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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reprodult en un seul cllch6, 11 est fiimd A partir de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. y errata Id to nt le peiure, i9on d U 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 SEVEN YEARS v F MY LIFE, O R NARRATIVE OF A PATRIOT EXILE. WHO TOGETHER WITH y t.-4 f 1 ■ I EIGHTY-TVVO AMERICAN CITIZENS WEIiH ILLEGALLY TRIED FOR REBELLION I.N UPPER CANADA IN 1838. AND TRANSPORTED TO VAN DIEMAN's LAND, COMPRISING Jl TRUE ACCOUNT OF OUR OUTRAGEOUS TREATxMENT DURTNGTEN MONTHS IMPRISONMENT IN UPPER CANADA, AND FOUR MONTHS OF HORRIBLE SUF- FERING IN A TRANSPORT SHIP ON THE OCEAN, WITH A TRUE BUT APPALLING HISTORY OF OUR CRUEL AND UNMERCIFUL TREATMENT nURINO FIVE TEARS OF UNMITIGATED SDFFERINO ON THAT DETESTABLE I'RISON ISLAND. SHOWINO, ALSO, THE CRUELTY AND BARBARITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ITS PRISONERS GENERALLY IN THAT PENAL COLONY, I WITH A Concise account of the Island its Inhabitants, Frodnetions &c. kt. BY ROBERT MARSH. Freedom before Aristocracy, If Liberty be your motto, support and defend it under all cir^'.umstances, otherwise you aid and assist the friends of Monarchy. BUFFAIiO: PAXON t STEVENS. 1848. IT •'t< .1*!' Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 18J7 by ROBERT MARSH, In the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New Yorlt. .1 I • I PREFACE. ♦ Some apology may be considered due, for presenting to the pub- lic another work detniling tlje sufferings and privations of those who took a part in tlie attempt to free the province of Canada from British rule. On a careful examination of the various publi- cations now before tlie public, the author of the following imper- fect narrative has been led to the conclusion that, still another is necessary; and being aware that publications of every description are numerous, and that fiction in the garb of truth, is almost as numerous, I had great diffidence in attempting a description of the suffering of myself and companions during our illegal and unjust confinement in a British penal colony; and not until strongly urged by my friends, could f he induced to make the attempt. And, although this work is far too brief to give as full and detailed account, as I am aware the nature of the case demands (and I may have failed in th;\t respect) I have the satisfaction of knowing that what I have said, is truth, without coloring or exaggeration. Having experienced to my satisfaction, the tender mercies of a corrupt aristocracy, which I fear is rapidly and to an alarming degree, extending its principles to this side of the Atlantic, I would raise my feeble note of warning, for all to be on their guard; and may the time soon come, when North America will awake andTid herself of a set of crouching menials to that proud, haughty and ty- ranlcal spirit which has cost great sacrifice of life in all ages to sub- due, and that is now, as it always has been, tending not only to mon- archy, but despotism. Friends of liberty, awake ! let not your birthright be wrested from you in an unguarded moment, by this fearfully numerous bandit, whose prospect now is fair to reign and U\ w- if ^ ( f I I 'A • >• , * i » IV PREFACE. rule triumphant ! They assume various formsj in order to obtain and retain power, whereby, the more easily to oppress and enslave the people. I have seen tyranny in its worst form: and can say, with another that "I have seen meanness allied to wealth, crime covered with the cloak of sanctity, corruption sittiiij'T boldly on the bench of justice, and wrong and Ircaciiery in every station and under every disguise; and frequently in the long, black mantle of hypocrisy." I have seen not a few, as good and brave men as any nation can boast of, for&aken and deceived by their protended friends in a good cauFC; and left by them in the hands of their sworn enemicF, a description of whose treatment, in their hands, cannot bo fully por- trayed; and, be assured, will not be easily forgotten, whilst my own suflerings are continually fresh in the memory, which, together with the blood of many of my murdered ^'omrades, and martyrs to the sacred cause of liberty, cry for vengeance upcn their accursed heads, would it be wrong to wish and may we not predict, that vengeance will, ere long be meted out in full and overrunning meas- ure upon the despots and enemies to universal freedom; that the people, not only of Canada but the United States and the whole world, may be freed from despotism, and learn that their true pol- icy is justice," and their utmost wisdom, to do right. To the reformers of Canada and to the friends of liberty generally titese few true, but unpolished lines are dedicated; and I am aware that they will receive censure from some, and possibly, credence from others: be assured however, that your humble servant, in this work, seeks not the prais* of any man or set of men, but rather to narrate things as they were without fear or favor. I h the I r ' i fores" th e ficuiti to oblain 1 enslave can say, Ith, crime ily on the :ation and mantle of nation can ^ 3 in fii good cnemicF, a I fully por- whilst my h, together martyrs to sir accursed reuict, that ining meas- m; that the d the whole 2ir true pol- ty generally I am aware y, credence vant, in this lut rather to * NARRATIVE OF A PATRIOT EXILE. CHAPTER J. Engages in the Patriot Cause. With reference to the cause of the distuibarcesin Canada during the years 1837 and 1838 1 shall not, in this work, attempt an explanniion, as I find on my return to the United States a number of Publications have been issued, which ful- ly explain the grievances of the people; among those that I have seen and can recommend as corrpct, are Mr. Wait's, Gen. W. McLeod's, Doct. Thellkr's and oiheis in which the cause is fullv and ffo'rlv set forth. I am aware that various opinions (14 respecting that ill- fated and much to be lamented transa^ttion; 1 say ill-fated, because parents have to lament the loi^s of children, and wives of their husbands. Thousands here and in different parts of the Globe were looking and sincerely praying for the lib- eration of the Canadies; hut were greatly dihappointed, af- ter many and repeated aitemf)ts were made, but without suc- cess, many lives lost and hundreds thrown into prison, oth- ers driven from their homes and hunted like beasts of the forests, children left fatherless, and their wives insulted by the Queen's Soldiers. After all this, and numerous other dif- Acuities which hundreds were subject to, after some thirty or I .* ■' ! . f^ .1. t' s •t •1 sill ft ' fh 6 N A an ATI \ E Oi A (' f » i'i ^ I fi/v 11 !'?/! ^ I f thirty-fivo wero cruelly iniird(MC(.l \\\i' \\ ilio gallowp, ai:d tigh- ty-two after untlergoini:,' a mock n i.tl in L['por Canntla iimJ dragged tlirougli all flirj Alihy Jails "( llio rrovince, londci with chains, nnd iiisultc-l in evrry jir: ible iri.'snner hy tyrants who cling to monni'chy lor the nrilve of some [»rnsider a righteous cau'e. but in failing are subject to rej)ronch. I am a native of the stale ol New Yorl:, but had lived in St. Catharines and Chij)pawa, Crnnda VVe.;t, about four years previous to the rebellion; whilst there was engaged with my brother, Charles, in the Bnkin,';^ business. I was employ. ed a great part of my time in sel'ing Crncl:ers through the country: consequently had an o.>portuiiity of learning some- thing of the opinion of tho people. Will in m Lyon McKen- zie and others, wero for years previous to the outbreak, in News Papers and Pamphlets strongl}^ and very ably advo- cating the cause of liberty, and boldly selling forth their grievances which to me appeared reasonable and just. If 1 was deceived as to tho justness of the cause 1 believe that I am not alone; there were Doctors. Lnwyers, Clergymen, Oenerals, members of Congress, Governors, Deacons, rich and poor, bond and free, saying "God prosper tho cause of Freedom in Canada.*' At the time of the collecting of the Pntriols on Navy Isl- and, the latter part of November 1837, my residence was at Chippawa, thftre wero some circumstances which occurred at the time Sir Francis Bond Hend with his forces, contem- plated an Rttact upon the Island, which, if possible, increased my antipathy against the proceedings of the "Government Party.'* It was well known that a goodly number of the wspectable inhabitants of that village were favorable to re- fbrm^ Consequently many of them were obliged to forsake PATUIOT EXILE. inda nnil 5, lo"(lcd y tyrants inco, nnd required, :i,it rnfiny r\:k deeds ecu bacU- ihat some h them in , or those ; it is hard right, and bailing are id lived in iljout four gngcd with as employ- irough the ning some- on McKen- ntbrcak, in ably advo- forth their just. If I liove that 1 Clergymen, aeons, rich he cause of n Navy Isl- ence was at ch occurred es, contem- le, increased Government Tiber of the orable to re- ed to forsake their houses and properly to acconimiHltite tlio SuldioriB and Ofiicr re. It v, .is (lunp;ori us to «poak*n won) in favor of ihd patriots or re jei;j, an liiey wore called by liie (iuoon's Inckeyp. there wero in all about 2000 Ue/'ularn. Indians, Negroes, nnd tlioso in shape of men, vnr\<\y t^ do or say ?ny thing !o pieabo her Gracious lVlij?.sty's HIokI Hounds tliat thirsted for the bl )od of llio Tiian that d.ucd to spcuk Mgain!\)-L'troet, through a misunderstanding in some of llioir loading mon, and some other hiadrancoa which I nf'L'd not atleiUj'l to cxpliin here, ns there has bcensoniucli »aid upon the subject of their failure, there, and at the west, which ol^liged a great many to leave tho Province, among tho Icrtdiiig men, wer.j MclCenzie, Doct. Duncomb, Doct. Rolph and others wliich wororngiiged in the cause; many were tho F.peccliey and long, rcispeciing their troubles and the anxiety of thousands in Canr.di to becomo Cvee. Finally it was con- eluded bi'st to occr.i)y Navy I>land, t.iluated about one mile above Chippawn, about tiiroe-fourthsof a mile from the Cana- dian shore, and about one nulo from the American shore, con- tiining about three livmurcd acre^. Hero those that wero willing could assruiblo, and when sufliciently strong could find ilieir way througli the Province. William Lyon Mc- Kenzie, and Gen. Van llensalear, were appointed to man- age there. It was all excitement in Buffalo, Cleveland, De- troit und all along the Frontier, as well as Lockport, Roch- ester, and in fad, l!ie whole country was awake; many and Ktrong were the inducements for young, as well as married men, to engage in so glorious a cause; if. they had families there were plenty that would see them 'provided for. The cause of the failure I shall not, at present, attempt to explain; this much, however, I can say, there wero many brave and honest hearts e .gaged in this cause, some of whom have Io»t their property, otbti's their liberty, and many their lives.-— Others there wero that had much to say, !>ut dare not /gjo wheie there w.as any prospect of the smell of gun-powder. — • "Only make a stjnd," say tliey "and we will come over." The truth is, — the wont of these men. to help make tho stand, was one principal cause of the failure; and because of thess men promising to assist, and failing to kc^p their prom- V* \tn ■ vl * •■«' 'i' i * 'A ■aiyaMHi 8 NARRATIVE OF A (^ i^. I f i 1 jse, hundreds that were honest and faithful, (on failing,} have been subject to persecution; yes, and from some of these very men that promised so much, and performed so little. No doubt Washington would have failed if he had been blest, or rather cursed with sucli aid. It was now all bustle in Chippawa, and great preparitions were being made to dislodge the patriots from their f ^rong hold on the Island. They were collcciing and con'^entro- ting all their forces at Chippewa; boats of every description were brought from difleronl parts, at the same time they were mustering all their cannon, and mortars, intending to drive ihem off; one would think by ihoir talk, that they would not only kill them oil, but with their cannon mow down all the ti'ees and what the balls failed in hitting, the trees would fall upon, and thus demolish the whole Patriot army. I had been a spectator as yet, but began to think that I must soon become on actor on one side or the other. After I had been told by a friend who was ocrjuainted with most ol their plans, who was obliged, however, to think much but say little, ho told me that it was the intention to raise a party and proceed that night in small boats across the river to burn or send over the Falls the Steamboat Caroline. I told him I thought not, as that boat was not armed, and it being an American boat, at an American wharf, and there being no armed force near the place, that they dare not commit such an act, as it would be infringing not only on the rights of pri- vate individuals, but likewise, on the rights of the nation; not- withstanding all this, I teld him I thought the British Gov- ernment, would not sanction such a cowardly act, and if they did the United Stat^ Government, would have some thing to say and do in the matter, why says I the people would not even wait for orders, but would rush into Canada, and com- pletely exterminate all that dared to lift a sword, or shoulder a musket in defence of such a dastardly, insulting, and tyranical deed; "but they are already jtreparing some five or six boats, and it will be done this very night,'* said he. "I cannot be- lieve that that is their intention," I replied. He again assured me that it was so, saying ^'depend upon it" His words proved true. When I beheld the men get in the boats and shove ofT and the beacon lights kindled on the shore, that they might the more safely find the way back, my eyes were on the stretch, ng,) havo of these ittle. No cen blest, 3par'\tion9 )ir F^rong 3on'jentra- Icscription tlioy were ig to drive would not »vn all the would fall ink that 1 r. After with most : much but ISO a party vcr to burn I told him t being an '0 being no mmit such ghtsofpri- lation; not- •itish Gov- and if they le thing to would not , and com- shoulder a d tyranical r six boats, cannot be* ■ain assured ords proved id shove off y might the he stretch, 1 if. ^■\*^ ■■''If * ». . *^ !• ^^'^^ ■^ .^■\^..**»il» > I* %!. n^ 7-4 . - ^. "■ ■' „:■ ' ' c . - o t' -W* ^ . .\ ' 1 •1 j * I FATRIOT EXIIiE. 11 towards where the ill-fated boat iay. O how 1 wished I had a speaking trumpet, big enough to tell the few unarmed men that lay sleeping quietly, and perhaps dreaming of wives, chil- dren or sweet hearts, feeling perfectly safe, when thjir boat wafl' secured at an American wharf, that tiiere were pirates close at hand, which would, and did convince them and others that there is not at all times safety^ and protection under an American flag. The boat was boarded and some killed, then cut loose towed out a few rods and set on fire. Judge my feel- ings on beholding this boat on fire, perhaps some on 'loard, within two short miles of the Fulls of Niagara, goin^: ' the rate of twelve miles an hoar, and if the men on board were not wounded, it would be useless to attempt to reach the shore. I cannot describe my feelings! You may ask was this act sanctioned by the British Government ?- I think it wf:S, and by a great many people nearer homo. On their return after accomplishing a Lloody deed, which ought to be an everlasting di .grace to the perpetrators, and those that sanctioned it — ^.to hear tiiem boast of what they had done, 1 began to think it was time for me to leave the place. There were others that would have been glad to have been on the American side, but the lines were so closely guarded that it was almost impossible, at that time, for any one to es- cape to the United States; notwithstanding we woro closely watched, I was determined to make the attempt. I was the day afterwards witnessing that infamous transaction, in con- nection with a Mr. Thomas, who wished very much he was on the other side; consequently we agreed to make the attempt and started in the afternoon of the J]Oth of December 1837, not stopping, even to bid our friends good-by, for wo expect- ed to be back in a few days, or at least I did. (Tlio Caroline was burned the night previous.) VVo succoedeJ in reaching the river 6 miles above Chippawa about 11 o'clock in the evening, after a tedious and dangerous journey through an extensive swamp. There is a small settlement in a part of this swamp which has been called Sodom. There were many Indians prowling about, we managed to evade them, however^ I but with much difficulty; there were Sentinals every fow rods along the line. VVe ventured to ppproach a house near the river where Thomas said he was partially a.cquaint6d| there was only the lady at home, her husband, although a -m^ !'■ '^ll '»'■» *^.l m .J it KARIIATIVE OP A (1 t I :i^ t ,1 patriot, was obliged to be on duty against his will. We told her our situation, she said they had had strict orders not to launch their boat on any consideration. We offered her five dollars if she would consent to let us take it; slie said Bho would not take any thing for the use of the boat, as she knew our situation, and felt anxious to do all in her j)ower to help us across the river; she also told us that her husband had taken McKenzie across a few nights previous. "Leave the boat in the mouth of the creek," said she, pointing across the river towards Grand Island, (which was understood by us) Hhere is a man there thni will fetch it back, you havo only to fasten it, say nothing and go your way." We were con- vinced that we were not the only ones assisted by this patri- otic lady; we could not persuade her to take more than ono dollar. The boat was under the barn we soon succeeded in bringing it to light; but difficulties presented ihemselvefi which appeared almost impossible to surmount; the boat was about eighty rods from the river, and 1 should think it would have taken four men to handle it at any other time — and on either side at the distance of about eighty rods were sentinnls placed to guard the river — and at short intervals moon-lighl. You would have laughed to havo seen, and heard us consult and plan — all hod to be dono in a whisper; — we muffled our oars and succeeded, after a very laborous task, in launching our bark, and wrre not long reaching Grand Island, the dis- tance of nearly a mile; we run into the before mentioned creek, fastened our boat, and, as we supposed, had escaped the eye of the centry; but you will soon perceive we had not. It was about 1 o'clock in the morning and we had to go eight or nine miles through the woods and no road — there had been a light fall of snow, and in places ice that would bear a man, but oftener would not; once or twice in crossing streams the ice gave way and we found ourselves nearly to the middle in water, and often to our knees; we, at near day-light, succeed- ed in reaching White Haven, a small village, where we wer© hailed by one of our Militia Sentinels: — ** who comes there?" ^'Friends, friends." "Advance and give the countersign."-— Of course we advanced, but could not answer the demand; A guard was immediately dispatched with us to headquarters, where we underwent a strict examination. We told them oC «ur escape from Canada, and our desire to go to Navy Island, ' i great ever blooc cause founc Schl( Ken 2 Patrid Wl and si to JU( even adians the Pi and if PATRIOT EXILE. Id We told lers not to Fered her ; slie said )at, as she r power to jsband had 'Leave the across tlie ood by us) have only I were con- this patri- e than ono icceeded in lhemselve« je boat was [ik it would fie — and on re sentinals raoon-lighi. 1 U3 consult muffled our \ launching md, ihe dis- menlioned lad escaped we had not. to go eiglU re had been 3ear a man, streams the le middle in It, succeed- 3rewe wer© mes there?" itersign." — he demand; )ad quarters, told them oC ^avy Island, we found some gentlemen there of our acquaintance, wil- ling to vouch for the truth of our assertions. Here we found officers and all, ready and willing to do all in their power to help us on our way; our fare was the best their Camp afibrd* cd; we had not, however, been in custody over twenty min- utes when there was an alarm and report of some five or six muskets — there was a general turnout, and we soon learned the cause. The countersign was demanded of some five ot eix who had been dispatched for some persons who they sup- posed had no right to leave the Province without permission. It appears we had been discovered, and pursued; these blood- hounds had ibllowed us and was near overtaking us when we luckily fell into the hands of gentlemen; they as well as we wore disappointed in finding a company of our Militia on Grand Island, no doubt their disappointment was greater when ♦.hey found we were protected and they obliged to make tracks with all possible speed. After congratulating us on our deliverance, they sent us a'cross the river, landed at Ton- awanda, there we took the cars for Schlosser we walked down to the dock, there we beheld the blood of Durfeo that had been spilt by the cowardly crow from the Canada side the 29th Dec. 1R37; we was there on the 1st of Jan. 18:^8, there appeared to be a large quantity of blood on the planks to have coine f»om one man; 1 think there might have been others killed and thrown into the ri.er, which would soon disappear over the Falls. 1 was confident there would be a great turn out to avenge the death of our countryman. How- ever strange it may appear to others, the perpetration of this bloody deed was one of many; and I may say, the principal cause of my going to Navy Island. Mr. Thomas and myself found ourselves, in less than two hours from our arrival at Schlosser, at head qurters and in the presence of VV. L. Mo Kenzie, and Gen. Van Rensalear Commander in Chief of the Patriot Army. Whatever was the previous character of these gentlemen, and since the evacuation of the Island, I must leave the world to judge, for I do not know; but this much I do know, that even the name of Van Ranseller, struck a terror to the Can- adians. It was often remarked in Canada before I left, that the Patriots had got a brave and able General at their head, and if ever they succeeded in getting into Canada, they mi^ht .1 ^1 1- M ! » ■ •• '■ m *■ II 14 NARRATIVE OB' A expect bloody work; they were both universally feared and I believe if they could have entered Canada with 2000 men, at that time, with Van Rensalear at their head and proved him- self what ho was generally supposed to be, tliere is no doubl he might have done honor to the name, and to the cause in which he was engaged. 1 shall not say that British gold was one cause of the failure there, although ii has been, so sus- pected by many besides myself. I am aware that ho was advised by some to leave. Gold has done a great deal for England however falsely procured. The General and McKenzie, on learning that we were direct from Chippawa, asked us a great many questions. Among the first, were, if we intended to join the army. Thomas said he must first go and see his wife and children that had left Canada a abort time before him, and if they were in comfortable quarters he might return. 1 believe he expected to find them in Lock- port; I think he left that day. \ then told tljcm if there was a prospect of having a sufficient number to cros.s, and if it was their determination to prosecute the war until Canada was free I should have no objection to join the party. The General produced the list and asked me the length of time I wished to enlist. I was so confident of success, that I unhes- itatingly replied: — "Seven years, or during the war." The General remarked, "1 wish 1 had two thousand such men, we have about one thousand already, and I think this Caroline affair will soon swell our force to two thousand, and then I shall make an attack at some point where they least ex- pect." He made particular inquiries as to tlieir strength at Chippawa,'situation of the country, creeks, bridges, road*^ &;c. My being well acquainted with them ail, I quickly satisfied him on that point, as well as of their contemplated attnck up- on the Island. Gen Van Rensalear said "lei. them come if they dare; we will soon send them over the Falls. His plan for entering Canada I considered good, ond if successful we would soon be in Chippawa; and says he, as rou are well acquainted there I want you to be by my side." readily consented, for there were those' there thai would look to us for protection; I had many friends, as well as Faih» er, Mother, Brothers and Sisters, in Chippawa; but it Wftg only those in arms that need look for any molestation. "I knew many of them woi*ld join us as soon as jMJSsiblo." "U» .rod and men, at ed hliti- lo doubt 3anso in 5old was , so sus» that ho rent deal lernl and lippawa, were, if 5t first go L a short quarters in Lock- here was 1 if it was I ad a was y. The of lime I tl unhes* r." The 1 men, we Caroline .nd then 1 lenst CX' renglh at road'=* &c. satisfied attick up* T) come if od, ond if ays he, as my side." hat would ill asFaih» but it wn» ation. "i 3le." "Ua PATRIOT KXILC. not us the inhabitants need fear," says the General, **for its to protect and defend them from the power of tyrants that have so long preyed upon the credulity of the good people of Canada, as well as wherever they hold sway. Our men will be strictly forbidden to medle with private property, or in any manner, with peaceable inhabitants." 1 said I was glad, and hoped such rules would be strictly adhered to; for the tories in Canada were trying all in their power to make the inhabitants, as well as the soldiers, believe that the reb- els were all a set of robbers. I am not alone, thousands on that side, as well as this, can testify that that appellation can more properly be applied to them; "Matty's" assertion to the contrary notwithstanding. There are far too mnny tories in the United States ever ready to side with them in oppres- sing those that daro say aught against their tyranicai and bloody acts. '■ ? I shall not be very particular in describing all that took place while on the Island, as it would not, to many, be very interesting. I will only remark that after my informing the General of their preparations and intention of attacting the Island, breast-works were hastily thrown up, and all necessa* ry arrangements made to give them a wnrm reception. — There were twenty-five cannon mostly well mounted, which could easily be concentrated at any point required; and manned by men that knew how to handle them; and 1 should judge from eight to ten hundred men well armed and drilled. Besides other hasty preparations, tops of trees and under brush were thrown over the bank at differ.^nt places to prevent them from landing. 1 know there were various opinions respecting the strength of the Island; but fi-om cloee ^observation, during the three days of my enlistment, it is tty candid opinion that if they had attacked the Island, as was expected, they would mostly or all have found a watery grave, The tories were fearful of this, for when the attempt was made men could not be found to hazard their lives in so rash an attempt; though attempted often, it as often failed. — No doubt if they had thought it as easy as burning the Caro- line they would have quickly undertaken it. It was hoped, and much regretted, by all on the Island that the attempt was not made; for if they had done so it would have thinned their ranks and made it the more easy » NARRATIVE OP A 'h :>' ' •ii ' I ; -ik for us to have entered Canada at that place. They finally concluded to bring all their artillery to bear upon us, and thus exterminate all within their reach; they were according- ly arranged in martial pomp, opposite the Island the distance jf about three-fourths of a mile. Now the work of destruc- tion commences — the balls and bombs fly in all directions — the tops of the trees appear to be a great eye-sore to them, I suppose they thought by commencing an attack upon them, their falling would aid materially in the destruction of lives below. The thundering of artillery was heard, by times, for twenty and thirty miles around for a week, being obliged to cease fireing at times for the cannons to cool.— They were very lavish with Her Gracious Majesty's powder and balls. I recollect a man standing behind the breast- work where were four of us sitting as the balls were whistle- ing through the trees, "Well," says he, "if this is the way to kill the timber on this Island, it is certainly a very expensive way, as well as somewhat comical; I should think it would be cheaper to come over with axes, and if they are not in too big a hurry, girdle the trees and they will die the sooner." — I remarked, "they did not know how to use an axe; but understood girdleing in a different way." An old gentleman from Canada taking the hint, quickly responded, "Yes, Can- ada can testify to the fact of their having other ways of gir- dleing besides with the axe, and unless there is a speady stop put to it, there will not be a green tree left." 'inhere was another gentleman about to say something of their manner of swindleing in other parts of the world, he had just com- menced about Ireland when I felt a sudden jar at my back, and the other three that set near me, felt thft same; we rose up, and discovered that a cannon ball had found its way through our breast work, but was kind enough to stop after just stiring the dirt at our backs; I had only moved about an inch of dirt when I picked up a six pound ball. As it happened, our gun was a six pounder, we concluded as that was the only ball that had, as yet, been willing to pay us a visit, we would send it back as quick as it come. We immediately put it into our gun and whealed around the cor- ner of the breastwork. *'Hold," said I, "there is 'Queen Ann's Pocket Piece,' as it is called, it will soon be opposite, and then we'll show them what we can do." It was not ^ were i must b( own ba ecutioi] begin t the fir; know \ The] menccL ly wou their our bat et piece no meri tery; suppliei deal of one, an after be ing jau( disappo uatod. PATRIOT EXILG. » y finally us, and ccording- ' 3 distance if destruc- eclions — to them, pon them, uction of heard, by ?ek, being to cool.— r's powder le breast- re whistle- he way to expensive it would be not in too sooner." — axe; but gentleman 'Yes, Can- ays of gir- peody stop I'here was ir manner just com- t my back, e; we rose id its way 3 stop afler d about an concluded ling to pay lonie. We nd the cor- is 'Queen )e opposite, It was not .«! mounted, but swung under the ex of a cart, such as are used for drawing saw-logs, with very largo wlieels. I had seen it previous lo my leaving Chippawa, I think there was six horses attached to the cart; for it was very heavy, it being a twenty-four pounder. I suppose it was their intention to split tlie Island in two with it, hoping, by so doing, it might loosen at the roots and move oil* with the current and go over the Falh, and tlius accomplish their great work of destruciion at once. As they were opposite, the words "ready, fire!" was given; wo had the satisfaction of seeing the horses leavG the battle ground with all possible speed. Tiie gun was forsaken in no lime, and in less than five minutes there was scarcely a man to bo seen. The ball had gone about threo feet fartiier to the left than was intended; it was intend- ed to lop the wheels; but it severed the tongue from the ex, and the horses took tiio liberty lo move off as fast as possible. We were about to give ibcin another shot, when the officer of the day came up, and told us the orders from lie'id quarters were not to fire unless it was absolutely necessary, that we must be saving of our amuiiilion. I told him it was their own ball that wo had just sent back, When ho saw the ex- ecution it had done ho smiled and went on, remarking, "they begin to fire a little lower;" "yes," said I, "and as llmt was the first, we thought wo would send it back, and let them know we did not want it, that we had balls of our own. There was no more fireing until evening, when they com- menced again in good earnest. Threo of eur men was slight- ly wounded by the frozen dirt flying in their faces, by one of their balls hitting the end of our breast- work. They owed our battery a grudge for darcing to fire at her Majesty's pock- et piece as it was called. They seemed willing to show us no mercy; however, no further damage was done to our bat- tery; the next cannon to us had one wheel shot away, but was supplied with a new one the next day. There was a great deal of fireing at intervals for nine days and nights. Killed one, and slightly vyounding three, all told. Suffice it to say, after being in possession of the Island some four weeks, caus- ing jnuch noise and confusion on both sides, and many greatly disappointed it w^s finally, on the 12th of January 1838, evac- uated. There might be much sfiid on the isubject of occu- : ^'.i! ' imm U NAlinATlVE OF A ■» ^lf • f ■• > ■ V ■ } pyiug tho Island, and duniig the time wo were there, but I have not rofnu. When we left I proceeded to Detroit, not wishing to return to Chi[)i»awfi, after having been known to have espoused the patriot cnuso. 1 must ncknowledge it was a cause in whicii my whole honrtwns ongnged, nnd have many reasons for it, one of whi(;h is, I wn.s I orn of Patriot parentage; I am not a jjatriot to-day, nnd to-morrow the reverse; like mnny not far off, who 1 liave seen since rny r-'turn. "Oii!" said they. "I knew the priti-iots would fail." "Ye.^," said I, "if 1 had known there had boAu so mnny of your .stnnip en- gaged in the cause, I loo might have known it Mould have failed, men that promised much but done so little, if 1 had backed out at the prospect of the smell of powder, I too like you and many more might have been left to say I knew they would not succeed." ■ On my arrival at ^-^andusky, nflor a tedious Wnlk of five days I wns informed of a eontem|)l'*ted allack on Mnlden. — We succeeded in rcnchinf): a small Fslnnd about 3 miles from the main sliore, called Point Aupele; our forco was about one hundred, it wns intended to iiave rem.'diicd ihero a short time for reinforcements, but wo were soon attacked by about three hundred from Blalden in sleiglis, (tlie lake being frozen,) the number thr-j returned alive was not known. After a severe engag-ement of about half an hour on the ice, tho fireing ceas- ed ; each party glad to retire. vSuch havock among Red- Coats by a hnndfull of patriots was scarcely ever known. — Being r'isappointcd as to reinforcements, after fully convince- ing the red-coats that the patriots could figlit, we made our way to the main land (or rather peninsula) near Sandusky. •^^'There was, about tliis lime, another party of about one hundred and fifty assembled on an island about three miles below Detroit, called Fighting Island, near wliere Hull sur- rendered his army. The men were marched on in the evening and told by a man who had charge of tho arms that they would ho sent over in sleighs directly. Some may won- der why they did not take their arms with them; the reason was this: a body of men under arms had no right to congre- jgate and drill without giving a strict account of their inten- tions, to the Government under which they assemble, if re« quired to do so. " ?.1 VV/- •'.tn PATllIOT EXILE. 19 -. By some means llio arms were j)revonte(l iVorn following them. Tiicy were attacked by a Hinall force of liragoons, and two pieces of artillery, and obliged to light their way with clubs and fists. 1 believe if there had been fifty Rims in their, possession they would have nKiinlnincd their position; for as it was, the enemy scemod very willing tocea«o hostilities; — thus ended the stniggle tor that winter, Dribnry was .strong- ly suspected hero as well as other })laccs, for if iho J'ritish had not known the situation of tlio ni?n on tlie Island they would not have Hnrcd to have attacked them with so small a force; for they had been led to believe that it required about six times as many of them, as of the IVitriols, to con- tend with us with anv doffi-oc of certainty. it appeared to bo an unlucky [daco for u--, as well as the traitor jlidl's army, who were doomed many of tliem todrag out a life of worse than flavery in iJrilish 'prisons and old hulks. Oh! what jwv/cr has gold! I know a little soniething of the treotm-^nt of their prisoners. Thoy have an idea that any man that dares to take up arms against Her Gracious Majesty V Government must be the worst man in the world, and vviirn a prisoner, is treated as such. 1 have often thought that lucky was the mnn who was instantly shot or beheaded, as ihous.mds have been under their humane govv ernment. > Being 5-ick of Islnnd tighting, I remained in Detroit throug!» the summer, during which time, great i)rej)arations were be- ing mndo all over the country for renewing the war. As many of our citizens were confined, and executions taking place in diiforen!. parts of Canada, in the upper as well as the lower Province, a? id tnunts and threats by tories were daily occurrences, it was concluded best by many from Canada as well as thousands on this side to make one more trial. — Consequently public as well as private meetings were held. Many and powerful speeches were delivered by men of re- spectability, and strong were the prospects of success. Not only hundreds but thousands were enrolled to aid and assist; many had tlreir names down as fighting men^ and; to hold themselves in readiness at e!i' moments warning. Among oth- ers were men of property offering to assist m every possible manner. Among them were men holding offices under gov- et*nment* I will not mention names, for L am aware they »•. I f >f . A M .f -ijmi -^ CHAPTER II. I ■'1 J] ' .k\*Td3rtu'h'^) ^&\'^p'fiov(^rrifmSaltle of Windsor. ' -'''^'^^^i^^t-taiiM ' December 4th, 1838, after much trouble and hardship, (for we had not only U. S. government officers to evade, but spies in all quarters, many who 'pretended to be good patri- ots were trying every way possible to cast a stigma upon the eause,) a boat was obtained and 164 men landed on the Can- ada shore three miles above Windsor^ General B. command* ,; G good abou as m force ment priva itant? byth woul( howe withi] out w returi eral r fier as the P( as Go VVc to guo he wa ley of Capt J fine m him o^ ball hf We w an an a seve were p cove re cautior a luck; balls tc ther sic ders wi and fin PATRIOT KXII.E. Ill engaged, th in aid ) because ho cause to let all I filly took hose who 3cn back- lb rtunaie- novement ic;ris;cd in :c. vfec. — ' who Imd ISC,) aided their part '0 not wil- ing Ibeir nto effort, J near De- tt; and if ioned stig- it remains le number lot known ras to take i v:, ..... 'i ^ t' - r V a>fK V^J 1 hardship, evade, but ood patri- a upon th© the Can- command* ing, who was generally believed to be a good and brave man. No doubt his talents were good, hut nl'ier being tried was found w.tntingin courage. I believe there are times when it is hard to distinguish between cowardice and bril)ery. General l*utnam was second in command and a brave and good l*at riot. It was s!i|)|)o.sod that others to the number of about 500 would immodiatoly follow, besides the promise of as many more on the (Canada fiido, which would increase our force to over 1000 etfectivr! men, but groat was our disappoint- ment. After having received positive orders not to meddle with private property, or in any manner molest pf-acealde inhab- itants, we took up our lineof mnrcli for Windsor; expecting by the time wo had taken tlioir barrarlvs, our re-inf(^rcemenls would arrive; but were ng.iin di.sappointed. We were not, however, disappointed in taking the barracks, we npproached within ten or twelve rods, when the centry hailed, and with- out waiting an answer, fired; but without elfoct. His fire was returned instantly and lie fell on the spot. There was a gen-' eral rush to the doors, and they were commanded to surren- der as prisoners of vvnr, by Cconeral Putnnm Commander of the Patriot armv. 1 mijrlit havn said' Commander in Chief, as General B. had not made his npjjoarance. Wo had l)y this timo'nenrly all come up excepting a few to guard tlie General from harm, I do not mean Putnam for \\o was on hand; in answer to his deniand wo received a vol- ley of fire arms from the windows and doors, at which time Capt Lewis fell, ho was the second min from me, he was a fine man; he being the first to fall, I stepped up and rolled him over to see whether he was dead or onlv wounded, the ball had hit him in the head which killed him instantly. — We were not willing to receive such a compliment without an answer; we accordingly approached the building and a severe action commenced — our guns, as many as possible, were protruded with theirs through tho windows. We dis- covered after four or five rounds that they had taken the pre- caution to lay down in order to escape our balls, and it was a lucky move for us, for it had a tendancy to cause their balls to pass over our heads; so the first few volleys on ei^ therside did but little harm; on discovering their position or- ders were given to withdraw from the windows a few paced and fire lower, four rounds satisfied them, some thirty or for^ 2* ■'i ?•.? . ! • '\ 111- •'fc '•u II" ■1 '^^;i 4, ^\m ■f' \ ^^M M wL L », 33 NARRAT1V£ OF A ■» ' ' I' n I ' '. ty rushed to Uie doors once or twice, finally finding their sit- uation very precarious thoy ceased fireing. Another oiTer was then made thorn to surrender as pri'joners of war, but they did not seem willing to comply. The droing again com- menced, when a man was seen ri|)|)roaci)ing the building with a fire-brand but in the confusion ol' firearms, did not as he af- terwards said, hear the orders not to fire the building, and it was set on fire; there was a general rush mado to break through our ranks; but they sooni found we knew as well how to take |)risoncrs, as to liiV a mark with the rifle. In ta- king prisoners and securing arms, we had no timo to extin- guish the fiames that had so fur advanced; this was the only act which was not generally aj)proved oi'. There was a steam boat burned to the memory of tl»o Caroline, and thirty- eight prisoners with tiie same number of arms fell into our hands, after a warm engagement which lasted three-fourths of an hour; we, however had no jiien to spare to guard pris- oners, and after keeping them a sliort lime, treating them well, made them promise not to bo fuund in arms against us hereafter, told them we expected largo re-inforceinents, and would be able to maintain our position; — and would also defend, not only them, but us many as would throw them- selves under cur potcclion. Some of them remarked that five hundred such men would not only bo able to defend all who might need protection, but would bo able to defend them- selves against one thousand 13ritish Troops. During the morn- ing we had convinced ihem of that fact, and secured about fifty muskets with as many catridge boxes, and were much elated oa our success. It was about 4 o'clock in the morning when the action commenced; wo were three hours anxiously wait- ing for promised help from the other side of the river, which was nearly one mile across to Detroit, where were thousands to be seen at day-light, on tops of building swinging their hats and cheering us on our morning's success. Among these were hundreds that had promised to be with us, and who knew it was impossible for us to maintain our position through the day unless we had the promised help. If we Jhad have known that help could not come, in time, we might have re-crossed to the American shore that morning; but were determined^ after having so much trouble in getUiig there ) to remain, and if holp did not come, to show them our intei muo fail.' men, and , VV spier VVel act o Red-( form I tnncc liowo fifty ] clmrd and w lljoy ( cd to ing til round of a n ed in our lii ter. our di numbe aftersv to ret "For ( mence will al vancc. guish ibr bin what r the pe reachii before} I afters were fi time CO PATRIOT SXILX. 23 iutentioQ was to act, and not do as Imndredi hod who promised muoh, but done nothing. ('*They knew the Patriots would fail'") unluckily for the cause tliere were too many such men, men that could talk loud, and wished to be called bravo and good, but at the expense of others. We were about planting our standard; the Hag was a splendid one, with iw(» stars for Upper and Lower Cnnada. vVe hod just succ6#dt^l in golting a long spar and was in the act of raising t, as tlio cry was heard: — "llierc conies the Red-coals ! Tliero are tho di'flg')oiiH ! !" InsUuilly we wero formed in battle arrn_^». Soon received a volley, but the dis- tance was so great that it did not allbct us in the least, wo however advanced to meet them, and drove them back about fifty rods; in the mean time IhoiigliL it best to occupy an or- chard; They wero, 1 sliould judgn, about four hundred strong, and were soon reinforced by some two hundred more. When ihey discovered our strength, the i»lan was immediately form- ed to surround us. A general fight now look place; but see- ing their dctorminatiou to surround us, after iievcn or eight rounds we thought it best to occupy tho wood<, three-fouilhs of a mile from our stand. We had likewise been disappoint- ed in the approach of our rear-guard, for mo had taken up our line of march in two divisions, Gen. B. was with the lat- ter. To our great disappointment at tliat critical moment our division was left to contend with at least five. times our number; it was not, however, the tault of tiic men, for I was afterwards informed, when thev discovered iiis determination to retreat, he was addressed my men in tears ns follows: — "For God sake do not leave our i)urty who have already com- menced the action, for unless we advance to their aid they will all bo cut off!" But he could not bo persuaded to ad- vance. As I before remarked it is sometimes hard to distin- guish between cowardice and bribery, the reader may judge for himself in this instance. As he is a lawyer and a some- what noted character, no doubt he has by this time, satisfied the people that it was neither. However, he succeeded in reaching the American shore; whether the boat was prepared beforehand to convey the noble General across, I cannot say. I afterwards learned that others had attempted to cross, and were fired on by Major Paine, of the U. S. Army, at that time commander of the Steamboat Erie, which was playing 'ir:*T i t t' i :i 24 NARRATIVE OF A . ..1 • !'':;*:: . J back and forth along the channel to prevent any more from crossing. No doubt hundreds of pretended Patriots, were f leased with this excuse for not fulfilling their engagements, might say much more on this subject, but 1 forbear, for there has been so much said respecting that transaction that I have not room in this work to rectify all the mistaken opin- ions respecting tlie getting up as well as the failure of the cause. It would require volumns, for 'lere were thousands concerned. I will again remark that I consider it not only wrong but very hard for those that have been ibr seven long years per- secuted beyond measure and some beyond endurance, for many have been murdered upon the gallows, whilst others have been persecuted to death by a long series of abuse, un- paralleled in the history of civili/cd nations; others have stemcd the tide of persecution ami have srccedt'd in reaching their native land. Siiould they still bo persecuted by those that were once our pretended friends whoso friendsiiio to many were discovered wheii sore alllicton were upon them'? O! Inhabitants of these United States, as well as Canada, have you not yet learned the cause of the failure of the patriots in 1837 and 8 1 Will you believe me when 1 say for the rising generation as well as many of this, that have been imposed up- on by designing sycophants, that the cause of the failure was not because Canada did not want freedoui, but because of bribery, cowardice, and a false pretention to greatness and abilit}^, in some of the leading characters. Wijen you hear a man say, "O I knew tlie Patriots would fail," you may more than half suspect Miim of being in leaguo wiili those who were actually the cause of the failure. . '>e.«!.J; hiviSift:. After wo had discovered that there was no prospect of help, and acontinual strenglheningof the enemy's ranks, and their determination to pen us in, the orders were to retreat to the woods that we might the more easily defend ourselves; but at that instant Colonel Ilarvelle, and some others, replied to General Putman's orders, "For God's sake where is our roar-guard? they will soon be up, and we will still be able to flog them." We stood our ground fighting with determin- ned lury, until it was in vain to expect help from the rear- guard, and all hopes of holding out longer against so many, «vas given up, and the prospect of being surrounded and made ■3 urn no act san trial to tor was of the of men oppress As r woods, gether betraye some h( ruled, a the bes asked n answer PATRIOT EXILE. 25 .1 lect of liolp, s, and their Btreat to the selves; but ers, replied vhere is our till be able h determine m the rear- St so many, d and made more from •iots, wete »«gement8. 3rbear, for action that aken opin- lure of the 3 thousands wrong but f years per- il ranee, for hilst others abuse, un- Dthers have in reacliing 3d by thoBO endship to upon tiiem^ Janada, have patriots in M- the rising imposed up- fiiilurc was because of eatnoss and you hear a may more those who prisoners or slaughtered on the spot, was obvious, (the latter of which I have many times since wished had been the case,) we concluded best to retreat, and commenced by walking backwards, loading and fireiiig at intervals until we reached a fence; on getting over the fence General Putnam was shot, with two or three others. Our ranks v/ere then broken, some died figiuing to the last, some taken prisoner, others succeeded in reaching the woods at different points, hopinr^to be able to rally when joinod by the rear-guard and renew the attack; but failed in tlie attempt. ' :'•' " '^ ;jr. :;. Thus after dooing all in our pov/er, ended the unequal con- flict. It was impossible for me to know the exact number killed, hut as near as I could lorrn, it v/ns olc?voii killed, and about ir.o same number woundod i:i fill, of oi:: pai "y, v/hilst that of the CU' my by wiiat I cfiuld di: covo;- ts. tb'\* tinio and aftcrwnrd ■•, amounled to forty-four liii'.od, and no'^r tlio .•-.nme number v;ounded. The to/ieM however were no' f'onorally v/illing to ncknowlod^r^e it, but I was afterwards toK! by two of tiie BriLi..h rogulruv;, that that was the fact. f*f'*^Tn; There v. ere, as I afierwnrds learned four or five ta!;en at, or near, the close of the cnf^jat'omenf, brought in^o the liritish Camp, and by the orders of Colonel Prince, shot doivit In cool blood; even the Indians, on beholding this cowardly, and out- rageous act, turned anay .'.nd was head to say in their native tongue, "if tliis is the way they serve the prison?r.', mo fetch um no more; me fight no more for tiie (^ueen." Was this act sanctioned ? I believe it was, after going througli a mock trial to appease the indignation of the people, the perpetra- tor was raised to higher oflico in Government, ao hundreds of the same stamp have heretofore been; these are the kind of men they want in Governments maintained by tyranny and oppression. As many of us as could get together after reaching the woods, called a council of war, and after consulting to- gether sometime, come to the conclusion that we had been betrayed, and that it was useless to attempt to renew the attack, some however were determinned to do so, but the majority ruled, and it was finally concluded best for every man to do the best he could for himself. Some may, and have already asked me why did you go over with so small a force. I shall answer you according to the honest and sincere sentiment of 1 ,1' B5 •• .my if .•'■m M' I'J 26 NARRATIVE OF A I 't '■ M it hi Ji *i l\ my hea^t. The standard of liberty v/as about to bo planted in Canada, lowiiich the people might flock and show to lilngland, and tothe world, their determination tostrugglo for their rights, whiGh Imd almost been wrested from them, by tyrants and oppl'essor.s,'«irM)rr'H (f5*«f»ftof )' e-meH Aff?'S-*>70 -s'^nf !f><» «»> :*»or!^i '■ fr IJe it remembered, that I together with thousands had pledg- ed my word and honor to assist in erecting and maintaining this Btaiidfird; but when t})0 coiitein})iated attempt was about to be made, there was a great falling oil". blill the prospect appeared favourable for the atteiupt; but as you have discov- ered, there wore too many promiss of help, which at the critical moment, it was Ibund could not be relic 1 upon. 1 do not so much blame the people of CjHKui'x, lor nt iho com- niencemeut of the outbreak, all th.at were in the lenst suspect- ed of liberal principals wore either imprisoned or presied in- to the ranks of tlje enon^y, ai.d other.