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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. / errata id to It ie pelure. pon d 1 2 3 t 1 6 32X w SIR GEOBQE COLLIER, Cil'TMS OF TIIK UaINUOW. .,»'irf'''«7iirM>«IHiiw \ s \ K ^' A i" 1 ^ i' >Q^ A .. )•• \> - 1 : ) 7.„i ■■(■■n wi i M ii HI . m il, , ... • ^>rriii iiririi^ >il T H E NARRATIVE John R la re in- or i>. DETAILING //,.s Suj)\;-inq>^ in the lirmhilionanf " «r, ivhile a Prixunrr with Ihr Jirifish. AS Kl-fATi;!' !1N IMMsr.l.l. 1 AN KNTUODUCTION AND NOTKS, cllAllLEs I. r.t SUM- NEW YORK : |. i; t V \ |- I I V r ir I V I I i> 1 86f). s I ^ -1 /^ y m > ''/■A- \ \ Knturetl. .uoiriling t(i Act nl Cimgress, in tliu year iSd;. Iiy CII.MtNKS 1. lU'SHXKl.l.. In tlie Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New Vork. ^SmwHMBf ^5 TO CAPT. JOHN BLATCHFORI), OK r.OCKI'OKT, MASH., F. I, I) K S T S IT It V I V I \ (i S t) X «) V T II K HERO OF THIS NARKATIVK. TlUrf TRACT IS Rr.srr.cTFii.i.Y DEDICATED » r-- -it INTRODUCTION. OIIN I'.LAT^IIFORI), the ll-ln nf this iiiirnitivc, \v;is the son of John Uhitchfiird, iifSaiuly Uiiy, imw IvOckjxM't, uu (';i[it' Ann, hi tlic (.■ynieMt he liursiK'd until the month of June, 1777, wlieii, \>rl\\>s alimii fifteen years of atre, he enlisted as a cahin-lxiy on \> iirriv:>l tliere wii- put nil l)(i;inl iiii Iiidiiiiiiaii, iiml triiii-|Mirtf(l witli oijrlity- two otlni' AiiiiTicaiis ti» tlic East Indies, wlicn- ho was (•((iiiiM'llfi! lifst to do duty as a soIdi<'r, and tlifu to work in tlic |K'|ipi'i' jjurdt'Ms iH'Ioiiiriiijr to tlit* Kast India ('oinj)aiiy. IK' ('Vi'utualJy, with li'ivat risl< and after urcat siiircriiijr, ctVi'ctt'd his oscaju', and ultimately reached (tnaduionpo, one of the AVi'st India Islands, wliore he took i)assagc foi" I'hilailelphia ; lint niisfortinie airain hefell him, for while on his way thither, he was captured hy the enemy, taken to New Vork, and put on hoard tiie prison ship •'.Ierhiii> and jirivations, experi- enced the mo>t barbarous treatment from the hanils of the British, and made several narrow escapes from death, not only from the bayonet, but IVoni huiiirei' ami disease, and likewise from the attack of savage bea avocation of a li>herman, which he followed for a short time, and then took INTKOnUCriOK. to the sous for a livelihood, tnakinj? many voyaj^cs to fon'ii:ii coHiitries. Ho died iit Tort an I'riiico, in tiie West Indies, al)out tlio year 171)4, and was hiiried in tiiat town. He left survivini; him iiis widow, and also two sons and one (hinirliter, to mourn tlieir untimely loss. In his stature, our hero Wi»s about medium heiirht. He had liroad shoulders, full chest, and wejl-proitortioncd liml)s. His rduiplexion was sallow, his eyes dark, and his hair lilaek and niriy. He was temperate in his hal)its, dii^ni(ie(l in his deportment, and thouj^h possessed of great musenlar jjower and most undaunted eourage, he was, ncvertlieless, peaeefnl in \\\r; disposition and >low to anu'cr. Tlie narrative of liis ailventiires while ii prisoner, wa> undoubtedly prepared from dictation. It is an intercstiui;-. romantic, and in many respects, an extraordinary doeii- ment. It is remarkable for the series of misfortunes which befell its hero, and as a record of malignant spite and savage brutality on the part of the IJritish, is almost imparalleled in the annals of history. It was originally pul)lislied in New London in 1788, and was issued in pamphlet form. In the year 1797, a lengthy abstract appeared in the columns of Frencau's "Time Piece," a paper published in the city of New York. In Jnly, 18(50, the entire production v \s printed in the "Cape Ann VI INTRODUCTION. Gazette," ami tlio doniaiKl for copies liavinpj far exceeded the edition, it was reproduced in the same paper in the niontii of October followiiiir. We will further state that tJK" present edition has been jn-inted from a certified cojn, whicli tlirough the courtesy of the Massachusetts Historical Society, we were permitted to have uuide from one of tlu' original tn\et< now iu its possession. i t i M\ III III (/J uC fiX*ij&£^£tl NARRATIVE OF Remarkablp Occurrences, In tug Life of John Blatchford, Of Cape- Ann, Commonwealth of Massachusdfs, CONTAINING, I *l His treatment in Xova- Scotia— the Wesf Indies— Greul- UrU,, in— France, and the Easl-Indks, as a prisoner in the late war. Taken from his own mouth. ►♦»- NEW LONDON: Printed by T. Green. M,DCC,LXXX,VIII. IWiili the privilege of Copy-Kighil N A R U A T 1 V E . N June, 1777, I .slii[)ped myself as cabin-boy on board the Continental ship Hancock, (i) John Manly, Esq. (s) eomniander, being then in the 15th year of my age, and a few days after sailed on a cruize. Being out some davs we fell in with and took the Fox, (j) a British frigate of 28 guns, after an engagement of four glasses. Our captain sent on board the prize as many men as we could spare, and both ships kept company several days, till on the Sth of July we fell in with the Britisli ships Eainbow (4) of 40 guns, and Flora(.'.) of 32 guns mmmm 10 NARRATIVE. h (who liad ill company the brig Cal)Ot(o) of lf> guns wliich liad just before been taken by the MiUbril JJritish frigate) (-) by whom we were l)<)th taken (r) and carried into Halifax. I was kej)! prisoner among a number of my countrymen, on board the Rainbow, until we arrived at Halifax. (;■) On our arrival there we were taken on shore and eontined in a prison which had for- merly been a sugar house, (lo) — The hirge number of i>risoner8 confined in this lionse (near oOO) together with a scanty allowance of provisions, occasioned it to be very sickly. So irksome a situa- ti >n put us upon meditating an escape— but we could form no plan that was likely ti> be attended with success, till George Barnard, who had i)een a midshipman in the Hancock, and who was eontined in the same room with myself, concerted a plan to release us, which was to be eii'ected by diging a small passage under ground, to extend to a garden that was behind the prison and without the prison wall, where we might make a breach in the night with safety, and jirobably all obtain our liberty. — This plan greatly elated our spirits, and we were all anxious to proceed immediately in executing of it. NARRATIVK. 11 Onr cal)in8 were built one above anotlier, from the floor to the height of a man's head ; and mine being one of those bnilt on the floor, was pitched upon to be taken up: — this being done, six of ns agreed to do tlie work, wliose names were. George Barnard and William Atkins of Boston, (late mid- shipmen in the Hancock), Lemuel Fowle of Cape- Ann, Isaiah Churchill of Plimouth, Asa Cole of Weathersfield, and myself. We took up tlie cabin and cut a liole in the plank underneath. The sugar-house stood upon a foundation of stone which raised the floor four feet above the ground, and gave us sufiicient room to work and ti* cimvey away the dirt that we dug up. The instruments which wi; had to work with were one scraper, one long spike, and some sharp sticks ; with these we proceeded in our diflicult uiulertaking. As the hole was too small to admit of more tluui one person to work at a time, we dug by turns ten or twelve days, and caiTied the dirt in our bosoms to another end of the cellar ; by this time we supposed we had dug far enough, and word was given out among the prisoners to prepare themselves for flight. But while we were in the midst of gaiety, congratu- 1-2 NAURATIVK. latiiii; eac'li other upon our happy i)rospects, we were hasclv betravcd 1)V one of onr own couutrv- men whoso uiiinc was Knowles : lie hud l)eon a inldshipnian on hoard tlic Boston frigate, (n) and was put on boanl tlie Fox when she was taken by the llaueoek and IJoston. — Wliat cttuhl liave induced him to commit so vile an action cannot bo con- ceived, as no advantaii'o couhl accrue to him from our detection, and dcatii was the certain conso- «]uence to many of his miserable countrymen — that it was so. is all I can say. A few hours before we were to have attempted our escape. Knowles informed the sergeant of the guard (Mr. Bible) of our design ; and l)y liis treachery lost his country the lives of more than a hundred valuable citizens — fathers and husbands — Avhose return wo\dd have rejoiced the hearts of now M'ceping fatherless chil- dren, and called forth tears of joy from wives, now helpless and disconsolate widows — When we were discovered, the whole guard was ordered into the room : and being informed bv Knowles who it was that performed the work, wo were all six confined in irons — the hole was tilled u{), and a centinel con- stantly placed in the room, to prevent any further NAUllATIVK. 13 nttcinj)t. — We were all kept in close eonliiienient till two of my feliow-sutl'erers BnriiiirU and Colo, died ; one of which was \n\t into the gronnd with his irons on his hands, (u) 1 was afterwards i)er- niitted to walk the yard. Bnt as my irons were too snndl and cansed n)y 1 nds to swell, and made them very sore, I asked the sergeant to take them otf and give me larger ones, — he heing a person of humanity, and comi)assluiu\ting my sufferings, changed my irons for others that were larger, and more easy to my hands. Knowles, who was likewise permitted to walk the yard, for his pertidy, would take every oppoitnnity to insult and mortify me, hy asking me whether I wanted to run away again i and when I was going home, &c ( — Hid daily affronts, together with his conduct in betraying of his countrymen, so exas- perated me, that I wished for nothing more than for an opportunity to convince him that I did not love him. — One day as he was tantalizing over me as usual, 1 suddenly drew one hand out of my irons, flew at him and struck him in the face, knocked out two or three of his teeth, and bruised iiis mouth very much. He cried out, that the prisoner had r.':i:r^t^^""*' '^'"'^ 4/1 14 NARKATIVE. got l«j( ».■>(.', — l)Ut before any assistance came, 1 had put luv liaud again into the liand-cufl", and was Avalkiuix about the vard as usual. AVhen the guard caini,', tliey demanded of ine in what manner 1 .struck liim ? I told them with both my hands. They then tried to pull my hands out, but could not. and concluded it must be as I had said ; — some lanii'lied and some were angrv — but in the end I Avas ordered again into prison. Tlie next day I was sent on board the Greyhound frigate, (n) capt. Dick- son, (ui bouiul on a cruize in IJoston-bay. After being out a few days, we met witli a severe gale of wind, ill which we sprung our nuiin-mast and received considerable other damage. We were then i»bliged to l)ear away for the West-Indies, and on our passage fell in with and took a brig from Norwich, laden with stock, &c. The captain and hands were put on board a Danish vessel the same day. We carried the brig into Antigua,* where v.'o immediately repaired, and were ordered in company with the Vulture sloop of war(i.'.) to convoy a fleet of merchantmen to New- York. We left the fleet oft" Sandy-IIook, and sailed for Philadelphia, where * One of the West India ishuuls, Leeward Group. NARIiATIVE. 15 we lay till we were made u packet and ordered for Jfalif'ax with dispatches. "We had a quick passage, ami arrived safe. While we lay in the road, admiral Ijyron(ie) arrived* in the Princess Eoyal (it) from England, who being short of men, and we hav- ing a surplusage for a packet, many of- our men were ordered on board the Princess- Royal, and among them most of our boat's crew. ISoon after, some of the officers going on shore, I was ordered into the boat. — We landed at the Governor's-sli]* — it being then near night. This was the lirst time since I had been on board the Greyhound that I had had an opportunity to escape Irum her, as they were before this particularly care- ful of me ; therefore I was determined to get away then if possible, and to effect it I waded round a wharf and went up a by-way, (fearing I should meet the officers) : I soon got into the street and made the best of my way towards Irishtown,f where I expected to be safe; — but unfortunately while running, I was met and stopped by an emissary, * Admiral liyron arrived at Halifax, August 26, 1778. + The southern suburbs of Halifax, cliietly inhabited by the Irish population. iJ ^ -^i C wi i w 'j I I I 'ti iii "^ ' 1 1 7 I 'WWA tm MtfSJB^' "A 16 NAUR ATI VK. who doiiiaii(l«.!(l of me my business, ami where I was going? 1 endeavoured to deceive him, that lie might let me pass ; Init it was in vain — he ordered me to follow him : — I oft'ered him what money 1 had (about ^ sterl.) to let me go — this too was ineft'ectual. I then told him I was an American and nuiking my esea})e from a long coniinenient, and was determin'd to pass, and took up a stone, lie immediately drew his bayonet^' and ordered me to go back with him. — 1 refused, and told him to keep his distance. — lie then run upon me, and pushing his bayonet into my side, it came out near my navel ; b\it the wound was not very weep ; — he tlien made a second })ass, and stal)bower of the Governor to try me; but that I should be sent to E?igland ; which I found to be true. The next day I was sent on boai'd the Grey- houiul, the ship I had run from, and we sailed for England. Oin* captain being a hunuine man, ordereard, with intention of getting away; l»ut unfortunately I was discovered and tired at by the marines : the boat was immediately sent after * A scajxn-t town in Ireland, ncnv called (^iieenstowa — so named by the fsycophuntic inhabitants of the place, in honor of the Qnecn's visit tiiero in 1849. The old class-Amelui,{2i) and the next day was earried on board tlic Britannia (jj) in Portsinonthf harbour, to be tried before Sir Thonnis Pye, (■-•») hml hiifli admiral of England, and ])resident of the conrt- nuirtial. Before the officers had collected, I was jiut under the care of a centinel ; and the seamen and women who came on board compassionated my ^^utferings, which rather heightened than diminished niv dis- tress. I was sitting under the awning, almost over- powered by the reflection of my unhappy situation, every moment ex})ecting to be summoned tor my trial, when 1 heard soniebody enquiring for the prisoner — supposing it to be an officer, I rose up and answered, that 1 was there. The gentleman eamo to me, told me to be of good chear, and taking out a bottle of cordial bid me driidc, which I did : — * A celebrated roadsteail oit' the sontliern coast of Eiigliiiul, S. E., as to have been termed by sailors *' the king's bed-chamber." t A fortified seajjort town, and the ])rinciiial naval station of England. 20 NARRATIVK. hi lie then enquired where I behmged — 1 informed liim — he asked uie it" I liad jiarents living, and if I liad any friends in England ? — I answered I had neither: he then assured me he was my friend, and would render mo all the assistanee in his power. — lie then enquired of me every circumstance rehitive to my fray with the man at Halifax, for wliose death I was now to be tried ; — and instructed me what to say on my trial, — told me if it was asked in court " if I had any friend or attorney to speak for jne," to look at such a corner of the state-room, where i siu.uld see him, ar.d to answer the court " Yes, Mr. Thomas," for that was the gentleman's name. All this was spoken in so friendly a manner, that I could i.ot distrust him, although what he had instructed nie to say, appeared to me, v;ould be against myself. The court having assembled, I was called in and examineil partly, and on being asked " If I had any friend to speak in my behalf," I looked round, and saw !Mr. Thonnvs, and answered, '"Yes, Mr. Thomas," who then ciMne fo'-v, aid. — ^The court asked him what he had to say in behalf of the prisoner I — On which he desired thein to question the prisoner, and if he -^rnrnnmm ill. NAKKAfl'^'''- 21 I could not answer sufficiently, ho vvonUl sl.ealc for M wastl,ena.keai.-In>canttoldU.heman Answered as instructed (.W lot,,) .^.J ^ The court see.ned surp-'d and asked n,e tl. question again, and I again answered, ^c. I • then asked if I should have hurt the ,na 1 ad h not molested n,e? I "I'l.ed, ^o.-I .>a» e,nanyotUer,nestions,andi.-Iwasnotsor I „ad undertaken in the rche.lion ag,.. K„„i_Mr. Thonnvs then spoke, and sawl .t ;::.a,,fairtoa.kn,esucha.no^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ occasion; and tl..consrd..ng.)-t-^^^^^ '-:; 'i::;rT::^^ ^-^^ - <-» :-:r:^tldedwi.hcen..ngonr^^^ ;:;rir:;rr ::;:■: A.. " A., to his arguuicnts.— i ^\fi^ ™ ::rtV::ir"/a:J -:. .Hh pa-> ,o know n.y dostiny.