eats they performed, in fighting
against their own countrymen; and even boasted of the prize money they
had shared for capturing the Argus. This our prisoners could not
endure; and it soon reached the ears of the _rough allies_, who seized
them, and kicked and cuffed them about unmercifully; and they took one
of them, who had talked more imprudently than the rest, and led him to
the lamp iron that projected from one of the prisons, and would, in
all probability, have hanged him thereon, had not Shortland rescued
him by an armed force. They had fixed a paper on the fellow's breast,
on which was written, in large letters, _a Traitor_ and _a
Federalist_.

It may seem strange to some, but I am confident that there is no class
of people among us more strongly attached to the American soil, than
our seamen, who are floating about the world, and seldom tread on the
ground. The sailor who roams about the world, marks the difference of
treatment, and exults in the superior advantages of his countrymen.
The American custom of allowing on board merchant ships the common
sailors to traffic a little in adventures, enlarges their views, makes
them think and enquire, and excites an interest in the sales of the
whole cargo. The common sailor here feels a sort of unity of interest;
and he is habituated to feel as a member of the floating store-house
which he is navigating. It is doubtful whether the British sailor
feels any thing of this.

I have had occasion often to remark on the tyrannical conduct, and
unfeeling behaviour of Captain Shortland, but he had for it the excuse
of an enemy; but the neglect of Mr. Beasley, with his supercilious
behaviour towards his countrymen here confined, admits of no excuse.
He was bound to assist us and befriend us, and to listen to our
reasonable complaints. When _negro John_ wrote to his Royal Highness
the Duke of Kent, son of king George the 3d, and brother of the Prince
Regent, he received an answer in terms of kindness and reason; but Mr.
Beasley, who was paid by our government for being our agent, and
official friend, never condescended to answer our letters, and if they
ever were noticed, it was in the style of reproof.--His conduct is
here condemned by _six thousand_ of his countrymen; and as many curses
are daily uttered on him in this prison. It is almost treason in this
our dismal Commonwealth, or rather common misery, to speak in his
favour. If Shortland and Beasley were both drowning, an