. DIARY OF CAPTAIN LAMSON 223 



the other was occupied with the family ly- 

 ing on straw for their beds. The only food 

 was potatoes and those boiled with one 

 or two herring, if they could get them, and 

 yet their children, half clothed and bare- 

 footed, looked rosy and rugged. It was 

 truly affecting to hear their women relate 

 their hardships. I generally gave them a 

 trifle in money which seemed to overcome 

 them in expressing their gratitude. 



While lying at Newry I was offered a very 

 high freight to go to Archangel with a great 

 profit to myself. I was on the eve of con- 

 cluding when I wrote Messrs. Bainbridge 

 & Brown for their advice. I proposed to 

 them the same voyage, making use of Mr. 

 Grey's funds in their hands. But Mr. 

 Story of Boston being in Liverpool 1 with 

 an investment of goods of $140,000 pro- 



1 " On April 28, 1808, there was not in Liverpool a 

 vessel from Boston or New York. Those who have any- 

 thing to do with freight or charter are absolutely insolent 

 in then- demands, 2000 for a ship of 199 tons to Lisbon 

 and back." New York Evening Post, June 28, 1808. 