-This was re- in,i>at.ence to 1>"»^^ J ,^^^ ^ ^,„, „„Ued that 1 ^NaB „,, oMvav. I cannot express exchanged as a pnsonei ot ANai. ^>0 NAURATIVE. my tVi'lings on this occasion, and no one can know tlieni, but l)y experiencing the same reverse of fortnni'. I inniiediately found my benetactor and returned liini thanks, witli gratitude for Ids friendly and hencvuU'ut assistance. Mr. Thomas then asked the liberty of taking mo on shore witli him, engaging to return me the next day — and liberty was granted him — lie tnid a vounii: lad, his son, to walk with me about Portsmouth, and shew me the town, and then lo cari'v me home to his house ; which he did. In the evening Mr. Thomas came into the kitchin and asked me to walk into the parlour, to satisfy the curi(i>iry of some ladies, who had never seen a Yankee, as they called me : I went in, and they oeemed greatly surprized to see me look like ar Englishman ; they said they M'ere sure I was no Yankee, but like themselves. The idea ^hey Lad formed of the Amei'icans Avas nearly the same as we have of the natives of this country. When the ladies had satisfied their curiosity, Mr. Thomas put a guinea into his hat, and carrying it round asked the ladies to contribute for the poor Yankee : he then gave me the money, (about four guineas.) ma II U B ""WM BMC ^HnNMiii>^ '•^■'i NAKKA'I IVE. 23 Tlie next morning I was sent on board the Piinccss-Amelia, wliere I spent a joyful day; expecting soon to be sent on board the Greylionnd, M-liicli was bound to Halifax. In the evening I heard a boat coming along-side, and supposing it to belong to the Greyhound, (as the peo[)le in the boat enquired for me) — I made haste and jumped into the boat; but to my extreme disappointment and grief, I was carried on board an Indiaman, and immediately put down into the run,* where I was confined seven days. I begged that T might send Avord on shore to my former benefactor, and inform him of my situation, but they would not grant it. On the seventh day, 1 heard the boatswain pipe all hands, and about noon 1 was called up on deck, when I found myself on board the Princes8-Eoyal(24) indiaman, captain Eobert Kerr ; — we were then oif the Isle of "Wight, bound to the East-Indies, m com- pany with six others, viz. the Ceres, Ilawke, Prince, Sandwich, Walpole and True-Briton, all * Tlio niii of a sliip is t!mt part of lier hull under water wliicii comes narrower by iloytreus from tlio floor timbers U) tiic sterniiosts. 24 NARRATIVE. large ships, (.5) belonging to the East-India com- pany. («) Our captain told me, if I behaved well and did my duty, I should receive as good usage as any man on board : — this gave me gveat encouragement. 1 now found my destiny was fixed— that whatever 1 could do, would not in the least alter my situation, and therefore was determined to do the best I could, and mak.; myself as contented as my unfortunate situation would admit. After being on board several days, I found there were in the Princess-lloyal, eighty-«"\vo Americans, all destined to the East-Indies, for being what they called liebels. (n) We had a passage of seventeen weeks to St. Helena, where we put in and landed part of our cargo, (which consisted wholly of provisions), and some of the soldiers who were brought out for that island. The ship lay here about three weeks ; we then sailed for Batavia* — and on the passage touched at the Cape of Good-lIope,f where we * Cajiital and scaiiort town of the island of .lava. t Tlie V:\\>c of Good Hope was lirst discovered by Bartliolo- niew Diaz, lis6— first doubled liy Vasoo do Gania, 1497 — mmmmmammBSm w lUi^iiunt. NAUR-^TIVE. 26 ';,„„„a-wc took n. son>c provisions an., neccs- «uL and set sail for Batavia, wl.eve we arnvcd n rweeta. IIerewep,u-c„aseda,av,e »' S,.,„at,.ia, and after a passage of a..n,t si. wee^ „,,,ved there, (this was in Jnne l,bO;. A is place the Americans were all earr,ea on shor an f„„ndthatIwasnol.,ngcr.„ren,amo„«n th .hi,,, but conden>ncd to serve as a soldnn o, hv ; -loitered to hind myself to the captan, to, C years, or any longer term, if I. ..^--o, hoard the ship :-hc told n,e it was nn,,o^^^^^^^^^ ,„„ to he released fron, acting as a sold,e,, unless 1 dd pay fifty pounds sterling. As I was nnahl hi , I was obliged to go through the numnal Ireise;.., the other pris,.ncrs;anK.ngwo^^^^^^ ,vas Wiliian, Kandall of Bost,.n, and Josud, olg.e, . :;Kl,tuekct, both yonng n,en, and one of then, an ■tmoMmi^ilitS'' 20 N A UU ATIVK. old sliip-mate of niinu ; — these two ami myself agreed to behave as ignorant and aukward as \>o>- sible ; and what motions we learned u!ie day we were to forget the next, — We imrsued this conduct near a fortnight, and were beaten every day by the drill-sergeant, who exercised us; and wlien he found we were determined in our obstinaev, and that it was not possible for him to learn us anything, we were all three sent into the pepper gardens belong- ing to the East-India company, and continued picking peppers from morning till night, and allowed but two scantv meals a dav; — this, together with the amazing heat of the sun, (the island lying \inder the ecpiator) was too much for an American constitution, miused to a hot climate, and we expected that we should soon end our misery and our lives; — but Providence still preserved us for greater hardships.* * Suniatria is an island of the Indian ocean, situated hetwceii 03 and lii4 dejrrces of East longitude, and between 5 degrees and 30 minutes Nortli and 5 degrees and 3it minutes Suutii latitude; extending from X. "\V. to S. E. 'Jro\"ided ourselves with fire-works* for our journey, which we pursued unmoleste liave us make our peace -witli God ; tor, said lie, the rii^lit of En<,dislimen, from whom we liave received such treatineiit, is more disagreeable than the evil spirits of whom you have spoken : — that if he could have his choice, he would choose death in preference to life, if he must have it on conditions of such bar- barous usage as he had received from their hands ; and that the thoughts of death did not seem so hideous to him as his past sufferings. He visited us again about midnight, but finding his company was not acceptable, he soon left us to our own melancholy reflections. Before sun-rise we lieard the drums beat, aiul soon after heard the direful noise of the door ijrating on its iron hinges — we were all taken out, oui" irons taken off, and we conducted by a strong guard of soldiers to the parade, surrounded by a circle of armed men, and led into the midst of them, where three wiiite coffins were placed by our side : — silence was then connnanded, and the adjutant taking a paper out of his pocket read our sentence : — and now I cannot describe my feelings upon this occa- sion, nor can it be felt by any one but those who have experienced some remarkable deliverance froni 30 NAUKATIVK. the <;;riiu luintl of doiitli, when surruuiuled on all sideH, iiiid nothing; but death expected from every quarter, and by Divine Providence there is some way found out for escape — so it seeme- -Randall eat freely :— in the evening we found we were jioisoned : I was sick and puked considerably: — Randall was sick and began to swell all round his body ; he grew worse all night, but continued to have his senses till the next day, wlien he died, and left n)e to mourn my greater wretched- NABBATIVE. 33 ness ,— more than 400 miles from any settlement- no companion— the wide ocean on one side and a prowling wilderness on the other— liable to many l I made any sign or token of friendship to him. — When we had got near the harbour he made a sign for me to sit down upon a rock, which I did ; he tlien I'.ft me and went, as I supposed, to talk with the people at the water concerning me ; biit I had not sit lon_' before I saw a vessel coming round a point into the harbour. — They soon came on shore in the boat. — 1 went down to them and made my case known, and when the boat returned on board they t«tok me with them. It was a Dutch snow* bound from China to I'atavia ; after they had wooded and watered they set sail for Batavia : — being out about three weeks we arri\'ed there : — I tarried on board her about three weeks longer, and then gilt on board a Spanish ship wliicli was from Kio de la Phite bound to Spain, but by stress of weather was forced to put into tliis port. After the vessel had repaired we sailed for Spain. When we made the Cape of Good-Hope we fell in witii two British cruizers of 20 guns each, who engaged ns and did tlie vessel considerable damage, but at * A ve.isul with two masts resetnbling tlio main mid fore- musts uf ii slui'.. and a tliinl small mast just abaft tlio mainmast, cnrryinjr a sail similar to a ship's mizzcn. lull iwfi i -- i '^^-r "~""^ ' S* lirUiMSUMlA 4HM NARRATIVE. 41 leno'tli we beat them off, sukI then run for the coast of Brazils, where we arrived safe aiul began to work at repairing our ship, but upon examination she was found to be not fit to proceed on her voyage, she was therefore condemned. I then left her and got on board a Portuguese snow, bound up to St. Helena, and we arrived safe at that place. I then went on shore and quitted her, and engaged r .' garrison there to do duty as a soldier for my provisions, till some ship should arrive there bound to England. After serving here a month, I entered on board a ship called the Stormont(..)— but orders were soon after received that no indiaman should sail without convoy ; and we lay here six months, during which time our captain (Montgomery) died. AVhile 1 was at St. Helena, the vessel which I came out from England in arrived here, homeward bound ; she being on the return from her second voyage since I came from England :— and now I made known my case to Captain Kerr, who readily took me on board the Princess-Royal, and used me kindly— and those of my old shipmates on board were glad to see me again. Captain Kerr at first seeincr me, asked me if I was not afraid to let him 42 NARRATIVE. know who I was? and endeavoured to tVi«;liten nie ; yet his conduct towards me was humane and kind. — It had been yery sickly on board the Princess- Royal, and the greater part of the hands which came out of England in her had died, and she was now manned chiefly with lascars, (country born peoj)lo): among those who had died was the boatswain and the boatswain's mate, and Captain Kerr made me boatswain of the ship — in which office I continued until we arrived in London — and it protected me from being impressed at our arrival in England. "We sailed from St. Helena about the iirst of November, 1781, under convoy of the Experiment of 50 guns,* commanded by Captain Henry, and the Shark sloop of war of 18 guns(»i) — and we arrived in London about the tirst of March, 1782, — it havhig been about two years and a half from the ti me I had left it. In about a fortnight after our arrival in London, * There is ft mistake here. The Experiment of oO guns was taken by the Frencli, Sept. 24, 1779, wiien under the command of Sir James Wjillace. Her successor, a 44 {?un-shii), was not laundied until 1784. Tlio sliip tlie writer alludes to was the Renown, of 50 guns, Capt. John Henry. For account of her see note (30). NARRATIVE. 43 I entered on boarol tlic King-George, (s^ store-ship bound to Antigua, and after four weeks passage arrived tliere — the second night after we came to anchor in Antigua, I took the ship's boat and made my escape in her to Montserrat,* which place had but just before been taken by the French. — Here 1 did not meet with the ti'eatment which. I expected ; for on my arrival at Montserrat I was immediately taken up and put in prison, where I continued 24 hours, and mv boat taken from me ; — I was then sent to Guadaloupe,t and examined by the gover- nor. — I made known my case to him, by accpiainting him with the misfortunes I had gone tln-ough in my captivity and in making my escape— he seemed to connniserate me — gave me ten dollars for the boat that 1 escaped in, and provided a passage for me on board a French brigantine:}: that was bound from * Tlie Isle of Montserrat in the West Indies, was discovered by Columbus in 1493, and was planted by England in 1632. It was taken by the French, Feb. 18, 1782, and was restored to England in 1783. t One of the West India Islands, Leeward Group. The Governor at this time was Capt. Gen. Thomas Shirley. X This was a small, flat, open, light vessel, going both with sails and oars, being intended either for iighting or giving 44 NARRATIVK. Onadaloupc to Philadelpliia : — the vessel sailed i>i a tew days — and now my prospects were favourable — but my misfortunes were not to end here ; for after being out 21 days, we fell in with the Aniphitrite (as) and Amphene, (•«) two British cruizers, off the Capes of Delaware, by whom we were taken, carried into New- York, and put on board the Jersey (jh) prison- ship — after being on board about a week, a cartel was fitted out for France, and I was sent on board as a French prisoner : — The cartel was ordered for St. Malo's, * and after a passage of 32 days we arrived safe at that place. Finding no American vessel at St. Malu's, I went to the commandant and procured a pass to go by land to Fort TOrient ; f on my arrival there I found three American privateers belonging to Beverley,;}: in the Massachusetts. I was much elated at seeing so many of my country, some of whom I was well chase. These vessels were first used bj pirates. The English brigantine was quite different ; in fact, tlje term was various] j applied by the mariners of different European nations. * A seaport town in France. t A seaport town in France. I Beverly, a post town in Essex Co., Mass. First settled, ia26. Population in 18C0, 0,154. NAKKATIVK. 45 iicquaiutt'd with. I iminediately entcM-od on boanl the BuciDieer— Captain Phierson :— Wc sailed on a cruize, and after being out 18 days, we returned to L'Orient with six prizes.— Three days after our arrival in port we lieard the joyful news of peace;— on which the privateer was dismantled, tlic people discharged, and Capt. Phierson sailed on a merchant voyage to Norway. I then entered on board a brig boinid to Lisbon, (Capt. Ellenwood(3.) of Beverly), and arrived at Lisbon in eight days— we took in a cargo of salt, and sailed for Beverly, where we arrived the 9th of May, 1783,— being now only 15 miles from home.— I immediately set for Cape- Ann, (^O went to my father's (38) house, and had an agreeable meeting with my friends, after an absence of almost six years. Neii>-Txmdon May 10, 1788. JOHN BLATCHFOEDO.). 46 NARRATIVE. [N.B. Those who are acquainted with the narrator will not scruple to give full credit to the foregoing account -■ and others may satisfy themselves iy conversing with him. The scars he carries are proof of a part of his narrative — and a gentleman "belonging to New-London, who was several months with him, was acquainted with part of his suffer- ings, tho^ it was out of his power to relieve him.— He is a poor man, with a wife and two children — Sis employment fishing and coastin;!.] hi Boston, Dec. C, 18G4. I have carefully compared the foregoing copy (40 pages) with the printod tract in the Librari' of the Mass. Hist. Society, and hereby certify that it is an accurate transcript of the same. J. Applb-ok, Assist't. Z,i6'n. NOTES. (i) The Haxcock was one of tlie thirteen vessels authorized to be built by resolution of Congress of Dec. 13th, 1775, and was one of the two frigates which, by that resolve, were ordered to be constructed in Massachusetts. She mounted 32 twelve-pounder guns, and was built at, or near Boston, in 1776. As soon as she was equipped and ready for sea, she was placed under the command of Captain John Manly, and soon after sailed on a cruise. On the 27th day of June, 1777, in company with the frigate Boston, of 24 guns, she took ott' the coast of New Foundland, the British frigate Fox, of 28 guns, after au action of about two hours' duration. On the 8th day of July following, after a chase of more tlian 30 liours, the Hancock was captured by the Rainbow, of 44 guns, com- manded by Sir George Collier, and taken to Halifax. Capt. Manly is thought to have lost her in consequence of having put her out of trim by starting the water in her fore hold. She was subsequently purchased on behalf of the British gov- ernment, and added to the navy under the name of the Iris. 48 NOTKS. On tlie 7th day of June, 1780, while under the command of Oapt. James Uawker, she encountered off the coast of North America, tlie French 36-gun frigate llerinoine, M. la Fouche TrevlUe, coinmauder, and after a severe action of one hour and twenty minutes, the latter was compelled to sheer off. On the 16th day of March, 1781, being then under the orders of Capt. George Dawson, the Iris formed one of the squadron under Admiral Arbuthnot in the action off the Chesapeake, with tlie squadron under M. de Ternay. On the 9th of August following, while cruising off the capes of Delaware, she fell in with the American sliip Trumbull, of 28 guns, Capt. James Nicholson. A sharp action commenced, and continued fur over an hour with no definite result, when another British friirate came up, whereupon, the Trumbull struck her eolorB. In this engagement the Trumbull had four men killed and five wounded, and the Iris one killed and six wounded. Previous to the contest the Trumbull had lost lier fore-top mast in a gale of wind. She was a valuable ])rize, having five hundred barrels of fresh Philadelphia Hour and bread on board. On the 10th day of September following, the Iris was sent to cut away the French buoys at the anchorage ground near the Chesapeake Bay, when she was intercepted and captured by tlie French squadron under M. de Barras. She was subse- quently added to the French navy under the same name. During the time she was held by tlie British, she proved her- self one of the fastest ships on the xVmerican station, and cap- tured so many rich prizes, that she is said to have made the NOTES. 