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 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 

 
 E)IARY 
 
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 Benjamin F. Palmers Diary 
 
The DIARY of 
 
 BENJAMIN F. PALMER 
 
 Privateersman 
 
 Wtyik a prisoner on boaro lEnnUslj mar sljtps 
 at sea, in the prison at fclmllc Sslano ano at 
 
 lartnt00r 
 
 Now first printed from the original manuscript 
 
 THE ACORN CLUB 
 
 CID IDCCCC XIV 
 

 
 -c? 
 
 
 
 Eleventh Publication 
 
 ONE HUNDRED AND TWO COPIES PRINTED 
 
 &&. . JlllL 
 
 Copyright by the Acorn Club 
 1914 
 
 The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor PresB 
 
 IAN 26 1914 
 
 ©CLA361731 
 
 
 •> *i 
 
ACORN CLUB 
 
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 John Murphy, 
 
 Albert Carlos Bates, 
 
 Charles Lewis Nichols Camp 
 
 George Seymour Godard, 
 
 Frederic Clarence Bissell, 
 
 Joline Butler Smith, . 
 
 William Fowler Hopson, 
 
 Frank Addison Corbin, 
 
 Henry Russell Hovey, 
 
 Frank Butler Gay, . 
 
 Walter Havens Clark, 
 
 William John James, 
 
 Lucius Albert Barbour, 
 
 Charles Yale Beach, . 
 
 Addison Van Name, . 
 
 Henry Roberts, 
 
 Henry Ferguson, 
 
 Morgan Bulkeley Brainard, 
 
 Morris Woodruff Seymour, 
 
 Lucius Barnes Barbour, 
 
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 John Ireland Howe Downes, 
 
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 New Haven 
 
 Chicago 
 
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 New Haven 
 
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 New Haven 
 
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 Bridgeport 
 
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 New Haven 
 
 New Haven 
 
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TO 
 
 Anna $ atowr iraper 
 
 THIS PUBLICATION IS 
 
 DEDICATED 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Aront (EUtb 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 IN HELIOTYPE 
 Benjamin Franklin Palmer Frontispiece 
 
 From an oil painting. 
 
 FACING PAGE 
 
 Facsimile letter of W. Miller 54 
 
 Agent for American prisoners at Melville Island. 
 Privateer Grand Turk 70 
 
 This represents the tjrpe of private armed ship made 
 famous in the war of 1812. Generally rigged as ships 
 or brigs, with very long and light masts and spars, 
 carrying a great spread of canvas, heavily armed, and 
 manned with a crew of from one hundred to one 
 hundred and fifty sailors — they could both fight and 
 run. 
 
 Dartmoor Prison and Massacre 179 
 
 From a lithograph published at Boston in 1853. 
 
 Copy of original drawing by B. F. Palmer 186 
 
PREFATORY NOTE 
 
 No thought has been entertained of editing this 
 Journal — it is sufficient unto itself, nor is it necessary 
 to offer any explanation, other than this, for the many 
 errors in the text, very few of which obscure the writer's 
 meaning, and none of which reflect discredit upon himself. 
 When account is taken of the many difficulties and 
 great annoyances under which the composition must 
 have been performed the wonder is, not that there are 
 broken threads and so many mistakes of writing, but 
 that such a complete record of each day's occurrences 
 was possible at all, and such a continuous narrative from 
 first to last persevered in. The writer's graphic powers 
 of description, his spontaneous expression and direct- 
 ness, and the simplicity and evident truth of his story 
 have not in any way been lessened by revision or 
 attempted elucidation. 
 
 We are indebted to Mrs. Henry Draper, Miss E. W. 
 Palmer and The New York Public Library for permis- 
 sion to issue this edition of The Journal of Benjamin 
 Franklin Palmer. To Mr. C. L. R. Robinson for the 
 loan of the original drawing of the privateer Grand 
 Turk. To Mr. Donald MacNeill Palmer for the por- 
 trait of young Palmer. To Mrs. Draper for the view 
 of Dartmoor Prison, and to The New York Public 
 Library for the loan of the original manuscript, which 
 is now in its possession, it being a gift to that institution 
 from Mrs. Henry Draper. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Dartmoor Prison. 
 
 There are five books in English, one in French and 
 three magazine articles which form the library to which 
 we refer for all we know of a place which was so 
 important in the War of 1812. 
 
 In the heart of the Dartmoor country in Southern 
 England is a spot which was a desolate peat bog up 
 to 1805. Then, England and France being at war, 
 more room for French prisoners was needed, and the 
 granite structure destined to unpleasant notoriety as 
 Dartmoor prison was begun. The buildings, which 
 at one time held nearly 10,000 men, were first occupied 
 in 1809. The best known incident of the prison history 
 is the Dartmoor Massacre, April 6, 1815. 
 
 Now that an American Memorial has been placed in 
 the Church at Prince Town, in Dartmoor, it may be 
 regarded as one of the significant signs that a war 
 between England and The United States is quite an 
 impossible thing to contemplate. The memorial is a 
 large stained glass window, suitably inscribed, given by 
 The National Society United States Daughters of 
 1812. It was formally presented by the president of 
 the society June 4, 1910. 
 
 Bibliography of Dartmoor Prison. 
 
 1. Andrews, Charles. The Prisoner's Memoirs. New York, 1815. 
 
 2. Waterhouse, Benjamin. The Journal of a Young Man, etc. 
 
 Boston, 1816. 
 
[ xvi ] 
 
 3. I. H. W. The Dartmoor Massacre (poem). No place, 1815. 
 
 4. Cobb, J. A. A Younker's First Cruise. 1841. 
 
 5. Hawthorne, Nathaniel (Editor). The Papers of an Old Dart- 
 
 moor Prisoner, in Democratic Review, Vols. 18-19, 1845. 
 
 6. Catel, L. La Prison de Dartmoor. Paris, 1847. 
 
 7. Dartmoor Prison. In Frasir's Magazine, Vol. 48, 1853. 
 
 8. McNeil, J. G. American Prisoners at Dartmoor, in Harper's 
 
 Magazine, September, 1904. 
 
 9. Thompson, Basil. The Story of Dartmoor Prison. London, 
 
 1907. 
 Numbers 7 and 8 are general histories, not specifically devoted 
 to American prisoners. 
 
 Privateering in 1812-15. 
 
 It is generally considered that when President Madi- 
 son sent his message to the Senate and House of 
 Representatives in June, 1812, that we were quite 
 unprepared to face the might of Great Britain. In a 
 large measure this was true, as we had less than a dozen 
 regular naval vessels to meet the thousand or more of 
 England's navy; but, we must not overlook the 
 American seaman. 
 
 Under the operations of the "Orders in Council" of 
 1806, our merchant marine had been harassed and 
 gradually driven from the sea, and the sailor stranded 
 on shore. There were thousands of these men, perhaps, 
 the finest seamen the world ever knew, anxious to serve 
 at sea, but how? The regular navy could take but a 
 few, and it was left obviously for private enterprise to 
 best find employment for this host of mighty men in 
 two ways: (1) in letters of marque, properly cargo 
 ships, that is vessels whose primary object is commerce, 
 
[ xvii 
 
 and which, therefore, carry cargoes, but have also guns, 
 and a commission from the government to make prizes. 
 Without such authorization, capture is piracy. (2) 
 Privateers owned, controlled and manned by a maritime 
 people debarred from every other form of maritime 
 activity. 
 
 That there always existed a strong feeling against 
 privateering is true, and very strange it is that such a 
 feeling obtained to some extent amongst our own 
 people. To counteract this prejudice, and to influence 
 public opinion in favor of using privateers and letters 
 of marque, Jefferson wrote under date of July 4-th, 
 1812, an article, some extracts from which are here 
 inserted: — "What is war? It is simply a contest 
 between nations of trying which can do the other most 
 harm." And, again: "What difference to the sufferer 
 is it that his property is taken by a national or private 
 armed vessel? Did our merchants, who have lost 917 
 vessels by British capture, feel any gratification that 
 the most of them were taken by His Majesty's men-of- 
 war?" And, again: "One man fights for wages paid 
 him by the government, or a patriotic zeal for the 
 defence of his country, another, duly authorized, and 
 giving the proper pledges for his good conduct, under- 
 takes to pay himself at the expense of the foe, and serve 
 his country as effectively as the former. In the United 
 States every possible encouragement should be given 
 to privateering in time of war with a commercial 
 nation." 
 
 In conclusion he says: "By licensing private armed 
 vessels, the whole moral force of the nation is truly 
 
[ xviii ] 
 
 brought to bear on the foe, and while the contest lasts, 
 that it may have the speedier termination, let every indi- 
 vidual contribute his mite, in the best way he can to 
 distress and harass the enemy, and compel him to peace." 
 
 Of course, the object of the privateer was primarily 
 to war on commerce, and the intense feeling of acrimony 
 displayed by England towards captured privateersmen 
 (notably at Dartmoor prison) is an indication of the 
 success of the vessels thus engaged. There were 
 instances, however, where fights occurred between a 
 privateer and a regular vessel of His Majesty's navy, as 
 when the privateer Chasseur, Capt. Boyle, overhauled a 
 schooner, which proved to be the St. Laurence of the 
 royal navy. In reporting the affair to his owners, Capt. 
 Boyle wrote: "I should not willingly, perhaps, have 
 sought a contest with a King's vessel, knowing that is 
 not our object; but my expectations at first were a 
 valuable vessel, and a valuable cargo also. When I 
 found myself deceived, the honor of the Flag, intrusted 
 to my care, was not to be disgraced by flight." 
 
 The London Statesman, under date of June 10, 1812, 
 warned England of what might be feared from Ameri- 
 can privateers. After reciting the history of our 
 private-armed vessels during the Revolution, the article 
 o-oes on to state: "These are facts which can be traced 
 to a period when America was in her infancy, without 
 ships, without seamen, without money, and at a time 
 when our navy was not much less in strength than at 
 present. The Americans will be found to be a different 
 sort of enemy by sea than the French. They possess 
 nautical knowledge, with equal enterprise to ourselves. 
 
[ xix ] 
 
 They will be found attempting deeds which a French- 
 man would never think of." 
 
 It is not too much to say that our privateersmen were 
 of the type that accompanied Hawkins, Drake, Fro- 
 bisher and Grenville in their world-renowned voyages, 
 and they displayed the same gallantry that has always 
 marked the Anglo-Saxon in his conquest of the sea. 
 
 "Heave or sink it, leave or drink it, we were 
 masters of the sea." 
 
 References. 
 
 Sea Power in its Relation to the War of 1812. Mahan. 
 History of the American Privateers. Coggeshall. 
 A History of American Privateers. Maclay. 
 Magazine of History. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin Palmer 
 
 Born July 10, 1793 
 
 Died April 28, 1824 
 
 Aged 31 years. 
 
 The writer of this diary was a descendant of Walter 
 Palmer, one of the founders of Stonington, Conn. The 
 Palmers have always been prominent in the annals of 
 the town, and in the famous siege of August, 1814, 
 many of the relations of our diarist did gallant service. 
 
 Stonington was the first place to offer serious 
 resistance to the British, who had made a clean sweep 
 in Maine, and compelled Nantucket to become neutral. 
 The news of the victory reached Palmer during his cap- 
 tivity at Dartmoor, and cheered him mightily, causing 
 
[ XX ] 
 
 him to compare unfavorably the defenders of Washing- 
 ton with his own townsmen. 
 
 Palmer was a good type of the young American of 
 the nineteenth century, when the feeling of patriotism 
 was intense, and all other matters were subordinated to 
 what Burke termed "that salutary prejudice called our 
 country." 
 
 Here we may say that the brief records of his boy- 
 hood show a certain impetuosity, quite likable in a boy 
 of wholesome instincts. It is related that he was one 
 of a party made up of the younger townsmen of Ston- 
 ington, who found it necessary to tar and feather an 
 undesirable citizen. The self-appointed committee was 
 masked, and in response to a protest from the victim 
 that they did not dare show their faces, young Palmer 
 unmasked and by so doing cost his father fifteen hundred 
 dollars, a considerable sum for that time. 
 
 He had a liking for books, and the diary bears evi- 
 dence of his familiarity with the Bible, Shakspere, 
 Bunyan, Butler and Sterne. He alludes several times 
 in his journal of wasteful time spent in reading novels. 
 It is to be regretted that he does not give the titles of 
 these light books. He only looks into them when it is 
 quite impossible to pass his time profitably. 
 
 It is said there are many ways of writing a diary, the 
 best being that in which events are vividly illuminated, 
 and life and action always present. Certainly the writer 
 of this journal meets these requirements. 
 
 When Palmer engaged to serve on the privateer 
 RoJla, he surely expected stirring adventures, for this 
 boat was already famous, with a record of destroying 
 
[ xxi ] 
 
 many ships, and of capturing cargoes valued at above 
 $2,000,000. He probably expected to see a fine ship, 
 and his disappointment at her lack of accommodation, 
 and her small size was so keen that he was disposed not 
 to venture. Possibly he had a premonition of ill-for- 
 tune, for scarcely had the Rolla ventured out, when she 
 was captured by His Majesty's frigate Loire. Alas! 
 Poor Boy! His brief dream of glory was over, and 
 for more than a year he was in keen distress of mind 
 and body; but his was a heroic soul and rarely does he 
 repine over bodily discomforts, although they were 
 terrible, but his mental anguish is, at times, almost 
 unendurable. He resents improper treatment, and his 
 dignity is outraged when he and his mates are subjected 
 to what he fancies is unusual punishment. In one place, 
 when the accommodations between decks are especially 
 bad, "Do they think," he says, "we are damned 
 Frenchmen?" 
 
 We seldom hear from the main deck, and this record 
 is unique in its amazing frankness and candor, and 
 brings vividly before us the unpleasant details of a 
 privateersman's lot when captured, and his treatment 
 on board ships, and at prisons. The only other narrative 
 of similar experiences bears evidence of careful editing, 
 whilst this boy's story is hot from the heart. His powers 
 of observation are keen, and he gives us a vivid story 
 of life on the ships at Bermuda, and after of his expe- 
 riences at Melville Island, intensely interesting in the 
 details, covering description of daily muster, washday, 
 the visits of the turnkey every night and morning to 
 see that none are missing, the many ways the prisoners 
 
are affected, and through it all very little complaining 
 of the horrors of a captive's life, under the cruel method 
 that England at this time pursued in treating prisoners 
 of war, more particularly privateersmen. 
 
 Under this stress, the boy becomes a man, and devel- 
 ops the quality of a leader, so that when the time of 
 greatest trouble comes, and he and his mates are sent 
 to Dartmoor, he is well fitted for the appointment which 
 comes to him from 1,500 prisoners, of Judge, and his 
 labor is constant to ameliorate the horrid conditions of 
 life in this distressing place. 
 
 He qualifies himself to give instruction in writing, 
 navigation and mathematics. One must wish that this 
 aspect of his prison life was more fully told, but his 
 brief allusion to it bears evidence of a becoming modesty. 
 
 The conflicting reports of the progress at Ghent of 
 the treaty makers, one day's story that the preliminary 
 treaty was signed, causing the utmost joy, followed by 
 depression as the story lacked confirmation; the story 
 of cartels arranged, and to be arranged, day by day, 
 reported and denied, all added to the unavoidable 
 horrors of captivity, developed in the boy a greatness 
 of soul that exacts our profound admiration. 
 
 Then follows, after it was known that the treaty was 
 signed, and the prisoners only waiting ships to carry 
 them to the homes for which they longed, the horrid, 
 brutal and unnecessary massacre of April 6, 1815. 
 
 The grief and passionate indignation of young 
 Palmer is so great, that here his narrative becomes 
 incoherent, he searches for flaming words, and realizes 
 how inadequate is the written or spoken word, and only 
 
[ xxiii 
 
 revenge seems to him the right way to redress this most 
 terrible murder. 
 
 His voyage home is full of interest, and one must 
 wonder if in his brief life, following this terrible expe- 
 rience, whether he found much to excite his interest, 
 but we have no narrative of his life except the brief 
 allusion to his marriage into a distinguished family, he 
 having married Miss Marshall, a niece of Henrv Claw 
 
 We may truly say, to paraphrase his favorite author, 
 that he "did not return inexperienced to his grave." 
 
JOURNAL OF THE TIMES. 
 
 OR 
 
 THE PRISONERS JOURNAL. 
 
 Containing an acurate account of the Authors expe- 
 rience during, his imprisonment which commenced on 
 the 10 th Day of December 1813. and ended on the 27 th 
 
 Day of April 1815. with some observatory 
 
 remarks previous and ulterior to his imprisonment, 
 untill his arrival again to the place of Departure. — 
 
 To which is added a Poem composed on Melville 
 Island an address to the People of U States on the sub- 
 ject of exchange. Regulations of Dartmoore Prison — 
 Several Letters to and from John Mitchell Esq. Ameri- 
 can Agent at Halifax — A Petition to James Munroe 
 Esq r . representing the conduct of H. G. Beasly Esq r . 
 American Agent in England Several Letters in favour 
 of Doc r Magraths conduct with his answers. A peti- 
 tion to Sir J. B. Warren to obtain the Release of an 
 unfortunate Townsman and Several Songs on Differ- 
 ent Subjects — illustrated with maps of the Different 
 Prisons where the Author has been confined 
 byBFP 
 
 1813 
 
 Decmr 6 
 
 Left Stonington at 11 OClock at Night in a Wagon 
 with Cap 1 Fellows and M r . Bayley in Company, started 
 
[2 ] 
 
 from Peters's with A Bottle of N. E. got to Wickitty- 
 wock and to our sad surprise discoverd our Bottle 
 was broke, but not loosing all the liqour Mr. Bayley 
 secured it in the wall, against his return, this being 
 done we set all sail, and without any other accident 
 reached Mr. Gavits. hove too and took some N. E. then 
 set sail again, and at Daylight hove too under lee of 
 Davises Tavern 
 
 Decmr 7th 
 
 After taking in a good stock of Provision, we again 
 set sail and about 12 O Clock arrived at Newport 
 Ferry.— drank friends with Mr. Bailey, and left him 
 crossed the ferry in company with Mr Sha and Bur- 
 rows, and arrive in town at 2 O'clock took Dinner at 
 Mr Daws Tavern, and then went on Board the Priva- 
 teer Rolla. not much pleased with her she being small 
 came on shore and staid all night. 
 
 Decmbr 8th 
 
 Rainy lowery weather, kept on shore. 
 
 Decmr 9th 
 
 Went to the Office and shipped, got prepared for 
 sea. put my things on board expecting to sail— had I 
 not have gone so far I believe I should return home, 
 as I dislike the Privatier verry much— 
 
 Decmr 10th 
 
 Commences with light breezes from the N". W. at 
 10 A. M. got under way and went up the harbour in 
 
[ 3 ] 
 
 company with 2 schooners at 4 P. M. all hands on 
 board got under way fresh Wind from the X. \V. 
 passed the fort about sunset reed 2 shot from the fort 
 but did not stop (wish it had sunk her) passed point 
 Judith about 8 O Clock, about 12 Midnight passed 2 
 Men of War they gave Chase, we sprung our Main 
 Boom but escaped. — had some talks of going back in 
 to Newbedford. but finally concluded we could fish the 
 Boom in the morning, as we had plenty of stuff, and a 
 good Carpenter. So after some Debate concluded to 
 keep on our cruise, the wind Blowing very heavy 
 shortend sail, and run under easy Sail during the 
 night. 
 
 Decmr 11th 
 
 This morning at daylight discoverd a sail to leward. 
 she appeard like a Merchant 11 that we did not appre- 
 hend much danger — not having our Boom fished and it 
 blowing heavy, we feard to haul on a wind, so concluded 
 to run across her bow and for reach her — but we soon 
 found her to be a Frigate so hauld our wind but being 
 with god canister shot, she commenced a heavy canonade 
 upon us which proved very verry destructive to our 
 riging and spars, we still gaind upon her. untill after 
 fireinsr 190 Shot one struck our foremast which soon 
 after came by the board — we then finding we were 
 gone, immediately commenced putting up our cloaths. — 
 we were soon boarded by A Lieut, then it was in to 
 the boats You dam Yankee Rascals and on board the 
 Loire Frigat with You. which orders we were obliged 
 to comply with, they overhauld our bags, and plunderd 
 
[ 4 ] 
 
 them of every thing valuable we were then orderd 
 below Excepting the Capt and Leiutenents. Negroes 
 and Sailors Fiddlers and Taylors 3 deep, in the hole 
 o God what reflections this sad night. 
 
 Deem 12th 
 
 Got up this morning and found my Trunk broken 
 open and all the cloathing taken out. Dont like the 
 treatment but cant grumble. It is better than I would 
 treat them — and d-m- them if I ever have it in my 
 power I will treat them: well: Capt Fellows and 
 Brother. Mess with Midshipmen. Borrows and Latham 
 Mess with the officers, but us poor prizemasters are 
 treated with just as much respect as any of the crews, 
 however some of the officers treat us what an English- 
 men calls well — Took a small schooner from — Ran- 
 somed her and sent in 25 Prisoners to Nantucket. 
 Thank God. the old folks will soon hear of the unhappy 
 fate of Poor Frank 
 
 Decmr 13th 
 
 Commences with fresh breezes and squally weather, 
 standing in for block Island, at 9 A. M. saw two sails 
 standing for us. soon discoverd them by signales to be 
 the Sandomingo 74. Adm 1 Warren and Orpheus F. 
 A boat came on board and ordered us on board the 74. 
 we all musterd our bags and went something dissatis- 
 fied on board. They put us all down in the lower hole 
 except Capt. F. and Brother and Mr. Latham. Worser 
 & Worse, and more of it. never mind — 
 
[ 5 ] 
 
 Deem 20th 
 
 Formed ourselves into messes of 6 no utensils fo Cook- 
 ing, and but little Cash to purchase them with. 
 
 Deem 21st 
 
 We are all stationed on the Lower Gun Deck. Officers 
 aft and Men Forward — But no Distinction as to fare — 
 
 Decmr 22nd 
 
 Sent on shore for Cooking Vessels, Plates, &c &c 
 &c &c 
 
 Deem 23 
 
 Our things came off to day but find the Prices enor- 
 mous Candles 50 cts Pr lb Onions 25 cts Bunch and 
 every other article in proportion. 
 
 Deem 24th 
 
 Our fare consists of % lb Bread 1 gill of Pease 6 
 Oz Meat, but time flies apace playing Cards Chequers, 
 &c. &c. we live something in stile as they have fitted 
 the ship up some Chrismas Eve and nothing to 
 Drink — 
 
 Deem 25th 
 
 It being Christmas we are allowed fresh beef, but 
 what kind of Beef— they look like sone of Faros lean 
 Kind— but as bad as they are we are very glad to get 
 them, do very well for a fufu- The ships company 
 
 last night were all as Drunk as Bachus., they kept up a 
 
[ 6 ] 
 
 Hell of Belue all night Quarreling and Drinking But 
 we had nothing to carry on the Glory. 
 
 Deem 26th 
 
 Arrived the crew of the Nonesuch Letter of Marque 
 belonging to Philadelphia — Mr. Bennet of Mistick 
 was Pilot of her — he says that a report was in circula- 
 tion before he left the Plantagenet of 74 guns is cap- 
 tured by two of our Frigates. Likewise that the Rolla 
 had arrived in Bermuda — haveing been blown off from 
 Halifax by Contrary winds — It being Sunday to day 
 we are all muster d to attend prayers, but some in stead 
 of attending are playing Card Gambling &c. morrals 
 are not corrupt enough yet to profane the Sabbath in 
 this manner. — 
 
 Deem 27th 
 
 Nothing occurs, our ship is sorrounded by 365 small 
 Islands, resembling the Hummocks off Fishers Island, 
 verry Subject to Rains and Squalls — 
 
 Deem 28th 
 
 I neglected to mention that the first night of our 
 arrival one of the prisoners had his trunk stole it was 
 found in possession of one of the Marines, who is put 
 in Irons there to remain untill tryed by a Court 
 marshall — I hope they will hang the Bugger — 
 
 Deem 29th 
 
 Nothing has transpired this day I fear materials will 
 be wanting to fill my Journall — 
 
[ 7 ] 
 
 Deem 30th 
 
 Verry Lazy all day employ about Nothing this after- 
 noon a Sailor belonging to the ship was taken to the 
 gang way and flogd on takeing one Dozen he fainted. 
 All hands employ scrubing Decks. — 
 
 Deem 31st 
 
 It is rumor'd about that a Cartel is prepareing for 
 us to be in readiness in a short time I'm fearful] it is 
 only Gulley news. 
 
 1814 
 Jany 1st. New Years. 
 
 Its an old saying with the old women in Conneticut 
 that if a person is lively and doing well, he may calcu- 
 late to do well the year through, I think our prospect 
 is bad. But Misfortune's unavoidable and few there 
 is but will share some of the miseries attendand on all 
 mankind — and it is not allways those who most deserves 
 it. for there is no exceptions with God. for he says 
 our days are few and full of evil, but hope that sweet 
 balm of life is our only comfort, and its impossible to 
 deprive us of that, although small — yet without it our 
 confinement would be more Irksome; ah! almost insup- 
 portable, sweet a America when will that happy time 
 come when we shall inhail thy pure air. of 
 
 Jany 1st Continued 
 
 Liberty and blest with the charming Society of the fair 
 sex. will spend our days, in uninterupted felicity, amid 
 pleasures unknown. But alass I fear far distant will 
 
[ 8 ] 
 
 be that happy Day that we shall hear the pleasing sound 
 of welcome once more to the arms of thy Parrents thou 
 unfortunate Child of Misfortune, and I do think should 
 that happy time arrive before peace takes place I will 
 there remain untill the happy sound of Peace shall 
 once more be heard throughout the happy shores of 
 America — 
 
 Jany 2nd 
 
 It being Sunday time pass away slowly away. 
 Gambling is caried to great heights, some even sell 
 their Cloths for that purpose — 
 
 Jany 3d 
 
 All hands employed in washing Decks, nothing 
 occurs through the day. 
 
 Jany 4th 
 
 A Fresh recruit of Prisoners carrired here to day 22 
 in number belonging to the U Schoner Vixen lately 
 captured, they bring a number of reports, one is that 
 the Siratoga arrive at Wilmington N. C. loaded with 
 Specie another is that Comodore Decature had escaped 
 from N. London, in a snow storm, we must wait 
 patiently till time unfolds all — 
 
 Jany 5th 
 
 The reported capture of the Plantagenit without 
 foundation as she has arrived here — several Inspectors 
 chosen to see that the decks are Keept clean — among 
 the rest Capt Fellows &, My noble self. 
 
[ 9 ] 
 
 Jany 6th 
 
 Six Masters and Mates arrived here today captured 
 in Different Vessels — at 5 P. M. one of the men fell 
 from the main Yard across the gunale and broke his 
 thigh and arm the poor fellow sufferd excruciating pain, 
 until the surgeon renderd him assistance. 
 
 Jany 7th 
 
 Took Cocoa, and then washd our quarters, this is 
 a wise regulation, washing the Decks twice a week it 
 conduces much towards the health and comfort of the 
 Prisoners 
 
 Jany 8th 
 
 Gaming on board progresses but haveing no money 
 I have no hand init. even if I had I've not much pro- 
 pensity that way — Our hopes of a Cartel soon fitting 
 out seems to vanish — I believe the Officers some time 
 give us hopes, that we may feel the disappointment 
 more sensebly — We have been some time short of water 
 but are again supplied. 
 
 Jany 9th 
 
 Three prisoners arrived this morning Bring an a c 
 that an Embargo is laid through out the U States, 
 likewise that Congress had Declared war against Spain 
 This afternoon 30 prisoners arrived part from R. Island 
 saild 5 days after us. the news of our Capture had not 
 reachd there then. 
 
[ io ] 
 
 Jan 10th 
 
 Before sunrise two young Sailors for exercise, or 
 want of better employment, fought a battle, they 
 were allowd to flog each other pretty decently and then 
 were parted. 
 
 Jany 11th 
 
 Nothing new to day the Capt has been on shore some 
 days attending a Court Marshall. 
 
 Jany 12th 
 
 A sloop beating up the harbour the Capt has just 
 returnd. and brings a report that the Presidents frigate 
 is sunk by an English line of Battle Ship. /All 
 Fudge/ — 
 
 Jany 13th 
 
 To day musterd some cash and sent on shore to pur- 
 chace the following articles for which we paid. Potatoes 
 1 Doll P r . B. Candles l/ 2 D lb Codfish 10 cts. and 
 other articles proportionably high with the exception of 
 Sugar and Coffee which comes cheap — 
 
 Jany 14th 
 
 Nothing of consequence has occurd — 
 
 Jany 15th 
 
 Wash down Decks it being pleasant. By the last 
 report from St. Georges there is no Exchange of Pris- 
 oners bad news for us if true, our Boatswain and several 
 of the crew have petitiond Capt Cuchet for permision 
 
[ 11 ] 
 
 to go on board the Cartel & help fitt her out. Gratis 
 our Surgeon with several others noncombatents have 
 
 got permision to return home the first oppert unity. 
 
 Jan 16 
 
 At 11 O Clock A. M. 4 Prisoners arrived not yet 
 heard where they are from. The report of the arrival 
 of the Holla here some time since appears to be wit limit 
 foundation. 
 
 Jany 17th 
 
 Mess Latham and Burrows are quite Sick. Colds 
 seems to be very prevalent. 
 
 18th 
 
 Five or six prisoners came on board to Day they 
 were captured about a month since in a Sloop from 
 Boston bound to the southward they bring us no news. 
 
 19th 
 
 The prisoners which I mentioned a few days since, 
 have an oppertunity and are permitted to embark for 
 the States. I avail myself of this chance of writeing 
 home, likewise to my dear Brother A. who I am in 
 hopes is doing well — 
 
 Jany 20th 
 
 The liberated prisoners went on shore this morning. 
 several more went on parole at Hamilton — weather 
 remarkable Pleasant P. M. 9 Prisoners arrived they 
 bring nothing new. one of the prisoners had a Shocking 
 Bruize by the sudden falling of a Port — 
 
[ 12 ] 
 
 21st. 
 
 Prisoners arrive daily, principally whalemen. Capt. 
 Porter has captured nearly all the English Whalemen 
 round Cape Horn — 
 
 22nd 
 
 Mr. Coit. rec d (while darning the Embargo Break- 
 ers) a severe fall from his hamock and Broke his great 
 toe. 
 
 23d 
 
 The heavens seem to wear a gloomy aspect The Star 
 of adversity continualy pervades the Bright Hemi- 
 sphier. nothing but discontent reigns among the pris- 
 oners fearing that we shall have to stay here during 
 the summer, if that should be the case I think a cargo 
 of Coffins would pay a handsome freight, for it is 
 my opinion that the most of us will make our exit and 
 retire behind — the scene of this world and become actors 
 on the Stage of Death. 
 
 Jany 24th 
 
 An alterations in the Heavens much Galley news in 
 circulation respecting the Cartel which they say is to 
 Sail in a few days, begin to grow familiar with the 
 hardships of a prison 
 
 25th 
 
 This is what the English term ban yan Day. and 
 well they may only 1 Gill of Pease Cocoa and *4 lb 
 condemd Bread for Breakfast. Y 2 Pint 0I " Pease with 
 
[ 13 ] 
 
 the same quantity of Bread for dinner and for supper 
 !/4 lb Bread and as much water as you can drink — 
 British Humanity is here displayd in its most con- 
 spicuous collours. — let no one hereafter accuse the 
 British of Humanity a name they detest and abhor so 
 much that the}' have erased it from their minds and 
 are now utter strangers to the word 
 
 26th 
 
 Let not this day be forgotten by the Prisoners on 
 board this ship, a day although Prisoners we demand 
 satisfaction from the Capt. for a blow that one of the 
 prisoners reed from a Marine. (A Centry on Deck) 
 the prisoner was getting some watter at the tank, and 
 was orderd below on denying he was struck, when we 
 heard of this every breast was fired with indignation 
 and cried allowd for revenge. — 
 
 Jany 27th 
 
 This morning all the prisoners being made acquainted 
 with the affair which happend yesterday, one of the 
 committee went to the Capt and demanded Satisfac- 
 tion for the wrongs of a fellow Prisoner, after stateing 
 the circumstances to him he acknowledged it was wrong 
 
 and promised redress. Likewise giveing orders to 
 
 every Marine not to strike nor insult no Prisoner. — 
 this is all the satisfaction we reed, but should another 
 American be struck Farewell Marines — These d-m 
 Englishmen must not think they have got Frenchmen 
 to deal with — No — they have some that remembers the 
 old Jersey, (Prison Ship) Dont talk — 
 
[ 14 ] 
 
 28th 
 
 Nothing seems to occur, this morning but may ere 
 night, so 111 leave off for the present, again I resume 
 my pen to make mention of some more prisoners that 
 has arrived 4 in number taking in a Sloop from 
 Marblehead. the Capt is a relation of mine in a nose 
 way— They dont seem to like the prison Ship better 
 than we do. however I hope Brother Jonathan, will 
 send a Cartel here and take us home to Yankee town, 
 for I guess he wants a few Blue Jackets to man those 
 fir built Frigates of ours 
 
 Jany. 29th 
 
 NEWS OF EACH DAY 
 
 Hark says one what noise is that we hear over head 
 //The day just breaking// It is the Officer of the deck 
 watch haveing the Decks holystoned answers a Voice 
 half stifled By the Hammock from which it proceded. 
 soon after all hands begin to muster when a general cry 
 takes place of whose cook day is it. after finding the 
 cook of each mess it is 7 bells and each one repairs to 
 the o-alley to get his Cocoa with this and a pice of a bread 
 we make our Breakfast, this over the Sergent comes 
 down and orders all hands on Deck to muster, that 
 over down we come some writeing some reading we pass 
 the Day. but the Magor part are Gambling— when the 
 bell announces 12 O Clock, the cooks repair to the 
 Galley again and down comes the Dinner, which con- 
 sists of 3 Gills of Pease half Boild % lb Beef half Bone 
 1 Biscuit half worms we look with scorn on the homely 
 fare and in silence sit down and soon devour our scanty 
 allowance.— then the cards are introduced, and kept up 
 
[ 15 ] 
 
 untill 8 O Clock, then the lights are orderd out. when 
 
 we turn in and talk about home — sing a few songs 
 
 and then in the arms of Morphius pas the night. 
 
 Jany 30th 
 
 The news of the Cartel seems to die away and I fear 
 with too good grounds. — Alass unhappy Mortals how 
 long must we remain in this Floating Dungeon — 
 acursed prison must 400 tru Born Yankees suffer not 
 only the miseries of a Prison but the pang of disappoint- 
 ment, here. To waste away the time which so justly, and 
 so willingly would be devoted in the service of that 
 happiest of Country's America To day sent a peti- 
 tion to Adm 1 Warren to get one of my townsmen 
 released from the floating Hells of Britian. where he- 
 lias strugled these — 10 Year's many have got clear 
 after devoting 10 or 12 Years' of the prime of their 
 lives on Board those floating hells — and what satisfac- 
 tion do they obtain — why sent to Prison there to remain 
 during the War that they may not seek the revenge 
 which they so earnestly pray for. however the time 
 may yet come when they will take by force that which 
 so justly belongs to them they shall always have my 
 prayers for success, and so shall every one that serve : 
 against that worst of all Nations. Except the Turks, 
 and I think Yoke the two togather they would make 
 very fit companions 
 
 Jany 31st 
 
 The w r eather continues verry pleasant, no news, either 
 foreign or Domestic. 
 
[ 16 ] 
 
 Feby 1st 
 
 We have given all hopes of the long Expected Cartel. 
 & the idea of geting home, (unless our Goverment A 
 Cartel to this Island) is quite past a thought. It 
 appears the cartel we Expected is fitting for the 
 reception of troops. 
 
 Feby 2nd 
 
 Numerous reports from the States are in circulation, 
 they state that General Wilkenson & his armey have 
 
 been surprised and taken to the number of 6000 
 
 and that Come Rogers has been captured by the Goliah 
 Rensee Rather Doubtfull I think, after noon Wash 
 Decks 
 
 3d 
 
 Heavy showers of rain which affords us a partial 
 supply of Warter. 
 
 4th 
 
 A fresh Supply of prisoners as usual they bring a 
 Deal of news — among the rest is that Boneypart is 
 reduced to great dificulties and the English army have 
 actualy invaded France — Houp — The Esex has arrived 
 at New York after a long & succesful cruise round 
 Cape Horn — and that the English goverment has 
 offerd 3 months extra pay to any ships company that 
 shall Capture the President with the renownd Com 
 Rogers — 
 
[ 17 ] 
 
 Feby 5th 
 
 Reports from the States. State that the Constitu- 
 tion & President had formed a junction at Sea — 
 
 6th 
 
 Verry pleasant Weather, no News — 
 
 7th 
 
 A riot took place last night in consequence of some 
 of the Prisoners haveing knocked a Lantern from the 
 hand of the Sergent. one man put in on Irons on 
 Suspicon. — 
 
 8th 
 
 Nothing new. A committee appointed to Inspect 
 the provison — 
 
 9th 
 
 Reports of the Exchange of Prisoners broken off 
 was this day conflrmd by the Capt. to day he states 
 that several hundreds are confined on both sides for 
 retaliation of course our hopes of being released before 
 hot weather commences, are verry faint. 
 
 10th 
 
 A fresh arrival of Prisoners captured in the Bordeaux 
 Packet, the Officers paroled on Shore. 
 
 11th 
 
 Nothing verry particular has Transpired this day it 
 being My turn to wash out. I am busily employed 
 makeing our apartment look tidy. 
 
[ 18 ] 
 
 Feby 12th 
 
 The storm begins to burst on us and some of our 
 rights we think are infringed upon water being denied 
 us by the Officer on Deck. It raining very hard the 
 water from off the poop is put in the tank for us to 
 ^rink—can not Drink it. too bad. The fowl's being 
 keep on the poop makes it very disagreable. a quantity 
 of filth which proceeds from them being intermixed 
 with the water.— and the Tarpoline from the hog sty 
 is taken to catch the water in— and then it is put in 
 the Tank for us to drink, too bad.— made complaint, 
 to the Capt. He said there was no other on board, 
 passd on untill about 2 O'Clock when, the *Tank came 
 along with water, we turnd too and got it on Board 
 and thus the dispute got settled. I do want to have an 
 oppertunity of show them the difference between Ameri- 
 can Prisons and this, but I dont know if I had charge 
 but I should give them some Ban Yan days To try their 
 Constitutions. — 
 
 Fevy 13th 
 
 More Prisoners more Prisoners is the cry through 
 out the ship every man musters on deck to view their 
 unhappy fellows sufferors. and see if any of their 
 acquaintance is among them, after being examined by 
 the Capt. they are turned down among the flock of 
 unfortunates. They proove to be the Officers and 
 
 Crews of a Baltimore Letter of Marque They 
 
 report that Minesters have gone from America to Got- 
 
 *This tank which brings water on Board is A flat Bottom 
 Schooner, that has a Well in her. 
 
[ 19 ] 
 
 tenburg to treat for a Peace — I hope that a Peace will 
 
 be effect 
 
 War!— 
 
 be effected, if honorable to us. If not give us War! 
 
 14 th 
 
 Our rights are getting more & more infringed upon ; 
 think it is time to demand redress. Chose a Committee 
 to petition the Capt. issue our full allowance of pro- 
 vision. That is as stated in the Board of Rules .V 
 Regulations for Prisoners of War. — which says we shall 
 be allowed % lb Beef or Pork 1% lb Bread & one 
 Pound of Potatoes. A man for each day Instead of this 
 we get % lb Bread 6 oz Meat & 1 Gill of pease for each 
 day. The Committee made a formal demand of the 
 Capt. for our propper allowance. He in answer says 
 that he has allready written to the Transport Board 
 for more Provision & had not Yet reed, any answer, 
 but would write again immediatley — for he w r as fully 
 sensible of our forlorn situation — 
 
 Feby 15th 
 
 The Heavens gloomy aspect seems to recloud this 
 Hellish Prison and nothing but discontent seems to 
 reign throughout the whole of the Prisoners, nothing 
 new to ocupy our minds and the general cry is when 
 shall we get home — Well all hands turn too playing 
 cards and pass away the forenoon, after Dinner /which 
 does not consist of Roast Turkey/ The cry is more 
 
 Yankees more Prisoners. Misery loves company: 
 
 they prove to be the crews of some Nantucket Whale- 
 men, and two Prize crews belonging to the Govn 
 
[ 20 ] 
 
 Tomkins & Yankee altogather 40 in number. I do 
 realy pitty the Johntucketmen that have been 3 or 4 
 Years from home too hard — But, Alass! Misfortune 
 how few escapes thy snares, but it is useless to murmur 
 or repine since we know it is the common lot of man- 
 kind, we must abide by it. Fortune is a slipery jade. 
 
 and as poor Richard says there is many a slip between 
 the cup and the lip — too True — but man must learn to 
 bear with the strugles and many vicisitudes of this life 
 without complaint. He canot allways expect to have 
 the smiles of Fortune attend him. we are all placed 
 here to wear away a life of wretchedness. And our 
 best endeavors Should be to make it happy. 
 
 Feby 16th 
 
 This day a trial was brought before the Committee. 
 A mess of Blacks informed of some of the Cocoa 
 pounders taking out some of the Cocoa which was 
 
 robing all hands they tried the Case and found 
 
 them guilty, the scentance was passed that, the criminals 
 should be cobbd one Doz. each The exicutioner per- 
 formed his duty will cheerfulness and the punishment 
 was severly inflicted — 
 
 17th 
 
 The men that were punished Yesterday passed many 
 threats against the head committee President Merihue 
 /Some old Grudge I believe — / as no body likes him 
 he has but few friends — This afternoon he had been 
 drink grog with some of the Ships company — something 
 intoxicated he went forward to adjust matters with 
 the men he had caused to be punished — They had some 
 
[ 21 ] 
 
 dispute when he threatemed to have them brought before 
 the committee again The word was then passed to 
 hussle him — he was then hussled pretty quick — and got 
 a clip over the eye. I believe it was no more than 
 justice, from his general carector — In consequence of 
 this he applied for a Parol which he with 4 others 
 obtained — The Committee has all Resigned — That we 
 must now appoint a new Committee. I hope a better 
 one — 
 
 Feby 18th 
 
 A new committe was appointed this morning for the 
 purpose of adjusting all grivances that may occur dur- 
 ing our stay in this floating Castle. All hands was 
 musterd on deck to know if they had any Objections 
 to the men that were nominated /No Objections/ — 
 Capt. Fellows President. Wm. P. Jones. Judge.- 
 Mr. Lee of Norfolk States attorney. & Mr. Latham 
 Criminals Attorney. 12 Jurymen and 4 — Constables 
 comprised the whole — I hope to see a case before them 
 soon 
 
 19th 
 
 The same old story today. Bad Bread and little 
 of it. 
 
 20th 
 
 A Boat came along side with Provisions from St. 
 Georges, purchased by the American gentlemen there 
 on Parole — Verry good in them return our sinceer 
 thanks in a letter to them, our Generous Country men. 
 /N. B./ Ishabud Sheffield gave 1 Doll— 
 
[ 22 ] 
 
 21st. 
 
 All hands employed in divideing the provision, which 
 when divied among so many is quite small 1 Peck of 
 Potatoes 3 lb Sugar 4 Biscuit to each man — Very 
 good. — 
 
 22d 
 
 Was Decks is the word from the Sergent Reports 
 in circulation, that Boneypart and all his armey is 
 destroyed //Hoax// Likewise that Ministers has arrive 
 in America from England 
 
 Feby 23d 
 
 It being pleasant orders are given to wash decks, 
 accordingly all hands turn too and soon have our decks 
 clean, at 7 bells the prisoners on Deck are allowed to 
 come below /the Decks being dry,/ and then the cook 
 of each mess belows repairs below to the galley for 
 
 his dinner. at 2 P. M. a case was brought before 
 
 the Hone committee the criminal at the bar being 
 accused of robing his mess of the allowance of Beef. 
 N. B. Mr. Latham Prisoners attorney has been on shore 
 this forenoon, on liberty Its natural to suppose this 
 tounge goes glib — The Witnesses being sumond they 
 attended with punctuality, and the Case was brought 
 forward; after the necessary examination, of all the 
 witnesses., the Atorney made a lengthy plea in behalf 
 of the Defendand — the power of Eloquence was here 
 displayed, in its most comspicuous colours, the greatest 
 abilities was shewn on this subject that was ever dis- 
 played in any county court, in the States and I presume 
 
[ 23 ] 
 
 without any vanity to Mr. Latham that he will ever 
 hereafter have his name immortalized as one of the 
 
 most celebrated Orators in the Universe after this 
 
 lengthy plead being made the Judge gave the Jury their 
 charge. Which was truly affecting, the Jury retired 
 and brought in a Verdic of Guilty, the sentance passed 
 for the criminal to receive 6 Strokes on the back. 
 
 Feby 24th 
 
 A report in circulation this mornin that Comd, Rogers 
 has captured his Magestys Ship Magestic Razee after 
 an action of 45 mis I can not learn how this report 
 originated but pray it may prove true. 
 
 Feby 25th 
 
 The convival society meet togather last evening at 
 our Berth and after singing a number of good songs 
 and drinking freely of the waters of the great Spring, 
 adjourned; 
 
 Feby 26th 
 
 Rumour with her thousand Tounges has been very 
 busy this day — The report of Rogers captureing the 
 Magestic is reversed, and it now is that the President is 
 Captured. /Hoax/ 
 
 27th 
 
 Several prisoners has arrived to day direct from the 
 Chesepeake one of them who appears to be communi- 
 cative—says that Com d . Rogers is off this Island and 
 has captured 13 Sail of Merchtmen and a Sloop of War. 
 
[ 24 ] 
 
 formely the Warsp — I believe that Rogers strikes 
 more terror to the British than all the French navy — 
 The old report is revived, which has long remained 
 Dormant that is that Comd Decatur e has Escaped from 
 New London, and fired a Broad side in passing the 
 Enemy — I place but little confidence in these reports 
 
 Feby 28th 
 
 This morning as usual the sergent came down and 
 orderd us to clear away for a wash the weather being 
 bad and looking likely to rain all hands objected to it. 
 alleging as a Reason that a great part of the prisoners 
 are Obliged to sleep on deck, not haveing any Ham- 
 mocks to sleep on in. and its the occasion of a great many 
 haveing great colds. — the Committee appointed Capt. 
 Macy as an Embassy, he being the most capable man — 
 Capt. Macy then his report to the Lieut, who acquainted 
 the Capt of the same. The Capt. /Cuchet/ came out of 
 his cabin with the pictor of rage dipicted on his former 
 pleasing countanance. and with a voice Terific as 
 thunder says. It is my orders and by God they should 
 be obeyed and the Decks should be washd — -or he 
 would order the fire put out in the galley, we then 
 told him he could do as he pleasd. the Guard, was then 
 calld and the fire extinguishd. one of the prisoners 
 making some resistance was taken Rice and all and 
 Irons was immediately put on him the *Kid was recap- 
 tured, All hands with one voice cries if they will not 
 let us have fire we'll not let them have any and imme- 
 diately extinguished the fire in the Capt. Cambouse — 
 
 * A vessel sailors eat out of — 
 
[ 25 ] 
 
 Feby 28 Continued. 
 
 The prison again proceeded to rekindle the fire in our 
 Galley, which the Centry percieving reported the same 
 to the Noble Capt. he then comes out foaming with rage. 
 and utter madness was easely percieved in all his actions. 
 his rage subsideing a little well says he You dam Rascals 
 I'll make you suffer for your obstanacy. Yon shall I" 
 kept on Bread and water untill You submit, and go on 
 to wash the decks when I think propper. We then 
 found it had gone so far sent a Flag of Truce with 
 Dispatches to Know wheather he /the Capt./ Chose 
 war or Peace — Peace says he by all means if it can be 
 
 procured on Honorable Terms an armistice was 
 
 accordingly agreed upon untill further dispatches from 
 the Yankees — on the return of our Embasy we found a 
 
 x z 
 
 Treaty on the following terms. : . V.I.Z. . . : 
 
 Article 1st It is agreed by the cap 1 of the Ardent 
 that the fire in our Galley shall be immediately 
 Rekindled and dinner Cooked without any further inter- 
 uption from any one — 
 
 Article 2nd. Capt Cuchet on the part of his Magesty 
 agrees that we shall wash the Decks when we think 
 propper & our minister on the part of the Yankees 
 agree to Same — 
 
 March 1st. 
 
 Yesterday while some of the Prisoners was puting 
 the fire out in the forward Galley the corperal made 
 enquiry to know it was that, and old man, A prisoner. 
 
