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[Page 8]
at least for a time during the last war in regard to the American prisoners, who had eight ounces less of bread than the prisoners of France confined in the same prison. In consequence of this the Americans petitioned parliament, & the Duke of Richmond presented their petition. By the documents published on that occasion, it appears that their allowance as to bread was the same as the present reduced allowance of the French, but that they had of meal four ounces more per diem. Yet at that time there were land clamours, & private charity was largely admitted. It does not appear so far as I know that the Americans were particularly unhealthy: and perhaps the allowance to the French at present might have been reduced as low with proper attention.
The vices of these miserable Frenchmen are supposed to contribute to their disease & death. On this Subject it is almost impossible to speak without emotions of disgust and horror. To such vices they were always I presume addicted, & they did not prevent their enjoying health & even vigour under the usual allowance to prisoners of war. That many of their number enjoy health under the present allowance is true. Such as have money may have additional provisions I believe at all the depots. Previous to the Commissioners coming down I had collected an account of the provisions bought by the prisoners themselves at our Goal here. The turnkey was their Agent, & had kept an account. They amounted to a surprising quantity - for the year 1800,