49 fortunes of all who coHimanded lier. Her place in the British service was supplied by another frigate, of the same name and force, which was built on the river Thames in 1783. The Iris remained in the possession of the French until the year 1793, when she was blown up at Toulon, as a magazine, by the Spaniards. (j) Cai)t. John Mani,t was a native of Massachusetts, and was born in the year 1783. After receiving the rudiments of education, he embraced the maritime life, and soon became noted for his energy and professional merit. In 1775 he com- manded the schooner Lee, and in November of that year, took the Nancy, a transport bound to Boston, and laden with valuable munitions of war, of which the colonists were then in great need. While in this command he made other valuable prizes, one of which he captured in sight of the Britisli Heet in Boston harbor, llis zeal and enterprise attracted the attention of Congress, and that body, in the following year, ai)pointed him a captain in the navy, and gave him the command of the Hancock, a l)eantiful frigate of 32 guns, then building in Mas- sachusetts. In this vessel he captured the Fox. June 27th, 1777, and in July following tliis prize was retaken by the Flora of 32 guns, Capt. Brisbane. About the same time, the Hancock struck to the Rainbow, Sir George Collier, after a long chase, and was taken with her crew to Halifax. In a few days .after, Capt. Manly was conveyed to New York, whore ho remained a prisoner until the month of April of tlie year fol- 60 NOTES. lowing. He was then released and returned to Boston, when his conduct was investigated, but the result of the inquiry left hiiu without reproach. Soon after this he was put in com- mand of the Cumberland, a new privateer of 20 guns, and in Jan., 1779, while cruising in her off the southern coast, was taken by the Pomona frigate of 28 guns, Capt. "Waldegrave, and carried into Barbadoes, where he and his officers were imprisoned. Finding that their applications for paroles were rejected, they determined to attempt their escape. This they effected by taking possession of a Bermudian sloop, and steer- ing their course for Martinico, where tiiey arrived in safety and sold their vessel. On his return liome, Cupt. Manly was appointed to the privateer Jason, of 20 guns, which vessel had just before been taken from the Britisli. On the 25th July, 1779, while on a cruise in her, lie was attacked by two British nrivateers, one of 18 and the other of 10 guns. Reserving his fire, Capt. Manly ran between the privateers, and poured his starboard broadside into one, and his larboard broadside into the otlier with great effect, whereupon both his opponents struck tlieir colors. In the month of August following, while cruising off* the coast of Nova Scotia, lie took a ship of 14 guns, and 20 men. In November, after an obstinate engagement of four glasses, Capt. Manly was captured by the Perseus frigate of 20 guns. In tliis contest the Jason lost 18 killed and 12 wounded, and tlic Perseus 7 killed and 10 wounded. Having been exchanged, Ca[)t. Manly was on the 11th Sept., 1782, appointed to the frigate Hague, formerly the f NOTES. 51 I Deniie, of 32 guns, aud sailed for the West Indies. A few days after leaving Martinique, he was descried by a JJritisli 74, and to avoid capture, he ran his ship on a sand bank near Guada- loupe. AVhile thus exposed, he is said to have sustained the fire from the enemy's ships for three days with undaunted firmness. On the 4th he got off, when, hoisting his colors at the main-top-gallant-mast, and firing 13 guns in farewell defiance, he made his escape and arrived safely in Boston, where, tiiis exploit having gained him much eclat, he was received with marked attention. Capt. Manly continued in conmiand of tiie Hague, and his ship was one of the last cruisers at sea in the war. She was frequently cliased, and made many narrow escapes. After the ])eace, Capt. Manly returned o Boston, and retired to private life. He died in that city, Feb. 12, 1793, in the 60th year of his age. (s) The Fox was a British frigate mounting 28 guns, four of which were four-pounders, and the remaining twenty-four long nine-pounders. Blie was registered as a sixth-rate, and was built on the river Thames in the year 1774. She was placed under the conmiand of Capt. P. Fotheringham, and in 1776 formed one of the squadron at Now Foundland, under John Montagu, vice-admiral of the white. On the 27th day of June, 1777, while on a cruise near the 15anks of New Foundland, she fell in with the American frigates Hancock, of 32 guns, and Boston, of 24 guns. An action commenced and continued for about two hours. During the eugayement the Fox took 52 NOT lis. fire in the main chains, where a number of wads had been deposited. Upon this, the Americans ceased firing until the flames were extinguished, when the contest Avas resumed. The Fox being at length reduced to a wreck, and having sus- tained a severe loss in killed and wounded, Capt. Fotheriugham ordered the colors to be hauled down. The Lieut, of Marines, lion. James J. Xapier, was among the wounded. In July following, while the prize was being conveyed by her captors to Boston, the British ship Rainbow hove in sight and gave cliase to the Hancock, while the Boston effected her escape. During the chase, the 32-gun frigate Flora came up and recaptured the Fox, and carried her into Halifax. The Fox, after undergoing repairs, was again taken into the British service. She was placed under the orders of Hon. Thomas Windsor, manned with a crew of 200 men, and in 1778, fonned one of the fleet of Admiral Keppel, which in July of that year was cruising ofl:' Brest in search of the French fleet under Corate d' Grvilliers. On the 10th of September following, while ofl^ the French coast, she was chased by the 34-gun frigata Junon, commanded by Vicomte de Beaumont. The weather being thick and hazy, the Junon was not perceived until close aboard of the Fox, when the latter hove to and awaited the approach of the Frenchman. An action com- menced, and lasted for three hours, when the Fox, being totally dismasted, having several guns disabled, 11 men killed, and Cajft. AVindsor and 49 of his men wounded, many of them mortally, hauled down her colors. The Junon had a crew of NOTEJ. 53 330 men, and carried six r.-pounders and 28 long twelves. The Fox was succeeded in the British navy by a 32-gun frigate of the same name, of 697 tons burd'in, built at Bursle- don, in tlie year 1780. Patkiok FoTnKniNGiiAM was made lieut. on the 13th day of Dec, 1760, promoted to commander April 1, 1765, and raised to the rank of captain, Sept. 2, 1773. About the year 1772, lie was appointed to the sloop Merlin, of 18 guns, in whicli vessel he seems to have served until 1775, when he was made capt. of the Fox, of 28 guns, and soon aftor, ordered to North America. Capt. Fotheringham was tried by court-martial at Portsmouth, March 3, 1778, for the loss of his ship, and he and liis officers were honorably acquitted. He was sc^n after appointed to the Resource, of 28 guns, in which frigate he remained for the usual period. lie died in the ^.Vest Indies in the spring of 1781, while captain of the ship Ruby. (i) The Rainbow was registered as a fifth-rate, carried 44 guns, and was built on the river Thames in 1701, to succeed a 40-gun ship of the same name, then broken up. The dimensions of our vessel were as follows : length of gun-deck, 131 feet 3 in.; of keel, 108 ft. 3^ in-; breadth, 37 ft. 10*4 in-! depth in hold, 16 ft.; tons, 831. In the year 1762, she was placed under the orders of Capt. Mark Robinson, and formed one of the Ilavanna squadron under Commodore Elliot, at which time she carried a crew of 380 men. In 1704 she was commanded by Capt. Walter Sterling, and was on duty in 64 NOTES. North America. She remained on this station till 176C, when she returned homo and was put out of commission. A short time after the prospect of a rupture with Spain had passed away, Oapt. Charles Fielding was appointed to the Rainbow, then equipping for service at Chatham, a command which he retained for nearly two years. Towards the conclusion of 1771, Thomas Collingwood was placed in command of her, and lie seems to have remained in her for the usual period of three years, doing duty a part of the time on the coast of Guinea. At the commencement of the dispute with the North American colonies, she was placed under the orders of Sir George Collier, and came to America with Commodore Ilotham, and a large re-iuforccment of troops for the army under Gen. Howe. In 1770 she co-operated with the army in the reduction of New York, and in 1777 she was stationed at Halifax, wliere ?Iio was one of a small squadron employed in protecting the fisheries as well as the trade in that quaiter. In the month of July, being on a cruise, she fell in with, and after a long chase, captured the Hancock frigate of 32 guns and 290 men— a ship esteemed at that time the finest in the American service, and one of the fastest sailing vessels ever built. After this, the Kainbow proceeded to Machias, and along tlie coast of New England, burning the vessels and dest. 'ying the stores intended for the contemplated invasion by the An^ericans of Nova Scotia. In the beginning of 1779 she was one of a squadron that sailed from New York in com- [)any with transports convey ir;g troops under Gen. Matthew NOTES. 55 to Hampton Roads, and she co-operated with the army in tlie reduction of Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Gosport. A short time after this, Jolm Kendall was -.ppointed to her, and shortly after, she retiirned homo and went into dock at Chatham. Uuving heen thoroughly overhauled, she was placed nnder the orders of Henry TroUope, and sailed on the 2d day of Sept., 1782, for Plymouth, to join Commodore Elliot in the Channel. When off the Isle of Bt\^ sho fell in with and captured the French frigate La Hebe, of 40 guns and 30O nien, then on her way from St. Malo to lirest, with a con- voy, which in the chase, being close in shore, got into Morlais in safety. In tlie engagement, the Rainbow lost only one man, wliile her opponent had her 2d capt. and four men killed, besides several wounded. Among tlie latter was Mons. de Vigny, the commander of the French vessel. The Hebe being a fine ship, was purchased by government, and added to the Royal navy under the same name. This action appears to have been the last active service of the Rainbow, for we find her in 1784 reported as a hulk. Shortly after tliis she was fitted up as a receiving ship, and stationed at Woolwich. She was used in this capacity until about the year 1801, when she was broken up. The " Rainbow " seems to have been a favorite name in the British navy, as we read of one as early as 1594, in a squadron under Sir Martin Frobisher, sent to aid the French in their attack upon Brest, which was then in posses- sion of the Spaniards. Sib Geobok Collier was born in 1738. He entered the 56 NOTES. i navy when ahout thirteen years of ago, and i^ervcd part of his time with Sir George Pococl<. lie was made commander, Aug. 6, 1761, and attained the rank of captain, July 12, 1762. About this time, he was ai)pointed to the Boloirne, of 32 guns, in which vessel ho served till the followirg year, when peace having taken jjlace, he was appointed to the Edgar, of CO guns, then a gv.ard-ship at Plymouth. In lT7i>, he was comi lissioned to the Tweed frigate, and sailed on a cruise in the Channel in a small squadron under the Ucka of Cumberland. He subse- quently commanded tha Levant, of 28 guns, anJ afterwards the Flora, of 32, and iii 1775, received the honor of knight- hood. About this time e was appointed to the Rainbow, of 44 gun^i, and in 1776, proceeded in her to Xorth America. He assisted in the reduction of New York in tl mi year, and in 1777, commanded the detachment of the fleet stationed al Halifax, distinguishing himself greatly by his energy and activity. In July he captured the American frigate Hancock, of 32 guns, d soon after bringing her into port, he i>roceeded to Machias, where he destroyed the magazines and store- houses filled with flour, rice and other articles, wliich the Aricricans had collected there for a contemplated invasion of Nova Scotia, and subsequently burnt 30 sail of vessels along the coast of New England. He continued on that station till March, 1779, w.ien he moved into the Raisonable of 04 guns, on board of whi jh he hoisted his broad pendant as commander- in-chief, pro tempore, on the American station. In May fol- lowing, he commanded the fleet iu the expedition to Virginia, NOTES. 57 nnd in conjunction with a land force under Gen. Matthew, took possession of rortsinoi.cii, Norfolk, Gosi)ort and Suftblk, capturing a Uirgu (juantity of stores, cannon and ammunition, and destroying many vessels and much property of all kind. After liis return to New York, he assisted in the reduction of Stony Point, Fort Lafayette and Verplanck's Point, subse- quently co-operated with Gen. Tryou in the destruction of Norwalk, Fairfield and Greenfield, and in July following went to the relief of Penobscot, where he signally defeated the American fleet under Saltonstall, capturing and destroying the whole force, amounting to 37 large armed vess.-'s. After this he returned to New York, where he found Admiral Arbuth- not, to whom he resigned the command of the siiuadron, and then returned to England. In 1780 he was appointed to the Canuaa, of 74 guns, one of the ships beU^nging to the Channel fleet ; in the following year ho accompanied Admiral Darby to the relief of Gibraltar, and in 1784 was elected M. P. for Iloniton. In 1790, on the expectation of a rupture with Spain, he was appointed to the St. George, of 98 guns ; but the dispute being accommodated, the St. George was paid off. On the 1st Feb., 1793, he was made rear-admiral of the white, on the 12th April, 1794, rear-admiral of the red, and on the 12th July following, vice-admiral of the hite, which was the highest rank he lived to attain. In Jan., i795, ho was appointed to the chief command at the Nore, but was com- pelled to resign on account of ill health. He died on the Gth day of April following. Sir George had blue eyes, light hair. .58 NOTES. W t and fair complexion. Tliough of iiieon after the commencement of tlie contest with the colonies, Capt. John Hrisbano was appointed to her, and in 1776 she was ordered to North America with a convoy. She was employed liere subsequently on a variety of desultory service. In July, 1777, she re-captured the Fo.v, a frigate of 28 guns, which had been taken on the IJaiiks of New Foundland. a short time before, by the American frigates Hancock and Boston. In the summer of 177f, she was one of the small S(|nadron under Cai)t. Brisbane, that was stationed off Rhode Island, to protect that post and distress the com- merce of the neighljoriiig coast. While thus employed, the French fleet, \mder Comte d'Estaing, comprising 12 shi[>s of the line and 4 frigates, made its appearance oft' liiiode Island on the 28th of July, and after several previous indicjitions of attack in less force, entered the harbor of Newport on the 8th day of August following. In consequence of this, the officers of Capt. Brisbane's squadron, then lying in tlie harI)or, were reduced to the necessity of burning or sinking their ships, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy, and the Flora was one of those that were sunk. Her place in the British navy was supplied by a 36-gun frigate, of the same name, which was built at Deptford in the year 1780, and 90 NOTKS. whicli, after serving with distinction, was lost on the 18th January, 1808, by striking upon Schelling Reef. The 32-gun frigate Flora, the subject of our sketch, after being submerged for some time, was at length weighed by the Americans, and sold by tiiem to the French, who gave her the name of the Floro. On the 7th September, 1Y98, she was captured oft' the Frencii coast, after a long chase, by the Phaeton frigate of 38 guns, lion. Robert Stopford, and the Anson frigate of 44 guns, Philip C. Durham. Her subsequent history we have been uuiible to learn further than that she was sold soon after siie was brought into port. II I Juii.v Brisbane was appointed lieutenant, Aug. 5, 1757, and was rtmod to the rank of captain on the 24th Sept., 1760. For a short time he commanded the Nightingale, a 20-gun ship, on the American station. After this he was appointed to the Echo, a 24-gun frigate, lately taken from the French, and was ordered to the West Indies, lie continued there till the end of the war, when he returned home, and his ship was put oat of commission. In 1769 he was ap[)ointed to the Ceberus, of 28 guns, and after being in her a short time, he returned to Chatham, when his ship was laid up. Soon after the commencement of the American revolution, he was appointed to the Flora, of 32 guns, and in 1776 sailed in her to America, where he had been ordered with a convoy. In July, 1777, Imj recaptured the Fox frigate of 28 guns, and in the summer of the following year, was stationed oft" Rhode NOTES. 