[ 26 ] 
 
 steps up. and pointing to one of the prisoners says it 
 was that man, the accused immediately reported the 
 same to the committee The informer was imme- 
 diately Brought up before the Court, tried, found 
 Guilty, & condemd. to sweep the Decks and ware a piece 
 of canvas on his hat with letter printed — I am an 
 Informer 
 
 March 2nd. 
 
 An information was this day loged against one Mr. 
 Cole, for making use of impropper language on deck 
 the day before Yesterday, within in hearing of the 
 Centry he said we are all a set of dam Mutinous Rascals. 
 Mr. Cole was brought before the court to answer to 
 the Charges aleged against him. the Evidences being 
 examined on both sides the Jury retired and brought 
 in the Verdic of Guilty, the Judge pronounced the 
 sentance with a stern and Awfull Voice — To sweep the 
 Decks during the pleasure of the Court. Mr. Cole 
 appeald to the President to get released — after some 
 hesitation President Fellows — pardon'd him to the 
 discontent of all the Prisoners. 
 
 March 3d 
 
 This morning all hands employed in washing decks, 
 while we were on Deck Capt. Cuchet. calld Capt. Fel- 
 lows and told him if he minded his P's and Q's he might 
 
 posible get home soon, great incouragement. 
 
 fine language for a gentleman to use. Very bad water, 
 half Salt. 
 
[ 27 ] 
 
 4th. 
 
 Report in circulation that the Adm 1 Sir J. B. Warren 
 is comeing along side all hands cleand up— -The 
 Adm ls Tender in sight came within gun shot, but did 
 not come on Board, so disappointed us of seeing his 
 Noble Person. 
 
 5th. 
 
 Tank came along side and furnished us with s< urn- 
 good water which was very acceptable I assure You— 
 
 6th 
 
 Nothing particular to mention tired of this way of 
 
 liveing Home thou pleasing happy thought, how 
 
 often wilt thou rush on my mind uncalled for — when 
 will that a happy day arrive that I shall once more 
 embrace thos best of Parrents, and welcome myself to 
 
 to arms of Kindred dear, Alass! I fear the 
 
 Benignant Star of adversity, is set to rule over me. 
 and dame fortune will not deign to shed one smile on 
 my unhappy Lot — Never mind — 
 
 March 7th 
 
 Wheather quite unpleasant. Rainy Nothing partic- 
 ular has occurd for today Our ship is completly 
 
 embay'd surrounded, by innumerable little Islands, no 
 passage can percievd for even a boat to go in and out 
 the Houses are built of White Stone, and make a pretty 
 appearance, surrounded by pine Trees, several hand- 
 some lanscapes might be drawn by a person acquanted 
 with the art. & possesing requsite materials for Drawin 
 
 or 
 a 
 
[ 28 ] 
 
 8th 
 
 By an arrival from St Georges we are Informd that 
 A French Frigate has arrived in that Harbour, cap- 
 tured by the Magestic Razee, off the western Islands, 
 we are in hourly expectation of the Arrival of the 
 prisoners. 
 
 9th 
 
 All still and quiet untill 7 Bells when the dinner being 
 servd. a complaint was made to the Committee that 
 some horns had been Boild in the coppers with the 
 Pease — in the afternoon the court was calld togather 
 and the criminals brought forward — the Court was 
 lengthy and an able plea was made in behalf of the 
 criminals, but one more substantial being made against 
 him and the evidences appearing so plain that he was 
 cast, the Judge gave the Jury their Charge. & they 
 retired after a Short consultation they brought in a 
 Verdic of Guilty. 
 
 March 9th Continued. 
 
 The Judge then pass the scentance that the Criminals, 
 should receive 4 Doz on the Back — they appeald to the 
 
 President and the Court adjourned 
 
 Had 2 Stout Bulocks Kill to day they Killd them to 
 
 save their lives one weighd 217 lb the other 124 lb 
 
 had 11 lb Ruff Talow — Expect to see some grumbling 
 when they are servd out. I fear we shall be glad to 
 get them, for my part I'm hungry enough now to eat. 
 a Jackass and a Hamper of greens. — Lord help us for 
 no body else will 
 
[ 29 ] 
 
 10th 
 
 A storm seems to be' gathering as I aprehended. con- 
 cerning the Beef This morning one of the committee. 
 made a general enquiry fore & aft. if any one objected 
 to the beef, some did & some not. but the ina"oritv 
 objected — and the President, made the Capt acquainted 
 with the affair stating to him that the Beef was 
 unwholesome and that the Prisoners would not have it 
 The reply was that we must eat that or none. A I 
 length the Beef was boild and servd out some took it 
 and some did'nt, some darning the Capt and some dam- 
 ing the meat. but our mess was glad to get them 
 
 and I believe those that refused were sorry And had 
 to go hungry. 
 
 March 11th 
 
 This day commences with Fresh breezes and thick 
 cloudy weather — one of our mess complains of the 
 hiplomatic discoladum anguintum Pleuratic disorder 
 at the Lungs. I hope he may die and give me his old 
 cloths. I will set up a rag fair, a dispute is now on 
 the board respecting a Barley corn and a bet is laid 
 but neither party can enumerate figures enough to 
 settle the affair, and they are obliged to give it up- 
 Now all still and quiet. 
 
 12th 
 
 Commences with unpleasant weather So much so 
 could not wash the Decks. Tank came along side with 
 water turnd too and pumpt it in board, she likewise 
 had some of the life of man and Mess No. 9 & 14. nun k- 
 
[ 30 ] 
 
 a large Purchase and kept up Saturday night and got 
 drunk enough for any so be set of gentlemen and kept 
 it up untill morning. 
 
 13th 
 
 All hands to muster is the cry from the Sergent, 
 muster being over Mr. Fellows came over this side and 
 informed us that more prisoners were a coming accord- 
 ingly every man runs upon Deck to see his fellow pris- 
 oners an d know whether any of their acquaintance 
 
 be among them, I looking through the ten of Dimons 
 saw a face that was familiar — 
 
 13th Continued 
 
 He came on board — and I soon found him to be a 
 man that I had seen in Stonington, Mate of the Scho n 
 Jehue. — he was now captured in the Scho Q . Flash — 
 Letter of Marque. The men came aft and saw they 
 must have a birth, we moved our table, but after diner 
 concluded to keep our ground, they came aft again and 
 we told them no. if You please — You must mess else- 
 where, so they took up their bed and walkd — The 
 conversation is now all turnd upon Stonington. — 
 
 14th 
 
 Heavy gales and clear weather, turnd out this morn- 
 ing early it being cook Day — attended to my duty made 
 some Lobscouse for dinner. Verry good mess — Mr. 
 Philps and myself employd in writing me in making 
 remarks and him at Navigation, some news seems 
 to be in circulation to confirm the Sad tidings of no 
 
[ 31 ] 
 
 exchange. O God what news — The French prisoners 
 is expected to morrow we are all making calculations 
 for their reception, we shall not be so comfortable I 
 think as there is 420 now on this Deck — however if they 
 keep us through the summer, we shall get thind off., 
 but there is one consolation that should they do it the 
 Lord will remember it, and the whole nation will be 
 brought in to the scrape 
 
 March 15th 
 
 French prisoners hourly expected we are sitting 
 round the table conversing about the Stonington 
 Girls. 
 
 15th 
 
 Wash day — all hands accordingly employed About 
 11 A. M. saw two boats coming crowd with Prisoners. 
 soon discovered them to be French, they being musterd 
 were put down with us. now look out for lice. You may 
 guess that we stow close their being about 800 Souls 
 
 on the lower gun deck of A 64. But should 
 
 we stay here during the summer we shall get thind off. 
 Old Jini3 r will set his net for same of us. Report says 
 that 60 or 100 more Yankees are to come up the first 
 fair day — Every day adds new miseries to our unhappy 
 Situation — to day is Banyan no meat allowed, nothing 
 but Pease — and we are out of money out of Coffee & 
 out of Credit. Alass! Farewell ye better days unwel- 
 come misfortune comes rapidly upon us every 
 
 day brings fresh troubles to us; and if our trouble 
 increases for 2 or 4 months to come as it has done for 
 
[ 32 ] 
 
 4 months past. — we shall say to the cold messenger of 
 Death — welcome thou O Death that relieves me from 
 the troubles of Perplexities of this life. 
 
 March 17th. 
 
 Unpleasant weather to day much discontent seems to 
 reign among the Prisoners being badly crowded and lice 
 in abundance is seen crawling about the decks — and 
 You can not come off of Deck in a windy day. but You 
 will have more or less on You — At 2 P. M. the Honbl. 
 Court were calld togather to attend the Trial of one 
 Williams — who — stands convicted, who of lodging 
 information against the Petty Officers, of the ship for 
 selling liquor which has deprived us all of the liberty of 
 
 going on the upper Deck the Wittnesses being 
 
 examined, the Jury retired and brought in a Verdic of 
 Guilty, the Judge then passed the Sentance to receive 
 3 Doz. Stripes on the Bare Back with a Cat, nine tails — 
 he was accordingly tyed up to the Gang way and rec d . 
 his punishment, as he deserved — great noise seems to 
 be stiring about Mr. Cole they want to have him pun- 
 ished — and sent a written note for him to prepare him- 
 self to recieve a floging. but the magority being in 
 Coles favour they have let it Drop — and I am in hopes 
 
 it is Settled The Frenchmen seems to have plenty 
 
 of money and Gambling is carried on now in great 
 stile. So ends this Day's work 
 
 March 18th 
 
 Weather appears pleasant this morning; all hands 
 to muster for a wash out. About 2 P. M. more pris- 
 
[ 33 ] 
 
 oners was announced, every one runs to see the unfor- 
 tunates come — they proved to be the Officers and crews 
 
 of the Privateer Fieri Furies from N York. 
 
 they were galanted on board by Lieut Claxon of the 
 Ramillies, he being an old acquaintance of Mr. Bour- 
 rows's — he introduced himself. & gave Mr. B. 4 or 5 
 Dollars, for old acquaintance sake — very acceptable 
 present, wish I could find just such a one for myself., 
 Mr. Latham made himself Known to him. & had the 
 promise of his interceding to get him Paroled. Well. 
 Well, that will do for a Story 
 
 Great news some good & some bad, Comodore Rogers 
 has arive in New York captured 3 merchantmen and 
 look a seventy four in the fall, did not like her counte- 
 nance stood off very good plan I dont think. 2 of the 
 Gov" Tomkins's prizes has arrive in the States vein 
 valuable — glad to hear it; sorry to hear she had a 
 scuffle with a Frigate and got something damaged — 
 and hauld off to repair, Frigate did the same and I 
 guess was glad so to do 
 
 Another report says that the true supporters of our 
 country, /as they say/ Fedds/ has let a little of their 
 Pattrotisam out of the Bag — //Viz// 
 
 March 18th Continued. 
 
 Comodore Decatur was a going to make an attempt to 
 go out of New London when some of these fellows, 
 shead a Blue light from grotton long point, as a Signal 
 
 to the eneny this being discoverd by Decatur, 
 
 he thought it most prudent to remain where he was — 
 and if possible discover these Dam Traitors, but all 
 
[ 34 ] 
 
 attempts proved ineffectual this brings New Lon- 
 don patriotism to its true light — and I think an act 
 of as true Federalism as can be brought to light. The 
 Curse of God upon them, my best prayer for them is 
 that they may have Hell Illuminate with blue lights 
 when they enter in, and that old Jimy may stick their 
 bodys full of pitch pine knots and. set fire to them 
 
 with. Blue Lights, the Bugors Report says that a 
 
 peace is likely to be effected once more between us and 
 Old Johny. well they are indebted to me about 950 
 Dolls in Cash and 9 months imprisonment before — and 
 when I get satisfaction for that I dont care how soon 
 peace comes 
 
 Come come I will winde off this days work by give- 
 ing a description of these last privateers men. 
 
 1. the Capt midling passable 
 
 2 the 1st. Leiut. Verry stern ferocios looking 
 
 fellow 
 
 3 the 2 Do. Propper old grog buiser just fit for A 
 
 New York porter house — 
 
 4 the 3 Do. looks tolerable something like myself — 
 
 5 the Crew all Negroes — 29 in number. 
 
 March 19th 
 
 Rainy squaly weather — News of different kind seems 
 to be in circulation They say the Ramillies is going to 
 Halifax to get provision, there being none on this 
 Island, and likewise that 250 prisoners is going to 
 accompany her in a Transport, she is to be ready Thurs- 
 day next. This afternoon Mr. Lathams boy Frank, 
 was bringing away some water from the Tank, and the 
 
[ 35 ] 
 
 Gentry orderd him to put it back, he did so, with tin's 
 reply, that he hoped to have in his power soon to 
 retaliate, the Centry then struck him in the side with 
 the butt of his gun — which came very near being his 
 
 death wound, he was brought below and dncterd. 
 
 Mr. Latham went to the Capt. and demanded Satisfac- 
 tion the Capt. told him the bov was saucy and it was 
 the Centrys orders, and that he should not look in to it. 
 and so it ended after some hard words being passed on 
 
 both sides. the Prisoners being much enraged 
 
 want to rise and Masacre the whole set of d-m English- 
 men O Good Usage that a Marine should be allowed to 
 strike a prisoner. British Humanity. — the time may 
 yet come when we shall show them the difference 
 
 between a Yankee Prison ship and this Well come 
 
 I must close although against my inclinations, but it 
 being my cook day I must attend to get my Provision. 
 
 March 20th 
 
 Fresh breezes and pleasant weather, about 10 A. M. 
 some of our paroled men came on board and made us a 
 
 Short Visit. No particular news, they say that 
 
 it is the Frenchmen that is going to Halifax — They 
 
 went on shore before. 12 o clock About 2 P. M. 
 
 all hands were calld to quarters and the Marines Hallood 
 Mutiny, the Lieut and the Sergent came down and 
 cleard the Ambuziers away, and secured the door of 
 
 the Bulk head leading in to the gunroom 
 
 All hands was orderd off of the upper Decks — the 
 Marines took possesion, of the poop — and loading 
 their muskets with two balls — when the Sergent came 
 
[ 36 ] 
 
 and told us if the noise was not quited they should fire 
 in upon us — we told him we new nothing of the noise 
 or what occasiond it, But on inquiry we found to be a 
 false alarm. — It seems a boy had fell down the ladder 
 with a kid of water, and /as usual/ they gave 3 
 
 cheers These d-am ignorant Englishmen thought 
 
 something dreadfull was coming — and I dont know as 
 ever I saw men so frightned as they were, they lookd 
 more like walking Ghosts than liveing men. 
 So full of artless jealousy is Guilt 
 It spilts itself in fearing to be split 
 Good friends let me not stir you up, be not afraid, of 
 mutiny here, what private griefs others have alass. I 
 know not, we are wise and honorable 
 
 March 21st 
 
 Monday, nothing of Note has transpired to Day 
 Q. Q. Commences with fresh breezes and god weather 
 Nothing remarkable occurd untill afternoon When Mr. 
 
 Mclntyres watch was rafled off News has just 
 
 come below that a black man one of our crew had 
 departed this life after a lingering Illness. His name 
 was Jim Boon I believe an honest faithful old Negro — 
 
 EPITAPH. 
 
 Underneath this holy Stone — 
 Lies the Body of Jim Boone — 
 Death has now calld him home 
 To a place where he'll have room. 
 For room there was none here for him 
 And all I hope he's clear from sin. 
 
[ 37 ] 
 
 That unto Heaven he may go 
 
 Where he'll have no gratis to look though 
 
 For liberty he will have there 
 
 In every thing except to swear 
 
 But what I fear the most of all 
 
 That when the Lord does come to call 
 
 He can not find poor Jimy Boon. 
 
 Among so many holy stones 
 
 He'll not think of looking in Bermuda 
 
 There to find a poor old Negro. 
 
 B. F. P. 
 
 March 23 
 
 It is the day we generaly wash Decks, but oweing to 
 an unfortunate circumstance which took place last 
 night we defer washing Mr. Whippy of Nantucket, 
 had his trunk of cloths stole, and this morning a general 
 seach took place, but all to no effect. 
 
 A complaint was then lodged with the lieut. who 
 made the Capt. Acquainted with the same all hands 
 was now orderd on Deck and a strick serch was made 
 but with as little Success as before, They then tried 
 an experiment with the Bible and Kee calling over 
 several names, when Old Cato's was calld the Bible 
 would fly round, they then serchd him closely but 
 could find no proof against him — And I much fear he'll 
 never find the Thief or the Trunk. 
 
 24th 
 
 This morning all hands was calld on deck to muster- 
 a report in circulation, that we are soon to be removed 
 
[ 38 ] 
 
 to Halifax if it will be altering our situation for the 
 worst we shall undoubtedly go — but if for the better 
 we shall remain behind — Adieu sweet hope thou Balm 
 of Life, for once I bid the Adieue 
 
 25th. 
 
 Last night the Taylor of the ship was missing, his 
 cloaths was found in his Hammock, and it is generaly 
 believed he has Jumped over Board, success to him. 
 
 March 26th 
 
 Pleasant Weather several vessels in sight steering 
 for St Georges to take the advantage of A convoy 
 bound to England — The Taylor that was supposed to 
 have slipt his wind was found on shore, in saftey snip 
 notwithstanding his pa pretended Insanity has taken 
 good care to secure his money & Clothes. Lieut. Robins 
 who has resided on board the Ardent, for some time 
 as a supernumary. reed, his appointnt to Day. to the 
 command of the Loup Sevier, formely the Wasp, in 
 our navy. He was rowd down in great Snuff with his 
 two swabs on his shoulders, an Honour for which per- 
 haps he has been labouring these 30 Years Mr. 
 
 Latham is still unwell and had grown quite thin in 
 flesh 
 
 A boat came off from Hamilton, the news by her is, 
 that a general Peace is shortly to take place between, 
 the U. States. England France. & the other combined 
 Powers, this news is too good to be true. 
 
[ 39 ] 
 
 27th 
 
 Light breezes and warm weather, though doI uncom- 
 fortably so. 
 
 This morning after divine service tin- carpenters 
 Daughter was christend with the usual cerimonies of 
 the church of England. Today nothing particular lias 
 tramspired Except the above, god Day to You. 
 
 March 28th 
 
 Commences with pleasant weather This morning 
 
 turnd too to wash out. Nothing occurd untill about 
 
 5 P. M. When another war broke out Foolishly 
 2 of the prisoners being out on the bowsprit, to play, 
 making sport for the rest of the Prisoners., one of the 
 boys attempting to come in some one slack'd up the 
 man rope at it was with dificulty he could get in. after 
 some time he got safe in Board, he then began a quarrel 
 which soon brought on a fight. The Capt. hearing the 
 noise sent the Gentry forward to quite it. he could not 
 stop them so made an attempt to run them through tli< 
 Capt being at hand prevented him — another Gentry was 
 then coming forward when some of the prisoners was 
 going to stop him, he struck one of the prisoners, who 
 immediately seized him and drawing his Knife would 
 soon have put an end to the Marine had not the rest 
 interfeard, the Lieut coming in was clinched, the guard 
 was then calld and steping in with their Bayonets and 
 soon quelld the Disturbance — The Marines took pos- 
 sesion of the poop they loaded their muskets and got 
 all prepared to fire in to us. We were then orderd 
 
[ 40 ] 
 
 below, when two men were taken and put in Irons — 
 one Inocent. & one Guilty 
 
 March 28 Continued. 
 
 All hands now being below both hatches were fastend 
 on and we secured below — After a Storm comes a Clam 
 /as the old saying is// every thing being quiet we 
 thought the war was over, but behold the Worst. At 
 9 O Clock the sergent came down and orderd the lights 
 out. the men had got every thing prepared to take the 
 sergent Prisoners, and hold him as, A Hostage untill 
 the men in Irons should be given up. accordingly as 
 soon as he had got the lights extinguished they grapled 
 him, but he escaped and run aft singing out murder, 
 Murder, as loud as thunder — and Trembling like an 
 aspin leafe. his noise soon gave the allarm and then there 
 was Hell to split, the Capt hearing the noise sang out 
 Guard here Guard here, all in confussion run here and 
 crying there, women screaming children crying and 
 such a noise you never heard, but it was no Laughing 
 matter, the Marines, gunner k Boats wan all in in the 
 gun room with loaded muskets all cockd and prime, 
 ready to fire through the port holes, some says fire and 
 some says No. the old man came down and says dont 
 fire untill my orders, for you'll kill more inocent ones, 
 than guilty, let us see if we cant make Peace with the 
 Yankees 
 
 March 28th Continued 
 
 Where were we all this time? Why; stowe away 
 under the Table snug as pigs in the Stye. Waiting the 
 
[ 41 ] 
 
 isue of the alarm The Lieut. Came down 
 
 and said if we would deliver up the serpent they would 
 not fire We told him we new nothing of the affair 
 
 and dare not go forward to see. while holding this 
 
 conbat Capt Jones had gone up with the Sergent. — 
 who was not hurt in the least, but most damnably 
 Frightened — he got to the top of the ladder and the 
 Masters mate presented a pistole to his breast he 
 /Jones/ told him his business and was permited to pass 
 he went on the quarter deck and deliverd up his charge 
 and without much cerimony came below again. The 
 war being over we turned in and without much ceri- 
 money made some general observations on what had 
 passed, passing and hour or two in this manner it had 
 got to be quite still when every one was left to his 
 
 own reflections mine were Serious — and as follows. 
 
 now had they fired where would it have ended, they 
 would undoubtedly killd more or less then farewell 
 Englishmen 
 
 If to fill this Book it were my plan 
 
 I'd lengthen this out to a Span 
 
 March 29th 
 
 Commences with rainy squaly weather, it being my 
 cook day attended to getting provision. Yesterdays 
 disturbance seems to be all still and nothing has been 
 said to any of the Officers concerning it — about 12 
 Oclock to Day the funnell of the chimney, /or Galley. 
 I should say/ fell down the poor Marines hearing the 
 noise supposed another Riot, was taking place, and 
 
[ 42 ] 
 
 run for their muskets as tho' the Devil was after them 
 every man to his Station was the word, but they soon 
 found it out to be a false alarm, then all was quiet 
 
 again 
 
 About 2 P. M. Capt. Cuchet sent a flag of true with 
 dispatches, requesting of our Minesters to meet him 
 
 on the quarter Deck Our President and Judge. 
 
 /Fellows & Jones was accordingly sent to treat for a 
 Peace — The Capt said it being unpleasant they could 
 not well adjust the affairs — but he was wiling to have 
 an armistace until another day — It was accordingly 
 settled in this way for the present — They are now 
 employed in cuting port holes through the Bulk head 
 
 of the Galley this is against another war. breaks 
 
 out. 
 
 March 30th 
 
 This day 20 more prisoners came on board and the 
 guard boat rows round the ship all Night, thinking 
 that we were a going to rise — O thou silly Englishmen 
 dost thou think that the Yankees are such fools as to 
 
 Jump out of the pan into the fire If You should 
 
 give us possision of the ship we should'nt Know what 
 to do with her. 
 
 This morning Sir Thomas Hardy came on board and 
 made a short stay in the afternoon Lieut. Claxon came 
 on board and I presume obtaind a parole for Mess 
 Latham & Burows. as the Capt. has informd them so. 
 Old Cuchet calld on Mr. Latham and wished to Know 
 what service he had rendered Lieut. Claxon, that he 
 
[ 43 ] 
 
 should trouble himself to get a parole for him. lie told 
 him he did not know only that he had captured him 
 once. & the pleasure of being Capt. over him. . Refer- 
 ence to the Capture of the Fox by the Hero, of M istick. 
 I presume they will go the first oppty. To Hamilton. 
 This was a Noble deed for an Englishmen who would 
 have thought it. It certainly showd the part of a gen- 
 tlemen and he had ought to be commended for it. 
 //gente uncomon// — 
 
 March 31st. 
 
 All appears to be reconciled between the two parties 
 and I am now in hopes. A permament Treaty is 
 Settled Nothing of Note had occurd this Day I 
 employed through the day in mending old Cloths, and 
 in the Evening in playing Cribbage — At 9 O Clock 
 turn In and Mr. Mclntyre gave us a Story — about 
 Jack and the Parson ! O Gracious 
 
 1st Day of April. 
 
 I shall always think of the Story Amos told of being 
 in the Papers in N York, that if You'd look in <;:* 
 Chapter of Proverbs. 87th Verse You'd find what April 
 fool first sprang from. . 
 
 To Day all are busy endeavouring to out do each 
 other in tricks — The Commander of the Dotherile 
 Sloop of war arived here to day. he has taken only 
 one prize after a cruise of 4 months. & that lias not 
 arrivd. He caries a red Nose & face — as the British 
 officers generaly do — 
 
[ 44 ] 
 
 2 April- 
 Wash decks is the word passd for and aft. this is 
 fine exercise — and conduces much towards the health 
 of the Prisoners. No News to day. 
 
 April 3d 
 
 No person unless he has experienced the pleasures of 
 being confined in a Prison Ship, can have any Idea of 
 the Troubles and dificulties felt by us in the Ship. 
 After sun down but one man is allowed on Deck at a 
 time, from that time untill 9 O Clock if a person wants 
 to go on Deck, he is crowded to death on a narrow 
 ladder, by % Doz Stinking negroes and as many 
 Frenchmen //Dam'd hard this/ — 
 
 4th 
 
 This morning Sir F. H. Hardys boat came along side 
 and Lieut. Claxon came on board with orders for all the 
 carpenters that would volunteer to go on board of a 
 transport that was fiting out to cary us to Halifax — 
 They accordingly got every thing on Deck expecting 
 to go. when the Lieut told them it was no matter then 
 that he should call again tomorrow, this is fine work 
 indeed Those dam Rascals to impose on us poor Pris- 
 oners in this way, but however it is as good as can be 
 expected from them. To Day the flag of Vice Adm 1 
 Sir Alexn Cockram was hoisted on board this Ship — 
 in the room of Sir J. B. Warrens who has been Super- 
 ceded by the former. Warrens was Blue, this is Red. — 
 good Night 
 
[ 45 ] 
 
 April 5th 
 
 Capt Cuchet's bagage is packing up. they say Ik is 
 soon to embark for Halifax. — and that Mr. Miller is to 
 come here from Halifax. I don't care how soon as I 
 know he cant be worse than old Cuchet- 
 
 April 6th 
 
 Last night had a weding on board the Sergei th w it. 
 got remaried to the Lieut of Marines.. Verrv short 
 Courtship, /ll minuts/ orders are given for the pris- 
 oners to put on Clean Shirts as Adm 1 Cockram is 
 expected. About 11 A. M. He came attended with his 
 secty. and all his retinue of Strappers., He is a fine 
 looking old fellow. Came below and examined our 
 Deck that we live on. He observed they were verv 
 dirty, the Capt told him they had not been washd that 
 Day; 
 
 Well! Well! says he You have not paid proper 
 attention to the prisoners, he then addressd himself to 
 one of the Prisoners, and told him we should have Ham- 
 mock sevd out. & have liberty to on shore on the Islands 
 and wash our cloths and take him all in all he appeals 
 
 to be a pretty clever old coger And 1 hope will 
 
 send old Cuchet to the Devil or some worse place 
 
 April 7th 
 
 This morning Capt. Fellows Bowrows & Latham, 
 went down to St Gorges to sign the Condamnation of 
 the Rolla — they returnd about Sunset but brought do 
 favourable news, they say 3 line of Battle ships has 
 arrived from England. 
 
[ 46 ] 
 
 but no news of a Cartie and little hopes of our releas- 
 ment. very soon — They dined upon 2 loaves of Bread 
 and one neats toungue and paid 1 Doll Each — I think 
 the Lieut that accompanied them had a generous 
 heart, to let 3 prisoners pay their faire. when on his 
 business — But what more could You expect from an 
 Englishman. 
 
 8th 
 
 Xothing to say. Verry lazy 
 
 9th 
 
 Wash out wash out is the cry. accordingly all except- 
 ing 2 from each mess repairs on Deck and there remain 
 untill 7 bells when the Decks being dry they all come 
 below — when each one has some news to tell relating 
 
 to Cartels or Transports to day the general news 
 
 is that all the Yankees is going to Halifax — dont 
 believe it — 
 
 This Day Capt, Cuchet is superceeded By a dam 
 Rascal some says that, he is a clever fellow, if so his 
 looks decieve him verry much 
 
 April 9th Continued. 
 
 But stop I must mention about the Cook, this morn- 
 ing as is common they began with whose cook day is 
 it. Bye & Bye Mr. Phelps, rises up What Business is 
 that to You. its my cook day. but no one making any 
 answer — he turns out and like an old Turkey cock 
 begins, goble goble, goble, all the morning. It being 
 puding day he gets his duff mixed, and puts in the 
 copper, and then turns too to wash out. It not being 
 
[ 47 ] 
 
 my was day I got clear of his jaw until! we came below 
 
 at 7 bells, then he begins, what the damnation are Yon 
 comeing below for before the Decks are dry. I wish 
 you'd stay on Deck A little or no reply, and it passed 
 off till diner, when the dinner came down. Wonder — 
 Behold the duff was not done and then there was a Hell 
 a belue Kick'd up about the puding. Had it been 
 
 Bosses Cook Day I should not have wonderd. 
 
 Next begins is old Bloderdash he was siting with 
 is legs extended and his arms a Kimbo. . I ask'd him 
 to sit farther along, no he'll be damd if he would. Old 
 Affe served him 
 
 l »' 
 
 April 10th 
 
 Commences with light breezes and pleasant weather. 
 Boss turns out this morning before 8 O Clock for the 
 first time in 4 months he accordingly begins //as is 
 natural for his Disposition// like a hungry wolf 
 grumbling and growling, with his jaws extended like 
 a Shark ready to devour the first that comes in his way. 
 he & Shaw gets in to an argument and wakes all 
 
 hands Xext the Sloop 
 
 Capt. //Waks// and in gibeing main Boom takes up 
 the time until 8 O Clock, when down comes our gill of 
 Cocoa, and it is soon Devourd — Breakfast over all 
 hands is calld to muster Mr. Burrows goes to the Capt 
 McDonald — and asks for liberty to go on Shore to 
 
 spend the day and purchase a few articles after some 
 
 quivocating he consents to let him go. with some others 
 on the morrow likewise tells him w r e are soon to be 
 removed from here, dont believe it, to day news came 
 off that one of the Prisoners in the Hospital had 
 
[ 48 ] 
 
 Departed this life, Diseases are geting more 
 
 prevalent, through out the Ship, and I very much fear 
 if they Keep us here through the Summer that the 
 magority of us will lose the number of our mess 
 
 April 11th 
 
 This morning Capt Cuchet left the Ardent. And 
 Capt. McDonald put his authority mildly into Execu- 
 tion By ordering or rather requesting 
 
 the hammocks might be brought on deck every fair 
 
 day Ready to obey any reasonable demands — the 
 
 Hammocks was brought up and put in the Netings. 
 
 The Decks was then swept as usual the Capt came 
 down to examine them Mr. Shaw was washing out a 
 
 Shirt. the Capt told him to go on Deck and wash. 
 
 he accordingly as was right obeyd The Liberty men 
 
 went on Shore immediately after Breakfast. 
 
 By the Capts orders all hands turnd too and got the 
 mooring chains off of this Deck and put them on the 
 Hollop — This gives us a great deal more room — they 
 preparing wind sails to give us more ah*. This after- 
 noon at 2 P. M. our liberty men came off some % 
 some % and some entirely Drunk. Uncle Bogedass 
 left what things he purchas on Shore oweing to his 
 being too sober — Capt. Jones came off talking Drunk 
 and went aft to the Capt and held a long Confab, got 
 permission for two to go on deck at a time, great 
 Liberty this — 
 
 April 12th. 
 
 Tlas tnight Entyr Dhowar & Ymac tsi ton ot nru 
 yawa ythe tgo sa rfa sa eth elittle dislan. s dan nthe 
 
[ 49 ] 
 
 ecam kbac. Mcenntyr tgo ntake dan swa ni siron. Head 
 this if you can — 
 
 This morning the Capt orderd all bags and Ham- 
 mocks on Deck, which being done they turnd too to 
 white wash the Decks, about 2 P. M. a gentleman came 
 on Board to get all the Mechanicks to go on Shore to 
 work, pay /% Dollar a Day and full allowance. 
 
 April 13th 
 
 The news of our going to Halifax seems to be con- 
 firmd, turnd too this morning and washd out all my 
 dirty cloaths turnd too and washd Decks, then ordt 
 came to Dine on Deck, hell of a Dinner this \ - Tint 
 of Pease, and as much watter as you can Drink, how- 
 ever must put up with it. This afternoon the Ord< 
 came for the Mechanicks. to go on shore but the Capl 
 we should go to Halifax shortly and it was not best to 
 go. 
 
 14th 
 
 Huzza, for Halifax this morning orders came from 
 the Adm 1 . for 200 to get ready to go on board a Trans- 
 port, and 150 to go on board the Ramillies. bound to 
 the same place, this is pleasing news although we cant 
 Judge whether it will be for the best or not 
 
 April 15th 
 
 This morning you see each one that is going dress- 
 ing themselves as if they were a going a Shore in 
 America, we are to embark this afternoon to leave the 
 Floating Hell that has held us in bondage 4 months. 
 and now in 4 months more I HOPE to get home. 
 
[ 50 ] 
 
 Farewell old Ardent I hope forever, but perhaps 
 not. this afternoon we leave thee with 70 poor 
 Yankees, on board besides Frenchmen. I am now 
 prepared for a Start, and my mind is to much 
 agitated to write any more so good bye to old Hell. I 
 have weatherd thee. No more at Present. 
 
 16th 
 
 This morning left our old Habitation, and haveing 
 a fair wind soon came along side, the Ramillies. with a 
 heart beating high with exultation at the prospect of 
 soon being at liberty after being musterd the Officers 
 were put in the gun room. & the Sailors in the fore 
 
 hole we haveing plenty of Grog, turnd too and 
 
 had a Noble blow out. and then turnd in for the night. 
 
 17th. 
 
 Unpleasant rainy squaly weather, all hands turnd 
 too and made our Situation as comfortable as possible, 
 some disturbance among the Paroled. Gentry. 
 
 18th 
 
 Still unfavourable Winds, and no prospect of better, 
 some of the Officers ask'd permission of Sir. Thomas to 
 go on Shore, at St Georges, which was granted them. 
 They staid all Day and at night came off well Stock'd 
 with rum. 
 
 April 19th 
 
 Fair wind my boys and the Anchor A Peake. At 
 10 A. M. got under way with the wind at N. W. and 
 
[ 51 ] 
 
 with some dificulty came out clear, Vessels under con- 
 voy, consists of 2 Brigs. 2 Ships & 2 Schooners 
 Nothing except a Cartel could raise our spirits more 
 than the prospect before us. as we are informd their is 
 no prisoners there and that A Cartel is expected Daily 
 from the States. This revives our Spirits and Keeps 
 us in good health — 
 
 20th. 
 
 Took the transport Ship in towe — the wind hauling 
 fair we run it off at a good round rate, this morning 
 Sir Thomas, sent for me and had some conversation on 
 different subjects. — At 2 P. M. made a Sail on our 
 weather bow which looks like the Shark Privater of 
 N York, she is a 3 masted Lugger — she ran down near 
 enough to decern what we were, finding the convoy 
 strong and suposing that, the Ships were not Valuable. 
 She gave us a gun was then off like a rigger 
 
 21st 
 
 This morning quite pleasant wind a beam 
 
 22nd 
 
 The wind increases and hauls a head — at night it 
 blowing so heavy were obliged to cut away the hausur 
 and let the Transport go — It being very Dark and 
 thick she lost us 
 
 April 23d 
 
 This morning all hands employed Boxing the Ship 
 about in quest of the Transport, fearing the prisoners 
 
[ 52 ] 
 
 had use and taken her — which I had hoped was the case, 
 but too soon our Expectations was blasted, for about 
 9 O Clock we made her to the windward standing for 
 us. the Gale had abated and she soon come up with us. 
 She hove too and getting out the boats and took all 
 
 the prisoners out. and brought them on 
 
 board the Ramillies some of them Dead and some 
 
 almost Drownd. the Hatch being off and the water 
 coming in — lik'd to have drownd them all 
 
 24th. 
 
 Every thing being settled Keep on our Course. 
 
 Schooner lays astern 
 
 Capt Fellows Birth Day nothing to drink 
 
 25th 
 
 Wind at N. N. E. good topgalan breeze I have seen 
 all the new comers, they look more like walking Ghosts 
 than liveing persons 
 
 26th 
 
 The wind hauls fair and breeze increases this after- 
 noon hove too and made a Signal for the Schooner to 
 come up. which she did. we got a hauser and took her 
 in tow lat. 39° 9" 
 
 28th 
 
 Our third Lieut. // Cout// is making blocks for Sir 
 Thomas, gets % P m * °f rum a day. the rest of us 
 playing Cribbage 
 
[ 53 ] 
 
 April 28th 
 
 All hands looking out for Land This afternoon mde 
 the loong lookd for Land which we were all glad to 
 see. although as yet uncertain of our Doom. It proves 
 to be the west End of Sambro Light. 
 
 30th 
 
 Light wind and thick weather. I fear we shall not 
 get in to day 4 P. M. wind breezing up stood in for 
 Sambro light, wind increasing and being fair we soon 
 run up and came to Anchor oposite the Town, old 
 Cuchet. and Sir Thomas went on Shore. I Expect we 
 shall not go untill tomorrow, or rather Monday. 
 
 May 1st. 
 
 Some gentlemen came off from the shore this morn- 
 ing, they bring news that there is but 200 prisoners 
 in Melville Island and that a Cartel is daily Expected — 
 
 Glorious news if true The British Agent. 
 
 Old Miller, came off to day he says A cartel saild from 
 this about 6 w T eeks since — to day being Sunday we pass 
 the time but indiferently as we do not allow our- 
 selves to play at any game and haveing no books 
 
 thats intertaining — This afternoon I borrowd the Post 
 Capt of one of the midshipmen which answers to pass 
 away a dull hour. 
 
 May 2nd. 
 
 This day we embark'd fo Hell. Orders are to be 
 ready at 9 O Clock we accordingly got every thing 
 
[ 54 ] 
 
 prepared for a Start, the boats are hoisted out and we 
 are all musterd. the Gentlemen that were paroled at 
 Bermuda, likewise obtaind a parole here and have gone 
 to Dartmouth. Several Carpenters have staid on 
 
 board the Ship to be Landed off New London. The 
 
 rest of us are to be marchd off to prison about 200 
 Soldiers were to be calld to guard us. but haveing some 
 on Shore only 100 leaves the Ship with us. we are all 
 boated and soon landed, up to the upper end of the 
 
 Town The Capt of Marines then formd us into 
 
 Hallow squares, and with the Officers in front, we 
 marchd off quick step, the prisoners seeming to wish to 
 get to Prison, our hopes being so much raised with the 
 Idea of geting Exchanged soon, we had to march 
 about 3 miles, when we saw the gloomy walls of our 
 new habitation, but guess our disappointment, and the 
 various feelings which was passing in our minds when 
 we disco verd. the Prison Yard to be crowded with 
 unfortunate sufferers, our hopes were all blasted at 
 once and nothing but the Idea of Years imprisonments. 
 
 May 2 Continued 
 
 Seemd to occupy our minds, to look around You 
 could see nothing, but long faces & gloomy and counta- 
 nances. as dark as the regions of the North. We remaind 
 at the gates some time in the rain waiting in anxious 
 expectation of entering through Like a sinner that 
 knows his doom waiting at the Gates of Hell, to be let 
 through, that he may Know the worst. — after a long 
 time comes old Jimy square foot, sir named. //Mil- 
 ler// — Stiff as a crow bar. he opend the Gates, and 
 

 ?1 
 
 \ 
 
 S 
 
 s. 
 
 ^> 
 
 
 
 : 
 
 ! - 
 
 v 
 
 : ' 
 
 
[ 55 ] 
 
 begun to muster us over, as we went through each one 
 that wanted reed, a Hammock &c. and away we truged 
 along with down cast eyes and a heavy heart, much fear- 
 ing we shall not pass the threshold of the Gate again 
 very soon 
 
 May 3d 
 
 To Day we are makeing a Shift to see how we can 
 stow, there being upwards of 200 in the space of l<> 
 feet Square some of the apply'd to Miller to gel mo 
 room by opening a door that led in to an adjoining 
 appartment, No says he if you cant stow yourselves 
 I'll come and stow you I'll send all but the Capt and 
 1st Officers among the rest of the prisoners this being 
 the reply made Shift as well as we could.— 
 
 May 4th 
 
 General Election at Newport — Being pretty much 
 Settled to Day we went around the Prison to sec if we 
 could find any of our old acquaintance, I found two thai 
 I had brought from Newfoundland and Gurdeon 
 Palmer. & Fogy Florrence — it being wash day we a. II 
 musterd out for a wash out. This afternoon our Agent 
 Mr. Mitchell, came, with Miller & old Cuchet to pay us 
 a Visit. Mr. Mitchell gave us no encouragement about 
 getting home he appears to be a fine old Man- 
 To Day joind Mess No. 4 
 
 5th 
 
 News is this morning that a Brig is soon to Sail for 
 the states — Post has not Yet arrive but 1 expect it will 
 
[ 56 ] 
 
 come with the Dinner the mail arrived this after- 
 noon — and brings news that the Embargo, is off and 
 that a Cartel is soon to come from the States //Hoax//. 
 The French has given the Rusians, a drubbling & con- 
 querd the Spaniards There is a Rebelion in Ireland, 
 and I cant tell You how much more. This place Rather 
 beats the Ardent for news — 
 
 May 6th 
 
 At sunrise you hear the door's open'd by the Turn- 
 key, when each one turns out and lashes up his Ham- 
 mock, and carries it out in the Yard, the piss tub being 
 emptied we open the windows and let in some fresh 
 air — The cooks repair to the Cookhouse in the Yard 
 and get some coffee boild. then have breakfast, that 
 being over you see every one Employed in something 
 or other. Mostly Gambling, the boj^s round selling 
 candy, here's you'r fine Candy, who'll buy my fine 
 Candy, is the cry through the Day. More prisoners 
 came late last night Prize to the Privateer Young 
 Warsp of Philadelphia. 4 Prize masters in one prize — 
 
 May 7th 
 
 Pleasant weather for the first time since I came to this 
 
 Dam'd Hole All hands employed in washing out. — 
 
 good news in circulation some says peace and others 
 say it is an armistice //Hoax// — an Exchange is soon 
 to take place, as report says, but reports are generaly 
 fabulous — This is the way the most of the prisoners pass 
 their time in collecting, making and Spreading all the 
 news possible 
 
[ 57 ] 
 
 May 7th Continued 
 
 At length Night comes, and the Turnkey's are Beem 
 comeing in to take account of the unhappy Flock. 
 //This is done every Night and morning and see th.it 
 none is missing, all in he bars the doors and each one 
 retires to his hammock, and then all is buzz, and jaw ah nit 
 200 Voices going at once all on different topicks At 
 length some one cries out silence for a Sonar, then You 
 hear Mr. Cox with the tydy house wife or Mr. Gardn< r 
 with the Magors Breeches, then you hear a Voice half 
 stifled proceed from some of the Hammocks, sing out 
 Pork. Pork, this Iritating the old gentleman, he 
 scrables to get through his song, then silence prevails 
 and I go to Sleep. Before I go to sleep 1 must add 
 a little more after the songs being over the Moderator 
 calls the house to order — and we proceed to nominate 
 a President. — for the Ensuing week /It being the cus- 
 tom here// They accordingly nominated Mr. Cloud. 
 (Late Boatswain of the U. S Sloop of War Warsp, 
 which was seconded, he was accordingly chosen 1 
 approve of the Election, we then chose a Moderator, 
 and M r Fowle was chosen tub inspector sonic objected. 
 that he was not capable but after some Debate he was 
 Elected 
 
 May 8th 
 
 Cloudy Weather, no particular News, seems to be 
 in circulation only that, the war has broke in the 
 
 Jarseys. had the weather have been clear we 
 
 should have musterd, but as it is not it is adjournd 
 
[ 58 ] 
 
 untill another day. Some expecting to muster put on 
 their shirtees. either haveing no clean shirt or too lazy 
 to put it on which I will not pretend to say. 
 
 9th 
 
 This day commences with cold unpleasant weather, 
 two or three men missing, we were waked uncomonly 
 early this morning by the turnkey who was hallowing, 
 all out all out, we accordingly mustered on our duds as 
 soon as possible & went out. he then counted us in, 
 he said nothing but went below and proceeded to count 
 them in, there some darned rascal informed of those who 
 escaped and likewise inform'd of their having some 
 arms with them, They dispatched soldiers after them 
 but I believe with no success as yet. Lieut Smith came 
 in and ordered us all out of prison they then proceeded 
 to search our trunks to see if we had 
 
 9th May continued 
 
 any arms, but found none /except one old Quadrant 
 & two or three old Charts/ supposing them to be dan- 
 gerous arms they took them all away, for safe keeping, 
 here the prisoners run over my back to look out of the 
 window they see the guard running and fear that some 
 of our men are caught, Stop the news is altered /False 
 
 alarm/ 
 
 To day they opened the other room, and I must give 
 the Devil his due it being the first good act I ever knew 
 them to be guilty of 
 
[ 59 ] 
 
 May 10th 
 
 Very pleasant weather for this plan it being the day 
 for washing out, after breakfast all hands that were 
 not employed on duty muster out the rest turn too and 
 soon have the floor in complete order, the decks being 
 swab'd dry each one gets some kind of gam< in vogue 
 & pass the time away untill the decks are thoroughly 
 dry when they are all allowed to come in, dinner bein 
 over and the dished cleaned every one employed his 
 mind about 
 
 May 10th Continued 
 
 something, some mending old cloaths some playing 
 cards some Cribbage, some Backgammon some at 
 Chequers some at Pickamasoo and other making news 
 At length some one cried out Mr. Mitchel is coming 
 every one runs to see if the report is true, it is so yon 
 see the old man in his carriage riding over the barren 
 hills, at length he comes up to the gate and alights and 
 soon comes in to view the sufferings of his country 
 prisoners as soon as he gets to the door every one 
 pays him proper respect by pulling off their hats, lie 
 walks along and takes his seat then all hands muster 
 round to hear the news every one has some greivance 
 to relate and the old Gentleman answers each one in 
 his turn after that we anxiously wait for some news 
 but at length none comes, no news from the states, the 
 Embargo off and a peace is daily expected- Mr. 
 Mitchell gave one of the Midshipman a letter respect- 
 ing a parole which said he believed they were entitle.] 
 
[ 60 ] 
 
 to one and likewise all Captins Mates and Lieutenants 
 not paying any regard 
 
 May 10th Continued 
 
 to the sise of the vessel and that he should demand it 
 as soon as Miller resigned and Capt Cochet took his 
 place — 
 
 I asked the old Gentleman for some shirts and shoes 
 being robb'd at the time of my capture of nearly all my 
 cloathes he said as soon as he could procure them he 
 would supply all those who were really necessitated 
 for them, Conversation being over Mr. Mitchel retires 
 and each one has some news that he has heard 
 
 May 11th 
 
 Nothing particular occured this Day untill about 4 
 O Clock P. M. — when a packet arrive loaded w T ith 
 good news, that is 500 English prisoners had gone on 
 board of a Cartel at Salem destind for this place /As 
 the bearer had it from Doctor Bartlut so it must be 
 
 true Every one seems elated with the prospect of 
 
 soon geting home You are so much rejoiced, we 
 
 turned up the old Fiddle and had a complete Dance 
 after dancing several figures, the Ball broke up and 
 each one retires to his nest. 
 
 May 12th 
 
 Pleasant weather, breakfast being over, A packet 
 arrived, it was the Gardner of Salem, from where I 
 know not. but he brought news of the greatest impor- 
 
[ 01 ] 
 
 tance, to those who are foolish enough to believe it. 
 /namely/ that the Cartel before mentioned had saild 
 and was expected in daily and we were all going home 
 & the rest was to stay, likewise that our officers in 
 Canida were all Exchanged & that one of our Sloops of 
 war and Hornet, had gone on to Lake Ontario to assist 
 Chancy — 
 
 The day passed away in makeing observations on the 
 news of the Day and Dancing Horn pipes— about >l 
 P. M. more Prisoners more Prisoners was echoed 
 through out the Prison. — Every one runs to meet the 
 unfortunates after being over hauld and strip! of all 
 their Books Charts, Quadrons. &c &c they pass through, 
 then every one throngs round to hear the news, they 
 proved to be 5 passengers taken out of a Spanish Ves- 
 sel from Havanah. . bound to Boston some Sweedish 
 Yankees & some Yankee Sweeds. & some fishermen 
 taken in Long Island Sound, they say the Embargo is 
 off in some measure, permitting coasters to pass- 
 May 12th Continued. 
 
