CORRESPONDENCE OF WASHINGTON AND OTHERS
General Washington cannot with justice be blamed for any part of the
sufferings inflicted upon the naval prisoners on board the prison ships.
Although he had nothing whatever to do with the American Navy, or the
crews of privateers captured by the British, yet he exerted himself
in every way open to him to endeavor to obtain their exchange, or,
at least, a mitigation of their sufferings, and this in spite of the
immense weight of cares and anxieties that devolved upon him in his
conduct of the war. Much of his correspondence on the subject of these
unfortunate prisoners has been given to the world. We deem it necessary,
in a work of this character, to reproduce some of it here, not only
because this correspondence is his most perfect vindication from the
charge of neglect that has been brought against him, but also because it
has much to do with the proper understanding of this chronicle.
One of the first of the letters from which we shall quote was written by
Washington from his headquarters to Admiral Arbuthnot, then stationed at
New York, on the 25th of January 1781.
Sir:
Through a variety of channels, representations of too serious a nature
to be disregarded have come to us, that the American naval prisoners in
the harbor of New York are suffering all the extremity of distress,
from a too crowded and in all respects disagreeable and unwholesome
situation, on board the Prison-ships, and from the want of food and
other necessaries. The picture given us of their sufferings is truly
calamitous and deplorable. If just, it is the obvious interest of
both parties, omitting the plea of humanity, that the causes should be
without delay inquired into and removed; and if false, it is
equally desirable that effectual measures should be taken to obviate
misapprehensions. This can only be done by permitting an officer, of
confidence on both sides, to visit the prisoners in their respective
confinements, and to examine into their true condition. This will
either at once satisfy you that by some abuse of trust in the persons
immediately charged with the care of the prisoners, their treatment is
really such as has been described to us and requires a change; or it
will convince us that the clamors are ill-grounded. A disposition to
aggravate the miseries of captivity is too illiberal to be imputed to
any but those subordinate characters, who, in every service, are too
often remiss and unprincipled. This reflection assures me that you will
acquiesce in the mode proposed for ascertaining the truth and detecting
delinquency on one side, or falsehood on the other. The discussions and
asperities which have had too much place on the subject of prisoners are
so irksome in themselves, and have had so many ill consequences, that it
is infinitely to be wished that there may be no room given for reviving
them. The mode I have suggested appears to me calculated to bring
the present case to a fair, direct, and satisfactory issue. I am not
sensible of any inconvenience it can be attended with, and I therefore
hope for your concurrence.
I should be glad, as soon as possible, to hear from you on the subject.
I have the honor to be, etc., George Washington.
To this letter, written in January, Admiral Arbuthnot did not reply
until the latter part of April. He then wrote:
Royal Oak Office April 2lst. 1781.
Sir:
If I had not been very busy when I received your letter dated the 25 of
Jan. last, complaining of the treatment of the naval prisoners at
this place, I certainly should have answered it before this time; and,
notwithstanding that I then thought, as I now do, that my own testimony
would have been sufficient to put the truth past a doubt, I ordered
the strictest scrutiny to be made into the condition of all parties
concerned in the victualling and treatment of those unfortunate people.
Their several testimonies you must have seen, and I give you my
honor that the transaction was conducted with such strict care and
impartiality that you may rely on its validity.
Permit me now, Sir, to request that you will take the proper steps to
cause Mr. Bradford, your Commissary, and the Jailor at Philadelphia,
to abate the inhumanity which they exercise indiscriminately upon all
people who are so unfortunate as to be carried into that place.
I will not trouble you, Sir, with a catalogue of grievances, further
than to request that the unfortunate may feel as little of the
severities of war as the circumstances of the time will permit, that in
future they may not be fed in winter with salted clams, and that they
may be afforded a sufficiency of fuel.
I am, Sir, your most obdt and hble srvt M. Arbuthnot.
