AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED KINGDOMS OP <£rcat Britain an& ^trianfr, CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE SUFFERINGS OF THOMAS O'NEILL, A BRITISH OFFICER, WHILE CONFINED IN THE PRISON OF THE CONCIERGERIE, AT PARIS, For two Years and Ten Months; AND OF HIS ESCAPE FROM THENCE, DURING HIS Second Imprisonment as a Prisoner at War, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. SECOND EDITION. Honbon : PRINTED BY R. EDWARDS, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET ; AND SOLD BY MR. ECERTON, MILITARY LIBRARY, WHITEHALL. 1S06. J. PL: I ETBlfT ! " * UKIVERSJ SANTA L . j ^ ' TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES €fjc SDuftc? of CL.ARJENCJE AID KENT, May it please your Royal Highnesses., The many distinguished honours, which have, at different periods, been conferred on me by your august Personages, will ever be retained in my mind with sentiments of grateful respect. This present favour, in permitting my Sufferings, and those of British Subjects, to be laid before the people of the United King- doms, will, I hope, convince them, how much your Roy- al Highnesses have the interest of His Majesty's Subjects at heart ; And I beg leave to subscribe myself, With the utmost respect, Your Royal Highnesses Most obedient, Most devoted, and Humble Servant, THOMAS O'NEILL. April 7, 1806. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS His Royal Highness the DUKE of YORK His Royal Highness the DUKE of CLARENCE His Royal Highness the DUKE of KENT His Royal Highness the DUKE of CUMBERLAND His Royal Highness the DUKE of CAMBRIDGE His Royal Highness the DUKE of GLOUCESTER His Royal Highness the DUKE of BOURBON Her Royal Highness the Duchess of YORK Her Royal Highness the Duchess of GLOUCESTER Her R. H. the Princess SOPHIA of GLOUCESTER Her Serene Highness the Margravine of Anspach Her Serene Highness the Princess Castelcicala Acott, John, Esq. Antrobus, Edward, Esq. St. Albans, Duke of Ancaster, Duke of Aylesbury, Earl of Aylesford, Earl of Amherst, Lord And over, Lord Ardcn, Lord A Ivan ley, Lord Anderson, Colonel, R.M. Andrews, Miles, P. Esq. Angerstein, John Julius, Esq. Affleck, M rs. H. Adair, Robert, Esq. A Hen, Major 6 Andrews, Rev. Mr. A mm, Mr. James Adair, Alexander, Esq. Anderson, Mrs. Arthington, Mrs. Argyll, Duke of Anderson, Sir J. William Agar, William Ellis, Esq. Auriol, J. P. Esq. Atkinson, Mrs. Alsop, John, Esq. Arton, Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Arton, Honourable Lady Antrobus, Edward, Esq. Bedford, Duke of Bedford, Duchess of Buccleugh, Duke of Bath, Marquis of Buckingham, Marquis of Bath, Countess of Bathurst, Lord Bernard, Lady A. Bentinck, Lady Mary Biddulph, Lady Boulby, Lady M. Baring, Francis, Bart. Bouverie, William, Henry, Esq. Bradshavv, Cavendish, Esq. Bridges, John, Esq. Buckner, William, Esq. Butler, Mrs. Bridport, Admiral Viscount Bowater, Admiral Burrard, General Barclay, Lieutenant General, R. M- Bright, Mnjor General, R. M. Bentinck, Colonel Butler, Dennis, Esq. Bernal, Jacob, Esq. Barnard, F. Esq. His Majesty's Librarian Barley, Charles, Esq. Barfield, Mrs. Black, Lieutenant, R. N- Bridgman, Doctor Bull, J. Esq. Bowler, James, Esq. Bidlic, Major, R. M. Benson, Mrs. Bolton, D. Esq. Binks, Major Bomford, Captain, R. M. Beckford, , Esq. Bratt, Miss Bayly, Lieutenant, R. M. Baran, Lieutenant, R. M. Bays, Lieutenant, R. M. Balhetchet, Lieutenant, R. M. Bryson, LieutenaiK Patrick, R. M. Brown, Lieutenant and Adjutant, R. M. Bentinck, Colonel Breadallane, Colonel Bradshaw, Honourable C. Bernal, Jacob, Esq. Butler, Mr. Batier, R. Esq. Browne, Captain E. Bannister, John, Esq. Baring, Henry, Esq. Bulkley, Lord Burgan, Mr. Biddulph, , Esq. Bush, Mr. Bishop, Sir Cecil Burrovves, Robert, Esq. Brook, Thomas, Esq. Beaufoy, J. H. Esq. 8 Banbury, Earl of Bently, Charles, Esq. Blanchard, J. A. Esq. Best, James, Esq. Beckford, Miss Burrow, Mrs. Bristol, Bishop of Bullock, Colonel John Beecher, John, Esq. Burton, George, Esq, Boddington, Samuel, Esq. Butler, John, Esq. Baillie, Doctor Bazell, Mrs. Billiers, William, Esq. Blight, Daniel, Esq. Banoman, Colonel Burgess, Hugh, Esq. Brook, Henry William, Esq. Bruilly, Mrs. De Byng, Captain Bradley, Mr. Byrns, Mr. P. Bray, Mr. Bicknell, Mr. Brennett, Mr. Burns, Mr. Robert Brown, Mr. Burchill, Mr. Blackford, Mr. Blight, Samuel, Esq. Banon, Benjamin, Lieutenant, 11. M, Booth, Richard, Esq. Booth, James R. Esq. Blight, William, Esq. Beil, Colonel Bright, Captain Blakeney, First Lieut, and Adjutant 9 Bowditcb, Second Lieutenant Crawford, J. Esq. Cocks, Mrs. Canterbury, Archbishop of Camden, Earl of Cholmondeley, Earl of Clare, Countess of Clonmel, Dowager Countess of Cork, Dowager Countess of Chichester, Lord Bishop of Carysfort, Lord Cranley, Lord Curzon, Viscount Cornwallis, Admiral Copley, Colonel Conway, Colonel Cutler, Henry, Esq. Cassels, Lieutenant, R. M. Cook, Bryan, Esq. Chester, E. Esq. Clark, George Hyde, Esq. Church, Lieutenant, R. M. Clarke, George Lieutenant, R. M. Collett, Lieutenant, R. M. Cary, Miss Clark, Reverend Mr. Cartwright, Lieutenant, R. M. Colley, Lieutenant and Adjutant Cotren, J. Esq. Conway, Colonel Campbell, Mr. E. Cotton, Captain Cowper, William, Esq. Cardin, Miss Cutler, Henry, Esq. Costikar, , Esq. Clarke, Sir Alured, Bart. Chamberlaine, George, Esq. b 10 Campbell, Major George Chetwind, Lord Carlisle, Earl of Cornwall, Honourable Mrs. Craig, Peter, General Clarges, Lady. Campbell Mrs. C. Cameron, Colonel Cobb, James, Esq. Croft, Thomas, Esq. Carter, Mrs. Clark, Joseph, Esq. Churchill, Charles, Esq. Cowper, William, Esq. Colman, Edward, Esq. Clark, Thomas, Esq. Compton, F*. Esq. Clayson, Patrick, Esq. Campbell, William, Frederick, Esq. Cox, Mr. Coran, Mr. Connor, Mr. Wm. Carty, Mr. Carney, Mr. Connor, Mr. J. Conway, Mr. Cobb, Mr. Carr, Mr. E. Cross, Mr. Crisp, Mr. Cardew, Lieutenant John. J. R. M. Clapham, James, Esq. Devonshire, Duke of Darnley, Earl of Derby, Earl of Durham, Lord Bishop of Dacre, Dowager Lady Mary Dundas, Lord 11 Davison, Henry, Esq. Deavon, Lieutenant R. M. Denne, Lieutenant James, R. M. Dixon, Charles, Esq. Dottin, Captain Dibdin, Thomas, Esq. Denbigh, Countess of Dixon, J. Esq. Dillon, Lord Dormer, Lady E. Dunkin, William, Esq. Dundas, General Sir David Dymock, Captain, R. M. Dutton, Captain Davison, Alexander, Esq. Drummond, Andrew, Esq. Drummond, Captain Dickinson, Captain Dymock, Lieutenant Thomas, R. M Dunstiville, Rev. John Drury, John, Esq. Dalling, Lady Dickins, J. Esq. Douglas, Sir G. Dunstanaville, Lord De Drummond, Lady Dymoke, Hon. Lewis Dewfall, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Deakin, Mr. Donnald, Mr. Donnaldson, Lieutenant John, R. M. Davison, Captain, R. M. Duncannon, Viscount Dickinson, Thomas, Esq. Douglas, Marquis of Ely, Dowager Countess of Ely, Lord Bishop of 12 El don, Lord Ennisinore, Lord Eden, Sir Frederick M. Bart. England, Lieutenant General Elliot, Major General, R. M. Eden, Lieutenant Colonel Emanuel, Mrs. Edgar, J. T. Esq. Ethungton, Colonel Essex, Dowager, Countess of Emerton, J. C. Esq. Evans, Mr. Eagan, Mr. Evans, Robert, Esq. Ferrers, Earl of Fortescue, Earl Finch, Lady Fitzherbert, Mrs. Fielding, Mrs. Fletcher, Colonel, R. M. Fensbaw, Commissioner Furzer, Captain, R. M. Forbes, John, Esq, Fagan, Mrs. Fludyer, Sir Samuel, Bart. Frederick, Sir J. Bart. Frowke, F. Esq. Fragan, Mrs. Frazer, William, Esq. Freeman, Charles, Esq. Fitzroy, General Faulkner, John, Esq. Flaney, , Esq. Freare, John, Esq. Fell owes, Mr. Flathcote, Dowager Lady Fernandez — — , Esq. Fletcher, Sir Henry, Bart, 13 Fryer, C. C. Esq. Forsyth, Thomas, Esq. Frountain, Rev. Mr. Praser, William, Esq. Fullard, Mr. Forrist, Mr. Fitzmorris, Thomas, Esq. Fotterel, Second Lieutenant Fletcher, Colonel Grafton, Duke of Guilford, Countess of Grantham, Lord Grenville, Lord Greville, Robert, F. Esq. Green, William, Esq. Gaskell, Benjamin, Esq. Golsmid, Abraham, Esq. Golsmid, Benjamin, Esq. Greenwood, C. Esq. Graham, Mr. R. M. Graham, James, Esq. Green, Thomas, Esq. God bold, Samuel, Doctor. Garnck, Mrs. Guilleherst, Captain Gundell, Mrs. Gilchrist, Lieutenant, R. M. Grantly, Lord Goodenough, Mrs. Guilleward,John, Esq. Galloway, James, Esq. Gaussen, Robert Samuel, Esq. Grant, Charles, Esq. Gordon, James, Esq. George, John, Esq. Green, Joseph, Esq. Capper, Mrs. Graham, Mr. John 14 Gillow, Richard, Esq. Gailleiz, Colonel Godsal, Philip, Esq. Gardner, Thomas, Esq. Garle, Thomas, Esq. Garner, Mr. Gallavan, Mr. Goodman, Mr. Guest, Mr. Green, Mr. Garner, Mr. William Garland, Mr. Graves, John, First Lieutenant, R. JSL Garnett, Joseph, Esq. Gordon, Captain Headford, Marquis of Hertford Marquis of Harrington, Countess Hardwicke, Earl of Hawarden, Lord Hawarden, Lady Hamilton, Lady Harvey, Lady Hawkesbury, Lord Harper, Lady Frances Heathcote, Sir Gilbert, Bart. Hume, Sir Abraham, Bart. Hibert, Lieutenant General Hopkinson, Colonel Hammersly, Thomas, Esq. Halsell, John, Esq. Hawkins, Lieutenant S. H. R. M. Haydon, Messrs. and Co. Haydon, Mr. R. B. Junior Hartweli, Mrs. Husband, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. Hill, Mr. 15 IHodgess, Mrs. Hales, Lieutenant Charles, R. M. Howis, Mrs. Hunter, John, Esq. Hall, Lieutenant, R. M. Hinchinbrook, Lord Hamilton, Major Healthy, Patrick, Esq. Haydon, Lieutenant, R. M. Hayes, Henry, R. M. Hagman, John, Esq. Heymen, Henry, Esq. Heath, Joseph, Esq. Hammond, William, Esq. Hunter, William, Esq. Hops, Thomas, Esq. Hunter, Thomas, Esq. Harvey, William, Esq. Higginson, William, Esq. Holliday, Captain Hutchinson, Lord Hamilton, Mr. Howard, Mrs. Hammell, Daniel, Esq. Hood, Captain Hammond, Sir, Henry Hume, Alexander, Esq. Holford, Robert, Esq. Hethuson, Mr. Howards, Colonel Harper, Mrs. Hotham, Lord Hunter, Cloud, Esq. Hebden, Anthony, Esq. Heyman, Henry, Esq. Hammond, William, Esq. Hickney, Mr. Hodges, Mr. 16 Hanley, Mr. Hundnll, Mr. Hallegan, Mr. Hambury, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Harris, Mr. Hill, Mr. Hales, Mr. Haughe, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Hancock, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Hamilton, Lieutenant Robert Harper, Thomas, Esq. Hooper, Benjamin, Esq. Uchester, Dowager Countess of Inglis, Lady Johnson, Lady C. Inglis, Sir Hugh Jones, General Johnson, Samuel, Esq. James, Major James, Mrs Johnson, Mr. M. P. Jones, Lieutenant, R. M. Jones, Lieutenant, and Quarter Master Johnson, Samuel, Esq. Johnson, Christopher, Esq. Jerningham, Sir William, Bart. James, T. J. Esq. Imoff, Lieutenant Colonel Jones, William, Esq. Jordon, Mr. Jess, Mr. Irwin, Mr. Johnson, Lieutenant Edward, R. N. Irwin, Lieutenant Samuel G. R. N. 17 Jones, Lieutenant, H. B. Esq. R. N. James, William, Esq. Ireland, Second Lieutenant Johnson, Charles, Esq. Johnson, Mr. Kingston, Earl of Kidd, Colonel Killgoue, Partrick, Esq. Keysall, John, Esq. Keve, Lady Mary Kennion, Edward, Esq. Kemp, Joseph, Esq. Kiplin, John, Esq. Keith, Captain Killgom, Patrick, Esq. Keysall, John, Esq. Kenneydy, Mr. Keen, Mr. King, Second Lieutenant Lorn, Marquis of Lincoln, Dowager Countess of Liverpool, Countess of Liverpool, Earl of Louvaine, Lord Lenox, Lord Ludwidge, Admiral Leger, General Lopez, Sir M. Bart, Law, James, Esq. Lawrence, Mrs. Luscombe, Mr.G. Luscombe, Mr. Junior Lobb, Mr. Leverton, Thomas, Esq. Lambrecht, Major Losack, Captain r. 18 Lodington, Captain, R. M Logie, Lieutenant Lucas, Lady Leeds, Joseph, Esq. Lewis, Matthew, Esq. Lautour, F. Esq. Laforest, Mrs. Laving ton, Lady Luskin, Robert, Esq. Leith, Mr. Long, Francis, Esq. Linch, Captain Lascelles, Honourable Henry Loraine, Colonel Lee, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Long, Mr. Legger, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Lennord, Mr. Lewis, Captain, R. M. Laffer, Nathaniel, Esq. Lemon, John, Esq. Lascelles, First Lieutenant §t Adjutant