 Others say that the Embargo is off entirely >S: that the 
 New England States would have it off, //Hoax they 
 say there is great talks of Peace, one of them tells me 
 that 2 English Officers on Parole in N. Louden ran 
 away and came to Stonington where some of our Dam 
 Traitors, set them on board the English Squadron, and 
 were paid 30 Dolls. Reed to Days paper published 
 in Halifax which mentions that an Exchange is to take 
 place soon, that it has already taken place in Canida 
 and it is expected an armistice is soon to take Plan 
 
[ 62 ] 
 
 May 13th 
 
 Commences with unpleasant weather. Report says 
 a Flag is to Sail soon for the States /via Salem/ So I 
 must embrace the oppertunity of writing home. 
 /Wrote home/ 
 
 May 14th 
 
 A Halifax paper came in this morning, which says 
 that A General Exchange has been agreed on. and the 
 Prisoners are all to be released on both sides, excepting 
 those in retaliation. /23 that the English has and 46 
 that we have, this morning old Grant told some of the 
 Prisoners to hold themselves in readiness to go home., 
 
 among the rest is Tom Pedro, or Torpedo Tom. 1 
 
 must now Write some more Letters home 
 
 May 15th 
 
 This morning being fogy — our President orders all 
 the Hammocks put in the Spare bay, after breakfast 
 the sun came out clear when the Turnkey came up and 
 orderd all Hammocks caried in to the Yard. . our men 
 that were to go yesterday still remain. Expect they 
 will go tomorrow Some Gentlemen came from town 
 to Day to Visit the gloomy walls of our Miserable 
 habitation, they told the Packet /Gardner/ that a 
 
 Cartel was fitting out and that we were all to be 
 
 sent home as fast as possible /he believes it./ the 
 
 gentlemen that came up from town made but a 
 Short stay, haveing but little news to communicate 
 relative to our Situation we did not court their company 
 
[ 03 ] 
 
 The next that attracted our attention was a Drunken. 
 Soldier comeing across the bridge, well guarded with 
 some of his Brother Lobsters. lie was marchd through 
 in Pomp, and tuck'd into the Black Hole. It soon 
 comes Night, when the Turnkey comes to count us in. 
 the Evening passes away in telling Story's and Singing 
 Songs — till 9 O Clock, the gun fires, and we go to Sleep 
 
 May 16th 
 
 Pleasant weather. Orders came in this morning for 
 The men that have been call'd out some days since to 
 be in readiness. 30 more which were calld by Rensu 
 to go up in the Cartel, were glad enough, for some of 
 them has been here 10. or 12 months. 2 went out of 
 our mess which made up the complement, witli a que< r 
 sensation we saw then depart biding adieu, with joy- 
 full countances to the dark walls of this gloomy habita- 
 tion I am heartly glad to see them go for it make room 
 and then it looks something like an Exchange, This 
 afternoon Mr. Mitchel sent for one of the Midshipman 
 and a Masters Mate, to go home I presume. So only 
 God only knows when it will come to our turn to bid 
 adieu to these d-m Walls 
 
 May 17th 
 
 Wash day, accordingly every one turns out and soon 
 have a clean floor after they are dry in conies old 
 Cochet and the Capt of Peacock /Wasp/, they took 
 a look around & off again. We expectd Mr. Mitchel 
 but he did not make his appearance. Had a paper 
 
[ 64 ] 
 
 mentioning that we must all prepare for a general mus- 
 ter tomorrow and all prisoners within ten miles Mor p 
 prisoners came in last night 
 
 May 18th 
 
 Wet rainy weather. The prisoners put on their clean 
 fresh bags expecting a muster, but the weather being 
 such the muster was adjourned. — 
 
 The prisoners that came in last night proved to be 
 the Officers & crews of the Privateer schooner Stark 
 of Salem from Wilmington 24 days out. To day went 
 round to see them found one Towney, Chas Pendleton, 
 poor unfortunate fellows. Fortune of War. 
 
 This day got Gurdon Palmer to make me a Back- 
 gammon board. 
 
 19th 
 
 All hands employed helping the Backgammon board 
 along got it finished and cut out a pair of shoes, No 
 particular news in circulation. — 
 
 20th 
 
 Cold weather for the season, All hands employed in 
 doing nothing 
 
 21st 
 
 Wash day. The Turnkey came up informed us it 
 was muster day ordered us to wash out before breakfast, 
 but his orders were not obeyed, got our breakfast & 
 then all descended into the yard, Directly comes old 
 Miller & his Clerks with 
 
[ 65 ] 
 
 May 21st Continued 
 
 Book of hard names and begins to call us over, it was 
 a long time before they got through Those that missed 
 their call must go in the Blackhole, At length the mus- 
 ter's over and each one gets his Grub. While muster- 
 ing however they call out for John Hooper! John 
 cannot be found find him put him in the Cells says 
 old Miller, at length some one answers lie's dead cV 
 gone into the interior parts of Damnation & if you 
 don't believe go and see but he took care not lie heard 
 At length the time draws near that we must all he under 
 lock's key for the night, about 9 Oclock some one cries 
 out, Fire, fire, when they all run to the window to know 
 what it is, some say Halifax is illuminated, each one 
 has some observation, to make some says Peace with 
 America, others Peace with France. 
 
 22nd 
 
 As soon as daylight appeared the noise begins at 
 length the news comes, that Paris is destroyed by Wel- 
 lington Each one believes his share of it. — 
 
 The news of one day is contradicted by the next and 
 thus our minds are kept in continual agitation 
 
 May 23rd. 
 
 Various reports in circulation about Boney but I 
 rather think he has not submitted willingly to the tyran- 
 nic yoke of Great Britian, No he like Cato would say; 
 to save thee O my Country I am not able but to see 
 this fall is Death. The Halifax paper mentions the 
 
[ 66 ] 
 
 arrival of a packet from, Eng, She brings news of Peace 
 with France. Boney is in Corsica, where he is to remain 
 on a pension of twenty thousand a year, That the prince 
 of Orange is reinstated & crown'd King of Holland, 
 Ferdinand the 7th is crowned King of Spain & a gen- 
 eral peace has taken place on the Continent of Europe, 
 But as to AMERICA, they are to suffer, they have 
 already detained our Ministers, Gallatin & Bayard 
 who were on their way home but had gone to England 
 to ratify the measures which they have adopted but 
 they are detained as Hostages for some Lords Chron- 
 icles, Hobgoblins or some other sort of beasts they have 
 among us, some say they would not be so bad that to 
 detain Ministers of Peace, — I answer nothing but fear 
 restrains them, the same as when they meet 
 
 May 23rd. Continued 
 
 One of our frigates, even in a 74. why dont they fight 
 //Fear//. O Dam them I never saw a bold, act done 
 by one of them Except that Old Miller does put one or 
 two In the Black hole now and then 
 
 May 24th 
 
 Pleasant for Mellvile Island — wash day the Turnkey 
 went in the lower hole Prison and orderd them to wash 
 out before breakfast, but they said No. if You please 
 Next comes old Grant and locks the Cook house Door 
 You shall have no Coffee untill You wash the Prison, 
 so he went off. the door was then broken open, the 
 Horn announced Coffee to be ready, the Coffee was 
 served, he found this out, then said he would give them 
 
[ 67 ] 
 
 no meat or Bread, But he has. there he lied. We haw- 
 ing the Provision servd turnd too and washed the I >ecks. 
 the decks soon dryed and dinner was announced This 
 over each one has some employment. Directly Mr. 
 Micchell is seen coming over the hill, he soon arivea 
 and takeing his seat, waits untill silence prevails. & with 
 dread suspence, we wait wishing to hear something still 
 dreading least it should be what we most fear, at length 
 
 some one ask the old Gentlemen what the news is 
 
 He answers we a-t-a-bl- thats 
 
 Favourable ■ 
 
 May 24th Continued. 
 
 He says there is no confidence to be placed in the news 
 from Europe — /That is/ That Paris, was in Possesion 
 of the Alied Army's and that Boney. had Given him- 
 self up. Prisoner/ and was removed to the Island of 
 Elba! // Hoax// 
 
 The Exchange mentiond some time since in the 
 Papers at Halifax Extends only to the Land fore 
 in Canida. They are to be Exchanged imme- 
 diately A Cartel Brigg is fiting out. in Halifax to Cary 
 300 from here. 
 
 But for us poor Privateersman X() 
 
 EXCHANGE after informing us of all the news. 
 
 the Old Gentlemen retires soon after he had none. 
 
 the Turnkeys orderd all out, to be viewd by Bear Adni 1 . 
 Griffis. who was walking along the Strand as Big as 
 
 pomy Ceazer In the mean time the [nspecting 
 
 Officers went in to take a view of the Prison, they soon 
 after retired, when old Hell to Split Miller, sends out 
 
[ 68 ] 
 
 a paper to be read that if the men are not given up 
 /that broke the Cook house open/ he will stop our 
 Coffee. Told him to do it 
 
 May 25th 
 
 Glorious News. A Halifax paper says 
 
 that the Peacock American Sloop of War. has captured 
 the E. Pervier Sloop of War; and caried her in to 
 Savanah. so there is another apoplectic for old Johny, 
 he will now have the gout worse than ever. Thank 
 God the Dam- Rascals will have to march on to Boston 
 I hope; I want them under old Prince's Charge for a 
 week. I rather think they will have the Cholick, old 
 Squint Miller says that some of us is to go to England 
 
 Peace! Peace! they have sued for Peace Old 
 
 Miller came in just now and ordered all the Prisoners, 
 in to the Yard, which was accordingly done, he then 
 mounts the steps and they all muster round, him He 
 then reads the Articles of Peace — which he says we must 
 comply with we answed we would if we chose — Articles 
 as follows. . 1st. we shall wash the prison out before 
 breakfast, if we are a mind too. — if not they will send 
 us to England, if we will let them. However he says, 
 that if we behav we shall soon go home — 3 or 4 Years 
 I suppose, or when Peace is made 
 
 May 26th 
 
 Capt Latham obtained a parole to day. being very 
 unwell he has been in the Hospittal ever since he has 
 been here. Two persons have been taken to Target 
 
[ 69 ] 
 
 Hill this week. P. M. A Prisoner is just brought, in 
 by the Malitia who ran away from this Prison some time 
 since 
 
 May 27th 
 
 The Halifax papers exults greatly at the downfall 
 of the Emperor of France which they attribute entirely 
 to the unparrelled exertions of England alone. . \ Bay 
 we shall never have an universal Peace, till Great Brit- 
 ian gives a Goverment to the nondescript Republic. 
 /meaning AMERICA. 
 
 May 28th 
 
 To day the Soldiers was musterd out and orders given 
 for them to be prepared to leave Melville Island on 
 Monday next. Joyfull news for the Soldiers, but the 
 Sailors must wait a little longer ere they go -two 
 prisoners arrived, taken off Cape Ann. in a Coaster. 
 they bring no news, thats favourable, from the States. 
 
 Rec d a Halifax paper of to Day which gives us some 
 good and some bad news, the Confirmation of the Cap- 
 ture of the E. Pervier. by the Peacock and the loss of 
 the Frollic taken by the Orpheus Frigate, this reflects 
 no honour on them as the force was greatly Superiour 
 
 May 28th Continued 
 
 The Emperor of France is dethron'd and Lewis 
 XVIII. Crown'd King of France.— The Embargo is 
 
 off entirely in the States. & great talks of Peace— Old 
 Hull has had his Trial, and condem'd to be Shot, hut 
 
[ 70 ] 
 
 his age and former Patriotism was taken into con- 
 sideration by our Noble, Wise, & Humane Ruler, who 
 has granted his reprieve — & Mark'd him as a Traitor 
 & Coward — The papers mentions of 2 men taken up 
 in New London on suspicion of being concerned in 
 supplying the Enemy with Provision, and news. I 
 hope they will hang them Another bright act of New 
 London Pattriotism 
 
 May 29th 
 
 Pleasant weather, they just begin to think of Rant- 
 ing. It now looks a little like the plains of fair Free- 
 dom — our situation reminds me of a Bird. I have seen 
 in a Cage, fluttering to get out viewing the delightful 
 Prospect around, with hope of some day or other gain- 
 ing its liberty. That she may enjoy them — More 
 Prisoners more Prisoners is the cry. they are already in 
 
 the Yard — Prize crew to the Grand Turk of Salem 
 
 They say the Domend of Salem is taken 
 
 May 30th 
 
 Nothing of Note occurd to day I employ'd in wash- 
 ing & mending my messmate playing keeno Capt 
 Fellows. Reading — and the rest of the Prisoners 
 Gambling. 
 
 May 31st 
 
 The Cartel long talk of is to sail Shortly, got my 
 letters prepared, they say she is to take 400. O ! that 
 I was of this hapy number, but. No No. not yet. 
 
[ 71 ] 
 
 June 1st 
 
 Yesterday being unpleasant, did not wash out. it 
 being more pleasant to day turn to wash out, after 
 washing out. I wrote A letter to Brother Amos The 
 Soldiers were calld this afternoon to go home. th< \ 
 got out side the Gates and gave 3 Cheers, which we 
 answerd. 
 
 Happy mortals inded thus to turn Your backs on a 
 
 loathsome Prison. and once more bid defiance to 
 
 John Bulls Theiveing Irons; Soon will Yon hail the 
 happy Shores of America, when thy Friends will greel 
 thee with, the joyfull sound, of Welcome those ^>ns. 
 of misfortune once more to the arms of thy Parrents 
 and Friends. HAPPY SOUND. 
 
 June 2nd. 
 
 The Diomede was capturd in A Thick Fog. She 
 has arrive in Halifax — Official news has arrived of the 
 capture of Buffola by the British Land and Naval 
 forces, the place was caried by Storm, they say thej 
 took immence quantities of Military Stores— Don! 
 believe any Such thing. 
 
 June 3d 
 
 We were Surprised this morning with the pleasing 
 inteligence that Mr. Latham was released and gone 
 home in the Cartel which saild a few days since for tin 
 U States, our friends will now recieve certain in f< filia- 
 tion of our situation & prospects. Cap 1 Burrows is 
 much Better — 
 
[ 72 ] 
 
 June 4th 
 
 Three of the principal officers of the Diomede came 
 in this day — 4 Prisoners caried to Target Hill this 
 morning a place where they bury the Dead — I'm fear- 
 full a number, of us will visit that place this Summer, 
 if not shortly releasd 
 
 June 5th 
 
 A dispute arose last eveing between 2 Gentlemen 
 concerning a Hammock but was happyly Settled with- 
 out Bloodshed — 
 
 June 6th 
 
 This being Sunday the Gambling fraternity rest 
 from there labours — 
 
 June 7th 
 
 Wash day all hands turns too and wash out the 
 Prison, the Turn kevs then turn us all out and a 
 signal is made for Muster, the Table is brought, the 
 clerks takes their Stand, and our new agent old Cuchet. 
 sits in the middle, the Clerks proceed to call over the 
 names, those who do not answer at the first call are 
 black hol'd 
 
 Muster over more prisoners are announced, they 
 prove to be those that we left in Bermuda — with the 
 addition of some Coasters, captured in Long Island 
 Sound, only 6 days passage they bring news of a Gen- 
 eral Exchangee's taken place the 15th of last month, 
 hope its true. 
 
[ T.i ] 
 
 Mr. Mitchell is seen coming' over the hill. I It- arrivi 8, 
 comes up, takes his seat, and begins to give us the 
 news, which to Day is subremly good. Viz . Thai a 
 Cartel Brigg is on her passage from Salem bound to 
 this port. Mr. Mitchell says he has reed a line from 
 the Marshall in Boston, by which he gets this informa- 
 tion. 
 
 This news is good indeed, it will be my turn bye 
 and bye. Success mv bovs. . the time may yet come 
 when we Shall be happy indeed, once more in old 
 Stonington. 
 
 June 8th 
 
 One of the prisoners that came in Yesterday, was 
 capturd in the Heneretta /Alias great Packet of 
 Stonington. he reports that 2 Cartels were fitting out 
 at Providence This time will develope 
 
 June 9th 
 
 Cap 1 Cuchet Yesterday stated, it is to be bis deter- 
 mination to grant no favor whatever to any person, 
 but should strictly conform in every point to bis instruc- 
 tions. That if M r Miller /by the bye we tho 1 him severe 
 enough/ had made himself responsible for some thin 
 not authorized by his instructors t'was bis Cuchets 
 determination not to on any pretence whatever 
 
 2 P. M. Several Prisoners have just arrived & we 
 percieve more coming over the Hill they were captured 
 
 in a Prize belonging to the Pike privater. 
 
 She had taken Eighteen prizes fourteen of which w< 
 burnt. 
 
[ 74 ] 
 
 Thus You see prisoner daily comeing in from dif- 
 ferent vessels should they continue to come as fast 
 much longer we Shall be full enough to go home — 
 
 June 10th 
 
 A Packet arrived from England Yesterday Twenty 
 three days passage, she brings no news which we can 
 hear, which is very singular — when such great events 
 have so lately taken place in Europe I rather suspect 
 there is news, but not of the most favourable, aspect, 
 for the adherents of England, a good reason always 
 for keeping it back from Yankee Prisoners. 
 
 June 11th 
 
 To day being informed of A smugler being up 
 stares, among us A Court was called to have him tried 
 he was brought up before the court, the witnesses being 
 examind closely on every point, the Jury retired, and 
 brought in a Verdic, not Guilty, to the dissatisfaction, 
 of most of the prisoners, it being clearly proved that he 
 run alone: side of the Bulwark 74 with Provision 
 
 He is a good eal like some of our New London. 
 Pattriots. Very innocent when they are caught in the 
 act. . but I pray that they may all be caught. 
 
 June 12 th 
 
 Very pleasant, you see all hands putting on their 
 best bib and Tucker — it being Sunday 
 
 This afternoon a flag is seen /hoisted on Signal 
 Hill./ for a Cartel, every countanance is elated with 
 the Joyfull expectation of soon setting their faces 
 
[ " ] 
 
 towards home — some gentleman came from town to day 
 Informs ns it is nothing but the flag Schooner which 
 went up some time since so that we shall all receive 
 letters from our Friends, and Kno how the War is 
 carried on in Canida, and how the times are at hon 
 Tomorrow we Shall O. time fly swift away and lei us 
 behold the day that we anticipate with so much 
 Pleasure. 
 
 June 13th 
 
 The happy day has at length arrive'd every one is 
 anxious for a letter — but all day we wait and nothing 
 comes, like a prisoner who is waiting in daily expecta- 
 tion of his release, or one at the bar with horid per- 
 plexity of mind 
 
 13 June Continued 
 
 between hope and fear, waiting his scentance to be 
 pronounced At last the package of letters arrives and 
 each one runs his heart bounding with joy — but gu< ss 
 what must be my disappointment. They read the Ut- 
 ters ore & ore. but none appears for me. my name is 
 not pronounced I turn away with a heavy heart hardly 
 enquireing what the news is — But duty tells us to form t 
 and forgive 
 
 June 14th 
 
 The news that the letters containd Yesterday Is in 
 circulation which is very good and I believe true. 
 
 The Cartel Persevereance is to sail for here in a i 
 days. A General Exchange has taken place. 
 
[ 76 ] 
 
 Mr. Mitchell is announced he confirms the above 
 news, and says our armies are gaining ground in Can- 
 ida. More Prisoners just came in. they are part of 
 the Officers and Crew of the Privatier Huza of New 
 York. Captured 10 hours out. They bring news of 
 some little skirmishess haveing taken place, in Canida. 
 
 which was decided in our favour Since the 14th I 
 
 have been quite unwell with Hipomatie pluratie Iatie 
 Quandiarium but have recovered so far as to be able to 
 continue my nonsensical observations, It is now June 
 21st Wash day all hands turn too & wash, very hot 
 sultry day 
 
 The President keeps us out untill we are almost 
 famish'd with heat, at length he takes off the Blockade 
 and in we go. Next comes our good old Agent, takes 
 his seat proceeds to answer each one's questions He 
 promises faithfully to see justice done in the Exchange 
 of Prisoners when ever it takes place which he says 
 will soon be as the Perseverance is daily expected, 
 
 This day received Hlno Xosgoh, At length Mr. 
 
 Mitchel goes & each one has some comments to make 
 on the news. Night comes on & agin we are locked 
 in to pass away the night in meditation or in what other 
 way we can, Next old Coffin makes sport for — who — 
 how — why. I will here tell you 
 
 June 21st Continued. 
 
 he lets, lets what — why nothing — yes it is — or why 
 should nothing make sport then it is something — 
 observations are passed — on what — he says nothing, 
 lies still, & what then, why like Sterne I leave you to 
 guess 
 
[ 77 ] 
 
 June 25th 
 
 The Heavens wear a gloomy asped nothing but 
 
 vexatious disappointments seems to oiler Itself to t Ik- 
 unfortunate prisoner, I almost seem to wish my dis- 
 solution to come Day after day passes slowly on 
 nothing offers to animate our drooping spirits, worn 
 out with afflictions confined within the dark walls of a 
 prison with sickness and want presenting itself in every 
 shape day after day rolls successively on & nothing like 
 Liberty appears. Hope! alass! even Hope has fled; 
 that balm of earthly comfort, Liberty, sweet Liberty, 
 when shall we once more embrace the, thou Goddi 
 of felicity, it is thee alone that makes life a blessing 
 for without the hope of enjoying thee, Alass Death 
 would be a welcome visitor to the unhappy Captive, — 
 Well now for news, this morning. 
 
 June 2.5th Continued. 
 
 refused the Bread it being such as man should not eat, 
 unwholesome, News in circulation is that the Yankee's 
 have taken some Gun Boats on the Lake, that's the 
 good, the bad is that we have confined some dam 
 English men, now look out for retaliation, beauty old 
 Himes, but if this is the case, Alass poor Palmer, when 
 will you get home. 
 
 28th June 
 
 Thick cloudy weather muster all hands to muster Is 
 the cry Old Cuchet comes with Clerks and Books 
 and all his retinue of limping Devils, each one is calld, 
 and those who do not answer to his name, has his allow- 
 ance stopt for 3 days. 
 
[ 78 ] 
 
 While we were mustering- news came from Halifax 
 that on 2 June. Inst, the Cartel left Salem with 400 
 Prisoners for this place, Good news this! 
 
 The Constitution has Captured the Narcissus Frigate 
 
 and got her safe in to Boston A Halifax paper says 
 
 that A Brig had arrived in the U States with dispatches 
 for our government from Lewis XVIII /All this may 
 be true/ 
 
 June 30th 
 
 The long looked for day has at length arrived, which 
 brings the News of the Cartels arrival, which is con- 
 firmed by the letters coming up, Little strut he mounts 
 the steps & begins calling the letters over while each 
 one answers to his own, the yard is crowded with 
 Yankee's expecting letters /I hear them all culled 
 over but none appears for me/ Good bye. 
 
 July 1st 
 
 Another month has pass'd away and yet no hopes of 
 geting some. It is now 8 months since our capture, 
 and no nurer being exchanged than we were when 
 Captured — 
 
 Julv 2nd 
 
 Nothing transpires yet worthy of remark. Untill 
 this afternoon at 4 O Clock when more prisoners are 
 announced — the Yard is thronged with prisoners, to 
 meet the unhappy Victims of misfortune They prove 
 to be the Officers and Crew of the Privatier Snap 
 Dragon of Baltimore — 34 in number as Black Jack 
 
[ ™ ] 
 
 says, haveing such an Author I can not vouch for the 
 truth of it. 
 
 Huza. my boys here conies coffee let's hav< 
 
 Supper. 
 
 July 4th GLOKIOUS AXD EVEK 
 
 MEMORABLE DAY 
 
 A miserable place this to Celebrate the Anaversary 
 of American Independence but we did all we could 
 
 towards it had a Pendant strung from <mu room to 
 
 the other, In the Middle of the room had a piece of 
 Cloth suspended, on which we had the Painting of all 
 our Naval Victory's displayd. over which was tin 
 Emblem of Liberty, standing on the Lion with a spier 
 in her hand in the act of percing it through tin Lions 
 head which was completed by the American Stand <>t 
 Arms — handsomely drawn. We kept the day nj) in 
 dancing and drinking water for rum we could get none, 
 we had no Oration for our situation being such .1^ 
 would not permit us to rejoice so much as we should 
 if we had our LIBERTY. 
 
 Jul}' 5th 
 
 Unpleasant but it being wash Day all hands turns 
 
 too and wash out. Nothing transpires until! nit- p- 
 
 noon when Mr. Mitchell is announced, with joy \\<- 
 
 meet him and enquire the news lie calls each one that 
 he has money for and delivers his letters ou1 .is they 
 answer, guess at my disappointment when none comes 
 for me never mind I'll pay them for it if 1 get home 
 
[ 80 ] 
 
 /that is/ But God only Knows when that will be, for 
 the news of another Cartel, going in company with this 
 is all fals. and there will be no more go up in her 
 than what she brought down which they say is 264. 
 
 Mr. Mitchell says that all those who have been con- 
 fined as Hostages will go up in the Cartell. The rest 
 will go according to date of capture Beauty Old 
 HIMES. — I shall go next time then look out blow her 
 up boys never say die, 
 
 Free Trade & Sailors Rights. 
 
 July 6 th 
 
 To day Cap*. Dill of the Cartel Persevereance, came 
 
 up to pay us a Visit He informs us he shall 
 
 not Sail untill Old Miller arrives from Salem, 
 
 And when he does go its quite uncertain whether he 
 caries up more Prisoners than he brought. 
 
 July 9 ,h 
 
 WILLFULL MURDER 
 
 You will see by reading this Days work the reason 
 why I entittle it under this head, while washing out 
 to day, Orders came for muster. The Prison yard is 
 muster quarters 
 
 To find transgressiors and Deserters. 
 
 Some who are first on the list that have been here 12 
 and 18 months are Elated with the joyfull News, 
 expecting they are a going to call them out to go home, 
 they already are forming to themselves, imaginary 
 pleasures. The aged can see their wife's eyes 
 
[ 81 ] 
 
 sparkling with Joy at their happy return, there children 
 riming to them with Joy in there Eyes to Embrace their 
 long lost Father, and welcome him to the anus of his 
 
 long lost and affectionate Family — Those 
 
 who are not yet so far advanced in life as to have a 
 Family, are forming some conjectures of the pleasure 
 they will soon meet with from their tender Parrents. 
 and in the tender embraces of their fair Dulcenas who 
 has more than once Sigh'd for the welfare their long 
 lost and affectionate Lovers. They are saying within 
 selves farewell thou cursd Prison. once iinnv 1 
 turn my back upon thee, and am in hopes it is the 1. 
 time that these walls shall appear dreadful! to my sight. 
 
 How does the poor captives heart bound with the 
 happy prospect of once more enhailing the pure air of 
 Liberty. . and enjoying the delightful society of the 
 fair sex. 
 
 Alass how shall I describe the feelings of these poor 
 captives when instead of beginning at the head <»!' tin- 
 list they begin with the Starks crew been captured about 
 three months — A token for England, England, El in- 
 land, is all the cry throughout the yard, sad destiny 
 this, Every one stands in fearfull expectation of his 
 name being pronounced next, Long 
 
 July 9th Continued 
 
 faces, melancholy dwells in the features of all the pris- 
 oners I can already see them in the hold of a Ship, 
 hand cuff'd & in Irons, Imagine to yourself a captive 
 confined within the dark walls of a prison his body 
 
[ 82 ] 
 
 worn out with confinement & long expectation & feel- 
 ing that kind of sickness arising from hope deferred — 
 in looking nearer you'll see him pale and feverish in 
 thirty years the Western breeze has not once fanned 
 his blood, he has seen no friend no kinsman, nor has 
 he had the voice of one friend breathes through the 
 lattics of — see him sitting in one corner of a dungeon 
 on a little straw which serves him both for chair & bed, 
 he had a bunch of sticks in his hands with a rusty nail 
 his making another notch on one of the sticks as another 
 day of woeful existence. 
 
 But stop this will do for reflection now I must give 
 them a few curses, go to England, the very sound 
 reverberates through every vital of the human body, 
 my prayer is that our Government may send the pris- 
 oners in the states to Hell, Hackney or New Orleans 
 still there is a conscience within me says humanity to 
 a conquer'd foe, for mercy is the attribute of heaven 
 but something that cries with in me says revenge 
 
 DIALOGUE 
 
 Something, 
 
 Pray tell me, Mr. Conscience is a man to be trans- 
 ported in irons, pinioned and scourged almost nay I 
 may even say quite to death & still the Brother or 
 friend of that man, lay inanimate & say nothing nor do 
 nothing to revenge his wrongs will he see him thus 
 brutally used I say & say nothing to vindicate him 
 the proffer'd injury with which he through inability 
 is forced to put up with 
 
[ 83 ] 
 
 Conscience, 
 
 Why Sir what you advance I must ask acknowledge 
 has the appearance of justice, still you know what tin 
 Scriptures say, you must return good for evil & further, 
 love thy enemies, should a man by stealth or fraud 
 wrong you out of any money or what is still dearer 
 honor or your character, would you wrong another man 
 out of the same if you could not find the right one. 
 
 July 9th in Continuation 
 Something, 
 
 To tell you the truth Mr. Conscience, there is many 
 parts of Scripture that uld speak against revenge, but 
 alass tell me what is better you speak of private injuries 
 but I have reference to my country's good, Should a 
 man speak or do any thing that would injure my 
 country I say it would be sweeter to have revenge of 
 that man than all the riches of Peru, Yes I would say 
 with the virtuous Cato could I but lodge a sword in an 
 Englishman's bosom I could smile at the pangs of 
 death and Die contented, good morning Mr. Conscience 
 
 Something? 
 gaines the day 
 
[ 84 ] 
 
 July 10th 
 
 Birth day my boys, Hussa. a fine place this to cele- 
 brate a birth day, No money, no rum nor no credit 
 
 poor & Lousy too by Oh ! it lightens up, here comes 
 
 and old friend & away I go to get a little how come 
 you so, Never mind get home bye & bye 
 
 No news this day. 
 
 July 11th 
 
 All hands to muster is the cry, now for England 
 every one stands like a man with a halter round his 
 neck in momentary expectation of being launched into 
 on endless eternity they call out all those who were 
 mustered on Saturday, they pass the word for Capt 
 Fellows O. God judge my feelings at this moment. 
 /Mistake/ it is McFarland ah, from the deepest pangs 
 of sorrow raised once more to a half way happiness, but 
 Alass a small share of happiness when we even for one 
 monent reflect how soon it may be our lot & if it is 
 not how long may we be doomed to remain in this 
 
 miserable place alass I fear too long. Well, well, 
 
 we must live, and hope but we may die in dispair, but 
 we must wait the Almighty's pleasure and Divine 
 goodness. 
 
 12th 
 
 Taken unwell this morning violent pain in my head 
 and high fever, 
 
 13th 
 
 Worse to day kept housed, 
 
[ 85 ] 
 
 14th 
 
 Little better more on a/c of the news, than any of 
 old Grubs medicine 
 
 Old Cochet comes with books in hand to call out 
 those going home in the Cartel The old standards art- 
 elated with the news unquestionable 
 
 July 14th 
 
 expecting to be called, but alass. smugglers away, if 
 I was not weak I would, put the fist of Goliah on thy 
 necks and strike some of you to the bottomless pit of 
 but however some of them gets paid in part the balance 
 they shall receive with interest some gets a kick, some 
 a cuff & some with their tails off good bye to you sweet 
 home if this is the way they are to be called out, when 
 shall we poor privateers men get home and even coasters 
 that have been here 17 or 18 months are still Left. I 
 fear to wear away another winter of gloomy sorry 
 wretched anxiety — but good bye happiness you are Dot 
 in store for me I am reserved for some unforseen misery 
 Adieu! the sick, lame and lazy are gone /from Thurs- 
 day to Saturday nothing I very sick 
 
 16th. 
 
 Little good better worse, sick, well Cartel sailed as 
 I hear. Miller answrd letters come Beauty old Himes, 
 never did a letter afford more real satisfaction than 
 this from father still no news that gives us any reason 
 to expect a cartel, Miller brot 80 prisoners 20 women 
 and he brings news of the capture of the 
 
[ 86 ] 
 
 July 16, 
 
 Essex by the frigate Phoebe, Dont believe it yet 
 
 July. 17th. . 
 
 I had forgot to mention the capture of the U. S. Brig 
 Rattlesnake. Particulars not known, one of the finest 
 crews that ever came in to this Yard. 
 
 18th 
 
 Quite Sick violent head ache had a tooth drawn broke 
 my jaw bone. 
 
 19th 
 
 Wash day very sick. NO news. — 
 
 20th 
 
 Still grow worse, came in to the Hospital O ! God 
 permit me to hope though thy divine goodness once 
 more to be enabled to, reach my Dear home and embrace 
 my Dear Parrents I am Yet to great a Siner to enter 
 thy Presence, O Lord thy will be done 
 
 21st 
 
 Much better, persum my prayer had some Effect, 
 great talks of a Cartel 
 
 22nd 
 
 The report of our going to America is conflrmd. 
 Old Cuchet Comes with Books in hand, to call us out. 
 he calls out. 8 or 10. and questions them, if they are 
 Americans so that they do not call us out to day the list 
 
[ 87 ] 
 
 is made out and Various reports are in circulation about 
 the number that is to be sent .some says 250 some 
 says 81 
 
 July 22nd 
 
 Several has been and seen the list, and about sun 
 down Capt Fellows comes & tells me his name and mine 
 are both on the list. To go home. Happy moment this. 
 tho I do not place much confidence in this. Still I 
 could sleep but little through the Night. I fancied 10 
 thousen pleasures — But I must stop it is now morning 
 
 July 23d. 
 
 The mornings passes in buzz about who is going and 
 who is not. Afternoon comes and with it old Cuchet. 
 And calls them out go home, Capt. Fellows is calld but 
 I am not. I can not say I was much dispointed but 
 some goes thats not been here more than 2 or 3 month 
 /By Butter./ I wrote 3 or 4 letters home At length 
 they go. 3 Cheers my boys Success attend You. Mr. 
 Mitchell comes he new nothing of this and thinks the 
 exchange will be stopt'd — England 
 
 Because they still continue to send. Coasters & 
 
 mug 
 it out- 
 
 Smuglers. from here — and we Privateers have to Stick 
 
 July 24th 
 
 Beautifull & Pleasant, if we were only home to Enjoy 
 it. 
 
 O. how happy must those be on board the Cartel 
 the happy contemplation, of once more enjoying tin 
 
[ 88 ] 
 
 sweets of LIBERTY, and the pleasing embraces of 
 
 their Kindred &. Friends Alass! When.! When! 
 
 shall I see that happy Day. 
 
 I fear to long Will be that happy time. 
 
 July 25th 
 
 This morning discharged Capt. Dacres from the 
 Hospital, the Doc 1 ask'd him why he was out so much, 
 he replied he thot it more conducive to his health, If 
 thats the Case says the Doc 1 you may go all togather 
 vary well says, he I wish to go as I never have reed any 
 benefit forn vour medicines. 
 
 No impertance sir. I'll stop Your Exchange 
 
 which no doubt he had done, Is not this enough to pro- 
 voke a Saint A Mans Exchange must be Stopt for 
 that. ENOUGH, we all Know what an English- 
 
 man is.- 
 
 News of the Day. — 
 
 July 25th 
 
 Our armies have gaind A great Victory in Canida, 
 Taken & Killd 6,000 Prisoners Glorious News. 
 Another Cartel to Sail soon, and cary 500. to the States. 
 Beauty — Too much good news in one day to be true. 
 I am much better to day in hopes to get out of the 
 Hospital soon — 
 
 O. Lord relieve me once more from the thieving Irons 
 of these Savage, inhuman, tyrannical, Britians. and I 
 will Vowsafe they shall not so unjustly by me again 
 
 this. WAR The Curtain falls & the scene 
 
 closes 
 
[ 89 ] 
 
 July 26 
 
 Nothing particular occurs concerning the public. 
 
 Today rec d A Letter from my too good Brother. ( ) ! 
 how much Satisfaction how much pleasure does a letter, 
 from such a Brother give to A Brother in Captivity. 
 how soon did he on hearing of my confinment. send 
 money for my relief 
 
 O! ! What a Brother this 
 
 He mentions great talks of PEACE. 
 Beauty old hims 
 
 July 27th 
 
 Gave my letters to Mr. Southaland To cary to town 
 and get some money if Possible, I have been employ'd 
 writeing for Mr. Southaland though the Day and 
 dined on Roast Beef, for the first time in 8 months. . 
 Had plenty of Rum. — offerd. but drank none— 
 
 July 28th 
 
 Mr. S. did not see Mr. Boggs — Great news to day, 
 Yankees taken F. Erie and 1.50 prisoners- -We can 
 only hope. — 
 
 A young man died last night taken sick yesterday. 
 drank 2 Galls water by the Doc 1 permision — Buried 
 to Day 
 
 July 29th 
 
 Arrived 60 Soldiers taken on Moos Island, by the 
 unownd land — Hardy with 2 line of Battle Ships this. 
 is an evident proof how much they respect — any — of 
 their agreements It was agreed as I understand at 
 
[ 90 ] 
 
 the commencement of the war./ between the two Gov- 
 ernments that, that place with some others should remain 
 Neutreal 
 
 July 30th, 
 
 A number more prisoners arrived taken in different 
 vessels but bring no news except that there is great talks 
 of Peace, 
 
 31st 
 
 Some more coasters arived to day but don't know any 
 thing, This afternoon Mr Howland one of our prize 
 masters /who has been to work in town/ came to pay 
 us a visit he tells good stories about a cartel that is 
 fitting out to take some home, Beauty, & likewise they 
 are to go by the date of capture this to good for all of 
 it to be true however I'm willing to believe my part 
 of it, Discharged from the hospital being well except 
 a pain in my head, fever, weak & costive other wise 
 very well, 
 
 August 1st 
 
 Feel myself quite at home to day, our beaut}?- is play- 
 ing Keene, nothing remarkable has occured to day, 
 report says there is draft to go to England soon /O 
 
 God/ Permit me to have the pleasing satisfaction 
 
 of sending a few of the Britons into thy presence & I'll 
 die contented. 
 
 August 5th 
 
 Muster, Muster, is the cry /washout/ all hands 
 wash out and attend muster, Alass hope and fear 
 
[ 91 ] 
 
 alternate reign in this drear abode in constant expecta- 
 tion of a cartel or dreading the fearful tidings <>t' each 
 
 report of going to England, but at presenl our fears 
 are at an end, a regular muster I asked permission to 
 go to town, but no is the answer from thai 
 no matter, 
 
 6th 
 
 No particular news employ'd writing for Mr. 
 Southerland, had roast beef & green peas for dinner 
 
 7th 
 
 Very pleasant the day passes away without much 
 news untill afternoon when two Gentlemen prisoners 
 were announced they are taken into our Mess appear 
 to be pretty clever fellows, At 5 P. M. more prisoners, 
 more prisoners is the cry through out the yard evi ry 
 one is expecting some good news a double line is form* '1 
 from the gateway and those who come in pass through 
 with three cheers they prove to be some passengers in 
 a neutral vessel and a prize crew but news they bring 
 none our 2 Mess mates bring news of the trial of the 
 
 August 7th Continued 
 
 Chespeakes surviving officers who are mostly all cash- 
 ier^ out of the service, no Justice here 
 
 August 10th 
 
 This morning an alarm was given that three prison 
 had deserted and were taken and lodge'd saf< in 'he 
 guard house they say one of them was shot- 
 Next comes old Cuchet. and now you sec old Granit 
 
[ 92 ] 
 
 and the Turnkeys Running — here and there, crying, 
 out. out. all out. never mind says old Cuchet. we will 
 muster them. — then in comes Hoges the Turnkey, 
 looking more like the Ghost, of Hamlet, than a human 
 person, and says all out to muster which is soon began 
 
 thus. Tom Boline here Sir John Shanks John 
 
 Shanks Shanks name is reechoed throughout the 
 
 Yard. Turnkeys pass the word he's not here very 
 
 well put him down run away Bob Beckstay! Bob 
 
 Beckstay — at length Bob's found Stay there Sir 
 
 You shall go in the Cells Sir John Tackle! John 
 
 Tackle — No answer cant be found x R, mark'd, 
 
 August 10th Continued 
 
 Thus they go on untill we are all musterd O. God 
 
 guess at their surprise when instead of 3 they find that 
 16 Prisoners had made their escape — Old Cuchet then 
 like a Tyger that has mised his prey. Frowns & looks 
 Black and says have a strict serch throughout the Prison 
 to find where these dam Rascals got out — 
 
 Next up comes The General the same that retreated 
 at little York they order all the cloaths crockery and 
 in fact every thing else, out of the prison this done 
 the prison undergoes a thorough examination but they 
 are none the wiser no discovery can be made of the 
 place through which they escaped they finaly give up 
 the search — and conclude that, they, /the Prisoners/ 
 must have some league with old Jinny — 
 
 It passes off very well. 
 
 But they wishing to know something more of the 
 matter send up A D-m Tory By the Name of Cooms 
 
[ 98 ] 
 
 of Boston he has been Pilot of the Bulwark 7 1 and 
 rec d . 45 Dolls per Month — 
 
 August 10th Continued 
 
 Supposing him to be A Prisoner they as usual flock 
 around him to get the news but fortunately some of 
 the Prisoners new him, and immediately accosted him. 
 if he did not endeavor to persuade A Yankee Boy to 
 enter on board the Bulwark — No he answered You lie 
 Sir Hussle him Husle him! was the cry from every 
 mouth, at once No sooner said than done, he went 
 head long down stairs quicker than a chain of lighting 
 through a goosbury bush — they men stood ready to 
 receive him below and gave him another start, then in 
 comes a swam of Turnkeys and wish to Know what we 
 have got against that man, he shall stay up here. well. 
 well, we say he shan 1 nor you neither unless You behave 
 Yourselves very well They took him away out side 
 again — and its well they did 
 
 August 11th 
 
 To day three of the poor unfortunate Fellows that 
 made their escape was brought back, and one poor f< 1- 
 low has lost his Napper those brought back were put 
 in the Cells 
 
 August 12th 
 
 Prince Regents birth Day. great talks of a Draft 
 for England, two prisoners more brought back. Black 
 Hole opens in they shove, 6 out of 16 Taken Afternoon 
 employed in writeing A letter to Get an American 
 
[ 94 ] 
 
 Releas'd /that is detain on board of the Bulwark. . 74./ 
 Damd Rascals An English Lieu 1 has just been up here 
 and says a large Draft is shortly to take place for Eng- 
 land, and that those who escape may Shortly expect to 
 get Exchangd O! How good this sounds to those who 
 expect to remain. . But Ah! poor me Alass. I fear it 
 will be long verry long ere I see home. And No money 
 if I only had little Rhino. I could do better. 
 
 Fortune of War You know the time may yet come 
 if not this war when Peace is made. — when we will show 
 those British Dogs how to eat saw dust and salt water — 
 
 August 14th 
 
 Pleasant weather and no news untill 4 P. M. when 
 more Prisoners are announced hope they are Privateers 
 men is the general cry throughout the Yard. — But Alass 
 they are more Coasters — so it will not tend to save us 
 from going to England. 
 
 That we are a going is reduced to a certainty 500 
 
 must go Old Cuchet declares it so and undoubtedly 
 they will be statesmen & Privateersmen and as there 
 is only 285. of this Class including us. we are sure to 
 go. O ! Home when shall I see you again 
 
 From the 14th untill the 18th nothing occurs, but 
 continual Reports of going to Engld 
 
 August 18th 
 
 This day; the dreaded day has at length arrive the 
 Draft commencd this morning — and they God Dam 
 them calld — out 300 and tomorrow the rest are to be 
 calld I finish mv Letters to A. F & Mc. 
 
[ 95 ] 
 
 may the curse of God Mahommet, and of Devil 
 
 rest upon them. I can only prey thai their Prisoners 
 
 will meet with a similar fate. . 
 
 But it is the fortune of war HOPE — 
 
 August 19th 
 
 Farewell Milville. never did I think I should leave 
 this acursed Prison with heavey heart, but Alass ! t<» 
 go to England. — it is to hard after being transported 
 from one place to another and harressd about as we have 
 been, and after 9 months imprisonment to go to En 
 land put 4 or 5,000 back on the list — O! God 1 do not 
 reproach thee with injustice No It is these Daind Kng- 
 lishmen My heart is too full to write any more 
 Farewell my friends and Kindred dear I shall not s< i 
 thee more untill A Peace — 
 
 1 left my letters to be sent home to inform them i 
 the sufferings of their unfortunate Son but news of A 
 different nature. If posible wounds my feelings more 
 than Going to England. The destruction of my native 
 Village by the Enemy of all mankind — is just come to 
 hand, by A Prisoner direct from there — () could I but 
 hear of the safety of my Friends. — I would go con- 
 tented Alass I fear that all is not well — my mind 
 
 forebodes some mishap but I must smother all my 
 feelings 
 
 August 19th Continued. 
 
 On this occasion and muster up all Resolution. *.V sv 
 not be beaten. — No sooner let me die than give up tin 
 Ship At length the expected doom arriv< - th 
 
[ 96 ] 
 
 call for the Holla's here we go boys with smiling coun- 
 tances never give them satisfaction to Know that it 
 effects our feelings. No we'll make them think it is a 
 pleasure rather than a pain — as we stept in to the boat 
 Mr. Southaland Reach d me a Jacket & p r . of Stockings 
 reaches me his hand and wishes me success The wind 
 is fair for a Sail down the Creek A Midshipman com- 
 mands, we soon enter in to conversation on Political 
 Subjects, respecting the affairs of Europe. He says 
 Boney made a disgraceful Peace, and we shall have to 
 do the same. Poor fellow how much his mistaken. At 
 length we arrive on board of H. M. S. Lahogue 74 
 Capt. Capel. our bags are strictly searchd. and every 
 Kind of Instrument taken from us. even to Needles. 
 
 and Nails 
 
 We are stowd down in the lower hole 3 deep alto- 
 gather, we leave the Prisoners calld out Yesterday are 
 on board the Orpheus and Chesepeake, Sleep there is 
 none for us., we already begin to experience the hard- 
 ships and privations, with which we have to go through 
 
 August 20th 
 
 How diflcult it will be to continue my Journal will 
 be easyer immagined than Described, but as I so far 
 have been able too I will do my best endeavous to cary 
 it through as it may be entertening to my Children As 
 the wind is unfavourable shall not sail untill it shifts. — 
 
 August 21st 
 
 This day they allow one half of us on Deck at a time — 
 for the purpose of Louseing and takeing the air 
 
[ VI ] 
 
 Our allowance Consists of y 2 pinl peas ' £ lb Bread ' , 
 lb Meat Grog is allowd us by the Cap 1 , which is 
 
 a Valuable acquisition to us all. — 
 
 August 22 nd 
 
 The wind being fair got under way with a convoj <»!' 
 2 Frigates 2 Sloops of war and 20 Merchantmen. Wind 
 light & run the Shore along. 
 
 August 23d 
 
 The. land in sight this morning ran in and about 
 2. P. M we were in the gut of Cansor oil' Picto. Wail- 
 ing for more Convoy, they come out. And dull salon 
 enough, they are now look out for a tedious Passaj 
 
 I make out to continue by Journal much better than 
 I could expect as I mess directly in the Hatch way 
 
 August 30th Newfoundland 
 
 For several days past nothing of Note has trans pin d. 
 To Day got soundings on the Banks of Newfoundland. 
 65 fathoms, cought several cod fish, but thai is our 
 share of them — Saw several French Schooners on the 
 Banks, at anchor — spoke one but no news, it continuing 
 Calm for several days, made but little progress. 
 
