thing;" and so to the next, and throughout the whole charges"Nothing" was the answer, except from Marshal Jenkins. He began to tell what the refugees told him at the Vineyard when they returned from Nantucket; but Gen. Ward stopped him and asked, "Were you at Nantucket?" He answered, "No." "Then you can give no evidence." One charge against me was "corresponding with the enemy." This correspondence was a letter given to Ebenezer Coffin, addressed to Gen. Prescott, requesting the release of his son, and assuring him that he had not been in an armed vessel. This same Ebenezer Coffin acquainted his brother Alexander that I had given the letter, who used his utmost against me. This committee was composed of the two branches, of the House and Senate, who reported to their several departments. The house then took the vote and cleared us fully, except one single vote, but the senate in their vote held us. A committee of conference was appointed. They met and reported. Each branch adhered to its former vote; thus we were discharged by the house and held by the senate; but we were not detained, and so it remained until we were set at liberty by the peace. In the complaint I was charged with being the means of preventing a brig, which had much of Jenkins's property on board, from being retaken. I suppose such was the case by reasoning with the owners then present. The seven armed vessels had gone over the bar and anchored, waiting for the flowing of the tide to take the brig out. It was suggested by some hot-headed men that they could retake her. I admitted it, but asked the owners if it would be an even stake, observing, "They have now got what they will take, at this time, and if this vessel is stopped it will bring the seven armed vessels into the harbor again, and no doubt the destruction of the town will be the consequence." (For there was no effective force to prevent it.) "If you, the owners, will let her go, I am willing to contribute to the loss of the vessel and goods on board in the same proportion that I should pay in a tax of equal amount." A great number of people were present, who generally united in the proposal. The owners let her go, and I contributed seven hundred and twenty dollars toward the loss of the property, which was more than double my proportion of a like tax. When this circumstance was known, while we were in Boston, it raised a great indignation against Jenkins, that such a charge should be in the charges, when I had made double compensation to what I ought. In a conversation with him at the time of our examination, several others being present, I understood him that I ought to make some concession. My answer was, "If turning my hand over in the way of concession would withdraw the complaint, I would not do it. If my innocence will not protect me, and my life should be taken, my blood will be required at thy hands." This shocked him, but it did not last long, as when he told some of his friends that he believed Samuel Starbuck and myself were clear, and they asked him why he did not take our names out of the complaint, he replied, "Because it suits me best to keep them in." So callous a heart I hope is not often to be met with, thus playing with our lives as with a tennis ball. I am glad to leave this tragic scene and proceed. Some time in the year 1780, Admiral Arbuthnot returned to England, and Admiral Digby succeeded him. As soon as Arbuthnot was gone, those plundering refugees were upon us again, our protection having ceased by his departure. This renewed our perplexity. The town was convened to consult about measures to prevent destruction. The result was to send a committee to New York to solicit an order from Admiral Digby similar to that we had before. It was proposed to me to go with two others. I had been then confined nearly nine months with the rheumatism, had just left my crutches, and was hobbling about with a cane, therefore I could not think of such an undertaking; but all others utterly refused to go unless I would accompany them. This brought a great strait upon my mind. Go, I thought, I could not, and to omit it seemed almost inevitable destruction. At last I consented, under great apprehension that I should not live to return. We accordingly set sail, and when we were off Rhode Island, I was obliged to have them go to the east side of the island and lay there several days, for my pain was so great that I could not bear the motion of the vessel; but we got safely to New York in a few days after it abated. Admiral Digby had arrived, Commodore Affleck (since Admiral) still being there, and he having kindly assisted in procuring the