October 31. 1777
Today is sunny warm weather after several days of storm. We have been outside in the yard taking the fresh air and sun after confining ourselves to the long prison for the past few days.

October 29. 1777
Mr. Cutler and Mr. Morris made their escape the night before last and have not been heard from since. May they make their way home successfully.

October 18. 1777
The men who came here yesterday brought news that Dr. Franklin who is now in France has been corresponding with the English Ambassador on our behalf to negotiate a prisoner exchange. This is the first hopeful thing I have heard in months and it has raised the spirits of us all.

October 18. 1777
The men who came here yesterday brought news that Dr. Franklin who is now in France has been corresponding with the English Ambassador on our behalf to negotiate a prisoner exchange. This is the first hopeful thing I have heard in months and it has raised the spirits of us all.

October 17. 1777
Seven more American prisoners were brought to the prison today from the Blenheim. Several belonged to the schooner Hawk’s prize and several to the privateer Oliver Cromwell.

Three more lamps in the yards were lighted to make it more difficult for us to escape over the walls undetected in the cover of darkness.

October 16. 1777
Mr. Cutler has taken a census of the prison again and it now stands at:
233 in the Long Prison
17 “ Itchy do.
14 “ Burnells do.
6 “ Hospital.
5 “ Black Hole
For a total of 275 American prisoners.

We were also visited by a Marblehead man who has served on a British Man ‘O War since the beginning of the war and he says that a number of Marbleheaders are on the Blenheim.

October 15. 1777
It is ten months to the day since the Dolton sailed over the bar at Newburyport and all of us wonder what our fate shall be. The Newbury men spent a large part of this day remembering their families and lives before being placed in these current circumstances.

October 14. 1777
Yesterday we were able to buy a seventeen gallon bag of potatoes for much less than they are retailed to us at the gate.

October 12. 1777
The weather has been pleasant for this time of year and reminds me of autumn at home. I have no word from my family and I spend much of my time wondering about their condition.

Yesterday our friend Captain Bowyer of HMS Burford and another captain came to pay a visit with our officers. He is truly one of the most kind gentlemen I have met.

October 5. 1777
One of the prison guards was tried by Court Martial today under suspicion that he took a bribe to allow Capt. Boardman, Captain Lee, Mr. Morris, Mr. Cutler and Mr. Shoemaker out of the itchy ward for their escape. However, the Court could not obtain sufficient evidence against him and he was released. One William Smith who escaped on the 20th of September was returned to the prison this day and committed to the Black Hole. The remainder of the Lexington’s men were brought here today with the exception of the Frenchmen who were also part of the crew.