gave us their Prayers beseeching God to bless us in our Undertakings and prosper our King These Words they spake to us in their own Houses privately I must needs say this of the French Protestants That I do verily believe they are the most faithful and charitable People that lay any claim to the Title of a Protestant upon the Earth When the Carts came into Town they served us our Dinner Bread and Mutton but very little of the last came to our share not above an ounce per man and there was above twenty of us that had none at all After we had dined away we marched towards Rochfort distant from hence three Leagues Just as we came to cross the River of Sherant it began to rain when the most of our Passage especially the last twenty days we had no Rain so favourable have the Heavens been to us About four in the afternoon we came into the Town and so into the Prison where we found of English and Dutch Prisoners to the number of Four hundred When we first went out of Rochfort we had Two hundred and when we came from Toulon Sixty more and at Tolouse Six more and now we had no more but One hundred seventy three the rest being dead and scattered about the Country Tuesday 5. This morning the Scrivan took all our Names that came in last night with the Ships Names we were taken in also two of our Men that were not attentive to give in their Names were most sorely drub'd Now I shall describe the manner of the Prison-Diet In the morning the Men were told out and to every seventh Man a Seal was given to him to go to the Cook who gave him upon the receipt thereof a Loaf weighing about six Pound and that is the most and a Can of Wine but more fitly to be call'd Beveridge for the better half was Water and the other part sour Wine of this we had to the quantity of seven half Pints and at noon were we thus told out again and these Seals given in the same manner to be carried to the Cook who upon receipt of it gives them a Bowl with about seven ounces of Meat and a Can of Beveridge Now the Meat was most an end either Liver or else Lights or Milts and if there was any other sort of Flesh to be sure it should be the worst that could be had and that often would stink most desperately The World may very well imagine what good Stuff it was for it was common for a Man to sell his whole Days Allowance of Meat for three Deniers and that is but one Farthing Their Drink they sold all they had at a Meal for two Deniers and that was thought a great Price and truly so it was for whosoever bought any of the aforesaid Trade at these Rates paid more than it was worth Their Bread was most an end very good for that was all we had to keep us alive As for Food at night they told them out in the same manner giving them a Seal to go to the Cook for Beans and a Can of Beveridge The Beans were most an end Horse-beans and the quantity of them was so small for all three fourth parts of it was Water that when every Man got seven Spoonfuls we reckon'd we had large Allowance I have several times taken this especial notice of them Fish-days are all one with them as the Flesh days only this they have seven ounces of Fish for Dinner and this is the most When they give their full Allowance they give them to their Fish a little Oil and Vinegar also but Fish soon became so scarce that they would give us none so the room of that was supplied with Horse-beans Every thing here is now ten times worse than it was before we went for Toulon Our Lodging is upon the baro Floor many of us for these seven first days in which time our Men fell sick so fast that sixty went to the Hospital in two days and but very few came back The eleventh of this Month they gave us Straw Beds but nothing to cover us the Weather now was very cold and frosty On the 13th of this Instant there came hither 120 Men from St. Malo of our English Nation Handoufft and Roped together this gave us but small hope of Redemption when so many Men were brought from the Place where the Exchange was to be made December the first here came also from Brest 130 Men which did belong to the Portsmouth and to the Lively December the fourth they gave us Blankets but after such a manner they gave them that the better half of the Men had none at all Some had a Blanket for four and some for fix and some for ten and to above 300 Men they gave none at all And moreover although they divided them among the aforesaid men in such a manner yet were the Blankets very near all of a bigness and would not well cover above three men the measure of them was about six Foot square and six Foot and a half was the biggest The Weather now was very frosty and cold and for want of Food Clothes and Coverings our poor men fell sick at a strange rate and died in the Hospital seven or eight in a night and many times more We had an account one night of twenty one Englishmen that died in the Hospital besides many that perished in the Prison meerly for want December the fourteenth here came eighty four men more most of them belonging to the Fire-drake from Brest Before we went for Toulon we were guarded by the Towns people but now were we guarded by Soldiers who like cowardly Rogues did tyrannize over us at a very strange rate every pitiful Rogue carrying a great Stick in his Hand to drub the poor Prisoners at their pleasure Many of the ragged Villains if they chanc'd to be coming along and were to pass by us if there was not a Lane made for them to pass immediately would fall to flourishing their Sticks amongst us laying on about them Thresher-like The occasion of all this sprang from a young foolish Fellow that was their Major who did most desperately hate all those of the English Nation Fool like for he knew not what so by that means he tollerated all manner of Villany that was acted upon us both by the Cook and Guards This same Major was so Fool-like that his Person and his Actions declared him more fit to have kept Geese upon a Common than to have had the Command over so many Prisoners About the latter end of this Month there came in here a great many of their Ships which were so full of Sick men that they fill'd up all their Hospitals so that those few English that were alive they sent away to the Isle of Oleroon de Shattu where those good People did relieve them with a liberal Hand and in the Hospital they were also very kind to them as it did appear
small brown Loaf and one Egg per Man with a Cup of sad sorry Wine Sunday 27. After our Guards and Provo had been at Mass they gave us our Dinner which was such as our Supper a small brown Loaf and one Egg with a Cup of sad stuff of Wine After we had eat and drank away we march'd four Leagues to a Town call'd Egreville the Way being very good but the Day very calm and hot When we came into this Village we were quarter'd at the same House we were quarter'd at in our passage to Rochfort at the Sign of the three Kings our Lodging was in a Stable our Supper was a small Loaf and one Egg per Man with a Cup of poor Wine Munday 28. About eleven in the Morning we were all served our Dinner a small Loaf with one Egg and a Cup of sowre thick Wine that done away we march'd four long Leagues to the City of Nantes when we came into Town we were put into a close strong Prison where we were most desperately throng'd and our Supper was Bread and Eggs as before with the like Drink as before We heard that the Captain of the Portsmouth was kept here close Prisoner Tuesday 29. About eight in the Morning we were served our Dinner and Breakfast all under one as they used but now they gave each Man two Eggs and a small Loaf with a Cup of Wine the Morning was rainy and so it continued until about three in the Afternoon yet notwithstanding we march'd seven Leagues through all the Rain so that we were the most part of us as wet as well we could be and at the end of seven Leagues we came to alone Inn where we had very cold entertainment nothing but Bread and Water and very bad Lodging