Leonard, Second Lieutenant Lawson, Second Lieutenant Marlborough, Duke of Mansfield, Earl of Mansfield, Countess of Mornington, Countess of Manners, Lady Louisa Mulgrave, Lord Munster, Count Marsham, Viscount Mailin, Sir Henry Martin, Lady Milbank, Lady 19 Metcalf, Sir Thomas Milbank, Sir Ralph M'Arthur, John, Esq. M'Grath, G. Esq. Martham, Thomas, Esq. Macnamara, John, Esq. Musgrave, J. C. Esq. Mallock, Lieutenant, R. M. Morton, William, Esq. Mellish, Mrs. Mayersback, Doctor M'Kersie, Keneth, Esq. Morria, Lieutenant, R. M. Mouchton, Honourable E. Mure, Samuel, Esq. Musgrave, Thomas, Esq. Mercer, James, Esq. Maicon, Colonel Matwell, Henry, Esq. Moss, Matthew, Esq. Morpeth, Viscount, M. P. Morton, Earl of Murray, Alexander, Esq. Moneypenny, Mr. Martin, Colonel Matone, Edmund, Esq. Middleton, Miss Marshall, Colonel Moss, Robert, Esq. Martin, John , Esq. Mathews, Mr. Murray, Mr. Maginnis, Mr. Mulling, Mr. Morgan, Mr. March, Mr. M'Gregger, Mr. Mannings, Mr. Mulleuox, Mr. 20 Montgomery, Mr. Morgan, Mr. G. March, Mr. Mills, Mr. Morgan, Lieutenant, R. M. Miller, Lieutenant Colonel Meech, Lieutenant and Adjutant Moore, Second Lieutenant Norwich, Lord Bishop of Notliff, Lady Northwick, Lord Neapolitan, Ambassador Neal, Sir Harry Burrard, Bart Nicholson, General Nash, John, Esq. Newton, Mr. George Nil, Miss Novile, Alexander, Esq. Neame, Lieutenant Noel, , Esq. Nicholson, Colonel Newman, William, Esq. Nash, Thomas, Esq. Narris, Mr. Nott, Isaac, Esq. O'Neil, Earl Onslow, Lord O'Neil, John, Esq. Ogilou, Lieutenant General Ommaney, Edward, Esq. Olmius, Honourable John Oakes, General Orchard, Colonel Paul, Ossory, Earl of Upper Ottley, Drury, Esq. O'Ibara, Colonel J. 21 O'Conner, Mr. Osbourn, Mr. Osbourn, Edward Oliver, Captain R. N, Orton, Captain Portland, Duke of Petty, Lord Henry Ponsonby, Lord Prescott, Dowager Lady Portuguese Ambassador Pultney, Sir William, Bart. Parker, Admiral Sir Hyde, Bart. Prows, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Page, John, Esq. Pownal, John, Esq. Pale, Admiral Sir Charles M. Predoc, Samuel, Esq. Purling, George, Esq. Percival, Honourable Mr. Powden, Richard C. Esq. Plasket, Thomas, Esq. Pepperell,Sir William Payne, Thomas, Esq. Pearse, N. Esq. Preston, Thomas, Esq. Palmer, John, Esq. Parker, John Robert, Esq. Phillips, General Pickhum, Mrs. Elizabeth Price, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Prendergast, Mr, Pennington, Mr. Pool, Mr. Park, Mr. Povvel, Mr. Perdue, Lieutenant 22 Preswick, Pain, C. Esq. Queensberry, Duke of Quill, Richard, Esq. Rutland, Duchess Dowager of Richmond, Duke of Radnor, Earl of Romney, Earl of Robuck, Baron Russian Ambassador, Radstock, Admiral Lord Raiasfbrd, General R. Marine Literary Society, Chatham Rose, George, Esq. Richardson, , Esq. Robinson, Mr. Ross, Miss Ridge, Lieutenant James, R.N. Robley, Joseph, Esq. Reeves, J. C. Esq. Rice, Honourable Mr. Rowley, Vice Admiral Rargersfield, Baron, De Rarnsden, Mrs. Russell, Major General Rogers, Mr. Roehat, Mrs. Richards, Richard, Esq. Ros3, Alexander, Esq. Riding, Francis, Esq. Richardson, Mr. Ripper, Mr. Ruddle, Mr. Rieley, Mr. Ross, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Ridley, Mr. Edward Robertson, Second Lieutenant 23 Stafford, Marquis of Scarborough, Earl of Sefton, Dowager Countess of Stair, Earl of Sebright, Lady Stuart, Lady Louisa Somerville, Lord Skeffington Honourable Mr. Snefrield, Sir John Smith, Sir Drummond, Bart, Smith, Sir John, Bart. Scott, Colonel, Stanley, Colonel Smith, Colonel R. M. Stidder, Mrs. Sebright, Miss Sans, Mrs. Spry, Mrs. Smith, George, Esq. Smith, Miss Sumner, George H. Esq. Shum, Mrs. Scott David, Esq. Simson, George, Esq. Scott, Lieutenant Scott, John, Esq. Stevens, Captain B. Stibbert, Lieutenant General Stevenson, Rowland, Esq. Satis, Mrs. Smith, Thomas, Esq. Sebright, John, Bart. Spencer, Honourable William Robt. Stanhope, Honourable Mr. Stert, Richard, Esq. Sturgeon, Mrs. Sutherland, David, Esq, 24 Scott, George, Esq, Spiller, James, Esq. Smith, Mrs. A. Stevenson, Daniel, Esq. Sims, Doctor John Suel, NathanieL Esq. Southwell, Mr. Strutt, Colonel J. C. Seymour, Lord George Soane, John, Esq. Stephenson, John, Esq. Simpson, Lady Anne Smith, Captain William Spencer, Lord Robert Sanby, William, Esq. Smart, John, Esq. Siffner, Mrs. Scott, Mr. Sands, Mr. Shranton, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Shute, Mr. Stich, Mr. Sweet, Mr. Surman, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Smith, James, Esq. Syfrett, William, Esq. Shebbean, , Esq. Temple, Earl Templeton, Dowager Lady Trigge, Sir Thomas, K. B. Trollop, Sir Henry Thornton, Colonel Tahourdin, Peter, Esq. Thoroughgood, Mrs. 25 Thelusson, Peter Isaac, Esq. Thompson, William, Esq. Towke, F. Esq. Taylor, John Vaughan, Esq. Trimleston, Lord Tovrie, Colonel Thompson, Baron, Esq. Turing, John, Esq. TrarTord, Dowager Lady Tate, George, Esq. Tyrrell, Miss Thomas, Mr. James Trenchard, J. Esq. Taylor, Robert, Esq. Teasdale, Joseph, Esq. Turnbull, John, Esq. Tomlins, Thomas, Esq. Thompson, James Stewart Tresedier, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Tompson, Mr. Talbot, Mr. Tilley, Mr. Thatch, Robert, Esq. Vernon, G. Esq. Vernon, Lord , Vernon, J. C. Esq. Vaughan, Doctor Utteison, Edward, Esq. Villiers, John, Bart. Villougjhbois, Henry, Esq. Villiers Honourable G. Vaumilder, Reverend Mr. Veich, J. Esq. R. Hospital Plymouth Vere, Mr. Vernon, General 26 J^^er, Lord Bishop of JJ illoucjhby, Lord De Broolc, Ward, Led Dudley Wray, Lady Welby, Si/ William, Bart. Wilhamson, Colonel Walsh, Colonel Wi!«on Lieutenant Colonel V\i d, Samuel, Esq. w;'iX-M r octor ' R °^ u °^ Wilkinson, Thomas, Esq. W ay, f £ S q Winchelsea, Eirlof Wellesley, Marchioness of \\alpole, Richard, £ sq . " arren, Mrs. Watson, Captain Walpole, Captain Warren, Lieutenant Wilson, J. Lieutenant Wilson, Captain Walsh, Colonel John Wells, John, Esq. Wyndham, Joseph, Esq. Wuherston, Colonel John Ward, H.J. W. Esq. Wane, Thomas, Esq. Wynch, William, Esq. Wyndham, Honourable Percy }^ 'llmm, John, Esq. Wheeler, Mrs. Wightman, Christopher, Esq. »* Jirdwright, Mrs. Wright, Nathaniel, Esq. Williams, Mr. 27 Watson, General John Walker, Surgeon Wentworth, Viscount Warner, Captain Wight, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Waterhouse, Mrs. Wells, John, Esq. Walker, General Walford, Captain Wells, John, Smith, Bart. Williamson, Mr. Wllkins, Mr. Wilkinson, John, Esq. Wilkins,Mr.S. Wilks, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Watson, Mr. Westewav, Mr. Wilkins,Mr. J. Watts, Mr. Weaver, Mr. W innison, John, Esq. Watson, Thomas, Esq. Young, Admiral Yeo, James, Esq. ADDENDA TO THI LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Abington, William Andrade, J. and Co. Atkinson, Watters, and Co. Aguilar, Dias, and Son Allen and Smith Aislabie and Eade Aguilar, Isaac, Esq. Asliton, Thomas, and Co. Atkinson, Hodgson, Esq. Appach,and Greaves Andre, J. L. and Son Bowles, Brickwood, and Co. Bankers Barclays, T.itton, and Co. Bankers Bish,T.Esq. ' Bruce, Simpson, and Co. bunkers Brants' and Do 1. annoy, Butler, Dodgson, and Co. Blanchford, D. and R. Bedford, VV. and Son, s 30 Boyle and Flower Bairibridge, Ansley, and Co B icksdale, William, Esq. Brown, Sharps, and Co. Bower, Henry, Esq. Blinkinsep, James, Esq. Brown, T. E. Esq. Bell, W.andJ. and Co. Blackburn, John, Esq. Bryan, M. aqd Co. Brymer, James Esq. Bernales, J. and Co. Blundell, F.F.Esq. Barber and Clay Balard, Sampson, and Co. Boddington and Sharp i Bize, Lewis, and Bordenave, Brickwood, and -Daniels, Brough, Antony, Esq. Boehm, and Taylor, Brown, Thomas, Esq. Cellett, Cox, and Co. Capper, Jasper, Esq. Clay, F. and G. Cologan, John, Esq. Cowie, George, Esq. Cranch, and Withall, Ciive, Wilkinson, and Co. Cater, Marshall, and Co. Crawford, Sir James, Bart. Dimsdale, Baron, and Co. Bankers .'. 's horn ton, and Co. Bankers Day, T.B. and W. Dorein,and Co. 31 Dav, and Co. Dunlop, J. nnd J. Dalzel, A. Esq. De Symons, Lyon, Esq. I>esborough, Henry, Esq. Dudley, C. S. Esq. Dubcriy, John, Esq. Earner, Sir John Fuller, Chatteris, and Co. Bankers Fostc . I ubbock, and C. Bankers i ; mpton mid Sons, J aud Sons, Fietcber, Shaw, and Co. Friday, Samuel, Esq. Finzi, James, and Co. Forster, Ladv I ieth Gossling, Francis and William, and Co, Bankers Gordon arid - r, Geddes and Co. Gordo phy Gandol] , i . \. and Co. Gj . nomas, . Is Grill, and Co. ' oper, and Co. Greffulhe ...m Brothers, Garrels, Henry, Esq. Gompertz, A 1). E->q. Grigby, Longdon, ami Co. Hoares, Bankers Hoare, Hill, and Co. Hunkers Hall, Hankey, and Co. Bankers 3£ Hutchinson, James, Esq. ■Harris, and Distance Halliday, and Prfckett, Uayne, J. and T. Hoper, Mr. Hay, Mrs. Hart, John, and Co. Hemert, Burt, and Co. Hathorn, George, Esq. Henry, Alexander, Esq. Hey man and Co. Harris, Quarles, Esq. Higgin and Crawford, Hi" neks, A. Esq. Harrison, W. and R. Hethenngton and Maskew, Jeffery and Co. James, T. J. and Co. Jeffery and Gore, Johnson, Robert, Esq. Kensington and Co. Banker*. King, Mrs. C. Kemp, Hyde, and Co. Krolin, Jacob, Esq. Kensington, C. Esq. Ladbrokes,and Co. Bankers i.acy, Charles, Esq. Earkins, Eade, and Co. Lownds, W. and J. Lownds and Jackson, Ludlam, William, Esq.. Little, A. Esq. l S3 Lee, R. W. and E. Lamb and Younger, Laughnan, Andrew, Esq. Locke, John, and Co. JLevy, John, Esq. Lewin, Levin, Levin, Meyer, Esq. Levy, S. A, Esq. hexy, Zachariah, Esq, Longs and Dawkins, Lister, John, Esq. Lanr aster, W. IS. Lanidown, Thomas, Esq. Masterman, Peters, and Co. Bankers Mather, J. and T. Morton, and Foster, Mills, Samuel, Esq. Mackenzie, J. and Co. Merley, Wiliiam, Jun. Mair, Jame?, Esq. Menzies, White, and Co. Moberly, Thomas, Esq. Newnham, Everett, and Co. Bankers Nunn, William, and Co. JN'orth, Hoare, jSanson, and Simpson, Oldham and Co. Oliphant, Robert, Esq. Prescott, Sir George Wm. Bart. & Co. Bankers Palmer, Clark, and Co. Phillipin, William, and Co. Puget, and Bainbridge, Power - — ■ Porter, and Veitchner, Pollard, John, and Co. Parkins, Edward, Esq. Princep and Saunders, Pic ion, General, Pi i caim, Mrs. Parkinson and Wilson Rob; Curtis, and Co. Bankers Rl! . H. and . . Rov landson,and Bates. Rogers, Jose S q. Robinson, William, Esq. Reed, and Bell, Roberts, Jarnes, and Co. Rutherford and Wagstaffe, Richardson, James, Esq. Reid, Ale. ler* Esq. Stephenson., Batson, and Co. Bankers Spooner, Attwoods, and Co. Bankers smith, and Co. Bankers Say well and Son, Street and Sons, Sangsler and Atkinson^ Swan, Radford, anr J . Schroder, J. F. I 'o. Scott, David, - . Co. Schneider, John, and Co. Stokes, Henry, Esq. Stewart, Edward, Esq. Shirreff, Alexander, Esq. . Stein, Smith, and Co. Sundius, C her, Esq. Splitgerber, J. C. Esq. Sanderson, Barclay, and Co. 35 rSwanson and Miller, Toulmin, Abraham, E Thwaites and Wheelwrigt '., Usher, fler.ry, Esq. Vincent, The Right Hon. Earl, St. Veres, Lucadow, and Co. Bankers Vulli .. Du I »ois, and Co. Vigine, Robert, and Sons, Wright, Selby, and Co. Bankers V hitehea I, Howard, and Co. Bankets Wal . and Ni betts, V\ ■ • "s, "Watson n i • kson, Wilks, M) isq. Wolffs and Dorville, Wigram, H ilder, and Co. Willis, John, and Co. bite and Lubren, INTRODUCTION. A HE Author presumes to address his fel- low countrymen on a subject, that must ulti- mately concern all the free-born sons of this Island of Liberty. The intent of this narrative is, to point out the treatment of those British subjects; who, by the fortune of war, are, or have been placed in the power of French ?ner- cy. Britons! who are born in a land of li- berty, endowed with all the privileges of a free people, under a mild and happy government, you will shudder at the facts now proved against those who have boasted, and continue to boast, that they have opened the eyes of Europe, and prescribed new laws to all na- tions. Let us, however, fervently hope, that B we, and