“I present these Lines with my Duty to you hoping they’l find you with the family and all connected in perfect health. I was taken on the 16th Sept. and brought to New York, the 13th inst., and put out on board this ship the 18th. Indeed it is one of the worst places in the World, and the Prisoners are suffering; Sickly and dying daily, not having the common necessaries of life. I have seen Mr. Welsh who promised to assist me but have heard no more from him since the 18th inst. Mr. Chadwell has tried to get me exchanged but has not made out. He talks of taking Mr. Stone and me ashore and will assist us whilst confined. You will give my kind love to my Wife and family, likewise to my Brothers and Sisters, and desire Moses to write to me, and try to get me exchanged. My love to all relations and friends.
“May God preserve you in health and all with whom we are connected, is the earnest prayer
“of your Dutiful Son
“Wm. Russell.”
Two weeks later the Captain addressed to his friends, “Messrs. Edes and Sons, Printers, Boston,” a moving appeal for help in the following words:
“Jersey Prison Ship, New York Harbor,
“Dec. 7th, 1782.
“Mr. Edes,
“Dear Friend:
“I write you a few lines to inform you of my miserable situation, and at the same time to beg your assistance. I am again by the fortune of War thrown into the Enemies’ hands, where our scanty allowance is not sufficient to support nature, and part of that we are cheated out of. I had the promise of a Gentleman’s friendship at York, to get me Paroled or Exchanged but find that Admiral Digby is so inveterate against Privateersmen that he’ll not allow any Paroles. Therefore, Sir, I most earnestly intreat of you to use your influence with Maj. Hopkins to send to Mr. Sproat Commissioner of Prisoners at New York, for Mr. John Stone and me, which he may do very easily, and pray send in the first Flag some British Prisoner to release me. I suppose my Brother has arrived and brought some in.”
Some happy shift of fortune seems to have bettered the situation of the prisoner in January of 1783, for he wrote to his wife in a wholly different strain to inform her of his deliverance from “that horrid pit” below the decks of the prison ship. Although still confined aboard the Jersey, he was able to say:
“My Dear, my situation is greatly altered. I am aft with a gentleman where I want for nothing, but live on the best, with good Tea night and morning and fresh meat every day. In short I am used like a gentleman in every respect both by Mr. Emery and his wife. Indeed, my Dear, I am happy in getting from between decks, out of that horrid pit where nothing but Horror is to be seen. My duty to my Mother, love to my Brothers and Sisters, and hope ere long to enjoy your agreeable company.
Your affectionate husband,
“Wm. Russell.”