ders are daily passing down the river, filled with seamen and
marines, bound to America. As they pass by us, they play "_Yankee
Doodle_," and cry out to us, that they are bound to America, to flog
the Yankees. We hollow to them, in return, and tell them what they
will meet there, and predict to them their fate. Some of these fellows
have been seven years at sea; and would desert to our colors the first
opportunity. These white slaves expected to enjoy a little something
like freedom, at the conclusion of the peace; but instead of setting
their feet on shore, they are now sent off to leave their bones in
America, without a moment's previous notice of their destination.

_June 30th, 1814._ Early in this month three men concealed themselves
in the water-tank, through the connivance of the corporal of the
guard; and so escaped from prison. More would have gone off by the
same conveyance, had not one of the fugitives written an ironical
letter to the commander, thanking him for his tenderness, humanity and
extreme kindness, and foolishly acquainting him with the method he
took to effect his escape; and this led to his recapture. Another
fellow had the address to conceal himself in an old worn out copper
that was sent to the dock to be exchanged for a new one. This man got
safe out of the copper, but he found himself as bad off in the dock as
in the prison ship. After roving and rambling about the dock, he was
taken up by the guard, and rather than be sent on board a man of war,
he confessed he had broken out of the prison ship; and he was
immediately brought back to his former companions.

A rage exists for cutting holes through the wood work and copper of
the ship; but no one has succeeded in escaping through them; neither
have the enemy succeeded in their search after our tools. The holes
were always discovered as the men were ready to enter the breach,
which led us to suspect that we have secret informers among our crew,
perhaps some Irish, Dane, or Dutchman.

A most daring attempt to escape was made on board the commodore's
ship, the _Irresistible_, by four American prisoners. It is worth
relating for its boldness; for it was in the open day, when all eyes
were upon them. The jolly-boat lay near the stairs, with her oars in,
under the care of a sentry. Notwithstanding she was thus guarded, four
brave Americans resolved to seize her in spite of musketry, and row on
shore, and run for it. One of them was from Rhode Islan