every other nation, may be spared from the atrocities, committed since the first change took place in the government of France. The tree of Liberty is withered, and that freedom, which promised such vast achieve- ments, has been converted into absolute anar- chy and confusion ; into an usurping Empire, trampling under foot all laws, divine and human ; faithless in all treaties, and ferocious in every act of aggression. In short, murder y rapine, and slavery, scenes new and unprece- dented, not to be found even in the history of savage nations, have been committed by those heroes of liberty. Parents and children have been cruelly murdered ; wives and sis- ters basely treated; houses and property pil- laged, — and the wretched inhabitants put to the sword : — such have been the atrocities, actually inflicted on those nations, whose infe- licity it has been to fall a prey to French mercy. AVhat have Britons to expect from a com- mon Robber? — one who sends his small fleets out from their lurking ports, merely to levy contributions on the inhabitants, and run from our brave seamen, like a fearful wretch, who has violated the laws of his country, by robbing on the highway. Our maritime force excites his malignant jealousy; let us guard against his banditti. Their career of cruelty does not admit of any respite ; and, while we are in possession of our commerce and country, the same systems will- be pursued by the governor of the French nation under the imperial diadem, which he has placed upon his own head ; but his gaudy robes and glit- tering baubles cannot cover that black stain which will for ever adhere to his memory. The Gallic Usurper is notorious to the whole world as the General who fled from his soldiers in the hour of their distress ; — as that monster who poisoned his disabled fellow soldiers ; — that unfeeling mortal, who caused his de- fenceless prisoners to be massacred in cold blood, lie is, and his name will be handed down to the end of time as, the MURDER- ER OF JAFFA!!! 13 2 AN ADDRESS, &c, J.T was my ill fortune to be sent to France in the early part of my infancy ; and for some years I resided at Paris. Before the dawnings of the Revolution, I was brought up under the care of a beneficent relative whose tenderness to me equalled that of a fa- ther. But when the lowering storm threat- ened the destruction of the French Monarchy, and nothing but confusion and disloyalty ap- peared in almost every quarter of the city ; I then solicited my uncle to quit the scene of tumult, and return to his native land. Of- ten did I beg him to leave it while an oppor- tunity offered, before it burst forth in its full fury ; but alas ! his attachment to that coun- try was too firmly ri vetted, blended with his just proceedings : conscious of his not inter- 6 fering with their change of government, he considered himself secure from the storms that every moment threatened the whole kingdom. Alas ! too soon did the cloud of vengeance burst on our heads ; the dav will ever be remembered by the whole world, but it will to me be a standing memento of French cru- elty. On the day, when the unfortunate Louis and his family escaped from the Thuil- leries, the house of my benefactor was sur- rounded by a murderous banditti ; who first massacred his two servants, then forced the door of our apartment, and assassinated him. I am, however, at a loss to inform the rea- der of the motive that induced these brutal wretches to spare me ; I was kept in momen- tary expectation of death, while they were plundering the house of every thing that was valuable. The Reader may conceive how acute my sensations were, on finding myself arrested and escorted to the Conciergerie. On my arrival there, I was thrown into a dungeon ; and the first mark of their brutali- ty inflicted on me was, to strip me of all my wearing apparel, in lieu of which there were given me, a flannel shirt, a pair of drawers, and stockings, and a red cap : in the next place, strong fetters were fastened round the small parts of my legs : to these were fixed chains, that led to a ring in the centre of the dungeon, to which I was chained ; and a small quantity of straw was given for my bed. Thus was I deprived, in one day of my be- nefactor, — of all I had in the world ; and left in a loathsome dungeon to linger out life, without even the smallest ray of light what- ever : and, under the accumulated horrors, with which I was surrounded, the reader may conceive the sensations I experienced, when I was in momentary expectation of death, every time the massy door creaked on its hinges. If any thing could add to the sufferings I Jhen experienced, it was the badness of the provisions ; which indeed were of the worst quality, and delivered in such sparing pro- portions, that they were scarcely sufficient to keep me alive; and I was often kept for upwards of eight and forty hours, without any sustenance whatever, expecting to famish with hunger and thirst. The allowance of w . 3 they gave me, never exceeded one quart per diem. I was debarred of every comfort and convenience, even to a knife ; three months elapsed before I was allowed a comb. Thus did I languish for two years and ten months ; I was not once released from my chains to take the least air, neither was my cell ever cleans- ed ; other conveniences were not removed but at the pleasure of my Keepers, and some- times remained for ten or twelve successive days. . May I beg the reader to contemplate my unhappy situation? Indeed I might be justly allowed to say, that Providence preserved me to endure more trials of French liberty. During the whole period of my confine- ment, I had not the smallest idea of any pas- sing occurrences, except the massacre which took place on the second, third, fourth and fifth days of September, 1793. My ears and heart were then rent with the cries of the unfortunate victims, and I expected every moment to breathe my last by the hands of those assassins, whose ferocious brutality will be an eternal disgrace to the Parisian popu- lace ; who, in their fury, spared not that gen- 9 tie sex, which even savage nations hold in the highest respect. The number slain on those days, could not be less than three thousand defenceless pri- soners — the enormity of the deed will ever remain one of the blackest stains in the an- nals of the French nation ; but the overru- ling hand of God, which has never been wanting to preserve his people, w r as not wan- ting to me in that dreadful scene of blood. Time however discovers all things ; I had a protector, though unknown to me, who at last procured my escape. The person in question, Mas one of the turnke} r s ; and, for- tunately for me, he never was removed from that post during my whole confinement. He proved afterwards to be the son of a gentle- man (of the name of Daubine) who had lost his life by that destructive engine, the guil- lotine ; and the precarious situation of affairs obliged my protector to accept the employ- ment of a gaoler, — the only means of pre- serving his own life, and the surviving bran- ches of his family. In him I found a deli- verer, although he never had an opportunity C 10 of speaking to me when my dungeon was open, as a guard always attended; neither had I the least knowledge of him, nor did I even think I had ever seen him before ; but after the expiration of this my long confine- ment, the dark cloud, which had so long hung over my dismal abode, burst forth with the brightest rays of light. Such a change would have caused the most gloomy heart to rejoice, had the event been known: but as I was ignorant of this good man's intention towards me, it had a different effect on me ; for I had not the least idea that any one in that dreadful place felt the least compassion for my distress. I was, further, continually threatened by written scraps of paper, which were thrown to me whenever the door of my cell was opened; and on which, by the aid of the candle brought by my Keep- ers, I read the following words ; " Engagez voas dans la service de la Hepublique ;" (i. e. Engage in the service of the Republic), — or you shall lose your head — These menaces, however, produced no effect on me. — Al- though I could not but feel life to be sweet, yet, if I had embrace*! such an offer, I must 11 have proved a traitor to my country, — unwor- thy of the name of Briton; I determined therefore to place my trust in Providence which never forsook me. On the 19th of April, 1794, at half past twelve o'clock, the massy door of my cell creaked softly on its hinges ; my keeper en- tered, with a light concealed in a dark lan- tern, giving me the signal to be silent. — Let me again intrude on the reader's goodness, to ponder for a moment what must be my feel- ings at that time ! — I expected instant death, particularly when he began to move my irons; but, when I perceived that no guard attended, I began to entertain some hopes ; a flush of joy once more vibrated through my meagre frame ; and, when I felt my legs at liberty it still increased. I said, God of Heavens ! will you forsake me ? He then, in a soft voice, said, " mon cJter enfant, (my dear child), follow me ;" and at the same time presented me with a great coat and hat, which served to cover my tattered habit. He then desired me to follow him without fear. Ignorant of my doom ; and, least of all expecting to be C2 12 restored to liberty, I, between hope and fear, followed my conductor through the different courts and passages, passing the centinels without any other obstruction than, " Who comes, there ?" Reply being made, "A friend," and the countersign being given, we were permitted to pass them all, and I soon found myself in the street ; but not a word passed during our progress through the suburbs. On our approaching the barrier, it appeared to me an obstacle almost insurmountable, but God again favoured me ; we passed it with- out the smallest difficulty, and continued our march for more than a mile, when my deli- verer broke silence — -" Sir, said he, I have known you many years, and your uncle ; he and his two servants were massacred, and his property was pillaged by those revolutionary robbers. I have thus far preserved you, and even released you at the risk of my own life." He at the same time, gave me an account of his family and their sufferings, which imme- diately brought to my remembrance his once respectable father. He then delivered to me an handkerchief, which contained the pro- perty taken from my person when I was 13 confined in that prison, within which I was so long buried. Not one article was missing, my watch, and my purse, were as they wefe taken from me ; my purse contained twenty louis, my watch was about the value of ten more, the few other articles about .two. This was all I had, or even could expect, when I landed in England. My deliverer informed me, that he had purchased my watch and clothes ; and that part of the money was his share when I was plundered : the remainder he supplied from his own purse. He then gave me his blessing, and bade me a most affectionate adieu. After the departure of my generous deliverer, I committed myself into the hands of Providence and determined to direct my steps to some sea-port, and thence if possible to procure a passage to England in a neutral vessel. My first care was to conceal myself in a wood before daylight, which I soon found to be contiguous to St. Germain's : — at that time 1 had not tasted a morsel of food for forty- eight hours, and had no means of procuring any sustenance, being too near the capital. In short, the very sight of me would have been 14 sufficient to inspire a person with surprise and suspicion; much more the offering of a louis for change. This circumstance itself would have been enough to have caused