On the 25th of February last on my homeward bound passage from Point a P[e]tre on Grand Terre, about two leagues distant from Cape-Ann, I fell in with and was taken by the Lively sloop of war and carried into Boston, 2 the next day was put on board the Renown, ー [Francis] Banks commander, as we came on board Capt. Banks ordered us, with what bundles of cloaths, bedding &c. we had with us on the Quarter Deck, then called for, and ordered the 2d lieutenant, and master at arms, to search our beds, over hall all our bundles. of cloaths, to see if there was any money amongst them, then turning to us said I will search you myself, and that well too you scoundrels, whilst they were opening and searching our bundles, agreeable to Capt. Banks's directions, they began their search upon us, under his immediate inspection, by stripping off our cloaths, and critically searching every place in the lining halled off our boots, searched our stockings, halled down our breeches about our legs searched their linings, and left no place unsearched where a farthing might be concealed, and continued the whole time breathing out slaughter and death upon us, for no crime, or supposed crime, unless our being born in America can be esteemed such, after getting through with this branch, of his inhumane and unnatural proceedure and robbing me of fourteen Johannes, and Capt. Ephraim Little of about one hundred more, he called for and delivered us up to the Boatswain with an express injunction to take us on the Main Deck, and see to it that we were kept constantly at hard labour, adding; if we made the least difficulty about complying with this his commands, the boatswain, must inform him, and he would order us immediately flogg'd his commands in this matter were strictly complied with, we, I mean, all the masters of American vessels who have of late, unfortunately fell into their hands, were constantly kept at the hardest and most ignominious services on board and were from day to day loaded with curses and reproaches, from the principal officers, and that whilst there was constantly a ready compliance with his unrighteous and inhumane commands, and as though it were not a sufficient punishment, for having been born in America, and not found in arms, against our country to be reduced from comfortable circumstances, our families robbed, of all means of subsistence, and we pillaged of the last farthing, which might serve to supply our present necessary expences, or replace our cloathing which we were, in a great measure robbed; we were commanded and constantly insulted, without reply, by men far inferior to those formerly under our command, having the breath of Hell continually flaming about our ears, and this unequal to vent the malignity of their souls, informed us our torments were to be perpetual, by assuring us we should never again set our feet on American ground. Thus they continued tormenting us, till by these devices, and being constantly kept on short allowance, several of our people judged themselves excuseable, in yielding to their solicitations by entering . on board an East Indiaman, with an assurance of being sent to that country, and there kept at hard service, during the remainder of our lives, being worn out by continual fatigue and constant reproaches, I grew sick of a life not worth enjoying. I resolved to attempt an escape at all hazards, and in the night between the 20th and 21st. of March last, finding the watch on deck asleep, I cut away a boat from along side, and got on shore on Point Shirley, and am influenced to publish this narrative, not only that the truth might appear, but at the earnest desire, and in consequence of an agreement of a number of Ameri[can ship-]masters, who still labour under these dis tressing circumstances. Sign'd Daniel Lunt Newbury-Port, April 1st, 1776.

N .B. In consequence of an agreement with my brethren whilst under this more than Egyptian bondage, which ever of us should be fortunate enough to make his escape, was to have proceeded immediately to Head Quarters, and given General Washington an account of the matter, but by the many hardships I endured, whilst under the controul of these deserters from the infernal pit, I was so far reduced as to be by no means able to comply with this part of our agreement, and since I have got home I have been for the most part confined to my house, and not able to write, which may apologize for my neglecting this publication so long. Let not the friends of those now in their hands, fear more severity from this publications falling into the hands of our enemies, greater severity is impossible. Our friends in their hands, will find a sure assylum in death, which they will at any one day meet with pleasure. ー Will not God revenge our righteous cause.

P.S. In justice to Capt. [Thomas] Bishop, commander of the Lively, I would inform the public, that I was treated with kindness and humanity all the time I was with him. [Endorsed] in Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety. }

Newbury Port, April 19, 1776. Voted. That the several Printers on the Continent, be, and hereby are desired, to publish the foregoing narrative of Capt. Daniel Lunt's, and we do hereby certify, that the said Capt. Lunt was born and brought up amongst us, and is esteemed a man of truth, and we think full credit may be paid to the said narrative. By order of the Committee, Jonathan Titcomb, Chairman.