A Relic of the Revolution: Containing a Full and Particular Account of the 
Sufferings and Privations of All The American Prisoners Captured on The 
High Seas, And Carried Into Plymouth, England, During The Revolution of 
1776, by Charles Herbert

Published: Boston, Charles H. Peirce, 1847

Note: Has names of ships and prisoners. Journal covers Nov 1776-Aug 1780

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                         A RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION

 CONTAINING A FULL AND PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE SUFFERINGS AND PRIVATIONS
 OF ALL THE AMERICAN PRISONERS CAPTURED ON THE HIGH SEAS, AND CARRIED INTO
             PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, DURING THE REVOLUTION OF 1776;

   With the Names of the Vessels taken - the Names and Residence of the 
several Crews, and time of their Commitment - the Names of such as died in 
    Prison, and such as made their Escape, or entered on board English
       Men-of-War, until the exchange of prisoners, March 15, 1779.

 ALS0 AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL CRUISES OF THE SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND
           OF COMMODORE JOHN PAUL JONES, PRIZES TAKEN, ETC., ETC.


                 BY CHARLES HERBERT, OF NEWBURYPORT, MASS.

       Who was taken prisoner in the Brigantine Dolton, Dec., 1776,
            and served in the U. S. Frigate Alliance, 1779-80.


    BOSTON: PUBLISHED FOR THE PROPRIETOR, BY CHARLES H. PEIRCE. 1847.




CONTENTS:

PREFACE

SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER I. [1]
THE DOLTON SAILED.--WAS TAKEN.--BREACH OF HONOR.--TREATMENT, &C.-- 
DISAGREEABLE LODGINGS.--ADVANTAGE OF BEING SMALL.--A REPORT.--ENGLISH 
WOMEN.--ROYAL SALUTE.--REMOVED.--A PRIZE BROUGHT IN.--DAILY ALLOWANCE ON 
BOARD HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS.--THE CHARMING SALLY.--ORDERS.

CHAPTER II. [2]
DISEASE AND VERMIN.--REPORTS.--PRESSED MEN.--REMOVAL TO THE TARBAY.--COLD 
BERTH.--SICKNESS PREVAILS.--GENERAL LEE.--A FRIEND.--AN ACT OF 
PARLIAMENT.--REMOVAL FOR BETTER.--BETTER QUARTERS.--SPECIAL FAVORS.-- 
LIBERAL DISTRIBUTION.--GREAT CONTRAST.-- A GOOD FRIEND.--SICKNESS 
INCREASES.

CHAPTER III. [3]
DEATH OF E. HUNT.--GETS THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK.--GOOD PAY.--ACT OF 
PARLIAMENT.--POETRY.--A CAPTAIN'S COMPLIMENTS.--WISH GRANTED.--A REPORT.-- 
PAPER.--A PRIZE.--PRAYERS ON BOARD.--A PRIVILEGE.--RECKONING.--CRITICAL 
SITUATION.--SMALL-POX.--VISITORS.--REPORT FROM AMERICA.--SMALL POX 
PREVAILS.--CAPTAIN ROWE.--SHIP NANCY TAKEN.--TERRIBLE PUNISHMENT.-- 
CARRIED TO THE HOSPITAL.--TREATMENT FOR ITCH.

CHAPTER IV. [4]
ROYAL HOSPITAL BUILDINGS.--AN ADVENTURE.--TAKEN DOWN WITH SMALLPOX.-- 
THREE PRISONERS ESCAPE.--RE-TAKEN.--SEVERE SICKNESS.--SECOND DEATH.-- 
JOSEPH HATCH.--RECOVERY.--KIND ATTENTION OF THE NURSES.--SAMUEL 
SHRIGGINGS, THE THIRD OF THE COMPANY, DIED.--ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.

CHAPTER V. [5]
FOURTH DEATH.--CAPTAIN BROWN'S ESCAPE.--HIS MEN SENT TO PRISON.--DISCHARGE 
FROM THE HOSPITAL.--YELLOW FEVER -FIFTH DEATH.--CRUELTY TO THE DEAD.--
EXAMINATION.--COMMITMENT TO PRISON.--PRISON ALLOWANCE.--HUNGER.--PRISON 
EMPLOYMENTS.--CHARITY BOX.--HARD FARE.--GUARD ALARMED.--FRIENDLY 
VISITORS.--A MEAN TRICK.