me to be arrested : however, I trusted to the Omnipo- tent, by whom I was on this, as well as on other occasions, singularly preserved. The wood in which I took shelter, afforded me a spring of water, and some water-cresses : these I ate in abundance, and the water was to me as delicious as wine. I then secured myself, as well as was in my power, for the day, in some rushes, and fell into a sound sleep ; but my rest was disturbed, and never was I more alarmed, than by the appearance of two dogs, belonging to some persons in the wood. All the horrors of my late confine- ment rushed like a whirlwind on my imagina- tion when the animals came and smelt me, and I could distinctly hear the voices of men within twenty paces. Death, in all its ter- rors, could not have given me more alarm ; but the goodness of Providence again pre- served me, and I was once more left to con- template on its mercy. Nothing further oc- curred during the remainder of that day ; and, 15 as soon as night came, I quitted my * dreary abode, not knowing which way to take. I at length determined to bend my steps through Normandy, and, if possible, to go to St. Malo. I travelled all that night through bye-roads, in order, if possible, to avoid the gens d'ar- merie ; but, towards morning, was so exhaus- ted by hunger and fatigue, that I was scarce able to move one step farther. Again, how- ever, did the Almighty favour me : I saw some cows grazing in a field at a little dis- tance from me, and for the first time in my life, was I under the. necessity of taking that which was the property of another. I milked one of the cows in my hat, and drank freely, perhaps at the expence of a poor man ; but I had no alternative, except that of perishing through want ; for it was now upwards of sijr- ty hours since I had taken the least sustenance except the cresses J had gathered in the wood. I then pursued my journey with fortitude, until daylight began to appear, and was en- deavouring to reach a wood at no great dis- tance from me ; when, at a turning of the road, I was suddenly met by a respectable 16 looking person, who started at my appear- ance. His alarm was not greater than mine ; he addressed me in these words ; " D'ou venez- vous?" (Whence came you ?) " Rcpondez vous chez moi et elites prompiement ce que vous avez a dire!' (Answer me, and tell me quickly what you have to say.) — " Sir" answered I, "Jam in great distress. I have but just es- caped from prison, and am now actually dy- ing with hunger." He replied, sternly, " Je vous prie, Monsieur, de me dire comment vous vous echappdtes. Pray, tell me, Sir, how you effected } T our escape." I then related to him every particular as it occurred to me, saying, as I had finished mv distressing: narrative, " My life and liberty^ is in your hand." I could observe the tear of pity stand for a while in his eye, and roll down his venerable cheek. During this interview, we were suddenly alarmed by the trampling of horses at some distance ; it was a party of Gens d'ennerie, who were escorting some prisoners to Paris. He saw my danger, and hastily requested me to conceal myself in the wood, which was clos©- it to the scene of our rencontre. As soon as they had past, my new protector came to me, and desired that I would, both for his safety and my own, remain where I was ; and pro- mised that he would, in the course of the morning, bring me something to refresh my- self withal. Here then I remained in a state of suspense, not being altogether certain that he would act on honourable motives, notwith- standing he had screened me from the notice of the Gen d'arfnerie ; but my suspicions were groundless, and his conduct proved to me, how much he felt for my distress. He returned in a short time, and brought with him a large loaf, and forced me to accept of two crowns, which he told me, could be chan- ged much more readily than my louis, and would not excite so much suspicion. He then took his leave of me, praying to God for my safety. Here again, had I reason to return thanks to that Divine Being, who con- stantly watches over the innocent and distres- sed. I was, for some time at least, deliver- ed from the horrovs of perishing by hunger, the most horrible of deaths ! and was again D 18 enabled to proceed on my journey in the even- ing ; travelling by night, and concealing my- self in the woods by day, and in the same state in which I left my dungeon. At the expiration of fourteen days, I arrived at a small village, within seven leagues of St. Malo. By the time I had reached this place, I was again in danger of perishing through want, not being able to procure any thing whereupon to subsist, since the time that Providence had kindly thrown the loaf alrea- dy mentioned in my way. On the arrival at this village, about ten at night, I entered the first cottage that presen- ted itself to my view, the only inhabitant of which happened to be an elderly woman : she bore, in her countenance, the marks of bene- volence and charity ; and her features dis- covered every mark of sympathy, as I related to her the distressing circumstances under which I then laboured. . As I concluded my narrative, — " Enter my cottage," said she, " whoever you are, and partake whatever a poor widow has to oiler. I am poor, it is true ; but I have not forgot- the massacre of my King." She then laid 19 before me, some bread and wine, of which I ate heartily, and found myself much refresh- ed. She then made me an offer of her bed, the only one the cottage could supply ; but delicacy would not allow me to profit by this kind offer, as I was very far from being fit to lie in a clean one. However, she overruled my scruples ; and being furnished with some clean water, I washed my face, hands, &c. In short, the goodness of this woman fell very little short of a mother to me ; she procured me all the necessaries I stood in need of, and repeatedly went to St. Malo, to provide me a passage in some neutral vessel, even at the risk of her life. During the whole time of my residence un- der her most hospitable roof, (which was until the twenty-sixth of May,) she never once omitted to procure for me every comfort that lay in her power ; and here again I cannot but admire the workings of Providence. A person came bv accident to her cottage, who com- manded an American brig:, and she beeped him to give one of her friends a passage, to which he consented. I at first thought she D2 30 carried her goodness to too great a length, sho being almost entirely ignorant of the person in whose behalf she seemed so much concerned; but the Omnipotent pleaded in my behalf; he not only promised to give me a passage, but also to return on the following day, and supply me with clothes to disguise myself. The reader may form some idea of my anx- iety during his absence ; he proved to be as good as his word, and strictly performed his promise. At the time appointed, I was equip- as a sailor, and once more considered myself safe. The same evening I took leave of my benefactress, never to see her again. The day following the ship put to sea, and we fell in with the Castor, commanded by Captain (now Admiral Sir Thomas) Trow- bridge, who had a convoy under his com-; mand, bound to St. Thomas's, Newfoundland. I was put on board the Nancy, from Bristol by my own request ! but soon did a new scene of sorrow open to me. On the seventh of June, a strange sail appeared, which was chased by the Castor, and discovered to be an enemy's Frigate. We saw no more of her till the tenth ; during which interval, high 21 breezes and foggy weather prevailed. At twelve o'clock on that day, it cleared ; and the enemy were discovered in chase of us, consisting of five sail of the line, and some fri- gates, and bearing down upon us, with all the sail they could cany. In the evening, Cap- tain Trowbridge seeing them so near, made signals for the convoy to disperse, but too late to escape, and nineteen sail fell a prey to the enemy, the Nancy being one of the unfortu- nate number. Thus was I again doomed to become the victim of French mercy. This squadron was commanded by Admiral Nalley : Commodore Trowbridge (whose ju- dicious conduct will ever do honour to the character of a naval officer) would even have risked an engagement : had the slightest hope remained of saving His Majesty's Ships, but also the lives of every individual under his 'command ; and to preserve them he was obli- ged to strike, and was sent on board the Sans- pareil. His officers were dispersed on board different ships, where they afterwards suffered much more than the private men, several of whom were actually starved in prison : of which number were the surgeon of the Alexan- 22 der, and a second lieutenant of the Daphne. Having thus far stated the particulars, con- cerning my second captivity, I proceed to de- tail the circumstances subsequent to our land- in o\ © The crew of his Majesty's ship Castor, and those of the merchant vessels, with their bag- gage, were landed at the Arsenal at Brest ; where our lives were in imminent danger, — the French flocking round us, and vociferating, ' shoot the vagabonds," together with similar expressions. We were then marched round the town, and made a public spectacle ; and, on the boatswain's requesting the favour that the officer's baggage might be put by itself, an impertinent French officer said, " No ; for in this country, there is no distinction between a king's officer, and a common seaman." This they afterwards experienced, the officers being worse treated, if possible, than the sea- men. We were in number altogether five hundred, and were marched off in two par- ties, strongly guarded by soldiers, who led us in triumph through the streets, the people exclaiming, " here is fine work for the hano- man, and for the vengeance of the people,— 523 fine work for our national razor ! Here are the slaves of Pitt and George !" This was born with much patience, the prisoners, at the same time, blessing their king, and reverencing the justness of the min- ister. Before they had finished conducting us through all the streets of Brest, the mob be- came immense, pelting us with sticks, dirt, and every kind of filth they could lay their hands on ; the French officers and soldiers crying out " bravo." We were halted at the door of the National Tribunal ; from thence marched to the hospital, where we staid about an hour ; then back again to the Tribunal, and, finally, out of the town. The baggage was sent on a little before us, to Tantivy. A\ e were then escorted to Pantezon, a place situ- ated at some distance from Brest, On our arrival at the outer gate of the prison, we were obliged to pay ninety livres for our baggage ; and, finding no resource, we were compelled to submit, for our money or our lives was their object. How great were our astonishment and mortification, on entering the prison door; we were plundered of our remaining stock. M well as our watches, and every thing that was valuable, even to our knives ! One circumstance which was peculiarly shocking, I cannot forbear to mention. — An old master of a merchant vessel, who was a prisoner with us, had concealed some small Spanish money round his waist, on the disco- very of which, the poor old man was obliged to strip, and the soldiers treated him in the most brutal manner imaginable. One of the prisoners asking the reason of such infamous treatment, he received a blow with a musket, together with the most abusive language ; and, on inquiry, it was found, that all the prisoners who had been confined there previous to this time, were served in the same manner. Our baggage was kept from us, so that we were obliged to sleep on the floor, which was exceeding damp, filthy, and nasty, and totally destitute of any covering whatever. The