Two weeks later the Captain addressed to his friends, “Messrs. Edes and Sons, Printers, Boston,” a moving appeal for help in the following words:
“Jersey Prison Ship, New York Harbor,
“Dec. 7th, 1782.
“Mr. Edes,
“Dear Friend:
“I write you a few lines to inform you of my miserable situation, and at the same time to beg your assistance. I am again by the fortune of War thrown into the Enemies’ hands, where our scanty allowance is not sufficient to support nature, and part of that we are cheated out of. I had the promise of a Gentleman’s friendship at York, to get me Paroled or Exchanged but find that Admiral Digby is so inveterate against Privateersmen that he’ll not allow any Paroles. Therefore, Sir, I most earnestly intreat of you to use your influence with Maj. Hopkins to send to Mr. Sproat Commissioner of Prisoners at New York, for Mr. John Stone and me, which he may do very easily, and pray send in the first Flag some British Prisoner to release me. I suppose my Brother has arrived and brought some in.”
Some happy shift of fortune seems to have bettered the situation of the prisoner in January of 1783, for he wrote to his wife in a wholly different strain to inform her of his deliverance from “that horrid pit” below the decks of the prison ship. Although still confined aboard the Jersey, he was able to say:
“My Dear, my situation is greatly altered. I am aft with a gentleman where I want for nothing, but live on the best, with good Tea night and morning and fresh meat every day. In short I am used like a gentleman in every respect both by Mr. Emery and his wife. Indeed, my Dear, I am happy in getting from between decks, out of that horrid pit where nothing but Horror is to be seen. My duty to my Mother, love to my Brothers and Sisters, and hope ere long to enjoy your agreeable company.
Your affectionate husband,
“Wm. Russell.”
On March 21, 1783, after more than six months of this second term of imprisonment, the influence and persistency of his friends in Boston obtained for him a three months’ parole.[21] Without going home William Russell at once endeavored to repair his shattered fortunes by embarking in a “venture” aboard a merchant vessel in order that he might return to Boston with money for the support of his family. The following letters to his wife explain his plans and purposes. He had obtained passage from New York to New Haven in the Lady’s Adventure, the same merchant vessel which had fetched him from Plymouth six months before. Her Master, Captain Humble, proved himself a staunch friend of our most unfortunate but undaunted seafarer. Writing from New Haven on March 23, 1783, William Russell told his wife:
“New Haven, Connecticut, 23d March, 1783.
“Mrs. Russell:
“By the assistance of good friends I am once more in the land of Freedom and Independence, for which I’ve fought, Bled and Suffered as much as any without exception on the Continent, but the greatest of my concern has (as ever) been for you and our little ones.
“On the 20th inst. Capt. D. Adams came on board the Lady’s Adventurer (Capt. Humble) with an order from the Admiral for me. You can’t think the joy I must feel (without you had been in my place) on seeing my townsman, my Captain and Friend. True friendship is never known till we are in adversity, and then experience the assistance of the Advocate, who steps forward to our defence. Capt. Adams has been at great cost in getting me from New York, and I have no way to make satisfaction without my remaining on Board his vessel will effect it. Our circumstances are such that for me to come home with my fingers in my mouth would be of little consolation to those who have been without my help for almost four years. Therefore I think it my duty to try what I can do, and hope by the assistance of Capt. Adams to obtain a small Adventure and try my luck at a Merchant Voyage, and if Fortune smiles, expect to see you in a short time.
“I recover my health slowly, and hope that Salt water will do what the Physician could not effect.
“I am grieved at not hearing from you. Though out of sight, and the enjoyment of liberty might make you forgetful, I’m not so.”
(To Mrs. Mary Russell, Cambridge.)
“Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 16, 1783.
“I doubt not you thought it strange I did not come home when Paroled from New York, but the fever left me so low I could not stand the fatigues of so long a journey, and at the same time was destitute of money to support me on the road.
