ners for
fixing the time, and arranging the means. Mr. Beasley had written that
as soon as the Treaty was ratified, he would make every exertion for
our speedy departure. He must be aware of our extreme impatience to
leave this dreary spot, whose brown and grassless surface renders it a
place more proper for convicts, than an assemblage of patriots.

We are all watching the countenance and conduct of our surly keeper,
Shortland: and it is the general opinion that he is deeply chagrined
at the idea of no longer domineering over us. It may be, also, that
the peace may reduce him to half pay. I, myself, am of opinion, that
he is dissatisfied at the idea of our escaping his fangs, with whole
skins; and his dark and sullen countenance gathers every day
additional blackness.

_April 4th._--The contractor's clerk being desirous to get off his
hands the hard biscuit, which had been held in reserve in case of bad
weather, attempted to serve it out to the prisoners at this time; but
the committee refused to receive it. Nothing but _hard_ bread was
served out to them this day. In the evening, several hundred of the
prisoners entered the market square, and demanded their _soft_ bread;
but it was refused. The officers persuaded them to retire, but they
would not, before they received their usual soft bread. The military
officers, finding that it was in vain to appease them, as they had but
about three hundred militia to guard five or six thousand, complied
with their request, and all was quietness and contentment.

During this little commotion, Captain Shortland was gone from home. He
returned next day, when he expressed his dissatisfaction at the
conduct of the military, who he said, should not have complied with
the demand of the prisoners. As it was, however, past, and the
prisoners were tranquil, and no signs of disturbance remaining, he
grew pacified.

On the 4th of April, we received intelligence, which we supposed
correct, that seven cartel ships were to sail from the Thames for
Plymouth, to transport us home, and that several more were in
preparation. This inspired us with high spirits, and good humor; and I
distinctly remember that the prisoners appeared to enjoy their
amusements, such as playing ball and the like, beyond what I had ever
before observed. We all, in fact, felt light hearted, from the
expectation of soon leaving this dreary abode, to return to our dear
homes, and adored country. But how was the scene cha