30. Some of us are sick with fever and ague.
31. Some carpenters are now at work building a new Black-hole, in an old prison in this yard, that has lately been repaired.
September 1. It is the opinion of some in this prison, that all the American prisoners in this yard will be removed to some other prison, to make room for the French prisoners, as there are now about four hundred Frenchmen in another yard; and there are a great number of French officers gone into the country, on parole.
2. This afternoon, Mr. Heath and Mr. Sorrey came to see us, and brought bad news for our officers, in a letter from the committee in London. The contents read nearly as follows:—
“Not from any prejudice or alteration in our affection for you, but fearing that you will remain in prison another winter, and the money raised for your support be expended, we thought proper to deduct two shillings per week from those officers who have hitherto been allowed five shillings; the other officers and privates, to remain as before.”
3. Nothing remarkable.
4. To-day four American gentlemen came to see us; one of whom belonged to Baltimore. He is a young man, and was bound to France to finish his education, when he was taken. He left America since General Clinton retreated from Philadelphia to New York, and he gave us a very satisfactory account of the battle—different from what was reported to us before. This young man had liberty to converse with us nearly two hours.
5. This morning, Elias Hart, one of Captain Lee’s company, died of consumption in the prison hospital. He is the sixth man that has died since I came to prison. Of late, our sick have fared much better than formerly. As we all draw money once a week, each respective crew contributes, weekly, for their sick, which supplies them with every necessary; so, that of late, there is always some money in the bank for the use of the sick. Since two shillings per week has been deducted from the officers, who formerly received five, most of them, from choice, receive what they are allowed from subscription, in money, and draw no other allowance than what is afforded by government. They can buy provisions as often as they want them, in public market, at the gate.
6. Sunday. This afternoon, three American captains came to see us. They have been taken some months, and are bound directly home.—Among the number, there is one Captain Potter, belonging to Boston.
7. Several of our men have been taken sick with fever and ague, within a few days, and a great number in prison are unwell.