CHAPTER VI. [6]
MORE PRISONERS.--A PRESENT.--VISIT FROM AMERICAN GENTLEMEN.--BLACK-HOLE.--
FLEET OF TRANSPORTS FOR AMERICA.--PRISONERS ESCAPE -DEATH.--PROSPECT OF 
WAR WITH FRANCE.--FIRST BREACH IN THE PRISON WALL.--FOX FRIGATE TAKEN BY 
THE HANCOCK.--A NEWSPAPER.--NUMBER OF PRISONERS.--ESCAPE OF THIRTY-TWO 
PRISONERS.--BOUNTY PUNISHMENT.--CRUELTY TO THE OLD.--CAPTAIN LEE TAKEN IN 
THE FANCY.--HEARS FROM HOME.--BAD NEWS.--FALSE REPORTS.--DANIEL COTTLE 
DIED.

CHAPTER VII. [7]
ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE DISCOVERED.--AWFUL DESCRIPTION OF SUFFERING DREADFUL 
STARVATION.--GLOOMY PROSPECTS.--DEATH OF GIDEON WARREN.--DETECTION.--CLOSE 
EXAMINATION.--COMMISSIONER.--A NEWSPAPER.--RELIEF PROHIBITED.--ATTEMPT TO 
ESCAPE.--OATH OF SECRECY.--ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.--CAPTAIN JOHNSTON 
AND THE LEXINGTON.--SEA FIGHT.--THE PRESS CONTINUED.--LOVE OF LIBERTY.--
MEETING AFTER LONG ABSENCE.--A PRIVILEGE GRANTED.--AGENT IN A GOOD HUMOR.--
A PURCHASE.--MORE PRISONERS.--RUNNING THE GAUNTLET.

CHAPTER VIII. [8]
MORE PRISONERS.--HEARS FROM HOME.--SUSPICION.--A HOT PRESS.--1500 SEAMEN 
WANTED.--NEWS FROM AMERICA.--DISAGREEABLE COMPANY.--DESTITUTION OF THE 
PRISONERS.--DIGGING, AND DETECTION.--A PIOUS WISH.--TWENTY YEARS OF AGE.--
MOURNFUL REFLECTION.--LETTER FROM BILBOA.--BAD BREAD.--UNPLEASANT 
REFLECTIONS.--KING'S SPEECH.--BOLD PROJECT.--FAILURE.--REPORTS.--
STRICTNESS OF THE GUARD.--SUSPICION.--PRIVATION FROM THE GOSPEL.--
PRISONERS THREATENED.--VOLUNTARY SACRIFICE.--GOOD NEWS REPORTED.--DETAIL 
OF GENERAL BURGOYNE'S DEFEAT.--WASHINGTON AND HOWE.

CHAPTER IX. [9]
CHRISTMAS PUDDING.--CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.--CLOTHES SERVED.--HAPPY NEW YEAR.--
FRIENDS APPEAR.--PRESENTS.--FRIENDS INCREASE.--LARGE DONATIONS REPORTED.--
DONATION FROM BRITISH RECRUITING PARTIES.--PRIVATE DONATIONS.--
EXHORTATIONS TO A CIVIL, SOBER LIFE.--LARGE DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHING.--
ROYAL SALUTE.--REGULAR ALLOWANCE FROM DONATION FUND.--INCREASING PRIVILEGE.

