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TO THE SURVIVORS OP THE OLD REVOLUTIOS THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY
mw.
A RELIC
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 Resilience of the several Crews, and lime of their Commitment — the Names of such as died in Piison, and such as made their Es- cape, or entered on board English Men-of- Warj until the exchange of prison- ers, 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,
[nthe Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
Stereotyped and Printed By George C. R^nd and Company, No. 3-Cirnhill, Boston.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
The Dolton sailed — Was taken — Breach of Honor — Disa- greeable 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.
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
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Royal Hospital Buildings — An Adventure — Taken down with Small-Pox — Three rtisoners Escape — Re-taken — Seveto Sickness — Second Death — Joseph Hatch — Recovery — Kind attention of the Nuraes — 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 — Com- mitment 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 Han- cock— A Newspaper — Number of Prisoners — Escape of thirty-two Prisoners — Bounty — Punishment — Cruelty to the Old — Cnptain Lee taken in the Fancy — Hears from Home — Bad News — False Reports — Daniel Cottle died. 43
CHAPTER VII.
Attempt to Escape discovered — Awful description of Suffering
— Dreadful Starvation — Gloomy Prospects — Death of Gid- eon Warren — Detection — Close Examination — Commis- sioner — A Newspaper — Relief Prohibited — Attempt to Escape — Oath of Secrecy — Another Attempt to Es- cape — 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
PA6B
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
More PrisoncTs — Hears from Home — Suspicion — A hot Press — 1500 Seamen wanted — News from America — Disagreeable Company — Destitution of the Prisoners — Digging and De- tection — 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 Sac- rifice — Good News reported — Detail of General Burgoyne's Defeat — Washington and Howe. - - _
CHAPTER IX.
Christmas Pudding — Christmas Presents — Clothes Served — Happy New Year — Friends appear — Presents — Friends increase — Large Donations reported — Donation from Brit- ish Recruiting Parties — Private Donations — Exhortations to a Civil, Sober Life — Large Distribution of Clothing — Royal Salute — Regular Allowance from Donation Fund — Increas- ing Privilege. _ _ _ _ _ -
CHAPTER X.
Price of Tobacco — Cleanliness — Not to be Discouraged — Blankets — Distribution — Letter from America — Oflicers 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
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XI.
Awful Penalty for Desertion — Public Indignation — Remark- able Healtli 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 Board- man — 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 Amer- ica — 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
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XV.
Bad Conduct in Prison — Digging out — Four Escape — Fire, and Officeis Escape — Sad News from Portsmouth — Pay Day —Admiral Keppel returns — England's pride humbled — A cu- rious plan for Escape — Battle Report — Wounded in the Hos- pital — 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 Clin- ton'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 pun- ished unjustly. Rescued — Captain Lee's Escape — New Ar- rangement — Spotted Fever among the French — Second Draft for the Ships — The Albion taken by the French — Sab- bath Privileges lost. - - - - - - 168
CHAPTER XVIIl.
Oil of Tar for Prison — Frenchmen Break Out — One Shot — Reduction of Donation — Two Americans in Irons — Varioua opinions about the Cartel — Several Holes in hand — Fearful Apprehensions — Dominica taken by the French and Ameri- cans — 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
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIX.
FAOE
Twenty-one — Fort on Drake's Island — Breach in Black-hole King's Speech — English Prisoners at Brest — Hyfield's Es- cape— 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 car- ried back to Plymouth — A sorrowful New Year — Extreme Suffering — Good Friends — New Year's Gift — Large Fleets
— Captaiia 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 — Geat 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 agair. the Alliance — Sails Home. - - 229
PREFACE.
In presentins: the following pages to the reader, t*. ^ jublisher has no ambition to aspire to the character of m author, and what is perhaps more rare, he has no pri- vate 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 mem- orandum 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 scarce- ly 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 consid- eration the prohibition of all materials for writing in prison, the vigilance of the guards, and the frequent ■ 7
8 PREFACE.
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 appear- ance of design or effort ; it is perfectly natural ; what is seen or heard is recorded with hardly a note or com- ment, from first to last ; through their medium we are conducted through the hold of the prison-ship, and wit-| ness the privations and sufferings of the hapless vic- tims ; the prison hospital is thrown open to our inspec- tion, 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 at- tendant 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 mea- ger forms, sallow countenances and ragged habiliments, speak of their privations and misery ; we seem to lis- ten 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
PREFACE. y
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 tyran- ny 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 al- lowance 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 Maj- esty 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
10 PREFACE.
of the United States under the command of Commo- dore 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 ex- tracts 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 feel- ings 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 thou- sand dollars for their relief, together with all the private donations, not included in the above, will be an everlast- ing 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 prisoq..
