s I have not power to describe. Tears gushed from my eyes,
and had I not been ashamed, I should have kneeled down and kissed the
earth of the UNITED STATES. I believe similar sensations, more or less
fervent, fill the bosom of every American, on returning to his own
country from British captivity. It is hardly possible that I shall, so
long as my faculties remain entire, forget the horrors of the British
transports, and several scenes and sufferings at Dartmoor Prison: yet
I hope to be able, before I quit this world of contention, to forgive
the contempts, the contumely, the starvations and filthiness inflicted
on me, and on my countrymen, by an unfeeling enemy, while we remained
in his power as prisoners of war.

"Return we, from this gloomy view,
To native scenes of fairer hue.
Land of our sires! the Hero's home!
Weary and sick, to thee we come;
The heart fatigued with foreign woes,
On thy fair bosom seeks repose.
COLUMBIA! hope of future times!
Thou wonder of surrounding climes!
Thou last and only resting place
Of Freedom's persecuted race!
Hail to thy consecrated domes!
Thy fruitful fields and peaceful homes.
The hunter, thus, who long has toil'd
O'er mountain rude, and forest wild,
Turns from the dark and cheerless way,
Where howls the savage beast of prey,
To where yon curls of smoke aspire,
Where briskly burns his crackling fire;
Towards his cot delighted moves,
Cheer'd by the voice of those he loves,
And welcom'd by domestic smiles,
Sings cheerly, and forgets his toils."

POSTSCRIPT.

Some, to whom I had shown my Journal in manuscript, have thought that
I had, now and then, expressed my feelings too unguardedly against
some of the subjects of Great Britain, and some of my own countrymen.
In consequence of this friendly remark, I have struck out a few
passages, but have not been able to comply with all the wishes of my
connexions. But, after all, had a political cant phrase or two been
omitted, some good people would have been gratified, and the
publication not the worse for it. I have severely suffered, felt
keenly, and expressed myself honestly, and without malice. I may not
have made due allowance for the conduct of certain officers and
agents. I may not have entered, as far as I ought, into their
situations; and there might have been reasons and excuses, that my
chafed feelings prevented me from attendi