-', disarmed, were oblige to fleo to the United Slnios; while their wi\o*i aiid children Wtro imposed upon by the soldiery, not so mu;.-h by the regu- lars, as l)y the nuiitia of the Province. i)r.stnic!ion ol' propeMy, houses. burned, devastation anl ruin seemed to bo theglory of the Queen's Menials. Finally taking nil Uippc things into consideration, many were the causes that might here be more minutely explained, but it would swell this work to loo great a length. ' I shall now take the liberty to inlorm you, lliat I went over because I agreed to, not knowing until too late, but that oth- ers would do likewise; but their iailure has had t!ie tendency to bring upon me and others, a round of trials anddilnculties which it has been almost impossible to surmount, somo have been crushed under their weight, wliilst there utill rtunains those who are willing to continue tlie persecution. And 1 find that those who forsook their colors when their help was most needed, now plead, for an excuse that our government was opposed to it; and to make people believe the}- are very know- ing men, repeatedly siu', "Oh, I knew the Patriots would fail." Yet I find since my return, many in the States, and in Canada, are too well acquainted with the circumstan- ces of our failure and subsequent treatment to cast upon us any slur whatever. Men that have felt for the woes of oth- ers, and have felt it their duty to do all in their power to al- leviate our horrible sufferings, during our illegal confinenoent; i allhc they glel some long histo 1 PATiaOT EXILE. «?. although lliey have not hoc] it in thoir power to succeed as they have wished. loBut linnil y, at'tor a long and tedious strug- gle have had the sali.sl'action of iiearing and knowing that some, though not .-ill, have returned from hondago alter so long and indrscribablo a sorier, ot* ab ise, unparallekd in the history of civilizfilion; some of \^ hich 1 shall now, without any e.xngeration, atlemjit to d^\scribo. ' You will recollect our assembling in t'le woods, and our determination to do whul we considered best, which was for each man to take his own course in cndeavorijior to reach the ijnili3d States. h'ome, a.*^] I al'tcrwcirds learned, ruccoed- ed in so doing, — oliicr; were shot in the alLemj)t, while tho remainder were taken prisoners, and either condned or shot down by order of Colonel i'rince. Some may ask, why did you not make a forced march to tho rivor, take boats and cross over. To this 1 must reply, it was talked of, but our force, at that lim( , was not suilicient to insure F-uccess. — Some thought, the woods being very extensive, and supposing there were many "Pntriots living in that district, that we might fmally the most, or all of us, succeed in evading their search, and in time reach a ])lacoof .s;ifety. We accordingly separ- ated and I soon fvunid myself jnirsued by a man hollowing at the top t)f his voice, "Stop liiere, stop, 3-ou d d rebel, or I'll shoot you ! stop, slop!'' I was near a fence at that time crossing a lield, I proceeded to the fence, dropped on one knee, put my rifle through tho fence, took deliberate aim; he had a gun and was gaining on me — I had a canister of powder, j>oucliot balls, two pistols and aniOver-^-oat on, which prevented me from attem})ting to run. I saw all hopes of escape v»as useless; I discharged my rifle, but cannot say whether it hit the mark or not, for I did not look; but imme- diately rose and walked off. At any rate, I heard no more "stop there you d d rebel." You may ask, could you not have got along without fireing, I thought not, it was about three o'clock in the after noon of the day of our battle, I was very tired, and having fasted for nearly two days, [ was in great need of rest. After passing through a piece Df woods about three-fouiflis of a mile, I arrived at a clear- ing where was a house and barn, I concluded best to go into che barri and try to get some rest. I had been there but a few minutes when I heard the h'-'i' \ !■ J^-:'i. ."■1 ■ i V- 28 NAARATIVS 09 A \ •i; I ft f tramping of horsos, looked oi»t of the door and discovered, as near as I could judge, ten or twelve dragoons approach- ing. I had but little time to consider, out concluJed to as- cend the ladder to the hay-mow, dug a hole in the hay to some depth, pulled the hay down to make all as smooth as possible, and had just got a pistol in each hand as the door flew open; in they rushed crjing, *'ccme out you d d reb- el, we'll shoot you, we'll not lake you before the Colonel to bo shot; come out, come out we'll hang you!" said, some, others, "we'll quarter you and feed you to the hogs as we've just served one!" &c. &;c. They made a general search, two or three got on the hay-mow ran their swords down in many places, remarking "I'll fetch the blood from the damned rebel," and once or twice they came very near it. They passed over me several times, talked of burning the barn; but concluded as it belonged to one of their stamp, it would not do. They finally went their way remarking, "I don't think there is any one here I believe that d d Nigger lied." — When all was still, I went to the door looked out, but could see no one, I then went back and laid down to rest, and if all remained quiet, to take a short nap. It was now near sun- down. I disposed of some papers which had become of no use to me, and if taken might be of great damage. I had not laid over 20 minutes when the door was again opened, and three or four stepped in, walked across the floor several times saying, "if he is in here we will place a sentry at the doors and starve him out," and then went their way. Again all was still, and in tem minutes I was fast asleep. I had neg- lected to wind my watch, and on awaking could not tell how long I had slept; but it was dark and 1 should judge about 12 o'clock; I was somewhat refreshed by sleep it being the first I had received for two days and nights, having taken no food in the time felt a little hungry. I came cautiously down thinking they might be there, went to the door to see if they had placed sentries at the door, and on finding none, started out not knowing where or which way to go. 1 travelled until day-light principally in the woods, three times during the night I was near being discovered by Indians as I supposed by their talk; they passed within a few feet of me several times. -..i-i^T. ^-.//^ 'j^ ji v.Mu.i.ji^ .' On the approach of daylight I fouiid by self within tWehty imp thou with to p I ha then^ riot.s in F thin^ yean you ( in thi me " hesitf "No time "Are intenc intent three two oj pistols you m I saw repliec there;' search ; discovc dispatc but it \ that CO cernin^ talking it will I there w me on cured, i thinkinj ty pres( we had i » I V PATRIOT EXILE. 29 liscovered, approach- iJed to as- ihe hay to smooth as IS the door 1 d reb- Colonel to said, some, gs as we've Val search, Js dov.n in the damned i- it. They lebarn; but t would not don't think gev iied." — t, but could t, and if all V near sun- become of no I had not lopened, and levcral times .t the doors Again all I had neg- ,ot tell how Igc about 12 ing the first ken no food usly down see if they lone, started veiled until during the 1 supposed me several thin twenty rods of a fence, and about sixty rods from a house; it was impossible for me to travel fartlier williout food; I lliereforo thought it host to venture in and purchase (for 1 hnd money with me) if possible, somolhiiig to satisfy hunger. I therefore to prevent suspicion hid my rifle, but kept my pistols, which I had in a belt, and buttoned my overcoat which concealed them. 1 did not know hut they might bo friendly to the Pat- riots; — I knocked at tho door, and they birl mo conio in, in French. 1 asked tho woman if she would sill mo some- thing to eat; she did not understand me, hut a girl about six years old, I should judge, replied in very good engiisli, "yes sir you can have som':thing;" these two were the only poisons in the room. VVhile sitting at the table the little girl asked me "if I was a Patriot." Fearing notliing from them, t un- hesitatingly replied, "Yes, are not your folks Patriots?" — "No sir," said she, "my fatlier is not, but — " just at that time he came in tVom a back room, and asked in a loud tone "Are you a Patriot?" "Yes," said I, rising from the table intending to make my exit as soon as possible; he saw my intention, and quickly spoke in French, when to my surprise three large bony Frenchmen appeared at the same door; — two of them had large swords by their sides, and belts with pistols; tho other one had a gun. "You are my prisoner, you must go to Sandwich, with us!" said the man of the house. I saw I was fast, for the' present, at all events, and at once replied, "there is where 1 want to go, for I have some friends there;" hoping, by submitting willingly, that they might not search me; this had its desired effect; and as they could not discover my pistols, (my coat being buttoned) two lads were dispatched for their horses, and four were brought to the door, but it wanted the fifth, and it appeared there was no more that could be used; though they were talking in French con- cerning the fifth one, 1 could understand what they were talking about, and replied: — "If you have but four horses, it will be one for each of you, and I will walk." But as there was some woods to go through, they preferred having me on horse-back. After much talking a horse was pro- cured, and I was commanded to mount. I complied, still thinking it would not take long to dismount, if an opportuni- ty presented itself in passing through the woods, for t knew we had a mile or more to pass through; but to my disappoint* a .1«.V It • flip y H|t tm kK^^ '' '■^ pi; (i S|| j Wik'^'' Pol '' ^wHB'i' m ■' .»' i ■ ' 30 NARRATIVE OF A h> 'I I ■ r ment a ropo was produced and my /eet tied under tho horse's belly, to prevvmt mo from dismounling, for tliero was no Tear of my rnnning away from tliciri with it, for it was a poor old foundered iiorsc, with whic.ii it was inipossiblo to raise a trot. Some may say, "Ob! if I had been in your place I would havo done dilleront, you hr.d two pistols, why did you not shoot two of tlicin, nnd stand your clinnce to escnpe from the others?" but I presume you would not have done nny diilcr- eiU in my situation. Uccolloct my condition to contend with four very large and strong men, rilier being nearly tbrcedays and nights without sleep, with tiie exception of a few hours in the barn, fasting the whole lime, cxcopiing a sliort meal that morning; tnking these things into coni^idcraiion mc thinks you could not havo done much diflbrent. , - ■ ■ A j>re;iaration was made for a start, one on each side, ono behind and one before: on moving off I discovered the liltla girl drying her eyes with her apron, and two little boys with tears streaming down their cheeks, wh.ich convinced me that they were of dillerent cast than those in arms against me.— May God prt'tect them from harm, and as ihey grow up may they cherish and protect liberal jn-incipals. We were about five miles distant tl'om Sandwieii; on our way, the one on my right side was very free to lalk, he said '-No doubt Prince will have you shot at once, as wo havo heard he was . shoot- ing them down -as fast as they were brought in." "Shall I be brought at once before him?" "Yes," he replied. You may think it strange, but from that moment 1 came to the conclusion to commit an act which to many, no doubt would, appear horrible; but let them consider my situation — no hopes of escape — about to bo ushered into the presence of a demon, who was deliberately murdering better men than he ever was —feeling confident that pleading would avail nothing — being aimed with pistols, I had nothing to hope on my arrival bo- foi'e such a cowardly tyrant; — I came to the full determina- tion on approaching him to draw my pistols and rid the coua," tfy of one of Britons favourites, Colonel John Prince. But luckily for him, and perhaps for me, the would be lord was wl, his dinner. V Oci my approach to the jail} I wa,j accosted by as ma.nj •ir^AMikii g!et wound the borse^ ci'yingaut: — <' We've gotyoy^ K! PATKIOfT EXILE. »1 ho horse's hero was )r it was a )Ossiblo to [•e I would d you not e from tho any ilillcr- nt.'nd with three days . low hours sliort meal 1 inc thinks h r>id?, ono ■d tho littlo e boys with Ljcd nic that ainst iTie. — •ow up may were about ) one on my ubt Prir.co was shoot- ''Shnll I ied. You ame to tha ubt would, -no hopes jr a demon, e ever was ing — being arrival bo- deter mina* bd the couD.- ince. But Q lard waa 'i i dismount, we'll have a fine shooting match, to-morrow! we'v* got eighteen rebels in jail here, they'll all be shot or hung; the Colonel says he'll not wait for orders. Furthermore, your go:)d President says in a late |)roclamlion, 'the Patriots are all a set of robbers and horsothieve;;,' and well have you all shot !" ''its a d- d lie," said a man at the top of his voice, at the snme time making his way through the crowd, "I was at tho IJMrrncks at the engagoinnnt and 1 know it to be a lie; they beiiavcd like bravo and honest men, they took me and thiriy-seven oihcr prisoners, treated us like gentlemen, took nothing from us but our guns, told us it was not for plun- der they had come to Caiiada,but to protect us and all who might throw themselves under tlieir protection. Women and chil- dren cnme out crying *for God sake spare them !' they wore 'old to go bnck to their houses, and renriiu quiet, for neither they nor their propei-l y sliould be hurt if it vvas in their pow- er to prevent it; and I know says he there was no property meddled with, or deleneelcss womt^n or cliildron in any man- ner molested to m}'- certain knowledge; for while we were prisoners before and afterward?, wo had a fair chance to know, and for God sake," said ho ''trrat thoin with more ci- vility." Two or throe othei's hollowed out, "treat them like men, and not so mi]ch like brutes, for they behaved like gen- tlemen to us.'' However such talk did not sound well in their ears. ''Away with him!" "Away with him ! !" was the prevailitK^ cry, "listen not to such speeches, it sounds too much like rribellion in our crunp, nway with him," and I was pushed through tho crowd into tho hall, but in getting through my overcoat was pulled off. "Oh ! the d d rebel, he has got two large |)istols and a Bouioknife !" (It was a dirk about ten inches long.) a number of hrxnds were trying to find their way into my j)oekets, for all prisoners were plundered of money watches fine boots clotlios and caps or hats that were of any value, as soon as possible. I wns soon in the presence of three or four of Her Majes- ties Bsquires; — "Well," says they "you rebels did not suc- ceed in taking Canada, I suppose you are one, are you not?" "I owe the Queen no nllegiance, consequently am not a reb- el, as you term me," was my reply. "Oh that'll do ! these pistols and dirk, with the powder and balls, sotisfies us for the present; put him in the cells!" I was ushered from their fQ li, ifii 'hi NARRATIVE OP A ■< '} I fV • i I presence, which I did not much desire, into the presence of a gentleman by the name of Joshua G. Donn, in a snug little cell, and was soon introduced to him I)}' a pair of the Queen's Jewels, attaciicd to our wrists and uncles. These Jewels as they were called, wore, and had been, in great use in Cana- da, and much worn by a great many honest and good men. 1 soon learned from iiimthc account of liis cnplurc, together with seventeen oli)ers, wlio wore conlined in dill'erent parts of the jail, all stiongly ironed. Mr. Doan told mo tjjat ho togeliicr with sixotiiers had been brougljt there thai morning in a waggon; C-olonel Piinco met them near tiio jail, and ordered the driver to wheel and drive to the comniuii, a lar^o open field, and ho would send a detachment of soldiers, and liavc them shot at once. "Preparations were mnkiug," said iMr. 1). "the soldiers ap- peared, and we were . ^m .oiu uu oi«« bna ivv? ■i^tiUm. fooiiO")! al- ii ( 1 r:| Ik NARRATIVE OF A ! ■I ( ; I ware "ready, march !" About five miles farther, and we halted before another grog shop, and about the same ma- IkCBuvering here as at the former place; aAer sitting another hour, shivering and freezing, bound tight together with irons, and receiving repeated insults, orders were again to march. Af^er traveling seven or eight miles farther we were ordered to turn out; some three or four on reaching the ground could not stand; being so long in one position, chilled, their feet frozen, the irons being so tight as to prevent the circulation of blood, were obliged to be carried or led into Fort Maiden.— 1 think there were twenty eight of us ail in one room, about twelve by eighteen. It is impossible to describe fully our sufferings, during our seven weeks stay at that place; 1 shall, however, attempt to give you a faint description of a part. Previous to our leaving Sandwich we were separated, or in other vords changed partners, which was universrlly the rule, ofier being a short time together, to prevent plans of escape. I was at this time chained whh a man by the name of Daniel Swetman who afterwards proved himselftobea traitor, and Queen's witness; but I considered him no worse than hundreds, who had deserted us, on our attempt to erect the struidard of Liberty in Canada. He was taken out and questioned three times during our stay there; I mistrusted him the first time, and when he came i)ack, 1 asked him if he was about turning Queen's witnoss, (we had to speak in a whis- per) he replied "yes, and there is a chance for you, they say they want some more." "You tell them for me, that they may go to the d 1 for Queen's witnesses, for my ooth would not allow me to hang my companions in a good cause.'* "Well," says he "do as you likcj but I am one and j ahall hang Perley, Cunningham, and Doan." "Could you I not have got along by hanging one?" said I. He replied, ^*No, 1 tried hard, but they told me I must go as high as three.'* I told him "there was no need of his swearing against Doan, for his fate was sealed." "Well," says he ■ay nothing, I will try to get along without hanging any if possible." "Do," says I, "it is a hard thing to die in a good oause, but its harder to hang three better men than you ever] was, to save one, according to your principle, a curse to him* .aelf and the world. I pray you consider what you are about t'1 tie looked rather sour and said no more for some time, hel 19 a FATRIOT CZfLi td » same ma- ng another • with irons, 1 to Doarch. ere ordered round could their feet rculation of , Maiden.— room, about e fully our ace; I shall, of a part. Bparated, or versrlly the ^ent plans of »y the name nself to be a lim no worse [T.pt to erect iken out and I istrusted him \ im if he was ik in a whis- ou, they say le, that they | for my oath " IS in a good am one and "Could you 1 He replied, as high as is swearing ill,'* says he iging any if lie in a good an you ever :urse to him* are about t" )me time, he was shortly aHerwarde, called out agaii. I then .onsidered it my duty to inform them of his des'^, the} »ied thej could not believe it, *^What I tell you is true,*' aii'd I, t' yw were afterwards convinced of the fact. 1 might aay me jU more on this subject but it is painful. To return. We were twenty-four hours in this place oe- fore we received any food, the door was then opened, a large bucket of Beefs head boiled, and in the water, was set down in the middle of the floor; the man said nothing, turned and went off, we waited sometime, thinking he would return with some implements, not of war, but to attack the bullock's head with. You may judge we were very hungry, and the centry said there wus no signs of his return, that we might manage it as we could. You recollect we were strongly ironed, two together hand and foot, and but one hand at lib* erty; two approached the bucket, and with one hand, man- aged to extract a liitlo from the head, both obliged to kneel to sup a little of the broth, which was warm and revived us a little; this couple then stepped back, and another approach- ed and performed in like manner; though each one took but little, tliree or four that were last had nothing, we informed the centry of it, he said he would see if his mess-mates, which were in the adjoining room, had not a little to keep them from starving, they sent us a little bread and soup. ^?omeof the regular soldiers, in the absence of officers, felt disposed to assist, us at times, in that way. They, mostly all, knew how to pity our suflering, and would often assist if it was in their power, but are generally compelled to be tyrants, es- pecially in the presence of their officers. Messrs. Woodman, Sweet, Higgins, myselfand two or three others suflered extremely by frozen feet They were so Bwolen in a few days after our arrival there, that we were obliged to cut our boots from our chains down, as the chains prevented us from getting them off. Any one that has ever had frozen limbs can judge our situation, for weeks they felt as though they were in hot embers. Many had their ancles 80 swolen by the small clevises, that they suffered extremely, it was with much difficultv that thev were removed, and re> placed with larger ones. I solemnly declare to you that our sufferings here were almost beyond endurance, and as this ia a sample of our treatmenl for about nine months in ^ ^' I*:*,' 9d NARftATlVfi OF A » *k ; I : h difierent prisons, until our arrival at Kingston or Ft. Honry, it inducoH mo to bo rnoio particular, indiscribing somo of thom. Look for a moment at our prison, and thoro beliold twenty- oight mqn in a small room, situated on the beach of lako Erio in the miilHlo of winter, without fire, or bedding of any kind, fastened togelher by twos, not more than half enough to eat, and that filthy, and ol tiie coarsest kind, and nothing to cat it with; somo obliged to sit while others were trying to sleep, by lying upon their hacks or faces, if one siiould stir in tho least without tho knowledge of the other it would cause him to cry out, 'you are tearing my ancle or wrist oir," and per- haps one would want to gel up to go to tho fiih whicli was sit- ting in one corner of the name room, but could not go without his mate, who was perhaps nslecj), and in getting to it, obliged to pass over others, that were sleeping, cnusing them to cry out, "get off! Oh God ! your are killing me !" oth- ers, "you aro breaking my legs !" "you are breaking my head!" "Oh! get off of my arms!" tS^c. tVat were h only two St drop of I can as- ly near ac- lo foe, we of the in- r a change doubt you [en off, not e of wash« e were not .eing there number of them were ject was no Lie? tke re. |e a British after iho and colli* manded to surroiid.n*. ''What will l)0 done with mo if I do 1'' said ho, "Vou will bo shot iniinodialoly, on boing brought be- fore Col. l'rii;co." '''I'hen." says ho, ''I may as well die hero !" Ho was a Kculuckiiin, ^lood six foot two inches, and largo in piuporiiuii; ho went at ihoin kilUd ihroo and wound- ed foUi' uiii( IS, hcfurc ihoy i.uc*.;ocdc(i in pinning him to the ground wiili liK'ir hayonoty. lie was killed, iiowovor, on tiio spot, fought to iho lust with dole.' mined fury, with a largo bowio-unifo. »Sumo others who luid the same kind o{ woaj)- ons, I id done likewise, .-vi- i.. ,.. -, r i.,.* .,.ii ♦ We wero now aboMt to Icavo this place, after remaining hero nbout seven weeks in the siluation above partly describ- f^d, (lor 1 want in la'tguago to do justice in desciibin,!^ tiio lux'i'ors oi' liMt |dicr'i) an oHio(.'r c;uno t') tho door, cried out, ••j'ropare to move." Illic^sthall live minules a lilucksniith was m o'lr ro>Mn, with astron*^- guard at iho door, six were soon overhauled, and niarched out, proriciuly six more, "that'll do for the present," said llioy, it appeared they were alVaiu to lake all at onco. 1 .•. ill hero remark that tho snnie chanoJiig j)riiiiiois was observed iiere as well as on our com- ing to this |daee. I was now chained with Cunningham; Swoelmui iiau i>'onc, jinil 1 was not sorry. Consider mv sit- nation during seven weeks chained to a Queen's witness, in that horrible plaee; many times wishing to converse or ask favors which were natural in our silualiun; but did not, moro than possible. _^r ' • ,■ >< s Foi:r days from tlio lime the first wero taken, tlicsamo call was I'vv iho remainder, twelve occu|)ying tw(^ sleighs, and the other tour one sleigli. Uations were weighed out for all, but on our wav was robbed of the mest of ours. There was a larcrt; ti'ain ofhorse guards in the rcir as well as fn^nt of tho sleighs wo occupied. They would not tell us where we wero bouiid but wo concluded to London, as wo had heard a Court Martial was there sitting, and at liie exj)iration of three days, arrived at that place. The same rules w« re observed as well in this journey as in the former, we were not allowed to leave our position during the day, while they called at every grog shop. We suficred much with cold, hungern^iand the tightness of chains. On calling at a tavern near night on the first day of our journey, a man came out a,nd inquired who we were, 88 NARRATIVE OP A »f ,'i • i i..t on being told, replied, "I will bring you something to eat, we thanked him kindly, and he soon returned, but as he was handing us some pies and cakes, was commanded to be off. He replit'd "It is a shame to treat men in that manner, freez- ing and starving," he seemed determined to help us; but in the act wns knocked^ down and crually beaten. We pled and begged for God soke not to kill him, at the srinie time trying to get to his assif-lance, but was ov- rpowercd and forced to submit. I believe if our chains had boen off at that time, not a man of us would have left the sp t alive; but I am convinced that there are times when a man cnnnot fight until he dies. A short time after leaving, I asked the driver if he knew the man's name thnt gave the orders for that man who was so crually benlcn, not to gi-^ous the pics nnd cakes. *'Noneofyour business," was tiio reply. Said I "it is evident he is a Queen's man." "Yes," said he. "Well is he a sample of your tories?" 1 asked. "Yes, uid if you don't behave pretty well you'll get the same treUme-.t," continued the driver, "well i'f that is a sample Lord deliver inc from ever becoming a Que' n's man," I re])lied. About this time a woman came running down to the road from a house stamiing some twenty rods hack, crying at the top of her voice, "Wiiat's the matter ? what's the matter?" Some one thinking to frigh!r>n the o'd lady, repliel in a high tone, "The rebels are coming through the country driving all before them !" "I aw; glad on't ! yes I am plad on't for 1 liave been praying for it t;;o.;e two years." One of our men cried out, "God bless you good woman!" One would have thought, fr ni the r n -tions, that they would shoot the old lady as well as the whole of us; however it passed off and no harm done. '-*-"'"' ''^-'•^ *^«' r^^ii.--:^ '»"a*-^ .'._m'M-^}^f^ It was by this time near night, and they began to talk about a place to put up, one of them "replied there is an able Scotch farmer aiwut a mile ahead, he is a rebel and weMl make l>im keep some of us," we were soon in front ol' his door, t!ie gentleman of the house appeared. "Well old man you must entertain some of your stamp to night." "I be- lieve theft they are not only geiitlemen but would be willing to accommodate me under the same circumstances," replied the old man. "Well, well, none of your preaching old man, yro want the strongest room iq the house for these men, don't i feii I want I selvc I room I the b ; to pr( ^ ever the In "01) ] The hear . soon grace tyrant renieii house the go dy yoi table, it to til ought then n freezii: your fc this ini we had two mc and wij As V ing by "I don' let you boards i clothes; whisper rather c their cl( time, th diately < are so d tb€m ag to tell h( I PATRIOT EXILE. as want any beds for tlicm, but wnnt nil youv'e got for our- selves." Nothing ofcohbcqucnco was farther baid. I'^verv room in iiis house was ' rr- 40 NARRATIVE OP A ,'« >> i ' mined forover." At last sho witlidrow remarking, "Oh, my God! my Ood ! At nil events, ihr^ro slinll bo fi firo in the room." I'hongh the firo lelt comfortable, (for it was tho first we bad seen for two months cf severe cold wealiier,) it appeared as though we would bo onten up alive t!int night. — About sunrise wo were oi'dere 1 to turn out, got into the sleighs and was soon on our way. Travelled that day about the same as the day previous, cold and htmgry. Second night no lire, nothing to eat but a hard buiscit and a small slice of raw pork; ihird night, fare about the sam.o, excepting much insult and abuse, by a party of blnckc^unrds telling us at intervals through the night, that we "would nil Ito hung in the course of two or three davs, that the han'rinG: had com- menced, they had seen ten of the rebels hung that morning, and was going to London to see us hung. Yoh had better let me have your money, and nil your things, for you will not want them much longer, them boots, tiiat cap, coat, vest, pan- taloons, ceed in search of some rebels who, it was said, were assembling for the purpose of liberating the pris- oners; whether this was the fact, I do not know; at any rate, our chains were examined, and a double watch placed over us from that time until our arrival at London. : - .?jo- ' On our arrival at this place, we found seventeen or eigh- teen that were at the crossing, on the morning of the 4th December, near Windsor; perhaps some, or all, had been in the battle. They were taken prisoners, some twenty or thirty miles from Sandwich up the St. Clair Rriver, and were taken from thence direct to London, C. W. A Court Martial was now in session, some had been tried, and two under sentence of death, when we arrived. -^^ ^J^^ ^' '■ 1' I I PATRIOT EXILE. u "Ob, my ire in the ii ,/• i ; was tho ■ilhor,) it t night. — into the flay about Second id a small excepting telling us )0 hung in ; had com- t morning, d belter let ^u will not , vest, pan- ■e rorlunate Lir clothes, ;| ;e with ver- ^lean ones, e Canadies would not that wo X changing e. They they wero lio, it was g the pvis- |t any rate, aced over CHAPTER III. ,'ja liOi The Trial, S^c. [ I have not room to detail all the abominable and corrupt ])roceedings of the party in power at that place. I will here remark that their whole proceedings respecting our trials and alter detention as prisoners, were all illegal, and has been pronounced so by some of the most able lords in England, as well as many in Canada and Van Dieman's Land, and ought to be so pronounced by all good citizens of the United States. Still we have been allowed to be kidnapped and dragged through Canada, thence across the ocean to a Penal colony, and there doomed to sufferings unparalleled. But I believe about this time, Mr. Van Buren's son was in England, and as I understood, had the extreme felicity of kissing the Queen's hand, which might be considered by some as an off- set for any depradations her subjects might see fit to commit upon the persons or property of citizens belong- ing to the United States. But to proceed ; our treatment in London was similar to that in Maiden, only we were con- fined in cells ; but each cell was crowded lull. We were not given half enough to eat, and that of the most filthy nature, which was handed to us through the diamond hole. It was so dark ..s to be almost impossible to distinguish what it was, but we could discern enough to know that it was not fit for hogs to eat. We had no bedding allowed us, and the tub, for our use, which stood in the corner, often remained for two or three days before we could prevail on the turnkey (who was a brute, in every sense of the word,) to cause it to be emptied, which, with close conlinement, made our impris- onment horrible to endure. Examinations soon commenced, by taking us one at a time, before two men selected for the purpose, when wo were asked many questions; but we soon discovered that their object was to cause us to criminate ourselves, at the same time tell* ing us we need not fear, for what we acknowledged to them would not be brought up against us at our trials. Now th* I,*: W:y\ ■■!V \f\ i' ' * I h f . » !'t; 4t NARRATIVE OF A most of us knew too well their object, and was determined to say but little. They commenced with me in this manner : " Did you cross over on a steam boat on the morning of the 4th of Dec, with nn armed force, and land near Windsor? Come, tell us all, wo will promise it shall not be mentioned on the day of trial ; we are friends to you and want to know all, so that wc can assist you all in our power, at your trial ?" After waiting a little ; "Come," said they, " go on ; tell us all about il : tell the whole story ; it will be better for you." A short pause ; and " Come, go on with }our siory." ' Now I was not in a very good iiumor, Imowing their evil desires. I replied to all their questions, that I had nothing to say, at present. " Did you not cross over on Lhat boat, with an armed force? come, goon with the stcry ; tell us all about it," I have nothing to say, at present, 1 repeated. "Take him away," said one, " and bring in another :" and so on, until all had been overhauled. Some acknowledged more than others, and every word was recorded, and presented on our trial ; before the court martial, so called. O! that I had room to go through v/ith all the intrigue and deception prac- ticed by that corrupt court. Every imaginary measure was ^^sorted to to prevent the prisoners from having a fair trial. About this time we were moved about from cell to cell, being separated as often as possible to prevent us from agree- ing too, or planning any means of defence. We were not allowed council, except of their own choosing, which was of their own kind, and with them in league to |)lea£^e their be- loved Governor, Sir George Arthur, who delighted in deeds of blood, and who caused fifteen hundred human beings to be extended between the heavens and earth, during eleven years of tyranny in Van Dieman's Land : and through his orders were the aborigines of tho Island hunted down and cruelly murdered. He was at this time in Canada, and had com- menced the same slaughter among all those that dared to assert their rights against tyranny. We were brought before crouching menials p,nd petty office-seekers, who /are ever ready to stoop to any act to obtain their ends, even to delib- erately murdf ring better men than they ever were. And why t because the very government under which they serve, sanctions it, and have to resort to such means to support monarchy, and awe the people into subjection. You have onl/ : 1J Sixes; evidei but th to sus out of three oners to pro( of us their j it grie from lives, to kinc lasting than b tho mi gallowi 60 that end st against Benjan in the ^ so that the rof were n( He difec one, an belie ve( and goc It so tried. ( any of i PATRIOT EXILE. if to refer to the past history of England to know the fact. I might present nifiny proofs on this subject, but 1 slmll leave it tor tho present. 1 rnus: observe, iiowever, that I believe there are a great many good men liolding olHce, notwith- standing, 1 believe tliere is great need of reform in general; so that those who have good desires may have a chance to manifest them for the good of the people We were brought before the court in twos, threes and sixes; and in no case, less than two. It was necessary to have evidence, which could have been obtained nmong themselves; but that would not do, as it would give the j)cople a chance to suspect them of b-irolhccd bribery. They must h.ive some out of our party, and I am sorry to suy, obtained two or three by threatening to hangtiieni if they refused ; the pris- oners not being awn re that this was the way they managed to procure witnesses in cases of emergency. But the most of ns knew ih; ir intentions and wai-ncd others to be on their guard, and not satisfy them in that respect. Oh, hovr it grieved us to behold some, at the prospect of death, shrink from di'.ty and c-nuse others lo be hung, to save their own lives, after havins; faced death in almost every form, 'i'hanks to kind iJeaven, it was considered by most of us, as an ever- lasting disgrace, and were willing to die ourselves, rather than be the cause of convicting one of our associates. In the midst of ihe trials executions wer^ taking place; the gallows was erected at the front of the jail, close to the wall, 60 that the doomed ones could walk out at a door in the sec- ond story on a platform, when the drop was cut it fell against the building, and was audibly heard by us inside. — Benjamin Lynn, 1 believe, was the first; he had been wounded in the wrist, and having no care taken, mortification ensued, 80 that he was not expected to live twenty- four hours when the rope was put round his neck ; but the bloood-hounds were not to be so disappointed, and he was soon despatched. He difed in full faith tdat the cause he espoused was a good one, and was sorry he could not live lo see Canada free. He believed it would be so at no distant day. Lynn was a brave and good man, and was the Adjutant to our forces. It so happened that I was one of six that were the last tried. George Putnam, the witness, was asked if he knew any ot* the prisoners at the bar ; when looking at each ont I : ' mi •I \ , J - u i in ft i ii ii; ;: r. r . ' Hi . 1' i i ' '! ;^ 1 f i 44 NARRATIVE OP A for a moment, he replied, "Yes, 1 know Mr. Marsh." He was then asked if he knew any more of them ; to which he answered "No.'* VVell, go on and tell iis all you know about Marsh. Was he not in the engagement at Wind- sor ?" •' He was." How was he armed ; come, go on, tell the whole story ? "He was armed with a rifle, brace of pistols, and dirk." Did he hold a commission ? "He did." VVhat was it ? "A Lieutenant's." 1 was then told by the Judge if I wished to ask the wiiness any questions, I must address myself to him and he would put them to the witness. Now I had intended to say sonaetlijng, but when I saw their manner of proceeding, and the lawyer se- lected by thcni as dumb as a brute, — to tell you the truth, I was so provoked I could not utter a word ; besides I knew it was of no use for me to attempt to speak at any length, so I merely remarked, that it was useless for me, or any of the prisoners to say a word, for sentence was passed before wc were brought into the presence of the court : it's in your })ower to do with us as you please. The lawyer then wjspered in mv ear — "tell them vou throw yourself on the mercv of the court." There is no mercy here, I replied. — The court were at this time in a little room where the grog was deposited, which room they visited very often, and were heard to laugh and talk for a few minutes, then return and proceed with the trials. The prison- ers were obliged to stand in the box the whole time. We had suffered much, and many were very unwell ; one man fainted, and was obliged to be carried out, yet there w^e had to stand during the whole trial, I will briefly remark that this was the manner of procedure during the term of trials. I understood at the time, that Albert Clarke had not a word of testimony against him, but the court concluded, as he was a good looking man, he might have been an officer, and thought it best to hang him ; accordingly he was hung. No man re- ceived a sentence at the bar ; as soon as tried, each one was ordered back to his cell without knowing what was to be his fate, until the sherif ckme to the door, PATRIOT SXtlJlt flailed a name, and read the warrant, which gave some twelve, and some twenty-four hours, to prepare for death. I was at this time in a room in the second story, with ten others. Amos Pearly had just been notified to prepare for death the following day. During that day we discovered Sweetman, the Queen's witness, in the street, opposite the jail ; for there were two windows in that room. Pearly remarked that he wished he had his rifle ; and surely it was hard to see ai man at liberty who had escaped by swearing away the lives of his associates. Pearly was about to sufl'er death on his tes- timony, and there was no chance tor redress. Pearly had a cousin, who was a tory, and one of the court- martial, who seemed disposed to show him no mercy. That night he was taken out of our room and put into the condemned cell, which was the last we ever saw of him: he talked to us on the subject, before leaving, and said he meant to meet his death like a man; that he had committed no crime — said much of the cause of our failure, and believed their executions would have a ten- dency to exasperate the people; and he hoped, if he could not live to see it, that Canada might yet be free ; that we, also, might yet be set at liberty, and hoped, if any of us were doomed to follow him, we would not shrink from duty, but with our last breath, declare the cause which we had engaged in, to be just and holy; and although we had failed, it was not our fault. He talked much on the subject: he was a good scholar, and a good man. Joshua G. Doan, Albert Clarke, Daniel Bedford, Amos Pearly, Hiram Lynn and Cornelius Cuningham^ were the six men executed at this place. I believe that Arthur had signed the death warranto of others, but all, at once there appeared something which convinced him that there was illegality respecting our trials ; the aef under which we were tried had previously been sent to England for sanction, but was condemned. They kMl 4» 46 NARRATIVE OF A . i) ,; .1 ii ^fl; .ik commenced hanging, supposing the act would be sanc- tioned by the home government, and what was to be done ? there had already been some 20 or 25 illegally executed. Arthurs blunders must be plastered over in some way, as similar acts of Governors in Canada, as well as otiier of her Majesty's colony's had been done before. 1 know that among many people^ there are many minds, but it was and still is my opinion that we were not guilty of any crime; and were not tried according to the laws of any nation, and sullered the extreme penalty — not of law, but of power. I believe those that sulil-red upon the gallows were murdered men, and those that were sent to Van Dieman's could, if they had friends and means, bring an action against the English government for lalse imprisonment. 1 am not alone in this belief, but some of the ablest men in England, as well as the greatest counsellor in Van Dieman's Land has told us that the English govern- ment expected it would be done as soon as we were hberatcd. They laugh in their sleeve to think and know that they have so long detained the citizens of the United States illegally, without their daring to resent it. We remained in London about three months, and my treatment had been so severe, that the second week after my arrival at that place, being chilled through, and suHering from frozen feet, starvation, galling chains, vermin and filth, that I had a fever and pain in my breast, so that for six weeks I was not expected to live. There were a number alflicted in a similar man- ner. Dr. Moore seemed willing to do all in his power for us; I believe he was a reformer at heart, and wished to be so by practice. Mr. David O. Marsh, who was living in London, heard of one by the name of Marsh, that was a prisoner, and very sick; he called, and by much persuasion the turnkey consented to let him come to the door. We had not much time to talk, to know whether we were in any manner connected, and he said he would try to assist me, but the turnkey was m say, lor got on. we were FATRIOT EXILE. 47 such a tyrant he did not know as he could, but would try. I thanked him, and he went away; in about an iiour nny name was ealled by the turnkey, and as the door opened. Mr. Marsh ap))roacIied with a blanket, which he gave me, and also a bowl of porage, which relished very well. The turnkey remarked, tliat if I was not sick, this would not be allowed. J unrolled the blanket, and found about 3 lbs. of tobacco, which I thought was intended for all in the room, and accord- ingly gave it out to those that used, 1 was called as often as once a day till 1 got butter. The turnkey would say, "here is a buwl of gruel iMrs. Marsh has brought for J uu." {She sent or brought Indian meal gruel till I got so that 1 could eat other tood. Their kmdness to me at that time will not be forgotten. Some may say, *' Are you not doing wrong in men- tioning their names ]"' Jt 1 was not confident there was no danger, be assured I woukl not do it. I was given to understand that he, Mr. Marsh, had spoken to the Doctor respecting my need of something of the kind, and of course, the jailor could not refuse; so no thanks to the turnkey, who was daily in the habit of purloin- ing things that were sent to the prisoners. We found out we had a great many iViends in and about London, who brought in a jireat manv things, and which he promised the donors he would deliver to us, but we did not receive half. He would not let any one come to see us, but said he would hand it in. After we had found han out and accused him of it, he would abuse us and treat us like so many dogs, and a great deal worse than they treat their dogs. Elijah C. Woodman, whose family was living in the place, was with us, and in the room v^^ith me. He told me a circumstance that occurred the vear before, when the reformers were hunted down and thrown into pris-i on, among whom was Mr. Marsh and himself, and were imprisoned in that jail. It v/as crowded to its fullest extent during the first year of the out- I! .r VI : '• li,, «■■ h ii m '■'; !■ :;ir: I I'i i;. •r t I : 1 i I ' ; I •I I 48 NARRATIva Of A break, Hkewise all the jails in the province. He said Mr. Marsh had been put in for a witness against some of the reformers. His wife came as often as possible to bring him whatever she might be allowed to. Says she, ** don't you swear against the reformers, not in any case; do you stay in jail till you rot, first; I will manage to got you something to eat, and if I don't, do you die before you swear against your friends." He did not, and after keeping him a long time, they were satisfied it was no use to keep him longer, so liberated him. A number in the room said, '* Well, I don't know wiiat others may think, but I think that is just such a wife as I should like." I remarked to Mr. Woodman, that I thought he was blest with a, wife of the same stamp, for she came to the room soon after we arrived there and told him not to swear against any of his comrades on any account, **Ycs says Woodman, my wife is a regular down easter, a yankee. I might say a great deal respecting our stay at this place, but as it might not be inten^sting to many, I shall pass on. After Iho execution of those belbre mentioned, and the liberation, of somq of the younger ones, there was a compa- ny of us, eighteen in number, started for Toronto, in waggons, on the first day of April, 1839. We were near a week on our journey, treatment as usual. You must know our sufler- ings were not light; some of us quite unwell, and with our frozen feet and galled ancles, climbing back and forth in the waggons, chained, or rather, lastened with clevis and pin, which held us still closer together, for we were fnstened by pairs, however, we were glad to leave London, where we had seen so much inhuman treatment. We were still more re- joiced, if possible, on leaving the waggons; not, however, for a better place, but one, if possible, worse than the place we had left. Now some might say, if I had been one, in trav- eling from London to Toronto, I would have made my es- cape. But if it could be possible for you to know our condi* tion, you would not think it in our power. It was now warm weather, and our treatment had been so bad, the vermin in- creasing at the approach of mild weather^ and many, or all^ " ^'•ftl^aESESfcWfc PATRIOT EXILE. 40 in poor health, and very much reduced, it was as much as wo could do to get in and out of the waggons, especially, alter setting all day, for wo were not allowed to got out but once during the day, and at night to lay down on the floor with- out any bedding, in the morning eating a little, start ofl*, and a bit of hard bread thrown in to each waggon for us throtigh the day. Finally, taking all things into consideration, my opinion is, you could not Ijave made great progress in oscape- ing. On our arrival at Toronto, we were put into the jail, in a hall that was occupied during the day by thirty or forty, and at night all locked in dillcrent cells — from five to eight in a cell. Tiio jail was crowded full: sonr»e crazy, some for murder, some for stealing, some for desertion, and various other crimes. Tiiis old jail, as well as all otiiers, was alive with vermin. It is out of my power to describe this place, and our leeiings at our entrance, and during seven weeks confinement in this horrible i)lace. Our rations were hardly sufficient to keep us alive, what there was, was more fillhy, if possible, than any before. Bullock's heads, boiled with a very i'ew peas, that the rats had been among, and I de- clare it was impossible to tell, many times, of what our scan- ty meal consisted, it aj)peared to be their intention to poison us here. The bullock's heads were boiled with brains, teeth, and often the hair was so thick in the broth, together with the etfecls of rats and mice, that we could not stomach it, we came to the conclusion that our days would be ended here. Many of us lived on three quarters of a j)ound of bread per day, during our stay there. I must here mention, that after we had been two weeks in this place, a gentleman by the name of Richardson, a Methodist Minister, residing in the city, visited us, he said he had heard of our condition, fearing we could not long survive under such treatment, had brought with him what we most needed, excepting liberty, which was a large basket of provisions, he said he had tried to see us be- fore, but was not allowed till then, and expected that would be the last. He sloped a l"ew moments, and comforted us in our affliction, by telling us he could not say fisr certain, but he be- lieved it was their intention to liberate us in a short time. This kind act was received with greatful hearts, was often spoken of, and I believe will not be easily forgotten by any U t ■ r f < !) » S I iir IJ 50 NARRATIVE OF A tt U( of US. Tlicro vvcro sonrio others who visited us, but very few with iho sanio feelings of Mr. II. • My iTiulhcr called on a Col. I'oolh, ct Lundy's Lane, lo enquire if ho couk) give her nny inlbrni.ition resj)ccting the removal of tho prisoners from London to Toronto. *'VV hy," said he, ''what do you want to Ivnow nhout Ihwn? luivo you any friends amongst thoni ?" '"Yes, I have a son a prisoner ihcre." The brute replied, "(lod Damn him, W' "11 hnng him, the d d rebel, we'll hnng him," a', iho Mamo time calling a guard and threatening to put her in the uatch-hourso. Iloap- peared in a great rage and observed, "who knows but what she lias s,omo sharp instrumr^nt about her." 1 suppose the no- ble Col. had been taking a little tomuo!), I hope lie will nev- er come in my way. l)y the kind inierfercnco of some friends she esca;.ed the watch-house, and loarned ofsomo ono more disponed to givo her information, that v/hicli convrnced her of my being at ToroiUo. She immediately sot out upon the journey, which was some fifty miles. »Sho came into the jail and enquired if I was there, and if she coulfl have the privilege of seeing mo. , Tlio turnkey replied that 1 was there, but that he had orders not to lot any one in to see tho prisoners, however, ho would seo Mr. Kidd, the jailor. Mr. Kidd consented to let me come down and sec her a few min- utes, wo were up stairs at tho time. Tho turnkey came up and told mc that my mother was below, waiting to sea me. Now, reader, I was glad and I was sorry, to appear as I was, dirty and lousy, and looking very poor, for 1 had been sick, and I knew it would make her feel bad, to see me looking so. I arranged my apnarel as well as I could, and went down, you may judge of our meeting, for I cannot explain it. I had to equivocate a little, in answer to some questions she asked me, to spare a mother's feelings. I appeared as con- tented as possible. She said she had heard we were lousy and loaded with chains, with frozen feet &c. &c. O, says I, we stand i^ very well, I think we shall all soon be libera- ted, then I will tell you nil about it. She hod brought me some clothes, but I told her 1 would not take then), thev would be ruined, and I should be out soon. We had made prepar- ations to break jail, but were removed sooner than was ex- pected. Wo could not talk much, Mr. Kidd being present. PATRIOT EXILE. 