The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-08-02
DARrNOOR.

Boston ChToStc!e.
DO
DARrMOoR.
In submitting to the public the report signed by
" Charles King" and +" Francis seymour Larpent,
relative to the Dartmoor prison issacre, which we
COPY in columns Of to.day, from the National In
telligencer, we must be permitted TO accompany 1t
with few remarks. ~
!. The report distinctly proves. that during the
whole period Of their confne ment down TO the
sth Of April, there had not been single act
oI violence, disorder, nor irregulsrity, on the
part of the prisoners, nor any one of the m,
tending towards breech of, or escape
from, rheir prison; no, no, even after they
knew OF the ratification of the treaty of Ghent
The affair Of the 4th of April had in view no
such object, and il ceased soon as the pris-
oners were supplied with bread tc satisfy their
hunger.
2. Il does not attempt to assert that there any
previous concert, preparation, on the part
of the prisoners to effect their escape.
). In no one part does il contradict the allegation
which the prisoners have, TO man. made,
that the whole in the wall was broken by the
boys, and for the mere purpose OF going
through tor their ball.
4 II distinctly admits ,ha; the sssemblage OF pris.
oners near the hole was not at all greater than
wc5 usual upon ordinary occasions
S. 1t no where contradic,s the fact that the hole
was through nothing more than one Of the in
gone through they could not have effected
their escape.
6. It does pretend 10 allege that the prisoners,
or any one of them. bad the least knowledge
OF any arms being the buidiI < which stands
in the yard to which the mole in the wall would
have served a communication. On the con-
trary it expire ssiy Excludes such supposition
2. It proves that the ringing Of the alarm bell,
the prisoners who were in their respective
pcisons, or quietly retiring 10 them, went back
10 the gates from mere curiosity, and that 9th
ers were necessarily obliged to pass that way
in order to reach their own homes.
s. II proves that during the confusion, the chain
which fastened the gate leading into the mar
ket-square, was broken by one or moro of the
prisoners. J
9. But to do away utterly even the slightest weight
that disposition 20 strain after excuses might
attach 10 this miserable and solitary fact which
is attempted to be turned sgains. the poor
prisoners, il happened to be in direct proof,
that although the outer gates OF the market
square we're usually open at this hour OF the
evening to let the bread Wagons pass and re-
pass, they were, during the period in ques-
ton, actually shts
1t is only cessary that The report should be
fully read, with view it's fact, and not its aryu
fnens, to perceive that strictly warranted in
each and all the above POSITIONS Let it be judged
Of the ground Of its fact alone by eye Of COM
mon Intelligence, and i, sill leaves the aboainabie
Transaction much wi hout justification or excuse,
as 1t stood before. The joint efforts of Mr. Larpent
ADD Mr.. King do not, in any suosi nisi points con-
tradict weaken the statements we have heretofore
had from the unfortunate and ant prisoners them
selves who escaled massacre, in all Of whose repre-
sentaons il has been observed there has been re-
markable coincidence
Yet, in the face of such facts are understand
Ings to be trned with and our feelings shocked by
its being said that the firing upon our citizens
able In the admitted of all ,ubstan-
iai grounds of provoca,ion-strsned hfercnces, i'm
probable in,putsons and rash cogjec;ures are SUBJ
stitued as the for the murder Of our fellow.
citizens. In the admitted absence oe all previous
msbehavior, deliberately given in under
stand that after the confusion had begun the prison.
rrs had the impudence 10 tear up hHf and wsrtonly
peit, not his majes,y's brave roops sGr rAcHorH-
z and this 10 of the train OF causes which in
The aggregate was 10 justify the firing, and screen
from al punishment Shorthand and his men In the
admitted absence OF any sufficient fact Of prev
bus Dsbehavor, We are nsultingly to be told, that
after the charge begun. and our poor fellows we're
wrthng fest under the bsyon and then under bull
let's. soss Of tie English faerses state that they had
The audacuy 10 complain, yes 20 speak uncivy and
10 throw stones, to sbon in disorder and ,umut,
10 refuse We presume msekly and with contriton TO
receive the thrus,s For shame upon British human
ny. for shame UPON any American citizen to put his
name 10 such report Whether Shorthand gave
he order TO fire not. 10 of no consequence ifhe
Id, he is the murderer if the soldiers took upon
themselves 20 FIRE without orders, and without suf
eien. proyocation. they better than gang Of
IN. whole Of ,ifcn, and deserve to be
punished such under the English laws ofhomicie
The fac, which incidentally makes its appearance in
ne course of this scene OF horror, Of gambling ta-
oes oeiHg KEEP; up IN the prison Sard unler British
regulation, we leave FOR the cormcnts of New Eng
and. and for the consolation Of The federal pa!ice Of
his city.
cadsrs gl.;se Of imps-tiai,y AID candor, this
port evidently nothing but mrmior justihcative
of The Rr,ish AIDE of th. cu~<.on N inpossikLe