CHAPTER X. [10]
PRICE OF TOBACCO.--CLEANLINESS.--NOT TO BE DISCOURAGED.--BLANKETS.--
DISTRIBUTION.--LETTER FROM AMERICA.--OFFICERS ESCAPE.--ARRIVAL OF A 
FLEET.--PAPER.--DR. FRANKLIN TO THE COUNCIL.--STATE OF TROOPS.--DESERTERS 
TAKEN.--VISIT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND LADY.--REMOVAL OF OFFICERS.--GENERAL 
WISH FOR PEACE.--A NEWSPAPER.--COMMISSIONERS.--PUBLIC FAST.--ALLOWANCE 
WITHDRAWN.--LIBERALITY.--PETITION REFUSED.--A NEWSPAPER.--REWARD OF 
BRAVERY.--LIGHTS CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XI. [11]
AWFUL PENALTY FOR DESERTION.--PUBLIC INDIGNATION.--REMARKABLE HEALTH OF 
THE PRISONERS.--RECRUITING PARTY IN CORNWALL.--HOWE IN TROUBLE.--TWO 
FATHERS.--SCARCITY OF PROVISIONS IN THE WEST INDIES.--BLACK-HOLE.--
AMERICAN PRIVATEER.--HOT PRESS.--DETECTION.--FRENCH BRIG RUN DOWN.--
PRISONERS SELL THEIR CLOTHES TO GAMBLE.--"PRECEPTOR".--EXTREME 
PUNISHMENT.--SPORTS.--EXAMINATION.--USE OF POVERTY.--ENGLISH AMBASSADOR 
RETURNS FROM FRANCE.--CAPTAIN BOARDMAN.--TITCOMB.--HOPE OF RETURN.--
COMMISSIONERS TO AMERICA.--NEWSPAPERS.

CHAPTER XII. [12]
LETTER FROM PORTSMOUTH.--DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT.--COST OF THE WAR.--PETITION 
FOR A TRIAL.--TRAITOR DETECTED.--TRAITORS PUNISHED.--ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.--
SICKNESS IN PRISON.--PAUL JONES AT WHITEHAVEN.--LETTER FROM PORTSMOUTH.--
DEATH OF JOHN FOSTER.--PRISON WRANGLE.--COMMISSIONERS SAILED.--ANOTHER 
HOLE.--IT FOUNDERS.--JOSEPH KENSINGTON DIED.--SICK PRISONERS NEGLECTED.

CHAPTER XIII. [13]
FRENCH PRIVATEER.--FRENCH FLEET.--PATIENCE SCARCE.--ESCAPE.--ONE MISSING.--
MAN WITH RED HAIR.--BLOCKADE.--BALL PLAY.--SEVERITY OF THE GUARD.--ADMIRAL 
BIRON'S FLEET.--EFFECTS OF DRINK.--A WIDOW.--A SURPRISE.--PRESS OF 
FISHERMEN.--ANOTHER DETECTION.--VOLUNTARY SUFFERING.--CAPTAIN PULFORD.--
ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.--TAKEN.--CRUEL TREATMENT.--JUST RETALIATION.--KING'S 
BIRTHDAY.--CONTRIBUTION FOR THE SICK.--TWELVE MONTHS IN PRISON.--
REFLECTIONS.

CHAPTER XIV. [14]
DEATH OF THE DOCTOR.--MEN IN THE DRAIN.--SAILING OF ADMIRAL BIRON'S 
FLEET.--DISCOURAGEMENTS.--PRISON IN AN UPROAR.--PUNISHMENT.--REVENGE.--MEN 
IN IRONS.--REV. MR. HEATH.--COLD RECEPTION OF PROPOSITION OF PEACE IN 
AMERICA.--NUMBER OF PRISONERS.--RIGOR OF PRISON DISCIPLINE ABATED.--A 
LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF APPROPRIATION.--GRATITUDE FOR FRIENDS.--
EFFORT TO ESCAPE.--SCHEME CONTINUED.--DISCOVERED.--BLACK-HOLE.--GEN. 
BURGOYNE'S COMPLIMENT TO AMERICAN TROOPS.--UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO 
ESCAPE.--FRENCH FRIGATE TAKEN.--BAD MEAT REFUSED.--UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO 
ESCAPE.--PREPARATION FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY.--FOURTH OF JULY.--CONTINUED.--
AMPUTATION.--ANOTHER HOLE.--JOHN DAM -ALLOWANCE TO FRENCH PRISONERS.--
ADMIRAL KEPPEL'S FLEET SAIL.--BOYS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.