PREFACE. 11
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 pay- ing 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 some- thing of the character of its author, in order to deter- mine 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 de- mand, we will endeavor to impart such information as we possess, believing that it will be perfectly satisfac- tory.
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 de- veloped in the life of Mr. Herbert, is very creditable to his early tutoress. Moral and religious principle must
12
SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 13
have taken a deep root in his young heart, to have pro- served that heart from the gross and corrupting influ- ence 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 influ- ence with his captors and keepers, which his compan- ions 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 lib- erty, 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. Her- bert entered on board the Dolton, Nov. 15, 1776, being less than nineteen years of age, and returned to New- buryport 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, com- manded by Captain Landais, forming part of the squad- A2
14 SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
ron 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, accord- ing 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. Frank- lin, 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 emer- gency with the utmost self-possession. This is seen in his conduct when the brig w^as taken, and after he be- came 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 starva- tion. 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 indus- try, 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-
SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 15
It is probable the existence of the journal was known to very few, if any, in prison, as the most serious con- sequences 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 jour- nal of any length of time was kept by any other per- son : 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 bu- siness 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 oc- curred on the 4th of September, A. D. 1808. Mr. Her- bert 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 liv- ing. 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
16 SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
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 necessa- ry- Hoping that liberal sales will enable the publisher to render to the widow of Charles Herbert a liberal do- nation, 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 '/i6th 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 2 17
18
RELIC OF THE
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 ca- ble-tier, where we found very disagreeable lodg- ings, having nothing but the bare cable to lay up- on, 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
REVOLUTION. 19
the sentinel, and spent the remainder of the night in conversation with him.
In the morning the hoys were called by the of- ficers 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 ar- rival in this port.]
1777. January loth. This morning our offi- cers 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 1 '' said one to the other; " What sort of people are they ? " '' Are they white 1 " " Can they talk ? "
20 RELIC OF THE
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 ev- ery ship in the harbor that is in comnission, 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 Rea- sonable 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 cap- tain 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,
REVOLUTION. 21
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 ser- vant, of the privateer sloop Charming Sally, from America, came on board this ship. They in- form us that they were taken the 16th of January, by the None-Such, man-of-war, sixty-four guns, and have been w^ell 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.
22 RELIC OF THE
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 — Belter Quarters — Special Favors — Liberal Distribution — Great Contrast — A good Friend — Sickness incieases.
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 con- stant 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 ac- count 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
ere brought on board this ship.
REVOLUTION. 23
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 con- fined 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 Avho 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 1 joyfully received.
24 RELIC OF THE
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 Al- bion, the Boyne and the Tarbay. To-day nine of our sick were carried on shore to the Royal Hos- pital. We were informed by one of the lieuten- ants 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 ; vvhicn we may account as a favor.
16. Clear and pleasant, (Sunday,) and as we
REVOLUTION. 25
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 jloch 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 — some- times 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! a?id 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 com- pany received beds. We never know the true state of our condition till it is illustrated by its
2
26 RELIC OFTHE
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.
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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 — Treat- ment for Itch.
February 23. Sunday. We have an opportu- nity 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 obtain- ed 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
28
RELIC OF THE
he gave us a bag to put our clothes in, half of a salt fish, a quart of potatoes, six biscuits, and but- ter to eat with our fish, besides a good hot supper. •26. I had an opportunity of reading a newspa- per wherein was a confirmation, in several differ- ent 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 sen- tenced 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 ; 'T is 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 compli- ments to us, to see if we would assist in getting them on board, which we willingly did, because
REVOLUTION. 29
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, be- longing to the same gentleman that bought the Do] ton.
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 whea we can get work to do.
26. It is four months since we sailed from Ports- mouth, having been in that time twenty-eight days on board the Dolton, twenty-seven days on board
30 RELIC OFTHE
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 an- other, 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 ex- pect, and we are visited morning and evening by the doctor.