Probably the American prisoners would have been glad to eat salted
clams, rather than diseased pork, and, as has been shown, they were
sometimes frozen to death on board the prison ships, where no fire
except for cooking purposes seems ever to have been allowed.
In August, 1781, a committee appointed by Congress to examine into the
condition of naval prisoners reported among other things as follows:
“The Committee consisting of Mr. Boudinot, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Clymer,
appointed to take into consideration the state of the American prisoners
in the power of the enemy report:
“That they have collected together and cursorily looked into various
evidences of the treatment our unhappy fellow-citizens, prisoners with
the enemy, have heretofore and do still meet with, and find the
subject of so important and serious a nature as to demand much greater
attention, and fuller consideration than the present distant situation
of those confined on board the Prison-ships at New York will now admit
of, wherefor they beg leave to make a partial representation, and desire
leave to sit again. * * *”
PART OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
“A very large number of marine prisoners and citizens of these
United States taken by the enemy, are now closely confined on board
Prison-ships in the harbor of New York.
“That the said Prison-ships are so unequal in size to the number of
prisoners, as not to admit of a possibility of preserving life in this
warm season of the year, they being crowded together in such a manner
as to be in danger of suffocation, as well as exposed to every kind of
putrid, pestilential disorder:
“That no circumstances of the enemy’s particular situation can justify
this outrage on humanity, it being contrary to the usage and customs of
civilizations, thus deliberately to murder their captives in cold blood,
as the enemy will not assert that Prison-ships, equal to the number of
prisoners, cannot be obtained so as to afford room sufficient for the
necessary purposes of life:
“That the enemy do daily improve these distresses to enlist and compel
many of our citizens to enter on board their ships of war, and thus to
fight against their fellow citizens, and dearest connections.
“That the said Marine prisoners, until they can be exchanged should
be supplied with such necessaries of clothing and provisions as can be
obtained to mitigate their present sufferings.
“That, therefor, the Commander-in-chief be and he is hereby instructed
to remonstrate to the proper officer within the enemy’s lines, on the
said unjustifiable treatment of our Marine prisoners, and demand, in
the most express terms, to know the reasons of this unnecessary severity
towards them; and that the Commander-in-chief transmit such answer
as may be received thereon to Congress, that decided measures for
due retaliation may be adopted, if a redress of these evils be not
immediately given.
“That the Commander-in-chief be and he is hereby also instructed to
direct to supply the said prisoners with such provisions and light
clothing for their present more comfortable subsistence as may be in his
power to obtain, and in such manner as he may judge most advantageous
for the United States.”
Accordingly Washington wrote to the officer then commanding at New York,
Commodore Affleck, as follows:
Headquarters, August 21 1781
Sir:
The almost daily complaints of the severities exercised towards the
American marine prisoners in New York have induced the Hon. the Congress
of the United States to direct me to remonstrate to the commanding
officer of his British Majesty’s ships of war in the harbor upon the
subject; and to report to them his answer. The principal complaint now
is, the inadequacy of the room in the Prison-ships to the number of
prisoners, confined on board of them, which causes the death of many,
and is the occasion of most intolerable inconvenience and distresses to
those who survive. This line of conduct is the more aggravating, as
the want of a greater number of Prison-ships, or of sufficient room on
shore, can hardly be pleaded in excuse.
As a bare denial of what has been asserted by so many individuals who
have unfortunately experienced the miseries I have mentioned, will
not be satisfactory, I have to propose that our Commissary-general of
prisoners, or any other officer, who shall be agreed upon, shall have
liberty to visit the ships, inspect the situation of the prisoners, and
make a report, from an exact survey of the situation in which they may
be found, whether, in his opinion, there has been any just cause of
complaint.
I shall be glad to be favored with an answer as soon as convenient.