“Capt. Daniel Adams gave me a kind offer to go with him and laid me in a Venture which don’t at present seem to succeed so well as I would wish. However, I shall bring you home something for yourself and hope to see you soon. I desire if any person should make any inquiry where we are, you would answer at the Eastwd. for I don’t know whether the trade is opened among you or not. However, we are not the only vessel that’s here from the Thirteen States.
“We are treated very politely by his Excellency, and the Inhabitants, and I’ve a number of old friends here, and shall give you an acct. of them on my return.”
During the summer of 1783, William Russell returned to Cambridge, broken in health, with a scanty reward from his trading venture. He tried to gather together enough pupils to form a small school in his living quarters at the “Light House Tavern,” Cambridge. This endeavor was short-lived, for he was fast wasting with consumption. He died in the spring following his return from the sea whereon he had suffered greatly for his Country. He was no more than thirty-five years old when his untimely end came, but his life was exceedingly worth while even though it was his lot rather to endure than to achieve. Nor could he have desired any more worthy obituary, nor wished to preach a more inspiring doctrine to later generations of free-born Americans than was voiced in these words sent to his wife from Old Mill Prison, England, one hundred and twenty-six years ago:
“I think many in the Yard will enter into the King’s service. And I should myself, was it not that (by so doing) I must sell my Country, and that which is much more dearer to me, yourself and my children, but I rely wholly on God, knowing He will deliver me in His own good time.”
FOOTNOTES:
[19] “Mr. Laurens having been constituted one of the five Commissioners to negotiate a Peace, the New Administration consulted with Mr. Laurens, and after the first conference he was released from his Parole, as well as his securities. Earl Cornwallis was released from his parole in consideration of the favors granted Mr. Laurens.” (From a London Newspaper of May 8th, 1782.)
In a letter from Sir Guy Carelton and Admiral Digby to General Washington, dated at New York August 2, 1782, they stated:
“With respect to Mr. Laurens we are to acquaint you that he has been discharged from all engagements without any conditions whatever; after which he declared of his own accord, that he considered Lord Cornwallis as free from his Parole.”
[20] “In the month of July, 1782, four privateers, two of them, the Hero and the Hope of Salem, attacked Lunenburg in Nova Scotia. They landed ninety men who marched to the town against a heavy discharge of musketry, burnt the commander’s dwelling and a blockhouse. Their opponents retreated to another blockhouse upon which one of the privateers brought her guns to bear and forced them to surrender. The captors carried a considerable quantity of merchandise to their vessel and ransomed the town for one thousand pounds sterling. The Americans had three wounded.” (From Felt’s “Annals of Salem.”)
[21] The following is the text of the parole issued, granted to William Russell:
“We the Subscribers, having been captured in American Vessels and brought into this Port, hereby acknowledge ourselves Prisoners of War to the King of Great Britain; and having permission from His Excellency, Rear Admiral Digby, Commander in Chief, etc., etc., etc., to go to Rhode Island, Do Pledge our Faith and most Sacredly promise upon our Parole of Honour that we will not do, say, or write, or cause to be done, said, or written, directly or indirectly, in any Respect whatever, anything to the Prejudice of His Majesty’s Service; and that we will return to this Place unless Exchanged in three Months from the date hereof, and deliver up again to the Commissary General for Naval Prisoners, or to the Person acting for or under him; And do further promise upon our Honour that we will not in future enter on Board, or otherwise be concerned in an American Privateer.
“In Testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands and Seals, at New York, this 21st day of March, 1783.
“Present
Wm. Russell (seal)
“Wm. Weir
Samuel Thompson (seal)
“Bachus, a Negro Boy, their Servant, is also to go with them.
“These are to certify that the above is a true Copy of the Original Parole, signed by the Persons above named and filed in this Office; and that they have leave to pass by the way of Long Island to Connecticut.
“Commisary’s Office for Naval Prisoners at New York.
“March 21, 1783.
“To Whom it may Concern.
Thos. D. Hewlings,
“D. C. M. P.