51 She asked lilm if sho would bo allowed lo let mo kavo some verv few W irioncy, ho rrpliod '*ycs, but there is not much c.hanco of using it." I would not tnl;o but n dollar, thinking it would ho nil 1 should nocd, for I did not think of stopping there a long timo. Sho went nwny and returned the next dny, sho told me she hr d l)ccn to see Governor Arthur, I told her I was fiorry, for I l:nd intended not to ask any favours of tho old tyrant — wo had Jill conio lo that conc'usion. Jiount and Mathews were hung at tiiat place, and uhilc their wives were humbly pleaijing for their dead bodies, were spurned from his presence, VVo knew it was useless lo nppcal to him. 1 told her if I had known that sho was a goin,'^- to sro him, I should have strongly objected to it, yet I could not blamo her, know- ing th'it sho wirsh.ed to do all that was in her j)ower. Tho old reprobate lied to her, ho told her that wo would all be liber- ated in a few day?:, when at the same timo ho knew better, he came in to see us, but soon di-covcred that wo wero men diflercnt from ihoso ho had been in the babit of dealing with, no doubt he supposed wo would get down on our knees to him and beg for mercy, but instead of that, not a man saluted hirri by taking olTtho hat, which was customary in our situation, until requested by tho jailor. lie waited some time expect- ing that in acc;;rdar.cc with permission given, some one would ask of him some boon, wliicli wo knew ho stood ready to deny, but he had not tlio c'lanco. lie told us wc liad got into a bad scrape, and must expect to be punlsh-jd. Wc told him we did not consider the cause we had embraced a bad one, and be- lieved we had been ))unished sufficiently, as ho must know the cause which induced us to take up arms. "Rebellion is a great crime, and you ought io bo severely punished," said he. Your excellency will pleaso consider tho cause which led to rebellion, and you certainly cannot onsidcr it a very great crime. Nothing further was said, and ho withdrew, when a man that was in an adjoining room, who had heard all, re- marked, well, I guess he didn't make much out of you chaps this time. Sir John Colborn, Sir Francis Bond Head and Sir George Arthur, were all three tyrants an^ cowards, and backed by the same in England and Canada. It was by tho acts of such characters as these, that tho Canadies were well nigh ruin^ If I had room I would give you a description of the oha^ao {., i>% t »r. "rf-f- :ffj^' NARRATIVE OP A U :|p ter and conduct of these, and similar characters, which have been the sole cause of the rebellion in Canada. Just imagine what the acts of a tyranical, covetous, blood- thirsty, cowardly, selfish, overbearing, crouching, menial of- fice seeker, supporter of monarchy would be, and you can formsomeideaof the acts which led to rebellion, for you have the characters of the men that have govorned in the Canadies, I may say, ever since they have been subject to the crown of great Britain. I will refei- you to Gen. McLeods history of these men's proceedings, likewise Mr. Waits, Dr. Theller, L. Miller, and some others, as I have not room in this work, to do them justice. 1 must proceed. Whilst we were confined in this place, and likewise in all others, we were not allowed to write, except our letters were first read by the authorities, and if there was any thing in them that did not suit them, they were destroyed. Consequently, when we did write, were obliged to write lies to our friends,rep- resenling our situation dillerent from what it was, and often flattering those in power. Under those circumstances, we wrote but little, and our friends could not be fully apprised of our situation. Mr. Charles Fell, of Chipaway, will please excuse me, for taking the liberty in this, of thanking him, for his friendly visit to me, in this place, ("a friend in need, is a friend in deed.") Whilst we were there, a man by the name of Perry, a Catholic, from Ireland, who had been confined for some time, was let out about noon, he returned in about two hoi^rs, with his hands and clothes covered with blood. As he was shoved into the hall amongst us. "Well," said he "I've done it." Done what? says two or three at the same time. '*I have killed her," said he. It appeared that his wife had been the means of his previous confinement, as there had been gome difficulty betwen them, with regard to some property. On being let out, he went directly home, seized the axe, and killed her on the spot. He appeared to be deranged, and was to be executed the day after we left. This is a sample of the men we were confined with, in Toronto, during seven weeks. About the first of June, the SherifiT came to the door with a list in his hand, and commenced in this manner. "John B. Tyrrell, John Sprague, John Williams, John Simons, i^^^Siix. PATRIOT EXILE. 58 James M. Aichcnson, James P. Williams, James D. Fero, Alvin B. Sweet, Elijah C. Woodman, Henry V. Barniim, Chauncoy Sheldon, Robert Marsli, Samuel Snow, lilzur Ste- vens, Simeon Goodrich, MiclmelJVIurrav, William Nottage, Riley M. Stewart and Hoi'rac6 Cooley," added to our num- ber at Toronto, all of us answering to our names as they were called. Says he "prqiare for a move." In less than ten minutes a black smith was amongst us, and we were soon ushered forth; not as a wonder to the people of Canada, (for there had been so much wearing of the Queen's Jewels, in the Province, for the last two or three years, that it had he- . come no wonder,) but to take up our line of march, accom- ; panied by a strong guard, to a Steam Boat declc, amongst , cattle and hogs, during our passage to Kingston. As bad as , it was, we were glad of the change. Now some amongst us, were strongly of the opinion that when we left that place, it would be to, return home, consequently, we were not all^fi" a mind respecting a trial to (escape from Toronto jail, if caught in the act it would have a tendency to prolong our confine- ment, however, some were determined to try it, and would : liave made tlx3 attempt, but were called away just in time to prevent it. The jail was guai*ded out side, day and night. We had been waiting for some dark and cloudy night, whioh might assist us in the undertaking. ,^^ I wish the reader to bear in mind, that we had been tried, illegally, which, no doubt, was the reason we had notreceiv- , ed a sentence. On our arrival at fort Henry, we were put [ into different rooms, where were sixty-four confined, that had , been taken prisoners on the 16th of November, 1838, near Prescott, who 00 pressing had taken possession of a windmill, Gen. Van Schoultz at the head. Tho same mismanagement prevailed here as elsewhere. „^f ^.j,, j^.^.,, ,,,^ .,^,,^^^^^1 .j|.,,;jj.^jj iinihjntn- ) !f'^.ni3 QtU U^o *>->Jijj8 IrjJia'j-* w^^dmmjA r.dT ■''>b rioirly/ i\\ ",!uwi: ii'izM** 'mMmr<'. liK^ii-iif mU vd h^toma ■jmyAiotk oUn hiw hrAfunn vu' uMUi ;>iqv/ vni^irj on'j/io no If/it odJ at iisoih ')il: [fwii ir)f?(>r.,ifj^9i{j'nu "(liuUmd m hi>b3:>:> 'itoo mii niJL'd ,l\'iuwiivf/ oilMu iiam ioi\'io •>jii.'» jaihriol fefl ^■.\ • i r%, . ' m- ^ fc: i I 54 I- ^' '• II Ji' !i NAKttATlVK or A .1 I ; a CHAPTER IV. I . •-!• Battle of PrescoU. • ^ ^ /.^' i^ '•■; '>';■''' " ' ,.w ':,j; i. * ; /■ i: :, From Miller's work. "Early in November, 1838, the movements of the Patriots on our northern tVontier, indicated that renewed attempts were about being made for unfurling the standard of Liberty, in Upper Canada. The zealous watchfulness of the If. States authorities, and the indecision, mismanagement and, possibly, want of energetic courage in some of the leaders of the par- ty, divided, and finally withheld the main body of the inva- ders; but there were a few choice spirits who, shrinking from no (Miiger, and confidently relying upon the pledged faith of their compatriots, rushed boldly forward to pave the way for others. Their lender, Col. S. Von Schoultz, (a Pole, of no- ble extraction, who hadYought the battles of his own op- pressed country, and afterwards sought a refuge on our shores) was in every respect worthy to act in that capacity. With orders to storm Fort Wellington and unfurl his ban- ner upon its walls, (a preconcerted signal for the Canadians to join them,) he found himself opposite Prescoiton the mor- ning of the 11th, with two schooners, containing about 200 raen, arms ammunition, artillery, provisions, &c.; but un- happily, in an attempt to eiiect a landing at the wharf, both vessels ran aground, where one remained several hourly while the other eot clear, but was only able to make the Canada shore at Windmill Point, a mile below the Fprt. Here Von Schoultz landed his men, and took possession of a stone mill, and three out-buildings. The steamboat "tFnited States," and the small Canadian steam ferryboat were taken possession of by the Patriots, at Ogdensburgh, and after several attempts, in which they were opposed by the British steamer "Experiment," in which elev- en of the enemy were killed by musket and rifle shots, suc- ceeded in hauling off the schooner from the shoal in the river, and landfttg some of her men at the windmill, but in the con- fusion and mismanagement attendant upon the oppositions of FATftlOT -KXII.E. tho enemy, loft with nearly all tlie munitions of war so much needed by Von Schoultz and his party. In the evening, Col. Worth, of the United States army, arrived at Ogdensburg, with a detachment of troops, and a United States Marshal, and took possession of the steam- boats, schooners, &c., thus cutting off further supplies of men, arms, &c., from tho Patriots at the Windmill, who busied themselves during the night in strengthening their position, having been repeat^ly promised large reinforcements from the American shore since their landing. Alas! they were cruelly deceived. On the morning of the 12th, an attempt was made by the enemy to dislodge them. Three armed steamboats dropped down the river from Prescott, anchored opposite tho mill, and commenced throwing balls and bumb-shell.'-; at the same time the 8*)d regiment, supported by about 1200 provincial sol- diers, made their appearance in the open field in front, the latter forming the right and left wings. The Patriots now marched out and formed in line of battle, entrenching them- selves behind stone walls, ditches, &c. The enemy advan- ced to within about one hundred yards, and opened their fire, ^rhich was immediately returned with great spirit and effect. 1 he provincial troops were the first to retreat, leaving the d3d unsupported, and they too, after fighting bravely until lit- erally cut to pieces, retreated. Thus, altera desperate en- gagement which lasted upwards of three hours, this little handful of Patriots were left in undisputed possession of the field of battle, having fairly beaten more than eight times their number of the enemy. Their loss in killed and woun- ded was about thirty, while that of the enemy is said to have been nearly three hundred. The annals of history record but few victories achieved against such fearful odds, and prob- ably there never was a braver band of men engaged in deadly combat with British forces. During the engagement, tho American shore was thronged by thousands of spectators, who constantly cheered the Patriots, but that was all! No efforts were then or afterwards made to reinforce or bring them away. On the 14th, a flag of truce was sent by the British, asking permission of the Patriots (who occtipied the mill and stone buildings) to bury their dead, which was granted. On the i %■: i i t iil ^M q. • 'to NAtlRATIVE OP A ; i' I I ' I5tli, tlib enemy wore grently reinforced, and nil chnnce, ei- ther of escape or final success, cut off. On the 16th, the Pat- riots .sent out a flag of truce, the bearers of which were fired upon as soon as they made their appearance in the field. A white flag was at the same tinie displayed from the summit of the mill, but without being regarded. A little before sunset. Col. Dundas sent a flag summoning the party to surrender at his discretion, which was done. Thus ended this unequal and sanguinary contest? The loss of the vanquished party in killed and wounded, was said to have been less than fifty, while that of tljo victors was nearly six hundred. Of the captured Patriots, their bravo and noble leader, Von Schoultz,* Col. Abbey, Col. Woodruff,f Daniel George and 7 others, were executed; several of the youngest pardoned, and the remainder sent to Van Dieman's Land." The men here were astonished at our appearance. They would not have believed that our treatment had been as bad as we represented, if they had not have seen us on our en- trance at that place; we were so poor, ragged, dirty and lou- sy, and after beholding the galled ancles and wrists, and hear- ing us all tell one story, thoy were all astonishcr^ at the cru- el aiid inhuman treatment that wo had received. They said they had fared sumptously compared with us; they had during the v/iiiter, stoves and j.len'y of wood; their rations were much better than any we had seen during our confinement; they had received considerable money from their friends, **-!; r ■\^ *VQn Sclioultz was a T'olish exile, and at the time ofliis dcatiiwas thirty-oiio years of a^^e. nelia(l!diHtiii<,'.nislied Iiiinself, in 1830, in fialitliig against Russia, and in defence of his own unfortunate and down-trudden country; uod was beloved by ail who knew him. vti*.-f«^ «.rr ' r ,..!. « ^^^^. (•f 1•■^^f fiiEi^»#< tCol Martin VVoodrufT w.la deptrty PhcrlfT of Onondaga county. N. Y. The v.'tragedy of his execution iii tiius de.sccibed by the editor ol tlio Kingston s'j.cctator; • '"This gallant soldier was brought from Fort ilcury upon a carter's rougli train, at- tended by two priests, escorted by a paity of volunteer cavalry to the Jail, anil Koon after to the door leiiding to the scallbid, when tlmsherilf read Arthur's war- rant to execute liini. lie was then placed on the platform, the cap ptdied over iiii fiicc. and the hangman placed tlic rope to a hook in the beam over his head. 'J'he Itiatform fell, and presented a revolting, disgusting and disgraceful scene. Thu :i)ot instead of drawing tight under liis ear. waa brought to the chin; it did n« t ulip, but leltsspace ciu)ugh to put a iiand within; tlie cliief weight oftlic body bear- ing uixui the ropi- at the back of the neck. The body was in. great agitation ami Beeniedlo suffer greatly. The spectators said it wa3 a EhauefUl management, when two hanguKU oaiuc out, c.udeavored lo,.'-|lran,:ile. ti>e aui^rer, and not havin;; Hticcreded, they returned again to (hcrr disgrffrting work. Flisneckwfts nothro- keu till theliangiuau on tJio crosd tree UuU pt^lled huu u^ i»y the collar, aud la Jiiii fall four tiujcs in succession." ' • •• - mm I ■ ^ -jft; - - ;- Z:i!ti PATAIOT KXtLE. ht which enabled them to purchnse from the canteen whicli wa^ kept inside the fort, such things as made them quite comfort* able to what we hiid been» However, the long confinement in one place, and their anxiety to get their liberty to return to their homes were weighing heavily upon them, Wo had all endeavored to bear up and be as cheerful as possible. — We soon exchanged a part of our clothing, or rather threw them oside after being supplied with clean linen, &c., by those warm hearted friends in distress. We were soon ac- quainted, and we found them to be mostly men of good char- acters and principles. It was lucky for. them that they were kept in fort Henry, and allowed to be visited by their friends, and could receive many indulgencies which we had been strangers to. I mention this, not because I think their pun> ishment has been to light; by no means, for their punishment has been severe, considering they ha(^i:;om milted no crime; but to show you that men taken for tho same crime, (so called) but at different places, the difierent treatment they receive. One man, giving an acpount of thesaffeiMngs of the prisoners in Canada as well as at Van Diemens lanil, , may vary, frgm the account of another, though a fellow prisonei* with him, because you perceive the treatment can be different, even in the same room; but my object will be, and I believe has been, so far, to give you a general history, (not of my own) but of our sufferings, for I have not been alone in persecution. .. Wo remained in this strong fort about throe months, cer- tainly expecting when we left, it would be to return to our homes, but you will perceive we were doomed to sufferings of a little different character, but in many respects more se- vere than many of us had before experienced. Soon after we were ordered to prepare for a move. We wero all intro- puced to a new set of jewels, two and two. Presently wo dis- covered through the windows a strong guard which reached from our door to the outer door or gate which led to tho street, a(\er our irons were on, (for we had worn none during our confinement here^ there were 8 or 4 very good singers amongst us which made the fort ring with the "American Star," ^^Hunters of Kentucky," and other similar songs, which caused many to flock to our windows. Some of them re- marked, "You will not feel like singing in Botany Bay." — *'0iv« us Botany Bay," said one, and it was done in good 5* I ,f !^ *1j S ■* ^1 li V 1 fl 1 * j ij jyi »H NAHUATIVK OK A » ''J Style. Tlic ''American Star" was siuig again by request or an officer who Imd manifostcd much sympathy for us, and wished us well, Wb have found during'^our confinement, ma- ny that have wished us well, but have not had it in their pow- er to render us much assistance. In about an hour and a hajffrom the time our irons were put on, the Sheriff, togeth- er with eight or ten others, visited the different rooms, call- ing their names, telling them to prepare for amove. After going througl), we were, in a short time, paraded inside the walls of the fort. Our names were called again, which together with the 19 before mentioned, were as follows: John Bradly, Orlin Blodget, Chaundey Bugbee, George T. Brown, Lysander Curtis, Robert G. Collins, John Cronkhitc, Luther Darby, Moses A. Dutcher, Aaron Dreiser, Leonard Delano, Elon Fellows, Emanuel Garrison, John Gillman, William Gates, Garriet Hicks, Daniel D.Hustis, James In- glis, David House, Andrew Leeper, Joseph Lefort, Daniel Lis- comb, Andrew Moore, Foster Martin, Ira Polly, Williom Reynolds, Orrin W. Smith, Henry Shew, John G. Swan- burgh, Thomas Stockton, RiJoy Whitney, David Allen, John Morriset, John Thomas, Edward A, Willson, Hugh Calhoun, John Berry, Jehial II. Martin, Alson Owens, Samuel Wash- burne, Michael A. Fraer, Gideon A. Goodrich, Hiram Loop, Calvin Mathews, Nelson Griggs, Chauncey Mathews, Jacob Paddock, Hiram Sharp, Nathan Whiting, Jerry Griggs, Asy W. Richardson, Stephen S. Wright, Thomas Bakei', Bemas Woodbury, Patrick White, James Pierce, Solomon Reynolds, Joseph Stewart, Asa Pi'iest. I will here remark that they had been careful to put some amongst us, as we have suppposed, t6 act the part of spies. Two accompanied us from Toronto, and we found two at fort Henry. Their names are as follows: Edwin Merritt, John McMuligan, John Dean, William Highland; the first three' for murder, the" latter for desertion. They were sent with Us to Van Diemcns Lajid, but vve werdled to believe they had been promised favors, If they would Wfcitch and dfetect ahything we might say Or dd, which might assiist them as well there as on our passage. We 'were now mai*c;hed cjut of the fort with a guard of rejpildi' solWei^s*,' double file on''6a.ch to, and iibout one hal f a tnite Ifrom there lay a barge J^e'ady for" buir r^cep- liop. As sooii as we were all on board We moved off down - nt i« n FATRiOT EXILE. 69 ihc Uidau canal, into the St. Lawrence to Quebec. Wo saf- Ibrcd considerablo on our passage, there being eo krgo a num- ber in 80 small a spacej-and kilrbdin^ in irone. 1 ^viil leavo you to judge ofour situation during a voyage of five days and ilve nights to Quebec. After leaving the canal, wo were ta- ken down the river by eteamboats; we run along side of the ship Buffalo, which lay about one mile off Quebec, at anchor. A list or roll was handed the captain, and by his orders read lo us as we stepped on deck, which was no more nor less than a list of our names, each one answering to his name as it was called, and instantly passing below the second deck. It was quite dark, but after being there some time, we found fif- ty-seven French prisoners, who had come on board the day previous; but they, as well as ourselves, had been tried hy a corrupt court, and had received no sentence and did not know where they were bound, but they learned some days previous that they were soon to go on ship board, with the prospect of a long voyage. This gave their friends an opportunity of fit- ting them out quite comfortable to what we were; we having not thirty-five minutes from the time our irons were on, be- fore we were under way, and as you may say, entirely desti- tute of the comforts of life, and literally alive with vermin, which, during the warm weather, instead of decreasing, had been increasing to an alarming extent, and you may judge what kind of condition we were in for a four and a half months voyage on the ocean. HerBritanic Majesty's ship Buffalo, Capt. Wood, on the 28th of September, 1839, weighed anchor and set sail. Rea- der! can you judge of our situation, not only bodily but in mind after enduring for ten months in Canada, all that wo could endure and live. I say, what do you think must have been our feeliftgsftt the prospect of leaving friends, wives and children, fathers -a'nd mothers, brothers and sisters, and per- haps oiiro^n native land forever; and no prospect but to drag out, perhdpd, along life of misery, and may be, of servitude, in iTBritidh penal colony, amongst the offscourings (so called) of all Europe. You will perceive we were left to our own surmtsiiygs as to our destination. We were now under way ; perhaps the first time that many or all of us were ever on board a Ship. We are soon in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; it is very rough and we begin to be sea-sick. Oh! that you C] ; ■ ".' \ ' . , > i i ■ ■' * ^1 U:,- ^' '1 V.J. • *i Ij I f i I GO NAmtATlVli: OV A could behold ut! One hundred and thirly-eight of mh in the hole, ofi the Sd^ieek, whioli caused us to be under water, as you may lav, during the ummm; the sea beating against her sides, which of\en resembled thunder; the ship rolling and tumbling, throwing us from side to side; tho tubs for uso, per* haps lull at the commencement of the rolling, and now going with us, and among us, from side to side; emptied of their con* tents, together with the effects of sea-sickness, which caused the deck to be slippery, sending forth not a very agreeable smell; some endeavoring to hold on to others; some laying down; some sitting; some going on all fours; in fact, I can- not describe all tho forms and uianceuvorings that we wont through with for one week. Many, during the week, had not tasted a morsel of food; others would throw it up as soon as swallowed. Somo with holes cut in their heads, and oth- er parts of their bodies by the tubs and the posts of our berths But 1 will not attempt to further describe our situation. The reader may perhaps say^ Oh, I have been seasick, I know what it is. But allow me to ask if you have ever i)een. sea- sick, and in the same or similar circumstanees thai we were! I think if you could have seen us, you might be able to de- scribe sea-sickness differently from any that you ever before beheld. > , ^mi>. u, if ,.nmr ^jh) mm n h . J When we began to be a little over our sea«sickness and had put things a little to rights, we were ranked up, all that could stand, and divided off into messes of 12 men each, and one man appointed out of each mess to attend to procuring and dividing the rations. When the cook called out from the hatchway *'dinner, O!" the sentry from the upper deck would pass the word to the sentry on the main, or 2d deck, and he to the 3d, when he would unlock tho trap door^ and the cap-] tain, 08 they were called, of each mess would ascend the nar- row ladder up to tho 2d deck, for the doorway was so narrow] and small that but one man could pass up or down at a timei make their way to the cook's galley; each one tidce his kiddj and return one at a time until all was below. The door w< fastened at once after the last one was up, and opened agai; {is they returned with their Kidds, and then opened again un til they were passed up to the sentries or cook's mate, wb carried them to tho gnlloy on the upper deck. My object ii describing so particularly our situation, is, to answer tho 1 1 rmiiii I p ^/m think so.— ').■ t; ■mi -'^*"' * -^ - - I'ATRIOT DXILB. M Thus you 8CP, it is Dot bo easy a in&ttor to tnko a ship liko that and in ti)o condition wo woro in. Soma might wondor why wo woro not all put in irons, but that can easily bo ac- counted for from iho fact that we woro in a strong prison-ship, and when in out prison, there Was no pros|icct whatever ot* escape, Ekit one man could ascend the stairway at a time, and double sentries were placed on each dock, and at each door; iho doors being fastened by a bar of iron across it, and a pad- lock. Bven if the door hod been kept open, a man with a musket and bayonet could have kept us all down, as only one person could ascend at a time. We were now getting where it was getting quite wai m, and being allowed but one pint of water per day, after our sea-sickness was over, we suffered greatly from thirst. Between hunger, thirst, vermin and close confinement, very little or no air, not being allowed as beforo an hour each day on deck; and many other inconveniences, besides living on salt provisk>ns; we camo near porishing.-— Scarcely a day passed, but some one of us had one, two, three or four teeth extracted, and some were obliged to call the doc- tor frd«n his berth in ttio middle of the night to extract teeth for them; and some wore so loose that we could pick them out with our fingers. I was oonipelled to call him on one occa- sion in the night, when it appeared to me that 1 could not livo until morning. I had had the tooth ache before, but it was but a slight pain compared with what 1 then su fibred, it was now so severe, that it was impossible for me to lie in my betfth, and it appeared to me that a person could not have the tooth-nche half as bad a^ I did that night. Il appeared to bo a second' dbublo tooth, and 1 told tho doctor that I was asha- med to call him up to extract a tooth for me. ^'Oh," said he, ^it is nothing strange; I have seen people perfectly crazy with it. it npp^rs you men will loose all your teeth before we get into port." "Yes," said I, *'and 1 belieyoit is on the. accountof long confinement, and bad treatment,", to which he assented. 7, After being ou I nearly two months, we put into Ri'>Janei« ro, South America, and lay there three dayti:. It happened to be the Emepror's birthday, and although wc were not al- lowed to go on shore, wc could discover through a sky«;r tignt, the flags on the pittnacles of houses and hills apparently reaching to the clouds. There appeared to be flags of all *.i V.i 04 NARRATkVB Of A . I. \ , mitionf, and it being the lattor part ofNovembur, the hilki were grcon with verauro, but our confiiiomont provcntad us from takinga view of the citvt but from what wo could learn it wa« delightful, at all evenkiv wo would have been glad to luvQ stopped there. The doctor, knowing a litilo /ruit would be good for us in preventing, as well as curing the scurvy, told us if there was any one amongst ua who had any tiion- cy, wi could send it on shore for some fruit, as boats wore constantly going back and forth from the ship to the shore, and that any of the officers, soldiers, or sailors would bring itfor U9; Some of us had a Utile money, others had none, but the fruit purchased was distributed among all. Oranges, lemons, pino-apples, and limes. It is a fine harbor, and a good many vessels from different nations were there. Wc were visited while there by a British Admiral who said we needed some fresh provisions, and asked 6ome few questions and then lefL The 4th day in the morning, wo about ship — set sail, and was soon on our way, we knew not wliero. Not long after leaving this place, the ship encountered a se- vere and heavy gale, which caused her to leak very much. She was an old ship, and had formerly been a man-of-war, but for the last two or three years she had been employed as a convict ship to transport prisoners from Kngiand to Sid- ney and New South Wales. Wo were compelled to take our turn at the pump, which required to be kept in motion to keep her from sinking. Now, this was tolerable good exercise for those that were able, but I can assure you, we were very little frightened, and cared but little about her staying above water, it ap- peared to us a matter of little consequence; I know some may say life is sweet, but to us it appeared very bitter. I amconAdent that there arc certain periods in a man'.^ life, when he has no desire to live. 'IWards the end of tho voy- ng.^ many that were sick, and in fact those that were not, were allowed on deck daily, not without a strong guard, how- ever; bat I must confess that the prospect of our tnking the ship was very poor, and they knew it The .doctor was afraid we would all die, and had persuaded the Captain to allow us to come on deck more, though it be but a fow at a time. When we were on deck we could aee thousands of Moth er Carey's chickens, Sea Gulls, Albatros, and flylng- fiih in three tU loi you c[ water, not ri' to cat. very pounds When limb! They bocf, numbc 1 shall as I ah ter par A«a our pal togethc from fr our see feel ten that I r( in my I of the s! months Priest V three cl hatch, s body, w iwcnty- rotid by raised c sid"!, th soon dii had bid turned Bontriea Mr. Ca versing. IL ilM •MM MMHaMMHMn PATfl^f SYILI 05 fiih l:i nbuidanco. Those fish weigh from ono to two anJ three lbs.; iheir wings or fins roiemblj r bal*« wing only lit- tle longer. Thoy raiso with the swell and as it loaves them, you can often sec thoisands of thorn a few CqqI obove th»^ water. They often light on the ship'u dt ck when they can riot rise more than any other fish; th'iy aro also very gooc to eat. Porpoissos were to be seen in droves of hundroJu, very often. They weigh from ton lotwo and throe hundrec pounds, and thoir body and head resemble a hoc in shapr. When you see them at a distance, you would thioK thoy were t imblingover and over; they have no scales but a dark skin They arc ofton taken and cooked and the flesh resemble/ beef, only a little darker and n )t qliite so good. We saw 5 number of sharks, and three or four whalesrii thi way, bu' 1 shall not say much respoctirig the wl»ale and e.c.irk hero as I shall have to say something moo a:x>inth?ai lathe af ter part of the book. ~' . Asa Priest was the only one out of (>v.r i/,iny that died on our passage, but a great number of us wcro ;iel;. Kj^df, together with three or four others '•imhrwf.'ni much s.}1erinfi: from frozen feet, and when we got where we could pu'l olf our socks, the skincamo off with liicm, whi"., madu o/r fh >i feel lender and theefTucts of salt water cai-ed vnclj itching that I really thought we should scratch thsm otT. The fai.j in my breast was very sever,e and the rolllni* and fumMiug of the ship made it worse, this was the f^ifocts of the fir^t I wo months imprisonment in Fort Maiden, Upper Canai'^a. Mr Priest waM a very quiet, social man and ho I 'il a wifis ami three children. He was taken on djck and lairj or? the main hatch, some strong thick canvass was sewed tight rouvid hiftr body, wiih two 19 pound shot in the sick at his feet. A'joi twenty-five of us wore called on dck, the fumiral sarvicf read by th? first Litjutenant of ih ; ^\vp, nnd the corpse was raised on a board by four m^n Uyin^ onv c»ji ci? the ship^t sid'^, the other raised up till It'rVUi off feet foremost and soon disappeared. We couM not mi irn for ono we felt sure had bid adieu to a life of yjfibring, an I wSose spirit had re- turned to God who gave it. While we were on deck tk« Bentries ware sLimod with pistols as well as muskets, uiai Mr. Curtis and myself were sitting opposite our bcrtk « ye rsing. the sentry's pistcl JvCcidenlally we«t tf the b K t t 1 ■' ' !^Hf 1 \ ^Bv '\ flt ''^ • ^^R^ ^^■t. i 'mi , ' Wki * ••I 1 • 1 ' 1 i> ) \» \i t'i i ■' 11 I OG NARIlAtlVK OF A f f.n r. t: I ftf "^nO f"'i ,|: h>l r;; •f > I r passing Lelwcen us, lodged In the sliij/s side. Tho report gave a general alarm, every olTicer and soldier rushiri|j to the hatchway, supposing wo had mado an alicmrit to tako tho ship, but having learned tho cause of alarm, soon all was quiet again. We pnssed near, and in sight of a few email islands^ names not known by us. One little island, the sergeant said, was called St. Paul's, and I should judge by what I could discover that it was not over five or six miles in lenglh. Tho doubling the Cape of Good Mope was somewhat rough. VVo are now in the Indian Ocean, but have not yet learned our destination. The sentry remarked that we would soon be in port. "What port?" says one. **Ilobarl town," replied the sentry. Can it be possible that we are going to a penal colony, and there to remain after going through with so mnch suffering'? Yes, reader! wo are doomed to suffer, not oiily for our own crimes, but for all the supposed Crimea ofihe liberal party in Canada, as well as the alleged insults of tlie United States ever since their separation from the crown. It was repeatedly thrown in our faces — *'youa.re a rebellious set, you yankees; you have caused England a ^reat deal oftrouble, not satisfied with revolting yourselves and deigning to trample upon our flag but must induce and assist the peaceable Canadians to follow your example, but we've got you under our thumb now and until all difficulties between us and the United States are set- tled, yflu need ncSL expect liberty. You know Iho Caroline and Maine, boundary line and Oregon, and some other diffi- cuhies, were in agitation about this time, and we were given to understand we would be held as hostages until all difficul- ties were settled. **But," said we, **would it not be unjust to punish a fuw for the crimes of a whole nation?" *'0h!" said they, ♦'you yankees areall alike, we canU punish you amiss; you are a rebelious set; but we will yet convince you and your nation, that you cannot trample upon the British flag with impunity."' Not only once or twice, but often, have we been obliged to hear Ruch language from Noble Briton's favored sons, in office. You may ask, *'is this true? was it so?"* 1 ask you was it not sol Was if' until there was a general Amnesty, granted to all that had left Canada, and until all before mentioned difficulties, between England and the IJnited States were settled? before we were allowed tp Patriot exile. return to our homes, (if we could get there,) after seven long years of imprisonment nnd sufTorings, without a penny, sick and worn out, without friends sixteen thousand miles from horne. ♦'But," says one, *'werc you not assisted in getting homo?" Not a farthing, from either Go\CTnment or individual. , • ', , ' • -ii . >_ ...c; Now, to many, it may appear strange, but it's noleFStrue, that it was not actually the crime wo had committed, but to show the reformers of Canada, as well as the United States, their A^niighty power, and awe them into subjection, to show them what they might depend upon if they dared to lift a finger against their right to rule against law or justice. Mas it had the desired effectl has Canada or the United States, dared to ^ay a word, or ventured to make a demand of those that have been illegally and severely punished, for the samo crime that hundreds and thousands have acknowledged just awd holyl How were those difficulties settled between the two Governments, by which we, on the part of Great Brit- ain, were held as hostages, and in the settlement were we in- cluded? It maybe the settlement has added glory and honor to the Stars aud Stripes of* our Flag, but many say not. Some have asked us, or said ti; us, 1 suppose when you get home, you will commence a suit for false imprisonment? To somo I have replied, oh no our Government has said we **nced not look to them for assistance, to besure they have had bad luck, though it was a good cause, we are sorry, but cant^elp t(ieip, England may do as she likes with them, they have broken our laws, and they must expect to suffer.'' Thus virtually acknowledging (ho cause to have been good, and instead of demanding us of the British Government, that we might be tried by our own laws, that we had broken, and punished accordingly, we were allowed to be tried in Can- ada, where no law or justice existed* by a corrupt Court- Mar- tial, consequently wo received no sentence, and you seo what follow^. Oh? my beloved friends, and sons of our father's of *76 that so nobly fought, bled and died, for ours as well as their right, wliat will be done to sever that old aiistocratic chain, which is daily strengthening, that reaches from England across the ; ^ .' *..! *Lord Dtirliam declared it, and did not btnmc the people fur rebelling. lij 1- tW NAflfiATlVK OV A > &*> V ,'ii Atlaiit$«4^ inlo our Legislative Hulls, and fiorn cily to city through our once happy America; which chain bids fair to encircle us, the object of which, 1*8, to bind the hands of the poor laboring and honest man, that his pockets may the more easily be emptied of his days labor. As a friend of liberty and equal rights, may I liere warn you to see to it befoie it is too late. What would Washington think and say, if he wore to visit the United States, at this time? think you he could shake hands with as many warm-hearted patriots and friends of liberty and justice, in our Legislative Halls, as when the Chief Magistrate of our Republic? Judge ye? It is now the 10th of February, 1840, but hark! what do wo hear? The weather-beaten sailor from the mast-head, sings out, "land ho," "where away?" cries the captain; **three points on the weather bow, sir." Now many orders are giv- en in quick succession, and obeyed as quickly — the wind is fresh from shore — now the order, "about ship," now **tll hands take in sail." The wind increasing, we were driven off, and lost sight of land — we discovered it next day, but was on the wrong end to niake harbor. On the second day we returned to where we were on the first — the wind increasing WQ were driven off again — third day, made the mouth of tl^ Derwent river, thirty-five miles from Hobart-Town Harbor; the wind shifting, blew fresh up the river. In a short time the order was heard, "all hands take in sail." Presently was heard,^"cast anchor." Hero we are, safely anchored in Hobart-Town Harbor, Van Dieman's Land, February 13th, after a tedious, and to us, a distressing voyage of four months and a half from Que- bec, distance 10,00*0 miles. ' / . . .' * 7 - •• ^—^ , We were soon visited by the board of health. We iremain- ed on board the ship twenty-four hours, during which time, Mr. Gunn, with two clerks, were in the cabin, before whom we were undergoing an examination, which was m follows: We were brought in before him, one at a time, and asked the following questions: which we replied to. "What is your name? What is your age? Your trade? Your religion? Your native place? Where were you arrested? What were you tried for? Where were you tried? What was your sonienco?" An answer, "never had any sentence." "For what length of time were you sent? An answer, "cannot say." (Turn iUTRlOT EXILE. 60 I • .t»)/ ing to his clcik.) Put them down for life. ''When were you tried? When did you leave Canada? Are you married? if married, where does your wife live? Of what religion is she * Have you any children? How many males? How many fe- . males? Wlmt sex is the oldest? What the youngest? Wimt , ^ro their respective ages? Are your parents living? Whern . do xhcy reside? What their native country? W)iat their respect- ive ages.^ Vy hat their rpl'gion? Can they read or write? Can you read or write? Ha-ven you any scars on any part of your . body? (speaking to. a sei .ant.) Take hin? aside, and exam- ine. . What is yqur number? That will do,." . . . At the r time .this was talcing place, another man was care- fully eyeing us, and as we learned, was talcing down our , lilcenesses; spot, sCar, mole, color of eyes, hair, shape of mouth, nose, chin, general appearance of features, number of teetb lost, weight, heighth, etc. Finally our likenesses were taken, and so minutely, that either of us could be detected, in . ca^e of any escape. The French prisonera, fifty-seven in nuinber, were exempt from the examination, as above descri- bed, because they did not leave the ship at this place, but were taken to Sidney, which is about 700 miles from Van Dieman's. We afterwards learned that they were treated much better than ourselves; they were liberated some time before we were, and assisted in getting home. We expected after hearing Governor Franklin's splendid speech, which we were honored with, the first morning after landing, that the old reprobate was death on the yankees, and were after- wards fully convinced of the fact. „; .v-> -,,)f'^.>'!- Off .iipl ,. J~' ■ ■'>. V.-P-\ S'j.; :' ...;';( CHAPTER V. ■''-. :■■■ . H }ir- **• ;'ft' :> fi!-*^'' ,; — * Arrival at Van Dieman's Land, We were soon mustered — the* before mentioned- list or i-oll, that was called over, at our y^^■'"r on board the ship, at Que- bec^ was now repealed by Ali. (ji.nn, the principal supcrin- 6* ;<(*, /■' It < f* »i. ill \ V i J 70 NARllAllVK Of .\ ! 'iViU h ' tcnaaiit of convicts — and we were escorted to the shore, in a scow with six oars. On landing, there were a goodly num- ber of Her Gracious Majesty's lackey's, dressed in blue, with roundabouts, and in one hand a club, and on one arm a badge, that they might be distinguished as peace-officers, or consta- bles. Wo were ranked up, and commenced a march, we knew not where. You would have laughed to have seen us niovo ofT; the ground seemed to be moveing, and we reeling uiid bracing to keep erect; but some loosing their balance, fell to the ground; they were helped up and commanded to proceed; but some being weak and sick, were obliged to fall in the rear. One who hp,d never heard or seen the effects of a long voyage at sea, especially u})on persons in our situ a- tion, would have supposed us all drunk. Our guard, or peace- ofilf.ers, singing out every little while, at those that could not keep up; for we were hurried along; "come along you bloody craNvlers, you'll have to walk faster than this to-morrow, ^vith a cart load of stone — my bloody oath you will — come altMig there, you are not quite so smart now as when you ■was in Canada, shooting the Queen's Loyal Subjects, with your yankee rifle's; youv'e got no rifle here, but you'll find plenty of carts and stone." "No," says one, "if they had their riflqs now, you would not dare talk so." We after- wards learned that the man who made the remark, was a yankee sailor. Curiosity was excited, and a great many came around to see the "rebels from Canada," as >ye were called. Here we are, at Sandy Bay Station, one mile from Hobart- Town. There are eight or nine huts, built of split stuff, stand- ing upright; ten or twelve feel in length, fastened at the bot- tom to logs or sleepers, and thatched rough, no fire-place ex- cept ill the overseer's and tjJerk's hut's. Their huts are all fenced in, by similar split slats of timber, ten or twelve feet long, v/ilh a large gate, which was kept locked, only when going out and in. The huts will contain, some ten, seme twenty, nnd sometimes fifty men — berths all round — two tier, to contain one man each— no floor; they are built in a circle, or square, leavings ynrd in front for the men to mus- ter. This is a brief description of the prisoners huts, at this, and other road sltlioBS. When I speak of station's, hereaf- ter, I need not describe them. There are a great number of these stations on the Island; the principal part ore on the rATRlOT KXILE. 11 ioule from Ilobart Town to Laiinccston, a distance of 147 inilos; nearly from one end of the Island to the other. There has been thousands at work on this road, for eighteen or twenty years, in cutting through woods and hills; when wc left, it was nearly finished. It is a beautiful road; stages run it daily; it is much traveled. At those diflerent stations, are road parties, some fifty, one hundred, and two hundred men, all the work is done by hand, no teams of horses or cattle aro allowed, but prisoners do all the hauling of stone in carts. — Some places aro two or three miles from the hills, some pla- ces one mile, some half a mile. These stone aro used for macadamizeing. Some are employed in drawing, some breaking them, some wheeling, some shoveling, some peck- ing, &c. &C. ..^; ,«-'■'-• -J :■ . '♦ - t,.. ;. I will here remark, that the very wor&t of characters are selected as overseers, at the different road stations. I men- tion this, because we hereafter, have a great deal to do at these stations, and with the tyrants that manage them. I will now return. We were mustered in the huts for night, after receiving a pint of skilly each, and each one a blanket and rug, a suit of coarse gray cloth, striped shirt, leather skull-caps, all num- bered, and the broad "R," on each, everything taken from us, money, tobacco, knives, watches; some two or three had managed to keep them till now. I need not mention articles, for everything was taken. We are now in a convicts suit. On turning out early in the morning, at the ringing of the bell, a pint of skilly, and one pound of bread for the day. Tiie clerk came round to each room and told us to appear as well as possible; the Governor was coming to see us that morning. It was about ten o'clock, when he was discovered approaching, there was a great parade, we were ranked up in quick time, with ordei's to take ofTour caps, as ho approach- ed. There was quite a train with him, some on horse back, nnd some on foot. I^resently'the gate was opened, and all eyes were open to behold a Governor of her Majesty's penal colony, Van Dieman's Land. Behold he comes! Capt. Sir John Franklin, R. N. K, T. Lieutenant Governor of the Island of Van Piemon's Land, and its dependencies, comman- der-in-chief of her Majesties forces therein, &c. &c. 7,' '^ The great man is before us — his private secretary by his < • •■> lill'^i 7-2 NAlinATlVi: Ol' A ciilcrint^ llie gau •• \ \'' i ' J-, l^' 'I ..1 side — llic rest tjf iho train .stopping on Tlio big mill is seated on a largo bay horyc, but no larg* than ills rider; lie is dressed in full uniform, no doubt fcclinj^ highly honored to address so many Americans. Ho rklc^ back and forth along the line, like a General reviewing jiis troops, two or three limes, at last ho halts about the/ qpnfcr. takes a long breath, draws himself iipi maile Canadiansi especially, the French, in the Lower Province, 80 much to blame, for they have been excited to rebellion, by you Americans. 1 have sent them to a different place, and kept you here, for severe punishment, (in a rage. ) Bad men, very bad men, though your characters heretofore might havo been good, it will avail you nothing; you ore now in a penal colony for punishment; it will all depend upon your future conduct; but I shall send immediately home for orders, to know what to do with you; and when I have orders, I hope they will be favorable, for I feel disposed to bo lenient towaixls you; but it is a very bad crime, it is a very bad crime. I believe you have been severely punished, but you ought to be thankful that your lives have been spared; you must expect to be severely punished, (greatly at a loss for words) Bad men, very bad men, very glad to hear your conduct has been good during your passage.*' Turning to iho officers of the ship, (who were present, and no doubt feeling ashamed of tho great mans abuse, and low-brad slang to us,) he asked them, *'have you any thing ogainst these men, during the passo get" (no doubt thinking they would havecnoughngainst us, whilst wo remained under them.) They at once replied, "not tho slightest, your excellency, they are well behaved men." "Very glad to hear it, very glad to hear it, I hope they will remains©." The Doctoi, as I before remarked, appeared to bo friendly, and had promised before landing, that ho would speak to the Governor in our favor; and at that time, as the old man was taking breath, he began to say something; but as quick as the old granny discovered his object, ho raised his, or Aer hand, remarking, ''that'll do, that'll do," nppnrcnlly exhausted. Thus ended ono of Governor Franklin's splend ed speeches. Now there was fifteen or twenty, of what aro called "oM hands," Xhat were likewise in rank, a llltio in the rear of us, and as the old man had turned his horse a little one side, I heard ono of them remark to another: "I think the old nuit- ton-eater, will want as many as two sheep for his dinner to- day," "why,'* says ono, "is he so fond of mutton?" "yes," says he, "ono sheep at ordinary times, satisfies him for a meal, but on over action, like this, it takes two." "I should think so," says the other, "to supply tho vacancy in the loss of so much wind." "Mv Uoodv oath," aaid another, "ho 1: S •■A 1./ M .' -f . 'A ' I i I'i.- it] s- i« liJ! ■m >■ t ii (;v 74 NAABATlVfi OV A t. r I t ''if I * ] i pufTed and blowod liko a pprpoiso.*' Tlio Governor then turned to the four men, before alluded to, as bein^ sent witii us, three for murder, and one for desertion, standing by them- selves. "What men are these." Mr. Gunn approached with their warrant in hand; "they ore four men Ironi Canada, thrco for murder, one for desertion, your excellency." "Ah! al- almost as bad as rebellion: read the warrant." Mr. Gunn read it. They were found guilty in Canada, and sentenced to seven years transportation. The old man talked to them a little; he could not say much, for he was nearly exhausted, after delivering the splendid address to us. ., Mr. Skeane, superintendant of the station, then asked tlio Governor if we should go out on the road to w6rk that day, as it was about noon. "Oh yes, it will bo good for their health, after so long a voynge, even if they do not^work much to-day the walk will do them good. If will be much better ,for them." He said something respecting the fine clothing of the prisoners, that her Gracious Majesty was good enough to allow us— hoped \ye would be thankful for it, and be good men. His horse I felt sorry for, standing for nearly two hours, supporting an enormous mass of blubber and wind, weighing [ should think, three hundred pounds: but I suppose by what I had heard, there was so much combustible matter that the ?reat mass might fall a little short in weight,'you need not laugh, for I assure you it was the largest lump of human composition that I ever beheld. I suppose it was on account of his bulkiness and knavery, that he had been allow- ed such great honor amongst the brother-hood; I am sure it was not on account of fluency of speech. The horse al- though a large one, fairly reals as he moves off. Now reader, what should you judge must have been cm feelings, when the very officers of the ship, especially the Doctor, after hearing our doom, manifested feelings of pity, mingled with disgust, at the outrageous abuse, and irony, heap- ed upon us by the noble Captain, Sir John Franklin, the great navigator, that had once been driven to tlie necessity of eat ing his boots; but now the representative of ];er Majesty's Penal Colony, V. D. L., Commander-in-chief, &lc. &c. &. As they withdrew, we could discover their sympathy, by their downward heads, and the handkerchief to the eyes of some as they |)assed by. The Doctor shaking luinds wiiii us, remark- ng in a oil into earful y .veil as •lioked— They J us, " lint-cup lors for I ;now his lumber !iat he m ;on from vhich arc d out, fr( .;els his k lilt has th 1 will I) ach man, oarls: n the rnoi dout, nn •int. No mongst u; ach. Kv ons after irough be lat they i vards man ail on the nd what ii lie comp y con finer ire back; 'coived, b 11 lo our 1 »g us to 1 ould take y, this," 'an Amori ^■'e have g( PATRIOT EXll.ir. lb ng in n low tone, as he pasffcdon, '*Inm sorry that you have Ai into snch hands, a[\> ^utlr 'ing so long and severe. I nm earful you will never s. h'i native land again; bear it as .veil as you can — God bless you.