I have the honor to be yr most obdt srvt George Washington
AFFLECK’S REPLY
New York 30 August 1781
Sir:
I intend not either to deny or to assert, for it will neither facilitate
business, nor alleviate distress. The subject of your letter seems to
turn on two points, namely the inconvenience and distresses which
the American prisoners suffer from the inadequacy of room in the
Prison-ships, which occasions the death of many of them, as you are
told; and that a Commissary-general of prisoners from you should have
liberty to visit the ships, inspect the situation of the prisoners, and
make a report from an actual survey. I take leave to assure you that
I feel for the distresses of mankind as much as any man; and since my
commission to the naval command of the department, one of my principal
endeavors has been to regulate the Prison and hospital ships.
The Government having made no other provision for naval prisoners than
shipping, it is impossible that the greater inconvenience which people
confined on board ships experience beyond those confined on shore can be
avoided, and a sudden accumulation of people often aggravates the evil.
But I assure you that every attention is shown that is possible, and
that the Prison-ships are under the very same Regulations here that have
been constantly observed towards the prisoners of all nations in Europe.
Tables of diet are publicly affixed; officers visit every week, redress
and report grievances, and the numbers are thinned as they can provide
shipping, and no attention has been wanting.
The latter point cannot be admitted to its full extent; but if you think
fit to send an officer of character to the lines for that purpose, he
will be conducted to me, and he shall be accompanied by an officer, and
become a witness to the manner in which we treat the prisoners, and I
shall expect to have my officer visit the prisoners detained in your
jails and dungeons in like manner, as well as in the mines, where I am
informed many an unhappy victim languishes out his days. I must remark,
had Congress ever been inclined, they might have contributed to relieve
the distress of those whom we are under the necessity of holding as
prisoners, by sending in all in their possession towards the payment
of the large debt they owe us on that head, which might have been an
inducement towards liberating many now in captivity. I have the honor to
be, Sir, with due respect, etc,
Edmund Affleck
Much correspondence passed between the English and American Commissaries
of Prisoners, as well as between Washington and the commanding officer
at New York on the subject of the naval prisoners, but little good seems
to have been effected thereby until late in the war, when negotiations
for peace had almost progressed to a finish. We have seen that, in the
summer of 1782, the hard conditions on board the prison ships were
in some measure mitigated, and that the sick were sent to Blackwell’s
Island, where they had a chance for life. We might go on presenting much
more of the correspondence on both sides, and detail all the squabbles
about the number of prisoners exchanged; their treatment while in
prison; and other subjects of dispute, but the conclusion of the whole
matter was eloquently written in the sands of the Wallabout, where
the corpses of thousands of victims to British cruelty lay for so many
years. We will therefore give only a few further extracts from the
correspondence and reports on the subject, as so much of it was tedious
and barren of any good result.
In December of the year 1781 Washington, on whom the duty devolved of
writing so many of the letters, and receiving so many insulting replies,
wrote to the President of Congress as follows:
“I have taken the liberty of enclosing the copies of two letters from
the Commissary-general of Prisoners setting forth the debt which is
due from us on account of naval prisoners; the number remaining in
captivity, their miserable situation, and the little probability there
is of procuring their release for the want of proper subjects in our
hands.
“Before we proceed into an inquiry into the measures that ought to be
adopted to enable us to pay our debt, and to affect the exchange of
those who still remain in captivity, a matter which it may take some
time to determine, humanity and policy point out the necessity of
administering to the pressing wants of a number of the most valuable
subjects of the republic.
“Had they been taken in the Continental service, I should have thought
myself authorized in conjunction with the Minister of War to apply a
remedy, but as the greater part of them were not thus taken, as appears
by Mr. Skinner’s representation, I must await the decision of Congress
upon the subject.
“Had a system, some time ago planned by Congress and recommended to the
several States, been adopted and carried fully into execution, I mean
that of obliging all Captains of private vessels to deliver over their
prisoners to the Continental Commissioners upon certain conditions, I am
persuaded that the numbers taken and brought into the many ports of the
United States would have amounted to a sufficiency to have exchanged
those taken from us; but instead of that, it is to be feared, that few
in proportion were secured, and that the few who are sent in, are so
partially applied, that it creates great disgust in those remaining.
