Benjamin Marston's Diary: 1776-1787Benjamin Marston's Diary: 1776-1787 Benjamin Marston About the electronic version Benjamin Marston's Diary: 1776-1787 Marston, Benjamin Creation of machine-readable version: University of New Brunswick Creation of digital images: University of New Brunswick Conversion to TEI.2-conformant markup: University of New Brunswick; University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center University of New Brunswick Libraries Fredericton, N.B. http://www.lib.unb.ca Copyright University of New Brunswick; all rights reserved. 1996 Note: Images have been included of the diary's pages. 24-bit color, 72 dpi. About the print version Benjamin Marston's Diary: 1776-1787 Benjamin Marston Winslow Family Papers, MG H2, vol.20-22 University of New Brunswick Archives, Harriet Irving Library This text was prepared for the University of New Brunswick Electronic Text Centre as an TEI/SGML pilot project. Verification has been made against the manuscript version. Items added are assumed to be interlinear unless otherwise noted. Items deleted are assumed to be scored through unless otherwise noted. All manuscript corrections are in the hand of the author, Benjamin Marston. Underscoring and line indentation have not been preserved. All names have been checked against Winslow Collection indices but no name authority control exists at present. (February, 1997) The images exist as archived PICT images with JPEG versions for general use. Nautical notes and charts have not been transcribed and exist only as images. Library of Congress Subject Headings 1776-1787 United Empire Loyalists -- Diaries. Revisions to the electronic version Please see UNB's Conditions of Use Page image 59.1 is the natural Radius of the sine of 25o. The Rule is Thrice ye Square of the angle divided by 1000 the Remainder added to 57.3 is the natural Radius Ex: 25o 25 -- - 125 50 -- - 625 3 -- - 1,875 57.3 -- - 58,175 -- - [del. illeg.] June 10 Page image Sailed from Halifax in the Schooner Earl Percy Nath. Atkins master for Dominica & -- The Fleet and Army under Admiral Shuldham & Genl Howe sailed ye same day for New York & -- Arrived at Roseau in Dominica after 40 days passage & -- The long passage & the ill condition my Cargo was shiped in hurt it very much (it being chiefly fish) so that I made but an indifferent sale & -- August Aug. 24 Sailed from Roiseau for Eustatius Mr Routh in ye Brig Minerva came into ye Road just as we got under way he was chased in his passage & threw some letters overboard on wch as he inform'd me Dr. Prince depended [del. illeg.] [add: for] getting some insurance made on Capt Wood= =bury Aug. 26 Page image Arrived in St. Eustatius & tarried there one night & one day -- Here I had ye very great pleasure of seeing my old friend -- Mr. Longbotham whom I had not seen for ten years. I spent ye chief of my time wth him -- He is still ye same man 27 Sailed from St. Eustatius in ye Evening September September ye [del: 20] [add: 19] was taken by the Eagle Privateer Capt Elijah Freeman Paine commr in Lat: 41.2 on ye eastern part of George's Bank. 22d arrived at Plymouth -- next day was examined by the committee of safety ( Dr. Torey foreman) & was by them unanimously ordered to jail, my comittmt: was respited till next day on acco of my things being not landed out of the prize & for that [add: night] my Brother W Watson was my Bail -- The next day upon another Page image consultation had, the Committee of safety altered the place of my confinem.t. from ye common Jail to my Brother Watson's house to wch I came ye 24th Inst. The reason the committee give for confineing me is that ye People will be dis= =satisfyed if I am let go at large -- But the true reason is that ye malice & Revenge of I -- -W Esq would not otherwise be satisfyed, & the Committee are to a man his creatures. -- A List of the Committee who ordered me to be confined -- Deacon Tory Chairman a true Deacon Capt Weston -- He owes his existence to the very people he is now insulting -- His wig & head would compleatly fill] a corn baskett. -- Deacon Diamond a pious=looking w[add: h] ining body Mr Drew a [add: Gentleman] wth a ragged Jackett & I think a leather apron. -- Some[add: body] I could not see, he sat in ye dark, & I forget his name. -- Page image Silas A. Bartlett [add: a Good sort of man made a tool of To serve ye purposes of ye ] Mr. Mayhem a Simpering how=do=you=do, sorry= For=your=loss [del: body] kind of a body D. Lothrop One that has been [del: often] handsomly & Kindly entertain'd at my house He Can do dirty work Mr. Crosswell a youngish looking kind of body These were all met together at Mr. Mayhem's wth one accord & were all of one mind -- & so they ordered me to Prison To my Sister Lucia Watson wth my Picture in miniature -- Speed little Portrait, quickly, hence & go A Brother's likeness to his Sister show. Full to her view disclose his features all And tell her thus appears the Original Health & Content enlivening his face Shew that within his Breast dwells [del. illeg.] [add: smiling] Peace And tho now exil'd from his native land Drove from his home by Faction's cruel hand He still looks down on fickle Fortune's power Nor lets her frowns his chearful temper sour Page image Still pleas'd wth life happy he spends each day Enjoys each blessing Heaven sends his way No unfeeling Stoic, Nor all engaged for self, And Miser=like regarding only Self But still preserves a Sympathising heart And [del: for] [add: to] his Neighbour's joy can keep a part For man distress'd can shed a pitying tear And what he can't prevent can help to bear Life's Ocean thus [add: he] calmly [del. illeg.] passes o'er Nor fears a landing on ye other shore Being Sure, in this or any other Sphere Of always being as blest as he can bear Accept dear Lucia this rough peice T'amuse you tis design'd The portrait shews your Brother's face This fragment shews his mind Wrote from Windsor Nova Scotia May 1776 Page image To Eliza Accept dear maid in friendly part This artless lay, `t's from one whose heart Forever yet has constant prov'd And faithful to the fair he lov'd To you at W -- -h's happy place The Seat of plenty joy & Peace Where oft Apollo does resort And with ye muses keeps his Court `Tis sent, in hopes it may amuse you When the writer's present State it shews you Quite chang'd from that he enjoy'd of late At Winkworth's hospitable Seat Where with ye wise the good ye young A hundred years he'd scarce think long While every day new Objects brot To please ye Sense or engage ye Thot Sometimes descanting on ye Fashion Then Serious grown [del. illeg.] [add: reform] ye Nation Page image And Spend ye e'en of every day In rebuses & Bouts rimez Then sometimes Stolling down ye Hill To see ye Goose with little Will Who tired with rambling up & down Cries taake me so goes shoulder'd home But that which brighten'd all ye rest And to each pleasure gave [del. illeg.] [add: a] zest Was to hear & See you all ye while To Kindly talk & sweetly Smile But very different is ye Scene In wch I ever since have been Appollo's nor one muses face I've ne'er yet seen in all this place No genial Souls with whom to set And gravely talk or gayly chat No little Will with whom to play No Rebuses no Bouts rimez Page image Nor no Eliza who with Ease Made every Scene & Object please But Mars & Neptune's boisterous sons With pipes & fifes & drums & guns With rattling driving firing tearing Bawling Thumping Scolding Swearing Present mine eyes a different veiw From [del: what] that I late enjoy'd wth you But let me hope These Storms o'er blown And Smiling Peace again return'd In some secure retreat to prove The happy Object of your love This irksome Scene I then wou'd pass With heart resolv'd & Stedy face Nor mind ye waves that should rowl o'er [del: Such a] [add: So] fair [del. illeg.] [add: a haven] [del. illeg.] [add: lying] before me To Eliza From Halifax June 1776 [del. illeg.] October October 13 Plymouth Page image Sunday -- This is ye third Sunday I have spent in this place -- & have not been once inside of a meeting house -- So cruel are my Enemies they deprive me of the pleasure of hearing their pious Good ministers preach & pray -- I believe they think I have no soul -- or they don't care what becomes of it -- Or they think that going to meet =ing will not do me any good -- I think so too -- But [add: still] I should be glad to go now & then, for a little variety's sake -- The names of the Officers on board the Eagle Privateer as she is call'd Elijah Freeman Pain Commr 1st Leuitn. Smith .. 2nd Lt. Dodge master & Owner Isaiah Parker [add: Barnstable ] Prize master on board ye Earl Percy To Stephen Sewall Page image Dear Stephen These few lines come to let you know That I am well -- hope you are so (The true Style This epistolary From which good writers ne'er should vary) Likewise to give you information Of my present situation. Quite unlike your's who now at ease Can ramble wheresoe'er you please; In Town or out on foot or Nag on To Church to Burdick's or ye Dragon; Can go to Tom's -- Can dine with Prince , At night beat Peter of his pence; Who with ill luck quite surely made Growls like a bear with broken head, While I poor D -- -l [add: am] here confin'd (A State which no way suits my mind) For being -- you know all ye story A sad incorrigeable Tory Page image And now I am left so in the lurch By Heavens! I can't e'en go to Church. However -- Even let it run `t's a d -- -n'd long Lane that has no turn And when ye Tide has all ebb'd out The next thing 't does [del: twill] [add: is to] turn about As flow as high -- (Nay sometimes more) As it low-water was before It is some comfort when the Course Of things is such They can't be worse For then the next change that they take Must certain for the better make. Well -- don't you think reasons like these Ar' enough to keep one's heart at ease Some of them are old sayings too And therefore twice as good as new. I'll therefore set my heart at rest And of a bad Bargain make ye best. But yet it would some comfort be If I could but an old freind see Page image With whom to set awhile & chatter Of this & that & t'other matter The many happy Hours tell o'er Which we've enjoyed heretofore So if you will but hither come We'll add another to ye Sum And as dame Fortune's been unkind I'll fight a cock to raise the wind And [add: in] my turn will also tell ye The accidents which have befell me The many fine things I have seen In all those places where I've been Which I'll relate as certain true As [del: any] [add: many] Other Travellers do. But here I may n't omit to say How I took Eustatius in my way And spent with Longbotham [del: one] [add: a] day That artfull Bard! Who under guise Of telling Forty Thousand lies Told real truths -- was thence ye dread Of dear licentious Marblehead Page image And when you come pray do bring wi' you [del: Those] [add: Some] books -- A list of which I gi' you Swift Pope & Prior, and also Gay's Poems, together with Hume's Essays That's if your carriage will but hold `em Or Tom has not before now sold `em For should [add: he] have ta'en it in his head But once to think that I am dead You'll ne'er be able to bring one For [del: then] he'll [add: then] Swear they're all his own But in that case you may assure Him, That I'm as much alive as you're But should he yet be unbeleiving Upon my word then I am still living And [del: I do think] [add: it is thot] in such a case A man's own word may safely pass Now Love & Service where `tis due But more especially to you And [add: to] the Jewells -- all whom you know So having nothing more to send I remain till death your loving friend Plymouth Oct. 15 -- 1776 in prison BM Sunday Oct. 20 1776 Page image The Occurencies of my life are at present so unim =portant That going to meeting or Staying at home are become remarkable transactions -- so I put it down as a remarkable event that this day I went to meeting all day & heard the Rev.d Mr. Baron preach -- about nothing. -- November Wednesday Nov. 6 filed the following claim in Register of the Maritime Court's Office for the Southern District To the Honble : Nathan Cushing Esq. Judge of the Maritime Court of the Southern District Be it Remembered that on the 25th day of Oct.o In the year of our Lord 1776 B Marston of Mhead in ye county of Essex Esq comes into Court For himself & others concerned therein claims the Schoonr Earl Percy her Cargo & appurte= =nancies against wch . a Libel is filed in this honble : Court in behalf of Elijah Paine & others & the truth Page image of the facts contained in said Libel is to be tried at Plymouth in said Court on the second Tuesday of November next and ye said Marston says the same Schoonr Her Cargo & appurtenances are not by law liable to forfeiture wherefore he prays the same may be restored to him for his own use & the use of others concerned -- therein & for his costs BM Nov.7 Was this day much refreshed by a visit from Colo Fowles & Tho Lewis -- they tarried about 3 hours & then went away Nov. 12. Mr. Whitmore came to see me -- I a= =greed wth him to undertake the defence of the Libel against the Schooner Earl Percy & Cargo -- He is to have nothing for his trouble unless he succeeds -- Page image If he succeeds he is to [add: be] rewarded over the common fees in such cases, in consideration of his running a risk of not being paid at all -- Nov. 24 It is a year this day since I left Mhd & went into Boston -- in wch time I have seen more variety than in all my life before -- I have lived in a town beseiged -- on board ships -- both of war & others, have been at sea -- in ye W Indies -- have lain in ye woods -- have travelled by land & carried my baggage on my back -- have been taken -- & am now in prison not worth a groat -- But I can still feel my [add: self] contented & happy -- whence I conclude that Health of Body & peace of mind are more essential to human happiness than either Riches or Honours -- . I thank Heaven I am amply possess'd of ye two first -- Nov. 25 Page image This day ye Plymouth innoculating Hos= =pital was opened Brothr. Willm. & Elize. Watson with their children went in -- Colo Geo. Watson also -- Under ye care