Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-08-09
JOURNAL.


JOURNAL.
On the 9TH of August, 1909, we were
taken by the French privateer "Grand Duke
OF Burgh. - with four of the sailors, wa:
carried into Calais-;he ship into Dunkirk
August 9th Tie four sailors and my sci
put into gaol--nothing to subsist on bu
black bread and water. wrote a letter
TO-DAY, to my captain. So end these "a
hours.
August 9th-To.dsy gentleman, by tn,
name of Davies, came into the prison Il
see me, and informed me that he had go,ter
letter from Dunkirk, mentioning tina
most of the sailors clothes, and mine, wer,
stolen by the privateersmen. Nothing t.
| subsist on these "a hours but black breae
and water.
August 1Oth-This morning Mr.. Davies
came into the gaol, and informed me tina
the four sailors and myself would have to b.
marched off to Bologne; and, at nine, A
M. the Gems d'Armes came, pat US, al
FIVE in irons, and marched us off like sc
many criminals. The weather proved We
ry warm and sultry. AS the sailors anc
myself found ourselves almost exhausted
with heat, hunger and thirst, the Gems
d'Armes stopped at small village called
MAJ quise, where, (having none OF US a cen
in our poekets) | was compelled to leav,
my watch for three crowns to get somethin,
| to eat and drink. AT p. M. we arrived
at Bologne, and were Immediately thrus
| into prison. / asked the woman ot the gao
to bring me bottle OF beer, which she re-
fused, and said that SALT WATER was good
enough for US. Showed her half crown
she spit on it, and said she would give us
nothing. then entreated her to give US a
little water, which she denied. Here We
had nothing 10 lie on except little straw,
which was almost eaten up by vermin. In
the course Oh the night one OF the sailors
drank off nall bucket OF sIagnated wafer,
through thirst. So end these most horrid
"a hours.
August 11--At A. M. Gems d'Arme
came and removed US from the prison where
We were, to another. Here we remained
until A z. M. before they allowed us any
thing to eat they then gave US small black
loaf of bread, telling Us 1t was to last US for
twenty -four hours. Here We were con-
stantly locked up, with no bed but little
straw.
August l2th--Still confined in this hor-
rid prison. Nothing but our usual diet,
black bread, and not MALT enough of that
l thought it an impossibllity to get letter
from my Captain, and felt myself forsaken
by the whole world.
August I3th.-At A. M. two mer-
chants entered the prison and asked me if |
were willing to enter for aprivateer; which
I refused, and told them preferred death.
l added that they were in the habit of taking
American vessels, and | could not stand
the idea of fighting against my country. We
have still nothing for subsistence but black
bread and water.
August 14th.-Still confined in this hor.
rid prison, with the usual diet. The poor
sailors complained very much to day, and
told me they were in state OF starvation.
observed to them that my situation was
the same with theirs, but advised them TO
have fortitude.
August 15th.-To-day the Commissary
of the Police came into the prison, and In
CURED tor the Mate of the Nancy, OF Bal.
timore. was, consequently, carried to
him. He spoke good English, and asked
me if would consent that The sailors should
Join privateers crew. / told him | had
nothing to do with the people; they were