Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-08-02


remarks, can be obtained, as well as all those
who We're witnesses of that unfortunate occur.
renee.
! am, sir, yours respectfully,
WALTER COTTON.
CoMNIUNIcAT ALTON
On, tke Dartmoor massacre, i; reply to.fess. King
and LGTpenl's report.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE u. STATES.
Hav ng perused, with attention, the report of
AIr. Charles King, and F?as. Seymour Larpent,
on Their examination of the unfortunate occur
renee at Darmoor, on the 9th of April last
We, the undersigned, beng there at the time
tbs unfortunate occurrence took place, deem 1t
duty we owe to the surviving sufferers OF that
b oody transaction, to orr fellow citizens, and
Ourselves, to make some reTnaTka upon such
s.ngular report. Although We presume the door
is forever closed against any further investga-
tion of that ever to be remembered TRANSACTION,
we cannot help, however contraFY It may be to
our wshes, TO irritate the publ feeling, aiTea-
dv so much excited, of entering INTO detailed
investigation of that report.
In the committees address to the public on
the 9th OF last June, preceding the publication
ofthe affidavits of some Of the prisoners, taken
on that melancholy affair, they have Justly anti
c'pated what would be the report OF the com
missioners aft er their inv estigation they drew
their conclusion from the singular manner in
" ic'l tie .nrest cation was conducted. The re-
port commences by stating that, latter having car
fully peruscd the proceedings of the several
courts of inquiry, instituted Immediately af;e
tha; event, they proceeded Immediately to the ex-
animation, upon oath, of all the witnesses, both
American and English, VINO offered tn emselves
for that purpose. How Ear this part Of the re-
port is correct, we shah leave the public TO
judge.
Onthe arrival of the commissioners at the de
Po', 4 g committee Of the prison sent for 1;
afe waiting some tine at the door ofthe room,
W re lie inquiry was held, they were called in
separately, and ques toned as to Their knowledge
o. he transactions of the eth. The denositions
of hose who were eye witnesses of that Disgrace
f. scene were taken some were questioned as to
the general conduct of Shorthand, previous To
thai affair; twas represented bythem as it would
have been by al, as being universally crney Hous.-
6eG-ing aud 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 IN
GIry. They, accordingly, retu ned INTO the
prison, and drew up list OF the names of some
Of those who were eve witnesses Of that days &C.
currence. Although they could have brought
hWnireds 10 the examination, and the sum oC
wl,e evidence would have amounted to IN
nc thing, We the committee, not wishing. TO
Gle re progress Of the investigation, by
TO,udi.ty Of eI!dcrce, they were careful 10 Sc
lect such men rs were mo &C likely to rive clear
and distinct account Of all the crcuTs> ances, as
<hcy ccured, unher their knowledge taking
care, 1t the same time, to procure those whose
d Nc snt Situations afforded them an opportunity
OF Witnessing that transaction, from the cow
movement to the close. Such was the evil
G-nce he committee hid selected, TO he num-
per of about iif;y, very few or whom were ever
examined, Although they were kept in waiting in
the tuFnkeys's lodge (where they were ordered to
stay untl called f0r) during the hours of inyes-
In % 80 s-rt
Shc comm ..orcr5 found it necessary to survey
the particular situation Of the prisons, and the
points from which the different attacks were
made they sccsrlinglv came into the yard for
that purpose, anil af er having been shown all the
pi ces g. m whence the firing was Continued,
Vine the crowd Of prisoners had assembled on
The iirst liar n, & where the hole, SO much made
n ndie Of had been made--aG e. a slight survey
OF these different places, they retired INTO their
se5' on room, leaving orders, once more, with
the committee to hold Their evidence in readi-
ness, as they would soon he called upon for ex-
am nation. The Committee replied that they
had been ~ read ness since the commencement
OF the inquiry, ami were then only waiting their
orders TO appear before them, feeling happy ir
The dea Of having Il in their power to show Il
the court, and 70 the world, b. the evidence they
tad 70 produce, that The attack of Shorthand or
me deEaeeiess prs. rs, was premedrated and
jiistlf bic in any point ofyieR.
NifSi NitHhIlB W uls turnkey 8 iOdEe QurlU6
fle ltttng Of the commissioners, until the mid
&c OF The third DAY, without having but very few
oFUs evidences sent for, and beng fearful thai
they light be waiting for them, the committed
set them word that the witnesses we're still il
Attendance so answer being returned to thi,
message for scma time, the committee becam,
uneasy On account ofthe long examination 9th,
oihcers' soldiers, clerks, and turnksys, attached
20 TIE depot, without admitting the prisoners e
an equal privilege and und erstanding the com
mas ohers were about closing their inquiry, thcy
a.nssnt Woyl they would be glad 10 have an IN
tefview for few moments, for the purpose o
explaining the nature Of their eyiden D., and TIN,
He es7ty Of full hearing on both sides 9th,
question. No answer bcrs returned 20 thi
request. and still waiting wiLl the anxious hopt
that they would soon send for some Of US, whel
We we're tod, by one of the turkeys, that tn
commissioners were preparing 20 depart, favin,
hhshed The examination. Astonshcd TO thini
,J Leant 80 leave the depot without CLEARLY in
NcsIg9tin6 thc circumstances that were tn
es-ise oflIeir meeting, and feeling indignant tia
cS'4e % 50 much Importance should be passc,
over 80 partially, the commit addressed Q not
% 1r. A'og, bs5g ng him not 10 shut the doc