61 Twinnd as senior or comiranding officer of a small sent with spirit, and at length compelled liis opponent to strike his colors. The La Gloire lost her mainmast in the action, had her rigging, sails and hull cut to pieces, and G of her crew killed and 18 wounded. The Milford, beside her captain and first-lieutenant, had 2 killed and 13 wounded. In 1763 the Milford was commanded by Capt. J. Reynolds, and was in service on the coast of Africa ; in 1766 Thomas Curnwell was appointed to her, and in 1770 she was at Woolwich, i)robably undergoing repair. In the year 1775 Captain John iUirr was appointed to command lier, and in 1776 she came to America. In the month of Juno following, while cruising off Cape Ann, she fell in with and captured the American privateer Yap'.vce Hero, commanded by Captain Tracy, of Newburyport, after a severe engagement of nearly two glasses. In the contest the Yankee Hero had four of her crew killed and fourteen wounded. Capt. Tracy was wounded in the leg. Lieutenant Main was badly injured, and Mr. Rowe, of Cape Ann, sus- tained tlie loss of an arm. In the month of September, while on a crnise off Cape Sable, tiie Milford fell in with the Provi- dence, of 28 guns, commanded by Captain Paul Jones, An engagement ensued, and continued for several liours, when her opponent was compelled to sheer off. At the close of the year she fell in with the Alfred, of 28 guns, to which vessel Capt. Jones had recently becji appointed. An action took place and lasted for some time, when the Alfred, avail- .NOTKS. 65 ing herself of a hard gust of wind which arose, succeeded in effecting lier escape. Tn March, 1777, the Milford chased the 14-gun brig Cabot, Capt. Joseph Olney, ashore on tlie coast of Nova Scotia, and in June, 1778, being then under the orders of Sii Wm. Burnaby, and attached to the fleet off Bre«t under Admiral Kcppel, she, in company with another vessel, compelled the French frigate Licorne, of 32 guns, to haul down her colors. In August, 1779, she was one of the Channel fleet under Sir Charles Hardy, and was att::ched to the centre division in line of battle. In 1780, Capt. Philip Pattou was appointed to her, and under him she formed one of tho Channel fleet in Torbay, under command of Vice-admiral George Darby. Having become leaky and in need of great repair, Capt. Patton quitted her, and she was soon after broken up. Her place in the navy was supplied by a 74-gun ship, which we find build- ing in the year 1799. . ■ - John Bcitn, who we believe commanded this frigate at the time refer; ed to in the narrative, was made lieutenant in the year 1758; raised to commander, Sept. 13, 17G9, and promoted to the rank of captain on tbe 15th day of October, 1773. In 1770 he commanded tho sloop Hound, of 14 guns, and in 1775 was appointed to the Milford frigate, of 28 guns, which appears to have been his last command. He died (says Schomberg, vol. v., p. 340) in the year 1784. I il ir ''f ! I' I A 66 NOTKS. III ■ 'a If . I ' I I » I ,1 (i.) The following particulara we take from the papers of the day : "Halifax, July 12. This Day arrived his Majesty's Ship Rainbow, Sir Georfre Collier, having brought into this Harbour, the IIa\- cocK Frigate^ commanded by Mr. Mauley ; the following are some Particulars relative to the meeting the Rebel Squadron under Mauley, by his Majesty^s Ship liainbotc, commanded by Sir George Collier. /^N Sunday the 0th July, at Half past 4 in the Afternoon ^-"^ (Cape Sanibro' then bearing X. E. about 12 or 13 Leagues) we discovered three Sail from the Mast-head, which we ininie diatcly gave ehace to, but from the Distance could form no Judgment of their Force, or what they were; the Victor Brig was at thiiH Time in Company, three or four Miles astern, and as her Rate of sailing was mucli inferior to that of the Rain- bow, we made Signal for her to make more Sail, being apprc- jiensive otiierwiso of separating from her ; at Snn-set we had gained so much on the Cliace, as to discover they were large Ships, standing as we were close on a Winrl, which was at W. N. W.. and seemed to us a conclusive Proof that they were bound to some of the Ports in New-England ; we con- tinued the Chace, and nt Daun of Day in the Morning saw them again about three Points on the "Weather-Bow, with a Sloop in Coiiij)any : the i)rest Sail we had carried all Night, had ciicrcased the Distance from the Victor Brig so mucli, that she wa;-: no lor.ger discernable from the Mast-head : — Tlie j^ftMa?:- ^fmrnem XOTKS. G7 Sliijis wc wero in C'liace of, were about live ^^ six Miles distant, ami from many Circumstances wo had no cioubt were jtart of the lie'- ' Fleet, who had sailed some Time Lefore from Boston under the command of Mr. Manlcy ; continuing the Chace, and gaining u[)on them, they quitted their Prize Sloop and set her ou Fire, going otl" in a regular Line of Ihittle-a-head, and setting Top-gallant Royals, and every Sail that could be useful to them. A little after six A.M. another Sail was discovered, stand- ing towards the llehel Shii)s ; she crossed u.s on the contrary Tack, at about four Miles Distance ; and put about, when she could fetch their AV'akcs ; from her not making the ju'icufc Signal, wo had no doubt but tiiat she was another of fho liebel Frigates, and t'lereforc, Si>' Geonjc paid no liegard to an English red Ensig.i she hoist'^d, and two CJuns she fired to the Leewaul. About Ten in the Morning, the Enemy's Ships went .uv ay lasking ; and three Quarters of an Hour afterwards, we were surjirized to sec several Shot exchanged between the Stern- most of them, and the Stranger mIio had last joined, and whom we had hitherto looked upon as another of their Fleet ; we then hoisted our Colours, and soon, afterwards the two Stcrnmost of the Ilebel Frigates liawled their Wind, whilst the Headmost kept away about two Points from it; this brought the English Ship (which we afterwards found to be the Flora) more a bre:nt of them, and she i)assed them to the Windward, cxcliaiiging a l5ron(Nido wlti'. eacli, a;r.l i)ni--;ning es NOTKS. rii ■, I I tlie Fugitive, who from the Alteration two or tliree Times of lior Course, seemed uiicti'tiiiii whieli to steer : Tiic Flora gaiucil fast upon lier, \vliieh slic perceiving, liawled her "Wind again, and soon afterwards tacked and stood after her Com- rades, exclmr: ^" a •' l-sido with tlic Flora as they passed each other, AVc were just ; •• 5 , it>out after the two Ships, when wo observed this, which niati stand on something longer, hifore wo tacked, hoping to get iier within reach of our Guns as she passed us : AVo accordingly did so, hut had not the good Fortune to bring down cither a Mast or Sail by our Fire. ,. "We tacked immediately after her, and soon afterwards saw the head-most Rebel Frigate put about, and pass us just out of Gun-shot to Windward ; she appeared a very fine Ship of 34 Guns and had Rebel Colours liying ; one of the Gentlemen on the Quarter Deck had been a Prisoner lately at Boston, and knew her to be the Ilancocl; on board of whom ManUy commanded, who is the second in Rank in the Rebel Army,* The Ship wo had fired upon, out sail'd us fast ; and soon lifter our tacking kept away lasking ; whilst the other Frigate standing as wc did, kept her Wind ; we then found that one of the three must unavoidably escape, if they steered thus, ditVerent Courses; Sir George tlicreforo judgVl it best to put about after the Ilancocl; who appeared the largest Ship, the Rainbow, passed the Flora very near, who contiinied pursuing the Ship we had fired upon, * Intondpil for Navy.-V.r\. h ■wn \mm '> ii ' NUTKS. 69 it was about two o'clock in the Afternoon (of Monday the Vth of July) that wo tack'd after Mr. Manley, who sccni'd at first rather to out-sail the liainhow, but we understood after- wards that to endeavour making her sail better, he started his Water forward, and by tliat Means put her out of Trim: An Hour before the close of Day, he altered his Course, and kept away large, wo however got so near to him before Dark, as enabled us (by Means of a Night Glass) to keep Sight of him all Xight: — At Dawn of Day she was not nuich more than a Mile ahead of us, soon after Avhicli we saw a small Stiil to Lee- ward, which wo found to bo the Victor Brig, who as wo pass'd fired into the Rebel Frigate and killed one of the Men at the AVheel, but was not able for bad sailing to keep up o, cojne near any more. About four in the Morning we beg.iu firing tho JJoAv Chaco upon her, with occasion9d Broadsi loaded with round and Grape, as we could bring them to bear, some of which struck her Masts and Sails. At half past eight wo were so near as to hail her, and acquaint them that if they expected Quarters, they must strike immediately ; ^[anley took a few Minutes to consider, and a fresher Breeze just then springing up, ho availed liimself of it, by attempting to set some of the steering sails on tho otlier side, we therefore poured a Number of Shot into him which brouglit him to the ex- pected Determination, and he struck the IJebel Colours a little before 9 o'clock in the Morning, after a Cliacc of upwards of no Hours. "We immediately took Possrcssion of her, and sent Part of the .ho is one of the fastest sailing; Ships ever huilt. The Prisoners inform'd us that the Sliip the Flora was in (liase of, was his Majesty's Ship the Fox, of 2H (!;!iis, which Mauley had lately taken on the I'.anks of Xcw Foitndlaiul, after a close and very warm Action of two Hours; the otiicr Frigate was the Boston, of 30 Guns, commanded by McNeill. . . Capt. Fotheringhain of the Fox, and -10 of his People were on hoard tho Hancock, hut his OITicers and some other of the ^len were on hoard the Boston Frigate, and tho Ilemainder ashore at Xew Foundland. After exchanging the Prisoners we found it necessary from their Number being almost as nniny as our own Sliip's Com- pany, to return to this Port. Mauley sccm'd much chagrinM at Iiis not having engaged tiie Rainbow, Avhen ho found she was hut a 40 Gun Sliip, as lie had all along mistaken her for the Raisonable, whom lie knew was verv latelv at Louisbourg. ir- "We hear the Prize Sloop whidi the liel)el Fleet set Fire to when chac'd by the Itainbow, was call'd the Brittania, and laden with coals from Louisbourg for Halifax, Hinxman, Master.'" Ga:nc, JMon: Aug: t, 1777. No. 13 1j. khiL: ^•t)T^;^ 71 " Nkw-Vukk, Anj^'iist 4. AVcdiiesilny last tlio Syrtii Frigate an'nud hvw {'mux Halifax, and lias broiiglit Capt. Fotlicriii;:liam of tiio I'ox, mid altoiit 40 of his Scaiiioii, with Cajitairi Mauley and his first Ijeut. llio hitter coniniandod the Tox when taken hy the l''h>ra. We hear Mr. ^fanloy is on board the St. Albans. A letter from Halifax, dated the l:ith of July, says, '• The iiublic Prints will inform yon of the retaking of the [•'ox Frigate, by the Flora, Capt. IJrisbane, as also the taking of tl.o Hancock, Manley, by the Ilainbow."' Gaine, Mon : Aug: I, 1777. A'o. i;!l">. " IJosTox, April -23. Last Tuesday arrived in town from Xew-York, where he has long been held a prisoner, the brave John Manley EsTIS. 73 (lo) Tliroiigh the courtesy (if M. M. .IiirkKo:i, lv-(|., U. S. Consul ut llulirikx, the following particulars, furnlHhcil by Keainisli Munlock, Ks(|., thu llistorlaii of Nova Scotiu, hiivc been placed at our coiumaml : "On the west or iipi>«.T siile of I lollis street, not far from tlio Ilaliftix Hotel, Hiiro is an old wooden l)uildinjr, now in ruins, wliich is known as tlic OldJaif,"' in wliich Etlicn Allen, lion. Jan. I.ovell and others arc said to have been confined, and which is thought to have been the building alluded to in tlie text. " Tills building, as ori^^" lally built, was a long, one- story house, with a sharj) pitched roof, running perhaps 50 to CO feet in length from the street to the end of the lot. It stood on a rongh kind of stone wall which elevated it a few feet, (perhaps six feet) above the ground, and stejis were attached tc the building outside, not on the street, b\it witbin the enclosure. It was nsed as a prison not only during the Revolution but also in 178((. About 150 yards from the Jail, stood in the last ccntHry, a brick building built by Malachi Salter, which was at one time nsed as a Sugar House. It was situated at the corner of Salter and Pleasant streets. It is not known toliavc been used as a prison," The following notices of the " 0/. '• Sai.km, Jan. 10. Since our last a (\utol arrivej from Halifax with npwaids of lOD prisonpi-s, m.my of thciu in a very cmaciatcil, siclsly condition. l''ivc of the number which canio out, died on tlio passage." Pennsijlvatiij Puc'ivt, Ti'utrs., J-'i'b. 7, ITf^l. ill ' " : ! (n) Til,? l>(isT.>x \v:is ()!K> of t.lic 13 vessels autiiorized to be liiiilt 1)\' resolution of Congress of Dee. 13, 17T5, and was one of tlte two frigates wliieh were ordered by that resolve to Ise eonstrueted in Mussaeliiisctts. She mounted 24 guns, and was bunu'hed at or near iioston in 1770. Siic was plaecd under the command of Capt. Heetor MeXeil, and soon after sailed on a eruise. She was in company with the IFancoek in June, 1777, when the Fox frigate was taken, and also at the tinie when the liainbow was first discovered, but made her o.eca])c wltliont aflordiug her comra le any assistance. After her return to port, she was placed under the conniiand of Capt. Samuel Tuc:ker, and continued under his orders as long as she remained in the American service. In the early part of 177S she carried .lohn Adams to France, he having been a|)[)oiuted a commissioner in place of Silas Deane, who iiad been recalled. On her way she captured three very valuable prizes, one of which, the Martha, was laden with bale goods tr> the amount, as was su[)posed, of .£SO,OiiO. As Mr. Adams was upon urgent ba-iness, the Ho-ito:i was not, able to re:nai.; wilh her prize. ,. -i***-,-' NOTES. 75 iiiul it was subsequently retaken by the Rainbow. Tlic Boston on ]ior voyage made several narrow escapes from destruc- tion. Among other dangers, she was struck by lightning, which shattered her mast and came very nigh blowing her up, the fire when extinguislied having nearly reached tlie maga- zine of powder. She reached Bordeaux, however, on the 1st April, in safety, and in consequence of the treaties of connnerco and alliance having been signed before the arrival of Mr- Adams, that gentleman soon returned in her to America. On tlio Oth Aug., 1770, tiie Boston, in company with the ship Doano, Capt, Samuel Xicholson, cai)tured off the capc?^ of Virginia, the ship G'encairn, from Glasgow, of 20 guns and 30 men ; on the 12th took the Sandwich packet from Xcw York, bound to Falmouth, Eng., of IG guns and GO men ; on the 23(1 made a prize of the brigantinc Venture, from Madeira, of 2 guns and 20 men ; and on the 24-th captured the Thorn, of 18 guns, but mounting only 1+, and having a crew of 135 m-'u. During the latter part of 1779 and the tore part of 178it, the Boston formed one of the squadron of Commodore Abra- ham Whipple, that cruised along the Houthcrn coast, capturing a innnbcr of merchant vessels. AVliilo thus employed, she, with other American ships, on the appearance of the ]$ritisli Heet, put into Cliarleston, S. C, for safety, and on the surren- der of the city, ^lay 12, 1780, slio was one of the vessels that were captured by the enemy. G.M'T. lliarroi: MiNicii. was appointed iiy C'ongiess to the counnand of the Boston frigate, .June 15, 1770. lie was with ^it ' 70 XoTErf. ;/ ; v.