Wednesday 30. About six in the Morning we march'd four Leagues to a Town call'd Nosce where we remain'd all Day we lodged in the very same House we did when we went for Rochfort the Afternoon proving very rainy They gave us here a piece of Bread and a little bit of Butter so we remained in two Stables At Night they gave us the Flesh that they had long promised about a pound for ten Men and that was the most yet Meat was very reasonably cheap in this place they gave us to drink some nasty foul Cyder I should chuse rather to drink Water than it May Thursday the First The Mornin being Rainy we continued here until about ten of the Clock about which time the Weather began to clear up then were we served our Dinner just such a quantity of Meat as before as near as could be guest at with the same sort of Drink From hence we march'd seven Miles to a Town call'd Dervall and there we stopt an Hour or thereabouts and from thence we march'd five Miles to a Town call'd Fushgecea Here was a great Fair of Cattle in this Town and this Day we were carried through the Fair and so put into two Stables our Supper being a small Loaf and one Egg with Water our Lodging on the cold Ground Friday 2. About eight in the Morning we were served our Dinner a Loaf and one Egg per Man with a Cup of foul nasty Cyder so away we march'd three Leagues to a Town call'd Beant and from thence to a poor Village call'd Polonia one League and a half further the Weather was showry to Day but the Road indifferent good the Land very hilly but all the Hills very fertile our Lodging in this place was very hard lying in an open Barn on the bare Ground the covering of the Barn was quite gone on the one side our Supper was a small Loaf and one Egg and Water for Drink Saturday 3. About eight in the Morning we were served our Dinner which was a small Loaf and one Egg per Man with Water so away we march'd six Leagues to the City of Reens where we lodged some in an empty Barn and some in Stables Our supper was a piece of Bread and one Egg per Man and Water to drink so we lay many of us like so many Pigs in a Stye Sunday 4. About eight we were served our Dinner viz. a small Loaf and one Egg per Man so away we march'd four Leagues and half to a Village call'd St. Chapell but by the way Three of our Men deserted us After they had given us our Supper which was a small bit of old Irish salt Beef with a Loaf and a little sowr Syder they began to miss those Men by this means we were all call'd out into the Close to be counted and after many times counting they mist Three of their number but good lack what a toss was Jack Provo in and his Hounds swearing and cursing These Men were Two of them Guernsey or Gersey and the other an English Man that they mist after this we went to sleep in the Stables Munday Five About Nine in the Morning they gave each Man about an Ounce of old Irish Beef with about half a Souse worth of Bread From hence we marched six long Leagues to the Town of Denan about Four in the Afternoon we came into the Town where we saw many Dutch Prisoners and this day they cleared Thirty six English Prisoners After we were rang'd in the Praid and counted we were call'd over by our names that done we were put into two close Prisons 100 in a Prison where we got neither bit nor sup for Supper in the Prison we found several small heaps of Straw on which we slept our hopes of getting clear was our greatest comfort In this Prison of Dinan were we kept for twenty days a hundred of us in one Prison and the other hundred in another Prison In the one of these Prisons we had the benefit of a little fresh Air but in the other none at all both of them being miserable stinking places under Ground in old Castles whose Walls were fifteen Foot thick and the Windows treble barr'd yet for all this place was so strong they kept Centinels within the Prisons night and day for fear we should break Prison and every day the Officers came and counted us for fear lest they should lose some of us The Wall of this Place was so thick that the Prison was very cold considering the time of the Year For our Lodging they gave us Straw and as for our Food it was very well considering the place we were in being far better than any we met with yet in France and our Liquor was only Water Those People that guarded us here were very civil not abusing any of us as they had done in other places Our greatest Annoyance in this place was the horrid stink of the Prison which did not only offend the Nose but make the Eyes smart also May the 24th Mr. John White Commander of the Betty being employed by the King to fetch and carry Prisoners of War came here to day and with a great deal of Prudence and Exactness
trouble and weariness of Body when these things were collected together my right-hand being chained in which I held my Pen for thirty seven days together When all these things are considered rightly it will render me the more excusable Yet I have this to say Although it is not put into a lofty Stile as might have been done by another Man yet I am sure that what is in it is so true that it is able to contend with Truth it self and therefore I hope that Truth is not to be despised although she be but in a plain Dress I shall therefore desire you to take this notice as you read for your better understanding of some particulars which is not known to every Man The Sirdena signifies a small Fish a little bigger than a Sprat and as for Beverage that is meant Vinegar and Water or Wine and Water Denires is also spoken of very often which is the small Money of that Country of which Twelve makes one Souse or Penny English So wishing you more pleasure in the reading than I had in the writing I take my leave and subscribe my self Yours in all Love Richard Strutton Deptford 〈◊〉 June 21. 1690. A TRUE ACCOUNT OF THE Cruelties and Barbarities OF THE FRENCH UPON THE ENGLISH Prisoners of WAR c. June 8. 1689. I Then being come from the Canaries in the Ship Merry Frigat Emanuel Dart Commander right off Portland we met a Privateer of St. Malo after what resistance we could well make many of our Men not shewing themselves so valiant as did become English-Men but on the contrary ran down into the Hold and left the Commander with only Three more to fight this Privateer which thing we did to our utmost endeavour killing them several Men Our Commander being dangerously wounded in the Shoulder and the Gunner shot in the Leg we were at last forced to yield to merciless Men who after we were taken treated us like themselves by striping us almost quite naked and wounding several of the Men. The Eleventh of this Month they put us ashore into the Prison of St. Malo the wounded were sent to their Hospital In this same filthy Prison we remain'd until the 25th of July and then they sent about 180 of us to Rochfort July 25. 