permits for a few whaling vessels the year before, we first applied to him. We asked him to introduce us to the Admiral and assist us in procuring protection against these cruisers in our harbor, and some permits for the fishery. He looked very stern, and said, "I don't know how you can have the face to ask any indulgence of us. I assisted you in getting permits last year, for which I have been sorry. I find you have abused the confidence we placed in you, for Captain, who cruised in Boston bay and its vicinity told me he could hardly find a vessel but what had the permits, and yo deserve no favor," &c. &c. I heard him patiently through while he was giving us such a lecture, knowing I could overthrow it all. I then answered: "Commodore Affleck, thou hast been grossly imposed upon in this matter. I defy Captain — to make such a declaration to my face. Those permits were put into my hands. I delivered them, taking receipt for each to be returned to me at the end of the voyage, and an obligation that no transfer should be made or copies given. I received back all the permits except two, before I left home, and should probably have received those two on the day I sailed. Now if any such duplicity has been practised, I am the person who is accountable, and I am now here to take the punishment such perfidy deserves." He immediately became placid, and said, "You deserve favor; I am now going to the admiral. Do you go there in an hour." We attended punctually. He introduced me to the Admiral, and informed him that his predecessor, Admiral Arbuthnot, granted the people of Nantucket a few permits for the fishery last year, adding, "I can assure your Excellency they have made no bad use of them." Thus after a storm came a pleasant calm. T PRISON SHIPS, AND THE "OLD MILL PRISON,” Communicated by the Rev. SAMUEL CUTLER, of Boston. HE following extracts are from the Journal of Mr. Samuel Cutler, who sailed from Newburyport in the privateer Brig Dalton, as clerk to Eleazer Johnson, commander, November 15, 1776. Mr. Cutler was born in Boston, Oct. 5, 1752, and died June 28, 1832. He was the youngest child of David, of Boston, and a descendant from John Cutler of Hingham, Mass., originally from Sprowston, co. Norfolk, England, 1637. For further information, see the Genealogy of the Cutler Family, by the Rev. Abner Morse. The journal was kept by Mr. Cutler while on board the Dalton, and a prisoner in the vessels of Great Britain, and at Mill Prison, Plymouth, Eng. From it we have selected the items here communicated. They give some insight into prison life in the opening of the Revolution; for the writer remembers the statement of Mr. C., that the prisoners from the Dalton were among the earliest occupants of "Mill Prison."* JOURNAL. Νον. 15, 1776. Sailed from Newburyport, Mass., in the Privateer Brig Dalton, mounting 18 carriage guns and 16 swivels, Eleazer Johnson commander. March 16. Arrived at Portsmouth (N. H.), and came to anchor in Pepperill's Cove. Nov. 26. Sailed upon a cruise with 120 men. Nov. 28. Chased a sloop; night came on, could not come up with her. * See a list of American prisoners in Old Mill Prison, in the REGISTER, Xix. 74-5, 136141, 209-13. The prisoners taken from the Dalton will be found on p. 74 of that volume. ED. + A vessel with two masts, and a third small mast just abaft the main-mast, carrying a trysail. Dec. 24. In latitute 44 No., long. 14 West. Light breeze. At 2 P.M. saw a sail. *** Beat to quarters. At 10 P.M. she gave us a gun. Then another. Ordered us to surrender, which we thought best, as she proves to be the Raisonable,* of 64 guns, Thomas Fitzherbet. They boarded us sword in hand, and sent us all on board the ship without suffering us to take our clothes. All except the captain, 2 lieutenants, master, surgeon, capt. marines, 1 prize master, myself and 2 boys were indiscriminately turned down in the cable tier to sleep on the bare cables, as Capt. Fitzherbet would not suffer them to bring their clothes, but let his own people rob us of what they thought proper. [One or more leaves of the journal are missing. These probably contained an account of their treatment on board the Raisonable, the voyage to Plymouth, and their transfer to the Belleisle, Capt. Brooks, "where we meet with better usage."] Previous to Jan. 20, 1777, and probably written on board the Belleisle, in Plymouth harbor, we have the record, "Arrived from a cruise the Thetis frigate of 32 guns, with the brig Triton, James Tileston master, from Newburyport to Bilboa, which the Thetis took on her passage." Jan. 20. Arrived the Southampton, a frigate of 32 guns, from a cruise. Also the Weasel