next day, the prisoners were called to receive their baggage : but we had the mortifi- cation to discover that our chests and trunks had been pillaged of every thing valuable, or useful ; I was robbed of every useful or valu- able article I had, when I entered the prison ; 25 and all the satisfaction we could obtain was,-— " You vagabonds of the English nation can- not expect any thing better." Our distresses now daily increased ; we were, in fact, without money, without clothes, or any thing we could dispose of to procure some. Upon a moderate calculation, the whole property taken away on this occasion, amounted to nearly three thousand pounds. In the prison we found Mr. Boulton, Lieu- tenant in the Navy ; Mr. Codgrave, Com- mander of the Ranger Cutter ; Mr. Clift, his mate ; Mr. Bellamy, his surgeon ; the captain and officers of a Dutch frigate; and a great number of other officers, sailors, and marines, in a similar destitute condition. We could not even procure soap to wash ourselves, or tobacco to smoke, nor even a knife to cut up our mise- rable allowance of provisions ; and in addition to all this, we were not only obligedto bear the insults, but likewise the blows of the soldiery. In the wretched situation here described, we were obliged to remain, without the means of procuring the smallest comforts from our merciless plunderers. E 26 On some of the sick applying for a little wine, they were informed that none were al- lowed it but Republicans. Further, the prison was so small, and the number of sick so con- siderable, that in consequence of the closeness and stench of the place, together with the ill- treatment we received from the soldiery, (who drove us about with their sabres, and fixed bayonets,) as well as from the general and ab- solute neglect of the sick, numbers were left to perish in the prison. The soldiers, in their wanton ferocity, killed one man belonging to the Thames frigate, of which no notice was taken ; his body was thrown aside, and buried at their leisure, af- ter being exposed for two days. We were frequently kept in this miserable situation for twelve hours without water, and were refused even the indulgence of being allowed to fetch any from a well, contiguous to the prison ; whilst the general cry of the soldiers was, " Die you English dogs, or rascals." After some months, a party of one hundred prisoners was sent off to Quimper. On our quitting the prison, the sailor^ agreeably to 27 their- custom, gave three cheers, which were answered by those within. The French sol- diers misconstrued this into a menace, and im- mediately threatened to fire on them. A few days afterwards, another party of four hun- dred being ordered away, they were muster- ed on the following morning, and drawn up three deep, strongly guarded by soldiers. The Captain of the guard then addressed them as follows ; " You English Dogs, or Citizens, or Gentlemen, you who understand the French language, tell your comrades, that if in the course of this journey, any noise is made, as was by the other party, such as singing God save the King, menacing, or any other riot, we have orders, and shall fire on you imme- diately, and we now load before you for that purpose;" which they accordingly did. My companions in misery were then marched off with an empty stomach, nearly naked, and almost wholly destitute of shoes. They were halted at a little village about seven miles dis- tant, where they sat down under some trees, and the people brought them some water to dnnk, and milk for sale. In the course of an E2 28 hour we recommenced our march, and arrived, at three o'clock that afternoon, at Landerneau. Here we were turned into a stable, and some clean straw was given us to lie upon : this was a luxury indeed, after sleeping so long a time on a damp floor, without any covering ; so that we hardly knew how to be sufficiently thankful ; we were also given a dinner, consist- ing of meat, soup, &c. articles, which we had not seen for manv months before. On the following day we received orders to proceed to La Force ; where we were driven altogether into a church, and some straw given us. Such a building, it would some years be- fore have been deemed sacrilege for a Protes- tant to enter, but it was now stript of all its or- naments. The women of this place seemed very much inclined to give us all the comforts they could ; but one poor woman paid dearly for her good-nature, for one of the soldiers stabbed her with his bayonet, though she was evidently pregnant; such is the character of this great nation. On our arrival at Quimper, we found fifteen hundred prisoners, among whom were some persons of distinction, particularly Lady Anne 2.0 Fitzroy, the Honourable Mr. Weesly, her bro- ther ; Admiral Bligh,* ana * Captain Kittoe, who had liberty to lodge in houses separate from the prison, but with sentinels to watch them continually. Mr. Robertson, Lieutenant of the Thames, who had lost his leg in an ac- tion, was here in the hospital, and treated very ill. This prison was originally a convent, com- posed of two distinct buildings, surrounded by a high wall, within which, there is a garden, where Lady Anne Fitzroy, and some other la- dies, were allowed to walk once or twice. The allowance of provisions began to de- crease ; three small loaves per day, or rice, or horse-beans, was the only subsistence for seven people ; the whole of which would be barely sufficient to subsist one man. We were not only deprived of the means of dressing our victuals, but debarred an opportunity of pur- chasing utensils, through the medium of the soldiery, who stopped every article brought us and appropriated it to their own use: and whenever a complaint Mas mad;', the only sa- tisfaction that could be obtained, were the epithets of, English dogs, English rascals, &c. so and, in short every filthy and obscure expres- sion it was possible for them to utter. It frequently happened during the time of serving out our miserable pittance, that orders were given for muster; in the mean time, the soldiers would rob us of our provisions, so that we were left in a starving condition ; and, it any murmur or discontent appeared, the par- ties complaining, were immediately confined in the black hole, for the space of forty days. While we were thus enduring the cruelties in- flicted on us, more prisoners arrived to parti- cipate in our distresses : at the time now refer- red to, we were three thousand six hundred and seventy-eight English, besides Dutch, Portuguese, and Spaniards, — nearly starved, and almost wholly destitute of clothes. We began now to feel the sad effects of the gaol distemper, so that with hunger, disease, and nakedness, from eight to ten died daily. The commissary, finding our situation be- coming every day more and more deplorable, promised to make some efforts in order to re- lieve us; but, shocking to relate, with that promise it ended, so that the disease at length became general. Our situation now became 31 dreadful in the extreme : we were destitute of the means of procuring medicines ; nor was Lady Anne Fitzroy allowed to purchase any for us, and orders had been issued that none should be sold us, on pain of death, without the express orders of the commissary. Not- withstanding the promises already alluded to, he thought no more of us; but, on the contrary,, when any thing occurred in the Prison, which did not altogether please him, he load- ed us with the vilest epithets, calling us En- glish rascals; when conversing with his own people, his usual words were, " D — n them, let them die/' Shortly after, a canonnading was heard at sea, when we were closely con- fined, with a double guard, our keepers being apprehensive that the English had landed ; and we were informed, that, in the event of a landing being effected, the soldiery had express orders to put the whole of us to death. Af- ter this, a number of books, printed in En- glish, were distributed among us, in favour of the Great Nation, in order to bias our minds to forsake our king, — and also to induce us to enlist in the service of the Republic. My fel- low countrymen, however, refused unanimous- 32 ly, declaring with firmness, that they would rather starve than forsake their sovereign, his family and their country. In the mean time, Lady A. Fitzroy, with a spirit truly character- istic of the family of which she is a branch, and the well-known disposition of her humane breast, was particularly attentive to the pri- soners ; and gave large sums of money to the surgeons, who were, during the last dreadful stage of the distemper, appointed to inspect the hospital of the prison, to use their utmost endeavours to procure medicines for us, and such other necessaries as we might stand in need of, no medical attendance being allowed us; until the inhabitants of the town, becoming alarmed, durst no longer come near us, and they were obliged to apply to the police, fear- ing a plague would be the consequence. Another instance of the most depraved cru- elty happened at that time : two men who were in a very infirm state, in consequence of the distemper, became delirious, and demand- ed of the soldiers some water; when, with- out giving time to ascertain the cause of their demand, the soldiers shot them immediately and threw their bodies into a well, no notice what- 33 tver being taken of this sanguinary transaction nor any inquiry instituted into the conduct of the murderers ! — Such were the cruelties in- flicted by these revolutionary assassins, that parents were deprived of their children, — wives of their husbands! In this dreadful state, parties were sent off to Rheims, by fifty at a time, pushed on by the soldiers, with charged bayonets, — sick, — naked, — starving ; and if any of them, through weakness, could not pro- ceed at the pace required by their remorseless conductors, the bayonet was their doom. In consequence of such treatment, numbers were left dead on the road ; the surviving few who reached Rheims, were supplied on their arrival there, with a kind of soup, into which were put some mouldy scraps of bread, stinking fat and greens, as food for sick people, — " an al- lowance good enough for English dogs :" for so it was considered by the Commissary of the Great Nation; and such was his expression. In addition to her other numerous acts of kindness, Lady Anne Fitzroy ordered and paid for some clothes, which were distributed amongst us; otherwise, more than two thou- F 34 * sand must have fallen a sacrifice to this cruel usage, and upwards of fifteen hundred actually fell a prey to cruel treatment, murder and the gaol distemper. After all this inhuman treatment, the survivors were put upon an al- lowance of bread and water, and all tiring was prohibited ; insomuch, that it was announced by beat of drum, on pain of death, that no person should venture to sell us any fire-wood. In this situation, we were reduced to kill all the .dogs, rats, cats, mice, &c. that we could lay our hands on, and actually eat them in a raw state. We were next removed into a place, called the Grand Prison; the rooms of which were closely blockaded with iron bars without fire-places, shutters, or even glass in the windows. I am not acquainted with the reason why this measure was adopted ; in the mean time news was brought to Quimper, that the Royalists were supposed to be in great force near us, and the dreadful sentence of death was once more denounced against the priso- ners, on a probability of this success. Such has been, and such is, the conduct of the French nation, to the hapless prisoners, whom fate throws in their way, and such they 35 will remain, until they shall be over-awed by the strenuous exertions of a free, enlightened, and independent nation, like ourselves. Signal for