French Prisoners—Admiral Keppel sails—Another attempt to
Escape—Americans brought back—Another Hole—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—A
Gale—Number of French Prisoners—General Clinton’s retreat from
Philadelphia—Elias Hart died—Fever and Ague prevails—A
Discharge—Captain Burnel and Wife—Escape from Portsmouth—French
Privateer—Letter from Portsmouth—Distribution of Clothing—Hot
Press—Letter to Captain Lee—French Prisoners increase—Thomas
Pillar—Fever and Ague prevails—A Vote for Money—Poor Beer—Drunkenness
and Fighting.
AUGUST 19. This afternoon an officer from the ships came for those five
men who were brought here yesterday. When they found out that they were
to be carried on board the ships, as they were advised by the people in
the yard not to go out at the gate, without they were dragged out, like
brave men, they resisted, and swore that they would never lift a hand to
do any thing on board of King George’s ships—neither would they go out
of the yard. As the key was turned upon them, the guard was called in,
and the officer of the guard and agent plead with them, telling them
that they were put in here through mistake; and being over-persuaded by
them, they went out.
20. Another French prize was brought in here to-day.
21. It seems that some of the sick and wounded men that came out of
Admiral Keppel’s fleet, are recovered. They have made several attempts
to escape, and they are obliged to keep a guard here to prevent them
from running away.
22. Early this morning, part of Admiral Keppel’s fleet sailed. Last
night, and this morning, a number of Frenchmen were brought to this
prison. This afternoon, Captain Lee received a letter from General
Burgoyne; he wrote him that he would do all he could to get bail for
him.
23. Sunday. Early this morning, the remainder of Admiral Keppel’s fleet
sailed, except a few ships that are not ready. The squadron that sailed
yesterday morning, appeared this morning in sight, off the harbor. I
suppose they are all bound on a cruise together.
24. The men that gave in their names, to go on board the men-of-war, are
apprehensive that they will not be allowed to do so, and last evening
some of them went to work to try to dig out, but upon breaking ground
they were discovered, and the sentry discharged two guns into the hole,
but they injured no one.
25. To-day, four of the five men who were brought to this prison on the
18th of this month, and carried away again the next day, were brought
back because they would not enter. One of the number was an Italian. He
was put in a separate yard, with the Frenchmen. Also, to-day a captain
of an armed vessel, that was captured by an American privateer in the
North Channel, came here to see Captain Lee. He informed him that he
gave bonds, for a large sum of money, to return to America as a
prisoner, unless he could get Captain Lee exchanged for him. This man is
bound for London.
26. This afternoon a prize was brought in here, which proved to be a
large French West Indiaman, a ship of about four hundred tons. Also, a
number of French prisoners were brought to prison.
27. We learn from the papers, that the Parliament is prorogued until
Thursday the first of October. We also learn from the same source, that
the damage to the French fleet, in the late engagement, was very
inconsiderable.
28. This morning the guard discovered another hole in the prison, which
was begun a few days ago; but as yet there has been but little said
about it.
29. We have a paper, from which we learn that Admiral Biron’s fleet that
sailed from this port on the 9th of June last, bound to America, upon
their passage, met with a gale of wind which separated the fleet and
dismasted several of their ships. The Albion has arrived in Lisbon,
dismasted. She was one of the fleet.
30. Some of us are sick with fever and ague.
31. Some carpenters are now at work building a new Black-hole, in an old
prison in this yard, that has lately been repaired.
September 1. It is the opinion of some in this prison, that all the
American prisoners in this yard will be removed to some other prison, to
make room for the French prisoners, as there are now about four hundred
Frenchmen in another yard; and there are a great number of French
officers gone into the country, on parole.
2. This afternoon, Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey came to see us, and brought
bad news for our officers, in a letter from the committee in London. The
contents read nearly as follows:—
“Not from any prejudice or alteration in our affection for you, but
fearing that you will remain in prison another winter, and the money
raised for your support be expended, we thought proper to deduct two
shillings per week from those officers who have hitherto been allowed
five shillings; the other officers and privates, to remain as before.”
3. Nothing remarkable.
4. To-day four American gentlemen came to see us; one of whom belonged
to Baltimore. He is a young man, and was bound to France to finish his
education, when he was taken. He left America since General Clinton
retreated from Philadelphia to New York, and he gave us a very
satisfactory account of the battle—different from what was reported to
us before. This young man had liberty to converse with us nearly two
hours.
5. This morning, Elias Hart, one of Captain Lee’s company, died of
consumption in the prison hospital. He is the sixth man that has died
since I came to prison. Of late, our sick have fared much better than
formerly. As we all draw money once a week, each respective crew
contributes, weekly, for their sick, which supplies them with every
necessary; so, that of late, there is always some money in the bank for
the use of the sick. Since two shillings per week has been deducted from
the officers, who formerly received five, most of them, from choice,
receive what they are allowed from subscription, in money, and draw no
other allowance than what is afforded by government. They can buy
provisions as often as they want them, in public market, at the gate.
6. Sunday. This afternoon, three American captains came to see us. They
have been taken some months, and are bound directly home.—Among the
number, there is one Captain Potter, belonging to Boston.
7. Several of our men have been taken sick with fever and ague, within a
few days, and a great number in prison are unwell.
8. This afternoon, thirteen American prisoners were brought to prison.
They were lately brought round from Liverpool, and are the remainder of
Captain Ravel’s crew.