1689. die Jovis About Ten in the morning came the Guard a Marine with his Company for to take us out of the Prison of Dinan he having a Roll of our Names call'd us over two by two and drove us into an Apartment where we were Hand-cuff'd two and two together with Hand-cuffs made of Leather and so lock'd with a small Padlock That being in this manner done to us all we Marched out of the Castle into the Town where we found a Hundred or more of our English which were the same day brought from St. Maloâ— all in the same order Handcuff'd two and two we no sooner met but away we marched towards Rochfort in a most miserable condition some almost naked and many barefoot and bare-legg'd in this manner we marched from Dinan to a Village call'd Bechereal fourteen Miles distant in this place they gave us that Victuals for Supper which we were to have had for Dinner in Dinan As for our Liquor it was Water so here we slept in the Stables and in Barns and many were forc'd to sleep in the open Yard in some Hay that lay there Friday 26. In the morning before we set forth several of our Men that were naked almost Spun Hay Ropes and so wrapped them about their Bodies Legs and Arms to keep them from the cold by night The Handcuffs galling the mens Hands were loosed many of them upon promise of their walking quietly and orderly and the scorching of the Sun by day after they had given us a small bit of Bread and Butter away we marched towards the City of Rhemes Nineteen Miles distant as we were on the way several of our Men fell lame and could not travel then were they forced to hire Carts for them By the way we saw two Country-men at work in the Field whom the Guard a Marine commanded to fetch their Horses to draw the Carts the two Men seeing the Belt by which he commanded ran away they being in the Fields and an high Bank between them thought to get clear of them but one of them dismounted and ran after them and so brought them into the Road where the Guard a Marine drub'd them so long that I believe he gave them at least Fifty blows so that I saw the Piss run out of the Knees of the Breeches of one of them and when that was done he made each of them down on their Knees and of them take a good lusty heavy Lad and carry him upon his back at least a Mâ—le When we came into the City we were brought into a close Yard belonging to an Inn where we were served with Bread and Water and our Lodging was in the Stables and many lay in the open yard for want of room The savage people many of them kept heaving of Stones over the Walls at us and those Soldiers that kept Guard over us would not let us sleep but kept singing of Songs all night about the Prince of Orange Saturday 27. About Nine in the morning they gave us our breakfast which was the Broath of the Meat they boiled this morning After our Drivers had bought them all new Whips to drive us along we began our March Marching through Two Companies of Soldiers who made a Lane for us and beat the Drum we Marched about Nine Miles until we came to a lone House where was a Well under a Hedge by the which we sat down and eat our Dinner which was but very small that done away we Marched Nine Miles farther to a Town called Polonia When we came near any Town then our Drivers would begin to smack their Whips and upon the least occasion in the World whip us too if we did not keep in even Ranks to very great exactness so that Lashes was dealt amongst us very plentifully insomuch that one of them which took great delight in this Exercise of Whipping we nicknamed Whipping Tom. When we came into the Village of Polonia the people appear'd very few so that immediately the Town was alarm'd by Ringing of the Church-Bells according to the manner of an Alarm then soon into the place where we were came all the people which lived within the noise of the Bells but truly Nine parts in Ten of the people that we saw was of the Female Sex and Children Inever saw a Country so thin of Men before which was contrary to what I did expect for it was usual in England to hear people speak much of the popularity of France When they had served us our Supper which was a piece of Black Bread and Water they put us some into a Stable and the rest into an empty House where we lay on the Brick-Floor the Country-people being
all in Arms to Guard us both within doors and without Sunday 28. Early in the morning we were carried out of our Lodgings into the streets where we all sate down on the ground Ten and Ten together for such were our Messes Now they served us our Breakfast and Dinner together which was Broth cut pretty thick with black course Bread which was so four that the major part of our Men thought they had put Vinegar into it until by the taste of the Bread by it self it was discerned The Meat that little there was they also gave us which was not considerable our Drink was Water When we had thus eaten away we marched nine miles to a Town called Beant Just as we came into this Town the People were all going to Mass so that we had a full sight of the major part of the people of this place which were but few in respect to the largeness of the Town and of those the most were Women and Priests Here our Guards made us sit down all on a row in the middle of the streets and so they commanded the Country-people with their Pails and Buckets to fetch us Water to drink After we had all drank away we marched nine miles farther to a Market-Town called Dervalle When we came into this Town we were ranged along the street for the people to behold us which were not many and of them the major part were Women and Children After this was over that the people began to return to their Houses being satisfied with the fight of so many English which I presume to think they never saw before they put us into two Stables and there served us a Supper a piece of brown or rather black Bread and a Cup of Water for each Man This black Bread was not given to us for the want of any better to be had for this Country aboundeth with plenty of good Corn such as Wheat Rye Barley c. but because they would not go to the Price of it although it was very cheap When we had supp'd we went to sleep on the Horse-dung not having so much as a little Litter to cover it Monday 29. Early in the morning we were ready to march each Man getting a Cup of Water but that was all so away we marched seven miles to a large Town called Nesce Now because there was not a Town upon the Road within less than twenty miles we continued here all day in an Inn whose Yard and Stables did contain us all They gave us here for our Dinner about an Ounce of Meat per Man with the Pottage it was boil'd in and at night they gave each Man a piece of brown Bread Water was brought in to us in a great Kettle so that we had enough of that and that was all our Drink At night we were put up close into Stables Weather fair and were guarded by the Country-people who brought their Arms along with them such as wooden Pitchforks some Hedging-bills and here and there one of the best of them had a Gun to some of them our Guards gave their Pistols and Carbines but alas many of them knew no more what to do with them than those that never saw one in their lives I saw one looking upon his Pistol holding the Muzzle in his hand and with the other hand he was tampering with the Lock I stood looking on him a good while thinking by and by to see the foolish Dog shoot himself and so he had if he had not been prevented by one of his Brother-Clowns who came to him and told him the danger of holding the Pistol in that manner and so shew'd him which end he should hold in his hand Another of them in the night I saw take the Candle and because it did not burn bright he was knocking the Candle into the Muzzle of his Carbine which if Fortune had not certainly favoured Fools he had without doubt shot himself Here our Lodgings were in two Stables indifferent well littered with Straw Tursday 30. Early in the morning we marched out of this Town the weather being fair and clear we marched twelve miles to a single House which was an Inn upon the Road. Here we dined we had here Meat and Pottage a pretty considerable quantity but no other Drink but Water When we had dined we marched eight miles farther to a small Village called Treverah When we came thither there was no Lodging to be had for us nor any thing else so here they got some of their Country brown Bread and gave every Man a bit and also they gave a Pot of Wine of about three English Pints amongst ten Men so we were all forced to lie down on the cold ground in this open Field having nothing over head saving the Heavens only whose Spangled Suburbs entertain'd our eyes for the most part of the night Here they also alarm'd this place that all the Country Boors came in with their Pitchforks and Bills to guard us Wednesday 31. By the rising of the Sun we began to March towards Nants which was distant ten Miles when we begun to come near the Town of Nants they began to exercise their Whips upon every loose occasion he that chanced but to