CHAPTER XV. [15]
BAD CONDUCT IN PRISON.--ITS CONSEQUENCES.--RULES -PRISON QUIET.--DIGGING 
OUT.--FOUR ESCAPE.--GENERAL ALARM.--FIRE, AND OFFICERS ESCAPE.--
DISCOVERY.--PRISON IN AN UPROAR.--ITS CAUSE AND CURE.--SAD NEWS FROM 
PORTSMOUTH.--PAY-DAY.--DRINK.--TROUBLE.--INVITATION TO GO OVER THE WALL.--
ADMIRAL KEPPEL RETURNS.--ENGLAND'S PRIDE HUMBLED.--FALSE REPORTS.--STUDIES 
NAVIGATION.--A GOOD TURN.--A CURIOUS PLAN FOR ESCAPE.--DETECTION.--BATTLE 
REPORT.--WOUNDED IN THE HOSPITAL.--EFFORT TO ESCAPE BY SWIMMING.--
DISTURBANCE IN PRISON.--PRISONERS RETURN.--DIFFICULTY OF ESCAPE.--
INVITATION TO JOIN THE FLEET.--THIRTY JOIN.--BRAVE AMERICANS PRESSED TO 
THE SHIPS OF WAR.

CHAPTER XVI. [16]
FRENCH PRISONERS.--ADMIRAL KEPPEL SAILS.--ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.--
AMERICANS BROUGHT BACK.--ANOTHER HOLE.--ADMIRAL BIRON'S FLEET.--A GATE.--
NUMBER OF FRENCH PRISONERS.--GENERAL CLINTON'S RETREAT FROM PHILADELPHIA.--
ELIAS HART DIED.--FEVER AND AGUE PREVAILS.--A DISCHARGE.--CAPTAIN BURNEL 
AND WIFE.--ESCAPE FROM PORTSMOUTH.--FRENCH PRIVATEER.--LETTER FROM 
PORTSMOUTH.--DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHING.--HOT PRESS.--LETTER TO CAPTAIN 
LEE.--FRENCH PRISONERS INCREASE.--THOMAS PILLAR.--FEVER AND AGUE 
PREVAILS.--A VOTE FOR MONEY.--POOR BEER.--DRUNKENNESS AND FIGHTING.

CHAPTER XVII. [17]
ROLS' ESCAPE.--VERY SICKLY.--ANOTHER ESCAPE.--UNFAITHFUL DOCTOR.--
FRENCHMEN ESCAPE AND RETURN.--CAPTAIN RAVEL'S ESCAPE.--MR. KIRK'S ESCAPE.--
A PARDON.--THIRTY-TWO RELEASED, TO GO ON BOARD MEN-OF-WAR.--FOURTEEN MORE 
PETITION FOR THE SAME.--AN INDIAN POW-WOW.--CARTEL.--LETTERS FROM 
PORTSMOUTH.--BEER TROUBLES.--THE MAN THAT WAS PUNISHED UNJUSTLY RESCUED.--
CARTEL ENCOURAGEMENT.--CAPTAIN LEE'S ESCAPE.--COMMEMORATION.--NEW 
ARRANGEMENT.--SPOTTED FEVER AMONG THE FRENCH.--SECOND DRAFT FOR THE SHIPS -
THE ALBION TAKEN BY THE FRENCH -TWENTY-TWO MONTHS A PRISONER.--101 SABBATH 
PRIVILEGES LOST.

CHAPTER XVIII. [18]
OIL OF TAR FOR PRISON.--FRENCHMEN BREAK OUT.--ONE SHOT.--REDUCTION OF 
DONATION.--TWO AMERICANS IN IRONS.--VARIOUS OPINIONS ABOUT THE CARTEL.--
SEVERAL HOLES IN HAND.--FEARFUL APPREHENSIONS.--DOMINICA TAKEN BY THE 
FRENCH AND AMERICANS.--KING'S TROOPS ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD.--DRUNKEN 
PRISONERS DELIVERED UP -FORBEARANCE OF THE GUARD.--FIRE IN THE BLACK.--
HOLE.--FOUR AMERICAN BOYS.--DOLTON AS FORTUNE PRIVATEER.--BASE TREACHERY.--
PLANS DISCOVERED.--MITCHELL THE VILLAIN.--LETTER OF THANKS.--TWO YEARS 
FROM HOME.--UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS.

