Oil of tar for Prison—Frenchmen break out—One Shot—Reduction of
Donation—Two Americans in Irons—Various opinions about the
Cartel—Several Holes in hand—Fearful Apprehensions—Dominica taken by
the French and Americans—King’s Troops on Martha’s Vineyard—Drunken
Prisoners delivered up—Forbearance of the Guard—Fire in the
Black-hole—Four American Boys—Dolton as Fortune Privateer—Base
Treachery—Plans Discovered—Mitchell the Villain—Letter of Thanks—Two
Years from Home—Unsuccessful Attempts.
OCTOBER 26. It is twenty-three months to-day, since we sailed in the
brig Dolton from Portsmouth. It is a long time since this prison was
smoked, so that it is exceedingly foul, and smells very offensive.
To-day, by order of Dr. Far, the principal physician of the royal
hospital, who has now the care of our sick, some stuff was procured,
which they tell us is the oil of tar, which was put on the posts fore
and aft the prison, above and below. They inform us that it is better
than smoking. Be it as it may, it gives the prison a very disagreeable
smell.
27. As the evenings are now of considerable length, although we are not
allowed candles, yet we have them every night, and have had them for
several weeks past.
28. Last night the French prisoners broke out of their prison, through a
hole which they had dug several yards under ground. I cannot learn the
exact number that got out. However, they were discovered by the guard
and pursued, and one of them was shot through the breast. After which, a
turnkey struck him on the head with an iron poker, but he is yet alive.
The Frenchmen are very sickly; they have the spotted fever amongst them,
which carries off great numbers.
This morning, Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey came to see us, and informed us
that they had received a letter from the committee, in London, with
orders to deduct sixpence per week from each officer, and ninepence from
each private; so that for the future, the officers are to receive two
shillings and sixpence each, per week, and privates one shilling and
threepence each, per week. All the reason I can assign for this change,
is, that the donation grows short.
29. The camp at Coxheath is now broken up, and the Somersetshire
militia, with the 13th regiment, have removed to the barracks at
Plymouth dock; so that one day we are guarded by the militia, and the
other by the 13th regiment.—To-day, about fifty Frenchmen were removed
from a separate prison, in another yard, to the prison-ship, for want of
room in that prison.
30. To-day Mr. Sorrey came and answered a petition which we sent out, to
receive what we are allowed in money, as it is so trifling. Mr. Sorrey
says that Mr. Heath is absent, so that he will continue the provisions
until he returns, and then he will consult him.
31. We learn, from the papers, that Lord Howe and Sir George Johnston,
have arrived home in the Eagle man-of-war, of sixty-four guns.
November 1. This afternoon two Americans were brought to the gate, in
irons, having four or five men, with pistols, guarding them; but who
they were, or where they were taken, I cannot tell. I suppose, however,
that they were not committed, by their being carried away again.
2. It is almost four weeks since Mr. Sorrey told us that we were to be
exchanged; and some in prison, who believed it at first, begin to think
it very doubtful; some did not believe it at first. For my own part, I
am persuaded it is true, and believe it will be soon—how soon I cannot
tell; but every day since I heard of it, seems as long as a week before.
3. At this time we have several holes in hand, one of which was
discovered this morning, by some dirt that was carried out in the tubs
to the edge of the river, to empty. To-day two large two-deckers came
in, which, I suppose, belong to Admiral Keppel’s fleet; and hear that
they are all in Portsmouth, and other ports. I also hear that the Ocean,
a three-decker, a ship of ninety guns, which came in a few days ago in a
storm which she experienced, sprung a leak, and threw overboard most of
her guns.
4. To-day Mr. Sorrey came, and brought some money for the officers, but
none for us, as our provisions for the week past amounts to what we are
allowed. Mr. Sorrey says that he expects the cartel very soon. The Lord
have mercy upon us, if it does not arrive before the donation is all
expended, for the second death will be worse than the first.
5. To-day, being gunpowder treason, at one o’clock the garrison and fort
fired a salute, and the bells in Plymouth have been chiming most of the
day.
6. To-day about one hundred more of the French prisoners in another
yard, were removed on board the Cambridge, a prison ship. For several
days past, a number of men have been at work laying the foundation of a
large prison hospital, which is to be built.
It has been strongly reported this week, that Dominica has been taken by
the French and Americans, and this evening I had the pleasure of seeing
it confirmed, in the paper, by authority. The Lieutenant Governor of
that Island is now a prisoner in France.
7. We learn, by the paper, that the King’s troops in America, have been
to Martha’s Vineyard, disarmed the inhabitants, and demanded ten
thousand sheep and five hundred oxen.