The consequence of which is, that conceiving themselves neglected, and
seeing no prospect of relief, many of them entered into the enemy’s
service, to the very great loss of our trading interest. Congress will,
therefore, I hope, see the necessity of renewing their former, or making
some similar recommendation to the States.
“In addition to the motives above mentioned, for wishing that the
whole business of prisoners of war might be brought under one general
regulation, there is another of no small consideration, which is, that
it would probably put a stop to those mutual complaints of ill treatment
which are frequently urged on each part. For it is a fact that, for
above two years, we have had no occasion to complain of the treatment of
the Continental land prisoners in New York, neither have we been charged
with any improper conduct towards those in our hands. I consider the
sufferings of the seamen, for some time past, as arising in great
measure from the want of that general regulation which has been spoken
of, and without which there will constantly be a great number remaining
in the hands of the enemy. * * *”
Again in February of the year 1782 Washington wrote to Congress from
Philadelphia as follows:
Feb. 18, 1782.
* * * “Mr. Sproat’s proposition of the exchange of British soldiers for
American seamen, if acceded to, will immediately give the enemy a very
considerable re-enforcement, and will be a constant draft hereafter upon
the prisoners of war in our hands. It ought also to be considered that
few or none of the Continental naval prisoners in New York or elsewhere
belong to the Continental service. I, however, feel for the situation
of these unfortunate people, and wish to see them relieved by any mode,
which will not materially affect the public good. In some former letters
upon this subject I have mentioned a plan, by which I am certain
they might be liberated nearly as fast as they are captured. It is by
obliging the Captains of all armed vessels, both public and private,
to throw their prisoners into common stock, under the direction of the
Commissary-general of prisoners. By this means they would be taken care
of, and regularly applied to the exchange of those in the hands of the
enemy. Now the greater part are dissipated, and the few that remain are
applied partially. * * *”
James Rivington edited a paper in New York during the Revolution, and,
in 1782, the American prisoners on board the Jersey addressed a letter
to him for publication, which is given below.
“On Board the Prison-ship Jersey, June 11, 1782.
“Sir:
Enclosed are five letters, which if you will give a place in your
newspaper will greatly oblige a number of poor prisoners who seem to be
deserted by our own countrymen, who has it in their power, and will not
exchange us. In behalf of the whole we beg leave to subscribe ourselves,
Sir, yr much obliged srvts,
“John Cooper “John Sheffield “William Chad “Richard Eccleston “John
Baas”
ENCLOSURES OF THE FOREGOING LETTER
David Sproat, Commissary of Prisoners, to the prisoners on board the
Jersey, New York.
“June 11 1782
“This will be handed you by Captain Daniel Aborn, and Dr, Joseph Bowen,
who, agreeable to your petition to his Excellency, Rear-Admiral Digby,
have been permitted to go out, and are now returned from General
Washington’s Head-quarters, where they delivered your petition to him,
representing your disagreeable situation at this extreme hot season
of the year, and in your names solicited his Excellency to grant your
speedy relief, by exchanging you for a part of the British _soldiers_ in
his hands, the only possible means in his power to effect it. Mr. Aborn
and the Doctor waits on you with his answer, which I am sorry to say is
a flat denial.
“Enclosed I send you copies of three letters which have passed between
Mr. Skinner and me, on the occasion, which will convince you that
everything has been done on the part of Admiral Digby, to bring about a
fair and general exchange of prisoners on both sides. I am
“your most hble Srvt, “David Sproat “Comm. Gen. for Naval Prisoners.”
ENCLOSURES SENT BY D. SPROAT
David Sproat to Abraham Skinner, American Commissary of Prisoners.
