From Geo. Hakins et al. (unpublished)
We beg Leave to Acquaint your honour of our Misfortune and
how we are Detained in this Country by the French In An Inhuman
Place Among a Parcel of Thieves &c and has Nothing to Live Upon
but Six Sous a day which we Never was used to Such usage and
to Lie Among the Dirt all Night and to Look thro’ Iron barr’s all
day this is Not the usage they Receive from us In Our Country
we Use them Like Gentlemen and wee receive but to the Contrary
the Way that we Came Into their hands was in an Unfortunate
Sloop belonging to Baltimore bound to One of their Own Ports
Unfortunately a Privateer belonging to the English Came up to
Us and Seeing we Could Not Get away from her we Cast But a
Small Boat and made our Escape into this Dismal Place Little did
we think off being Used So Whilst you Lived in this Country but
being Such a Distance from you they May do What they think
fit—but On Sight we your Poor Countrymen beg’s you Will See
Some Justice Done for us and Send us to Our Own Country your
Compliance to this Will be an addition to the Duty of your Loyal
and True Subjects till Death.