*' He appeared to bo •hoked — wanted to say more but could not. > ', ' They are gone — the gate is closed. The clerk sings out us, "get your dinner men," and in the mean time, a tin lint-cup, and u tin plate, was dealt out to each onO; with or- lors for us to put our number on them, that each one may ;iiow his own. Our huts were likewise numbered, v/ith the lumber of men in each hut, which was handed to the cook, itnt he might know how to divide the vituals, which was ta- ;cn from n large copper, set in an arch, and put in kid's, vliich are likewise numbered. Presently *no. one,' was cri- d out, from the cook-house A man starts from no. one hut, ets iiis kid; no. 2, no. 3, no. 4, no. 5, and so on, 'till each lilt has their kid with dinner. I will hero give you a list of rations, allowed by law, to ach mun, which will be a sample during our stay on the oarls: One and a half lbs. bread, (coarse flo6fr,) dealt out n the morning, for iho day; two oz. flour permaji, weigh- d out, and made into skilly, measured out to each one, a int. Noon — one lb. mutton, before boiled; when divided mongst us, thcro was often not over one fourth of a pound ach. F^ivening — pint of skilly, similar to gruel. The ra- i>ns after being weighed out, have so many hands to pass Hough before they get to the prisoners, or laboring men. Kit they often fall short half. The clerk's, constable's, vards man, overseer's and some other favorite one's, that uiton thorn, have their choice of the quantity weighed out, nd what is left, the poor convict has to take up with; and he complains, is sure to be punished with ten days solita* y confinement on bread and water, or thirty lashes on the art' back; which lashes, iiowever, none of our party ever 'ccived, but solitary confinomenton bread and water, often II to our lot. But to proceed. A man comes round, tel- ng us to hurry and get through with our dinner, and we ould take a short wajk to sec the country, "A fine coun- 7, this,'' says he, *'l think you will like it much better an America; we'll go out and take a look at the roads. ^^'u have got a fine road of one hundred and forty miles, as « i h ■ < . '• w NAHBATIVft or A U good as any you have in your country, Til bo bo'ind ii is; it is not quite finished yet, but soon will bf;." lie talked Romo lime nficr this manner, and appeared quite sociable. Presently the clerk sings out, **mu8ter." We were all rank- cJ up, and the <9amo list of names called rver. We were ordered to answer as they were called, saying, «*hcre sir." Some two or three not answering^ he was told that they wero in the huts, unable to come out. lie repaired strnight/vay to .the huts, calling their names, and was told that they were lame or sick, '♦You had better come out, tho Doctor will he here soon, and if you arc not sick, you will be punished.*' However there wcic three or four, who could >^ot go, and many that did go out, were scarcely able to wall<. The gate wa« opened and we marched out, three overroers and five or six constables with us; we traveled near a mile, when wo came to where a party had been at work, who had been re- moved from that station a few days before, (I think it was the day before,) for our reception. *»Thero," .s.tysthe over- Beer, '*you know tho Governor told you it would be good for your hQaltb, after being so long at sea, to cxer.ise a lit- tle; you need not do much to-day/' Now all thmgs op- pcared so flattering, the oversder's so sociable. We thought a little exercise would do us no harm. We leasurly picked up some a shovel, some a pick-ax, so-nea wheelbarrow, work- ed a little while, and then set down to rest, for wo wero all very weak and feeble, on account of l>cing so long con- fined. That after noon passed off very well At sun down we marched into the station, somewhat tired, though we had done but little that day. The ground seonoed to be reeling to and fro, like a drunken man, for a number of days. The traveling to and from work, was about as much as we could do, for the first two or three days, during which lime there was not much work required; afterwards the reins began lo be pulled lighter by degrees. Every day a little more work was requiited, the principal overseer was a pardoned felon, and a complete tiger, which enabled him to hold the billot from year to yeor. Many is the poor man who has been driven to desperation and a felon's grave, through his ty- rany. These are the kind of men, the Governor wants for overseers; if they prove not to be tyrants, they are quickly removed from their ofpce, and put in the gangs to work; for PATniOT EXtLC. T*i- aH the overseers arc convicts. If ihey prove to bo tyrants,''^ and got A groat deal uf woik donu* and men rrcquentl/^ brought but'orotic iVlugivtraic lur disobedience of orders, that the cells* triangie^i and llugilator, miy be occupied, they^ can hold the otHjo for ti long time. 'IMiesc overseers havo ^ masters over ilioin, such as a siiporintcndant, to each station; * a free man, with a salary; but ihey likewise are liablo to bei , removed by the principal supcrint^ndanlof road<, or in other'' woixili, the king oflyianls, whose salary is high. Now wo" have, with a tyrannical Governor, a tyrant principal superin- ' lendant — tyrannical petty mngistrutes; tyranicalsupcrintend- untof stations— overseers and constables, in abund mce, of the same stamp — Doctors and Parsons, (with groat salary's) 1 apparently all combined to crush the poor unfortunate pris-'' vners. It is on account of the tyranny of such characters, that, ihousands become prisoners or slaves in England, as well as Von DicnTan'sLand. 7 Oh how my heart yearns over the unfortunate poor slave* of happy Kngland, as well as those of color that were planted by them, on our shores, and continue to be hold by men of the same stamp — lovers of pleasure, heady, high-minded, cov^'^ tous, over-bearing, lovers of gold obtainq^i by the blood ahd i(»\ of their fellow man. Oh ! the old aristocratic chain? What will be done to prevent its completly encircling URt;' that we cannot move hand or foot. Oh! that the people,*'' would arise and assert theii rights! It will continue to length-'^ cii and strengthen, as long os you quietly submit. Here the question may be asked; why did you submit to ' the tyrants? If I had been there, 1 would have done differ- ':' eiit. The fact is, we were deserted by our friends in timo of danger; when we most needed them, they were not to bo ^ found; we were in the lion's grasp, and there left to be do-^^ voured, and I have often thought that being so longgnawedi mangled and torn, that our escape has been as wonder-*'' ful as Daniel's from the Lions Den. Permit me to answer "^^ you, and I say it without hesitating, I am fully convinced' | that the men who have suffered so much for the crime of taking up arms in favor of liberty, and against tyrany, an^'* the last men to flinch in time of danger, and in a good" aause, and notwithstanding our long and severe sufferings,^' 7 ' » '( t.| ■ i m ' «v * * • \ I , . (' • I 1. ' I " ?^ •«» 1 it: I A I Wf m T»\ NAURATIVB OP A« nqjt*a,mnn wos ovor hpa>vO to »ay, that the cniASt welind c^poift* sed • vvos bud, ot* that hq wa8 surry ho hnd eitpoust d it; w^ W4^r^ oiily ^)Orry. lor tho fniiuro. Now in sdbtniiiiug toAvork on.tho roadsf «w w( w£)a'o situatml at thoi tiino, you iJiny bet aasurofi wo did what we coiusidored for thobost; wo were ■tr;ingors in a strnnigo land, not knowing onr dostiiiyJVom one dfliy t^^ another; we hnd not mud) tiirio to consider, aiKJ if w* had kjiown what our Pate afterwards proved to be, not a man- Wjpiuld have raised a fingorto worK onil»rir nmds; we (tcrtnin- ly.^l^ught we would not belong allowc lo ronuiin (ui the roadfl» If yoa could only know tho flatiory red deception u.^eii by th» tjranlsjn power, (as well in I'iiif^l.UH, as in that place) llioc pUrns, intrigues and means rewrted to, to Uee[> the upper' hands, and to grind ibo po.>'* n, ison<-r \a the dust, you nii^ht th^n say, *'well, I do not kir w as I could have done any dif- fercnl in your .sitiiation." Now, ns gloomy as thd projipect was, of our subduing this nnrr v r-as l)nndini, or den oT thieveis. (I mean the principil and Ici i, ones, whi«th comprise noar- I^.aJl th(^t hold ollicej if we lia have had enca one ofusia rii()|», we would have. tik,en the L> ash, and made it awarnJDg to. ihfl.p. ; The second day, Skoan, the superintendnnt of that station^ COmeS'Outbut says little, next day he comes o gain, and says taTpo) Hewit, the overseer: '-it seems lo me, you do not got alppg very fast." "Sir" says he, ''the men are niaiy of th©m sick," ''Well," says the supcrintendant, "I will send the Doctor, and see if your gai g of laboring men can't bo ad- ded to n little." Thn Doctor appe^ars — inquires into the cause of complaint, but to nearly all he replied, *'oh nonsense, PJl give you a few pills, tako tw.o each night for a week, a^di yf>u can commence work to-morrow." To-morrow comes and eight or ten am dnven out, scarcely nblo to move. "MfelU" says Tom Hewit, *'I have got a pretty ; good gang to-day; 1 think I can have some work done;, the Super, will ba here this after nooD» and hei\Yil] iind fault; he already sayp th|9re is not much work done. The principal superintend- ai^^,of roads says he don*t ihink. you men will bo prisoners lo^g, and he, is in a hurry to .have th^^J pari of the road finiahh ed^it has been along while going; likrwlse tbe Governor is in^hj4rr)(^;o.iiayo .it,fiaisl\^j and.a^opd many other gentle- it; w« lo work iinv bet m \vcn» I'oin 01)6 mJ if w* t a maO' certain" ticniadfl» ul hy lh» rico) ill* he uppef' III riiight any dif* )>ios»pect r th'mvea,. 'ise noar- ) of us 'a warning It simioiH ind says o not got ninny of m\\ send [I't bo «d- into the lonsense, a week, |w comes move. >d gang er. will idy say? ^intend- risonera finiahf' lornor i» genUe- m riTRIOT EXILE. 70 mort nro romplaihing 6f the Icngtli of time I have been tj^ wofk on this jiiecc oi* road. My bloody eyi*., \i will nevef. do, I shall bo br- ko of my billot. Come seowbatwo c^H. h4ve done agninst tlio super c >tnos. C«'in'^ nil imnds, if tho Dotior says yoii are al)lo I » work, you in ^l work. I am eXn p-^(tlcd to have work done ncc nding lo ?lu- nuniberof bands.",. We were divided ar'>und wi;b )iit any roL'tini lo size or ability to pcnorni heavy lahor — bonie lo wheeling, some peeking) , sjnio shoveling, some at ciris. It is beginning lo be hurry* , ing limes. Sonie ol' thciso who were not well, asked thn privt , iiege of being tnkcn (;!!' iVom drawing carls; after ho diacof: , ci*ed that some ihrre or four were near fainting, he sMiye,, "who are ifn^sc niehiliatarc ..'nalids, that ibe l)octor sent, out this njorniiig; lot ihrm sip[) forward, that I may knovK who ihey arc." ]\rysoir, wilh seven others stepping out. ' •'You can go lo break in*]: siiuie lo-day, but to-morrow you must do other work, for I d )n't want siono broken yet."; , Now this was considercdliglil work, and so it was, comparts cd tb others, but lo mo it was verv bad work, the dirt from the stone, and constant iviolion with the hammer, wasincreaSi ' ing the pain in my hrensf, and it was wilh much diiljcnUy, thai 1 stood it until n'ghf j when I was very tired and hungry. Next njorning at the ringing of the bell, which was be- fore sun-rise, all hands turned out and took their pintofskil-;. ly. Our names arc called over by tho clerk, ranked up ai^i; * marched to our work; willi very few exceptions, none wer^., allowed to stay back; they must bo very sick or lame, to be., allowed to stop in; those that d'd slop were invariably abus^ . edand insulted by clerks and other lackies. The huts were i go miserable, and no accommodaiions for cither sick or welli . that many who were not nblo lo work, have prefered going, j out with the gang than to stop in. Now the barrows and carls are ordered to be loaded alittUn heavier. The boxes o( the carts were six feet in lengtl^l, fotli' and a half feet wide, and nearly two feet in depth; they ;, must be filled, invariably, no difference whether with dirt Of^o stone. Four men are allowed to each cart — no reiitihg lir. ,> lowed— but' all hands must be constantly moving, nomattoi^i hotv muddy, rain or shine, the roads must be mad^.j ; I thill; >, it wii6 on the fifth day, Lysander Curtis, together with feven \> 1. .V \ *• I X f-^ i m NARRATIVE OP A * » ^1 or eight others, were wheeling on a *'run," as it was called^ thdt ii) one wheeling the barrow until ho meets another com* irtg bttck with an empty one, who leaves the loadud and takes the empty one, till he meets one loaded, und soon. I was, and hnd been, during the day, until the middie of the after noon, wheeling to Mr. Curtis. He hnd not been well during some weeks; he told tno that he could not stand it, that he Tell very bad. 1 told him to spcnk to the ovorioer, but ho kept on wheeling — I discovered that ho was last lulling; I again requested him to speak {^tr permission to stop. Ho said that he new it wis of no use \o ask the brute, but at 1 isi was compelled to do so. Tom replied with an oath, ^Hhat he did not care; he was sent out by the Doctor, and ho should wheel it or die by it, he did not care which " 1 was listen*- -ing, tearing something of tho kind; I immediately spoke, tel> ling him that Mr. Curtis was very bad, that he had beci! sick eomo time previous, and at landing, that I knew ho was una* ble todo the work imposed upon him. Some others spoka to the same effect. Tom Hewit replied, "do you think thai you know better than the Doctor, wheti.er ho is sick or not.^ We told him, whether he or the Doctor knew it or not, wo were sure Curtis was not able to do the work, and begged ho might be allowed to go into the station; he could scarcely stand, but was commanded to wheel on. We were all tired, myself quite unwell, having a high lever produced by tho sufferings, with tho ])ain in my breast. 1 could scarcely walk with the loaded barrow, but we managed so that Curtis would have but two or three paces to wheel it, however, ho ■oon sat or rath.r fell on to the barrow. We took hold of hhn, for he could not raise himself, and laid him on the ground, at the same timo a man bringing his coat to put under him. It then wanted an hour and a half of suii-down; we asked Tom Hewit if we could not be allowed to toko the cart and carry him in. *'No, dam it, suro he won't die bo» fore quitting time." We spoke two or three times for tho privilege of taking hirti in, but were not allowed. He lay on the ground until thei gang quit work, which was not until f|uUe dusk; we then drew him to the staiion in a cart; he bo* kinged in tho same hut that I did. There was no care taken of him that night; the Doctor not living on the station, vm liv' PATRIOT EXILE. ailed, com* d and . n. 1 oftho 1 well t, that but he ling; 1 io said St was he did {>l)ould hsten- ko, tel- ci! sick ;is una» poki to hat you r not.** not, we gged he curcely U tired, by the icarcely Curtis ver, he hold of oil the t to put i-down; lako the idie be^ for the lie lay lot until I, he be- -e taken »n, viw 81 not called until morninsf, alihougli miny of us requested the clerk to call hini. I did n()tslee|) a wii^k thai night, although very lired. There we wcro, in a Haiii[>, cold hut, without any fire, and the niglils very cold, though the . days were warm; it was in Febru iry, the last summer month, (ior you must know that it is winter there, when it is summer h«re;) there he and myself were, cold, himqry and tired — no be^, and no light. 1 watched by him, as lie hiy on the boards^ d<|- ring the night; two or three limes, I (xpccied ho wis dyingj he was very sick. At last morninj;comeb — the boll rings — the door is unlocked by llic scniry, ulio stands watch out-side the lints, during the niglit. "flow is iliat s'ck man," sings out the clork. On being answfjrrd, '"well never mind, onp dead mnn is notliinpf; gut your skilly, all linnds. 1 suppose that sick man will hnvo to slop in tod ly, if he's like to die; I will send him to the hospilJij. Wo had a few minutes 10 talk, but he could not say much; he s;iid he sliould not live long. "Oh the poor pri'>:oners! Oh! Kiiglnndl ryr.inls! Ty- rants! Oil! I wish Cfinadi wn«r- free from tliom! Oli! I wish you wore all out of ihoir hnnds. 'Jlinnk ihe l^ord I shall eoon be. (sliakir.g hands with ns mmy rs cniiJd got to hinn) *'God bless you, i shall not see \o\i again this side ofiieaven, I feel as if tlio Lord \\as doing mo a grcnt favnr, in taking mo out of the liands of these tymnts. Oh! if the peoj)le had turned out to help us as llioy ngrerd to, \vc would not havo been doomrd to so much suill-ririgs, bit, bvif," as- the word musicr all hands, "tel! my wife and cliiMren 1 die happy." we wore hurriedaw.y, and iicvrr s'mv him more, llo wae taken that day to the gnner.-il hispital. in llolnrt I'own, one mile from our staiion. Wo a!iorw,irds learned ihril ho lived three days after leaving our s!ali<»n. Some of us requested the privilege of going to si^e him. bti? were refused. • ''"It is imposr.iblo for me to rclato cvoi-y circumstnnco that occurod during our stay at thai plac^; the incroise of labor, abuse and tyranny of the ovor«eers, and tlie scantiiipps of ra- tions, and poornoiis of (piality; lor our meat was uuiilon, sup- plied by ;-ontraci,, and the sptilors \v"nli1 select the oMest, out of perhaps, ^l),!^)!) head, no matter if they were poor and ju^t ready to have lainb>; they would kill them to keep thoip from dying, t ) furnish road stations with, they wcro good- « m I ,. > n y I ! NARRATIVE OP A i ^/|.-. ( r< enough for prisoners. I say prisoners, we wore not onlr Brisoners, but J^laves, in every sense ol the word. We were ireatenfd with tho cat o'niiie l.iil>; but we ngrced ihnt if ^ver we were floged, ns we had seen many of the old hands, death should follow immediately, on ihe first attempt. One day the carts were loaded so heavy, it wns impossible for ua to draw them; the overseer said if we did not, we would all tie flogged; we !old him nota man of us would stand it. 'WhyV iaid he, "because, we arc doing all we ciri, to keep out of trouble, and you seem to bo doing all you can to gel us in to trouble." *'VVhat will you do, if you should bo flogged?** 'We told him at once, that every man would fight uiiiil ho died. "Well, say you wont draw ihcm carts." Now we had told him we could not, but he wanted us to say wo would not, that he could take us before the mgisirae, !(.. disobe- dience of orders. Hundreds have been driven to say, '"ihoy will not;" the consequence is, sixty lashes, and senl iinmo* dialely to work, with their backs bleeding, Jind tho overseer dllowed to tyrannize over them, and drive and starve tliem, to ■uch a degree thai they are obliged to take the IJush, They are ihen advertised, and if taken alive, the gallows is sure to end their dnvs, or ye.trs, of slavrv. One thousand five hundred, tjnder smiilar c:rcumst'»nces, sufl'erod upon the gal- lows, during bloody y\rlhurs cruel reign, of eleven years, |)revious to his being sent to Canada, to put things lo r £:hl9 there. But I was speakir:g of the carts boing so heavily loaded, ii being very tnuddy at th'it time. We were comj)el- led to tell him we would not draw them; at the same time, 'telling him we ronlil not. ''That'll do," c'illing >on)e con- •tables, whose huts were close by; ''hero take these nun lo the watch-house.*' Eleven of us were mru'ched off — iny in the cells twenty-four hours, and were then taken heforo a mngistrate. Tom appenrs us only witness. "Well, Mr. Hewjt, what is the compliint against these men?" "Diso- bedience of orders, sir; they refused to work, sir " M.-igig- trate. "Refuse lo work, do ihey?" We tlun attenipled to tc!l him the reason. "That'll do, that'll do; the risoner always pleads not guilty; not a word, not a word; Mr. Ilew- ft is considered a good o* e'"seer; I shall on'y sentence you to seven davs solitary confinement on bread and water, as this w; PATRIOT EXILE. ^ ii the fi'st oflfetico; constftt)les, take them nway." Thf^, reader, is what is uilleJ a«ample of good Goverrrmeilt, in Van Dierrmn's L nd. • . i i'> ' -^^ Those nre the kind «>r mnn, thnt for a paltry sum and fbr (the name of holdi^r»g office undf>r the crown, are sent to that (Country lo grind to the dusi, the poor of England. Thoa- i«and« yenrly, are torn away from their friends and nitive Jnnd; (or whfit? fo" the very same renson that hundreds ate obliged to tfike the Bush; hiindredsand thousands starved and 'Worked to death; the Doctors of course, have the privilege of their i)odics, for dissectiComo alon? and enquire, "who is buried there;" the nnswier »inoy be, "oh. no hody hut prisoners; that is where they bury convicts." The gentlemen h.Mve a burying-grouud i)y ihem- •elves. Iflhenue^tion wnsaskf d me, "who lies buried tb?re," I Khoiiid answi'r after this mniiner: ''These are what are called convicts; their parents, perhnps were born poor, and •were obliged to work for a shilling n day, nnd having a Qimi- ly of perhaps, seven or eight, children; to keep them from starving, are finally driven lo the necessity of bewrging or steal- ing, begging being a poor business, ihey nre finally obliged to eteal; whv'M»eL:aiise their children are stnrvinsr- These are the ponr men nnd women of hnppy old England, who have been doomed to a life of horrible sufferirig; and at last to death; and after being cut in pipces by surgeons, are tumbled into hoxos nnd hurriedly covered up, n-it nt all sutficient for a decent burial; wh\? because ihey nre ccnvicts." Our seiitoiice in the sells, having expired, we were sent directlv to work, with the gang, very weak and poor, hav- ing had nothing, during our slay in the cel:s, but bread and water. It began to bp vvh'S|)ered around that if this nbusB and tyranny continued, not a man will be alive at the end of six months. We had mavle inquiiy respecting those that had left Canada, for trnnsporiation. a short lime before us, artd found liiey had arrived n few weeks before us; th'i"* party hnd come bv the way of England. It con.sisted of Benjamin Wait. Samuel Chandler Alexander McLeod. John Vernon, John McNulty, James Wagoner, K .man Malery, George li* ;) ! ■ , 1 \ f: i* • in « i . '8 1,1 ii^i ^ M NAHRATIVE OF A Iff Cno\ey and Q.arret VanCamp, who hnd arrived in the ship ,MqrqvtiS| pr Ho-stings, and had hoen assigned to iho soliera^ : Lvnus W. Miller, John Grant, Jnnies (iar,nel and Jadbb .Beonjer, had, arrived nboul five, weeks bolore usj andlliko ^Oj^^plves, were put to work on vbo,, roads. Miller^ Grant and,G:imeI, from the shi|> Canton, had been sent to a road station about ten rniles from ys. On hearing ofour arrival, they requcstod perniission to.be sent to the station with US| but were told,, '"they had beiic:\»tay wh0re iliey wero, for wo wpremarked for severe trenimenl/' They replied, ''ihey had mu(Jh rather be with their countrymen, f>vcn ifilierreat- inent was worse, than remain with the old i>aiMJ?*," asihose \yoi'Q C'lllcd, who- had been there twelve monihs. Their re- quest was granted niter wo had been al^our station about three weeks; and woJian tJjo ploastue of shaking hands wiih ihoso three warin^h^rU^d patriots, whose ifuderiigs had been se- vere, and now with us, there was no prospect of their be- coming lighter. Vye soon received, not only i heir history, but also of those .wiio were on loan to ihesptlers. Wo heard of the death ofVariCam|), McNully and McLeoth also ofibo conduct of ihejtr/iifor, Jacob Uoenier, who was ihen (;a: sta- ble. Mr, iMiller. Mr. Grant and Mr. Gnmeh soon found it true respecting our treatment. Why i>ur ships company were selected for spvero tiealinont there, afier sufifering so long anil severe, before geuing there, is what i cmnutsay; unless it w.is becius:.' Arthur, not b ing allowed to inurdor us all, in Canada; had sent to Franixliii, to murder us there, OMt ors|)ile; for I i^n. sure, that bL't\^o work was \ery nearly accomplished. -, rr.n! V/ ' .•.- r! .i t. ^ ^! I ......... ^. About a week after the death of Curtis; \\ illi;im Xoitago was cruelly mangle'jl, by, hiast ng rocks, and was obliged to bc,taken lo iheliospital; he lived seven d't\s. • ,vff . ,.[i ^. i Four in?n now lojk iho Uiish; Iloivu'O C>nl'»y, .Jacob Paddoc WilliMm Uayn.ilds and Michael, Murrav; after wan- dering about, living on roots and shell fi-vh or muscles, picked up along th'e hcacli, an \ sleej^ing in thp woods, lor two week?, they were talceji, trie! fn* absconding, and senl<'iiced for two years, lo Port ArihuJ", whi(?^^!| isconsidciod tho worst placfion the Isl'ind.r-.i .fo.^Jn?/ «^^p.-.^,(A .fr.a.r.pp{') Uii,r,'>-^' .ticV/ \ Puring our stay at Sandy Bay Station, searcoly adayjpai- I ' >AtRl6T EklL^. 85 ged but some wereihrcntenpJ with tho rrl i '. I cnnnottcll nil thnl occurred whilst hero, but. on ncconnt ol'our cnmphlning to tho mngislrnto, of poor rnlions, nnd ihni one hnlf nllowed by Governinont, vvns stolon from us by clerks, o^ crseers nrid other billeted men, nnd nn American Cnptnin of a Whaler, calling to sec us, we were stronuly suspected of conlempla- ling ui\ esrape, being n^nr the hnrhor, nnd in sight of the fihipping. We were, wiihin thioe hours notice, ordered to take up our line of marcli, cnch witlj his hlrmket, tin-fup and plato on his back, with six constiiiles and twelve soldiers to escort us on our way, we knew not whore. Wo were nllowed three days rations to mob man, whicli consisird of poor mut- ton and liread, and ohlisjod to roll it • p in our l)laMkcts, they being literally alive with flens, which nre very nunieroui on the Islnnd. f--'^t^ w «■>•.■•■""••■••", ••■ ■ ■ . .■■■^.. Wo are now on our wav, nftor a stiv of over throe nnd d half months nt Snndy Bny Stnfion. The rorids were muddy, and some of the \v\r\v helui^ imuell, we could not get over twelve miles the fiisr, dny. Wo put up ni a road s'ntion, whore thero \verf\ somo, one Imrulred nn-i filly nt work; wo huddled in amongst them, nnd reslcn as wril as wo could through th»' niglu, nfior cMf>kii'g somo of our mutton, in a ket- tle which we borrowed of iho nvcj-sooi". hv ?> fire huilf cMitside, for there wore nodiimnpvs in fho huts. Wo turned out in the mornina; nt the rinoPMv^ oi* tho sfition F^e'l, and snw four men (h^ggoH hcforo hmnklVist — mo'voH some uiore mul'on, and discov reil thnt we Ind lo^t n good slinro of that, and of tho bread, durinc^ the n eiit. I must horo remark, ih'i' wow^ror^ga'u iiitronuccd to somo of our old friends, cnllo'l l;oo. which continue d to increnso, in epite of nil our efl'trts, durliicr cur sinv on 'he ronds. Thoso and thi' flens, which nro in f'hnnd."nce nn md these old huts, together with exlr^mo sufforinp^s undo our situntion one not to be desir d. nndonethnt f-nnot ho f lUv described. ' ■ ■ ' Wo took our sf'tntv hreik'^st nud wero soon on our wft^. That dav miny woro unwell, i\u'] ho ('onrse, thick shoos, without socks, (for thrro woro none nllowod srmuier or win- ter) mnny we o obliprod to orrv in thoir hnnd"*. Some part of the ronds heinn^ nowlv laid with stono. of about the size of hens-eggs, only not quite as round, beitJg flint stone, with ■;>!"'i i >'■■■ i .V fi» NARRATIVE OP A ipdf^et as sharp as a >ni(e. Our foet wciro soro and bleedif>|^ .tired and hungry, 9 got but little faiiher than ontho first k(lay, th'nigh continual! / hurried along by our drivers, if yre roiused to go, **VVell darn your blo»dy eyes, go along a little ways farther, there is n. watch-house we will put you in find kee|) you on bread and water a few days, and see how you will like that." Some, however, wereobligfd loslop be* ibre night, 'i'hat night we slopped ai a small villngo, called .Bogdid, which consisted of prisoner's barrack*!, a 1 irge waich* .house, two or three taverns find two stores; some soJdier> ond 'plenty of const in; when we arrived nl the sta'.ion. .^iid hy thetim*^ we got our pint ol' giuel drnnk, it wns quite Hnik: we n)n.<-trred into our huts, n > fire, no light, cold, luingry nnd tirrd— iimrly every nigiit wet to the skJDi the doors locked wiih smtrysout side day nnd night. Mr. Brnberson. the siiperintei.dnnl, wns a tyrnnt. and over- seers the snme. They sermrd todelighl in having a ''down,'* QS it is termed, rn sf;me one; in whch cnse, the mnn or men, ore insulted in every f)0'^sihle mnnner. Mnny of us were thrust i'lto the cpIIs. to plense the o verse- r. for no oficnco whatever, m rely to show us thnt wo were in his power. There are m^ny wnvs for the overseer to punish individuals through the dny, stich ns causing his hnrrow to be londed a little henvier thnn usnnl. or a hnd tool put into his hnnd and compelh-rJ to do ns murh ns nnother with a gonri tool, or put in a hnd muddy plnce to work; if his brenking stone is f«>und fault with rnd nre not broken ns well nsthe next man's, who mny be n fnvnrlte of the overseer, he is obliged to hrcnk ihem over, making him work rs m'lch rignin os his neighbor.— Various are the ways and means, to cause one mans work . t til' i 'M i S'i p.- 1 1 i: 1 pi ■^ NARRATIVE OF A 1 : fliarder nnd more disagreeable, than others in the someplace, il mention this, to show thr\i of n number of men at work in •the sumo g;mg, some amongst them, may faro much hirder 'and experionco ditlbrent Ircatmcnl than others; cDnsrquchtly, each one in giving an account, nuiy vary, and still all do irue. ^ The above mode orpiif/iiahinenl is in the power of tli- over- ♦'■eer;iryou c<'n)plaiii, or ihrcntcn to tnkc him bcloro tho ' magistrate, he \a sure to gel ihc start of yon; no matter whcth. - er you are guilty or not, he goes to the rnagislralo wiih you, and commonccb a long list of cotnplainls, which are listened to; "This man, sir, is a very hatl man, sir; he is snucy, sir; he gives me insolonco, he refuses to do whnt I bid iiiui, sir; he is Ifi/y ri!)Vi slights his witrk; when I pnssby him he looks with contempt at me sir; he is vcrv obstinato, I have more trouble with him, than fiiiy other one in the gnng " d'c. If tho prif^oner allrmj ts to say any thing in his own dcfonce, the mngistiate.will stop him by srjyin,fr, "oh ynu cannot plead not giiiliy, to all of these compl-iints; tliis mm is a good ' overseer find you prisoners nre very brd; you need not at- tempt loe\(nJse yourself, I sh'ill sec fit lo givtj you ten days solitary confinement, on bread nnd water; tnke hinj auay." Thus you see the prisoner has no possible (dinned of right or jusliro. When he comos out of the »;ell, he is sent imme- diately to work, so weak ho can s(!arci?ly w.'ilk, and the samo abuse nnd insult comuiunces again: ihc oversrer contempt- ously laugh ng at him; "there you see whnt you get by threaten 'ng to pull me; 1 told you so." I WIS under I'^e necessity of comphiiningto the nngistratc, on account of tho barrows being lo\ded sr» hc'ivy tli'it it was impossib'e for me to whnel them; tho overseer hnd .)een im- posing upou me for some tim-"*, on account of a coiiiplnint to the magistrate, of tilings beingtriken out of our luir. at difFer- ent times. I told him it must lie some of the old Inuds about the station, for they were taken whilst wo were out to work. On plensmt d.iys, we would, so-tie of u^, leave our shoes, or coat, in tho hut; a nuujber Ind lost tiuun; 1 h: d lo-la pair of boots. The nvigistrate said the doors niiis^ he lo -ked, whilst we were out to work. There were five or six old hands billited men,' about the sntion, that would ste il our cloths, and often we were punished for loosing them. Nov mi ^ iini riwuv PATRIOT KXIM. 80 Jie overseer wns ono of the gang of thieves, and took the privilege of abusing mo, in every possible nnnnncti', saying gverylilile while, **jiccus>eusor3teuling, will you." 1 Htjally • told him that ho wns as bad as those ho uf)hcld, in such cou* duct, and I believed by his conduct towards n)e, that ho woe . ihe ono mat look, or caused my boots lo bo taken; likewise iheoiher things we had lost. Myself, with two or ihreo oih- > ers, hud come to the conclusion that wo should bo obliged to take liio Bush. I told the superintondant of tho overseers . abuse, to mo and some others, but got no satisfaclion; be- cause one was as bad as the other. I told him that 1 had a i pain in my breast, and could not stand it, to wheel such heavy < loads: but was told, 1 must do it. I saw that lould not stand it much longer. Tho magistrate was to bo there the next ; day; when l»« come, I told him of the overseers abuse to mo, ; and that 1 could not stand it hut a short time. The overseer, i Tom King, was called, and went on with a long list of cotn- j ptaints. 1 told the magistrate that they were all lies, and could be proven so by every man in the party; I told him the t cause of the overseer's treatment to me, and that I was not > the only one, who would bo driven to death or the Bush, by ■ the tyranny and villiany of our overseers; ihojDoctor wascal- ; led ond 1 was examined; 1 told him of the pain in my breast, i that 1 had been troubled with it a long time. Said he, "did you tell the overseer of your situalionT' I told him that I had. "That will do," said he, giving me a plaster. Tho Doctor and magistrate talked together a short time. The j magistrate told me that ho had not time to go through with o atrial, but must put it olf until another dny, and that I could j withdraw. He then talked to King, so loud that I could hear a him from the adjoining room. Said he, "if this suit should go on, and Marsh shoi^d bring witnesses, it must go against : you; the Doctor tells me ho is not able to do heavy work, and * it is evident you have abused him, by causing him to work i; harder than he is able; you see it would send you to Port t Arthur six months or a year: so you may thank me for not h bringing the case to trial; put him at light work, and let me >? hear no more complaints of this kind." So saying, he left 1) the station. The Doctor told him he ought to be flogged, fo? a treating me as he had. Said he, "you might know that be J h^ *h •«. I .'"■ t,. \« ' 1 1 , •'. if. '11 ¥ •M. f t fi' 1 s ■ 00 KiCllllAtlve OP A* I WW not wdl by appearenccs, and when ho told you he wai not nblo to wheel such loads, you ou.^hl ti> h:iK) brought him to me, to knowwhoihcr ho vva.s nhle; do y^u put him rr. very light work, until you havo other in*ders iVo.nin'." I had it €afaier al'tor that, (or some lirno, I) .t Htillbrcd much from puin, I believe ihi) was the only instance, ih;it any oi us had re« ceived any thing like justice, I niiy si y, dinng our slay on the roads. I believe the Doctor was thi; ciuse oflhis smglo act of benevolence to nic. 'I'hc oveiscr i'ult that ho »vas next i)est in that one instance, About two weeks iVom that, he began to niauii'<\st signs ol' renovvin'^ his fyiauny tovNfirds me, l»y various acts. C)ue night as ihcg.ing hnd got netirly in to the slatict/i, ho enquired lor the crowbars, and was told that 'hey were left. »'l meant to hnd tlicni brought in,'' said he. It was Saturday; the to(ds were to be taken in for in- •pection. TliO gang wris stopped, myself and Wright, rnioih- er one that ho had a ''down"' on, ibr som^i trilling ollonce, were cnlled out And sent back two miles ibr the crowbnrs, ihorG wns one small one, and one \ery large one, we tried, on our way brick, two or throe limes, i) break them, but had not strength; at last, by throwing the bigono irom our shoul- dors across the small one, which lay rju the ground, we cl last broke it near the center. It was nine o'chck when we arri- ved at th;; stazion, very tired nnd hungry, after taking our pint of skilly, wo went to our huts for some rest. Next mornitig wo wore «^alled ujinn and questioned concerning tho broken bar; we told ihcm it must have been broken by soniO one during tho night. Wo were threatened with the cells, but ns it could not be proved, we being alone, wo finally. rp- teived nothing but threats. 'T-'* .* xM.tl .w/;iO: !. Two of our party now take tho Hush, for the sake of get- ting out of the hands of these tyrants, nnd if possible make aomo arrangement with an American Cnplain of a whaler, as there were two or three in port. Linas VV. Miller and Joseph Stewart, undertook it; after doing all in their power, they failed in tho attempt. They were taken, tried, nnd sen- tenced two years to Port Arthur. They suffered much, for the first few weeks, after an abusive" speech from the Gov crnor, some of the officers of that place considered it very Ivnird that the Governor ahou'.d bo so severe on them, for at- ft TATRIOT EXILE. 9^ 1 we arri- tempting' nn ( •^npr, nnd mnnifnsicd a disposiiibn to treni therti'^ > belter. Mr. MillrrnmJ Mr. Stewart bring good Kcln»lar8, Millnr uns r in|)l(i\ rd ns fcnclicr of the children oflhc ofticcrtjl^ on ll)0 stfition; Slewfirl ns signal man. 1 will leave ilicin for the preseiii, nnJ rcium. On the (Joverri(W>' l.cnrinp of their leftVfng tf^e pArty, ah'd* hearing, l!l wo njipear- ed to feel very prouti; some would dance, others strut around' very much plenscil with our new suit, it having a different " affect fr«Mn wh. 'it ihey expected, it caused some of them to look rather shamed. u-.ui ■-) r- -' ,, -j,. o .;..».*> \V« remnin^d fit this place during the winter, sufToring' rmicli fn»ni cold, hunger and hard work; wet mostly all tho ' time, obliged to wash our own shirts, with cold water and lit- tle son p. mend our own clothes, for we wcro allowed but two suitsayenr; it was with much difliculty wo could keep them on our backs; some having ihem stole, were obliged to go without, many obliged to go b'.ircfoot. It is of no use for me lo undcriaKo to tell of all tho abuse wo received from the petty tyrants on that station, manj would not believe it. Many were put in the cells for seven, *" eight and ten days on oread and water for very trifling offen- ; ces, and in fact for no ofTence whatever. Two or throe wtre put in for refusing to work without shoes in the frost and on the flint-stone road — kept in until almost starved — taken out and obliged to work, being promised shoes in a few days, finally when the lime comes to deal them out, ' which was twice a year, some withj iheir feet so cut with stone, so swollen and sore connot wear their shoes; but': thoro is no Excuse when you complain of sore feet, "well ' yon havo got shoes now, bcforo you could not work you ' .ii 4>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I |L25 lit Ij^ i2.2 11° 12.0 lU BS I' y -^ HiotDgraphic Sdences Carporation 23 WiST MAIN STREiT WfBSTEt.N.Y. MSM (716) •72-4503 m KAI^RATiyS QP A ' i said you had r>one — now you have got them, you must workt no excuse now, only I'eet u liitle sore, thul's nothing, go on with your work'' fiic. Now comes the word, "all hund« get ready for a move," —our lousoy blankets which we wcreobligfid lo keep during our stiiy on the roads, our tin hou^uhold furniture, the same all coltccicd which amounts to one cii|), one plate, no knife or fork, notables, no chairs, i.o nothing. But utter destitu- tion of every thing that would have the '■ asl tendency to make us coMjforiablo. A days rations were weighed out to us — we a e now under marching orders, with a respiciablo possee of the Queen's pence officers with blue rouudaboula^ muskets and clubs in hand: they are not only sworn to keep the peace, but to swear i^i favor of the crown against any prisoner, at all ;iines, in fact, they are the government'f standing witnesses, they are very numerous they, together vrith the overseers are selected from the prisoners — and fol a little better fare and a trifle of gold, stand ready to crush the prisoner, and if he says a word against it, bring him at once before a man called magistrate, whose pay is a little more; and between them all, the prisoner, though his con- duct may be good, who has been trying all in his power to keep out of trouble, is sure to suffer. These men's charao> tors you will find d^'lineated in the 7xh chapter of Micah) second third and fourth verses, f?';? ":.•? i< nr^ou-fi >Jrart town,enduring us it were a forced march. Arrived that evening very much fatigued, at a place called Green Ponds Station, distance twenty miles from Lovely Banks and twenty miles from Hobart town. Near the station were soldier's barracks, and a company of about sixty soldiers stationed there for the purpose of hunting or rather watching for bush-rangers and escorting prisoners on their way for punishment. I tnust not be particular in describing every thing that occur* red wKilst at this el^^tion; they wer^ similar here to o(he!r stations. The superintepdant was a man they called Bobby N^itman, and by the old hands, a Tiger. Mi^ny were thi men that had, fsu^ered Mnd^^hi^P* but to us he appeared tP be friendly, said he did not consider us the same asi^.otheri prisoners. Now the Goveraor was disappointedj for he co»- riTKIOT Util. 9S fiidered as old Bobby was a tyrant, that under him all would be severely punished, becuus** two of our party bud aWcon* ded; but hearing old Bobby was mnnifesting signs of mercy (which was perhaps the first he whs ever known lo do) he had him immediately removed, and a man by the name of Wright, to us all wrong — but the right man for ihe gov- ernor Sir John, wns put over us here, and I verily believe he lay awake nights planning and devising means to make us unhappy and miserable. The party was driven out to work as soon as they could see in the morning, and worked until dark and often until eight o'clock, before they arrived atthe station, g(^t their pint ot skilly — tired, wet and hungry, mustured, turned into the huts, dtiors lucked. There we are amongst the bed*bugs, flees and lice, a tub for use m each hut, If we could sleep, well and good, if not, all the same : wo turn out as soon as daylight, take our pint of skilly and are marched to work, which was principally carting stone. Some five or six at this place, were ruined for life, and not any but can refer back to this place as one of horrible suf- ferings and with disgust at the petty tyrants who were over UB there. At this place were cells, a flngellator, and tri- angles. We were obliged every few days to see some one of the old hands brought loour station from ono about two miles distant to be flogged. We getting tired of seeing it, took the triangles, not without some difliculty, however, and concealed them and in a day or two a man was brought to be flogged, but on looking for the triangles, they were not to be found; so the man escaped that time, we were all threatened but no one knew anything about them. Some two or three of our party had managed at diflerent times to obtain a Httle paper for the purpose of keeping a Journal, though not allowed to do so. Mr. Wright and ihe overseers were fearful that if ever they were published, they would be exposed. He had us all ranked up and with con- stables, clerks, overseers, and other bilited men, had us all searched. Just before the search took place, I was seen by a man with a pie<^e of paper of some kind, supposed to be a Journal, information was given and I was ordered to take ofli* all my clothes and be thoroughly searched; not suumitting they were taken off" entirely, but found only a newspaper |i| Iti.ll' ;] 1 t I! r;r ■ ? f 94 NARRATIVE OF A I, . ;- : .'; d;\ ^ n I that one of the soldiers had handed me with something in it he said, respecting the Canadian prisoners, as we were called, Now it was so managed by government, that every few weeks a paper would be handed us with something favorable intimating if our conduct was good we would all soon be liberated, and in fact for a long time before wejivere libera- ted it was in the papers in England as well as other places that the Canadian prisoners were all liberated. But we afterwards learnt it was done not only to deceive us and keep us quiet, but to deceive our friends and keep them in the dark respecting our actual condition and sufferings. During the search there were one or two journals found, and in them his own character, with others, was partly des- cribed, but in such a manner that it could not be distinct- ly made out. I understood that Wright went with it to the *^ magistrate, Mr. Erskine, who had a hearty laugh over it. Says he to Mr. Wright, *♦ there appears to be much truth ' in this journal, according to all accounts ; if you arc guilty of such little mean acts, 1 do not blame the men for finding fault. I shall look into it, and if true, you must expect to - be punished." Wright was pretty quiet for a spell ; we had become satis6ed that if the magistrate here had taken *■ notice and done as Wright wished him respecting us, our » situation would havo been worse, if possible, than Wright ■ had it in his power to make it. Mr. Erskine was the best magistrate we found whilst on the roads ; but knowing thati Sir John had sent us to that station for punishment, and to be under the eye of the military, and that he had selected Wright for the tyrant superintendant, he could not do much| for us only by taking little notice of Wright's complaints, But Wright, you may be assured, did all in his power tul make us miserable ; he boasted that he would subdue our d— d yankee spirits. Now, as I before remarked, there was scarcely a week but that some gentlemen, as they arc called there, in passing by would tell some of us we might depend upon our liberation in a very short time, at the same time giving their reasons, which to us appeared reasonable, Some thought the United States Government would demand us; others, that the difficulties between England and the States would soon be settled and we allowed to return home] ^ '!'**?•■■■*>»■''-,■*. ■a »»"^i--v. y^"\'-,', vf-' 4 i :1 l>. PATRIOT EXILE. 96 utHlrei that a general amnesty was grunted to all that left Cnnada : Papineuu was a leading character ; Lefontine and others were back and holding ofRce under Government. Surely* they will do something Cor you aAer being punished so long — surely, Government will release you after releas* ing so many or all the leading ones in the rebellion — that Canada was quiet. Some of them told us the rebellion had done a great deal of good, and if you ever get back, the people of Canada ought to remember you who have sufier- ed so much — they surely will. We told them, if our suffer. ings had done any good, we were gludy but if the Govern- ment was satisfied that good to the people generally in Canada was the result, instead of farther punishment, they ought to liberate us at once, and handsomejy reward us for being the means of doing so much good, instead of knight- ing and lavishing great salaries on men guilty of such dis- graceful and cowardly acts as the burning of the Caroline, and such men as Col. John Prince, Sir Allf n Mc Nab, and a host of others who would be a disgrace to any nation ; — yet they reward them for evil acts, and punish us for good HCts. England is noted for such conduct, yet would be considered a humane and Christian nation. After hearing so often such favorable accounts from men who appeared to know, and being anxious to return if pos- sible to our native country, to gladden the hearts of our friends, and looking and belipving that every week would bring us some good news, and learning, after being a short time there, it was useless in our situation to attempt to es- cape from the island, especially while on the roads, even if we took the bush — taking all these things and many more which none but those iu auv situation can know into con- sideration, we concluded we were doing what was for the best in submitting to work on the roads — but if we had the same to go through with again, and could know it before- hand, as those did who knev. the patriots would fail, we should do differently. >o:>-:Ov;ii ^--vl ti ''fit i? ri i ilv2 C< ;¥'i '.-3 Vl; r:; (.;'* «* M - 'ill' .H .1 i )■ I'i- i.. I 1 t \l i^. hi I M,; .XAJUIATIVB OF A ,...il. CHAPTER VI. ^ rl SI' ' >% t. :i ■;:'■-;■: ■ S$cond speech of Sir Johiif — removed 8[c. Kind I'fmder, you must now have the patience or hanpl. ness of knov^ing that we are favored with iinoil»er splcn* did specich Irom Sir John. After we had buin about five wc(.Us at tl»at 'plucot we were told one evening his excel- lenry was expected along the next day, and ihai we ficcd not go out to work, but set about putting things to righls about the station, cleaning out the huts, etc. etc. About noon, as we were on the point of tnking our poor boiled mutton and bit of bread* u messenger arrived, de«;laring his excellency was not over two miles from the station. — That very moment was hciud tho order, "Turn out, turn out, all hands, muster, muster;" of course, wo had to leave our splendid dinnor, and v.ere soon ranked up. Jn about n half an hour, another messenger arrives, his horse ill in ii laiiier, and declares, hia e.^ccllency, the Lieutenant Gover- nor was close by— ho would be there in a few minutes — be in readiness. Ho spurrs his horse around the yard two or three limes, as large as life, because ho was one of the big man's life guards ; they were in alt some eight or ten, dressed in livery ; some were dispatched to announce liis near approach — others to remain near his royal h ghness, probfibly to protect his noble person from any danger that might occur from men that have been driven by his tyranny to take the bush — or for fear the old genllemnn mi-^;.t tum- ble from his horse, for he was in the habit of taking a lit- tle too much ; but as I learned, it was for the purpose of assisting the digestion of the enormous quantity of food which he was obliged to have in store ; that ho invariably tra-elledon horseback. About i':n hour from the first mcFsenger's announcement of his excellency's near approach, we have the pleasure of seeing him ; be is uow riding back and furthy reviewing us, I '' hV', FATBtOT BXILK. 97 aud halts about the centre :— *' Well, men, 1 am very glad to hear your conduct has been so good up to the time of Miller and Stewart's leaving your party ; they arn very bad men; I have been to Port Arthur and have told them they need never look for release from punishment — they shall be punished to the extremity of the law. I know your object was to make your escape from the island. 1 know ail about it, but you can't do it. 1 have ordered you to be dressed in mogpye and to be sent to this place i'ov punishment, and that you might bo under the eye of my military, 1 have given them orders to shoot you down liko wild beasts, if you should take the bush ; (in a great rage) depend upon it, if you should attempt it, not a man of you will escape. Even if you should abscond, aiid havo the fortune to get to America, but that is impossible ; but it you nbould, I should send my military all the way there after you, and have you brought back. Depend upon it, you cannot escape punishment; (catching for breath) he advised us not to associate with the old hands for they are all bad men ; they may advise you to take the bush, as many of them have done, but they are sure to be taken and severely punished. They used to be all hung for taking the bush, but now they are all sent to Port Arthur, which is nearly as bad as death ; depend upon it, men', you will be severely punished. I have not received orders from the Secretary of State yet concerning you, men, but as quick as I do you shall know. I hope it will be favorable for you ; if your conduct remains good, you will soon be off the roads. 1 am very sorry you have taken it into your heads to take the bush, thinking to escape punishment, and I tell you you cannot escape it." We could easily discern that punish- ment was the old gentleman's meat and drink ; he seemed . to rejoice that he hud got so many Americans in his power. He was glad our conduct was good, yet he must punish, for fear it would bo bad. This was his motto with us du- ring our stay on the island. Finally, after repealing over the above and similar language three or four times, which amounted to — good men, bad men, punishment — the old man, getting entirely exhausted, withdrew, leaving us to wonder whether bad condnct or good conduct would make . *S - ii lit 1*' : M t« r. m NARRATIVE OF A any dl(!^Tonce in tho eyo of n man that supposed all men sent to a pnniil co'ony, whether good or had, must bo pun. i.-^hc'd. I supposi; t!iu' old simplcori, thought he was thero for no other purpose — and, in fact that appears to bo tho prin(!if)il ohj ;ct; wc; certainly found if so. VVriphl, the superinienrlant nnd ovcrsrcr, now took fresh cour.igi) from hiuring it waa still the old man's determinn. tion to minish. I sh.tll not go through wiih the various niofJos of punishment, which, if possible, continue to in. crcnsj ; you have had a sample of them. Many were put in the cells for eight or ten days, on bread atid WHter, for daring to speak against tho horrible treatment received. Wo wero here itirt. igh the t.ummer nnd fall. Wright would take for his family use nil the fat and best part of our meal. VVo never got over half tho rali(»ni allowed i\r, by Government, \vhirh wass not enough for us, woikmgas we did. Tho blow-flies aro much more numerouaand dif. fercnt there from the flies in America. As soon as a sheep is dressed, unless put at once in a safe, it is covered, not with fly blows, as in America but with maggots; for it Is a fact th;it as soon as a fly lights, you can perceive a de- posit of live insects, spreading in all directions, and in the course of an hour or two aro full grown maggots. Our poor mutton is all put in a large cauldron, sot in an arch and boiled for all the parly. It is often tho case, thai afier the meat has been a short time in iho warm water, i\k mag- gots rise to the surface, completely covering the water from sight, until it boils ; this is the situation of our meat during nina months out of twelve I am aware thai ii is hard for some to believe, but it is true. There are many things I have neglected mentioning, because ywt'r from Lord Sydenham, Governor General of the Canadas, for instructions concerning us, which were, that he, Lord Sydenham, Governor General of the Canadas, hud no objections to Sir John Franklin's granting the Can- adian prisoners any indulgence his excellency might see fit, only not to allow us to return to America, for iho .safety and well-bi;irig of t.io North American colonies. You sno by this, ihaf Sir John had it in his power to alle- viate our sufferings. Recollect, he had told us, he hoped when he r«ceivfd the letter it would be favorable, and that he felt disposed to be lenient towards us — was glad our con- duct was good, and hoped it would remain so, for I tell you men, good conduct shall be rewarded, etc. etc. But what does he now s»ay and do 1 After the letter was read lo us, what docs the daring navigator and great and noble philan- thropist, Sir J.hn Franklin, now say to us? Ho talks after this fa'^hion : — *• Now, men, if your conduct remains good during your term of probaticm, which is two years from the time you commenced — it's i»ow you know two-thirds gone — I «My, if your conduct remains good during the ex- piration of the two yoars, I will then grant you the ines- timabltj privilege of tickets of leave — I dontmean to leavo the island, but iha privilege of going any where on Jx* island. You will have to report yourselves every week to some police oflicer, that we may know you have not es- caped. (Here he commented at some length on the conse- quence of attempting an escape from the island, the enormi- ty of our crime, and that we ought to be thankful for the great privilege of tickets — it was the next step to freedom; he now tells us he is glad our conduct has been so good, and that he has such a favorable letter we ought to feel thankful.) If your conduct remains very good, you may J 7 n^ ' p 1 K". hi ^ ; 1^' ' ' A K! J i ; r ♦ t I I: I I I -n It r». -f 100 NARRATIVE or A get your tickets bului'o the expiration of two yeartt, but yuu uuffht to l>e thankful to get them theu.'' He said something more, but to no purposOt and then leaves us. Now, we had sent him a memorial, requesting him to do something for us to alloviate our distress. Un- less something was immediately done, we did not know tho consequence. We, however, received nothing but abuse from him. Wo had thought of speaking to him respect- ing our treatment — but finally concluded that all their ras- cality to us would bo sanctioned, and on hearing the last speech were completely disgusted, and determined never to ask a favor of such a barefaced, hypocritical, lying, knavish old turk as he was, although her Majesty's representative and favorite. 