r. After we had read the account in the newspaper, the Lieutenant
came down among us, and talked with us on the event; and asked us if
we did not think that America would now submit and make peace on such
terms as Great Britain should propose? We all told him with one voice,
_no! no!_ and that the possession of the whole sea-coast could not
produce that effect. We explained to him the situation of Washington;
and described the half built city; and soon convinced him that the
capture of Washington, was by no means an event of half the importance
of the capture of _Albany_, or _New-York_, or _Baltimore_. We all
agreed that it would make a great sound in England, and throughout
Europe, but that it was, in fact, of little consequence to the UNITED
STATES. Why should a _republican_ weep at the burning of a _palace_?

About a week after we entered Plymouth harbor, two hundred of us were
drafted to be sent to _Dartmoor Prison_, instead of being sent, as we
expected, to America.

We were conveyed in boats, and saw, as we passed, a number of men of
war on the stocks; and, among others, the Lord Vincent, pierced for
120 guns. One of our prisoners told the lieutenant that he was in that
battle with Lord St. Vincent, and of course helped him gain the
victory, and here he was now sailing by a most noble ship, (built in
honour of that famous admiral) on his way to a doleful prison! This
man had been pressed on board a British man of war, and was given up
as such; but instead of being sent home as he ought, he was detained a
prisoner of war, and yet this unfortunate man exposed his life in
fighting for the British off Cape St. Vincents, as much as the noble
Lord himself. Such is the difference of rewards in this chequered
world!

My mind was too much oppressed with the melancholy prospect of
Dartmoor prison, to notice particularly the gallant show of ships; and
the beautiful scenery which the dock and bay of Plymouth afforded.
When we landed a short distance from the dock, we were received by a
file of soldiers, or rather two files, between which we marched on to
prison. This was the first time we touched the soil of England with
our feet, after laying under its shores nearly a year. It excited
singular and pleasant sensations to be once more permitted to walk on
the earth, although surrounded by soldiers and going to prison. The
old women collected about us with their cakes and ale, and as we all
had a little money we soon emptied