2S. I have been poorly some days past, and hav- ing 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 doc- tor. There is another one of our company at- tacked with the small-pox, and to all human appearances, it will go through the company. I
REVOLUTION. 31
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 opportu- nity of reading a newspaper, wherein is an ac- count 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.
32 R E L I C O F T n E
7. To-day the man with the small-pox was sent on shore.
8. There is another broken out with small-pox, and 1 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 obliored to run the s^auntlet 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 Hos- pital 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 com- putation, in the three times which he run the gaunt- let, 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
REVOLUTION. 33
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 com- pany 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 even- ing, and in the evening also use the ointment.
34
RELIC OF THE
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 — At- tempt to escape.
April 16. Within these hospital wards there are ten grand buildings, three stories high. Each building contains six wards, each ward can ac- commodate twenty-five patients — so that there is room for fifteen hundred patients, besides attend- ants.
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.
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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, im- mediately.
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.
36 RELIC OFTHE
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 w^as raked up in a be^ 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.
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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. T am very sore yet, but am doing finely, con- sidering that it is with some difficulty that I can get to the table to write ; and I have a good appe- tite 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.]
38 RELIC OF THE
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 phy- sic.
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 be- ing the third of our company that has died in these hospitals, and the second in this ward, since I have been in it.
E E V 0 L TJ T I O N . 39
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 phy- sic.
40 RELIC OF THE
CHAPTER v..
Fourth Death — Captain BrowTi's Escape — His Men sent to Prison — Discharge from the Hospital — Yellow Fever — Fifth Death — Cru- elty 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 recep- tion 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.
REVOLUTION. 41
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 smaJl-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 po- tatoes, and three pints of beer.
26. This morning about seven o'clock, died James Jutson, an old man, prisoner from the Q,ueen, taken with Captain Brown in the priva- teer 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 Tav- ern," 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
4
42 RELIC OF THE
what they call cazzelteer, and only draw half a pound of bread and a quart of milk. A prisoned in the middle story, last night, being very sick with the small-pox, got out of his bed, threw up the win- dow and jumped out. He fell head first, about twenty feet, upon the hard ground, bruising him- self 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 Wil- liam 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, afid there is great firing of cannon, and chiming of bells, in Dock and Plymouth.
This morning about three o'clock, another pris- oner died of small-pox — the same person who jumped from the window, as before mentioned.
REVOLUTION. 43
He was taken in the privateer sloop Charming Sal- ly. 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 cap- tain's crew. They were put on board the Blen- heim, 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 hospi- tal. 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 ? Whe- ther 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 wero called up the second time, one at a time, and asked
44 RELIC OF THE
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 Uni- ted 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 commit- ment read as follows :
*' Charles Herbert, you are supposed to be guil- ty 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 on- ly 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.
0> Rainy weather, so that we keep house aU
REVOLUTION. 45
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 phy- siced 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 lit- tle 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 en- treated 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.
46 UELICOFTHE
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 ihey 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 kw 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 brf;akfast every morning ; commonly
REVOLUTION. 47
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, confedera- ting 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 pris- oners . We, therefore, took in our box, and are resolved to put it out no more.
48 RELIC OF THE
CHAPTER VI,
More Prisonera — A Present — Visit from American Gentlemen — Black-hole — Fleet of Transports for America — Prisonera 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 lieu- tenant of a Virginia pilot boat. The captain is now confined in the yard, in a prison by himself.
REVOLUTION. 49
and is not allowed to speak to us, but the lieuten- ant is in prison with us.
25. Rainy weather.
26. Continued wet, so that we keep house.
27. To-day another broke out with tnnall-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 news- paper, 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
50 RELIC OF THE
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 pri- son 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. No- thing remarkable.
12. Last night, four of the prisoners that were
REVOLUTION. 5l
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 six- pence 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 Hos- pital ; 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 ves-
52 RELIC OFTHE
sels are often receiving insults at sea from the French. Three years ago they would have re- sented 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 box- es 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
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of the sick ward, on the I'ith of this month, were brought back again, and put in the Black-hole, there to lay forty days, on half allowance.
2(5. We hear that Captain Manley, of the Han- cock frigate, has taken the Fox frigate, of twenty- ei2:ht 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 I. 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 mer- chantman, was set at liberty last Sunday. The week past I have received two shillings for boxes.
