The Treatment of Lieutenant Thaxter¹ and Lieutenant Hopkins,² and others, while in captivity.

The 5^th of June, 1777,being on board the letter of marque brig Lucy,³ of 12 guns, (a prize to the United States, and within 15 leagues of Nantucket) was that day taken by the Amazon, Juno, and Orpheus frigates: the first Lieutenant of the Amazon, coming on board the brig, ordered every one of us on board the cutter, and were transported on board the Amazon frigate:—At our arrival there, we were treated with many insults, our chests searched, and deprived of every manuscript, (however so trifling) and also our commissions were taken from us:—We were afterwards sent on board the Juno, and there lodged and messed in the bay, amongst the foremast hands, where we were obliged to suffer the insults of such people, as a man of war's crew consist of, (though we must say, the treatment from the foremast hands, was much better than what we received from the officers of that ship, as they took every opportunity of making use of insulting language, which was by us unnoticed.) We were kept on half allowance, which consisted of burgoo, peas, pork, tainted beef, and some bread:—We must give credit to sundry of the foremast hands, who would often-times, send us a small part of their allowance, by which we made out to exist. We were denied speaking to any prison- er on board, even to the foremast hands, that were taken with us, and also forbid walking the quarter deck.

July 20. At 3 o'clock, P.M. there was an order for all the prisoners in the fleet, to go on board the Amazon. we were immediately,with the rest of the prisoners, put on board the cutter, and transported to the Amazon; and according to their usual custom, were huddled under the half deck, without the least distinction to rank or Station—and there messed and lodged all together, (being 25 in number) until we arrived at Halifax. [There were sundry officers of States vessels, who shared the same fate with us.] At our leaving the Juno, was deprived of a quadrant, and other mathematical instruments.

July 22. arrived at Halifax, July 23d. at 10 o'clock, A.M. we were sent on shore; at our landing, were delivered in custody of the main guard, who were ready for our reception, and were huddled through the town to goal, with treatment, similar to that which we received, while on board the frigates.

July 28. Thirteen of us, (the Continental officers) were sent to the barracks, and there confined to one room, 14 feet square, with 2 centinals in the room. . . . 

The Letter of Marque Ship,⁴ (mentioned in our last, to have been taken by the Portsmouth⁵) is safe arrived in Port.