Newspaper cuttings for 1815.
Caledonian Mercury 19 January 1815
The immense depot at Dartmoor being nearly full of American prisoners, the Ganges, of 74 guns, in Hamoaze, has been commissioned as a prison ship, and the command given to Lieut. Spratt.
The immense depot at Dartmoor being nearly full of American prisoners, the Ganges, of 74 guns, in Hamoaze, has been commissioned as a prison ship, and the command given to Lieut. Spratt.
Morning Chronicle 7 February 1815
BREACH OF PAROLE OF HONOUR.
TRANSPORT OFFICE, FEB. 6, 1815.
WHERES the Two AMERICAN PRISONERS of WAR, named and described at the foot here-of, have absconded from Ashburton, Devon, on the 3rd instant, in violation of their Parole of Honour; the Commissioners for conducting his Majesty's Transport Service, &c. do hereby offer a Reward of TEN GUINEAS for the Recapture of each of the said Prisoners, to any Person or Persons who shall apprehend them and deliver them at this Office, or otherwise cause them to be securely lodged in any of the Public Gaols. : - TUNES TUNISON, Master, 35 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, stout made, oval visage, dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. KELBY SMITH, Mate of a merchant vessel, 27 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, stout made, long visage, dark complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes. And further, a Reward of One Guinea, on the recapture of each of the undermentioned Prisoners, who escaped from Dartmoor Prison on the 3rd instant : Caleb R. Holmes, seaman, 25 years of age, 5 feet 9 ½ inches high, stout made, and scar on little finger of right hand. John Langford, prize master, 25 years of age, 5 feet 5 ½ inches high, stout made, oval visage, fair complexion, brown hair, and hazel eyes.
BREACH OF PAROLE OF HONOUR.
TRANSPORT OFFICE, FEB. 6, 1815.
WHERES the Two AMERICAN PRISONERS of WAR, named and described at the foot here-of, have absconded from Ashburton, Devon, on the 3rd instant, in violation of their Parole of Honour; the Commissioners for conducting his Majesty's Transport Service, &c. do hereby offer a Reward of TEN GUINEAS for the Recapture of each of the said Prisoners, to any Person or Persons who shall apprehend them and deliver them at this Office, or otherwise cause them to be securely lodged in any of the Public Gaols. : - TUNES TUNISON, Master, 35 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches high, stout made, oval visage, dark complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. KELBY SMITH, Mate of a merchant vessel, 27 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, stout made, long visage, dark complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes. And further, a Reward of One Guinea, on the recapture of each of the undermentioned Prisoners, who escaped from Dartmoor Prison on the 3rd instant : Caleb R. Holmes, seaman, 25 years of age, 5 feet 9 ½ inches high, stout made, and scar on little finger of right hand. John Langford, prize master, 25 years of age, 5 feet 5 ½ inches high, stout made, oval visage, fair complexion, brown hair, and hazel eyes.
Plymouth And Devonport Weekly Journal February 18 1815
PLYMOUTH
INHUMAN MURDER. - On Thursday last, the wife of a farmer, of the name of Metters, of Whitechurch, was murdered by her servant man, whilst Mr. Metters was attending the Plymouth market. The wretch struck her over the head with a hook, called a round hook, and afterwards conveyed the body into the outhouse, and covered it with some loose straw; he then plundered the house of several pounds in money, and some silver spoons, with which he absconded. He was soon afterwards apprehended at a public house, at Prince Town, Dartmoor, and is now in custody. Mrs. Metters had five children, neither of whom was in the house at the time, and her body was first discovered by one of her neighbours. When the villain was apprehended he had on part of Mr. M.'s clothes, and did not in the least attempt escape ; no reason has as yet been assigned for the atrocious deed.
PLYMOUTH
INHUMAN MURDER. - On Thursday last, the wife of a farmer, of the name of Metters, of Whitechurch, was murdered by her servant man, whilst Mr. Metters was attending the Plymouth market. The wretch struck her over the head with a hook, called a round hook, and afterwards conveyed the body into the outhouse, and covered it with some loose straw; he then plundered the house of several pounds in money, and some silver spoons, with which he absconded. He was soon afterwards apprehended at a public house, at Prince Town, Dartmoor, and is now in custody. Mrs. Metters had five children, neither of whom was in the house at the time, and her body was first discovered by one of her neighbours. When the villain was apprehended he had on part of Mr. M.'s clothes, and did not in the least attempt escape ; no reason has as yet been assigned for the atrocious deed.
Plymouth And Devonport Weekly Journal February 25 1815
PLYMOUTH.
On the 19th inst. an inquest was held by Mr. Whitford, on Samuel Robinson, an American prisoner of war at Dartmoor prison, who died suddenly. Verdict - Died by the visitation of God.
PLYMOUTH.
On the 19th inst. an inquest was held by Mr. Whitford, on Samuel Robinson, an American prisoner of war at Dartmoor prison, who died suddenly. Verdict - Died by the visitation of God.
Morning Post 1 March 1815
?? CAVENDISH, respecting the regiment of Derbyshire Militia, stated, that it had marched to Banbury, from thence to Plymouth and Dartmoor Barracks, where it was at present stationed.
?? CAVENDISH, respecting the regiment of Derbyshire Militia, stated, that it had marched to Banbury, from thence to Plymouth and Dartmoor Barracks, where it was at present stationed.
Bristol Mirror 4 March 1815
The East Middlesex Militia, 1000 strong, are on their mares from Liverpool to London to be immediately disbanded. The Second Somerset have arrived at Bath, to be disbanded. The First Somerset, under the command of Major Jolliffe, are on their march to Dartmoor Depot, to relieve the Derby.
The East Middlesex Militia, 1000 strong, are on their mares from Liverpool to London to be immediately disbanded. The Second Somerset have arrived at Bath, to be disbanded. The First Somerset, under the command of Major Jolliffe, are on their march to Dartmoor Depot, to relieve the Derby.
Exeter Flying Post 6 April 1815
COURT BARON of His Royal Highness George Augustus Prince of Wales & Duke of Cornwall.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a GENERAL COURT BARON will be held, for the Manor of LIDFORD and Forest of DARTMOOR, at Prince Town, on Thursday the 13th day of April instant, at twelve o'clock.
Dated. -Moretonhampetead the 5th April, 1815. EDWD. MARTIN, Deputy Steward.
COURT BARON of His Royal Highness George Augustus Prince of Wales & Duke of Cornwall.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a GENERAL COURT BARON will be held, for the Manor of LIDFORD and Forest of DARTMOOR, at Prince Town, on Thursday the 13th day of April instant, at twelve o'clock.
Dated. -Moretonhampetead the 5th April, 1815. EDWD. MARTIN, Deputy Steward.
Bristol Mirror 8 April 1815
The number of the American prisoners of war at Dartmouth Depot is almost 6000. It is reported, among them, that two American 74's (new) and every seaworthy frigate in the American service may be shortly expected at Plymouth, to take on board volunteers for an expedition against the piratical states of Barbary. From the weight of metal and great number of guns these nominal 74’s, and from the great number of volunteers which will man them from Dartmoor, a signal and much merited chastisement of these freebooters may be expected. The American seventy-fours mount 106 guns each!
The number of the American prisoners of war at Dartmouth Depot is almost 6000. It is reported, among them, that two American 74's (new) and every seaworthy frigate in the American service may be shortly expected at Plymouth, to take on board volunteers for an expedition against the piratical states of Barbary. From the weight of metal and great number of guns these nominal 74’s, and from the great number of volunteers which will man them from Dartmoor, a signal and much merited chastisement of these freebooters may be expected. The American seventy-fours mount 106 guns each!
Windsor and Eton Express 9 April 1815
On Thursday, the 8th inst., the American prisoners at Dartmoor became most outrageous, and endeavoured to break out of prison in a body; the military were at last obliged to fire on them, by which 6 were killed, and about 30 wounded, before order was restored. This conduct on the part of the prisoners is stated to have arisen by being kept in prison so long after the ratification of the Treaty of Peace; vessels not having been provided by the American Government to carry them home, and the prisoners having an idea that they are intentionally detained in order to man some American ships of war expected to arrive here on their passage to the Mediterranean, to act against the Algerines.
On Thursday, the 8th inst., the American prisoners at Dartmoor became most outrageous, and endeavoured to break out of prison in a body; the military were at last obliged to fire on them, by which 6 were killed, and about 30 wounded, before order was restored. This conduct on the part of the prisoners is stated to have arisen by being kept in prison so long after the ratification of the Treaty of Peace; vessels not having been provided by the American Government to carry them home, and the prisoners having an idea that they are intentionally detained in order to man some American ships of war expected to arrive here on their passage to the Mediterranean, to act against the Algerines.
Morning Chronicle 10 April 1815
Two American seventy-fours, and two frigates, half manned, are shortly expected at Plymouth, to complete their crews from the American prisoners of war at Dartmoor, and then sail against the freebooters off the coast of Barbary. Every feeling heart must wish them success.
Two American seventy-fours, and two frigates, half manned, are shortly expected at Plymouth, to complete their crews from the American prisoners of war at Dartmoor, and then sail against the freebooters off the coast of Barbary. Every feeling heart must wish them success.
Sussex Advertiser April 10 1815
MURDERS, &c.
At the Devon Assizes, last week, Samuel Norton, was indicted for the wilful murder of his mistress, Mary Metters, with a bill-hook, at Whitchurch ; he was found guilty, and he was executed on Monday last. The conduct of this hardened wretch during his confinement exhibited the most brutal depravity of mind ; but on ascending the fatal drop his false courage forsook him, he appeared dreadfully agitated, and met his fate with fear and trembling.
MURDERS, &c.
At the Devon Assizes, last week, Samuel Norton, was indicted for the wilful murder of his mistress, Mary Metters, with a bill-hook, at Whitchurch ; he was found guilty, and he was executed on Monday last. The conduct of this hardened wretch during his confinement exhibited the most brutal depravity of mind ; but on ascending the fatal drop his false courage forsook him, he appeared dreadfully agitated, and met his fate with fear and trembling.
Morning Chronicle 11 April 1815
DISTURBANCES AT DARTMOOR PRISON.
Friday last, a most serious affray took place at Dartmoor Prison, where the American prisoners of war are confined. It appears, that the unfortunate prisoners, who amount to five or six thousand, had recently become extremely impatient to set at liberty, and ascribed their detention to Mr. Beazly, their countryman, who is agent for American prisoners of war in London. This person they burnt in effigy on Friday, and then proceeded to force their way out of the confines of the prison. Capt. Shortland, the resident British agent, went in among them alone and unarmed, to endeavour to pacify them, but a pistol was snapped at him, and therefore the soldiers fired among the insurgents, when about twelve were killed and thirty wounded. A musket-ball grazed Captain Shortland's cheek. The prompt interference of the military quelled the insurrection, and tranquility was restored. One hundred additional soldiers marched from Plymouth to Dartmoor in the course of Friday, to reinforce the guard.
DISTURBANCES AT DARTMOOR PRISON.
Friday last, a most serious affray took place at Dartmoor Prison, where the American prisoners of war are confined. It appears, that the unfortunate prisoners, who amount to five or six thousand, had recently become extremely impatient to set at liberty, and ascribed their detention to Mr. Beazly, their countryman, who is agent for American prisoners of war in London. This person they burnt in effigy on Friday, and then proceeded to force their way out of the confines of the prison. Capt. Shortland, the resident British agent, went in among them alone and unarmed, to endeavour to pacify them, but a pistol was snapped at him, and therefore the soldiers fired among the insurgents, when about twelve were killed and thirty wounded. A musket-ball grazed Captain Shortland's cheek. The prompt interference of the military quelled the insurrection, and tranquility was restored. One hundred additional soldiers marched from Plymouth to Dartmoor in the course of Friday, to reinforce the guard.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 13 April 1815
The American prisoners of war confined in the depot of Dartmoor made a tumultuous and violent attempt to break out on Thursday evening, insomuch that the soldiers on guard were obliged to fire on them, and five were killed and thirty wounded, before the disturbance was suppressed. The cause of this commotion is the delay in the release of the prisoners, and in their conveyance to their own country; and a report that it is intended to keep them here to man the American fleet destined to sail against the Algerines.
The American prisoners of war confined in the depot of Dartmoor made a tumultuous and violent attempt to break out on Thursday evening, insomuch that the soldiers on guard were obliged to fire on them, and five were killed and thirty wounded, before the disturbance was suppressed. The cause of this commotion is the delay in the release of the prisoners, and in their conveyance to their own country; and a report that it is intended to keep them here to man the American fleet destined to sail against the Algerines.
Bristol Mirror 15 April 1815
An inquest has been held at Dartmoor Depot, on the bodies of seven American prisoners who were shot by the soldiery during the late attempt to force the gates of the prison, and a verdict of Justifiable Homicide has been returned. The prisoners, we understand, continue to hold a menacing attitude, and appear little awed by the melancholy fate of their comrades. Several of the great number that were wounded are not expected to survive.
RIOT AT DARTMOOR DEPOT.
On Thursday the 6th instant, the American prisoners at this depot began tumultuously to demand their liberation, alleging, that there existed no reason for their detention, the peace being signed. It was in vain represented to them, that the delay in their liberation, if any, existed with their own Government; that vessels were hourly expected from America; and that such a body of men (about 6000) could not be let loose upon the public; they determined on forcing their way to freedom; and putting their threats into execution, the soldiers fired on them, by which, we are sorry to say, seven men were killed and 35 wounded. They then retired sullenly ; and the military on an duty not being deemed strong enough to repress them, express was sent off to Plymouth Dock, to the General in command, for assistance ; when the Derby regiment was called to arms, and marched off immediately. We are happy to hear that their presence restored tranquillity. The American prisoners, we are told, are still more audacious and troublesome than the French, and in their different marches, from Plymouth to Dartmoor, have been in the constant practice behaving indecorously, to say no more of it.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.—On Thursday evening, after the usual signal had been given for shutting the prisons for the night, the prisoners made a breach in the prison barrack wall. The guard was called to defend that part of the prison. Soon after, the prisoners made a rush from the lower gates of the prison, towards the entrance; and the guard went down to the market-square, to prevent their taking entire possession of it. Capt. Shortland and the Surgeon went before the military, to expostulate with the prisoners, and endeavour to dissuade them from an attempt that must inevitably be attended with loss of lives. But they continued to advance upon the guard; and, it is said, attempted to seize one of the soldiers’ fire-locks: upon which he discharged it at the offender. Others ot the guard fired also; nor were the prisoners induced to desist from their attempt to escape, till 7 of them had been killed, and about 35 wounded?— Another letter, dated Sunday morning, says, “The prisoners at Dartmoor are still very turbulent. One of them was shot yesterday, who had made hole in the roof of the prison, and got out upon it. About 600 of them got away Monday ; and the rest declare they are determined to go away also, if half of them are shot in the attempt. Three prisoners have died of their wounds, and several have had arms and legs amputated.—The 11th regiment is at Dartmoor, as well the Somerset and Derby Militia.’’
An inquest has been held at Dartmoor Depot, on the bodies of seven American prisoners who were shot by the soldiery during the late attempt to force the gates of the prison, and a verdict of Justifiable Homicide has been returned. The prisoners, we understand, continue to hold a menacing attitude, and appear little awed by the melancholy fate of their comrades. Several of the great number that were wounded are not expected to survive.
RIOT AT DARTMOOR DEPOT.
