EIS 
situated Bocca Chica, whither a. portion 
ef the prisoners had been sentenced. 
At this-ulace the remainder were to re- 
main, until they could be conveniently 
‘transported to their destined places. 
The prisoners were all piaged between 
the decks, and guarded by about Atty 
soldiers, placed on board, exclusive of 
she ship’s crew, for that purpose. In 
consequence of this guard, it was ex- 
treinely dificult ta putin execetion any 
effectual plan for the purpose of regam- 
tug their liberty, notwithstanding the ex- 
treme indolence of the soldiers, who 
spent the greater part of their time either 
sleeping or smoaking. Several schemes 
were concerted, and all frustrated; pre- 
parations were made at one time for rid- 
ding themseives of their ireps, which was 
to be effected during the mght; when 
they were co rise upon the guard, take 
command of the vessel, and carry her 
into some port where they might eseape. 
Tiad this bold attempt been under- 
taken without success, several lives, no 
doubt, would have been lost. Their si- 
tuation was desperate; and desperate 
means were necessary to be attempted. 
Just before the appointed time arrived, 
they were surprised to see the number 
ef the guard about their persons in- 
creased, themselves examined, and their 
irons thoroughly inspected, ‘This excited 
@ suspicion, that some ene cf their num- 
ber, whose heart failed hin, had betrayed 
thein. 
Two or three at a ume had been per- 
mitted to ge upon deck, durmg the day 
time, and remain an hour cr two in the 
fresh air, These mdulgences were aitri- 
buted to the fear of the commander, of 
being captured by some English vessel 
with whom they might fallin with during 
their voyage, when their severe weatment 
might be retaliated. 
The prisoners, finding they had failed 
in one scheme, had recourse te another. 
Zt was proposed and agreed to, that in 
ease they should not happen to fall inte 
the hands of the English, before they 
should reach Carthagena, one of them, 
‘at a time to be agreed upon, should 
descend into the magazine room, and by 
means of a lighted segar, set fire to the 
“powder, and put an end, at once, to their 
sufferings, by blowing th emselves and the 
vessel out of existence. his scheme met 
with the same ill suceess as the former. 
They were now arrived in sight of Car- 
bs dae aud all hopes of being captured 
or of escape were gone—just as 5 they were 
na sking the port, an English frigate hove in 
“sight, ‘and in full chase after “them—but 
sic was too Jate—an uncemmon fatality 
sc. med to attend ali their prospects of re= 
Account of the Sufferings of the Crem 
[March 1, 
hef. They arrived in Carthagena on the 
17th of August 1806, after avoyage of ter 
days. 
On the next day they were ail taken out 
and marched up through the gate of the 
walls of the Soni and through the town 
to the prison, ready to receive thein. The 
sorrowful appearance tke prisoners made 
in marching along in their irons through 
the town (about 47 in vumber) not having 
any thing upon their heads, but exposed 
to the hot sun—without any thing upon 
their feet, and in rags, drew forth a mul- 
titude of Spaniards to behold them. Sur- 
rounded with men,women, and children, 
at was with diliiculty they could make 
bead-way through them. The shabby ap- 
pearance of the majority of the inhabi- 
tants, shewed, that the prisoners were 
not entirely out of fashion in their tattered 
“dress. 
After arriving at the plaee.of confine; 
ment, they were separated and put inte 
three difterentrooms or holes, almost des- 
titute of the light of the sun—cut of from 
the circulation of the air—hot, filthy, and 
without any thing to rest theiz headsupon 
bat the bare ground. Whilst refiecting 
upon these sorrowful regions of despair, 
they were contorted by the information 
from their keeper, that these were ouly 
temporary places of confinement until 
another one was fitted up. 
The prison which was fitted up 
to receive the prisuners was adjacent 
to, and formed a part of the walls 
of the town, or the walls ef the town 
formed the back walis of the prison—the 
front tacing in upon the town, The walls 
were made of stone and lime, about 12 vr 
13 feet thick—the rooms orcells, m which 
the prisoners were to be conhued, were 
about 90 feet long and abeut 30 wide— 
there were no windows or holes to let in 
light, except through the gratings of the 
door, where the guard was placed—a few 
stall air holes led through the back of the 
prison : and centineis were placed upon 
the top of the prison walls. The floor of 
the prison was made of bricks, which for- 
med the oaly pillows the prisoners had to 
lay their heads upon. To this prison all 
were removed after remaining several 
days in their temporary places of confine= 
ment, except those who were sentenced 
to labour at Bocca Chica; they, were taken 
out and commenced their term of servi- 
tude, of which mention will be made af- 
terwards. This prison, although of a sj- 
milar make to the first, they were happy 
to find, afforded them more room, more 
air, arid more hight. 
They were now reduced to the number 
of twenty-eight, who were all confined it 
one apartment; their irons wer ae 
an 
