CHAPTER XIX.
Twenty-one—A Sorrowful Freedom—Fort on Drake’s Island—A Report—A Request granted—London Evening Post—Breach in Black-hole—Disagreeable Confinement—William Moody—Evening Post—John Howe—Escape prevented—King’s Speech—Anthony Shomaker’s Escape—Thoughts about the Cartel—Roll of Prisoners called by the Board—English Prisoners at Brest—Bad Money—Sorrowful Day—Donation Money closes—Hyfield’s Escape—Unsuccessful Attempt—Exposure of the Sick—John Lott died—Public Prayer—Insolent Captain rebuked—Letter of Thanks to the Hon. Committee—Escape of Captain Ross.
November 17. Tuesday. I am twenty-one years of age. Alas! little did I think, three years ago, that at this age I should have spent so much of my time immersed in prison. A sorrowful freedom this; or rather no freedom at all. There has been nothing to be purchased within these walls to-day, to drink, but cold water, and we came near having nothing to eat; for, it being rainy last night, some in prison broke a hole through the wall, with the intent to go out, but were discovered, and this morning our butcher went out to cut the meat up, but the agent put all in prison on half allowance, and then went off. When the butcher came in, we told the cooks not to cut the meat up, for we would not receive half allowance. About 4 o’clock in the afternoon the agent came back, in a great passion, swearing by all that was good or bad, that all in this prison should go on half allowance. The men that dug the hole offered to go to the Black-hole, but he refused their offer; but after a long controversy, he became a little more calm, and took the men and gave us our allowance, which we received about dark.
18. For several days past, a large number of men have been at work upon an island, called Drake’s Island. It seems that they have been building new works; I suppose for fear that a landing may be attempted by the French; and another fort is building further up the river.
19. To-day Joseph Burnham, one of our company, who had his leg cut off some months ago, has so far recovered as to come up into this yard.
20. We learn, by the papers, that 10,000 troops are to be sent to America in the spring, and the war is to be pushed with the utmost vigor, both by sea and land.
21. To-day we received a letter from Mr. Sorrey and Mr. Heath, which informs us that the beef shall be deducted, which we have received by subscription, and the other articles continued as before, and that we shall receive sixpence per week in money, according to our request.
22. Sunday. Wet, dirty weather, as it has been for three or four weeks past, in which time there has scarcely been a day in which it has not rained more or less.
23. This evening I had the privilege of hearing the London Evening Post read, which is a paper we seldom see, and in which is a burlesque on the Ministry, very severe.
24. I have been a prisoner three-and-twenty months to-day.