On Thursday the 6th instant, the American prisoners at this depot began tumultuously to demand their liberation, alleging, that there existed no reason for their detention, the peace being signed. It was in vain represented to them, that the delay in their liberation, if any, existed with their own Government; that vessels were hourly expected from America; and that such a body of men (about 6000) could not be let loose upon the public; they determined on forcing their way to freedom; and putting their threats into execution, the soldiers fired on them, by which, we are sorry to say, seven men were killed and 35 wounded. They then retired sullenly ; and the military on an duty not being deemed strong enough to repress them, express was sent off to Plymouth Dock, to the General in command, for assistance ; when the Derby regiment was called to arms, and marched off immediately. We are happy to hear that their presence restored tranquillity. The American prisoners, we are told, are still more audacious and troublesome than the French, and in their different marches, from Plymouth to Dartmoor, have been in the constant practice behaving indecorously, to say no more of it.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.—On Thursday evening, after the usual signal had been given for shutting the prisons for the night, the prisoners made a breach in the prison barrack wall. The guard was called to defend that part of the prison. Soon after, the prisoners made a rush from the lower gates of the prison, towards the entrance; and the guard went down to the market-square, to prevent their taking entire possession of it. Capt. Shortland and the Surgeon went before the military, to expostulate with the prisoners, and endeavour to dissuade them from an attempt that must inevitably be attended with loss of lives. But they continued to advance upon the guard; and, it is said, attempted to seize one of the soldiers’ fire-locks: upon which he discharged it at the offender. Others ot the guard fired also; nor were the prisoners induced to desist from their attempt to escape, till 7 of them had been killed, and about 35 wounded?— Another letter, dated Sunday morning, says, “The prisoners at Dartmoor are still very turbulent. One of them was shot yesterday, who had made hole in the roof of the prison, and got out upon it. About 600 of them got away Monday ; and the rest declare they are determined to go away also, if half of them are shot in the attempt. Three prisoners have died of their wounds, and several have had arms and legs amputated.—The 11th regiment is at Dartmoor, as well the Somerset and Derby Militia.’’
Morning Post 17 April 1815
Coroner's Inquests.— On Saturday last, an inquest was held before Joseph Whiteford, Esq. Coroner, on the bodies of seven American prisoners of war, at the depot at Dartmoor, who came to their death in consequence of the military firing on them, on Thursday the 6tb inst., to prevent their escape from the prison. The jury, after two day's investigation, returned a verdict of Justifiable Homicide— This affray appears to have been of a very serious nature : the prisoners, in consequence of the conclusion of peace, conceived themselves entitled to their immediate liberty, and not finding this to be the case they became impatient, and determined to effect their escape by force. They armed themselves with knives and every other weapon they could procure, and proceeded to attack the guard who, in their own defence, were under the necessity of firing on them, by which the above seven prisoners were killed, and 35 others wounded, some of them very severely.
Coroner's Inquests.— On Saturday last, an inquest was held before Joseph Whiteford, Esq. Coroner, on the bodies of seven American prisoners of war, at the depot at Dartmoor, who came to their death in consequence of the military firing on them, on Thursday the 6tb inst., to prevent their escape from the prison. The jury, after two day's investigation, returned a verdict of Justifiable Homicide— This affray appears to have been of a very serious nature : the prisoners, in consequence of the conclusion of peace, conceived themselves entitled to their immediate liberty, and not finding this to be the case they became impatient, and determined to effect their escape by force. They armed themselves with knives and every other weapon they could procure, and proceeded to attack the guard who, in their own defence, were under the necessity of firing on them, by which the above seven prisoners were killed, and 35 others wounded, some of them very severely.
Leeds Intelligencer 24 April 1815
The consequence of the late serious affray at Dartmoor depot have been, orders for the immediate embarkation of the whole of the prisoners, without wailing for the arrival of vessels from America. The first division of American prisoners (400) embarked at Plymouth, on Thursday last, on board the Brunswick transport, and instantly sailed with a fair wind for their native or adopted country. Another more numerous division was expected at Plymouth on Saturday, to embark on board the Ariel, Royal Sovereign, and Neptune transports. Many of those captives, have expressed a strong desire to remain in England, or to permitted to go whither they pleased: but this it has not been thought proper to permit.
The consequence of the late serious affray at Dartmoor depot have been, orders for the immediate embarkation of the whole of the prisoners, without wailing for the arrival of vessels from America. The first division of American prisoners (400) embarked at Plymouth, on Thursday last, on board the Brunswick transport, and instantly sailed with a fair wind for their native or adopted country. Another more numerous division was expected at Plymouth on Saturday, to embark on board the Ariel, Royal Sovereign, and Neptune transports. Many of those captives, have expressed a strong desire to remain in England, or to permitted to go whither they pleased: but this it has not been thought proper to permit.
Lancaster Gazette 29 April 1815
Mr. Larpent, on the part of the British Government, and Mr. King (son of Rufus King, Esq. Of New York) have proceeded to Dartmoor Prison, to investigate the circumstances leading to the late unfortunate event at that prison, whereby 67 Americans were killed and wounded.
Mr. Larpent, on the part of the British Government, and Mr. King (son of Rufus King, Esq. Of New York) have proceeded to Dartmoor Prison, to investigate the circumstances leading to the late unfortunate event at that prison, whereby 67 Americans were killed and wounded.
Windsor and Eton Express 2 July 1815
The sick and wounded prisoners of war have been distributed among the naval and military hospitals of Plymouth, and in that at Milbay. A great number that arrived in the convoy of the Castor and ??-mene landed at half-past four o'clock on S?? morning ; the remainder landed at the same hour on Monday morning. The prisoners exhibited, at ?? successive debarkations, and the different marches to prison, the same frivolity, the same thoughtlessness which has always characterised the French ?? They made themselves extremely merry with the round hats of the Royal Marines, who escorted —addressed the spectators in the most vivacious manner, and talked of Dartmoor Depot with the familiarity which a former residence must have induced. Many of them observed that they knew the road to Dartmoor better than the Marines did. In their accounts of the battle of the 18th. they all agree that the French army never made more exertions, never displayed such persevering bravery — but that the English were positively not to be taken. Not single cry of 'Vive L'Emporeur,' was heard among them. Most of them were without hats; and three (subalterns were extremely merry at the thought, that they had among them three shoes and one hat. About ?? Officers have been sent on board the Ganges prison ship in Hamoaze, until routes are obtained for them.
The sick and wounded prisoners of war have been distributed among the naval and military hospitals of Plymouth, and in that at Milbay. A great number that arrived in the convoy of the Castor and ??-mene landed at half-past four o'clock on S?? morning ; the remainder landed at the same hour on Monday morning. The prisoners exhibited, at ?? successive debarkations, and the different marches to prison, the same frivolity, the same thoughtlessness which has always characterised the French ?? They made themselves extremely merry with the round hats of the Royal Marines, who escorted —addressed the spectators in the most vivacious manner, and talked of Dartmoor Depot with the familiarity which a former residence must have induced. Many of them observed that they knew the road to Dartmoor better than the Marines did. In their accounts of the battle of the 18th. they all agree that the French army never made more exertions, never displayed such persevering bravery — but that the English were positively not to be taken. Not single cry of 'Vive L'Emporeur,' was heard among them. Most of them were without hats; and three (subalterns were extremely merry at the thought, that they had among them three shoes and one hat. About ?? Officers have been sent on board the Ganges prison ship in Hamoaze, until routes are obtained for them.
Salisbury and Winchester Journal 3 July 1815
PORT NEWS.
PLYMOUTH, June 30. - Came in the Ramilies and Cumberland of 74 guns each, and the Nymphe frigate, from Ostend with French prisoners, who are just landed and sent off for Dartmoor prison.
PORT NEWS.
PLYMOUTH, June 30. - Came in the Ramilies and Cumberland of 74 guns each, and the Nymphe frigate, from Ostend with French prisoners, who are just landed and sent off for Dartmoor prison.
Sussex Advertiser 3 July 1815
Three ships of war, with upwards of 2,000 French prisoners, taken in the battle of Waterloo, arrived on Tuesday night at Portsmouth, and proceeded on Wednesday for Plymouth, where the prisoners will landed, and confined in Dartmoor prison. Their captivity will probably be of short duration.
Three ships of war, with upwards of 2,000 French prisoners, taken in the battle of Waterloo, arrived on Tuesday night at Portsmouth, and proceeded on Wednesday for Plymouth, where the prisoners will landed, and confined in Dartmoor prison. Their captivity will probably be of short duration.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 6 July 1815
Capt. Motley is appointed for prisoners of war at Forton depot... and Capt. E. Hutchinson, at Dartmoor.
Capt. Motley is appointed for prisoners of war at Forton depot... and Capt. E. Hutchinson, at Dartmoor.
Manchester Mercury 11 July 1815
Five thousand French prisoners from Belgium are expected at the depot on Dartmoor. About 3000 of them are already arrived.
Five thousand French prisoners from Belgium are expected at the depot on Dartmoor. About 3000 of them are already arrived.
Lancaster Gazette 15 July 1815
It is remarkable, that the last division of French prisoners left Dartmoor depot when, the first party of American prisoners were marching in. The French then gave the Americans three huzzas, by way of welcome to their new abode. On Saturday last the first division of French prisoners arrived at Dartmoor from Ostend, and were received by the last American division at that prison with the retort courteous; the latter giving three hearty cheers. It is likewise worthy of notice, that the first division of French prisoners arrived at Dartmoor depot from Ostend exactly on that day twelvemonth, when the last division quitted it to return to France, in 1814.
It is remarkable, that the last division of French prisoners left Dartmoor depot when, the first party of American prisoners were marching in. The French then gave the Americans three huzzas, by way of welcome to their new abode. On Saturday last the first division of French prisoners arrived at Dartmoor from Ostend, and were received by the last American division at that prison with the retort courteous; the latter giving three hearty cheers. It is likewise worthy of notice, that the first division of French prisoners arrived at Dartmoor depot from Ostend exactly on that day twelvemonth, when the last division quitted it to return to France, in 1814.
Morning Post 15 July 1815
The American prisoners, who we recently released at Dartmoor, in marching from that place, passed a body of French prisoners, as they were conducted to that depot. The Americans halted, and saluted the French with a shout of “ Vive L'Empereur!”, but this salute was not returned by the latter, who continued their march in sullen silence.
The American prisoners, who we recently released at Dartmoor, in marching from that place, passed a body of French prisoners, as they were conducted to that depot. The Americans halted, and saluted the French with a shout of “ Vive L'Empereur!”, but this salute was not returned by the latter, who continued their march in sullen silence.
Bristol Mirror 15 July 1815
It is no less extraordinary than true, that several of the prisoners of war sent from Ostend to Plymouth, wore on the route to Dartmoor the prison dresses (yellow) in which they departed to France in 1814.
It is no less extraordinary than true, that several of the prisoners of war sent from Ostend to Plymouth, wore on the route to Dartmoor the prison dresses (yellow) in which they departed to France in 1814.
Morning Post 18 July 1815
It appears that the French troops at Dartmoor, though they have generally hoisted the white cockade, flatter themselves that the day will yet arrive when they may be enabled to take ample vengeance. They openly avow, that in submitting to Louis they only follow Circumstances ; but that he will not govern them nor the French people more than three or four years. " Smile when you cannot strike," appears to be the prevailing phrase among these desperadoes.
It appears that the French troops at Dartmoor, though they have generally hoisted the white cockade, flatter themselves that the day will yet arrive when they may be enabled to take ample vengeance. They openly avow, that in submitting to Louis they only follow Circumstances ; but that he will not govern them nor the French people more than three or four years. " Smile when you cannot strike," appears to be the prevailing phrase among these desperadoes.
Sussex Advertiser 24 July 1815
On Wednesday the prisoners at Dartmoor destroyed the tri-coloured flag with contempt, and substituted the white, Bourbon one.
On Wednesday the prisoners at Dartmoor destroyed the tri-coloured flag with contempt, and substituted the white, Bourbon one.
Caledonian Mercury 27 July 1815
(From the American newspaper reports.)
There is a sort of official report in this American paper, referring to the unfortunate affair, when seven American prisoners were killed, and 67 wounded, 50 of them dangerously, at Dartmoor prison. This report is delivered in an oath, and is signed by a Committee of 10 of the prisoners. It concludes in these terms:-
' We here solemnly aver, that there was no preconcerted plan to attempt breaking out. There cannot be produced the least shadow of a reason or inducement for that intention, the prisoners daily expecting to be released; and to be embarked on board cartels for their native country. . And, we likewise solemnly assert, that there was no intention of resisting in any, in any manner the authority of the depot.'
(From the American newspaper reports.)
There is a sort of official report in this American paper, referring to the unfortunate affair, when seven American prisoners were killed, and 67 wounded, 50 of them dangerously, at Dartmoor prison. This report is delivered in an oath, and is signed by a Committee of 10 of the prisoners. It concludes in these terms:-
' We here solemnly aver, that there was no preconcerted plan to attempt breaking out. There cannot be produced the least shadow of a reason or inducement for that intention, the prisoners daily expecting to be released; and to be embarked on board cartels for their native country. . And, we likewise solemnly assert, that there was no intention of resisting in any, in any manner the authority of the depot.'
Caledonian Mercury 31 July 1815
Some additional papers and letters have been received from the United States, and the following, in a New England journal, appears to have attracted a good deal of attention.
Boston, June 24.
By the following paragraph, communicated by Captain Ellis, we regret to learn, that four American seamen have recently been impressed into the British service at Gibraltar.
The day we sailed, May 10th, two men were taken from on board the General Scott, viz. Thomas Hodges and Ebenezer Hughes, who were lately released from Dartmoor prison Two others were taken from on board the Spartan, Captain Moon. The officer informed Captain Moon and the others, that they were taken by an order from Admiral Harvey to serve on board the frigate Meander.'
These men, no doubt, will be detained, as there was no Consul at Gibraltar to claim them. Horatio Sprague was the only American resident there, to whom the American prisoners are much indebted for his attention during their confinement.
Some additional papers and letters have been received from the United States, and the following, in a New England journal, appears to have attracted a good deal of attention.
Boston, June 24.
By the following paragraph, communicated by Captain Ellis, we regret to learn, that four American seamen have recently been impressed into the British service at Gibraltar.
The day we sailed, May 10th, two men were taken from on board the General Scott, viz. Thomas Hodges and Ebenezer Hughes, who were lately released from Dartmoor prison Two others were taken from on board the Spartan, Captain Moon. The officer informed Captain Moon and the others, that they were taken by an order from Admiral Harvey to serve on board the frigate Meander.'
These men, no doubt, will be detained, as there was no Consul at Gibraltar to claim them. Horatio Sprague was the only American resident there, to whom the American prisoners are much indebted for his attention during their confinement.
Norfolk Chronicle 5 August 1815
The New York Gazette of the 19th ult. gives an … In a paper of the 25th they have published a very gross calumny against this country, in the shape of affidavits from men, who say they were prisoners at Dartmoor at the time the insurrection there, to quell which much blood was spill. is denied that there was any insurrection, and we are charged with the deliberate murder of quiet and unoffending prisoners Our Government will doubtless take notice of this base attack on our national character.
The New York Gazette of the 19th ult. gives an … In a paper of the 25th they have published a very gross calumny against this country, in the shape of affidavits from men, who say they were prisoners at Dartmoor at the time the insurrection there, to quell which much blood was spill. is denied that there was any insurrection, and we are charged with the deliberate murder of quiet and unoffending prisoners Our Government will doubtless take notice of this base attack on our national character.
Windsor and Eton Express 13 August 1815
AMERICA. The return of Buonaparte to France seems have called up, with new vigour, the low and pitiful hostility of many Americans to this country. The following article is a sample;— New York, July 19.
'Symptom:. —It is lamentable, that peace in form does not produce reconciliation at heart. England seems still sour, sullen, and hostile. The butchery of American prisoners at Dartmoor, after peace was known to exist; the impressment of four American sailors since that event, and the correspondence of Colonel Nichols in Florida with Colonel Hawkins, relative the Indians in alliance with Britain, &c. evince deep hatred to America. We cannot doubt, that our Government will profit by experience, and settle accounts with England, before delay increases the score, and endurance of one wrong be urged a reason for bearing another. The vulgar adage is as true of nations of private persons—short accounts make long friends.’
The short accounts we have made with Napoleon, may render the Americans not very desirous of the same reckoning.
AMERICA. The return of Buonaparte to France seems have called up, with new vigour, the low and pitiful hostility of many Americans to this country. The following article is a sample;— New York, July 19.