9. To-day, one Thomas Pillar, of Portsmouth, visited us. He was one of
the five who were brought here on the 18th of August; he was carried on
board the men-of-war the next day, having been taken in a merchantman.
They kept him for a time, but he has since received his discharge, and
intends to return home. Several letters were delivered to him to carry,
and he is to call and get more.
10. This afternoon, Rev. Mr. Heath came to see us, in company with a
young American gentleman, who has been taken, lately, on his passage to
France. Our agent, or prison-keeper, being sick and absent, Mr. Heath
came into prison and discoursed nearly two hours with the officers.
11. We have accounts in the papers, that Winchester castle is to be
repaired for the reception of one hundred American prisoners—a larger
number than they now have in England.
12. Captain Burnel, who is a prisoner here, taken in the American
service, and has a wife and family in England, has received a letter
from his wife, informing him that she has been turned out of doors,
wholly on account of his being in the American service. The prisoners
are about raising money for her relief.
13. Sunday. This afternoon, Captain Rols received a letter from Captain
Harris, in Portsmouth prison. He informs him that forty-five officers
and eleven privates, had made their escape lately, out of that prison,
twenty-five of whom were brought back—the other thirty-one had got off.
14. We are informed, that last evening, a French privateer was brought
in here, with eighty prisoners on board, and the sailors having got a
number of prostitutes, and gone below, drinking, the Frenchmen rose,
closed the hatches on them, cut the cable and went off with the vessel.
15. To-day, several letters were received here, from the prisoners at
Portsmouth. They inform us that they have received a letter from Captain
Cowes, in France, who made his escape from that prison. He writes that
he has been at Paris, and conversed with Dr. Franklin, and told him our
situation. His answer was, that he expected orders from America for the
release of all of us.—This agrees with a letter which was received by
the prisoners in Portsmouth, from a gentleman in London. In conversation
with Mr. Heartley, who is a great speaker in the House of Commons, he
informed him, that it lay in Dr. Franklin’s power to exchange us when he
pleases. It seems by their writing, that they give credit to the report;
but our faith has been so long tried, and we have been flattered so
often, many in prison will not believe that they are going, until they
see the prison gates open.
16. Considerable rain in the first part of the day. I believe there has
not been two hours steady rain, before to-day, for nearly three months.
To-day some jackets, shirts and stockings were given us by the agent, by
order of the Board. I received one shirt, which is the only one I have
received from Government, since I have been a prisoner.
17. The West India fleet that put in here a few days ago, sailed to-day,
bound up channel. We heard that most of their hands were pressed, and
that they were manned by men-of-wars-men. To-day I finished my studies
in navigation.
18. To-day Captain Lee received a letter from a man that was here a few
weeks ago, and who informed him that he was taken by an American
privateer, and came home upon condition that he was to return to
America, if he could not get Captain Lee exchanged for him. He now
writes that he has done his utmost, but it is impossible for any man to
get out, so long as this Act is in force.
19. To-day about forty French prisoners were brought to prison, who were
captured in a privateer. There are now about five hundred French
prisoners here.
20. To-day Thomas Pillar came again to see us. He informed us that he
expects to sail this afternoon. They are first bound to Ireland, to join
a fleet; from thence, to New York. A number in prison sent letters by
him. I sent one to my father. He also informs us that he is to work for
his passage, and that he has no money to purchase his sea stores. We
collected about sixteen shillings, and gave it to him.
21. I expected that Admiral Keppel’s fleet would have come in before
this time, on account of the sun’s crossing the line; but they are not
yet in, so that I am in daily expectation of hearing that there has been
an engagement between the two fleets.
To-day, eight more of our sick were carried into the prison hospital.
They are attacked with fever and ague, and a number more are very unwell
with the same complaint; and I am afraid it will be very sickly among
us, unless cold weather sets in very soon.
22. To-day is King George’s coronation day, and between twelve and one
o’clock the fort and garrison fired a salute. There was but very little
firing to what there was last year, on account of there being but few
ships in the port. To-day, also, one Captain Smith came to see us. He
belongs to Portsmouth. He was taken in a merchantman bound to the West
Indies, and brought in here. His men are all put on board the
men-of-war; but he has got his liberty, and is bound home. A great
number in prison will send letters by him.
23. There are a great many in prison, who contemplate having the beef
which we receive from subscription, and the soap, tobacco, and oatmeal,
and the herbs which we have in our broth, all taken off, and receive a
white loaf and some money instead of them. In order to ascertain the
mind of the majority, we all drew up in the yard and passed a vote,
which was in favor of the change; but whether the gentlemen, Mr. Heath
and Mr. Sorrey, will agree to it or not, we do not know; or whether the
agent will allow the money to come into the yard, is not yet determined.
I was for receiving the provisions, fearing that if the money was
allowed to come into the yard, it would be attended with many bad
consequences—too many to enumerate here.
24. This afternoon, Captain Smith came to see us again, and took our
letters. I sent one by him to my father. To-day our small beer was very
bad, and we refused to take it; they afterwards got some that was a very
little better; but a great part in prison carried theirs and turned it
over the gate, before the eyes of the prison officers, chosing rather,
to drink water. The prison has been in an uproar all day, it being
donation day. Several in prison became intoxicated, and went to
fighting; but after a few battles the prison was again quiet.