7'he above is his true character, which can be proved by oil tho American state prisoners who have survived his cruel tyranny. He doubtless had his instruc- tions in regard to our treotmcnt from bloody Arthur, who was well acquainted with tho mode of punishment in Van Dieman's Land, for it was from this place he waa sent to Canada. Being supposed to be the greatest tyrant in her Majesty's dominions, he was thought the most proper man to govern the Canadas at that time. Now our abuse ut this as well as other places, increases ; it seemed as if they were determined to drive us to commit some act that would be considered worthy of capital punish- ment, that thoy might have the satisfaction of seeing us plunged deeper and deeper in misery. Seeing ond know- ing their intentions, we tried all in our power to disappoint them. We knew that if we took the bush, in our situation and knowing tho situation of the island, we never should have lived to reach America. After being deceived and lied to so long, we thought, if It was possible, ^e would try to obtain our tickets and then make a trial of escape. Wright's mean low-lived acts increase to such a degree that we are obliged to go to the magistrate with a complaint againstt him. 8oon after the last-mentioned splendid speech from Sir John, (or as he is called by some, the old granny, and by others mutton-eater) we told Mr. Erskine that we had put up with Wright's abuse until we could stand it no longer, that the consequence of a continuation of such abuse could fATtHMC JUULE. loi noi DO oxplaioedf and we hoped ho would take immodiaU; nivasut't'S to huve him or us removed, before something cis'j occurred which Cduld be explainrd. Ue saw we wero ia oarncst, onci tutd us, that he buing u superintendant nnd a freodinn muMt be tried lieforo three magistrates; he would bring Mr. Wright to trial the next day, und we must appear RS witiiessuM ; it was accoidingly done. Tho magistrates^ being convinced ihut we would not remain under him, caused us to bo reenovcd shortly after tho trial, to another place cal- led Bridgewater station, twelve miles from Hcibart Town. It is now winter. On account of some difficulty nt tliat phico with the old hands, (I'or it was a large station, and some one hundred and fifty old hands in tho same huts with u>,) after being here two or three weeks, wo saw we could not get along without a field fight with them. Our rations were mostly all stolen from us hero, and we could not stand it. Sir John had advised us not to as>ociato with the old hands. Wo told tho magi:«trute here, one Mason, that we had been strictly forbidden to be with the old hands. Cer- tainly, if ho was aware of it he would not allow it. This petty magistrate took it as an insult against his n)»jesty, and sent immodiuiely to him that the Canadians had accused him of not keeping his promi es, and some other complaints which so incensed the old man that he gave orders to have us immediately removed, by separating us by tens and twelves, and sent to different stations about the island, with the old hands. You can begin to discover, unless you arc totally blind, how the old man is rewarding our good conduct and at tho same time keeping his word. Accordingly, afior receiving a mean, low-lived and con- temptible address from squire Mason, of New Norfolk, after remaining at Bridgewaler station about three weeks, we were told to step b:ick as the gang were mustered in the morning for work. A party of twelve were called out from among us, constables called, and started immediately off, giving them no time to bid their comrades goodbye and not know- ing whiiher they were bound. Our party was then put to work, wondering what was the cause of so sudden and strange a move. But this is tho way they deal with prison- 9t9, never letting them koow when or where they are bound. H j^i ^\' . t' ; K I (V 102 NARBATIVE OP A ': I . .!■. Tt i£j consicfured a disg'rnce oven to spoak to a prisunor^ and it is never dono except tu punish and keep them in aubjection. The next day, another company of ten or twelve was sent awny in the same mnnnor as the first — next duy another, and so on, until all wore gone. Myself and eight others were the last; wo wore escorted to Hobart town, and put in the prisoner's barracks, or tench. The yard contains near- ly two acres ; around it is a high wall, and on top broken glass with C(!mcnt, to prevent scaling it. With the prison- ers barracks arc a tread-mill, clerk's office, cook-house, &c. At one end is a church, with cells underneath, generally full. There ore generally from two to four hundred in these bar- racks. They arc capable of containing a thousand, and at times there are that many there. There are a great many overseers and constables constantly about to keep order, as well as hangmen and flagellators, who comprise the very worst characters that can be selected from thousands. Our |)arty of nine were there four weeks. 1 cannot attempt a description of what took placo within the walls of these barracks during that time. There were chain gangs, with their overseers, mustered every morning, and sent away to work at different places about the city, which contains some ton or twelve thousand inhabitants. Some of the gangs are to work on the streets, some on government buildings, som«» on wharfs, boats, &c. Wo Mcro taken about a mile from town and put at work quarying and breaking stone. At the same place was a gang of boys of about eighty, from seven to eighteen years of oge, employed in breaking stone, with overseers over them. They wero obliged to break a certain quantity or be punished by flogging or cells. Many of them did not know what they were transported for. I asked them at different times, as I had opportunity ; some would say, for picking pockets ; some thri their own father or mother had taught them to steal something to eat, as they had a largo famdy, and were starving ; they had been caught in the act and transported seven years. Others, that their pa- rents, believing by false reports in newspapers, &c. ingeni- ously circulated, that Van Diemans is a fine country," and having a large family, think seme of their children will do better there ; to keep them from starving at home they go ; f PATKIOT EXILK. 103 bofore a magittrate with a boy of perhaps tweiv* years uld nnd swear he has been stonling, nnd in this innnnor get rid of some of the family. Others knew not what they were there for — wore told of some crimen but hud no knowledge; of it. Our overseer was on elderly man, apparently well in- formed and quito sociable. 1 one day cunwnenccd a con- versation with him, by asking him if it was possible that the English government transported boys of that age, many of whom knew nothing of the crime for which they were punished. His answer was diilerent from what I cxfiected. He says, there are not only hundreds of boys, but Icinules of the same ago and many older, now in this colony, who are suffering all the degrndation of convicts, who only know the length of timo they were sent for, and ht'.vc no knowl- edge of committing any crime. Ho continued talking for some time, conlirming the statements nf the boys above allu- ded to. I know it to be the fact, said he, that many of the poor young women, being obliged to be servants to the rich in the old countries, and being thought nothing of on ac- count of their poverty, are abused and insulted in every poHsibIc manner, by noblemen's sons. Hundreds, by hav- ing fair promises, offers of marriage, &c. &c., have advan- tage taken o^ their necessities, and when they consider themselves about to be disgraced by cxposurc, get some oncj for a few shillings to bring them before a magistrate and swear she has been stealing ; and perhaps the same magis- trate that passes the sentence of seven years transportation upon the poor unfortunate girl, is father to the same young gentleman, as he is called, before spoken of. Maybe the father was not acquainted with iho circumstance, until the young lady attempts to defend herself, because she is not able to employ counsel. The father, discovering that dis- grace and guilt is like to fall on his own son, instead of thu girl, hushes it up at onco by having her sent as soon as possible to Van Dieman's Land. Thus his dutiful son is screened and protected in crime, while the innocent victim is doomed to drag out a miserable Ii'fo in a penal colony, where they are looked upon and used worse than the brutes by the same kind of characters that have been the means of f^*^ .1 : if If ■ 1 V' Hi ■ t, *i,^ -i I . I- f :ii; I: 104 NAARATIVE OF A sending them ther#. This, snid he, is the true chnrnctcr of the nobility, and the rirli lordlings and tyrants of En- gland. Said I, are you an Englishman 1 Yes, said he, I am, and have been ruint'd by our own corrupt government, as millions of others have been. I know, ho continued, that England has and can produce some of the worst char- acters in crime of any nation in the world ; but what makes them 1 I assure you that they are not among the likes of us, poor people, that they are to bo found, but amongst the very leading characters in the nation, who, to hide their own crimes, palm them off upon others, and so, in nine cases out of len, the innocent are made to sij^ffer instead of the actually guilty. O, said he, you Americans, poor men, I feel for you ; I have heard of your sufferings, for what 1 consider no crime at all. I suppose, said he, you of course know something of the manner of the mnnugc- men! of England's lordlings over the poor, and the means they have to resort to to support monarchy and crush the poor to death that they may keep the upper hand. He seemed to be rejoiced that he had found some of nearly his own opinion respecting England, to whom he need not be afraid to speak his mind. He appeared to be so well in- formed and anxious to talk that I could scarcely say a word. The tench bell rings, which is the signal for all gangs within hearing to quit work. Wo are ranked up, and on our way to the tench or barracks, spoke to each other, wonder- ing how such a man oecamo overseer, and was glad We had been so fortunate as to have him over us. It appeared as if it were a miracle, that after bl-ing so long on the island, we had found a liberal minded overseer. We wondered much, but if you could hear all hishistory, as he afterwards gave it to me, you might wonder to. We have now got to the tench gate, after marching through some of the principal streets on our way to and from work. 1 felt at first a little ashamed while passing by the housc9 shabbily clothed in a convicts suit of mngpye, but when 1 considered my crime, and that many of the citizens had been convicts, besides many more ivell dressed respectable looking men called freemen, and that many of the nobility ought to be convicts, and the prevailing misery, !i!i k m.^ tin meter s of En- lid hc> I ?rnment, mtinufd, rst chnr- nt rnnkcs J likes of ingst ihe icie their in nine r instead ins, poor ings, for he, you mnnugc 16 means crush the and. He lenrly his »ed not be o well in- LV a word, all gnngs ond on r, wonder- ad \ire had ared as if slond,we ed much, rds gave mrching ly to and passing mngpye, ly of the 1 dreSKcd jmany of misery, PATAIOT SXILE. 105 and the little notice taken of the j^risoner, except .o punish for not touching your cap as these scape-gallows pass you by — taking these things into consideration, we were induced as we always had dono, to carry our hc^ids up, which was a great wonderment to them. V^ have often been asked why we appeared to stand our punishment so well I Wo always told them it was because what they consideied a groat crime, we considered an honorable action, and if wo had succeeded, we should have been honored instead of be- ing treated us we were. Sometimes we have to stand near the gate half or three quarters of an hour, waiting for gangs of a hundred and fifty or two hundred to pass in, each gang taking their turn until all are in. The gate is then locked. Sentrys are placed day and night at the gate. it is often nine o'clock in the evening before they are all in, and then such work in getting our skilly, such rattleing of chains, some fighting, others trying to fight, constables making their way to the church with some that had refused to work, or that had given insolence, or some other crime so called. 1 said to the church, but not to hear the praise of the good, for they are scarce there ; but they are drove, starved, tired and discouraged, to take their night's lodging under the church, in dark, damp cells, with no sign of bed- ding; but maybe a little bread and water. They are brought in the morning before Mr. Gunn, and questioned by him as to their crime, and how they came in the <5ells that night. — In the bustle and confusion, they perhaps know not who put them in the cells, or for what, being hustled in by some con- stables. Perhaps the same constable, not being on duty the night before, was prowling about tho city in a convicts dress, robbing some one, and immediately changing his dress, ap- pears as peace officer, very much engaged in search of the ittolen property ; he had previously deposited some of tho articles in the birth or bundle of some one of the prisoners. There is soon a reward offered for the goods and thief, per- haps fiv.^ pounds. The constable now appears with the pris- oner's bundle and some of the stolen articles ; he had been on the look out ; knew the prisoners would be brought be- fore Mr. Gunn, Esq., and as lie is questioning his intended r ; . 1 ili •f* ' ^ V, ".\ • k ' 1 [u'{ ",1 If :« v;» .* V 106 NARRATIVE Ol^ A i? victitlil, the Constable steps up. ** This man, sir, was out night before last, sir — that night there was some goods sto. len, sir. 1 mistrusted him, and put him immediately in the cell, sir, and on searching have found some of the articles in his birth, sir," (producing them rolled up in the prisoner's old shin.) Here is the advertisement describing the stolen goods, likewise the reward. Mr. Gunn looks at them, and turns to the prisoner's police register. " I see, I see, this is one of the prisoners whose time has nearly expired, and who has been allowed on account of his good conduct the privilege of going out at evening to do some little jobs for himself, but could not keep from stealing ; what a pity ! in a few days you would be due for your ticket.'' The con- stable leaving no stone unturned, there can be no mistake. "This is his number and name on his shirt, sir, that the articles were rolled up in, sir." The prisoner attempting to speak in his own defence, the magistrate says, *' Silence, you can suy nothing to clear yourself; the crime is plain enough against you. I shall see fit to give you fifty lashes and twelve months addition to your original sentence on the roads. What a pity, as your time was nearly out." The above sentence cannot be given by a single magistrate; there must be two, but it makes no diflerence if there was a dozen, in a case so clear as this, the man is sure to besevere- ly punished, and the constable gets the reward and his name put in the gazette as being a very good constable, and recom- mended for higher office. I mention this as a sample of nearly all the peace officers. Hundreds of poor prisoners have been driven to desperation by such and similar acts: the consequence is they become what is termed very bad men, and sooner or later, giving up all hopes to end their long years of suifering and degradation as convicts — com- mit some desperate act, on purpose to end their days on the gallows, nnd their bodies are then mangled by young students that are numerous here from all parts of the old country, being allowed all the subjects tliey want amongst the prison- ers, to practice upon, dead or alive. I would advise some of the faculty in this country that are obliged to rob the graves of their habitants if they could spare the time, to go to Van Dieman's, where they can have plenty of subjects to PATRIOT KXILE. lot dispose of as they may see fit. If there is one not quite (lead, and is wanted for that purpose, he is completely in your power — do with him as you please — he is a convict, no one will enquire for him, perhaps all his friends have been convicts, and he the Inst one of the family, left for slaughter; but may be his wife knowing ho was sent to a penal colony has been diligently searching him out — tiie last account site has of him is at the hospital. She may now be there asking you if you know anything of a man by the name of . You tell her you dont know there is so many brought to the iiospital, and so many dying, you dont remember one of the name. She passes on to another and finally learns there was a man two or three years ago by the name, died in the ho.spital. She feels a little better; asks to bo shown his grave, to sooth her she is shown the grave of some one or pieces of ones — tells her he is sure he was buried there, but it is a long time ago, tells her so, that she may not venture to take him up, he leaves her there — walks off laughing to him- self, thinking how he had fooled the old woman, but no mat- ter, if she is satisfied its her long lost husband, its just as well. The poor woman is now mourning over the grave, as she supposes, of her husband, broken hearted, pines away; is soon taken to the hospital, there you have her also; do with her as you please, she has no friends. — Thus England is rid of one poor family, but there are thousands more foUov 'ng them. In the general hospital in Hobart Town, passing the door of the dead house as it is called where bodies are deposited as soon as dead, and the dissecting room contigious to it, I could see all round the room, and as it happened there was no one near me, I stepped to the door, it was a large room with tables or rather benches all around it — they were all filled with bodies, some , whole, but mostly pieces. In one place lay a leg, in another an arm, head, &c. iScc. Some bodies partly covered, others quite naked. Some pieces in boxes not covered, other boxes covered, ready to be carried away; eight or ten men in the yard dressed in long white frocks waiting to be called for — they were as I after- wards learnt, constantly employed in carrying away boxes with remnants from this and the dissecting rooms. As 1 stood gazing with wonder and astonishment at the beautiful * ■»•* -^ "f ^ ■il \'\- h ',> ■•: \ ■V ■< 1 I ,1 i. •isr- f i V . > \> ■ii ' ' ■^ 1 t • i \W ^ i !' i^ 'i : ... !*; .' 'iil"'! ' i f :| ii: t I lii. '4 ,'l pi 108 iiiit. NARRATIVE OF A scenery before me, a man behind took hold of my shoulder, turning me suddenly around; "who are you? who told you to open this door? what business have you here? who gave you orders to look in here?'* Ace. &c, ho went on fo fast I had no chance to tell him that the door was open. £ie was a very savage looking man, although I say it myself, I am not in the habit of being scared at trifles, but just then I felt a little slreeked; now you mny laugh, but what was the cause, I can- not say; but just at that time, I thought of the Morgan scrape and the pr(»spect of being blind-folded, gaged, bound hand and foot, and cast not into Niagara River, but prostrated on a dissecting bench, and of soon feeling sharp edged instru- ments. such as surgeons use to work up subjects with, but was soon reloived of my fears by fmding myselt in quick time in the yard, with orders not to come in again without particular business. As I found he was going towards the outer door, 1 needed very little compulsion, for that was the place I most desired, just at that time* On my arrival in the yard, which was not so very slow, a man asked me what was the matter. I told him I had given ofience by taking a peep in the dead house, '* Well," said he, "no one is allowed to go in there excepting particular persons." He appeared lo bo astonished; "it is a wonder," said he, "that it had not been your last peep." I said nothing respecting the door being already opened, and concluded if they would drop it, 1 would: for it seemed to me a rather unpleasant piece of busi- ness — this peeping into places where you are not allowed. I had to laugh about it many times afterwards; not of the scenery inside — but of my short peep and manner of intro- duction to "the hole the carpenter made." You may be assured, I was glad when I got into the yard. For some time after, it seemed as though I couM feel the sharp instru- ments about my body; at all events, I have to this day, sharp pains in my body, produced by the tyrants daggers, that have so long and severely pierced me, yet I live, it is a wonder to me — and I am very confident that I am not the only one that can testify to the fact of having pains that will follow them to their graves, from the same cause, and many of our party, as well as thousands of their own subjects have not been able to withstand their repeated thrusts, have been obliged to *i K It Patriot exile. 100 quail beneath them, and have gone down to a fclon^s grave, rejected and forsaken of man, and apparently of God; but is He not the prisoners God ? consider this, O, yea Pharisees and hypocrites, who for pretence, make long prayers, wolves in sheep's clothing, who devour widow's houses, oppress the poor, ' Mill II ,-l ! ^ H ;' ! M: ;i;|'' ii\ ,,»«i I nil— Men It* 112 NARRATIVE OY A ■'I. H might take out hi^ shoep, but was told he must, pay I think it was ten shillings, before the shec-p were taken out. The man was obliged to borrow the money to pay the demand, that he might go his way. "1 suppose,'' said one of the men, the sum demanded would amount to one of the poor man's iat sheep, I believe the rai\n offered him one, but by demand- ing the money knowing his inability to pay, he expected to get two of them; "but," said he, "the good man was disap- pointed. When the money was tendered him. of course he could not refuse it." Whether this was true or not, I can- not say, but I heard a number speaking of the circumstance and all corroborating the above statement. 1 mention these thingfl to show you that the reverend gentlemen appointed with great salaries, to teach the poor prisoner the way to Heaven; belong to the same craft with these who tyranize and oppress tlin poor, and are supported in their rascality by government, because under tiiegarb of the^clerical suit, they can the easier blind the eyes of the people, and are some of the best tools England has for deeds of blood. I have been obliged to listen 10 the prayers of some that have told me, and others with'me, that we had all ought to be hung, that they would do all in their power to have us hung, &c.. Still we have been compelled to attend their service as christian teachers. c ■pt' s:;,lli?»»/ 15-* =»v. ..I 'Mtt- «'*/>■ f\i i But I must slop — not through fear of such characters as I have described, but of wounding the feelings of chris- tians. But remember, it is not of christians I have been speaking. God deliver us from the hands of tyrants wheth- er in the form of parsons or demons. I might say a groat deal upon this subject, but must leave it, hoping that abler hands may take it up and fearlessly defend the rights of man against cruel oppressors, no matter how powerful they may be, it is every good man's duty to oppose them whilst he has breath. Have they not ruined Ireland ? have they not only ruined thousands but millions in every country where they have had the power ? o; ;. ; But as I before said, we remained at Hobav^ Town four weeks under this good overseer, but on thOivUfcount of his not driving us to desparation, the superinte^jfi^t Mr. Skean, not only threatned to punish him, but threatii|d us all with PATRIOT EXILE. - rr il8 severe punishment if thero was not more work done; now every man of us wos anxious to do all we could to prevent this overseer from being punished, but all wo could do would not satisfy him— every time he rode out to see us (the su- porintendant is allowed a horse to | ride around to the difTeront gangs;) his duty is to threaten and cause punish- ment. He came around every day — hut no stated time in the daVf but would approach from a direction diilerent from what was expected, on purpose to catch some one idle, and it was often the case. He would send him at once to the cells, appear himself as witness — the prisoner is sure to bo severely punished under this functionary's oath, nothing can save him. Our overseer gave mo an account of the petty officers, overseers, dt^c, on the island, but I cannot go through with all, as ho told me, but the amount of it was, that they were obliged to bo tyrants, but they did not want much compul- sion, "for,'' said he, "I believe it is natural for an English- man to be a tyrant, although I am an Englishman myself, I am not like the nost of them — after being ruined by their own government, think, if they are not flogged every other day, that they do not got their deserts; and after having their backs literally cut in pieces, have been known to fight a man that dared to speak against the government. Ho told me a great deal that many would not believe — but ihat I had seen, and known to be true. During our stay in in the tench, every sabbath, all hands were ranked up, the names all called — and nriarched to the church — perhaps five, six, or seven hundred, to listen to the old tale, from men who we had been compelled to believe our enemies. 1 will not attempt a description of the scenery, for lam confident you would not believe it. I suppose the reader has got tired of hearing of our suff- erings — but have a little patience, I will be as brief as possi- ble — the relating of them is not very agreeablo to me, but not so bad as enduring all and more than I have time or room to relate. We were using our best endeavors to please, hoping Sir. John might see fit to show some signs of rewar- ding good conduct, by giving us our tickets, as he had inti- mated, before the . expiration of two years. Wt had not IV I 1 } i 1 * 1 • t^"; .t ■ < • I • , J <« i'-MS, «.4 iU' ^ ••. il U! ir r ^f ii !|" 0. 114 NARRATIVR OF A much iutpGu — still we did not know but some one would tell the old simpleton that ho hod punished us long enough with- out orders, and without n sentence. But wo looked in vain lor mercy from ihfit quarter. ""' The clerks were busy one morning calling and selecting out a parly of men to be sent nwoy; amongst the number >vas myself and eight others of my comrades. We started out immediately with a guard — for when they are ready to move a party, they do not consult with you as to whether you are willing or ready to go — you have nothing to say in the matter whatever; no time to see friends or to settle long standing accounts, away you go at once — you need not ask your ploce of destination* for you are not your own, but belong to the Queen you are her slaves. She has a great many thousand in Van Diemans Land, as well as England and other pans. She is very rich, if you call holding slaves riches. But if all accounts are true, she must receive a great deal of money, obtained by the blood and sweat of these slaves, as well as by the sword and bayonet, from weaker na- lions — but I am a getting off the track again. I might hero say a great deal of her formidable Banditti. We are on our way, and to our surprife find ourselves in about an hour's time, on board a government schooner and very snugly stow- ed away in the hold, and the hatch closed, it is now dark — daylight was denied us because we were prisoners, but we am here in the dark four feet eight inches between decks; there had just been taken therefrom a quantity of coal, the coal dust together with bilge water, and nusiance tubs left no place to lay or even sit down, on account of the number, and obliged to stoop, for there was not room to stand. Taking all these things ani more that cannot be described into con- sideration, 3'^ou may be assured our situation was not one to be envied. During two days and nights, especially after put- ting to sea. the little bark rolling and tumbling, some singing out. "Oh God ! I am dying, get off of my head." — some sea sick, same crying water for God sake some water, I shall die." but none of the calls were responded to, except by curses and imprecations, saying, "if we did not keep quiet, every man would be taken out and flogged." Some fire or six when called up to leave the crftft, could not get up without h«lp. Uj-i, i?a iv^-i^ li/!^^:' i'Atlllo'f KXItE. 115 Here xre are, cast anchor within fifty rods of what are call- ed the coal mines. Some thirty* fivo or forty were landed there, about thirty together with ourselves, not exactly tum- bled into an old scow with six oars; but some being weak and feeble fell fomthoschoouer*s side into iIjc scow. VV^o was soon started off across the bay about threo miles, landed, nnd marched up to a station in the bush, about a hull'a milo from the beach. It is now July, the second winter month; as we came from the hold of the schooner, it was cold and raining quite hard and continued to rain during our passage across the bay in an open boat. Wo were wet, chilled and starved to such a degree that it was with much difficulty wo reached the station. You would liave laughed to have seen us, for as bad as it was, wo had to laugh at each other to think of our transformation from whito slaves into black; lor the coal dust with perspiration, had so changed our complexion, we hardlv knew each other. The teoth and white of the eye resembled a darkey, but llio general features, lips, nose, ibruhead, &c., indicated the white man. But in our situa- tion, it made very little difference which we were. And to tell you the truth, the superintendant on beholding us, felt ashamed of us; you must know we looked bad. We wero immediately searched or frisked, as it is callcil. This is customary at every new station we arrive at, nnd many limes during our stay, for money, tobacco, or any articles not allowed by government. Wo were all paraded and searched; my health was poor I askod the superinten- dant if it was possible for me to have some dry clothes; **no," said he, " you cant change your clothing here as you might in England; even if you had to steal them, they im'ghi bo had, but you cant steal them here." 1 then asked the good man if there was a doctor on the station '? "no," said he. •'there will be one here to-morrow, but you need not expect any favars from him unless you are actually sick." I then asked him, if there was a magistrate. *'He will also be hero to-morrow: do yo;i wish to see them both," I do said I. "Well, you can go to work to day, and see how you are to- morrow." One or two of my comrades sj/oke and told the f}od man, Mr. Pringle, that I would not stand it long, unless got help; but it was of no use; we must all go to work; it t\ 'I 111 NAJIAATIVE UF A was a new station, there were aome three hundred at work grubing treeu, some sawing the timber} others carrying it together in larse piles for burning, some carrying baric tor huts, others splitting and carrying timber, whilst others were employed in building huts; the trees were grubed, cut and corried togetlier on ten or twelve acres. There were thirty or forty employed with the long English hoe, digging up the earth. Some were quarrying stone for cells others drawing ihom in cnrts about a mile from the station, other s engaged in building a bridge or getty, as they called it, across tho creek, rrom which the station derived its name, Snltwatcr Creek Station. There was no fresh water within a mile and a half of tile station; there was a gang of ten or twelve employed with barrows and a half barrel cask fastened oii each. The water was in a very bad place; tho gang had to go three quarters of a mile across a flat, and wiien it was high tide, they had that distance to wheel the barrow, loded, through tnud and water,, often three foot in depth; and when wo came to tho creek, which is about twenty rods across, at timed our heads were all you could discover. It was n slug- ish stream; with very little current; if there had been much of a current, it being so deep, it would have been impossible to have lorded it, especially with loaded barrows. The water was cold, for it is now winter, there was no snow or ice, but cold winds and rainy disagreeable weather. iMy object in describing this place, is, because it is the last station wo had anything to do with, and wo were near ending our days there. There were constables and soldiers in abundance, to prevent tho prisoners from taking tho bush, find overseers to each gang, for there was so many kinds of work, it required a groat many overseers. Some gangs of six, some of twelve, twenty, thirty, thirty five, &c. There were as many as fifty overseers, and nearly as many differ- ent gangs, There was two gangs of boys, of about twenty five in each, from nine to eighteen years of oge. At this station, as well as all others, it will be impossible to relate all that took place, but I shall without any exageration attempt a description of a part. Now please to consider our situa< lion on landing there, and of being in less than two hours, ^ vin the water gang, as it is called. It was considered the PATlllOT CXILE. iir worsi place, and as wo afterwards loarnt, nil were sontoncod lu tliiit gang for punishment, from the diirerenl gnuffs, but many of tlicni were rclonscd as we arrived to take tlioir places. We are now on our way lor water, there was* liirce or four old hands ahead, going faster than a walk, tho overseer singing out, "keep up, keep u|i," we are now cross« iiig tho flat, water a little above our knm j«i but growing (iueper, — now crossing the creek, water ii[» to our necks and fiuito chilly — After we got througii ^jvcrstor.) ''fill up thorn barrels quick." — soon tilled; "pick up vour barrows and move on, no resting. '^ About eighty rods from tho creok, ihe low land was rough and muddy. We are now back and in li)c creek, but in getting up the bank, some, myseif one, could not gut our barrows up, overseer cursing and damning us at a terrible rale, threatning to take us before the magis- U'tttc, finally having his own sport for a time, he orders some of ihoso that were stroger, that had got through, to take hold and help ns up the bank. Although it is winter, we are now very warm, the sweat rolling from us in streams. 1 cannot describe my feelings, but was confident in my situa- tion that two or throe trips in the water gang would put art end to my sufferings in Van Dieman's Land. At all events 1 was determined to ask no more favors, let it come as it would, but J. D. Fero one of my comrades and a fine young man, seeing and knowing my situation, without my knowl- edge, went to the superintendant and told him he was confi- dent that I could not stand it to wheel another load of water. He told him to go to his work, but just as we were starting back for another load, the superintendant called out "Kobert Marsh," I answered, "come this way," I stepped up to him. Said ho *4 heard you are like to die and cant stand* it to wheel." Said I, did notl tell you that I wanted to see the doctor, that 1 was quite unwell. "Yes," said he, "but there are so many complaining, I cannot hear to all. You can go to the hut, the doctor will be here to-morrow, but if you are not sick you will be punished." I went into an open hut with no fire, unrolled my old blanket, and rugg, and lay down — being wet and almost worn out. I had by spells through the night cold chills and a high fever, slept none, had no appetite, and could not eat a mouthful. I can- , 10 > 'T U: 118 4 NARRATIVE OP A not descrii)o my frolings, but I had very little hopes of ever rccovariug. Ahoni iioonlhe next day, the doctor came inio ihn hilt ami rir;k. d if ihcro was any one sick. 1 was laying ill my hoi'ili •••voi^ A up, before I liad time to answer, he was told by yojuM ouf, tiier(! was none sick in that hut, but he iu'Iioviil \\\iy\v. way one in the next one. With much didlcnliy, \ g'»l out of my berth, went to tlie door and told thescMjtry to call the Joctoi'. He came back, ''Well,'* said ho, "vvhtit is llio inaltcr with you, why did you not speak when I was in." I told him he went away so quick I had not time, i at oiic^ gavo him an account of our situation on 'arriving tiiere, and of my treatment, as well as others, and of \\\\ complaint, which was pain in the breast of long standing, that I had told Mr. Pringall, likewise some of my companions told liin^i {i\y health was poor, and that I needed some dry clothing, Ovc., He gave me some medicine with directions, and said I must keep quiet. He went to Mr. FringuU, told him ho had just heard a very bad account of him and if liun, h\ i *< m h ■ i kf K,u..Jii»m«> mmtfptJ-wimttm^ 122 NARRATIVE OV A f great deal harder than at Port Arthur, although that placo was called the worst on the island; it was very had, hut ihey thought it wfuj not as h?ui as Halt Water Creek Station. Wo h(\'ud Uy ihern from our friends that had been sent there for tajvini' tlie hush, tlicv were all well; thev told us they had it much easier than we did. They said that the three or four first weeks ihey had it very hard, we were glad to hear they were having it easier, fur we had feared, according to accounts and by what Sir John told us, that they never would live to sec Atnorica or any other j)art of the globe — but it aji. eared that the officers there (on account of their being ti ic fur tiie crime they were) after hearing Sir John's abusive speech to iheni concluded to treat them better. May they never be sorry for that kind act; as Miller and Stewai^t left Oiirj)arly for the purpose of getting out of the hands of tyrant and had it been in their power to haveassisted any or all of the party in getting away, [ believe they would have cono so; but on account of failing in the attempt, the wliolc party were niide to buller. Sir John did not only in- tend to havo U3 all shot if wo took the bush, but was going to follow us to the United States if we succeeded in getting there, and bring ns nil back. Although he wns a big mnu and had us in hi:^ power, yet I believe after all his severity and threats, not a man of us was ever very mueh frightened. After we had been nbout four months atthis placo, Prin- gall gave out word at evening tliat the men could all stop in the next day, thnt his e.xcellency the lieutenant governor, was expected there; we must all appear ns well as possible; accordingly about noon he appears — we were in rank by ourselves. After he had delivered one of his splendid speeches, to the party in general, his Royal Highness' eyes were fixed on us, "O, these are some of the Canadians, (turning to the suporintendant) how has their conduct been since they have hern here ?" "generally good, your excel- lency. '^ '*! am glad to hear it. I told you if your conduct remained good you would soon get your tickets; your time will soon be up now, nnd I shall see you get your tickets the verv day vou nre due ("or them. 1 hope you will continue to be good men, t^c."' Now we were determined to ask no favors of him, after lieinsr to us so often. So we said not a PATRIOT EXILE. 123 word to him, feeling confident his word was good for nothing, lie asked if the men all attended church every Sabbath, nnd was told they did. "I am glad, and hopn they will all be- come better men; vou all camo here with very bad charac- ters; you nre sent here for punishment, though yome of you have commitK^d greater crimes than others, and some per- haps worse men than others — but it mnkes no tlifference; you are all sent here for punishment, therefore you must ex- pect it, but depend upon it, men, good con:luct shall bo rewarded." Now 1 was not the only one that was perfectly satisfied that the big man wns not only fiattering, but wilfully tolling falsehoods: we had proved him to be a man destitute of truth. Now, every Sabbatli the men were all ranked up, and^their names called; they were even taken from the cells and all marched into a large temporary open' building, denominated the church — a temporary pulpit erected at ono end, After the men are all soatcd, the Rev. Mr. Pringall, the tyrant superintendant appears. After the constables, overseers and soldiers hnd succeeded in enforcing silence, some present that hnd the day bot'ore been flogged, hundrrds that had been at different times, others who have been pun- ished in different forms, are now favored with the reading of the old church of England form in a great hurry, by JVIr. Pringall. It was soon through, if there was some that could not sit still, being in misery from hard labor and abuse, their backs sore from the lashes, &c., they are put at once in tho cells, and sure to be punished for bad conduct in time of service. Thus the prison.'^rs in Van Pieman's Land, although outlaws and very bad men, as Sir John says, after being drove, starved, flogged, kicked, pounded and insultf>d in every possible manner through tlic week, are blest with di- vine service on the Sabbath. O, what an inestimable privi- lege; what a blessing, had not the poor unfortunate slaves of happy old England ought to feel thankful that after being ruined and driven to desperation, insulted and abused in every possible manner, had they not ought to rejoice for the privi- lege of hearing the gospel on the Sabbath day. Service is performed to satisfactorily answer the question that may bo asked, how are the poor prisoners treated in Van Dieman*s land? if answered by a prisoner is not believed, but an En- nil J- ■ . -^ I '^ !,■ t 124 NARRATIVE OP A 1 ' * glish gentleman will tell you they have all the privileges that can be wished for, they have good clothingt g*" ^d provis- ions, good comfortable huts and bedding, good men to over- see them, good magistrates — finally officers all good — and to convince you that England is a good and christian nation, tells you that they have nt a great expense furnished the prisoners with christian ministers, &c. His account of the prisoners are credited, because he is a gentleman and perhaps is sporting on the prisoners just dues at the same time. I mention these things not to screen the man that justly des- erves punishment. I believe there are many among the prisoners thnt are deserving of it, but in nine cases out of ten they are punished because they are unfortunately poor and have been robbed by the same ones that are oppressing and grinding them to the dust; and to show you at the same time, that ^he prisoner has no possible chance of escape or redress, because the means are put out of hi s power, they are kept so they have no hope in this life, no friends, nothing but despair and grief and thousands of modes of sufferings that cannot be easily described and only known to the pris- oner; finally they sink to their graves neglected and soon forgotten, felons and very bad men and women, excuse me for 1 cannot express my feelings on this subject, although I have been an eye witness for seven years, what I have en- deavored to say, though the half cannot bo told, be assured what I have said is no fiction. I have experienced it and much more, but I am not the only one, there are others that have returned with me, ready to testify to more than I can say upon the subject, in this pamphlet; besides about forty more remaining in Van Dieman's Land when I left, that I will warrant you will not be backward, if they should ever be so fortunate as to return, in confirming the truth of my statements respeciing the oppressors. O that it was in my power to bring them from that hor- rible place ! I cannot express my feelings and anxiety in their*behalf. '' We remained at this place through the winter, spring and summer, undergoing many changes, but always for the worse; it was with great difficulty we survive our appointed time of probation. At last, the two years expired, and we PATRIOT EXILE. 125 informed the good Mr. Pringall that according to Sir John's prorrlise we were due iw oiir tickets, "yes," said he, "but there is no vessel here to lake you to Hobart Town, but I expect the government schooner here in a few days, then you can go to town and get your tickets, but you will or.\v be allowed to choose a district in the interior, and there re- main." But, said we, Sir John told us we would havo the privilege of the island,[excepting Hobart Town and Launces- ton; as they were seaport towns, we would not be allowed to stop there for fear we would make our escape. "Well," said he, "this is the order of the governor; you can come up to my office and make choice of your district;" We wore not acquainted with the districts and did not know which was the best for us; we could all choose one- district if thought proper, but must remain there; he had the names of seven for us to choose one from; he told us he believed Oatland, and Cambletown districts were considered two as good as there was; we chose them; not knowing which was the best; "now," said he, "you had better keep on with your work, the schooner will be here in a short time; then you can go to town and get your tickets, we continued on five weeks, and the sixth week the schooner arrived with a load of pris- oners, and we together with some fifty-six others were stow- ed away the san-e as we were on going to that place, and sullered equally as much; we were nearly three days going to town, about eighty miles, the wind not being favorable. Notwithstanding all that went were due for their tickets, yet they were treated the same as other prisoners, on board that terrible little prison schooner: as we were undergoing all that men could and live on board that craft, during three days and nights, we reasoned one with another wondering what our destiny would be, and how long Sir John would continue to reward us after that manner, for good conduct; although her Majesty's representrtive, can you doubt his being a liar? — excuse me for using the term; I must tell my opinion and what I know to be facts, although he is a big man. I know him to bo one, because ho promised we should have our tick- ets nt the expiration of two years, and that it should be for the pri/ilegeof the whole island, except Hobart Town and liaunceston. Does ho reward us for good conduct ? no, but \ 1 - i i- ! ! i 120 NARRATIVR OF A continues \o punlslu — Did ho warn us not to associate with the old hands? yes, — did he sopernte us and distribute us a- round the island in f>niall parties to mix with the old hands ? he did, — did not ho say he hoped when he got the letter from England concerninsj us, that it would bo fuvorablo and when he gets the letter, was iinot in his power to shovv us somo more favor, than ho was showing? — it was. Is not Sir , John Franklin, Lieuicnaut Governor of the island of Van Dieman's Land, commander in chief of lior Majesty's forces f^, therein,,, &c., a big man and a big liar ? I positivly declare that he iias been nothing to us but a liar, a tyrant, and a villian in every sense of tbo terms. Does England uphold him in such conduct, and sulfer us to bo ruined without any recompense or chqnco of redress. JThat remains Jio bo known. UiTfJ r.. U l,'!.'' J- (iiU ¥i\n )^^>; ■•Ifjr'jini ■''■"■''' :•' »''»»Y. _ >'■-■■','<.'' t ll'lf;. .ri- ib> ■r imp . 'y-A V i!>">>5 t> ^^ irwvf!3.a,nj ,m It*:* tifJtfi.iJfVCJOr^V' t^:.'-) '. .> .1 «;^.(><* *"*' «-•:;•» : f b'lvkifi *j-s<:v ?; ■.'•". -"..i f firt** .' .■' »i» i , t- ^*- * i'Xlh'. !t| i-j'i ;^ CHAPTER VTl. f - y ^Vv: rlt^ ^-^,t. kL i 1 h Receive that inestimahle Treasure, A Ticket of Leave, as iSir John terms it, or next thing to Liherfij. — Sfc. S^c. We arrived at Hobart Town, marched about one-half or three-quarters of a mile to the barracks or tench, scarcely able to stand upon our feet, get into the yard, sit, or rather fall down upon the ground* You cannot imagine our con- dition; but just refer back to our condition on iioard iho schooner, and on our landing at Saltwater Creek Station, and you may form some faint idea of our situation as we aro reclining upon the earth in tiio tench yard; amongst thp rattling of chains, tramping and clamor of some five or six hundred, we crawled into one comer to keep from being crushed to death by the multitude; there we remained about two hours and a half; — it is now sundown, the prisoners are PATRIOT EXILE. 127 K 1 ^e or SIX all ranked ni), their immes cnlled ns they go into their huin- blo lodgings for the night, hungry, tired and discouraged, try to obtain rest amongst filth and vermin. Our names wore not called, and we began to think our lodging would be upon ihe ground that night — it is quite dark and still in the yard, there we are in one corner reclining upon the damp earth, not a word was said by either of us for some time. 1 cannot tell their thoughts, neither can 1 describe my own, but I be- lieve we were all thinking of our fate: at Inst, I broke silence by remarking, if this manner of Sir John's rewarding good conduct and of granting indulgence, continues much longer, although wo have n»annged to bear up till now, I am fearful as the doctor of the ship told us, that our chance of overseeing our native land was rather small. After re- maining there until about ten o'clock, a constable on the look-out discovered us; "who are you, what business have you out here this time of night, was you not mustered?" we told him who we were, and that wo had not been mustered since leaving the schooner, except as you see us, and our situation induced us to think, that would be our last muster, except it was to muster what little strength was remaining to bid adieu to this unpleasant isle.? "what," said ho, you dont talk of taking the bush, now you arc due lor your tickets of leave? why, said he, I thought you men had all got your tickets two months ago, I am sure some of them did;" we said we did not know but that wo hnd been due for what is called tickets of leave, nearly two months ago, but what it would finally amount to, was nioro than wo couM say; but, as Sir John told us at one time it would bo next thiniLjlo freo- dom, but not to leave the island; tlio prospect \v.. Many are the men who have been driven in this way to take the bush, and are then consitkjred out-laws, highway robbers, Ate, and a reward offered for them dead or alive. They are sure to be taken sooner or later, and thus their career in this life closes ; they are what are termed very bad men, )* .t? •;i;: ■ i^-"' ' f^: 'I \i' m but if you had been a spectator, or experienced what I have during the last six or seven years in that horrible place, me- thinks you would not be long in makingup your mind which was the worst, the servant or his master. 