Ipswich. - Samuel Treadwell, " - Nathaniel Jones, " - Samuel Harris, " - Samuel Latham, " - William Longfellow, " - Adams Choate, " - Daniel Goodhue, " - John Fowler[A] " - Charles Barnes, " - Joseph Fisher, Doct.,[B] " - William Lir, Sweden. - Alex. Baxter, England. - Luke Larcomb, " - Israel Matthews, " - Wm. Skinner,[B] " - Martin Shaw, " - Robert Stevenson, Scotland. - Thomas Salter, " - - _Brigantine Freedom’s Prize, taken April 27th, 1777._ - - John Demond, Marblehead. - Stephen Demise, " - Thomas Brown[B] " - Joseph Striker, " - Joseph Magery, " - Elias Vickery, " - William Brown, " - Nathaniel Stacey,[B] " - James Lyon, " - Jacob Lord,[B] " - Christian Codrer, " - - _Ship Reprisal’s Prize, taken June 29th, 1777.—Committed in August_. - - Thomas Norwood,[B] Bristol. - Samuel Ross, " - Stafford Badan, Virginia. - Alex. Knell,[C] " - Thomas Driver, Ireland. - Charles Kneet, Baltimore. - Thomas Runnells,[C] " - Edwin Lewis,[C] Philadelphia. - Daniel Acham,[B] Virginia. - Joseph McMullen, Ireland. - - _Sloop Hawk’s Prize, taken April 13th, 1778.—Committed in October, - 1778._ - - John Picknall, Salem. - John Haynes, " - John Deadman, " - John Foy, " - Wood Abrahams, " - English Thomas, Boston. - - _Schooner Hawk’s Prize, taken September 18th, 1777.—Committed October - 16th._ - - Benjamin Leech, Manchester. - Abial Lee, " - Moses Stacey, Marblehead. - Thomas Wigger, " - Thomas Knowlton. - Amherst Weight. - - _Brigantine Lexington, taken September 19th, 1779._ - - Captain Henry Johnston,[B] Boston. - David Welch,[B] Ireland. - Arthur Kirk[B] " - John Kennedy[C] " - Thos. Choulston[C] " - John Hopes, " - William Lee, " - Robert Ford, " - William Riley, " - Phil. McLoughlan, " - James Haze[C] " - Thomas Bradley, Ireland. - John Barry[B] " - James Dick, " - Joseph Coulston[C] " - John Howard[C] " - Thomas Welch[C] " - Nicholas Chaise[C] " - Thomas Marley[C] " - Nath’l. Brennon[C] " - Andrew Grace,[C] Philadelphia. - James Shields[C] " - Daniel Fagan[C] " - Jacob Crawford, " - Thomas Harvey, " - Francis Colburn[C] " - David Clark[C] " - Henry Bakeley[C] " - Richard Deal,[B] Virginia. - Henry Lawrence, " - George Thayer, Providence. - John Chester, England. - Thomas Lines[C] " - Matthew Clear[C] " - John Videan[C] " - Samuel Williams[C] " - John Davis[C] " - Joseph Wolt[C] " - Benj’n. Richardson[C] " - Edward Hart[C] " - George Morrison, Scotland. - Joseph Kennigton[A] " - John Stewart,[C] Scotland. - Samuel Hobble, New London. - Aaron Twigley,[C] New Jersey. - - _Schooner Warren, taken December 29th, 1777.—Committed June, 1778._ - - Captain John Ravel,[B] Salem. - Samuel Foote, " - John Battan, " - —— Smith, " - —— Lander, " - Benjamin Bickett, " - Thomas Manning, " - Joseph Lambert, " - Stephen Waters, " - Jonathan Archer, " - John Jones, " - William Bright[C] " - Josiah Jordon, " - Clifford Crowningfield, " - Edward Yoling, " - Peter Harris, " - Thomas Majory, " - Samuel Townsend, " - Daniel Chubb, " - Richard Crispin, " - Samuel Knapp, " - John Underwood, " - Nathaniel Ward, " - John Batten, Jr., " - Thomas Stephens, " - William Archer,[C] Salem. - Benjamin Chipman, Beverly. - John Cushing, Doct., Haverhill. - Eben Bosworth, Bristol. - Sampson Simms, Bristol. - Thomas Austin, Rhode Island. - Samuel Harris, " - William Clark, " - Edward Sisal, " - William Race,[C] Philadelphia. - John Phillips[B] " - Peter Merry, " - Joseph Ingersoll,[C] Cape Ann. - Robert McCleary,[C] Boston. - Ezekiel Canny,[C] Carolina. - - _Schooner Black Snake, taken August 16th, 1777.—Committed March 12th, - 1778._ - - Captain William Lucran, Marblehead. - John Wheeler, Rhode Island. - John Buckley, North Carolina. - - _Ship Oliver Cromwell, taken May 19th, 1777.—Committed October 18th, - 1777._ - - Patrick McCann, Ireland. - John Dority, " - James Lawny[C] " - John Adair, " - Richard Price, Maryland. - William Hall,[C] New Jersey. - George Still,[B] England. - - _Letter of Marque Janey, taken May 24th.—Committed August 19th_. - - Captain George Rolls,[B] Virginia. - George Watkins, " - - _Brigantine Cabot’s Prize, taken October 24th, 1776.—Committed June, - 1777._ - - Peter Cassenbury, Philadelphia. - Paul Magee, Rhode Island. - David Covel, Virginia. - - _True Blue, taken January 3d.—Committed August 20th, 1778._ - - Peter Janes, Marblehead. - - _Brigantine Ranger’s Prize, taken August 23d, 1778._ - - Charles Sherman, Rhode Island. - - _Merchantman Sweet Lucretia, taken July 5th.—Committed October 16th, - 1778._ - - James Horton, Casco Bay. - Samuel Lewis, Boston. - - _Schooner Musquito, taken and committed._ - - William Dayton,[C] St. Martin’s. - Captain John Martin,[C] England. - William Morris[B] " - - _Sturdy Beggar’s Prize, taken October, 1776.