54 RELICOFTHE
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; dur- ing the storm, some of our people made their es- cape through the hole which tliey 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 num- ber 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 at- tempts 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.
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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 in- to 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 be- fore 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
56 RELIC OF THE
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 remain- der 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,
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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 con- tinental money was disgraced, that the Americans had laid down their arms, and that they were starving to death for want of provisions, and na- ked 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.
2G. It is reported that general Prescott is taken by the Americans.
58
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CHAPTER VII,
Attempt to Escape discovered — Awful description of Suffering Dreadful Starvation — Gloomy Prospects — Death of Gideon War- ren — Detection — Close Examination — Commissioner — A News- paper — Relief Prohibited — Attempt to Escape — Oath of Secrecy — Another attempt to Escape — Captain Johnston and the Lexing ton — Sea Fight — Thd Press continued — Love of Liberty Meeting after long absence — A Privilege granted — Agent in a good humor — A Purchase — More Prisoners — Running the Gaunt- let.
August 27. Last night, as our people who are on half allowance in a separate prison, were try- ing 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, where- in was a confirmation of Ticonderoga and Phila- delphia being taken ; also, of the Hancock frigate and Fox being retaken ; this news is very disa- greeable to us, for we are sorry to hear of the en-
REVOLUTION. 59
emy 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 lay- ing 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
60 U E L I C O F T II E
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 pro- visions, 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 repeat- ed confirmation of the before-mentioned sad news.
2. We are informed by a friend, that he is fear- ful that we shall be distributed en 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 nisht Gideon Warren, one o^ oui cor"
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pany, 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 shil- ling 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 pa- per which they found in prison, as we are not al- lowed paper, pens or ink ; but I passed the search with tw-^ knives and my journal about me. Cap- tain jKjfKi) captain of a packet bound to America,
62 RELIC OFTHE
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, when- ever we wished to make our grievances known, to write to the Board, without inspection by the agent.
13. To-day we wTote our petition to the Board, for redress of grievances, and it was read before the prisoners. Also, we had a paper, wherein was a mtelancholy 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, en shares. When finished and sold, it brought nearly thirty-two shillings ; but I have had a part- ner to work with me, and one third of the avails
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we paid for the chest, so that only one third be- longed 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.
IS. Yesterday some friends, from without, sent victuals to those men who are on short allow- ance, but the agent would not let them come in.
19. The commissioner has again been her^ ; he came precisely at the time of drawing our .neat. 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 shil- ling 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
64 RELIC OPTHE
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, build- ing the wall higher where the men got over.
24. Pleasant weather.
25. We are informed that the Lexington, priva- teer, 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 desti- tute. 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
REVOLUTION. 65
to prison to-day. They inform us that they were taken by a ten gun cutter after ahuost 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 h^d six men killed and a num- ber 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 al- lowed 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 John- ston's men were brought to prison.
October 1. A number more of Captain John- ston's men came to prison ; they inform us that 6
66 RELIC OF THE
the Frenchmen which they had on board, are not likely to come to prison. There were about twen- ty 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 re- quested 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.
IL To-day the captains of the Burford and Fieutryant came to see us.
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12. Sunday. Of late, there have not been so many people to see us as fornierly.
13 To-day our agent has been in a very good humor, and he informed us that there is great ex- pectation 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 commissoner, 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 pota- toes, 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 pris- oners 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 Oli- ver Cromwell privateer, that was taken by the Beaver sloop-of-war.
bo RELICOFTHE
18. We learn by those who came to prison last, that Dr. Franklin has written to the English am- bassador, 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.
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CHAPTER VIII.
More Prisoners — Hears from Home — Suspicion — A hot Press — 1500 Seamen wanted — News from America — Disagreeable Com- pany — Destitution of the Prisoners — Digging, and Detection — A Pious Wish — Twenty years of age — Mournful Reflection — Let- ter from Bilboa — Bad Bread — Unpleasant Reflections —King's Speech — Bold Project — Failure — Reports — Strictness of the Guard — Suspicion — Privation from the Gospel — Prisoners Threat- ened — Voluntary Sacrifice — Good News reported — Detail of General Burgoyno'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
70 R E L 1 C O F T 11 E
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 gar- rison, 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 commis- sion 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 dis- tress, 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 Mor- ris, 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.