1 am fully con- vinced that with very few exceptions, the master, or gentle- man, or tiger, whatever you may pjease to call him, is ma- ny degrees worse than the white prisoner, servant or slave, as you please to tenn him. it ifi?y««i^ *tt We are now in Oatland district ; the persons who took their tickets for that district, call at a gentleman's house, or rather at his slave's huts, and Inquire if the gentleman is at home ; being told he was, one of them steps to the front door and knocks ; a servant opens the door, and discovering by his dress that he was not a gentleman, but a prisoner, tells him to go round at the other door and wait outside ; she would tell her master ; he stands there nearly half an hour ; at last the master appears. ** Well, what do you want ?'' '* I called to sec if you stood in need of a jnan." •* No," said he, •* I have got more now than I want;" he turns and leaves him. Uocollect, we had finished the last of our rations that morning ; it was now about noon. We stopped at the next gentleman's house and tried for work, but could get none ; we asked the gentleman if we could have a bite to eat, as our rations were not sufiicicnt to last us to our district ; we had eaten the last that morning ; we told him it was impossible in our situation to get along any faster; but he could not wait to hear the story, and with looks of contempt turned away, replying, ♦* O, there are so many beggars in this country, it will not do to listen to all ; you cannot have anything here, you had ought to have trav- elled farther in a day, and you would have got through be- fore your rations were gone." The good man is gone, and we travel on, not knowing what to do to obtain a little something to keep from starving. There is nothing said, but I assure you there was a tremendous thinking. At last, one speaks: — *♦ What shall we do?" •' Why," savs one, •* we must make another trial at the next gentleman^s house and if that fail, must try the poor prisoners or slaves ; ( think if it is in their power, they will assist us : remember the prisoners in the tench shared their scanty allowance PATRIOT EXILE. 137 with us, when we were in u starving condition ; they know better how to feel for men in our condition thnn the rich." We made another trial at the next gentleman's estate, but fatted ; our situation was becoming extremely precarious ; we moved slowly along, Ixsing very tired and faint. If any of my readers have been so situated, that they could not obtain a mouthful of food to sustain life, for as it w(3re one dny only, you mny form some faint idea of our present sit- uation ; but add to it two years and six weeks while we were on the roads, during which time wo never saw a day or night but that wc retired to our humble lodging tired and hungry, and withmany more inconveniences that cannot be easily portrayed. VVc travel on ; near night we came to an old hut sttmding some sixty rods back from tho road ; — one that was considered the best able was dispatched to sec what tho prospect was of getting a little something to eat ; we set watching ; presently he came to the door and gave us a signal to follow ; we went in and found a prisoner who was serving his i,imc with a gentleman as a shepherd; he said he had charge of two thousand sheep, and in case of loosing one was liable to he severely punished. He said he had a certain quantity of provisions weighed out to him weekly had to cook, and did his own washing. His allowance of provisions was of very poor quality, and not sufficient, ''but," said he, "you must have a part of it. 1 will man- age to get a little more ; if not, I can stand it through the week on short allowance, but as it is, it iii short enongh." We told him if it was going to distress him, we would not accept it. *»But," said he, *' no excuses, you are in a starving condition ; I will manage some way." He at once set about preparing such as he had, though it was not of the best quality, it was very acceptable, and to all appear- ance was bestowed with u willing heart. I must here say, that in almost every instance thai we have received favors il has been from those least able to bestow them. I know this ia not saying much in favor of the rich or covetous man. mu^ »t»j uiiw After thanking the shepherd for his hospitality to us, afler we had been denied a crumb from the gentleman's table, so called, we procedod on our journey, reflecting whether the ll^rv 1-: f\H.M 'V m 1S8 NARRATIVE OF A ip' real gentleman and lady were not the most often to be found amongst the poor and despised of our race. O that there were more wealthy men and women deserving the appella- tion of gentlemen and ladies ; then there would not be so much suliering in the world. O the thousands that I have seen of the unfortunate poor, who are held as with an iron grasp by the hand of the cruel oppressor. My heart bleeds for them. May the tyrants arm be palzied, and the slaves go free. If there were not so muny grasping after wealth and power, and when it is obtained, however dishonestly, using it in acts of tyranny and oppressian, there would not be so many prisoners or slaves. 1 will not relate all that occurred on that tedious journey, but our prospects continue about the same as on the two first days. On the fourth day, we arrive on the estate of William Kommodc, wliere we found some ten or twelve of our comrads that we had not seen since our separation at Bridge water station. They had been to different stations. Some of them had experienced better treatment than others, but it was generally bad ; but their different statements confirms what 1 before i^emarked, that a number of men being prisoners and in the same place may experience different treatment, without regard to con- duct. Some may be more fortunate than others in regard to overseers, supcrintendants^ magistrates, doctors, dec. &c. The English government have not dealt justly with those engaged in the rebellion; some thntw ere not guilty* that are what they term guilty, have sufiered on the gallows, or transportation, while others that have been deeply involved, have lK3cn more fortunate ; a great number of such have escaped punishment altogether. I am glad there was no more punished with that severity which many have experi- enced, though equally as guilty, (if guilt it can be called ;) as they have fortunately escaped, they should not altogether desert their colors and those engaged in what was and 1 hope still »s considered a good cause. I hope there are still not only thousands but millions that are ready to step forth and declare not only the unjustness of our punishment, but their eternal hatred of tyrants. Canada, wake up! never submit or yield one inch to the tyrants wo have been so long revelling and sporting on your inalienable rights. So long w^ PATRIOT EXILE. 139 i as you quietly submit, so long will thu abuse continue. 1 believe the rebellion of *JJ7-9, though it did not succeed, yet hfid II tendency to open tho eyes and cars of the tyrant clan» and to grant you some litllc indulgencics, in order to quiet you — but look out, be on your guard. That little yield- ing on their part, has been only to let go the reins, in order to get a tighter hold. 1 say, look out, or the chains will be round not only your necks, but your legs and arms, and riveted fast that you cannot move hand or foot. This op- pressivc clan lay their plans deep. Therefore, if you have gained one inch, look sharp, and add to that another, and so continue to strengthen your posts, that when the enemy makes his last and desperato death struggle for your rights, you may be prepared to meet him, for depend upon it, it will bo made sooner or later. Reformers of Canada, you are engaged in a good cause ! maintain your rights ! Though you may be told your cause is not good, believe it nnt. It is told you by designing sycophants, who will resort to all manner of intrigue to compass their ends. The longer you listen to such tales, the longer you will remain in bonds. — [•Have you not yet learned who are your enemies ? if not, continue to bear the burthens, until you have no longer strength to withstand your oppressors. Mr. Kommode, the old gentleman, as he must bo called, because he was a membor of the Governor's council, and of course a rich man, as I was informed, after having com- mand of a vessel that was concerned in the taking and sell- ing of black men, women and children, at last ran her in to some port, and sold the vessel, which he was not owner of, and by that means was entitled to some 30,000 acres of land in Van Dieman's land. Being in possession of so much wealth) ho of course must hold a high ofHce. 1 understood he made a remark in the house atone time, which brought upon him a rebuke from one of the members, it appeared, that they were in want of a largo amount of money, and were consulting as to the best manner of raising it. The old man was satisfied they could not get along without it, and made something of a speech. Said he, *• money we want, and money we must have, by hook or by crook." — The members thought the expressien was rather unbecom- {^M''-\ I'H 'M ,:^ V t H- <-i 140 NARKATIVE OF A i. u ing, and might have a tendency to reveal the secret of the means they are often in the habit of resorting to, to raise money to carry out their secret designs, and warned him 10 be more careful for the future ; he being an old spr. I'tiptain, was rather harsh in his expressions. Still, he was a good man for the craft; being wealthy, tyrannical, dec. made hirn the rieht man for government ; he was very ntimate with Sir John.. Hearing of the Canadian prison- 'TTH and of their being industj(ious and ingenious men, he managed by pretending much friendship and sympathy, to enlist a number, by offering what he considered a great chance. We being strangers and in a needy situation, were glad to accept any ofVer. He said that he would fur- nish teams and a certain quantity of provisions weekly, together with seed grain — that we could have as much land as we wanted to work on shares. Accordingly, lifteen of u« went to work, lived in a large hut, and took turns cooking and washing. I will not relate all the particulars as they occurred du- ring a year and a half at that place. We had enough to eat, but nothing except mutton and bread, nearly the year *| round, and the mutton generally poor. We were allowed some tea and sugar. He was careful that everything was charged, and that our account should not run too high, for fear the crop would not be enough to pay him. We also were very saving and worked hard, in hopes we might make something to enable us to get home, if wo should get a pardon, or even if we did not, wethougdt we could form some plan of escape, (or we cnuld not think of remaining t'lere any longer than we could possibly avoid. If we could have had our liberty at the time we first landed in the colony, we might have acaumulated that which would have enabled us to pay something towards a pas- sage home, but at the time we received what was called, indulgence, or ticket of leave, it was a magna charta on a very small scale. At that time the best of ticket men could not get over a shilling a day and board themselves, or in c'her words, the provisions were all weighed out to them for .!)< week, and it was so managed by the settlers or gentlema.. 'hat their rations would amount to as much \ sret of the o, to raise arned him I old 8f>B. ill, he was nicaif 6tc. was very an prison- 8 men, he mpathy, to ■ed a grent y situation, would fur- ns weekly, I much land fifteen of us rns cooking ccurred du- I enough to riy the year * fere allowed rything was )0 high, for Wo also |S we might should get could form If remaining id. If we t landed in hat which rds a pas- was called, charta on ticket men themselves, |ighed out to the settlers o as much PATRIOT Kx'lLK. 141 as their weekly wages. This was understood amongst these gentlemen throughout the colony, so that a prisoner can get no more. The tickct-of- leave man is not aware of this scheme until he has tried for labor, and finds the chance of laying up a farthing so slim and the rations aU lowed so trifling that he goes to the next one, but throe finds it the same. After trying some five or six, he bo- comes satisfied that the gentleman farmer is allowed all (lie help he wants free of cost, and that they arc in league with government to grind the unfortunate prisoner to the dnst. It wns managed on the same principle with us on this farm or estate of W. Kommodes. After we had broke up :iiid tilled some two hundred acres of rough ond rugged land having to clear a good share of it before it was suitable for the plow, and submitting to a great many inconveniences which cannot well be described, — with many insults and abuse from the old man, though we took the land to work on shares, ho must be master, which caused our situation to be very little if any better than when on the roads; for you must know that the prisoner or poor man or woman, whether ihey may be called bond or free, whatever their situation may bo, if they are poor, they are slaves in every sense of the word to the rich, and are subject to punishment continually. But as I suid, we succeeded in breaking up and tilling some two hundred acres, with great difficulty harvesting and threshing some four thousand bushels of oats and wheat, but the price had become so low, and advantage taken of us, which it was out of our power to prevent as we were situated. After getting through and settling up, there was mere nothing remaining for our year and a half of hard disagreeable and laborious servitude on that gentle- man's estate, but he being benefitted greatly by having his rough land left in a situation to be easily tilled thereafter. After making a thorough trial to accumulate something for ourselves; after being fully convinced that it could not be done, that the power was completely out of the hands of the laboring ipan, and there seeming to be no prospect of our getting our liberty or help from any source — although as I before remarked, there being often scraps in newspapers fa- 12 V ill- J ■:4m- I i • 142 HAtLtLATiym OF A I. t, i'i • . > « vorahle, and often being told by gentlemen that we would soon get our liberty, yet we were convinced it was all a hoax, and that the prospect bid fair for us to end our days in that horrible place. Wo talked, we reasoned together, and en- deavored to form some plan of escape. Feeling much cast- down and discouraged, having nothing of any consequence for our year and a half's labor and no possible chance of over getting anything — under such circumstances you must know that our anxiety to leave the colony and to return to our native land and friends after so long an absence was if possible daily increasing. Mr. Chondler and Wait having landed there a short time before us, were more fortunate than our ship's company — they being bound to a settler who, fortunately for them, provirg friendly, exonerated them from the least hardship or suffering such as we were doomcid to undergo during our stay as slaves on the roads. A little before we got our tickets, they being in that situation, obtain- ed help and was assisted in making their escape. VVe were very glad to hear of their fortune, notwith-.tanding the se- verity with us, wa.*^ on that account if possible increased. Still we rejoiced in their escape hoping they might be fortunate iu arriving in Americn, as well to cheer the hearts of friends, as to make known the horrible situation of their comrades in distress; and am happy to l«arn that Mr. Wait mentions us in his narrative, but not in the glowing color that the nature of the case demanded. I had written to my friends a number of ti'Aies, as had the most of our party, but could get no answer, except about this time I recoivod a letter from my father — there had beeii others sent, but this was the first and only one I had received —as the letters going or coming into the colony are all open- ed and read by the authorities, and in that case are genernlly thrown one side and the prisoner deprived of hearing from his friends, but this one was written in such a way, they thought it would have a tendency to keep me more quiet, therefore sent it to me — my father being tolerably well ac- quainted with their manner of dealing with the poor, which they always treat with severity — having himself experienced much wrong at their hands during the last war with England. Although he was in his seventy seventh year, I had to laugh * ' f r t^ L PAtkldv KXlLt. 14d at his ingenuity in wording it in order that it might come to my hands. Ho warned me not to attempt to run oway or got away by any unfair moans, but wait until I was hononibly acquitted and th(;n says he, return immediately home, that I may seo you once more before I die, says he, "I think the British governmont will soon liberate you all; as they must be con- vinced ore this, that you have been sufficiently punished. Since they have granted a general amnesty to all the leading ones in the rebellion as well as others engaged. Certainly this act of clemency will be extended to you soon, if your conduct will warrnnt it." — To wind offho says, ''hchave yourselves lik«' men, and I am almost sure a pardon will soon be granted you." Now the party in power thought this would not only be good advice for me, but for all the rest, of my comra:^es — so it was sent to me. The above was not all the letter contained, but if that or something similar had not been m, I should not have received it — hut I was two well acquainted with his wrongs and sufferings at their hands to believe tliat he thought mercy need be expected ol ty- rants unless it would be greatly to their advantage in grant- ing it. He knew iheir disposition and their love of tyranny; experience and history had taught him that if ever an Ameri- can should fall into their power, thoy t r^orl scarcely ever expect or look for mercy; myself at all events, can testify to their hanging on to a prisoner to the very last extremity; their grasp is like the death grasp, it has no feeling, no dis- posititm nor wilingnessto let go their hold, when the dart is made with their poisonous harpoon, their poisonous lances continue to pierce the victim until (tousethesiilor's phrase,) 'he spouts blood, 'or until the last drop is taken and the victim sinks under his repeated wounds to the dust; excuse the remark my treatment from them warrant me in making such or sim- ilar assertions. - -^ :J.t lA U* !•■ ( ! 'Vj . i1 it Wi. !l '} I ^ LI 1, A\ ■:M\'. I ■•■ % !«ii^ '? 144 NAflRATIVK 9F A \ 1 I t ■ ; ir ' I :• !l" !t ^i .i ii 1 .. . .. i.:. vNv. . 3 •!(» V*:': CHAPTER VIII. VllI' 'U'iUUi o V'.i-.tl ,; 'til. "» ■'> lU Desperate Attempt to Escape — Suffeerings continued — ^c. Just before I received this letter, I had engnged with somo others of my comrades, to make one desperate attempt to es- ca[)e from the island, for as yot there appeared no hope, we having been so often deceived and disappointed, and tho prospect still very gloomy of our ever getting our freedom, and no prospect but of lingering out a miserable life between hope and dispair in that miserable little prison island — bui his advice was about to be disregarded; we had heard that two or three of our party on receiving their tickets, had made choice of what is called Swanporl district, and we learnt whilst at this farm that it extended to the sea-sliore, distant from us eighty miles. After some difficulty, it wm arranged that one should go there nm\ see what the prospect was of some or all getting awuy from that quarter. . Some were willing and anxious that the trial should be made in that way, and others tiiought it almost impossible to succeed. James D. Fero accordingly succeeded in getting his ticket changed for that District, ho was gone somo two weeks and returned willi a favorable account, and wont immedately back to avoid suspicion. .. f^j,v J.) "i% " There had been three of our party who had taken some land to clear, and were to have two crops to pay fur clear- ing. The gentleman was to find team, seed, and provisions. They had got some four acres cleared and a fine crop of po- tatoes and turnips, which were just ready to harvest at the time we were about to make the attempt to leave the Colony. We were a long while making the arrangement, owing to our limited means. It would be impossible to attempt to describe our situation, and the many difficulties attending the underlakinjr. Scalterrd about the Island, one, two, and throo .n a place, having no money, not allowed to leave our districts; being olosely watched, and of course some one or two, would have .-.- -.■v.-jt.-..^.-.:.i-3SSs=-.-;.-.::trr;; PATRIOT BXILlE. 145 ( 'I J to take the burthen or responsibility of making the arrange- ment, nnd attending to getting them together at the appointed time, and there must be no mistake in the time, because somo who would not be able to get their tickets changed, would be obliged to take Paddy's leave ; and would be liable to be taken up on the way. Some would have fifty, some sixty, somo eighty, and some an hundred miles to travel through the woods, over inoinituins and through swamps and perhaps miss of finding ther designated place, and aller wandering about perhaps three or iuur days, tired and huns^ry, obliged to sur- render nnd perhaps glad to fall into the hands of ony ono. But it is of no use to undertake to describe the many hinder- ancos we would have to encounter, in the situation wc were placed; the number of policemen, mounted and on foot, cousta- bles, soldiers, magistrates, and others, all on the look-out for hundreds ihai have been obliged to take the bush, and in fact it is so arranged that there is scarcely a moment day or night, that ihe prisoner can moke the least move without be- ing discovered, and detected by some one. I am satisfied, it is useless for a prisoner or a number of prisoners to attempt an escape from that prison Island, situa- ted as it is, and as the prisoner is, unless he is fortunate enough to have friends and, means — and, in that case, scarcely ever one gets away until he becomes free, and then it is difficult to raise means to leave. What makes me so particular in trying to describe our situation is, that some, since my return on bearing of our confinement, and treat- ment, havo remarked, oh! if I had been one ol you prisoners, I would have got away! They would not have kept me as long! I would have killed some of them! But my friend, whoever you are, that would be so very smart, remember you are not a prirsoner, neither are you deprived of the prvi- leges of Cree men, as we weie, and let me say to you without boasting, because we have been placed in a situation to try men's souls, I have good reason to believe that whoever you are that would be so smart, that you aie no smarter, when you are tried' thsn the little band of patriots were before the life blood wis nearly extiguishod by the overwhelming band of tyrants, that had compelled us to yield bodily, butnvM in spir- it; I have he^d a great 4eAl of what men woul^ have dorxe if 12* I, I- 1 >(*!.|.i •J 1 i '1:1 i-f ; .. !■ m !!i f M ! .1 rf ■■■' ►'■■'< i If V , j ' > i i Us NARRATIVE OF A they had been in our situation, but if we had not been so deceived in these very smart men, men that could and would do 80 much, but come to case in hand, could not or would not do anything; and in that case those that intended and did do as they promised, until it was out of their power to do anv more, must now be censured because they could not do any more, even after power had been wrested from them. But 1 believe I may safely say, that all that escaped the tyrant's grasp will not be backward in exerting what little strength is remaining to oppose tyrants in Americn, Canada, or any other parts of the world. --'^ After much trouble, one or two succeeded in getting to Hobart town, and managed to see the captain of an American whaler, and agreed with him to come to a certain point on the opposite side of the Island. The day being fixed upon the man returns to inform his friends. Sufficient time being allowed for the men to get to the designated spot, with much trouble twenty-two succeeded in reaching the place. Recollect, we could not call at a public house for a night's lodging; or to a private house; as we might in the United States. But when we came in sight of either, we were obliged to avoid them, for fear of constables, that are nume- rous at all these places. What sleep we got, during some week or ion days, was upon the ground, however cold and damp, not venturing to kindle a fire, for fear of being detect- ed. You may ask how we got along for provisions. You must know that for the last six years the scarcity of provi- sions, and poorness of quality, had enabled us now, especially in an attempt like this to bear up with very small allowances. Some having managed to have some on the start, and others leaving without a chance of obtaining much if any; but on arriving at the hut which was distant from the sea-shore six miles, there was plenty of potatoes, and turnips. The men living in the bush a long time, had learnt the art of taking the Kangaroo, which was numerous in that quarter — ^they had snared some two hundred whilst there; they were saving the skins for the tannery in Hobart Town, distant some hundred miles; they had heai*d they were fetching two an d sixpence a piece, they were used for boots and fine shoes, which when tanned resembled the ^-dUii tiMMiiiiMiii ■HH Wgv . ' j :a a8 ff"cr* h been so md would would not md did do to do any lot do any m. Bull e tyrant's strength is a, or anv getting to American 1 point on fixed upon Lime being with much ;e. p a night's the United , we were are nume- ring some T cold and ling detect- ions. You of provi- especially llowances . land others [ny;but on shore six I learnt the lis in thai 1st there; lart Town, Ihey were used for Imbled the PAtRlOT EXILE. Ul calf-skin, and equally as good. The flesh is rather coarse and strong flavored, yet it is used by many and very much esteemed. Their hut was eight miles from the gentleman's estate — but he owned a large quantity of land and it being con- sidered good, had bargained with three of our men to make an opening at this place, and it being so far to carry pro- visions, were allowed a month's provisions at a time and taken to the hut in a cart, but unluckily for us; it was the latter part of the month and their allowance was nearly gone, and by the addition of our number, what little was remain- ing was s >on consumed, but as there was plenty of potatoes, turnips and Kangaroo, we got along very well. The Capt. was detained and could not leave port as soon as he expected. As a signal, it was agreed there should be a fire constantly burning on a certain hill near the place designated; so that h? might know whereto put in. There- fore we took turns in keeping"the light. The time set had now overrun — three days — you may judge that our feelings and situation about this time, cannot easily be explained. Some were getting quite discouraged and worn out — wo were obliged to keep sentrys out day and night, to warn us of the approach of any one. Two or three times we were obliged to conceal ourselves away from the hut, at the ap- proach of constables, and once or twice the master or own- er of the land was there hunting cattle; and in hunting them came very near finding us, it was lucky he did not go to the potato patch, for the Capt. being told we could furnish near a hundred bushels of good potatoes, said they would be very acceptable; so we had dug them, and carried them all to the beach and concealed them in the sand: so you may judge we were not idle, as we had to carry them six miles and could not carry on an average, over a bushel at a time. We carried them in bags or sacks formed of the Kangaroo j^kins; we had to rest often on the way — but we labored day and night, all that was not on duty as watchmen, were con- stantly employed in making sacks digging potatoes, and carrying them to the beach. The ground was very rough it being all the way through the bush, with underbru8h, and in places long wijd grass, and at night f.o dark, U was a I":. ,.,4 ' I ' .uiImj I t If '■ i . S'.l m, n't ;■ ■If m nil H fc t' ii ! If > *If W NA&RATIVE OF A difficult task to perform, but by perseverance, we succeeded io getting them all to the beach and concealed by covering them with sand. The captain said if it was possible for us to get some wood, he would be glad if we would have some on the beftcli, for said he, "we need not be afraid of whst soldiers and constables they can muster at that point, for if I succeed in lauding with ray ship's crow, I shall have some guns, and there being plenty of clubs, between us all, I think we can flog all they can send there, whilst we are securing our potatoes and wood. We had managed to procure four ^uns and had them concealed, as should the vessel come in we was determined to fight our way on board if necessary. After we had secured our potatoes, we went to work, choped and carried the distance of nearly half a mile, about eight cords of wood. Five days had now passed since the vessel was expected, still we had some faint hopes nnd was constantly on the lookout, though it was dangerous keeping up the fire on the hili, yet it was kept up continually, but with great diffi- culty, as it was a very high bluff, and the fuel hard to be ob- tained. There had been two or three sails discovered at a great distance, but we knew by the way they stood that neither of them was the one we were looking for. We were almost on the point of giving up, and 1 believe one or two had left as a sail was discovered rounding the point at a great distance, but after a while was discovered standing in towards us, but the wind blowing fresh and off the land, they were obliged to beat and tack often, but by the move- ments we were convinced they were endeavoring to make land not far from us. This was about twelve o'clock the sixth day; they continued beating and tacking, making little progress towards land— the afternoon passed away and left us in the dark as to their intentions. We thought however we could discover the stars and stripes which he was to have in a certain position, that we might know the ship as far as we could discern the colors — be assured it was now all anxiety; the fire was increased that night, but as it happened there was a small clearing and burning of timber near the beach and about ten miles from us; he had put in there or near enough to go a shore with a small boat» but on discover- >»» *-"!*»••*«- '.' PATRIOT EXILE* 149 ing his mistake, went immediately on board to put to sea, but discovered our light. The wind continuing to blow fresh, at daylight we disrovf^roH him near the place where we had lost sight of hiLn, i . iiigjit hid him from view, we had no idea that he had made land that night. The wind althougli increasing, had changed a little, which enabled him to run in and lay too, about a half a mile i'n'in shore. It was so very rough and it being a bold and iron- bound shore, it was dangerous at that time to come any nearer; he ventured however, to man a small boat and with great difficulty succeeded in reaching the shore. We was glad to see a free man, and one that appeared to be doing all in his power to make us so. The sailors seemed to rejoice at our prospect of escape. They had fire-arms with them and seemed to be willing to risk their lives in as- sisting [is; wo told them we had managed to have a quantity of potatoes, and about eight cords of wood ready to be put on board, together with twenty of us that would be there in a few minutes; as the vessel was discovered approaching, a man was despatched in great haste for the men that were obliged to be at the hut; for we knew, and so did the captain that it would tJike some two hours to get all things on board. It was blo/^ng a gale, the captain was fearful that the vessel would : ' * n on shore; said it was useless to at- tempt to get an; • i/.g on board until the wind * abated. He talked awhile, told the reason of his not being there before, which was owing to vsome difficulty in getting water, and some other things that had detained him, so it made it im- possible to be there as soon as he expected, he said that he had often thought of our situation and was fearful in waiting we would all be liable to be taken prisoners and severely punished; told of his landing and being deceivftd by the fire where they were clearing, eight or ten miles t'rom there, but the vessel seemed to be laboring and the wind not abating, he was fearful she would 5c driven on shore — lie could not stop to say much, but said he would have to put to sea, and thought that the wind would fall towards night and he would then put in and take us onboard; for it was impossible to get the things or even ourselves on board at that lime. He was loth to leave us; but was compelled to on account of the ^^ l! r! '. W (i i! I f i u !m: fr:i \r s-f ,: 1' i ' i ■I 1 M 150 NARRATIVE OF A safety of the vessel. We had seen rough weather on the ocean and was not easily frightened — but I can assure you the swells and breakers at that time and on that iron-bound shore were tremendous, in getting to the vessel, we thought two or three times the little boat and all hands had perished, but with skilful management they succeeded in reaching the ship; we were rejoiced as we beheld them climbing up the ship's side. Just at that time there was a sail discovered approaching; the captain with his spy glass could easily dis- cover that it was a man-of-war. It was kept to protect their whalers and other crafts, that were cruising about that Is- land, as well as to keep American whalers from landing at difFereni points and taking off prisoners. There had been at different times a number taken away by American whalers — it appears this armed schooner was despatched to watch this whaler; it seems he was mistrusted on account of taking in extra water and provisions; or we had been missed and being reported as missing or absent without leave — one or the other, perhaps both. Now what should you think our feelings must have been, after making as it were, this last and desperate attempt — af- ter doing all in our power, undergoing many and severe difficulties which you can have but faint if any conception of. When the captain lelt, said he, "maintain your ground, if the wind will not admit of my coming in this evening or to-morrow, be not discouraged, I sTiall come back as soon as possible.'* But I presume he had nt't the least idea of there being an armed vessel to contend with, so near at hand, when he left us for his vessel. But here we are — our captain at sea in order to prevent his ship from being ;stovo on the tremendous rocks that had fallen from the mountain, their rugged heads extending from five to fifty feet in a calm, but now the surges beating high hiding them from view for a moment — the water dashing and roaring like dis- tant thunder — the ocean as far as the eye could extend, pre- senting a white surface of froth or foam. It was a specta- cle awful to behold, I had never in all my travel on the ocean, witnessed anything like it. The armed vessel lay to, under close reef in -the roads, to prevent our captain from returning; for they must have PATRIOT EXILE. 151 5 — one or known as they beheld him moving off, thai it was in^ossible for us to get on board, in such a gale, and no doiyibt was satisfied of his intention of putting to sea, and of his proba- ble return when the wind abated. But in our situation; we was glad the captain went on board just as he did, for he was just in time to make his escape. You must not blame us, but the prospect was if the wind continued, as it was then apparently increasing, that the man-of-war with all her efforts was likely to be driven on shore and at that place, must have been dashed in pieces; I say you must not blame us, for at that critical time, we was in hopes it would be the caae. We were looking with eager eyes expecting every moment to see her driven with fury against tlie rocks — but she weathered the storm. — I might dwell at .considerable length upon this subject, but I must be brief. We held our ground at great disadvantage, four days from the time of the appearance of the armed vessel, in hopes she would leave and give our own vessel a chance to return. — Four or five times, Constables appeared in search of us, but our watch discovered them in time to evade their search. Now reccollect, iwo weeks had passed of continual labor, no h use or bed to rest in, and nothing, the most of the time,but roasted potatoes; for we had no time to hunt and kill kanga- roos; and many times so situated that we could not roast potatoes even for a day at a time. Do you think you can form any idea of our condition? Perhaps you may; but it is out of niy power to describe it. The consequence was, after doing all that could be done, on the fifth day, after the ap- proach of the armed vessel, we were commanded to appear forthwith, at a police office, before a magistrate, fifteen miles from that place and answer to the charge of leaving our districts without orders, and attempting to escape from the Island, &c. I will not pive a full description of our trials: We confessed nothing. The charges had to be proved. — But the leaving of our districts, without orders, was evident in the case ot those who could notproduL.e a pass to thateffecl. Some had passrs and some had none. On being asked our business on the coast, and so many at that place, we told tliem, we had come to see our three companions that we had i yV i^'l'l ki 152 NARRATIVE OF A heard were at work on some land six miles from the sea shore that we had not seen for a long time; and the reason of our stopping so long was for the purpose of hunting kangaroos; and being on the beach was to see if there was any chance for catching fish. But all would not satisfy. — Circumstance; were against us, Sentence was passed, which was: that \\t should be separated four in a district, with strict ordors fo] magistrates, constables, policemen, and all in authority, to keep a strict watch over us, and not allow us on any consider- ation to leave the district allotted us, and we should bo mus- tered in our respective, districts at the police office therein, every Saturday night; and if we failed in so doing should he immediately reported as absconders, or bush ranger •, and punished accordingly. We were called into an adjoining room, four at a time to make choice of our districts. Thosf- that we were to chose from, were back in the interior, not contiguous to the sea shore. I was one of five last called and of course, was obliged to take the worst one, and farthest away. There was but few settlers there, it being considered the poorest land, and the coldest district on the Island. Bin it would make but little difference to us, whether the settlers were few or many; for they payed nothing for labor. There ^ft^ hundreds who had served their time out on the roads. Iind got what is called indulgence or a ticket, constantly on tbe tramp, looking for work, and are obliged to work hard early and late for their scanty allowance. '"^' "" '^ James D. Fero, David House, Orlea Blodget, Leonard Oelano, and myself, received our passes for Both well district . distant one hundred miles, mostly through the bush swamps. and over mountains — but here we are about 12 o'clock in the day with our kangaroo knapsacks, with blanket and rug upon our backs, a certain time allowed to be there. Reccollect we are not at this time in government service, consequentK nothing said about rations. We were holding tickets of indulgence; which Sir John terms, the next thing to freedom. Many a laugh we have had over this little inestimable treas- ure, bestowed upon us after two years and six months, severe servitude, by His Royal Highness, Sir John Franklin, Her Gracious Majesty's representative &c. Some may be curious enough to enquire what disposition IS, severe f^^k^Tf IpT. IBXILE. 153 we made of our wood and ppt?itoes. To such, 1 would say; The last I kne\y ortheno, tlie pqtatoes were buried in the sand and the wood left upon the beaph. They were excellent pota - toes; and as there is a prospect pf the roots failing throughout the world, who knows but that pile is destined to be preserved to renew that valuable rqot at some future period. I said we had our knapsacks on our backs — but they are now otr, and we are about eight miles from the office where we were tried, having fotlnd lodgings in an old forsaken shep- herd's hut. „..,.., . . _,^:_ _ ... ... I wish you to bear in mind that I am laboring under difficul- ties far greater than my comrades; not only suffering much from pain in the breast, but by continual fatigue and hardships I had likewise, a pain in my side, which made it very difficult for me to bear up under the many abuses, insults, and hard- ships that we were subject to. Though my more fortunate comrades in that respect, were very kind in rendering all the assistance in their power, which was but little, as we were situated. The course to our district was for the first sixty miles, through the woods, no road — and at tiVnes only a foot path discernable, and lor miles together nothing to guide as, but blazed trees; and those so dull that we often wandered out of our way. VVe not only had high hills and gulfs to cross, but often for miles, water up to our knees; which caused us to have wet feet^ constantly for a week or ten days together. Some of us had managed by strict economy and much labor, to have a little money, but the question was not asked us on our starting, and not a word as to how we were to get that distance or our ability to travel it; all there was about it — we were sentenced to be in such a place at such a time. If we failed to accomplish it within the time set, we were liable to punishment. Finally let me say to you, it is so arranged that, whatever the situation of the prisoner may be, it is all punishment, though it may vary in form. Now though we had a little money, it was of little or no use, for on our jour- ney there was no chance of purchasing any thing to eat; the kangaroo being numerous, we managed to ensnare one and sometimes two, in a night; then kindle a fire, ( though against orders) roast the flesh on the coals, put some in our knapsacks for the day, and proceed on our journey. Two or 13 .-^ . . i *v I J ' ? ^■ r- 154 NARRATIVE OF A Ffs -ilr fi three limes we came to sheptierds' huts, but they Having noth- ing but their weekly allowances, had nothing of any amount to spare us. Once we obtained a little coarse flour and some salt. We managed to bake our flour by brushing the din iVorn a rock, wet the flour with cold water, knead it into doiigh,make it into a thin cake, make n place in the embers where we had a concealed fire through the night, let it remain there till we thought it was done,^ien lake it out and brush the ashes from it as much as possiTbe. It would not be very light, and rather small for a number of men tired and hun- gry: yet, as small as it was, it was a great deal better than nothing, and 1 can assure you: in such times, there is no bad taste to it. This is the way the most of the prisoners bake tlieir bread; or dampers as they are termed when baked. When night comes, the ground is our resting place; but wo managed to find the most retired place in order to have a fire. This is a brief account of our faro during six days travel, before we arrived at the edge of our district. We then trav- eled on some ten miles farther, being informed by a consta- ble whom we had met, that there was a wealthy gentleman that might possil)!y employ us at some rate. We succeeded after some difficulty, -in reaching the estate. It was a large house, but we could not approach it; on account of, I should judge about fifteen bull dogs, that were chained up around in such a manner that a person could not get by them. We were led to consider it a bad omen for a gentleman to have his house guarded in that manner. He is considered a tiger; having a great number of slaves to work on his estate, who, abused and driven to that degree, that they are often obliged to fake to the bush, and for fear of their returning, to rob him, he has a great number of dogs, constables and sometimes soldiers allowed him to keep order, and the poor prisoner, or slave, after being driven to the bush, from returning to rob him. The greater part of the settlers on the Island, have iheir unjust gains, guarded in this manner. A prisoner that is ever caugh', robbing one of these worthies, is sure to have his liock stretched, but they often do it ior the purpose of end- ing his days of suffering. One of the servants coming out on the alarm being given by the army of bull dogs, which in many instances, resembles their master. As we were with- i t "\!< PATRIOT IXILK. 155 in fifteen or twenty rods of the house, thosorvant, or sentry sings out — "stand !'* "I will call the master !" Presently, he steps to tiie door. Seeing that we were not of his stamp, but,^' by our dress and appearance, prisoners; sings out, in a commanding tone — "don't come any nearer to the house!" "who are you ?" "what do you want ?" "what business have you here )" &c. Between his loud, commanding voice and the tremendous roaring of the bull dogs, it was some time before we could make him understand what we wanted. At last we made him understand that we wanted work,** l)Ut as soon as he could understand, ho quickly replied, *' no! no ! 1 have got more than I want now !*' The dogs appeared a little reconciled. We advanced a few paces. A.S he sings out — "don't come any nearer I keep back ! How do 1 know, but you are bush rangers, come to rob me ?" "don't come any nearer, or I will let my dogs loose and they will tear you in pieces in a moment!" They seemed to understand him, for on hearing him talk in this manner, they set up a tremendous roar. We stood our ground, but expecting every moment, that some of them would get loose. They were springing with all vengeance to get to us. But again: the roaring ceased for a moment. We then asked him if we could have some provisions, by paying for them, at the same time, telling him, who we were; that we were ticket-of-leave men, and very tired and hungry. But the gentleman could say nothing, but, "go away! go away ! I believe you are bush rangers! bo off or I will call my constables, and have you all arrested! " He appeared to be frightened, and in a great rage: saying — "be off! be off!" We started off not being able to make him understand when we said we were hungry. About half a mile from there, we came to a number of huts, where were sonae twenty or thir-, ^ ty persons at work on this gentleman's land. We went into' some of the huts, where was a man preparing something in the shape of dinner, for the persons who were at work. We told him of our success with the master, and of our need of something to eat. He said the master was a tiger; and that thqre was not a day that some were not flosrged, or driven to the bush; but he was a rich man, and could have all the slaves he wanted from the government, free of expense. He r - !. I I . 1 i' ' •- V , i- 1 •V 1 • ^ • •■'•Si! MM 'i fe .'U. 'H !' I •till I: i" ti 156 NARRATfVR OF A If 53 > ! said he waa a very influential man, in government affairs. Says he ''we are obliged to steal provisions, to keep from star- ving. We are obliged to work hard, early and late. The rations that he allows us are not noar enough; and of poor quality." But says he — "you must have a part of iho men's dinner. They can get along till night; then they must try pinching, (a term sigifying stealing). All that he had cooked, for a dinner, for twenty men, was a little, poor, boiled mutton, and dam| u- * il i.v i H. i til I.J , ' ■1. ', •: t I i> 158 NARRATIVE OP A eiga land, and for the last six or seven years have been for- Baken by all except the cruel oppressor, as to expend thous- ands of dollars on the dead bodies of some of the officers that fell in the first skirmish in Mexico, wito have been . I carried through the country, and after being exhibited and accompanied by a great train at great expense, have finally been interred with martial pomp. It is all right, but are we not able also to bring the poor soldier who has so nobly stepped forth and volunteered to fight for his country, and has also foil covei'ed with wounds, nobly fighting to the last, who perhaps has left a wife and family to mourn his ,^ loss, can there not be something done to cheer them up. — ,j O, says one, she is a poor woman, her husband was noth- h ing but a poor soldier, he did not aspire to the office of ,^ captain or general, he was contented to be a common man, ' and therefore must not be iionored with ceremonies, or even ,j a decent burial. We would not be subject to applause or ^ honor if we paid the least regard or respect to a poor sol- dier ; England would laugh at us ; therefore we must imi- ' tate them in every respect as much as possible, if we would ^ wish to be called great and good ; honors and titles are fast f; beconjing all that is necessary to constitute the gentleman ; .. pomp is all that is required. ,j When I was in that miserable isle, my mind, sleeping *, or awake, was often wandering across the briny seas to our !^ fair and happy shores ; all my delight appeared to be in ^ wondering, meditating, and admiring our good institutions . and our prospect of not being behind any of the nations of . the earth as to privileges, and not only of setting them an ^ example, but of being able to maintain a character for so- j^ briety, generosity, economy, philanthropy and equality, ., which would cause the despots of the old world to tremble ^ with fear, and the nations of the earth to acknowledge and ., bow in reverence to acts that would be so beneficial to all, rich or poor, bond or free. O, shall I be mistaken in such ., thoughts, wandering as they were from a poor forsaken ex- j, ile or slave on the confines of a little prison island, sixteen thousand miles from my native land, and little prospect of ever being blest with a sight of it, or of men that have any idea 'of republican institutions, or of the least feelings for PATRIOT KXILR. in). 159 the unfortunate poor, but in striving for wealth and pow- or have lost all feelings of humanity, if they ever had any? I trust not, ^.^ _ , , There may be some hints in this work that^'Wlfl fiM 1)0 very acceptable lo some, but if you could comprchciid or in any manner consider the situation that I have been in, and the cause of their being uttered, niethinks you would manifest feelings of pity and sympathy, rather than hatred or ilUwill, for I mean it all for good, though the language may not be as mild and egreeuble, as it would from a more flattering hand. I uma plain man, and when 1 speak wish to do it so as to be understood ; though not accustomed Ux use that polish that has become so necessary in orcfcr to please the ear of refinement. I do not pretend to be so i»reat a man as General Taylor, but may be like him a souie respects, rather rough and ready ; perhaps it may be uc- counted for by my being in such rough hands for the lj2t seven years ; if my treatment during that time woukd noi: make a man rough, I am at a loss to know what wovf/d. But as I was endeavoring to explain our sufle rings \\\ Vau. Dieman's Land, I must return and be serious, for I can a.