'Symptom:. —It is lamentable, that peace in form does not produce reconciliation at heart. England seems still sour, sullen, and hostile. The butchery of American prisoners at Dartmoor, after peace was known to exist; the impressment of four American sailors since that event, and the correspondence of Colonel Nichols in Florida with Colonel Hawkins, relative the Indians in alliance with Britain, &c. evince deep hatred to America. We cannot doubt, that our Government will profit by experience, and settle accounts with England, before delay increases the score, and endurance of one wrong be urged a reason for bearing another. The vulgar adage is as true of nations of private persons—short accounts make long friends.’
The short accounts we have made with Napoleon, may render the Americans not very desirous of the same reckoning.
Hereford Journal 16 August 1815
All the prisoners taken in the battles of the 16th, 17th and 18th June, whether wounded or not, are to be brought to this country Several thousands have already arrived, and been sent to the depot at Dartmoor. Were these men to be restored to the French Government under existing circumstances, they would only be an acquisition of strength to the old French army, and of course source of alarm to the Allies.
All the prisoners taken in the battles of the 16th, 17th and 18th June, whether wounded or not, are to be brought to this country Several thousands have already arrived, and been sent to the depot at Dartmoor. Were these men to be restored to the French Government under existing circumstances, they would only be an acquisition of strength to the old French army, and of course source of alarm to the Allies.
Bury and Norwich Post 23 August 1815
The report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the unhappy affair with the American prisoners at Dartmoor justifies the firing of the soldiers in the first instance, but reprobates it at a later period, when the danger of the prisoners' escape no longer existed. The Commissioners were not able to identify any of the soldiers who were guilty of the outrage.
The report of the Commissioners of Inquiry into the unhappy affair with the American prisoners at Dartmoor justifies the firing of the soldiers in the first instance, but reprobates it at a later period, when the danger of the prisoners' escape no longer existed. The Commissioners were not able to identify any of the soldiers who were guilty of the outrage.
Royal Cornwall Gazette 26 August 1815
The Bramble schooner, Lieut. Nicholls, has arrived at Plymouth, in fourteen days from Halifax, by which channel we learn that the Americans are greatly irritated at the unfortunate business at Dartmoor, and have proceeded to such a length as to tread the British colours under their feet. The American journals, some of which we have received, teem with invectives against England, on this score, except the New York Evening Post, of the 17th ultimo, whence we extract the following paragraph : — "Dartmoor Prison, — We have at length received the report, which Mr. King, as the agent appointed on the part of Messrs. Clay and Gallatin for the United States, and Mr. Larpent, as the agent appointed hy Lord Castlereagh on the part of the British government, have jointly drawn up, relative to the melancholy affair that took place at Dartmoor prison : our readers have it just as we received it, un- biassed by a single remark. We think it is more to be relied on than the multitude of inflammatory publications that have appeared in the different newspapers."
The Bramble schooner, Lieut. Nicholls, has arrived at Plymouth, in fourteen days from Halifax, by which channel we learn that the Americans are greatly irritated at the unfortunate business at Dartmoor, and have proceeded to such a length as to tread the British colours under their feet. The American journals, some of which we have received, teem with invectives against England, on this score, except the New York Evening Post, of the 17th ultimo, whence we extract the following paragraph : — "Dartmoor Prison, — We have at length received the report, which Mr. King, as the agent appointed on the part of Messrs. Clay and Gallatin for the United States, and Mr. Larpent, as the agent appointed hy Lord Castlereagh on the part of the British government, have jointly drawn up, relative to the melancholy affair that took place at Dartmoor prison : our readers have it just as we received it, un- biassed by a single remark. We think it is more to be relied on than the multitude of inflammatory publications that have appeared in the different newspapers."
Morning Post 26 August 1815
AMERICA.
Documents relative to the killing and wounding OF THE AMERICAN CITIZENS IMPRISONED AT DARTMOOR.
Plymouth, April 26, 1815.
We, the undersigned Commissioners, appointed on behalf of our respective governments, to inquire into and report upon, .the unfortunate occurrence of the 6th of April instant, at Dartmoor Prison; having carefully perused the proceedings of the several Courts of Inquiry, instituted immediately after that event, by the orders of Admiral Sir John T. Duckworth and Major-General Brown, respectively, as well as the depositions taken at the Coroner's Inquest, upon the bodies of the prisoners who lost their lives upon that melancholy occasion; upon which inquest the Jury found a verdict of justifiable homicide: proceeded immediately to the examination upon oath, in the presence of one or more of the Magistrate of the vicinity, of all the witnesses, both American and English, who offered themselves for that purpose; or who could be discovered as likely to afford any material information on the subject, as well those who had been previously examined before the Coroner as otherwise, to the number in the whole of about 80. We further proceeded to a minute examination of the prisons, for the purpose of clearing up some points which, upon the evidence alone were scarcely intelligible; obtaining from the prisoners, and from the officers of the depot, all the necessary assistance and explanation; premising, that we have been from necessity compelled, to draw many of our conclusions .from statements and evidence highly contradictory, we do now make upon the whole proceedings the following Report: — During. the period which has elapsed since the arrival in this country of the account of the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent, an increased degree of restlessness and impatience of confinement appears to have prevailed amongst the American prisoners at Dartmoor, which, though not exhibited in the shape of any violent excess, has been principally indicated by threats of breaking out if not soon released. On the 4th of this month in particular, only two days previous to the events, the subject of this inquiry, a large body of prisoners rushed into the market square, from whence, by the regulations of the prison, they are excluded, demanding bread, instead of biscuit, which had on that day been issued by the officers cf the depot; their demands, however, having been then almost immediately complied with, they returned to their own yards, and the employment of force on that occasion became unnecessary. On the evening of the 6th, about six o'clock, it was clearly proved to us, that a breach or hole had been made in one of the prison walls sufficient for a full sized man to pass, and that others had been commenced in the course of the day near the same spot, though never completed. That a number of the prisoners went over the railing erected to prevent them from communicating with the sentinels on the walls, which was of course forbidden by the regulations of the prison, and that in the space between the railing and those walls they were tearing up pieces of turf, and wantonly pelting each other in a noisy and disorderly manner. That much more considerable number of the prisoners was collected together at that time in one of their yards near the place where the breach was effected, and that although such collection of prisoners was not unusual at other times (the gambling tables being usually kept in that part of the yard), yet, when connected with the circumstances of the breach, and the time of the day, which was after the hour the signal for the prisoners to retire to their respective prisons had ceased to sound, it became a natural and just ground of alarm to those who had the charge of the depot. It was also in evidence that in the building, formerly the petty officers' prison, but now the guard barrack, with stands in the yard to which the hole in the wall would serve as a communication, a part of the arms of the guard who were off duty were usually kept in the racks, and though there was no evidence that this was in any respect the motive which induced the prisoners to make the opening in the wall, or even that they were ever acquainted with the fact, it naturally became at least a further cause of suspicion and alarm, and an additional reason for precaution. Upon these grounds Captain SHORTLAND appears to us to have been justified in giving the order, which about this time he seems to have given, to sound the alarm bell, the usual signal for collecting the Officers of the depot, and putting the military upon the alert. However reasonable and justifiable this was as a measure of precaution, the effects produced thereby in the prisons, but which could not have been intended, were most unfortunate, and deeply to be regretted. A considerable number of the prisoners in the yards where no disturbances existed before, and who were either already within their respective prisons, or quietly retiring as usual towards them, immediately upon the sound of the bell rushed back from curiosity (as it appears,) towards the gates, where, by that time, the crowd had assembled, and many who were at the time absent from their yards, were also, from the plan of the prison, compelled, in order to reach their own homes, to pass by the same spot, and thus that which was merely a measure of precaution, in its operation increased the evil it was intended to prevent.
Almost at the same instant that the alarm bell rang, (but whether before or subsequent is upon the evidence doubtful, though Captain SHORTLAND states it positively as one of his further reasons for causing it to ring) some one or more of the prisoners broke the iron chain, which was the only fastening of No. 1 gate, leading into the market square, by means of an iron bar; and a very considerable number of the prisoners rushed towards that gate, and many of them began to press forward as fast as the opening would permit into the square. There was no direct proof before us of previous concert or preparation on the part of the prisoners, and no evidence of their intention or disposition to effect their escape on this occasion, excepting that which arose by inference from the whole of the above detailed circumstances connected together. The natural and almost irresistible inference to be drawn, however, from the conduct of the prisoners by Captain SHORTLAND and the military was, that an intention on the part of the prisoners to escape was on the point of being carried into execution; and it was at least certain that they were by force passing beyond the limits prescribed to them, at a time when they ought to have been quietly going in for the night. It was also in evidence that the outer gales of the market- square were usually opened about this time, to let the bread waggons pass and repass to the store, although, at the period in question, they were, in fact, closed.
Under these circumstances, and with these impressions necessarily operating upon his mind, and a knowledge that if the prisoners once penetrated through the square, the power of escape was almost to a certainty afforded to them, should they be so disposed. Captain Shortland, in the first instance, proceeded down the square towards the prisoners, having ordered a part of the different guards, to the number of about fifty only at first, though they were increased afterwards, to follow him. For some time both he and Dr. Magrath endeavoured, by quiet means and persuasion, to induce the prisoners to retire to their own yards, explaining to them the fatal consequences which must ensue if they refused, as the military would in that case be necessarily compelled to employ force.
The guard was by this time formed in the rear of Captain SHORTLAND, about two-thirds of the way down the square the latter is about one hundred feet broad, and the guard extended nearly all across. Capt. SHORTLAND finding that persuasion was all in vain, and that, although some were induced by it to make an effort to retire, others pressed on in considerable numbers, at last ordered about fifteen file of the guard, nearly in front of the gate, which had been forced, to charge the prisoners back to their own yards. The prisoners were in some places so near the military, that one of the' soldiers stales, that he could not come fairly down to the charge; and the military were unwilling to act as against an enemy. Some of the prisoners also were unwilling and reluctant to retire, and some pushing and struggling ensued between the parties, arising partly from intention, but mainly from the pressure of those behind preventing those in front from getting back. After some little time, however, this charge appears to have been so far effective, and that with little or no injury to the prisoners, as to have driven them for the most part quite down out of the square, with the exception of a small number who continued their resistance about No. 1 gate. A great crowd still remained collected after this in the passage between the square and the prisoners yards, in the vicinity of the gates. This assemblage still refused to withdraw, and, according to most of the English witnesses, and some of the American, was making a noise, hallooing, insulting, and provoking, and daring the military to fire; and, according to the evidence of several of the soldiers and some others, was pelting the military with large stones, by which some of them were actually struck. This circumstance is, however, denied by many of the American witnesses; and some of the English, upon having the question put to them, stated, they saw no stones thrown previously to the firing, although their situation at the time was such as to enable them to see most of the other proceedings in the square.
Under these circumstances the firing commenced, "With regard to any order having been given to fire, the evidence is very contradictory. Several of the Americans swear positively, that Capt. Shortland gave that order; but the manner in which, from the confusion of the moment, they describe this part 'of the transaction, is so different in its details, that it is very difficult to reconcile their testimony.
Many of the soldiers and other English witnesses, heard the word given by some one ; but no one of them can swear It was by Captain Shortland, or by any one in particular and some, amongst whom is the officer commanding the guard, think, if Captain SHORTLAND had given such an order, that they must have heard it, which they did not. In addition to this, Capt. Shortland denies the fact; and from the situation in which he appears to have been placed at the time, even according to the American witnesses, in front of the soldiers, it may appear somewhat improbable that he should then have given such an order. But, however it may remain a matter of doubt whether the firing first began in the square by order, or was a spontaneous act of the soldiers themselves, it seemed clear that it was continued and renewed, both there and elsewhere, without order; and that on the platforms, and in several places about the prison, it was certainly commenced without any authority. The fact of an order having been given at first, provided the firing was, under existing circumstances, justifiable, does not appear very material in any other point of view than as shewing a want of self-possession and discipline in the troops, if they should have fired without order. In regard to the above important consideration, of whether the firing was justifiable or not, we are of opinion, under all the circumstances of the case, from the apprehension which the soldiers might fairly entertain, owing to the numbers and conduct of the prisoners, that this firing to a certain extent, was justifiable, in a military point of view, in order to intimidate the prisoners, and compel them thereby to desist from all acts of violence, and to retire as they were ordered, from a situation in which the responsibility of the agents, and the military, could not permit them with safety to remain. From the fact of the crowd being so close, at hand the firing at first being attended with very little injury, it appears probable that a large proportion of the muskets were, as stated by one or two of the witnesses, leveled over the heads of the prisoners; a circumstance in some respects to he lamented, as it induced them to renew their insults to the soldiery, which produced a repetition of the firing in a manner much more destructive.
The firing in the square having continued for some time, by which several of the prisoners sustained injuries, the greater part of them appear to have been running back, with the utmost precipitation and confusion to their respective prisons, and the cause for further firing seems at this period to have ceased, lt appears accordingly, that Captain Shortland was in the market-square,. exerting himself and giving orders to that effect, and that Lieutenant Fortye had succeeded in stopping the fire of his part of the guard. Under these circumstances, it is very difficult to find any justification for the continuance and renewal of the firing, which certainly took place both in the prison yards and elsewhere; though we have some evidence of subsequent provocation given to the military, and resistance to the turnkeys in shutting the prisons, and of stones being thrown out from within the prison doors. The subsequent tiring rather appear to have arisen from individual irritation and exasperation on the part of the soldiers who followed the prisoners into their yards, and from the absence of nearly all the officers who might have restrained it; as well as from the great difficulty of putting an end to a firing when once commenced under such circumstances. Captain Shortland was from this time busily employed with the turnkeys, in the square, receiving and taking care of the wounded. Ensign White remained with his guard at the breach, and Lieutenants Avelyne and Fortye, the only other subalterns known to have been present, continued in the square with the main bodies, of their respective guards.' The time of the day, which was the officers' dinner hour, will in some measure explain this, as it caused the absence of every officer from the prison whose presence was not indispensible there and this circumstance, which has been urged as an argument to prove the intention of the prisoners to take this opportunity to escape", tended to increase the confusion, and to prevent those great exertions being made which might perhaps have obviated a portion, at least, of the mischief which ensued.
At the same time that the firing was going on in the square, a cross fire, was also kept up from several of the platforms on the walls round the prison where the sentries stand, by straggling parties of soldiers, who ran up there for that purpose. . As far as this fire was directed to disperse the men assembled round the breach, for which purpose it was most effectual, it seems to stand upon the same ground as that in the first instance in the square. But that part which it is positively sworn was directed against straggling parties of prisoners running about the yards, and endeavouring to enter the few doors which the turnkeys, according to their usual practice, had left open, does seem, as stated, to have been wholly without object or excuse, and to have been a wanton attack upon the lives of defenceless, and at that time, unoffending individuals. In the same, or even more severe terms, we must remark upon what was proved as to the firing into the door-ways of the prisons, most particularly into that of No. 3, prison, at a time when the men were in crowds at the entrance. From the position of the prison and of the door, and from the marks of the balls which were pointed out to us, as well as from the evidence, it was clear this firing must have proceeded from soldiers a very few feet from the door-way, and although it was certainly sworn that the prisoners were at the time of part of the firing, at least continuing to insult and occasionally to throw stones at the soldiers, and they were standing in the way of, and impeding the turnkey, who was there for the purpose of closing the door, yet still there was nothing stated which could in our view at all justify such excessively harsh and severe treatment of helpless and unarmed prisoners, when all idea of escape was at an end.
Under these impressions We used every endeavour to ascertain if there was the least prospect of identifying any of the soldiers who had been guilty of the particular outrages here alluded to, or of tracing any particular death at that time to the firing of any particular individual, but without success; and all hopes of bringing the offenders to punishment should seem to be at an end. In conclusion, we, the undersigned have only to add, tbat whilst we lament, as we do most deeply, the unfortunate transaction which has been the subject of this inquiry, we find ourselves totally unable to suggest any steps to be taken as to those parts of it which seem most to call for redress and punishment.
(Signed) CHARLES KING. FRANCIS SEYMOUR LARPENT.