cruelty, as most of the preceding circumstances Mere, the following instance is equal to any of them in point of atrocity. — Some officers, who had obtained liberty to go to I/Orient, in hopes of procuring their ex- change, were, on their arrival there, put into the black hole, and detained for seven days on bread and water ; their passports and mo- ney were taken from them, (which they never recovered,) and they must have perished, had it not been for some considerate merchants, who relieved their distresses. Such an act of atrocity was never commit- ted by Britons ; and I should deem myself deficient in point of duty, if I did not lay these facts before the inhabitants of these happy Kingdoms. — Every truly British breast must glow with pity and indignation at the recital of such determined cruelties. An exchange of prisoners having at this time been agreed upon between the two go- vernments, we received orders to march from F2 36 Quimper to l/Orient. On our arrival at that town, we were confined in a dungeon, origi- nally built for the reception of condemned criminals. The entrance to this place, was by a descent of twelve steps; it was totally dark without the least admission of air except through a small iron grate, in the centre of the door. Here we were immured for thirty days, during which we were not once allowed to take the least air. In the course of that in- terval, thirteen of my unhappy comrades ex-? pired; at length we, the Survivors, were sum- moned into the square of the prison, and the artillery and soldiery drawn up in front of us; the commissary then addressed us in the fol- lowing terms — " Here/' pointing to the priso- ners, " you slaves of George and Pitt, we will " teach you that you are our victims, and no- " thing will save you from our national ven- " geance, for we abhor you : those brave men " (the soldiers) would think themselves well " employed, in extirpating such tyrants from " the face of the earth; and, whenever you " dare to put your feet on our ground again, " you shall not go unpunished ; and of this we " will convince you. We are true Republicans, 3? "and shall remain so, until the end of the world, " and nothing saves you at present, but that "you have many brave Frenchmen in your " despicable country/' A\ hen he had finished this inhuman address to us, we were again ordered to our dismal abode. Mr. Jones (one of my fellow-prisoners) having providentially discovered that the com- missary had ordered an old rotten ship, to be got ready to take us to England, he peremp- torily demanded to inspect her; for this re- quest, he was thrown into a dungeon ; but through the humanity of the Commissary's wife, he was released after two days confine- ment, and was then allowed to go on board the Cartel. His information proving correct, he immediately went to the monster Dubois, whom he requested to explain why he had or- dered such a vessel. The answer was, " Pour envoyer vos angUts au fond de la rrier, to send you English to the bottom of the sea." To this, he added the following brutal expression, " Tout est trop ben pour votis monstres D'An- glois ; si vos riaviez pas plusieurs braves J&e- publicains en Angleterre vous serie.z tons trai" fe's avec cela — (cu montrant la guillotine). 38 Every thing is too good for you English Mon- sters; — if you had not so many brave Repub- licans in England, you should be all treated with this, (shewing the Guollotine.) In con- sequence of this discovery, we were detain- ed for twelve days; during which interval that have and generous Officer superintended the fitting out of another cartel, and when it was completed we were all summoned again before the monster Dubois. We embarked on the 14th of October 1796. I then had some hopes of seeing my native land once more : in the evening of the same day we sailed and fell in with Admiral ; who sent a lieutenant on board, and who on learning our distresses sent us bread and some other refreshments, and allowed us to proceed on our passage. But, owing to contrary winds, we were one and twenty days before we made the Cove of Cork; we had thirty-six nearly on the point of death at which time, a lieutenant was sent from the Flag ship the Poliphemus, Admiral Kingsmill : who, on the lieutenant reporting our distresses, kindly gave us every comfort in his power, and granted us protection, that we might proceed to our friends. The reader may conceive the 39 joy I felt when I once more put my foot, on the soil of my native country: nor could I do less than fall on my bended knees, to return God my fervent thanks for his protection on vari- ous occasions. That day was one of the hap- piest I had ever seen : although I w T as destitute of money and clothes, and knew not that I had a single friend living, so that, in fact, I had to begin the world again. The following paragraph will furnish an ad- ditional proof of the gross falsehoods, of which the French Government were ffuiltv. At the close of the career of Robespierre, a paper was posted up in all the prisons of France and Quimper, written in English, by some French officers who had just returned from England, stating, that bread, and all kinds of provisions were so scarce in England, that peo- ple were starving ; — that petitions were sent to the Parliament from all parts, on that sub- ject; — that bread Mas two louis d'ors per pound; — and that rewards were offered to those who would enter into the Republican service; — that we had lost all our West India fleet, and islands : — that the English govern- ment had grasped at more than they could 40 \ l0 [ t \ : — aIi d that the nation was in a state of riot and insurrection. In the present war, their system is by no means altered; for they still hold out the same language, persist in the same vindictive spirit, which is interwoven as it were with their very existence. That it is so in the breast of the atrocious Usurper, who presumes to be their oracle, daily experience affords most ample proof. The death of Lord Nelson is an irreparable loss to this kingdom ; although we have at this moment many brave commanders, who possess equal bravery ; yet the loss of him, as well as of many other brave characters, within the short period of one year, calls upon us to co-operate with the leaders of the nation, whose judicious arrangements will ever secure us from the me- naces of our enemy. The victory which we have obtained over the fleets of our combined enemies, will con- vince them that we are, and shall continue to be, united together by our laws; and the just- ness of our sovereign will animate us to fight, his battles. The love of our country has been ever represented as one of the noblest passions, 41 of which the human mind is susceptible; it comprehends all the generous and social affec- tions, and animates us to the performance of noble and heroic actions. How ought we then to feel our late loss, deprived as we are of a bold, intrepid, enterprising, and brave com- mander ! Just and faithful to his country, he afforded protection to all who sought it. Of his services, this country will ever retain a grateful remembrance ; and the late glorious victory, obtained by the fleet under his com- mand, is in itself sufficient to shew the usurper how far the arms of a free people under the auspices of a well regulated monarchy, with a king, whom his people reverence, are superior to those of an usurping tyrant, who is pleased to style his fleets invincible ; how far they de- serve this appellation, Britons may form some judgment. The people of Great Britain have set him an example of humanity, but it is to be doubted, whether such example will be ever imitated. The author would refer to the Patriotic Fund: no nation in the universe, is so truly sensible of the services rendered them by those men in G 42 arms, as England ; — no nation can boast of such humanity; — all ranks come forward and contribute to the relief of those, who have suffered in the defence of their country; — the name of Nelson will ever be remembered, and all ranks will admire and revere his name ; his upright proceedings put him in possession of the hearts and affections of the people, which to him was an impregnable bulwark. This enabled him to bid defiance to the combined enemies of his country, and to triumph over their defeat, even in his last moments. His last orders will stand as a Memento to his counntrymen in all future ages, and the sons of Britannia shall hereafter say, that on that day " Every man did his duty" The usurper will from hence be taught to dread the vengeance of British seamen ; and we trust the time is not far off, when he and his myrmidons, — his murderous banditti, — will be obliged to make the most abject hu- miliations. We are a people, firm in their de- terminations to support the government, which cannot be confounded : we are, and always will be, invincible. The love of our king and country will ever be predominant, on all occa- 43 sions : Britons cannot be unsusceptible of the menaces which have been, and still continue to be denounced against their country, by a haughty and ferocious enemy. The most dreadful cruelties have been inflicted on Bri- tish subjects, prisoners in France ; a correct narrative has been stated ; and had it not been for the humanity of Lady Anne Fitzroy, all must have perished. Justice, however, re- quires that I should not omit to notice the kind attentions of Mrs. Stidders ; who, dives- ting herself of the dignity of her rank, super- intended with the patience and assiduity of a nurse, and even administered medicines to the distressed prisoners. Let Britons contemplate such cruelty, and turn their thoughts on France which has been torn and distracted for several years past, by the most horrid convulsions, has been deluged by the blood of her citizens, and is at last sunk into subjection, to a most arbi- trary and despotic government. There were many amongst us, who rejoiced to see so many of the human race aspire to free- dom ; and considered the dawnings of the Re- volution as the auspicious openings to a glori- G2 44 ous day of liberty? that was to impart the same kindly influence to the rest of Europe ; which has so long invigorated this happy island. But at this moment, France sustains not one spark of that freedom, which was her ostensible object at the outset of her career ; she has been a prey to the most savage riot and hein- ousness : she has been torn by factions, and intestine commotions, and driven to despera- tion, by the continual scourge of hideous cru- elty and massacre, in which thousands of her sons have perished. Relieved, at length, from the most compli-i cated and agonizing of her sufferings, France has been contented to subject herself to the imperious mandates of an usurper ; who has been raised to an eminence of honour, which partakes too much of the nature of guilt, to im- press us with any idea of her national happi- ness : nor is there a remote corner of Europe, which has not felt, — I may say, which does not continue to feel, — the direful effects of that shock, which social order and freedom sus- tained by the French Revolution. Few are the powers whom France has not reduced to the humble posture of dependance, either bv 45 her perfidious intrigues, or by carrying war, havock and desolation, into their very bosoms ; that subjection, which the usurper now wishes to complete, has been but too succesfully ac- celerated, in some instances, by exciting a spirit of discord and discontent, in those coun- tries which he invaded. The incautious people have listened to his delusive promises of protection to the poor, and chastisement to the rich, until, alas ! too late they discovered their mistake, and found, that the humble cottage afforded no better shelter from the storms of revolutionary mad- ness, than the vaulted temple or the gilded pa- lace. Let us advert to the people of Switzerland : some years back, they wanted no refinement, or change of government, nor did they expect that any could add to their liberty ; yet tha usurper, even in time of peace, invaded them, and dictated new laws, by force of arms. The inhabitants of Italy have also been for- ced to endure the most violent outrages, and are now subject to the same cruel masters. The people (,"' Holland, whose mercantile opulence was once their pride and support? 