Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1813-12-16

fcncel less fnn1Ditants, OEIEOlif SccbEs W Car
ntge withopta parallel, on prisoners to the
British arms, guarded by all the laws of
humanity and of honorable war
For these enormites, the enemy are Q
qually responsible, whether with the power
to prevent them they want the will, or with
the knogledge of want of power they still
avail themselves of such instruments.
In other respects the enemy are pursuing
a cause which threatens consequences most
affecting to humanity.
A standing law of Great Britain natural
ICES, as is well known, all aliens, comply
ing with conditions limited to a shorter Pc
Rod than those required by the United
STATES and naturalzed subjects are, in
war. employed by her government in com
mon with native subjects. In contiguous
British province, regulations promulgated
since the commencement of the war compel
citlzens Of the United States, being there
under certain circumstances, TO bear arms !;
whilst OF the native emigrants from the
u States who compose mech of the popu
lation OF the province, number have ac
tually borne arms against the United States
within their limits; some of whom after
having done So have become prisoners of
poooCooioI'
British comma nder in that province, never
theless, with the sanction, as appears, ofhis
government, thought proper to select from
Ame rican prisoners of war, and sent to
g. Britain for trial as criminals, a mum
Der of individuals, who had emigrated
from the British dominions long prior to
the state of war between the two nations
who had incorporated themselves into our
political society, in the modes recognized
by the law and the practice of &. Britain,
and who were made prisoners of war, under
the banners of their adopted country, fight
ing for its rights and safety.
The protection due to these citizens re
quiring an elfectual interposition in their
behalf like number of British prisoners
of war were put into confinement, with
notification that they would experience
whatever violence might be committed on
the American prisoners of war sent to Great
Britain
1t was hoped that this necessary conse-
euence of the step unadvisedly taken on the
part Of q Britain would have led her go
vernment to reflect on the Inconsistencies of
its conduct, and that sympathy with the
British, if not with the American sufferers.
would have arrested the cruel career open
cd by its example.
This was unhappily not the case In vio-
lation both of consistency and Of humanity,
American officers and non commissioned of
ficers, in double the number of the British
soldiers confined here, were ordered into
close confinement, with formal notice, that
in the event of retaliation for the death
which might be Inflicted on the prisoners of
war sent to G. Britain for trial. the officers
so confined would be put to death also.
1t was notified at the same time that the
commanders OF the British fleets and armies
on our coasts are instructed, in the same
event to proceed with destructive severity
against our towns and their inhabitants
That no doubt might be left with the enc
my of our adherence to the retaliating re
sort imposed on us, a correspondent mum
Der of British officers prisoners of war in
our hands were Immediately put into close
confinement, to abide the fate of those con
fined By the enemy; and the British go
vernment has been apprized of the deter
minahon of ths government, to retaliate
any other proceeding against US, contrary
TO the legitimate modes of warfare
1t is as fortunate for the United States
that they have it in their power to meet the
enemy in this deplorable contest, as it is
honorable to them, that they do not join
IN it but under the most imperious obliga.
tions and with the humane purpose of effect
Ing return to the established usages of wa.
The views of the French government ON
the subjects which have been SO long com
mitted to negotiation, have received no elu-
cidation since the close of your late session
The Minister Plenipotentiary of the United
States at Paris had not been enabled, by
proper opportunities, to press the objects of
his mission, as prescribed by his instruc.
tons.
The militia being always to be regarded
as the great bulwark of defence and secu-
rity for free states, and the constitution hav
ing wisely committed to the national au
thority use of that force, as the best pro
vision against an unsafe military establish