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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 dis- tance 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 immedi- ately, to fit out a fleet.
3. We have a paper, dated the 21st of last month, wherein is an account of General Bur- goyne's losing two thousand men, besides a num- ber 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 per-
72 U E L 1 C O F T H E
suaded 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 suf- fer, 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, dig- o-ino- out, were discovered by the guard, and caucrht 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 sup- pose 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
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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 Newbury port. 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.
74 R E L I C O F T H E "
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.
18. 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 peo- ple 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 Ply- mouth hired the sexton to ring the bells, for re- joicing.
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 inva-
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lided, 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 ap- pears 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 Lon- don 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 onboard of our vessel, we should have made up our cruise in twenty-four hours from the time we were taken; for, that
76 RELICOFTHE
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
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put their design into execution. I think if it had been otherwise, nearly two thirds in prison would liave 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 con- clusion of the war, unless France and Spain de- clare war, which to appearance, cannot be avoid- ed.
2. We are informed that two packets have lately arrived, and confirm the reports that Philadelphia is taken. Also, they have reported that the Amer- cans have blown up an English seventy-four, which was attempting to go up to Philadelphia.
8. 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 o-uard is so very strict with us, that I think it al- most 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 pa- tatoes, for three shillings.
78 RELIC OF THE
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 let- ter 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 gos- pel preached on the Lord's day, though I did not make much improvement of it when I had the op- portunity.
8. To-day we were all mustered, and after this was over, the agent informed us that he had re- ceived a letter from the Board, to put all in this prison on half allow ance, for breaking orders and attempting to make our escape, until the trans- gressor should be found out. But as we all, with one voice joined in one cause, we thought it inhu- man 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 allow- ance 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
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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 ob- servation, because they did not come from so good authority as I could wish they might ; but to-day he have a very authentic account from Captain Henry Johnston's brother, who is lately from Lon- don, that General Burgoyne and his army are to- tally 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 heard since I have been a prisoner. Also, we have good rea- son to believe that Howe is in possession of Phil- adelphia ; 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 proceed- ings 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
80 RELIC OF THE
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 coun- trymen at home have something to be proud of, though we are a little humbled by our imprison- ment.
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 ar- rived 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 confirm- ation and the particulars of General Burgoyne's being taken, with six thousand men, seven thou- sand 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 ac- knowledge to be the best ever sent out of the coun- try, against any nation. We have, also, a melan- choly account of the cruelty of the Indians in the back settlements, set on by the inhuman Bur- goyne, 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 Wash- ington's giving Howe battle, and after the battle
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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 mo- tion 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 inter- cepted several letters sent by Howe to Burgoyne, which showed their determination, and proved of happy consequences to the Americans. Accord- ing 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 con- firmations of what we have heard before.
22. We are informed that Parliament has ad- journed till the twentieth of next month ; I suppose, to hear further intelligence from Lord Howe, and to know whether he has made any pro- gress in the country.
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CHAPTER IX.
Christmas Pudding — Ciiristmas Presents — Clothes served — Happy New Year — Friends appear — Presents — Friends increase — Large Donations reported — Donation from British Recruiting Par- ties — 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 or- ders put up in prison, which are from the commis- sioners, 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.
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25. Christmas. To-day had our intended pud- ping, 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 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, in- stead of beef, gave us mutton, and instead of cab- bage 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 ray 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 pen- ny loaf to each mess, sent in by our friends out- side.
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 Amer- ica, 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
84 R E L 1 C O F T H E
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 yester- day, 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, re- ceived an answer from the Lord of the Admiral- ty, that all those v,ho 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 pris- on. But we hear that it is likely to be renewed again ; God fcrbid 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.
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No sooner is this very impolitic Act out, than our friends make themselves known to us, which be- fore 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 gen- tlemen, 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 c£800 sterling have been raised in London for the relief of the prisoners here, and that they are daily rais- ing 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
86 RELICOFTIIE
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 pris- oners 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 hun- dred and twenty-nine. What we have received hitherto, has no connection with these donations, but was given by private gentlemen.
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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, l)ut we sup- pose 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 Ilenry 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
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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 allow- ance 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
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are all to have gtaat coats in a {ew 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 Cornwailis 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 ac- count of its being Sunday they did not fire ; but to-day each ship in commission, the fort and gar- ison, 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
8
90 RELIGOFTHE
a pound of beef to each mess more than our al- lowance by government.
