More Prisoners—Hears from Home—Suspicion—A hot Press—1500 Seamen
wanted—News from America—Disagreeable Company—Destitution of the
Prisoners—Digging, and Detection—A Pious Wish—Twenty years of
age—Mournful Reflection—Letter from Bilboa—Bad Bread—Unpleasant
Reflections—King’s Speech—Bold Project—Failure—Reports—Strictness of
the Guard—Suspicion—Privation from the Gospel—Prisoners
Threatened—Voluntary Sacrifice—Good News reported—Detail of General
Burgoyne’s Defeat—Washington and Howe.
OCTOBER 20. There has been a prospect of a French war ever since we have
been taken, but now I believe it is inevitable.
21. To-day we have drawn new hammocks, which are nearly a foot shorter
than those we had before, on account of the hanging of them being
altered.
22. To-day the remainder of the prisoners came on shore to the prison,
and among them is a young man belonging to one of the schooner Hawk’s
prizes. This young man formerly lived with Thomas Tennant, of Newbury.
From him I obtained intelligence of the health of my father and brother,
and many other friends. It is a great satisfaction to me to hear from
home, though it is very uncertain whether or not I ever see it.
23. Wet weather.
24. Warm and pleasant.
25. King Charles’ restoration day. The garrison, fort, and each ship in
the harbor, in commission, fired a salute. We are told that twelve sail
of the line have been put in commission within a few days. We learn that
there are suspicions that a French fleet has gone to the West Indies.
To-day a large ship came in here in distress, having carried away her
main-mast and mizen-topmast.
26. It is eleven months to-day since we left Portsmouth.
27. Last night two prisoners, Cutter and Morris, made their escape from
the prison hospital; also to-day another prisoner ran the gantlet for
stealing a penny loaf from one of the prisoners.
28. We are informed that two sentries, who were knowing to those two
prisoners making their escape, are confined upon suspicion, and one of
them has turned King’s evidence, and informed of the other.
29. Cold and windy weather.
30. A bad storm, so that we keep house all day, except when we get out
to draw our provisions.
31. Pleasant and warm, for the season.
November 1. We are informed that a few days ago, in a storm, a ship
appeared, at a small distance from land, and gave a signal of distress,
and in about ten hours was not to be seen; it is supposed she foundered.
2. We are informed that there is as hot a press now going on as ever was
known in England; and that fifteen hundred seamen are wanted
immediately, to fit out a fleet.
3. We have a paper, dated the 21st of last month, wherein is an account
of General Burgoyne’s losing two thousand men, besides a number taken
prisoners.
5. To-day is Gunpowder Treason, and they make but little account of it
compared with what I expected. To-day a boy ran the gantlet, for
stealing.
6. To-day some prisoners, in a separate prison, who have been trying for
some time to make their escape by digging out, were discovered by the
guard.
7. We have a paper wherein are several fine pieces in behalf of America,
which I hope will prove of advantage, as the Parliament is to set about
the 15th or 20th of this month; I am persuaded that the American affairs
will be called up as the first question, and the subject of the most
importance.
8. Two ships-of-war dropped down into the Sound, in order for sailing.
9. Sunday. Somewhat cold, and there are a great many in prison who have
neither shoes nor stockings for their feet, and scarcely a jacket or
shirt for their back: these must inevitably suffer, if not perish, this
winter, with cold, if not supplied with clothing. As to myself, I have
enough to keep me comfortable as to clothes, which is more than
two-thirds in prison have; for many have been obliged to sell their
clothes to buy provisions.
10. To-day six persons, in a separate prison, as they were at work in a
drain under ground, digging out, were discovered by the guard, and
caught in the drain, and carried to the Black-hole.
11. Two of the turnkeys, who used to tend the doors and gates, have been
discharged; I suppose on suspicion of their being too good friends to
us.
12. To-day an American captain, belonging to Manchester, who was taken
in a merchantman, came to see us. He is set at liberty, and is bound
home. Several in prison sent letters by him, but we could not write a
true account, because our letters were examined.
13. Wet weather. Our yard, which was a pleasant spot when we came into
it, is now nearly a mud pond in wet weather, and in dry a dust heap.
14. This morning, as some in prison were at work, trying to dig out, the
guard came in and found the hole; and when they came to turn us out,
there were one or two who did not move so soon as they wanted them to
do, and they struck and abused them; afterwards, when one of the
prisoners went to one of the prison windows to look for something, the
sentry in the prison yard saw him and struck him over the back, and
broke his bayonet.