Plymouth, April 26, I815.
Sir— In pursuance of instructions received from Messrs. CLAY and GALLATIN, I have now the honour to transmit to you the report prepared by Mr. Larpent and myself, on behalf of our respective Governments, in relation to the unfortunate transactions at Dartmoor prison of war, on the 6th of the present month. Considering it of much importance that the Report, whatever it might be, should go forth under our joint signatures, I have forborne to press some of the points which it involves, as far as otherwise I might have done, and it therefore may not be improper in this letter to enter into some little explanation of each parts of the Report. Although it does appear that a part of the prisoners were on that evening in such a state, and under such circumstances, as to have justified in the view which the commander of the depot could not but take of it, the intervention of the military force, and even in a strict sense, the first use of firearms, yet I cannot but express it as my settled opinion, that by conduct a little more temporising, the dreadful alternative of firing upon unarmed prisoners might have been avoided.. Yet as this opinion has been the result of subsequent examination, and after having acquired a knowledge of the comparatively harmless state of the prisoners, it may be but fair to consider, whether in such a moment of confusion and alarm as that appears to have been the officer commanding could have fairly estimated his danger, or have measured out with precision the extent and nature of the force necessary to guard against it. - But when the firing became general, as it afterwards appears to have done, and caught with electric rapidity from the square to the platforms, there is no plea nor shadow of excuse for it, except in the personal exasperation of the soldiers, nor for the more deliberate, and therefore more unjustifiable firing, which took place into three of the prisons, Nos. 1, 3, and 4, but most particularly into No. 3, after tbe prisoners had retired into them, and there was no longer any pretence of apprehensions as to their escape. Upon this ground, as you, Sir, will perceive by the report. Mr. Larpent and myself had no difference of opinion, and I am fully persuaded that my own regret was not greater than his, at perceiving how hopeless would be the attempt to trace to any individuals of the military these outrageous proceedings.
As to whether the order to fire came from Captain Shortland, I yet confess myself unable to form any satisfactory opinion, though, perhaps, the bias of my mind is, that he did give such an order. But his anxiety and exertions to slop it after it had continued for some little time are fully proved, and his general conduct previous. to this occurrence, as far as we could with propriety enter into such details, appears to have been characterised with tenderness, and even kindness, in the light in which he stood towards the prisoners, On the subject of any complaints against their own Government existing among the prisoners, it was invariably answered to several distinct questions put by me on that head, that none whatsoever existed or had been expressed by them, although they confessed themselves to have entertained some animosity against Mr. BEASLEY, to whom they attributed their detention in this country : with what justice you. Sir, will be better able to judge. They made no complaint whatsoever as to their provisions and general mode of living and treatment in the prison. 1 have transmitted to Mr. BEASLEY a list of the killed and wounded on this melancholy occasion, with a request that he would forward it to the United States, for the information of their friends at home: and I am pleased to have it my power to say, that the wounded are for the most part doing well. 1 have also inclosed to Mr. BEASLEY the notes taken by me of the evidence adduced before us, with a request that he would have them fairly copied; as also a copy of the depositions taken before the Coroner, and desired him to submit them to you when in order. I cannot conclude, Sir, without expressing my high sense of the impartiality and manly fairness with which this enquiry has been conducted on the part of Mr. Larpent, nor without mentioning that every facility was afforded lo us in its prosecution, as well by the military officers commanding here and at the prison, as by the Magistrates in the vicinity. I have the honour to be, with much respect, your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) CHARLES KING. His Excellency J. Q. Adams &c.
London, April 18, 1815.
Sir— At the request of Lord Castlereagh, we have had interviews with him and Mr. Goulburn, on the subject of the transportation of the American, prisoners now in this country, to the United States, and of the late unfortunate event at the depot at Dartmoor.
On the first subject, we agreed to advise your acceptance of the proposition ot Lord Castlereagh, to transport the prisoners at the joint expence of the two countries, reserving the construction of the articles of the treaty, which provides for the mutual restoration of prisoners, for future adjustment, It was stated by us, and was so understood, that the joint expence thus to be incurred, is to comprehend as well the requisite tonnage as the subsistence of the prisoners; and moreover, that measures of precaution should be adopted relative to the health and comfort of the prisoners, similar to those which had taken place in America. The details of this arrangement, if you concur with us its to the expediency of making it, are left to you to settle with the proper British authority.
On the other subject, as a statement of the transaction has been received from the American prisoners, differing very materially in fact from that which had resulted from an inquiry instituted by the Port Admiral, it bas been thought adviseable that some means should be devised of procuring information as to the real state of the case, in order, on the one hand, to shew that there had not been any wanton or improper sacrifice of the lives of American citizens; or, on the other, to enable the British Government to punish their civil and military officers, if it should appear that they have resorted to measures of extreme severity without necessity, or with too much precipitation. Lord Castlereagh proposed that the enquiry should be a joint one, conducted by a Commissioner selected by each Government. And we have thought such an inquiry most likely to produce an impartial and satisfactory result. We presume that you will have too much occupation on the first subject and the other incidental duties of your office, to attend to this inquiry in person. On that supposition we have stated to the British Government that we should recommend to you the selection of Charles King, Esq. as a fit person to conduct it in, behalf of the American Government. If Mr. King will undertake the business, he will forthwith proceed to Dartmoor, and in conjunction with the British Commissioner, who may be appointed on the occasion will examine the persons concerned, and such other evidence, as maybe thought necessary, and make a joint report upon the facts of the case to John Q. Adams, Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at this Court, and to the British Government.
The mode of executing this service must be left to the discretion of Mr. King and his colleague. If they can agree upon a narrative of the facts, after having heard the evidence, it will be better than reporting the whole mass of testimony in detail, which they may perhaps find it necessary to do, if they cannot come to such an agreement.
We are. Sir, your obedient humble servants, (Signed) H. CLAY, R. G. Beasley, Esq. &c. ALBERT GALLATIN.
AMERICA.
Documents relative to the killing and wounding OF THE AMERICAN CITIZENS IMPRISONED AT DARTMOOR.
Plymouth, April 26, 1815.
We, the undersigned Commissioners, appointed on behalf of our respective governments, to inquire into and report upon, .the unfortunate occurrence of the 6th of April instant, at Dartmoor Prison; having carefully perused the proceedings of the several Courts of Inquiry, instituted immediately after that event, by the orders of Admiral Sir John T. Duckworth and Major-General Brown, respectively, as well as the depositions taken at the Coroner's Inquest, upon the bodies of the prisoners who lost their lives upon that melancholy occasion; upon which inquest the Jury found a verdict of justifiable homicide: proceeded immediately to the examination upon oath, in the presence of one or more of the Magistrate of the vicinity, of all the witnesses, both American and English, who offered themselves for that purpose; or who could be discovered as likely to afford any material information on the subject, as well those who had been previously examined before the Coroner as otherwise, to the number in the whole of about 80. We further proceeded to a minute examination of the prisons, for the purpose of clearing up some points which, upon the evidence alone were scarcely intelligible; obtaining from the prisoners, and from the officers of the depot, all the necessary assistance and explanation; premising, that we have been from necessity compelled, to draw many of our conclusions .from statements and evidence highly contradictory, we do now make upon the whole proceedings the following Report: — During. the period which has elapsed since the arrival in this country of the account of the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent, an increased degree of restlessness and impatience of confinement appears to have prevailed amongst the American prisoners at Dartmoor, which, though not exhibited in the shape of any violent excess, has been principally indicated by threats of breaking out if not soon released. On the 4th of this month in particular, only two days previous to the events, the subject of this inquiry, a large body of prisoners rushed into the market square, from whence, by the regulations of the prison, they are excluded, demanding bread, instead of biscuit, which had on that day been issued by the officers cf the depot; their demands, however, having been then almost immediately complied with, they returned to their own yards, and the employment of force on that occasion became unnecessary. On the evening of the 6th, about six o'clock, it was clearly proved to us, that a breach or hole had been made in one of the prison walls sufficient for a full sized man to pass, and that others had been commenced in the course of the day near the same spot, though never completed. That a number of the prisoners went over the railing erected to prevent them from communicating with the sentinels on the walls, which was of course forbidden by the regulations of the prison, and that in the space between the railing and those walls they were tearing up pieces of turf, and wantonly pelting each other in a noisy and disorderly manner. That much more considerable number of the prisoners was collected together at that time in one of their yards near the place where the breach was effected, and that although such collection of prisoners was not unusual at other times (the gambling tables being usually kept in that part of the yard), yet, when connected with the circumstances of the breach, and the time of the day, which was after the hour the signal for the prisoners to retire to their respective prisons had ceased to sound, it became a natural and just ground of alarm to those who had the charge of the depot. It was also in evidence that in the building, formerly the petty officers' prison, but now the guard barrack, with stands in the yard to which the hole in the wall would serve as a communication, a part of the arms of the guard who were off duty were usually kept in the racks, and though there was no evidence that this was in any respect the motive which induced the prisoners to make the opening in the wall, or even that they were ever acquainted with the fact, it naturally became at least a further cause of suspicion and alarm, and an additional reason for precaution. Upon these grounds Captain SHORTLAND appears to us to have been justified in giving the order, which about this time he seems to have given, to sound the alarm bell, the usual signal for collecting the Officers of the depot, and putting the military upon the alert. However reasonable and justifiable this was as a measure of precaution, the effects produced thereby in the prisons, but which could not have been intended, were most unfortunate, and deeply to be regretted. A considerable number of the prisoners in the yards where no disturbances existed before, and who were either already within their respective prisons, or quietly retiring as usual towards them, immediately upon the sound of the bell rushed back from curiosity (as it appears,) towards the gates, where, by that time, the crowd had assembled, and many who were at the time absent from their yards, were also, from the plan of the prison, compelled, in order to reach their own homes, to pass by the same spot, and thus that which was merely a measure of precaution, in its operation increased the evil it was intended to prevent.
Almost at the same instant that the alarm bell rang, (but whether before or subsequent is upon the evidence doubtful, though Captain SHORTLAND states it positively as one of his further reasons for causing it to ring) some one or more of the prisoners broke the iron chain, which was the only fastening of No. 1 gate, leading into the market square, by means of an iron bar; and a very considerable number of the prisoners rushed towards that gate, and many of them began to press forward as fast as the opening would permit into the square. There was no direct proof before us of previous concert or preparation on the part of the prisoners, and no evidence of their intention or disposition to effect their escape on this occasion, excepting that which arose by inference from the whole of the above detailed circumstances connected together. The natural and almost irresistible inference to be drawn, however, from the conduct of the prisoners by Captain SHORTLAND and the military was, that an intention on the part of the prisoners to escape was on the point of being carried into execution; and it was at least certain that they were by force passing beyond the limits prescribed to them, at a time when they ought to have been quietly going in for the night. It was also in evidence that the outer gales of the market- square were usually opened about this time, to let the bread waggons pass and repass to the store, although, at the period in question, they were, in fact, closed.
Under these circumstances, and with these impressions necessarily operating upon his mind, and a knowledge that if the prisoners once penetrated through the square, the power of escape was almost to a certainty afforded to them, should they be so disposed. Captain Shortland, in the first instance, proceeded down the square towards the prisoners, having ordered a part of the different guards, to the number of about fifty only at first, though they were increased afterwards, to follow him. For some time both he and Dr. Magrath endeavoured, by quiet means and persuasion, to induce the prisoners to retire to their own yards, explaining to them the fatal consequences which must ensue if they refused, as the military would in that case be necessarily compelled to employ force.
The guard was by this time formed in the rear of Captain SHORTLAND, about two-thirds of the way down the square the latter is about one hundred feet broad, and the guard extended nearly all across. Capt. SHORTLAND finding that persuasion was all in vain, and that, although some were induced by it to make an effort to retire, others pressed on in considerable numbers, at last ordered about fifteen file of the guard, nearly in front of the gate, which had been forced, to charge the prisoners back to their own yards. The prisoners were in some places so near the military, that one of the' soldiers stales, that he could not come fairly down to the charge; and the military were unwilling to act as against an enemy. Some of the prisoners also were unwilling and reluctant to retire, and some pushing and struggling ensued between the parties, arising partly from intention, but mainly from the pressure of those behind preventing those in front from getting back. After some little time, however, this charge appears to have been so far effective, and that with little or no injury to the prisoners, as to have driven them for the most part quite down out of the square, with the exception of a small number who continued their resistance about No. 1 gate. A great crowd still remained collected after this in the passage between the square and the prisoners yards, in the vicinity of the gates. This assemblage still refused to withdraw, and, according to most of the English witnesses, and some of the American, was making a noise, hallooing, insulting, and provoking, and daring the military to fire; and, according to the evidence of several of the soldiers and some others, was pelting the military with large stones, by which some of them were actually struck. This circumstance is, however, denied by many of the American witnesses; and some of the English, upon having the question put to them, stated, they saw no stones thrown previously to the firing, although their situation at the time was such as to enable them to see most of the other proceedings in the square.
Under these circumstances the firing commenced, "With regard to any order having been given to fire, the evidence is very contradictory. Several of the Americans swear positively, that Capt. Shortland gave that order; but the manner in which, from the confusion of the moment, they describe this part 'of the transaction, is so different in its details, that it is very difficult to reconcile their testimony.
Many of the soldiers and other English witnesses, heard the word given by some one ; but no one of them can swear It was by Captain Shortland, or by any one in particular and some, amongst whom is the officer commanding the guard, think, if Captain SHORTLAND had given such an order, that they must have heard it, which they did not. In addition to this, Capt. Shortland denies the fact; and from the situation in which he appears to have been placed at the time, even according to the American witnesses, in front of the soldiers, it may appear somewhat improbable that he should then have given such an order. But, however it may remain a matter of doubt whether the firing first began in the square by order, or was a spontaneous act of the soldiers themselves, it seemed clear that it was continued and renewed, both there and elsewhere, without order; and that on the platforms, and in several places about the prison, it was certainly commenced without any authority. The fact of an order having been given at first, provided the firing was, under existing circumstances, justifiable, does not appear very material in any other point of view than as shewing a want of self-possession and discipline in the troops, if they should have fired without order. In regard to the above important consideration, of whether the firing was justifiable or not, we are of opinion, under all the circumstances of the case, from the apprehension which the soldiers might fairly entertain, owing to the numbers and conduct of the prisoners, that this firing to a certain extent, was justifiable, in a military point of view, in order to intimidate the prisoners, and compel them thereby to desist from all acts of violence, and to retire as they were ordered, from a situation in which the responsibility of the agents, and the military, could not permit them with safety to remain. From the fact of the crowd being so close, at hand the firing at first being attended with very little injury, it appears probable that a large proportion of the muskets were, as stated by one or two of the witnesses, leveled over the heads of the prisoners; a circumstance in some respects to he lamented, as it induced them to renew their insults to the soldiery, which produced a repetition of the firing in a manner much more destructive.
The firing in the square having continued for some time, by which several of the prisoners sustained injuries, the greater part of them appear to have been running back, with the utmost precipitation and confusion to their respective prisons, and the cause for further firing seems at this period to have ceased, lt appears accordingly, that Captain Shortland was in the market-square,. exerting himself and giving orders to that effect, and that Lieutenant Fortye had succeeded in stopping the fire of his part of the guard. Under these circumstances, it is very difficult to find any justification for the continuance and renewal of the firing, which certainly took place both in the prison yards and elsewhere; though we have some evidence of subsequent provocation given to the military, and resistance to the turnkeys in shutting the prisons, and of stones being thrown out from within the prison doors. The subsequent tiring rather appear to have arisen from individual irritation and exasperation on the part of the soldiers who followed the prisoners into their yards, and from the absence of nearly all the officers who might have restrained it; as well as from the great difficulty of putting an end to a firing when once commenced under such circumstances. Captain Shortland was from this time busily employed with the turnkeys, in the square, receiving and taking care of the wounded. Ensign White remained with his guard at the breach, and Lieutenants Avelyne and Fortye, the only other subalterns known to have been present, continued in the square with the main bodies, of their respective guards.' The time of the day, which was the officers' dinner hour, will in some measure explain this, as it caused the absence of every officer from the prison whose presence was not indispensible there and this circumstance, which has been urged as an argument to prove the intention of the prisoners to take this opportunity to escape", tended to increase the confusion, and to prevent those great exertions being made which might perhaps have obviated a portion, at least, of the mischief which ensued.