New York lst June 1782
“Sir:
“When I last saw you at Elizabeth Town I mentioned the bad consequences
which, in all probability, would take place in the hot weather if an
exchange of prisoners was not agreed to by the commissioners on the part
of General Washington. His Excellency Rear-Admiral Digby has ordered me
to inform you, that the very great increase of prisoners and heat of
the weather now baffles all our care and attention to keep them healthy.
Five ships have been taken up for their reception, to prevent being
crowded, and a great number permitted to go on parole.
“In Winter, and during the cold weather, they lived comfortably, being
fully supplied with warm cloathing, blankets, etc, purchased with the
money which I collected from the charitable people of this city; but now
the weather requires a fresh supply--something light and suitable
for the season--for which you will be pleased to make the necessary
provision, as it is impossible for them to be healthy in the rags they
now wear, without a single shift of cloathing to keep themselves clean.
Humanity, sympathy, my duty and orders obliges me to trouble you again
on this disagreeable subject, to request you will lose no time in laying
their situation before his Excellency General Washington, who, I hope,
will listen to the cries of a distressed people, and grant them, (as
well as the British prisoners in his hands) relief, by consenting to a
general and immediate exchange.
“I am, sir, etc, “David Sproat.”
It is scarcely necessary to point out to the intelligent reader the
inconsistencies in this letter. The comfortable prisoners, abundantly
supplied with blankets and clothing in the winter by the charity of the
citizens of New York, were so inconsiderate as to go on starving
and freezing to death throughout that season. Not only so, but
their abundant supply of clothing was reduced to tattered rags in a
surprisingly short time, and they were unable to be healthy, “without a
single shift of clothing to keep themselves clean.”
We have already seen to what straits they were in reality reduced, in
spite of the private charity of the citizens of New York. We do not
doubt that the few blankets and other new clothing, if any such were
ever sent on board the Jersey, were the gifts of private charity, and
not the donation of the British Government.
No one, we believe, can blame General Washington for his unwillingness
to add to the British forces arrayed against his country by exchanging
the captured troops in the hands of the Americans for the crews of
American privateers, who were not in the Continental service. As we have
already seen, the blame does not rest with that great commander, whose
compassion never blinded his judgment, but with the captains and owners
of American privateers themselves, and often with the towns of New
England, who were unwilling to burden themselves with prisoners taken on
the ocean.
The next letter we will quote is the answer of Commissary Skinner to
David Sproat:
“New York June 9th. 1782
“Sir:
From the present situation of the American naval prisoners on board your
prison-ships, I am induced to propose to you the exchange of as many as
I can give you British naval prisoners for, leaving the balance
already due you to be paid when in our power. I could wish this to be
represented to his Excellency, Rear Admiral Digby, and that the proposal
could be acceded to, as it would relieve many of these distrest men and
be consistent with the humane purposes of our office.
“I will admit that we are unable at present to give you seaman for
seaman, and thereby relieve the prison-ships of their dreadful burthen,
but it ought to be remembered there is a large balance of British
soldiers due to the United States, since February last, and that as we
have it in our power we may be disposed to place the British soldiers
who are now in our possession in as disagreeable a situation as those
men are on board the prison ships.
“I am yr obdt hble srvt “Abraham Skinner”
COMMISSARY SPROAT’S REPLY
“New York June 9th 1782
“Sir:
“I have received your letter of this date and laid it before his
Excellency Rear Admiral Digby, Commander in charge, etc, who has
directed me to give for answer that the balance of prisoners, owing to
the British having proceeded, from lenity and humanity, on the part of
himself and those who commanded before his arrival, is surprized you
have not been induced to offer to exchange them first; and until this is
done can’t consent to your proposal of a partial exchange, leaving the
remainder as well as the British prisoners in your hands, to linger in
confinement. Conscious of the American prisoners under my direction,
being in every respect taken as good care of as their situation and ours
will admit. You must not believe that Admiral Digby will depart from the
justice of this measure because you have it in your power to make the
British prisoners with you more miserable than there is any necessity
for. I am, Sir,
“yr hble servt “David Sproat.”