of Drs. Sprague & Lathrop December Dec. 2 Salt is now at 10 S Ster p bush: flour at about 6 dollars p cw woolens & Linnens are scarcely to be had -- & yet This miserably deceived People are made to believe they can support an in= dependency -- Bread corn has got to a price wch was hardly ever known in times of [add: ye ] greatest dearth [add: & yet there were scarcely ever better crops -- ] what will it be next Spring? The time when this Province -- (State I mean -- I beg pardon) used to recieve some hundreds of Thousand bushells of grain from ye Southern Provinces -- There is now an order for draughting every fourth man to releive ye army, whose term of service is within a few days of expiring -- What a miserable figure must such Page image a new raised raw undisciplined unprovided body of people make, when opposed to experienced veteran Troops, well provided with every [add: thing] necessary [del: thing] to live in ye feild , & commanded by [del: a General] Officers & a General who have acquired yr knowledge & skill in ye Art of war by long service, & by being engaged against ye best troops in ye world; excepting the British -- Their Infatuation is beyond all exam= =ple -- God have mercy upon them, & open their Eyes. -- Dec. 7. Their army is now broken to peices Their General not to be found -- so that General How [add: has been] obliged to send to ye Governor of Connecticut about an exchange of prisoners -- of [del. illeg.] [add: whom] he has great Mr.s -- They have likewise lost a very great part of their Cannon Tents & baggage -- And yet the managers of the Game in [add: ye] Province affect to] talk in ye high Style -- Still push ye draughting of every fourth man to releive ye Army who are every day Page image running home -- Sick louzy ragged & Full of all manner of nastiness -- Nay General W -- -n (who moves the Puppets (or puppies) of this place, has the effrontery to give out that [add: a] French Fleet & army will be over early in the Spring -- But he has lyed so often & so barefacedly That his very tools & creatures begin to distrust & condemn him -- A Fleet from France ! -- There will be one from ye Moon as soon -- Strange Stupidity to expect assistance from that quarter -- For can it be thot that any European power who [add: has] colonies in America would lend a helping hand to form an in= =dependant State [add: here] so large as one, as ye British Colonies would make; if all united -- (ten years afterwards -- I find in ys I was much out in my Guess -- Cocoa has been sold within these few days for 6.10 S. Lm p C.c -- I make this memo to know how much to call upon Capt Paine for who has taken upwards of 4400 lbs of Cocoa out of ye Earl Percy & sold it Dec 9th Page image The Lye of ye day now is ~ That ye British Army has received a great defeat in New-Jersey This was propagated from ye Pulpit yesterday af =ternoon after ye Service was ended -- by reading a letter from providence -- wch in the most professing man =ner begged for men to be sent to Rhode Iland as they hourly expected the King's Troops would pay them a visit 11 Rhode Iland is now in possession of the King's Troops -- Admiral Hopkins & his fleet are blocked up in Providence -- Nastron Ilands have been plun =dered & the Buildings burned -- The Militia are ordered to march to Bristole -- [del. illeg.][add: about 150 ] go from this Town -- General W -- -assures us that we shall have a large fleet & a grand Army from France very early next Spring That G Brittain (as it is called) is quite impoverish =ed by the American War & that she cannot possi =bly Page image hold it above six months longer -- & then the day will be all our own Col.o Tommy -- like =wise Speechifyed to ye militia on ye occassion of their going forth -- [del. illeg.][add: And said] that he is a man of true genuine Courage, & resolution, generous & publick Spirited -- & whoever sayes the contrary he will take care that they shall repent of it, for he will take down their names in order to have ym draughted -- in short he spake so cogently; as to leave us under no doubt; about his true Character -- Thursday Dec 12 Thanks-giving to Day -- I went to Rocky Nook & dined with my Brother John Watson -- Cap Archdeacon wth me -- I have promised Capt Atkins That if he can get favorly & honorably discharged from ye employ he is now engaged in, & will wait to see if I can recover ye Earl Percy That I will keep him in pay so long as two months if it should be necessary to wait so long at five pounds Page image Ster.p mo. & will likewise allow him 1/2 ye Com =missions wch I shall at any time hereafter receive upon Messrs. Ervin & Prince's parts of ye Cargo wch is 2/3 -- if he will again go with me Privateers out of Plymouth a Schooner... Cap Hatch private a Sloop......... Cap Nicholson private a Brigg........... Cap Clouston belongs to ye State a Brigg........... Cap Sampson belongs to ye State Dec 14 Saturday An embargo, I hear is laid upon all shiping in this State -- The reason given is -- To get men to man the State's Ships of War -- & also a number of Merchant Ships wch ye State is fitting out for the Bahama Iland on a publick commercial acco. -- I will pro= =phecy for once -- and if my prophesies should not come to pass I shall not be ye first prophet who has Page image made a mistake -- * I do now foretell that this fleet of Merchant Ships will never return here again -- It is not designed that it should -- These mimick politicians -- These wretched State Founders plain =ly see That their case is desperate -- They are now providing for ye worst -- They will now impose upon ye ignorant country Representatives, & persuade ym to grant whatever sums they want, to equip & Load this flota, under pretence of purchasing warlike Stores for ye campaign ye next season when it is arrived at ye Bahamas , or wherever it is destined for -- The interest will be deposited for the use of any of them who shall be so fortunate as to escape the hands of Justice -- perhaps some of them may think proper to go in the fleet -- * Greatly mistaking verse Peace & Joy Page image To the happy Nuptials of the much honoured Mr. Josiah Winslow , and the truly virtuous Miss Penelope Pelham -- Mr. Mrs. Pure joys, clear fame & fortune fair In all times crown this worthy Pair Ever may they in virtue (spight Of all repugnancies) shine bright No rock can be their wreck no foe their fear Set sail for heaven and do by virtue steer Envy may then blow but not blast In rudest Storms Firm Rocks stand fast Love link'd with virtur free from vice Appears another paradise Outward plenty mental peace Holiness & Happiness Preserve their joys & guide their way Ever may reason rule passion obey While reason's hand doth steer Love cannot stray Posterity is wedlock's crown Issue to Nature adds renown Ever may worthy issue bless their blood Nature produce ym : fair Grace make ym good verse Page image Love's true intentions make ym ever prove Sincerety to be soul of Love Holiness make ym Happiness to last Like laurel wch no Lightning can blast Always may Goodness be yr guide & Guard Our Goodness Still finds safety for reward May they live long thus blessed & may each name Wear the best Coat of Arms -- A Spotless fame Sir May you since God a worthy wife did Give With her still as a man of knowledge live Mistress May your responsive virtue ever prove Obedience is no bondage where we love 1652 author unknown Thursday Dec 18th Page image Thursday Dec. 18th The Committee of Safety have this day given me the Liberty of the Town & of going as far as Rocky Nook -- I do not know what has moved ym to it, they have done it unasked[add: by me] perhaps I am obliged to Brother Watson for it -- If I am, it is generous in him -- Mr. Judge Cushing has given order for the sale of ye Earl Percy & her Cargo -- & she & that were accordingly sold yerterday at pub= =lick vendue. This is done before she has had any trial -- without any necessity from ye nature of her Cargo wch was not perishable -- being Rum & Cocoa -- & when two claims were laid in for her -- Ephm. Spooner was Vendue master January Jany 15 Page image The Committee of Safety in this place have particularly prohibited several persons [add: & yr families] from visiting the Jail, where are now confined sundry Persons who having been press'd into ye Service have refused either to serve or pay their fine -- These people are now kept in close jail -- Capts Hatch & Sampson both taken by Dawson -- Nicholson has got in with one prize only, a Jamaica Ship -- Capt Dawson has ta= ken 15 sail of [del: Privateers] [add: Prizes] -- The adventurers in ye privateering business from Newbury Port have made but a loosing business of it -- General Washington> surprised a party of 1600 Hessians & took & kill'd ye major part of ym took yr baggage Waggons tents & cannon -- This is made great use of to raise ye Spirits of ye People & to encourage ym to enter into ye service again -- of wch they have grown heartily sick & tired the pub= =lick acc.ots of this matter make it upwards of 900 Page image some very good private [add: intelligence] reduce it to about 1/3 that Number -- The publick accots. of this day are uni =versally to be suspected -- The Lye of the day now is, a French War is inevitable There are 6000 prisoners now in York -- a great Number at Halifax -- besides those General Carlton has sent from Quebec under promise of not taking up arms again ye Number I forget but it was some hundreds Jan. 20. 77 Sir I recd: yours -- I acknowledge to you that I have thot myself hardly dealt by, in being left by you as I was -- But if it has been ow= =ing to unavoidable accidents, I have not a word more to say -- Respecting ye attempt I have made to recover my vessell & Cargo -- One moment's reflection (I think) will convince you, that I have done no more, that what Justice to myself & Faithfulness to those who committed yr Interest to my care, required me to do -- & should I prosecute that matter any further, I believe you would -- have no reason to complain of me as an unfair Antagonist -- But as ye Vessell & Cargo are sold, I shall pursue it no further -- I have now no other object in veiw but to obtain my liberty & return to Nova Scotia as soon as I can -- What =ever assistance you may be able to afford me towards obtaining this point (whenever I apply for it) shall receive all proper acknowledgments from me -- I will mention but one thing more, which is -- That a hhd of Tobacco belonging to Capt Atkins wch he put into ye same store with ye Percy's Cargo, was sold with it -- He left me a power to receive his wages, & orders to sell that Cask of Tobacco & send all ye mony to his friends at Barnstable -- Now, I would beg the favor of you, to signifie to your agents, or to whatever person has the care of the mony wch ye Cargo sold for, that they would pay to me ye am.o of said Tobacco -- as to the Page image Wages, They cannot (I suppose) be regularly settled till the Vessell is condemned -- but I have authority to compound that matter if it might be agreable -- I give you this hint, & you may govern yourself accordingly -- I am your humble serv. BM To Capt Elijah Freeman Paine in Boston Jany 29 Set out from Rocky Nook & lodg'd at Collo Gallaison's -- next day went to Coll o Miller's at Milton -- a Snowy disagreable day -- lodg'd at Col. Miller's two nights -- Saturday Feby 1 arrived in Boston & have quartered my self upon Mr. White Feby 7th I gave in my name to a Mr. Peirpoint who is a Commissiary for the exchange of Priso= =ners -- The Committee of Plimouth after giving me Liberty of ye Town for about 6 weeks Thot proper to take new measuers with me -- They told me if I stayed wth them I must be again con= =fined Page image -- or I might tarry at Rocky Nook or go to -- Mhd -- I chose ye last -- but I shall stay in Boston as long as I can -- until I get liberty to go out of ye Jurisdiction -- March March 5 Left Boston & came to Salem -- Having obtained leave of the Council to go to Halifax in ye Cartel 6th came to Mhead -- 9th embarqued on board ye Cartel after being plagued one whole day wth ye M -- -d Committee -- God send us safe to Halifax -- & give me a happy sight of my dearEliza -- 18th Arrived safe in Halifax after 4 days -- passage; Leiut. Sprey the Officer of the Cartel treated me wth great politeness & humanity -- Am so happy as to find my dear Miss E -- -in this place -- The pleasure of again seeing that Dear Girl has abundantly rewarded me for all ye disa= =greable feelings of a 6 mo's imprisonment -- -- Gracious Heaven! Grant me to be but so fortu= =nate as to be able to provide for that dearest Girl an Page image easy Situation in Life -- & ye cannot make me happier -- Latitude of Cape Sable by astronomical obs: 43.o 27' March 21 Had ye honour to dine this day with Gen.l Massy Sunday March 23 Went to Sackville tarried there till Wednesday -- E -- - was of the Party -- Took lodging's with Misses Lloyd's Thursday March 20th at a guinea p week April April 2d. Went to Winkworth -- Spent a week very agreably wth that amiable worthy Family return'd [add: on] Wednesday ye 9th just at dark Halifax in Lat. 44°:44' N Long: 4 hours 14 W 63o30' Long W. verse To Eliza Page image 1 Eliza , dearest maid farewell From you I now must part Leave you in Halifax to dwell & ply the Seaman's art 2 Then we a very different Scene Around us shall survey You Beaux in red, in brown, & green, I monsters of the sea 3 Employments too of different kind Will then consume each day You to amuse or inform your mind I to explore my Way 4 But whatsoever my employ -- Or where so e'er I go I ne'er shall know a heart felt joy Till I return to you 5 Till that much wish'd for hour comes round May you still happy Live And with those joys Each day be crown'd Which Health & Virtue give -- Hlfax April 1777 diary entry a memo of the Interest the Rebels took from me & sold at Plymouth in New England Page image 1/3 6818 Gs Rum is 2272 .5Gs it sold at an average @ 5/6 Ster Ster 624.18.9 1/3 of 4436 llbs cocoa is 1478llbs is 13.0.22 @L 5.0 65.18.9 1/3 12blls Limes @ 60/ 12. -- . -- 2 hhds Rum my own private advent. 