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War of 1812. Two important prisoner-of-

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 350.00 USD
War of 1812. Two important prisoner-of-
War of 1812. Two important prisoner-of-war letters from an impressed prisoner: 1) From Benjamin Kinsley on Nassau Prison Ship, to his mother, Mar. 2, 1814, 1 -1/3 pp. From the prison ship Gillingham, near Chatham, England, to Mrs. Kinsley in Lincoln County, Mass. "...I have been a prisoner of war ever since the war broke out. I have written upwards of 20 letters to my friends requesting them to send out documents such as a Certificate of my birth as well as a protection which unless I can obtain I shall never get my discharge." Has not received any. "I who have so often applied can not receive a scratch of a pen...This letter will be the last one that I shall send...." Refers to incorrect information that he had entered a Man of War, "which was false...It was through (Capt.) Powers that I was impressed...I am determined if I live to return home to have satisfaction...." 2) A second A.L.S. from Kinsley, to Charles Miller, brother-in-law, Oct. 12, 1814, 2 pp. From Dartmoor Prison, where he was brought two months previously. "...Have been nearly 2 years in prison during which time I have written you a number of letters...but have never received any answer...We cannot get any intelligence from the United States to know how long we are to be Confined in this miserable place...Our Agent in London...never comes to see us...It is enough to make one curse all Governments...There are about 2500 men here which have been surrendered from British Men of War, & about as many prisoners of other descriptions but none to be Exchanged but Statesmen & Soldiers." More on burning of Washington. All mail, in and out, censored. Each with circular date stamp, Washington and Norfolk, respectively. Each letter with typed transcript. Fine.