The Sun.
London, England, 1801-01-27 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE

WITH ME
FRENCH GOVERNMENT RELATIVE TO
PRISONERS OF WAR;

Conchedrd from ,our Paper of Saturcky.)

Mr, Noble asserted, and which was not de-
nied by John Pinney, Esq. Governor, and Mr.
Batchelor, Deputy Governor of St. Peter's Hos-
pital, that the proportions of deaths in that
iou e, during the time mentioned in Mr. Batelle_
lor's letter (exclusive of the aged and infirm),
had exceeded, by one half, the deaths in the Pi i-
son at Mr.,Noble also stated, that
he had been informed by Captain Joliffe, of the
Second Somerset Militia, that a Prisoner, to his
knowledge, had lost by gamblink five days ra.
turns of Provisions ; and, in consequence of such
privation, was admitted into the Hospital in a
, dying state.
The Commissioners then asked the Rt. Wor-
shipful the Mayor, whether he conceived Mr.
Batchelor's charges had, been made good ?—The
Mayor replied, that "he was very-glad to find'
Mr. Batchelor had been mistaken, and to hear
the Prisoners were so much better than repre-
sented by his letti-tr ; and believed Mr.. Batelle_
for had not, nor could have any interest in the
affair, and aded from motives of Humanity alone."
- The three Prisoners before-mentioned were
asked, whether Mr. Ormsby, when Provisions
were bad, had returned them, and said, "
ways ;" and, that he went round, and examined
the Provisions every day.
Mr. Batchelor having stated in his letter, that
what he had advanced -was known to every Mili-
tary Olfeer who had done duty over the Prison.
crs, and although he was repeatedly desired to
call any person he might think roper, to sub.
stantiate his charge, he called not one of these
Officers, nor any other person.
in the conclusion, the Commissioners observe 4
to -Mr. Batchelor the extreme imprudence of his
conduct, in bringing forward charges of such a
nature as could not be proved, and, as it evL
dearly appear'ed, were nor fnunded on 641; that
the mischief of such. pnblications, as he had
thought proper td make, might' be extended to
an extreme degree both at home and abroad.
P. S. Copy of the Miyor''s letter, referred 'to
in the dispatch to Mr. Nepean :

BrITT4, W. r, :

GENTLEMEN,
.As I may not hare,folly expressed myself on
the, investixation .which took place on Tuesday
last, bethre me and my Brother IVlagistrates, AL
Berman Daubeny, Alderman Noble, and Alder-
man Harvey, in consequence of a representation
respe&ing the condition of the French Prisoners
of War in Stapleton Prison, made by Messrs;
Batchelor and Andrews, and transmitted by in.!
to Government, I think it proper to tronblz
you with this letter.

When Messrs, Batchelor and Andrews waited
on me with their statement of the miserable con.
dition of the Prisoners, my opinion of Mr.
Ruchelor's judgment and information, from his
having, for heveral years past, had the rare of
the Poor of this City, induced me -to forward
their letter to Government.•

An inquiry into the, truth of that statement
•having, however, taken place, it appeared, on a
very full invesftigatiun of the matter, that the se.
venal allegations therein contained were unfound..
ed, and, therefore, I feel it incumbent on me to
give this as my opinion, in justice to the par.
ties concerned, as well a in proof of the be..
nevolent and humane consideration that ever has,
and I trust ever will, form a prominent feature
in the character of the British Nation.

I have the honour to bc, most' respeCtfuliy,
Your most humble servant,
WILLIAM kiIDDONS, Mayor

Ant),:te Serie, E,,,q
. Yohn.itto.

NUMHER

7..vt, 6, IK,I

MY LORDS,

The Commiy,ioners of the Traimport Board
and of th-Sia; and I hut Office, tippointed to
visit' and insped the Prison at Stapleton, havin4,
in their Ripon, dated the zd of this month, re.
commended, that in,tead of a general tlistribu.
tion of the morning allowance, ttugg,x;ved in their
lettt.r of the joth ult. the Patients who may be
di ;charged from the HoThal, and those who are
in a convalescent 5 rate out of it, who may, in the
Snrgvon's opinion, need some additional (WU-
'tishment rather than mo.di, a,,,i,a,mce, shall he
allowed to have a inc.is tit P o.e and Barley Gruel
its .thinorning, of about a plot for each man, till
the return of sprint,;,, no commanded to iig-
nify to your Lonjsiops Ifis Majesty's pleasure,
that you are to modify the orders faun led on my
letter of the zd inst. accordingly.
I am, &e,
(Signed)
The Loo l 4 amm;thione../ if the .Idmiti4ity.

JIENRY DJADAs.

NAINIII ER 1.1.
nee. 3r, 18<;o

Sift,

The Commissioners for comluding His
jesty's Transport serviee and taking charge of
Prisoners of. War having, in their, letter of yes.
terdayis date, transmitted to us a deposition
made by five persons, late roasters of-captured
British merchant vessels, relative to the tre.it_
assent they received while Prisoners of War in
France, we send youtinelosed copies thereof, for
His Majesty's inibiruation.

\\re are, 14:e.
(Signed)

A Stop
NV,; YoOt*G.
R. MA' N..

R:. lion. Henry Mint4ll. Cec. f.gc