220Gs. @ 5/6 60.10 858llb Tobacco @ 3d 10.14.6 Ster L 774.2.0 deduct my part of Vessel hire & wages at 50 -- 724.2 -- Journal of a Voyage in the Schooner Polly From Philadelphia to Halifax 1778 Page image Most of this page has been torn from the original. See image. Page image Most of this page has been torn from the original. See image. May Saturday May 9. 1778> Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Sunday May.10. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Monday May 11. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Tuesday May 12. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Wednesday May 13. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Thursday May 14. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Fryday May 15. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Saturday May 16. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. verse Page image This Life is a well furnished Table Where Guests are promisculously sett Who all fare as well as they're able And Scramble for what they can get My simile suits to a title Some gorge while some scarce get a taste But to him who's content with a little Enough is as Good as a Feast Love in a Village Fryday July 10th. 1778 I am now afloat again -- The following is a Jour= =nal of a Voyage from Halifax in Nova Scotia to St. John's Newfoundland in the good Schooner Polly belonging to Mr. John Prince Merch. In Halifax Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Saturday July 11 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Sunday July 12 Nautical chart and notes. See image. 1778 Monday July 13 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. 1778 Tuesday July 14 Nautical chart and notes. See image. Wednesday July 15 at 7am Cape Race bore NE [add: at] 5 Leagues Distance. Thursday 16 at 6 pm Ferryland bore NNW 2 1/2 Leagues Distant at 12 at night brot too under F sail head to ye SE right off Bay of Bulls -- at 4 am made sail Wind WSW Bay of Bulls little a Stern -- at 11am got into St. John's & came to anchor -- entered at ye Custom House -- Saw Mr. Ben Jenkins his bro= =ther not in Town. Fryday July 17 St. John's Newfoundland 1778 Page image Getting out balast & packing Fish -- fine Weather Saturday July 18 Got out all ye balast -- clean'd the Hold for tak= =ing in -- Got a Permit to load -- fine wea= =ther Sunday July 19 Fair weather & Hot Sunday July 20 -- Took in 32 hhds Fish Tuesday July 21 Took in 9hhds Fish -- a rainy misty day Wednesday July 22 Fill'd 3 hhds Water -- took 24 hhds Fish -- some part of ye day foggy & misting Thursday July 23 Page image Took in Fish 40hhds -- Fryday July 24 Took in the whole of the Cargo -- & calked down our hatches Saturday July 25 The Schooner ready for Sea Admiral Montagu arrived in 5 weeks from Cork -- no material intelligence has yet transpired -- Sunday 26 April In the afternoon sail'd from St. John's in Co wth a Letter marque Brigg of 12 guns -- & another Brigg Monday July 27. 1778 Page image Journal of Voyage in the Schooner Polly from St. John's Newfoundland to the Island of St. Kitt's> -- July 1778 Nautical chart and notes. See image. Tuesday July 28. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Wednesday July 29 Nautical chart and notes. See image. Thursday July 30 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Fryday July 31 Nautical chart and notes. See image. Saturday Aug. 1. 1778 Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. Sunday Aug. 2. 1778 Nautical chart and notes. See image. Monday Aug. 3. 1778 at 9 Clock pm was taken by the General Gates Privateer Jno. Skimmer Commr 16 guns after a chase of about 6 hours -- when it almost falling calm he by help of oars came up with me Page image The following appearances of Land were taken on board ye Gen. Gates continental Brigg from the Fore Top sail yard. Sketch of land. See image. Something like this appeared the land of Cape Ann about 7 Leagues distance by estimation, bearing NW -- cloudy Sky clear atmosphere about 4 o'Clock pm Aug.29 -- 1778 Sketch of land. See image. The appearance of ye same Land -- bear= =ing NWy 6 leagues distance taken ye same afternoon 4vr4 to be joined together obs:d this day in 42 degrees 38' N Lat. -- Monday Aug. 31. 1778> Arrived in Boston That evening was put on board a guard Ship Tuesday Septr 1 was relieved from my disagreable situa= =tion on board ye Guard Ship -- by Humanity's own self -- I am now at Mr. White's -- have the Liberty of his house & feild wch is no small Range -- as it con= =tains about 20 acres of Ground Tuesday Sept. 8 After living a week very agreably at my friend White's I was this day suddenly ordered to go immediately on board the Prison Ship -- Page image This I owe to a littleness of mind -- in some person at Mhd who wrote to ye Council to inform ym that I was such a inveterate Enemy to ye Country as that it would be dangerous for me to be at Large -- Was on board ye Prison Ship 10 days no body allowed to see me but by Special Licence from the Council -- -- However I have Caulked ye malice of my Enemies -- in spite of their ill nature -- I spent the time of my confinement chearfully & profitably [add: For I have learned that a man may enjoy himself in prison] -- I would not change the reflections of my own mind on the matter for all the pleasure they may have received from yr gratifica= =tion of a mean Revenge -- Poor -- Miserably Poor Devils -- They are even below contempt -- Sunday Sept. 20. Sailed from King's Road in a Cartel Snow -- Wilson commr wth about 170 Prisoners Tuesday Sep. 22 in Lat 42 degrees 53' N Wednesday. 23 Lat 43 degrees 49' N Thursday. 24. Lat 43 degrees 37' N at 6 o'Clock pm Mount Dessert Rock bore SE about a league dist. tacked & stood to ye Sd. at Night came on a hard Gale at SE -- before day under our Courses -- Shipped several heavy Seas wch as our Scuttles & Hatches were open poured a great deal of Water into ye Ship Fryday 25 Page image at 3 Clock Thick foggy weather -- made The Gannet Rocks & the Tusket Ilands close a head of us -- Tack'd & Slood S by W till about 9 o' Clock to clear away the Seal Ilands -- Then we haul'd further up to ye Eward by degrees -- so passed the Cape Sables -- next day Saturday ye 26 shap'd our courses along Shore -- about 4pm made ye land about ye Ragged Ilands -- Sunday 27 about 3 Clock pm came to anchor in Halifax -- Went on Shore & took lodg= =ings at my old Quarters at Miss Lyde's -- so Ends my Second Captivity December Dec 6. 1778 Sailed from Halifax in ye Brig Ajax for Surinam -- on Wednesday following we were overset in a violent gale of wind wch carried away foremast main topmast (our bon sprit we lost a few minutes before) boats one anchor 3 carraige Guns our quarter deck Rails every sail that was bent Sprung four beams & washed four people overboard one of whom drowned -- we had such a series of blowing weather as that it was 3 weeks before we got ouselves to rights again -- one half of wch time we were without a compass one having been wash'd overboard Page image the other so wetted as that it would not travers for the time aforementioned -- five weeks after this accident we got safe into St. Eusta= =tius -- where I have disposed of my Cargo -- at a very good Price -- January Sunday Jany. 17. dined wth Mr. Durant -- a French Gentleman -- the same that bot my Cargo -- he understands no English -- I cannot speak French, nor understand it (but poorly) when spoken -- so we converse by writing -- he is much surprised to see me write so good French -- Two other French gentlemen dined wth us Their behavior was polite -- Our diner was as follows -- -- a dish of soup very good -- next the beef that made it wch would have been good had ye soup been not so -- Then followed Squab Pye in a fancifull shape pretty e= =nough -- then a dish of very good musk me= =lon followed or rather accompanied wth a fine large roasted Turkey & a roasted Fowle but we ate ye melon first -- The Turkey & Fowle both roasted wth yr heads on Page image -- a dish of fritters wth ye gizzards of the Poultry in them -- roots & greens -- last of all a dish of Sallad then almonds sweet meats & cheese -- Then coffee -- wch tho' it appeared odd was agreable eno' -- no re= =gular drinking after dinner as with ye En= =glish but everyone did as he liked -- -- An embargo upon all provisions wch are on shore -- The sudden appearance of such a British Force in ye Seas has very much disconcerted the French & ye American party -- The repulse wch Mon. D'Estaing has suf= =ferred from Mr. Barrington has rendered him much disesteemed by his Country= =men -- It is indeed much to his dishonour He was much superior in force to Ad= =miral Barrington 18 a Fleet small vessels sail'd for the French Ilands under Convoy of a Frigate 19 This day took a Cooper's Shed of Mr Hovey at a Joe p month -- This evening began to land Stuff for the Cooper -- on Monday the 18th the Mate left the Ship Wednesday Jan.y 20 -- Page image Landed yesterday & today to ye Cooper 123 Sh k hhd & Seven Casks heading Monday Jan.y 25. This day had the pleasure to meet my old fellow prisoner G. W -- -e he is from NYork -- by him I hear of the Welfare of my nearest N Eng. Connexions -- -- I am much pleased wth ye complexion that our publick affairs wear at present -- The Insolence wth wch the Congress treated the King, Commissioners was ye most imprudent thing they could have done at that Time -- -- It was then in their power to have obtaind very good terms for America wch They would have deserv'd honour for -- But the real Good of America was never the Object they aimed at -- To aggrandize themselves was yr sole intent, no matter what Calamities be= =falls yr wretched country in Obtaining that Glorious Object -- and the Happiness of no Country was ever so wantonly sacrificed to Ambition as that America has been Page image Nor did ever any Country Sacrifice so much -- Since Philadelphia has been left to ye goverment of Congress wch is about 9 months since sundry persons have been hanged for their attachment to yr Lawfull Prince most, or all, People of respectable characters -- I can't say that I am overmuch grieved to hear that my near Kinsman Gene =ral J. W -- -n has fallen from that elevated point of Esteem in wch he stood some time ago He would not turn out in the Rhode Iland affair wch has so entirely ruined his Reputation wth ye People that they have deprived him of every trust they could take from him Of his Represen =tative Ship & his seat at ye board of War -- -- He was unwise -- He knew not himself -- If he had had the necessary home acquaintance He would never have accepted a military Command -- wch possibly require him sometimes to act in situations of Danger -- -- Situations to wch his modesty rendered him very unfit -- Influenced by that He chose rather to act out of Sight & in a way where he culd not always be seen Page image O Jemmy ! O Jemmy ! If what I hear be true -- how art Thou fallen -- Jan.y25 Agreed wth a Negro man Castile to tend upon ye Cooper @ 4 bitts p day. Jan.y 29 Fryday last night sailed several Virginians under convoy of the Dutch Frigate February 3 Cap.t Mowat has this day agreed wth a Mr. Gordon to fit ye Brig wth Spars & Carpenter's work 5 A Rebell privateer 14 Guns arrived in the Road -- She has Sprung a leak 6 The refitting the Brig is now began in good Earnest -- [del. illeg.]This day did Mr. Durant 16 hhdfish 5 pollock 11 cod 5 of the cod & 1 hhd[add: pollock] damaged -- Have agreed th Mr. Page image St. Eustatius 1779 February Durant for the pollock @ 8 p p qll the pollock is my hhdTake -- not much damd [del. illeg.] 7th Sunday A very idle time -- nothing to do but make obs. Among other things -- I cannot but observe ye difference in the ame =rican Commerce to this Iland -- now & heretofore -- Formerly they came here in vessels scarce any under 70 & 80 Tons now they are all pilot boats -- & small coasting Craft -- here are now about a doz sail from Baltimore Philadelphia & one from Providence -- They are all pilot boats -- & one small thing about 25 tons -- miserable Things to beat that Coast this season of the year -- Poor People to what wretchedness has their implicit confidence in the congress brot ym -- Their Seamen's Wages from 50 to 60 dollars p mo. -- Their paper mony must be much depreciated -- or their Trade very profitable -- to give such wages -- 8 St. Eustatius February 1779 Page image Dld the Cooper 72 Shks 10 Casks heading 2 Casks heading loose & 70 heads & 12 heads, a few days agone -- These & Those did ye 20th last month make 195 Shks & 19 hhds heads. The French privateers have lately taken 3 American Vessels & made ym prizes -- The master of one of them a few days ago dining at Graham's -- could not contain his indigna =tion at ye treachery of their new allies but gave it pretty free vent -- There happened a French man at Table who undertook to defend his Country men -- but was soon silen= =ced & obliged by ye injured American to quit ye table & eat his dinner at a side table by -- himself -- after dinner the American in= =vited him if he had any resentment for the treatment he had met with -- to give him any satisfaction he chose -- The prudent soul St. Eustatius February 1779 Page image choose to have no resentment at all Fryday 12 Reported that Manly in ye Cumberland Ship an American Cruizer of 20 Guns is taken by the Pomana Sloop -- -. Last Evening several americans sailed for Virginia & Philadelphia -- -- This afternoon saw an old Neighbour a Mhead man a Jno. Tressry . He was taken [add: last Monday off Saba ] in a small Schooner belonging to him & Colo Orne -- This acco.of N England is pityable -- -- Poor People's how does ye ambition of a Few keep ym wretched & miserable -- directly against yr Opinions -- For every acco From that Country agrees in ys That People in General would be glad to return to yr allegiance Saturday 13 -- St. Bartholomew taken by the Angillains -- Capt White sails this Evening for York -- by him have St. Eustatius February 1779 Page image wrote to E Winslow . B.M. Holmes Esq. & Dr. Prince under cover to the last a letter to -- Monday 15 Arrived a Letter marque Ship from NfLand wth 300 hhds Fish -- she took 2 french Sugar Ships in her passage -- a French Victualler wth 2700 