ENGLAND'S EXILES.

CHAPTER I.

Inspection of the prisoners-Embarkation-First address.

THE instructions of the Admiralty require, that before prisoners are removed from the prisons or hulks in which they have been confined, to the transport which is to convey them to the colonies, they should be carefully inspected by the surgeonsuperintendent, in order to prevent the embarkation of any, whose health is in such a state, as to render a long voyage hazardous to their lives.

In conducting this inspection, it is necessary, as painful experience has taught me, that the medical officer be minute and searching in his inquiries and observations; lest he should be imposed upon, and men be embarked, who are likely to fall victims to the voyage, or to die from its effects soon after its accomplishment. Although I have myself used every precaution, and solemnly warned the prisoners themselves against attempting to deceive me, faithfully stating to them the probable

consequences of such conduct; yet I have never been able to prevent the embarkation of some individuals, whom I afterwards, when too late, discovered to be quite unfit to perform a long voyage, in a crowded ship.

The inspection having been completed, the prisoners are, when practicable, assembled before me, and receive a solemn and faithful address, the object of which is, deeply to impress them with just views of the deplorable position in which they have placed themselves, by violating the laws of God and of their country,—of the state of mind which now becomes them,-and the manner in which their embarkation ought to be conducted; to acquaint them with the system of instruction and discipline which will be pursued during the voyage; to show them the improvement they ought to make of their punishment, and that they are now required to turn from all iniquity unto God, and cheerfully to avail themselves of the opportunity of becoming useful members of society, and blessings to one another, and to the colony to which they are destined.

Before the prisoners are sent on board, certain preparations are made for their reception: for example, all the mattresses are stamped with numbers, in regular order, from 1 up to the total number of prisoners to be embarked. Each mattress has its little pillow firmly tacked to one end, and such as are designed for hospital use are directed to be marked with the letter H. The

water-kegs, kits, and wooden platters, are likewise ordered to have carved upon each of them the number of the mess to which they are to be respectively assigned. The importance of these and similar apparently trivial arrangements can only be known by experience.

The moment the prisoners are mustered on board the transport, and the usual receipts signed, they are requested to put intelligible marks upon their knives and all cutting instruments, as well as on other articles which accompanied them from the hulks or prisons, and to deliver all over into the charge of the chief mate. The prisoners are then made acquainted with their new or "ship's number;" and the whole of them are disposed of in their respective sleeping-berths, when each receives his mattress and blanket. Eight are allotted to each berth, four at top and four at bottom; when there are boys, they are separated from the men, and disposed of in the place assigned to them.

It is most desirable to have all the messes formed previously to the embarkation or removal of the prisoners from the prisons or hulks, and likewise as many of the petty officers appointed as possible; in short, to have the organization advanced as far as circumstances will admit.

Immediately after the embarkation of the prisoners, or as soon after as possible, the whole body being assembled on the quarter-deck, and the

guard drawn up on the poop, the following, or some other suitable address, is delivered:

Address to the Prisoners immediately on their Embarkation, and before they are permitted to quit the Quarter-deck.

ence.

This day commences a new era in your existThe moment you set your feet on the decks you now occupy, you came under the operation, and I trust will speedily come under the influence, of a system which contemplates you as intellectual and moral beings; as beings who are capable of making great attainments; who necessarily exert an incalculable influence, good or bad, upon each other, upon mankind, and upon the moral universe; as beings, moreover, who can never cease to exist, and to exist in a state of perfect happiness or of unutterable wretchedness. The present moment is the link which connects the past with the future;-a moment calculated to bring the past most vividly to your recollection, to awaken in your bosoms a deep and an anxious solicitude respecting your future career and your future experience;—a moment, so full of intense interest to you and to me-so pregnant with result to every individual now before me, that I feel it difficult to. determine what points of consideration I ought to select, and press on your understandings and your hearts. It is your advantage, your

individual, present, and everlasting welfare, that I now desire to seek; and, perhaps, you cannot, at this instant, be more profitably exercised, than in honestly and solemnly calling up to your recollection the days of your life that are gone.

Permit me, then, to ask you, in order that you may put the question, every one of you, secretly to himself, What views do you now entertain of your past life?

What think you of the period of your infancywhen you hung a helpless, and, as it respects guilt personally contracted, a guiltless babe on your mother's breast-the tender object of a mother's care; over whom, with sleepless solicitude, she watched day and night, and with an anxiety only known to the faithful mother? Can you think on the fond embraces of a mother's love, and on the unutterable feelings awakened in a mother's bosom, when she gazed with delight on the child of her affection,—I ask, is there a man or a boy now before me, who can thus think on the days of his infancy, and compare them with the present moment, and his heart remain unmoved? Do you now consider how your father and your mother laboured and toiled, to procure, with the sweat of their brow, bread for you to eat, raiment for you to put on, a bed for you to sleep upon, and a house to shelter you from the cold, and the rain, and the storm? Can you remember all this, and not put to your own hearts the question, How have I requited my parents' labour, their solicitude, their love?