indulgence they gladly availed themselves of, as it afforded them the benefit of a little fresh air, than which nothing could have been a greater luxury.
On one of those occasions a noted gaoler, known by the name of Peter, seized the subject of this memoir by the collar, in order to give the preference of going out to a seaman whom he knew. Indignant at this attack upon his person, Lieutenant Carter lost all command of himself, and with his fist knocked the rascal bleeding to the ground, where he lay for some time, vociferating “corporal du garde” with all his might. A file of soldiers soon arrived on the spot, and proceeded to search for the offender, who, listening to the advice of his friends, had in the interval put on a female dress, as the only chance of escaping their vengeance, an assault on a republican being deemed a capital offence, and mercy out of the question. A strict scrutiny ensued; but Lieutenant Carter had the good fortune to elude the enemy’s vigilance, and remain undiscovered in his metamorphosed state, till time and a coup d’argent had had the effect of allaying the resentment of the wretch through whom his life had thus been brought into jeopardy.
It was about this period that the Alexander’s officers resolved to make their distressing situation known to Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse, who commanded the French naval forces at Brest, and to request his interference with the government in their behalf. Accordingly a memorial, drawn up by Lieutenant Carter, and bearing their respective signatures, was forwarded to that officer, whose reply thereto, and their subsequent removal to Quimper on parole, are presumptive proofs that he as an individual ought not to be charged with having contributed to their sufferings[1].
Encouraged by this favorable commencement, Lieutenant Carter now entered into correspondence with other French authorities; and at length, in May 1J95, he was ordered to be exchanged for Mons. la Cosse, an officer of the same rank, who had been captured by Earl Howe on the 1st June, 1794.
On his return to England, in a neutral vessel from Morlaix,
- ↑ For a copy of the French Admiral’s letter see pp. 562 and 563.
