No record has been found of the precise distribution in the town and the surrounding villages of the 100 prisoners registered as on parole in Peterborough. On 25th November 1797 the whole of the prisoners on parole in England were ordered, without any distinction of rank whatever, to be imprisoned at Norman Cross. For the sick and the baggage, covered conveyances were provided. The others of all ranks marched to the Depot, some of them hundreds of miles. This step was taken in part fulfilment of the threat already referred to in Chapter V., which had been held out against the French as a means of compelling them to clothe their own countrymen in the English prisons, and to withdraw their opposition to certain proposals of the English Government as to the terms of Exchange, and especially as to the restoration of Captain Sir Sydney Smith, whose liberation no expostulations of the Government could obtain. In the later plans of the Depot is seen one block in the south-east quadrangle fenced off for the officers’ prison. It was probably in this block, or in No. 13 in the north-eastern quadrangle, that Jean de la Porte executed his wonderful straw marquetry pictures. At what date the order for the reincarceration of the officers was cancelled has not been ascertained, but it is certain that their close confinement was not of long duration, and that the privileges of parole were soon restored. This was, however, not the only occasion when such an order was issued, and when the prisoners on parole were placed in close confinement. Parole was very frequently broken by the French officers, and a considerable number were successful in making their escape. Those who failed to do so or were recaptured were severely treated. In extreme cases, such as repeated breaking of parole, officers were sent to the hulks. A cadet of the _Utrecht_, Dutch man-of-war, who broke his parole at Tenterden, when recaptured was sent to the hulks at Chatham. Unless there had been some gross misconduct, this punishment cannot fail to be regarded by some as unduly harsh. On the other hand, it must not be forgotten that the full term was _parole d’honneur_. The word of honour of an officer was assumed to be of a specially binding character; the poor, ignorant soldier or sailor was not trusted, the officer was, because his “word of honour” was deemed binding. In addition, the officer signed a document corresponding to the following parole paper, which was the form used for a prisoner restored on parole to France. This constituted a legal document. _Form of Parole Engagement_.