- iii'i 1 1 Cajil. Manly lit tlio takiiifx of the Fux, Imt wla'ii tlio Ilaiiiltow and riitra liovo iii viow, ho soii^lit liis own safety in ll'iLrlit, rendering Iiis coinpanidn no assistance wiiatover. A court- martial was sliortly afterwards lield iqion liis cuiulin't, wIk'Ii lieing found guilty of I'dwunlico, he was dismissed tlic service fort hwi til. (ij) TiiH is not tlic only ocoaHion whi'ii a deceased American prisoner was so interred. We give another instance, occurring much nearer lionic. "On the 4th day of Feb., IStl, some workmen, while engaged in digging away an emliaiikmont in Jackson street, near the Xavy Yard, accidentally discovered a (juantity <»f human bones, amon;: wiiich, horrible to relate, was a skeletoii, iiaving a pair of iroi>, nxtti'ich's stiJl upon the irriufs."' TiKnnpson's Hitt. of Long Iilaml, vol. i., i). '21 1. II (la) The GiiKviiocM) was registered as a sixth-rate, carried 2i guns, and was built about the year 1775, as successor to a 20-gun shii» which was broken up about that time. In the year 177f», our vessel was placed under the command of C'apt. Archibald Dickson, and ordered to Xorth America. She pro- ceeded to Halifax, Xova Scotia, where she took General Howe on board as a passenger, and tlien sailed for Xew York, arriving at Sandy Hook on the 2otli day of June. In the month of August following, she co-operated with the iJritish army In the reduction of New York, and was one of the I: I NOTES. I I tVigates stntioncj in Gravescnd Buy on tlie 22(1 of tliat month, to cover the landing of the troops. In 1779 slio was one of tlio sijuadron of 8ir George Collier, aial in the month of Angiist, assisted iu the signal destruction of the American siiuadron, under Commodore Saltonstal, in Penobscot 13ay, soon after which slie returned to England witli despatches. In tiie latter part of tlie year she composed one of the fleet of Sir George i>. llodney, in tlic West Indies, at which time slie wa-* under tlie orders of Capt. William Fookes, who was succeeded ia conunand of her by Cajit. William Fox. Under the latter ollicer the Greyhound was lost upon the South Sand Head in the year 1781. ller crew were saved. She was succeeded iu the service hy a 3()-gun frigate of the same name, which we llnd building at IJetts' Yard, in Mistleythorne, in the year 1783. (ii) Aim iiiiiAi.i) DicKsox was made lieut., Sept. 10, l75',t; commander, Jan. 10, 1771 ; and raised to rank of ca[)t. in 177;>. In 1771) he was appointed to the (ireyhuund frigate, and con- tinued in iier for the usual jieriod. lie carried home the particulars of the destruction of the American fleet in Tenol)- scot Bay, and was presented by the British Admiralty with i,'500 for the intelligence he brought. In 1783 he connnanded the Dublin, of 7-1 guns ; in 1787 the Goliali, of the same force, then employed as a guard-ship ; and in 1793 the Egmont, also of 74 guns, lie was made rear-admiral of the white in 1794-, vice-admiral of the blue in 17!*"), admiral of the bhu' in 18ol, and .\pril lo, l.S(i2, was created a baronet. He . (,r,) John' Byijo.v, second son of Williani, the fourth Lord Byron by Frances, his third wife, 2(1 daughter of AVilliam Lord B7Hi*arr m^ i\oTi:>. 79 Herkoley, of Stratton, was born "Sow 8, 17'2:l. lie served as a inid^hipinan under Commodore Anson on his voyage round tlie world, and had tlio misfortune to be cast away in tlic "W'aj^er, on a desolate island, off the coast of Chili, where ho sufl'ered great hardships, an affecting account of which will bo found in hid " Xarrativc," to which we refer the reader. On the 30tli Doc, 17-i(), he was made post-captain, and appointed to the Syren frigate. In 1753 he commanded the Augusta, of CO guns, and in 1757 the America, of the same force. In the s[>ring of 17(J0 he commanded the Fame, of 74 guns, and u'as employed in the scjuadrou which co-operated with tlio army at the conquest of Canada, where he rendered important service. In 1704 ho made a voyage to the South Sea, and on the 3d June, 17C9, was ajipointed Governor of Xewfoundland. In March, 1775, ho was made Rear-ad. of the blue, and in ^lay, 1777, Hear of the white. In Jan., 1778, he was made Yice-ad. of tlio blue, and was soon after appointed to the connnand of a largo .siiuadron, and ordered to Xortli America, lie sailed on the 0th of June, and on the 3(1 of Ju'y, a violent galo ot wind arose, which dispersed his squadron. Admiral Uyron, witli his flag on board tho Princess lioyal, arriving alone off Sandy Hook on tho 18th of August. lie thence sailed for Halifax, where be found ono of his squadron that had arrive ' before bini. The remaining ships caino in ono by one, sickly crews and damaged rigging. lie was tbonco orden > the West Indies, and his action there with D'Estaing, Jn'^ yron, one of iiis sons, was father to the celebrated poet. r^ J (,i) The Phi N( less llov.vi. was registered as a 2d rate, car- ried 98 guns, and was built at Portsmouth in 17":}. Her length of gun-deck was 177 ft. in., of keel, 1-15 ft. 5 in., breadth, 50 fl in., depth in hold, 21 ft., tons, 1,07;}. In 1777, on the prospect of a rupture witii France, Capt. Mark Milhank was appointed to command her ; in May Vicc-iidmiral Byron lioisted his flag on board, and on the 5th of June of the follow- ing year, she sailed in a strong s(piadron for America. In 1770 she was commanded by Capt. William Blair, and on the Cth of July was in the action off Grenada with the French fleet, under D'Estai.ig, wh.cn she Iiad 3 of lior crew kllied and wounded. She returned home soon after. In Dec. she bore the Hag of Kcar-ad. Ilyde Parker, and in the following year com^.o.scd one of tlie fleet of Sir George Rodney, in the actions with the French fleci. under Comte de Ciiiichen. in 1781 she was stationed at Jamaica, and she returned home in November. In 1782 she was nndiT the (irders of Jonathan Faulkner, and NOTES. 8L ill Sept. t'ulluwiiig, sailed in the llect of Lord llowo to liio relief of (lihrultiir. In tlio action with the French and Simnish fleets otV Cai)e Spartel, on the 20lti Oct., she had a crew of 750 men, and occnpied the 1st or stai board division in the centre s(inadron in line of battle, which was under the innnediato orders of the commander-in-chief. In Jan., 1783, she was at I'ortsmouth, composing one of the lleet on that station, under Sir Tliomas Pye, Admiral of the white. In 17!)0, on a rui)tnre with Spain being apprcliendcd, Sir "William Ilotham hoisted Ills flag on board her as commander of the rear division of the Channel fleet, but the dispute being acconunodatcd, the fleet was dismantled, and Admiral Ilotham struck liis flag. In 179;] she was one of the scpiadrou of Vice-admiral Cosl)y ; in the following year was under the orders of John Child Purvis, and formed one of the ^leditcrranean fleet, under T.ord Hood. In I7t).j Ilear-ad. Goodall had Jiis flagon board lier, and slic bore a i>art in the engagements with the French, March 11 anil July IHtli, occupying, in the first engagement, the st.ar- board division in the van hipiadron, and having a crew of 700 men, of which 8 Averc killed and 8 wounded. In 1790, being tlieii still under Capt. Purvis, she bore the flag of Vice-ad. Uol)ert Linzec, who was commander of a sipuidron in the Mediterranean, under Sir John Jervis, Admiral of the blue. In the following year she Avas under the orders of Capt, l.)!in Draper, and was tlie flag-ship of Sir John Orde, Rear-admiral of the white. In 1799 Capt. J. "\V. T. I*ickson was in com- mand of her, at which time she bore llie Hag of Pear-ad. ''I 82 NOTKS. I! » TlioiUiis I,. FreiltM'ick, and in .Jnly slic returned lionio and went into repair. Alter coming out of dock, Tlionms M. Iius- sel was aiii>ointcd to lier, and in 1800 slic was one oi' tlie lloet of Admiral Lord IJridport, employed on liomc service. In 1801 slic was imder the orders of Cai)t. D. Atkins, and was the flag-ship of Sir Erasmns Gower, who hold a connnand in the Cl:annel fleet; in 1803 she was under Capt. James Vashon, and in the year after Avas refitting at Chatham. In 1800 she was commanded by Capt. II. C. Iteynolds, and she appears to have been broken up or otherwise disposed of about the year 1810, Mai!k Mii.nANK-, said by some to have commanded this ship at tliis time, was tlie 3d son of Ualpii Milbank, Bt., of llalnaby, York Co., and was born about 1721. Jle was made com- mander Sept. 13, ITK!, and capt.. May 21, 1748. lie was advanced to Rear-admiral of the white, Marcli I'.t, 1770, to Vice of the blue, Sept., 20, 1750, and in 1793 became a full admiral. He died • 'i the 10th June, 1805, from a fall over the stair- case of Jiis Jioiisc. in the 84th year of his age. «i(.) ^iiJ IiK';iAi!i> llrciUKS was the son of Sir Ilivbard llnghes, fur many years commissioner of tlie Dock yard at Portsmonth, and was born in l)o|)tfonl, Kent Co., Kng., in 1729. Wiieii yet a boy, ho went to sea as a midsiiipnian, witli Ills fatiier, and i i 1741 servoil in the Mediterraneaii, under Admiral Mattliows. So young was lie at tiiis time, tiiat lie •^ H ■; KOTES. 83 was iimU'r tlio iicpossity of shaving liis lioail and wearing a wliig to obtain a inaiily appearance. In 1715 ho was made a liout., anil was proinotoil to tlie rank of captain, Nov. 10, IT")!!. He subsequently conunandecl tlie Fox and Tiianies frigates, and in 1708 was appointed to tlie Firn!, of GO guns, then a guard-sliip at Plymontli, After quitting tiiis siiip, lie was nuuie oapt. of the Worcester, of 04 guns, and in 1777 moved into the Centaur, a 74, tlien employed on tlie liome station. Ue was afterwards appointed l.ieut. Crovcrnor of Xova Scotia and com- missioner of the Dock-yard at Halifax. Tliis statioa he filled until his promotion to Kear-ad. of the blue, Sept. 20, 1780, about which time he succeeded, on the death of his father, to the title of baronet. iJnring his stay at Halifax, hu caused the woods to be Inspected and surveyed, obtained masts, s[)ars and other naval stores for the government dockyards, on the most advantageous terms, and his conduct otherwise was so meritorious, that on his return home he was lionored by the king with a private audience, and received his Majesty's thanks. Ho became Vice-ad. of the blue in 1790, and on the 14th Feb, 1799, was raised to Admiral of the white. He died on the .'Jth day of -Tanuary, 1812. Sir Hichard was an active and gallant oflieer, and in priwatelife possessed all the qualities of a well-bred gentleman. He had a taste for the belles Icttres, and possessed also considerable poetical talent. His wife, to whom he was united about 1700, was the grand-niece of the celebrated Sir Hans Sloane, and daughter of Hans Sloano, Esq., M.P., a wealthy and respectable Commoner. 84 NOTES. f.*. jl ':) lin (ij) Tlio IIazaim) w.is a British sloop-of-\var, iiiountinjr 8 puns, aiul appears to liavc been built about 1703. In 1707 she vras under the orders of I)eius Every, and was '.a tlio fleet of Vice-admiral lIurno, on lionio service. In 17C9 sho was commanded by Tiios. Tremblo, and was at Siieerness, and in 1770 was under tlie orders of Janio-i Orrock, wlio was suc- ceeded in command of her by John Ford. In 177H and tho year following, she was commanded by Alex. Agnew, in 1780 by G. A. Pulteney, and in tho year following by I. Telle w. Slie appears to have been removed from service soon after- wards. Ai-KXANDEU A(i.\Kw was made licut., Aug. 7, 17C1, and raised to commander, Xov. 20, 1771. In 1779 he commanded tiie Hazard sloop, and in Hf^l was in command of tlic sloop Fury of 10 guns. IIo .appears to have died or retired from tho service .about 17y2. (iu) TuE I reach fleet, umlor M. D'Orvilliers, consisting of 28 sail of tlic line and sever.al frigates, sailed from IJrost, .lunc -i, 1770, for Cadiz, where it formed a junction witii tlio Spanish fleet. The combined fleet, consisting of CO sail of tho lino, on the 15th Aug. following, escaping the notice of tho English fleet, under Sir Charles Hardy, then cruising in tlio soundings, sailed up the English Channel, and paraded for three days before Plymouth, insulting the English coast, capturing several coasting vessels, and bidding defiance to the whole NOTES. 85 iijivy. Tliis circiiinstuncc greatly tarnished the luivul charac- ter of England. (ji) The PiaxcESS Amelia was registered as a 3d rate, carried 80 guns, and was built in 1757. In the year tbllowing slio w.os coniniandcd by Capt. John IJray, and composed one of the lleet, under Adtniral Boscawen, at tho reduction of Lcwisbourg and Quebec. In Sept., 1759, she was under tiie orders of Stephen Colby, was the flagship of Thomas Brode- rick, IJear-ad. of the white, and formed one of the fleet of Sir Edward llawke that was fitted out against Iloehfort. and tho following year she was under Capt. .James Montague, in Admi- ral IJoscawen's fleet in Quiberon Bay. In tho spring of 1701 she was in the squadron of Cai)t. Matthew Buckle, stationed olf Brest, to prevent supplies being sent to Belle Isle, and the year after she was under the orders of Capt. Viscount Howe, was the fiagshi[) of the Uuke of York, and composed one of tiie fleet sent in quest of M. de Ternay, and subsequently one of tlie fleet of Sir Charles llurdy, that made a cruise in the bay. In 1703 she was under Cai>t. II. A. Tyrrell, and in 1700 was at rortsmouth. We find her on that station until 1772, when she was commanded by Capt. Samuel Marshall, was the flag-ship of Vice-ad. fieo. IJ. Rodney, and stationed at JaTiiaica. In the latter part of the year she returned home, and was laid up at r((rtsmouth. On tlic .approach of a rn]»t;irc with France, which took pluce in 1778, Capt. Digby Dent was api)ointed to her, and slie formed one of the fleet tiien littinir i IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ 1.0 I.I 11.25 UIM |2.5 |5o ■^™ H^H Sf "^ IS u iiii ■UUU m ^ Iiiiii4 p> vl Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 MEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 i'i -'t 80 XOTKS. I.t. i III': m h * • for sea at Portsmontli, at which tinif 8h- Thomas Pye liad his llajj; uu hoard. In IT^sO she was commaiKk'd hy Capt. John JlfCartiiey, and was one of the lleet of Admiral Cieary, tlioii cruising in the Soundings, and the year after, she was the fhig- ship of Sir Tlyde I'arker, and horo a part in the action with tlie Dutcli fleet, under Ilear-ad. Zontman, off the Dogger Baniv, Ang. 5. In this engagement, C'apt. McCartney and a gunner wcro k\\ ^d and three lieuts. wounded. After the deatli of I.rcCartney, the command of the ship was given to John MclJride, and she returned Jionio soon after tho battle. In June, 1782, being tlien under tho orders of ]}illy Douglas, slic formed one of the sartel, Oct. 20th, she was in the 1st or starboard division in line of battle, which division was conniiandcd by Vice-ad. Harrington, whose flag-ship she then was. In this engage- ment, she had 20 of her crew killed and wounded. After this she returned to England, and was put out of connnission. On the commencement of the war with France, in 1793, she was again i>ut in service, being thou under the orders of Capt. John Hollo way, and the flag-ship of Vice-ad. Lord Ilotham, who was appointed tiio second in command of the Mediterranean fleet, under Lord Hood. On the return of the latter to Eng- land in Xov., 1794, the command of the Sfpiadron became invested in Vice-ad. Hotliam, who was eniploycd during the winter in watching the enemy's ports, scouring tlieir coasts, and atlbrding protection to British commerce, and in the montii of November, of tlie fullov.ing year, she returned home, M NOTi:S. 89 and was again laid up. la Jiinnan-, 179C, Capt. Sluiklliaia Pearl was appointed to lier, and in May following lie was suc- ceeded by Capt. Thomas Foley, witii Yicc-ad. Sir Ilydo Parkei-'s flag. In April, 1797, slic was the Hag-ship of Ciiarles Thomson, Vicc-aJ. of the blue, and was doing duty in the Mediterranean, being ono of the fleet stationed there, under the command of Sir John Jervis, Admiral of the blue. In tiic month of June, Capt. Edward Marsh was appointed to com- mand her, shortly after which she was fitted up as a hospital- ship, at Portsmouth, and placed under the orders of Lieut. Matthew Connolly. In this capacity we find lier in the year 1798 and 1799, and perhaps for several years later. In the year 1803, on the commencement of hostilities, liaving been thoroughly overhauled, sho was jdaced under the commaiul of Earl Xorthesk, and proceeded to tlio Channel, where she served in the fleet stationed there till the following year, when her capt., being promoted Rear-ad. of the white, he soon after hoisted his flag on board lier, and continued on the same service till August, 1805, when he was detaahed with a squad- ron, under Sir Robert Caldcr, to reinforce the fleet of Admiral CoUingwood, off Cadiz. Tiio Britannia was subsequently in the engagement oflt' Trafalgar, where sho was the 4th ship in the lee line in action, and in a short space of time completely dismantled a French ship of 80 guns. She afterwards, singly, engaged and kept at bay three of the enemy's van ships, that were attempting to double upon the Victory, at that time warndy engaged with two of the enemy, and mucli disabled. 00 NOTE?. r Oil tills occiislon the loss of tiic nritanniii was 52 killed and wonndod. Soon after the enpigenieiit, the Britannia returned to England, and was not ajjain put into commission. SIio appears to liave been broken up about 1813, at wliicli time wc find building at Plymouth a 120-gun ship of the same name, the successor to the subject of our notice. Cii.vni.i..