12. To-day we were all examined, as of late has been customary once a month, to see who need clothes, and who do not.
13. Those who wanted shoes, were served to-day. These are allowed by government.
14. This morning, three French prizes were brought into this port—a ship, a brig, and a sloop.
15. This forenoon some officers from the ships, who were sent by Admiral Keppel, came here to take a list of the names of those who have a mind to go on board the men-of-war, and thirty in number gave in their names. Among the number were some Americans, but they were chiefly old countrymen. The officers brought with them an American who was taken with Captain Martingale in the first of the disturbance. His officers gave him a guinea to treat his countrymen.
16. Sunday. To-day another officer came from the ships. He, also, came for men.
17. We hear that Admiral Keppel and his fleet, are to sail in a few days.
18. This afternoon there were five Americans brought to prison. They were all taken in different vessels. Some of them belonged to armed ships, others to merchantmen. Some of them have been taken this six months, and have been hurried about from ship to ship, and used scandalously. They had a bounty offered them to go on board this fleet, now lying in the Sound, but they, like brave Americans, refused, and chose rather to come to prison. They were sent here without being examined, or committed by any justice of the peace.
CHAPTER XVI.
French Prisoners—Admiral Keppel sails—Another attempt to Escape—Americans brought back—Another Hole—Admiral Biron’s Fleet—A Gale—Number of French Prisoners—General Clinton’s retreat from Philadelphia—Elias Hart died—Fever and Ague prevails—A Discharge—Captain Burnel and Wife—Escape from Portsmouth—French Privateer—Letter from Portsmouth—Distribution of Clothing—Hot Press—Letter to Captain Lee—French Prisoners increase—Thomas Pillar—Fever and Ague prevails—A Vote for Money—Poor Beer—Drunkenness and Fighting.
August 19. This afternoon an officer from the ships came for those five men who were brought here yesterday. When they found out that they were to be carried on board the ships, as they were advised by the people in the yard not to go out at the gate, without they were dragged out, like brave men, they resisted, and swore that they would never lift a hand to do any thing on board of King George’s ships—neither would they go out of the yard. As the key was turned upon them, the guard was called in, and the officer of the guard and agent plead with them, telling them that they were put in here through mistake; and being over-persuaded by them, they went out.