—Committed June, 1777._ - - George Southard, Salem. - Philip Misseroy, Marblehead. - James Richardson, " - - _Revenge’s Prize, taken August 2d._ - - William Hessam, Philadelphia. - William Fowler, Casco Bay. - Daniel Willet, Newport. - - * * * * * - - Number taken, 380. - Number committed, 364. - - STATISTICS. - - ────────────────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┬─────────┬───────── - PRIVATEERS’ AND │ N.of Men│ Escap’d.│ Died.│ Joined│Remain in - CAPTAINS’ NAMES. │ │ │ │ Br.Ships│ Prison - ────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── - Brig Dolton, Captain│ 120│ 21│ 8│ 7│ 84 - Johnston, │ │ │ │ │ - Sloop Sally, Captain│ 52│ 6│ 7│ 16│ 23 - Brown, │ │ │ │ │ - Brig Fancy, Captain │ 56│ 11│ 2│ 0│ 43 - Lee, │ │ │ │ │ - Brig Lexington, │ 51│ 6│ 1│ 26│ 18 - Captain Johnston, │ │ │ │ │ - Schooner Warren, │ 40│ 2│ 0│ 6│ 32 - Captain Ravel │ │ │ │ │ - │ │ │ │ │ - PARTS OF CREWS │ │ │ │ │ - TAKEN, IN PRISON. │ │ │ │ │ - Brig Freedom, │ 11│ 3│ 1│ 0│ 7 - Captain Cluston, │ │ │ │ │ - Ship Reprisal, │ 10│ 2│ 0│ 3│ 5 - Captain Weeks, │ │ │ │ │ - Sloop Hawk, │ 6│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 6 - Schooner Hawk, │ 6│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 6 - Captain Hibbart, │ │ │ │ │ - Schooner Black │ 3│ 6│ 0│ 0│ 3 - Snake, Captain │ │ │ │ │ - Lucran, │ │ │ │ │ - Ship Oliver │ 7│ 1│ 0│ 2│ 4 - Cromwell, │ │ │ │ │ - Letter of Marque │ 2│ 1│ 0│ 0│ 1 - Janey, Captain │ │ │ │ │ - Rolls, │ │ │ │ │ - Brig Cabot, │ 3│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 3 - True Blue, Captain │ 1│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 1 - Furlong, │ │ │ │ │ - Ranger, │ 1│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 1 - Sloop Lucretia, │ 2│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 2 - Musquito Tender, │ 1│ 0│ 0│ 1│ 0 - Schooner, Captain │ 2│ 1│ 0│ 1│ 0 - Burnell, │ │ │ │ │ - Sturdy Beggar, │ 3│ 1│ 0│ 0│ 2 - Revenge, Captain │ 3│ 0│ 0│ 0│ 3 - Cunningham, │ │ │ │ │ - ────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── - │ 380│ 55│ 19│ 62│ 244 - ────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── - From Newburyport, │ 53│ 14│ 2│ 1│ 36 - From Marblehead, │ 50│ 9│ 1│ 0│ 40 - From Boston, │ 8│ 2│ 1│ 2│ 5 - From Salem, │ 28│ 1│ 0│ 1│ 26 - From Portsmouth, │ 8│ 1│ 0│ 1│ 6 - Kittery, Berwick, │ 34│ 1│ 4│ 0│ 29 - and Old York, │ │ │ │ │ - Ipswich, Manchester,│ 13│ 1│ 1│ 1│ 10 - and Cape Ann, │ │ │ │ │ - Eastward of Old │ 14│ 2│ 1│ 0│ 11 - York, │ │ │ │ │ - England, Ireland and│ 61│ 7│ 2│ 30│ 22 - Scotland, │ │ │ │ │ - Towns South of │ 76│ 8│ 5│ 16│ 57 - Boston, │ │ │ │ │ - East of Boston, │ 9│ 1│ 0│ 0│ 8 - The remainder, of│ │ │ │ │ - other nations.│ │ │ │ │ - ────────────────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼─────────┼───────── - │ 354│ 47│ 17│ 52│ 250 - ────────────────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┴─────────┴───────── - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber’s note: - -Minor errors in punctuation and formatting have been silently corrected. - -The few footnotes have been sequenced using numbers. Where they spanned -pages, they are provided here contiguously. - -The spelling has been left intact, except where there are obvious -printer’s errors, or where a more conventional spelling is employed in -every other instance. Minor inconsistencies in punctuation have also -been corrected, without further mention. - -On p. 118, the first entry for May 3 may have been intended as the 2nd. - -The following table summarizes the issues encountered, and their -resolution: - - p. 6 G[r]eat Joy Added. - p. 67 commiss[i]oner Added - p. 73 Th[o/e]se are my restoration days Corrected. - p. 76 opport[n/u]nity Corrected. - p. 77 bag of patatoes _sic_ - p. 79 to-day [h/w]e have a very authentic account Corrected. - p. 83 pud[p/d]ing Corrected. - as much as seven of [of] us Removed. - p. 89 gar[r]ison Added. - p. 110 infor[n/m]ed Corrected. - p. 176 concer[n]ing Added. - p. 177 sailed f[or/ro]m France Transposed. - p. 205 pulled of[f] a pair of[f] trowsers Added/removed. - p. 208 [m/w]e went Corrected. - p. 256 Rho[l/d]e Island Corrected. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION*** - - -******* This file should be named 50908-0.txt or 50908-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/0/9/0/50908 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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