1T6 



FORTEK'S JOl/RN^AL. 



a violation of the contract on the part of the British, and 

 declared 1 should consider myself a prisoner to Captain 

 Nash, and no longer on my parole. I then offered my 

 sword; assuring the officer, I delivered it with the same 

 feelings I surrendered it to Captain Hillyar. He declined 

 receiving it ; went on board the Saturn ; and returned with 

 the information, that Captain Nash directed the Essex 

 Junior to remain all night under the lee of the Saturn* 

 I then said — I am your prisoner ; 1 do not consider myself 

 any longer bound by my contract with Captain Hillyar, 

 which has thus been violated, and shall act accordingly. 



At 7 the next morning, the wind being light from the 

 southward, and the ships about thirty or forty miles off the 

 eastern part of Long Island, within about musket shot of 

 each other, 1 determined to attempt my escape. There ap- 

 peared no disposition on the part of the enemy to liberate 

 the Essex Junior, and 1 felt myself justified in this measure. 

 A boat was accordingly lowered down, manned and armed ; 

 and I left with Heut. Downes the following message for 

 Capt. Nash : " that Captain Porter was now satisfied, that 

 most British officers were not only destitute of honour, but 

 regardless of the honour of each other ; that he was armed, 

 and prepared to defend himself against his boats, if sent in 

 pursuit of him ; and that he must be met, if met at all, as 

 an enemy." I now pulled off from the ship, keeping the 

 Essex Junior in a direct line between my boat and the 

 Saturn, and got nearly gun shot from her before they dis- 

 covered me. At that instant, a fresh breeze sprang up, 

 and the Saturn made all sail after us. Fortunately, how- 

 ever, a thick fog came on, upon which I changed my 

 course, and entirely eluded further pursuit. During the 

 fog, I heard a firing; and on its clearing up, saw the 

 Saturn in chase of the Essex Junior; which vessel was 

 soon brought to. After rowing and sailing about sixty 

 miles, I at last succeeded, with much difficulty and hazard, 

 in reaching the town of Babylon, on Long Island, where, 

 being strongly suspected of being a British officer, I was 

 closely interrogated ; and, my story appearing rather ex- 

 traordinary, was not credited. But on showing my com- 

 mission, all doubts were removed, and from that moment^ 

 all united in affording me the most liberal hospitality. 



Oa my arrival by land at New- York, the reception 