*' sure you, it was a serious piece of business to us. Bui J the enormity of our crime! Can we ever again cxpeci lo be reinstated, or even raise our heads in our beloved native land, or shall we go mourning all our days, with our heads bowed like the bulrush, to our graves, for fear and slmme, for ever daring to raise a finger in opposition to the tyranva cruel power. However degrading it may appear to the free born sons of America, or to any other nation, I can assure you 1 have no shame on my part for the attempt, though not successful. But in the next attempt, let us ha^e faith and power sutHcient to disposse!)s the tyrants of a Toot ^f land this side of the Atlantic. I have thus far been brief in relation to oui oufjefings, I have not gone into every particular as thry occurred, but have given a mere sample of our treafmeni, that you may form some faint conception of 't, for I am confident that if everything was related as it occurred, scarcely a person in this country would credit it. I assure you there is no exag- geration in what I have told you in my plain way, making *• i i 11 'i ' IIP! liri f;t|i lf*i; :t> 160 NARRATIVE OF A I % IX i ^ ■) V no pretence to scientific or scholastic precision, and with no expectation of escaping the eye of the critic. To return to our* narrative : — we pass on, but fihd no shelter for the night; we built a small fire in as concealed a place as possible, pulled some wild grass and green boughs, laid them on the ground, spread our blankets, and all bui one, lay down ; ho was standing In front of our camp, dry- ing his feet by the fire ; all of a sudden there was an a()- proach of three armed constables, the foremost one singiug out with a commanding voico, *' Stand, move not an inch, or I will blow your brains out," Their muskets are cocked, and to a present ; they inquire, who are you, and what i^ your business here ? On being told who we were, that wp were not bush rangers but ticket of leave men, they seemed a little reconciled, for they at first appeared agitated throngli fear, as was manifest by the trembling of their voice. No doubt they supposed us bush rangers, and that we would ai once prepare to defend ourselves as such. But on being told we held tickets, and after wo had given them a shoii history of our troubles and trials, they said they were sorry, but they had strict orders to apprehend every one that at- tempts to kindle a fire or that camps in the bush with or without fire. If the jnasterof this land should know of your kindling a fire or camping on his premises, he would hav( you tried and punished. We could not dispute it, after learning that it belonged to the tiger that had refused us n morsel, even by paying for it ; he being such a great and wealthy man, and by our infringeing in the least on his vast domains, we need expect nothing but punishment at hi* hands. Wc asked the constables what we were to do ? w. could find no place to lodge if we were not allowed sheltcM by the men that owned all, and not even allowed a resting place upon the cold damp earth ; under such circumstance* what are we to do? It is a hard case, said they, but it is the law, and we poor folks have to abide by it. But, said I, ^Sir John told us we could have the libertv of the island at ono time, and afterwards of one district only, but I suppose he nneant that we would be allowed a little spot beneath the surface of a district, if so be we could find a gentleman that was willing, and who had a retired or worthless spot that PATRIOT EXILE. l(ii was fit for nothing else, and could spare a servaiii long enough to dig a hole and tumble us in. They will be obliged to do that, for if \vc are not allowed a spot on this surface when we are alive, certainly, we will not be allow- ed to lay upon the surface when we are dead. One of my comrads remarked, it has just occurred to me that we must be in hell : it must be, for we have found dev- ils here in all shapes, big and little ; the big one told us as soon as we landed in his dominions, that we need never expect mercy, but perpetual punishment, at tlic same time intimating that good conduct should be rewarded ; but I suppose it was for tiie purpose of enhancing our misery, for certain I am that if men, women and children are sent here for the purpose of reforming and making them better, they must experience different treatment, or the reverse is and will be invariably the case, for as they are now situa- ted, there is no prospect of reform or of their becoming in any degree better. ' » ' n -'j ". . ' , Nothmg will do but the constables nfiust see us r^thovea from that place ; but where can we go 1 Said they, there is a hut about two miles from here ; we are going that way and we will see if you can be allowed the privilege of sleep- ing there through the night ; there is only one man occu- pying it, and it is a good sized hut. So we had to pull up stakes. I think it was near eleven o'clock. It was quitd dark, and raining hard at the time ; we roll up our wet blankets, being hungry, wet and tired, I at the time having a high fever, produced from the pain in my side and breast. On reaching the hut, through the rain and mud, I at once lay down, without asking permission. I was completely exhausted, and do not bolieve I could have gone a quarter of a mile farther upon any consideration whatever. My appetite for a long; lime had been poor. It could easily be discovered that if our treatment continued much longer as it had been, T should soon bid adieu to all below. There being a fire-place in tht3 hut, the man on being informed of our situation, got up and kindled a fire and made us some tea ; though it was of poor quality, it seemed to nourish and revive me considerably. After drinking it, and drying my clothes, the man letting me have his own bed, covering ■■iv:^ « r • 4. 1)1 I. ' ' I! ' li I ) '1' 1 1 < 162 NARRATIVE OP A M n^t i- s me with clothes till I was almost smothered, and putting some warm stones to my feet, I perspired profusely, and when morning came, my fever had abated. I rose feeling better than I had for a long time, though quite weak, f knew that, rest, both of body and mind was nece«sary in order for me to survive much longer. We therefore agreed for the privilege of stopping there for that purpose, as well as for those that were able to try to find something to do whereby to sustain life. We made that our home for nearly two weeks. I composed myself as much as possible whilethe men were travelling about in search of work. — Sometimes they were gone two or three days at a time, but would invariably return with the same account, that the settlers were all supplied with help from government. — Surely, these settlers ought to be good government men, when they have not only land, but all the help they want in tilling it. The trutli is, they are a part of government it- self, on account of their wealth, being all officers of some description. Finally, the men gave up completely discour- aged. They had been to the farther end of the district, and to every settler therein ; they had even tried to work for their board, but mind you it is not such board as is to be had in America ; even if you are a freeman there and obliged to labor for your living, you must live in the old huts with the prisoners and have the same rations weighed out to you weekly, cook it yourself, and do your own washing and mending; you are not allowed otgo into the master's house without requested by the master or mistress, and then you must touch your cap and at the call or to any question ask- ed, say, Yes sir. No sir, yes madam, no madam, dsc. — Though your conduct may be ever so good, as long as you are a prisoner or if you have become free, it makes no dif- ference; as long as you are a poor man or woman, you are kept at a distance, and no freedom or conversation allowed except orders for work or punishment. Thus you see there is a certain class, or banditti, or any name that you may please to call them, that has for a long time and most likely will continue to oppress and enslave the poor so long as the people are willing to submit and by so doing acknowledge their superiority and right to lordit ,gye]|r themp, 0. w(»en^ ^ iv: PATRIOT EXILU. 163 will the people learn to call no man master, and to maintain their rights as freemen, and not allow the man to be com- pletely enslaved for life, who dares to raise a finger or open his mouth in defence of freedom, and in opposition to aris- tocracy, which admits of the iVoudom of a few only. ' • We arc now consulting as to the course wo are to fake and the means to bo pursued in order to keep o-it of trouble, as they call it, after a man has received indulgence or ticket of leave. After trying all in his power h) obtain work, being disappointed, he is often diiveu to ti e necessity of stealing, as it is called ; there being so man , on the watch, he is sure to be detected, taken, tried, and sentenced to one or two years addition to his original sentence on the roads ; or if, in taking a morsel to keep from sttirvation, ho should in the least use violence or threats to the master or any officer, the gallows is sure to end his sufferings in this, life. This method of management appears to be one of their deep laid plans to keep the poor continually in trouble and bonds, and subject to their commands ; though to deceive and blind the eyes of other nations, or of any that may inquire into the treatment of the prisoner, jthe answer wiil be — O, they have all the indulgences that could be expected, considering they are such very bad characters; we as a nation, are doing all we can to prevent crime and to alleviate the wants of the n! edy. This may be believt'd by many, proceeding as it does from the big rich gentleman. Believe it who may, let me declare to you my opinion, as one know- ing their many schemes and modes of oppression, that those who arc the cause of so much siutTeiing and punishment are the worst of the two, and more deserving of the same treat- ment themselves, but as they have all [)i)\ver on earth, ihoy can commit crimes of the deepest die, and no one dare say, why do ye thus i Any one daring to speak against their rights, is liable to be murdered upon the gallows or at once b ^headed, or doomed to drag out a miserable \\l\i in dun- goons or in servitude to th•^se miscreants. If this should fail of being accomplished according to law, ilieir dignity must be maintained by power, causing the oppn^ssed to fight and subdue the oppressed, and thus maintain their dignity 4 ■ ■ 1 ■'.-*■:' . i» !iv; 1^ 1 f"! » / L*i;' i 4 f ' ■'• llj ff > n 164 NARHATIVl!: OF A ^ as a humane, condescending and Christit^n people. O God, deliver us from tyrants, in wiialovcr shape or form they may appear ; though the nations of the earth, arc estimated as beconiing wiser and better, yet how blind to tiie many plots, intrigues and snares that have been and still arc de- vised to oppress and grind the poor to tliedust ; thcyassuVne many and various forms. After consulting together some time, wo came to the con- clusion that their manner of dealing with us was for the pur- •|pos9 of causing us to commit some crime, cither by stealing something to eat or of taking the bush, or some other way, ^ in order that we might be dctuincd longer on account of ^some crime committed in the colony. We determined to /disappoint them if possible. Accordingly, wo go to the po- , lice office, which was about twelve miles distant, and told the magistrate wo wished to got our tickets changed (or Norfolk district, that we had tried fnilhfully for work in this distrtct, and could get none at any rate, and if it was not possible to have their» changed, we should go to Hobart 'Town and sec the Governor, and inform him of our situa- 'tion, and that we did not think it was possible that he was I aware of our treatment. I should have mentioned before, ithat Sir John had been recalled and a new Governor by the name of Sir John E. Eardley Wihnot appointed instead. 1 had previously sent him a memorial of some length, setting forth our grievances. Me appeared astonished that Frank- lin should even take it upon himself to receive us in the col- ony at all, without a sentence. If he had been Governor at the time, he would not have received us on such grounds; but as it was an act of Sir John's, ho could do nothing in the matter, until he wrote home concerning us, and in so doing would recommend our liberation at once from the Island, and that unrler the circumstances ho considered * we had no business there. ^ The magistrate said it was out of his power to grant the request ; but he would write to Mr. Spodo, the chief police magisimte in Hobart town, for a permit for us to leave this for Norful'c district. He told us to call again in four days from then, w U"n he thought he would have an answer. We .called, but he ^uid he had not received an answer yet; we •f ' FATRIOT SXILS* 1«5 OGod, irm they estimated lie many I are do- ty assiiVnc ) the con- ir the pur- y stealing thcr way, ccount of rmined to to the po- :, and told langed lor ' work in 1 if it was to Hobart our situa- mt he was led before, nor by the nstead. 1 ;th, setting at Frank- lin the col- Governor grounds; [nothing in nd in so from the considered grant the 1^1 ief police leave this four days 5wer. We [• yet ; we «&tled Rg)iin the third (|ay ; he th^n said he had received an answer, which wis that we could go. He gave us jias* ses accordingly, and w«i start, tidying for work ut every settit^TB e^^tMtL^ until we urrive at Norfolk, distant 36 miles. About tlie «nter of th** district is considerable of a village. U is situated on the riv(?r Dcrvvent, which is navigable for small ^t•nm'rs• fron there to Hoburt Town ; there are one or two run it daily. In this place the n^ is a hospital ; bei- fore we left the ronds, nnd whilst nt Sandy Bav Station, I think it was the third week from landing, one of our com- rads was taken to this f)laro on account of inflammation in the t\ves ; t\(\rr ho had left us, we made inquiry respect- ing him, hilt could hear nothing from him for a long limo : ane day I saw a prisoner that was telling of being at this place a long timi'? with sore eyes, I a^kcd him if ho knew a man by the^name of .'ames P. Williams. He snid he knew him vw.'il, that he was d -ad ; that he suffered extremely on iccount of his eyes, nnd of inhuman treatment by practi* '.ioners ; he felt sorry for him. for he seemed a nice young man; poor man, he was fairly murdered by inches; his eyes w re cut and mangled in a horrible manner. Said he, he livrd ahrml eight njonths from his arrival hero, suf- fering e.xtremr'ly until death. Mr. Fcro and mvself went to the hospital, to learn, if possible, his fate ; but after inquiry, found no one there that could or was willing to give any account of him ; hey were not willintj that we should know anything of him ir the manner of his death. As we were leaving the yard there were four men passing out, at the same time, with a rough box. They had on long white linen frocks. Out »f curiosity, we followed them fo: about three quarters of a mile, when they came tonn enclosed low wet field, and as 'hey passed in we di>?covered a hole; they set the box lown, and commenced talking or rather quarrelling about ihe hole not being long enough to receive the box ; after ^nsiderable loud and rough talk and measuring, the box v7a<» elevated, and at the word *drop' they sung our, *'there you are, my heart ien, whoever you are it's more than we know,'* the water. a<9 the box fell, flying as high a/i the) r iieads; a(\er a man's jumping on one end to make ft a 14 M-'i;i ' '^l-i-i '"' ' :•; % 'Ih«ii ; t .. t ^t i: %. r, tM NAREATtVI OP A '.I Ktde levelf it was soon covered up mefely level with the^^ safffitce ; as they came out« 1 a^ked one of ihem who it wbs tliey had juHt buried ;^* O,' snys he, '^it's moi-e than I know, but it's no one in particulur, but u part uf thr^eor four prisoners." i asked him if he knew one uf the Can- adian prisoners by the name of Williams, who died there some lime ago. ♦* Had he sore eyes," said he. *» Yes, I believe he had." *K) yes, poor man, he sufFr red a great deal. 1 felt sorry for him ; he was treated shumet'ully ; his flesh, what little was rtmnining, lies somewhere in that yard, but he could not tell where, as there was no uniformity in burying prisoners; they are tumbled in just as it happens. 1 suppose his bones aru in the hands of sotne of the young students ; maybe in England before this time ; it's more than 1 umnllowtd to know ; he was a fine young man ; I used to like to h( ur him talk about America; America must be a Hne country, according to his tell ; 1 wish I was there ; but hi^re 1 am, a prisoner, and most likely 1 abull always remain one." We now came lo a turn, and they went one way, we the other, and returned to oiir hut. air.ni '"uiiioii i\ (U !>','=:f*!i- 3iio f *r * e; We wandered around in search of work, and at one placa there was a gentleman said we could go to work for our board, but after a little inquiry we found him to be of such a character that it would not be safe to be on his premises at all ; there were a great many poor men at work for him at no Wagi-s and not half enough to eatj they were drove like brutes. We tried hard for the priv- ilege of going from there to Hobart Town, but were not allowed ; we wanted to see the Governor, and were told his excellency was expected at Norfolk in about a week. We tried hard f<»r the privilege of sjieaking to him, bul he was in such haste* and had so much business on hand that there was no possible chance of getting near enough to speak to him. We finally, after remaining there near two months, with what money we had^ hy living sparingly and occasionally hunting kangaroo, we managed to stop that length of timer without ubminittingany depredation; though once, constai>le» fuahed^fnto oar ku in the m|;ht^ aiiiid aeked i^* we were all » 1 PAtlllOT IXILt. m' therd; on being told that wo were, they would not believe it until we got up. They would not be satisfied until they had searched the hut; for some things, they said, had jUst been stolen near by. We thanlced them for their compliment, and told them it wns not a very gentlemanly way of intro- ducing themselves: and, unless some of the stolen articles were deposited there by tttemselves, or some others, like them, we thought they would not find any on our prem*. ises; and that we were not in the habit of stealing; and if it was in our own country that they performed in that manner, they would fare rather slim; but as it was, we dared not to resist; and they were aware of it. As there is a trifle coming to the constables, from govern- ment, for each prisoner, arrested, tried, and sentenced, they having privileges that prisoners are not allowed, often steal and deposit some of the orticles in sorrje prisoner's hut; then come in and search a little, find it, take the poor man or men before a magistrate, who tries, and sentences them to six months or a year on the roads, perhaps to work in chains. There can be no doubt of his guilt, because the good consta- ble actually found the articles in his possession! The con- stable is rewarded for stealing, and the prisoner punished for not stealing. It is all right because he is an oflScer of government; and the other, a slave, and subject to him, and all of the higher officers. ' * ■ ir> :>/i After trying hard, we succeeded in getting a pass for Brighton District. One object was, we heard that the mag- istrate there would be more likely to get us the privilege of going to Hobart Town; and another was, being in the neighborhood of the Green Pond Station; where we had been partly promised employment after the term of proba- tion had expired. There is a small village near the station, which is on the main road from Hobart to Launceston. We had nearly thirty miles to travel principally through the bush, to reach this village, which consisted of two stores, two taverns, two churches, a watch house, a police office, a company of fifty or sixty soldiers, barracks, &c. On our arrival there, as we had a little money, our first object was, te obtain a hut tolodgAin, not far from the place; and a« pro* fusions' at tiiat time, were high, we were obligedto life aocoTr *li'' . •Mi nM H U H i: '•'V III I :.:i: t iii ' • * 1 :i ,8' • ■1 * . H^S-' m NARR^Jiy*,jJ)|P 4 1 I .!?.. ding, to our nne!\ns; and as to meanst we may say — they were nothing; and a fair |iruspect of remaining so. Our next object was, loseu the inagistnite. But on enquiring, ibund, that Mr. ErskLne, wiio was nt that plact when wo were on that station, was gone; ami nnoiiier hud taken his placu; but not anything like as descent a man as Mr. Erskine. We were some»vimt disMppointed. It was finally seilleid, that I should go and see iho magistrate. I went and told him ot* our misibrlunes, and thai il' ii was in his power, we wished him to grant us the privilege ol" goijig lo tJobart Town. Said he — -^you have noi been in thisdibtrict but a lew days, I think you can gel something to do — At all events, I cannot allow you to go lo town, for it is evident, you are determined to make your escape from ihc Inland ! You have made two or three alicmpls, already, and I have had strict orders not lo let you go to town, or near the sea shore on any account whatever !" I returned and reported progress. Two of the men set out in search of work and were gone two days. They returned much dejected, rested a lilile, and tried again, but no success. Afier remaining four weeks, and iho pros- pects still dull, I went to a man who had been a constable and keeper of the watch house. We had seen him often while on the roads. He had managed to get considerable land, had just built a steam grist-mill, and seemed to be get- ting along very well. 1 asked him if he could employ us at some rate. FL^ sa-d he had all the men he warned, but that we might come and live in one of his housCvS, as he had just bought a large farm, with nice buildings and the gentle- man having left for England, he did not want rhe buildings left unoccupied, and we could stop and watch the premises, and he might have something for us to do. We are now not exactly gentlemen, nor owners of a gentleman's estate, but stopping in a gentleman's house with no furniture, except our blankets, tin cups, frying pan and an old tin kettle. There was a number of rooms and a small bell for each. We would imagine ourselves, at times, gentlemen. One would step in to one of the rooms and be servant, while another would be master; and as the bell was rung, the ser- vant would appear in all haste, with cap in hand, saying, '* what is your wish master V* Bring me a bottle of th# rATKioT tiiihui. 16^ best porter ! quick ? ** Yes, master!" Away he would run ttnd bring an empty bottle: for there was hundreds there; Bomo had had brandy in, somo wine, some porter, and some champagne, &c. Bollto afier bottlo wiiscniled for, by the master, who wou'd assume all the airs of a lord; till he was no drunk, that the rest of us (his servants) would carry him into his sleeping nparimcnt, Iny him on his bed of down, close the door, nnd nil is qiiiel. Pretty soon one would go around to the Cr nt door nnd ring the bell. A servant would appear. On being asked if the mnster was in, and being told that the nmn at the door wished to see hitn the servant would reply — '' mnster is very ill!'' or — ''he has gone riding for his health! you cnnnot see him to-day! call in the morning !" He would call in iho morning, but was told the master was not up; but if he could wait a few minute?;, ho would be up. lie wails at >ho door an hour, rings again, servant appears and says — " master is dressing ! you can soon see him? In about another ho'ir he rings again; — Servant — "I will run and tell master and he will be in. in a moment." Presently the master appears, having been drunk for the last twenty-four hours, is not in a very pleasant humor — *' well, what do you want ?" " 1 called to see, sir, if you could employ me, sir. I am out of work, and have no means of getting a morsel to eat. Master — "no I have plenty of holp. 1 don't want you!" — [closing the door]. ^ ^,^,, '.,;. • '^.;, ' . But I must not slop to describe the gentleman in full; thw however, fs a small sample of a gentleman of Von Dieman's Land. Ladies nearly on the same principal, thou^'h the bet- ter of the two, to the prisoner. We were there some three weeks expecting the master, who lived a little over three quar- ters of a mile from us, would let us have a job of some kind, **Why" says one — " what right have we to labor ? if we are not real lords, we are very near it ! All that is lack- ing is, a little more splendid furniture; horses cariages, &c. Iiwe can manage to get them, what will hinder us from being lords ?" *' Why'* snys one — " we cannot be, unlest we have a great many servants, and our cellar replenished with all kinds of liquors, and it must be of the best quality.*' "Well!" says one— ** it will cost nothing. If we were otily lucky enough to have these things: good liquors, &c. ** •!' •t "II 'i't iM' r m VI- : I 4. It '"} I.! id' i 4i h>. I. ". tTP NAItHATIVS OV 4 and belonged to the band, nothing could prevent us (ton beine gentle.non, iT not lords.*' But we finally come t<»the conclusion that we were nothing but prisoners, and that it is great condescension, on the part of the gcntlemun in allow- ing us to even stop iii.side the mansion, to prevent thieves breaking in to steal. But it was lucky for us, for there being nothing but the house to steal, we were not troubled with thieves. So you see after all our castle building, we were nobody — nothing but poor prisoners, or slaves, (lood enough for us! We had no business to inculcate liberal principles, or in any manner ever attempt to defend them from the overwhelming power of tyrants and sycophants. f the enormity of our crime ! It cannot, it must not be for- given f Can it be possible that the stain ronld ever be wiped out, and we be forgiven, even by Mr. Von Bureni 'I'hen add to this, the crime of "black legs, horse thieves, &C." And wo never need expect forgiveness ! It is'no matter whether wo are guilty or not, this big man hrs said so and it must be so. it is getting to be quite dangerous, even to speak in favor of liberty, much more to act. Notwithstanding, you see that I am Hot inclined to keep silenco in the c»«use, but as far as my bodily infirmities will admit, I am ready lo act — even if the whole world should oppose me, as long as I am out of bonds I shall raise my voice, though it be ever so weak, in behalf of those that are in bonds and of their rights on the face of this fair earth, n.< well as those that think they have no rights except it be granted them by the wf»uld be lords of the soil, and of everything else. O how thankful I am that my soul is not in the hands of such men — it would he bartered away before night, for gold for them to sport upon. Though my body may be in the power of this strong clan for daring to raise my voice ogainst thom, — yet I (oar them not, thoufl;h [ wish not the ill will of any one- The magis- trate said he would write to lown for us, but after my calling on him three or four times for an answer — was convince!^ that he had not written, or did not intend to — he being satis- fied of my belief ol it, says to me, thinking I would writa without his knowledge, says he you better write yourself;'* 1 said I had written but had not received an answer; ^K} ■ays he you did not do it in a rofpectful maniier,— S^i .-«i- PATRIOT. BXILB. m down*'— w)i^Ani|WlKire to remove, nn.t t to freedom; we had to furnish our own clothe i, wnnhing^ and niMidIng; and must work haid iVrrm sunrise lo sund ivvn. I would ask how is a man to iny up money townids pay> ing a passage home, if so bo ho was permitted cvor lo leave the Island, if you can see how it ooiild l>f» dono, you can see a great doal fnrthei' than I could when I wms ilipre to see. 1 know for cerlnin if wo had not b»!en assisted in some other way wo never could havo left the island. You will soon learn how wo wore assisted. i' y, ....-^.i.- ^»;, i,. Wo went to work at that rate for Wft could do no hetter— wo wore obliged lo work wiili eight or ten old hninls (slaves with an overseer) to sec? that the nif^n uoikod hnrd to pay for their |>oor mutl<)n and coarse Ihiur. The men are allow- ed an hour each m^'il daring which time they must c ;ok iheir neat and oit it, but are often ciliod to work before finishing their meal; and obliged lo t;>ke a piocn of meat and damper in tuoir hands and ^wallow it on their way to work. Their damp rs are ofton put into the embers at Jiight and taken oui m the morniuEf, liecmKo they have no other time to bnko them — wash and dry their old striped shirts as thoy cnn. there is no time allowed for such trifling things; their old I. ufs are generally dirty and alive with ver- min — their only bedding, one blanket and a rug; some settlers allows a coarse tick which they fill with straw or wild grass. The huts for the .slav^^nre tom|)orary, no floor, but generally a kind of (ire.pl a0(filimik9ifor the convenience of the settler than the prisoner,^b>e is permitted to prepare his scantv mial if he cnff#^,ft^ithin the hour and .away to work. The huts are genewwy situated some sixty or one-hundred rods from the gefMlMmn^S castle, around which, are bull-dogs lo gnnrd him eilb#^< iii^it4v two legs or four, the .slave is not permitted to apprrtHtfW #0' castle with- out orders, or any other one without thii^iCt||fHf being given by dogs or men as .substitute, if a gentlertWrtif^or Indy is seen approaching, they are met by a 8er»^ant and conducted safe- ly past the armv of dogs to th** front door: but if a prisoner; he must keep his distnnce, or be torn in pieces by th" dogs, If the master should condescend to step out and ask him his business, well and good, if not h^ most retire af\er waiting perhaps two hours — must oall again next dajt; no matter 1*1' FATRtOr KXILI. rm whether the poor man is starving or not, the mnster wi)I not stoop so low ns to answer the firutor second call from a slovo though he moy be just ready to sink m iho enrlh lor thn want of a crumb iVoin his mblo, Imt nfli'r repealed cnlln, if the rich man should duign to answer him, il is gonornliy to Nay "no hcgone, I have business of metro im|ioii?iriro limn to listen to iho calls of bege^ais." — but "plonse sir, I will \vo*'k for you to pay tor a morsel, 1 am siarvins; sir." — '*(), well tu; country is lull of just such charncU-rs, I d«»n'l w.ini you, Ne- fone; I have plenty of help, and more n<»w than 1 require, must sen i somo of theui iti lo goveiTirnent." 1 will not aiiompt to rnlalo cverv ihinaf that occurred whilst here, as I have passed over many lliiufr^* heretofore that sh(Hild havG boon moi.tioned; but I have fi'f^^dy exten- ded iho work beyond what I intended ri the cnin.nonceineni. yet 1 (ind iho subject cannot bo fully explained uiihout exten- ding the work far beyond what 1 am at piesenl able topertorm, for two or ihrco reasons', ono principal ri?i'is()n is mv health; another is ihero may be some that h.ive or may return, that will bo bettor abl« to do the subject juyjtii-.e thnn myself. You will notice that since our seperalion at Hridgov, ater, 1 have not atlempitd to give a descripti>n of any of the sufferings of my conu'ades, except those that 1 were in con- nection with from that lime; bo that each one in giving an account of his treatment, s^atteiT-d about the island as we were, may give ditferent accounts, and still all be true, even those that were together during our stay thee, in writing a history would vary, but amount to about the same thing at last; be assiuvdof this, that in attempting a descrip- tion of our treatment and suflTerings how.>ver varied in ex- pression, it cannot be exaggerated., 1 must bo excused Hir my brevity thus far, lor whilst I am penning these few re- marks; the pain in my side and breast is so fcvii-e, that I can write but two or three lines before I have to get up walk about or lay down a short time, rise and write a few lines and so on; which has been one reason why this or a similar work has not appeared before, even this as oriel* as it is; would not have appeared to public view so imperfect, if I had not been Htrongly urg-xl by some of ray friends to say something upon the subject, therefore, under tho many disadvantages that 1 ■!••■ '■ i i n r Mil! •f •:. I i ■ I •i *v t!4 MAKRATIVB Of A have to labor, please to excuse my imperfeetioiMaJid brevitsr. The spirit in wiiling, but the flesh is weak through tiufferings, After being there about seven months, by close mnnage- tnent we mnde «re thought it best to liberate us in small parlies for thev have nlwavs beon afraid of ns; for if ihcv had not been cowards, they nfner would have transported us and we have h.-ifltho pleasure of saying so^more ihan onco. Tiking all things into consideration, he as well as ourselves ^ll0^l^ht we had better leave the island as soon as possible, to give the rest a chance of receiving their pardons, for they weio all as well deservitjg of it as we; our being amongst the first appeared a m^re chance. Now as bnd as my situation was I would willjnsrly hav;-: waited till they were all free, if it would have done any good, but it was thought best by all wliom we coulH hear from, to leave as sion as possible, as the rest would not be liberated until we left. We accordingly set ou». for Itmn in less than twenty-four hours from the time I left the police oflice whern we received such joyful intelli- gence. But it seemed like parting with a dear fiiend; one who had been with us through sore afflictions; and it seemed atill harder, if prissible, for him, ns hf« would be lift alone. We had talked muah ai.d reasoned together in perilous times -.' wtis- rATRIOT IXIIA 17ft for years passed, but now behold us shaking the parting hand mnd ready to leave our tried friend, in that miserable fiaee, not knowing whoihcr we should ever meet agnin. I believe you can have littlu if any idea of our feelings, unless it hat been your lot lo pass through the same or similar trials, that we have been calli d m pass ihrougli. But when wp turned to leave him, it seemed to mo as though 1 would have been willing to have had the earth open and swall«»w us up forever. Neither of us could spenk for, 1 sl.ould judge a half of an hour after leaving Mr. Blodget. lie sure I can testify to the fnct of ils being i:nrd to part with a Iriend in adversity. The refkson may be, hecause they are not as plenty as in prosperity. O ! should wo not admire a friend who will not forsake us in trouble ? 1 u^ed to think I had many friends before this sore calamity befell me, but when they were most needed there was but very i'ew who were willing lo acknowl- edge by their acts, that they ever knew mo. Others said — *'good enough for them ! They ought to have known better England may do as she likes with them! They never need expect any favors from us, for it would ofTend England and that would never do; for she is wealthy and powerful, nnd of course she has a right to he tyrannical. It is b Iter to give in a little — even let them come on our shore and burn a steamboat now and iheii — no matter if our subjects are sleeping in it; it is better to have them dragged out nnd murdered than to oflend them by resoniing ii. It is better to let them hang as many as iliey please and lran■ .« ■'•I;: 1 !■■;!! •J. t', .1, i- ;|'fllll !!., II; M ili'/iii 178 NAftEATIYR OF A (fi ,■,-1 v^ i: 1 enslave their poor white neighbors. The poor New Zea- landers will soon shaie a similar fate. There was a few familitisof English made tools of by tVe'jl'in to go there as missidnaries, it turned out just as was cxpccied, they were all killed by the natives which of course gives tiie clan a chance to rotaliato by sending nn army to kill thern oM'; then of course, New Zealand wi!i belong to England — this is their manner ol' gaining possessions. The islnnd has never been surveyed, but is variously esti- mated id from twenty-iwo to twenty-six thousand square miles, its situation is in lat. 4H degrees south. Ion. 144 deg. 40norlh and 14S deg., 20 east; is estimated to be 147 miles in width and 210 in length, lying south of New Hol- land from which it is seporalid by Bass Straits. The free population numbers about 30,000; the emancipists 20,000; and convicts under sentence, 36,000 of whom 9,000 are females, njnking in all about 86,000. The prini-ipal animal is the Kangaroo, there are two or three kinds, the smaller kind are about two or three feet high when standing erect: the largest kind are from five to six feet when they run or rnther bound, for ihoy move in an erect )|)osiure. using their fore legs only as they stop to feed; they have hpen known lo take up a dog: that was in pursuit of them and bound off to the nearest water, and hold him un- der until drowned. As they have been exhibited in caravans throughout America, I nec.i not bo particular ii discribing them, they two numerous .ind very harnaless, a common dog will run one down in a short time, when thev are as easily killed as a doer. Opposum, Badger, Rabbits, and a four legged animal they call devii, (though not near as numerous as tlie two-legged ones) they nre black and about the size of a largo cat — uiore is a species of wolf or wild dog, though not numerous. All the animals are harmless except the two legged ones called gentlemen, they very much resemble the snakes oti the island; there is a number of species, but all producing almost instant dtath by biting; even the smallest kind which resemble our little striped snake, are venomous; the largest that I have seen was of a dark color, four or five f§#t in length. • One day travelling along the main road I discover- FATRIOr SXIi.!. Itt ed in a Aeld at a short distance three men standing by s cow that lay as I supposed dead; she hnd buen attacked by one of those large snakes and bit in the neck, as she was laying down; it was seen in the morning near where she was laying, the man ha:5tened to the house I'xr a gun, but before he could reiurn, it had bit the cow, but on looking carl'ully around, discovered it coiled not far oil*, he approached within about twenty feet and shot it. I saw the snake — 1 should judge it was six feet in length and looked very much like the black snnke of America. J he cow was noi quite dend, but swollen to that degree she cou d not see; this was nbout two hours from the lime she was bit. She seemed m great agony just as 1 left, a man hfid received orders to ioad the gun and shoot her. Just before we left Green Ponds for Hobart Town, there wos a boy hunting rabbits, ho thought he dis- covered one at some distance, run into a hollow log, he came up and run his arm in for the rabbit as he supposed, but was bit by a snake, he lived nearly two days — the snake was found to be a little striped one abi«ut a foot in length. The feathered tribe are somewhat numei*ous, but amongst them all, 1 have never seen any ihat resemble ours, except the crow; the eagles are somewhat numerous, and above all the birds ihey are the most haled and hunted bv the ly rants in Her Mnjesly's dominions, especially m Van Dieman's Land; the parrots are very numei-ous and of six or eight different species, there is a bird called the jackass, it is the best singing bird in the colony, it is of a brown color and about the size of our robin; Iho mngpie is numerous and noisy, but not very melodious, they are blnck nnd white, and about the size ot a dove (or tatnc pigem); ihore is a brown bird about the size of a pigeon called iho waitie bird, which is much esteemed nnion^st the gents.; likewise the quail which resembles ours but not quite as large; also a few black swan, some ducks, &ic.; the cockatoo is the most troublesomo bird they have, there is the white and the black; they are about the size of the crow, they go in large flocks from field to field, and make great ha oc aii.ongst the grain. The timber is ail evergreen, but none that is as thrifty as in America, and altogether of a different kind: the names they bare are wattle, throe kinds, black, white and silver; '4'1 ■^ ': rnfi 1 ; , , ■'A '1 !^ !■" ■s| M sj U,v i '' ' • ■- I . 1 • I ^4 '■■■i I ' I f l#p. NAERATIVSOPA: VI black, white and >|9llow gum; a tree called oak, but nodiing^ like ours; cnerry, stringy bark, pepperininl niid hoaey*8uckl» comprises all ol' any atuoun , nearly all the timber is very heavy, and when thiuwn in the water sinks directly , it never slieds the leaf, but ihe bark instead. This with other green herbs, togeilter with a mild healthy climalr, presents a btautilul a>pec.i, e>s^jecially tu those thai have not been in a country where t ees and shruhery reuiiii their gn en loaves winter and sumnitir, but ai'ier remaining there a snort time, you will discover ihat the so 1 and clinmle is noihing near as good lo ensure ci'opsas it is in America. Tlie Itico 01* the cuuuiry is ro gh, and not one-half of the Island can he considered arnblo land, and inig.uion is necessary lo induce a g(j(,dsli.iro of this to yield a middling crop. 'i'hoLigh it may heconsiderid a mild cliinalo, the niglils throughout tho year, arc chilly, with fretjuenl frosts, it is not UMConiinon lo see largo fields of promising wheat headed oul j nd in ihemilk, lotall> destroyed by I'rosi in one night. The country is likewise subject todrougih and mill- dew. 1 have seerk the iVost so heavy in narve.st iimt', that you vvoiild bo ob.igcd to wait in the morning until the sun was three ht»urs iiigh, when iho frost vvoitid disap|)car, so ihal you could hi.ndle it without sud'ering with cold lingers; lids may seem incrc'dihle — bui it is often ihe case. On this account, Indian corn will not grow at all. Oais and barley are the only sure CI op, and ihoy often fail — Potatoes likewise, are apt to be destroyed by frost or drought, when the scoson is favorable, ihe ciops are good, but you ore not sure — for when you think the prospect is fair, in twenty-iour hours lime, you may beliold your crops wilting in mid-day, from a previ- ous Viight's frosi; iherelbre on account of ihe uncertainty of crops, liie gmtleman's vast estate is principally converted to sheej) grazing; it is common for a seller to have on his estate filteen or twenty-thousand head of sheep, and perhaps a thousand head of cattle, there are likewise some very good horses, but even for grazmg, it cannot be considered good on account of drougtb. My opini n is, it is no place for an American to think of living, except he is rich and a tyrant and willing (o h. ve all his work dpne by white slaves; for it is a disgrace for a gentleman' iV' PATRIOT EXILK. 181 or lady to work or scarcely to speak to the slaves who are doing it all for them; except there is a complaint to the master by the overseer, that the slave does not work hard enough. In that case the master is very angry, talks to him, and for a very tri- tling otTenco will abuse him in the most shameful manner, and generally ends by the poor man receiving fifty lashes on the bare back, put to work, driven and abusod in every pos- sible manner by the overseer. But it is of no use to com- plain of the overseer to the iiiast'jr; for his acts are all sanc- tioned, especially if he causes the work to be done and well done. So if you are rich and inclined to be tyrannical, and ioin in with the tvrnnls, you may do well to live there; oth- erwise you had belter slay away. 'Jliere is another thing which might induce you to go there. All the lower class are obliged lo touch their liats to you when they pass you. This is a great satisfaction to a nobleman. So if this would be any inducement to you, you had better go; tor you know it has not come to that yet, in this country. Although you may be rich, you are considered nothing but a man. So if you want such great honors paid you, you must go where they are compelled to reverence you on account of your wealth. For my part, I have no inclination lo go back there; neither do I think that l^ingland has a right to send me, or any other American citizen, tried by a colonial act; to Van Dieman's Land, for seven years, against his will, and there subject him to slavery. Still they may have tlie right; espe- cially when we consider the enormity of the crime for which we were sent; because, if our government had demanded us, they have no penal colony to send us to; therefore we could not have been punished in a manner sufficient to atone for the enormous crime of which we were supposed to boguilly. (Some nt least had no testimony sufficient to condemn them in any court of justice;) but no matter; if you were supposed guilty of such a heinous crime, it was sufficieut. Edward M'Dowell Esq , was attorney general of Van Die- man's Land when we arrived there, but had sinccf given offence to old granny Franklin, who had him dismissed from the office. He was in conversation with one of our party, Mr. L. W. Miller, said he, "I have seen all the papers which accompanied vour party from England and Canada; ihorc 15 -1 i. W. . • V ■1 W 111 i ■ ? NARRATIVE Of A was not the scratch of a pen to authorize the governor to receive you upon this island, much less to treat you as con- victs; you had a right according to the laws of tills island, to land ad free men, and to leave the same dav, if vou chose to do so. Every person who has held you in custody is lia- hleto an action for false imprisonment." .^^ \/!;n 'n,^«j Likewise Mr. Murray editor of a reform paper in Ho- hartTown, censured the government very hard ibr their treatment towards us, he spoke very plain, but none too plain, he said, **ii had oug/U to bo, and -was an everlasting disgrace- to the British government, dealing in tho unlawful and inhu- man manner with us, that iliey had, and icere dealing. Home three or lour others liiere, ns well as many in England, have ventured to declare, and at the risk of great sacrifice, that the Canadian Patriots were sliamefully abused and that we ought not to be treated in the manner we were. 1 wish we had a president tliat would not only think, but act in de- fence of our citizens that have been dragged to a ])ennl colo- ny, unlawfully tried, abandoned to slavery, and treated worse limn felons of the wor.st kind: do \ou think England would allow her subjects to be treated by any other nation as she has treated subjects of those United States '? my opinion is, she would not. But lam aware of the opposition these few re- marks will meet with, he it ns it may, I am firm in the belief, that con^ideriijg tiie circumstances of our being taken prisoners, together with illegal trials; it would have been jusi and right for our governnr^iU to have demanded us of the British Government, that we might be tried and punisheri for breaking our laws, for there was none in Canada, at tha* time to break, if there was, why was we not tried by them, in- stead of by a colonial act that did not receive the sanction oi" home government ? ButOthe crime, the crime; whe»i we consid';r it, no pun- ishment that could be inflicted, is too severe, whether inflict- ed according to law and justice or not, it makes no differenc;; tyrants, do as you like, your acts are all sanctioned — but bv none, however, but those of your own stamp — as long as you have the power, you may continue to practice deeds of the blackest die; but the groans and prayers of the oppressed will be heard; then weep and howl for the calamities that will PATRIOT EXILE. 188 befall you, can you expect mercy will be shown you, when the sceptre shall be wrested from you, and that power which was bestowed for a blessing, that you havo to liberally con- verted into acts of opj)ression, and that has caused so many thousands to turn from your door, with the refusal of a crust of bread to keep them from starving, and when death througii your oppression hus overtaken thorn — havo been denied a dea- cent buri.'d, but their dead bodies made merchandise of, as unwilling to give llicm up, as long as tlioy can in any way be used to furnisli the uionns oi' riotous living, yot you hold no slaves, tell it not to me, fori know bettor, llinre is no act loo mean or arbitrary for you to adopt — to enslave the common people as you call them, aued, l)Ut (would like also power to destroy the souls) tiianks to omni[)0tenco, the soul is not at your disposnl, whatever thft varied garbs you assume — think not to deceive the AUnigiity, as you are e»i(ieavoring to deceive and op- press your poor neighbors, I e sure your sinswill find you out; the people are already sensible of many of your deep laid schemes to enslave them; would to C-iod tiint those that are convinced of them, would not bo backward in manifesting it to the world. Then you would not dare lo bo so bold in deeds of blood! May the time soon como when the people will not bo ashamed or afraid to assert their rigiits; and ly- rant.s quail beneath the power of justice and truth. Adieu to the land whoro wo havesulfcred so much unlaw- ful, unjust and uncalled for abuse at the hands of crouching menials to despotism, may they soon learn to treat ft-llow men with more lenity, or speedily be dispossessed of power that so many millions havo been crushed under, (so mote it bo.) To all that had a desire lo treat us with any degree ot' humanity, ond would have alleviated our horrible sufferings but have not had it in your power to do so, — likewise those of vou that are liberalh'' disposed, may such principles grow ,j ::l .•' i i|' ■■\ ■ It ' .1! ■ It ir'i Hl4 ii i I ' !• \ I. ^1: ; U-i 184 NARRATIVE OF A and increase amongst you until you shnll bo possessed with feelings and sliamo sulficient to cause you to cry out with bitter invectives against the baro-taced and liigh handed ouichery of the poor unfortunate men and women liiat are daily sutibr- ing an ignominious death as felons in Van Uicinan's Land, as well as others of Her Majesty's dominions, and in your endeavors to subvert the evils, and substitute liberal acts in- stead, may your days be many, blessed and happy, which is the prayer of your much alllicted friend. CIIAPTKR IX. I . Farewell to Van DiemaiVs LmifJ. — Voyage to America • . ',"» ' • via. Sandnyich Islands. It is now the 27th of January, 181."), and John Cronk llite, LeonarH Delano, Luther Darby, Elon Fellows, Nelson Griggs, Jeremiah Griggs, Gideon Goodrich, John Gillman. David House, Daniel D. llustes, Ira Polly. Oren VV. Smith, Samuel Snow, John G. Swanburg, Elizur Stevens, Alvin B. Sweet, Chauncey Sheldon, Joseph Thompson, John Thomas, Bemas Woodbury, John Grant, James D.Fero, Henry V. Bar- num, and myself after waiting, nnd anxiously looking fc an Anic^rican vessel, for two months from the tinjo of receiving our pardons, found at last the Amerit;an Whale Ship, Stciglilz. of Sag Hfirbor; Sclah Young, Masler, put in, for repairs: niui by the intercession of Mr. Hailiawav, Anierican Consul. w< went on board. When the ca|)tain was ap()rised of our .situa- tion, says he — " I must and will take them from this horri- ble place !" But as ho was outward bound, knew of no other way but to take us to the Sandwif^h Islands; which would leave us farther from home than when we started. At all events, wo were willing to leave that place, and run the risk of finding a better one. Adieu to the little iron bound miser- able island; governed by iron hearted, miserable, crouching n:; PATRIOT RXILE. 186 jossed with it with bitter »{i buichery daily Hutibr- lan's Land, nd in voui iral acts in- V, which is to A mcrica Cronk llito. ows, Nelson hn Gillman. VV. Smith, s, Alvin B. in Thomas, nry V. Bar- looking to. ofroceivinfi p, Stcip:lilz. repairs: am! Consul. \v« of our silua- m thia iiorri- ot no other which would ted. At all run the risk K)und miser- ?, crouching menials of Queen Victoria. Twonty-five of us nro now leav- ing your shores; but not with it slwiking tho dust from our foet, as a tost imony n gainst you, for tho inhuman troatment we have reoeiv(=^d from th i j)nlty tyrants who rule thfro; who have caused so munh sulforing and sli'>ddingof innocent blood, tho victim's dying; groans ascond to tho god of justice, and if yoii aronol spoodily visited by somn soro calamity, it will not bo hrcniiso you are imdosorving, for, thn mullitudo of evils you have been guilty of heaping upon tho heads, [jacks, and liearts of the poor and defoncoless. You Willed it, you delight- ed in it, you have done it because you had tho power. You havo abused tho power which has hern given you, by commit- ting many heinous, degrading, and abominable acts, that havo caused the heart of the widow nnd the fatherless to bleed, and when they beggod, plead, and beseeched of you for a morsel to sustain life, you have denied them and caused tho Insh to be lib- erally administered instead. Because they havo had the imper- tinence to ask for aid, after their rights had been cruelly wres- ted frr m them, by your grasj)ing, covetous, callous hearts, and your iron-nerved, strong, unftinching, oppressive, overbear- ing, unyielding arms. You havo not put forth a finger to aid them, except it has been greatly to your advantage so to do. Look out ! great calamities are about to fall upon your accur- sed, cruel heads. You make great pretensions to all that is good, merely to cloak your sins; but bo sure, your sins will find you out, and in time, you will be made to reap tho reward of your evil deeds. 1 will not undertake to describe my feelings m leaving a place where we had seen and received no much abuse and suf- fering, and been looked upon with disdain and contempt,by pre- tended gentlemen, because wo were unjustly and illegally, convicts, and treated as such, in every sense of tho word, But, notwithstanding you wear the garb of gentility, I have considered myself polluted by being under your jurisdiction, or even in your presence; for in you, or from you proceedeth n«) good. I consider the effect similar to one approaching the Bohon Upas; if it is not instant death, it is a lingering one, and any one who continues long under your contamina- ting influence, and rotten love of monarchy and oppression, must, sooner or Inter die of a grievous plague. How unlucky ft h'* f 1 l; » *• 1- 1 'It^ l:!B it h 1 IM ii'li fl." . IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h :/. % ^o ^- LO I I 1.1 11.25 ■so "^~ lit I INi 2.5 2.2 2.0 18 lA. 1111116 ^ii^ /. w. Hiotographic _Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4303 '^ fV iV 3>^ v> t^•% O s^ ',( 186 NARRATIVE OP A L*^'.'' * ^S I for us, and the cause, in 1837 and 8 that our president was so much of a Queen's man. He should have a salary from her. 1 expect he has — for services rendered. The prospect of leaving,gave me much joy; but my compan- ions whom 1 was leaving, siill in the power of vi|)|»rs, caused me to be sorrowful, and much cast down, for fear many of them would not survive tlieir poisonous stings, wliich had been so repeatedly thrust tiu'ough them, causing mnny of them to resemble skeletons. But mv prayer is Jiat thev inayberes- cued before ti»e last drop of blood sluill be extracted, lo quench the thirst of demons in liuina>i form, andtlioy all, iall martyrs to a rigliteous cause. l^'areA'fll, comrades! May you live 10 enjoy a long life of freedoii i and peace, in your native land; vimong the many ])atriols, ])Lilantliropists, and friends of lib- erty and equal riglits. who liave never considered the crime, for which you have sullercd so njuch, in the least, degrading; but iiave, and 1 hope, always will esteem it houorablo, just, and holy; even to fail in. Fa.'e»vell! Although my body is now floating upon the boundkos ocean, and soon will be far iVom you, yet the mind will often wander back, with anxious lonrjfii.Gjs for your welfare and release from your horrible sut- ferings and deprivations. Be thou with ihem, O! God, to guard, protect, and, it' ills thy will, deliver them allout of the hands of the oppressor ! We are now leaving the last glimpse of Vandieman's Land; our ship a good one — every sail set — favored with a fair breeze — headed lo the eastward — going at the rate of ten nets an hour. Now the land, where the sun, at 12 o' clojk, is in the north instead of souths disapi)ears. We have only the trackless ocean presented to our view. As wo glide majestic- ally along, over the deep, rolling billows, and as I sit, viewing the vast swarms of flying fish, the porpoises rolling and tum- bling; as it were, at short intervals appearing upon the surface and as often immersed several feet beneath , as if trying their speed with our ship, and generally they came off victorious leaving us in the rear. The albatross, much resembling the goose, in size and color, sailed gracefully around our ship as if pleased with her appearance, and indicating much pleasure, seemingly, in courting ours. As I sat, musing upon the scen- ery which so sudden a change had presented, it might havo PATRIOT EXILE. 