d and reeled on as sailors always do; for a
sailor does not know how to walk like a landsman. On which account I
have been informed, since my return from captivity, that all our
seamen, that were sent from Boston to Sackett's harbour, on Lake
Ontario, were transported in coaches with four horses, chartered for
the express purpose; and that it was common, for many weeks together,
to see a dozen of the large stage coaches, setting out from Boston in
a morning, full of sailors going up to the lakes, to man the fleets of
commodores Perry, Chauncey and M'Donough. The former of these
commanders told the writer, that he never allowed a sailor destined
for his squadron to walk a single day. These merry fellows used to
ride through the country with their colors, and streamers and music,
and heaving the lead amidst the acclamations of the country people,
who delight in a sailor and in a ship. While these things were thus
conducted in New-England, the people of Old England were simple enough
to believe that the war with England was unpopular. They judged of us
by our party newspapers.

The soldiers marched us about two miles, when we came to the spot,
where we were to take boat for Melville Island, the place of our
imprisonment. When we arrived at the gates of the prison, hammocks and
blankets were served out to us, as our names were called over. We were
then ordered into the prison yard. And here I must remark, that I
shall never forget the first impression, which the sight of my
wretched looking countrymen made on my feelings. Here we were, at
once, surrounded by a ragged set of _quidnuncs_, eagerly inquiring
_What news?_ where we were taken? and how? and what success we had met
with before we were taken? and every possible question, for American
curiosity to put to a promiscuous set of new comers.

After satisfying these brave fellows, who felt an uncommon interest in
the events of the war, and the news of the day, I had time to notice
the various occupations of these poor fellows. Some were washing their
own clothes; others mending them. Others were intent on ridding their
shirts and other clothing from lice, which, to the disgrace of the
British government, are allowed to infest our prisoners. It may, in
part, be owing to the nastiness and negligence of the prisoners
themselves, but the great fault and the disgrace, remain with the
British. Whoever could say that criminals, confined in our state
prisons, were infested with