sloop of 16 guns. Jan. 30. Came Capt. Brown (and others) of the privateer sloop "Charming Sally," 10 guns, which the "Nonsuch," of 64 guns, took and sent to this port. Capt. Brown belonged to New Haven, in Conn., and sailed from Dartmouth, Nov. 28, 1776. February 7th. Second remove from the Belleisle (after being on board her 18 days) to the Torbay, 74 guns, Capt. St. John, which lays at moorings in Hamoaz. [Hamoaz is one of the three divisions of Plymouth harbor.] The people are removed from the cable tier to the 'twixt decks, where is a pen built up forward, in a bay, much like a sheep pen, so small all cannot lie down at a time. Feb. 13, 1777. Third remove from the Torbay-after being on board her 6 days to the Burford of 70 guns, George Bowyer, Esq., commander, a man of humanity, tenderness and compassion, which we have all experienced. When he found what a situation Fitzherbet left us in, he expressed himself surprised, and told us he would do all in his power to make our situation as comfortable as possible, and give us all the indulgence he could, consistent with his duty. Capt. Bowyer has taken our necessitous condition so much into consideration as to order all that are destitute of beds, bedding, clothes, &c., to a considerable amount, which we have reason to believe, by his own acknowledgment, is at his own expense. For which favor we are very thankful. Such humane behaviour demands our grateful acknowledgments. [It is pleasant, after one hundred years, to note especially this record of kindness to his prisoners on the part of Capt. Bowyer. If the severity of Fitzherbet lives after him, so does the loving-kindness of Bowyer.] Feb. 15. The Boyne of 74 guns, the Torbay of 74, Alboine of 74, Belleisle of 64, the Thetis frigate of 32 guns, sailed upon a cruise. By Capt. Bowyer's orders sent to the Royal Hospital: Thos. Bayley, Nath'l Bayley, Eben'r Hunt, Will Horner, • This ship, in the History of Newburyport by Mrs. E. V. Smith, page 383, is called the Reasonable; and it is so called in the Royal Kalendar for 1770. Jos. Clark, Dan'l Lane, and Dan'l Cottle, Reuben Tucker, Jona. Whitmore, all sick of different disorders. Feb. 17. The Experiment of 50 guns, James Wallace commander, arrived from New York. 18th. Lizard, frigate, of 32 guns, arrived from Halifax, dismasted. 20th. Ebenezer Hunt died at the Hospital of a fever. 23d. Returned the Torbay, sprung a leak. 26th. Returned the Boyne, sprung her bowsprit. March 1, 1777. Arrived the Liverpool frigate of 32 guns, Capt. Bellew, from Halifax. 6th. Sailed the Somerset of 74 guns, for America. The frigates Blond, Signet and Active, of 32 guns each, upon a cruise. March 14. Sailed the Raisonable of 64 guns, for America, and the Augusta upon a cruise. 16th. Returned the Alboine, sprung her main mast. Jenkins, Welch and Walker, three Americans, brought on board here as prisoners, being taken on their passage from South Carolina to Nantz, by several British seamen, who belonged to the ship, who rose and confined the captain with the ship's crew, and carried her into Liverpool. The ship belonged to the Congress, loaded with indigo, rice, &c. Those that rose and took the ship had no part of the capture, but were pressed on board a ship of war. [Rather hard usage by the English government toward the seamen of her own nation, who had so successfully captured and carried into port an American vessel. The name of the prize is not recorded.] [To be continued.] RECORD OF THE BOSTON COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE, INSPECTION AND SAFETY, MAY TO NOV. 1776. Copied by permission of SAMUEL F. MCCLEARY, Esq., City Clerk, from the original record-book in the archives of the City of Boston, Mass. 1776. [Continued from vol. xxxi. page 294.] AT a Meeting of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection August 6. & Safety, August 6, at the Council Chamber, to sail on Mr Appleton in the Chair Cap Holmes The Committee having considered, on the application made by Conditions. Cap Holmes-Voted, that said Holmes be permitted to depart from hence to the Granades this Day Seven night, and that his Sails be delivered up for that purpose, provided that he upon his honor declares, that he will not Communicate any intelligence to the Enemy or receive & carry off any Letters but such as shall be inspected by this Committee and that he also make Oath, that he will immediately proceed from hence to the Granades and not attempt to land upon any part of this Continent, or Newfoundland unless absolutely obliged thereto by distress of Weather or some unforeseen accident. Adjourned to 6 O'Clock this Evening, Council Chamber. |