stir out of the Ranks was sure to be lashed if any of the Guards were near them so that with their continual Whipping they had whipt all their new Whips to pieces that they bought at Reens and so here they bought more new Whips When we had past through great part of the Town we were brought to an Inn in the which place we were kept backwards in the Yards here they gave us each Man a penny Loaf of good white Bread and as for Water it was brought in by a Horse in Burreco's because the Water in the Inn was not fit to drink Here many People came to see us but none were admitted except they were known to be such as was like their Grand Master It happened that there was a Gentleman came into this Inn to drink which went up into an upper Room on purpose to speak to us out of the window but as soon as he was heard to speak English he was immediately hurried out of the House and withal threatned to be put in prison our Drivers had for a long time promised to us That as soon as we came for Nants they would give us a Hogshead of Wine but instead of giving a Hogshead they stop the Money that a Gentleman gave us enough to buy a Hogshead and then they gave a grand pot of sad sorry Wine betwixt ten men which was not above each man a glass towards night they went into the Market and bought up a great great deal of the Refuge Flesh in the Market such as Sheepsheads Bullocks Livers and Lights and the like so that for our Supper we had about an ounce and 2 1 per man with the Pottage this stuff was boil'd in our want made any thing to go
down with a pleasant taste our lodging was in the Stables Thursday Aug. 1. We remained still in this place our Guards had determined to stay all this day to give us a day of rest In the morning they gave us each man a souse Loaf and at night just such a Supper as we had last night of such Flesh and Pottage so after Supper we were put up close into the Stables and a Guard kept at the door Friday 2. Early in the morning we made ready being soon drest to march receiving every man a souse Loaf before for breakfast and dinner so away we march'd for a Town call'd Egreville distant from Nants 12 Mile as we were upon the Road this day many of us suffered great drought for want of water the Road being very dusty neither did we pass by any Spring or Wells upon the Road when we came into the Village call'd Egreville we were put into two Stables and there we were served with Bread and as for Drink we had no other than what the Well afforded after our Supper was ended we were put up into the Stables to sleep this afternoon four of our men had contracted to run away if any opportunity presented the which thing they did accomplish this night Saturday 3. About six in the morning we were call'd out and counted as was their constant custome they mist four men then they began to count over again and so they did at least six times but when they found that four of our men had deserted themselves you would admire to hear how Jack French-man began to swear and to abuse all the rest Immediately Horses and Men were sent in pursuit several ways but none of them could have any intelligence of them in the mean time we were all carried into a close Barn and a Guard set over us all day about night our Guard a Marine came back and taking his Roll of our names call'd us over two by two and as they came out of the Barn they were sorely drubb'd until such time that he was quite weary and not able to drub more withal commanded them to tell where the four men were which had deserted themselves but alas no man was able of us to give that account for I believe poor men they did not know well themselves where they were But as for our parts we were all hand-cuft again and because they had lost some of their handcuffs they bound many of our men with Cords so away we were carried to the place where we lay last night having a great Guard over us all night giving us nothing but Bread and Water this day Sund. 4. Early in the morning we march'd out of this Town into a small Town whose name I have lost in this Town we were conducted to a close yard where we were served our Dinners which was brown bread and water after we din'd away we march'd to a Town which was distant from Egreville twelve miles call'd St. Saravan now the weather being very Rainy we went no farther than this Town but lodged all night in a Stable our supper was such as our Dinner bread and water so here we were well guarded all night by the Inhabitants of the place Monday 5. Early in the morning we were served with bread and water so away we march'd twenty miles to a Town call'd St. Vincean the Road very good but by reason of the dustiness of the Road and the want of water we suffered great drought when we came into Town we were drove into a great Inn in which was a great square Yard here they served us our Supper brown bread and water but here they gave us each man a small bit of Butter I am sure the Pot would not hold six pound that served two hundred the quantity and goodness were both alike for it had many colours and very nasty stuff not but that there is good Butter to be had here and enough After we had supp'd we went into the Stables to sleep where our Lodging was on the dung having very little or no Litter under us the House was also well guarded by the Inhabitants Tuesday 6. Early in the morning we made ready to march eating our Breakfast and Dinner both under one before we came forth which was brown Bread and VVater by the strength of which we were to march Twenty Miles before we were to eat any more In this Town several of the Towns-people came to me and very kindly asked me how I did and would if it had been possible have persuaded me that I was a French-man and born in this Village and therefore desir'd me to speak my Native Tongue to them they did not stick to swear that I was born here unto our Guards From hence we marched Twenty Miles to a Village called St. Jacque when we came into this Town we saw our Guard a Marine who left us at Egreville in pursuit of the four Men that deserted He told us that he had taken them and withal told us that he had beat them so long that he had broke three Sticks over their Backs which we after knew to be false for he pretended he had sent them to Rochefort before us which when we came there we found there was no such Men. In this Town they put us all into an empty House where our Lodging was on the bare Floor At our entrance into the Town they rang their Bells to larm the People who by the quantity that appeared would have gave a Man to think that there had lately been some Contagion that had swept all or most all away so few did the People appear Our Supper was here Bread and each Man a Glass of Wine and Water so after Supper was done we lay down to Sleep but were prevented by their beating a Drum at the Door all Night and so like to Negroes they beat and made a noise as if they had been the same The chief Man in this place was upon the Guard to Night and his Accoutrements were such that for want of a belt for his Sword he was forc'd to make it fast to him with a piece of an old Halter and this Man our Guard told me was the Mayor of the place Wednesday 7. About Noon we march'd out of this Town but before we went out of the Town we expected we should have some Food some of our Men asked the Guard a Marine if he would give us any Food for he told him our People were not able to March without he presently fell to whipping him with his whip and told them they should have none until Night So away we march'd twelve Miles to a Village call'd Shearone we cross'd over a River just by this Town in a Ferry-boat at twice all of us and when we came into the Town we were put some into a Barn and the rest into Stables very well Litter'd our Supper was here a piece of brown Bread and about half an Ounce of