15. It is twelve months to-day since we sailed from Newburyport. I hope
the Lord in whom we ought to trust, will, in his own good time, deliver
us out of the hands of our enemies, and return us to a free
country,—which would be a day of good fortune, a day of agreeable
surprise and great joy. Then would I say—
Thrice happy youth, though destitute and poor,
These are my restoration days;
The Lord, who brought me out, I’m sure
Can teach me how his name to praise.
16. Sunday. Pleasant for the season of the year.
17. This day I am twenty years of age. I have often read in authors of
some great transaction to be laid open to the world in the year 1777,
and I have been looking for it, in hope of seeing the event; but, alas!
little did I think that at the age of twenty years I should have spent
almost a twelvemonth of my time a prisoner.
19. It has been reported for several days past, that Philadelphia is
taken. I believe I may assert with truth, that since we have been taken,
we have heard fifty times that Philadelphia was taken, and often I have
seen it in the papers, and many people believe it. It is in this manner
that the poor and common people in England are blinded, by false
reports; and some of the gentlemen of Plymouth hired the sexton to ring
the bells, for rejoicing.
19. Captain Lee received a letter from Bilboa, and had an offer of being
supplied with money. This letter informs us that Mr. Stevanson, Captain
Lee’s lieutenant, who made his escape from prison on the 21st of
September, has arrived safe in Bilboa.
20. This morning William Moody, a Newbury man, taken with Captain
Tileston about nine months ago, came to see us. He has got invalided,
and intends to make the best of his way home.
21. We are told that six more large ships have been put in commission.
22. Our bread to-day is intolerably bad; it appears to us as though it
was made of the grain of malt, or chopped straw: there are straws in it
an inch long, and it is so hully and tough, that it is scarcely fit for
a beast to eat. We complained of it, and were told if we would put up
with it to-day we should have no more such.
23. Sunday. There are so many men in the prison, and so few books, that,
in general, we are but poorly employed.
24. We hear that there has a packet arrived from America, but we shall
not learn what news she brings, until their contents have been to London
and refined.
25. We hear that Captain Thompson, of the Bailey frigate, is now in
France.
26. It is twelve months to-day since we sailed from Portsmouth. It is
enough to vex the spirit of any man, to think that such a number of men
should be thrown away, and brought into trouble through the misconduct
of one man. If there had been good conduct on board of our vessel, we
should have made up our cruise in twenty-four hours from the time we
were taken; for, that same night, in a few hours after we were taken,
the Reasonable spoke twelve or fifteen sail of transports bound to
America, and their convoy had thrown their guns overboard in a storm.
27. We are informed that the King’s Speech is in the papers, and that he
is resolved to carry on the war with America, at all hazards.
28. For the two months past I have received ten shillings for boxes.
Ever since about ten days after I came to prison, I have bought myself a
breakfast of bread and milk, every morning it was to be had; and of late
I have had potatoes to eat with my meat almost every day, which, I am
sorry to say, is more than two thirds in prison can get.
29. To-day I had an opportunity of reading the King’s Speech to the
House of Lords, on the 20th of this month, in which he acknowledges that
he is much grieved at the great expense the nation is at in this war;
but he hopes that the Parliament will assist him still in carrying it on
with vigor.
30. Sunday. Last evening, it being very dark and stormy, we were in
general resolved to put in execution a plan proposed—to dig out at the
back side of the prison, seize the sentry, confine him, and carry him
out of call, but not to hurt him. Upon breaking ground, they
unexpectedly saw a lamp placed near the hole, which gave light all
round, so that they thought it impracticable to put their design into
execution. I think if it had been otherwise, nearly two thirds in prison
would have gone out. I got myself dressed and ready, and was in hopes of
getting out, but to my sorrow, I find myself still in Mill Prison.
December 1. I had an opportunity of hearing the paper read, which gives
an account of General Lee being exchanged; but for my own part, I do not
expect we shall be exchanged before the conclusion of the war, unless
France and Spain declare war, which to appearance, cannot be avoided.
2. We are informed that two packets have lately arrived, and confirm the
reports that Philadelphia is taken. Also, they have reported that the
Americans have blown up an English seventy-four, which was attempting to
go up to Philadelphia.
