9. To-day there was one more brought back that passed under the wall. For the week past I have received three shillings for boxes.
10. We hear that an American privateer is taken.
11. To-day nine more prisoners came on shore to the prison from the Blenheim. Eight of the number were taken in one of Captain Weeks’ prizes, bound to France; the other was one of our company, who has been sick at the Royal Hospital. They inform us that Captain John Lee is taken in the brig Fancy, twelve guns, fitted out at Newbury, belonging to the Traceys, and forty-two of his hands came on board the Blenheim before they left her. To-day two more were brought back who went out at the hole.
12. To-day eight more prisoners came to the prison from the Blenheim; three of the number were taken in the Fancy with Captain Lee. They inform us that they were chased on shore at Mount Bay, near Land’s-end, by the Fieutryant, a ship of eighty-four guns. They are only about eight weeks from America, and had taken four prizes.
13. Ten more of Captain Lee’s men came to prison.
15. To-day Captain Lee and his first and second lieutenants came to prison. From Captain Lee I hear of the health of my friends.
16. A number more of Captain Lee’s men came to prison to-day.
17. Sunday. For the week past I have received six shillings and three pence for boxes and ladles.
18. Warm and pleasant, so that we carried our hammocks out into the yard to air. The remainder of Captain Lee’s men were brought to prison. Those who came to-day were the last who were taken after they got on shore. They inform us that they are all here now except their doctor, who, in all probability, has made his escape.
19. To-day three more were brought to prison who belonged to the Literal Mark, fitted out of Philadelphia.
20. Warm and pleasant weather, so that we can comfortably go barefoot; but many of us would be obliged to do so if it were in the middle of winter, for want of stockings and shoes.
21. To-day fourteen of Captain Lee’s men, who have not had the small-pox, were inoculated. The prisoners who are on half allowance have had a meal of victuals sent them by some friend.
22. We hear that Ticonderoga is taken by the King’s troops, and also Philadelphia; that the Hancock, Captain Manley, is taken, and the Fox retaken; but we cannot tell what to believe by what we hear; for since we have been taken we have heard, nearly twenty times, that Philadelphia was taken, and as many times that Washington was killed; that Congress was divided, that continental money was disgraced, that the Americans had laid down their arms, and that they were starving to death for want of provisions, and naked for want of clothing; all these things have been published in the newspapers, times without number, since we have been taken.