Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-09-08
NARRATIVE OF COL. ETHAN ALIENS
CAPTIVITY.

We copy from the Boston "Lndependem
Chronicle" of Feb. II, 1880:
"The guard, which was set over us, was by
this time touched with the feelings Of compass
sion and finally trusted one of them with a
letter of complaint to Governor Arbuthnot of
Halifax, which he found means to communicate,
and which had the desired effect; for the Gov
ernor sent an officer and surgeon on board
the prison ship, to know the truth of the com
plant. The officers name Russell, who
held the rank of Lieutenant, and treated me in
friendly and polite manner, and was really
angry at the cruel and unmanly usage the pris-
oners met with and with the surgeon made Il
true report of matters to Governor Arbuthnot
who, either by his order or influence, took us
next day from the prison sloop to Halifax gao,
where first became acquainted with the now
Hon. James Lovel, Esq, one of the members
of Congress for the State Of Massachusetts,
Bay. The sick were taken to the hospital, and
the Canadians, who were effective, were en-
ployed in the Kings works. and when their
countrymen were recovered from the scurvy,
and Joined them, they all deserted the Kings
employ, and we're not heard of at Halifax, as
long as the reminder of the prisoners contin-
ued there, which was till near the middle of
October We were on board the prison sloop
about six weeks and were landed at Halifax
near the middle of August Several of our
English American prisoners, who were cured of
the scurvy at the hospital, made their escape
from thence, and after long time reached their
old habitations.
had now but Is with me of those that were
taken in Canada, and remained in gaol with
mel in Halifax, who, in addition to those that
were imprisoned before, made our number about
"a, who were all locked up in one common
large room, without regarC. TO rank, education,
or any other accomplishment, where we conlin-
ued from the setting to the rising sun; and as
sundry of them were infected with the gaol and
other distempers, the furniture of this spacious
room consisted most principally of excrement
tubs. We peitioned for removal of the sick
into the hospitals, but were denied. We re-
monstratcd against the ungenerous usage OF
being confined with the privates, as being con-
trafy to the laws and customs of nations, and
particularly ungrateiul in them, in consequence
of the gentlemanllke usage which the British
imprisoned officers met with in America and
thus we weared ourselves pettioning and re-
monstrating, but to no purpose ut all for Gen
eral Massey who commanded at Halifax, was
as nfexibe as the Devil himself ia fine pre-
parative this for Mr. Lowell member of the Con-
tnental Congress.)
Lieut.. Russell (whom l have mentioned be-
fore) came to visit me in prison, and assured
me that he had done his utmost to procure my
parol for enlargement; at which British Cap
tain, who was then the Town Major, expressed
compassion for the gentlemen confined in the
filthy place, and assured me that he had used
his influence to procure their enlargement; his
name was near like Ramsey. Among the prs-
oners there were five in NUMBER who had L.
gal claim to paro, viz James Lovel, Esq
CAPTAIN Francis Proctor, Mr. Houland, maste,
OF Continental armed vessel, Mr. Taylor, his
mate, and myself"