3. This morning the guard discovered another hole which we begun to dig
yesterday. I think we have been very diligent and careful to improve
every opportunity to make our escape, but the guard is so very strict
with us, that I think it almost impossible to succeed, and we have
reason to think that there are some traitors amongst us, who give
information of every thing of the kind which we undertake.
4. We, in our mess, bought another bag of patatoes, for three shillings.
5. This day twelvemonth I was at sea in a storm; the same day, by what I
can learn, was a day of thanksgiving in America.
6. Last evening, a man in prison received a letter from a friend in
London, which desired him to make himself easy, for we should be
delivered before we were aware of it; but we have been told such stories
ever since we have been in England; so we place very little confidence
in it.
7. Sunday. It is a great grievance to be shut up in prison, and debarred
from hearing the gospel preached on the Lord’s day, though I did not
make much improvement of it when I had the opportunity.
8. To-day we were all mustered, and after this was over, the agent
informed us that he had received a letter from the Board, to put all in
this prison on half allowance, for breaking orders and attempting to
make our escape, until the transgressor should be found out. But as we
all, with one voice joined in one cause, we thought it inhuman to pitch
upon any one man; therefore, by way of contribution, we raised money
enough to hire one man to own the same and suffer for all, so that we
are obliged to support him while on half allowance and make him amends
for his sufferings.
9. To-day the man delivered himself up, to go to the Black-hole, and the
agent allows him every indulgence consistent with his orders, which is a
very uncommon thing for him.
10. Warm and pleasant, for the season of the year.
11. There have been various reports for several days past, but I thought
them not worthy of observation, because they did not come from so good
authority as I could wish they might; but to-day we have a very
authentic account from Captain Henry Johnston’s brother, who is lately
from London, that General Burgoyne and his army are totally routed, many
killed, and taken to a man; and as I do not doubt the truth of it, it
gives me more satisfaction than any news I have beard since I have been
a prisoner. Also, we have good reason to believe that Howe is in
possession of Philadelphia; but Washington, of choice, without any
molestation, let him march in, for we hear that the Americans have
possession of all the forts on the river.
12. I purchased a book called the “American Crisis,” on purpose to lend
it to a friend without. We are told that the generality of the people in
England are very much disaffected at the proceedings of the ministry.
13. To-day we all carried our clothing out into the yard, and were
examined to know who wanted clothes, and who did not. But for my part, I
am not in need of any thing, for with what little money I have got in
time past, by making boxes, I have clothed myself tolerably well. We
were told, by a gentleman who came to see us, that our countrymen at
home have something to be proud of, though we are a little humbled by
our imprisonment.
14. To-day Captain Lee received a letter from Captain Trott, who was
taken in one of the Civil Usage’s prizes. He informs us of their taking
ten valuable prizes, and six of the number were arrived safely at the
place of destination.
15. Cold weather to what it has been for some days past.
16, 17. We have a paper wherein is a confirmation and the particulars of
General Burgoyne’s being taken, with six thousand men, seven thousand
stand of arms, seven thousand suits of clothes, seventy thousand
guineas, sixty batteaux, with a thousand barrels of provisions, and a
great many pieces of artillery, which in England they acknowledge to be
the best ever sent out of the country, against any nation. We have,
also, a melancholy account of the cruelty of the Indians in the back
settlements, set on by the inhuman Burgoyne, and an account of General
Lincoln’s taking two forts, up North River, and putting the people to
the sword. We hear, besides, of General Washington’s giving Howe battle,
and after the battle was over, there were six hundred wagon loads of
dead and wounded seen to go into Philadelphia. After hearing this news,
joy is plainly seen in the countenance of every American here.
18. We hear that Lord North has made a motion for peace, in the House,
but they thought as he was one of the chief instigators of war, that he
had no right to have any hand in making peace.
19. We hear that General Putnam had intercepted several letters sent by
Howe to Burgoyne, which showed their determination, and proved of happy
consequences to the Americans. According to the last accounts, the
American loss in the late engagements is very inconsiderable.
20. To-day six men came up from the Black-hole, who were sent there on
the tenth of last month—their forty days having expired.
21. Nothing remarkable, except repeated confirmations of what we have
heard before.
22. We are informed that Parliament has adjourned till the twentieth of
next month; I suppose, to hear further intelligence from Lord Howe, and
to know whether he has made any progress in the country.