_ of the systematic method adopted and practiced for "the destruction of American prisoners," as taken from the New London

- Gazette, from General Washington's letter of complaint to General Howe, and from the verbal statement of the ofiicers and soldiers who have returned from New York, by exchange. They were crowded into the holds of prison ships, wtiere they were almost suffocated for want of air, and into churciies, and open sugar houses, etc., without covering or a spark of tire. Their allowa Carmicliaers Hist, of St. George's Church, p. 28. t Extracted from James FrankUu's Bible.

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256 HISTORY OF THE

mice of provisions and water for three days, was insufficient for one, and in some instances, they were four days entirely destitute of food. The pork and bread, for they had no other sustenance, and even water allowed them were of the worst possible quality, and totally unfit for human beirigs. A minute deiail of their dreadful sulFerings, would only serve to Iiarrow up the feelings of surviving friends. As a gross outrage against the principles of hinuanity, suffice it to say. that in consequence of the most barbarous treatment, died within a few weeks, not less iJian fifteen hundred Auierican soldiers, brave young men, the pride and shield of our country. After deaih had released the sutfererSj their bodies were dragged out of the prisons and piled up without doors, till enough were collected for a cart load, when they were carted out and tumbled into a ditch, and slightly covered witli earth."a