The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-07-22


previously examined before the coroner, IS
otherwise, to the number in the whole OF a
bout eighty. We farther proceeded to a mi
mute examination OF the prisons, for the pur
pose OK clearing III, some points, which, ~ III
the cvI,lerce alone were scarcely inteiligiO,e !;
Obtaining from the prisoners, and from the of
hcers of the depot, all the necessary assist
ance and explanation and promising, that
we have been from necessity Compelled to
draw many -four conclusions from statements
and evidence higalY contradictory, we do now
make upon the whole proceedings the follow
ing report
During the period which has elapsed since
the arrival in this cou1try of the account of the
ratification OF the treaty Of Client, an inc,eas-
ed degree of restlessncss and impatience of
confinement appears to have prevailed a.
mongst the American prisoners at Dsrtmoor.
which, though not exhibited in the shape of
any violent excuses, has been principally in-
Dictated by threats of breaking out, If not soon
released. =
On the 18th of this month in particular, only
two days previous to the events which are
the subject OF this inquiry, large body of the
prisoners rushed into the market square, from
whence, by the regulations of the prison, they
are excluded. demanding bread, instead of bis
quit, which had OIL that day been issued by the
officers of the depot theiv demands howey-
err, having been then almost immediately COM
Piled with, they returned to their own Yards.
and the employment of force on that occasion
became unnecessary.
On the evening of the sixth, about six o.
clock, it was clearly proved to us, that
breach or hole had been made in one of the
prison walls, sufficient for full sized man to
pass, and that others had been commenced in
the course OF the day near the same spot, tho
never completed.
That number of the prisoners were over
the railing erected to prevent them from
communicating with the centinels ON the
walls, which was of course forbidden by the re-
gulations Of the prison, and that in the space
between the railing and those walls, they
were tearing up pieces of turf, and wantonly
peltinS each other IN noisy and dsorerly
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 al
though such collection of prisoners was not
unusual at other times CHE gambling tables
beng commonly kept in that part of the
yard) yet when connected with the circum-
stances OF the breach, and at the time of the
day, which was after the hour the signal for
the prisoners to retire to their respective nri
sons had ceased to sound, it became natural
and Just ground OF alarm to those who had
Charge of the depot.
1t was also IN evidence that In the building
formerly the petty officers prison, but now
the guard barracks, which stands in the ward
to which the hole in the wall would serve as
communication, part of the arms of the
guara who were offcuty, were usually kept in
the barracks, and though there was no evil
uence mat TINS was In any respect the motive
which induced the prisoners to make the O.
penlng IN the wall, or even that they were
acquainted with the fact, it naturally became
al least. further Cause of suspicion and a.
farm, and an additional reason for Drecau-
ton.
Upon these grounds capt. Shorthand ap-
pears TO US to have been justified in giving the
order' winch he seems to have given, to sound
the alarm bell, the usual signal for collecting
tie oihcers OF the depot amt putting the mill
tary on the alert.
However reasonable and justiGable this was
as measure of precaution, the effects produ-
ced thereby in the prisons, hat which could
not nave been intended, were most unfortun-
ate and deeply to be- regretted. A considera-
oie NUMBER OF the prisoners in the yards where
no olsturba "a. s existed before, and who were
e'ther already within their respective prisons,
OF quietly retiring as usual towards them, inn
.heGiately upon the sound of the bell rushed
o " from curiosity las it appears1 towards
inc gates, where, by that time, the crowd
mad assembled. and many who were at the
time absent ON their yards, were also FROM,
tue plan OF the pr son, compelled, in or
Ger TO reach their own houles, to pass by the
same post, and thus that which was merely a
measure OF precaution, in its operation increas-
ed the EVIL IT was Intended to prevent.
Almost at the same instant that the alarm
pen rang, Out whether before or SUBSEQUENT
J. upon the evidence doubtful, though Capt
oaortdnd states it positively rs one Of his fur
ther reasons for causing It to rlng) Some one
or more OF the prisoners broke the iron chain,
when was the only fastening to No. gate,
leaJ'ng INTO the market square, by means OF
an icon bar and very considerable mum
Der OF the prisoners imn,td ately rushed to-
wards toat gate I'd many of ;hem began to
press toiwtrds as fast as the opening would
permit inio the square.
there was direct proof before us Of ID E.
Vip'S cnncer prep ration on he part of
tne pris1n'r>, and no evidence of their inten
ton or disposition to effect their escape on this
occasion, excepting that winch arose by infer
enee from the whole Of the above detailed cir
cuInstances connected together.
lhe natural md almost irresistible infer
eICe 70 be drawn, however. from the con-
quot OF the prisoners by capt. S. to escape was
on the point OF being carr ed into executi,n. &
IL was At least certain t,tas they were M, f,.ce