they gave us for Dinner three small Sirdena's per Man with Bread and Beverage several of our People would have bought something else of the People but durst not except it were by Stealth there was one of our Men went to buy of a poor Woman a little plate of fry'd Meat which was discovered by the Rogues the Guards who took away the Meat from the Woman by force and hove away the Meat Plate and all into the middle of the Streets broke the Plate and spoil'd all the Meat and this was their Cruelty who would not give us Victuals scarcely enough to keep Life and Soul together neither would they suffer those that had Money to buy any except it were by stealth we marched from hence three Leagues to a Town called Villa Picta it was Eight at Night before we entred into this Town we being most of us most desperately tired with this days Walk which was six Leagues and every League in Languedock contains four Italian Miles when we came into the Town we were all put into a great Stable our Supper was one Sirdena per Man with Bread and Beverage our Lodging was on the hot Horse-dung so in this manner we rested our weary Bones This Afternoon we saw the Highland of Barcelona in Spain very plain Thursday 12. Early in the morning we began our march and marched three Leagues to a Town called Villa Sancta in which place we sat down in the middle of the streets in ranks here they served for Dinner a small bit of bread with one Egg and a cup of sad Beverage Wine a very poor Dinner Our sick men were this day as well as others sorely drubb'd with Swords Whips and Sticks because by their weakness many of them were not able to help themselves up and down from hence we marched three leagues farther to a Town call'd Carkasonna when we came there the Inhabitants of the Town shut the Gates against us and would not let us enter until such time as the Provost who was our Grand Signior made use of his utmost Authority by shewing his Commission c. Then the Gates were opened and in we all entred where we were conducted to a very large stable in which we were all put sick and well Our Supper was a bit of fat Pork about the bigness of a Wallnut and bread to the quantity of a souce loaf and each man a cup of Beverage Our lodging was on the hot horse-dung which was as hot as any horse-dung whatsoever This Town of Carkasonna is a very fine fenced Town with good Fortifications about it yet in all the Fortifications I could not see any Ordnance mounted or unmounted The Town seemed to be very populous but at this time there were no men in Arms in this Town such as Soldiers c. Friday 13. Before we came out of this Stable they served us our Dinner which was a small bit of Pork like that last night with Bread and Beverage After that was served us we were roped together in readiness to march our sick men were likewise crouded into two Carts About Ten of the Clock we march'd hence four Leagues we march'd to a Town call'd Porsarick here we made a stop in the streets for about half an hour in the mean time several women came to us and distributed among us their Aprons full of Grapes and took great pity on us we were often and in many places much pitied by many of the tender Sex At last we were conducted to a great stable that held most of us that were well in health and the rest were put into another stable with the sick men they gave us nothing for Supper saving one small Loaf worth about Six Deniers without ever a drop of drink and if we call'd for any water in came the Rogues our Guards and would fall to drubbing us with their drawn Swords most furiously I was at this time most bitterly inflamed to see their barbarous usage and withal being very thirsty walked with my Mate to the door desiring them to do that favour as to give me a little water but I partly guess'd before what would be the effect of it in comes one of the Guard and salutes me over the Head and Shoulders with his drawn Sword and withal gave me a prick on the Arm the lights being all out I took him a good box under the ear and struck him down to the ground and then I seconded it with a kick on the guts that done up he gets and away he runs to call in the rest of the Guards but I immediately slunk into a hole in comes the Guards with Swords drawn and Guns cockt looking to see if they could find who it was that struck the Corporal but could not find him by reason it was done in the dark and I my self lay down as if I had been fast asleep This night they were very fearful of our rising against them so the Mayor of the Town was brought to us to examine the business to him we made our Complaint he to appease us promised that we should have a good Supper and all things necessary as Wine and Straw to lye on c. that done away he goes and presently instead of performing his promise he forthwith orders a strong Guard to be set round the house both within and without and this was all we got of Mr. Mayor he being very like the rest of his Country-men viz. great and notorious Lyars and deceivers of men Close by my side was posted a Centinel a poor innocent fellow who not long after he was placed there fell fast asleep I having just at my Entry a good view of a Hen-roost went with my Mate and each of us got a very good Pullet that done down we came to our places without any noise putting our Poultrey into the knees of our Breeches our Guard at the same time was fast asleep on the Ground and with ease might any man have disarm'd him but alas his looks did shew him to be a poor Innocent Fellow and by that means we let him alone Saturday 14. Early this morning we made ready to march all the Town Guards that watcht us last Night going with us Before we got out of the Town at the Stable door where the rest of our men lay we saw the dead body of one of our men upon a ladder whose name was Alexander Montgomery Away we march'd and when we had opportunity on the Road we pickt our Fowls This part of the Countrey is very mountainous and yet abounds with plenty of Vineyards and Olive-yards On the very scraggy Rocks and Mountains grow great plenty of sweet Herbs such as Thyme and Lavender Rosemary Mirtles and other odoriferous Herbs This morning two of our men did get out of the Rope and so slipt into the cranny of a Mountain and knockt off their Irons and went away undiscovered by any of the Guards After we had marched three Leagues we came to a
So we slept in the Stable on wet Horse-Dung In the middle of the Night it began to rain very fast the Stable not being well covered the rain came down upon us and almost floated us Thus and such like was our Lodging in this Countrey Thursday 19. The Weather being still rainy we continued still in this Stable all this day We had several Priests and Gentry came to gaze on us who gave us no comfort but derided us our King and Religion Telling us withall that King James had routed General Schomberg in Ireland and moreover that next Summer England also was to be theirs They said also to us Your condition is here very bad but if you were in England your case would be far worse for says they There is at present a very sore Famine and no Bread hardly to be had for any Money By this I did conjecture that they had in their Countrey a Lying-Oracle and that Truth to them was a great Stranger We were obliged to give them the hearing of all their Stories although we did not believe one word they said They gave us here for Dinner a piece of Bread and a small bit of Mutton with Beverage but so small was the quantity of Mutton that one Man might very well have eaten twenty Mens shares So that of that little they gave bread was nine parts in ten of our Provision The rest was not worth the naming our Beverage was sometimes pretty good in those places where they could get no bad Wine but many times it was worse than Water For Supper they gave us Bread and Beverage and the Water they boild their Rusty-Pork in under the Name of Bon-Supper This was our Fare so here we slept this Night also in the same Stable on the Wet Horse-Dung Friday 20. Early in the Morning the