CHAPTER XIX. [19]
TWENTY-ONE.--A SORROWFUL FREEDOM.--FORT ON DRAKE'S ISLAND.--A REPORT.--A 
REQUEST GRANTED.--LONDON EVENING POST.--BREACH IN BLACK-HOLE.--
DISAGREEABLE CONFINEMENT.--WILLIAM MOODY.--EVENING POST.--JOHN HOWE.--
ESCAPE PREVENTED.--KING'S SPEECH.--ANTHONY SHOMAKER'S ESCAPE.--THOUGHTS 
ABOUT THE CARTEL.--ROLL OF PRISONERS CALLED BY THE BOARD.--ENGLISH 
PRISONERS AT BREST.--BAD MONEY.--SORROWFUL DAY.--DONATION MONEY CLOSES.--
HYFIELD'S ESCAPE.--UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT.--EXPOSURE OF THE SICK.--JOHN LOTT 
DIED.--PUBLIC PRAYER.--INSOLENT CAPTAIN REBUKED.--LETTER OF THANKS TO THE 
HON. COMMITTEE.--ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN ROSS.

CHAPTER XX. [20]
CRUEL PURPOSES OF THE MINISTRY.--PETITION FOR PARDON.--MR. SALTER'S 
ESCAPE.--CRUEL ACT RENEWED.--LAST OF THE DONATION.--SOLEMN COVENANT.--
SORROWFUL CHRISTMAS.--COURT MARTIAL.--ANOTHER HOLE.--GREAT PLAN FOR A 
GENERAL ELOPEMENT.--ARRANGEMENT OF ESCAPE.--PLAN PUT IN EXECUTION.--
WANDERING IN THE FIELDS.--LOST.--LIMB OUT OF JOINT.--SURPRISE.--CARRIED TO 
PLYMOUTH.--NUMBER ESCAPED, 109.--HOW DISCOVERED.--PUNISHMENT.--A SORROWFUL 
NEW YEAR.--EXTREME SUFFERING.--GOOD FRIENDS.--NEW YEAR'S GIFT.--NOT 
DISCOURAGED DIGGING.--LARGE FLEETS.--CAPTAIN BOARDMAN ESCAPES.--A REPRIEVE 
FOR A DOG.--HEAVY BOUNTY FOR PRISONERS.

CHAPTER XXI. [21]
A HURRICANE.--GREAT DISTRESS.--KILLS A DOG.--DOG DIVIDED.--COOKED AND 
EAT.--RATS EAT IN PRISON.--VOLUNTARY SURRENDER.--GOOD NEWS.--CARTEL 
ARRIVED.--PARDON.--GREAT JOY.--A SMALL DONATION.--SPANISH FLEET.--ANOTHER 
PARDON.--A WONDER.--NUMBER OF PRISONERS LEFT.--WAIT IMPATIENTLY.--ANOTHER 
HOLE IN HAND.--ELEVEN FRENCHMEN ESCAPE.--GOOD NEWS FROM BILBOA.--HAPPY 
EVENT.--TWENTY-SIX MONTHS A PRISONER.--INCENDIARY.--PENITENT SICK 
PRISONERS.--KING'S PARDON.

CHAPTER XXII. [22]
JOHN FOSTER, ELIAS VICKEY, AND ASA WITHAM DIED.--MR. DEAL'S ESCAPE.--
EFFECT OF LONG IMPRISONMENT.--NEW SUBSCRIPTION.--MILFORD TRANSPORT.--
JOYFUL NEWS.--HOLE DISCOVERED.--KEPPEL ACQUITTED.--BONFIRES.--ESCAPE.--NO 
COALS IN PLYMOUTH.--EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE DOG.--LOVE TO FRIENDS.--JAMES 
VALENTINE DIED.--BILLS OF EXCHANGE FROM BILBOA.--CARTEL ARRIVES.--
LIEUTENANT KNOX ARRIVES.--LEAVES THE PRISON.--KIND USAGE ON CARTEL.--
BONNER DARLING DIED