The prisoners on board the Jersey published in the _Royal Gazette_ the
following
ADDRESS TO THEIR COUNTRYMEN
“Prison Ship Jersey, June 11th 1782
“Friends and Fellow Citizens of America:
“You may bid a final adieu to all your friends and relatives who are
now on board the Jersey prison ships at New York, unless you rouse the
government to comply with the just and honorable proposals, which has
already been done on the part of Britons, but alas! it is with pain
we inform you, that our petition to his Excellency General Washington,
offering our services to the country during the present campaign, if he
would send soldiers in exchange for us, is frankly denied.
“What is to be done? Are we to lie here and share the fate of our
unhappy brothers who are dying daily? No, unless you relieve us
immediately, we shall be under the necessity of leaving our country, in
preservation of our lives.
“Signed in behalf of prisoners
“John Cooper “John Sheffield “William Chad “Richard Eccleston “George
Wanton “John Baas.
“To Mr James Rivington, Printer N. Y.”
This address was reproduced in Hugh Gaines’s _New York Gazette_, June
17, 1782.
Whether the John Cooper who signed his name to this address is the Mr.
Cooper mentioned by Dring as the orator of the Jersey we do not know,
but it is not improbable. Nine Coopers are included in the list, given
in the appendix to this volume, of prisoners on the Jersey, but no John
Cooper is among them. The list is exceedingly imperfect. Of the other
signers of the address only two, George Wanton and John Sheffield, can
be found within its pages. It is very certain that it is incomplete, and
it probably does not contain more than half the names of the prisoners
who suffered on board that dreadful place. David Sproat won the hatred
and contempt of all the American prisoners who had anything to do with
him. One of his most dastardly acts was the paper which he drew up in
June, 1782, and submitted to a number of American sea captains for their
signature, which he obtained from them by threats of taking away their
parole in case of their refusal, and sending them back to a captivity
worse than death. This paper, _which they signed without reading_ was to
the following effect:
LETTER PURPORTING TO BE FROM A COMMITTEE OF CAPTAINS, NAVAL PRISONERS
OF WAR TO J. RIVINGTON, WITH A REPRESENTATION OF A COMMITTEE ON THE
CONDITION OF THE PRISONERS ON BOARD THE JERSEY
New York, June 22, 1782.
Sir:
We beg you will be pleased to give the inclosed Report and Resolve of a
number of Masters of American Vessels, a place in your next Newspaper,
for the information of the public. In order to undeceive numbers of our
countrymen without the British lines, who have not had an opportunity of
seeing the state and situation of the prisoners of New York as we have
done. We are, Sir,
yr most obdt, hble srvts,
Robert Harris, Captain of the sloop Industry John Chace Charles Collins,
Captain of the Sword-fish Philemon Haskell Jonathan Carnes
REPORT
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, late Masters of American
vessels, which have been captured by the British cruisers and brought
into this port, having obtained the enlargement of our paroles from
Admiral Digby, to return to our respective homes, being anxious before
our departure to know the true state and situation of the prisoners
confined on board the prison ships and hospital ships for that purpose,
have requested and appointed six of our number, viz, R. Harris, J.