-, MoiMCE Poi.E was the 2d son of Reginald Pole, Ec(<., of Stroke Damarell, and Avas born Jan. IS, 1Vj7. IK- was made lieut. in 1773, and obtained post-rank, March 22, 1770. Ho was made Kcar-admiral of the blue, June 1, 17'J5, Vice- admiral in 1801, and knighted about the same time. In 1805 lie was raised to Admiral of the blue, and in 1818 received the Grand Cross of the Bath. He died about the year 1830. (=3) Siii Thomas Pvf, was made Cai>t., April 13, 174-1. In 1745 he was one of the members of the court martial convened at Port Mahon for the trial of Capt. Ilichard Norris. lu 1748 he was appointed to the Xorwich, in the following year to the number, and in the year after was one of the members of the court martial held for the trial of the mutineers on board the Chesterfield. In Feb., 1752, lie was appointed to the Advice, of 50 guns, and sent to the West Indies as Commodore on that station. He continued there until 175G, when he was super- seded by Commodore Frankland. Charges having been made against him by Mr. Frankland, our oflicer, in 1758, was brought to a court martial at Portsmouth, when he was reprimanded XOTES. 91 for iniscoiiduct. In July followin;^ lie was inuilc llcar-.iil. of tlio blue; in 17o9, Hear of the white; in 17C0, Rear of the red; and in 1702, was advanced to Vice-ad. of the blue. In ITOi ho wa^ appointed Port-admiral at Plymouth, and after serving some time in that position, was again sent to the Leeward Island station, where lie remained until 1770, when he returned home. On the 28th of October following, he was made Vice-ad. of the red, and early the succeeding year was sent to the Mediterranean as commander of a small sfjuadron. On his return home he was appointed commander-in-chief at Portsmouth. On the 25th of June, 1773, when the king reviewed the fleet and dockyards at that station, our oflicer received the honor of knighthood, and was raised to the rank of Admiral of the blue. On the 28th of Jan., 1778, he was advanced to Admiral of the wliite, and in the same year he acted as President of the court martial held at Portsmouth for the trial of Admiral Keppel. In 1779 he again commanded at Portsmouth, and in 1780 was made Lieut.-general of marines, lie died at Marylcbone, Feb. 23, 1785. Admiral Pye was one of those men of ordinary cap.icity, on whom fortune, not merit, often bestows the highest honors. "Witii an awkward ligure, and an address by no means ])leasing, ho was fond of show, and much addicted to intrigue ; and to a narrow under- standing and shallow attainments, he united an inordinate degree of personal vanity and supercilious consequence. It is painful to see one, who was never signalized by any brilliant achievcmont, rise, by rapid strides to naval rank, and the ■■'! m m ;i 02 NOTKS. really brave and worthy tar i)ine away in angnisli anil despair, and die unnoticed and f(jr},otten. (j4) The PmxcKss IIoyal Indiaman was captured by the French in tlie Straits of Siinda, in the year 1793. At tiie time of her capture, she was under the command of J. Ilorncastlo. (■ii) \Vc fin:l tlic folio ving notices of two of these ships : "Tiie Ceres, Ilawke, and other East India ships, arrived at C'ntokhaven, in Ireland, in December, 1T81." GenlUmcn'i Magazine, 1 "»■ 1 . "Tin llawkc sailed for IJengal on the lOth of November, 1783, and was to be returned from thence to Bombay with a cargo of rice, and then to proceed to China." Gentlemen's Jl/.ig'ar/nf, 17 ;3. (20) The English East India Company was incorporated by Qneen Elizabeth in IGOO, and was c;ni)owered to carry on an exclusive trade with "all those new countries to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope." About the year 1098, application being made to Parliament by private merchants for laying this trade open, ai^ act was passed empowering every subject of England, upon raising a sum for the supply of government, to trade to those parts. Upon this, a great many persons sub- scribed, and the association thus formed, was called the New East India Comiiany. The old company, being masters of all the forts on the coast of India, the New Company found it KOTliS. 03 to their interest to iinito with tlieiii, which tliey diil, ami tlio trade was licncefortli carried on Avith tho joint stock, under I 10 stylo of the United East India Company. Tiic coinj)any Avas formed for purely commercial purposes, and during tho iirst hundred and fifty years of its existence, retained its com- mercial character, only combining with it so much of warlilcc enterprise and precaution as was necessary to secure its riclily laden ships from being plundered by the fleets of pirates that infested the Indian Seas, and its factories from being burnt or pillaged in tho never-ending wars and rebellions among the native chiefs. The company, liowcver, gradually became a corporation of conquerors, and then assumed all the functions of the government of an immenso empire, surrendering gradu- ally the operations of traffic to individual merchants, who traded under tho shelter of its power. Tho discipline prac- ticed on board tlio East India ships was extremely .Severe. The charter of the company cxi)ired within a few years past. {■:■:) The following articles wc take from the ncwapapors of tlic dny : " London', August 5. " As every Rebel, who is taken prisoner has incurred tho pain of death by tho law martial, it is said that government will charter several transports, after their arrival at Boston, to carry tho culprits to the East Indies for tho Company's service, as it is tho intention of government only to punish the ring- leaders and commanders capitalli/, and to suffer the inferior 94 NOTKS. P [in fill III h IJebcls to rcdc'om tlioir lives hy oiitcrinj? into tlie East India Company's! sorvico. Tliis translation will only render them more useful subjects than in tlieir native country." l|l :|I H> !(< If * * HoHa' N. Y. Journal, Thurs., Oct. 19, 1775. No. 1711. " .V LeTTEIS from IIeNMAMIX FitANKI.IV AXD SlI.AS pEANE, EsQiiiiEs, TO I.oni) Stoi;most, the ExciMsii Amuassadou AT Pa1!IS. Pauis, April '2, 1777. My Lord, — We did ourselves the lionor of writing some time since to your Lordsliip on the subject of exchanging prisoners; you did not condesceiul to give us any answer, and therefore wc expect none to this : we however take the liberty of send- ing you copies of certain depositions which we shall transmit to Congress, whereby it will be known to your Court, that the United States are not unacquainted with the barbarous treat- ment their people receive when they have the misfortune of being your prisoners liere in Europe ; and that if your conduct towards us is not altered, it is not unlikely that severe repri- sals may be thought justifiable, from the necessity of putting some check to such abominable practice. For the sake of Inimanity it is to be wished that men would endeavour to alleviate as much as possible the unavoidable miseries attending a state of war. It has been said, that among the civilized nations of Europe the ancient horrors of that state are much diminished ; but the compelling men by chains, stripes and famine to fight against their friends and .fc«- — - * ^ KOTKS. 05 relations, is a new mode of barbarity wbich yonr nation alone has tiie honor of inventing, and the sending American i)risoners of war to Africa and Asia, remote from all probability of exchange, and where they can scarce hope ever to hear from their families, even if the unwholesomeness of the climate does not put a speedy end to their lives, is a manner of treating captives, that you can justify by no other precedent or custom, except that of the black savages of Guinea. A\'e are, your Lordship's most obedient humble Servants, 15. Fraxki.ix, Lord Viscount S. Deaxe. iST01!M0XT.'' " To the above letter tlie following insolent reply wr.s miu'e : " 'The King's Ambassador receives no Letters from IJebels, except when they coiuo to ask mercy.' " Coi'Y OF THE DeI'OSITIOXS AUOVE r.EFElIUEl) TO. "The Deposition of Eliphalet Downer, Surgeon, taken in tlie Yankee privateer, is as follows : That after he was made prisoner by Captains Iloss & llodgc, who took advantage of the generous conduct of Capt. Johnson of the Yankee to them his prisoners, and of the confidence ho jdaced in them iU consequence of that conduct and their assurances, he and his countrymen Avere closely confined, yet assured that on their arrival in port they should be set at liberty, and these assurances were repeated in the most solemn manner, instead of which, on their a[)proac!i to land they were. i , J)0 ^■o^t;s. in tlio liot weather of Aujjiist, shut up in a small <'aliin, tlic Aviiulows of wiiich were spiked down and no uir admitted in, s> much that they were all in danger of snft'oeatioii from the excessive heat. Three or four days after their arrival in tho river Thames, they were relieved from this situation in the middle of the night, hurried on board a tender and sent down to Shecrncss, where tho deponent was put into tho Ardent, and there falling sick of a violent fever in consequence of such treatment, and languishing in that situatiou for sonic time, he was removed still sick to the Mars, and notwithstand- ing repeated petitions to be suftered to bo sent to prison on shore, ho was detained until having the appearance of a morti- fication in his legs, ho was sent to Ilaslar hospital, from w hence after recovering his health, he had the good fortune to make his escape. AVhile on board those sliips and in the hosiiital, he was informed and believes that many of his countrymen, after experiencing even worse treatment than he, were sent to the East Indies, and many of those taken at Quebec were sent to the coast of Africa as soldiers." "The Deposition of Captain Seth Clark, of Newbury Port, iu the State of Massachusetts-Bay, in America, is as follows: That on his return from Cape Nichola Mole to Newbury Port, he was taken on the 17th of September last by an armed Schooner in his Britannic Majesty's service, Coals, Esq., Commander, and carried down to Jamaica ; on his arrival at which place, he was sent on board the Squirrel, another armed f , N< iTE.^. 0< vessel, Doiiglii^a, Esq, Commamlcr, wlicrc, nltliotifrli master and Imlf owner of the vessel in which lie was taken, lie was turned as a common sailor before the mast, and in that situation sailed for Enj,dand in tiie month of Xovember, on the 25th of which month tliey took a schooner from Port a Pe to Charlestown, South Carolina, to which i>laco she belonged, when the owner Mr. Burt, and the nuister Mr. Bean, were brought on board; on the hitter's denying he had any ship papers, Capt. Douglass ordered him to be stripped, tied up an0 (30) Wc find the following notice of this sliip in one of the papers of the day : "London-, Oct. 31. Capt. Rogers, of the Stonnont, East Iiuliamaii, on her pas- sage to St. Helena, took a French snow under American colors, of -vvhich he first learned of liostilities hcing commenced hetwecn England and France. Capt. IJogert-:, thinking himself in danger of being taken, if lie continued with his prize, released her, joined the other sliips, and acquainted them witli tlie dangerous situatioTi they were in, but fortunately saw no l)rlvatcers or French men-of-war."' Holt's N. Y. Journal, JMon., March 1, 177!>. (ao) The IkEXOwx w'.is a 4tli rate, carried 50 guns, and was built in 1774 as successor to a 40-gun ship whidi had l)ceii broken up. In 1775 our vessel was placed under the orders of Capt. Francis Banks, and ordered to North America, and in tlie following year she formed one of the fleet of Vicc-ad. Lord Ilowe on tisat station. In September she was one of the squadron under Sir Peter Parker that co-operated with tlio army under Sir William Howe, in the reduction of Xcw York. On the 18tli day of June, 1777, Capt. Banks died wiiile in command of his vessel, and was succeeded by John Bour- niaster. In the following year slie was under the orders of George Dawson, and in the month of August, was one of Lord Howe's fleet ofl" Sandy Ilook, in the presence of tlio Frencli fleet. Here she fell in with the Tonnant, of 84 guns, and gave lior several broiidsities. but otiier Frendi vessels coming up, .5 10 ^> NOTKS. 1 1 111 I tlic Renown was oliliged to sliocr oft". Subsequently she engaged the Langueiloe, of 90 guns, D'Estahig's own ship, whicli had lost all her masts, and in that condition was met by Capt. Dawson, who attacked her with resolution, pouring several broadsides into her, carrying away her rudder, and doing he*^ othev damage, but the darkness of night prevented him from taking her. On the 5tn day of July, 1779, the Renown was one of a squadron, under Sir George Collier, that co-operated with a body of troops, under Mnjor-Gencral Try on, in the destruction of Fairfield, Norwalk and Greenfield, and in February, 1780, she was one of a squadron that sai'ed from New York, under Vice-ad. Arbuthnot, to co-operate with Sir Henry Clinton in the reduction of Charleston, South Caro- lina. In 1781 she was under the command of John Henry, and in December of that year, she formed one of a squadron, under Rear-ad. Kempenfelt, that was sent to intercept the French West India convoy, which had sailed from Rrcst, under the command of M. de Guichen. In 1782 and the following year she was one of the squadron in North America, under command of Robert Digb\', Rear-admiral of the red. She returned to England at the establishment of peace, and in 1784 was undergoing repairs at Chatham. She appears to have been broken up about 1790, in which vr-a:- avc find her successor, a 7'l:-gun ship, building at Dudman's Yard in Deptford. John HrxnY was made lieut., April 27, lVu7, promoted to conrnander, April 10, 1777, and raised to the ramc of captain |[ I NOTES. 101 on the 22d day of November following. In 1778 he com- manded the 24-gnn ship Fowey, and in the month of May of that year, in conjunction with a land force, under Major Maitland, destroyed the American magazines then erecting in the Delaware, and captured the 32-gun frigate Washington and 28-gun frigate Effingham, besides a brig and a sloop. In 1780 he was promoted to the Providence, of 32 guns, an American frigate captured at Charleston, and in tlie following year was appointed to the Kenown, of 50 guns, in which he continued to the end of the war. Capt. Henry died on the Gthday of August, 1829. (31) The SiiAHK was a British jloop of 16 guns, and was launched at Hull in 1780. Her predecessor had been pur- chased by Sir George Rodney, and sailed with him to the West Indies, but foundered on the way. Kowell Lloyd, her captain, and part of her crew perished. The sloop which is the subject of ciur notice was in 1781 under the command of Isaac Yailliant, and in the year following formed one of the si^uadron in the West Indies, under Commodore Johnston, at which time she was commanded by Robert McDouall. In 1783 she Avas under the orders of John Maitland, and was cruising in the North Seas, and in the succeeding year she was commanded by Valentino Edwards, and employed on home service. She continued under the latter commander for the usual period, and was then put out of commission. In 17l>l she was under the orders of lion. A. K. Lcgge. and wa< .--^A 1 1 » ( ;i 1- 1 1 1 102 XOTK.S. employed as a orniscr in the Eiiglisli and Irisli Cliaiiiiels until 1793, wlien, being imder command of Scory Barker, she formed one of the squadron of Sir Pwichard King, at Newfound- land. She was subsequently under J. O'Brien, and during tha three folbwing years was attached to the squadron of Sir James AVullace, who liad succeeded King as commander on that station. After this, she was on duty in the North Sea, under Francis Warren, and she appears to have been succeeded in 1799 by another sloop of the same name and force. Isaac Vaiixiaxt was the eldest son of Taul Yailliaii^, an eminent bookseller, who held at one time Mie office of SheritV of London. The subject of our note was n.ade lieut., Nov. 25, 17G1; commander, Oct. 8, 1777; and capt, Nov. 23, 1780. In 1777 he commanded the Nabob, an armed vessel, and in 1780 was appointed to the sloop Shark. He was made a superannuated Rear-admiral in 1799, and died at KiackncU Banks, Oct. 25, 1804, aged G5 years. (33) This vessel was lost in November, I8O0, near the island of Fernando de Norhonha, in the South Atlantic Ocean. She was then used as an artillery transport ship. Iler crew and the artillery troops that had embarked in her, were all taken off before she sunk. Brig. -Gen. York, of the artillery, was drowned while endeavoring to reach the shore. (33) The Ampiiitrite was registered as a sixtli-rate, carried 24: guns, and was built in 1778. In the month of May she was NOTKS. loa coiiimaiided by Thos. Guborian. In October, 1779, she was under the command of Cupt. James Montague, and was cruis- ing off the coast of Spain. In 1780 she was under tlie orders of Capt. Robert Biggs, and was one of the sqiiadron, under Rear-admiral Thomas Graves, that sailed on the 17th of May for America. In the year following she sailed from Sandy Hook in Admiral Graves' fleet for the Chesapeake. In March, 1782, she took thr brig Peggy from Virginia, bound to the West Indies, with a cargo of flour, and in April following she took the privateer ship Franklin. In October, in company with another vessel, she captured two brigs laden with lum- ber, a ship with silks, from Bilboa, and a privateer schooner, as Avell as retook two brigs from Virginia, laden with tobacco. She returned to England at the restoration of peace, and went into repair at "Woolwich. In 1793 we And her again in com- mission, she being then under the orders of Capt. Anthony Hunt, 2d, and being one of a squadron of ships that sailed from Spithead for the Mediterranean on the 22d of May, under the command of Vice-ad. Lord Howe. She Avas wrecked soon after reaching her station, by striking upon a sunken rock. Her captain and crew were all saved. She was succeeded in the navy by a 28- gun frigate that was formerly the Pomona, built at Southampton in 1778 and broken up in 1811. Robert Biggs was made lleut., Aug. 7, 1701; commander, Jan. 10, 1771 ; and raised to the rank of captain, March 18, 1778. In 1771 he commanded the Grace, an armed cutter, 101 NOTJiS. 