CHAPTER XXIII. [23]
JOURNAL LOST.--THIRTY ENTER WITH JONES.--JOINS THE ALLIANCE.--ARRIVE AT L' 
ORIENT WITH PRIZE.--SECOND CRUISE.--JOURNAL LOST.--EXTRACTS FROM PAUL 
JONES' LIFE.--AT DR. FRANKLIN'S HOUSE.--JOINS AGAIN THE ALLIANCE.--SAILS 
HOME.

At the End of the Book:
LIST OF PRISONERS TAKEN IN THE BRIGANTINE DOLTON, AND COMMITTED TO
MILL PRISON, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, JUNE, 1777.
ROLL OF MILL PRISON, PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND, FEBRUARY 7, 1779.



PREFACE.

IN presenting the following pages to the reader, the publisher has no 
ambition to aspire to the character of an author, and what is perhaps more 
rare, he has no private interest to serve; he does not seek to gratify the 
fastidious part of the community, who would have more respect for the 
dress, or appearance, than for the subject matter. He is perfectly aware 
that the Journal is not without some imperfections; but it must be kept in 
mind that it was not written for the public, with an eye to publication, 
or to make a book - but simply as a memorandum of the events of each day. 
Yet when we take into consideration all the circumstances, it is little 
less than a miracle; consider the author: a youth of scarcely nineteen 
summers - then the places where the records were made - the cable tier of 
a man-of-war, the gloomy recesses of a prison, or on board the battle 
ship, where three or four hundred men were crowded together for the 
purposes of strife and blood ; then take into consideration the 
prohibition of all materials for writing in prison, the vigilance of the 
guards, and the frequent search made among the prisoners, and it becomes a 
matter of surprise, not that it has some imperfections, but that it exists 
at all, and especially that it was never interrupted. For the long 
imprisonment of more than two years, it seems to have been providentially 
preserved, for the purposes of bringing to light the hidden things of 
darkness, that those who should come after may be admonished and 
instructed.

The reader will find the Journal free from all appearance of design or 
effort; it is perfectly natural; what is seen or heard is recorded with 
hardly a note or comment, from first to last; through their medium we are 
conducted through the hold of the prison-ship, and witness the privations 
and sufferings of the hapless victims; the prison hospital is thrown open 
to our inspection, not as transient visitors, but as witnesses of the 
daily occurrences; here we see justice and mercy meeting together; the 
walls, the bars, the guards, tell that here stern justice holds its 
victims, while the attendant physician, and gentle patience of the nurse, 
speak of Mercy's visits, and pity. Then the prison doors grate on their 
hinges, and we enter; the vacant stare of the sons of Sorrow meet us, 
while their meager forms, sallow countenances and ragged habiliments, 
speak of their privations and misery; we seem to listen to their tale of 
woe, and hear them tell of happy homes and kind friends in their native 
land; we can almost taste their scanty and uninviting portions, and our 
sympathies become deeply interested, until we share in all their anxieties 
to obtain deliverance; we are sometimes almost suffocated while following 
the diggers in their excavations, to force a subterranean passage to the 
light of day and air of freedom; anon we are bounding over the fields as 
the minions of tyranny pursue us, until, weary and exhausted, we feel 
their ruthless hands upon us to drag us back to our gloomy habitations; 
then we feel the cold chill run over us, as we look forward to forty days 
and nights in darkness and solitude in the "Black hole," on half the usual 
allowance of ordinary prisoners; we become acquainted with the "Two 
Fathers," the messengers of Love and Pity - and while the donations 
continue we seem to enjoy a respite; hope and fear alternately rise and 
sink until the donation closes, and transient joy gives way to deeper 
gloom, until some of the less determined seek relief on board the enemy's 
ships of war, where they will be compelled to meet their friends and 
countrymen in the bloody strife - a destiny more horrible to the mind 
capable of reflection, than the protracted miseries of the prison cell.

