Price of Tobacco—Cleanliness—Not to be
discouraged—Blankets—Distribution—Letter from America—Officers
Escape—Arrival of a Fleet—Paper—Dr. Franklin to the Council—State of
Troops—Deserters Taken—Visit from the Governor and Lady—Removal of
Officers—General wish for Peace—A Newspaper—Commissioners—Public
Fast—Allowance withdrawn—Liberality—Petition Refused—A
Newspaper—Reward of Bravery—Lights continued.
JANUARY 27. We are informed by the man who contracts for our tobacco,
that it is very scarce, and hard to be got for the money; it is three
shillings and sixpence per pound, which is one shilling and twopence
dearer than it was at Christmas. The officers, in a separate prison, are
allowed to burn candles in the evening until gun-fire, which is eight
o’clock.
23. To-day some new washing troughs were brought to prison for us to
wash our clothes in, and now we have plenty of clothes, soap, water and
tubs to wash in. In general, we are tolerably clean.
29. It being a pleasant day, the prison was again smoked. Concerning
being released, we have no reason to think that those gentlemen who gave
us encouragement intend to flatter us, as often the darkest hour of the
night is just before day. It may be so with, us, as those things which
we have received since new year, came entirely unexpected to us; who
knows but our redemption may come as suddenly and unexpectedly; so that
I think it becomes us to put things on a medium, and make the best of a
bad bargain; not to let our fears exceed our hopes, nor to put so much
dependence on getting out, as to be disappointed of it; but as we are
committed to prison by a civil magistrate for high treason, it is the
opinion of some, that it is not in the power of the King or council to
release us without some sort of a trial.
30. Yesterday afternoon, about sixty pairs of blankets were sent for
those who had none. We also have the paper, wherein is an extract of a
letter from a nobleman in the British service in America. He writes,
that Cornwallis embarked on such a day, for home, to lay before the King
and council the true state of America; he writes that the Americans want
for nothing that is necessary, while they are in want of every thing.
Beef is four shillings per pound in Philadelphia, and other fresh
provisions in proportion; and flour is not to be had. He states that it
is wholly owing to Howe’s good conduct that they are not totally cut off
to a man, but if the Schuylkill freezes over, it is not too late to do
it yet. We also have a paper, wherein is Lord North’s proposition for
reconciliation with America.
February 1. Sunday. Last evening, between seven and nine o’clock, five
of the officers in a separate prison, who had agreed with the sentry to
let them go, made their escape and took two sentries with them. The five
officers were Captain Henry Johnston, Captain Eleazer Johnston, Offin
Boardman, Samuel Treadwell and one Mr. Deal. Captain Henry Johnston
having several suits of good clothes, he gave each sentry one, which
they put on, and left their regimentals at their posts, with their
firelocks, and made off; they were soon discovered by the guard, and
pursued, but not taken.
3. I had a quantity of cedar brought to me to make boxes of.
4. This afternoon a fleet of about twelve or fifteen sail, with a
convoy, arrived in the Sound, and saluted the admiral. It is thought
they are part of Burgoyne’s fleet, as we have heard that they were
expected home.
5. To-day two large ships went from the Sound up to Ammoors, one of
which had lost her main-top-mast. We are told that the three parties
that went in pursuit of those who made their escape a few evenings ago,
returned unsuccessful.
6. For two or three days I have been out of wood, so that I have done
very little work, but to-day I had enough brought to last me a month.
7. To-day we had half a pound of pork more than usual, to each mess,
which makes a pound and a half to each mess.
8. Sunday. We have the paper wherein is an extract of a letter from Dr.
Franklin, Dean and Lee, to Lord North, and to the ministry, putting them
in mind of the abuse which the prisoners have received from time to
time, and giving them to know that it is in the power of the Americans
to make ample retaliation, but they hoped that there was more humanity
left in their hearts. They also wrote concerning an exchange of
prisoners, and that if they would not exchange, they hoped that Congress
would be permitted to appoint an agent to supply the prisoners in
England with such things as were necessary, at their own expense. We
learn that their answer was, that in America there was an exchange.
11. For some days past, the masons have been at work building a chimney.
12. We have a paper wherein is an account of the House of Parliament
being very full, and that there is upwards of two hundred and fifty for
carrying on the war, and upwards of one hundred and fifty for settling
it. I am glad to find that the minority increases fast; the same paper
informs us that there is nearly one half against the method they take in
raising money to carry on the war, and there is a disturbance about the
method they take for raising troops. The same paper also informs us,
that their troops at home are five thousand six hundred and
seventy-three short of the peace establishment, and that there is only
about ten thousand troops in England, Ireland, Scotland, Gibraltar and
Mahon.