At the same time that the firing was going on in the square, a cross fire, was also kept up from several of the platforms on the walls round the prison where the sentries stand, by straggling parties of soldiers, who ran up there for that purpose. . As far as this fire was directed to disperse the men assembled round the breach, for which purpose it was most effectual, it seems to stand upon the same ground as that in the first instance in the square. But that part which it is positively sworn was directed against straggling parties of prisoners running about the yards, and endeavouring to enter the few doors which the turnkeys, according to their usual practice, had left open, does seem, as stated, to have been wholly without object or excuse, and to have been a wanton attack upon the lives of defenceless, and at that time, unoffending individuals. In the same, or even more severe terms, we must remark upon what was proved as to the firing into the door-ways of the prisons, most particularly into that of No. 3, prison, at a time when the men were in crowds at the entrance. From the position of the prison and of the door, and from the marks of the balls which were pointed out to us, as well as from the evidence, it was clear this firing must have proceeded from soldiers a very few feet from the door-way, and although it was certainly sworn that the prisoners were at the time of part of the firing, at least continuing to insult and occasionally to throw stones at the soldiers, and they were standing in the way of, and impeding the turnkey, who was there for the purpose of closing the door, yet still there was nothing stated which could in our view at all justify such excessively harsh and severe treatment of helpless and unarmed prisoners, when all idea of escape was at an end.
Under these impressions We used every endeavour to ascertain if there was the least prospect of identifying any of the soldiers who had been guilty of the particular outrages here alluded to, or of tracing any particular death at that time to the firing of any particular individual, but without success; and all hopes of bringing the offenders to punishment should seem to be at an end. In conclusion, we, the undersigned have only to add, tbat whilst we lament, as we do most deeply, the unfortunate transaction which has been the subject of this inquiry, we find ourselves totally unable to suggest any steps to be taken as to those parts of it which seem most to call for redress and punishment.
(Signed) CHARLES KING. FRANCIS SEYMOUR LARPENT.
Plymouth, April 26, I815.
Sir— In pursuance of instructions received from Messrs. CLAY and GALLATIN, I have now the honour to transmit to you the report prepared by Mr. Larpent and myself, on behalf of our respective Governments, in relation to the unfortunate transactions at Dartmoor prison of war, on the 6th of the present month. Considering it of much importance that the Report, whatever it might be, should go forth under our joint signatures, I have forborne to press some of the points which it involves, as far as otherwise I might have done, and it therefore may not be improper in this letter to enter into some little explanation of each parts of the Report. Although it does appear that a part of the prisoners were on that evening in such a state, and under such circumstances, as to have justified in the view which the commander of the depot could not but take of it, the intervention of the military force, and even in a strict sense, the first use of firearms, yet I cannot but express it as my settled opinion, that by conduct a little more temporising, the dreadful alternative of firing upon unarmed prisoners might have been avoided.. Yet as this opinion has been the result of subsequent examination, and after having acquired a knowledge of the comparatively harmless state of the prisoners, it may be but fair to consider, whether in such a moment of confusion and alarm as that appears to have been the officer commanding could have fairly estimated his danger, or have measured out with precision the extent and nature of the force necessary to guard against it. - But when the firing became general, as it afterwards appears to have done, and caught with electric rapidity from the square to the platforms, there is no plea nor shadow of excuse for it, except in the personal exasperation of the soldiers, nor for the more deliberate, and therefore more unjustifiable firing, which took place into three of the prisons, Nos. 1, 3, and 4, but most particularly into No. 3, after tbe prisoners had retired into them, and there was no longer any pretence of apprehensions as to their escape. Upon this ground, as you, Sir, will perceive by the report. Mr. Larpent and myself had no difference of opinion, and I am fully persuaded that my own regret was not greater than his, at perceiving how hopeless would be the attempt to trace to any individuals of the military these outrageous proceedings.
As to whether the order to fire came from Captain Shortland, I yet confess myself unable to form any satisfactory opinion, though, perhaps, the bias of my mind is, that he did give such an order. But his anxiety and exertions to slop it after it had continued for some little time are fully proved, and his general conduct previous. to this occurrence, as far as we could with propriety enter into such details, appears to have been characterised with tenderness, and even kindness, in the light in which he stood towards the prisoners, On the subject of any complaints against their own Government existing among the prisoners, it was invariably answered to several distinct questions put by me on that head, that none whatsoever existed or had been expressed by them, although they confessed themselves to have entertained some animosity against Mr. BEASLEY, to whom they attributed their detention in this country : with what justice you. Sir, will be better able to judge. They made no complaint whatsoever as to their provisions and general mode of living and treatment in the prison. 1 have transmitted to Mr. BEASLEY a list of the killed and wounded on this melancholy occasion, with a request that he would forward it to the United States, for the information of their friends at home: and I am pleased to have it my power to say, that the wounded are for the most part doing well. 1 have also inclosed to Mr. BEASLEY the notes taken by me of the evidence adduced before us, with a request that he would have them fairly copied; as also a copy of the depositions taken before the Coroner, and desired him to submit them to you when in order. I cannot conclude, Sir, without expressing my high sense of the impartiality and manly fairness with which this enquiry has been conducted on the part of Mr. Larpent, nor without mentioning that every facility was afforded lo us in its prosecution, as well by the military officers commanding here and at the prison, as by the Magistrates in the vicinity. I have the honour to be, with much respect, your most obedient humble servant, (Signed) CHARLES KING. His Excellency J. Q. Adams &c.
London, April 18, 1815.
Sir— At the request of Lord Castlereagh, we have had interviews with him and Mr. Goulburn, on the subject of the transportation of the American, prisoners now in this country, to the United States, and of the late unfortunate event at the depot at Dartmoor.
On the first subject, we agreed to advise your acceptance of the proposition ot Lord Castlereagh, to transport the prisoners at the joint expence of the two countries, reserving the construction of the articles of the treaty, which provides for the mutual restoration of prisoners, for future adjustment, It was stated by us, and was so understood, that the joint expence thus to be incurred, is to comprehend as well the requisite tonnage as the subsistence of the prisoners; and moreover, that measures of precaution should be adopted relative to the health and comfort of the prisoners, similar to those which had taken place in America. The details of this arrangement, if you concur with us its to the expediency of making it, are left to you to settle with the proper British authority.
On the other subject, as a statement of the transaction has been received from the American prisoners, differing very materially in fact from that which had resulted from an inquiry instituted by the Port Admiral, it bas been thought adviseable that some means should be devised of procuring information as to the real state of the case, in order, on the one hand, to shew that there had not been any wanton or improper sacrifice of the lives of American citizens; or, on the other, to enable the British Government to punish their civil and military officers, if it should appear that they have resorted to measures of extreme severity without necessity, or with too much precipitation. Lord Castlereagh proposed that the enquiry should be a joint one, conducted by a Commissioner selected by each Government. And we have thought such an inquiry most likely to produce an impartial and satisfactory result. We presume that you will have too much occupation on the first subject and the other incidental duties of your office, to attend to this inquiry in person. On that supposition we have stated to the British Government that we should recommend to you the selection of Charles King, Esq. as a fit person to conduct it in, behalf of the American Government. If Mr. King will undertake the business, he will forthwith proceed to Dartmoor, and in conjunction with the British Commissioner, who may be appointed on the occasion will examine the persons concerned, and such other evidence, as maybe thought necessary, and make a joint report upon the facts of the case to John Q. Adams, Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at this Court, and to the British Government.
The mode of executing this service must be left to the discretion of Mr. King and his colleague. If they can agree upon a narrative of the facts, after having heard the evidence, it will be better than reporting the whole mass of testimony in detail, which they may perhaps find it necessary to do, if they cannot come to such an agreement.
We are. Sir, your obedient humble servants, (Signed) H. CLAY, R. G. Beasley, Esq. &c. ALBERT GALLATIN.
Norfolk Chronicle 26 August 1815
In the American papers received the course of the week there is a very important document. Affidavits had been procured and circulated by the violent and discontented of that country, purporting that the unfortunate affair at Dartmoor prison, where many American prisoners lost their lives, was not the result of any mutinous conduct on their part, but a wanton and unprovoked attack on the part of the British military, on peaceable, unoffending, and unarmed prisoners. Although the unqualified baseness of such a charge must have defeated its malevolent purpose, it is nevertheless gratifying to see it officially contradicted in the document we allude to, which is a Report from two Commissioners appointed to investigate the business on the spot, Mr. Larpent for the British, and Mr. King for the American Government. There is much moderation and temper in this Report ; the riotous conduct of the prisoners is admitted have been such as justified measures of severity : but it is also admitted that the firing into some particular parts of the prison, where no resistance or riot existed, was censurable, though could not fixed on any one in particular.—Though there is much contradiction in the evidence in minor points, the existence the mutiny established beyond all question; and Capt. Shortland, whether the orders for firing were given by him or some one else; or was a spontaneous act of the men in the moment of danger, is highly praised for his efforts to stop its continuance, and his humane attention to the sufferers.
In the American papers received the course of the week there is a very important document. Affidavits had been procured and circulated by the violent and discontented of that country, purporting that the unfortunate affair at Dartmoor prison, where many American prisoners lost their lives, was not the result of any mutinous conduct on their part, but a wanton and unprovoked attack on the part of the British military, on peaceable, unoffending, and unarmed prisoners. Although the unqualified baseness of such a charge must have defeated its malevolent purpose, it is nevertheless gratifying to see it officially contradicted in the document we allude to, which is a Report from two Commissioners appointed to investigate the business on the spot, Mr. Larpent for the British, and Mr. King for the American Government. There is much moderation and temper in this Report ; the riotous conduct of the prisoners is admitted have been such as justified measures of severity : but it is also admitted that the firing into some particular parts of the prison, where no resistance or riot existed, was censurable, though could not fixed on any one in particular.—Though there is much contradiction in the evidence in minor points, the existence the mutiny established beyond all question; and Capt. Shortland, whether the orders for firing were given by him or some one else; or was a spontaneous act of the men in the moment of danger, is highly praised for his efforts to stop its continuance, and his humane attention to the sufferers.
Hull Packet 29 August 1815
Accounts from America, brought by the Bramble, which arrived from Halifax, state that the Americans are greatly irritated at the unfortunate affair at Dartmoor ; and have proceeded to such a length as to tread the British colours under feet.
Accounts from America, brought by the Bramble, which arrived from Halifax, state that the Americans are greatly irritated at the unfortunate affair at Dartmoor ; and have proceeded to such a length as to tread the British colours under feet.
Cobbett's Weekly Political Register 16 September 1815
DARTMOOR PRISON,
And the Killed and Wounded Americans,
This being a subject of importance, as it is now the principal cause of ill-blood in America towards England, I shall lay before my readers two documents relating to it. The first is a return, from authority. Indeed, a copy of the return, made to the American Government by our Government, through the American Agent for Prisoners here, of the persons killed and wounded upon this occasion. And, from this return, it will be seen, that some of these brave and faithful Americans had been made prisoners of war after having served on board of English ships of war. This Is the description of men, spoken of with such emphasis in the Exposition, lately published by Mr. CLEMENT, in the Strand, London. - The SECOND is a paper, published in the .New-York National Advocate of the 25th of July last, by some of the American Prisoners, who were at Dartmoor when the killing and wounding took place. This paper is a commentary on the Report of Messrs. King and Larpent, which appeared in the Political Register of the week before last. That report did, indeed, surprise me; but l should not have been able comment on it in the manner here performed. It is very right, that the public should know what the Americans ground their complaints on. They think it shows no goodwill towards them, that Captain should not have been called to account. They, are a queer, prying sort of people, who draw conclusions from very slight premises. They observed that Admiral Berkely was highly honoured. They will see, that ADMIRAL COCKBURN has been highly honoured; though GENERAL ROSS was deprived his earthly rewards by a malicious yankee rifle-man, yet they will read, in the London COURIER of the 13th inst. The following paragraph -
“In consideration of the services of the late MAJOR-General Ross, who was unfortunately killed in the action near Baltimore, the Prince Regent has been graciously pleased to grant honourable armorial distinctions to be placed on his monument, and to be borne by his widow and descendants.” They will hear in due time what is to be done in honour of “Booty and Beauty.” - Without more ceremony I insert the two documents, and leave the business of remark for another occasion.
DARTMOOR PRISON.
Return of American Prisoners of War who were Killed and Wounded in an Attempt to force the Military Guard on the Evening of the of April) 1815.
KILLED
CURRENT NO. ON NAMES QUALITY SHIP WHETHER MAN REMARKS
NUMBER GENERAL OF WAR, MERCHANT
ENTRY VESSEL OR PRIVATEER
BOOK
1 4884 Wm. Leverage Seaman Enterprize' Privateer prize to Saratoga
970 James Mann ____ Siro Letter of Marque
3134 John Haywood ____ Gave himself up from H. M. ship Scipion
1347 Jos. T. Johnson ____ Paul Jones Privateer
5 3036 John Washington ____ Rolla Merchant Vessel
WOUNDED
1 6520 Thos. Jackson Boy Gave himself Dangerously from H.M. Ship Orontes died 7th April 1815
2647 James Campbell Seaman Volontaire Dangerously died 7th April 1815
5769 John Gier ____ Rambler Merchant Vessel
1722 Wm. Penn ____ Dispatch Merchant Vessel Impressed at London
5 5005 Corneilias Ganison ___ Invincible Letter of Marque
3614 H. Moutcalon ____ {Homely prize Privateer to Gov. Tomkins}
1965 Robt. Willet ____ {H. M. Ship Andromache} Privateer
5326 John Peach ____ Enterprize Privateer
2148 Edw. Whittlebank ___ {H. M. Ship Royal William} Privateer
10 1881 James Thornbull Boy Elbridge Jenny Privateer
3652 James Wells Seaman Thorn Do.
1256 Phillip Ford ____ H. M. Ship Sultan
685 James Bell ____ Joel Harlow Merchant Vessel
91 John Grey ____ St. Martin's Planter Do.
15 436 Wm. Leversage ____ Magdalene Do.
1024 Edw. Gardener ____ Joseph
1546 Stephen Phipps ____ Zebra Letter of Marque
486 John Roberts ____ {True Brothers, Impressed at Do. Cork}
1640 Thos. Smith ____ Paul Jones Privateer
20 1819 Caleb Godding ____ H. M. S. Swiftsure
5015 Jacob Davis ____ {Charlotte, prize to Mammoth} Privateer
2013 James Eadaile ____ Governor Tomkins Do.
380 Peter Wilson ____ Virginia Planter Merchant Vessel
2881 Wm Blake ____ H. M. S. Repulse Discharged, cured 16th April, 1815
25 338 John Hogabets 2nd Mate Good Friends Merchant Vessel
4153 Ephm. Lincoln Seaman Argus Do.
27 4493 Thos. Fludley ____ Enterprize Privateer
28 4109 John Hayward Seaman Flash Do.
1228 Joseph Masick ____ H. M. S. Furious
30 6125 Robt. Fittey ____ Grand Turk Privateer Discharged, cured 18th April, 1815
1818 John Willett ____ H. M. S. Rosarie
3080 John Perry ____ H. M. S. Tiger
33 2668 John Wilson ____ H. M. S. Fortune
(Signed) Thos. Geo. SHORTLAND, Agent
Geo. MAGRATH, Surgeon.
POLITICAL REGISTER
On the Dartmoor Massacre in reply to Messrs, King and Larpent's Reports.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Having perused, with attention, the report of Mr. Chas. King, and Fras. Seymour Larpent, on their examination of the unfortunate occurrence AT Dartmoor, on the 6th of April last— We, the undersigned, being there at the time this unfortunate occurrence took place, deem it a duty we owe the surviving sufferers of that bloody transaction, to our fellow citizens, and ourselves, to make some remarks upon such a singular report. Although we presume the door is for ever closed against any further investigation of that ever to be remembered transaction, we cannot help, however contrary it may be to our wishes, irritate the public feeling, already so much excited, of entering into a detailed investigation of that report.