At length the star of hope rises, and the news of a cartel is received; 
now it arrives, and we are straining our eyes through the dim light of the 
grated window to look on the ship, as she lays in the creek. Post after 
post is anxiously looked for until the agent musters his wretched charge 
and reads as follows: "His Majesty has been graciously pleased to pardon 
one hundred of you, in order to an exchange." The names of the hundred are 
read, while tears of joy point out the happy ones. Once more the prison 
doors give way - and with what rapture they hail the breath of freedom!

From the time that Mr. Herbert entered the service of the United States 
under the command of Commodore Jones, the entries in his journal are less 
frequent and less full; still, if it had not been for the unfortunate loss 
of several pages of the Journal, it would have been sufficiently full, to 
have conducted the reader through their several cruizes, to their arrival 
home; as it is, we have endeavored to fill up the vacuum by extracts from 
the official reports of Commodore Paul Jones.

It is believed that the reader will receive profit and pleasure from the 
numerous and various incidents here related, and from the information 
imparted on a variety of subjects, especially as it shows the views and 
feelings of the people of EngIand on the subject of the war then raging 
between this and the mother country; and that the strong sympathy 
manifested towards the prisoners, in the collection of upwards of thirty 
thousand dollars for their relief, together with all the private 
donations, not included in the above, will be an everlasting monument to 
the benevolence of British Christians, and may tend to soften our 
prejudices and lead to stronger sympathies for each other, and greater 
efforts to promote each other's welfare, and mutual feelings of peace and 
good will.

A list of the prisoners, with the places to which they belonged, and 
vessels in which they were taken, also a notice of such as had made their 
escape, had died, or entered the service of Great Britain, will no doubt 
be acceptable to such as had friends in the service of their country, and 
of whom, perhaps, they have never since heard. The list was taken, as will 
be seen, a short time before Mr. Herbert left prison.

The indulgence of the critic is hoped for, under the assurance that the 
task of preparing the Journal for the press has been arduous, as much of 
it was originally written in figures to secure secrecy, and had to be 
spelled out by reference to the key; that the task was performed amidst a 
press of more important duties, and with a fixed purpose of devoting all 
the avails of the sales of the work to the widow of the author, after 
paying the expense of publication.



SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.

IT is perfectly natural to expect, in presenting any work to the public, 
and more especially of the nature of a journal, that the reader will 
desire to know something of the character of its author, in order to 
determine what degree of confidence the writer is entitled to, - whether 
the statements made are to be depended upon or not. In compliance with 
this reasonable demand, we will endeavor to impart such information as we 
possess, believing that it will be perfectly satisfactory.

CHARLES HERBERT was the son of John Herbert, of Newburyport, Mass. His 
mother's name was Jane, daughter of Colonel Pierce of that town. Mr. 
Charles Herbert was born November 17th, in the year of our Lord 1757, but, 
being deprived of his mother by death, at the early age of two months, be 
was committed to the care of a maiden aunt - Miss Lydia Pierce, sister of 
his mother. The influence of early training, as developed in the life of 
Mr. Herbert, is very creditable to his early tutoress. Moral and religious 
principle must have taken a deep root in his young heart, to have 
preserved that heart from the gross and corrupting influence of the 
society into which he was afterwards thrown. The fruit appears in lovely 
contrast with the abandoned profligacy of many of his companions, and no 
doubt afforded him abundant consolation in the hours of suffering and 
solitude. His character gave to him a sort of pre-eminence among his 
fellows, and an influence with his captors and keepers, which his 
companions did not share. He was a true patriot; neither frowns nor 
flatteries could move him to abandon his country's interest. If good 
tidings reach him, his heart exults with joy; if dark clouds hang over the 
prospects of the patriot band, he is sorrowful, and will not be comforted; 
he can endure hunger, confinement, or reproach - any thing but the 
extinguishing of his country's hope. Others, for the sake of personal 
liberty, can join the standard of the enemy: but not so with him; he 
cannot betray the cause of his country, or go to battle against his 
brother.