Chace, Ch. Collins, P. Haskell, J. Carnes and Christopher Smith, to
go on board the said prison ships for that purpose and the said six
officers aforesaid having gone on board five of the vessels, attended by
Mr. D. Sproat, Com. Gen. for Naval Prisoners, and Mr. George Rutherford,
Surgeon to the hospital ships, do report to us that they have found them
in as comfortable a situation as it is possible for prisoners to be on
board of ships at this season of the year, and much more so than they
had any idea of, and that anything said to the contrary is false and
without foundation. That they inspected their beef, pork, flour, bread,
oatmeal, pease, butter, liquors, and indeed every species of provisions
which is issued on board his British Majesty’s ships of war, and
found them all good of their kind, which survey being made before the
prisoners, they acknowledged the same and declared they had no complaint
to make but the want of cloaths and a speedy exchange. We therefore from
this report and what we have all seen and known, _Do Declare_ that great
commendation is due to his Excellency Rear Admiral Digby, for his
humane disposition and indulgence to his prisoners, and also to those
he entrusts the care of them to; viz: To the Captain and officers of
his Majesty’s prison-ship Jersey, for their attention in preserving good
order, having the ship kept clean and awnings spread over _the whole_ of
her, fore and aft: To Dr Rutherford, and the Gentlemen acting under him
* * *, for their constant care and attendance on the sick, whom we found
in wholesome, clean sheets, also covered with awnings, fore and aft,
every man furnished with a cradle, bed, and sheets, made of good Russia
linen, to lay in; the best of fresh provisions, vegetables, wine, rice,
barley, etc, which was served out to them. And we further do declare
in justice to Mr. Sproat, and the gentlemen acting under him in his
department, that they conscientiously do their duty with great humanity
and indulgence to the prisoners, and reputation to themselves; And we
unanimously do agree that nothing is wanting to preserve the lives and
health of those unfortunate prisoners but clean cloaths and a speedy
exchange, which testimony we freely give without restriction and
covenant each with the other to endeavor to effect their exchange as
soon as possible:
For the remembrance of this our engagement we have furnished ourselves
with copies of this instrument of writing. Given under our hands in New
York the 22 of June, 1782.
Signed:
Robert Harris John Chace Charles Collins Philemon Haskell ]. Carnes
Christopher Smith James Gaston John Tanner Daniel Aborn Richard Mumford
Robert Clifton John McKeever Dr. J. Bowen.
The publication of this infamously false circular roused much
indignation among patriotic Americans, and no one believed it a
trustworthy statement. The _Independent Chronicle_, in its issue for
August, 1782, had the following refutation: [Footnote: This letter is
said to have been written by Captain Manly, _five times_ a prisoner
during the Revolution.]
“Mr Printer:
“Happening to be at Mr. Bracket’s tavern last Saturday, and hearing
two gentlemen conversing on the surprising alteration in regard to the
treatment our prisoners met with in New York, and as I have had the
misfortune to be more than once a prisoner in England, and in different
prison-ships in New York, and having suffered everything but death, I
cannot help giving all attention to anything I hear or read relative to
the treatment our brave countrymen met with on board the prison-ships
of New York. One of the gentlemen observed that the treatment of our
prisoners must certainly be much better, as so many of our commanders
had signed a paper that was wrote by Mr. David Sproat, the commissary of
naval prisoners in New York. The other gentleman answered and told him
he could satisfy him in regard to the matter, having seen and conversed
with several of the Captains that signed Mr. Sproat’s paper, who told
him that, although they had put their names to the paper that Mr. Sproat
sent them on Long Island, where they were upon parole, yet it was upon
these conditions they did it: in order to have leave to go home to their
wives and families, and not be sent on board the prison-ships, as Mr.
Sproat had threatened to do if they refused to sign the paper that he
sent them. These captains further said, that they did not read the paper
nor hear it read. The gentleman then asked them how they could sign
their names to a paper they did not read; they said it was because
they might go home upon parole. He asked one of them why he did not
contradict it since it had appeared in the public papers, and was false:
he said he dare not at present, for fear of being recalled and sent on
board the prison-ship, and there end his days: but as soon as he was
exchanged he would do it. If this gentleman, through fear, dare not
contradict such a piece of falsehood, I dare, and if I was again
confined on board the prison-ship in New York, dare again take the boat
and make my escape, although at the risk of my life.
“Some of the captains went on board the prison-ship with Mr. Sproat, a
few moments, but did not go off the deck.
“In justice to myself and country I am obliged to publish the above.