In the Committee’s address to the public on the 27th of last June, preceding the publication of the affidavits of some of the prisoners, taken on that melancholy affair, they have justly anticipated, what would the report of the Commissioners, after their investigation : they drew their conclusions from the singular manner in which the investigation was conducted. The report commences by stating, that, after having carefully perused the proceedings of the several courts of inquiry, instituted immediately after that event, they proceeded immediately to the examination, upon oath, all the witnesses, both American and English, who offered themselves for that purpose. How far this part of the report is correct, we shall leave the public to judge.
On the arrival of the Commissioners at the depot, the committee of the prison was sent for ; after waiting some time at the door of the room, where the inquiry was held, they were called in, separately, and questioned as to their knowledge of the transactions of the 6th. The depositions of those who were eye witnesses of that disgraceful scene were taken ; some were questioned as to the general conduct of Shortland, previous to that affair; it was represented by them as it would have been by all as being universally cruel, overbearing, and oppressive. After having finished the examination, of the committee, they requested them to bring forward all the evidence that was likely to cast any light on the subject of the enquiry. They, accordingly, returned into the prison, and draw up a list of the names of some of those who were eye witnesses of that day’s occurrence. Although they could have brought hundreds to the examination, and the sum of whose evidence would have amounted to the same thing, yet the committee, not wishing to impede the progress of the investigation, by a rotundity of evidence, they were careful to select men as were most likely to give clear and distinct account of all the circumstances, as they occurred under their knowledge, taking care, at the same time, to procure those whose different situations afforded them an opportunity of witnessing that transaction, from the commencement to the close. Such was the evidence the commit had selected, to the number of about fifty, very few of whom were ever examined, although they were kept waiting at the turnkey’s lodge, (where they were ordered stay until called for) during the hours of investigation. In the course of the inquiry, it seems, the Commissioners found it necessary to survey the particular situation of the prisons, and the points from which the different attacks were made; they accordingly came into the yard for that purpose, and after having been shown all the places from whence the firing was continued, where the crowd of prisoners had assembled on the first alarm, and where the hole, so much made a handle of, had been made—-after a slight survey of these different places, they retired into their session room, leaving orders, once more with the committee to hold their evidence in readiness, as they would soon culled upon for examination. The committee replied that they had been in readiness since the commencement of the inquiry, and were then only waiting their orders to appear before them, feeling happy in the idea of having it in their power to show to the court, and to the world, by the evidence they had to produce, that the attack of Shortland on the defenceless prisoners, was premeditated and unjustifiable, in any point of view.
After attending in the turnkey's lodge during the sitting of the c6mmissioners, until the middle of the third day, without having but very few of the evidences sent for, and being fearful that they might be waiting for them, the committee sent them word that the witnesses were still in attendance No answer being returned to this message for some time, the committee became uneasy on account of the long examination of the officers, soldiers, clerks, and turnkeys, attached to the depot, without admitting the prisoners to an equal privilege ; and understanding the commission were about closing their enquiry, they again sent word they would be glad to have an interview for a few moments, for the purpose of explaining the. nature of their evidence, and the necessity of a full hearing on both sides of the question. No answer being returned this request, and still waiting with the anxious hope that they would soon send for some us, when were told, by one of the turnkeys, that the commissioners were preparing to depart, having finished the examination. Astonished to think that they meant to leave the depot Without, clearly investigating the circumstances that were the cause of their meeting, and feeling indignant that a cause of so much importance should be passed over partially, the committee addressed a note to Mr. King, begging him not to shut the door of communication against the prisoners .by closing the inquiry without giving them the privilege of a hearing, as the greatest part of our witnesses were yet unexamined,and the evidence they conceived to be of the utmost importance to the investigation. No reply was made to this note; but, a few moments, we were told, that the commissioners had left the depot. How far they are they justifiable in saying they examined all the evidences that offered themselves, we think is sufficiently shown.
The commissioners next go on to mention the insurrection of the prisoners about the bread on the 4th, two days previous to the events, the subject of that inquiry. Although the report correctly states the prisoners quietly returned to their own yards after their demands having been complied with, yet Mr King, forgot to mention, that it was clearly represented to him, had the prisoners been so disposed on that night, they could have easily made their escape. Although that transaction had nothing to do as relates to the prisoners, with the events of the 6th we merely represent, this circumstance to show, that there was no intention whatever on their part to break out of the prison, as Shortland and his adherents have attempted to prove.
The report goes to mention, on the evening of the 6th of April, about six c’clock In the evening, a hole was made in one of the walls of the prison sufficient for a full-sized man to pass, and others had been commenced but never completed, and that a number of prisoners were over the railing erected to prevent them from communicating with the centinels on the walls, and that they were tearing up pieces of turf, and wantonly pelting each other in a noisy manner.
As to the hole made in the wall we believe the causes and reasons have been already sufficiently explained by the affidavits laid before the public. With respect to the prisoners being between the iron palling and the wall, could have been, if was not, easily explained to Mr. King, had he given an opportunity. It seems, that the afternoon of the 6th, some of the prisoners having obtained leave of the sentinels on the walls to go over and lay upon the grass; others seeing them lying so much at their ease, ever to, enjoy the same privilege; and as the sentinels made no objection to this proceeding, the number was soon increased to such a degree that it became no longer an enjoyment to those who first obtained the privilege; some scuffling then ensued among themselves, and they began to pelt each other with turf and old shoes, principally in play, and among so many, no doubt, there must have been considerable note; but how they can possibly connect this circumstance with the hole made in the wall, is intirely out of our power to conceive, as the iron railing separated them from the pretended breach in the wall, and distant from more than half the length of the yard; of course, had the hole been intended as a breach, the iron would have become a barrier instead of facilitating the means of an escape.
As to that part of the report which mentions the guard barracks being the repository for the arms the guard of duty, and of its standing in the yard to which the hole the wall would serve as a communication and its being a further cause of suspicion to Capt Shortland; to one acquainted with the situation of the prison, such an idea would be ridiculous, but to those who are not acquainted with it, it will be only necessary for us to mention that if the prisoners had the intention of breaking out through this passage, and had actually got in to the barrack yard, the difficulties they would then have to encounter would be much greater than to break a passage through the market square, or the back part of the yard. As to the idea of them possessing themselves of the muskets standing in the racks of the guard barracks (even if they knew of any being there) is childish; for how easy would it have been for the commanding officer, on the shortest intimation of such an attempt with one blast of his bugle have called all his guards to, the spot before a hundredth part of the prisoners could have got into the yard, and by that means instantly put stop any to any further proceedings on their part.
We cannot conceive how Mr. King can possibly come forward, and say, on these grounds, it appeared to him that Captain Shortland was justified in giving the order for sounding the alarm-bell, when, if he found the prisoners were conducting themselves improperly, had he sent for the committee (as always had been his custom heretofore, when he had any charge against the prisoners for improper conduct) and told them that the prisoners were breaking the wall (which circumstance as has been published before, was not known to one tenth of the prisoners) and requested them to have represented to those engaged in it the consequences that must ensue if they persisted in such conduct, we have not a moment’s hesitation in saying, they would have put a stop to any further proceedings of that kind.
That part which relates to the breaking of the iron chain which fastened No. l gate, and follows next in the report, says, there was no evidence to show it was done before or after the alarm-bell rang. this was a material point on which they grounded Shortland’s justification, we have to regret that the evidence we had to lay before the commissioners, and which would, in our opinion, have sufficiently cleared up that pointy was not examined.
On the ringing of the alarm-bell the rush towards the gates leading Into the market-square was great (attracted has been before stated curiosity) that those in front were irresistibly pushed forward by those in the rear, and if the chain had not broke, the lock must have given way to the pressure, and by this opening, it is but natural to suppose, that a number must have been shoved into the square, in front of the soldiers, who were drawn up in a line across the square, with Shortland at their head.
If, as the report now goes on to state, there was no direct proof before them of a previous concert or preparation on the part of the prisoners, and no evidence of their intention or disposition to effect their escape on this occasion, excepting that which arose by inference from the whole of the detailed circumstances connected together, had Mr. King examined the evidence on the part of the prisoners, as minutely as he examined those on the part of Shortland, he could not even have drawn the shadow of an inference of that being their intention.
Where the commissioners got their evidence for asserting that Capt. Shortland, by quiet means and persuasion, endeavoured to persuade the prisoners to retire into their respective yards, is unaccountable to us, as those who know Capt. Shortland, know he is not a man of persuasion. It is correct that Dr. McGrath used every exertion to persuade the prisoners to retire out of the square, which, if Shortland had allowed sufficient time, would have quietly done – but the crowd, by this time, had got so great, and the pressure in the rear so strong, that those in front could not retreat until time should be allowed for the rear to fall back; but the hasty, haughty, and overbearing temper of Shortland could not allow him to use such conciliatory means. He orders (the report says) fifteen file of the guard fronting the open gate, to the charge; and, after some little time, the charge was so far effectual, with but very little or no injury to the prisoners, as to drive them, for the most part, quite out of the square, with the exception of a small number, who continued their resistance about No. 1 gate. Under these circumstances, continues the report, the firing commenced.
Here we beg leave to request an attentive perusal of the affidavits of some of the prisoners, taken by the committee, and which relates particularly to this part of the transaction. It is there positively stated, that on the soldiers' coming to a charge the prisoners all retreated into the yard and pushed the gate to after them. If the commissioners had examined that evidence, this part their report ought to have been differently expressed.
We cannot conceive how Mr. King finds it difficult to reconcile the testimony respecting Captain Shortland’s giving the order to fire, when he reports, that several of the Americans swear positively that Captain Shortland gave that order and many of the soldiers and the English witnesses heard the word given by some one, I but would not swear it was by Captain Shortland; and some (among whom is the officer commanding the guard) think, if Captain Shortland had given such an order, they must have heard it, which they did not, Thus, then, stands the foundation for this part of the report. An English officer thinks it is not so, and several Americans swear it is so; and he finds it is very difficult to reconcile their testimony. The lightness with which they seem to have passed over this most important point of that day’s transaction, cannot but be deeply regretted by those who feel for the unhappy sufferers, when on they go to state, “It may remain a matter of doubt whether the firing first began in the square by order, or was a spontaneous act of the soldiers themselves; it seemed clear it was continued and renewed), both there and elsewhere, without orders – and that on the platforms and in several places about the prison it was certainty commenced without any authority.” We must once more request the attention of the public to the affidavits already published : It is there sworn by one of the witnesses, that previous to the alarm bell being rung, and while walking in the yard, a soldier called to him from the walls, and him to go in, as they would soon be fired upon. How, then, can it be possible, that a soldier on the walls should know that they would be fired upon, if the order had not been previously given to that effect? And had the bugleman been examined, he could have stated, that previous to the ringing of the alarm-bell, he received orders to sound to fire; so that when the soldiers took their stations on the walls, they were charged and prepared for that purpose.— With such information, we conceive the committee to stand fully justified in stating in their report, the belief of its being a preconcerted plan, on the part of Shortland; and if the commissioners had possessed themselves with knowledge of these circumstances, which they could and ought to have done, would they, then, reported Shortland as justifiable, even in a military point of view.
The next thing we have to notice in the report is, that very singular paragraph, which says, “From the facts of the crowd’s being so close), and the firing at first, being attended with very little injury, it appears probable, that a large proportion the musquets were, as stated by one or two of the witnesses, levelled over the heads the prisoners, a circumstance, in some respects, to be lamented.” Is it then, to be lamented, that the soldiers did not level their pieces on the first fire, directly into the crowd, which they have stated to be so great and so close, that a soldier declared, he could not come fairly down to a charge? Or is it to be lamented, that one or two hundred were not killed at the first discharge, and a thousand or two wounded? If so, we think it much to be lamented, that the reporters were not there, and placed foremast the crowd.
The circumstance of so few being hurt at the first discharge is not strange to who are acquainted with the situation; and this occurrence alone corroborates the American evidence, and ought to have been sufficient proof to the commissioners that the prisoners, on being charged upon, retreated through the gates, and shut them after them before the, firing commenced and which circumstance, alone, should have shut the door of justification against Shortland for commencing a fire upon them as they were in their own yards, As this was the actual situation of the prisoners on the first discharge, and the soldiers having to fire through the Iron pailing, and the prisoners retreating on a descending ground of course brought the muskets, when down to a level, over the heads of the prisoners, it was owing to this fortunate circumstance that few were injured on the first discharge of the musketry: and it seems the inhuman Shortland was aware of this circumstance, who he was distinctly heard to order the soldiers to fire low. This does not appear to correspond with the first part of their report, which says, “Captain Shortland was in the market square exerting himself in giving orders to. stop the firing.”
That there was any provocation given to the soldiers to justify, their subsequent brutal conduct, the commissioners themselves seem to find it very difficult to trace any evidence, although they say, it appears, that there was some resistance made to the turnkeys in shutting the prison, and that stones were thrown the military. Had they examined the prisoners sufficiently, they would have been convinced that no resistance was made to the turnkeys shutting the doors. As to throwing stones at the military while they were chasing them from corner to corner, and firing at them in every place where they had taken shelter from the balls, could it be expected but they would seise on something for self-defence, when they saw the soldiers running at them with their bayonets, and having no possible means of escape, as has been before stated, all the doors the prisons had been previously closed except one, and that one, perhaps, the length of the prison from him. Is there a men in such a situation but would seize the first weapon that offered itself and sell his life dear as possible. How can they, then, make that the slightest justification for such outrageous conduct on the part of Shortland or the military?
As to most of the officers being absent when the soldiers came into the yard, is erroneous; it could have been proved that there was an officer in every yard, and in one instance when he was heard to give the order to fire on a party of prisoners close by the door, and running and making every exertion to enter the prison.
As to Capt. Shortland being busy in the square with the turnkeys, receiving and taking care of the wounded, certainly shows the want of information; for it is already before the public, in affidavit, the cruel manner in which the wounded were treated by him, and of his abuse, to the prisoners who were bearing the wounded to the hospital gate. That part the report which relates, that the time and commencement of this transaction was the officers' dinner hour, is too ridiculous for comment. We do not believe that there was prisoner in the depot that knew when or where the officers dined, and, therefore, can be no ground for an argument, that the prisoners were taking this opportunity to escape. The report then goes on to state, “the cross fire which was kept up from several the of the platforms on the walls round the prison, and directed against straggling parties of prisoners running about the yard, endeavouring to enter the prison by the door which the turnkeys had left open, according their practice, does seem hare been without object or excuse, and have been a wanton attack upon the lives of defenceless, and, at the same time, unoffending individuals.” In answer to this paragraph, we shall only reply —had the commissioners examined all the American evidence, and attached the same credit to it which, it appears, they have, done to the English evidence, similar expressions would have been made use of against Shortland's conduct throughout the whole of their report.
It appears to us, after an attentive examination of his report, that the commissioners mean to justify Shortland in commencing his murderous attack upon the prisoners, and to condemn the soldiers for continuing it. Singular as this idea appears, it is no less strange to us how it can possible they could reconcile it to their feelings to make up a report containing such a direct contradiction to reason; for, surely, if Shortland could be justified in using coercive measures in the first instance, the military certainly should be acquitted for, the subsequent massacre, as the whole was conducted under his immediate command and if he had a right to kill one on the same ground he might have extended it to a thousand. And, the other hand, If any part of the transaction is to be condemned, Shortland should be to answer for the whole; for what necessity could there be made to attempt identifying any of the soldiers? Surely, the commissioners could not think of bringing them to punishment when they acted by the direct orders of Shortland and his officers? And if any one could or ought to be made to answer for the outrage, Shortland ought be the first.