187 sident was so ry from her. my cornpan- i|)te^rs, caused ear many of lich had boon y of Ihcm to ^ may be res- ?d, lo quench fall martyrs day you live native land; Vicnds of lib- ?d IJje crime, it, degrading; iiorablc, just, 1 my body is •n will be far with anxious ' horrible suf- , O ! God, to all out of the man's Land; with a fair eof ten nots ' clocik, is in Lve only the ide majestic- sit, viewing ng and tum- n the surface trying their F victorious embling the our ship as if ch pleasure, ion the seen- might have been an hour that my mind was released from the horrors of the land where 1 had sutfered so much both of body and mind. As quick as lightning, my mind returned to the horrible place we had just loft, wondering if my companions, there, would over be so lucky as, like us,to be on an American vessel, bound from that Sodom, ti;at sink of iniquity. As 1 was meditating upon this and upon the improbability or impossi- bility of myself or any other mortal ever being able to des- cribe one hall' the abominable acts of the rulers as well as the horrible sulibrings inliicted and borne by thousands, until at last, obliged to sink under their weight, with theij- backs, literally, a mass of congealed blood, from the stripe^ caused by the whips of their task masters. lUil because they jjire such abominable sinners, they are rci'usrd a resting place, by their mild, condescending, humane masters, for their torn and mangled bodies while living; and when dead, the traffic is still carried on with the bodies; and as long as they can, in any manner, reap a shilling from the poor, dead or alive, lo replenish their purse, they have no scru- ples in so doing. O ! how long will the Spanish inciuisition continue; modeled over amongst civilized nations, uneer the garb of church and state and great and mighty sounding titles. As L am meditating u|/on these horrible thingb-; my heart fairly sickens and my debilitated trame from sulibrings under this great, good, lawful, church-ai;d-state modeled inquisition, fuids its way iVom the U|)perdeckto a b'jrth below. 1 lay ruminating upon the h(jrrors of the pasi and hopes of the future, till at last, being almost overcome with cogita- tions and tiie forebodings of sea-sickness, together with the pain in my side and breast seemingly increasing by thu sud- den change, i lell aslee}); after coming to the conclusion that tUe one half can never be told. j As I rested very well the iirst night, I rose in the morn- ing feeling some better than when I retired, though very sick at the stomach, and no appetite; I had been up but a ^ew moments when I began to vomit, but not as freely as I wished. I will not attempt a description of the horrible death-like feelings of seasickness — I will only say, if it operates on others, as it did on me, you have very little choice either to live or die, and I was much reduced by sea- t '•md S i!]?'l ': ;i •if; ! > i i; \U^\l :':-JI aaacs sscr:'- 188 NAURATIVE OP A ■<- ;t lir-i,- sickness, pain in the side and breast, having very little relish tor anything on'shipboard during nearly three months. I will not attempt a relation of all as itoccured daily, as the most or all of my readers have read or heard of the perils of a sea voyage, and for other reasons which I consider suflicient. 1 shall bo very brief. — The captain cruised a short time for whale on the coast of New Zealand: afier we had been out about six weeks, took what is termed a right whale, which was to us something of a curiosity; the head of the right wiiale contains the common whalebone for nir markets; the head of the sperm whale is valuable on account of the ivory teetli. As the whale is discovered by the men at mast head, (there is one or two kept constantly there through the day,) with a loud long singing tone, 'SrhaleO," the captain or mate responds by saying, "where a- way," "right a head sir," "how far," one mile or one mile and a half, as may be* When it is ascertained what kind it is, and if thought best by the cap- tain and mate, the orders are given to lower away two boats — they are quickly manned by six men each; and pull away for the huge monster, — as they pull along side, the man in the bow throws his harpoon, and as the whale starts off, the rope that lays coiled in the bottom of the boat, one end being fast to the handle of the harpoon, is taken out very quick fifty or sixty fathom, and if the whale continues on the surface, the rope is made fast and towed by his whaleship, perhaps a mile or two when he stops to rest and spout; they pull again along side as quick as possible, and with the lance, strike him two or three times before he can get out of the way; this pro- cess is pursued until the cry is, "she spouts blood," they then lay on their oars, or in other words, cease hostilities, until the whale bleeds to death; it was about six hours from the time the boats were lowered, until the whale was dead, the boats make fast and tow their prize to the ship, if it is a calm, but if the wind is favorable, the ship sails up to them — the whale is made fast by the ship's side; they then swing a plank over the side, a man stands upon it, having a rope so fixed that he can rest the weight of his body in a leaning posture, and with a sharp spade about seven inches in width fast to a poll about twelve or fourteen feet in length; with that he cut* strips of blubber, from one; to two, and three hundred pounds, j^ »i ^>- m,i*»lm m \m -;■ ",->., littlo relish nlhs. I will IS the most ils of a sea ifficient. 1 i'l time for nd been out lale, which of the right iarl\ets; the y[' the ivory mnst head, rh the day,) tain or mate isir," "how • When it ; by the cap- ly two boats d pull away the man in tarts off, the le end being T quick fifty le surface, perhaps a pull again strike him ly; this pro- thev then es, until the )m the time the boats calm, but —the whale plank over fixed that osture, and st to a poll at he cuts red pounds, PATRIOT EXILE. 189 a man is there to hitch the hook of tlie tackle that is fastened to the main-mast, just above the main-yard arm; ten or twelve men at the windlass near the bow, as the word is given by the man that is fastening the iiook, "lieavo O," all hands at the windlass commence heaving and singing a sailor's phrase suitable for the occasion until the gro.it strip of blubber is torn from the carcass and drawn upon deck, and so on, until the blubber is all pealed otl", then thecarcass is cut loose, and left a prey to sharks and albatros, uhich are numerous during the cutting up of the blubber, which generally lakes a half- aday. I bave seen as many as twenty sharks around with- in ten or fifteen feet during the cutting in, some small, some large ones, they vary in length, from one to forty feet, but it is seldom vou see one over twenty feet and not often over ten; somotim 3S they are obliged to siioot at them to keep them from attacking the whale whilst to work at it. As soon as the first piece is dropt on deck, it is cut up in chunks from twenty to fifty pounds, when it is ready for try- ing. There is four kettles or cauldrons set in an arch be- tween the fore and main masts, built of brick. They at first kindle the fire with wood and then scraps are used until it is all tried out, they try day and night until all is done, it takes two days to try a large whale. When the oil is dipped into casks, from a good one, they will have sixty-five or seventy barrels, but this one vviiich I called a largo one, yielded only thirty barrels; it was counted hardly worth taking. When the mouth of this one wis open, a man could stand upright. I enquired of the old whaleman if they supposed that to be the kind that swallowed Jonah, the answer I received from the old tars, was what I might have expected; *'0," says they, "we have catched or seen all kinds of fish that swim in the ocean, some with large mouths, some small, but never saw any that had a throat large enough to receive that, showing his large bony fist, "that," says he, must go with other fish stories. *'0," says an old tar, "Jonah might have been one of the Liliputians that Guliver describes," "well" says he, "that may be, but there is so many strange things and stories told by great and learned men, and then contradicted by others, that it is of no use to believe anything but what you see, and then we are liable to be deceived," "yes," says i r M * M ,1 •y ,;i ^ '1 ill Mi lii ,: : i:if '.««•• MftA!*«nuM 190 NARRATIVE OP A 1 1 ll^ .i-' IH't another, *'no longer ago than yesterday, I was at musJ head, supposed I saw one at some distance, sung out whuh? O, come to it was only a porpoise — ;iuHt so wiih Jonah and ll'e b'g lish when you find out the truth, will be altogether dJHerent from what was expected, but you know there are a great many speculators,- all trades must live. -Bu'., their was a number of thorn got into the debate upon that, which led to other subjects, wliich some would call foolish to pen in a book yet, many of tJie remarks, although from old tars, if they could be sjjoken by those that were used to polish, would have been considered noble, brilliant and edifying, but as I was speaking of wiuiles, I shall leave them to settle the dispute, •rj About a week iVom the time of taking the first one, a sperm vvliule was taken — there was three boats that had been in pursuiiV-ior some time, at last the capt;ain not satisfied, thinking he could have harpooned him Ioup; before that, ordered the fourth bout lowered, soon they left the ship and about a mile olfontiie striri)oard bow, they came along side; the captain darted and fastened to the whale, but being rather too near, the boat was struck by the tail, and all hands thrown out and the boat soon filled with water. We could see them from the ship, and expected some were killed, but luckily ibr them, the wha! ; slrijck the bo.-it on the side, which stove a hole, causing it to iill very quick, but they managed to kee[) near and some to hold to the boat until one could come to their assistance; two boats were employed in ])icking up the men, and towing the shattered boat to the ship, whilst the fourth one continued in pur^suit of the whale. After they had secured the boat and crew, they returned to assist in killing the whale« the mate's boat was likewise stove, but none hurt, notwithstanding there was but two boats left, they stuck to the old chap until the cry was, ''she spouts blood." As there was no wind that day, the ship could not go to them, and af- ter being out from morning until eight in the evening, work- ing with all their might and nothing to eat, succeeded in reaching the ship with their prize lashed along side; they being so tired, did not commence cutting it in until the next morning. This one was larger than the first, but did not yield as much oil into ten barrels — this one was twenty-six feet in length, the first one twenty-two, # mdi .hifij ^fiO;? ito/ U- PATRIOT EXIIiE. 191 << rriast head, il(5 O, come ll'o big tish 31' dirterent re a great their was a licli led to jn ill a book rs, if they would have but as 1 was the dispute. irst one, a at had been ot satislied, belbro that, e ship and along side; )ei 11 g rather indis thrown ild see them luckily ibr lich r^tove a ^ed to keep Id come to king up the , whilst the ;er they had ;t in killing none hurt, y stuck to As there m, and af- ing, work- icceeded in side; they 1 the next lit did not twenty-six The blubber or fat when peeled oft*, is about six or eight inches thick, the surfaco or skin an inch, of a dark color, much resembling India rubber. ;•;; nil.' If,- - v'Mf' !i"':i-; I might dwell at considerable length upon the subject of whaling, but consider it rather out of j)lace in this work, and shall merely remark in conclusion, that 1 consider it not only dangerous but very disngrooa'jlc work, still there are those that like it. (Air ship was considered capable of c'lrry- ing two thousand barrels of oil, andiwas bound to the norlli- west, sometiiiiig like twenty-five thousand miles i\ ..i Boston. [t was expected it would take them throe years to obtain a load. The crow of a whaler amounts to tiiirty — there beinc; so many engaged in the business, it is not as profitable now as formerly. Soon afier taking the last whale, on account of rough weather and scarceness of whales, the captain gave up crui- sing and bore away to the Sandwich Islands, where he inten- ded to leave us, take in a supply of fresh provisions and wa- ter and then ])rocccd to the lishing ground, as it is called. We were three months in going. \Vc passed two or tliree small islands on our way. Vv'e stoi)ped at one of liio Society Islands called Kematura. We lay oli'and on durinii iheday. Tlie captain and matt, went ashore with two small boats and ])urchased some iVuit of the natives; such as oranges, bana- nas, pine-apples, <.Vc. The natives sf.'emed very iViendiy. The king persuaded them to dine with him. The dinner was plain and shnpic. Tiie king's daughter pr'-sided, wi'Ji a cluster of long, beautiful featiiers, l)rusiiing the flies away from the table whilst they were eating. Our men described her and others of her sex, as being naturally polite, ailable and apparently, much pleased on being visited by Americans. The nien are called canackers, the women, wyheniasnnd the ildren, pickininies. Some two or three of the can- ackers came out to the ship although they could not talk English. They manifested their joy by shaking the hand of all and with a smile, savin? — " Oury miti ! ourv mill !" signifying — white man very good. The sailors gave- them such clothing as they could spare, which pleased them much. It made no difference whether the garment fitted or not; if they could get them on, so as, in any way to resemble «( r i' . ■ ■ ■',' oi l. ' '' r.i t^« :ii ■ . ' I •" 1 ■ \ ■ll 1 i^ i *: ' ( '4 H^t,.1l0^tfm w».yj « >- W I V I .» ■ w iOiMm^I**- iimm -IShrt" I rtiit-ii"* 'ii7it1 ■ ' »^.*3-**— 1 t h 192 NARRATIVE OF A US, they would feel quite rejoiced, and almost convStnntly say- ing — "oury mili ! oury mill !" until they left for their fruitful little island. The natives on this as well as all the South sea Islands, are of a dark complexion, with long, strait hnir and features much tlio snmo as the Europeans. Although they are called heathen, I am sorry to say — their simple and harmless race is dwindling away and will ere long become extinct and their islands inhabited by christians (so called). The next island wo discovered, was Otaheite or Tahila. The Society Islands are situated between lati- tude 16 and 18 deg. S.; longitude 148 and iry^ deg. west. They were discovered by Capt. Cook in 1769. The inhab- itants of this island, at that lime, were estimated by Captain Cook at 200,000 souls; but is now said to not exceed 10,000. Our captain went ashore here for the purpose of ascertain- ing of the American consul if it would be prudent to leave us at that place; but as it was not in the season for whalers to return home and the French having taken possession of the principal port, it being under martial law, they having dethroned Queen Pomare, the prospect was, there would be an engagement and there was no knowing how it would end. He thought it best for us to go to Honalula. This soro calamity would not have befallen the simple South Sea Islan- ders, hod it not been the determination of some desi(. jng men to persuade, if not to compel them to receive the gospel, which term, I believe signifies, good news and glad tidings of great joy; which to them, however, is a cause of grief and much sorrow; and their determination to spread the gos- pel of sorrow and grief, bids fair to cause an extermination of the heathen (so called) by christians (so called) and then, which denomination will claim possession of the islands ? They had better be more united; then all the christian denom- inations can share in this lawful and righteous plunder. ; I must stop for fear 1 shall say something that will not accord with popular opinion; but when I know some of the facts in relation to this subject, why should I withhold them ? It is not through fear of man or any number of men, but it is on account of health; the same that has prevented mo from more fully explaining many things which you see I have been obliged to pass over. O ! that there was not so jlnntly say- : for their 1 ns all the with long, biUropeans. ny — their id will ere J christians IS Otaheite jtween lali- deg. west. The inhfib- by Captain 3ed J 0,000. f nscertain- to leave us whalers to sion of the ley having •e would be would end. This sore \\ Sea Islan- mg men e gospel, ad tidings se of grief d the gos- ernnination and then, le islands % ian denoni- inder. It will not 3me of the »old them J nen, but it vented mo you see I vas not so PATRIOT EXILE. 198 much pretention, but more real, genuine, disinterested ben- evolence or religion in the world ! ]5ut, as this is a world of wonders — I wonder if the South will be willing to share the si)oils of Mexico, with the North ! if not; I would take the Canndas, just to spite them. You know ihoy were op. posed to that in the last war, because it would give to the North tlie balance of power. But stop ! what am I talking about ? \Vhat business have I to say anything about govornuieiit ailairs; now that 1 have incurred the displeasure of so many great, noblo, wealthy men, by opposing tyranny? According to xwy treatment of some of these worthies, 1 have no right to oven think of those matters; much loss to speak, it there bo a few ran- dom remarks ihrougliout these pages, that might not exactly suit some, just remember i have been absent seven years and so situated that, on returning, 1 would not be in a situation to please every body. Some very ^reat and good men have not the faculty to please every body, therefore 1 hope to bo tbrgiven by considerate persons. , / . , . ••. All sail is set, and we fast leaving Otaheite and its neigh- boring cluster, for there are two or three in sight, as we are nearing as well as leaving Otaheite, wo passed near Owyhe, all of these islands appear to bo volcanic, on this one is a burning mountain, and it was here that captain Cook was killed. We are now anchored three quarters of a mile from the principal town of one of the vSr.ndvvhich Islands, called Hon- alula, and as the captain had gone on shore to ascertain of the king if we would be permitted to stop there, until an opportunity offered of our getting a ship homeward bound, 1 will return and make a few remarks upon our pa'^^-nge; we were three months on our passage, which was ncay thirteen thousand miles, but in cruising i'or whale, it was supposed we had sailed nearly fifteen thousand, and of couise had ex- perienced some rough weather, twice we came very near being lost, as I thought, and [ believe I was not the only one that thought it. Our captain was a very careful and able seaman — but at one time a squall came so suddenly upon us, all sail being set, that it came very near capsizing the ship, but by all hands working as for life, by cutting some saii *v \ 1^ i ( ( J 1!, 1 \ ■ u i ■ Hi !- ' J if " '* ' !^i r .■■M<*j 194 NARRATIVE OF A i • I . ii: Ul V loose and taking in the rest, at last succeeded in righting tiie ship, which wus nearly on her buam ends. 1 think it was on this dfiy, as the ship was laboring hard through tfic day it seemed doubtful wlietlier she would livu through it, (as the term is) as the tremendous swells were at intervals breaking over us, apparently threatning to bury us alive, (jfton the water upon deck was uj) to our knees, and by tlio time it. would run oil" at the holes tor that purpose in each side ot" the ship, another swell would break over us, causing all hands to bo dripping wet, ibr days together, as the snip wus rolling mul pitching at an awful rate, the caboose that was secured as was supposed in the center of the main deck, used for keep- ing pigs, fowls, saucj, cVc, gave way aiii) went with speed across the bulwarks; three sailors had just left the spot, the I'ourth one was irmking fast a rope, lie was caught and crush- ed so bntl, that he survived but twenty-four hours, during which time ho was in great pain. Tho funeral ceremonies were performed the following day by captnin Young, and liis body consigned to the niighty deep, and we trust his spirit to God w ho gave it. At another lime we exj)erienced a storm with, rain, wind, thundci' and lightning — some .'•ail carried away, it increased to that degree that every rag of sail had to be close reefed, and fmally obliged to run before the wind or (ns it is called) scudding under bare polls; on this account, you see it is necessary to have plenty of sea-room, other ways the ship is driven on shore. I think 1 never saw ii, rain half as hard on land as on the ocean. Captain Young is now on board, with intelligence that the king Kamehameha J3d, on hearing that we were American-, and of our inhuman treatment from the English — oi' our present situation and of our desire to stop until an opportuni- ty -olfcred to return to America — said he had no objections to our stopjiing and he was surjirised that the Americans allowed their subjects to be taken so far from home and made slaves of by the English, it seemed hard for him to understand. As some of us would stop in Jeilerson County and others ■farther west, there was two joint notes given payable one year from date, thirty dollars each, for our passage to that place. We are now, April 27th 1845, on shore, except seven that shipped with captain Young for the voyage, imi m i i.'tiu'j t. ^ Ts i fiXtM ilii T j,i<..i'.' . m w mM i I PATRIOT EXILE. 105 . •:) righting tiic k it was on the day it it, (as the .Is breaking (jl'ton the tiio time if. \ side ot' the J nil hands was rolling s secured as ed lor keej)- vvith speed lie spot, the il aiidcrusii- urs, during ceremonies jng, and his his spirit to cod a storm f-ail carried of sail had re the wind 'lis accouni. uom, other ^er saw ii ce that tlio jAmerican-, |sh — oi" our opportuni- bjections to ns allowed ade slaves lerstand. land others yable one ;e to that re, except I'age.'j imi When the American residents there, were informed that we were the Canadian ()atriots, that had been sent to Van Dieman's Land in 1887-8, and that had siitfered so much and long tor heifig engaged in thj cause of liberty, wo were welcomed to tlie sh.)re and in some ninasuro our wants sup- plied. These islands are situated in the north Pncilio Ocean between l.-it. 1*1 and 'S^ north, Ion. [')l and U)0 west, the |)opulationof iho whole errou|) was estirnatod by cn]>fain King in 1T78 at 401), out), Initcaptam I'illis' rstimato^in |K37 puts it at l.>0,()00. All those islands appear to bo diminish- ing wondorfuliy in populalioii, since tiio discovery nndsotllo- ment by iMuopcans — Uioro may bo various reasons, but I shall reior you lo iho past history of America as a sample, it is very evident that as seltloinents nud civilization increas- ed by Europeans, that tiie natives and all wild animals soom- ed to dwindle awav and t^radualiv disat)r)oar, as their forosts are convened to iruilful fields, yielding- all kinds ofdolicncioH lor the wiiite man; but to these children of the forest, civi- lization proves a rank poison, and they dwindle, wilt nnd tiir like tiie gnss bofoiotlic sythe; thus 1 have seen it in Amer- ica, Van Dieman's Land, vSandwich nnd Society Islands, and I dont know but N'^w Zoalan;! and a <^i'ent many other [daces might he included; init i am not a popular man, and might not coincide in every respect with j)opulnr opinion respecting theoccupyin?? and troatiwont of the quiet and in- offensive natives of tiioso diubrent j)laces, (I mean innofen- sive when tliev are let alone). Oahu, of whicli Ilonaluia is tiic capital and principal town and ])ort of entry, contains .lli") square miles, and *20,00() inhabitants. Monalula contains about 8,000 native, and 'MM) i'oreigners, some From-h, English and Chinese, hut the principal part are Americans, The situntion of those Isl- ands render them important to vessels naviga.ting (lie north- ern Pacific, partly for repairs, provisions, aiid partly in oon?- mercial respects. The prosecution of the whale llsherv on the coast of .lapan, have materially enhanced the importance of these islands; the United vStates government have a com- missioner and consul residing here, there is a largo quantity of American naval stores here, they are necessary to sup- ply our men of war, whilst cruising in the Pacific. Several war vessels put in during our four months stay here, u^ ^'»*» 'H ;iii 11 it^ iii 111 i- 5i" 1 \ It ! »- 196 NARRATIVE Or A L Tho foreigners have very good houses; there are likewise two or three very good churches; during my stay there, tho Uov. Mr. Smith preached every sal)bn,lh to the natives, like- wise tljo Rev. Mr. iJninou; and the Kov. Mr. Armstrong. 'V\\e natives aro rather above the niidillo sialuro, well form- ed, of a mild and gonllo disposition, infjuisitivc, and intelli- gent; kind to strangers and to each otjjer; they wear no clothing to speak of, excepting some of tho nobility and ser- vants tflflho wliilo peojjlo that reside in town. Their food is very simple, likewise cooking utcnscls and liousoiiold fur- niture, they live principally in mud huts thatched with grass, their food consists mostly ot t'ruit, such as |)ine apples, bannan- as, oranges, sugar cane, taro and pehe or fish, which they gen- erally eat raw; 1 have seen them take a fish from tho hook and eat alive just us it comes from liio water. 1 .spoko to one that was eating one in this way, said it was no good raw, no miti, all I could understand from him was, "pciie miti," but I learnt they relished all their food in an uncooked slate. John Grant and myself took a tour across the island, were gone a week. There are no ronds; but foot-patli«;, and very hilly — no timber of any size, but in places, small under- brush, very thick, resembling our witchhazel. Tho largest that we saw was the cocoa tree; the average size is ono foot in diameter and fifty or sixty high — no limbs except at the top; where the nuts hang in clusters of thirty or forty. We saw some cattlo, horses, hogs and fowls. There are some sheep, but no wild animals on this island; nor birds, to speak of, except sea birds. Wo came to a creek — there was no bridge across it — we were preparing to ford it as a large, stout canacker came up and made signs for one to get on his back, as he was carried across, he returned and cariied me across, tho water was near three feet deep, and about forty yards across, they would persuade us at every hul to, "cou, cou," (eat). The taro seems to be the only and principal dish that is cooked* it is a nutritious root, about the size of our French turnip, and cultivated in a similar manner, it does not do well on dry land, but requires moisture to thrive. They roast them by beating stones, and then lay perhaps a bushel or two on the stone, and cover all with turf, leaves and earth to keep the heat in, until sufficiently roasted, they are then taken out peeled, iayed on a rock procureti for the •ST'" W P mnj i "ii t.."L ' -» * - ' " ' ".* ■' L *' ' " . * are likewise ly there, the natives, liko- Armstrong. well form- mid intolli- 3y wear no ilily and ser- Their food (iisoiiold fur- il witli grass, )Ies, bannan- ich they gon- n the hook spoke to one r)od raw, no 10 miti," but {0(1 state. island, were h*;, and very mall under- Tho largest is one foot 'xoopt at the ibrtv. We 3 arc some (IS, to speak ore was no as a largo, get on his criri ied mo ^out forty ul to, "cou, principal size of our ler, it does to thrive. perhaps a urf, leaves astedf thev e '« !i« iil iti il I ! [I 198 NARRATIVE OP A • 4 \h inches of dirt; I havo ent of it cooked in tliat way and must say it is sweeter and better than it is, cooked in any otlier way, (and I believe I hnve eat it cooked in as rnnny ditferent ways as the most of people). The dog is a favorite dish and cooked in the same way, — but you perlinps, will bo more as- tonished, when you liear that they are layed upon the fire a- live, for tliey consider it wrong to take life by spilling blood. They have their superstitions, but on the whole, they seem harmless and siniple. 1 was told by a person that said he had known them before the white people had come to live amongst them — that they enjoyed themselves mucii better than they have since. Cut I must drop the subject at once, for reasons before mentioned: The climate is mild the year round, and the most of the time warmer tlian in America, which induces the natives to be in the water a good share of the time, es- pecially the children, (or pickaninies) ns soon as they can walk, they make for the sea shore, and thero remain through the day, subsisting on muscles, and other shell fish. It is astonishing to see them dive, and the lenj^th of time they remain under water, and the dextcrit}'- and prvinks performed by children two, three and four I'ears of nge — those that have lived a long time there, say it is a very uncommon thing to hear of one drowning; the wylienns (or women,) with their children, are to be seen in squads along the beach, perhaps thirty or forty rods from the shore, diving for clams, muscles, jrabs, d:c., they have a gourd shell that sets upon the water, they having a siring attached to it and a- round the neck, so that it cannot float away whilst they are under water collecting their treasures; when the shell is full they make their way to their wigwam or hut, seemingly as much rejoiced and contented in eating tiicm raw, and nothing else for a meal, as the Queen of England dining upon all the luxuries her menials can procure for her, from all parts of the world. I will say nothing here of the ways and means the most of her delicacies are procured, for as near as I can learn, she is a lady, and it might hurt her feelings, especially if she was made sensible of the treatment of thousands of her own sex, .by those that have be^r creeping, crawling and fawning around her, for an ofljce, to enable them to whip, ^T^- ■pp" ' ± ' -" ' -.MS » S * .J..JJM*« ' i y. PATRIOT EXILE. 199 f-' blarve, steal and murder according to law. I say if she was «ensiblcot' one hail* thu dcce[/i,iuu and tyranny practised by these harpies, 1 am «urc In.'r delicate stomach would loath the delicacies unjustly ])rocurcd for lier by these chaiactcrs. not because ihcy love her, but it is because bv Kcenin"; in her graces, they can the more easily, liot only rob the people ol' their money and property, but enslave them lor darmg ttf rc- j'ist iuany manner. 1 believe the Lady Queen would abhor such men and such acts, ii" she was aware ot' the inct, but all means aie resorted to, to keL'[) her in tlio dark respecting such things. Reader do you su[)!)ose that anything thai would have a tendency to reveal the acts of some oi' ti)cse tyrants that clin^ so close around the chest that contains tho pco|)l.\s money, would be countenanced do you think it could pcssibly como to her knowledge? no ! no! not it! the .uuard IS toostrou/? ! ^'^entinels arc numerous dav and nifrlit. Thev lav in wait dav ar.d ni;^i'.l; to detect anvthins: that inioht have a tendency to reveal their bloody a^ts. ]^ut slop ! am 1 not again wandering I'rom my subject ''. What business have I to say anything about ii '.' Uecausc i am a rc;)ublican in.c :..)\. oilv consider it mv dutv but the dutv ofovery one who has the least spark ofrepublicanism and patriotism of ' 70 remaining, to endeavor to retiulse the ene- mv whenever th.ev are Ibund upon our shores, thrcateninLr to overthrow^ and enslave us again. If tiie lessons of our foreiathers, v/ith Washington at their head, are about to be disregarded and forgotien, renew the dose; if there is any of the same kind of medicine left, (and men to deal it out) which will teach the oppressive clan, that it is not healthy lor ihem to li\ e, or even step on tho ]n-emises which has cost so much precious blood, in wiesting it from tv'rants. Let every good man speak ! Be not afraid! Reformers of Canada, speak ! Every man, woman and child, that has the good of the people at heart, not only speak, but act; and the work is done ! But the beautv of the ihin^j is, to act in uni- son; and then there will be no danger of a few being mur- dered, others transported and persecuted beyond measure, whilst others are laying behind the bush and dare not show their heads. Why ? is it because you are convinced your i3ause is bad ? i' No !" Well, what is it ? It is because j;l I <« 1.1 !l I! it 200 NARRATIVE OF A fi 'I ii (I !^ I > i * you are ai'raid your enemies are too strong, and this is what makes them strong ! Speak out, and act, and show them your determination to no longer submit to be slaves, and your children after you ! In my opinion, it is a poor excuse, to say, all who were engaged in the rebellion were bad men. 1 shall always remember one great man and otlieis who have said it by their actions,who, ai the lime, were in favor, but now, ought to be ashamed of deserting us. I believe they are, many of them, and manifest it by not speaking to us when we meet them; or if they do speak, it is not to ask us how we got home, or of our broken constitution &c. but it is merely to say — "Oh ! I knew tlie patriots would fail !" &c. There are a plenty of sucli persons, and lliey pass for good, great, and brave men. I know many, but the question is, and should be, in this case; Is opposing tyranny, a good cause, or is it not ? If you say no; why then 1 stand condemned. If you say yes; why then I do not feel condemned; and the more and the louder you say yes, liic better I shall feel; for it is the lack of this feeling that makes me sorrowful. 1 feel no condemnation or sorrow for what I have done i)i the cause but I do feci sorry, that the friends of liberty are so back- "Yes it is a good say. ward, lukewarm, and so loth to cause, and it is chiefly our backwardness in declaring it, that has been the sole cause of your suffering so much unjust punishment from the hands of tyrants — we must with the rest of your persecutors, cry guilty, guilty; we have not done our duty." For my part 1 will forgive you, if you will agree to do better next time, though it is a hard case to look over. ; s ^ . The most of the foreigners there, are traders and mechan- ics; the climate being so warm, there is not much manual labor done by them, but all the drudgery or labor is done ])rincipally by the natives. There was a person that had been a long time amongst them — as we were conversing a- bout the natives, he told me of a giant Queen, her name I have forgotten; who ruled at the time the white people be- gan to visit their island — they was supposed to be angels of the good spirit, sent to do them good, and by her, and the most of her subjects were worshipped and respected; if there was any of her subjects that did not pay the respect to the ^ IWM m $iM.: this is what show them s, and your excuse, to •e bad rnen. s who have [\ favor, but lelieve they aking to us ot to ask us Sec. but it is fail !" &c. ss for good, question is, good cause, condemned, icd; and the all feel; for ^'tul. 1 feel ! in the cause ;*e so back- it is a good n declaring 50 much e must with *ve have not if you will ase to look Ind mechan- ich manual ibor is done Ion that had Inversing a- ler name I people be- angels of ler, and the led; if there ppect to the PATRIOT EXILE. '201 white man, (or oury) that she wished or requested of them, he said it was not uncommon for her in that case, to take a kanacker, wyhena, orpickaniny, and kill them by breaking their backs across her knees. I remarked that I thought the ourys in return for such civilities and such sacrifices and honors on their part, should consider themselves in duty bound to treat them with the greatest respect and civility pos- sible, in order to fully convince them that the approach and appearance of the white man, oury, angels or good spirits, was not to enslave them or make them miserable, but to do them good. I hope they will not be mistaken, "to be sure," said he, "they have abolished their idols and have many of them embraced the religion and belief of the mis- sionaries, and in a measure, the arts, sciences, manners and customs of the ouries; yet on the whole, said he, "there appears to be something wrong, I know it is generally believed that it has proved a great blessing to the natives, **yet, said he, (shaking his head) "as civilization increases, they seem gen- erally more unhappy, and out of their elements, and certain- ly they are fast diminishing in nunibers — and it appears according to the past, the time is not far distant when jthere will be no more kanackers, wyhenas and pickaninies, except the ouries assume the names." He seemed a very sensible man, but many that have not seen for themselves, would not credit all that he said upon the subject; and perhaps not any — so I shall drop the subject, and 1 suppose it would have been better for me to have said nothing about it, but you are welcome to tliese few hints. Whilst we were there, knowing that it would be hard for all to get a passage on one ship, two of our party went to the Columbia River, two to California, three shipped on board the Samuel Robertson, that had been out three years and a half, and had not got a load. After being gone from Hono- luly three months, trying to make a load, returned, took in provisions, water, &c., and prepared for a homeward course and if possible to make out her load on the way. The cap- tain said he would take six more and the three that had shipped, was nine to work our passage, accordingly on the first of October, 1845. after stopping on the island four months, we went on board the whale ship, Samuel Robertson, i i. v^ 202 NARRATIVE OP A Jt'\ i T ! Captain Warner, bound Tor New Bedford, Massachusetts. We are now on our way, and soon cross tlie equator, into the south Pacific, touching at soino of the Society Islands on our way, and after cruising soma six weeks for whale — seeing a number, but not taking one, the captain becoming sensible that it was on account of iiis bad treatment to the crew, that there was none taken, abandoned the idea or hopes of makirg out a full cargo cf oil, and laid his course for Cape Ilorn. It was in January and mid-summer, when wo doubled the capo; it was considered tiie best time in the year, but in .this high southern latitude, there is plenty of cold wind rain and snow the year round. Here lor ten or twelve days we experience cold and rough weather. All seamen dread doubling Cape Horn, vessels are often lost in this boisterous place; thunder, lightning, rain, wind, snow and hail, at all seasons of the year, are to be encountered here. It requires strict walch day and niglit, (though there is but little night), yet the sun is hardly ever seen, bat constantly cloudy, gloomy and disagreeable; three or four times during the ten or twelve days in these latitudes, all hands were called to assist those that were on duty; in the taking in of sail and in securing, or trying to secure frag- ments of sail, yard-arms, (Sec, tiiat had been blown over- l)oard, but still hanging by some of the many ropes attached to them, and some alltogether broke loose and gone. As it would require volumes to portray fully the calms and storms, disasters, and perils of ihc ocean, or of a sea-faring lite, it cannot be expected to be fully explained here. After doubling Cape Horn, the only place we called at, was Pernambuco, on the Brazilian Coast. The cap- tain and boats crew went ashore and purchased some fruit, fresh meat &c. Nothing of importance occured from there to New Bedford, more than usual. We met a number of ships; some whalers, outward bound, some merchant-men &c. some in hailing distance, and some not. Passed one or two small islands — one wreck — experienced some two or three heavy storms of rain and wind, but no worse than we had encountered. On the 9th. of March 1846, "Land O!" was shouted from the mast head. On the Idth, in the morning the PJichor was cast, and at 10 o'clock the sanie day, after sev- !U ^rapwmKmm i^ij8*BJSaiiSSiig«»!M £^^ ■ --M**-^.**. ■ i f Oi •.K»t.j%A^ sachusetts. ) equator, e Society weeks ibr 10 captain I treatment d the idea \ laid Jiis d-SLiniiner, best time ro is plenty jre lor ten tiier. All en lost in vind, snow ncountered t, (though ir seen, but 30 or four ititudes, all ty; in the pcure iVag- own over- s attached ue. As it md storms, (ig lite, it called at, The cap- ome fruit, om there lumber of chant-men ed one or le two or e than we dO!" was I morning after sev- PATRIOT EXILE. 203 r en years and four and a half months absence, had the pleas- ure of stepping upon oin* native hoW in the flourising town of Now Bed lord and received tiiu greetings of its warm hearted and [)hilanliiropic inliubilrints. Header, do you think we were glad ? Alter passing through nuicli more than is herein described, and having been round il;u world as it is called, and on rn eslimaio by some two or three of us before leav- ing the sliip, as near as we coulJ judge, we had sailed upon the four occjans: Allnntic, indi.'m, Norili and »Soulh i-'acifics, in cruising lor v.'lialc.s, by being driven by t-torms, something like teventy-scvcn ibousLind n:ilc.s; four months and a half trom C^uobcc to Van Dieniaii's Land, sixteen thousand; three months from there to ilonolula, iSr.ndv, ic!i h.lands thirteen thousrmd, and six months; from tliere to New Bedford, eigh- teen thousand miles, makes thirteen and one half months on the v/ator; Lut in cruising t^c. brings it, as nenr as uc could estimate, ut seventy-seven lliousand miles; having crossed the equator four tinscs; raiti seen tlio sun, moon ?ind stars at 12 o' clock in ihe day, directly over our heads; and iiavo seen some warm weather tliere c;lso. ^'. eil. says one — "yoii have seen so much, it };as v.'ell paid you for the time you have lo.-Jl.'' i]ut stou ! did vou ever knov; what it is to be a prisoner under the British and trcnicd in the manner we have been, for the last six or seven years, and with a broken constitution 0^:c. If you know anything of tlii^-, me thinks you could not easily be compensated; if you could, please tell me how. On landing, you must know, our clollies were not of tho best quality nor of the cleanest hind, after being on board a wh.'.ler six months; but as soon as we gave the people i^ short account of who we were, and wliere we had been and what we had been there ibr, Mr, 'i'iiom:;.s Asliley Vv'ailed on us to No 3" Swallow-Street; whe;'e he kei>ta boarding house, and lold us we were welcome to stop there until there was some arrangements made to forward us to our desired homes. We soon found a friend who had been engaged in the strug- gle for the liberty of the Canadas, in 1837 and 8, by the name of Col. Benjamin A! my, who had fortunately, escaped; likewise, Mr. Timothy Ingraham, who was on our western frontier at the lime. Uv their influenco with Elder jVIoses. 5: ii 204 NARRATIVE OP A Howe, Capt. Charles Salsbury and others, a meeting was called and the I'eeling that was manifested by the ladies as well as the gentlemen, on our return to our native land, and the prospect of soon arriving at our homes, to rejoice the hearts of our friends who had so long mourned our absence, and horrible sufl'erings, in a righteous cause, I say the sim- pathy and feelings manifested by the people of New Bedford, cannot easily be described. Our having been so long in a mild climate, and landing in the month of March, it being cold and stormy, we all took severe colds, so that on the day after landing, there was scarcely one of us who could speak above a whisper. That together with our want of comfortable clothing and the means to purchase any, and landing amongst strangers, caused us at first, to feel rather uneasy; but those feelings soon vanished, on being convinced by acts, that we were not among christians merely by pro- fession, but those who did as they would wish to be done by. Certainly, we needed help; and it was no sooner known than received — and to uU appearances, from a source that had no desire to have it published at corners of the streets and on the house tops; and on that account, it was gladly received; and may such friends be many and prosperous in our land. -XV'e remained here three days, and by the intiuence of our friends before mentioned, with the rail road proprietor, a free passage was granted, and we were soon on our way from New Bedford to Utica. Here, we called at the city coffee house; kept by Mr. J. Beston, a gentleman. Here many flocked around to see us, and appeared quite friendly. Here 1 saw Esq. Thomas; of Farmington; who was acquainted with my brother Charles; said he was as well as usual, and keeping a public house at Avon Springs. He likewise, informed me of the death of a sister who had been married but a short time. Here we separated, Leonaid Delano, David House, Orrin W. Smith, Luther Darby, John Grant, Nathan Whiting and Joseph Thompson, took the stage for Watertown, Jeffer- son County; James D. Fero and myself, continued on in the. cars to Canandaigua, where I found my brother and his wife from Avon, on a visit to their friends, accordingly 1 left the car, and proceeded with them to Avon, Mr. Fero PATRIOT EXILE. 205 fleeting was 36 ladies as t^e land, and ► rejoice the ur absence, ay the sim- 3\v Bedford, 30 long in a ih, it being that on the who could Lir want of 3 any, and • feel rather 5 convinced ely by pro. je done by. inown than ce that had 'eets and on y received; pur land, snce of our oprietor, a [• way from city coffee lere many lly. Here acquainted usual, and B likewise, 3n married iise, Orrin Whiting vn, JefTer- on in the. and his rdingly I Vlr. Fero continued on his way to Buffalo, thence to Michigan, where he expected to find his friends. 1 remained at Avon a short time, being informed that a petition had been circulated and freely signed by many friends in that vicinity in my behalf, likewise the exertions used and sympathy manifested, as well for myself as my comrades in bonds, caused me to believe, (however dark and gloomy our prospects had been for years past) that we were not altogether forgotten, that liiere were those and not a few, who have sympathized, and been willing to do all in their power, to free us from the hands of tyrants and the enemies of universal freedom, to all sucii as have done all in their power, as well as those that wished us well, but could do nothing more; may I venture in this to render you my hearty and sincere tlianks,* and at the same time, venture to say, you have the thanks and good wishes of all my com- rades, who with myself were engaged in a cause, which, whether prosperous or not, is a credit to any people or nation, and be assured, through all our sufferings, have never, and 1 hope never will acknowledge it any other than an honor- able, just, and licly act, even to fail in. From Avon 1 procrecded to l)ul]hlo, where i found my father, mother, and youngest sister. As most or all of my readers have eitlier heard, seen or e.\])erienced llie meeting of a long absent lelalive, 1 need not attempt an explanation. AlthDugh time had visibly and materially changed their ap- ])earance, yet I found them enjoying as good health as could be expected. The old gentleman says — "did you receive a letter of such a date?" I said I did ! (laughing heartily). Says he — "I thought they would let you have that one !" Kind reader, my task is nearly finished. If you have taken any pleasure in perusing these few lines, comprising, as they do, an account of so much inhuman treatment and suffering, 1 am glad; but be assured, although true, the pen- ning of them, has been anything but an agreeable task to me. Since my return, I have been to Canada and am happy to inform my comrades as well as all who would liJ-e to know, that we were not mistaken in the belief that a maj-)rity of * Mr. J. Uosincr of jVvon, in particular. ^■ii.u 200 NARRATIVE OP A i It iho respectable inhabitants, especially on and in the vicinity of Yonge-Sireet, were, in ltt:i7 and 8, not only willing, but anxious that their country should be freed irorn despots that are palmed upon it as rulers aud law makers, iVom the, shall I say mother country, that cnnnot know the wants of the peo;)le, but havo had, and do have a very singular way oi' exacting tribute for services rendered; every aci having a tendency, sooner or later, to sap the loundation of thciirna'.u- rally, highly favored colonies. It has been against the acts and daring barefaced demands of ^uch ciiaractcrs, that the poople have asked, repeatedly asked, humbly petitioned, and prayed that their grievances mig!»t be redressed, and the repeated refusal and denial to grant their just rcnuesis, vvas the principal cause for re.soriing to arms; though the reform- ers did not seek after this last and desperate report, but wore driven tj it by this formidable band of robbers who have so greedily glutted themselves oa the bhjod and horrible sutlcr- ings of those who boldly stepj)ed forth in- defence of our iib- criy and equal rights, but did not succeed. i think i have given hints sullicient, in this work to con- vince any reasonrible person that it was not the fault of those who su tie red; and that it was not because Canada did not want or stand in need of freedom or that the cause vvas bad. 1 am of the opinion of many whom 1 have conversed with. in Canada: that it could not be a bad cause, when it has been the means of bringing about so much good to the j)eordo of Can- ada; and althougii many havo not lived to see it, and others have suffered much in bringing it about, the good results will be distilled in the minds of the rising generation;* and it is to be hoped that the work of reform will still go on without a resort to arms; but if it should again be nescessary, may the pas: ])rove a good lesson; and in ihe attem[)t for freedom, may there be a general rush to the standard, that it may be ^Especially if they are all as fortunate in selecting tcacliers, as flie New Mark«;t District sciiool; and as untiring in tlicir etibrts to instill litieral luincipluii intu the luindti of the rising; gcneniiion, as Mr. ]N . M. U whom I hnil the i/ensure of Hetiiig and cotiveriiinK with n short time. 1 luucit say— the kind, open-bearii-d, liberal prin- ciples taught by him and u^ Uber.illy and evidently seen in his pupils, cannot but be admired by all who may have the pleasure of visiting tlicni. 1 ain cunfidenl that if such principles are universally ditfused, the time is not far distant when Canada will be free. May i!)le of Can- nd others results will and it is to \ without a , may the iVeedom, it may ba New IVTark«;t cipled iiitu the I so re «»f seeiHj: 1, liberal priii- caiiiiot but be cuntideiil that when Canada drcu be s\vil( PATRIOT EXILE. 207 defended and maintained, witljout disgrace or causing liip loss of so many lives, while struggling, ns it wore, single handed; and causing the .dd proverb to be again verified. — '^United, we stand; divided, we fail." If you arc determined it shall 1)0 *'uiiitcd we sinnd !" if I cannot be with vou in person, b" assured you have my best wishes. Likewise, for the friendly feelings and favors received from the wnrm hcarLod friends, on and about Yonge-Strrct, those of my c 'mrndes whom I have seen and conversed with, unite witli me in snyirg — may the love of freedom wlrch seems to bo burning in the hearts of so many, tliough pent up, yet hrruk forth in a brigiit and overwhelming (Inme tiiat will cruise their eneniirs to iloe before it as witii the speed of lightning, until there shall not be one left to delight in the miseries of the oppressed; and learn that the birthright of man, is libertv. FINIS.