8. Sunday. Nothing very remarkable. Various conjectures concerning a
cartel. Some imagine it is to come from France; others think it will be
fitted out in England, and others are doubtful if it will come at all.
9. I thought that all who had any idea of going on board the men-of-war,
had gone; but I understand that a number have sent their names out, to
go; how many I cannot tell, as they did it very slyly. We shall know who
they are, and how many, when an order comes to take them out.
10. This morning two of our men got some liquor, clandestinely, and made
themselves drunk. One of these, about twelve o’clock, went to the gate
to buy some strong beer, which was denied him, and being in a passion,
without any provocation, he swore that he would break the agent’s
windows, and took up some old shoes, bones and stones, and threw them
till he had broken seven squares in one window, and one in another, in
the front of the agent’s office. There being three of them intoxicated,
one of them took hold of the sentry at the gate, and would have taken
his gun from him, but the guard came in, and the captain of the guard
took hold of one of them, and being a militia man, and a very great
gentleman, he said that he was lothe to bring his men who were armed,
against us who were unarmed, and so went out. Upon which, we took one of
them ourselves and pitched him out of the gate by the nape of the neck,
and so delivered him up. In the afternoon, after we were turned out, we
took the other two and delivered them up. All of which were sent to the
Black-hole. So, that if any man misbehaves and deserves punishment, we
will deliver him up, or punish him ourselves, rather than he should go
unpunished; but rather than see a man chastised unjustly, we will do our
utmost for his rescue. As for instance, on the 19th of October, when we
released one of these same men from the Black-hole.
11. Those three men who were put in the Black-hole yesterday, employed
themselves last night, in cutting through the bulkhead that separates
the Black-hole from the hospital, and piled up the chips and set them on
fire. Where they obtained the fire we cannot tell, but they were soon
glad enough to put it out, as the smoke increased. This afternoon four
American boys came to see us, that were taken with Captain Claston, in
the Freedom, above twelve months ago. Those boys were detained, and now
belong to the Apollo frigate.
12. As a fortnight has passed, and we have received no money, we begin
to fear that we shall receive no more; but what is left of the donation,
I expect we shall receive in clothes and provision; and for that reason,
and the want of employment, I to-day began to make boxes.
13. We learn, from the paper, that the Fortune privateer, Captain George
Tarton, which was formerly the Dolton, has made more money by
privateering, than any other privateer out of England, since the
commencement of hostilities between the English and French.
14. Last evening, it being dark and rainy, two holes were opened at the
back part of the prison, and five men went out. They had agreed with a
soldier to let them pass for so much money. This soldier’s name was
Mitchell; he was once a stage-driver in America. He let them out, and
they gave him two pounds nineteen shillings; but after they delivered
him the money, he let them out where the guard stood ready to receive
them and carry them to the Black-hole. This morning, the guard went into
the officers’ prison and discovered a hole under the stairs, where they
had dug down about six feet, and then proceeded through the guard-house
and came up under the guard bed.—They then went up stairs and demanded
the keys of the officers’ chests, which they opened, and found a suit of
uniform which one of the officers had purchased to make his escape in.
This was the method Captains Rols, Ravel, Lee, and Mr. Kirk took to make
their escape,—following the guard out when they used to come at night;
but this scheme is blasted. The hole in the officers’ prison had been
finished near a month, and they had been only waiting for an opportunity
to put their plans into execution; but as this Mitchell has appeared to
be a friend, I suppose that some one of the officers communicated it to
him, and he informed his officer; so by that means it was discovered.
This afternoon Mr. Sorrey and Mr. Heath came to see us, and we presented
them with a letter of thanks for the many favors we have received at
their hands, and requested them to let us have part of what we are to
receive, in money. This favor we probably shall obtain. We have not
received any coals from government, for the comfort of our sick in the
hospital, for nearly six weeks, but have been obliged to use the
donation coals. We informed Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey of this, and we
find that we have been cheated, by the agent and doctor, out of nearly
forty bushels of coals.
15. Sunday. It is two years to-day since I left Newbury. Alas! little
did I think that I should be here now. Last night, a hole that we have
had in hand nearly a fortnight, unfortunately foundered in the street.
This hole was dug down by the side of the prison, about ten feet, and
our intention was to dig across the street under ground, into a garden
on the opposite side of the way; but, by the time it was half across, it
foundered.
16. Night before last, we heard a firing which we could not account for.
We have since heard that the Royal George ran ashore from her moorings,
but was got of again with but little trouble.