In addition to the contradictions contained in the commissioners’ joint report, Mr. King, in his letter to his Excellency J. Q. Adams, almost denies the ground which they have, in part, founded Shortland's justification, When he says (alluding to having heard several Americans swear positively that Shortland did give the order to fire, and an officer of the guard thinks If he had he should have heard him) “perhaps the bias of my mind was. that Shortland did give that order; and, wishing the report to go forth under our joint signature, I forbore to press some of the points which it involves so far as otherwise might hate done.
If, then, any part has been neglected, or passed over for accommodation or say other purpose (and one there certainly has, in not paying the attention to the American as done the English evidence) it is to be regretted that Mr. King should so far forget or neglect the sacred duties attached the appointment of a commissioner, to inquire into the the murder of his countrymen, as to pass over any points which might have brought to light the means of punishment for the murderers, or obtained in some measure an indemnity for the surviving unhappy and maimed sufferers. Will not the shades of the departed victims haunt him in his midnight slumbers, and pointing to their lascerated bodies, say, these still remain unrevenged? Will not the unhappy survivors show the stumps of their amputated limbs, and say, these wounds fester, and still remain unatoned? Will not the widow and helpless orphan raise their innocent hands to heaven and cry, why was justice denied to us? why was the heart so callous to our sufferings ? and why was the bosom shut to sympathy? Let Mr. King point out some meant to appease these bitter complaints, and we shall be satisfied.
We shall now close these unpleasant remarks by noticing another unaccountable error in Mr. King’s letter to Mr. Adams where he mentions, speaking of Shortland, “and his general conduct previous to this occurrence, as far as 1 could with propriety enter into such details, appears to hare been characterised with great fairness and even kindness in the relation in which he stood towards the prisoners” we shall not pretend to ask Mr. King where he obtained the evidence on which he grounds this assertion ( we are sure it was not from the prisoners, who ought to been the best judges of that circumstance; but, instead of all that, all the Americans who were permitted to express an opinion on that subject at the examination, declared, without reserve, as would all the prisoners in the depot had they been asked the question, that Shortland’s conduct, from the commencement of his appointment to that station, had been cruel, oppressive, and overbearing; and, instead taking measures alleviate the distresses of the wretched objects under him as a feeling men would have done, he seemed to take pleasure in harrassing them whenever he could find the slightest pretext for doing so.
W. COLTON, HENRY DOLLIVER,
JOSEPH SWAIN, B. WEEKS,
ARCH'D TAYLOR, PHILIP BLACK.
ABM. MCINTYRE HOMER HULL,
WM. COCHRAN, J. M. BUSHFIELD,
DAVID INGALLS, JOHN JONES,
REUBEN SHERMAN, WM. DENERELL,
RICH'D J. MACKAY, THOS. WARD.
WM. K. WHITE.
DARTMOOR PRISON,
And the Killed and Wounded Americans,
This being a subject of importance, as it is now the principal cause of ill-blood in America towards England, I shall lay before my readers two documents relating to it. The first is a return, from authority. Indeed, a copy of the return, made to the American Government by our Government, through the American Agent for Prisoners here, of the persons killed and wounded upon this occasion. And, from this return, it will be seen, that some of these brave and faithful Americans had been made prisoners of war after having served on board of English ships of war. This Is the description of men, spoken of with such emphasis in the Exposition, lately published by Mr. CLEMENT, in the Strand, London. - The SECOND is a paper, published in the .New-York National Advocate of the 25th of July last, by some of the American Prisoners, who were at Dartmoor when the killing and wounding took place. This paper is a commentary on the Report of Messrs. King and Larpent, which appeared in the Political Register of the week before last. That report did, indeed, surprise me; but l should not have been able comment on it in the manner here performed. It is very right, that the public should know what the Americans ground their complaints on. They think it shows no goodwill towards them, that Captain should not have been called to account. They, are a queer, prying sort of people, who draw conclusions from very slight premises. They observed that Admiral Berkely was highly honoured. They will see, that ADMIRAL COCKBURN has been highly honoured; though GENERAL ROSS was deprived his earthly rewards by a malicious yankee rifle-man, yet they will read, in the London COURIER of the 13th inst. The following paragraph -
“In consideration of the services of the late MAJOR-General Ross, who was unfortunately killed in the action near Baltimore, the Prince Regent has been graciously pleased to grant honourable armorial distinctions to be placed on his monument, and to be borne by his widow and descendants.” They will hear in due time what is to be done in honour of “Booty and Beauty.” - Without more ceremony I insert the two documents, and leave the business of remark for another occasion.
DARTMOOR PRISON.
Return of American Prisoners of War who were Killed and Wounded in an Attempt to force the Military Guard on the Evening of the of April) 1815.
KILLED
CURRENT NO. ON NAMES QUALITY SHIP WHETHER MAN REMARKS
NUMBER GENERAL OF WAR, MERCHANT
ENTRY VESSEL OR PRIVATEER
BOOK
1 4884 Wm. Leverage Seaman Enterprize' Privateer prize to Saratoga
970 James Mann ____ Siro Letter of Marque
3134 John Haywood ____ Gave himself up from H. M. ship Scipion
1347 Jos. T. Johnson ____ Paul Jones Privateer
5 3036 John Washington ____ Rolla Merchant Vessel
WOUNDED
1 6520 Thos. Jackson Boy Gave himself Dangerously from H.M. Ship Orontes died 7th April 1815
2647 James Campbell Seaman Volontaire Dangerously died 7th April 1815
5769 John Gier ____ Rambler Merchant Vessel
1722 Wm. Penn ____ Dispatch Merchant Vessel Impressed at London
5 5005 Corneilias Ganison ___ Invincible Letter of Marque
3614 H. Moutcalon ____ {Homely prize Privateer to Gov. Tomkins}
1965 Robt. Willet ____ {H. M. Ship Andromache} Privateer
5326 John Peach ____ Enterprize Privateer
2148 Edw. Whittlebank ___ {H. M. Ship Royal William} Privateer
10 1881 James Thornbull Boy Elbridge Jenny Privateer
3652 James Wells Seaman Thorn Do.
1256 Phillip Ford ____ H. M. Ship Sultan
685 James Bell ____ Joel Harlow Merchant Vessel
91 John Grey ____ St. Martin's Planter Do.
15 436 Wm. Leversage ____ Magdalene Do.
1024 Edw. Gardener ____ Joseph
1546 Stephen Phipps ____ Zebra Letter of Marque
486 John Roberts ____ {True Brothers, Impressed at Do. Cork}
1640 Thos. Smith ____ Paul Jones Privateer
20 1819 Caleb Godding ____ H. M. S. Swiftsure
5015 Jacob Davis ____ {Charlotte, prize to Mammoth} Privateer
2013 James Eadaile ____ Governor Tomkins Do.
380 Peter Wilson ____ Virginia Planter Merchant Vessel
2881 Wm Blake ____ H. M. S. Repulse Discharged, cured 16th April, 1815
25 338 John Hogabets 2nd Mate Good Friends Merchant Vessel
4153 Ephm. Lincoln Seaman Argus Do.
27 4493 Thos. Fludley ____ Enterprize Privateer
28 4109 John Hayward Seaman Flash Do.
1228 Joseph Masick ____ H. M. S. Furious
30 6125 Robt. Fittey ____ Grand Turk Privateer Discharged, cured 18th April, 1815
1818 John Willett ____ H. M. S. Rosarie
3080 John Perry ____ H. M. S. Tiger
33 2668 John Wilson ____ H. M. S. Fortune
(Signed) Thos. Geo. SHORTLAND, Agent
Geo. MAGRATH, Surgeon.
POLITICAL REGISTER
On the Dartmoor Massacre in reply to Messrs, King and Larpent's Reports.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
Having perused, with attention, the report of Mr. Chas. King, and Fras. Seymour Larpent, on their examination of the unfortunate occurrence AT Dartmoor, on the 6th of April last— We, the undersigned, being there at the time this unfortunate occurrence took place, deem it a duty we owe the surviving sufferers of that bloody transaction, to our fellow citizens, and ourselves, to make some remarks upon such a singular report. Although we presume the door is for ever closed against any further investigation of that ever to be remembered transaction, we cannot help, however contrary it may be to our wishes, irritate the public feeling, already so much excited, of entering into a detailed investigation of that report.
In the Committee’s address to the public on the 27th of last June, preceding the publication of the affidavits of some of the prisoners, taken on that melancholy affair, they have justly anticipated, what would the report of the Commissioners, after their investigation : they drew their conclusions from the singular manner in which the investigation was conducted. The report commences by stating, that, after having carefully perused the proceedings of the several courts of inquiry, instituted immediately after that event, they proceeded immediately to the examination, upon oath, all the witnesses, both American and English, who offered themselves for that purpose. How far this part of the report is correct, we shall leave the public to judge.
On the arrival of the Commissioners at the depot, the committee of the prison was sent for ; after waiting some time at the door of the room, where the inquiry was held, they were called in, separately, and questioned as to their knowledge of the transactions of the 6th. The depositions of those who were eye witnesses of that disgraceful scene were taken ; some were questioned as to the general conduct of Shortland, previous to that affair; it was represented by them as it would have been by all as being universally cruel, overbearing, and oppressive. After having finished the examination, of the committee, they requested them to bring forward all the evidence that was likely to cast any light on the subject of the enquiry. They, accordingly, returned into the prison, and draw up a list of the names of some of those who were eye witnesses of that day’s occurrence. Although they could have brought hundreds to the examination, and the sum of whose evidence would have amounted to the same thing, yet the committee, not wishing to impede the progress of the investigation, by a rotundity of evidence, they were careful to select men as were most likely to give clear and distinct account of all the circumstances, as they occurred under their knowledge, taking care, at the same time, to procure those whose different situations afforded them an opportunity of witnessing that transaction, from the commencement to the close. Such was the evidence the commit had selected, to the number of about fifty, very few of whom were ever examined, although they were kept waiting at the turnkey’s lodge, (where they were ordered stay until called for) during the hours of investigation. In the course of the inquiry, it seems, the Commissioners found it necessary to survey the particular situation of the prisons, and the points from which the different attacks were made; they accordingly came into the yard for that purpose, and after having been shown all the places from whence the firing was continued, where the crowd of prisoners had assembled on the first alarm, and where the hole, so much made a handle of, had been made—-after a slight survey of these different places, they retired into their session room, leaving orders, once more with the committee to hold their evidence in readiness, as they would soon culled upon for examination. The committee replied that they had been in readiness since the commencement of the inquiry, and were then only waiting their orders to appear before them, feeling happy in the idea of having it in their power to show to the court, and to the world, by the evidence they had to produce, that the attack of Shortland on the defenceless prisoners, was premeditated and unjustifiable, in any point of view.
After attending in the turnkey's lodge during the sitting of the c6mmissioners, until the middle of the third day, without having but very few of the evidences sent for, and being fearful that they might be waiting for them, the committee sent them word that the witnesses were still in attendance No answer being returned to this message for some time, the committee became uneasy on account of the long examination of the officers, soldiers, clerks, and turnkeys, attached to the depot, without admitting the prisoners to an equal privilege ; and understanding the commission were about closing their enquiry, they again sent word they would be glad to have an interview for a few moments, for the purpose of explaining the. nature of their evidence, and the necessity of a full hearing on both sides of the question. No answer being returned this request, and still waiting with the anxious hope that they would soon send for some us, when were told, by one of the turnkeys, that the commissioners were preparing to depart, having finished the examination. Astonished to think that they meant to leave the depot Without, clearly investigating the circumstances that were the cause of their meeting, and feeling indignant that a cause of so much importance should be passed over partially, the committee addressed a note to Mr. King, begging him not to shut the door of communication against the prisoners .by closing the inquiry without giving them the privilege of a hearing, as the greatest part of our witnesses were yet unexamined,and the evidence they conceived to be of the utmost importance to the investigation. No reply was made to this note; but, a few moments, we were told, that the commissioners had left the depot. How far they are they justifiable in saying they examined all the evidences that offered themselves, we think is sufficiently shown.
The commissioners next go on to mention the insurrection of the prisoners about the bread on the 4th, two days previous to the events, the subject of that inquiry. Although the report correctly states the prisoners quietly returned to their own yards after their demands having been complied with, yet Mr King, forgot to mention, that it was clearly represented to him, had the prisoners been so disposed on that night, they could have easily made their escape. Although that transaction had nothing to do as relates to the prisoners, with the events of the 6th we merely represent, this circumstance to show, that there was no intention whatever on their part to break out of the prison, as Shortland and his adherents have attempted to prove.
The report goes to mention, on the evening of the 6th of April, about six c’clock In the evening, a hole was made in one of the walls of the prison sufficient for a full-sized man to pass, and others had been commenced but never completed, and that a number of prisoners were over the railing erected to prevent them from communicating with the centinels on the walls, and that they were tearing up pieces of turf, and wantonly pelting each other in a noisy manner.
As to the hole made in the wall we believe the causes and reasons have been already sufficiently explained by the affidavits laid before the public. With respect to the prisoners being between the iron palling and the wall, could have been, if was not, easily explained to Mr. King, had he given an opportunity. It seems, that the afternoon of the 6th, some of the prisoners having obtained leave of the sentinels on the walls to go over and lay upon the grass; others seeing them lying so much at their ease, ever to, enjoy the same privilege; and as the sentinels made no objection to this proceeding, the number was soon increased to such a degree that it became no longer an enjoyment to those who first obtained the privilege; some scuffling then ensued among themselves, and they began to pelt each other with turf and old shoes, principally in play, and among so many, no doubt, there must have been considerable note; but how they can possibly connect this circumstance with the hole made in the wall, is intirely out of our power to conceive, as the iron railing separated them from the pretended breach in the wall, and distant from more than half the length of the yard; of course, had the hole been intended as a breach, the iron would have become a barrier instead of facilitating the means of an escape.
As to that part of the report which mentions the guard barracks being the repository for the arms the guard of duty, and of its standing in the yard to which the hole the wall would serve as a communication and its being a further cause of suspicion to Capt Shortland; to one acquainted with the situation of the prison, such an idea would be ridiculous, but to those who are not acquainted with it, it will be only necessary for us to mention that if the prisoners had the intention of breaking out through this passage, and had actually got in to the barrack yard, the difficulties they would then have to encounter would be much greater than to break a passage through the market square, or the back part of the yard. As to the idea of them possessing themselves of the muskets standing in the racks of the guard barracks (even if they knew of any being there) is childish; for how easy would it have been for the commanding officer, on the shortest intimation of such an attempt with one blast of his bugle have called all his guards to, the spot before a hundredth part of the prisoners could have got into the yard, and by that means instantly put stop any to any further proceedings on their part.
We cannot conceive how Mr. King can possibly come forward, and say, on these grounds, it appeared to him that Captain Shortland was justified in giving the order for sounding the alarm-bell, when, if he found the prisoners were conducting themselves improperly, had he sent for the committee (as always had been his custom heretofore, when he had any charge against the prisoners for improper conduct) and told them that the prisoners were breaking the wall (which circumstance as has been published before, was not known to one tenth of the prisoners) and requested them to have represented to those engaged in it the consequences that must ensue if they persisted in such conduct, we have not a moment’s hesitation in saying, they would have put a stop to any further proceedings of that kind.
That part which relates to the breaking of the iron chain which fastened No. l gate, and follows next in the report, says, there was no evidence to show it was done before or after the alarm-bell rang. this was a material point on which they grounded Shortland’s justification, we have to regret that the evidence we had to lay before the commissioners, and which would, in our opinion, have sufficiently cleared up that pointy was not examined.
On the ringing of the alarm-bell the rush towards the gates leading Into the market-square was great (attracted has been before stated curiosity) that those in front were irresistibly pushed forward by those in the rear, and if the chain had not broke, the lock must have given way to the pressure, and by this opening, it is but natural to suppose, that a number must have been shoved into the square, in front of the soldiers, who were drawn up in a line across the square, with Shortland at their head.
If, as the report now goes on to state, there was no direct proof before them of a previous concert or preparation on the part of the prisoners, and no evidence of their intention or disposition to effect their escape on this occasion, excepting that which arose by inference from the whole of the detailed circumstances connected together, had Mr. King examined the evidence on the part of the prisoners, as minutely as he examined those on the part of Shortland, he could not even have drawn the shadow of an inference of that being their intention.