46 have been reduced to the most acute degrada- tion; for yielding up, without resistance, to the same overbearing power, the rich acquisitions of their commerce. A great and ancient mon- arch who was deceived by one of his generals has been obliged to engage the enemy, sword in hand, and is at this moment engaged in a desolating warfare against this daring foe, struggling, for the very existence of his peo- ple. Again, can we contemplate the deplorable situation of those countries, upon which God hath thus, in his anger, poured forth his visi- tation, without being touched with the most acute sensibility, for the humiliating and ca- lamitous state to which they have been redu- ced ? Can we think of governments, once the most dignified, — now degraded, or dispersed, — of cities desolated, — countries pillaged, — houses reduced to ashes, — women and children starved, — and hoary heads exposed to wretch- edness — can we cast our eyes round us, and see these scourges which have been actually inflicted on several of the nations, and do we not, in the midst of our own rejoicings, expe- rience a decree of sorrow for the inhabitants 47 of those countries, who are thus bereft of their comfort and independence ? How much is England indebted to our brave seamen ! — They have been the sole pre- servers of the British settlements and of the property of British merchants, and for such, if we feel even for those who are not our own countrymen, our affection is, or should be, beyond expression ; as for those gallant men of our own nation, who have sacrificed their health and strength, — for the memory of those heroes, who have fallen in defence of their country — let it ever be remembered, that they adventured their lives in fighting our battles ; we know that they suffered, that we may re- joice ; and let us ascribe it to Divine Provi- dence, that we are preserved from any imme- diate danger of perishing, as other nations ; which are distressed before our faces. The Patriotic Fund will cause the British seamen, soldier, or volunteer, to go forth with redoubled confidence to the battle, fearless of death, when he knows that, should he perish in the conflict, sucour will be afforded- to those he has left behind him, by his grateful coun- trymen. 48 It* our thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the late signal and glorious victory, be thus associated with devoted acknowledgments of his infinite majesty, — with ardent gratitude for his abundant mercies, — with sentiments of compassion for the afflicted, and with a reso- lution to exert ourselves in active charity for their relief; then, surely, we maybe justified in concluding* that our warfare is not destitute of that spirit of humanity and benevolence, which breathes through the Christian system of religion. This will convince the malignant system of French monarchy, that the prince and nobility will not allow one individual to go unrewarded, for the smallest service ren- dered by them to their country. Such pro- tection is no where to be found but in Eng- land. These lines are written to arouse every in- dividual to a just sense of his duty : and let us remember that it is the Lord who is great and terrible, who fights for our sons, and our daughters, and all things dear to us. In ha- ving this hope, it behoves us to follow the ex- ample of our departed hero, and be not afraid of our most inveterate foe. 49 In times of national necessity, it is peculiarly incumbent on all British subjects, to guard against the ambitious usurper ; and to retain a just sense of their duty, which will strengthen them in all difficulties, and animate them in all dangers. With this view it is recommended to those men in arms, attentively to consider the cirr cumstance, that summons us at this moment, to meet an active and enterprising enemy, who menaces us with destruction. \\ e have to contend, not only for our existence, as a free and independent people, but for our civil and religious rights, and every thing held dear to man, under the sacred and much revered names of husband, father, brother, and friend. A\ r e are kept in continual apprehension of dan- ger, from his premeditated acts of aggression and violence. The ministers, with that prudence and fore- sight, with which they will, (it is hoped) con- duct every act of their administration, have pointed out the surest means of our defence ; and, having furnished all ranks and descrip- tions of persons \\ ith those weapons of war, H 50 which were best adapted to their use, we are now become an armed people constantly on our guard, day and night, both by sea and land, to prevent surprise ; and we are ready at a moment, to repel any sudden attack of the invading enemy, against whatever place, or quarter of the kingdom, it may happen to be directed. It is further recommended to us, to be fre- quent and fervent in our addresses to the Al- mighty, whose servants we are ; to cast away all fear, and to place our whole confidence in him, on whom alone our hope depends ; he will then vouchsafe to strengthen us for the com- bat, and make the cause of Britons to prosper. A most important and instructive lesson has beed conveyed to us by the late brilliant vic- tory, which we shall do well to observe. In occasions of extraordinary difficulty, we are taught, that prayer mast first be offered hum- bly and devoutly to him who maketh peace, and createth evil, for our succour, and protec- tion, in the hour of national necessity ; for he alone is mighty to save us, and he has promi- sed to fulfil the desires of them that fear him, to hear their cry, and to help them. 51 After this primary duty has been performed by us, we are next instructed to secure our- selves from danger, and vigilantly to guard against impending evils, by acting not only a wise and cautious part, but such a one as comes powerfully recommended to us by the example of our departed heroes, in this and past ages of the world, who have been placed in similar circumstances. Having done this, we commit our cause to the Supreme, under the firm conviction, that Divine Providence will protect us ; so that our people shall not be given over to the sword, nor our glory de- livered into the hand of our enemy. As Britons, we cannot be altogether igno- rant of the menaces which have been, and are now, denounced against our country, by a haughty and formidable foe ; a more awful and interesting crisis than the present, is not to be met with in the annals of Great Britain : the avowed aim of the enemy is, nothing less than the utter destruction of the British Em- pire, and, with his numerous army, if possible, to annihilate our monarchy, our religion, our laws, and our commerce ; — in short, whatever H2 52 has been deemed hitherto essential to our in- terest, as a free and happy people ; and we cannot but entertain the liveliest apprehensions for the welfare and salvation of our country, and a beloved Sovereign. The calamities that have been brought upon those nations, which, by an unhappy destiny, were compelled to submit to the sword of the conquerer, it would be painful to relate. Hu- manity shudders at the recital of the cruel and atrocious deeds, which have been there perpe- trated. Every country, the enemy has hither- to taken possession of, abounds with melancho- ly proofs of his rapacity and cruelty ; the land which before was as H the garden of Eden is now become a desolate wilderness/' Numbers, alas ! of the once happy and respectable in- habitants, have been inhumanly torn from their dearest connections : — many a deserving- individual has, from a state of competency, ease, and comfort, been reduced to a morsel of bread ; — many an honest and laborious pea- sant, has had his cottage reduced to ashes, the desire of his eyes taken from him ; and, when bereft of his children, has, if he has es- caped the sword, been left comfortless to pe- 53 risk with hunger, .or otherwise to expire in the bitter agonies of anguish and despair; have, whilst others had their property confiscated, and, destitute of daily food, have been obliged to fly from their native homes, to seek a pre- carious subsistence in foreign lands. Even amongst the inhabitants of Alexandria to whom by his abjuration of the Christian faith, and the profession of a religion founded in impos- ture, he had given the most solemn pledge of the sincerity of his friendship, the like cruel- ties, with no small degree of aggravation, were shamelessly repeated; neither age or sex, — • not even babes and sucklings, — could escape the ravages of his all-devouring sword. In vain did the innocent objects of his malignant fury, supplicate for mercy ; in vain did they seek for refuge in their houses of prayer : — all were involved in one general massacre. Too well, alas! does that apostate answer the description of the prophet : " His feet run " to evil ; they make hast to shed innocent " blood, and nothing is heard afterwards, but "the voices of lamentations, and murtndrings, " and woe." 54 If such has been the conduct of the enemy towards those of other nations, against whom there existed no just cause of complaint, what then have Britons to expect, should he prevail against them — they who have, alone, prescri- bed bounds to his ambition, and checked him in the madness of his career after universal conquest and dominion ? Can they hope to experience a milder and less cruel treatment, than was observed towards three thousand eight hundred defenceless captives, whom he deliberately ordered to be massacred and slain on the plains of Jaffa ? — No: mercy is not to be expected from that man, who, with a fero- city unknown to modern times, was seen to exult at the very moment when his imperious mandate was carried into execution, — from him, who devoid of all natural affection, of every humane and honourable feeling, caused not less than five hundred and eighty of his fellow-soldiers, and countrymen, who were disabled by sickness, to be treacherously taken off by poison. Happy indeed is it for Britons, that his views on the United Kingdom have not been concealed from our knowledge ! Ours is the country, — we are the people, from w r hom 55 these scenes of carnage, horror, and dismay are now in preparation. All ranks and des- criptions of persons amongst us, our nobility and gentry, — our merchants and manufactur- ers, — our yeomanry and peasanty, — our sons and daughters, — our wives and brethren, are all, by a sanguinary and vindictive policy, stu- diously marked out as victims to the insatiate avarice, ambition, and lust, of this lawless in- vader, and his murderous host. Britons, who shall be found engaged (and is there one who will not be so found ?) in the just and honour- able defence of their country, their families, and themselves, are, without distinction, to be put to the sword : neither persons nor proper- ty will be respected, — the goods and merchan- dize of the manufacturer, — the tradesman, and mechanic, — the provident stores of the herds- man, — the flocks and herds of the grazier, his lawless myrmidons have been taught to look upon as their lawful prey ; the peaceful and retired dwelling of the cottager, — the mansion of the nobleman, — and the palace