 An American Privateer is in sight they dispatch the 
 Ophius. in chase of her. but its of little use. after recon- 
 oiting some time she turns tail too finding the convoy 
 under such strong Protection and supposing them of 
 little Value being from Halifax 
 
[ 98 ] 
 
 Sept 8th 
 
 Spoke A Packet from Halifax bound to England, 
 passed A Convoy bound to Halifax wind being fresh 
 did not speak them one of our Crew a black Man 
 died to Day. and was buried with becoming solemnity. 
 Prayers were read over him and. the bell was toll'd 
 Dureing the cerimony 
 
 This Day — the Wind blows a Gale almost — 
 
 Sep 1 15th 
 
 As nothing particular ocurs between these Dates I 
 shall not mention the comnon occurences of each day 
 which is merely a repetition of Bad and worse Usuage 
 Those only who has experienced the sufferings which 
 Prisoners endure in Transportation can judge of the 
 hardships which we have to encounter on board of Ship 
 suffice it to say that it's as much as Human Nature can 
 well bear 
 
 Another Death this day. this is the way they murder 
 
 Sept. 18th 
 
 The prisoners having a surplus of Grog to Day are 
 endeavouring to make an attempt to take the Ship — 
 but those who are sober and have some Judgement in 
 affairs of this Kind, Know too well that it will be a 
 useless undertaking, and very Dareing, It would be only 
 heaving away lives in fruitless attempt 
 
 As they are all arm'd enflute., and we without any 
 weapons but our fists — We flnaly agreed that it was 
 a hard thing in our situation to take a 74 
 
[ 99 ] 
 
 Sept 19th 
 
 A sharp look out is kept for the land the Cap' took a 
 Luner Observation and finds he is up with — Lands End 
 At 2 P. M. made the Land which proves to be the W. 
 part of Scilly the wind light run up Chanell — and on 
 the 22 made Portsmouth 
 
 Sept 22nd 
 
 Ran in for Portsmouth saw a large convoy lying at 
 anchor, bound to Quebeck with Troops, poor Fellows 
 I realy pity You as I know some of you will Loose the 
 number of your mess. — 
 
 On our entrance in to the Harbour the first spectacle 
 which presented to View, was a Gallas Riged in a boat 
 with A Naked man lashd to It — going through the 
 fleet to get paid off. A Horried Sight this 
 
 Sept 23d 
 
 Every one is looking with all their eyes to see Mill 
 Prison where we expect we shall go. the Capt has been 
 on shore all day and report says, he has gone to London 
 to get orders respecting us. 
 
 Sept 24th 
 
 The Capt. has returnd but no orders respecting us 
 respecting our embarkation It remains uncertain Yet 
 whether we go to Chatham or not 
 
 Sept. 25th 
 
 Orders came off this morning, for us to get ready to 
 go on board of different ships to go round to Plymouth 
 
[ 100 ] 
 
 this is quite contrarary to what we had anticipated At 
 2 P. M. boats came from different ships to take us on 
 board of some of his Majestys Vessels, some goes 
 on board the Chesepeake Opheus, Benbow 74 and Presi- 
 dent Frigate, which last Vessel we go on board of 200 
 in number, our bags trunks &c are put in the Hammock 
 netings. and we stowd down in the lower hole, as thick 
 as. Bees in a Hive our allowance of grog was sent with 
 us but they drank it for us. thinking it better belong 
 to them — or else to keep their hands in 
 
 I had forgot to mention that a corps was brought on 
 the gun deck and we dined directly over a Dead Body — 
 
 We remain on board for several days in anxious 
 expectation of Sailing for Plymouth. — our liveing on 
 board of this Ship is the worst we have experienced, 
 in any Ship before. Skilly golu constantly for break- 
 fast. & Peas for Dinner 
 
 Sept. 28th 
 
 Huzza for Plymouth the wind being fair this morn- 
 ing got under way and on the 29th arrived at our 
 destined Port and came to anchor here we see Fortune 
 Prison where we are in hopes to go. but reports are 
 currently circulating that Dartmoor is to be our abode 
 for God knows how loner 
 
 ■& 
 
 Sept 30th 
 
 This morning preparations are makeing to send us 
 in shore the boats come from all quarters to recieve us. 
 the first on the list are calld to go after they get to us 
 
[ ioi ] 
 
 & we in the boat the Chesepeake arrives and it blowing 
 heavy she in anchoring ran on shore set a Signal of 
 Distress & the boats were all orderd to lend her assist- 
 ance so that we did not go on shore. It seems as 
 
 tho' all Heaven was against us. the Chesepeake will 
 continue to haunt us were ever we go — I am in hopes 
 she may be as great a plague to them as she has been 
 to us. 
 
 About 80 of the Presidents men suppose me to be 
 an old ship mate of theirs and that I ran away from the 
 service. I endeavour to keep them in the same mind, 
 as I recieve a good many presents by it. such as Tobacco 
 &c 
 
 October 1st 
 
 Last night we had some disturbance with the 1st 
 Lieut of the Ship respecting our birth, being stow'd 
 down in a place about two feet high & 20 square on wet 
 muddy water casks, we could not get in. the Corporal 
 insisting on our going down we told him we would not 
 unless they killed us first — One of the Midship men 
 Mr. Cox was then sent down to inspect the place thro' 
 his intercession we had liberty for some's going in the 
 fore hole on water cater casks this we tho't a great indul- 
 gence & should any of them be under me they would be 
 glad to have the same liberty granted them. I must 
 give the Officers of this ship the credit of being the 
 dame'dest rascals that I ever met with, this day they 
 flogg'd 3 or 4 men most shamefully, the crew seems to 
 be very much dissatisfied with their officers & want an 
 opportunity of escaping. 
 
[ 102 ] 
 
 5th 
 
 This day orders is to embark for prison, the prisoners 
 seem as much rejoiced as they would to go home, but 
 no wonder after being penn'd up in the lower hold of a 
 frigate for a fortnight, we wish to make a shift know- 
 ing we cannot be worse situated. About 9 A. M. we 
 left the ship accompanied by armed Marines & a ser- 
 gent as we passed the shipping in the harbour the 
 Admiral passed in his barge the yards were all mann'd 
 & ships dress'd to pay him respect about 10 we landed 
 at the back part of the town where we found about 300 
 prisoners waiting our landing Soldiers there was no 
 end of them after fronting facing & wheeling 
 
 October 5 Continued 
 
 Several times we set off on a march with quick step, as 
 we passed the houses every window was full of heads 
 some crying & some laughing to make up the time we 
 next meets a turnip cart & here's for land privatering 
 they all rush upon the cart & get some turnips the 
 farmer stops and gases with down cast eyes but we tell 
 him the King pays for all. on the road I see Mr. Neal 
 with three fingers gone he informs me how he lost 
 them in attempting to take the transport that they 
 came in but owing to some rascally cowards they were 
 repulsed & several of them killed & wound, About 12 
 O'clock we arrived half way meet some soldiers who 
 are sent from prison to relieve this guard that they may 
 return, we grew very tired & a number has already given 
 out, we make complaint to the Officers that we have had 
 nothing to eat since yesterday he says we shall stop 
 
[ 103 ] 
 
 at the first house which is about 2 miles we march ou 
 quite contented at length the house heaves in sight k 
 we soon come up & make a halt 10 minutes is given 
 for refreshment we have some money and got some 
 bread & cheese & beer which puts new life in us those 
 who have no money gets nothing our 10 minutes being 
 up we make all sail up hill at length we arrive in sight 
 of the prison 
 
 Oct 5, Continued 
 
 At length we arrive at the prison completely tired 
 down I really believe if my salvation depended on it 
 I could not march one mile more — We see nothing but 
 high stone walls & large stone prisons 7 in number the 
 list is soon called over & we enter thro' the gates to get 
 out no more during a number of years as we pass 
 through they give each one a hammock & beding & we 
 enter into an old prison kept for the reception of pris- 
 oners, Our baggage soon arrives & every one gets his 
 things & away we go to bunk have some bread serv'd 
 out which is very acceptable we sleep but little being 
 almost frose the prison being all open & our bones 
 aching some, So ends the ,5th Day of October. 
 
 Oct 6th 
 
 This morning the Clerk and Turnkeys came in and 
 Measured us one by one. took down our complexion, 
 scars, place of birth, &c &c &c — This being over we 
 Visit round the Yard I find a number of old acquaint 
 ances /Viz/ Wm Hubbard. Jesse Smith. Ben Mor- 
 
[ 104 ] 
 
 rell. &c — they have ben here some number of months 
 Morrell informs me that Rob 1 Palmer is here on Parole 
 
 at Ashburton. 
 
 Very little prospect of being Exchange Smith tells 
 me he has just got out of the black hole, being cought 
 in running away. 
 
 Oct 7th 
 
 We remove in to another Prison, which is rather 
 more comfortable — as nothing but a repetition of Bad 
 and wose occurs, I shall omit writing the trifling par- 
 ticulars of each Day. when any thing of Note takes 
 place shall Make mention of it 
 
 Nov 8th 
 
 From 7th Oct. to this date nothing of Note has trans- 
 pired. News in circulation this morning is Peace. 
 Cap 1 Shortland /The British Agent at this Depot/ 
 brings news to this effect from Plymouth, every one 
 is elated with such good news and Place as much con- 
 fidence in it as tho they saw the Treaty Signd 
 
 Likewise the Leander has been Captured by the Presi- 
 dent Frigate after action of 36 minutes, this is reported 
 to be In the papers — To Day took an account of Stock 
 and find that it is best to break up Business, haveing 
 £15. out now and no prospect of geting of it in — I 
 believe I had not mentioned that when I came in to 
 prison I set up shop keeping with the rest. As I have 
 now brought my journal to this Date I shall keep it 
 more correct 
 
[ 105 ] 
 
 Novr 10th 
 
 Last night snow fell to some depth Report this 
 morning, that Sir J. Yeo, is taken with all his squadron. 
 We place but little confidence in this report. Still we 
 hope It may be true, such a thing is not impossible. 
 //as the paper says.// since 14 thousand, best English 
 troops were taken by 1500. American — raw Militia— 
 the papers seem to speak encourageing of the Negocia- 
 tions — Mr. Perkins first just — brings in a report, that 
 the Young Warsp has burnt 15 Sail of Vessels in to 
 Millford Haven — but Uncle Brownell tells him he lies— 
 So it goes — . 
 
 Novr. 11th 
 
 Rumors of the Day is that the Rattlesnaks men are 
 going home cryer has been round to give them notice 
 I am always /sometimes/ glad to see my Countrymen 
 get home. I can not however rejoice, to see these men 
 go at this time as they are considerable in my Debt, and 
 In most every one's in Prison. But here comes the 
 cryer and silence all our fears as he says they are not 
 to go. 
 
 This evening a Draft has arive from Halifax. 
 /Letters/ — 
 
 November 12th 
 
 The men which were reported to be from Halifax 
 last evening are some men which have given themselves 
 up from English Man of War. Cap 1 Brownell brings 
 in A Report that the Official Account of the Capture of 
 the Leander — is in the Papers The truth of this time 
 
[ 106 ] 
 
 will develope Business is Verry Dull, and in fact I do 
 not know what to insert in this days, work unless I take 
 the description of Neighbour Fellows's Pipe-drawing 
 Enough we shall now take a smoke over a glass of 
 good water, talk about our Friends and then to bed — 
 & Dream of home 
 
 Nov r 13th 
 
 FREE TRADE & SAILORS RIGHTS. 
 
 The prison gates are open for the first time some since 
 we came, to this Dam Prison. — we have now an oppety 
 of seeing and conversing with our friends Report is 
 
 that a Cartel is fitting for the States. 1500 English 
 
 Prisoners has arived from America — Likewise that. Mr. 
 Beasley — has made arrangements with the English 
 Government, for a regular Exchange! of Prisoners 
 A Cartel is to sail monthly — this news is good and we 
 hope true. But I doubt it. 
 
 Novr. 14th 
 
 Nothing of importance has occurd this day — Cold 
 Rains Intensly fall that we can not. walk in the Yard. 
 No Books to Employ our minds/, time roals heavely 
 on nothing but Cards and Backgammon passes the 
 
 time away We are in hopes soon to have some news 
 
 as she is daily expected. 
 
 Novr 17th 
 
 For several days past nothing has transpired — but 
 mur fabulous reports, this is the day we ought to 
 recieve our small but welcome Monthly allowance — 
 
[ 10 ? ] 
 
 6/8 Sterling I expect they will not pay us untill the 
 comeing week, till that time I must wait with patience, 
 for the collection of my Debts. — I will mention the 
 rumour of the day, as it may hereafter show, what 
 folish reports are made and spread among prisoners 
 The Capitulation of Baltimore. & the surrender of Bos- 
 ton — too foolish to mention — Alass Almighty God how 
 long will thou suffer these unprincipl'd race of English- 
 men to keep us confined within this damp dark & 
 gloomy place, are we eternally to remain within the 
 unhealthy walls of a prison to suffer in body every pain 
 & disease which nature is able to bear & in mind all 
 the horrors of despair which a mind free from the com- 
 mon perplexities of this world can suggest or imagina- 
 tion describe, man void of all feeling would say my 
 mind was wondering in fruitless researches for antici- 
 pated pleasures, I intended to give loose to my feelings 
 & let my mind & my pen have their full scope, but I 
 find I must keep them and stifle my reflections not for 
 want of time but my mind at present is not prepared 
 for such thoughts as I would wish to transmit to writ- 
 ing as I have been reading novels through the day & 
 they have so engross'd my attention that I must defer 
 giving loose to my reflections for the present, all night 
 I could when lying in my hammock write such thoughts 
 as would ease my troubled mind of some of its weighty 
 burthen, Good night as it is now bed time. 
 
 Novr. 19th 
 
 Yesterday they began to pay the monthly ration 
 allowed us by our generous Government on Monday 
 next it will come to us I presume, 
 
[ 108 ] 
 
 We now receive daily papers having obtained a suf- 
 ficient number of subscribers to take it quarterly, to 
 day it affords us something for conversation there being 
 some important news from Canada the Statesmen 
 being an opposition paper we place more confidence 
 in it than we should in a Ministereal paper 
 
 November 19th Continued 
 
 It seems our arms has been succesfull in Canida. 
 Killd, Wounded, Prisoners & Deserters 800 of the 
 Enemy, under Sir G. Prevost. who they reproach with 
 ill conduct 
 
 European affairs seems in continual lager 
 
 Novr. 20th 
 
 To day they continue paying us off and we have 
 mostly all received our due, I have collected some of my 
 debts but not all however I believe they will pay the 
 Statesmen soon, 
 
 The paper to day says that some accounts have been 
 rec d from Canada, that is melancholy to the English 
 too much so to be relish'd I am in hopes they will soon 
 be bro 1 to terms & I believe they will, 
 
 23d 
 
 Yesterday evening Mr. Fellows and I went over to 
 No 4 Prison among the blacks to see a play performed 
 /Heir at Law/ after piece, Raising the Wind, Tickets 
 6 d each but a ticket was of very little service as mob 
 laws prevailed among the Prisoners they made a rush 
 in & there being no seats, some stood up & some sit 
 
[ 109 ] 
 
 on the deck & such another crowding you never saw 
 for my part I got along side of a great he Negro about 
 seven feet high when he sat down 'twas with difficulty 
 I could see over his head, however the scenery was very 
 good and so was the performance, After the play we 
 had a grand dance & kept it up till daylight when tl im- 
 prison doors being open each one went to his own 
 prison, When I came home they inform'd me I was 
 appointed Judge by the Committee I think they made 
 a poor choice among 1500 Prisoners To day a case 
 was brot before the Jury they sent for me to decide the 
 case, but my intellects not being very clear I did not 
 wish to display my oratorical powers my ideas were 
 not copious enough I therefore kept my eloquence untill 
 another opportunity should offer so appointed a Judge 
 Pro tempore, 
 
 NEWS, To days paper informs us that the True 
 blooded Yankee has arrived at Boston with two Mil- 
 lions specie that she was attacked by the boats from 
 two frigates but she repulsed them & took four boats 
 into Boston with her. This is the way 
 
 GLORY OLD SHIP 
 
 1814 
 Nov 25, 
 
 Yesterday & to day a very little business has taken 
 place & but little news in circulation, War War is now 
 the cry, since the terms of peace offered our Ministers 
 are too degrading & to humiliating to think of Peace 
 on such terms, no rather let us carrv on the War with 
 rigour 
 
[ no ] 
 
 28th 
 
 From day to day nothing particular transpires I 
 therefore do not think it worth while to write my 
 Journal up daily I have not collected any of my 
 debts yet & when I shall god only knows as it is so 
 uncertain when the Statesmen will receive their pay, 
 Some of the men of wars men have received their pay, 
 The papers are silent of late respecting our Negociations 
 at Ghent which makes me fear they are not going on 
 so well as might be, For the want of some other sub- 
 ject I shall here insert my last nights dream. 
 
 I was at Stonington between Uncle Johny's Swans 
 when I saw a beautiful female clad in black her 
 right arm was off and in her left she held an elegant 
 sword I ran too her seemingly to embrace the deliv- 
 erer of Stonington, she seemed startled at first then 
 again turning to me said welcome back to thy native 
 place come go in & see your parents I went into Swans 
 and then found my friends encircled round a sumptuous 
 table enjoying themselves after the Victory obtained 
 over the English, As I shall think it no offence to this 
 fair damsel I will mention her name the amiable Mess 
 Emma York. 
 
 Novem 30th 
 
 A very little news in circulation of anykind respecting 
 our Negociations nothing is said Com. McDonough's 
 official account of the action & compleat victory on Lake 
 Champlain is in this mornings paper, Continued broils 
 seems to be in agitation on the Continent how long the 
 affairs of Europe will remain tranquil time will 
 develope ■ 
 
[ 111 ] 
 
 December 2d 
 
 This morning all hands out to regulate the messes 
 while we were out a corps was carried by which on 
 enquiry I found to be that a man that hung himself 
 by jumping off the staunchions with a rope round his 
 neck he is Capt Taylors son of New York, thus it 
 is we see the consequences of despair & it is enough 
 to make the most noble minded give up to despair after 
 being for years in this cursed prison some will get 
 after long confinement inured to the hard ship & mis- 
 eries of this wretched abode while others will give way 
 to reflections & his hope appears to far off to catch at 
 why they will catch at the halter and I can't say I blame 
 them so much since it is the easiest method to get 
 E xchanged. 
 
 December 3 d 
 
 This morning while eating breakfast orders came in 
 to have all hands turned out to inspect the Prison, the 
 prisoners said they would not go out nntill they got 
 their breakfast, our honorable Capt then sends in a 
 guard of soldiers to drive us out but they not being 
 able to execute their orders went out & reported it to 
 the noble Captain he concluding that Yankees were 
 very hard to drive sent in a flag of truce with dispatches 
 to this am'. . that if we would turn out we should be 
 allowed a market but if not we should have no market 
 coaxing does better than driving are we all concluded 
 that rather than have the market stopt we would go 
 out which we did, While we were out Capt Shortland 
 called Capt Turner to him & informed him that a speedy 
 
[ "2 ] 
 
 termination of our affairs was daily expected as the 
 Ministers at Ghent had discussed the several subjects 
 laid before them and had agreed on all the points but 
 one which was so slight 'twas thought they would soon 
 settle that thus it is our expectations are continually on 
 the flight & as often blasted, the next we shall hear is the 
 Negociations are broken off and our Ministers returned 
 home for my part I place so little confidence in the 
 common reports in circulation that it does not raise my 
 ideas to such a height as to believe we shall have a 
 peace very soon. Here comes Mr Phelps and wants a 
 bill of fare made out for a Christmas dinner, Success 
 my boys- 
 December 4th 
 
 Yesterday after serving out cloaths in No 2 Prison, 
 two of the prisoners hid themselves away, after the 
 Clerks went away & locked the door these two began 
 serving out Cloaths. 
 
 December 4th Continued 
 
 untill the Prisoners were counted in they then remained 
 in untill morning when the prisoners being turned out 
 they commenced serving out again and before they were 
 detected had got three bales of cloaths served out the 
 Clerks discovering this made complaint to Shortland 
 who had them put in the black hole report says they 
 are to be sent home for trial 
 
 Todays paper says our Negociations are likely to 
 turn out favorable we hope to God They may 
 
[ 113 ] 
 
 Dec r 8th 
 
 Between those dates nothing of importance has trans- 
 pired the papers of to day give ns some reason to hope 
 that we may live to be released from the dreary walls 
 of this damned prison & yet from other a/c's the war 
 is not likely to terminate soon as they say our Govern- 
 ment on a/c of some late successes have made some 
 new requisitions & claimed a share in the Maratime 
 rights at the Congress at Viena. This we do not place 
 much confidence in, A report is mentioned in the paper 
 of the capture of the Peacock but I believe entitled to 
 no credit. 9 P. M. An alarm in the yard suppose 
 prisoners making their escape 
 
 Decn 9th 
 
 The alarm given last night proved to be some of our 
 unfortunate bretheren in captivity Endeavouring to 
 escape from Prizon. they had scaled the walls but a 
 Dam Soldier Detected them, one got off clear & 2 
 were cought thus it is our endeavours to escape from 
 this place always prove abortive 
 
 But we ardently pray that in a short time we shall 
 hear the happy tidings and joyfull sound of PEACE— 
 
 Dec r 10th 
 
 To morrow we understand the Statesmen are to 
 receive their pay which I pray may prove true as my 
 stock of cash runs low I have been push'd this day or two 
 back to get a chew of tobacco, but should they pay me 
 up honestly I shall be staunch again, The papers of 
 today mention a report that our Ministers have got 
 
[ 114 ] 
 
 to send home for further instructions as the English 
 have lowered their tone & we have raised ours, of this 
 reader judge, you that are acquainted with the Govern- 
 ment of the U. S. judge whether they would be guilty 
 of such a thing would they after they had offered to 
 make a treaty on such terms alter these terms on account 
 
 of some successes. One year to day since our 
 
 unfortunate destiny was sealed, Alass that cursed day 
 that the thunders of Britain poured destruction on the 
 crew of the Rolla, Alass unfortunate star that presides 
 over the fate of our unhappy selves, wretched day! 
 miserable existence O that I was born to cut wood with 
 a hammer, but the Almighty's will be done he is a just 
 & perfect being & no doubt will in time see us safe 
 returned to our Country our friends & our Liberty 
 he will in due time order the world to peace & the time 
 may yet come when the Lamb and the Lion shall lye 
 down in peace together Happy twice happy day when 
 we shall be blest with joyful sounds of peace then we 
 shall inhail the pure air of liberty & once more be blest 
 with the pleasing society of the fair sex, 
 
 The prospect of peace awakens every mind, sus- 
 ceptible of any tender tie whose sensibility is alive to 
 hope and occasions the liveliest emotions of joy, who but 
 those who have suffered the miseries of a long and 
 tedious confinement not barely a confinement but 
 expos'd to all the miseries, diseases and afflictions which 
 human nature can bear and live, none I say none but 
 us that knows it can form any imaginary idea of the 
 miseries a prisoner is subject to, I had thought at the 
 years end to have been at home but alass! none but 
 
[ 115 ] 
 
 the Supreme Being can fore ordain what shall come to 
 pass 
 
 1814 
 Dec. 10 Continued 
 
 but I shall continue to foster the hope of seeing my 
 friends ere twelve more revolving moons have per- 
 formed their axis provided the Almighty should still 
 permit my health to remain in its usual state but robb'd 
 of that immortal blessing what is man! why nothing, 
 'tis only those who have been deprived of this blessing 
 that knows how to value it, My reflections should I 
 continue them would end my volume so I will wind up 
 by some remarks on the occurences of the day A let- 
 ter has been rec d . from M r . Sam 1 . Williams a merchant 
 in London which confirms the report of our Negociations 
 going on briskly & then probable issue will be favorable 
 that they may terminate in peace is the constant prayer 
 of B. F. Palmer & I believe the community at large, — 
 
 December 11th 
 
 The statesmen as well as those who have given them 
 credit are very much dissatisfied as the Clerk only offers 
 to pay them at the rate of 6/8 per month instead of 
 their monthly wages this news is £11. bad to me and 
 fifty to others some of them have refused taking the 
 money others more wise take all they can get Our paper 
 /Statesmen/ of to day gives no news the Star there 
 is a/c's under the Paris head of the Capitulation of 
 General Drummonds Army it comes from a Gentlemen 
 in New York, this we hope to be true as it will assist 
 
[ 116 ] 
 
 in bringing about a peace for should the English lose 
 that Army they may consider upper if not Lower Can- 
 ada ours, but remarks of this kind are too apt to prove 
 false, Its being a Ministerial paper induces me to place 
 confidence in the report It appears very reasonable that 
 such an event might take place when we consider the 
 comparative force of the two armies as stated in last 
 weeks paper, General Izard's & Brown's consist of 8000 
 effective men Drummonds 2500. Some prisoners came 
 up last night that have been captured in different ves- 
 sels only 17 in number they bring us no news from the 
 States. I find my money is at its lowest ebb, we have 
 formerly purchas'd our potatoes & cooked our own 
 meals as the soup from the coppers is not fit to eat & 
 likewise made our own coffee out of Barley finding that 
 much cheaper and equally as good but I fear we shall 
 not be able to purchase Molasses or Coffee for the 
 ensuing month, Alass Poverty; thou hideous monster 
 why wilt thou Stare us thus daringly in the face. 
 
 Dec. 12, 
 
 Rainy squally weather but still moderate, Our paper 
 of to day contains the same a/c that the Star did yes- 
 terday that is the complete defeat of General Drum- 
 monds Army but it is the opinion of our Editor that 
 it is not true but we hope his opinion will prove 
 erronious, To day the cooks of our prison were all 
 
 Dec. 12 Continued 
 
 turned out of office having been detected in skimming 
 the coppers & sundry other crimes the Jury have been 
 
[ 117 ] 
 
 sitting sometime I was called upon as Judge but owing 
 to indisposition did not attend I believe the Jury have 
 adjourned to appoint another Judge my inclination 
 was more considered than my health as I find from 
 former experience that sitting as a Judge on a criminal 
 case is a very critical station or situation to be placed 
 in, how this case may be decided is yet uncertain. 
 
 Dec r . 13 
 
 The case of so much importance which I mentioned 
 yesterday has this day been decided the Jury brought 
 them in Guiilty I having resigned the office of Judge 
 the verdict was carried into the committee & they pro- 
 nounced the Judgment which was that they should 
 receive 18 stripes on the back they received their pun- 
 ishment this evening M r Young the head cook having 
 been acquitted the majority of the prisoners said he 
 was guilty they came to his birth & demanded the culprit 
 M r . Young his messmates refused to deliver him up 
 they talked of knives &c but it has merly ended in 
 talk, however I fear it is not settled yet 
 
 Decm r . 13th Continued 
 
 News of the day is that the Treaty of Peace will be 
 signd in a few days Capt Shortland informd M r Young 
 so. we place as much confidence in this as tho' it came 
 
 from one of the Cooks It being Tuesday to Day 
 
 we get no paper. Tomorrow I presume we shall have 
 some. News. & God send it may be the news of PEACE 
 
 The Statesmen of which some mention as been made 
 heretofore. — have this day. rec d 6/8 which they will 
 
[ 118 ] 
 
 recieve monthly. & no more — they have utterly refused, 
 paying, me one single Iote. thus I'm deprived of enjoy- 
 ing my little stock of CASH. I fear I shall have 
 to come upon the town soon — unless my school 
 Increases. — As I am now employd in Teaching — 
 Navigation. . Lunar's. Writeing. &c &c &c but my 
 schollars bring cheifly Writeing brings in only /6 d p r . 
 Month. Rather to small but — many a little makes a 
 mickle — /as the old saying is/ this furnishes me in 
 tobacco which is a monstrous tax in this place geting 
 
 for a peny. hardly one chew It is 2 Dollars P r . 
 
 pound 
 
 Deem 14th 
 
 PEACE ! PEACE ! Huzza for Peace. This morn- 
 ing news was brought in that. The Preliminaries of 
 Peace were signd on the 3d Inst. . Its said to be in the 
 Paper /Star/ — on hearing of this I immediately went 
 over to No. 3 Prison where they had the paper. I 
 could not get sight of it; but saw M r . Hubbard who 
 informd me that such a report was in the paper, but he 
 hardly thought it. Entitled to sufficient Credit to rejoice 
 on the occasion. It was barely a report in London Hock 
 Jobing speculation 
 
 Holland had Illuminated on accout of it. but no 
 rejoicing had taken place in London — When this report 
 was circulated through the Prison, it seemd as if the 
 prisoners would jump out of their skins — all Buzz all 
 talk & all Jaw — at once but I ask who would not. after 
 
[ 119 ] 
 
 being confined within the gloomy walls of a loathsome 
 Prison for 2 or 3 Years — who would not /I say/ rejoice 
 on hearing such News. Should this news come confirmd 
 look out. I will then /what will I do/ — be happy 
 
 Deem 15th 
 
 War ! War ! Rumors of War — The papers of to day 
 wear quite a different aspect. — the peace news is abol- 
 ished — as there was no truth in the report of yesterday — 
 however the papers mention of betts being made in 
 London. 3 to 1. in favour of Peace — which still gives 
 us reason to hope that A Peace may yet be effected 
 before this winter expires. 
 
 Which may God grant. Amen. 
 
 Decm r 16th 
 
 By the Ship Penelope from Halifax, accounts are 
 brought that — Generals Brown and Izard were taken 
 by Gen 1 Drumond. and that Yeo has blockaded, Chancys 
 in to Sackets Harbour — 
 
 These are merely reports and I presume not Entitled 
 to much credit — Our 74s are making rapid progress, 
 the paper states they will mont 90 guns and carry 
 1000 men — Comodore Rogers to command the Inde- 
 pendance I pray he may have an oppertunity of shew- 
 ing the English and the world, that he is a Yankee — 
 Should our Ships have a chance to get out I think they 
 will shew Com d Hardy that he has got something besides 
 Stonington to contend with — And I presume will come 
 off with just as much honour 
 
[ 120 ] 
 
 Deem 16th Continued 
 
 There is said to be an expediton fitting at Bermuda 
 & Jamaca Destind for New Orleans, this does not look 
 like Peace. /No! No! far from it/ If the English 
 Goverment thought that Peace was likely to be con- 
 cluded would they still Keep flting out Expe- 
 
 ditons to loose their Men and Honour No! No! — at 
 least I think not — but If they study their own Interest 
 I think they would — make peace as Soon as possible — 
 AMEN— 
 
 Deem. 17th 
 
 To day employed in reading Novels. Extracts from 
 American papers says that, our armies have gone in to 
 Winter quarters at Sachets Harbour, so that report 
 of thier Defeat is false. A Coppy of Govn r . Jones 
 
 speech — or Proclamation is come to hand /Poor 
 
 Enough/ but it shews the Man 
 
 Decm r 18th 
 
 Some prisoners arrived from Halifax last night, they 
 bring no News, these same men were Exchanged from 
 that place while I was there. I think were I exchangd 
 they should not catch me again, soon — The prisoners in 
 this Yard wishing to Day to go over in to the other 
 Prisons. — 
 
 Deem 18th Continued 
 
 To see the new comers, but being denied that Liberty, 
 they broke open the gates — on this account I expect we 
 shall have no market to morrow. To days papers says 
 
[ 121 ] 
 
 nothing of our Ministers, oweing to the weather No 
 Mails has arrived from Holland. It has blown a gale 
 of wind for several days past, and I hope it may Con- 
 tinue as it may do them some damage — 
 
 Deem 19th 
 
 To day our monthly pay becomes due but they do not 
 see fit to pay us. the reason to us, is unknown — The 
 paper of to day says that dispatches has arrived from 
 Gent. Contents not made known. A Kings mes- 
 senger was dispatched immediately on the recpt of them 
 we hope they may contain something happy for us. — 
 Shortland told one of the prisoners to Day that he had 
 rec d . a letter from London that the preliminaries of 
 Peace were signed but must /before they were made 
 known./ be sent to the U States to get the concurence 
 of the Senate, this we place as much Credit in as any 
 of Shortlands news. 
 
 It is merly to Keep us quiet, that we may not run 
 away — 
 
 19th Deem Continued 
 
 This evening some of the Prisoners, came and 
 requested all our Mess might be present we soon col- 
 lected togather — A Bible was brought — and an oath 
 administered to us all. That the prisoner fo N. .5 ewer 
 gdigin tou dan sha nbee otw sweek no eth sbusines and 
 if any one should be detected in giveing the enemy 
 information it would be certain Death, /this oath is 
 administerd to all — /and who ever should be cought, 
 we swear to be his Murderer, the fist oppertunity we 
 
[ 122 ] 
 
 shall have of avenging the injuries which we must all 
 suffer on this account. Should sthi tno eb dfoun tou I 
 ma ni shope ot be rclea f o sthi mda npriso nsoo — 
 
 Decm r 22nd. 
 
 From the above date untill the present time nothing 
 new they commence paying our monthly ration tomor- 
 row that we shall not. be kept in Dread suspense any 
 longer — To day one of our Mess. A passinger was sent 
 for to the office. Shortland informed him that. M r . 
 Beasley had written him a letter xxxxxxxxxx 
 put some questions to him respecting his capture and I 
 think something is in his favour /Home/ 
 
 Deem 22 Continued 
 
 The papers of to day puts a final end to all our 
 earthly comforts Hope; thou sweet balm of life even 
 thou hast fled & left that monster Despair to reign sole 
 master of hearts is it thus O God that thou allowest 
 our feelings to be tampered with Our expectation 
 raised to the highest pinnacle of human happiness our 
 felicity and all our wishes near being crown'd when the 
 death like news of unnumbered years imprisonment 
 strikes a dead terror to our feelings & once more I 
 almost wish my dissolution to be completed & put a 
 final end to all my sufferings O God forgive this pol- 
 luted heart if it utters in the midst of despair such 
 words as are unbecoming a Christian 
 
 The papers of which I have been attending to con- 
 tains an a/c of the ships being cast away which had 
 dispatches from Ghent for the British Government & 
 
[ 123 ] 
 
 with her I expect is drown'd the treaty of peace. A 
 young Gentleman in the other prison has rec d a letter 
 from his father in New York which states that there 
 is 20000 prisoners now in the States I cannot think 
 that there is one third of this number but shall be 
 happily disappointed if this prove true, Christmas is 
 drawing near & we have no money to get us a good 
 dinner & a cheering glass that we might think of our 
 friends with less pain than we otherwise should- 
 
 1814 
 
 Dec 23 
 
 To day they commence paying off in the other pris- 
 ons but it will be some days before it comes to our turn, 
 The papers of to day give no a/c's of Peace but quite 
 to the contrary as there is a demand for 20000 Sailors, 
 a hot press is going on in London GOOD BYE 
 PEACE. 
 
 December 25 CHRISTMAS 
 
 Roast Geese & pumpkin pies no, seapie and plumb 
 pudding for us & we thank God we are able to have, 
 so good as what we have, I can see our good folks to 
 home now sitting round the table with a small circle 
 of select friends the table crown'd with all the luxuries 
 that Stonington affords now says they if we could only 
 have Frank here our happiness would be compleat 
 but there is no sweet without some bitter did you only 
 know that your son was better off than you really think 
 he is it would be a great consolation & did I only know 
 that my friends were as well off as I might reasonable 
 
[ 124 ] 
 
 expect they are my meals would relish better my sleep 
 would be soun & in fact I could endure the hardships 
 of this damn'd prison with more fortitude & composure, 
 but the time may yet come when peace Liberty & Inde- 
 pendance will be restor'd with the unhappy Frank to 
 the arms of his affectionate parents, 
 
 Deem 25th Continued 
 
 HOPE. Thou supporter of the afficted It is the 
 alone that makes life a blessing. But Alass! Hope 
 deferd is like a lingering, consumption it wastes away 
 
 our lives by degrees, and will end only in Death 
 
 Christmas past off quite Merily 
 
 Deem 26th 
 
 More prisoners are anouncd. 140 Most of them from 
 Halifax. — Among them is Johnathan Pendleton, taken 
 in a prize to the True Blood, he has not been home in 
 4 or 5 Years they give us no news, only the capture or 
 the report of the Capture of H M. S. Leander. F. which 
 is too common to believe — 
 
 Deem 27th 
 
 We get no papers to day therefore Expect no news. — 
 
 Deem 28th 
 
 The papers of to day. says that it is confidently 
 asserted in London that the preliminaries of PEACE 
 
 are signd. betts are 100 to 1 in favour of it. Stock 
 
 has risen 67% in consequence of favourable reports. 
 
[ 125 ] 
 
 Happy, Happy Day. when shall we be blest with 
 the Heavenly news of Peace. /Peace, Poverty Peace, 
 how different are the sounds 
 
 The Congress at Viena are soon to break up — 
 
 1814 
 Deem 29th 
 
 PEACE WITH AMERICA 
 
 Under this head we have Official accounts from 
 Gent. . that the preliminaries of peace were signd on the 
 24 th Inst, they have been forwarded on to the Cabinet. 
 Counsil who. has acceeded to them they are now 
 writing nothing but the Ratification of the Prince 
 Regent & M r . Madison to become a permanent Treaty — 
 
 Happy! Happy news, and still hapyer are we when 
 we consider on what terms the Treaty is made — Hon- 
 orable to us but Disgracefull to the pride of old Eng- 
 land the Sine qua non of which they have talkd so 
 much is entirely given up the Indian pacification is also 
 made void, the Fisheries remain as before & we in fact 
 remain sole conquerors of the field, This news has so 
 agitated my mind I have not been able to compose 
 myself sufficient to write or hardly set down, they are 
 now brought where they long since ought to have been. 
 PEACE, PEACE, I cannot write any more at present. 
 
 December 30th 
 
 Peace confirmed beyond a doubt, This mornings 
 paper gives us an a/c of the treaty of peace being 
 signed by the Prince Regent and forwarded on to the 
 
[ 126 ] 
 
 U. States by a fast sailing vessel, Success my boys, 
 glory old Ship, Happy news we this morning hoisted 
 the American flag on all the prisons and all the pris- 
 oners assembled in the yard & greeted the glorious news 
 with nine hearty cheers, Every heart is dilated every 
 soul rebounds with the glad tidings of peace, once more 
 say we the happy friends will greet the long lost hus- 
 band sweetheart & Brothers once more we shall join 
 our long wish'd for friends & in their embraces forget 
 the past in the more happy anticipation of the future, 
 their is too much talk for me to make any more com- 
 ments or let my reflections have their full scope I will 
 therefore make a few general observations and say quit. 
 Yester' evening one of the turnkeys while turning in 
 the prisoners of No 5. observed they would get 
 
 Dec r 30th 
 
 home sooner than by digging out. Damn'd Rascal who 
 ere you be may the Judgement of God fall upon you in 
 its most terrific form and may you meet the curse of 
 God, Devil. 
 
 31st 
 
 This morning we hoisted our saucy flags on them are 
 displayed Free trade and Sailors Rights, in large cap- 
 ital letters It humbles the British pride to see this 
 
 Motto on our flag, Superior, triumphant, This morn- 
 ing all the Carthagenians were called out and liberated 
 this we pray will soon be our happy lot, but the time will 
 appear long two or three months will appear like that 
 number of years, This forenoon some English officers 
 
[ 127 ] 
 
 came up to see the prisoners & the band of No 4 played 
 up Yankee doodle dandy O It galls them 
 
 The papers of to day is a repetition of the same good 
 news, even the Congress at Vienna seems to excite but 
 little attention in the minds of those who are more taken 
 up in the happy sound of peace with America. To day 
 is the end of the year end of the month, end of the week 
 & end of the day. 
 
 Dec r 31 Continued 
 
 and end of the war & here is an end of writing for the 
 present as I have got a letter from one of my creditors 
 outside & I am not able to pay her, — 
 
 Since writing the above a circumstance has transpired 
 which must not be omitted without some remarks, Yes- 
 terday to American Englishmen came in some of the 
 prisoners being acquainted with one or more of them 
 & knowing of their being on board of the Pelican at 
 the time she captured the Argus, they immediately made 
 the rest of the prisoners acquainted with it, they were 
 then summon'd to appear before the court appointed 
 for the purpose of trying them 4 of them were acquitted 
 & 2 found guilty one of whom had made his boast of 
 being the first man on board the Argus & killed the 
 carpenter with his own sword, this afternoon was 
 appointed for their execution as they were sentenced 
 to be hang'd by the neck untill they were dead & damn'd 
 some one communicated this to Capt Shortland who 
 immediately sent in a large guard of soldiers & took 
 him out after some hard blows on both sides, I only pray 
 that they may meet their just reward which will be the 
 rack, 
 
[ 128 ] 
 
 1815 
 
 Jany. 1st 
 
 I WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR. 
 
 I am certain t'is the happy'st that I ever experienced, 
 although my Liberty is yet denied me, still the anticipa- 
 tion of futer enjoyments overcomes every other Idea — 
 and makes us entirely forget the past in the more happy 
 
 prospect of the futer. Had my friends the same 
 
 cause to rejoice /that is, had You the news of Peace./ 
 I doubt not but the fatted Calf would be Killd. and 
 every friend be invited to partake of the feast. — Still 
 my Friends you have not the same reasons for rejoic- 
 ing that we have — that has groand under the burthens 
 and Miseries of a long and tedious confinement, and 
 with out any prospect of being soon Liberated, we I 
 say have the greatest cause for rejoicing — Peace with- 
 out doubt is one of the greatest blessings that can be 
 bestowd — 
 
 Jany 1st Continued — 
 
 On any Nation every one must feel the great bless- 
 ings, that arise, from A Peace — and on the other hand 
 the horrors, and Miseries of War But if you that are 
 at home (enjoying the society of surrounding Friends, 
 living on the fat of the Land.) feel rejoiced at such a 
 things takeing place, how much more must we who have 
 been groaning for years, within the gloomy walls of a 
 Prison. It is US that, has cause for Rejoicing — 
 
 And rejoice we will I will this day have a % Gall 
 of Rum. and some Porter. & with my friends sit down — 
 and Drink A Health to my Friends at HOME 
 
[ 129 ] 
 
 Don't be down hearted my friends you will soon see 
 your long lost Frank return safe home again. Although 
 Poor Raged and Lousey. I doubt not but he will be 
 weleom'd and greeted with the sweetest Embraces of 
 his Dear parents, and A large Circle of surrounding. 
 Friends. 
 
 His past sufferings shall then be talkd over, and 
 
 buried in the happyness of the present. In the mean 
 
 time I can only pray that I shall on my return home 
 find all my friends well, and in such circumstances 
 
 Jany 1st Continued. 
 
 As will enable them to supply the present wants of 
 their unfortunate Son & Brother — Amos I hope your 
 speculations has been fortunate I hope to find you pos- 
 sesd of an Amiable wife and an ample Fortune to 
 suport you through life — As for my fortune it is Yet 
 to come. The Star of Adversity has ruled my fate 
 quite long. Enough. — It is now time Fortune Should 
 prove a little more propitious and Shed, some of her 
 Bounties on poor Frank 
 
 To day the Prisoners of No 1 5 7 & 3 assembled in 
 the Yard of No 3 and fired— A Grand Salute of 17 
 guns. — Composed of Rope Yarns and paper with 
 powder inside — A Signal gun was fired at the time the 
 Flag was hoisted, with Free Trade and Sailors Rights, 
 Displayed in large Captal letters when 9 hearty cheers 
 were given, and in answer to every gun we gave 3 
 Cheers, some drunk some grogy and some Tipsey we 
 passd the day with rejoicing Sun Down my Rum has 
 just come — that I shall now turn too and have a Clear 
 blow out. 
 
[ 130 ] 
 
 Capt. Shortland rather provoked at seeing our flag 
 Displayd bearing that motto 
 
 J any 1. Continued 
 
 Orderd it to be taken down immediately we Obeyd. — 
 As an excuse for this he aledges that Hostilities had not 
 Ceased, and untill they had we must defer hoisting any 
 more Flags — You will easely percieve from this that 
 an Englishman can not help useing their damd Arbi- 
 trary Power. — 
 
 Never mind our saucy Flags shall be Displayd yet. 
 on the Masts of our Ships. Void of all Fear 
 
 Jany 2d. 
 
 Nothing of importance has occurred this day, Last 
 night as I promised we saw the bottom of five bottles 
 and to dajr do not feel very smart. 
 
 A gambling table has been several nights past kept 
 up & on this a/c a watch was stole to day and very 
 probable more thefts of this kind will be committed 
 had not they put a stop to this practice, club law was 
 the only method that could be taken to put an end to 
 this horrible vice to night therefore the Committee gave 
 orders to have the Gambling tables destroyed & accord- 
 ingly a mob was raised and soon broke the tables in 
 peices — and I believe will finally put an end to all 
 gambleing. They shall have my prayers for success. 
 
 1815 
 Jany 3 d 
 
 A report is in circulation that Congress have remov'd 
 to Stonington, knowing it will be defended better there 
 
[ 131 ] 
 
 than at Washington I think this will do for a hurlesque 
 on the Washingtonians, we have nothing farther this 
 day, very cold weather for the first when shall we get 
 home is all the cry, 
 
 Jany 4th 
 
 Having heard to day that the Star contains an a/c 
 of another victory gained by the Americans I hasten 
 to insert it the expedition that went against New 
 Orleans has got defeated with the loss of 4000 Dead on 
 the field the wounded is not mentioned as the particu- 
 lars are not yet known, I am happy to hear they get 
 beaten in every quarter more especially at the time that 
 peace is concluded as it shews that we did not make 
 a peace through fear but to prevent further blood shed 
 I think they must now be convinced of our superiority 
 both by sea & land, they have bowed their heads to dust 
 & humbly acknowledg'd that their complete disgrace 
 is now sealed, let them boast no more of their invincible 
 Navy & their vaunting armies — 
 
 Jany 4. Continued 
 
 The world has witness'd their defeats wheresoever 
 assailed yes we have beat them single handed they 
 cannot now say that we must owe our conquests to 
 France, No Britain the world has looked on & been 
 witness of your disgrace I, Smith has just been in & 
 informs me that he intends making his escape if possible 
 and endeavor to get over to France as he has consider- 
 able prise money due him, I did talk of taking this 
 method to get home but my stock of cash being 
 expended & my cloaths being scant will not sell for suf- 
 
[ 132 ] 
 
 ficient to bribe a centinal I think I will stick it out now 
 untill a Cartel may arrive & freight me back to the 
 arms of my Country & friends, Success attend you 
 S mith 
 
 Jany 5th 
 
 M r Smith did not succeed in makeing his escape last 
 night oweing to the lightness of the night, he will 
 therefore defer makeing any further attempt, untill 
 a sure oppertunity shall offer — 
 
 I am quite unwell with a hedache but hope it will 
 weare off to night. Playing Whist 
 
 Jany 5th 1815 Continu'd — 
 
 The papers of to day gives considerable News. . tho 
 of little importance. A report was circulated among 
 the Prisoners this morning — that the New England 
 States had declared themselves independant of the 
 Union, this news gaind credit among the Credulious, 
 but still for a short time as they soon found out the 
 real truth of it which is that they had held a convention, 
 at Hartford, and choosen 7 Delegates for the purpose 
 of deviseing the most efficient, means, for the Defence 
 of the Nothern Fronteir so far from a disunion of the 
 States. It is a propper conjunction formed for the 
 purpose of placeing the Northern States in the best 
 possible Defence — 
 
 News from Canida is that the English army had 
 returnd to Quebeck. merr Skelitons. 
 
 Our Army had gone into winter quarters at Sackets 
 Harbour General Browns conduct is highly reproachd 
 
[ 133 ] 
 
 Let them look at Adm 1 Cocburns conduct at Hamton — 
 Enough 
 
 Jany 6th 
 
 To give a description of our disapointment To Day 
 would require the pen of Hogarth. ! 
 
 It being the day on which we have Cod-fish & Pota- 
 toes we had all set our mouths in tune to have a good 
 meal The horn announceing Diner. We set the Table 
 with what dishes our House affords and each one seated 
 himself, round the Table with a Keen appetite, and in 
 momentary expectation of haveing it apeared we set 
 some time in silence. When Lo ! up comes Charles /boy/ 
 the pictor of Despair depicted on his former pleasing 
 countanance O Dear /Says he/ we have lost our dinner 
 everv one starts as if they were in a fright What! 
 What! says all at once — lost Your Dinner, go you, 
 & go, you, each one cries and see if this be true we all 
 start off. different routs enquireing who had stole our 
 dinner Poor silly fools! we might as well look for 
 Cheese in the moon, we finding all enquiry fruitless 
 give the crier a peny to have the Thiefs cried if they 
 would return the Bags, nothing should be said of the 
 
 Thieft. but no bags came and we returnd to 
 
 our empty dishes with empty Belly s. took a little Dry 
 Bread — and water, and made our Dinner — 
 
 Jany 7th 
 
 The papers of to day gives us. 11 Articles containd 
 in the Treaty with E— which I suppose is all. It seems 
 by them we have made a Peace and that is all. 
 
[ 134 ] 
 
 Everything of any Consequence is left out to referees 
 or Commissioners, to be settled Hereafter — Well! 
 
