Besides the remittances from France, the Prisoners are allowed to sell any kinds of their own manufactures; Straw Hats (which would interfere with the Revenue) and Articles made from Stores excepted, by which means some have been known to earn and to carry off on their Release more than a Hundred Guineas each. This with an open Market as above mentioned operates much to their advantage and Comfort and they show their satisfaction in the Habits of Cheerfulness peculiar to themselves. The Prisoners have free access to the several Apartments from the opening of the Prison in the morning until they are shut up on the approach of night with the exception only of the times when they are fumigating or cleansing for the preservation of Health. Six Prisoners chosen by the body at large have access to the Cook rooms every morning when the Provisions are brought in that they may witness to their full weight and object to any deficiency. In case of sickness the patients are immediately removed under the direction of the Medical people, to the Hospital and supplied with the necessary assistance. Nothing can exceed the cleanliness and decency of the Hospitals. * * * * * _Translation_ LONDON _Brumaire_ 9_th Year of the French Republic_, 4_th November_ 1800 _The Commissary of the French Republic in England_, _to the Commissioners of the Transport Office_. GENTLEMEN, I have just received the honour of your letter of the 1st of November in answer to mine of the 29th October. I shall immediately communicate it to my Government. In making mention of the deplorable situation to which the Prisoners are reduced you appear to think that I have given no answer to the Communications you made to me respecting the very censurable practise of such of them as risk the loss of their Rations in Gambling. I request that you will refer to my letter of the 2nd of May in which you will find the following Paragraph. “I entirely approve of the Punishment you propose to inflict upon those who according to the information you have sent me, deal in Provisions; and I beg that you will communicate to me a list of the Persons guilty of this conduct. It even appears necessary in order that the Punishment may be the more felt, to separate them from their comrades and to collect them in a Depot for this purpose.” I have written to the Secretaries at the different Depots to the above effect, and I Have procured authority from the Minister to treat with the utmost severity those who made a traffic of the Rations of their comrades. I have done in this respect every thing my situation will admit of my doing, but until I shall know, who are the guilty it will be impossible for me to punish them. I have the honour to be, &c., (Signed) OTTO. APPENDIX E