“Captain Rover.”
Besides this refutation of Sproat’s shameful trick there were many
others. The _Pennsylvania Packet_ of Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1782, published
an affidavit of John Kitts, a former prisoner on board the Jersey.
“The voluntary affidavit of John Kitts, of the city of Phila., late
mate of the sloop Industry, commanded by Robert Harris, taken before the
subscriber, chief justice of the commonwealth of Pa., the 16th day of
July, 1782.--This deponent saith, that in the month of November last
he was walking in Front St. with the said Harris and saw in his hand a
paper, which he told the deponent that he had received from a certain
Captain Kuhn, who had been lately from New York, where he had been
a prisoner, and that this deponent understood and believed it was a
permission or pass to go to New York with any vessel, as it was blank
and subscribed by Admiral Arbuthnot: that he does not know that the said
Robert Harris ever made any improper use of said paper.”
AFFIDAVIT OF JOHN COCHRAN, DENYING THE TRUTH OF THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED
IN THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CAPTAINS
From the _Pennsylvania Packet_, Phila., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1782.
“The voluntary Affidavit of John Cochran, of the city of Phila.,
late mate of the ship, Admiral Youtman, of Phila., taken before the
subscriber, the 16 day of July, 1782.
“The said deponent saith, that he was taken prisoner on board the
aforesaid ship on the 12 of March last by the ship Garland, belonging to
the king of Great Britain, and carried into the city of New York, on
the 15 of the same month, when he was immediately put on board the
prison-ship Jersey, with the whole crew of the Admiral Youtman, and was
close confined there until the first day of this month, when he made his
escape; that the people on board the said prison-ship were very
sickly insomuch that he is firmly persuaded, out of near 1000 persons,
perfectly healthy when put on board the same ship, during the time of
his confinement on board, there are not more than but three or four
hundred now alive; that when he made his escape there were not three
hundred men well on board, but upward of 140 very sick, as he understood
and was informed by the physicians: that there were five or six men
buried daily under a bank on the shore, without coffins; that all the
larboard side of the said ship was made use of as a hospital for the
sick, and was so offensive that he was obliged constantly to hold
his nose as he passed from the gun-room up the hatchway; that he seen
maggots creeping out of a wound of one Sullivan’s shoulder, who was the
mate of a vessel out of Virginia; and that his wound remained undressed
for several days together; that every man was put into the hold a little
after sundown every night, and the hatches put over him; and that the
tubs which were kept for the use of the sick * * * were placed under the
ladder from the hatchway to the hold, and so offensive day and night,
that they were almost intolerable, and increased the number of the
sick daily. The deponent further saith, that the bilge water was very
injurious in the hold, was muddy and dirty, and never was changed or
sweetened during the whole time he was there, nor, as he was informed
and believes to be true, for many years before; for fear, as it was
reported, the provisions might be injured thereby; that the sick in the
hospital part of the said ship Jersey, had no sheets of Russia, or any
other linen, nor beds nor bedding furnished them; and those who had
no beds of their own, of whom there were great numbers, were not even
allowed a hammock, but were obliged to lie on the planks; that he was on
board the said prison ship when Captain Robert Harris and others, with
David Sproat, the commissary of prisoners, came on board her, and that
none of them went or attempted to go below decks, in said ship, to
see the situation of the prisoners, nor did they ask a single question
respecting the matter, to this deponent’s knowledge or belief; for
that he was present the whole time they were on board, and further the
deponent saith not.
“John Cochran”
“Theodore McKean C. J.
It seems singular that Sproat should have resorted to such a
contemptible trick, which deceived few if any persons, for the
reputation of the Jersey was too notorious for such a refutation to
carry weight on either side.
In the meantime the mortality on board continued, and, by a moderate
computation, two-thirds of her wretched occupants died and were buried
on the shore, their places being taken by fresh victims, from the many
privateers that were captured by the British almost daily.