poRTER^s journal- 



Ms Britannic Majesty's ship Phcebe, Valparaiso^ 9lh Feb. 1814 



Sir, 



By an Englishman picked up by one of his ma- 

 jesty's sloop Cherub's boats, in a drowning state, Captain 

 Tucker has been informed, that nine of our countrymen 

 are suffering the miseries of close confinement, on board 

 the American ship of war under your orders ; and that the 

 calamity of imprisonment is aggravated by their being kept 

 in irons. As this mode of treatment is so contrary to any 

 I have ever witnessed, during a very long servitude, as 

 well as the usages of honourable warfare, may I beg (if the 

 statement is just,) that you will do me the favour to interest 

 yourself in their behalf. 



I have the honour to be, &:c. 

 (Signed) JAMES HILLYAR. 



U. S. Frigate Essex, Valparaiso, lOth Feb. 1814. 



Sir, 



T HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of 

 your letter of yesterday. The information you have re- 

 ceived from the prisoner who made his escape from my 

 armed prize, and who was assisted in effecting it by the 

 boat and crew of his majesty's ship Cherub, is correct as 

 respects the situation of the remaining prisoners of war on 

 board the Essex Junior, as well as those in the Frigate I 

 have the honour to command. 



When at the Island of Nooaheevah, my prisoners, while 

 on their parole of honour, made a most diabolical attempt 

 to possess themselves of my prize by means of poison, with 

 a view of making their escape. I detected and secured 

 them ; and when I no longer apprehended further danger, 

 I liberated them. Since my arrival here, I have again 

 found it necessary to secure them, and those on board my 

 prize have been confined two days. 



I have not perhaps, had as long a servitude as Captain 

 Hillyar ; nor was it necessary 1 should, to learn honour and 

 humanity. 1 deem it only necessary to sa}-, that, of the 

 many prisoners who have fallen into my hands since hos- 

 tilities commenced between the United States and Great 

 Britain, none have been confined but for my own security j 

 or otherwise punished but when they deserved it. 



1 have the honour to be, &:c. 

 (Signed) D. PORTEEU 