 Well! I shall say nothing on this subject My desire 
 
 to get home Thwarts every other Idea. — let me once 
 get on American. Sod; and they may declare war 
 again as Soon as there be a Cause sufficient I am cer- 
 tainly led to believe that our Ministers would not act 
 contrary to their Instructions. 
 
 Every paper contains some Letters written by 
 Timothy Trueman and Corbett. upon American 
 
 affairs — they are directed to Lord Liverpool. 
 
 Corbett extols every action of the Americans and con- 
 demns as many on their Side 1 did intend to write 
 
 more lengthy, but /Time/ 
 
 Jany 8th 
 
 As I have nothing new to write to day & nothing 
 having transpired I will give you an a/c how the day 
 passes, Day light appears & with it you hear the sound of 
 gamblers who have been up through the night as you 
 must know that the gamblers have carried the day, the 
 most of them drunk and some fighting some cursing 
 & some quarreling they wake up all the prisoners the 
 next enquiry is whose cater it is that is who stands cook 
 for the day its mine answers a voice half stifled by 
 the hammock from which it proceeds well then turn 
 out, the horn blows for bread he turns out the rest of 
 us lay untill breakfast is ready which consists of a pint 
 of shag warm tea and some dry bread. This meal 
 being over we soon pursue some employment some 
 writing some reading, & some playing cards pass the 
 
[ 135 ] 
 
 time away untill dinner is announced which consists of 
 some most miserable Soup we soon set down & devour 
 our scanty meal & often rise with as good an appetite 
 as we had before we sat down however obliged to be 
 satisfied we turn away & take a book or the chequer 
 board to turn our thoughts to some 
 
 Jany 8th Continued 
 
 other subject night comes on & with it noise & tumult 
 enough for Bedlam itself thus we pass away day after 
 day & a mere repetition of the same occurs, but soon 
 we hope to have our sad fate changed into some thing 
 of a happier state, Having nothing to do to pass away 
 the time I must make some remarks although I ought 
 to be sparing of my paper as it is most expended & 
 poverty thou ill shapen monster you have now come 
 staring me in the face as tho' I had not miseries enough 
 to perplex my mind without thy coming to fill up the 
 gap which ought to be filled up with pleasure, But I 
 have this consolation it is not only me you have put your 
 dread claws upon it seems to be a reigning distemper 
 throughout the prison, you are a curse upon all with 
 whom you deal not one that speaks in your favour, 
 what star of adversity was I born under some of the 
 Satellites no doubt /Damnation Be pleased O blessed 
 peace to restore me once more to my friends & country, 
 I ask no other favour,/ 
 
 Jany. 10th 
 
 Nothing of note occuring yesterday I omitted writing 
 up. . It now appears to be the prevailing opinon among 
 
[ 136 ] 
 
 the English, that the Treaty will not be ratified by the 
 President of the U. States. — how this will terminate 
 time alone will Develope. Cap*. Brownell is sure of 
 its recieveing the sanction of Mr. Madisone and for 
 reason he advances none only, that /He/ Says so. for 
 my part I do not pretend to Judge, tho we must hope. 
 Yet I do not give way to the pleasing prospect too 
 much, least I should be disappointed 
 
 Jany 20th 
 
 Ten Days has elapsd since I have once devoted a 
 moment to my most favourte amusement, that of write- 
 ing but in truth I have not been in spirits my paper is 
 most expended & besides haveing nothing worthy of 
 Note to commit to paper. — These are reasons sufficient 
 for my Silence but the first is to me the most essential 
 my spirits are dull and Vaporish, my reader may ask 
 what makes them so — the answer is at hand 
 
 Jany 20th Continued 
 
 Poverty! Poverty! tis that alone that causes my 
 
 present uneasyness of mind Yes my Reader, to 
 
 one who has been bried in affluence from Childhood, 
 always taught Econemy but never useing it. his wants 
 always suppli'd and commands always obeyd — To him 
 I say poverty is frightfull. — and in Debt too. O ! God 
 the very sound absorbs all my faculties — Reason is lost, 
 and nothing but Despair fills the mind 
 
 To Day A letter was Rec d from Beasley. /American 
 Agent./ that all those who had contracted Debts out 
 side, and did not pay them would be liable to be detaind. 
 
[ 137 ] 
 
 as prisoners of Debt. — When Mr. Hubbard shews me 
 this Letter, you may guess my feelings.— but you can 
 not. T'is only those who have been for Years in con- 
 finement — expecting Daily the Ratification of the 
 Treaty to return anticipating the happy moment when 
 he will be restord to his family & Friends, and then to 
 be prevented of enjoying those blessings by being in 
 debt for the paltry sum of 6 or 7 pound. 
 
 Jany 20th Continued 
 
 To him only /I say./ can such tidings be heart rend- 
 ing, my anguish would be severe indeed but that I have 
 a friend who assures me that any sum of this Kind that 
 1 may want, is at my disposal. — 
 
 A friend in need is a friend indeed. It has not come 
 to the test yet. To Day I went over and saw Mr. Hub- 
 bard, and took a Glass of Porter with him. he has— 
 entrusted me with a Secret, which in a few Days I 
 shall make Known to some. A Society is to be formd 
 consisting of as many members as we shall think pos- 
 seses genuine Republican Principals, the society is 
 something Simaler to the old sincinate Society found 
 after the Revolution in America, it will be named after 
 the great Count De Palasky who gloriously fell in 
 fighting for Liberty in his adopted Country. America, 
 as he was a Polander and when his country was over- 
 throde by overpowering numbers, he left it ever deter- 
 mineing not to live under A. Crown or any Tyranical 
 Goverment. — 
 
 This will be a very growing Society and I hope a 
 
 lasting one — 
 
[ 138 ] 
 
 Jany 21 St 
 
 The papers to day mentions that Accounts have been 
 rec d . by the way of France, that Admls Cocburn & 
 Cockrane. have been taken Prisoners at Pencicola have- 
 ing been driven on shore in a Gale If this prove true 
 I think It will prove a glorious termination of the 
 W ar — on our Side — Who will now say we were obliged 
 to make a peace 
 
 You Haughty Britians. even I as young as I am have 
 
 wittnessd your disgrace. Down upon Your Knees 
 
 you Dogs and mercy You shall have — 
 
 The market for two days past, has been stopt on 
 account of some boards being taken out of No. 6 
 Prison 
 
 Shortland came and orderd all the Prisoners out. 
 of this prison to have a Search — But No If you plase 
 says we. untill the Market is opend — here we stay. 
 
 Here comes Perkins so I must give up writeing any 
 more — 
 
 good Night. 
 
 Jany 22 nd 
 
 The prisoners that comitted those depredations, yes- 
 terday, have been sent for by Shortland we told his 
 Emisaries that we should not deliver up the agressors 
 untill the market was again opend — this he utterly 
 
 refused The prisoners of the other prisons wishing 
 
 the Market opend, //being destitute of Coffee and 
 other Necessaries// came in a mob headed by Big Dick 
 /A 7 foot Negro./ and by force of Arms took out the 
 offenders, and caried them before Shortland. who 
 
[ 139 ] 
 
 refused to take them, saying he only wanted thin- 
 names — this I presume will be complied with — 
 
 The papers of to Day says the America. Privateer. 
 of 20 Guns, has captured — or had an engagement, 
 with an English Sloop of War. . Now to hear of the 
 Capture of some of their Frigates will wind the War up 
 Gloriously in our Favour 
 
 Jany 28th 
 
 For several days we have been so busy in geting paid 
 off. that I have not had time to make my remarks, tho 
 the papers have containd some considerable news 
 respecting the Congress at Viena Since the peace with 
 America, the British Minister /L Castlereigh/ 
 
 Jany. 28th Continued 
 
 had made Known to the Russian & Prussian. Emper- 
 ors, that unless they let. Poland & Saxony remain Inde- 
 pendand. the British Goverment would seize on all 
 Russian & Prussian Ships now in their ports, he allows 
 them 3 days to consider of it. how this end time will 
 bring forth. Every thing seems to wear a warlike 
 appearance on the Continent 
 
 The report of the failure of the British Expedition 
 against New Orleans, seems contradicted — An Official 
 Letter from the Cap 1 of the Leander Dated at Sea- 
 says 3 of our Ships are out. namely the Constitution 
 President. & Congress. Frigates, that he has learnt 
 their Course and gone In pursuit of them. I only pray 
 that, he may fall in with them, as the ships — are equally 
 Matchd. he haveing the Acaste and. Penelope. — I can 
 easily anticipate the result — 
 
[ 140 ] 
 
 Time now passes heavely with us. as my small Stock 
 of Cash is expended — and the Shop Keepers, will trust 
 no more, that we can get no tobacco, or tea. and were 
 it not for the Generosity of Mr. Phelps, should, go 
 without — 
 
 1815 
 Jany 31st 
 
 Since writeing my last days work the papers has 
 mentiond nothing, worthy of remark, how the affairs 
 at Viena will Terminate is quite uncertain 
 
 On Sunday last I was to meeting in No 4 Prison, 
 to hear A Black Preacher. A methodist by Trade, he 
 is with exception the ugliest looking Negro, that ever 
 I saw. lips as thick as two Staves, eys looks like a 
 sore Kittens, and neer Sited with all. had he not those 
 failings he might pass in the Dark — To Day the crew 
 of the Privateer. De Prince De Neuffchattell. arrived 
 here, consisting of 137. men captured 7 Days out of 
 Boston they gives us no news. — they say peace was 
 soon expected to take place when they left. — The papers 
 say our Frigates have been seen cruising in the English 
 Chanell. how It palls them 
 
 This evening call a meeting of the Subscribers of the 
 Statemen. /paper/ to Know if we should continue take- 
 ing it one Month longer — this we agreed to as for 
 Several Reasons 
 
 1815 
 
 Feby 1st 
 
 Another month has pass'd away that we now daily 
 expect to hear of the glad tidings of Liberty as we only 
 
[ 1*1 ] 
 
 look at one side of the question that is that the treaty 
 will undoubtedly be signed by M r Madison, this day 
 I have been laid up with the tooth ache that I have not 
 been able to collect much news, tho' I'm told Admiral 
 Coffin a Nantucketman has been to visit some of his 
 towns men & distributed some cash among them and 
 likewise informed them that in 6 weeks from this not 
 a prisoner would be here. 
 
 To day I took a walk round the prison & view'd the 
 different avocations which were a going on, some I 
 found makeing bone Ships, some making fiddles some 
 making straw boxes, some tayloring, some Carpenter- 
 ing some making tin ware, some Shoemaking & some 
 at every other different employment, in fact one only 
 can judge how time passes away unless he has visited 
 States prison 
 
 Feby 3 d 
 
 The papers of to day give us late account from 
 America but no particular news only that Gen 1 Mc- 
 Arthur had defeated some English Militia 
 
 Feby 3 d Continued 
 
 in Canada, Our frigates are said to be cruising off the 
 English Channel & it is apprehended they intend mak- 
 ing an attack on Plymouth as they have only 90 Ships 
 of war in the harbour, they are in the utmost consterna- 
 tion & they say we'er very glad its peace with America as 
 they are such daring fellows, Success my boys afraid 
 are you, even our two frigates that are out lias set all 
 England in fears, they are dispatching ships of the line 
 
[ 142 ] 
 
 from every port in quest of them but they might as well 
 look for cheese in the moon, 
 
 A letter has been rec d from Mr Beasley to day which 
 says that no prisoners will be allowed to go on board 
 any ship but a Cartel, how far his authority will extend 
 on this point is quite uncertain, Our privateers are mak- 
 ing sad work with the English commerce the Harpy has 
 taken eleven prises, Success my boys, 
 
 The Vienna business is not settled but is likely to 
 break up soon without effecting any one point — War I 
 hope will be the result, 
 
 Feby 4th 
 
 Gambling is carried on here in great style, We get 
 no news in the paper to day anxiously waiting in hope, 
 of hearing some good news & I think by the last of this 
 month we shall hear from the State something that will 
 do our hearts good. 
 
 1815 
 Feby 5th 
 
 The papers still continue to be barren of news the 
 Congress at Vienna does nothing yet. It being Sun- 
 day to day we hear no Gambling as they are not so 
 depraved but they hold the Sabbath day in veneration. 
 Uncle Bennet is makeing his fortune selling milk por- 
 ridge & Pumgudgeons. as for me and the rest of my 
 messmates we are poor enough God knows not a chew 
 of tobacco to own — to help ourselves with, thank God 
 never mind my boys, the time draws near when we'll 
 have plenty of cash & tobacco too, Patience a little 
 
[ 143 ] 
 
 patience will answer the purpose my boys 12 O Clock. 
 God send us home I've been writing all day so good 
 night. 
 
 February 6th 
 
 To day paper says that 3000 Volunteers have gone to 
 New Orleans to join Gen 1 . Jackson this is starbone, 
 we have little expectation of a happy result from the 
 Congress as Russia seems determin'd to annex Poland 
 to his dominions and Prussia will have Saxony whether 
 or no I pray they may have another war on the 
 Continent 
 
 Feby 6th Continued 
 
 Mr. Adams has been in the Hospital To see his 
 Brother, and brings sad news from there. He informs 
 me he was in the Dead house (A room they put the dead 
 in where they remain untill next day where A Cart 
 takes and caries them God only Knows where) — where 
 20 lay Dead — one of the Nurses informd him that from 
 12 to 20 Died every Day — Small Pox chiefly. 
 
 Anecdote Inserted in this morning Paper Extract, 
 from, an American Paper 
 
 An American Officer who caried A flag over to the 
 British lines after haveing dispatched the Business of 
 his Mission, was invited by the British Commanding 
 officer to take Dinner, as usual the wine was circulated, 
 and the British Officer being calld upon for a Toast. . 
 gave Mr. Madison. Dead, or alive, which the Yankee 
 Drank without appearing to Notice it. — when it came 
 to the Yankee's turn to give A Toast, he gave the 
 
[ 144 ] 
 
 Prince Regent. . drunk or Sober. Sir said the British 
 Officer (Bristling up. and colouring with rage) that 
 is an Insult No Sir answerd the American verry cooly 
 It is only a reply to one 
 
 Feby 6th Continud 
 
 This afternoon I twen rove ot No 5 hwit M r dhubbar 
 uan swa ntake niot eth nrepublica ysociet dcall rafte eth 
 Svertuou tcoun IPulask na texcellen nconstitutio — 
 
 I heard to day that, the Geni Cartel had arrived 
 from the States She saild from here in Nov 1 last when 
 I. wrote home, and If I dont get an answer I shall 
 surely cry, or die — 
 
 M r . Fellows has. tuckd his jacket up the Spout. (HE 
 sold it) To raise some Tobacco money. . for my part I 
 have neither Tobacco nor Money, what shall I do — 
 
 Huzza here comes M r Pheps — and says come Frank. 
 I'll go and get some tobacco, and we'll sit down and 
 have a Smoke, and talk about old Stonington. 11 
 O Clock at night. M r . P. has not returnd yet. and I'm 
 led to believe he will not. and I expect he has got to 
 playing Keeno again % Past 11 Phelps just returnd 
 with a flameing pipe and a handfull of Tobacco, that 
 we shall now have a real smoke. What a good thing 
 it is to have a friend 
 
 Feby 7th 
 
 To day all hands were musted out it being inspection 
 day; I went over to see J. Smith //in The Casshot 
 who I had forgot to mention// had made another unsuc- 
 cessful attempt to get clear of these dam walls he tells 
 
[ 145 ] 
 
 me some one informed against him which was the reason 
 of his being cought. — I found an old ship mate of mine 
 in with him — who was pnt in for Branding a Dam 
 Traitor sometime since — there were 3 of them con- 
 cernd — and Shortland has told them they will be sent 
 to Exeter Jail to Stand Trial I dont see what right 
 he has to do this but Power that, cursed. Power 
 
 Haveing no Papers to Day //being Tuesday// of 
 course we get no news I Reed A letter from Bob 
 Palmer, on parole at Ashburton. he mentions nothing 
 particular, mostly about the Stonington Girls — parties 
 &c &c. 
 
 They say 1500 letters has come to the Office from 
 America O Amos! Amos! what shall I do This Night. 
 Employ in Reflections on home Expct to Dream of 
 Letters to night 
 
 1815 
 
 Febry. 8th 
 
 Glorious days. Beauty old Ship. You will percieve 
 in reading yesterdays remarks what sensations rilld my 
 breast. — last night I dreamd of seeing Buby A. and eat- 
 ing Roast Turkey with him. while relateing my dream 
 to my messmates A gentleman came in and informd 
 me I had 3 Letters come. & could get them by paying the 
 postage which was 7/6 I started off immediately to 
 borrow the money, being destitute of that Article, 
 myself. I applied to several of my supposed friends to 
 get the money, to take my letters up. but they all plead 
 Poverty, not one of them had a cent of money. I 
 strayed about sometime devolving what plan to pur- 
 
[ 146 ] 
 
 sue — to raise money enough to get my letters — I had 
 finally concluded to come back to my birth and dispatch 
 a Jew off with what little Cloathing I had //supposing 
 as. I found them to be from home and containg some 
 Arangements for me to get some Cash/// 
 
 Febym 8th Continued 
 
 When I got back to the Birth, I found M r Phelps 
 an old messmate but knowing he had no money did 
 not make my distress known — He finding I had not 
 taken up my letters — and well knowing the reason, 
 offerd to go and borrow the money for me. . which he 
 did — with A heart too full to uter the words which I 
 wishd to express — I took the money and marchd off. 
 and got my letters — A Friend in need in a Friend 
 Indeed. Man is never Known untill he is tried — few 
 find friends in adversity 
 
 The letters as I expected were from my — Brother's 
 A. & W. and. C. Nichols. 
 
 How happy I felt at this moment. I must say the 
 most so of any moment of my life and much more so 
 as they conveyd the pleasing inteligence of the Health 
 and comfort of all my near & Dear Friends /Excepting 
 the Death of An Amiable little niece/ The Health of 
 my Honourd Parents particularly my Father who 
 enjoys more than his usual health 
 
 Feby 8th Continued 
 
 I must say that Amos's Letter was the most pleas- 
 ing — As it conveyd the pleasing news — that I could 
 
[ 147 ] 
 
 soon get some money — which I do need Very much; 
 as it will place me above some, who I shall ever here- 
 after hold in Contept. — I can not say enough in praise 
 of such a brother how thoughtful how well did he guess 
 my wants. — by his guessing so Right. I shall alway 
 think he is a Yankee — 
 
 William Your letter was highly gratifying, not only 
 so as it contains the particulars of the attack on Ston- 
 ington. but also, that Miss Bestsey Gardner has got 
 united to such a husband, I can safely say they are as 
 amiable a Couple as ere were United. I must realy 
 congratulate Miss Betsey on her good fortune in not 
 geting tied to a Starr, as it seems from accounts since I 
 left home that he has turnd out exactly as I predicted — 
 
 Feby 8th Continued 
 
 As I was peruseing my letters — Charles Pendleton 
 came in I read over the passage which mentiond the 
 health of his friends — he said the news would be more 
 acceptable if it had a loose Dollar or two with it. but 
 among all the news nothing of my Dulcinea but I will 
 forgive — as you had so many other things to write 
 
 Next comes M r . Nichols's Letter, which was quite 
 unexpected, still Welcome — no one is more rejoiced on 
 receiving A letter from a friend than I am when at 
 Liberty. & much more so when placed in such a Situa- 
 tion as I have been for 14 months past and am in at 
 
 Present 
 
 In fact never was any thing more welcome than all 
 those Letters — for next to seeing our friends is hearing 
 from them. And to hear they are well is a consola- 
 
[ 148 ] 
 
 tion only felt by those who Value their Friends as 
 I do- 
 Three times three ore and ore again have I perused 
 those letters — It is pleasure Rapture, to read and read 
 again and still find them pleasing — 
 
 Feby 8th Continued — 
 
 Immediately after perusing my letters I forwarded 
 one to Mess Ogden Richards & Selden to Know if they 
 had reed advices from Amos. Aurthoriseing me to draw 
 on them, and wether A Draft, would be accepted 
 drawn by me. I am in hopes to get an answer soon — 
 
 As it is growing late and I have lengthend out this 
 days work longer than I had intended — I shall wind 
 up and turn in. and reflect, on the occurences of the 
 Day. 
 
 Feby 9th 
 
 To Day the Nantucktmen were calld out by Adml. 
 Coffin, on some private Business, suppose he wants 
 them to go a Whaling 
 
 Feby 11th 
 
 A report was circulatd this morning that, the Rat- 
 fication of the Treaty had arrive — This I expct will 
 be reported a number of times before we shall find it 
 
 to be true. the papers to day contain, an acount of 
 
 a number of Prizes by our Privateers in the Chanell 
 The expedition against New Orleans is very formad- 
 able. /they may get mistaken there as well as in 
 Stonington — . 
 
[ 149 ] 
 
 Feby 13 
 
 A report was currently believed this day that the 
 frigate United States was sunk by a seventy four Dont 
 believe it 
 
 A man that was put in the cashot sometime since for 
 branding a traitor leap'd the walls & got into prison. 
 Shortland sent in for him but the prisoners would not 
 give him up A Shopkeeper in this prison saying he 
 ought to be given up that we might have a market as 
 there has been no market to day, the crier cried this 
 around, the rough allies collected and they soon went 
 & destroyed his shop one taking tobacco another Butter 
 & another rum they carried away all the poor mans 
 goods, soon after I went round to see the ruins I found 
 the man standing with tears in his eyes but could not 
 console him for his loss Experience is a good School- 
 master — if we pay not too Dear for being taught I 
 think I have heard of one A. Palmer jun r, s haveing 
 been on a Cheese Voyage — to Philadelphia where — 
 /Dear bought/ Experience was taught him to perfec- 
 tion/ — 
 
 Feby 14th 
 
 War with all its horrors — the man who I mentioned 
 had escaped the walls of the Cachot. was this day 
 demanded in formal terms by Capt Shortland — who 
 //on our refusing to give him up// sent in .300 armd 
 Soldiers to take him out of this Prison. 
 
 But we said No if You please — He then took every 
 possible method to retaliate — by stoping the water — 
 stoping the Market, and threatening to stop the pro- 
 
[ 150 ] 
 
 vision, immediately on his stoping the Water — the 
 prisoners crid fire — which he took to be the Case soon 
 
 let the water Run 
 
 He finding us resolute in our determination to stick 
 it out — to the last gave up for the present — and. in the 
 afternoon sent in the lamp lighters to trim the lamps 
 in the Yard — the prisoners siezd them as hostages — and 
 sent word to Shortland that no Prisoners should be 
 allowd to work for the King — stoping therefore all 
 mechanick's that work out side — Thus things remaind 
 untill 4 P. M. when a Regiment of Soldiers march'd in 
 and orderd the Prisoners to go immediately — 
 
 Feby 14th Continued 
 
 into the Prisons — but they boldly refused — to go — and 
 armd themselves with paveing stones to repel any 
 attack, — The Soldiers attempted to force them several 
 times — but in vain — they were every where repulsed — 
 some of them Cock'd their pieces and presented to fire 
 but were restrained by their Officers — who well knew 
 the consequences would be instant Death to every dam 
 Son of a Bitch 
 
 By this time Cap* Shortland arrived — when the Pris- 
 oners told him they would never be forced in to any 
 measure against their wills as long as their was a paving 
 stone in the Yard to defend them 
 
 The Enemy finding they could effect nothing by 
 force, now retired. & the Conquerers gave 3 Cheers for 
 their Victory and remaind in the Yard as long as they 
 pleased — Shortland soon found he had not Frenchmen 
 to deal with 
 
[ 151 ] 
 
 Although a Treaty is made between the two gover- 
 ments — still there ever will exist that same hatred and 
 animosty between them and us who has sufferd like 
 
 Marters — 
 
 Feby 14th Continued — 
 
 The prisoners finding Shortland was determined to 
 Keep the Market shut — Issued a proclamation — 
 Declaiming that A Nonintercourse should be continued 
 as many days after the market should be opened — as 
 it had been shut — & that if any person was couglit pin - 
 chaseing any Article in the Market, or bringing it from 
 thence during the Nonintercourse should recieve cor- 
 peral punishment — at the discretion of the Jury — Thus 
 Matters stood till this morning 
 
 Feby 15th 
 
 When Shortland sent in word if the prisoners would 
 acknowledge themselves in the wrong — the Market 
 should again be opened — this was unanimously 
 rejected — as might be expected. — For we are 
 Yankees — M r . Jesse Smith is again Releasd from the 
 Cachot— To day I Reed from Mess O. 11. & Selden- 
 £10 which I am indebted to my generous Brother Amos 
 for. And shall endeavour to make A prudent use of 
 this Privalege 
 
 Feby 16th 
 
 This morning Shortland sent in for the Committee 
 of each Prison, to wait on him at his Office — which sum- 
 mons was punctualy attended to — He then made Known 
 
[ 152 ] 
 
 his business which was. That if we would deliver up the 
 man that escaped from the Cachot — the Market should 
 be opened immediately — This was answerd in a maner 
 that reflects honor on the Committees — I. E. He might 
 keep the Market shut as long as he thought proper — 
 as it did not effect the Prisoners any as they had no 
 
 money to spend as for giveing up the man they 
 
 could not think of it. For as long as we remaind in 
 this situation — we should consider it our duty to pro- 
 tect a fellow Countrymen, who had already been con- 
 fined 8 Months for a crime too trifeling to mention He 
 finding our fix'd determination. Not to give up the 
 Ship dismissd the Committees — How he will act now 
 is quite uncertain — for my part I wish Hostilities might 
 Cease — as we are out of Potatoes and Coals 
 
 Feby. 16th Continued 
 
 2 P M. the Ruff. Allies were calld out to destroy 
 another Shop which had been guilty of Swindling — 
 haveing sold — 1 Inch of Tobacco for a peny — 
 
 Takeing advantage of our wants as the Market is 
 
 still Closed But they soon made a Keen O. /That 
 
 is — a Vague expression for Boarding/ and took what 
 plunder they could — and dividing it among themselves/ 
 A General custom when any Shop Keeper is guilty of 
 Fraud/ 
 
 The papers to day mention an arrival from the 
 Havannah by which accounts are rec d . of the Ratifica- 
 tion of the Treatv — Allso the failure of the New Orleans 
 expedition Neither of these reports are entitled to 
 Credit. 
 
[ 153 ] 
 
 Feby 19th 
 
 For these few days past I have been quite ill of a 
 fit of Laziness which has prevented my filling up 
 another Page in my Laconic History. Altho I have 
 retaind all the news, which I shall give you on the next 
 Page — 
 
 Feby 19th Continued 
 
 First — M r Mott of New York has reed a letter from 
 his Brother in Canida /An officer under General 
 Brown/ which says 400 of our men had met with 800 
 of the Enemy in the Bush — and after a little fireing — 
 they /The English/ sung out for Quarters — our Officer 
 understanding them that they would give no quarters — 
 immediately orderd them to be put to death — They how- 
 ever spared some I hope this is true but dont believe 
 it 
 
 The Market still continues closed — and I expect will 
 remain so — as the prisoners in No 5 this morning broke 
 one of the grateings — & burst the locks and barrs off 
 the Doors — this was oweing to the negligence of the 
 Turnkey who did not open the door at the Usual hour — 
 to day 2 Casks of Porter was smugled in to No. 4 with 
 a considerable quantity of Bread Meat and tobacco — 
 &c &c 
 
 The papers to day contain a list of Vessels Captured 
 on both sides during the Present war with England — 
 this statement is very Eronious — as they only acknowl- 
 edge the loss of 2 Frigates and 400 Merchantmen- 
 
 They state our loss at 421. Goverment Vessels and 
 
 1400 Merchantmen I think the boot is on the other 
 leg— 
 
[ 154 ] 
 
 Feby 16th Continued 
 
 The Sultan 74 has arrived at Portsmouth in distress — 
 she spoke the Favorite Sloop of War. //with dispatches 
 for America// on the Grand Banks Calculated she 
 would have 30 Days passage — This seems very long to 
 us. but we will pray she may have prosperous Gales 
 Back — again The Sultan also brings news that General 
 Jackson had taken posession of Pensacola — with the 
 loss of 42 men — that he made but a short stay when he 
 returned to Fort Mobile and from hence to New Orleans 
 destroying all the works as they marchd — This is about 
 all the foreign news, that has come to hand — Prison 
 news. That. 2 of my acquaintance has arrived to day. 
 taken in the Prince De Neuf Chattle. They bring No 
 News. 
 
 One of my Messmates has meet, with quite a Mis- 
 fortune haveing keept a Louse (in the Choller of his 
 shirt) for 2 or 3 days past to run a race with one of 
 mine — this being the day they were to run for a pot 
 of Porter He off shirt, but behold the Louse was gone 
 he was accordingly obliged to pay the bett — 
 
 16th Continued 
 
 To day being Sunday I have strictly observed the 
 ancient custom of the good old Laws of Connecticut — 
 
 in reading the Bible /Novells) It is now past 9 
 
 O Clock — Mr Fellows is takeing some good Bread and 
 water and I after takeing a little of the same shall 
 go to Bed and Dream of futer happiness — and my fair 
 Dulcenea — who for Modesty sake I shall not Mention — 
 so good Night 
 
[ 155 ] 
 
 Feby 20th 
 
 Plenty of news in circulation this morning The 
 papers mention an arrival from Boston in 22 Days— by 
 which advices are rec d of the Capture of the President 
 Frigate — /off New York/ by the Indernian of 40 guns 
 after several hours engagement yard arm and yard 
 arm — The President had G feet of Warter in her hold 
 when She struck — this is a dam likely Story- 
 Accounts are also rec d of the Nonratification of the 
 Treaty — pooh! pooh! go, way — mid your Nonsense 
 
 There is considerable more such foolish news — which 
 no one but fools pretend to believe — 
 
 Febv 20th Continued — 
 
 To day Shortland sent in word if we would sign a 
 Treaty — on the following terms (he would open the 
 Market) Namly. Not to disturb or molest any English- 
 men employd in his service — This was unanimously 
 agreed too — And the Market was again opened. 
 
 Thus after a War of one week — we have gaind our 
 point and they have again relinquished their sine qua 
 Non — and we are as saucy as ever — always holding out 
 for our rights — and like our good old Stoningtowners — 
 come off Victorious 
 
 Success my Boys 
 
 Feby 21st. 
 
 The report in yesterdays paper of the Capture of the 
 President, I fear is too true as they say it is inserted 
 official in the — Plymouth Gazett — we get no papers 
 to Day it being Tuesday — However I have had the 
 
[ 156 ] 
 
 pleasure of perusing A file of American Papers, 
 brought by some of the Officers of the Prince De Neuf- 
 chattle. Dattd 24 of Deem 
 
 21st Continue! 
 
 They have the official accounts of the action with the 
 General Armstrong — which was a glorious one on our 
 
 side They contain a considerable other Interesting 
 
 Matter No More — so here's turn in 
 
 Feby 22nd 
 
 The aniversary of the birth day of the Noble saviour 
 of our Country we have the Prisons decorated with 
 Collours — but the late news //which comes official to 
 day// — of the Capture of the President, fills the mind 
 of every real American with disagreable Sensations — 
 Altho from the statement (even of the English) no 
 disgrace can be attachd to our flag — NO, rather honour 
 as she fought two Frigates for good 2% hours — and 
 had not A whole Fleet been in sight — she would have 
 captured them both — the British state thier loss as 
 small — ours is not yet ascrtaind — They Boast — DAM 
 them — of this Action 2 to 1 and a whole fleet in Sight — 
 let them look back a little at the — Gureere — Mace- 
 donia — Java — Frolick — Warsp — &c &c and a number 
 of others too Numereous to mention 
 
 Feby 26th 
 
 For several days past it has been quite silent — 
 
 To day we have it confidently, asserted — /among 
 
 ourselves/ that the Ratification of Peace has arrive 
 
[ 157 ] 
 
 at — but I fear It is not true as the report appears 
 unfounded — 
 
 Our paper to day says the Constitution and Hornet — 
 with another Frigate in company were seen off Ber- 
 muda on the 16th Jany As a report has been in 
 
 the papers several times of the Constitution's haveing 
 Captured the Maidstone Frigate, we therefore hope 
 this may be her — as to day is Sunday we have nothing 
 to do I was just agoing to finish without mentioning 
 what took place last Night — The Centry Boxes were 
 (with all the Soldiers) remooved out, of the Yard, and 
 all the lights extinguished — The Reason of this is not 
 Known — some attributed to the Treaty's being signd — 
 others say that the dispatches has arrived and the Treaty 
 is not ratified — others assign some other Reason — and 
 thus it goes — 
 
 Feby 28th 
 
 Yesterday dispatchd another letter, for more money 
 my former being chiefly expended in liquidating the 
 debts I had contracted in Prison as for News we have 
 none — repeated reports of the Arival of the Treaty- 
 
 This morning a man was tried by a Jury for Stealing 
 £10 from one of his fellow Prisoners, he was scen- 
 tanced to Recieve 500 Stripes — A most hardend Villian 
 
 At 2 P M. he was floggd. he reced 75 Stripes and 
 bore it like a stoic without — a groan — but his back 
 being very badly cut to pieces, they put him in the 
 Cachot — where he is to remain untill his back gets well 
 enough to take the remainder of his just due 
 
 To day Shortland sent in a Host of Soldiers to turn 
 us out — but all to no effect — The Soldiers after repeated 
 
[ 158 ] 
 
 attempts finally returned without affecting their pur- 
 pose — after they had gone — The prisoners turnd out 
 themselves — and those that did not got Husled — 
 
 March 1st 
 
 Spring commences, and still we are uncertain of our 
 fate, as the time has expired which we alloted the Vessel 
 to have — that saild with the Treaty, yet we live in hopes 
 that she will arive by the 10th of this Month — But then 
 should she bring the news of NO PEACE— O God 
 what should we do. be doomed to wear out our lives 
 within the gloomy walls of this cursed Prison 
 
 But this I am determind upon to bribe the Soldiers 
 & if possible make my Escape 
 
 March 2nd 
 
 Very pleasant weather for the first time since we have 
 been here, our chief ammesment of late is playing ball — 
 so as to get our joints suple, to travel down, in a few 
 days /I hope/ — To day they are paying the prisoners 
 their monthly pay. which on some unknown account 
 has been detaind from us for some time We have no 
 particular news to insert to day The papers still con- 
 tinue to give us the Vague & contradictory accounts 
 of the proceedings of the congress at Viena, the papers 
 Run Lord Castlereigh very hard respecting his con- 
 duct. — His Lordship is soon expected home. 
 
 March 3 d 
 
 To day the prisoners got all thier Gambling tables 
 established in the Yard, the weather being very 
 
[ 159 ] 
 
 pleasant — About 120 Prisoners arrived here to day 
 from Plymouth. A regement of Soldiers accompanied 
 them up, & relievd the old guard — The prisoners are 
 mostly from Jamica. they spoke the Favourite on 
 the 22 nd of Jany off Bermuda she informd them of the 
 Peace, to them it must have been glorious news indeed, 
 but without making any observations on this subject. 
 I shall leave my reader to Judge of their feelings — 
 They had their liberty during the remainder of the pas- 
 sage — The Only news they bring is that the English 
 got a dam drubing at N Orleans — our trops gave no 
 quarters to the W. Iindia blacks some had Froze to 
 death — & others had starv'd This I need not say is 
 good — good — 
 
 It appears that the Soldiers that came up to day had 
 not learnt to respect Yankee Prisoners — They con- 
 cluded they could insult and abuse us with as much 
 impunity as tho we were on board of British Men of 
 War These remarks are occasiond by one of the new 
 comers stabing with a bayonet a prisoner by the name 
 of Wood in several places — M r Wood is a very peace- 
 able man & did not provoke them by word or deed. It 
 being neer night & the prisoners mostly inside of the 
 Prison. They had not an oppertunity of revenging the 
 
 March 3 d Continued 
 
 Injuries done to our fellow Countrymen however we 
 immediately prepared for Action against the morrow — 
 fully determined to sacrifice the first Soldier that came 
 in to the Yard — how this affair will terminate time must 
 develope — but if Shortland does not interceed & give 
 
[ 160 ] 
 
 us some Satisfaction I think this affair will be attended 
 with serious dificulties — I therefore hope it may be 
 Amicable Sittled 
 
 March 4th 
 
 As I wished, Matters have been arranged without 
 any bloodshed — Shortland sent in word this morning 
 that no more Soldiers would be allow'd to come in to 
 the Yard, and that the offending Soldier had reed — 
 four hundred lashes, to teach him his duty towards a 
 Prisoner of war — The prisoner that was Stab'd has 
 gone in to the Hospital — 
 
 The papers to day mention a report that the Warsp 
 has been Captured by the Castilian Sloop of 18 guns — 
 This is a dam likely Story — why did not the Avon — 
 the Reindeer & others take her — heigh O Says Darby — 
 because they could'nt — we live in hopes that the Presi- 
 dent Frigate is ours yet as we have not heard of her 
 arival at Bermuda — 
 
 March 4th Continued — 
 
 A Report is in Circulation that the Ratified Treaty 
 has at length arrive — Our Minesters at Gent has got 
 permision to come to England — to wait the return of 
 the Dispatches which may God send to be as soon as 
 possible As I feel A little in the umour of writeing 
 Just now — and have no more news to mention I should 
 like to give my reader a faint idea of the life that A 
 Prisoner leads, altho I feel myself quite inadequate 
 to the Task for unless A person has experienced A little 
 imprisonment it's impossible for him to form A correct 
 idea of the Miseries incident to A Prisoners life 
 
 
[ 161 ] 
 
 In the morning we are awakend by the sound of the 
 horn — which announces bread to be servd — every pris- 
 oner starts at the sound and gets his Bread — And those 
 that has money gets some tea for Breakfast those that 
 has not where with to purchase — takes a little Bread 
 & water. And then every one /Except the Gambles/ 
 turns too about something that is useful — some Write- 
 ing some reading — some shoe makeing some Make 
 Fiddles — some making tin ware some Making Straw 
 Boxes — some at Bone Ships & some fabricating & 
 Circulating news 
 
 March 4th Continued 
 
 And next you hear the trading men Calld Jews. . 
 Sing out who'll buy some fine Cloaths. servd out Jackets 
 & Trowses Shoes & Boots Buy or Sell — Sell or Buy. 
 here is fine Tobacco — long & Strong sweet & good, 
 who'll buy some good tobacco, here is nice Segars. come 
 buy Apples, nice Aples, here is Nobe Candy. — who'll 
 buy some Murphys. all hot! all hot! here's your nice 
 Dartimoor pipins. who'll buy this is the General cry 
 tho' the day — then you see A crowd gatherd round. 
 A Battle is f aught with some of the Shop Keepers who 
 apply to their debtors to get their Debts and if the 
 Shop Keeper is the stoutest they will pay him if not 
 you must loos — it and get flogg'd in the Bargin — 
 
 Next comes Dinner which uniformly consists of poor 
 soup — & poor enough God Knows — In the Afternoon 
 we have some news fabricated which (if ever so 
 unlikely) is swallow'd by the populace. It generaly 
 is well made — At length night comes and then you hear 
 the Gambling tribe singing out Lieu Lieu, com who'll 
 
[ 162 ] 
 
 take a hand of Lieu — this noise passes away the 
 Evening till this time 10 Olock, to bed 
 
 March 5th 
 
 It being very thick Rainy weather to day and Sabbath 
 too, we hardly Know how to pass the time — there being 
 no foreighn news in Circulation — and the domestic 
 being the Comon frazeology of every days conversa- 
 tion — is of too little interest to excite attention 
 
 I have just been calld to the office & have Rec d 
 from my Banker £20 — which money I shall spend 
 judiciously, wisely appreciating its Sterling Value by 
 the Source from which it is derived — I must now 
 acknowledge the Recp 1 of this, as A Third person is 
 connected Namely M r Griswold — 
 
 March 6th 
 
 M r Shaw has prophisied that all the news of Conse- 
 quence will be rec d this week Viz. the Treaty Ratified 
 dispatches from N Orleans and further Accounts 
 respecting the Capture of the President Frigate. It 
 remains to be seen whether he is a true or false Prophet. 
 In consequence of the meditated alterations in the Corn 
 bill, great tumults have ensued in London, and its 
 environs — The lower Classes express great indignation 
 at the Idea of holding up the price of Grain by an Act 
 of Parliment — 
 
 March 7th 
 
 We are still inundated with reports of arrivals of the 
 Favourite — but none of them bear the Stamp of 
 Aurthority 
 
[ 163 ] 
 
 Pugilism at this time is all the Rage in the (liferent 
 prisons, two Matches were decided this morning, the 
 first battle was fought for a pound Note — the com- 
 batants exibited great scientific Skill, after several 
 rounds of very hard fighting the Gunner of the Paul 
 Jones — gave in to his Antagonist, he was most shock- 
 ingly Cut to pieces — The second battle was very severe 
 both the Pugilists contended with the utmost — despera- 
 tion — for Victory but I did not stay to see it decided — 
 being very sick of such Sport. My Countrymen appear 
 to be equally pleased with such exibitions as their Eng- 
 lish Neighbours who are famous for their fondness, of 
 this debasing and cruel sport. 
 
 March 9th 
 
 This morning while laying in my Hammock, wrapt 
 in the arms of Morpheus. I was arroused by loud cheer- 
 ing, on enquiring I was told the long expected Treaty 
 had arrived I turnd out and enquired the Souce from 
 which it came — Why such a man told me that such a 
 one told him — that such 
 
 March 9th Continued 
 
 A man said, that a boy told him that he had heard 
 a man say that he read it in the paper — on finding the 
 Channel which it came through — I felt quite easy as 
 to the truth of it — but for Aurgument sake M r Fellows 
 & Cap* Brownell. disputed that this must be true — as it 
 was time for her arrival To be certain I followed the 
 Labininth of this winding fabrication through all its 
 directions untill convinced of its falsity — I returnd 
 home — in the mean time they had been convinced of their 
 
[ 164 ] 
 
 error by its not being in the paper The Colours were 
 hoisted in the morning and still remain So — 
 
 March 10th 
 
 To day we have no news, that relates to us — The 
 London Mobs have been strengthend very much against 
 the Corn bill — several of the Members houses who were 
 in favour of the Bill have been Pillaged — of their Furni- 
 ture A Petition to Parliment from London was signd 
 by 75,000 Respectable Merchants & Citizens — against 
 raising the price of Bread — I was calld to the Office this 
 morning to get a letter — which proved to be for John 
 Palmer I wrote to day to Mess O. R Selden to obtain a 
 birth on board of some Merch 1 Ship bound to the U. 
 States. 
 
 1815 
 March 11th 
 
 MOST PLEASING INTELLIGENCE 
 
 Dispatches have been received from New Orleans 
 announcing the total defeat of the British army near 
 New Orleans by the American forces under General 
 Jackson, The official ac't has been rec d by the Plantag- 
 anet seventy four from Jamaica, the British loss is 
 stated at two thousand four hundred & fifty four, killed, 
 wounded & missing among the killed were the Com- 
 mander in chief & the second & third in command, 
 
 Next to the ratification of the treaty this is the most 
 pleasing news that could come to hand & in common 
 with the rest of my fellow prisoners I do congratulate 
 my Country on this most fortunate event. 
 
[ 165 ] 
 
 March 12 
 
 A few days since a man in the Hospital became insane 
 & stabb'd two men who assisted as nurses one of them 
 a M r Paul died this day, he has a wife here who the pris- 
 oners intend assisting on the next fish day by giving 
 her the fish dealt out to us amounting to twenty five 
 Bbls pickled herrings, various reports are in circula- 
 tion of the treaty's not being signed, but we still hope, 
 The papers state officially that Boney has left the Island 
 of Elba and landed in France where thousands have 
 flocked to his Standard, The King has issued a procla- 
 mation ordering all his subjects to arrest Napoleon 
 as a traitor and 
 
 March 12th Continued 
 
 confine him immediately but take care Louis that you 
 are not caught yourself as I think your person is in 
 greater danger than Napoleon's for he gains proselytes 
 very fast, Last night I was ear witness to two scenes 
 one excited my disgust the other flattered my vanity — 
 the first was a thief caught in stealing bread they 
 cobb'd him with a boot gave him a loaf of bread & with 
 this admonition releas'd him that when he was hungry 
 to come and ask for bread and not steal it, The other 
 was several prisoners in close conversation respecting 
 the abilities of a M r Ross, the greatest scholar in Dart- 
 moor the other party were contending that mine out- 
 shone M r Ross's that although he had received a College 
 education yet I was the handsomest penmen, the truth 
 of this I should not like to leave it to referees well 
 knowing I should come in the rear — 
 
[ 166 ] 
 
 March 13th 
 
 The papers to day is meerly a repetition of what was 
 inserted yesterday with this Addition, that Reports are 
 currently Circulated in London that the President has 
 refused to Ratify the Treaty, this we conclude is 
 merely the Speculation of London Merchants who has 
 
 American produce on hand The 3 Prisoners that 
 
 were some time since sent to Exiter for Trial, for 
 Branding A dam Traitor — have writen us a letter 
 respecting — 
 
 March 13th Continued 
 
 Their situation, requesting some assistance As their 
 situation is such as demands immediate Relief — as their 
 liveing consists of Bread & water only — A subscription 
 was immediately set on float in the different prisons — 
 and about £6 raisd for them 
 
 March 15th 
 
 Tho the news from France occupies the Principal part 
 of this days papers yet the a/cts respecting Boneypart 
 are so confused and contradictory that I can not possible 
 Judge what progress the Invader of France has made. 
 Tho they speak lightly of him yet it can clearly be 
 percievd — thy are very considerably agitated. — 
 
 Report of the Day.! The Favourite has arrived at 
 Forlay in 17 days from New York There appears some 
 foundation for this report, however we do not Know 
 whether the Treaty is Ratified or not as the Messenger 
 immediately Started for London without makeing any 
 communication. We can only pray that it may be 
 
[ 167 ] 
 
 favourable, should it not be. I must leave my reader to 
 Judge of our fillings O what they would be — doomd 
 to linger out the remainder of our existenee in these dam 
 Prisons — O God — We hope we pray 
 
 March 16 th 
 
 Yesterday Napoleon was reduced to the greatest difi- 
 culties his motely crew deserting him. his retreat coni- 
 pleetly cut off, & himself neerly within the grasp of his 
 adversary Louis 18 th how changed the scene To day 
 the papers state that Boneyparte is carrying all before 
 him. those troops who were stated to have Cut off his 
 retreat, were in his Interest — & that he has enterd 
 Lyons the 2 nd City in France without any opposition 
 (is without doubt.) He stiles himself Lieu 1 Gen 1 for 
 the King of Rome — in his proclamation he says his 
 pension, had not been paid him & that when he abdicated 
 the Throne of France he did not meen to include his 
 Son whos rights he could not Curtail. 
 
 The Official letter of Corn? Decatur has been rec d It 
 appears instead of being Captured by the Endemian — 
 alone he had upon him a Squadron of 5 Ships including 
 a Razee — So much for the statements of British 
 officers — who could not avoid asserting — that there was 
 no doubt but the President, would have struck to 
 the Fndemian on the contrary it appears the Endemian 
 was dismantled in a very short period & had dropt 
 
 astern. when the President haveing rec d some 
 
 damage was obliged to strike to the Fresh ships of the 
 squadron who had came up — It is as impossible for an 
 Englishman to speak the truth — as it is for a shad to 
 clime an apple tree tail first — 
 
[ 168 ] 
 
 1815 
 March 17 th 
 
 At length the most Pleasing inteligence of the Ratifi- 
 cation of the Treaty has come to hand and in such a 
 shape as to have no doubt of its authenticity The most 
 pleasing anticipation fills the breast of each joyous 
 
 Prisoner we can hardly contain ourselves — No more 
 
 shall British Soldiers, Sailors, Turnkeys, or Agents, 
 domineer over the unfortunate Captive — No more shall 
 Yankee Tars support innumerable shoals of Farmers, 
 market Women & Jews — who has subsisted during the 
 War entirely on the outgoings of these Prisons, charge- 
 ing what prices they chose for their Produce & Goods — 
 Knowing they had no competitors in the Market. & that 
 the Prisoners could not be supply'd elsewhere — They 
 have fatned on the hard earnings of American Prison- 
 ers, but their race is run they may now return like the 
 Bear to their homes & suck their Claws & Pay their 
 Taxes as they can 
 
 On the Recp 1 of this most GLORIOUS. NEWS. I 
 with some of my Friends had some Porter & the Pris- 
 oners Generaly had a festive day — I purchased a Suit 
 of Cloaths for myself — & M r Fellows, while I was 
 Trading in Market I was dund for a debt of £6. which 
 I had contracted some time since & In Trusting it out 
 lost it — I had intended not to pay this debt as it is the 
 first of my pride to cheat an Englishmen — but one of 
 the Articles in the Treaty precludes all hopes escaping 
 without paying it. as it expressly says all debts shall 
 be paid — contracted by prisoners on both sides I hardly 
 know which to do run away or pay the Debt, but I 
 
[ 169 ] 
 
 believe it will be as much to my Interest eventualy to 
 pay it — as I might not get a passage home — if 1 made 
 my escape — 
 
 When fist we were prisoners, the enquiry was whin 
 shall we get exchanged. Shall we ever be exchanged. 
 this Idea — and the hope of an exchange Kept us alive 
 untill — all our hopes were frustrated by our being sent 
 to England — Immediately on our Arrival there was 
 great talks of Peace — shall we have a peace — & when 
 shall we have a peace, this was the cry untill a peace 
 was concluded, on the 24 of Deem at Gent — Next was 
 the Ratification & between the hope and fear of the 
 Treaty's not being Ratified — we were kept in continual 
 Suspence untill at length the long wishd for Blessing 
 has taken place — So now the general enquiry is when 
 shall we get away — when will the Cartels be ready and 
 when shall we begin to Start — 
 
 Thus you see a Prisoner is always in a state of 
 inquietude — constantly whishing and incessantly dread- 
 ing, fear & hope alternately possesing his mind — In this 
 State of uncertainty a Prisoner is Kept. Untill Released 
 & set at LIBERTY 
 
 1815 
 March 18 th 
 
 We are constantly talking of going home Cap 1 
 Shortland sent in word that he had rec d Orders from M r 
 Beasly that, he had all to say in sending us away. The 
 prisoners generaly seem dissatisfied at this arangement. 
 as Beasly will be fiting some of his old Vessels out — 
 which will delav the time 
 
[ 170 ] 
 
 March 19th 
 
 Orders have been rec d to day for some of the pris- 
 oners to hold themselves in readiness to embark to mor- 
 row to join their Ships in Different Parts. 
 