Where the commissioners got their evidence for asserting that Capt. Shortland, by quiet means and persuasion, endeavoured to persuade the prisoners to retire into their respective yards, is unaccountable to us, as those who know Capt. Shortland, know he is not a man of persuasion. It is correct that Dr. McGrath used every exertion to persuade the prisoners to retire out of the square, which, if Shortland had allowed sufficient time, would have quietly done – but the crowd, by this time, had got so great, and the pressure in the rear so strong, that those in front could not retreat until time should be allowed for the rear to fall back; but the hasty, haughty, and overbearing temper of Shortland could not allow him to use such conciliatory means. He orders (the report says) fifteen file of the guard fronting the open gate, to the charge; and, after some little time, the charge was so far effectual, with but very little or no injury to the prisoners, as to drive them, for the most part, quite out of the square, with the exception of a small number, who continued their resistance about No. 1 gate. Under these circumstances, continues the report, the firing commenced.
Here we beg leave to request an attentive perusal of the affidavits of some of the prisoners, taken by the committee, and which relates particularly to this part of the transaction. It is there positively stated, that on the soldiers' coming to a charge the prisoners all retreated into the yard and pushed the gate to after them. If the commissioners had examined that evidence, this part their report ought to have been differently expressed.
We cannot conceive how Mr. King finds it difficult to reconcile the testimony respecting Captain Shortland’s giving the order to fire, when he reports, that several of the Americans swear positively that Captain Shortland gave that order and many of the soldiers and the English witnesses heard the word given by some one, I but would not swear it was by Captain Shortland; and some (among whom is the officer commanding the guard) think, if Captain Shortland had given such an order, they must have heard it, which they did not, Thus, then, stands the foundation for this part of the report. An English officer thinks it is not so, and several Americans swear it is so; and he finds it is very difficult to reconcile their testimony. The lightness with which they seem to have passed over this most important point of that day’s transaction, cannot but be deeply regretted by those who feel for the unhappy sufferers, when on they go to state, “It may remain a matter of doubt whether the firing first began in the square by order, or was a spontaneous act of the soldiers themselves; it seemed clear it was continued and renewed), both there and elsewhere, without orders – and that on the platforms and in several places about the prison it was certainty commenced without any authority.” We must once more request the attention of the public to the affidavits already published : It is there sworn by one of the witnesses, that previous to the alarm bell being rung, and while walking in the yard, a soldier called to him from the walls, and him to go in, as they would soon be fired upon. How, then, can it be possible, that a soldier on the walls should know that they would be fired upon, if the order had not been previously given to that effect? And had the bugleman been examined, he could have stated, that previous to the ringing of the alarm-bell, he received orders to sound to fire; so that when the soldiers took their stations on the walls, they were charged and prepared for that purpose.— With such information, we conceive the committee to stand fully justified in stating in their report, the belief of its being a preconcerted plan, on the part of Shortland; and if the commissioners had possessed themselves with knowledge of these circumstances, which they could and ought to have done, would they, then, reported Shortland as justifiable, even in a military point of view.
The next thing we have to notice in the report is, that very singular paragraph, which says, “From the facts of the crowd’s being so close), and the firing at first, being attended with very little injury, it appears probable, that a large proportion the musquets were, as stated by one or two of the witnesses, levelled over the heads the prisoners, a circumstance, in some respects, to be lamented.” Is it then, to be lamented, that the soldiers did not level their pieces on the first fire, directly into the crowd, which they have stated to be so great and so close, that a soldier declared, he could not come fairly down to a charge? Or is it to be lamented, that one or two hundred were not killed at the first discharge, and a thousand or two wounded? If so, we think it much to be lamented, that the reporters were not there, and placed foremast the crowd.
The circumstance of so few being hurt at the first discharge is not strange to who are acquainted with the situation; and this occurrence alone corroborates the American evidence, and ought to have been sufficient proof to the commissioners that the prisoners, on being charged upon, retreated through the gates, and shut them after them before the, firing commenced and which circumstance, alone, should have shut the door of justification against Shortland for commencing a fire upon them as they were in their own yards, As this was the actual situation of the prisoners on the first discharge, and the soldiers having to fire through the Iron pailing, and the prisoners retreating on a descending ground of course brought the muskets, when down to a level, over the heads of the prisoners, it was owing to this fortunate circumstance that few were injured on the first discharge of the musketry: and it seems the inhuman Shortland was aware of this circumstance, who he was distinctly heard to order the soldiers to fire low. This does not appear to correspond with the first part of their report, which says, “Captain Shortland was in the market square exerting himself in giving orders to. stop the firing.”
That there was any provocation given to the soldiers to justify, their subsequent brutal conduct, the commissioners themselves seem to find it very difficult to trace any evidence, although they say, it appears, that there was some resistance made to the turnkeys in shutting the prison, and that stones were thrown the military. Had they examined the prisoners sufficiently, they would have been convinced that no resistance was made to the turnkeys shutting the doors. As to throwing stones at the military while they were chasing them from corner to corner, and firing at them in every place where they had taken shelter from the balls, could it be expected but they would seise on something for self-defence, when they saw the soldiers running at them with their bayonets, and having no possible means of escape, as has been before stated, all the doors the prisons had been previously closed except one, and that one, perhaps, the length of the prison from him. Is there a men in such a situation but would seize the first weapon that offered itself and sell his life dear as possible. How can they, then, make that the slightest justification for such outrageous conduct on the part of Shortland or the military?
As to most of the officers being absent when the soldiers came into the yard, is erroneous; it could have been proved that there was an officer in every yard, and in one instance when he was heard to give the order to fire on a party of prisoners close by the door, and running and making every exertion to enter the prison.
As to Capt. Shortland being busy in the square with the turnkeys, receiving and taking care of the wounded, certainly shows the want of information; for it is already before the public, in affidavit, the cruel manner in which the wounded were treated by him, and of his abuse, to the prisoners who were bearing the wounded to the hospital gate. That part the report which relates, that the time and commencement of this transaction was the officers' dinner hour, is too ridiculous for comment. We do not believe that there was prisoner in the depot that knew when or where the officers dined, and, therefore, can be no ground for an argument, that the prisoners were taking this opportunity to escape. The report then goes on to state, “the cross fire which was kept up from several the of the platforms on the walls round the prison, and directed against straggling parties of prisoners running about the yard, endeavouring to enter the prison by the door which the turnkeys had left open, according their practice, does seem hare been without object or excuse, and have been a wanton attack upon the lives of defenceless, and, at the same time, unoffending individuals.” In answer to this paragraph, we shall only reply —had the commissioners examined all the American evidence, and attached the same credit to it which, it appears, they have, done to the English evidence, similar expressions would have been made use of against Shortland's conduct throughout the whole of their report.
It appears to us, after an attentive examination of his report, that the commissioners mean to justify Shortland in commencing his murderous attack upon the prisoners, and to condemn the soldiers for continuing it. Singular as this idea appears, it is no less strange to us how it can possible they could reconcile it to their feelings to make up a report containing such a direct contradiction to reason; for, surely, if Shortland could be justified in using coercive measures in the first instance, the military certainly should be acquitted for, the subsequent massacre, as the whole was conducted under his immediate command and if he had a right to kill one on the same ground he might have extended it to a thousand. And, the other hand, If any part of the transaction is to be condemned, Shortland should be to answer for the whole; for what necessity could there be made to attempt identifying any of the soldiers? Surely, the commissioners could not think of bringing them to punishment when they acted by the direct orders of Shortland and his officers? And if any one could or ought to be made to answer for the outrage, Shortland ought be the first.
In addition to the contradictions contained in the commissioners’ joint report, Mr. King, in his letter to his Excellency J. Q. Adams, almost denies the ground which they have, in part, founded Shortland's justification, When he says (alluding to having heard several Americans swear positively that Shortland did give the order to fire, and an officer of the guard thinks If he had he should have heard him) “perhaps the bias of my mind was. that Shortland did give that order; and, wishing the report to go forth under our joint signature, I forbore to press some of the points which it involves so far as otherwise might hate done.
If, then, any part has been neglected, or passed over for accommodation or say other purpose (and one there certainly has, in not paying the attention to the American as done the English evidence) it is to be regretted that Mr. King should so far forget or neglect the sacred duties attached the appointment of a commissioner, to inquire into the the murder of his countrymen, as to pass over any points which might have brought to light the means of punishment for the murderers, or obtained in some measure an indemnity for the surviving unhappy and maimed sufferers. Will not the shades of the departed victims haunt him in his midnight slumbers, and pointing to their lascerated bodies, say, these still remain unrevenged? Will not the unhappy survivors show the stumps of their amputated limbs, and say, these wounds fester, and still remain unatoned? Will not the widow and helpless orphan raise their innocent hands to heaven and cry, why was justice denied to us? why was the heart so callous to our sufferings ? and why was the bosom shut to sympathy? Let Mr. King point out some meant to appease these bitter complaints, and we shall be satisfied.
We shall now close these unpleasant remarks by noticing another unaccountable error in Mr. King’s letter to Mr. Adams where he mentions, speaking of Shortland, “and his general conduct previous to this occurrence, as far as 1 could with propriety enter into such details, appears to hare been characterised with great fairness and even kindness in the relation in which he stood towards the prisoners” we shall not pretend to ask Mr. King where he obtained the evidence on which he grounds this assertion ( we are sure it was not from the prisoners, who ought to been the best judges of that circumstance; but, instead of all that, all the Americans who were permitted to express an opinion on that subject at the examination, declared, without reserve, as would all the prisoners in the depot had they been asked the question, that Shortland’s conduct, from the commencement of his appointment to that station, had been cruel, oppressive, and overbearing; and, instead taking measures alleviate the distresses of the wretched objects under him as a feeling men would have done, he seemed to take pleasure in harrassing them whenever he could find the slightest pretext for doing so.
W. COLTON, HENRY DOLLIVER,
JOSEPH SWAIN, B. WEEKS,
ARCH'D TAYLOR, PHILIP BLACK.
ABM. MCINTYRE HOMER HULL,
WM. COCHRAN, J. M. BUSHFIELD,
DAVID INGALLS, JOHN JONES,
REUBEN SHERMAN, WM. DENERELL,
RICH'D J. MACKAY, THOS. WARD.
WM. K. WHITE.
Exeter Flying Post 21 September 1815
COUNTY OF DEVON. - GAME DUTY
LIST of PERSONS who have obtained GENERAL CERTIFICATES, at the rate of THREE POUNDS THIRTEEN SHILLINGS and SIXPENCE each, for the year 1815. JAMES SEARLE, Surveyor...
Aveline, T. esq. Dartmoor Barracks
COUNTY OF DEVON. - GAME DUTY
LIST of PERSONS who have obtained GENERAL CERTIFICATES, at the rate of THREE POUNDS THIRTEEN SHILLINGS and SIXPENCE each, for the year 1815. JAMES SEARLE, Surveyor...
Aveline, T. esq. Dartmoor Barracks
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 28 September 1815
The prisoners of war at Dartmoor and Forton have signified their adhesion to Louis XVIII. - The Abbe Gilbard, who obtained most of their signatures, sailed for Havre on Thursday evening. It is expected their liberation will ensue.
The prisoners of war at Dartmoor and Forton have signified their adhesion to Louis XVIII. - The Abbe Gilbard, who obtained most of their signatures, sailed for Havre on Thursday evening. It is expected their liberation will ensue.
Salisbury and Winchester Journal 9 October 1815
The American papers, not excepting the official paper of the Government, have recently resumed a very hostile tone towards Great Britain. The old grievance of imprisonment is again brought forward in them; and the firing upon the American prisoners detained at Dartmoor, in England, at the moment they were rushing out of prison, is represented as deliberate murder, a revenge on defenceless Americans for the disasters at New Orleans!
The American papers, not excepting the official paper of the Government, have recently resumed a very hostile tone towards Great Britain. The old grievance of imprisonment is again brought forward in them; and the firing upon the American prisoners detained at Dartmoor, in England, at the moment they were rushing out of prison, is represented as deliberate murder, a revenge on defenceless Americans for the disasters at New Orleans!
Exeter Flying Post 12 October 1815
The East Middlesex Regiment of Militia passed through this city, this week, in two divisions, on their route for the Royal Prison, Dartmoor, to do duty over the French Prisoners.
The East Middlesex Regiment of Militia passed through this city, this week, in two divisions, on their route for the Royal Prison, Dartmoor, to do duty over the French Prisoners.
Hampshire Telegraph 16 October 1815
The East Middlesex Militia have arrived at Dartmoor, to do duty over the French Prisoners.
The East Middlesex Militia have arrived at Dartmoor, to do duty over the French Prisoners.
Bristol Mirror 28 October 1815
ADDRESS TO LOUIS XVIII.
“ Dartmoor, (Kingdom of England,)
Sept. 23 1815.
“Sire, —The French prisoners of war, detained at Dartmoor, in the kingdom of England, full of confidence in the sentiments of your Most Christian Majesty, lay at the foot of the throne the true homage of their submission to your august person, and ot their attachment to the sacred cause of the country. They venture to hope, that your Majesty will deign to give liberty to brave and faithful subjects, who burn with the liveliest desire of living under the laws of a Monarch, distinguished for his generosity and his extreme goodness in pardoning.”
[Several hundred signatures follow, and the writers all call themselves the faithful subjects of his Majesty.]
ADDRESS TO LOUIS XVIII.
“ Dartmoor, (Kingdom of England,)
Sept. 23 1815.
“Sire, —The French prisoners of war, detained at Dartmoor, in the kingdom of England, full of confidence in the sentiments of your Most Christian Majesty, lay at the foot of the throne the true homage of their submission to your august person, and ot their attachment to the sacred cause of the country. They venture to hope, that your Majesty will deign to give liberty to brave and faithful subjects, who burn with the liveliest desire of living under the laws of a Monarch, distinguished for his generosity and his extreme goodness in pardoning.”
[Several hundred signatures follow, and the writers all call themselves the faithful subjects of his Majesty.]
Exeter Flying Post 2 November 1815
DEVON
WATERLOO SUBSCRIPTION
ARRATUM. - The Collection, stated in our last to have been received at the Government Chapel Dartmouth, should have been inserted Government Chapel DARTMOOR.
DEVON
WATERLOO SUBSCRIPTION
ARRATUM. - The Collection, stated in our last to have been received at the Government Chapel Dartmouth, should have been inserted Government Chapel DARTMOOR.
Salisbury and Winchester Journal 11 December 1815
By the restoration of peace, the county of Devon, and, in particular, the neighbourhood of Plymouth, will be relieved from the consumption of 6700 French prisoners at Dartmoor, who were chiefly taken at the battle of Waterloo.—These prisoners consume eight tons of potatoes every week ; and a reduction in that article, in vegetables of all kinds, and in meat, is of course expected. The prisoners at Dartmoor, with a facility peculiar to their nation, sent in their adhesion to Louis by the Abbe Guilliat, about two months since. They are to embark as soon as transports can be obtained.
By the restoration of peace, the county of Devon, and, in particular, the neighbourhood of Plymouth, will be relieved from the consumption of 6700 French prisoners at Dartmoor, who were chiefly taken at the battle of Waterloo.—These prisoners consume eight tons of potatoes every week ; and a reduction in that article, in vegetables of all kinds, and in meat, is of course expected. The prisoners at Dartmoor, with a facility peculiar to their nation, sent in their adhesion to Louis by the Abbe Guilliat, about two months since. They are to embark as soon as transports can be obtained.
Cheltenham Chronicle 28 December 1815
French prisoners at Dartmoor and Forton prisons all ordered home – of those at Forton upwards of six hundred were wounded at the battle of Waterloo, and they will all return home, except one who died from consumption, perfectly cured and in good health.
French prisoners at Dartmoor and Forton prisons all ordered home – of those at Forton upwards of six hundred were wounded at the battle of Waterloo, and they will all return home, except one who died from consumption, perfectly cured and in good health.