A just account of the treatment which Mr. Josiah, first Lieut. of the Continental brig And. Doria, received while a prisoner.
He was taken on the sixth day of June last, by the Cerberus man of war, Capt. Simmons [John Symons], and confined six months, during her cruise. — Upon his first coming on board he was insulted with the name of rebel, and threatened that the yard-arm should be his portion, if he did not directly enter and take a mate's birth. This he refused, and was damned for a rascal, and was ordered immediately to the main deck, where the boatswain and his three mates were charged to see him perform the meanest duty in the waist of the ship. The Captain was determined to see this done himself — As he would not engage to fight against his country and friends, the Captain ordered that he should be placed in the boats during an engagement. He requested only to have the privilege of walking the forecastle during an action, as he would choose a walking posture rather than be still to be shot at — this was granted. It has frequently happened that masters of vessels were rifled by the British officers of what was in their chests, and insulted and kicked from the quarter-deck for asking the liberty of bringing their necessaries, which were left behind in their vessels. The only satisfaction they could obtain was to be ordered directly to a gun. Lieut. Ball of the Roebuck, who was exchanged for Mr. Josiah, had returned ten days or a fortnight to the prison-ship at New-York, before he (Mr. Josiah) was suffered to depart, and then was put on shore at Connecticut without a pass, although he had petitioned for liberty to land in Jersey, on his way to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia ss. On the eighth day of February 1777, before me James Young, Esq; one of the Justices of the Peace, &c. personally came and appeared James Josiah, and being sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, did declare, depose, and say, that the foregoing account, by him subscribed, is just and true in every respect, and farther this deponent saith not.
James Josiah.
Sworn before me the day and year aforesaid. Witness my hand and seal,
James Young.