22. We have now got into a settled rule of re- ceiving our donation. The officers, such as cap- tains 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.
21. I have heard little or no news, for this week
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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 weath- er.
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.
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CHAPTER X
Price of Tobacco — Cleanliness — Not to be discouraged — Blankets — Distiibution — 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 — Commis- sioners — Public Fast — Allowance withdrawn — Ijiberality — Pe- tition Refused — A Newspaper — Reward of Bravery — Lights con- tinued.
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 shil- lings 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
R E V O L U 1' I O N . 93
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 unexpect- ed 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 de- pendence 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 let- ter 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 ihat is necessary, while they are in v/ant of every thing.
94
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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 pa- per, wherein is Lord North's proposition for re- conciliation 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 Cap- tain 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 fif- teen 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.
REVOLUTION. 95
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.
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12. \Ye 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 car" rying on the war, and upwards of one hundred and fifty for settling it. I am glad to find that the mi- nority 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 in- forms 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 prison- ers, 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
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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 ben- efit of our great coats. We hear that the two sol- diers that deserted and went off with the before- mentioned officers, from the prison, have been ta- ken ; which I am sorry to hear, for they will un- doubtedly 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 lin- en 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 pre- paring 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
9
93 R E L I C O F T H E
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 w'anted, we made it known to them, that we were desirous of having a sixpen- ny 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 de- plores 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, late- ly, that all the Acts since the year 1763, are like- ly 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 a public fast throughout England, Ireland and Scot- land.
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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, through- out 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 expect- ations of beincr liberated before the season is ex-
109 RELIC OF THE
pired, as there is a fleet of transports, with pro- vision, 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 re- ceived an answer to the petition we wrote for the liberty to burn candles in the evening, but the an- swer was that we could not be allowed the privi- lege.
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 com- mander 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 exam- ined to see if we keep ourselves clean. Last even- ing 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,
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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.
102 li E L I C OF T II E
CHAPTER XI.
Awful Penalty for Desertion — Public Indignation — Remarkablo Health of the Prisoners — Recruiting Party in Cornwall — Howe in trouble — 'i \vo Fathers — Scarcity of Provisions in the West In- dies — Black-hole — American Privateer — Hot Press — Detection — French Brig lun down — Prisoners sell their clothes to gamble — " Preceptor " — Extreme Punishment — Sports — Examination — Use of Poverty — English Ambassador returns from France — Cap- tain 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 firom 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 de- serting their colors and carrying off rebels with them ; but the people in the King's dock-yard, and some sailors who were on shore frcm the men-
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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 sev- eral 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 remarka- bly 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 them- selves, 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 to- gether and disarmed them, and drove them out of their territory. Indeed, all England seems to be
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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 com- mittee 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 satis- faction 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
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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 Amer- ica. 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 Encrlish islands that the inhabitants move from
o
one island to another on that account, and are almost starved ; they also inform us that Mr. Sam- uel 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 alarm- ed 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
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most of my time in reading, and I can better com- pose myself to it now than I could six months ago. IG. 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 nt 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
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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. Ac- cordingly 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
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in the Sound ; eleven men were drowned, and her mainmast carried away.
26. Last eveninor the oruards 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 subscrip- tion, 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 e^s. a pound ; at Christmas it was only 2s. 4d.
3L 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 shillino;s. The reason of its beinor 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.
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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. Al- so, 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 uriother, seemingly disregarded by us, to our shame.
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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 Lon- don, 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 provis- ions than many of us want to eat; and any person can easily conjecture that prisoners in our situa- tion, 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 ambassa- dor has returned from France, and upon his return he inforned Ilis Majesty that the King of France had recognized the independence of America.
9. Very warm and pleasant, so that all the pris- oners 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 ac- cording 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 Cap- tain Henry Johnston, of the Lexington, and Cap-
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tain 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 pri- vateers. Upon their passage home, they took a vessel, which was one of the Civil Usage's prizes. The Milford arrived about three weeks ago. Tit- comb 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.
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13. We are informed by Captain Boardman, that while he was out, he saw one Mr. Bapson, hitely 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 He- ro, 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. Wil- liam 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 goto America.
15. What money I have received for boxes since I have been in prison, amounts to over three guin- eas. Had it not been for this money, I must in- evitably 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.