blls. flour carried into St. Lucia Fryday 26 -- The C -- -has been very idle only 20 -- -s sett up & he ashore ever since ye 20th ult. -- He promises to make up by his future industry -- if so well -- if not -- well too -- St. Martin's & St. Bartholomew 's retaken March Monday 1 My Cargo has been all gone this Fortnight -- I am now waiting for the repairing of ye Brigg -- when that is accomplished -- if I cannot get a Cargo to my mind in this St. Eustatius March 1779 Page image place shall go to Surinam -- Tuesday 2 2 French Frigates & a 20 gun Ship came into ye Road Thursday 4 about 20 saills of trading Vessels sail'd for the French Ilands under convoy of the above Ships of War -- Fryday 5 The anniversary of the bloody Mas= =sacre (or Masquerade as it is vulgarily called in Kings Street Boston -- This accident has been made great use of to Influence the minds of the Americans -- as a cruel wanton peice of but= =chery -- & yet none of the 5th of March Orators ever pretended to question the impartiality of the Court who aquitted the Party concerned in it -- Both Judges & Jurors -- If my Memory does not deceive me, one of the attornies for the Soldiers, was a person who has since been a Continental Congress man -- Fryday 12 Page image St. Eustatius March 1779 yesterday & the day before the Wind at NW & N. It blew so hard yesterday that several Vessels drove -- The Dutch Ad= =miral was one -- an American Vessel coming in was oversett by a sudden squall the people saved -- a Rebell Privateer Brig in the Road this morning -- saw a Philadelphia Paper a few days ago -- The arrival of 4 Vessels at Baltimore from the W Indies is inserted as news -- -- a Committee of Greivances advertise their[add: daily] Setting[add: in ye State house Philadelphia ] to receive complaints That of Monopoly seems to be ye reigning one -- Tis so in all yr Provinces -- The Committee do not sett daily only Tuesdays & Frydays from 9 o Clock -- That is not suffi =cient . The Assembly of Pensylvania have re= solved ymselves into a Committee to consider of Greviances Likewise -- of wch monopolozing St. Eustatius March 1779 Page image & Forestalling form a considerable article But it will require more wisdom than Solomon ever had to find remedies for all the greifs & dis= =tresses of that unhappy Country -- Twill be impossible to prevent engrossing when not above one vessell in four goes safe -- Saturday 13 The Venus & Ariadne have taken the Trumbal a rebell Frigate of 22 Guns -- Ariadne went in chace of her consort supposed to be the Dean another of yr Frigates of 22 or 28 Guns -- Their Navy does not seem to be on a very respectable Footing -- Monday 15 This morning 4 English Frigates pass'd ye Road to the Northward Wednesday 17 Sloop sail'd for NYork -- wrote by her to Mr. Holmes , to -- arrived a ship & Brig from Hlfx who had been for Suri= =nam but fell to Leeward Saturday 20 Page image St. Eustatius March 1779 Embarked for Sta. Cruz arrived there next day at Noon -- This Iland belongs to ye King of Denmark -- But 9/10 of the In= =habitants are British [add: & Dutch] Subjects born -- Strangers coming into this Iland are in= =spected by the Officers of Goverm.t Like other Goods -- I was obliged to go personally to no less than 4 offices -- Custom House -- Fort -- Town Major -- & The General's at ye Fort. We went to three different of= =fices -- I don't know their names -- The English Language is universally spoken here -- The very Slaves & children know [del. illeg.][add: it] -- The Danish is used in ye Courts -- in the Custom House Papers &[del. illeg.] in the Danish Church -- -- Natural Danes coming hither find ymselves in a Strange Country -- tho in ye Dominions of yr prince -- All Religions Sta. Cruz March 1779 Page image are tolerated here -- and besides the Danish Chh There are The Chh of England -- a Presbyterian congregation -- a Dutch Chh -- The Roman Catholicks -- a Quaker meeting House -- & a moravian Preacher -- This last is intended principally if not totally for the Slaves -- over whom he has great influence & whom he keeps in very good order -- He is support =ed by Government -- Who to recompense yse Miserables for the loss of ye greatest earthly bles= =sing -- very liberally allow ym ye use of all ye xtian Mysteries -- wch I suppose ye pious Clergy think a valuable consideration -- I saw here a Cargo of those poor Creatures landed out of a King's Ship (For it seems His Da= =nish majesty is a Merchant as well as a King drove like so many Cattle to a large yard men & women -- boys & girls all together -- Each as naked as God made ym -- saving a peice of course Linnen just to cover what Nature Sta. Cruz March 1779 Page image most commonly dictates human Creatures to hide -- Each wth a wooden tally tyed about yr necks wth a mark & N:r upon it -- -- There seemed to be an anxiety in ye Counte= =nances of many wch yr wondermt at ye new & Strange objects wch surrounded ym could not overcome -- Good God! -- What must be the feelings of a sensible human Heart -- to be thus torn from all that is reckoned valuable & dear -- to be forever condemned to the most ser= =vile drudgery & infamous uses -- without ye least hope of relief -- and yet [add: so powerfull] is the Love of Life -- That ys is all born with -- rather than to put an end to our existence -- But how insensible to all tenderness of Heart must yse be who engage in ys so injurious a Commerce -- yet it would be ye highest degree of unchari= =tableness to suppose all who are engaged in it void of human Sentiment -- indeed we find ye Contrary -- What is it then? Do such men act without thinking? -- or has custom recon= =ciled yr minds to ye doing such atrocious inju= ries? Sta. Cruz March 1779 Page image -- Perhaps there is something of both in it. -- If the Misses B -- & L -- & -- S -- & G -- with ye young gentlemen of yse fa= =milies should be torn from yr Country & carryed into perpetual Servitude -- we should see -- we should feel -- ye atrociousness -- ye dread= fulness of the wrong -- But as it is only miss yaw yaw & miss Pawpee -- & the young Gentlemen Missrs. Quashee & Quomi= =no -- whose skins are black whose Hair short & curled whose noses flatt & Lips thick -- why we think there can be no great harm in it -- -- I fancy there is some mistake in ye very Trite maxim -- That all men are by nature equal -- If so -- why such an inequality in yr conditions -- Tis a phonomenon which omnificence can only account for -- To Him I leave it. Christianstad -- ye metropolis of ye Iland is a pretty Town -- about 2/3 as large as Halifax -- & like that laid out in a regular manner Sta Cruz March 1779 Page image [add: Streets] crossing each other at right angles -- The Streets wide -- many of the Houses in a grand Style -- adorned with elegant Piazzas & Galleries -- The General's House is ye most magnificent Building I ever saw -- There you see [add: both] Elegance & grandeur -- I will not attempt a verbal description of it for such never conveyed any idea of the looks & appearance of an Edifice -- if I can I will take a view of it -- -- instead of a verbal description of this peice of architecture -- I will give a description of a Danish gentlemen's shirt wch my Landlady shewed me -- It consists of a forepart like our shirtswth a Collar -- the hind part reaches no loweryn just below ye Shoulders -- & least this should get above ye Jacket or Coat (for it hangs by the collar only not being sewed to ye forepart) it is tyed round ye body by tape Strings fastened Sta Cruz March 1779 Page image to ye two Corners -- ye Sleeves are not fastened to ye body -- as with us -- but have wristbands at both ends -- so that when one end is dirty you may shift it end for end -- altho you may not have have ye comfort you may -- ye appearance of clean Linnen -- at least at ye Hands -- over such Shirts is often worn richly laced cloaths -- There is no People I believe on Earth who need to fear undressing before com= =pany so little as the English -- -- They make very good Sugar & rum in ys Iland -- you have an advantage in ye w. Of about .5 lb. in ye English Qll -- a Joe is here 12 .5 Cp 8/8 -- But you cannot take sugars unless you bring a Cargo of Provisions & Lumber then you may take one half in Sugar -- But I have known the Law evaded -- The Inhabitants of this Iland are very carefull to have yr Slaves instructed in ye Xtian religion for besides ye Moravian Preacher who is a kind of mis= =sionary for the Negroes -- The Clergymen of the other Sta. Cruz March 1779 Page image religious Persuasions are carefull to catechise the Slaves of those who belong to ye respective Chhs -- baptize ym & yr children & administer the Sacramt to such as desire it -- I am told ye French in Martinique & Quadualoup are likewise carefull of yr Slaves in ye same manner -- The Dutch & English -- as far as I can find are equally neglectfull of yr Slaves in ys particular -- They let ym get to Heaven as they can -- The Dutch (especially those of Eustatius ) are the most inexcusable of the Two -- because they are religiously given themselves -- Monday 29 arrived back from my Voyage to Sta. Cruz -- after a passage of something more than 3 days -- In wch met wth no material ac= =cident -- save that we once had like to have filled our vessell by the carelessness of ye master in leaving his hatches open -- & the inertness of his crew (all Negroes) -- who were as deliberate in handing for a Squall as tho no such Thing had happened -- we likewise sprang our mast off Saba -- for ye St. Eustatius March 1779 Page image same reasons Tuesday 30 Today met Capt Jos Northy of Mhd he has been taken bound from Guadualoup home -- carried to Antegua -- ynce he got to this place is now going back to Guadualoup to get if possible a passage home -- His Captors have used him rather severely have taken all his private property from him & left him quite bare of anything to help himself -- Poor man! I once knew him in good circumstances but ye Fortune of war has reduced him to distress as it has many other honest men -- who tho heartily -- averte to ye present System of American Politicks are ye t forced to submit to a power they cannot Oppose -- -- I find ye Opinions of all Honest, industrious, Men [del: to be much ye s ] & [del: who] [add: such as] have no hopes nor desire of gett= =ing anything by this political Scramble -- to be much ye same -- They in general condem their high mightiness the C -- -This afternoon met three young fellows -- children of my former Neighbours -- who had been taken -- & are now in ys (to ym ) Strange Country Friendless & monyless These are the people who suffer -- The vile authors of this unhappy War -- have taken St. Eustatius March 1779 Page image care of themselves -- They are exposed to neither dangers nor hardships -- April Fryday 2d Have only 4 men at present -- before ye mast -- Two young fellows who have been on board some days left the Brig this morning -- I don't much wonder This is Good Fryday -- & the Passover of the Jews -- The Christians are fasting or pretending to do so -- The Jews are really [del: rejoycing] feasting & making merry -- both of them from religi= =ous motives -- [del. illeg.] That Ceremony wch [del: was] [add: is] per= =formed wth ye most Sincerity is doubtless to Heaven the most acceptable -- is an Opinion ye most obviously true of any in ye World -- and if we can suppose The Great First Cause can be affect =ed wth pleasure or displeasure at any thing which St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image we little Insignificants do -- we must surely [add: think] that He whose heart is expanded wth Cheerfulness Candour & Benevolence & under the influence of those dispositions perform his religious cere= =monies is a much more acceptable Worship =er Than He who with a long face performs duties wch he is glad when they are over -- The French Fleet from Guadualoup has been expected this 10 days -- They are not yet arrived a few single Vessels attempting to get down have been taken -- The trade of this place is at present at a low ebb -- Saturday 3 The two Lads have returned to ye Ship -- It seems yy were ashore keeping Holy day only -- one of ym is for his victuals only Sunday April 3 Had an old acquaintance to see me -- my townsman Ash -- -y B -- - n -- He gives me some curious anecdotes St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image relating to ye politicks in Mhead among wch -- Their method of determining who were Tories is ye most curious & unheard [del: of method] of -- a Town meeting it seems was convened -- a list of all the male Inhabi= =tants was laid before the Town -- The question was put is S a Tory -- if He is, signify it by holding up of hands -- in this manner They determined upon about 30 perons that they were Tories -- This is being tryed by one's Peers with a Vengence -- Tis however fixing a man's Character He can at any time, should any dis= =pute arise abut it, produce authentic testimony -- what it is -- fine Glorious Constitution! Monday April 4 The mate & 3 hands only at work today -- We have only 4 Seamen belong= =ing to us Tuesday 5 St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image We have only 3 hands before the mast The heavy young fellows who have been at work yse few days past are only for their victuals -- They are not Skipped -- This day began to pur- =chase Sugars -- The French have have played a [del: nice] [add: fine] Strategem to get down yr fleet from Martinique ; which arrived here yesterday -- consisting of about 30 sails under convoy of two Frigates -- 'Twas thus -- Last Saturday 5 French Fri= =gates appeared of St. Kitts in a way of challenge 5 English Frigates immediately put out after y.m -- The French went thro ye Channel to windward of this place -- The English after them -- & chased them all that day [add: & y e next ] without be= =ing able to come up wth ym as they had much the Start -- In ye mean time the fleet above mentioned sailed from Martinique & arrived here safe all but one who was taken off St. Kitts -- They have now to get back again Wednesday 6 St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image a Fleet of about 30 sail arrived this