 The papers to day give us very pleasing intiligence 
 respecting Boneypart who they say has actualy entred 
 Paris without any opposition — Likewise that Louis had 
 left Paris for Belgium — We hope for true. 
 
 March 20th 
 
 The news of yesterday respecting Boney is contra- 
 dicted — in part, as Boney is but just left Lyons on his 
 way to Paris but Louis is still on the throne — passage 
 boats are every where taken up to convey English 
 families from Paris to this England, the greatest 
 Bustle and confusion reigned throughout Paris. Vive 
 Napoleon was head tho all the Streets. — SUCCESS to 
 BONEY — I Recd an Answer from my Banker yester- 
 day that. Ship were not to be had in Liverpool — So 
 here's go home in A Cartel 
 
 March 21st. 
 
 Reports are in circulation from Plymouth, that the 
 Independance 74 & others of our State Ships are come- 
 ing to take some of the Prisoners to man their ships 
 for the Streights One of the Market men yesterday 
 was stoned out of Market for bringing up an English- 
 men Supposing him to be a Prisoner The Dam 
 
 Rascal has got my Watch — Jesse Smith Intends make- 
 ing another attempt this night to get clear of these 
 cursed Walls — 
 
[ 171 ] 
 
 March 22 nd 
 
 Sent a letter to Liverpool — No News — Time flies 
 apace — & still no prospect of geting home How is it 
 that our Agent is so dilatory I cant tell 
 
 March 23 d 
 
 A Letter has been reed to day from M r Hawker for- 
 merly American Consul at Plymouth. Stateing that 
 he had rec d , Orders from M r Beasly. Authorizing him 
 to take 2500 tons of sniping to convey us home 
 
 March 24th 
 
 A Letter w T as rec d from Monsier Beasly to day. but 
 couch'd in such terms as strongly indicated that his 
 Interest in our favor was entirely Obliterated — If ever 
 he had any 3 Cartels are flting to convey 6000 Pris- 
 oners home to America — This conduct in our Agent 
 Certainly is not Explicable — and deserves Reproof 
 
 March 2,5th 
 
 Bonaparts Conquerer of France — At length the 
 Invader of France has gaind the sumit of his wishes. 
 The world looks on with wonder & Astonishment at the 
 Sudin change of Affairs on the Continent — But A 
 Short time since you see Napoleon an Exile from the 
 world confined on A small Island, Dependand on the 
 King Now behold him in the Middle of France — 
 marching tryumphantly through the Country — He 
 enterd Paris on Monday last about 4 P M. escorted by 
 50 faithfull guards & they with their muskets pointed 
 downwards — Its said He halted a short distance from 
 
[ 172 ] 
 
 Paris and sent the King a letter, that if he would allow 
 his son to succeed him. on the Throne — he would not 
 trouble the place — the King on the recpt of this took 
 to his heals — quick step. Boney marchd in soon After 
 arm'd the aclamations of all Paris Crying Vive Le 
 Emperor — Success to Boney — Long may He Live — 
 
 What say ye to this ye Britons of the South and ye 
 Russians of the North. — What say ye to this sixth 
 Wonder of the world — Are Ye not Astonished — I think 
 you are — my dear fellows — and long may you be so — 
 You Dam Rascals — This News — the Peace — & the 
 New Orleans affair is Sufficint to make us Rejoice, 
 Forever 
 
 March 26th 
 
 The news of yesterday is sufficiently confirmd by 
 our Papers to day — Napoleon is now on the Throne 
 of France. & Lewis is on his way to Engl d such a Revo- 
 lution in the affairs of this world — as there has been 
 for 12 months past — can not be found in the Anals of 
 History Boneypart Dethroned, /the English most 
 damly Floged — / Peace with all the world — / & Napo- 
 leon againd Emperor of France 
 
 When Bonapart landed from Elba he marchd on in 
 Advance of his little army to procure horses on comeing 
 to a Tavern he meet a Lady who also wanted horses, 
 but Boney had made application first — The Lady told 
 him her Business was — urgent — & demanded speed — 
 myne is also urgent answerd the Emperor, but I cant 
 deny a Lady so let her have the first set of Horses 
 
 This serves to shew the generous mind of Bonapart. 
 The Efige of Monsier Beasly was hoisted on A flag staff 
 
[ 173 ] 
 
 on the Prison this morning — I am sory to say this con- 
 duct deserves censure equaly as much as M r Beaslys 
 
 A subscription of our Herings has again been afloat — 
 to relieve the Distress of Lieut. Heintze in Portsmouth 
 Hospital — he has lost both arms in attempting to take 
 the Transport he came in from Halifax All the prisons 
 but this have given theirs 
 
 March 28th 
 
 To day they begin paying us our monthly money, 
 which is much Wanted — A Prisoner to day stole A 
 watch out of the pocket of one of the Market men. 
 they have detected the Thief and brought him to Jus- 
 tice Cap 1 B. The News bearer has just arrived from 
 the Inteligence Office — and brings news of 2 vessels 
 haveing arrive from America with English prisoners, 
 from New York — Good — 
 
 March 30th 
 
 News to Day has flock'd in from Different quarters 
 in great abundance — but I shall leave my Reader to 
 Judge of their truth. The British have taken X. 
 Orleans, with the loss of 6,000 Men. our loss was 
 comparitively small 5 Cartels are ready to Sail from 
 London to take in prisoners at Plymouth. The Above 
 news we consider to be without foundation Our 
 Papers — to day is filld with French news, as that seems 
 to be the Theater of War — The Alied Powers, have 
 all joind with the determination to overthro Bonapart. 
 and they say nothing shall apease their anger but his 
 Head Boney. Calculating on this has musterd 400000 
 
[ 174 ] 
 
 Men Old Veterans — And is prepareing to act on the 
 Defencive 
 
 March 30 th 
 
 Here it is the last Day of March and still No hopes 
 apear of soon getting away The talk is that Cartels 
 are in readiness in London — and will be here the first 
 wind — The Paper Announces the Arrival of the 
 Endemian with HER Prize — this to the Ignorant part 
 of Mankind appears a fact but Mistaken Idea Enough 
 we all Know how she was Captured — The News from 
 Boney of late appears but of little Moment. — he is 
 makeing preparations to meet the Enemy — /The Alied 
 powers/ who it is confirmd is going against him. — 
 
 The Weather has been pecularly fine to Day in so 
 much that you hardly see a man inside the Prisons. — 
 for my part haveing been up through the Night /Read- 
 ing the History of Bonapartes Travels & Invasion of 
 Egept/ I fell quite Dull — 
 
 Time rolls heavily on — It is now that we want to 
 be at home, one Month at home now is better than 
 six months will be six months hence. Commerce Agri- 
 culture. Merchandise, and in fact every Kind of Busi- 
 ness must flourish for a short time. But It cant be 
 helpt. we must Trust as we have done for 18 months 
 past to Fickle Fortune 
 
 April 1st 
 
 About daylight this morning — M r Fellows, gave me 
 a call — & told me that Bob Palmer was out at the gate 
 and wished to see me — I hastend on my Cloths — and 
 
[ 175 ] 
 
 without asking any questions proceded to the yard 
 quick Step — In arriveing at the Market square. I saw 
 no Bob I enquired of the Centry if — A man was there 
 from Ashburton. he answerd in the Negative, but I 
 persisted there was after some Altercation, the 
 Thought Popt in to my head — that it was the first of 
 April — I acordingly returnd to the Laughing Audi- 
 ence — and caried off the Joke as — becomes all April 
 fools, /in good Nature./ I have rec d a letter to day 
 from Liverpool — assureing me that No birth could be 
 obtained but by paying I could get A passage — This 
 about 130 is a going to do. who had recd their discharge 
 
 to day Beasly has written us a letter — that the 
 
 Cartels were nearly Ready — this is very Encourage- 
 ing — The papers to day say our Squadron is Cruiseing 
 off the West Indiees — Success — The American Priva- 
 teers is playing the Devil with them, off there. The 
 Ultor has taken Several Vessels — Success Attend 
 them — 
 
 April 4th 
 
 This morning A large number of Letters were calld 
 over, they were from America — by the way of Hali- 
 fax but were dated as far back as December — for this 
 Day or two past we have had no news, but To Day 
 it comes in from all quarters, the papers gives us 
 Extracts from American papers which were rec d by A 
 Ship arrived in Liverpool from Boston the Statement 
 of the British loss at New Orleans — seems rather more 
 than the English were willing to allow — but as this 
 news will not be very entertaining to my Reader — as 
 
[ 176 ] 
 
 he must be better acquainted with the local affairs of 
 our Country than I am — I shall therefore Insert more 
 Domestic and less foreign News. 
 
 Last night 3 Frenchmen were Detected in the Act 
 of buggery and this morning they were flog'd severely, 
 and turnd in to No 4 among the Negroes — Jesse Smith 
 who we thought had got clear — has just come out of 
 the Cachot. for the 3 time, he has Drawd <£20 of Croper 
 & Benson Liverpool and is now determined not to make 
 another attempt to Escape — 
 
 This afternoon there was another man flog'd. he took 
 3 Doz for Stealing almost every day there is some one 
 punished for being cought in this crime 
 
 To day we have had no bread servd out. as the 
 prisoners refused to take hard Biscuit we shall there- 
 fore have to go supperless to bed this night Short- 
 land has gone to Plymouth to Know when the Cartels 
 will be ready — 
 
 April 5 th 
 
 Last night an affair hapened which like to have been 
 attended with Serious consequences — as I mentiond we 
 had no bread serv'd to us. because we refused to take 
 1 lb of hard bread in Lieu of 1% lb of soft, about 
 Sundown 1 Wagon load of new Bread came up to the 
 Store, out side, which was intended for to Days Allow- 
 ance — but it's an old saying that hunger will go through 
 a Stone wall, and this saying was veryfied. for the 
 Prisoners determind on haveing some Bread, and there- 
 fore made a Rush out from the different Prisons, and 
 crying hurraw & *Kuns — they burst open the Gates — 
 
[ 177 ] 
 
 which were solid Iron — and in 1 minute the square was 
 crowded with Prisoners. The Allarm was given the 
 Bells rang — and the Soldiers from Princetown & dif- 
 ferent parts ran to the guard houses and clinching their 
 muskets thev soon surrounded the Prisons witli their 
 hats off — shoes off Coats off. and some with troAvses 
 off. they presented a really laughable & Ridiculous 
 figure, to the lookers on. who had, by this time come 
 to an amicable agreement with the Cap 1 /Not Shortland 
 as he was at Plymouth/ who told them if they would go 
 in the Bread should be servd out. but the Prisoners 
 refused unless they would give them A hostage, the 
 Clerk then gave himself in pledge. . To J. Smith who 
 took good care of him untill they flnishd serveing the 
 Bread, which was not till 10 OClock. 
 
 In the mean time the Soldiers were helping the Pris- 
 oners over the walls — in all directions — Report Says 
 upwards of 100 made their escape, but little Do they 
 think of being Press'd in the British service I had 
 neerly forgot to mention that the Stone walls were 
 partly dug through — and soon would have been Razed 
 to the ground had not the Business been Settled. — I 
 feel some fear least our Countrymen Should be 
 Impressed — As the last that made their Escape were — 
 and have since Saild — to foreign ports. The paper 
 is just a comeing that I will finish after Perusing it — 
 
 I have perused the paper, and could make many 
 comments on its contents, but shall omit it and give you 
 the facts, as there Stated — first. The Presidents Mes- 
 sage — which I cant help Observing is an exelent 
 thing — 2 d some of the particular of the affair at New 
 
[ 178 ] 
 
 Orleans 3 d The Ball given to the Officers of the Eng- 
 lish squadron, by the New London Junto. This is the 
 Amt. of the American news — rec d by the Ship Malou 
 from Boston, 18 Days to Liverpool — The French News 
 is that Boney. as well as the Alies is makeing every 
 possible exertion for War — and it is soon to be feard 
 they will have some blood Shed on the Continent. Boney 
 has published A Decree Abolishing the Slave Trade — 
 A letter has been rec d from Jacob the Jew and from 
 A Gen* who went from here to London A few days 
 since. Stating that 6 Transports were fitting in London. 
 2 of which were ready to sail and the others would be 
 very Shortly. Likewise that we should go by date of 
 Capture. There! There! I think we have had news 
 Enough for one Day. & I think more than we shall have 
 again for this week to come. Unless the latter be true 
 and the Cartels arrive Then we should have Enough — 
 
 April 6 
 
 Two letters were written to Day & cried through 
 the Prisons, one Address'd to M r . Beasly. & the other 
 to the Transport Board, on the Subject of our getting 
 Released. . It is now one month nearly since we recd 
 the news of the Treaty's being retified. and as yet no 
 prospect of geting home — true there is 3 Cartels fiting 
 out. in London — but how many will they Carry, why 
 300. Each. In this manner we should get away about. 
 Next Sept. — here we are looseing all the best of our 
 time, while we ought to be makeing arrears for our past 
 Misfortunes — 
 
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[ 179 ] 
 
 The Prisoners are growing daily more and more dis- 
 contented, they seem determined to make some bold 
 attempt to escape from this dam Prison — and I believe 
 should we remain here much longer they would attempt 
 it. — To Day I have been busily employed in Different 
 Avocations— but not irksome As It was chiefly write- 
 ing & Writeing — 
 
 Our Papers gives us no news — and in fact as I men- 
 tion Yesterday why I did not expect to have any news 
 the comeing week and I believe I should not; had not 
 an affair happend Just at Dark, which God Knows I 
 Shall remember till the Day I die 
 
 April 6, 1815 Continued O temporal O mores. J. K. 
 
 British Humanity 
 
 O God what Crimes are not the English Capable 
 of Perpetrating, (when they have power) — Murder. 
 ah! the worst of Murder — That of Inocent And 
 defenceless prisoners 
 
 As the subject of this days disasters may hereafter 
 lead to some controversy. I shall be a little particular, 
 in mentioning the cause — which gave rise, to the Horid 
 Murder — 
 
 A number of prisoners, some of whoome being A 
 little Intoxicated, were diverting themselves and the 
 bye standers by heaveing turf, at each other between 
 
 the Iron railing, and the outer wall. The Officers 
 
 dislikeing their sport, sent in a file of soldiers and orderd 
 them to disperce. which they did and comeing to the 
 wall, /which was partly dug thro the other night./ 
 
[ 180 ] 
 
 they soon made a hole through the Soldiers gave an 
 allarm that we were all comeing out. The drum beat 
 to quarters, and the Prisoners run towards the gate, 
 where meeting the Soldiers, they were fired upon — and 
 on riming into the Prisons for safety, were seen falling 
 in all directions — The Soldiers followed on and fired 
 Volley after Volley in to the Doors & Windows of all 
 the Prisons. Killing and Wounding without Mercy. . 
 Several who could not get in time enough. — oweing 
 to the croud) were most inhumanly Butcher 'd — five 
 Soldiers — Discharged their Muskets upon one man 
 after he was Shot. — some that lay wounded on the 
 ground were Jump't upon — and Bayonets plunged in 
 them 
 
 April 6 Continued 
 
 Too Inhuman to mention — (In fact I feel myself 
 quite inadequate to the Task of describeing such Savage 
 Barbarity in its proper Collours — Even Shortland 
 (who was drunk) If that is any palliation?) stamp't 
 upon those whom were allready Dead — or nearly — and 
 who he was the Sole cause of haveing Murderd — 
 Cowerd. Villian. Blood Thursty Rascal, what epithet 
 can be applied to thee sufficiently Indicative of such 
 Brutal & Savage Barbarity, none, Say none — words 
 cant describe — nor pen depict, your Inhuman conduct — 
 in collours — so black as the Crime 
 
 Is this not a sufficient proof of British Barbarity 
 If not. there can be others mentiond — but I think this 
 sufficient to Satisfy the world — The returns of Killd 
 and Wounded can not be assertaind to night. I believe 
 
[ 181 ] 
 
 it to be considerable — A Flag of Truce came in about 
 8 OClock and took the Killd & wounded from each 
 Prison off to the Hospital. One of our crew was Killd 
 but my Mesmates all Escapd — unhurt, being mostly 
 in the House at this time — I was out but haveing no 
 hand in the Sport, did not intend to Share in the dan- 
 ger — and wisely made my retreat in to the prison — as 
 
 soon as they commenced fireing 
 
 The Blood of the Murderd will ever Stimulate us to 
 Vengence— WE CRY FOR VENGENCE 
 
 April 7th 
 
 I have not been able to asertain the names of the 
 Killd & wounded, but from the best information The 
 numbers, were. 7 Killd. and 38 wounded — most of them 
 Mortaly — O Horid Masacree; inhuman Murder This 
 morning the doors were Keept shut till quite late and 
 all communication with the other prisons was stopt. 
 untill late in the forenoon — when some Milatary Offi- 
 cers. An Admirial & Several Navy Captains Came up 
 from Plymouth. They sent for the Committees of the 
 different Prisons, and enquired in to the Causes that 
 led to this inhuman Masacree — and after hearing a 
 candid statement of the facts thev said there should be 
 a propper investigation of this affair — and that Justice 
 would undoubtedly take its Course. They wishd the 
 committees would take the depositions of such of the 
 Prisoners as were knowing to the causes that led to 
 this Brutal Murder, and Transmit them to them— and 
 after makeing several common place observations they 
 retired The Prisons through the day has been 
 
[ 182 ] 
 
 in a continual uproar. . respecting the affair of Last 
 Night — many Arguments are held respecting Short- 
 lands & the Prisoners conduct, but all swear Vengence 
 against Shortland. & hear I swear it should ever an 
 oppertunity be afforded me of being his Murderer, like 
 an Assasin will I do it yes — I will seek his life — like a 
 Spaniard who has been rob of his wifes honour — Never 
 (So help me God) will I make Peace with the English 
 untill I revenge the Blood of my Countrymen 
 
 April 17th 
 
 Some more particulars of this Horid Murder has 
 Just Reachd me by Jesse Smith, who had a ball Through 
 his Hat — in attemting to assist a wounded Man — in 
 geting in to the Prison — He informs me that the man 
 whom the five Soldiers Shot, was Washington, (one of 
 our Crew, who on his Knee's beg'd for Mercy, telling 
 them he was already wounded — and was Inocent — / 
 Kill! him! Kill him! Cried the INHUMAN Short- 
 land & the Soldiers immediately discharged their Mus- 
 kets on him. & blowd his brains out against the Wall — 
 This is humanity. O you damd Infernal Villians. where 
 shall you meet with punishment such a Crime deserves — 
 I fear not in this world — and in HEL. you are so 
 leagued with the Devil that you will be favourd — 
 Enough can not be said on this Subject — for men to 
 chase their Brothers about — like the hunting of foxes. 
 Brothers did I say — let me race out that name. They 
 Brothers No Never they are not worthy of such a 
 Name — Inhuman, Savage. Blood Thursty, Monsters 
 
[ 183 ] 
 
 in what History will you find any Nation (much more 
 Cristians) as they pretend to be — Guilty of so many 
 
 Acts of Inhuman Barbarity as the English — look at the 
 many Defenceless Women & Children they have Mur- 
 derd & Caused to be Murder'd by employing, those 
 Merciless Savage's on the frontiers and provideing them 
 with arms. 
 
 Look at Hamton — Every Child Knows this — I shall 
 therefore pass is over — and proceed to Washington 
 where they even burnt the Library. A thing before 
 never Known — look at the affair of the Priv r Gen 1 Ann- 
 strong & Should I proceed to enumerate all of there 
 Acts of Savage Brutality It would fill my Journal- 
 Suffice it to Sav that this is Murder horid murder- 
 Report says M r Beasly is superseded by A M r Dickins 
 formerly Agent to M r Lyman — previous to his M r . 
 Lyman's Death — It will not do for me to say any more 
 on this subject — as my paper will soon be Short — I 
 shall therefore Close by ading that if all the world lias 
 not had sufficient proof of British humanity — I have — 
 here follows a list of Killed & Wounded 
 
 KILL'D. 
 
 John Washington — 
 William Everet. 
 Joseph Jackson. 
 John Hawood 
 Thos. Janson 
 James Mann. 
 John Conner — 
 
[ 184 ] 
 
 on the 6 of April 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 No 3 Prison. 
 
 Thomas Smith, left leg amputated. 
 Caleb Coadin, two shot in the leg. 
 Will m Blake. Several places in the body — 
 Eev d Gardner. In the wrist, and left leg — 
 Philip Ford — left side brest and arm — 
 James Bell, wrist and Thigh. 
 James Turnbull. left arm amputated. 
 Edw d White Cankes. In the back — 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 John Gray, left arm amputated. 
 John Hogubit. in the hip. 
 
 Shepherd Phipps. in the left thigh & Belly — dan- 
 gerous. 
 
 No 4. 
 
 John Robberts in the thigh and ear — 
 Peter Willson. In the head — Dangerous 
 James Trial. In the thigh and the left leg — 
 
 ^ Jacob Davis. In the thigh 
 
 £ Rob 1 Little. In the Testacies 
 
 PQ Will m Penn In the thigh. 
 
 Joseph Beeych In the Thigh 
 
 In the Back. Dangerously — 
 Rob* Willet. left leg amputated — 
 
 No 5 
 
 Willm. Appleby, in the Brust & lost his Thumbs. 
 John Beech, in the Thigh 
 
[ 185 ] 
 
 Thorn 8 Teenly in the Thigh, and brest Dangerous. 
 And w Garrson — head an thigh. 
 John Gurleft. Both legs and one arm amputated. 
 Will" 1 Lane. In the eye and Testacies. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 George Camel not expected to live. 
 James Wilt, left arm amputated. 
 James Wells, two halls in his body — Dangerous. 
 Hen y Montcalm, in the Knee, and right Arm- 
 Fred Howard — in the leg — 
 Ephram Lincon in the thigh 
 
 6 more were Slightly Wounded names unknown 
 Benj" F Palmer. . Stonington 
 
 Stonington Connecticut 
 
 April 8th 
 
 The affair which has been the subject of conversa- 
 tion for this day or two past, is still more so. It seems 
 as tho the prisoners intends to remember it — and well 
 they ought too — so more Prisoners have been found 
 dead, they were found in a ditch out side the wall. 
 supposed to be hove there by the Soldiers — 8 more are 
 missing. . & I suppose are buried in the same manner 
 O Horid Murder. I hate to dwell on this frightful! 
 Subject.— This Inhuman MASSACRE- 
 
 A Letter has been rec d from London Stateing thai 2 
 Cartels had saild for Plymouth, and five more would 
 sail shortly. Likewise that M r Beasly. was Superceeded 
 this is good news, for we have now some hopes of get- 
 ing home in the course of this Summer 1 drew out 
 
[ 186 ] 
 
 a list of the Kill'd & Wounded to day. under the head of 
 BRITISH MASSACRE, and stuck it upon the wall 
 for the gratification of the Prisoners What reflections 
 ought to ocupy our minds at this time, the wounded 
 men a dying one after the other and those that lives 
 will only live in misery — their Friends are daily expect- 
 ing — and anxiously anticipation the Arrival of their 
 Trends who now are Sleeping in their graves, their 
 Souls have Wing'd their flight to a happyer Region — 
 Alass what fatal Tidings will this be to the Unhappy 
 
 Friends, of the departed Souls 1 fear My Anxious 
 
 frends will even think that their unhappy Frank is 
 among the Number — Tomorrow we are to have a Ser- 
 mon preachd on this unhappy Occasion — he that shed- 
 deth Man's blood by man shall his blood be shedeth 
 
 1815 
 April 9th 
 
 Fresh news to day. which seems something like get- 
 
 ing home. M r Nathiel Ingrand Deputy Agent for 
 
 the New Consul /Dickins/ has arrived here from Lon- 
 don, he informs us. that A Draft would be calld out 
 on Tuesday, the 11 th Ins* one Catel has arrive in Ply- 
 mouth & 2 more are on their passage, and 5 more were 
 nearly ready to Sail from London, he likewise assures 
 us that in all probability we should all get away by 10 
 
 Days from this. An Address has been drawn 
 
 up, (or rather a Statement, of the particulars which 
 had led to the late Horrid Murder.) By M r Hubbart 
 to be published in the Statesman. To let the people of 
 England have a fair Statement of the facts./ It being 
 
[ 187 ] 
 
 Sunday to day our meditations oughl to be serious. 
 more particularly after this late catastrophy. To think 
 of the Inoeent men who were, sent prematura ly before 
 the Great Father of Mercy's but we oughl justly 
 to consider how great a blessing it is that so few 
 were numberd among the Dead — when so many w< 
 equaly endangerd — It was the hand of Provide nee only 
 that could have Spared so many And I consider it the 
 duty of us all to offer up. thanks to the Almighty for 
 our providential excape. but we have no place to assem- 
 ble — therefore we must do it privately, for the Lord 
 says he that prays in Secret his prayers shall be 
 excepted — But we will defer until! at home we get. 
 which May God grant to be as soon as possible - 
 
 April 11th 
 
 We still remain in this cursed Prison and remain 
 Ignorent of our fate, we have continual reports of 
 geting home, but they all prove false. It is now known 
 that there is no Catels in Plymouth. & A letter lias 
 been rec d from London to say stateing the Cartels were 
 not contracted for as yet. And that Mr lira sly was 
 not superceded. Thus you see there can be no depend- 
 ance placed on any thing you hear, it is now four weeks 
 since the ratification arrived, and no signs of geting 
 home — what the Devil can our Agent be about, he is 
 
 a most hardned Villian and I hope will be brought 
 
 to Account for his Treatment to Prisoners— 
 
 We have made several attempts to collect something 
 for the relief of our Wounded Countrymen but all 
 endeavors prooved ineffectual. Till last Night when I 
 
[ 188 ] 
 
 proposed raising A fund by Selling Beer. I got the 
 Voice of the Prisoners in my Favour, and have Suc- 
 ceeded byound my Expectations, as soon we collect 
 £10. we shall give it in to the Doctors hands for their 
 benifit this they are doing in the rest of the prisons — 
 which will make £50 — The British Goverment ought to 
 allow them a pension, but they wont. Dam them To 
 Day the Soldiers were relieved here by A new guard 
 from Plymouth, consisting of 1000 men — Last Night 
 Shortland had his house guarded all round, he said 
 that he saw four men with Cudgels, comeing for him — 
 O Guilty Consience — 
 
 April 12th 
 
 A paper was sent in to the Prison this morning from 
 the Agents office, for all the Drafts of men that came 
 in to the Prison from April 6th to Sep 4 8. 1813. To 
 hold themselves in readiness to go home as soon as the 
 Cartels shall arrive — This is very encourageing to be 
 sure — No Cartels arrived yet — and when they do we 
 are to go as we came in to the Prison that we shall not 
 go untill 30.50 is gone — look for us not Friends. 
 
 April 13th 
 
 Various conjectures are formed respecting the time 
 our embarkation from this place — A number of Let- 
 ters has been received from London — but all bring 
 different reports one however States that Mr Beasly is 
 not superceeded but has agreed with a Man in London 
 to send us home — thus you see how our feelings are 
 sported with — one day our hopes are raised to the high- 
 
[ 180 ] 
 
 est pinacle and the next day all our expectations are 
 blasted The papers to day mentions arrivals from X 
 York in 16 Days /Ship Carolina. She brings news of 
 our Squadron — that is destined to go againsl Algiers. 
 consisting of 2.74.6. Frigates and a Number of Smaller 
 vessels — Good Good — M r Monroe is appointed secta- 
 tary of state. — 
 
 A false account of our late horrid Murder was this 
 day published in the Statesman, but like all other Brit- 
 ish accounts, coverd with lies to hide their disgrace — ■ 
 It says that Shortland came in to the Yard unarmd— 
 and that A Pistole was fired at him. — a Dam Lie but 
 this is Shorthands account 
 
 It is to us strange beyound conception that as yet no 
 cartels are fitting to convey us home — I am now in ;i 
 state of uncertainty wether to write for my passport 
 to go home in some American Ship or to remain and 
 run the chance of staying here all summer. — but I will 
 write and procure my passport and then act my pleasure 
 about going 
 
 April 14th 
 
 I wrote for my passport last night and handed the 
 letter to a gentleman bound there — but after going 
 to bed I lay and weighd the matter seriously within 
 myself and after considering the circumstances well I 
 thot It most advisable to wait the motion of the Cartels. 
 and therefore took my letter back for should I go to 
 Liverpool I must get a number of Articles to appear 
 decent and the advantage would not be worth the 
 Expence, I shall therefore patiently wait until the Car- 
 
[ 190 ] 
 
 tels are ready — Which I hope & expect will be soon 
 as A letter from M r Beasly Informs us there is 8 Cartels 
 taken up to convey us home two of which have saild 
 from London — he wonders at our late conduct and more 
 especialy as it is attributed to him Wonder Indeed! 
 This is the first letter rec d from M r Beasly since the 
 Arrival of the Ratification — is not this enough to excite 
 wonder — Report — A List is made out that we are to go 
 agreable to capture, this we hope is true as it will make 
 some thousands odds to our crew. 
 
 April 15th 
 
 Our papers are filld with parlamentary debates on 
 the subject of peace with America the opposition part. 
 (M r Whithead) have very long speaches against the 
 continuance of the war. which they say might have 
 terminated at the time that Peace was made on the 
 Continent but for the neglect of the British Ministers 
 M r Crocker has been here from Plymouth and informs 
 us that M r Beasly excuse of not being able to get Ships 
 is entirely unfounded as there is plenty of Ships to be 
 had and he has one himself that, he would be very 
 glad to let him have — Thus we have a plain demonstra- 
 tion of the Neglect of our Agent, and I am inclined to 
 believe, that if some one does not soon interfeer we shall 
 not get home this Summer — It is realy much to be 
 lamented that we have such a Notorious Villan for an 
 Agent, for certain it is had we a man who was the least 
 inclined to do his duty, we should all have been home 
 ere this — our being so uncommonly long detaind. has 
 caused me to spend all my money — and I am now 
 
[ 191 ] 
 
 destitute of a single Cent, and I am Sory to Say all 
 my Messmates is much like me Mr Fellows has Sold 
 his last garment, for less than one third its Value, to 
 purchase Tea. The rest of my mess have been wis limit 
 haveing to Sell — thus you See what Misery is occasiond 
 by A Dam Rascal (Beasly). 
 
 April 16 th 1815 Sunday 
 
 A PRISONERS MEDITATIONS 
 
 on Sunday — Think not Reader to hear the Prisoner 
 reproach his Maker, for his long confinement and hard 
 sufferings — no it is Beasly alone — From the time that 
 a man becomes a prisoner he may Date his discontent. — 
 
 but as every prisoner has different grievances to com- 
 plain of I shall take our particular situation into view- 
 When first captured Ideas of liberty were continualy 
 held out to us — Month after Month pass'd on. and do 
 Exchange, at length we were sent to Halifax, were 
 the same ideas of being exchang'd — continued to Keep 
 up hope — untill under accumilated evils we were Trans- 
 ported to Engld All hope now expired of geting home 
 untill a PEACE should be concluded, which in a few- 
 month we were happy enough to realize — all our 
 thoughts were now directed toward the time of our 
 Liberation, which after the Ratification we must rea- 
 sonably expect could not be long — but, .Mass! how 
 fataly disappointed — It is now 7 neerly 4 Months since the 
 Sighing of the Treaty and but little, if any, more prob- 
 ability of geting home — continual inundations of Cartel 
 reports pour in upon us daily — but they generaly turn 
 out like the news of the Congress at Viena, — false — 
 
[ 192 ] 
 
 Sunday generaly bring abundance of News — letters 
 from London all speak diferently as to the Number and 
 Advance of the Cartels, one Merchant — writes there is 
 11. another 7 another 5 Cartels ready 
 
 April 16th Continued 
 
 Thus you see our fond expectations are all blasted — 
 and whose fault is it. but Beaslys — who for excuse says 
 ships are not be had — but we know to the Contrary — 
 Mr Hawker refutes this assertion for he says he has a 
 Ship that he would be glad to let M r Beasly have — So 
 6,000 American Citazens are suffering for want of a 
 poper Agent. — Groaning within the dark walls of a 
 gloomy Prison forced to put up with all the Insults of 
 A parcl of Ignorant Soldiers. & Turnkeys, our liveing 
 of the coarsiest Kind — a continual Sameness of Diet 
 for a length of time, will sicken the mind — tho it should 
 be of the Richest Dishes — but how much more so when 
 it consists of the meanest Kind of dirty Soup — or 
 Rather Barley Water — Cover'd with Vermin of almost 
 every Kind, and no employment from day to Day. 
 
 but to endeavour if posible to keep clear from them 
 
 And without the needfull aid of Pence to furnish — our- 
 selves with a little Tea — Tobacco — & other Necessa- 
 ries — our Mind continualy Dwelling on the expectation 
 of being soon liberated, and once more let the fond 
 Anticipations of our more anxious Friends be — Realized 
 by the happy sight of their long lost. Kindred — Thus 
 we drag on a Miserable existance — fondly Anticapation 
 the happy period which will once more restore us to 
 Liberty & the Happy Sight of our Friends For 
 
[ 193 ] 
 
 without these blessings life would not be worth the 
 haveing — These are the constant Meditations of most all 
 Prisoners — And that we May soon enjoy the blessing 
 of Liberty is the only wish of Frank 
 
 April 16th Continued 
 
 I have lengthen'd out this days work Longer than 1 
 intended — but I can not close without mentioning some- 
 thing of Boney — who has published one of the mosl 
 spireted proclamation ever Known — which says it' the 
 Alies bring 600,000 men aginst him he will find 2 mil- 
 lion to oppose them — I shall not Invade any Country — 
 and WOE betide them that Invades France. To this 
 we SWEAR answerd every Soldier — to whom this 
 discourse was address'd — I think it will be the sorest day 
 they ever saw — if they attempt to Dethrone Bona- 
 parte — 
 
 April 18th 
 
 We still have the same Vague and contradictory 
 reports respecting the Cartels, but Nothing to be relied 
 on. Another letter from M r Beasly states the British 
 (Adm 1 Duckworths) Accont of the late Murder, which 
 like all other British accounts, is basely corrupted with 
 falsehood to hide their dam Murderous designs — the 
 Account States that the prisoners clinched a Soldirs 
 Musket, previous to their fireing — A most Notorious 
 falsehood. — O Britians ! Britains! what are You not 
 Guilty of Murder, savage Inhuman Murder 
 
 Are we never to get home, is the general cry from 
 Morning till night — who shall we blame, certainly In 
 
[ 194 ] 
 
 this one Instance we can not attach any blame to the 
 British Goverment. No we must blame Beasly and our 
 goverment too in some measure — for not haveing 
 attended to the numerous petitions, and remonstrances, 
 sent to them from the prisoners, had they lisen'd to 
 them — and turn'd Beasly out of Office, and place some 
 more suitable man in his Station — we should certainly 
 been home ere this — And certain it is they ought have 
 done it. 
 
 April 18th Continued — 
 
 I have got out of money — and none of my mess have 
 got any — while writeing this afternoon I saw M r Shaw 
 leaning over the birth, his eyes haggard, his Jaws 
 extended, yawnin with his head leaning on one hand — 
 and in the other holding his last handkerchif thinking 
 of his hard fate — which necessiated him to pawn his 
 cloaths for a chew tobacco — O! hard indeed — thought 
 he. that I must suffer for want of a chew Tobacco. — I 
 haveing A peny — & knowing his wants proferd him 
 with it. which with a countanance at once indicative of 
 the Joy he felt, at thus unexpectedly being supplyd — he 
 went and purchased him a chew O. Cursed fortune — and 
 more Cursed Beasly that thus detains us from the sight 
 of our beloved Country & Friends — Day after Day and 
 Night after Night pases on and bings no cartels — 
 are we to wear away the sumer after this Maner. and 
 in the fall when dread Winter's blast are approaching, 
 Needy & Naked we must stem the tide of Misfortune, 
 and pick up something to live upon — through the ensue- 
 ing Year. After suffering all that human Nature can 
 
[ 195 ] 
 
 bear, confined for years within the dreary walls of a 
 prison subject to all the Miseries that can be sugested — 
 continualy in a State of Suspence — Alternately hope- 
 ing and as often disappointed his mind ever kept in a 
 State of inquistude — Till at last weary of life — he 
 invokes Heavens Most Mighty hand, to put an end to his 
 unhappy & Miserable existance — his cries & petitions 
 are not heard — or at least not answered he is left to 
 drag out the remainder of his Miserable existance in 
 agony & Despair — Such is the State of a forlorn 
 Prisoner 
 
 April 19th 
 
 HUZZA FOR HOME. 
 
 At length some of the Prisoners are calld out to go 
 home — A Draft of 249. are called out to deliver up their 
 hammocks, they are then Examined by the Clerks, in 
 order that, there none of the Lyons crew shall go out, 
 as the British say their commision was not good. The 
 Prisoners are then put in a spare prison were they 
 must content themselves — with the thoughts of going 
 home — and pace the prison through the night haveing 
 nothing but stone to sit or lye upon — we have some 
 hopes now of geting home in the course of the ensueing 
 Sumer — 
 
 April 20 th 
 
 This morning the Draft Started for Plymouth 
 attended by a Strong guard of Soldiers — They had A 
 flag, with this Inscription. 
 
[ 196 ] 
 
 which they with the 
 American insin. 
 had flying when they marched 
 to Plymouth — with light hearts — and 3 cheers- 
 bid Adieu to the Cursed walls of Dartmoor — 
 
 -they 
 
 April 21st 
 
 This morning A list of Men — who have given them- 
 selves up from the British Navy was put up in the 
 Yard — to hold themselves in readiness to go with the 
 next Draft — when that will be God & M r Beasly Knows 
 best. It is now blowing a gale of wind — at N. W. that 
 we need not expect a Cartel to Day 
 
 »nd 
 
 April 22 1 
 
 It is still blowing a Gale of wind from the N W. that 
 we can not expect the Cartels. — M r Williams (Beasley's 
 Clerk) & Rufus King Jn r arrived here to Day — they 
 say that sufficient Cartels are taken up to convey the 
 whole of the Prisoners to the U. S. and Mr Williams 
 is to stay and see Prisoners away, and pay us our 
 Monthly Money. We have heard from the Prisoners 
 on board the Cartel, they had quite a battle with the 
 Prisoners, they found on board, (Officers from Ash- 
 
[ 197 ] 
 
 burton) and finaly drove them on Shore, but what better 
 
 can be expected from A MOB of Drunken Sailors 
 
 SWINDLING. A man by the Name of Smith, 
 who last week took a letter up from the Office with 
 Money. £5 inclosed in it. was to Day. Detected, and 
 brought to Justice, he was tried by A Jury, who sen- 
 tanced him 5 Doz. Lashes, and took what money he had 
 from him Amounting to 30 Shilings and Cloaths that 
 he had purchased with this money He had taken up. 
 The man who the Money belong'd too had lost £10 
 in the Same Manner before and till now never sus- 
 pected who had taken it. but both the man who ownd 
 the money and the man who took it were named Thorns 
 
 Smith, that the Deception was easy Cap 1 Pellam 
 
 Uncle to the Smith that own'd the Money — had written 
 & enclosed this Money to his Nephew and written 
 respecting his Friends, who he has not seen during the 
 war — that the letter would be as great a loss as the 
 Money — This Rascal Who took the Money took Care 
 and destroyed the Letter — But such Misfortunes are 
 to be expected — where There is such a hetoregenious 
 Mass of Men. of all Nations, all Colours, All Trades, 
 & of all Principals 
 
 April 23 d 
 
 News from the Cartel this morning by letter, gives 
 a very different account respecting the disturbance on 
 board. It seems there were a number of Americans who 
 went from here — and some Men of War men on board 
 the Cartel when the prisoners arrived that went from 
 here, and these fellows had taken up all the good births, 
 
[ 198 ] 
 
 The Prisoners not likeing this alltogather cries out shins, 
 but they refused when a battle Ensued, and the pris- 
 oners that went from here — drove the others over- 
 board — A Sloop of War. lying in the harbour, hauld 
 along side of the cartel, and told the Prisoners that 
 unless they Kept quiet, they should fire upon them, the 
 prisoners told them to fire and be dam'd — however the 
 Noise was quelld without any Bloodshed — which I am 
 happy to hear — As we have already had MURDER 
 enough — Mr Charles King — is now employed in taken 
 depositions on this late MASSACRE, which I hope 
 will not be pass'd over in Silence by OUR GOVER- 
 
 MENT. 
 
 * 
 April 24th 
 
 We have but little news to day except a Report that 
 the BRUNSWICK cartel has arrived at Plymouth— 
 I Rec d some cash which I with my Mess Mates Generaly 
 stood very much in need of — have run entirely a Shore 
 for Tobacco &c — Expecting to go home ere this I had 
 decline'd taking the paper any longer, and therefore 
 dont get So much foreign News, but I hear by M r 
 Griswold the Daily News — which is that all the con- 
 tinent is in arms — and Several Skirmishes has already 
 
 taken place— with Boneys Men SUCCESS TO 
 
 BONEY— 
 
 1815 
 April 25 th 
 
 HUZZA again HUZZA FOR HOME— Home, 
 
 Home — Huzza for home With a light heart and a 
 
[ 199 ] 
 
 joyfull countanance the Prisoners again deliver up 
 their heding. to embark from this cursed Prison, and 
 forever bid Adieu to the Gloomy Walls of Dartmoor. 
 I have just been out and find that a great Number 
 of the Prisoners are buying turns to go home, and I 
 shall endeavour to do the Same and therefore must 
 winde this days work up. rather Aburptly. 
 
 April 26 tb 
 
 This morning the Draft calld out Yesterday bids a 
 final Adieu to Dartmoor. With three cheers they pass 
 the Iron Gates, which we Answer with 3 more A Suc- 
 cess attend you my brave Countrymen, and may It 
 never be your unhappy lot to return to Dartmoor 
 Prison, shall be the constant Prayer of B F Palmer 
 HUZZA my Boys I will soon be after see you again 
 Another Draft was calld out this afternoon — and I have 
 for once in my life had fortune favour me. It was 
 very difficult to procure a turn, as they were in great 
 demand, but after some length of time I found a Black 
 man by the name of Charles Carrol. — who sold Me his 
 name, for £2 which was deposited in the hands of one 
 of the turnkeys, to be delived him should I get off. If 
 not I should have it again This I settled to my Satis- 
 faction 
 
 April 26 Continued 
 
 At 2 P M. we were calld to give in our beding which 
 being over, we were put in to an empty prison for the 
 Night — those who had spare beds turnd in but I have- 
 ing none paced the Prison in silent agitation with the 
 
[ 200 ] 
 
 gloomy retrospection of the past and the pleasing antici- 
 pation of the filter. I past the night in golden dreams 
 of happyness. till Day light appearing, the Turnkey 
 unlocked the prison doors, and we had one daily allow- 
 ance seved us. which we soon devoured — 
 
 1815 
 
 April 27 th 
 
 Happy go lucky has atlengh recieved the smile of 
 fortune. The cleark Musters us over and the baggage 
 Waggons takes our bags, but those who have chests 
 or trunks must pay 3/. for the f rieght of it to Plymouth 
 After we had all been mustered in the Square. Orders 
 were sent for Jesse Smith, who soon Joind us. as we 
 passd though the outer gate each one who realy stood 
 in need, had shoes served them — We were then placed 
 along in ranks. 300 of us and 75 Soldiers form'd the 
 Corps — and about 8 O Clock A M. we set sail from 
 Dartmoor Prison, giveing 3 Cheers which was answerd 
 by the prisoners, on top the Prisons my feelings at 
 this moment can be better Judged than described — and 
 none but. Prisoners can well judge — after 16 months 
 imprisonment. Suffering every thing which is before 
 described. Once more to set our face towards the land 
 of Liberty, with the happy Knowledge that, (with the 
 Assistance of Divine Providence) we should soon be 
 blest with sight of our friends and in their embraces 
 forget the past, and only live for the futer — once more 
 we shall enhail the pure Air of Liberty, and blest with 
 Independance live Again — 
 
[ 201 ] 
 
 April 27 th Continued. 
 
 We marched on quick step, without any halt, till 10 
 OClock when arriveing half way we were met by the 
 relieve guard of Soldiers from Plymouth A Stage 
 Coach here overtook us — which the Prisoners had hired. 
 I with a number of others took passage on top by pay- 
 in or 2/ — each those who were lame and had no Money 
 the English Commanding Officer, paid their fare — Cap 1 
 Cradoc can not be spoken of in terms so high as his 
 character deserves. Although an Englishmen he is 
 realy deserving the paise of evey one who has the honour 
 of being acquainted with his Humanity we soon came 
 up with a publick house were we got some refresh- 
 ments — and then Started on — when arriveing within 
 two miles of Plymouth we were met by M r Ingraham 
 Beaslys Agent who orderd us to be marched to Cat- 
 down. A Small Village on the East side of the town — 
 saying we should be detaind by the Inhabitants of Ply- 
 mouth asking questions respecting there Children who 
 have been in Prison. This we found to be the Case 
 even in Catdown. where as soon as we arrived, we were 
 met a number of Women, asking after their Rela- 
 tions — A most beautifull young lady came to me and 
 enquired for such a young Man. who I hapned to 
 Know — and when informing her. I was offered Money. 
 Porter. Cakes and anything that I would accept. I 
 drank some porter but refusd takeing Money, several 
 others came and offered me Money & Drink, but 
 I did not think I needed it so much as them that offerd 
 it to me — after a considerable conversation with these 
 fair damsels — we embarked for the Cartel. — 
 
[ 202 ] 
 
 April 27th Continued 
 
 We soon got along side the Cartel, and after takeing 
 our things below, all those who had money to spend, 
 took a boat and away for the shore. I had about 8/. 
 and went on shore with Jessie Smith to get some 
 tobacco — after geting on shore we meet M r Ingraham. 
 who told us certainly to be off on board by eight 
 O Clock in the morning as the Ship would sail — I wrote 
 My messmates, who I had left behind, informing them 
 of the number and progress of the Cartels. 5 in number 
 and 3 of them full of Prisoners, — we found a large 
 number of Prisoners on Shore belonging to the other 
 cartels, most of them Drunk, as Bachus — I stayd all 
 Night, and never did a feather bed taste so sweet to me 
 as at this time. I went to bed quite early, and never 
 waked till this Morning. 
 