of the prince — will be alike exposed to the dismal eifects of conflagration ; for it is intended that all, both high and low, rich and poor, shall feel the 56 severity of the blow, which is now meant to be inflicted upon us, by the merciless and blood-stained hands of this haughty and inso- lent invader. The part then which we have to act at this momentous crisis, is by no means difficult to discover. This alternative alone remains to us ; we must either tamely submit to the gal- ling yoke of French despotism, which is at this time threatened to be imposed on us, or, by a firm and manly resistence, we must en- deavour to maintain our independence, as a people determined to conquer or die, as a na- tion of freemen, magnanimous in ourselves, re- solving to prefer death to slavery. Fear must have no place in our breasts; but let us take courage, and remember, that the Lord who is great and terrible, will strengthen our hearts, and enable us to fight for our brethren, our sons, and our daughters, our wives, and our property. Strong and vigorous measures must, of ne- cessity, be adverted to, and the wisdom and promptitude of our ruler were never more ap- parent than in the provisions that have been progressively made for the general defence and 57 security of the country ; and that mutual de- fence, which we understand to be against a foreign invasion, has ever been considered as one of the first and greatest concerns of soci- ety. A previous knowledge of the use of arms is indispensably required of every one, who is zealous to procure for himself, and to hand down inviolate to his posterity, the much en- vied privileges and birthright of Britons. Firmness of deportment, the acknowleged result of a steady and uniform dicipline, has ever been held to be a principal requisite in all military operations. It is not with raw, irre- gular troops that we shall have probably to en- counter, but veterans trained, trained too in the art and exercise of war. \\ ill it be then said, that a body of men, how vast soever the num- ber may be of which it is composed, collected on a sudden, from various quarters, unskilled in the use of arms, and unable to perform those necessary evolutions, by means of which, un- der the directions of a gallant and experienced commander, they might be led on to conquest and to glory, — will it be said, that men of this description would be competent to make a re- I 58 solute and successful stand against the enemy ? Certainly not. For though superior in num- ber, and not interior in bravery, yet we should unfortunately find, that this our superiority -would not be immediately available, without order and discipline. Discipline constitutes the very life and soul of our army ; without it valour cannot well be directed to its proper end. Arms, in the hands of those who are untrained to the use of them, lend only to create confusion, which might ultimately be productive of the worst of consequences. It has indeed been justly remarked, that no number of men, though valiant, are naturally able to defend themselves, unless they be well armed, disciplined, and conducted ; their mul- titude brings confusion, and irregularity increa- ses fears; whereas, on the contrary, if they were brought into good order, they might con- quer ; if it be the general wish (and it is im- possible that it should be otherwise) that our fleets and armies should be preserved from destruction, our commerce from annihilation, our property from pillage, and our persons from violence,— that Great Britain should still maintain that high rank and pre-eminence, 59 which she has hitherto held amongst the na- tions of Europe; what is more likely to accom- plish these great and important objects, than an hearty adoption of those measures, which have been sanctioned and recommended to us by a solemn act of the legislature ? If any further attempt is necessary to stimulate our exertions, and to excite our vigilance, let us turn our views to another country, which not long since, was as free, happy, and virtuous as our own ; there we behold a once brave and generous people, most fatally beguiled by French perfidy, and French politics ; no sooner had they lost their independence, than their days of happiness closed upon them ; that sun of liberty which till lately invigorated them with its highest beams, is now set in obscurity ; a dark and threatnened cloud has succeeded in its stead ; and storms and tempests seem ready, every moment, to discharge themselves upon them. Had they been timely aware of their danger, it might, in all probability, have been averted. An awful warning to Britons, to be always upon their guard, like the Jews I 2 60 of old, to be ever ready for the combat, lest they be lulled into a careless lethargy ! Unanimity was never more desirable than at the present moment ; on that rests our se- curity. A people, firm in these determinations to support the government under which they live, cannot be conquered ; they are, and al- ways will be, invincible. Britons, let it never be said, that during any eventful peri- od, we gave way to despondency and despair, or that we suffered ourselves to be cast down by groundless apprehensions and fear. No ! Such was not wont to be the conduct of our brave and loyal ancestors, whose generous ar- dour would never permit any insult offered to the crown, or to the laws and liberty of the nation, to remain long unresented and unpun- ished: the love of their King and Country was predominant, on all great and trying occasions. Actuated by similar motives, let not us, their descendants, need to be reminded of our duty ; for, an honest exultation every friend to his King und Country must feel, when he beholds that genuine spirit of loyalty and pa- triotism, which has already burst forth in all parts of the kingdom; the unanimity and alac- 61 rity with which myriads of Britannia's sons have stepped forward, and resolved to sacrifice all their personal and private views, in order to proceed against this common enemy, as neces- sity has required. This will ever entitle them to a most distinguished mark among the de- fenders of their country. The meritorious ser- vices which they have thus rendered to the public, is beyond any human power, either to appreciate, or to enumerate. By disdaining to shrink from their duty, in this hour of trial and danger, the British Volunteers have con- ducted themselves in a manner, which would have done credit to ancient times, and have incontestably proved to the world, that they have in no wise degenerated from the brave, loyal, and intrepid spirit of their forefathers. A\ hen people become thus firm and united at home, we have little or nothing to fear from any combination of enemies abroad. As subjects of Great Britain, as sailors and soldiers, we have great reason to congratulate ourselves on the many blessings we enjoy, un- der the mild and beneiiecnt reign of a prince, whose whole aim has been to advance the pros- perity of his people, and who, in the discharge m of the relative duties of life, — in the various characters of husband, father, and christian, — has held out to us an example, which we shall do well to imitate and follow : — with a gene- rous confidence, which all must admire and revere, has this, our most gracious sovereign, committed himself to the protection of his loy- al and faith. ul subjects. Oh! let us not then desert our good and pious king in his declining years : " Forsake him not when his strength faileth." When assured of our unshaken at- tachment to his Royal person and government, how will he rejoice to know, that in the hearts and affections of his people, he is in possession of an impregnable bulwark, which will enable him to bid defiance to all his enemies. Thus will he be led to " joy in thy strength O Lord: his enemies shall be clothed with shame, they shall lick the dust, but on his head shall the crown flourish." As members of the British Empire, we have moreover, a great and important interest at stake : our religion — our constitution, — our li- berty, — our laws, — have all stood the test of well-tried experience, and as yet stand unrival- led, for the excellence and purity of the prin- 63 ciples on which they are founded ; and on their permanency rests our happiness as a peo- ple. For the establishment and preservation of these, it was that our forefathers maintained a long and glorious struggle : and their poste- rity, animated b y the bright example, will manifest, no doubt, what may be still done in support of them, when the strength and en- ergy of the nation shall be displayed in their full force. There is not, we may affirm, a single inhabitant of this great and flourishing island, who is not essentially interested in the permanency of the British constitution — a constitution, which administers justice with impartial sway, and affords equal protection to both rich and poor ; whilst it provides at the same time for the latter, in a manner the most liberal and unprecedented. Such a system of benevolence as that which is exhibited in our laws respecting the poor, is altogether unknown to other nations. No country has yet been discovered, where they are so effectually secured from the miseries attendant on want, and disease, in every stage and circumstance of life. The sums of money which are annually appropriated to the servi- \\(\ clothe them with majesty and terror; so that they shall scatter the people that delight to war against him. Britons! casl your eyes on the unjust proceedings of tin; usurper, the 70 .Emperor of the French: — Contemplate his conduct towards the Hanoverians, once a happy people, now driven from their homes, and deprived of all comfort; — trace him into Naples, giving, and his generals issuing or- ders, in flat contradiction to the Monarch of that kingdom ; — an act, at once the most despotic, that ever disgraced a civi- lized nation. View also his conduct to Portu- gal, and in fact wherever his fancy leads him ; — pillage, rapine, aqd cruelty, are his orders, and his soldiers, now nearly slaves, instantly obey. Recently has he invaded the territory of the Elector of Baden, and in cool blood cru- elly butchered an illustrious young prince. What then must we expect from a tyrant, un- just in all his proceedings, assuming to himself a title he has no right to ? A General, who fled from his soldiers in the hour of distress, cannot be entitled to the rank of Emperor. Let us hope, therefore, that this boasting hero will soon be convinced, that both himself, his plots, and myrmidons of soldiers who dare attempt the invasion of this country, will prove abortive; and that the courage of Britons will hold out a lesson to future ages, that unanimity 71 love of their country, veneration for their King, and a regular observance of the laws, and of their duty to God, mixed with a steady per- severance, have rescued their land from deso- lation. At present the fortress of Acre, the shores of Aboukir, and the plains of Egypt, stand as a memento how far Britons can act against IN- VINCIBLE ARMIES. FINIS, It. EdwarH;, Printer, Crane Court, ilecl Street. Just published by the same Author, In Royal Octavo,, price Ten Shillings in Boards, A TREATISE ON THE EIGHTEEN MANOEUVRES, WITH NINETEEN ENGRAVINGS, INCLUDING THE REVIEW AND PASSING THE GENERAL, With explanatory Notes to each Word of Command. LIKEWISE, Observations on the interior Regulations of Companies, To ivhich is subjoined, THE DRILL AND PIKE EXERCISE, Sold by the Author ; and also by Mr. Egcrton, Military Library, Whitehall. HT d 0$ THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara STACK COLLECTION THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. i 6,'62(C972484) 176D UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 242 002 4