morning from Winward among whom are Several Americans -- under convoy 5 Fri= =gates -- These 5 & ye 2 which came with the former fleet make 7 sail -- They all left this place this morning -- Capt Mowat is hogging his Ship today -- Saturday 9th The French Fleet of about 40 sail under convoy 7 Frigates sailed for Windward Sunday 10 -- Have only 3 men before ye mast one whom Capt Mowat shipped a few days ago has not yet been aboard -- This fore noon 4 Large Ships appeared to ye Southwd. They tacked & were soon out of sight -- -- They are supposed to be French -- a Good Constitution is the best Inheritance -- a Good Conscience the best Friend -- & Good Humour the best Companion -- He who has all three cannot be unhappy -- Fryday 16 St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image The Ships Comp. Working about Rigging all this day -- a Carpenter caulking the wales -- Have 84 hhds & blls sugar on board -- Have only 5 hands before ye mast -- Saturday 17 The People this day fixing & sewing Rigging -- particularly Topsail Sheets fore & aft -- a Carpenter at work caulking Wales, sides & Counter is not yet done -- Sunday 18 I observe at the change of the -- Moon & some days after we have constantly in this Road a large Swell -- & a Strong current to ye Westward -- -- this evening wrote to W Coffin jun. NYork -- Wednesday 21 This day a Top Gallant mast [add: came aboard] Carpenter at Work about sundries -- Crew ab.t [del: ye] Finishing [add: ye] Rigging -- have about 7 hhds Sugar more to get off wch the high Swell has prevented being done yse Several days past -- Thursday 22 today the Cooper finished cooper the water Cask -- not the Ships Cooper for he has done no work since we've been here -- excepting setting up 18 molasses casks most St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image of ym Teines -- but a Cooper belonging to ye Argyle Capt Robinson -- Seamen about finishing rigging the Ship -- -- a French 2 decker & 3 Frigates -- came into ye Road today -- wth 7 sail [del: merchant men] Droagen from Windward -- on Tuesday two sail British men of War & two frigates past ye Road to ye Nd. They spoke a brig coming round ye North end of ye Iland -- tis said ashore she is a prize to ym Fryday 23 Today a fleet of 20 sail sailed for Windward under convoy the French Man of War 3 Frigates & a Sloop Privateer -- They were in sight at dark -- -- People fixing & serving ye Foresheets -- Saturday 24 I observed a leak in ye main deck just forward ye rise of ye Quarter deck on ye Starboard side -- I acquainted Capt Mowat St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image of it -- Carpenter on board all day about Hencoops -- Sunday 25 About a doz Vessells from Wind =ward -- French & Dutch -- about [add: two hours ago] 5 French Line of Battle Ships appeared to ye S.ward -- They are now lying to in a Line a little without the Shipping -- a small schooner wth ym -- This manovre causes many speculations on board ye Ajax -- about 4 o Clock pm they were joined by a frigate -- They are now -- (Sunsett) all standing to ye S.ward under an easy sail Monday 26 The French Ships have been in sight all day laying off & on -- Their design, it is said, from Persons from Marti= =nique -- was to [unclear: ] the four Ships who were sent with ye Trade -- as Count D'Estaing had been informed that some large English Ships had been sent this way -- They have it ashore that Admiral Biron is dead -- that his Cook poisoned him -- (Statia News ) for wch it has been added he is to have a pension. verse 1779-04 St. Eustatius April 1779 Page image The goodly Chh by Heaven design'd To help the weak to lead the blind To check the rash to warm ye cold To engage the young to amuse ye old The unthinking from ymselves to save And bring all kindly to the Grave anon -- Wednesday 28th Have got ye last of the Cargo on board this day -- -- The People in trade, here, are many of ym deeply in wth ye Americans -- That makes ye American mad -- it is their in= =terest that ye Americans should succeed & be independent; that they may be able to pay their debts -- They have therefore persuad= =ed themselves that it will be so -- The same reason makes ym believe the most improba =ble reports wch are favorable to ye American Cause -- it has been, & it is now, rumoured Page missing in original May 1779-05 Saint Eustatius May 1779 Page image yet He has been writing constantly day & night for this week past -- The Stupidity & inattention of man= =kind is amazing -- I wanted to know ye method to be observed in clearing the Brig out -- I applyed to P -- -L -- -who had been a ship master to ys port many voyages & a merch.t Here many years -- He gave me [add: such] directions as could not be followed they were contrary to ye settled rules in the offices -- I asked ano= =ther of my acquaintance here -- He gave me a very confused acc.o of what I was to do -- mad at yr wrongheadedness -- I determined to follow ye direction of my own understand =ing & observing -- Candour & Goodness mark =ed in ye features of ye Weigh master's countenance [del: a Mr. LeFevre ] a Mr Le Fevre -- I asked him what was the Line to be Observed in clearing out my Vessell for being a Stranger I did not know -- would he please to tell me -- O yes Sir -- you must come to me -- 'Tis eno. Saint Eustatius May. 1779 Page image when I come to you -- you will then give me ye necessary directions -- -- I waited upon him, gave him a mani= =fest of my cargo Specifying the Nr .of casks & how many of each sort whether hhds teines or Blls -- He cast up the duties of 70 hhds 2 teines & 28 blls Sugars & 1250 W Cocoa at 217 P 8/8 -- He then sent me up stairs over the Scale Room where I recd a permit to sail for wch I gave 4 [unclear: rs.] on ye same permit the Weighmaster wrote a rect for the duties I paid -- He sent me to the Governour -- He gave me ye Six of Clubbs wth a Seal no 48 & a hard dutch word on the Back & sent me to ye Fiscal -- He gave me ye Six of Diamonds for wch I gave him 4 [unclear: rs.] -- There was a seal on ye back -- He sent me to ye Fort where I paid the duties on ye Cargo imported at ye rate of 1/2 [unclear: rl:] p quin. on fish & 1 [unclear: rl.] p bll for mackarell together wth powder Saint Eustatius May 1779 Page image mony & Anchorage -- That finished the business I only retain the Governor's Card wch is a pass to the Commodore. -- Fryday Evening -- Purchased 1497 lb Sugar this afternoon & got it on board -- I should have laid this mony out ten days ago -- but from the Intelligence I got I thot I should want it for duties -- Saturday May 8th Mr. Walker & Capt Mowat very busy all day -- & have been so this week past settling their affairs on shore -- If we had not waited for convoy -- I doubt whether They would have been ready till now or not -- They have had a deal of writing to do & even now -- & tis most nights -- they do not seem to have done -- From good Authority the French Fleet under Count D'Estaing [del. illeg.][add: is] in a wretched condition Most of his Ships [del: in a Condition] from storms & other blows -- hardly fit to go home -- 3000 men ashore in ye hospitals in [del. illeg.]Port Royal & a great number more at St. Pierre's -- Monday ye 10th Saint Eustatius May 1779 Page image at 9pm weighed & came to sail wth a fleet 15 sail dutch Ships [add: & brigs] under convoy of a dutch Man of War of 54 [add: guns] Cap.t Remeswaer Comm.r who has promised us protection so long as we keep with him at ab.t 8am. abreast of St. Martin's the Fleet all a Stern except ye Commodore -- Tuesday 11th @ 2pm Anguilla bore SEbE 21miles distant being in Lat. 18.17. N. Long 62.13' W from whence We take our departure for Sambro Iland at ye Entrance into Halifax being in Lat. 44.32' N. Long. 63.20' ... Nautical chart and notes. See image. 2 Wednesday May 12 Page image Nautical chart. See image. Nothing Remarkable ys 24 hours -- Fair weather -- except now & then a rain Squall -- Fleet all together 3 Thursday May 13 Nautical chart. See image. Nothing Remarkable ys 24 hours -- Weather to be plea= =sant -- The fleet together 4 Fryday the 14th May Page image Nautical notes. See image. Fine pleasant weather This day at noon parted from our convoy -- They holding yr Course too much Ely for us -- 5 Saturday 15 May Nautical notes. See image. Fine pleasant weather for the last 24 hours 7mdash; & fair wind Two very great Blessings to Sailors -- 6 Sunday May 16th Page image Weather continues very pleasant -- wind fair but small -- Nautical notes. See image. 7 Monday 17 [del. illeg.] 8am Wind came in at a squall at abt. NNE -- blows fresh -- looks likely to continue so -- handed all our small sails -- M T sail sing. reef'd F sail dbl reef'd Nautical chart and notes. See image. 8 Tuesday May 18th Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. This 24 hours a fresh gale at NE under Reef'd Tp sails -- a large head Sea -- fore part cloudy latter part fair -- wind more moderate -- Sea -- smoother 7mdash; 9 Wednesday May 19 Nautical chart and notes. See image. these 24 hours -- weather pleasant wind NE to N -- a large swell from ye Nthward 10 Thursday May 20th Page image Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours the wind, still hanging at N & NbE -- tis now 3 days since ye wind has blown from ye quarter -- tis teazing -- almost beyond Patience -- However tis now almost calm & showery -- we hope a shift of Wind -- God send it 11 Fryday May 21 Nautical chart and notes. See image. at 4pm tack'd to ye Eward -- at 8 pm tack'd again laid up NW -- at 12 at night the wind veered more in our favour so that ye latter part of this 24 hours we have made a NbW Course -- Weather pleasant -- the Wind favorable & promises to be more so -- wch makes us very good natured & cheerfull -- 12 Saturday May 22 Page image Note: Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours pleasant -- moderate weather -- small Breezes at NE & ENE -- till about 10am when it has veer =ed a little to ye Eward -- we have now our Royals set -- our course NbE wth a plain sail -- 13 Sunday May 23 Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours -- pleasant moderate weather -- small Winds at abt E by S -- 14 Monday May 24 Page image Nautical notes. See image. These 24 hours very small Winds from about E to ENE -- fair weather -- Picked up a bag of Cork chips wth a few shot holes in it -- This causes various speculations among the Ship'scom= =pany -- It has alarmed all yr fears -- for they are very sure it has not been in ye water a day -- Tho from ap= =pearences it may have been yre a week -- One remembers that he thot he had heard guns last Night -- 15 Tuesday May 25 Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours -- very pleasant weather -- wth little or no wind -- it having been calm the greater part of ye Time 16 Wednesday May 26 Page image Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours fine pleasant weather but almost a perfect calm -- what little wind we've had has been to ye Eward -- we have at times gone from 1 to 1 1/2 Knot a NbE course -- From our having made so little x Lat. I judge we are in the Eddy of the Gulph Stream -- & that we have made westing more than is allowed in the a= =bove Reckoning -- 17 Thursday May 27 Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours -- some very small breeze, [del: some] [add: at] times -- but for the most part a Flat Calm -- wch is very tedious & irksome -- altho ye Weather is exceed= =ingly pleasant -- 18 Fryday May 28 Page image This 24 hours began with a small [add: breeze] at about N b E it [add: has] increased & veered in our favour so that now at about half after 2pm it is about NNW -- [del: so that] [add: and] we are no longer in the disa= =greable Situation of Standing Stock Still in the mid= =dle of the World wth no more ability of moving than if we were bound wth 10,000 Chains & Ropes -- God conti= =nue it & make it more favorable -- & send us once more safe to dear H -- -x -- Weather very fine & plea =sant -- Lat. Ob. 35.14' The latter part of this 24 hour a Steady breeze abt. NWbN -- we have a strong Currt to ye N -- some part ys 24 hours as our x Lat. Ob. Exceeds ys by dk 23 miles Nautical notes. See image. 19 Saturday May 29 lat ob 35o56'N Nautical chart and notes. See image. This 24 hours -- weather very fine -- very little Winds -- The latter part Wind SWly a small breeze wch promis= =es to stand & increase -- Caught 3 fish a Skip Jack -- a Dolphin & a Shark -- a Curr.t has set us 15 miles Nly 20 Sunday May 30 Page image This 24 hours begins wth a small breeze at abt WSW -- we have more wind than for a Week past -- Lat. Ob. 37o33'N W.Vr. 1/2 pt. Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours ends with very pleasant weather & a fine brisk gale at abt SW -- we have now all sails sett & going at a fine rate -- Our Sensations are very different from what they have been for these 10 days or a fortnight past all wch time we have been crawling along at a very slow rate wth small winds & those rather scant than otherways -- We are now [add: swiftly] flying on the wing of a fair Propitious Gale -- just the Course we wish to Steer -- We have now no murmurings at Heaven's dispensation of Winds -- before we could not help thinking that so much Calm so many Contrary Winds was rather hard Resignation to ye Will of Heaven is a very easy duty when our Inclinations are gratifyed -- Last night at midnight a total Eclipse of the moon -- The sight was rather dismal Page image [del. illeg.]than other ways -- & Tho I have no superstitious fears on such Occassions -- yet I could not avoid having a [add: very] disagreable Feeling I believe it is natural -- Our Seamen, tho they did [add: not] openly acknowledge it -- yet, I could easily percieve by their enquiries, & observations, were made rather uneasy by the appearance -- 21 Monday May 31 Nautical notes. See image. This 24 hours a fine Gale at W & WSW wch still continues -- fair weather smooth Sea -- All Sails sett June 22 Tuesday June 1 Nautical notes. See image. a fine breeze this 24 hrs. from SW to S -- latter part foggy -- Vr Wly 1 point -- Wednesday June 2 Page image at 8pm hove too & sounded. 