[page 278]


210.

210.

But when a soldier had new shoes or new stockings, or other items that he had not yet worn, this was considered merchandise and was taken from him. When all was finished we were able to repack our equipment. Then they designated a place for us to sleep and stay during the journey and until our arrival on the island of Jamaica, where we became prisoners and where we had many other comrades[362].

Wann aber ein Soldat neue Schuh oder Strimpf hatte oder sonste neue Montierung die noch niemals ange-than ware wurde auch weggenommen vor Kauffmans- Waar. Sobald dieses alles vorbey ware konten wir unsre Equipage wiedrum einpacken : Alsdann wurde uns unser Platz im Schiff angewiessen zum schlaffen und unsrem taglichen Auffenthalt biß wir nach der Insel Jamaica geführet wurden und alda in Gefangenschafft gesetzt, allwo wir noch mehr Camraden bekammen.

As for our keep as prisoners, it was rather good as long as we were on the ship, but as soon as we were on land it worsened every day. The quarters were not the best either. As for freedoms, we had nothing to complain about, we were not deprived in any way. Thus, we could, from 6 o’clock in the morning until 6 o’clock in the evening, come and go alone and freely on the island in order to observe the plants[363]. When we received our food, a French secretary was present; the food was distributed every 8 days, every Monday they gave us our ration for 8 days and we did our best to make it last.

Was unsre Lebens-[Mittel] als Gefangne anbelangt waren die Zeit als wir auf dem Schiff waren zimmlich gut, sobald wir aber auf dem Land waren wurden sie von Tag zu Tag schlechter. Das Quartier ware auch nicht zum besten. Über die Freyheit konten wir nicht klagen daran hatte es uns nicht gefehlt. Sondern wir konten von morgens 6 Uhr biß abends 6 gehen wo wir wolten gantz allein franck und frey auf der Insel herum, die fremde Gewächse zu be-trachten. Allemal wann wir unsre Lebens Mittel bekamen ware ein französischer Secretarias dabey ; wir hatten nur alle 8 Tage Distribution, alle Montag gabe man uns unsre Lebens-[Mittel] auf 8 Tage lang da-mit konten wir uns durchschlagen so gut als wir konten.

[réclame]

die

https://gallica.bnf.fr/iiif/ark:/12148/btv1b10110846m/f140/pct:0,0,50,100/,700/0/native.jpg

Strasbourg, Médiathèque André Malraux, ms f 15, p. 278.

[agrandir]


 Notes

362. In the eighteenth century, agreements between two countries were signed to determine the fate of prisoners of war, most often at the very start of the confrontations. These texts, which defined the conditions for prisoner exchanges, aimed to limit the period of captivity. Cf. Anonymous, Carte de l’île de la Jamaïque, map, 1781 [reproduction en ligne - Gallica].
363. Note the contrast here between the description of the flora and fauna in Virginia or Venezuela and the simple mention of nature on this island. If Flohr himself had gone there, he would have described at least some of the “uncommon vegetation” (page 279). On the other hand, even though he did not describe an island he had not seen, Flohr still produced an illustration of Kingston and Spanishtown that he inserted into his account like the others: “The island of Jamaica can be seen on the following page, etc.” (page 280).