people at Presque Isle, but from various causes this year the settlement will be small. The Connecticut Company are on their Reserve only 22 miles beyond us, and all are healthy and in good spirits."

It is to be presumed that this promising prospect proved disappointing, and that John Russell had not the bent of the successful frontiersman. Two years later, in 1798, he is in Virginia and embarking upon the first voyage of a seafaring career which was to continue almost unbroken until his death in 1814 at the early age of forty-four. What were the risks our sailors and merchants faced in the years when the French, in our unofficial war with the "Terrible Republic," were cruelly harassing our feeble marine are pictured in the following letter from John Russell to his father:

CHARLESTON, (S. C.,) Jan. 19th, 1798.

"DEAR AND RESPECTED SIR:

I think it uncertain whether you have heard anything from me since I left Virginia in the month of August. I then informed you of the particulars of my Southern journey and how, to secure my own Debt, I was induced to take a share in a Brig and Cargo-bound to the West Indies. I sailed soon after from the river Potomac bound to Cape Nicholas Mole-the Brig and Cargo worth eleven thousand dollars-one half of which was my own, and the remainder consigned to me as super-cargo. After being out fourteen days we were taken by a French privateer-myself and a boy were put on board the privateer

without being allowed to take any clothes with me. Brig was ordered to Cape Francois.

Our

After being ten days on the Privateer—she having weakened herself by manning prizes and having only 10 men on board-I, with two other prisoners and two boys, concerted a plan to take possession of the privateer, in which we happily succeeded, and stood for Jamaica. But twelve hours after we unfortunately fell in with another French Privateer, of large force, who, on sending their boat on board, discovered our situation, and soon turned the ta

bles upon us. I will not attempt to detail the long series

of cruel treatment which succeeded.

In three days I was landed and closely confined at Petit Ance, opposite to Cape Francois. Three weeks I was in irons, among filth and dirt, sickness and death; upon a very small allowance of bad provisions. At length I was released on the 27th of Novr. In the mean time the Brig and Cargo were condemned, and when I was liberated, I had no clothes and not a shilling.

I took passage in a sloop bound to Norfolk in Virginia, where I arrived on the 30th of Decr. I had reason to expect that the gentleman who owned the other half of the Brig, was now at this place, which induced me to take passage in a packet, which arrived here on the 8th Inst. I was disappointed in not finding him. I felt my situation distressing enough, among strangers-without money and without clothes. To complete my Misfortunes I have been arrested for a debt, due in Phila., and am now in Jail at this place. A Capt. Thomas Bunce, of

Rocky hill-Master of a sloop, very generously furnished me with twenty five Dollars, with which assistance I will be at Liberty in five days from this. For that sum I have ventured to give him an order on you, and hope when you recollect my peculiarly wretched situation, you will not refuse to pay it. Indeed, I believe there is more than that sum due me, as I had a note against you for five pound, which has been many years on interest, and as I never did call on you for any assistance and should be sorry Capt. Bunce should lie out of his money, I hope you will leave that sum with my aunt Robbins, agreeable to Capt. Bunce's request. My brother Benjamin has heard nothing of me since I sailed for the West Indies. Poor Lad! How he has fared in that western country, I know not. Had I made a successful voyage it would have laid the foundation of a fortune for him and me too. I have much anxiety for his situation. But my own misfortunes have wellnigh distracted me.

(The following mutilated letter is endorsed "March 22nd, 1798," and addressed as the preceding.)

have neglected writing until I could inform you what I was going about. I have an offer to go to St. Thomas, one of the Danish W. Indies, and expect to sail this day. I have a prospect of making something if the voyage succeeds, and in my situation I was glad to accept of any business. You may rest assured, my Dear Father, that poor and unfortunate as I am, your son has not disgraced himself. No-though entirely a stranger here, I

have received the countenance and friendship of some of the best men in the place. It would have afforded me the highest satisfaction could I have heard from you before I again quit the Continent—and in particular from my good brother Benjamin. But I never shall think

of returning to the Northward until I am enabled to fullfill those engagements into which I have entered and to realize those expectations which my friends have formed of me. This, I have no doubt, I shall do, if I have health, and I never enjoyed better than at present. I have a thousand things to attend to this day. Accept my Duty, and Love to you all, and believe me to be Dear Sir, Your very affectionate son, JOHN W. RUSSELL.

N. B. I sail in the
Schooner called the
Eliza, of Charleston,

Capt. Combs."

ST. THOMAS (W. I.), August 12th, 1798.

"DEAR AND RESPECTED SIR:

I wrote you on my departure from Norfolk and mentioned my destination to this port. I am very happy to have it in my power to inform you of my safe arrival. I have been here about four weeks, and have sold the Schooner I came out in. The present critical situation of affairs is such, and almost every vessel being unwilling to take letters, you will readily conceive why I do not write you more particularly. That I am in good health and have good prospects before me, I am sure will add

to your happiness. And to increase that happiness in any manner, will always be the favorite wish of my heart. Nothing could give me greater pleasure than once more to hear of the welfare of those dear friends I left behind me, but unsettled as I am at present it is a happiness I cannot expect. But my most ardent prayers will always be breathed to Heaven, to crave its protection and blessing on the heads of my dear and respected Parents. I expect to proceed from hence to one of the Windward Islands, and shall lose no opportunity of writing to you. This goes in a Danish Brig by way of Boston. My love to my brothers and sisters. I am, with duty and affection,

Your son,

JOHN W. RUSSELL."