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

August f6th.-To-day the Commissarv
came again into the prison, and sent for me.
had long conversation with him. Iasked
him five were considered as spies, crimi-
nails, or prisoners of war adding, that G.
ven criminals, in the United States, re.
ceived better treatment. He laughed at
me, and told me that, after all my foolish
efforts, | should have to join privatcer.
August 17th.-This morning they gave
us our usual allowance, a small black loaf
OF bread, for "a hours The four poor
sailors and myself were locked up in small.
dark casharU (cachet) as they call it, with
nothing to lie on but little straw swarmiug
with vermin.
August 1Sth.-To-day wrote again to
Captain kearney, and asked him if he did
not mean to intercede, and get us out of
this most horrid prison. l heard that he
was at liberty in Duukirk, living on the far
of the land, and continually drunk.
August 19th.--Still confined in this nil
SCRABBLE place, with no prospect of getting
out. All my letters to Captain Kearney
were useless Twelve days have now pass.
ed since shifted my linen, as I had NOT
one rag with me but the clothes in which I
stood.
August Goth. Usual diet. No meat.
nor any thing besides the black loaf.--So
ends this horrid day.
August 2lst.---This morning the Com.
missary came again, and repeated his so.
licitations to the sailors to enter on board
privatecr. They refused and said they
would starve little louger.-He went a.
way very much dispeased. Noletter from
Captain Kearney.
August 22d.-This morning an Ameri-
can sailor came into the prison and gave one
OF our sailors two Livers, which he imme-
diately expended for bread. This was
great refreshment to us.
August 2Sd.-This morning the gaoler.
for the first time, permitted US to go out.
and walk round the yard for half an hour, az
the expiration of which he drove us iato our
filthy roon again--- Hungry, hungry.
August 245h.--Ihis morning two nner.
chants came again TO know five would join
Privateer. The poor sailors impelled by
famine, consented.
August 25sh.---This morning to nv sur.
prize saw four of the people belonging TO
my ship, come into the prison. Danny ask
ing whence they came, they replied, from
Dunkirk, "Where was Capt. Kearney I"
He had embarked in the Diligence for Dun.
ki,k.-He did not come TO see me.
August 26th.--Ths morning an officer
took us all to the Bureau, and asked US if
we would join privateer. told him the
sailor. might do as they thought proper
but, for myself, Ishould refuse. The sail
ors all entered, through mere starvation.
My situation had been heretofore the same
with theirs, but on my refusal to go with
them, | was Immediately sent to the Castle
and put full twenty-five feet under ground.
in what they stle the Black Hold. In this
miserable cave had no one to speak to.
none from whom could derive comfort or
support.
August 27th.--At 8, A. M. an officer
came down into my vault, as may with
propriety term it, and asked me in English.
if l did not think myself fool, not to en-
ter for privateer. told him no, that,
never would prove false to my country. He
then left me. God knows that, atthis time,
was in state of absolute starvation.
August 2sth. Still confined to this most
dismal abode, on starving diet. thought
my sufferings were severe enough in tho
other prison but this is worse. There
are now two criminals confined with me.
August 29th.--A woman came down
with my days allowance, and returned un
the steps locking the door after her. Mo-
thing to lie on in this place but the hard
bricks. I am very miserable.
August 3oth.--Ths morning one of the
criminals died, by my side, of the fever
and ague. They kept him in this place till
p. M. Two old fellows with long boards
then came and took him away.
August 31st.--This morning an old wo.
man hroucht my black bread I smoke and