65 fathom rocky bottom -- By our Run since 12 oClock we are in 43o4'N having made since that time a N. Course -- -- This 24 hours began wth Foggy cloudy weather -- it still continues cloudy -- at 12 at Night sounded 65 fathom black sand & small black Stones -- our Course since 8pm has been NbE wch allowing 1 1/4 p. Vr. W makes N 1/4 we have run 22 miles -- our reckoning now Stands thus 43o26'N Lat 62o47'W Long. We judge -- that we are on the West part of I Sable ground -- at 12 we shaped our Course NbW -- the Vr. Is now by estimation 1 1/2 Wly -- Weather cloudy & small rain at times -- at 4am sounded 35 fathom rocky bottom -- Our course from 12 to 4 NbW wch allowing 1 1/2 pt. Vr. NNW .5 W the distance run 26 miles -- at 8am sounded 45 fathom blk. Sand & stones [add: Course from 4 to 8 NNW1/2 W true dist 12 miles] our course now NWbN -- Just now we see the land -- The Ragged Ilands -- The soundings we first had were not on Page image I Sable as we imagined -- but ye Eastern part of Brown's -- the last on Port a Bear Bank -- This 24 hours Foggy -- misty -- & sometimes rain. At 11am made sail course along Shore towds. Sambro Thursday June 3 This 24 hours begins wth foggy weather -- at about 10 am we made the Land [del: over the] from the Mast head over the fog -- Mahon bay -- We are now Steering for Sambro Light -- this 24 hours ends wth pleasant fair weather -- small [add: breeze] at WSW -- Fryday June 4. at about 4 pm we got up wth Sambro Light -- were brot too by the Blond Frigate -- she detained us an hour or more -- calm all night -- the Light bearing SWly -- towards Sunrise a small breeze sprang up to ye Eward wch brot us up to Town about 10 oClock [add: am] all well & safe -- Thanks to that Kind Providence wch has preserv'd us thro a voiage attended wth many dangers & much distress -- But it has ended happily & prosperous =ly -- Saturday June 5 Halifax 1779 Page image Took lodgings at Miss Lyde's at 30/ p week. -- Have the hap= =piness to find all my Freinds in pretty good health Wednesday 9th Dined yesterday at the Eastern Barracks -- lodg'd there & am just returned Monday June 14 This day a Rebell Privateer Brig followed a Brig almost as far in as Sambro head & took her -- The Howe & two other armed Vessells came to sail & turned out -- The prize being a heavy Sailor -- ye wind blowing almost right in, The Privateer thot best to quit her -- & got off by going out thro ye Ledges -- the crew of an arm'd shallop taken in the Bay of Funday by Cap.t Campbell were brot to Town this forenoon -- it consisted of 10 men only Wednesday 16 Put a bll Spruce on board Capt Nat. Atkins for P.Pero St. Eustatius . -- To him & my Friend L-gh-m I wrote of this same Opp.y Halifax 1779 Page image I have desired Pero to send ye produce, of some Fish, & empty Molasses hhds wch I left wth him to sell -- in Cap Atkins -- to invest it in Cocoa should any come it belongs to Mr. Holmes -- it is not mine -- Fryday June 18 a Duel was fought today between a Cap. Buskirk of the Orange Rangers & a Mr. Crawford an Apothecary's mate of the Garrison in wch the latter was killed on ye Spot -- Sunday 20 a large Transport wth Troops Stores Clothes & carrying about 20 guns -- wth sundry smaller Vessells sail'd for Quebec -- Thursday 24 Several [del: Ships] [add: Vessells] sail'd for the Bay Funday -- A few Days ago Parson Bailey wth his Family came in to this place from ye Eastern part of N Engld He and his Family were almost naked -- being reduced to mere wret= =chedness for want of Cloathing -- & had [add: suffered] every hardship for want of the necessary articles of food -- they had seen no bread of any kind for 3 weeks before they left home -- By him we Halifax 1779 Page image an acco that a reinforcem.t Had come out to Gen. Clinton -- that was ye Report in N England -- Fortunately for him the Assembly of this Pro =vince were sitting when he arrived -- they voted him 50 [pound sterling] out of the Publick Treasury & the Commr of the Troops has ordered him Ra =tions for himself & Family Monday 28 Several arrivals -- a ship & Brig from Ireland , a Schooner from Fyal -- a ship & Brig from St. John's Iland -- & much good news by way of Annapolis -- how true -- time will disco= =ver -- Time says tis most of it a Lye July Fryday July 2 some hard Thunder this morning the hardest I ever heard in this Country Monday July 5 Arrived the Blond -- & the Arburthnot Schooner from Penobscot where Gen Mc Lean has taken post -- We have been made very uneasy [add: today] by a ru =mor that Gen Provost had met wth a defeat at Charleston S.C. -- the acco is in a Rebell Paper contained in a letter from Phill. June 10 but it wants support to make it credible at present -- Tuesday July 13 Halifax 1779 Page image Sunday last arrived a Ship from Newry a brig from St. Vincent's -- Intelligence by the ship is that Admiral Arbuthnot had sail'd for N.York wth a fleet of 200 sail all kinds -- That the French Fleet in ye W Indies remained blocked up in Martinique -- This day the Blond sail'd for NYork -- on Sunday The Falcon went out to look after some Rebell Privateers wch had appeared off the mouth of the Harbour -- wch is a very common thing for them to do -- Sunday 19 Two ships the Adamant & St. Lawrance from London arrived on Fryday -- Parson Weeks is one of them Saturday 30 Arrived a Schooner from NYork wth some other Vessells wch are bound for St. John's & Que =bec -- also a Schooner from Penobscot -- State of our Military matters stands thus -- General Pre= =vost at ye Southward laying by till (as 'tis said) ye hot weather is over -- at York . They have burned several Towns in Conecticut laying on ye Sound in ye Neibourhood of NYork -- as far as Fairfeild wch hardly suffered -- Fort Defiance has been taken Halifax 1779 Page image & retaken again wth ye Loss of one regiment cut to peices & two companies besides -- it was re= =taken by surprise -- to ye Northward -- Gen Mc Lean is attacked in his post at Penob= =scot -- He can have no releif from this till ye Reinforcement arrives from England -- whether He can support himself till that comes -- Little people cannot tell -- However They are now some ships in sight wch we hope are that Fleet -- The state of People's mind's inys place is disagreable eno -- tis a state of un= =certainty & suspense -- wch is constantly [del. illeg.] kept up by ten thousand different Reports, [del. illeg.] so many of wch prove false that am impar =tial [del: Spectator] [add: observer] would be inclined to think that there was an actual combination to impose upon & deceive each other August Tuesday August 3 This day rec.d an acco of my friend BMH -- for p [unclear: ] Insure amo to upwards of [pound sterling]100 -- Curr.y -- There are some odd Circumstances attending this matter -- ye acco is dated 15 Dec 1778 -- I did not engage in ye voyage in ye Ajax till about ye Halifax 1779 Page image 10th or 12th November 1778 -- I did not mention to him my desire of his having any Insurance done for me till a few days before our sailing wch was ye 6th December -- How is it possible his orders could have been complied with so soon as ye 15 decembr following -- Besides tis not a week since that he told me he had as yet no acc.ots of that matter -- It has a mighty odd appearance at present -- Tis all solved to my satisfaction since -- Thursday 5 Three Briggs & a Snow arrived -- one of ye Briggs 47 days fromLondon -- Two grand Fleets out -- British & French -- so that we expect some mighty Events -- August 16 Last night & this morning The Robust wth ye fleet under her convoy arrived here -- after a long-looking for -- on Wednesday arrived the LeCorne -- a Frigate -- Fryday 20 arrived a[del: prize] Rebell Privateer taken in Boston Bay -- The accounts She brings has greatly releived the anxiety of Peo =ple here for Gen.l Mc Lean -- 10 days ago she Halifax 1779 Page image parted wth ye Raisonable & Seven Frigates bound to Penobscot -- This acco has taken a great weight from the minds of all who were well wishers to Goverment ( to use ye currt. Term) Monday August 23 Last evening sail'd the Ro= =bust a 74 -- the LeCorne & Falcon Frigates -- the Adamant & St. Lawrence armed Ships -- a brig & ship Store Ships & an armed Schooner wth some detachments from the Garrison here to ye assist= =ance of Genl Mc Lean -- Entertained 10th. A Rumor of 60 sail of French & Spanish men of War & Transports wth 5 or 6,000 Troops being at Louisbourg -- Monday 30 The Fleet under the Robust returning They met with a Gale of wind in the bay of Fun= =dy wch did some damage to the Robust & the LeCorn so that they have thot proper to return in order to refit -- Tis feared that ye Falcon is Lost -- Tis remark= =able the merchant ships in the fleet have recd no da =mage at all Tuesday 31 Halifax 1779 Page image Yesterday we were chargrined wth ye return of the Fleet destined to releive Genl Mc Lean -- today we are cheer'd up wth an acco from that quarter that Sir Geo Collier had arrived, had sunk & taken a Nr of their Rebell Ships of War & Transports & drove ye rest up the River -- That the Rebells still continued the Seige -- September Tuesday afternoon The Nautilus fromPenob= =scot has made [add: ye acco of] affairs there certain beyond all doubt -- The whole Rebell fleet are taken & destroyed not a boat has escaped. Their land [add: forces] are routed & dispersed -- Their artillery & camp equi= =page -- all left behind -- they have now to get home as well as they can afoot thro ye woods -- -- The behavior of the Rebells was shamefully cowardly -- on ye appearance of 3 Frigates only, their ships immediately betook ymselves to flight up the river -- Two were taken without any resist= =ance -- a list of yr Ships taken & destroyed Halifax 1779 Page image as follows. viz. Nr Shot # NamesNr Gun 1812 964 Commr Names Hampden 2012 taken Salter Hunter 2020 taken Brown Warren 321214 6burnt Saltonstall Monmouth 2422 2do Ross Putnam 1818 do Waters Hector 2020 do -- Black Prince 18do Burke Sky Rockett 16 16do -- Charming Sally 20x xdo Holmes Vengeance 2020 do Thomas Brigs Active 1616 do Eliot Tynannicide 14x xdo Cathcart Pallas 16 4do unclear Hazard 18x xdo Jn Foster Williams Def[del: iance] [add: ence] 16 16do -- Diligence 16 16do Brown Providence Sloop 12 12do Hacker a Schooner 8 8do -- 18 vessels 324 Guns -- & 24 Transports. -- Their loss about 200 killed -- Nr wounded uncertain Fryday Sept 10 Halifax 1779 Page image Embarked in the Ship Kepple for Newfoundland -- Saturday sail'd -- ran upon Thrum Cap Shoal -- got off & returned to Town -- so here I am again -- a Cartel arrived from Boston wth ab.t 300 Prisoners -- Tuesday 14th Arrived the Defiance a 64 Gun Ship from Quebec -- 2 ships from Limerick -- no news -- By accots From Boston by the Cartel -- [del. illeg.] -- Their chief attention in that Country at present is to support the credit of their paper mony which notwithstanding all yr efforts has depre= =ciated below whatever any paper currency ever did before -- That -- & the Scarcity of European goods has raised every article of that kind to an enormous price -- The defeat at Penob= =scot has chagrined them exceedingly -- The de =struction of so many ships of Force is a very deeply felt Loss -- it cannot be soon retreived -- if ever -- They have a curious Paragraph in one of yr Papers on the subject -- They say That the Publick may be assured That only two Ships Halifax 1779 Page image "have fallen into the Enemy's hands -- That " Admiral Saltonstal had taken effectual care "to prevent their taking any more -- -- The means he took were effectual indeed for he burnt them all -- This is a most curious way of deceiving the Publick -- Tho the truth is told -- tis reported in town that they design another attack -- Thursday ye 16 about 12 oClock at noon a small american Schooner Privateer took a large Brigg about 4 miles below Mauger's beach in sight of the whole Town -- for everybody was looking at her -- among the rest -- The Capt.s of 3 men of War were looking through yr glasses & seeing ye American carry off his prize unmolested -- at last ye Commodore ye renowned Capt I -- of the D -- -f -- -e ordered out some armed boats -- but not without evidently showing that he knew not what method to take -- the [del. illeg.][add: sound] of armed boats wch was murmuring from everyone's mouth -- at last penetrated his wooden head -- & they were sent out more than 2 hours [del: after] later than they might have been Halifax 1779 Page image Tis amazing Strange! That not withstanding the repeated Insults of this kind -- no effectual method is taken to prevent it -- when 'tis be= =yond all dispute that one Frigate & two Schooners or Sloops that were good sai= =lors would be fully sufficient -- The com= =plaint is for want of men for the small ves= =sels -- Why in the name of Common Sense may they not be manned by detachments from the large ships when they are here -- The naval Commanders on this Station in general seem to be the most brainless sett of Animals existing -- What a Stupid peice of Conduct was C -- -y guilty of -- who commanded ye fleet wch went wth releif for Genl McLean -- -- when it was known that ye General's situation was exceedingly dangerous -- to return to Halifax wth his whole fleet because he carried away his main & mizen Topmasts -- & had hurt his main Top -- & this when not more than 30 leagues from Penobscot & a fair wind -- -- Stupid very Stupid fellows! Halifax 1779 Page image The administration of Goverment in this place is curious -- 'tis beyond ye comprehension of com= =mon Sense -- at the same time that ame =rican Privateers are taking vessells within ye Light house -- there are Ships of War & light ar= =med Vessells lying as quietly in the harbour as tho it was ye profoundest peace -- There is not even an attempt made to keep the coast clear -- but [del. illeg.] if any one [del. illeg.] animadverts freely on such Stupid conduct they are very active to brand him wth ye name of disaffect =ed & Rebell -- a few days ago there was a very extraordinary Stretch of power exercises on a Capt Cassell who was taken in a Brig ab.t 3 weeks ago after he was within the Light -- & for wch I hope the Actors will pay severely -- -- he had spoke his mind pretty freely on ye neglect there was about keeping the coast clear & probably reflected personally on some Halifax 1779 Page image of our people in Power -- I am told he threatened to make representations when he should get home -- Well -- The evening before the Robust sail'd for York wch [add: was on] Thursday ye 30 Sept. 3 days ago The Governor sent to his lodgings & desired him to come to him immediately -- that he wanted to speak with him -- Cassell sus= =pecting nothing -- went -- as soon as he came into the House -- He was seiz'd upon by a party of the Robust's crew & carried on board their Ship -- next day the Governour sent an order to his lodgings for his Chest & beding wch was sent on board ship to him & he is carried away to York -- -- Another curious Anecdote -- some time ago arrived here a Mr. H -- -sl -- -p from England -- formerly a merchant in Boston -- He proposed to going to N England where he has a family & an Estate -- Halifax 1779 Page image but intended to go with ye consent of Authority he is a man in years near 70 or upwards -- one of no force -- a mere mony getting Genius only -- after being about Town for some time -- He was taken up & [del. illeg.] is now confined to a private House -- from whence he cannot go but in company wth ye Sheriff or his deputy -- & all this as Report has it -- for saying in company one day -- That the Lord had left England & gone over to ye Americans -- at ye same time they exchange Prisoners -- That are capable of being real mischeif-doing Enemies the minute they get home -- & yet detain a [del. illeg.]meer doating old man for saying a very Stupid thing -- Upon such ideas do the peo= =ple who have ye Power in this Place proceed -- [del: Sept 30 arrived a Car] October Sunday Octo 3 Halifax 1779 Page image a Cartel from Sandwich 3 days ago -- by whom I rec'd Letters from my Friends at Plymouth -- They are all well She sail'd this day from Town -- by her I wrote to both my Sisters -- Sunday Oct.o 24. 