detention was then only owing to some delay
of orders from admiral Warren; but that he expected them every moment.
He therefore entreated us to remain contented and quiet a little
longer, and not obstruct the kind intentions that were in train for
our deliverance from captivity; and he assured us, upon his honour,
that every thing should be done in his power to expedite our return
home; that there were then three cartels getting ready to convey us
away. In the mean time every thing was said and done at Halifax to
make us satisfied and quiet.

While the agent was making his declarations of friendship, and
protesting upon his honour, that we should be sent home, he knew full
well that the greatest part of the prisoners were to be sent across
the Atlantic, to suffer the punishment of a British prison. The policy
of the English government was, it seems, to discourage the enlistment
of soldiers into our service by sending the prisoners, taken on the
frontiers, to England. They meant also to distress us by accumulating
our seamen in their prisons; and this they imagined would disenable us
from manning our men of war, or sending out privateers. They preferred
every mode of distressing us to that of fair fighting; for, in fair
fight and equal numbers, we have always beat them by sea, and by land.

We were in good humor and high spirits, at the prospect of leaving our
loathsome den, and once more returning home to see our mothers and
fathers, sisters and brothers, and school-fellows, and the old jolly
companions of our happy days. We smiled upon Mr. Agent Miller, and he
upon us. We greeted our turnkey, the now and then smooth tongued Mr.
Grant, with a good morrow, and all feelings of hostility were fast
subsiding; and one told him that he should be very glad to see him in
Boston; another said he should be very glad to see him in Marblehead,
and another at New-York, and Baltimore, and so on.

Towards the close of the month of August, and after Mr. Agent Miller
and the military had taken the most effectual method to provide
against the possibility of resistance from the prisoners, reports now
and then reached us, that the expected exchange was unhappily broken
off, and that it was the fault of the American government. These
things were hinted with great caution, as not entitled to entire
credit; the next day it was said, that the business of exchange was in
a prosperous train. All this was done by way of feeling the pulse of
th