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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 Wran- gle — Commissioners Sailed — Another Hole — It Founders — Jo- seph 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 Commis- 10
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sioners full power, before they return, even to de- clare 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 Amer- ca 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 Bos- ton frigate, and another frigate out of Boston, hav- ing 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 six- pence.
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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 hiui. He also informed us, that by his own de- sire, he is going to London to receive his trial, which put us in mind of petitioning for a trial, al- so. 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 word- ing 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 re-
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quest 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 sup- posed guilty. And your petitioners,'' &c.
26. For some months past we have thought it presumption to try to make our escape from pris- on by digging out, on account of there being trai- tors 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 un- til 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 W' as 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
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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 al- lowance in the Black-hole.
28. Last evening being somewhat dark, two young men had a mind to try to make their es- cape; 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. To- day 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 v^ry 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-
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four guns, as she lay at her moorings, accidental- ly 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 Cap- tain John Paul Jones, from Portsmouth, went into Whitehaven, sent her boat on shore, and spiked np 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 New- foundland, and all were lost but one.
4. To-day, Captain Lee, taken in a merchant- man belonging to Manchester, came to see us. He
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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 mis- sing.
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 ju- ry'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 be- tween 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
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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 Eng- lish 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.
ifSWe have a hole now in hand, and as we have riot 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 emp- tying 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,
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and draw their attention, and in the meantime we htopped 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 Ken- sington ; 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 al- lowed 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 op- tion ; 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 set- tled 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.
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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— Ta- ken — Cruel Treatment — Just Retaliation — King's Birthday — Contribution for the Sick — Twelve months in Prison — Reflections.
May 16. We are informed that a French priva- teer 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
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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 re- turned from London. He informs us that Gener- al 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 after- noon, 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 di- rected. 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.
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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 threaten- ed 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
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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 .hap- pened 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 Admi- ral 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 sen- try at the gate, and do not allow a prisoner to go near it upon any occasion whatever ; and this af- ternoon 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 six- pence per week, lay it out at the gate for strong beer
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— 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 New- town 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 Fish- ermen 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.
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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 con- cerned 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, be- sides frigates, sent a challenge to the English Ad miral to meet him off Brest. We are also informed that there are orders from London for a larger
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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 es- cape, although part of the guard was with them, they left their tubs and ran. They were immedi- ately pursued by the guard, and overtaken about a quarter of a mile distant ; and after they were se- cured, 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
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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 mil- lions. A commissioner has been here to-day, re- viewing the prisons ; I suppose to give orders in what manner they shall be repaired for the ac- commodation 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 Provi- dence has put something in our hands. Accord- ingly, 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, To- day a fleet of fishermen, consisting of about thirty sail, went out of the Sound, bound to Newfound- land.
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5. The fleet that sailed yesterday for Newfound- land, meeting with contrary winds, and the weath- er 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 befors this day, but I believe now, most of us despair of being exchanged this sum- mer, unless General Burgoyne's coming home should be of advantage to us. He is able to rep- resent the case as it is, for we hear that the Con- gress 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 U3 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.
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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 Ap- propriation— Gratitude for Friends — Effort to Escape — Scheme continued — Discovered — Black-hole — Gen. Burgoyne's Compli- ment to American Troope — Unsuccessful attempt to Escape — French Frigate taken — Bad Meat refused — Unsuccessful at- tempt 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 in- formed 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 ex- pect 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
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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 be- fore it was found out. Thus every method we take to make our escape is found out before it is accom- plished, 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 sail- ing ; 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 Cap- tain Tracy is wholly given over, which I am very sorry to hear. Captain Dennis has got his clear- ance, and is bound directly home, and will carry letters for those who desire to send. This after- noon 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
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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 unea- sy 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 boucrht at the gate. One of these was so out- rageous 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.
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11. The commissioner has again been in the yard to talk with us.
12. To-day the fleet of Newfoundland fisher- men sailed again, and I am afraid Captain Dennis has gone and left our letters.
13. There are now several masons and carpen- ters at work on an old three story prison, in an- other 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 opood use of them.
