North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-08-28

yet, and viii probably last until his sue
cessor shall take his place. However two
priests Of ST. Sulpice Seminary have visi-
ted Us some few days back. and they told
Us that they had leave TO come and admin
lister religions comforts to the prisoners.
But all this does not change our diet,
which consists of bread and water, aud
does not purify the air Of our cells, which
is very infections.
We had great deal TO suffer from the
insolence oil the turn-keys Of the jail, who
wanted TO treat Us as felons; we had also
great deal TO bear from the impote and
arbitrary conduct Of many Of the military
officers, who for long while, visited tho
Jail.
Tyrants always find good reasons for
prosecuting the defenceless & their fears oil
ways excite their hatred and persecution
prisoner (Mr. s. Marchessauls had
passed his time in moulding small lead
cannons Of few inches long which he had
completely rugged. This was discovered by
some indiscreet persons who Immediately
appraised the authorities of the terrible fact;
fear augmented the number as well as the
size OF the cannons. The Sheriff made
haste towards the Jail and caused con-
siderable noise about this nonsense a
thorough visit was made all over the ward
where it was said that cannons had been
cast; the one accused Of having cast the
cannons, was threatened with being put in
irons, and all this stir for a plaything which
bad been made 10 amuse a small child who
was then visiting his father. But this ia
not all rumor had spread all over the City
that cannons were cast in Jail, that powder
had been furnished TO the prisoners by
means of loaves of bread in which it had
been secreted, and that at certain hour Of
the night, the prisoners were to fire upon
the sentries, and that by this coup de
main we were to obtain the keys Of the jail
and thereby make our escape. The sem
tries in consequence received orders 10 be
on the qut vive, and to keep good watch
on the windows. The result Of all this noise
was that no sentry syet killed and that we
are yet in jail. should not be surprised if
the Sheriff or the Jailer should be made
Knight Of The garter, or Of The MOST
HONORABLE Military Order of the
Bath, for this grand exploit in crushing
such mighty conspiracy against the ter.
der government of HER MOST Nh
TERNAL-Ca MAJESTY.
1t was through fear that they increased
the number of the sentries, and the guard
in jail; it was through fear that they plac--
ed seniries not only out Of the Jail, but also
at the door Of each ward, where there are
prisoners; it was through fear that new
iron-grates were added and that the door
OF each ward was plated anew with sheet
iron. would here relate the story Of
fire which was very near consuming this
Jail some days since, but the people would
believe that was writing a novel, and
would hardly credit il; so abstain from
speaking of it. 1t sufIices for me 10 say
that nearly all the troops Of the city, the
magistrates, the Sheriff, & all the author
tiles, came to fulfil each their part of this
comedy which might be in,ituled "peo-
pie frightened out of their senses.n When
we were first imprisoned, we could not
obtain the leave Of having paper, ink, pen,
pencils, penknives, either TO write to our
families or TO take notes. With time this
excessively rigorous order was partly re-
called, or at least the prisoners were not
watched so closely as they were at the be-
ginning. We were not allowed then TO re-
ceive letters nor to read newspapers, or see
our friends. Now we can write or receive
letters, but they must pass through the
hands Of the Attorney General: they seem
TO allow Us the perusal of newspapers
but as TO our friends, we cannot see them.
No doubt our condition is better than il
was at The beginning Of our incarceration,