From the Journal the reader will learn that Mr. Herbert entered on board 
the Dolton, Nov. 15, 1776, being less than nineteen years of age, and 
returned to Newburyport Aug. 23, 1780, having been absent nearly four 
years, two of which he spent as a prisoner, in a foreign land. The 
sufferings of this period were of the most distressing kind - hunger, 
cold, sickness, and privation. After his release, by an exchange of 
prisoners, brought about by the efforts of Dr. Franklin, then Minister to 
France, Mr. Herbert joined the Alliance frigate, commanded by Captain 
Landais, forming part of the squadron of Commodore J. Paul Jones. He was 
one of those sent to Bergen, in Norway, then a part of the kingdom of 
Denmark, with prizes - which prizes were seized by the Danish government 
and delivered to the English Consul, which forms the basis of the "Denmark 
Claims," so called; and which amounted then, according to Dr. Franklin, to 
at least fifty thousand pounds sterling. The crews of these vessels, on 
their return from Denmark, were kindly entertained by Dr. Franklin, at his 
house; and on leaving, he paid their expenses and gave each person a 
crown. Mr. Herbert preserved his, as a sacred treasure, as long as he 
lived but it has since his death been lost. It is to be hoped that those 
claims against Denmark will be brought to a speedy settlement, and the few 
survivors of the eventful scenes of Paul Jones' career be rewarded for 
their sufferings. Mr. Herbert possessed a remarkably active mind, prompt 
and ready on all occasions; he met every emergency with the utmost self-
possession. This is seen in his conduct when the brig was taken, and after 
he became a prisoner. He could be carpenter, carver, shoemaker, merchant, 
could make boxes, sell tobacco, or labor in any way to make a shift, to 
prevent starvation. Nor did he neglect his mind; he bought several books 
at extravagant prices, which he read, and loaned to his fellow prisoners. 
Among other studies perused in prison he became master of navigation. His 
journal, which is a standing monument of his genius and industry, was 
concealed, while writing, in his boots, and as each page became full, it 
was conveyed to a chest with a double bottom, and there secreted until be 
left prison.

It is probable the existence of the journal was known to very few, if any, 
in prison, as the most serious consequences must have followed its 
discovery. How often in the silent hours of midnight, by the light made 
from the marrow of a bone, did he trace the record of each eventful day? 
It has never been known that any journal of any length of time was kept by 
any other person: it is believed none exists; and to the friends of those 
who were taken by the enemy and died in prison, or escaped but have not 
been beard from, or who went on board English men-of-war, "to serve, and 
continue to serve in his Majesty's service," the journal of Mr. Herbert 
must be of great interest and satisfaction. After Mr. Herbert's return to 
Newburyport, Aug. 23, 1780, we have no account of his being employed in 
the service of his country, other than as a private citizen; indeed, his 
constitution had received so severe a shock by his long imprisonment and 
great exposure, that his health was much enfeebled. He soon entered into 
business as a block-maker, and on the 8th of November, 1783, was United in 
marriage to Miss Molly Butler, by Rev. John Murray, of Newburyport. He 
continued in the business of block-maker until his death, which occurred 
on the 4th of September, A. D. 1808. Mr. Herbert bad one brother, who died 
in the morning of life, by a fall occasioned by moving some freight 
belonging to him on board a vessel. Mrs. Herbert became the mother of 
fourteen children, six of whom are still living. She is still, at the 
advanced age of eighty-four, lingering among us as a relic of a people 
precious in our memory; and should there be a surplus after paying the 
expenses of publishing this work, if still living, she will enjoy a 
liberal share thereof.

It is to be regretted that Mrs. Herbert has not been able to obtain either 
the pension allowed by the law of our land to widows of Revolutionary 
soldiers and sailors, or the prize money due to her husband from 
government. How slow are we to reward those who struggled hard for our 
liberties.

The above facts might be confirmed by the testimony of some of our most 
distinguished citizens, if necessary.

Hoping that liberal sales will enable the publisher to render to the widow 
of Charles Herbert a liberal donation, it is submitted to a generous 
public, by the publisher. 

R. LIVESEY.
Boston, July, 1847.