1779 Am embarked on board the Keppel Henry Gooch comm.r of 20 guns & bound for Newfoundland -- God send us safe -- & return me in health wth Prosperity -- [del. illeg.] I wish it more for your sake my dear Eliza than my Own -- Would to Heaven 'twere in my power to promote your happiness -- as much as it is in my heart to wish it Monday ye 25 Doctr. P -- -came on board to see the Ship -- stayed about 2 hours -- aftter noon weigh'd & drop'd down to Maugers beach -- & anchored again -- Tuesday 26 Page image About noon weigh'd anchor -- & put to Sea -- The Dunmore Adventure & another Ship all for Lon= =don just ahead of us -- This morning Dr. Prince's Schooner Patty arrived from St Kitts -- 25 days -- no news Wednesday 27 nothing remarkable -- after a passage of nine days attended wth hard gales of Wind we arrived safe at St. John's NfLand From the present [del. illeg.][add: appearance] of things in this place I have a prospect of making a very successfull ad= =venture -- God send it -- November Saturday Nov.6 St. John's NfLand 1779 The Fleet to Europe are now getting under way -- 80 sail -- They are all out wth a fine SW. Wind -- Wind SW & cloudy -- Sunday 7th nothing remarkable -- Wind S.ly Rainy -- dined at Mr. Jenkin's . Monday 8 St. Johns 1779 Page image Wind S.ly rainy -- Wrote to Frs.Tree Ferryland about his note dined wth Cap.t Elms -- Tuesday 9 Wind. W.ly -- small rain at times -- dined [del: wth] [add: at] Mr. Prym's -- Wednesday 10 Wind. S.ly -- fair -- Company -- aboard to dine -- went ashore at dark very decent -- no excess -- Thursday 11 Wind SW.ly moderate cloudy wth small rain at times -- a Vessell in 11 days from York -- aboard all day -- Fryday 12 Wind S.ly fair Saturday 13 Wind SE.ly fair -- Company on board to dine -- some very excentric -- Sunday 14 Wind SW.ly rainy, foggy -- dined at Mr. Jenkin's -- drank tea at Mr. Gardiner's Monday 15 Wind W to SW -- blew fresh -- cloudy coast part rainy -- arrived a brig from Oporto -- Ships from NYork -- sail'd a Schooner for England Tuesday 16 a small air to ye W -- cloudy -- & towards night rain -- Began to take Cargo aboard today Wednesday 17 St. John's Newfoundland 1779 Page image Cloudy -- moderate Wind W.ly -- Thursday 18 Cloudy -- wet -- Wind NE.ly Fryday 19 Cloudy & wet. Wind Sly to SWly Saturday 20 Cloudy. Wind NE.ly -- dined ashore wth Mr. Neive -- Sunday 21 Wet & foggy -- Wind Ely -- aboard all day Monday 22 most excusable weather -- foggy & dark tis eno' to make any one who is idle [del: right] exceed= ingly melancholly -- a Vessell arrived last night from England with bread -- a very agreable & welcom Ship to this wretched Starving Place Tuesday 23 Still most infamous wet -- rainy -- misty dark & disagreable weather -- Company to dine on board today -- Wind Ely. Wednesday 24 Foggy -- rainy -- very disagreable weather all day -- towards sun[del: down] sett ye Fog clear'd off & we have some prospect of a fair day tomorrow as the wind has shifted round to the Westward -- Thursday 25 -- Fair -- Wind Wly -- the Admiral Duff & a brig sail'd for ye W Indies -- Fryday 26 Fair weather -- cool -- Wind -- Wly Nov. Saturday 27 Saint John's Newfoundland 1779 Page image Cloudy -- toward night [unclear: ] arrived the Garland Ship of War -- wth several ships from England -- 2 brigs from New York Sunday 28 Cloudy -- rainy at times -- Wind Ely pm took a walk to Quiddy Viddy -- I wish some of my Hlfx friends who grumble daily at yr Situation there, could see the Habitations of this miserable place without windows -- without chimnies -- the light of heaven coming in ye same hole which lets out ye smoke -- and yet here -- ye equal hand [add: of Heaven] gives hap= =piness -- Even here they increase & multiply -- Monday 29 Rain blows hard from ye Eward Tuesday 30 blew hard at about ENE all night -- obliged to let go a third anchor -- very hardly cleared our =selves of a Brig who lay a Stern of us -- Still blows hard but has veer'd a little to ye N[add: E] ward -- & continued blowing & raining all day -- December Wednesday December 1 Cloudy -- but does not rain -- Wind further North -- so we call it fair weather in this Country -- We must take such for fair days or else we shall have very few[del. illeg.][add: here] -- Cloudy all day wth a few small rain Squalls -- blows fresh -- Thursday 2 St. John's NfLand December 1779 Page image Cloudy dirty weather -- Wind at N -- Fryday 3 Morning fair & sunshine -- a very rare Phonomenon in this Country -- at noon Cloudy wtha Little rain -- pm Cloudy -- Wind Ely -- Saturday 4 Fair weather -- wind Wly -- sun setts serene -- The coolest day we have yet had -- [del: ] Today moor'd Ship Sunday 5 Fair weather -- Wind -- Wly -- cold -- arrived a Ship from York -- Comp.e to dine on board -- Monday 6 Cloudy am -- took off 9 hhds of my Fish marked BM [add: 1 to 9] at noon began to Snow Wind at E -- now -- about 6pm -- blows a hard Gale of wind arrived a Ship from Dublin -- 2 brigs from [add: an] out harbor Tuesday 7 Snow all day Wind -- W -- Nly Wednesday 8 Fair Wind Wly took off 17 hhds Fish of mine B.M.to Nr. 26 -- 2 Brigs sail'd for the W Indies -- Thursday 9 Cloudy am Wind S.ly pm rain -- dined at Mr. Gardiner's -- Fryday 10 Fair cold Wind NW -- the Garland with several Ships under convoy sail'd for Britain December -- St. John's Newfoundland 1779 Page image be Princes & beggars among them -- The System of Man= kind appears confus'd from it's[del. illeg.][add: being misunderstood] 'Twas once the case in ye natural World -- Ptolomey -- having [del. illeg.]conceived a wrong Situation of our Globe from thence imagined a System of motions for the Heavenly bodies the most con= =fused -- complicate & contrarious that could be -- 'twas such a Botch of a thing no body could endure to look at it wth any patience -- Tycho tried to mend the matter -- He made more [del. illeg.]blunders -- at length Coperni= =cus arose [add: wth a happier genius] He sat everything to rights[del. illeg.][add: fixing] the Sun whom Ptolmey & Tycho had set a travelling at a most terri =ble rate -- in his proper[del: Place] [add: station] at ye Centre of [del. illeg.] the [del: System] [add: whole] the other Globes -- ours wth the rest took ye [del. illeg.] places belong =ing to them -- & now exhibit a most beautiful System -- whose motions & appearances for any future period are foretold & calculated with a nicety that at once pleases & surprizes -- Some happy Genius may do the same in the Moral World -- Find -- Man's proper [del: Station] Sphere [del. illeg.] & what is his true motion in it -- & then all his puzzeling phonomena will be easily explained -- Wednesday 15 December St. John's Newfoundland 1779 Page image Cloudy with a little snow am -- pm -- wind freshens at NW -- fair & cold Thursday 16 Fair & very cold -- blows hard at W aboard all day Fryday 17 Fair -- cold -- blows hard at NW -- took off the last of my Fish being 44 hhds in all The Cargo is also all aboard today -- Saturday 18 Fair -- moderate wind Wly -- Transport sail'd for Hlfx -- 1 ship for W Indies -- Sunday 19 Cloudy -- moderate -- little wind to the Eward -- toward night small rain on board all day -- Monday 20 Cloudy -- moderate Wind NW aboard all day -- Tuesday 21 Cloudy -- misting -- rainy -- very little Wind NEly -- aboard all day -- Wednesday 22 Fair -- pleasant -- as all fair weather is in this place -- Wind Wly -- Thursday 23 Fair -- pleasant -- pm cold -- Wind Wly Fryday 24 Cloudy -- am sleet -- Wind Wly -- aboard these two days . Saturady 25 Xmas day ashore all day dined at Mr. Jenkin's -- Fair -- Wind NW -- 2 ships & 1 Snow June Halifax June 1780 Page image Pages missing in original. for after I had been asleep some time, how long I know not -- I was wakened by the boy's asking the Carpenter who sleeps between decks -- what was he doing with ye Candle for that something was burning -- I started up -- & found the cabin & Steerage full of smoke -- I immediately jumped out of bed ran upon deck -- & found a heap of sails wch lay between decks all in a blaze -- The people below were so drunk & asleep they knew nothing of the matter -- my calling up the boy roused the Carpenter -- he got upon deck but was too groggy to do anything toward extinguishing the fire wch his carelessness had kindled -- Jack and I happily put it out -- a few minutes more & 'twould have been past extinguishing -- came to sail about 11 clock am but the wind coming foul -- we ran up as far George's Iland & came to anchor -- a Brigg in 27 days from St. Kitts Wednesday 21 Halifax June 1780 Page image at Anchor by George's Iland Wind [add: fresh] Swly till about 12 at noon -- then died away veered to ye Eastward wth rain -- Thursday 22 ashore in the morning -- break -fasted at Doctr. P -- Came off & about 10 am came to sail -- The Robust -- Pearl frigate a Brig Capt Baker & a small Schooner Cap Gallop -- coming to sail at the same time -- a moderate breeze to ye Wward -- at 8pm Sambro Light bore N 1/2 W dist. 8 Leagues from thence we take our de= =parture for the West Indies -- Sambro Iland in Lat. 44. o 32N Long. 63. o 20W Fryday 23 Nautical notes. See image Parted with all our Comp.y Saw ye Robust ye last bearing ab.t WNW -- on our star =board quarter Weather fine & pleasant July 23 Saturday 15th at Sea in the Pattey July 1780 Page image Yesterday & today hard Gales & a high Sea -- ends more moderate Nautical notes. See image. 24 Sunday 16th begins pleasantly wth a fresh gale but a smoother Sea than ye two days past ends pleasant -- Nautical notes. See image. 25 Monday 17th Nautical chart and notes. See image. 26 Tuesday 18 at Sea in the Pattey 1780 July Page image Nautical chart and notes. See image. at 6pm began to steer W at 8pm hove too head to ye Nward lay till 5am then made sail -- 27 Wednesday 19 Lat Ob. 18 o 42 o [add: 28 Thursday 20th] about 1pm made St. Martin's bearing Swly about 2 in ye morning came to an= =chor in St. Eustatius -- all well -- Thank God Thursday 20 St. Eustatius July 1780 Ent.d at ye Fort 80 hhds fish 14m shingles -- find three or four vessells with ye remains of their Cargoes of Fish from NfLand Fryday 21 arrived a polacca from St. John's with fish -- she is about 200 tons -- dld Cap. Crosby's Letter to Admiral Rodney to Cap. Fawkes of the Greyhound Frigate who came Pages missing in original. verse On The Fair Sex Page image Woman-Thou fairest last best work of Heav'n Whose very Frailties render thee more lovely And help t'endear thee still the more to Man For hadst Thou been with one less weakness form'd We should have thot thee Angel -- nor have dare'd To approach familiar, Natures so divine But should at distance & with fearful Reverence Have paid an awful joyless, Adoration Instead of that sweet pleasure giving homage Which now we ever joy to kneel & pray -- 1780 BM Honi soit qui mal y pense verse Wrote at St. John's River Bay of Funday while I lay there wind bound Sept. 1781 Page image I'm almost sick and tir'd to death With staying in this lonesome place Where everyday presents itself With just ye same dull looking face 2 O had I but some Kind fair Freind With whom to chat yse hours away I ne'er would care how blew ye wind Nor tedious should I think my stay 3 Ah -- That was once my happy lot When I with house & home was blest I'd then a fair Companion got Of many a female Charm possesst 4 Yes -- dearest Sally -- you was fair Nor only fair but kind & good Sweetly together did we share The blessings heaven on us bestow'd Page image 5 Nor scantily did heaven show'r down Those gifts wch render life a blessing But did our cup with plenty crown And kept us from what was distressing 6 'Till base Rebellion did display Her banners foul with false pretence Then kindly Heaven took you away From evils wch have happened since 7 And careless me -- when I had lost Of all it's Blessings -- far the best Did teach -- & justly at my cost The worth of what I once possessed 8 'Tis often so -- we do not prize The present good at it's just route But gone we see with other eyes What was it's worth when 'tis too late 9 Now one verse more fait Ladies mine And ther'll be one a peice for you 'Tis ye way I sometimes spend my time When I have nothing else to do verse To S. Sewall -- from