 April 28 th 
 
 At 4 this morning I was looking out for a boat to 
 go on board the Cartel, not wishing to be left behind, 
 we had a fair wind and was soon along Side, and made 
 shift to stow to the best advantage, haveing births fore 
 and aft. and them all taken up. Mr Hubbart — is 
 appointed our Agent or Purser, to see justice done the 
 Prisoners he lives in the Cabin, the remainder of the 
 Officers at least most of us are stowed in the Steerage 
 we have a bed Pillor & Blanket servd us. some of the 
 prisoners sold theirs to the Bomb Boat as soon as they 
 were served out. A Tin pot 8 spoons and a Kid is 
 served to evry 8 men. — Our Allowance Consists of l lb 
 Beef. l lb Bread. l/ 2 ,b . Potatoes, and 1 Gill of Pease to 
 each Man Daily, which is quite sufficent 
 
[ 203 ] 
 
 April 28 th Continued Friday — 
 
 About 2 P M. Rob 1 Palmer with several other 
 Officers came on board from Ashburton but not like- 
 ing the accomodations very well, they quit us to go on 
 board some other Cartel — Bob gave me No news, but 
 some of the other Officers did — as they inform me that 
 Bob was a paying his distryses to a Shandlers Daughter, 
 very respectable and quit rich, which is the main point 
 with Bob The Brother of this young woman is going 
 to America with Bob. and they will return togather 
 I expect when Bob will get spliced to this fair Virgin. 
 This Brother in law of Bobs has advanced him a con- 
 siderable Money which he has laid out in Cloath, 
 Needles, Pins &c. Bob wish'd me to go with him. but 
 I am so anxious to see home I can think of Nothing 
 Else ! 
 
 A ludicrous occurrence took place on board to day — 
 A young fellow who has been courting by letter since 
 he has been in Dartmoor had agreed to marry his girl 
 when he was liberated accordingly he went to the 
 Parson last night haveing Allready been published at 
 Dartmoor Church but the parson refused to marry 
 them — as the groom could not say he had lived in 
 Plymouth yet 14 Days, They stay'd togather last night 
 from what I can understand, and agreed to go off and 
 yet maried in the States they came on board, unbe- 
 known to her friends — but they soon got scent 
 
 Continued 
 
 of the Chase, and her father & Brother came on board- 
 and demanded the girl, who by law he could demand — 
 and untill she was married she should not go out of the 
 
[ 204 ] 
 
 Country, they all went on shore and the young fellow 
 again took his things out and went on shore to marry 
 
 her 
 
 All Hands to Muster — we have been to muster and 
 find there are 40. of the prisoners on shore — we loosed 
 the fore topsal and set a Signal for Sailing, that the pris- 
 oners may see we are off — at 3 PM. got under way. 
 with a fair wind and a good Breeze, bound to Norfolk, 
 as the Cap* Says but the Prisoner say new york we 
 had got about 1 league out when a boat was seen wave- 
 ing for us to heave to which we did and waited for her 
 to come up it was one of the Prisoners, but the Cap* 
 said he could not come on board unless some one would 
 go ashore in his room, as the complement on board 
 were receipted for. however it was soon settled by a 
 
 mans going on shore in his room for 1 guinea 
 
 By the time he got on board, we saw another boat in 
 comeing off but the prisoners refused waiting any 
 longer — so we squared away for America the sweet 
 smile of Content was easly percieved to rest on the 
 countanace of all the Prison — Moll & Sue is all the 
 Talk. The wind being so fair it is not a subject of dis- 
 cussion, or disquiet, and we bid adieu to the White Cliffs 
 of Old England — with no reluctance No! No! Joy, 
 Pleasure, & Happyness is all our thots 
 
 April 29 th Saturday 
 
 Calm several sail in sight, but none that appeas like 
 the Brunswick (cartell that saild in company with us) 
 we are makeing some arrangement to sleep for the pas- 
 sage, haveing evry thing out of all kind of order for 
 
[ 205 ] 
 
 the present — Our Captain appeas as all Scotch Men 
 does to be very proud and self important, but little we 
 care for that. I should realy like to Keep a Reckoning 
 
 of the Ships way, but I fear it will not be possible 
 
 I expect the Occurrences of this passage will be hardly 
 worth Noticeing However I shall remark evry thing 
 that occurs of Note.) good bye England, our crew are 
 all Dutch Sweeds and Russians, we have now got a 
 Small Breeze of wind, about 1 Point free. The Bruns- 
 wick is now in sight — I have got a chance to sleep with 
 one of the boys, but our Hammock is so small I fear 
 we shall not do so well as might be — But I will Turn 
 in and pray for a fair wind, and that we may go to New 
 York, in stead of Norfolk 
 
 Sunday 30 th April 
 
 This morning the wind is very fresh and the weather 
 quite cold, The Brunswick is well under our Lee, and 
 appears to steer 2 points farther Nothard than us as 
 we only Steer W. by S. I believe the Cap 1 knows 
 our intention of carving the Ship to N. York and means 
 to avoid it if possible. Afternoon wind W by S. quite 
 light some one while serving the Provision took 2 
 allowances of beef, we are endeavouring to detect the 
 Thieft. 
 
 April 30 th Continued 
 
 All endeavours to find out the Theft has proof inef- 
 ectual — It is most impossible for me to write legibly 
 as I have to hold my book on my Knee and the Ship 
 roaling heavy — but I am quite used to puting up with 
 
[ 206 ] 
 
 illconvienance — and have been since my long confine- 
 ment — here it is the last of April and not home, but 
 it is folly to grieve we must only hope that by the last 
 of this comeing month we shall see the land of Freedom 
 & Liberty 
 
 May 1st 
 
 Comes again and with it comes a fine wind going 
 8 1/ and 9 Nots W by S but it is very rough sea. a 
 large number of the Prisoners Sick, which is a feeling 
 So strange to me that I know not how to pitty them, 
 but they Keep up a good heart knowing their Troubles 
 will soon have an end — I wish I could be to home now 
 and assist my good old Father in planting potatoes. 
 
 >nd 
 
 May 2 1 
 
 Last night the wind increecd and hauld a head so 
 much we were obliged to put the ship under vey snug 
 sail fore and Main Topsail and fore Tipmast Stay- 
 sail — The Cap 1 Gave the prisoners that assisted a glass 
 of Grog each — This morning the wind is much more 
 moderate made sail accordingly — Pork & Pease for Din- 
 ner. Hubbart. and I discusing Stonington Affairs — 
 and as most all the Stonington people are /we are/ 
 much given to Ridicule — 
 
 May 5th Friday. — 
 
 For this day or two past we have had no wind — the 
 Prisoners remain in good health generaly. one or two 
 the Doc 1 thinks has got the Small pox. This morning 
 spoke the Brigg. Orion-Simons from Providence for 
 
[ 207 ] 
 
 Amsterdam, with Cotton 25 Days out No News, we 
 informd them of Bonapartes being Emperor of 
 
 France Gave them 3 Cheers which they 
 
 answerd — It was realy a pleasing sight to see the 
 Stripes flying — our situations forms such a strikeing 
 
 contrast It will not admit of a comparison 
 
 Our constant employment is Chequers. Backgammon 
 and Cards, and our constant conversation is were the 
 Magority of the Prisoners belongs, whether Boston 
 or New York, but as we are only in the Longitude of 
 
 15. W. this subject will do for futer conversation 
 
 We have now got the wind at S. W. Light breeze and 
 pleasant weather 
 
 May 6th 
 
 I fear from appearances that we shall have a long 
 passage, for our Ship sail very dull and the wind still 
 remains (with all appearance of continuing) to the 
 westward, but we have (they say) plenty of provision, 
 for 90 Days — but God send we may be home in 90 
 
 »th 
 
 May 12* 
 
 I have not been able to write up since the 6 th Inst, 
 as it has been blowing a Gale incessantly from the 
 Westward — I have had nothing to employ myself with. 
 I stood a watch with several others for one Night but 
 none of the rest following our example, we quit stand- 
 ing the Decks untill some one shall stand their turn — 
 previous to this long Gale of wind the conversation was 
 wholey bent upon what port we should go to. some con- 
 tended the Magority were for Boston, will others more 
 
[ 208 ] 
 
 strongly affirmed that we should and must got to N. 
 York — Arguments were caried to great lengths, on 
 both sides untill this head wind and gales, put an end 
 to all disputes — and they have now concluded to let 
 the subject rest untill we shall get nearer home — which 
 God grant may be soon as I am heartily tired, of my 
 Messmates who I find to be a dam pack of hogs — for 
 
 reasons best Known to myself Last night the wind 
 
 hauling fair some of the Prisoners Volunteerd to stand 
 a watch, it being the mates first watch they perswaded 
 him to make Sail, the ship being under close reefd Top- 
 sail The Mate depending on them to take in Sail, in 
 case of Danger, let a reef out of the Topsails set the 
 mainsail and made other sail, the wind shift to N. W. 
 in a squall and blew and raind violently — the Volunteers 
 ran below and left the poor Mate 
 
 May 12 Continued 
 
 And his Dutchmen to Manage the Ship — the Cap 4 
 came up on Deck and calling on some of the prisoners 
 we turnd out and assisted in takeing in Sail. Well! 
 Well ! says the mate I shall not Depend on you again — 
 to takein Sail 
 
 This morning the wind is so as to admit of two 
 Reefs in the Topsails, heading. S. W. — for N York 
 I have been employed in washing out my two Shirts it 
 being all I have I wait with no shirt on untill they got 
 dry. however M r Hubbart has promised to let me have 
 one there being a bale on board to be served to those who 
 need them. I thought when I left Dartmoor that I 
 left, all my troubles then, but I find very much to the 
 
[ 209 ] 
 
 contrary although our allowance is sufficient for any 
 reasonable men still it is not enough for my hogish 
 Messmates, we have been all day without Bread — 
 while most every other Mess has a bag full — I have 
 wished my old messmates with us — that I might enjoy 
 the conversation of enlighten'd People, that being the 
 only comfort I can enjoy until! blest with the Sight 
 of Surrounding Friends. I shall forget the past in 
 the happy enjoyment of the Present and I hope to say 
 filter. I still live in hopes to spend the fourth of July 
 at home 
 
 May 13 th 
 
 Our Mess finding the allowance of Bread too small 
 for their gluttonus appetite. (Hog like) have divided 
 it. but I much fear we shall be shorter before we see 
 home — as this cursed wind still continues a head — but 
 we had 90 Days provisions when we left and if we are 
 out longer than that God help us. Yesterday M r Hub- 
 bart. Dexter & Myself took a Luner and find ourselves 
 in the Long, of 23 West — I made a proposition to the 
 prisoners to stand a Watch, beginning at N. 1. 2. & 3. 
 Messes and so in Succession through the whole, that a 
 Man would have but 4 hours to Stand in 12 Days — 
 16 Messes agreed to this proposal — and I being in the 
 2 nd Mess took the 2 nd watch last night. It blows quite 
 fresh, still a head. That I am Inclined to believe that 
 we have some JONAS on board, perhaps some of the 
 Ashburton Gentry most all of whom has made the girls 
 sorry they saw them — some I believe will return and 
 Marry them or May be, it is M r Mott of New York/ 
 
[ 210 ] 
 
 foremaly a Shoe mek who served a Jew A Nice Trick. 
 He had some % Notes on the bank of England, taken 
 in an English Vessel from Maderia bound to London — 
 Mott told the Jew they were sent him from a Mercht in 
 London and he expected the other half shortly — as he 
 had writen the Mercht. that he had reed the first half 
 Mott produced a forg'd letter which he told the Jew 
 he rec d from the Mercht the Jew gave him within one 
 pound of the full Am 1 and Mott came of very Well 
 Satisfied — leaveing the poor Jew to wait for the other 
 half of the Notes — This afternoon Spoke a Schooner 
 from Port o Port bound to Newfoundland — her Long 
 is 25 
 
 May 14th 
 
 At 12 O Clock last night The wind began to blow 
 violently. It being some of the mens watch forward, 
 they did not come up. that some of the Officers aft were 
 obliged to go up and Assist in takeing in Sail, at 3 
 took in the Courses and put the Ship under close reefd 
 fore and M. Topsails, blowing heavy from the West- 
 ward One of our puty Officers while passing beef out 
 of the hole, says to the mate pass that piece of beef 
 here (one that lay side the cask.) it's mine which the 
 Mate gave, some of the prisoners seeing it was about 
 to make a Noise, when Jesse Smith gave it to M r Hub- 
 bart A Dirty caper for a officer to be cought O Falen 
 Nature 
 
 May 19 
 
 A fair wind for the first time in 19 Days, tho we 
 have laid nearly our course this two days past. Yes- 
 
[ 211 ] 
 
 terday afternoon pass a sail on our lee bow — a very- 
 large ship Steering to the Eastward — It was quite 
 Calm most of the time last night about 4 this morn 
 a light breeze sprang up from the Eastward set all 
 our flying Kites, the wind has gradualy Increased 
 since — at 8. this morning saw another Sail standing 
 with us — supposed her to be the Brunswick, that saild 
 in company — 2 of the Prisoners that has been assisting 
 in ships duty, were tund off by the Capt. to day. say- 
 ing he could not furnish them with provision — the 
 Dam'd old Scotchman were it not for our own benifit — 
 and ultimate Interest, he should work his own Vessel. — 
 A Story is now in circulation that the Capt has said 
 he would blow the first mans brains out that offerd to 
 take the helm, from his crews — however I presume he 
 is a man of too much sense to make use of such an 
 expression but this will be decided when we get on the 
 Coast till then we can only pray, that indulgent heaven 
 will permit the winds to continue favourable and waft 
 us to the arms of our Affectionate and long expectant 
 Friends 
 
 May 20 th 
 
 The prisoners find some way, (how I knows not) to 
 make use of the allowance of water 3 qts p r Day. our 
 3 casks is generaly got up and in to Butts on Deck, 
 the prisoners haveing no Vessels to contain their allow- 
 ance every one uses it as he sees proper, last night the 
 water was out uncomanly early and some of us were 
 most famished for water. I have taken A bottle full 
 out to Keep in reserve — will Knowing my allowance 
 is more than sufficient for my use. Several Prisoners 
 
[ 212 ] 
 
 (as must still call ourselves) are taken Sick, one out 
 of his head, and our Doctor is not very Skillfull It 
 being my first watch last night. I had an agreable com- 
 panion. Mr Hubbart. we were forming plans of make- 
 ing our fortune, but what ever one sugested the other 
 found some objection — It has been thus with me for 
 18 months past, and I have not yet concluded on any 
 line of business to pursue and shall finaly let it rest 
 untill I get home — and recieve the advice of my 
 Friends — 
 
 May 20 th Continued 
 
 Mr Hubbart informs me that at the first Entertain- 
 ment given by the American Minesters at Gent. M r 
 Clay was requested to give a toast — He Drank, to the 
 Brave Citizens of stonington 
 
 21 st 
 
 The wind inclineing to the South westward braced 
 sharp on a wind — saw a large Sperm Whale The John 
 Tuckenmen Juge him to be worth 2000. Dolls 
 
 The prisoners finding our potatoes a spoiling very 
 fast. Demanded 1 lb in stead of l/> lb p r Day. which 
 was complied with — as for sufficient for 15 Days at 
 1 lb pr Day — and then we have Oat Meal for 12 Days 
 more and in that time I hope to be long side of Mothers 
 cupboard I Judge our Lat to be 43. and Long 38. — 
 
 22 nd 
 
 Last night the men forward refusing to stand a 
 watch, the Officers agreed to as we are now in danger 
 
[ 213 ] 
 
 of runing foul of Ice or Vessels — and it is for the 
 preservation of our lives and the facility of the pas- 
 sage — ours being the 2 Mess took the 2 nd Watch. Wind 
 at S. W. fresh breeze — took in Topgalansails — I went 
 up to furl the Main one and had no Idea I was so week, 
 the least exercise overcomes us beyond conception, have 
 done nothing for such a length of time, and liveing on 
 such low diet — at 2 we passd a lofty Brig steering E. 
 by S. — I believe her to be some privateer, or was 
 formaly. — I expect that all the Shiping in the U. States 
 will be out before we get home 
 
 22 Continued 
 
 I believe some of the men forward would sooner be 
 out 90 Days than stand a watch, as long as the Could 
 have sufficient provision — If I did not feel very anxious 
 to get home I would see them to old Davy before I 
 would stand for them. I but I want to see and taste 
 of Home as soon as possible — as I with all the rest of 
 the Prisoners are out of Tobacco — A person that does 
 not use this weed has no Idea what a man suffers for 
 the want of it. that has been long used to chew it. I 
 would certainly prefer going without one meal per 
 Day. than going without Tobacco — some make use of 
 rope Yarns as a substitute, but is a very poor one 
 
 At 8 A M. passd two sail, standing to the eastward — 
 wind increasing, took two reefs in the Topsails — at 12 
 Meridian saw — and passd a Ship Standing to the East- 
 ward. The wind still continues to Increase, and I fear 
 will rlnaly. turn to be a Gale of wind — when we have 
 a fair wind which is very seldom, we have but little of 
 
[ 214 ] 
 
 it. but when ever the wind comes a head it blows a 
 gale — the wind is now hauling and has headed us off 
 
 to North. 
 
 Thus it seems that all Heaven is combined against 
 us. but we must only do as we ever have done since our 
 Imprisonment, that is put up with the worst — and hope 
 for the best, good fortune will come along by. and by 
 It is a long lane that never turns — but It is useless to 
 murmur or repine at the will of Providence 
 
 May 25. 
 
 We have had the wind from the North West this day 
 past blowing half a gale of wind — we want the patience 
 of Job to bear so much head winds without murmer. . — 
 Lat 41. Long. 46. 
 
 26 
 
 The wind hauld to the S. W. tacked ship — wind 
 Increasing, double reeft the topsails. A Chalange 
 between two of the Officers, on what account I know 
 not. one of the Officers a they call themselves. Stole 
 some pudding from the Ships boy — general Suspicion 
 rests on A John tucket man. Boat Steerman. 
 
 I find the longer we live the more we learn of human 
 Nature 
 
 27 th 
 
 Hopes are again entertaind of once more geting 
 Home, this morning a number of Birds were seen — 
 which gives us reason to hope we are not far from the 
 Grand Banks, every man that has a line is employed 
 
[ 215 ] 
 
 in prepareing it to catch fish — we have two served out 
 lines, and the Cap 1 has lent us all his Spare lines, with 
 the promise of the first fish, but as the wind is more 
 favourable — I hope we shall not heave to at 12 
 Sounded — but could get no bottom weather intensly 
 Cold — a t 2 P M. they cry out hard Lee hard lee every 
 one runs on Deck fearing some thing dreadfull. . but 
 it was Ice. a number of small and 1 very large Island, 
 we heard a Noise to the windward like the report of 
 guns. . which we suppose to be Ice breaking off from a 
 large boddy or two Islands comeing in Contact, find- 
 ing it very dangerous to run we hauld up our courses 
 & closed reeft the Topsails — at 4 sounded again but 
 No Bottom — 
 
 Sunday 28 th 
 
 This morning made Sail. Saw a number of Islands 
 of Ice. one immensly large, which we at first took to 
 be a large Ship but on drawing nearer, we judge it 
 to be 3 miles in length and 150 feet above the surface 
 of the water at 3 P M. sounded and found 60 feet of 
 water, went to fishing and soon hauld up a nice cod. 
 To the general Joy of all hands. — after hauling 6 or 
 8 Cod. one cries out A Hollabut. which was soon made 
 manafest — I believe if we had been hauling the Prince 
 Regent up, there would not have been more Joy. the 
 Prisoners seemd almost distracted, riming and hallov- 
 ing — like Savages, they could hardly — contain them- 
 selves — but when we consider the length of time that we 
 have no fish. . It is not so much to be wonderd at 
 espeacly cought with our own lines — It has the feelings 
 
[ 216 ] 
 
 of Liberty, attending it. — cought no more fish — its 
 comeing on night, shortned sail and stood on. at 12 
 midnight saw an Island of Ice close on board of us. 
 but happyly had time to wear not going much through 
 
 the water. It being our Messes mid watch we were 
 
 calld at 12 — but saw no more Ice during the watch — It 
 is realy very dangerous to run here, even in the day the 
 fog being very thick prevents our seeing far a head. — 
 I have just been peruseing an account of several ships 
 being lost by Ice. . The Lady Hobart Packet. Cap 1 
 Fellows. Brig S e . Lawrence — and Several others — 
 which makes me wish to be particularly Cautious, espe- 
 cialy as the number of men precludes even a possibility 
 of y 8 th Part of the Prisoners being saved by boats, an 
 in fact none would be saved as they would be 
 
 28th Continued 
 
 so over anxious they would have no consideration and 
 therefore sink the boats — but enough dont let us fore- 
 bode Mishaps they allways come fast enough, let us 
 put our trust in God. and hope for his protection and 
 1 doubt not but he will see us wafted in good time to the 
 Arms of our Dearest Friends 
 
 29th 
 
 At 4 this morning the wind light and a head we turn'd 
 too to fishing — and continued catching them till 12. 
 when we discoverd a Ship and Schooner to leeward 
 we soon drifted down and discoverd the Ship to be a 
 Cartel and the Schooner at anchor a fishing — we got 
 out the boat & M r Hubbart went on board — the 
 
[ 217 ] 
 
 Schooner and soon returned loaded with fish. . — and 
 brought news that the ship was the Royal Sovereign. 
 bound to Boston Sail'd 6 Days after us. the Schooner 
 left Cape Cod the 9th Ins 1 the news had just reachd 
 there of the great Napoleon's being again Emperor of 
 France — He Says the Bostonions were not much pleas'd 
 at this event. //So I presume// He has been on the 
 Banks 10 days and cought 10,000 Fish, we gave him 
 
 some Beef and left him soon after the Royal Sov Q 
 
 Boat came along side and wanted to exchange ships 
 with some of the men that wish to go to Boston — but 
 the sea runing high the matter was postpond. for the 
 present — should it be calm such a thing would be highly 
 pleasing — to both parties The fish that came on board 
 are like to mak some disturbance — as the prisoners say 
 the Officers shall have none, unless they cook it in the 
 copper with them 
 
 29 Continued 
 
 They at present are the Strongest party, but should 
 any of them ever sail with me hereafter I will show them 
 who is Master 
 
 30 th 
 
 Mr Hubbard has reconciled the prisoners in some 
 measure and we had a Cod fish served to each mess. — 
 so that we had a real blow out of Chowder. The wind 
 is still a head but is dying very fast — the Ship is out of 
 sight — at 2 P M. saw the Ship again. Standing X. we 
 Standing Southard — Electioneering is going on quite 
 Strong, whether the Ship shall go to N York, or Bos- 
 
[ 218 ] 
 
 ton. as Norfolk is quite out of the question — one Battle 
 has ensued in consequence of it between two of the 
 Officers aft. I entertain hopes that the Magority will 
 be for N York. 
 
 31st 
 
 The wind has hauld to N N W. our Messes fist 
 
 watch on Deck. Latter part wind increases, and 
 
 hauls to North. Set fore Topmast Studding sail and 
 Stay sails— going. 8-9 and 10 Nots. haul Stonington 
 girls haul, and we we will soon be along side of you 
 this is only the 2 nd fair wind we have had since we Saild — 
 Discontent seems to reign among the Prisoners — on 
 account of Provision, which they want more of — there 
 being sufficient now on board for 70 Days — and we are 
 near home — that in all probability shall be in 10 or 15 
 Days. — and I presume our Goverment would not 
 attach any blame to us for eating our belly's full while 
 there is sufficient on board — should any accident happen 
 we can shorten our allowance — in proportion as we shall 
 think necessary. I can only pray that this wind may 
 continue for 6 or 8 Davs 
 
 June 1st 
 
 Wind still continues fair with all appearance of 
 remaining so, at least for a while, this afternoon the 
 prisoners made a formal demand of more pervision — 
 Mr Hubbart refused and brought forward his instruc- 
 tions and read them, then said you see my instructions, 
 likewise the Cap 1 forbids our issueing any more than 
 their in Stated but the power is in your hands to do as 
 you please, they went forward and made out a bill 
 
[ 219 ] 
 
 of the Allowance they wanted served, in addition to 
 what we have already served — as follows. % lb Pork 
 y 2 lb Beef 1/ lb Bread. % pint oat meal & 2 oz Butter 
 p r Day. 2 of each Mess signed the paper and gave it 
 to M r Hubbart — and immediately commenced serving 
 
 the additional allowance — out 
 
 When the instructions were read — I was quite sur- 
 prised to hear it mention that M r Hubbart was to select 
 out 6 Trusty men, to be arm'd — //Muskets are put on 
 board for the purpose// in case of disobedience or dis- 
 turbance, to fire upon the prisoners this is as surprise- 
 ing as ridiculous, to think that 6 men are to be allowed 
 to fire on 300 without resistance on the Stronger side- 
 Beasly ought to have considered that we should be out 
 of his jurisdiction and should not be Murderd. as at 
 Dartmoor 
 
 June 2 nd 
 
 The wind holds on yet thank God., this morning 
 pass'd a Ship on our larbord bow Standing Eastward- 
 wind East Set all our light Kites This morning (for 
 the first time since we saild) had something palatable 
 for Breakfast. — Oat meal and Butter, hitherto we have 
 had Scotch Coffee — made of Bread — and no Sugar — 
 
 June 2 nd Continued 
 
 This forenoon a letter was wrote and sent to the Cap 1 
 requesting him to take the Ship in to New York, or 
 we should be under the disagreable Necessity of takeing 
 the command from him An Answer was soon returned, 
 that it was expressly contrary to his instructions and 
 that, the goverment or M r Beasly was under a bond of 
 
[ 220 ] 
 
 £1500. Sterling if the Ship went to any port except 
 Norfolk, unless distress compelld him — he brought up 
 his Duplicate, and it was read, the prisoners went 
 forward and held a consultation on the Subject — and 
 about 2 P M. came aft and said the Ship must go to 
 N York, and that Cap* Conner must take charge of 
 her and carry her in to N York. Connor made some 
 objection, but they persisted and would not take no for 
 an answer. — the Cap 1 said a few hard words, but all 
 to no effect. — they went aft and took the helm, and took 
 possesion — the Cap 1 turnd away and said no more, only 
 that he hoped to fall in with an English man of War. 
 and see how we would like to go to Halifax But I hope 
 not to see any and if we should I presume they will 
 have nothing to do with us — Any how I think we should 
 be fools to Allow the Cap 1 to take us to Norfolk, when 
 
 nearly one half of the Prisoners belongs to Boston. 
 
 In fact we should be in a State of Starvation in Nor- 
 folk without Money or friends, unless the Governt has 
 made some arrangement, and I fear they have not 
 Success — here's for New York 
 
 June 2 nd Continued 
 
 Our new Cap 1 //Connor.// has regulated the watches 
 13 in a watch and 3 watches, took a luner observation 
 
 and find our long to be 57. 20 W. Lat. 41. 57. N. 
 
 studdingsails out on both sides going. 6% Nots — and 
 if the wind only continues a few days we will have an 
 
 Oyster Supper, in New York all hands are in 
 
 good health and Spirits, and I hope will Keep So — 
 
 SUCCESS MY BOYS. 
 
[ 221 ] 
 
 June 3 d 
 
 Commences with fresh breezes and Pleasant weather 
 going 9% Nots with Skysails set. at 11 P M. the 
 former Cap 1 came on deck and said we were carying 
 sail too hard, the Cap 1 of the watch made answer he 
 should cary as long as he tho 1 prudent, and no longer, 
 the old man then went below a Most beautiful breeze 
 during the Night. 
 
 June. 4th 
 
 Wind hauld to South and rather increasing braced in 
 the Yards and took in the Staysails — and Royals last 
 night in hauling out the M. T. Gallan Studdingsail 
 they caried away the Tack, and Boom. Cap 1 Carr. says 
 to our Cap 1 will you see what damage is done by your 
 inattention thats our business reply's Capt Connor, we 
 are all anxious to get home and shall drive her. I do 
 believe if we had taken posession of the Ship when we 
 first Saild we should have been in N. York ere this, 
 for we find the Ship will Sail if you put canvas on her — 
 at 4 P M. pass a Ship Standing Eastward, on a wind — 
 I believe we are Gods chosen children. Since we have 
 had charge of the Ship we have been blessed with good 
 Weather and fair winds 
 
 June 5 th 
 
 A light breeze from the Northward and thick weather 
 at 4 A M. Capt Connor took an Observation of the 
 Star Aquila. and find our lat to be 40.° 4." N. 
 
 Latter part thick fog and calms, at 8 P M. Light 
 breezes sprung up from the Eastward pass'd two Sail, 
 
[ 222 ] 
 
 Stand on A Wind — Sit all light Sails — Wind gradualy 
 increesing 
 
 June 6 th 
 
 Fresh breezes and clear weather at 4 A M. discov- 
 erd 5 Sails stangling in for Sandy Hook, water very 
 much collourd. A Ship on our beam hove to for sound- 
 ings, plenty of Mackeral around us. but we go to fast 
 to catch any. — suppose ourselves to be up with Montock 
 from 6 to 8 & had some squals of Rain — all hands on 
 deck with smiling countanances. makeing remarks on 
 the happy prospect before us. every heart is dilated 
 with the hope of soon enjoying his liberty, at large — 
 we are now going 10 Knots. Glorey old Ship 
 
 Afternoon wind light, cought several Mackeral — and 
 a Mothers cary Chicken At 4 P M. wind hauled a head 
 spoke the Ship Frances 48 hours from N York bound. 
 
 to Liverpool. He Informd us our Long, was 7.0.° 
 
 If he had said New York was sunk it would not have 
 disappointed us more. Again our hopes are frustrated. 
 Sunk from the highest pinacle of felicity to the lowest 
 
 Ebb of Dispair Every one has some remarks to 
 
 make, respecting our reckoning, which I am surprised 
 to find is so much out of the way — haveing taken two 
 Luner Observations #^ 
 
 June 7th 
 
 At 6 A M. made the Land, which some says is Nomans 
 Land. — some Montock — some Block Island, but I 
 being unacquainted shall not give my opinion but 
 Describe it as it made and leave you to Judge — 
 
[ 223 ] 
 
 Great Altercation among the Prisoners about the 
 Port we shall go to some wants to put her in to New- 
 port — and some N. London, others N. York. At 1 
 P M. fell in with and spoke the Ship Carolina Ann 42 
 Days out from Liverpool, for N York — she says it was 
 
 Block Island we saw this morning that Ship left 
 
 N. York on the 8 th of March — and has completed her 
 Voyage in 3 Months. She has a number of passengers 
 on board, some that went from Dartmoor. Stood in for 
 the Land — and about 4 P M. a Block Island boat came 
 along side some of the Bostonions got their bagage 
 on deck — and were about geting in to the boat when — 
 some of the Prisoners spoke to the men in the boat and 
 told them we had the plague on board — and they had 
 better push off which they did do Immediately — then 
 there was Hell Kicked up sure enough — all jaw — some 
 fighting — and some quareling, till broken Jaws and 
 bloody Noses ends the Dispute — Bedlam Itself could 
 not have breed — more confusion, than was here during 
 the night, and. God Knows I shall be rejoiced when I 
 quit this dam Ship — which I intend doing when I think 
 I can better myself 
 
 June 8 th 
 
 This morning made Montock light and stood in for 
 it. the prisoners muster on Deck and there Bedlam 
 commences again, all talkers and no hearers, finaly 
 it is agreed on that where ever the magority wishes there 
 the ship shall go. It is soon decided by the N Yorkers 
 going on one side of the deck and the Bostonions on 
 
[ 224 ] 
 
 the other but the N Yorkers are strongest yet. and 
 have agreed to go to N York through the Sound. 
 Stood in and haveing the tide in our favour made a 
 good streatch in and for the want of a Pilot hove to 
 for a Smack to come up in order to get one to cary 
 us through the Sound — she soon came up but had no 
 pilot on board — the Bostonions — got up their things and 
 agreed with the Smack, to take them to Newport, and 
 she came along side — and was soon filld up with men 
 A schooner came along side at the same time and was 
 
 also filled with men for New Port. we were loosing 
 
 all the tide and therefore made all possible dispatch and 
 soon stood in again for Fishers Island — and once more 
 I cought sight of My native Vilage. O! what Sensa- 
 tions, ocupies my mind at this time after being 18 
 months in a Dam Prison — and again to behold my 
 Native Vilage Even my very fathers House — and still 
 denied the oppertunity of being their, is an agravation 
 beyond Description — but I am use to the Miseries of 
 human Life — and therefore must put up with what ever 
 
 Misfortune the Lord sees fit to Inflict upon me. 1 
 
 shall place my trust, in him — and hope for the best — 
 
 June 8 th Continued. 
 
 Wind a head still but quite light, and I hope short 
 lived, at 12 OClock a small sloop boat from N. London 
 bound to Block Island, fishing. I was in hopes She was 
 bound to New London, and had got my trunk up to 
 go shore, but was most unhappyly disapointed. I had 
 flatered myself to be along side of my Parents to night. 
 
[ 225 ] 
 
 but as the old saying is there is many a Slip between the 
 cup and the lip — we are now all employd in dressing 
 and cleaning to go on Shore to night, at 8 in the Evening 
 we came to Anchor in the Harbour of New London — 
 and all of us entertaind hopes of soon seting our feet 
 on the of Liberty — but astonishing to relate the Eng- 
 lish grumbled and growld like an Englishman at our 
 attempting to take the boat — after some considerable 
 Altecation the Prisoners came and requested that we 
 would remain board untill morning when they would 
 all leave the Ship and accompany us on Shore — we then 
 concluded to agree to their proposals — and so remaind 
 on board during the night — my feelings during the 
 night may easlyer be imagined that Described to be 
 with so short a Distance of Liberty and not enjoy it 
 was to us quite mortifying — 
 
 June 9 th 
 
 This morning at day light I was awakened by the 
 oars of a boat, and soon put my cloaths on and found 
 the ships boat with four men in her was going to town — 
 I jumped in and we soon Landed in the Happy Shore 
 of Freedom — destitute of Money Friends or Cloathing. 
 we patroled the Streets untill the Usual hour of rising 
 when I soon found friends to Treat me to something 
 to Eate &c — I got breakfast with Mrs Nathl Richards 
 and informd her of M r Jesse Smiths being on board, 
 which to her must have been highly gratifying — as he 
 has been 5 Years from home — after breakfast I meet 
 with Gen 1 W m Williams who politely offerd me his 
 horse — and lent me 3 Dolls I soon after meet with 
 
[ 226 ] 
 
 Judge Billings — who persistend in my accompanying 
 him home to take some refreshment which I did — He 
 likewise offered me his horse — to ride home — and any 
 other Assistance I should need — but I declined haveing 
 meet with a Sloop bound to Stonington — and at 12 o 
 we embarked for home — I say we because I had a M r 
 Greenlaw to accompany me — a Midshipman — who was 
 in both Actions on board the Constitution — we left our 
 fellow sufferous much better off than we had realy 
 Expected — they were recieved with quite a 
 
 9 th Continued 
 
 differient feeling from what they had anticipated, 
 every one seemd to welcome them on Shore. — haveing 
 a fair wind, we soon arrived in stonington. and again 
 I am Landed in my native Village — for which blessing. 
 I Returd my Sincerest thanks to the Almighty. God — 
 To attempt a description of my Meeting with my 
 friends, would be a useless undertakeing as the Pen of 
 Shakespier hisself would not be adaquate to such a 
 Task — Sufice to say it was the first time in my life that 
 Ever I Shed a Tear for Joy 
 
 I have now brought my readrs to the place of my 
 Depature — and shall I am in hopes leave them enjoying 
 as much pleasure as I promise myself 
 
 FINIS 
 
 B F Palmer 
 
[ 227 ] 
 
 A poem composed by A Prisoner on Melville Island- 
 
 Of Melville prison help me write — 
 O, Sacred muse the I invite 
 To aid my fancys's airy dreams. 
 O ! aid to furnish me with themes 
 This Prison is no place for those. 
 Who are oppress'd to find repose 
 But here the captive tar will find. 
 Sources of cares to haunt his mind — 
 Buried from joys which did delight. 
 His soul when happier prospects light. 
 Him through the path of social life 
 He is become the child of strife — 
 Confusion, tumult, Noise and jars 
 Augment anxieties and fears — 
 Till the last glimpse of virtue fades — 
 And leaves humanity in shades — 
 Not yet the Soldier tired and worn 
 Tatterd, in rags and most forlorn — 
 Feels the dire thraldom which corrodes 
 The growth and bloom of virtuous buds — 
 From fam'd Ontario's bloody shore — 
 Where Savage Men like Lions Roar — 
 Confined and captive led they come 
 
 Nor hope to see their Native home 
 
 Plunderd of cloathing in the field — 
 Thier nakedness is scarce conceal'd — 
 Robb'd of their lodgeing blankets too 
 Dismal they look as neer they drew 
 
[ 228 ] 
 
 Now at the gates they beds recieve 
 And Hammocks with some yarns to reeve- 
 Blankets likewise to keep them warm. 
 From, rain, & snow from hail and storm — 
 The Boatswain next in messes places. 
 The whole according to their faces — 
 The White are seperate from the blacks — 
 And yankee lads from Monsier Jacks — 
 Now hunger calls aloud for rations — 
 The one thing needfull in all nations. 
 When smoaking comes the welcome coffee- 
 For Jonathan— Will — and Murphy — 
 The daily loaf is cut to pieces 
 And the rich nouishment increases 
 Now every one being fully fed — 
 
 Prepare anon to go to bed 
 
 Next comes the Turnkey in to count — 
 To find the number and amount. 
 He gives them charge not thence to flee 
 Bids them good night and turns the Key 
 Now every one extends his jaws 
 And strains his throat to make a noise 
 Like a town meeting every throat 
 Wags its tongue to talk by note. 
 No sleep nor slumber close their eyes, 
 from them repose and slumber flies — 
 Untill the Boatswain silence calls. 
 When each on Morpheus's Boosom falls. 
 Daylight appears & each arisen — 
 Ties up his bed, to leave the prison — 
 Impatient waits the joy full crack 
 
[ 229 ] 
 
 And joyfull hears the bolt fly back 
 
 Now thro the yard both French & Yankee, 
 
 Good morning friend, fine day, I thank you. 
 
 News lads, good news to you ship mates 
 
 I dream'd last night I saw the States. 
 
 And all our troops a mighty host. 
 
 As plain as Hamlet saw the ghost, 
 
 Come here my lads, cheer, Soldiers cheer. 
 
 Come let us have a mug of beer — 
 
 To cheer the heart & help the noddle — 
 
 And then we'll sing old yankee Doodle — 
 
 Amused by folly & Delusion — 
 
 They spend the morn Amid confusion. 
 
 Untill the horn their meal announces. 
 
 Then for his coffee each one bounces — 
 
 The breakfast past the bells shrill word — 
 
 Calls every prisoner from the board 
 
 To get potatoes bread and meat. 
 
 The daily food that prisoners eat. 
 
 Now hear the call come number one 
 
 And get your meat run Soldier run — 
 
 Come quick I say or you will loose it. 
 
 For number 2 will not refuse it. 
 
 The gangway soon is throng'd with sailors. 
 
 Soldiers, Coblers, Fidlers, and Taylors. 
 
 Frenchmen, Yankees, white and Negro — 
 
 Steping the time of quick allego — 
 
 Bread, beef & Suger comes in plenty. 
 
 To feed the Officers and gentry. 
 
 Who live aloft, next all below stairs 
 
 Are feed with grub just like their masters. 
 
[ 230 ] 
 
 Now see the gambling tables spread — 
 
 Dice fly apace beneath the shed. 
 
 Some win to day & lose tomorrow 
 
 Then they are forced to beg or borrow — 
 
 Disputes arise, next cuffs, and thumps 
 
 And broken jaws swell up like mumps. 
 
 Next the black hole gapes open wide — 
 
 In go the boxers there they hide 
 
 Next in the groupe the men of Trade 
 
 Cries out here's Candy ready made 
 
 Fine tasted candy sweet and nice. 
 
 And flavour'd well with nutmeg spice — 
 
 Fine apples too they are not high — 
 
 Two for a Cent, come who will Bye. 
 
 Fish ready cooked & lobsters, too. 
 
 Come buy my lobsters do sir do — 
 
 Good herring smoak'd who says, draw near. 
 
 They relish well, here's rich Spruce beer. 
 
 Round fly the coppers in a trice 
 
 And old brass buttons without eyes — 
 
 Coind by the skill of those arch fellows. 
 
 Who cheat the whipping post & gallows — 
 
 And rob the pilory of its due — 
 
 And steal the sheriffs scissors too. 
 
 O! had I Hogaths pencil, then. 
 
 Would I paint those trading men — 
 
 Or buttlers perr, I would describe 
 
 In doggrill rhime the swindling tribe 
 
 And beat them like a ball elastic 
 
 With Buttlers weapon, Hudibrastic. 
 
 But here I am compelld to cease. 
 
[ 231 ] 
 
 For little said will tend to peace 
 
 See! comes the culprit from the Shed 
 
 Some one has lost his cash or bread. 
 
 And like some old long favourd Saint 
 
 He has preferd his long complaint 
 
 Before the Ordeal see them Stand 
 
 And justice of the Court demand — 
 
 His pockets are of cash bereft 
 
 And he accuses Tom of Theift — 
 
 And on the plunderer to fix it 
 
 He gives the Court his ipse dixit 
 
 They try the culprit ; find him guilty 
 
 Of Thieft, A crime both mean and filthy. 
 
 To bring his consience to repentance 
 
 The Judge proceeds to read the scentance 
 
 "That you Tom Tinker haveing Stole 
 
 A Shilling, must go in the Hole — 
 
 And lie there till we call you out 
 
 To give your hide a warmer coat — 
 
 Your Neighbour Joe you'r sure did cozzen 
 
 And you must therefore taken 2 Dozen — 
 
 And not because you took the Shilling — 
 
 Your'e Whipp'd for being caught, not stealing 
 
 The Cat is brought, he streight is bound 
 
 And A hugh croud is gather'd round. 
 
 Nor did such dire confusion reign — 
 
 When good old Mary Magdalen — 
 
 Was by old Belial pregnant made — 
 
 And with seven Devils bro 1 to bed — 
 
 He's stript his back recieves the lashes. 
 
 He groans, he screams, he Kicks & Thrashes. 
 
[ 232 ] 
 
 His mutilated body shews 
 
 The purple seems of cuting blows. 
 
 Their sport being done they straight unbind him 
 
 He runs nor dares to look behind him — 
 
 The wicked flee when none pursue 
 
 While upright men stand firm and true 
 
 O ! Frailty sure thou needst a name 
 
 Expressive more of sin and Shame — 
 
 O fallen Nature the I mour 
 
 Fallen from truth ne'er to return 
 
 Nor poverty, nor Riches give 
 
 O ! Heaven but grant that I may live 
 
 Nor hugh temtation's influence feel 
 
 Nor boast of oppulence nor Steal 
 
 Disorders Rage & death prevail 
 
 From maladies & deadly Ail 
 
 And numerous victims feel the wound 
 
 And sleep beneath the wintery ground. 
 
 No tender Mother's healing care 
 
 No wife no soothing boosom near 
 
 No pious prelates fervent prayer 
 
 Invokes high heaven for mercy there. 
 
 But down the pineing victim falls. 
 
 And dust his Kindred dust inthralls 
 
 Go view the graves which prisoners fill 
 
 Go count them on the rising hill 
 
 No monumental marble shows 
 
 Whose silent dust does there repose — 
 
 Save that the papal cross is place'd. 
 
 Near to the graves where papest rest 
 
 All sleep unknown; their bodies rot 
 
[ 233 ] 
 
 By all, save distant friends forgot. 
 
 No more of this. I now pursue 
 
 The story which I had in view 
 
 And since like Crueso insulated. 
 
 And on this Isle I live ill fated. 
 
 Let Melville Prison be my theme 
 
 Both when I wake & when I dream. 
 
 And first the prison ship I visit 
 
 A mighty sceene of clamor is it 
 
 Cooks & cooks mates rule chiefly there 
 
 And victuals for the whole prepare 
 
 Soon as Aurora's blushes spread. 
 
 The wakeing ones are out of bed. 
 
 All but the Slugish lame & lazy 
 
 Who snore with noise consumate noisey 
 
 The Bars. & turnkevs voice is heard 
 
 All hands up Hammocks is the word. 
 
 Then up they run like gipsey's arch. 
 
 As though the Devil back them march 
 
 But those who in their beds are hanging 
 
 Are sure to get a Bloody banging. 
 
 Down goes the Turnkey with his Jacknife 
 
 Quicker than racers for the Midwife — 
 
 Clip goes the lanyard — Lazy bones 
 
 Rolls from his bed with hidious groans — 
 
 Two Messes wash the ship and scrub. 
 
 The Decks; and clean the filthy Tub 
 
 Some go for brooms and some for water 
 
 With Sentrys armd for blood and Slaughter. 
 
 With Muskets loaded with good lead — 
 
 To Keep the men from riming Mad — 
 
[ 234 ] 
 
 And takeing in thier crazy pates. 
 Strange whims & riming to the States. 
 Where they uncaged may go at large. 
 Nor subjects be to old King George. 
 But left foot first step with the flam. 
 Of Yankee doodle uncle Sam — 
 And now the breakfast is prepareing 
 Of Lobsters. Mackerel and herring — 
 The coppers and the oven's jam'd 
 With fish and meat it is well cram'd — 
 With chilly soldiers young & old — 
 Shivering with frost & crampt with cold. 
 Create a Bedlam; but directly. 
 Here the Command of cheif Cook Eckley. 
 Get out of this & go below 
 And warm you, or I'll let you know. 
 No Coffee shall you have to day. 
 We are the Cooks, be off I say — 
 They all disperse and leave the Cooks 
 And down below they try thier lucks 
 The agents mandate now stops the bluster 
 And all prepare to go to muster. 
 The prison yard is muster quarter's 
 To find transgressors and Deserters. 
 The prison chambers all are emptied 
 The Hospital alone exemptied 
 The Yard's alive with swarms of men 
 High, low, young, & old come flocking in 
 The Tables placed the books are open 
 For mustering this is the token 
 The Agents books are opend wide. 
 
[ 235 ] 
 
 He's in his chair and by his side — 
 The Clerk is seated; He proceeds. 
 To call the names & thus he reads. 
 "Will Cluline, here sir, answers Will. 
 And takes his stand both mute & still 
 "Bob Tackles, Bob cannot be found 
 Find him, confine him under ground. 
 The Agent cries — and many a voice 
 Echoes Bobs name, at length the noise. 
 Reaches his ear, he trembling comes, 
 And cries out here sir. "Here sir, Dunce 
 Why did you be away when calld. 
 That all our business may be pall'd 
 Confine him turnkey in the Cell. 
 Keep him three days & hone him well. 
 Jack Rattling, here Sir where's your shirt 
 You've sold it just to buy a quart 
 Of Whiskey! put him in under ground 
 And Keep him till the Shirt is found. 
 Dick Sprigins — ; here sir! see the Dirt. 
 About the Collar of your Shirt 
 Go to the Cells you filthy brute. 
 I'll dress you with another suit 
 The muster over all retire 
 And now you hear them each enquire — 
 What news, what says the Agent friend. 
 Our troubles soon will have an end — 
 He says that some will go away, 
 Next week ; and all the rest will stay. 
 But little longer ere they go — 
 Joe Bunker says He told him so — 
 
[ 236 ] 
 
 Success my boys we'll Christmas keep. 
 At home & dine on geese & sheep. 
 And drink old Rum & Cider too. 
 And sit and Chat with Moll & Sue — 
 Tell them of troubles we've been in 
 And all the wonders we have seen 
 Thus they amused by Idle dreams. 
 Good fortune still witholds her beams. 
 And all their hope of joys are lost 
 And every glimpse of Freedom cross'd 
 Day after day they wish release. 
 Night after night they dream of Peace. 
 Till mad with rage their patience worn. 
 They curse the day that they were born 
 Or set their feet from off the land — 
 To be confined on Melville Island — 
 But here another scene commences. 
 The whole are like to lose their sences. 
 Because the weather calls for cloaths 
 To keep their hides from being froze — 
 Lately a freight of cloaths arrive. 
 The men flock, round like bees unhived- 
 The stewart serves the Naked needy 
 The men are all consumate greedy — 
 Objects of pity hear their wants. 
 Hear the Prayer, petitions & complaints- 
 Give me some Shoes my feet are bare 
 And Stockings if you have to spare — 
 I've got no Shirt my body's cold — 
 Pray give me one my Vest is old — 
 I want a hat my head is bald — 
 
 
[ 237 ] 
 
 My hat's much worn and very old — 
 
 Give me a pair of trowses do — 
 
 I'm ragged cold & Naked too. 
 
 All talk at once, mouth without ears. 
 
 And jump like Colts new put in gears. 
 
 Such bustle fuss and stir is there 
 
 Enough to make a Parson Swear — 
 
 The stewards voice for silence hails — 
 
 And silence throughout all prevails — 
 
 Now dread suspence fills every breast. 
 