sick Men were put into two Carts and the rest of us being roped together and counted began to march wading through several Rivers whose Depth took us up to the Belly the Stream running so swift with the Freshes of the last great Rain that it was like to overset our weak Bodies but our being forty or fifty in a Rope the one held up the other As we past along by the Road side we had leave to enter into the Vineyards and gather Grapes which we did plentifully Many Vineyards in this Country lie as open to the Road as many Commons do in England or elsewhere We marched about four Leagues before we came to Mompellier which is as fine a wall'd Town and as curiously situated as ever I beheld a Town in my Life the bigness of the City I do verily belive to be about the bigness of the City of Bristol but about it is a far more pleasant Landskip having about it several curious Champion Hills and fine Vine-yards and Olive-yards and about four or five Mile to the Southward of the Town is the fair Mediterranean Ocean viz. the Bay of Languedock When we came near the Town we were put into a very large Stable without the Walls of the Town This Country is the best fitted with large Stables of all the places that ever I was in in all Christendom which have been many Here it is counted a very small Stable that will not hold two Troops of Horse And as for their Building they are built with very much cost and charge most of them are built of hewn Stone all arched over head most neatly In this Stable which we were all put in I took especial notice of one thing that is just at every Horses place all round the Stable upon the Wall was writ the Name of one Saint or other what might be the humour of it I cannot guess but this I am certain must be the end of the design either for the Horses to worship or else the Ostler the Letters were large Capitals They gave us here for Dinner our usual Quantity of Pork with Bread and Beverage that done away we march'd two Leagues farther to a small Village called Columbeas where we were put into two Stables our Supper was Bread and Beverage and our Lodging on wet Horse-dung Saturday 21. It being a very dreadful Night all the last Night for Thunder Lightning and Rain and continued until about eleven this Morning about which time it began to clear up so here we had our Dinner which was a bit of fat Pork of about three quarters of an Ounce Weight and a piece of Bread and a Cup of Beverage that done we were roped together and counted and away we marched four Leagues to a Town called Imergos here we were put into a loathsom place where they used to keep Sheep in our Lodging was on the Sheeps Dung having no Straw at all some of us got the Hurdles to lie on such as they fold Sheep with but the most part lay on the ground It would grieve the Heart of a Stone to hear the Groans all Night of our sick and dying Men which lay in this sad Condition Our Supper was a piece of Bread and a Cup of Beverage which was far worse than Water so here we lay until the break of Day Sunday 22. We were rouzed very early this Morning out of our stinking Den and being counted like so many Sheep we were roped together not without many Drubs for those we had daily and hourly so away we marched for Cicile The People of Imergos told our Guards that much of the Country was overflown that we were to pass through to day and therefore advised them to get Carts to carry us over the deepest of the Flouds According to their advice they got two Carts which when they came to a small place not above Knee-deep they carried us over in the Carts and so dismist the Carts And within less than Pistol shot of this Place was a Place twice as deep and ten times the length over this they made us to wade which took us up to the middle and with the strength of the Stream was like to have carried us off the Ground but that we were roped together in great quantities so we held up one another thus were we all tantalized with their Carts making us to wade all the deep Places we came at this day About two in the Afternoon we came to the Town of Cicile being four Leagues distant from Imergos in which Town we were all put into a Stable where they gave us for Dinner Bread and Beverage so we all continued here until Night for Supper they gave us Mutton and Broth but so small a quantity was the Mutton that one Man might easily have eat as much as twenty Men had the Broth they served in such a manner that he that had not a Cup or Dish of his own was forc'd to take his Broth in his Hat or Cap by this means one of our Men got scalded most sadly At Night the People brought us Straw to lie on so here we got a good Nights Lodging Monday 23. In
served and fitted standing Rigging for their Ships but as for wages they had none Others they sent ashore to the Rope-walk to lay Cables to them for their days work they were paid four Souce a day Another Gang was sent aboard of a Merchant's Ship belonging to some of the Grandees of the Place to heave out her great Stone Ballast and make her fit to Careen Their Wages was three Souse and a half a day Another Gang of Carpenters were drawn out to go to Calk this Ship 's side to them they gave seven Souse a day Thus Necessity forced us to do that shrewdly against our wills In this place of Touloun Sea-men were so scarce that by the Report of the People there were not Twenty in the place as for my part I never saw ten whilst I was there Their own Carpenters were now fitting out ten Sail of Ships to be ready to come down into West-France next Spring and ten Sail is the most that is here left which will be any way fit for the Sea The Admiral is a curious fine Ship to look to but she is broken-back'd and not fit for the Sea those Ships that are capable of coming to Sea are Ships of good Force from Fifty to Seventy Guns We heard whilst we were here that the French had lately forced many of the Dutch Prisoners of War to go to Sea in the Crusers by heaving them off their Gunnil into the Boat if they did not go themselves into the Boat And since the Ships which had these Men in them are taken many of them into Algier and are now made Slaves which Action is contrary to the Law of God and Nature The Weather being very bad as yet we could not begin our Journey until the tenth day of October in the mean time we buried many of our Men and yet many more left Sick We heard after our departure that they sent all our Men both Sick and well to the Hospitals to strengthen and refresh them left there should be none left to travel back which was very true as I heard it reported by many of the Men when they came back to Rochfort There were two hundred more that came here ten days after our departure From Toulon to Rochfort October THursday 10. About ten in the Morning the Weather being fair all the English that were able to march were commanded on Shore So entring the Town we were brought to one of the French King's Magazines where we were all called over by Name In the interim in comes the Intendant and makes an Oration to us which was Englished thus Swearing by all his Gods that we were clear Men only we were to travel to Rochfort and from thence to St. Malo where we were to be exchanged We desired him by the way of an Interpreter that since his Excellency was pleased to say we were clear Men that we might travel back without being afflicted with Ropes and Irons which we saw lay ready for us and about six couple were already ironed we promised upon our Faith that we would march quietly through the Country without running away He granted our Request alledging we were clear Men. As soon as we came into West-France we all gave great credit to his words not doubting but that a Man of his Rank and Dignity would scorn to tell us who were at present his Prisoners and lay at his Mercy to do with us as he pleased Lies But we after found his Words to be like the rest of his lying Country-men who are the greatest Liars upon Earth I