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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 Ameri- can 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 twen- ty 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 Cap- tain 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 ex- changed for them, as far as they will go. But in this prison we are very faithleFJS ; 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
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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. To- day four men came out of the Black-hole, who went in on the 31st of May ; they have been in only eighteen da)'s ; the reason of their not tarry- ing 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 or- ders 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 appro- priation for the money raised by subscription for the relief of American prisoners in this country. He desired that we should send him the name, for- mer residence, and occupation, of all the prisoners ; he assures us that there is a prospect of an ex-
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change 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 ad- vice, 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 pur- pose, 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 agam, and plas- tered 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 car- ried on as before. This afternoon Captain Den- nis and Captain Talford came and took our letters. They have got their clearance and are bound di- rectly to France. I sent a letter by Captain D. to my father. Captain Dennis' hands consisted
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of nine Beverly men ; they are all kept on board the men-of-war, as they have served all others dur- ing the war taken in merchantmen, except the captains, and them they clear.
23. Last night the scheme was carried on tht same as before, till about S 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 car- ried them to the Black-hole. This afternoon one of the prisoners was sent down to the prison hos- pital ; 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 be- ing 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.
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25. According to the newspapers, General Burgoyne gives the American troops a brave name ; he says that the troops he had at his com- mand 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 be- fore since I came to prison. This morning a French cutter was brought in here, taken by ao 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,
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which they did, but were discovered, taken, and sent to the Black-hole.
28. We hear that the Arathusa frigate was dis- masted 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 up- on 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 in- to 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 re- fused 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
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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 at- tempted 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 sen- try, 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 cock- ades. 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^
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"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 di- vision 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,
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bought a small vessel to carry them to France, and yesterday morning set sail.
10. To-day Joseph Barnum, one of our com- pany, and one of the French prisoners that was wounded, had their thighs cut off. Barnura 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 hap- pened 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
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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 depen- dence is in her fleet.
15. It is twenty months to-day since I left New- bury. 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 tlieir 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 Sud- bury, 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 thir- teenth regiment, which is the regiment that has guarded us ever since we came to prison.
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CHAPTER XV.
Bad Conduct in Prison — Its Consequences — Rules — Prison Quiet — Digging Out — Four Escape — General alarm — Fire, and Offi- cers Escape — Discovery — Prison in an Uproar — Its Cause and Cure — Sad news from Portsmouth — Pay-day — Diink — Trouble — Invitation to go over the Wall — Admiral Keppel returns — Eng- land's pride humbled — False Reports — Studies Navigation — A good turn — A curious plan for Escape — Detection — Battle Re- port — 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 quarrel- some, 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 dona- tions 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 distur- 13
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bance in the yard, and occasioned much fighting. They also forbid any improper language to any of- ficer 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 ex- ecution.
18. We hear that Count D' Estaing's fleet has ar- rived 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 Sun- day 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, sothat 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
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past — they have only been waiting for a dark, stormy night ; when they broke ground, the pave- ment 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. Af- ter 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 v/ere turned in again, they went to work until nine or ten o'clock ; but were then discovered by the guard, who imme- diately 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
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back, and another came back of his own ac- cord.
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-men- tioned 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 were brought to prison.
25. Yesterday a ship of seventy-four guns, and a frigate, arrived in the Sound, from Admiral Bi- ron's fleet, with two hundred and forty-six sick men on board. The occasion of this ship's com- ing home was that she had sprung a leak, and the frigate came with her for fear that she might foun- der at sea.
26. Sunday. I daily expect to hear of an en- gagement between the English and French fleets, as we have heard several accounts of their being seen in siirht of each other.
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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 ac- quainted 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 French- men, who were taken in the American service, and the majority of tjiose 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
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Frenchmen up stairs with us, where they will not be abused any more.
31. Yesterday, some in this prison had an invi- tation 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. Af- ter 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 anyone they see getting over the wall, and also, that the soldier who let these men go is new 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 Bur- goyne. There are six remaining there still
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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 be- tween 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 disap- pointed of their expectations, for in their first en- gagement 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 al- lowed 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 cy-
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phering. 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 oneof 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 prison- ers ; 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 pris- on, 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
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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 hos- pital, 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 com- missioner 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
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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, anoth- er fight happened, and about the same time the com- missioner came into the yard, and ordered one of them to be sent to the Black-hole. In all this dis- turbance, 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 gentle- men, 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 im- possible, to get off the island. While they were out, they saw a number of ships belonging to Ad- miral 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
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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,