Plymouth when a prisoner there 1776 -- Page image Dr. Stephen These few lines come to let you know That I am well -- hope you are so The true stile this epistolary From wch Good writers ne'er shou'd vary Also to give you information Of my present Situation Quite unlike your's who now at ease Can ramble where so e'er you please In town or out on foot or Nag on To Church to Burdick's or the Dragon Can go see Tom can dine wth Prince At night beat Peter of his pense Who wth ill luck quite surely made growls like a bear wth broken head While I poor Divel am here confin'd In a place wch no way suits my mind For being (you know all my Story) A sad incorrigible Tory And now am so left in the lurch By heaven! I can't e'en go to Church How ever -- even let it run it's a d -- -d long Lane wch has no turn verse Page image Pages missing in original 4 When the fond blushing willing Maid My long lov'd wish'd for Mira said Now, now, I'm ever thine 5 O how my Soul did then expand To catch that willing trembling Hand Which gave the best of Hearts; The crimson cheek the down cast Eye The fault'ring Tongue the flutt'ring Sigh That tender Love imparts 6 When she with every Virtue fraught By the enamour'd World was sought And scorn'd them all for me When she prefer'd my vows alone To many lovers left to moan My envied lot to see 7 What tranquil days what blissful nights What social joys what dear delights That blest & laught to bless When not a care could intervene To cloud the pure celestial Scene Or image one distress Page image 8 How sweet the happy moments pass'd Too blest I own (for man) to last In calm domestick ease How whilst her Charms my boosom fir'd Her manners & her mind conspir'd More lastingly to please 9 How for her sake I fondly swore To lead a Wanderer's life no more Tho Glory's Voice should call Nor should the fame of Arms allure Whilst of a greater Conquest sure In her possessing all 10 How thus by love & fortune fix'd My life wth every comfort mix'd I mean't no more to Rove For ah to make herself more dear My love'd Maria ev'ry year Brought forth a pledge of Love Page image 11 But ah how few the months & days How few the Hours contentment stays To cheer the gloomy year Heaven in our sweetest cup has thrown Some bitter dregs to me well known And fill'd it up with care 12 Grim visag'd War in dire array And vile Rebellion leads the way Beyond the Western main Brittania rous'd sends forth her bands And Thousands leave their native Strands Ne'er to return again 13 Oh! How can I by words convey When struggling round thee, drag'd away A soul which clung to you When Strong ambition's ardent Flame Too dearly bot a Spotless name The bidding Love adieu! Page image 14 Oh! Mira thou my greatet Pride To Honor as to worth allied supress thy tears & sighs Behold said I, I mourn like thee But ah in pity's sake for me Bid nobler Passions rise 15 I go where fame & Duty call Glory must now that Heart enthrall Which should be your's alone But still shall'st thou forever find Thine image stamp'd upon my mind And all thy Virtues own 16 While thus absorb'd in tears of Greif And heart felt sighs our sole releif We mingled our alarms The signal's fired the anchor's weigh'd And time proclaims too long you've staid And tore me from her arms November November Occurences at Halifax Page image 2. The Vultur & ye Coal fleet arrived from Louisbourg This night a hard gale at Wind at about ESE -- 4. The Hunter Ship of War arrived from a Cruize 5. A Schooner arrived from N York sail 19 Alt. In co wth a fleet wth 2000 Hessians for this place -- She spoke wth Admiral Byron's fleet off George's (14 sail) This night a hard Gale at NE wth Snow -- 9. arrived the Blond & Delaware -- the Blond threw over 11 of her guns in ye Gale of wind of the 5th -- 10. The Report of the day is that Dominica is in the hands of the French -- & that they are gone or going to attack Jamaica -- a fine hobble Old England has got herself into -- This is carrying on war in such a Slovenly man= =ner -- better to drop it or to carry it on wth Spirit -- 12. The Howe Sloop brot in a Small american Privateer mounted wth Swivels -- She came from Salem -- 16. Cap Dennis brot in a prisoner -- was commr of a 14 gun brig out of Mhd taken by the Savage Sloop -- a few days ago I was his Prisoner -- such is the fortune of War -- To Mr. Bennet several articles bot for him in ye West Indies Page image Your orders Dear Sir & 'twas but my duty In such way I've [del: discharg'd] [add: fullfill'd] as I thot would best suit ye First -- a pot of Good Ginger -- & nothing you'll find so good for the stomach when troubled with wind A peice or two taken wth a Spoon or a Fork [del: Will Scarce ever fail of soon doing] [add: Tis no matter [unclear: ] it will soon do] But -- as this is a Cordial -- best take it alone The good it then does [add: you] will be all your own For if you allow at such times a By-Stander You must give him a bit or suffer the Slander Of being so very a miserly Elf As to eat all your Good Things up your ownself And the giving a bit sooner Empties the Pot And[del. illeg.] They'll never consider how hard it is got How the Tropic is crossed both backward & forward In going out South & coming home Northward Then the Thousands of dangers we run from in Seas From Rovers from Pirates -- Thick almost as Bees Page image And when you've once given, abroad they will blaze it What a [add: fine] pot of Ginger you have in your Closet So they'll daily be coming & begging in Throngs With -- My Aunt has the Colic -- & My Mother longs They'll so teaze you -- so vex you -- they'll make such a rout You will never be quiet untill 'tis all out The best way is therefore not let it be known That there is e'er a such Pot in the Town But should it get blabbed -- Why tell a good swinger Say -- The Mice gnaw'd a hole thro it & eat all the Ginger Next -- are Six bottles of most excellent pickles That better were ne'er set on Table wth Vict'alls The Acid so sharp -- the Flavour so fine They'll [del. illeg.][add: strengthen your] Stomach whenever you dine Then, last is a case of very fine syrup With six bottles of Lime Juice -- These together you'll stir up In a Bowl of fair water -- To which add a Beaker Of good old Cane Spirit -- & you'll then have such Liquor Page image As Jove never [del: drank] [add: tasted] -- & were he [del: alive] [add: still] living To get a [del. illeg.][add: good drink] of 't [add: he'd] his nectar [add: be] giving This, Sir -- of your goods is ye total account And now let us see to what they amount of the Ginger -- Three dollars & a half is the Price And [add: just] that same sum for the pickles so nice The Lime Juice cost three -- the Syrop cost two The whole is just twelve -- If we've reckon'd true So there Sir's your ware -- & here Sir's my Bill Which you may discharge whenever you will But pray don't mistake me -- I mean not to dun ye Take what time you please Sir to pay me the mony For now 'pon my Honour I vow & protest I think it is as safe in your hands -- as my Chest But, only [del. illeg.][add: th'old] Proverb you know recommends The Short'ning of Reck'nings for keeping of Freinds And your Friendship in Truth Sir I count among Those Which would render me very unhappy to lose Halifax June 1779 BM verse Page image Pages missing in original 15 Ye youthfull Trees late planted by my hand And nurs'd & tended wth my fondest care Which round the fertile plat in order stand And now begin your luscious fruit to bear 16 'Tis with regret your freindly shades I flee Least some rude arm of Ravage Guilt & war Should tear the tender blossoms from ye tree Nor in yr rage your tender branches spare 17 Ye shaggy hemlocks & ye waving Pines Whose tops aspiring threaten in the Sky The Sport of Tempests & conflicting winds From whence resounds the Owl's tremendous cry 18 Here the tall Forest & the Verdant Grove Ting'd wth yr various dyes my fancy please Thro wch ye winged Nations joyful rove And mingle Musick wth ye whispering breeze 19 The mossy rocks & all the dusky woods Hills wch in near or distant Prospect rise The Crystal fountain & ye Streaming Floods Exclude yr Charms & grandeur from my eyes Page image 20 With rev'rence I survey yon ancient Oak Majestic tree! Spreading abroad its arms Resisting long ye Thunder's awful stroke And all ye fury of the Northern Storms 21 Adieu to Kennebec that mighty Stream wch rolls it's sullen tide or rapid roars O'er ragged rocks & shoals wch intervene And washes in its course a thousand Storey 22 Alas! I feel a multitude of woes When I survey that yonder house of prayer Which from that hand of Charity arose And at ye Sight let fall a parting tear 23 'Twas here we met to learn ye way to heav'n Rejoyc'd to see each other's smiling face 'Till by the rage of Persecution driven To wander chearless from the sacred place 24 Forbid by impious men of lawless might (Devoid of Conscience destitute of Shame) To hear ye Gospel or to celebrate By prayer or Praise ye great eternal name Page image 25 To Heaven's paternal care I recommend My suffering Friends & from my heart implore Almighty God their safety to defend From B -- -n's subtle craft & C -- -g's vengful power 26 Once more we view the solemn scenes around wth swelling Greif my Partner calls to mind Her tender Babes! Beneath ye heaving ground And weeps to leave ym mouldring dust behind Finis verse a Poem on a very tragical accident -- a gentleman was in love to distraction wth a Lady who was a kept mistress to Lord L -- -h she re= =fus'd his addresses -- He unable to conquer his passion or obtain his wishes took ye dreadful resolution of destroying both himself & her which he partly ef= =fected by shooting her dead as she was stepping in =to a Coach from ye Play -- he then fired another pis= =tol at his own head but ye Call not being right =ly placed did not prove mortal -- 'Tis wrote in ye character of the unfortunate Person & from many expressions we may conclude [del: she] [add: ye Lady] had at some time favoured his Hopes -- Page image Tis done -- Thy fatal charms no more shall move Dispair at last succeeds to hopeless Love Away ye Fault'ring Tongue -- ye deep drawn Sighs The folded Arms wan Cheeks & Streaming Eyes Death (Sorrow's friend) These weeping eyes shall close And take me from my Passion & my Woes Think not these lines thy pity wish to claim Again to kindle Love's extinguish'd flame No! No! Thy perjur'd faith & cold disdain rage in my heart & fire my madd'ning hain Page image Cold is the Breast that once my vows approv'd Forever lost to me the maid I lov'd Wretch! -- shall I tamely bear the galling chain And crawl through life a Spectacle of pain No! -- come Dispair -- unsheath thy freindly blade And wrap me in he Grave's eternal shade Freely this anxious Being I resign Be endless Sleep & dumb Oblivion mine Stop, impious suicide! Nor think to fly The Stings of guilt & Heaven's all peircing eye Can the grave hide from his pervading ray Who made the Light -- & formed thee from ye Clay Or madly dost Thou think th' aspiring mind Form'd for itself or link'd to Human Kind Did Wisdom frame Creation's humblest plan Shine in her lowest works but stop at man Ah Wretch! -- Did Heaven bestow a thirst of Fame Th' insatiate love of Truth -- the Patriot Flame The self-approving thot the [del: love] [add: sense] of [del: fame] right Guilt's secret horrors -- Virtue's calm delight Thy breast with reason's active powers supply To eat -- To drink -- To triffle -- & to die? Go hapless Pastor! Choose some nobler aim Think of the World's -- Thy Freinds -- Thy Country's claim Page image Go -- To thy Flock Religion's Charms display Point out ye road to Heaven & lead the way Oh fatal Force of Passions unsubdued In vain I strive to stem th' impetuous Flood Love in my Heart maintains resistless sway And sweeps my Reason -- pray'rs & faith away Then take relentless Maid! My last adieu My Lips expiring Breath shall wisper you But whilst on Life's extreamest verge I stand And hold the deadly Weapon in my hand Perhaps my Rival all your Heart employs Insults my Fate & riots in [del: my] [add: your] joys Perhaps -- when death shall close these weeping eyes And free you from my wishes & my sighs My vows rejected will his bless improve Swell his proud triumph & augment his love Detested thot! -- O! Spare my akeing Heart My Arm may tremble -- but we must not part Vain are his Hopes to triumph in thy Charms This slighted Hand shall tear thee from his arms Thou too shall bleed at Love's insatiate Shrine And blend -- at least in death -- thy fate wth mine Anonymous Finis verse To Eliza Page image Tir'd with the dull & tedious Scene In which these many weeks we've been I hope it soon will change That we shall leave this [del: dismal] [add: wretched] shore More kindly regions to explore And have more Room to range 2 Winter in all it's horrid forms Of rain -- of Snow -- of Cold -- of Storms Alternate rules each day The Sun far in his Southern Tour Shortens our day of many an hour And shoots a feeble ray 3 To our short days long nights succeed And these are tedious Things indeed Where Conversation's none [del: And] [add: For] our acquaintance now being old Our stories all so oft we've told They've all quite lost their fun 4 On Ship-board pent in narrow bound We scarce can swing a Kitten round So strained is the [del: place] Space Where we both eat & drink & Sleep Could you but get at it one peep You'd think it a curious place Page image 5 When supper's o'er the boy is call'd Our cotts all quickly down are haul'd And we turn in to rest And there we lay till morning Gun Harbinger of the rising Sun Calls each one from his nest 6 Our cotts truss'd up & breakfast o'er In the same tract we tread once more Which we trod yesterday Our business all is just the same There's no variety in the game Which we have now to play 7 Shut up from all the world besides We seldom know what there belides We have no Henry here Whose loborate weekly paper shews Both foreign & domestic News So true -- & very Clear 8 Nor does the face of Nature here Looks so smiling ever wear As to delight our Eyes 'Tis all one dismal dreary Scene Of dark unvaried Ever-green No gratefull Prospects rise End of volume 20.