4/ III'! m and in 1774 tlie sloop Favorite, of 16 guns. In 1778 he com- manded tlic Lively, of 20 guns, and on the 8th day of July of that year, having been ordered to watch the motions of the French fleet off Brest, under Gompte D'Orvilliers, npon a fog clearing up, he found himself in the midst of the enemy, whereupon ho was compelled to strike his colors. In 1780 he was appointed to the Amphitritc, of 24 guns, and ordered to North America, on which station he remained till the end of the war, when he returned home. He was made Eearad. of the white in 1795, Vice-ad, of the blue in 1799, and in the year following was raised to Vicc-ad. of the white. He died at Catisfield, Hants, on the 11th day of July, 1803, (34) The Ampuiox was a fifth-rate British frigate, mounting 82 guns, and was i-.unched at Chatham, Dec, 2oth, 1780. Her dimensions were as follows: Length of gun-deck, 12G ft, 1 in.; of keel, 104 ft. 3 in,; breadth, 35 ft,; depth, 12 ft. 2 in.; tons, 079, As soon as she was equipped and ready for service, she was placed under the command of Capt. John Bazcly ; and in the spring of 1781, in company with the Ostridge sloop of war, commanded by Sir Jacob Wheate, and the armed ship Britannia, convoyed to America 23 sail of transports, with about 3,000 German troops, arriving at New York in the month of August, after a passage of 93 days. On the 10th day of September, she formed one of a small squadron, under Capt. Bazcly, which in conjunction with a land force, under Gen. Arnold, destroyed the town of New London, with several NOTKS. 105 magazines of stores, and all the 8hipi)ing in the liarbor. In October following she was one of the fleet, under Rear-ad. Digby, that sailed from New York to the relief of Cornwallis at Yorktown. In tlie line of battle she was one of the frigates attached to the cent o division, which was under the com- mand of Thomas Graves, Hear- ad. of the red. In the month of February, 1782, being on a cruise, in company with the Cyclops frigate, of 28 guns, she captured the Lamblaset, a large French ship, of IG guns, from Guadaloupe, bound to Virginia, and in tlio following month she took the French ship La Favourite, of 16 guns, bound from Bayonnc in France, to Philadelphia. In May following, the Amidiion made a prize of the schooner Governor Livingston, Captain Moses Griftin, bound from St. Vincent to Philadelphia, and in Novem- ber she took a sloop, bound from St. Croix to Rhode Island, where she was owned, conmianded by Capt. Whipple, and laden with a valuable cargo of rum. The Aa.jjhion remained on the American station, under Capt. Bazely, until tiie end of the war, when she returned home. After being overhauled at "Woolwich, Capt. John Brown was appointed to her, and he Avas succeeded by Capt. Ilonry Nichols, who in his turn gave up the command to Capt. Herbert Sawyer, under whom, in 1793, she formed one of the fleet of Rear-ad. Kingsmill, on the Irish station. In the following year she appears as one of the squadron at Newfoundland, under Rear-ad. Sir .James "Wallace. In 1795 Capt. Israel Pellew was appointed to her, under whom she continued a short time at Newfoundlanil, and returned Joe xoTi:?. ,\ IIUl liGiiic tlie following year. She subscciiieutly cruised a short time in the North Sea, and was then ordered to join the squadron of frigates, under Sir Edward Pellew, employed oft* the coast of France. < >n her way tliitlier, having sustained some damage in a hard gust of wind, she put into Plymoutli for repair. She anchored in tlje Sound, Sept. 10, 1T90, and went into the liarbor the following morning. On the 22d, at about haU-past 4 p.m., a violent sliock, like that of an earth- (juake, was felt at Stonehouse, and extended as far olF as the Itoyal Hospital and the town of Plymouth. The sky towards tlie dock appeared red like the effect of a fire, and for nearly a (juarter of an liour the streets were crowded with people running to and fro in the utmost consternation. AVhon the alarm and confusion had somewhat subsided, it was ascertained that the sdiock had been c.iused by the explosion of the Amphion. The upper works in tiie fore part of the ship had lioen blown to atoms, and she had almost immediately sunk in ten fathoms of water. As the ship was expected to sail the next day, there were nearly 300 persons on board at the time of the calamity. About 100 of these were visitors, who had come to take leave of their friends and relatives before tiieir dei)arture. Of the large number on board, not more than 4i) were saved, and the greater ])ortion of tliesc were more or less injured. Capt. I'ellcw, her commander, was severely wounded, but recovered, ('apt. Swaflield, of the Ovcryssel, wlio vvas at dinner with him, was killed, as were also most of the ofticers who wore on Itonrd at the time. Several bodies -HP" NOTES. 107 were picked up by the boats. Most of those who remained alive were conveyed in a mangled state to the Royal Hospital. Arms, legs, and lifeless trunks were collected and deposited at. the Hospital for identification. As the ship had been originally manned from Plymouth, the number of people who were afterwards seen there in deep mourning for their lost relatives, was truly melancholy. The cxplosiv . is supposed to have l)cca caused by the carelessness of the gunner in going among the gunpowder, without using the necessary precautions. The Amphion was succeeded by a frigate of the same name and force, which was built at Betts' yard, in Mistleythorne, in tlie year 1708. Jonx Bazely was born in Dover, in the county of Kent, Eng., about 1740. He entered the navy in 1755, and became lieut., April 7, 17C0. On the 22d Sept., 1777, while in com- mand of the Alert cutter, of 10 guns and CO men, lie captured the brig Lexington, of 16 guns and 84 men, of whom 7 were killed and 1 1 wounded. The Alert had 2 killed and 3 wounded. Tor this achievement he was promoted to the rank of com- mander. On the 15th April, 1778, he was advanced to post- captain in the Formidable, of 90 guns, the Hag-ship of Sir Hugh Palliser, in the fleet under tlie command of Admiral Keppel. In the action off Brest on the 27tli July, he was, of course, present, and his ship had a greater number of killed and wounded than any other of the fleet. Capt. Bazely was subsequently moved to the Pegasus, of 28 guns. On the 8th 108 NOTr:s. I* (till Jan., 1780, lio participntcd in the oaptnro of a valiialile Spatiisli convoy, and on the IGth of the same montli was engaged in the action with the Spaiiisli fleet off Cadiz. He afterwards, for a short time, commanded the frigate Apollo, and was then appointed to the Amphion, of 32 guns, in which he contlnned to the end of the American war. On the retnrn of peace he was appointed to the Alfred, of 74 gnns, thpn a gnard-ship at Ciiatham, and was subbequently imder Howe in the memorable engagctnent of 1st Jnne, 179-t. He afterwards moved to the IJlenheim, of 98 guns, and served in her, under Admiral, Lord llotham, in the Mediterranean. On the 1st June, 1795, he was made Rear-ad. of the white, and by snhsecpient promotions attained the rank of Yice-ad. of the red. lie died at Dover, April C, 1809, at the age of 09 years. It (ji) The "Jeksey " was originally a British ship of the line. She was registered as a 4th-rate, carried CO guns, and was built in 1730, as successor to a 50-gun ship, which had been condemned as unfit for further duty. The first service of our slip was in 1737, when she was one of the Channel fleet, under Sir John Xorris. In 1739 she was commanded by Edmund AVilliams, and composed one of the Mediterranean fleet, under Rear-admirals Nicholas Haddock and Sir C'haloner Ogle, and she was subsequently one of the squadron that was designed against Ferrol. In 17-41 she was commanded by Peter Law- rence, and in March of that year, she bore the flag of Sir Clialoner Ogle, at which time she composed one of the fleet of NOTICE. lOJ) Admiral Vernon, in liis unsuccessful expedition against Car- tl.agena. In 1743 Harry Xorris was appointed to her, who in 1744 was succeeded in conunand of her by Cliarles Ilardv subseciucntly Governor of Xew York. Under this oflicer siio formed, in the following year, one of the Mediterranean lleet, under Vice-admiral Rowley. On the 2Cth of July, while on u cruise off Gibraltar, sho fell in with the St. Esprit, a French ship of 74 guns. ^ i engagement ensued, and lasted for 2}.', liours, when tho St. Esprit, being much damaged, was com- pelled to sheer off. The Jersey being also nnich crippled, was unable to pursue her, and accordingly put into Lisbon for repair. She subsetpiently served in tlio Mediterranean licet, under Admiral Medley, and then returned home. In Oct., 1748, the Jersey was reported as a hulk, and in 1755, after being put into repair at Cliatham, and manned with a crew of 420 men, she was placed under the orders of Sir AVilliam Durnaby, in anticipation of a rupture with France. In 1757 John Barker was appointed to her, and under him sho formed one of tho Mediterranean fleet, under Henry Osborne, Admiral of the blue. In 1759 sho composed one of tho fleet of Admiral Boscawen, in his maneuvers against tho French squadron, under M. de la Clue, and she was one of tho three ships that made the unsuccessful attempt to cut away two of the enemy's vessels in the harbor of Toulon. About the latter part of tho year Amlrcw "Wilkinson was appointed to her, under whom sho composed one of tho Mediterranean fleet, under Vice- admiral Saunders, until near tho termination of the war. In 110 NOTK:^. it i' m 1700 AVilliam I)ickson was iippoiiitcd to ooiiiiiKind licr as cap- ta'ui to Sir Kichartl Spry, who lioistcd his flag on l)oanl, and continued in lier as coniinandor of a small squadron in tho Mediterranean till ITO'?. In tho following year slio sailed from Plymouth for Newfoundland, taking tho Hon. John IJyron, tho newly appointed Governor of that colony, as a jiassenger, and bearing his flag on board. She returned home at tho end of tho year and put into Chatham, where she was Hoon after fitted up as a hospital-ship. She was placed under the orders of Commaiulcr W. A. Ilalstead, and sailed for America in tho spring of 1770, as one of tho scpiadron of Com- modore Ilotham, arriving at Sandy Hook in tho month of August. Sho subsequently was used for a short time as a store-ship, then employed again as a hosj)ital-ship, and finally fitted up as a prison-ship, in which capacity she remained till the termination of the war, wi.en she was broken up and sunk off the Long Island shore, near the site of tho present navy yard. She was succeeded in tho navy by a cutter of the same name, which was launched in 18G0. For further particulars respecting her, the sufferings of the prisoners on board, etc., see " Adventures of Christopher Hawkins," etc., edited by Charles I. Bushnell. 8vo. pp. 316. N. Y., 1SC4. Sec also Appcndi.x to the present volume. (do) Capt. Ben'jamix Ei.lin'gwood was the great-grandson of Ralph Ellingwood, one of the first settlers of Beverly, Mass., His mother's and was the son of Ebenczer Ellingwood, NOTKH. Ill maiden name was Elizabeth Corning. The Miil.jcct of our sketch was born in Beverly, An;,'. Ifi, 175.3, ami died in the West Indies in tho sninnier of 1792. The following is his genealogy, taken from the Town Uccords: UALni Ei.i,iNawoon, married Aug. 21, lO'Jl. Had one son, viz. : EBE.NEZEK Ei.Li.NGWOop, born Aug. 29, 1G97. Married Sarah Tuck, March 23, 1719. Had one son, viz. : Edsnezkk Ellisowood, born Oct. 30, 1719. Married Elizabeth Corning, May 24, 1744. Had one son, viz. : Benjamin Ei.lixgwood, born Aug. 10, 17:>3. Marric, eldest child of John Blatchford and Anna (drover) IJlatchford, that arrived at maturity, Avas born in llockport in 1780. Married Francis Hilton, of Glou- cester, who died at Rockport, 1812. Mrs. Hilton has since remained a widow, and is at this date (1805) living with her daughter, Sarah, in Cambridge, ]\Iass. Her children are as follows : 1. Fkancis . , .l.orn 1^00. .married, 1st, Jtary Pew. 2,1, Sarah Tappan. Still livln^' in Gloucester. I 114 NOTKS. W m I*. 2. S.iRAn bom 1^03. .married, 1st, DaviaMellcn. 2a, Jaraoa Hilton. Still liviiig in Cambridge. 1. William... " ISIO. .unmarried Died. 4. IsaacTl'll. " 1810. .married, 1st, Ilhoda Toole. He died and liia widow married Cbas. Marcbant, wbo died. AViLLiAM liLATcnFOUD, brotlicr of tlie preceding, was born in Rockport, 1788; married (18U), 1st, Bctsoy Foster, daugliter of Nathaniel and Rachel Foster, of Rockport, wlio died, .Jan., 1831. 2d, (1833) Mary Tarr, widow of Robert T- rr, and daughter of George and Sail/ Gott, all of Rockport. William Blatchford was a resident of Rockport, and was a very enterprising seaman. In 1799, when only 11 years of age, ho served on board the "Congress." AVhen past TO years old, he received a land warrant for that service. lie died, .Jan. 20, 18G4. Ilis children were— By his first murriage. 1. Cauolixe Pk;ble.. born June 20, ISl.) Died young. 2. William " Juj^ n, I817. .married Ellen Reid, of Pat- crson, N. J. 3. MAKYPoLLAim.... " Feb. 22, 1819.. " Cbarles Nute, of Dover, N. H. *-^oii^ " Aug.l3,ls2I.. " l,ydia Wbitc, of Casco, Me. r>. A Daughter ... . " July 15, 1823. . Died an infant. C. Xancy <} " Sept. 5, 1S25.. " John Pittec. 7. Elizadeth " Sept. 8, 1S27. . " Daniel Merrill, of Buxton, Me. 8. Dldley Ciioate , D:!C. 12, l^r. 9. X.vTiiAXtELFosTKa. " Nov. 29. 1=*31 . . " Mary Ann Uabson, of Rockport. Mary Findlay. NOTF.S. 115 Bj h:3 Bccond mirriage. 1. Ben-jamix ruAXKi-ix. .bom Jan. ISl".. .marrica Emily Snow. He served in tlio War for tlie Union in 2d Mass. Artillery, and wasproraoted 1st lieut. for gallant conduct. 2. I.rcY SAXDnuv " Sept. 8, 1(S3^ Died young. ;j. Louisa Tostei: '• Xov. 29, 1S41. . .married Henry Martin Lowe, of Rockport, who served in the War for the Union. C'ai)t. Joiiv r>r.ATCiii-oKn, brotlioi- of tlie preceding, ami tlio youngest of tlie diildren of Jolni IJlatcliford, and Anna liis wife, was born in Rockport, 1790; married, 1S09, ]Srargarct Oaken, daiigliter of Benjamin Sope/. Mr. and yhn. Blatchford arc still livin- in Ilockport, in the State of Massaclinsctts. Tlieir children are as follows : I. CuAiii.oTTE FosTEit. . . .bom Dcc. 1, 1S(19. .married, 1st, Lemuel Norwood, keeper of the "Light" on Eastern Point, Gloucester. 2d, Daniel Nor- wood, of Gloucester, -• ^Lu!OAUET Oakes born Dec. IG, ISll. .married William Thurs- ton, of llockport, •!• J""i^ " Oct. l.->, 1812 Died young. 4. Sai.i.v I'osrKii " Apl. 21, 1814. .married John Iloblc, of llockport. 5. Cakomne PuEDr.E " Apl. 28, 1817. .married Benjamin Sopcr Marshall, Jr., of Rockport. 0. Makv CnoATE " Feb. 4, 1821. .married AlbertGiddings Halo. 7. SoiniiA Anduew.s. " Oct. ."5, 1823 Died young. lull lie NOTKS. 8. Nancv Taiik born July 2G, 1S2C. .married James Miinroe Montgomerj-, of BooUiba}', Me. 9- Jo"^' " Oct. 1,5, ls27 Died young. 10. Zelixda Goss " Aug. 2C, 1828. .married Benjamin Reed Montgomery, of Boothbay, M j. 11. Louisa Maiifa Mkm.en-. " Dec. 11. 1833. .married David Tarson.s Boynton, Jr., of Rookport, wbo served in Co. B, oOtU Regt. Mass. Volg., in War for tlie Union, and died in Rockport, i\ov. 3, 18G3. 