13. Many people in England, besides us prisoners, thought that
Burgoyne’s troops were to be sent home, as we have heard, agreeably to
their capitulation, but by this time we are persuaded to the contrary.
14. For two or three days I have been out of wood, so that I have done
but little work; till within a few days I have received three shillings
for boxes.
15. To-day it is fifteen months since we sailed from Newbury.
16. To-day it snowed about three hours, just so as to cover the ground.
It is the first time the ground has been covered this winter.
17. Clear and cold. It is now we find the benefit of our great coats. We
hear that the two soldiers that deserted and went off with the
before-mentioned officers, from the prison, have been taken; which I am
sorry to hear, for they will undoubtedly both be shot; and not only so,
but I am afraid that their being taken will be followed with other bad
consequences.
18. The chimney, in a separate prison, is so far completed, that we have
a fire in it. To-day about twelve o’clock, the Governor of Plymouth and
his lady, came to see us, and bought some of our wooden ware, and tasted
of our broth; he said it was very fine, as indeed it has been, ever
since we have had it thickened, and leeks put into it.
19. We are told by almost every one that comes to the gate, that a
French war is near at hand, and cannot be avoided.
20. To-day each man in prison had a check linen handkerchief sent to
him, which was given us by the donation. Also, to-day the officers in
this prison moved into another, which has been preparing for them, so
that all the officers who were committed to prison, as such, are in a
prison by themselves.
21. Some time ago we had two fourpenny loaves to each mess, per day, but
one of them was soon taken off; and as they told us we should have as
much provision as we wanted, we made it known to them, that we were
desirous of having a sixpenny loaf instead of the fourpenny one, which
they granted, and to-day we received a sixpenny loaf to each mess.
22. Sunday. We hear that General Gates sent a letter to one of the
Parliament, in which he deplores the state of Great Britain, and advises
them to make peace, before the Americans form alliance with any other
nation. But he states that they will accept of nothing short of
independence.
23. We have been informed several times, lately, that all the Acts since
the year 1763, are likely to be repealed. “Peace with America and war
with France,” is the cry of almost every Briton. We have a paper in
prison wherein is Lord North’s speech in the House. He confesses that
the English troops in America, have been beaten by inferior numbers. For
several evenings past, we have had candles burning in prison, unknown to
the agent, turnkey or guard; but I expect it will not be long before we
shall be allowed to burn them, as we have written to the Board
concerning it. We hear that a proclamation is issued for public fast
throughout England, Ireland and Scotland.
25. We hear that commissioners are appointed to go to America to treat
with Congress; and they are to be considered a legal body while in
treaty with them.
26. Last night the snow fell about two inches deep, on a level, which is
more than it has snowed, put it all together, during the winter.
27. This day is kept as a public fast, throughout the united kingdom. I
suppose they did not think it worth while to proclaim a fast before, as
I do not remember that there has been one since I have been a prisoner,
except a yearly fast. It is the opinion of many in prison, that if the
proposals have not already gone to America, that we shall be sent with
them, to give an assurance that they are real.
28. We are credibly informed that America has formed an alliance with
France, for the space of twenty-one years; but whether it is any thing
more than an alliance for trade, we have not yet learned. We hear that
it took place the 26th of this month. We also hear that the money raised
in England for the Americans here, amounted to £7000 sterling.
March 1. Wet, dirty weather, which obliges us to keep house most of the
time. To-day is the first day of spring, and I have some secret
expectations of being liberated before the season is expired, as there
is a fleet of transports, with provision, bound to America, which will
be ready to sail by the last of this month, or the first of April. Some
think it probable that we may be sent with them.
2. Warm and pleasant for the season. We received an answer to the
petition we wrote for the liberty to burn candles in the evening, but
the answer was that we could not be allowed the privilege.
3. We have a paper in prison, from which we learn that Congress has made
a present of a gold medal to General Gates, and a sword to the commander
at Mud Island, for their bravery. There is also a slur upon Howe, in the
paper, which is, that he has got three miles in length, and two in
breadth, in the late campaign.
4. To-day, every man’s clothing was examined to see if we keep ourselves
clean. Last evening one of the prisoners was sent to the Black-hole, for
abusive words spoken to the agent, and another to-day, for selling his
clothes, which were given him, to get money to gamble with.
5. Remarkably pleasant weather for the season. It is so warm, and the
yard is so dry, that we all carried our hammocks and bedding out to air.
Yesterday, Captain Lee received a letter, by the way of Bilboa, from
Newbury, from Mr. Tracy, by which we learn that he is daily striving for
our exchange.
6. Although we are not allowed lights in prison, yet we have them every
evening, and intend to till we are found out; and then they can do no
more than deny us of them, for when we cannot get candles, we burn
marrow-bones, which give a very good light, and a good bone will last as
long as half a candle.