61 1 108 86
These facts ^ Such sanctioned irregularities which for obvious
reasons the Government would
hardly think to parade at the time
and which consequently, and as
affecting the least influential
class of mankind, have all but
dropped into oblivion, would seem
to lend color to strange a a ^ thing which
I heard in my youth from an
old American negro who had
years before ^ served in the British Navy: namely
It was ^ to this^ effect : In the case of a ship
or squadron short of hands and
whose speedy despatch was
sailing was imperative, the
deficient quota would sometimes
be made up eked out by draughts culled
direct from the jails.
61 1 108 86
These facts ^ Such sanctioned irregularities which for obvious
reasons the Government would
hardly think to parade at the time
and which consequently, and as
affecting the least influential
class of mankind, have all but
dropped into oblivion, would seem
to lend color to strange a a ^ thing which
I heard in my youth from an
old American negro who had
years before ^ served in the British Navy: namely
It was ^ to this^ effect : In the case of a ship
or squadron short of hands and
whose speedy despatch was
sailing was imperative, the
deficient quota would sometimes
be made up eked out by draughts culled
direct from the jails.

Transcribed by: John Bryant