12. n;;rsi.:v 1'()st:;;i •• Mar. II, l'<3(!. .married John Edmunds, of I'oekport. f '1 fi A P P E N I) I X . The DESTKL'CTIVE Ol'EKATlOX of FOIL All!, TAIMIU) Tlto- V1SIOX8, BAD WaTEI!, «;hZ I'EIiSOXAL FlLTIlINESS, VJ>0)1 IIIMAN Constitutions; cxcmpUfleil in the vnparuUelcJ Cruelty of the Ih'ilhh to the American Captives at Xew-York during the Jievolutionarij TFar, on Board their Prison and HoHpitul Ships. By Captain Alexander Coffin, /««., one of the sur- viving Sufferers: In a Communication to Dr. MiTciiii.r., dated Septemher 4, ISOT. SHALL furnish you witli an account of llio treatment tluit I, Avitli other of my fellow citizens received on board the Jersey and John prison sliips; those monuments of British barbarity and infamy. I shall give you nothing but a plain simple statement of facts that cannot be controverted. And I begin my narrative from tlic time of my leaving tlie South- Carolina frigate. In Juno, 1782, I left the above mentioned frigate in Ibc Ilavanna, on board of wliich siiip I had long served as a mid- shipman, and made several trading voyages. I sailed early in September from Baltimore for the Ilavanna, in a lleet of about forty "^ail, most of which were captured, and we among the rest, by t!ic British frigate Ceres, Cai)tain Hawkins, a man in lis AITKNDIX. every sense of the word a perfect brute. Although our coni- iiuiuder. Cai)taiu Iluglies, was a very gentlemanly man, he was treated in the most shameful and abusive manner by said IlaAvkins, and ordered below to mess with the petty officers. Our officers were put in the cable-tier with the crew, and a guard placed at the hatchway to prevent more than two going on dock at a, time, and that only for the necessary calls of nature. Tho provisions served out to lis were of the very worst kind, and very short allowance even of that. They fre- quently gave us pea soup, that is, pea-water, for tho pease and the soup, all but about a gallon or two, were taken out for the ship's company, and the coppers filled up with water, and just warmed and stirred together, and brought down to us in a strap-tub. And, Sir, I might have defied any person on earth, possessing the most acuto olfactory powers, and tho most refined taste, to decide, either by one or tho other, or both of those senses, whether it was pease and water, slush and water, or swill. After living and being treated in this Avay, subject to every insult and abuse for ten or twelve days, Avc fell in with the Champion British twenty-gun ship, which was bound to Xcw York to refit, and were all sent on board of her. The Captain was a true seaman and a gentleman ; and our treatment ^^ as so difl:erent from what we had experienced on board the Ceres, that it was like being removed from pur- gatory to paradise. His name, I think, was Edwards. "\Vo arrived about tho beginning of October at New-York, and were ininiediately sent on board the prison-ship in a small schooner AITEMJIX. 110 called, ironically cuoiigli, the liclifj] coiumaiulod by one Gardner, an Irishman. This schooner Relief plied between the prlson-slili) and NcAV-York, and carried the water and provisions from the city to the ship. In fiict, the said schooner might emphatically be termed tlie licUef, for tlie execrable water and provisions she carried relieved many of my brave but unfortunate countrymen l)ij death, from the misery and savage treatment they daily endured, IJcforo I go on to relate the treatment wo experienced on board the Jersey, I Avill make one remark, and that is, that if you were to rako the infernal regions, I doubt whether you could find such another set of dtcmons as the officers and men who hud charge of the old Jersey prison-ship. And, Sir, I shall not be surprised if you, possessing those finer feelings which I believe are interwoven in the composition of man, and which are not totally torn from the piece, till, by a long and obstinate per- severance in the meanest, the basest, and crudest of all human arts, a man becomes lost to every sense of honour, of justice, of humanity, and common honesty ;— I shall not be surprised, I say, if you, possessing those finer feelings, should doubt whether men could be so lost to their sacred obligations to their God, and the moral ties which ought to bind them to their duty toward their fellow men, as those men were, who had the charge, and also those who had any agency in the affairs of the Jersey prison-ship. On my arrival on loard the old Jersey, I found there ahout eleven hundred lyrisoncrs ; many of them had been therefrom three to six vionths, but fete 120 APPENDIX. 'I I lircd over that time if they did not get away hy some means cr other. They were generally in the most deplonible situation^ mere uaRing skeletons, without money, and scarcely clothes to cover their nakedness, and overrun with lice from head to foot. The jtrotisions, Sir, that were served out to its was not more than four or fee ounces of meat, and ahout as much bread, all condemned prov isions from their shi2)s oficar, which no doxibt were supplied with neio in their stead, and the new in all jiro- hahiUty charged hy the commissaries to the Jersey. They, however, Inoic best ahout that; and hoxeever secure they may now fee!, they will have to render an account of that business to a Judge who cannot be deceived. Tliis Ijict, hoicero; lean safely aver, that both the times that I teas confined on board the jirison-shi}), there never were provisions served oiit to the jtrisoners that tcould have been eatable by men that were not literally in a starving situation. The tcater that tec were forced to use was carried from this city; and I positively assert, that I never, after having folloiced the sea thirty years, had on board of any ship, (and I have been three years on some of my voyages) water sO bad as that tee tcere obliged to iise on board the old Jersey ; when there was, as it were to tantalize lis, as fine water, not more than three cables length from iis, at the mill in the Wallabout, as icas p>erhaps ever dranl: There were hogs kept in pens on the gun-deck by the officers of the prison-ship for their own use ; and I have seen the prisoners watch an opportunity, and with a tin pot steal the bran from the hogs' trough, and go into the galley, and when Al'PEXniX. 121 they could get an oppoitunity, loil it on the fire, and eat it as you, Sir, tcoidd eat of good soup when hungry. This I have seen more than once, and there are those now living leside me tcho can iear testimony to the same Jact. There are many other facts ciinally abomiiiablo that I could mention, but tlie very tiiought of those tilings brings to my recollection scones the most distressing. "When I rotlect how many hundreds of my brave and intrei)id brother seamen and countrymen I have seen in all the bloom of health, brought on board of that ship, and in a few days numbered with the dead, in consequence of the savage treatment they there received ; I can but adore my Creator that he suffered mo to escape ; but I did not escape, Sir, without being brought to tlie very verge of the grave. This was the second time I was on board, which I shall men- tion more particularly hereafter. Those of us who liad money fared much better than those who had none. I had made out to save, when taken, about twenty dollars, and Avith that I could buy from the bumboats that were permitted to come along side, bread, fruit, &c., but. Sir, those buniboatmen were of the same kidney with the officers of the Jersey ; we got nothing from them without paying through the nose for it, and I soon found the bottom of my purse ; after which I fared no better than the rest. I was, however, fortunate in another respect ; for after liaving been there about six weeks, two of my countrymen, (I am a Xantucket man) happened to come to New-York to endeavour to recover a whaling sloop that had been captiu-ed, with a whaling licence from Admiral Digby ; 122 APPFA'DTX. J. I") ami tlioy fouml means to procure my release, passin:? me for a Quaker, to wliicli I confess I liail no pretensions further tlian my mother being a member of that respectable society. Tlius, Sir, I returned to my friends fit for tlio newest fashion, after an absence cf three years. For my wholo wardrobe I carried on my back, Aviiich consisted of a jacket, sliirt, and trousers, a pair of old shoes, and a handkerchief served me for a hat, and liad more than two months, for I lost my hat the day we were taken, from the main-top-gallant-yard, fnrling the top-gallant- sail. My clothes, I forgot to mention, were completely laced with locomotive tinsel, and moved, as if by instinct, in all directions ; bnt as my mother was n'^t fond of such company, she furnished mo with a suit of my father's, who was absent at sea, and condemned my lacod suit for the benefit of all concerned. Being then in the prime of youth, about eighteen years of age, and natu:ally of a roving disposition, I could not bear the idea of being idle at home. I therefore i)rocecdcd to Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and shipping on board the brig Betsey and Polly, Captain Robert Folgor, bound for Virginia and Amsterdam, we sailed from N'ewport early in February, 1T83 ; and were taken five days after off the capes of Virginia, by the Fair American privateer, of this port, mounting sixteen sixes, and having eighty-fivo men, commanded by one Burton, a refugee, most of whose otticers were of the same stamp. Wo were immediately handcufted two and two, and ordered into the hold in the cable-tier. Having been plundered of our I! I APPIXDIX. 123 beds and boddinjr, tlic softest bed we b:ul wan tbo soft side of a water cask and tbe coils of a cable. Tbo Fair American baviiij,' been liandsoinely dressed by an United States vessel of one balf of lier force, was obliged to put into New-York, tlieii in possession of tbo IJritisb enemy, to rent; and we arrived witliin tbo Hook about tlio be^jinning of Marcb, and were put on board a pilot boat and brought up to tliis city. Tbe boat bauled along side of tbo Crano-wbarf, wboro we bad our irons knocked off, the marki ofiBhkh I carry to this day ; and were put on board the same schooner A'eZiV/ menticuied in a former part of this narrative, and sent up onco more to the prison- ship. It was just three months from my leaving the old Jersey, to my being again a prisoner on board of her; and on my return I found but very few of those whom I bad left three months before ; some had made their escape ; some had been exchanged ; hut the greater part had tal-eii vp their abode under the surface of that hill which yon can see from your windows, inhere their hones are mouldering to dust, and mingling icith mother earth; a lesson to Americans, mitten ix C.vriTALS, ON BUITISII CUUEF.TY AND INJUSTICE. IfoiUul, on my return on hoard the Jersey, more prisoners than when I left her ; and she heing so crowded, they were obliged to send about two hundred of us on board the John, a transport ship of about three hundred tons. There ree were treated worse, if possible, than on hoard the Jersey; and our accommodations icere infi- nitely worse, for the Jersey heing an old condemned sirtyfoar gun ship, had two tier of ports fore and aft, air ports and Urge \2\ AITKXDIX. b i. hatrhirnyx, irhuh (ffiir a prettij ficc rirruhttion of air through the ship; tchercaa the John hciiifj a mcrchunt ship, and irilh small hafchirays, and no ports, and the hatches laid doicn fveiy night, and no man alloietd during the night to go on decl; all exonerations were of coursr made helow ; the ejHutia arining from these, together with the already contaminated air occa- sioned by the breath 0/ so many jtcoplc so pent vp together, iriis enough to destroy men of the most healthy and robust constitutions. All the time I iras on board this ship not a jn'isoner eat his allowance, bad as it was, coohd, more than three or four times ; but eat it raio as it came out of the barrel. These, Sir, arc stubborn facts that cannot be controverted. In the middle of this slii)*, between decks, was raised a plat- form of boards about two aiul a half feet high, for those prisoners to sleep on who had no hammocks. On this they used fre(iuently to sit and play at cards to pass the time. One night in particidar, several of us sat to see them play till about ten (('dock, and then retired to our hammocks, and left them ])laying; about one A.M. wo were called and told that one Bird was dying; we turned out and went to av here he lay, and found him just cxi)iriiig. Thus, at ten P.M. this young man was apparently as well as any of us, and at one A. M. had l)aid the debt to natnre. Many others Avent off in the same w!iy. It will i)erhaps be said that men may die suddenly any where. True; but do they die suddenly any where from the same cause? After all these things, it is, I think, impossible for the mind to form aiiv other conclnsion tliun that there was Al'I'KNDIX. 125 d >t II I. 1. ;e ■y ic lit III lie y, ad lie 'ly lie l.le •lis u i.iviiicditatea design to dcstn.y a.s many Aiiiericaus as they cm.ld on boiu-d of their pris .ii->hii.s; the treatment i.f t!ie I.risoncrs warrants tho coneliision; but it is mean, base and cowardly, to cndeavonr to con-i'ier an enemy by siicli infamous means, and truly characteristic of base ami cowardly wretches. Tho truly brave will always treat their prisoners well. Thero were two or three hospital ships near the prison ships; and so soon as any of the prisoners complained of being sick, they were sent on board of one of them ; and I verily believe that not one out of a hundred ever returned or recovered. 1 am sure I never knew but one to recover. Almost (and in fact 1 believe I may safely say) every morning a large hoatfrom each of the JioKpital sh.-ps tccnt loaded with dead lodics, which iccrc all tumhled together into a hole dug for the purpose, on the hill tchcre the national navy-yard now is. A singular atlair hap- pened on board of one of those hospital-ships, and no less true than singular. All the prisoners that died after the boat with tlie load had gone ashore, were sowed up in hammocks, and left on deck till the next morning. As usual, a great number liad thus been disposed of. In the morning, while employed in loading the boat, one of the seamen perceived motion in one of the hammocks, just as they were about launching it down the board placed for that purpose from the gunwale of tho ship into the boat, and exclaimed, D n my eyes, that fellow is not dead; and, if 1 have been rightly informed, and 1 believe [ have, tliere was quite a dispute between this man and the others' about it. They swore he was dead enough, and should s .(■ 120 ArPKNDIX. * III go into the boat; !iO swore he sliould wit be laanclic;!, as they torniod it, ami took liis knife and ripped oi)on tlic lianiinoek, and bcliold ! tha man was really alive. There liad been a l»eavy rain daring the niglit, and as tlie vital functions had not totally ceased, but were merely suspended in consequence of the main spring being out of order, this seasonable moisten- ing must Iiave given tone and elasticity to the great spring, wiiich must have communicated to the lesser ones, and put the whole machinery again in motion. You know better about th»\se things than I do, and can better judge of the cause of tho re-animation of this man from the circumstances mentioned. lie was a native of Ilhodc-Islaud; his name was (Javot, lie went to IlhoJe-Island in tho same Hag of truce with mo about a month afterwards. I fjit extremely ill, but made out to keep about till I got homo (my parents then lived on tho island of Nantucket) ; was then taken down, and lay in. my bed six weeks in tho most deplorable situation ; my body was swelled to a great degree, and my legs were as big round as my body now is, and atlected with the most excruci- iitiiig pains. What my disorder was I will not pretend to say ; but Dr. Tupper, quite an omiueut i)hysician, and a noted tory, who attended mc, declared to my mother that ho knew of nothing tliat would operate in tho manner that my disorder did but poison. For the truth of this I refer to my father and brothers, and to Mr. Henry Coffin, father to Captain Peter CoHin, of the Manchester Packet of this port. Thus, Sir, in some haste, without much attention to order s Ari'KNDIX. 127 or diction, I liavo given you part of the history of my life and sutreriiigs ; but I endeavoured to bear them as becamo an American. And I must mention, before I close, to the ever- lasting honour of those unfortunate Americans who were on board the Jersey prison-sliip, that notwithstanding the savage treatment they received, and death staring them in the face, every attempt (which was very frequent) that the British made to persuade them to enter on board their ships of Avar or in their army, was treated with the utmost contempt ; and I never knew, while I was on board, but one instance of defection, and that person was hooted at and abused by the prisoners till the boat was rut of hearing. The patriotism in preferring such treatment, and even death in its most frightful shapes, to the serving tiic British, and figliting against their own country, has seldom been equalled, certainly never excelled. And if there be no monument raised with liands to commemorato the virtue of those men, it is stanqied in caiiitals on the heart of every American accpuiinted wilii tlieir merit and sutlerings, and will there renuiin so long as the blood ilows from its fountain. Medical Urposilory, Vol. xi., or Vol. v. cf'id Ikxadv,ip. 200 'iCT. ^^V^^