never heard Word or Promise made by any of them since I have been in the Country that proved to be true except it were when they promised to plague us The Intendant ordered to those that were almost naked that were many to have Canvase Jackets and to some Shirts and the major part new Shoes After these things were served away we march'd having for our Guard four of the Guarda-Marine who wears a Belt embroidered with Gold and Silver the Flower-de-Luce and the Cross Anchors and Cables which is their Commission besides the Provost and two Foot Souldiers When we came to the outer Gates of the Town we stopt about two hours waiting for more Company which were the Men that were taken in the Mediterranean Seas belonging to Capt. Willbourn and Capt. Blake their Number was about sixty So now we were near two hundred of us About three in the Afternoon we went out of Toulon we marched three long Leagues to a Town call'd Prussia it was very near eight at Night before we came into this Town yet we marched along briskly although the Road was hilly and stony we were in hopes the Intendant's words would prove true our Guards were somewhat civiller than they were before neither was there such strict Orders given to those that guarded us by Night as before for we were now admitted to go forth at any hour of the Night to ease our selves if it was required They gave us here for our Supper each Man a small Loaf of six Denires and a cup of Wine so here we slept very well the Stable being indifferently well littered Friday 11. About seven a Clock in the Morning we came out of the Stables every Man receiving a Loaf of six Denires which is half a Peny English the place we were to dine at this day being a lone House where Bread was not to be had for such a Company of Men Three Leagues we marched to this lone House the way very Mountainous when we came there they gave each Man a cup of sour Wine and that with our small Loaf we brought with us we made up our Dinner After this we marched three large Leagues to a Town called Racavalia after about an hours stop in the Streets we were put into two Stables For our Suppers they gave each Man a Souse Loaf and a dish of Porkbroth now when they came to serve us the Meat we expected they gave not one Man in ten any it was my chance to get a bit so small that I could have put twice as much into my Mouth at once and as for our Drink it was down-right Vinegar that no Man was able to drink it Although good Wine was so plentiful here and so cheap that it was not worth above one Crown the Hogshead by whole-sale The Vinegar they gave us we set it out at the Door and drank Water a Brook running just at the Stable-door We bore all this with patience hoping once if it pleased God to get out of these Rogues hands so we went to sleep quietly in these Stables Saturday 12. Early in the Morning we came out of these Stables every Man received a six Denire Loaf as he past for we were to dine to day at a single House Several of our Men that were foundred in their Feet got Asses some upon their own cost and some upon their charge that guarded so away we marched two Leagues to
this lone House there with our Bread and a Cup of Beverage we made our Dinner which was very little for poor Men to travel with so far as twenty and twenty four Miles a day and many times more We saw most part of this Morning the Alps that divide Italy from France very plain bearing about East North East and North East from us From hence we marched three Leagues to the City of Ais the way very mountainous but the Mountains were all over-ran with sweet Herbs such as Thyme Lavender Rosemary Mirtles and the Hedges of Pomgranates which cast a very sweet Odour When we came near the City we were put into a large Stable without the Walls This Ais is a very fine scituated Place and the City laid out in excellent order being built in a level place and circumdated with Hills all round they gave us here for our Supper a small Loaf of Bread and about half an Ounce of salt Cheese and to each Man was measured half a pint of good Wine for no bad Wine here was to be got or else to be sure we had had it After we had supp'd we laid us down to sleep on the Ground but many of us got some Hay and some Straw we had here as at other places a Guard of the Towns-People that watch'd over us all Night Sunday 13. This Morning our Guards went all to Mass and by that means we were all kept in until eleven of the Clock at which time they gave us our Dinner of Bread and Wine When our Dinner was ended away we marched five long Leagues to a Town called Sealoon The Afternoon proved rainy and the Road very foul Before we got into Town it was eight at Night Most part of us being wet through those few Rags we had This Town is a very fine wall'd Town scituated at the bottom of the Provencial Hills having on the South West and North part of the Town a great Plain near thirty Miles long which in comparison of Land is as level as the Sea yet notwithstanding the Land is very stony and full of large peble Stones much like a Beach and by that means very barren yet sweet Herbs grow wild upon it such as Thime and Lavender and in the Plain some Wood of the ever-living Oak We were here put all into one Stable where they gave us for Supper Bread and Wine and the Stable was very well littered with Straw so we slept very sweetly all Night having a great Guard about us Monday 14. Early this Morning we came out of this Stable every Man received a six Denier Loaf as he pass'd because we were to dine at a single House upon the Plain We marched five Leagues over this Plain before we came to this lone House at the end of which they gave each Man a Cup of Wine and Water to our Bread When Dinner was ended away we marched three Leagues farther to the City of Arlaa Before we entred this Town we heard that there were in the Town two hundred of English and Dutch Prisoners of War onward of their March for Toulon This News struck many of us into a damp thinking that this was not the way to be exchanged When we came into Town we were all cramb'd into a Stable where we lay desperate thick one almost upon the other One of our Men got leave of the Guards to go where these other Prisoners were to speak to them who when he came there he saw several of our sick Men which we left upon the Road which were recovered they were all in the same dress as we were in as we went for Toulon viz. in Irons two and two together They also reported that they were far worse pinch'd for Victuals than we were and as for their sick Men they were worse served for when their weakness was so great that they could not fit upon an Horse or Ass then were they thrown thwart a Horse's back like a Calf with their Heads downwards until such time that they died Our Supper here was a six Denier Loaf and a Cup of Beverage a Man So here we slept upon the Horse-dung for want of Litter for except it were the Charity of the People to give it to us we very seldom had any Tuesday 15. About ten in the Morning we saw the English and the Dutch Prisoners which lay in this Town last Night pass by here So we spoke to several of them which were of our Company which we left sick upon the Road they march'd near the manner as we did formerly as we were going upward towards Toulon We remained in this Town until two in the Afternoon at which time they gave us our Dinner which was a small Loaf of Bread and an Onion with a Cup of Beverage a Man This place of Arlaa is a very fine fenced Town standing on level Ground and in it are very stately Buildings On the East side of the Town is a most famous Aquaduct which stands upon abundance of Arches and for the length of it I suppose it may be near a Mile At this time the Land about the Town was much overflown with the Freshes that came lately down out of the Hill-Country so that in the green Fields that were as we past by here before we saw many Boats and Nets set to catch Fish for the Water