[Forton Prison, Portsmouth, 1778]
March 7th this day 16 Prisoners broke out but was all taken again, Mr Tryan and Manning1 was among them and all put into the Black hole but Manning who by hiding escaped the hole for the first night and the next morning had liberty to stay out to dinner after dinner he made another trial and got clear off after he got out he found a friend that both supplied him with Money and cloths and immediately set out for London and jest as he got into the bounds of London the PressGang came across him and prest him and carried him on board of the Nightinggale tender off the Tower I do not expect to see him again as they are in great want of men
D, DLC, Forton Prison, England, American Prisoner's Journal, 1777-79, collection 2272.
1. Lieutenant William Tryon, South Carolina Navy brigantine Notre Dame, and Edward Manning, Massachusetts privateer brigantine Rising States.