Permission was obtained from the governor for the officers of the Macedonian to visit these prisoners, and to do anything for them for their comfort and convenience, that we thought proper, consistent with the rules of the prison. A lieutenant and four midshipmen visited the prison and found thirty-five Americans, and about as many Englishmen, some of whom, as the report had stated, had been confined there near] v two years; during which time they had not seen daylight. Their cells were lighted by dim lamps, they were much emaciated, and several of their unfortunate companions had died of starvation. They were heavily chained, and scarcely able to crawl, and such were their emotions on seeing these friends, that they cried like children, taking hold of the officer's hands, and nearly devouring them with kisses.
There were some who had not been solono* in confinement, who were young men, on whom the hardships of a Spanish prison had not such a visible effect; there were about twenty of the latter, and to whom our officers communicated the object of their visit. They were all assured that relief, if not liberty, was at hand. This was a happy day with these poor wretches, who, in all probability, would never again have seen the light of the sun, had it not been for this accidental discovery. On the return of the officers to the ship, a contribution was immediately set on foot, and about three hundred dollars in money was raised, besides clothing of every sort, books, paper, pens, slates, and /i quantity of beds, blankets, provisions; in fact everything that could be thought of that would contribute to their comfort.
No distinction was made between English and American, all were claimed as Americans, and received the same protection. When these things were carried to them, their joy knew no hounds. It was necessary to appoint six of the most healthy among the younger, to take charge of the articles, and to see that nothing was wasted. Capt. Downes made a "business of waiting on the Viceroy, in order to effect the release of these unfortunate men. The Viceroy evidently felt that the massacre of the Macedonian's men would be a subject of claim by the United States government, and that by conceding to the demand of Capt, Downes, in delivering up these prisoners, it might in some measure, ameliorate the affair; so he promised Capt.
Downes that he would liberate them on our return to Callao, which would probably be in about three months; in the meantime, they should be removed to a more comfortable part of the prison, should be allowed the open air during the day. These glad tidings put new life in the poor fellows, and when they were told that they would be liberated in three months from our departure, they really felt anxious for us to sail, notwithstanding our visits gave them such joy. And who, that dives into the mystery of human nature, can help seeing a full development of that innate desire for happiness which in many instances, appears a mass of contradictions. As in the case of these poor prisoners; their eyes glistened with joy at the sight of their benefactors, yet they wished them to go, that the time for their emancipation might the sooner come.
I have already mentioned that the merchant ships generally had large amounts of specie on board, and were waiting to be convoyed out by the Macedonian. Specie was prohibited from being taken out of the country, and it required much skill and some risk to get it on board the ships. The manner in which this was done, is as follows: A merchant on shore, wishing to put money on board a ship, notifies a waterman, (who generally has two or more boats in his employ,) that he wishes to put a quantity of dollars, or virgin silver, on board such a ship. The Custom House boats are constantly prowling about for the purpose of making sei/Aircs. These watermen, well understand these fellows, and with few exceptions, generally elude them.
The waterman agrees to put the money on "board for a stipulated premium, he is taken on board the ship and introduced to the captain and mate who are always to be in readiness to receive the money the instant it comes along-side. The waterman now obtains from somewhere three, four, or five thousand dollars, which he carries safely to the ship, where it is counted, and for which he takes a receipt signed by the captain and mate. He takes this receipt to the merchant and receives the amount and premium. This he also carries safely on board, and brings back his receipt, and so on. In this manner no one runs any risk but the boatmen, who often make five thousand dollars on one ship.