North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-08-14
EDITED BY CANADIANS & AMERICANS


commission Of Captain had been given:
bis name was kSIGHr. We were thrown
upon the camp.bed Of the euard-house,
and there divesied of our clothes in pres
ence OF the guard, and were uublssh
ingy searched all over, to find papers on
Us. Finding no papers, the Captain appro-
prlated 10 himself all the money, watches,
keys, penknives, and even the speciaces
that one ol US wore. After this we were
taken 10 another building Of cut stone,
where there were neither stove or FIRE. On
each side OF passage that extended thro'
the building there were cells Each of us
had one of these cells for his abode each
Of these cells measured six by six feet. We
passed the whole night without bed or
bedding, although the cold was intense.
kind Of window about four inches wide
by "a inches high, cut obiiquely in the
wall, and To which there was no glass,
brought US IN immediate contact with the
exterior atmosphere. As our hands and
feet were yet wet with the water OF the
marshes through which we had travelled
the night before, what we suffered in our
cells is beyond all description. We re-
NAMED four days at Isle .4ur Noir
three times day we were dragged from
our cells to the guard house, always well
tied up, to take our meals. 1t was in this
way that they took US 10 those places
where nature daily calls us three soldiers
armed with bayonets accompanied us, and
our hands being closely tied logeiherj they
were obliged to wait upon us.
VainIy did we solicit our jailor to give
US a little straw or hay to sleep on vainIy
did we ask him for some utensiI to receive
the dirt and filth with which we were in
commodcd every night; all we could OBJ
tain from this tyrant, who was designedly
so inhumane, was little straw with which
he shut the holes in the wall Of our cells.
Undoubtedly we would have persisted with
the cold, if the number Of The prisoners
had not increased every day, so much so
that they were forced to put foW Of US in
each cell. To retain the animal heat in
our bodies two of US laid down ide-by-sde,
with the other two on top. When the
two on top became cold, or those UNDER
meath oppressed with the weight of their
companions, we changed positions. At
times we were obliged 10 get up and dance
and Jump about the room. One day we
remained eighteen hours in our cells, and
it sickens me to think Of it, we were in the
midst Of our excrements Of the preceding
night and the day before. Perhaps we
were not the most miserable among the
prisoners; many Of whom were hardly
clothed, having been taken from their
homes without having time allowed them
to take with them their clothes. OF all
the prisoners young Cartier, who was
wounded in the hand, inspired me with The
most compassion. Like ourselves be was
in a cold cell, tied very closely, without
being allowed to have his wound dressed.
His suferings must have been intolerable,
yet he bore it all with true philosophical
courage. Mr.. Bouchette who had been
wounded in the foot, remained at the
guard-house, where he had fire, but no
bed, and where he was very much neglect
ed by the surgeons. believe that when
he certified in the public newspapers that
he had been well treated at Isle fur Noir,
he meant the kind treatment he received
from the son Of an officer, Mr.. John John
son, who sent him wines and refreshments
| from his table, and not the harsh treat
ment he received from the authorities on
the Island. II he was taken TO St. Johns
in carriage, it was because there was no
possibility Of making him walk.
IIA Dec.-We left the Island TO the
number OF o. Eac! of US had lis arms
tied behind his back, with another rope
we were tied two by two. Without this
severity there were enough precautions,
inasmuch as there were 40 soldiers with
I fixed bavonets and loaded guns, under