was considerable deep and beside the strength of the Floods had carried away the Town-bridg that was built upon Boats as I said before now the Land being thus drowned we were forc'd to march round the drowned Land our sick Men came after us by Water in a Boat upon a very fine Causey which was made on purpose for it seems these Floods are not unusual but common once a Year in the time of Rain We marched three Leagues to a fine Town called Terrascoon there we crost the River in two Ferry-Boats to a Town opposite call'd Boucaro in the Province of Languedock for this River as I have said before divides Provence from Languedock This Boucaro is a very large Town when we were entred into it we were conducted to a great Stable which was both wet and nasty Our Supper was a small Loaf of Bread with a Cup of Beverage and as we were serving in comes our Sick and Lame People to take part of our hard Night's Lodging the Ground was so wet and cold that we were forc'd to walk up and down the most part of the Night to keep our selves warm the Weather being very cold Wednesday 16. About Eleven in the Morning we had our Dinner served us which was a Loaf of Bread worth six Denires and one Onion betwixt four Men with a Cup of Beverage which as soon as we had eat and drank away we march'd Just as we came without the Town we met about twelve Men who were pinioned and bound together going towards Boucare with a Guard with them We asked the People of the place what their Fault was that they
this at the lanching one of the two Ships that was built here whereof one was a Three Deckt Ship of Ninty odd Guns and the other a Two Deckt Ship of Sixty odd Guns the least of these two before she was lancht had a great number of the Popish Priests went aboard to give her a thorough Blessing with at least Five hundred People after them The next day this Ship was lancht and in her lanching she broke her Scag and shatered the After Part of her Keell so that they had enough to do to keep her above Water and if with the stroke she had not after run over some Mud that filled much of the Rent up she had without doubt sunk Now these Ships were lancht long before they were finished their upper Work being built a flote When they had near finished this Ship they fitted for the Careen and so hove her down and cut out Fifteen Foot of the After part of the Keell Our Men that remained here in the Prison and would not go out to work were by the Intendants Order kept hear to work wheeling Rubish into the Prison Yard to raise it having Soldiers to be their Overseers continually following them which way soever they went One of our Men named Thomas Fenwick who refused to work in this kind for them the Major and a Serjeant immediately fell upon beating him with their great Sticks in such a barbarous manner that it was thought by all the men that beheld it that they designed nothing else but to murder the man After all this they made him work with the Wheel-barrow several days together Slave like nay far worse then Slaves were we treated by them in every respect for as for the Slaves the French King alloweth them very considerably for the work they do on Shore by which they get both good Victuals and good Drink but all the Reward our poor men get of them for their work in the Prison is nothing but ill Words and many a blow on the Back March the Sixth Two hundred of our men were sent away hence for Dinan in order to be exchanged this added to us new Life thinking it might come to our turns once to be Redeem'd of this cruel Place if it pleased God to spare us our Lives when as just before our hopes of getting cleaâ— was quite worn Thread-bare In the beginning of April here came an Express from Paris for the speedy fitting out of Five Sail of Ships of Sixty odd Guns a Piece but the last Ships that went away from this Place carried away all their Seamen that they had not so many left as was able to Rig these Ships so that Orders was given by the Intendant that they should take the English Prisoners out of the Prison and put them aboard these Ships and make them rig them which was done accordingly and when some of their Commission Officers with other Soldiers came into the Prison to us our Men refused to go out at their Command so forth with they drew all their Swords Cowards-like and began to lay on and so by force they drove aboard One hundred and nineteen of them and divided amongst these Five Ships where they continued Twelve days working many times both night and day and when they had any time to sleep their Lodging was on the hard Deck their Victuals also was very little but yet they said they gave to them as much as they did to their own People which by the Descriptions of it is not half so much as the King of England alloweth his Men for Bread is the three fourths of their Provision After they had rigged these Ships they also helped to carry them down the River unto the Place where they used to take in their Guns one of these Ships taking in her Guns with our Men. After this was done the Captains of these Ships asked our Men if any of them were willing to serve either the French King or King James they all answer'd they would not willingly serve either of them but that they would rather dye in Prison if King William would not Redeem them Upon these Answers they were all of them sent to Prison again and this was all the Reward they had for their work April 5. here came Eleven hunderd and fifty Gally-Slaves from Marseilles who gave us this account That as they were crossing the Bay of Lanquedoc in several Gallies and Settests they were chased by several Ships either English or Dutch or both and they were of this Opinion that if they had had but two hours day light more they had took them every Man for it seems they came up with them so fairly that they took the Stern of most of them which were laden with Provisions for the Slaves such as Clothes and Covering c. This gave such encouragement to the Slaves that they did not fear to say before the Face of their Patroons that they did not doubt but that the English would set them at liberty if ever they went out to Sea in their Gallies The major part of these Slaves were Turks and Moors and the rest were French men The Turks and Moors had also Contracted that if ever they came but near an English Man of War they would do their utmost endeavour to give the Gally away to the English in hopes thereby to get their freedom But I rather think these Gallies will not venture to go out in these Sea but rather keep them in Harbour on purpose to plague his poor Subjects upon every small Offence These Gallies are much less then the Gallies in the Mediterranean Seas but in Form altogether like them being about One hundred and twenty Foot long and about Eighteen Foot by the Beam and not above Seven Foot deep in the Hold which when they have all their Men and other Provisions aboard they will be so deep not above Two Foot from the Water edge in the Midships only their Oars and Banks lye higher above the Body of the Gally as is their manner so to do These Gallies carry Four Guns right forward in their Prow and in the Mid-ships right forward in time of Service they have a Cushe Piece of about Six thousand weight which runs in a Trunk and so lyes when Service is done near the Mast for Ballast These Gallies that were here built at Rochfort will Row with about Fifty four and Fifty six Oars a piece having six Men to an Oar so that these Gallies will carry Three hundred thirty six Slaves besides Seamen and Soldiers which will be very near One hundred and fifty more I am clearly of Opinion that if they come out into the Biscayan Seas which they must of necessity do if ever they come out they will not find them like the Mediterranean Seas and if there doth but blow any Gale at all considerable without they can immediately get into a Habour the Sea must be their Graves for I am sure that these Gallies will not