 So an old fowl when on her nest. 
 
 With patience weary waits for hatching 
 
 Sits day and night Constantly watching 
 
 Till yolk with life & motion thicken 
 
 And gaping egg shells free the chicken. 
 
 The Steward rose, an audience gains 
 
 And thus the business he explains 
 
 These Cloaths are sent for those who are bare. 
 
 And not for those who've Cloaths to wear 
 
 Neither are they to cover those, 
 
 Who have been served and sold their cloaths 
 
 You John had shirts your shirts you sold. 
 
 Therefore you must go wet and cold 
 
 You've sold your Shoes you'll get no more 
 
 You should have thought of this before — 
 
 Not traffic off your things so handy 
 
 For cash to purchase sugar candy — 
 
 But since you've traded them away — 
 
 You'll get no more, be off I say — 
 
 Go wash yourself, scrub off the Dirt 
 
 Come honest lad and take this shirt. 
 
[ 238 ] 
 
 Come here old man and take this hat. 
 
 Come boy take this & you take that. 
 
 Now take my word all hands & hear — ■ 
 
 If this you sell for rum and beer — 
 
 I will confine you in the black hole. 
 
 And beat your hides as black as charcoal 
 
 As they retire they curse their fates 
 
 Which has reduced them to a state. 
 
 Of Misery & indigence 
 
 Without the needful aid of pence. 
 
 Misfortune on Misfortune rises 
 
 Some Wonder every day Suffices 
 
 Three hundred must go, the Admiral declares it so. 
 
 On board a ship to England bound — 
 
 Far from their happy Native land. 
 
 Blessings attend your fate my boys 
 
 Altho deprived of social joys, 
 
 Soon, soon may your enlargement come 
 
 When you Shall hail your happy home 
 
 On blest Collumbia's happy shore 
 
 There to rejoice and sigh no more 
 
 Each one oppress'd and broken hearted. 
 
 By hopes & liberty deserted. 
 
 Take leave of their commanders here 
 
 And give their last farewell and cheer — 
 
 The joys of life no longer glow 
 
 Bursts of grief around them flow 
 
 No more the buds of pleasure bloom 
 
 Buried in disappointment toomb 
 
 They live yet in the memory live 
 
 Thousands reflect and pine & grieve 
 
[ 239 ] 
 
 Yet who in luxery and pride 
 Can from the prison turn aside 
 Remember you may prisoners be 
 And share our fate & Misery — 
 May everlasting blessings, rest 
 On those who feel for souls oppress'd 
 Sunk down with woe oppress'd with grief 
 Nor from the unfeeling finds relief 
 May wars and discords ever cease 
 May relms and Empires bloom in peace 
 Till sun & moon, & Planets roll 
 And Heaven & Glory encircle all — 
 
 Finis 
 
[ 240 ] 
 
 Coppys 
 
 To the people of the United States. Fellow Citizens — 
 
 The American Prisoners of war in England, cap- 
 tured in Privateers, and Merchant Vessels, and those 
 given up from the British Navy — beg leave to address 
 you on a subject of great inportance to themselves and 
 they believe affecting by precedent the rights of all 
 American Citizens — 
 
 They think it will not be deemd that the principal 
 or sole end of Goverment. or of a People uniting them- 
 selves into one political body is — is that the united 
 strength of the whole may protect the rights of the 
 individuals whereof it is composed — impress'd with 
 this self evident truth and unconcious of haveing com- 
 mitted any act to forfeit their rights of citizenship — it 
 is with equal surprise and regret, that they learn from 
 M r Beasley the agent for American Prisoners in this 
 Country that Goverment has ratified a convention 
 with Great Britian for a partial Exchange of Prison- 
 ers, including those only who have been Captured 
 belonging to the Army & Navy of the United States — 
 and that all other Prisoners are to remain in confine- 
 ment during the war — Of the five thousand Prisoners 
 now in England, not more than five hundred are of 
 the first mentioned Class — the remaining nine tenths, 
 are by this measure virtually expatriated — or declared 
 no entitled to the protection of their Goverment — Will 
 it be asserted that those captured in Private armed 
 Vessels were not in the service of their Country — they 
 
[ 241 ] 
 
 certainly Sail under a commission from the executive, 
 and are not facts before the world to prove — that priva- 
 teers have distressd the enimies commerce more than 
 in a tenfold Ratio to what has been done by the Navy 
 and more in this short war of two Years standing, than 
 ever the whole French Marine did in ten. 
 
 The limeted number of Ships of War precludes, the 
 possibility of a tenth part of the American Seamen 
 
 entering the Naval Service But the same ardent 
 
 Spirit, the same devotion to their Country That 
 
 were the efficient means of twineing with Laurels the 
 brow of a Hull — a Decatur — inspires the whole body 
 of American seamen and when ever an oppertunity has 
 offerd they have manifested the truth of this assertion 
 by the alacrity with which they have come forward to 
 vindicate the rights and honor of their insulted Coun- 
 try. — They are the more surprised at this proceeding 
 of their Goverment when they take a retrospective view 
 of the great encouragement given by it. to Private 
 armd Vessels — previous to this measure — 
 
 It is the undoubted Object of the British Goverment 
 to discourage by every method in their power the Ameri- 
 cans from fitting out privateers, Knowing — the facility 
 with which it can be done from an extinsive sea-coast 
 (that the whole of their boasted Navy cannot Block- 
 ade) and knowing the ample means they posses in 
 materials and in a numerous body of hardy enterprize- 
 ing seamen — The great havoc already made in English 
 commerce by this species of Force (and which would 
 rapidly augment If that force was protected by the 
 same fostering care as formerly) has seriously, alarm'd 
 
[ 242 ] 
 
 the English Goverment, and induced them to adopt this 
 method of excluding all Prisoners taken in Privateers 
 from an Exchange during the War. 
 
 But why the American Goverment should sanction 
 this proceeding, and thus deprive themselvs of one of 
 the most efficient means of prosecuting the war with 
 Vigour is to us unaccountable 
 
 Respecting those Americans who have for Years 
 groan'd under the galling Yoke of British Slavery — 
 and now as a reward for their Services are thrown into 
 prison — From their wrongs being alledged as a Prom- 
 inent feature in the causes set forth in the declaration 
 of War. — they were induced to believe their Country 
 would not forget them. They have long waited with 
 anxiety, and ardently wish'd for the glorious opper- 
 tunity; when under their own Native Stripes — under 
 the auspices of the Naval Heroes — of their Country, 
 they could again meet their own, their County's dead- 
 liest Foe. — and prove from the cannons mouth their 
 inviolable attachment to the Liberty bequeath'd them 
 by their Fathers — and share in the glorious toil of 
 stripping from their enemies brow the fading laurels 
 of their former invincibilty. and takeing ample Ven- 
 gence at the same time for their own personal wrongs — 
 But this arrangement now agreed upon precludes from 
 them all hopes of such a fortunate event. 
 
 Those Americans captured in the Prosecution of a 
 lawfull commerce, it is presum'd will not be denied an 
 equal, claim to the rights of Citizenship 
 
 Will it be argued in defence of this Partial 
 Exchange — that it is for the purpose of geting home 
 
[ 243 ] 
 
 those men to be again employed in the Naval Service? 
 what justice is their in this, when all are equally willing 
 and anxious to serve their country — and when a great 
 proportion of those will have compleeted their term of 
 Service, by the time they arrive in the United States — 
 
 The Idea of remaining in confinement during a long 
 and arduous War — and of being prevented from share- 
 ing in the perils and glory of their Country, is to men 
 of Ardent, and patriotic spirits more humiliating more 
 bitter — than are ignominious death confinement for 
 life, is a punishment inflicted only on condemned Male- 
 factors for the most henious crimes, and being invidi- 
 ously singled out for this severe destiny, is considered 
 by your fellow Citizens, Prisoners, here, as a direlection 
 of duty in their Goverment — and a direct infraction of 
 the original contract, express'd or implied between 
 Goverment & People 
 
 Should it be urged in bar of their claiming the com- 
 mon rights and protection of citizens — That the liberty, 
 or even lives of the few, — may be justifiably sacrificed 
 for the good of the Many. — to this principal they con- 
 ceed, and if it can be made manifest that the ultimate 
 Interest, or glory of their Country, will be augmented 
 or more firmly established by withholding its protec- 
 tion — from them — They will with cheerfullness — with- 
 out a murmer — submit to the sacrifise — But may not 
 reasons indubitably strong be adduced to prove that 
 the reverse will be the consiquence of such measures 
 
 For a decision on this important Point They refer 
 their cause to the august Tribunal of a Free People — 
 Signed By 
 
[ 244 ] 
 
 In behalf of all the American Prisoners at this 
 Depot — Captured in Privateers & Merchant Vessels 
 and those given up from the British Navy. 
 
 Dartmoor Oct. 15. 1814— 
 Written By 
 
 William Hubbard 
 
 Regulations established by the Committee appointed 
 by the Magority of the Prisoners — 
 
 Article 1 
 
 St 
 
 Any person or persons who shall be found guilty of 
 Gambling for money or any other thing shall pay 2 
 
 Shillings each Any Shop Keeper who shall be found 
 
 guilty of allowing Gambling in his shop for anything 
 whatever — shall pay the sum of 8 Shillings, and for 
 the second offence shall not be allowd to Keep Shop — 
 
 Art 2 
 
 Any person or persons who shall be found guilty 
 of takeing down the lights hung up for the beniflt of 
 the Prisoners shall forfeit the sum of 1 Shilling & 2. 
 for the second offence. 
 
 Art 3. 
 
 Any person or persons who shall be found guilty 
 of Treachery, Thief t, or uncleanlyness. shall receive 
 corperal punishment — according to the Degree & 
 Nature of the offence — & as the Jury Shall determine — 
 
[ 245 ] 
 
 Article 4 th 
 Any person or persons who shall be found guilty 
 of makeing any neusance. (except in the Necessary), 
 shall be made to clean the same and pay one Shilling — 
 
 Art 5 
 Any person or persons who shall be found guilty 
 of washing in the well shall pay 1 shilling for every 
 such offence — 
 
 Art 6 
 Any person or persons who shall be found guilty 
 of disturbing the Prisoners after 10 OClock at Night, 
 shall pay 1 Shilling — 
 
 Art 7 
 
 No prisoners shall be molested or brought to Trial for 
 any Misdemeanour before he become a Prisoner in 
 Dartmore Prison. 
 
 Art 8 th 
 Any person or persons who shall make a smoke in 
 the Prison after the doors are shut — or before they are 
 opend in the morning shall for every such offence for- 
 feit one Shilling unless the doors are shut in the day — 
 and then the consent of the committee — must be obtaind 
 to make a fire — 
 
 Article 9 th 
 Any person who shall have cause of Complaint shall 
 make the same Known to the Committee whose decision 
 shall be definitive unless they shall see fit to call a 
 Jury.— 
 
[ 246 ] 
 
 Art 10 
 
 Any person or persons who shall be summoned, to 
 attend as a Juryman shall refuse or neglect to attend at 
 the place appointed, without any reasonable excuse 
 Shall for every such offence pay 1 Shilling 
 
 Art. 11. 
 All moneys collected by fines shall be appropriated 
 to defray the expences of Pens Ink & Paper &c. and 
 to pay the Constables criers for their trouble — & it 
 shall be the duty of the Committee to appoint a person 
 to recieve the money & to Keep a regular account of 
 all recpts and disbursments — 
 
 Art 12 
 
 It shall be the duty of the Committee — to appoint. 
 3 men out of the S d Committee 1 to attend in the Cook 
 house, and 2 to attend out side, and Inspect the pro- 
 vision- 
 Article 13 
 
 Any person who shall difraud his fellow prisoners by 
 contracting Debts, he is not able to pay shall be brought 
 to Trial, and must abid by the sentance of the Jury — 
 
 Art. 14 
 Any one of the Committee who shall be guilty of a 
 breach of any of the foregoing Articles, Shall pay 
 double — 
 
 Dartmoor Prison No 7. 
 Oct. 11 th 1814. 
 
 p r Order of the Committee- 
 
 Benjn F. Palmer 
 Sec ty 
 
[ 247 ] 
 
 Coppy's. 
 John Mitchell Esq r Sir 
 
 The undersignd in behalf of all the American Officers 
 confined in this depot as prisoners of War — Take this 
 public method of expressing their gratitude for the 
 interest always manifested by you — In endeavouring 
 as far as possible, to ameliorate the distresses always 
 incident to a State of imprisonment, we likewise, par- 
 ticularly, thank you for your exertions (Alltho fruit- 
 less) to prevent a number of Prisoners being sent to 
 England 
 
 We are Sir with a grateful sense of Your goodness 
 very Respectfully. 
 
 ] Your Most Obt. Hbl. Sev t9 
 
 Signed in behalf N. Fellows 
 
 of all the American y G. H. Fellows. 
 
 Officers at. Melville Isle Benjn F. Palmer 
 
 Halifax July 6 th 1814 
 
 M T Mitchells Answer Gentlemen. 
 
 I have rec d Your letter and believeing as I do in the 
 Justice of your representations — I shall hasten to lay 
 before our Goverment your communication to me — 
 with some observations of my own, with the hope — that 
 they may have the desired effect. 
 
 To Mess B. F. Palmer 
 N. Fellows 
 P. Brownell 
 
 Sherewood August 16 th 1814 
 
 I am with Respect 
 Gentlemen. 
 Your Obt Hbl Sev 1 
 John Mitchell — 
 
[ 248 ] 
 
 Coppy. 
 Sir. 
 
 John Borlase Warren Admiral of the Blue. K. B. 
 Commander in chief in and over all his Britan Majesty's 
 
 Forces on the American Station And Bermuda 
 
 &c &c — 
 Sir 
 
 We the undersignd American Prisoners of war, have- 
 ing obtaind information by a prisoner, that a Towns- 
 man of ours — by the name of Neugent. is unlawfully 
 detaind as A British Subject, on Board of the Frigate 
 Fox. now lying at Murrays Anchorage — We the peti- 
 tioners do humbly pray that your Excelency will allow 
 him the liberty of an examination, as we the undersignd 
 are ready to prove that he is a Citizen of America — and 
 well Know his Family & Friends — who reside in 
 Stonington. State of Connecticut &c. should further 
 proof be necessary we would wish to be question on the 
 subject as we can Clearly shew that he is a Citizen of 
 America — 
 
 We hope your excelency will take the above in to 
 consideration soon /as the Frigate may Sail/ and thus 
 deprive us of the pleasure of restoreing one of our 
 unhappy townsmen to the boosom of his family. 
 
 Waiting your Excelency answer to the above we 
 
 subscribe 
 
 Ourselves Your Most Hble 
 
 and Devoted Petitioners. 
 
 B. F. Palmer 
 
 G. H. Fellows 
 
 N. Fellows 
 
 I. Shaw 
 
 A. B. Lath an 
 
 Dated Bermuda 
 Ardent Prison Ship 
 Feby 23 d 1814. 
 
[ 249 ] 
 
 Dartmoor Prison 1814. 
 
 James Munroe Esq. 
 
 Availing ourselves of the opperty offered us by the 
 departure of some of our suffering Countrymen to 
 represent to you for the information of the executive 
 of our Goverment. the aggravated distresses of her 
 Citazens confined here as prisoners of War, we are 
 now induced to do so under the full, conviction that 
 our wretched situation has never been properly repre- 
 sented to you for we are convinced had it ever been we 
 should have received that prompt redress which as 
 citazens we have a right to demand and which the 
 executive of a free and Independant Nation is bound 
 to give, it is not necessary to inform you. Sir, with 
 what avidity our Seamen flew to arms on the declara- 
 tion of war, and boldly encounterd all dangers to 
 revenge the usurpation of our Maritime Rights; 
 guaranteed to us by the blood of our Fathers, there 
 heroic actions their undaunted Spirit displayed in every 
 contest, has sufficiently prooved to our enemy the fali- 
 bility of her boasted bulwarks and her superiour power, 
 and will sufficiently shew to futer tyrants of the Ocean 
 that tho they may for a while oppress, they cannot 
 Conquer the free & Independant Citazens of A Virtuous 
 Goverment. It is not our wish to dwell on the merits 
 of our own actions — we merelv wish to remind vou, 
 Sir, that had we no other claims on our country, this 
 alone should be. sufficient to attract the immediate 
 attention of our Goverment, particularly when they 
 are inform'd of the unexampled humiliation and — 
 wretchedness of all citazens which chance or superior 
 
[ 250 ] 
 
 force has thrown into the hands of this Nation of 
 unprincipal'd plunderers. — 
 
 Since the commencement of war our countrymen 
 we have been hunted with a Kind of Savage fury in 
 every corner of the globe, they have been dragged under 
 accumilated misery from all the habitable parts of the 
 world, and on their arrival here they have been indis- 
 criminately thrown into Prison already gorged with 
 human Misery, horrid mementors of the Tyranical con- 
 tention of Europe, thus were compeled for a long time 
 to drag out a miserable existance amid loathsome stench 
 of crowded Prisons, with scarcely food sufficient to sup- 
 port existance with barely cloaths enough to hide our 
 Nakedness much less to repell the piercing blasts of 
 a winter Wind, subject to the capricious orders of an 
 unfeeling Keeper without, and the licentious conduct 
 of unprincipal'd wretches within, all this bore with 
 patient fortitude, and with the full conviction that 
 our Country would soon take the necessary measures 
 for our release — It was not till the fall of last year 
 that we were inform'd that M r Reubin G. Beasly was 
 appointed and constituted Agent for Prisoners of War. 
 on the information of this circumstance we immediately 
 represented to him our unpleasant situation but not 
 recieving any Answer to this application and willing to 
 make every allowance for delays & accidents — some 
 time elapsed when imperious necessity again compel'd 
 us to make another reprisentation of our Misery. & 
 still no reply from M r Beasly. which made us almost 
 doubt, the existance of such a man — notwithstanding 
 the many assurances we had to the contrary, at length 
 
[ 251 ] 
 
 however we were informd by our Keepers that they had 
 recieved instructions from the Transport Office to per- 
 mit M r Beasly to Visit the American Prisoners — 
 
 Some time after this singular manner of being 
 inform'd of the Visit of our Agent, M r Beasly made 
 his appearance at the Office of the Prison, from which 
 he sent for some of the Prisoners, who after being 
 usherd into A room adjoining the Office they were calld 
 into his presence one by one — to each of whoom he put 
 the following questions! when where you captured:* 
 what where you captured in? how long have you been 
 taken? where was You born? — such questions from the 
 American Agent with out even asking the Situation 
 of the Prisoners, could not but be shocking to the feel- 
 ings of those to whoom they were put — some returnd 
 in disgust others ventured to mention the misery of 
 their Situation but were coldly answered that he had 
 no instruction to render them any assistance — Pie then 
 came into the Yard of Prison where every object that 
 met his sight was Sufficient to melt the most obdurate 
 heart, but he survey'd them with cold indifference which 
 marks the character of our most inveterate Enemy — 
 
 He remaind but a few moments in the Yard, when he 
 took his departure haveing answer'd the questions put 
 to him by the miserable beings that surrounded him 
 with all the indifference of an unconcerned Spectator. 
 
 Thus ended the long and anxiously looked for inter- 
 view between the Agent and Miserable Citazens of a 
 free and Independant republic — his whole conduct in 
 this instance was marked more with the appearance 
 of a Master of an English Press- Gang, than a man sent 
 
[ 252 ] 
 
 to ameliorate the sufferings of upwards of Three Thou- 
 sand of his unfortunate Countrymen 
 
 Thus we were left by our Agent (M r Beasly) with- 
 out any information of the present and cold cheerless 
 uncertanty of the futer, Thus did we drag a miserable 
 existance through one of the most inclement Seasons 
 ever Known in this Country, perishing for the want 
 of food — and shivering at every blast for the want of 
 Cloaths. the most of which we lost at the time of Cap- 
 ture — notwithstanding the assureances of our Enemy 
 that they should be preserved to us, Yet under the 
 presure of all these hardships, we have consolation to 
 say that comparitively few indeed are the instances 
 where an American who has cast off his Allegiance to 
 his country, and entered into the Service of its Enemy, 
 although the enticements & allurements held out to 
 them to do so, was very great, Among the Prisoners 
 who have the misfortune to be confined here, a great 
 proportion of them are Men who have been for Years 
 inhumanly compelled to serve on board the very Ves- 
 sels which this Nation has so long made the instruments 
 of Tyrany & Oppression, over all the other powers of 
 the World, and which they so emphaticaly stile the 
 bulwark of the Liberty of the Seas. These men on 
 the decliration of War — with their Native Country 
 boldly declared their determination not to serve their 
 Enemy & actualy refused to perform their accustomed 
 duty, notwithstanding they were threatened with the 
 punishment of the lash, and the Yard arm if they per- 
 sisted in their determination. 
 
 They where however not intimidated by these threats 
 but strenously persisted in demandeing their discharge 
 
[ 253 ] 
 
 agreable to the laws of Nations, Some were accordingly 
 discharged, others were compelled to submit to the 
 inhuman goadings of the lash for no other offence but 
 to gratify the personal revenge of some of these petty 
 Tyrants of the Ocean whose conduct has so long been 
 a disgrace to the civilized Nations of the World — These 
 men on their being imprisoned in this Country repre- 
 sented their treatment to M 1 Beasly — requesting his 
 interference with the proper authorities — in their behalf 
 whether he payed any attention to their request, they 
 have yet to learn, as he has never taken the trouble 
 to give them any information whatever — When they 
 found that nothing could be expected from the Conduct 
 of Mr Beasly they took the oppertunity of represent- 
 ing their situation to M r Whitebread who immediately 
 returned for answer that all those who had been deliv- 
 ered up from the English men of War and could pro- 
 duce authenticated documents of their Nativity, would 
 be immediately sent home, this induced all those were 
 not furnished, with such Documents to write to their 
 friends in America for the Necessary Certificates — some 
 recieved them and immediately forwarded them to M r 
 Beasly under the full perswasion that they should soon 
 be returned to their Native country and Freinds — others 
 had them sent to M r Beasly who never inform'd the 
 Owner of haveing recieved them, and left the unhappy 
 Victims, to wonder at the Delay of his Friends. If the 
 British Goverment. had changed their determination 
 of releasing these unhappy men. (as it seems by M r 
 Whiteheads Letter that that had been their intention) 
 It was the duty of M r Beasly to have informed them of 
 that circumstance and relieve their anxious mind from 
 
[ 254 ] 
 
 the horrors of suspence but instead of that he acted in 
 this as in all other instances more like a barbarian than 
 like a civilized Christian by withholding all information 
 when it has been in his power and his duty to commu- 
 nicate it. 
 
 About the end of last January a letter was recieved 
 from M r Beasly stateing that he was authorized to pay 
 the American Prisoners three half pence P r day to 
 commence on the first of that Month for the purpose 
 (as he stated) to furnish ourselves with soap & Tobacco 
 this has accordingly been paid to us regularly every 
 month since; with the addition of one penny P r day 
 commenceing on the first of last month, this addition 
 of one penny, was said to have been given to furnish 
 ourselves with Coffee Tea & Sugar twice a week the 
 days on which we Drew fish from the British Gover- 
 ment. This allowance small as it is is nevertheless of 
 the utmost Impertance to us. Yet we can not help 
 remarking here that we do not believe a true representa- 
 tion of the Value of those articles in this country was 
 made known to our Goverment when they granted this 
 Stipulation, or it certainly would have occured to them 
 that two pence half peny would not purchase but very 
 little Tobacco at 8/. P r pound Soap %. Coffee 2/3. 
 and Sugar 1/6. Sterling, this is actualy the cost of those 
 articles to the Prisoners, and almost every thing in pro- 
 portion, we do not mean to say that they have relied on 
 the information of M r Beasly altogather — but we fear 
 he has too much Influence in his representation. 
 
 Some time in April last we were informd by annother 
 letter from M r Beasly that he was directed by his Gov- 
 
[ 255 ] 
 
 erment to furnish the Prisoners with cloathing, this 
 information was recieved with all the demonstrations 
 of joy that the actual want of these Articles could 
 inspire, each was congratulating the other on the pleas- 
 ing prospect of soon haveing it in his power to Keep 
 himself clean, a gratification that many had not enjoyed 
 Since their confinement Delusive hope! how much 
 were they disappointed when M r Williams the Secra- 
 tery of M r Beasly who came for the purpose of serving 
 out the Cloaths to the Prisoners informed us he had 
 directions to serve — Those only that he thought stood 
 in need of them, accordingly he proceeded to serve some 
 with A Shirt others a Jacket & To a few a full Suit, 
 as he thought proper, when every object that appeared 
 before him to recieve their Countrys bounty, sufficiently 
 evinced the necessity of furnishing the whole with 
 entire suits, at some of the Depots the Prisoners perem- 
 toryly refused to recieve any unless the whole where 
 supplied with entire suits which accordingly comply'd 
 with — Now if M r Beasly had given him orders to serve 
 only those that he thought proper — (and we have no 
 doubt but he did) what right had he to furnish at one 
 Depot full suits and at others whoom he thought proper 
 If he was not well assured that M r Beasly had no right 
 to give him such orders — for it is in Vain for him to 
 say that the prisoners were in want of them more in 
 one Depot than another when he was told at every 
 place the extreeme distress of all the Prisoners for 
 the want of Cloaths — and evey man who appeared 
 before him, was a Shivering witness of the Naked 
 Truth of that assertion — but no Sir to have Cloath'd 
 
[ 256 ] 
 
 the whole would have (we presume) the speculative 
 Views of M r Beasly. between whoom & the Jew con- 
 tractor their was a reciprocal, understanding, the dis- 
 interested conduct of M r Beasly! The silent contempt 
 with which he has formaly treated the earnest solicita- 
 tions of the Prisoners, the well Known character of 
 the Contractor, the wretched unequality of the Cloath- 
 ing, all of which no Doubt is charged at a large and 
 equal price to our Goverment, we think will sufficiently 
 warrant us in Saying that M r Beasly and his Jew con- 
 tractor, have pocketed considerable sums at the expence 
 of the United States — by barely with holding from 
 the suffering prisoners — what had been allowed them 
 by their Country to soften the misery of their unhappy 
 situation 
 
 On the restoration of Peace on the continent of 
 Europe Thousands of those unhappy beings were dis- 
 charged from the numerious prisons of this country 
 where they had been shut up for Years sicluded from 
 the social intercourse of the World and denied the 
 common benifits allowed by Nature 
 
 Soon after the consumation of that event an order 
 was Issued from the Transport Board — to the com- 
 manders of the different departments to send all the 
 American Prisoners under their charge to this Depot, 
 the order was no sooner recieved than they commenced 
 to put it in execution and those who were confined in 
 the Inland Prisons experienced in a tenfold degree the 
 want of those Articles which M r Beasly had so inhu- 
 manly withheld from them. 
 
 It has always been the custom of the English when 
 they march their prisoners any distance to furnish them 
 
[ 257 ] 
 
 with shoes, when they recieved orders to march, those 
 who had none made application to the Officer who had 
 Charge of them, and only recieved for answer that our 
 Goverment had undertaken to cloath us. and if we had 
 not been properly Cloathd — we must make complaint 
 to our Agent. — invain did they represent to him their 
 inebility of most of the prisoners to perform the 
 Journey without those Articles invain did they request 
 him to defer their march untill they should be sup- 
 plied — his Orders were positive and must be obeyed — 
 Then by the Barbarous conduct of our Enemy — and 
 the more inhuman conduct of M r Beasly they were 
 compelld to perform a march of upwards of one hun- 
 dred, &, thirty miles, over Stony roads without Shoes 
 or Stockings — and scarcely Cloaths, sufficient to cover 
 their Nakedness — and compelld to exist on what they 
 could purchase with the small sum of 10 pence P r Day — 
 that being all the allowance of the British Goverment. 
 We beg leave to remark Sir that this is no Idle 
 Tale invented to please the whim or gratify a selvish 
 spirit or a pityfull revenge, it is a narative drawn 
 from sad experience and the sufferings of nearly Four 
 Thousand Prisoners American Citazens, who now cry 
 aloud to their Country for redress, and we sincerely 
 hope, Sir, they may not plead in Vain, the barbarous 
 conduct of our enemy we can bear, and bare it without 
 a murmer, for by their general conduct we can expect 
 no less from them, and we should only regret that they 
 did not practice some of those virtues of which they 
 endeavour to make the world believe they are the only 
 defenders — But when we reflect that our Country has 
 sent a man expressly to hear and redress our com- 
 
[ 258 ] 
 
 plaints — and secure the privaledges of the Prisoners 
 agreable to the law of Nations — when we see this man 
 totaly neglecting the Sacred duties of that important 
 Office — and become the Traficer in the Miseries of his 
 Countrymen by with holding from them the neces- 
 saries allowed them by their Goverment. by treating 
 all their complaints and requests with silent contempt, 
 and, by an irregular selection of Prisoners to be sent 
 home in the Cartels previous to the suspencion of the 
 Exchange by suffering the British Goverment to send 
 those who they thought proper for their purpose, which 
 has been the case in every instance — when a Cartel 
 has been fitted out, and men whose captivity was far 
 enterior to some that were sent away are now languish- 
 ing in prison, while they have families at home suffering 
 perhaps by their absence when his interference would 
 have secured to them their Just rights. When, Sir, we 
 reflect on all these Miseries occasion'd by the neglect, 
 the incapacity, or Villiany of this man it can not but 
 awaken in us a just sentiment of disgust and horror 
 against him and pity for the misplaced confidence of 
 
 OUR GOVERMENT. 
 
 We shall now Sir close this tedious detail as painfull 
 to our feelings as it must be disagreable to You, by 
 meerly observing had we attempted a minute detail of 
 all the circumstances, wherein M r Beasly has wantonly 
 neglected his duty it would have form'd a packet too 
 large for a safe conveyance, and too painfull to Your 
 feelings for a candid perusal, as his conduct since his 
 appointment to that important Office has been marked 
 with nothing but contempt for the Sufferings, of the 
 Prisoners & Sordid avoiritious princaples of self agian- 
 
 
[ 259 ] 
 
 dizement. Independant of the duty of the Office had 
 M r Beasly possesed one drop, of the milk of human 
 Kindness, he never would have left unanswerd the many 
 letters address'd to him by the prisoners — requesting 
 information which was his duty as A man to communi- 
 cate, and, which would have eased their minds from the 
 horrors of suspence and left them resign'd to their fate 
 with A calm reliance on the protection of their Country. 
 
 After experienceing, and, ruminateing on all these 
 hardships we cannot help expressing to you, Sir, that 
 M r Beasly appears to us by his conduct, more like the 
 legitimate ofspring of Tyrany and oppression than the 
 citazen of a great and Enlightend Republic — we do 
 therefore request for the beniflt of the Prisoners now 
 confined, here and they who may hereafter be confined 
 that he may be remooved from this important Office — 
 and another be appointed in his place as it is impossible 
 the duty's of the Office can be worse conducted — 
 
 We therefore, relying on Your Justice and humanity, 
 have the honour to Subscribe ourselves in behalf of all 
 the prisoners 
 
 Your Respectfull — 
 
 and humble 
 
 Servants 
 
 In behalf of all the 
 American Prisoners 
 Confined in Dartmoor, 
 Prison 
 
 T. Colten 
 
 W. HlJBBART 
 
 True Copy 
 
 Dartmoor Prison 
 April 14 th 1814. 
 
[ 260 ] 
 
 Coppy of A letter from Doct. Magrath. In Reply to 
 A Memorial drawn up and Presented him 
 
 To the brave American prisoners Collectively. 
 
 Permit me to request you will accept the warmest 
 and most sinceer thanks of my heart, for the flattering 
 testimonial of Your approbation of my conduct, with 
 which You have Honored me; and allow me to assure 
 you that nothing can be more exquisetly gratifying, to 
 my very best feelings, than the language in which you 
 have been pleased, to convey this Mark of Esteem — 
 
 I feel convinced that you will indulgently excuse 
 me if I find it impossible to command words sufficiently 
 emphatic; adequately to express, the sentiments of 
 gratitude, with which I am penitrated for this unex- 
 pected proof of your regard ; my heart therefore rather 
 than my pen, must thank you. but it would not be doing 
 justice to my own feelings, were I to abstain from 
 assureing you, that I have endeavourd to perform, 
 my duty, towards you with that self devotedness which 
 looks for its own reward, in its own consciousness of 
 Right, and its own secret sense of Virtue. And what 
 ever difficulties I may have had to encounter in the 
 discharge of my important trust, by strugling with a 
 succession of the most violent and exasperated epidemic 
 diseases, ever recorded in Medical History: during the 
 whole of my service amongst you — The distinguished 
 proof of your confidence and approbation of my pro- 
 fessional labours, with which you have this day been 
 pleased to honour me, amply compensates me, and 
 must rank amongst the proudest and most happy events 
 of my life — 
 
[ 261 ] 
 
 It now only remains for me, in plain, but unfeign'd 
 language, again to beg you will recieve my most sin- 
 ceer, and cordial thanks, and to assure you collectively, 
 that a due and most lively sense of the high honour 
 which you have confered upon me shall to the last 
 moments of my existence, remain deeply ingrafted in 
 my heart ; And permit me most sinceerly to congratu- 
 late you, on the happy event which terminates your 
 Captiveity — and which is so soon to restore you all to 
 the Bosoms of your families, and Friends, and May 
 you long enjoy Peace and Happyness— is the sinceer 
 wish of 
 
 Your most Gratefull and 
 Much obliged 
 
 Humble Sev* 
 George Magrath. 
 
 This letter is in answer 
 to the one foregoing 
 Dated March 30 th 1815 
 
 To his Excelency James Madison. Honoured and 
 Respected Sir 
 
 From the general philanthropy of your character 
 and liberality of sentiment no apoligy is deem'd requi- 
 site for introducing to your particular Notice and that 
 of the nation at large Doctor George Magrath prin- 
 cipal of the Medical Department for the American 
 Prisoners of War in England.— It is impossible for us 
 to speak of this Gentleman in terms that will do justice 
 
[ 262 ] 
 
 to his superior professionable Science, brilliant talents, 
 the Examplary Virtues of his heart, the Urbanity and 
 easy accessibility of his Manners, his unremitting 
 assiduities — and unwearied exertions in combatting a 
 Succession of diseases of the most exasperated and 
 Malignant Character, which prevailed amongst, the 
 Prisoners — 
 
 At the first forming of the Depot Pneumonia in its 
 worst form generaly prevailed which degenerated into 
 a still more dangerous species of pulmonic complaint 
 namely, peripneumonia, Notha, which was rapidly suc- 
 ceded by a putrid Kind of Measles and, that destructive 
 Malady followed by Malignant Small Pox., which 
 spread rapidly; dismay and apprehension were painted 
 on every countanance Doc 1 Magraths time and atten- 
 tion were fully ocupied in the Hospital and in vaccinat- 
 ing the Prisoners — 
 
 From his unprecedented exertions in an inclement 
 Season of the year, in a most inhospitable clime — his 
 health became seriously impaired, but totally regardless 
 of himself, he persevered in his unparrelled exertions 
 and from his superior Knowledge in the healing Act 
 was the means under divine Providence of rescuing 
 many of the citizens of the United States from the fast 
 approximating imbraces of Death. 
 
 This malignant species of small pox. unknown to 
 the generality of professional Gentlemen appeard in 
 other places and a far greater number fell Victims in 
 proportion to the Cases than at this place 
 
 We therefore Trust that some distinguished Mark 
 of the Nations gratitude will be confered on Doctor 
 
[ 263 ] 
 
 Magrath; for this truly great Mans exertions in the 
 cause of Suffering humanity, have been rarely Equall'd, 
 but never exceeded. — 
 
 We have the honour to remain 
 
 Dated 30 March 1815 
 Dartmoor 
 
 
 Thoms Mott 
 Seth Walker 
 
 ja a Wm West 
 
 03 
 
 Charles Dexter 
 
 13 ■£ Wm Molloy 
 
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 S JmsTrobeige 
 
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 with sentiments 
 of Respect And Attachment 
 Your Excellencys — Obedient 
 Humble Servants 
 Beny Mercer 
 Pieries G De Peyster 
 Henry Proctor 
 John Cottel 
 Thomas Carbury 
 James Liester 
 
 Zj 
 
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 o 
 
 T3 g Theod Sherebourn Henry Bull 
 
 JS ^ J. B. Trott 
 
 OS 
 
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 a 
 
 Dartmoor April 29 1815 
 
 To fa* Excellency John Quincy Adams Sir. 
 
 Impressed with a sense of duty which we owe to our 
 country and to ourselves, we respectfully solicit per- 
 mission to introduce to your Excellency, George 
 Magrath Esq r . M.D. principal of the Medical depart- 
 ment at this Depot. 
 
[ 264 ] 
 
 Language is incompetent to deleniate the worth and 
 Character of this Gentleman — so eminent in Medical 
 Science, enriched by every Virtue and accomplishment 
 that can dignify and Adorn human Nature, and form 
 the gentleman and philanthropist, 
 
 His professional skill has been peculiarly conspic- 
 uous, in his successfully combatting a Succession of 
 diseases of the most exasperated and Malignant Char- 
 acter which prevaild amongst the prisoners, Doctor 
 Magraths health, his indefategble exertions, became 
 seriously impaired, but he persevered in the perform- 
 ance of his arduous duties and unremitting efforts to 
 arrest the allarming and rapid advances of prevailing 
 diseases; And he was the Agent under divine Provi- 
 dence of rescuing many Citizens of the United States, 
 from a premature grave, and as it were ensuring their 
 existance — but more particularly on the late unhappy 
 occurence, language is too impotent to Describe D r 
 Magraths unexampled Endeavours to prevent the effu- 
 sion of blood, regardless of the many dangers by which 
 was environed he persevered amidst the heavy and 
 incessant fire of Musketey in his human endeavours to 
 prevent the fatal Catastrophy; His Treatment of the 
 unfortunate wounded AMERICANS is, superior to 
 all praise, and was such as to entitle D r Magrath to the 
 esteem and gratitude of the Citizens of the U. States 
 
 We therefore respectfully and ardently Solicit that 
 Your Excellency would be pleased to Honour D r 
 Magrath with your particular Notice and Esteem, and 
 to convey these our sentiments to the Goverment of 
 the U. S. ; For we would wish to give all possible pub- 
 
[ 265 ] 
 
 licity to the high sense of D r Magrath, and to evince to 
 our Country, and the world how gratefully we appre- 
 ciate the essential servicees we have recieved from that 
 Gentlemen — 
 
 We Avail ourselves of this oppertunity to Offer to 
 your excellency our congratulations on the happy termi- 
 nation of your important duties at Gent, by A Conclu- 
 sion of a Peace, so highly honourable to our beloved 
 Country and to yourself and to assure your Excellency 
 of our high Respect and attachment to your Character 
 and Person. We have the honour to be Sir 
 
 Yours Obedient humble Servants For in behalf of 
 the American Prisoners at this Depot 
 
 Pieries G De Peyster Thos Gaine 
 Henery Proctor Thos Carbury 
 
 Henry Bull James Liester 
 
 John Cottle. Benj Mercer 
 
 Isaac Dowell. 
 
 Doctor Magraths Answer to the last letter, (to 
 
 J. Q. Adams 
 
 Dartmoor April 30 th 1815 
 Gentlemen 
 
 Honoured as I am with the approbation of those 
 whose good opinion I so highly estimate, I cannot per- 
 mit myself to recieve this additional Mark of your 
 friendship and regard //in which you much overrate 
 my humble exertions in the discharge of my duty and 
 the cause of humanity// without begging leave to assure 
 you that whilst it reflects upon me the highest honour 
 
[ 266 ] 
 
 that could be confered, it lays claim to my heart felt 
 acknowledgements and everlasting gratitude — 
 
 With the most sinceer and cordial 
 good wishes for your health 
 and happiness 
 Addressed to the gentlemen I remain Gentlemen 
 forming the Hospital Your Much Obliged and 
 
 Committee Most Gratefull 
 
 Serv* 
 George Magrath. 
 
 A prisoner poor and out of sight. 
 Confined from all enjoyment. 
 Doom'd through the day & endless night. 
 To live without employment. 
 
 On Melville Island doom'd to be. 
 By Centinals surrounded. 
 My home, my bed, a prison deck. 
 My heart with anguish wounded. 
 
 But soon I hope for sweet release. 
 In realms of splended glory. 
 In scenes of love in bowers of peace 
 Where glows the blest Aurora. 
 
 Finis. 
 Composed by a Soldier on Melville Island. 
 
[ 267 ] 
 
 Mary My Deak. 
 
 How happy was the morn of love, 
 When first thy beauty won my heart 
 How guiltless of a wish to rove. 
 I deem'd it more than death to part. 
 
 When ere from thee I chanced to stray. 
 How fancy dwelt upon thy mein. 
 That spread with flowers my distant way. 
 And show'd delight on every scene. 
 
 But fortune envious of my joys 
 Has robbed a lover of thy charms. 
 From me thy sweetst smile decoys. 
 And gives the to anothers arms. 
 
 Yet tho' my tears are doom'd to flow 
 May tears be never Marys lot. 
 Let love protect thy head from this woe 
 His wound to mine shall be forgot. 
 
 A Long Adieu 
 
 Adieu dear land where last I drew. 
 The sweets of bliss abounding. 
 Where neither pain nor grief I new. 
 But all was peace surrounding. 
 
 With eager wish thy groves I trace 
 Tho bar'd from her returning 
 And sigh to meet that lovelv face 
 For wich my heart is burning — 
 
[ 268 ] 
 
 Green grow thy fields Collumbia 
 When flocks run round the mountain. 
 Sweet roses every Valley cheer. 
 Where glows the purling fountain. 
 
 While worn with grief my heart endures. 
 Sharp pains and wild commotion. 
 And fell dispair each hope obscures. 
 As tempest cloud the Ocean — 
 
 Dear to my soul are those lov'd forms. 
 For which each hour I'm sighing — 
 No healing My boosom warms. 
 Or saves my hopes from dying — 
 
 My Mary still my heart is yours. 
 Tho distance does divide us. 
 On you my dear while life endures. 
 I'll doat tho Ills betide us — 
 
 Mary's Adieu. 
 
 Farewell to America thy white cliffs, adieu. 
 
 Can the gale be auspicious that bears me from you. 
 
 Tho Oceans divide us as wide as the pole. 
 
 No distance can change the true love of my soul. 
 
 As well might my messmates determine to bail. 
 
 All the water that fills ; up old Neptunes great pail 
 
 As divert my firm mind from its fond thoughts of you 
 
 Farewell to America, dear Mary Adieu — 
 
[ 269 ] 
 
 Dear Mary adieu, can such love go to wreck. 
 When every plank bears, thy dear name on the deck. 
 "Its many a true love Nots in the tops I have tied 
 While guileless at chequers my messmates have play'd 
 There sports and their pastimes no pleasure to me 
 My mind is more happy! when sighing for thee. 
 Is more happy by far when I'm thinking of you 
 Farewell to AMERICA ; Dear Mary Adieu 
 
 The American Tar. 
 
 By a Prisoner. 
 
 Tune — Wounded Huza 
 
 You sons of Columbia, who neer plough'd the Ocean. 
 Attention a while and I'll sing you a song. 
 Concerning the Eagle — American Standard. 
 Composed, by a Sailor, in prison so strong. 
 
 In Dartimoor prison we sons of the Ocean. 
 
 I fear are all doom'd to the horro's of War. 
 
 But our proud bird the Eagle, is sweeping the Ocean. 
 
 And claiming the Rights of the American Tars. 
 
 Our Eagle at home in the Forst sat museing 
 With Eyes ever watchfull she discovered afar. 
 "Twas old Englands Notions; to drive from the Ocean. 
 The Sons of Columbia ! The American Tars — 
 
 So when she took wing on the sea coast a hovering — 
 Her eyes full of Veangence. and bright as the Stars. 
 She said to the heroes, Commanding the Navy — 
 Go defend all the rights of the American Tars. 
 
[ 270 ] 
 
 On the Salt briny Ocean, our Eagle then hovering — 
 
 Directed by Neptune. & Assisted by Mars 
 
 Our brave Constitution, with fixed resolution. 
 Commenced all the rights of American Tars — 
 
 Our banners displayed on the Ocean are flying. 
 Decature & Hull wear the Stripes and the Stars. 
 When the battle on Champlain was won by McDonough 
 Then England Acknowledged the American Tars. 
 
 Our Peacock and Warsp. once attached to the Eagle. 
 With Death in their Mouths breath Destruction afar. 
 While the Reindier and Avon that is sent to old Davy, 
 Must Acknowledge the valor of the American Tars — 
 
 But our Seamen empress'd in these prisons are dying. 
 Beat the foes from your coast, drive your Enemies far — 
 Our Eagle remembers the base imposition — 
 You ever Established on the American Tars — 
 
 But our bull dogs are loose and roaring like thunder 
 Destruction & Vengeance flies under those Stars. 
 So give up those seamen you have stole by impressment. 
 And Say you have injured the American Tars — 
 
 Finis 
 
 Long Time Gilderoy. 
 
 From the, Eliza I must go. 
 
 And from my Native shore. 
 The cruel fates between us throw 
 
 A boundless Oceans Roar. 
 
[ 271 ] 
 
 But boundless Oceans, roaring wide 
 Between my love and me 
 
 They never, never can divide — 
 My heart and Soul from the 
 
 Farewell! farewell, Eliza dear — 
 
 The maid that I adore. 
 A bodeing is in my ear. 
 
 We part to meet no more 
 But the latest throb that leaves my heart 
 
 While Death Stands Victor by 
 That Throb Eliza, is thy part. 
 
 And thine that latest sigh — 
 
 British Tyrany. 
 
 By a Prisoner 
 
 1st 
 Come listen to my story while I the truth reherse 
 The wrongs of Yankee seamen I give to you in verse 
 I do my best endeavour who can do any more. 
 To recite the sad misfortunes which lately we have bore. 
 
 2nd 
 
 Out of our Merchant Vessels, those Tyrants did us 
 
 press — 
 For to learn them their duty which they must needs 
 
 confess — 
 With Tyranical oppression they did us tars controul. 
 And compeld us to fight for them which cut us to the 
 
 soul 
 
[ 272 ] 
 
 3d 
 
 At length our country wereied with oppresion base 
 Our Merchants ships being Stolen, & property laid 
 
 waste. 
 Roused up their once Prooved courage. & the wars 
 
 triumphant sound 
 Against the British Nation & their tyranic crown 
 
 4th 
 When we recieved those tidings it did our spirits cheer — 
 And straight to the British Admiral we then did steer 
 Resolved we were to free ourselves from their tyranic 
 
 power 
 The happy day arrived at length we long'd for many 
 
 an hour 
 
 5th 
 Accordingly we did go aft it was our firm intent. 
 As prisoners to hold ourselves, our minds were fully 
 
 bent. 
 But mark the issue well my lads ; for it is strictly true. 
 That many of us for the same step were forced for 
 
 to rue. 
 
 6th 
 Some were put in Irons, and some were basely flog'd. 
 Others were call'd Mutiners and for the same were log'd. 
 Tried by a court marshal and through the fleet were 
 
 sent. 
 While others fare more fortunate into vile prisons 
 
 went — 
 
[ 273 ] 
 
 7th 
 
 Among the latter number I happily made one. 
 
 Out of my hard earned wages those scoundrels have me 
 
 done 
 Not me alone but many, more this was our recompence 
 To pay the whole they thot it was by far too great 
 
 expence 
 
 8th 
 
 This is the usage we received from the Britians far 
 
 famed Sons 
 For glory allways famous was never known to run. 
 Untill the Constitution fell in with the Gurirere — 
 Then they formd the odds between Columbia's & 
 
 Monsier — 
 
 9th 
 
 Here's a health to our brave seamen whose courage neer 
 did drop 
 
 It's time that those proud Britians were forced for to 
 stop 
 
 For the injuries we have received, we pay for one ten 
 score — 
 
 Against our former Prisons we'll make Yankee's can- 
 nons roar — 
 
 10th 
 
 We have some brave commanders who glorious in wars 
 
 pay— 
 Decature Jones & Rogers who longs with them to play. 
 
[ 274 ] 
 
 Brave Burrows, Perry, Lawrence, who have also lent 
 
 a hand 
 For to subdue those scoundrels who are like a robing 
 
 band 
 
 11th 
 
 Success attend our seamen who have so nobly fought. 
 Who have with Britians Navy already had some sport. 
 May they forever prosper, always successfull be 
 And our Country ever blest with that sweet smiling 
 liberty 
 
 Finis. 
 
 lbmj 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 011 837 155