Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-01
raoa rae rsssI REaIsTr..

4 FROJ rdE ESSEX REQlSTEs.
| Ma. PADRAr,
BY publishing the incioscd reso
Ilutions, adopted at York, in Maine. by anuinbe
of our sea-fearing brethren lately returned from
Dartmoor prison, you VIII particularly oblige
| II Subscriber.
| We, the undersigned, late prisoners at Dart
moor, England, congratulate ourselves and each
other on the return ofpeace, and our safe arrival
m our native land. after so long and cruel con.
/! finement.
And we resolve, that we have seen with ming.
led surprise and indignation, the statement of the
Circumstances which led to the unhappy massa-
ere at Dartmoor, by the orders of the infamous
Shorthand, signed by Charles King on behalf of
the United States, and Francis I.arpent on the
part of Great Britain founded almost entirely on
the testimony Of British e6cers, on their honor
whist, at the same time, the aforesaid commssi-
ohers neglected to examine the positive evidence
mat could have been adduceI by the prisoners,
to show that these unfortunate victims of British
oaroarity were butchered by blood thirsty bac-
chanai, IN consequence of positive orders given
~ nm to fire on those unfortunate Americans, to
CRAFTY private pique, for which he had so long
sought plausible pre;ext and as the time of
their departure drew near afraid that the obiec.s
OF hs malice might escape, he doayed, he false
y preteHoed that the prisoners had an intention
OF escaping, when he knew the fear OF again be-
ing impressed into the service Of the ancient enc
my OF their country would prevent them and be-
SIDES had they the disposition, they had not the
means to effect this pretended purpose, from their
destitute situation IN foreign land.
And we further resolve that we have seen with
great establishment, resolve the legislature of
our native state, once the cradle OF liberty pur-
porting, that after diligent enquiry havint. been
naos omy sixteen instances of lnlpressment could
be satisfactorily substantiated, when the single
PRISON OF Oartrnoor contained $500 of our fellow
CITIZENS IN that predicanlent, who Rad surrende en-
Gu themselves as prisoners of war 1T the COM
n,encemcnt OF hostiities, more than $50 of whom
were native citizens Of Massachusetts Some of
these unfortunate victims of British cruelty had
been iorcibiy detained for more than twenty
years III the British service, separated from all
they held dcar-from Their native land of li5er-
y,from their wives, children and friends, held in
The most oppressive bondage, the better part of
aleu lives wasted and worn out, in fighting tho
battles OF a foreign power with nations then at
peace with their own.
| And we further resolve. that the tbonts or the
undersigned are justly due to DR.. Magra,b, the
physician OF the hospital, for his Kindness to the
prisoners generally, while we cali down choic-
est curses OF Heaven upon the head Of that muir
derous miscreant, the infamous Shorthand
And We further resolve, that every impression
we Formerly entertained in favor the British ma
uoh' as rnaSnanimous, pIous, liberal, honourabe
OF brave, - utterly extinguished BY the regular
and systematic oppression, practsed under our
own observation, calculated 20 render our cyst.
elce uncomfortable, and by breaking down our
SPIRITS and abusing our feelings, TO hurry us out
OF this world into eternity.
And we further resolve, that whilst with pride
and pleasure we have heard recounted the reneat.
Cd exploits of our infantnavy, which nave gwen
our country an exalted rank amongst the nations
OF the earth, we cannot sufficiently EXPRESS our
cortempt Tor The pusillanimous conduct of a grea:
and powerful state, III suffering an enemy of a
barbarous character, TO occupy, with an inco,,si.
derabie force, one third part OF its terrItory So
strongly contrasted with the gaIlantry of our
western brethren, when the intrepid Jackson led
ms valiant band to victory and glory, prevented
the horrors of St. Sebastian's from beng repest.
ed at New-orleans, preserved that city from in.
discriminate raPine and rayishmen, which the
uagHAa1f Packenham had promised TO his troops.
as incentives to their courage; but instead of the
arms OF beauty he met the embraces of death =
instead or booty he found an untnely grave. So
perish all the enemies of America!
| Ana we further resolve, tnat whilst our gallant
naval heroes, cambridge, Decatur, Hull. Jones.
blddie, Blakeiy, the lanented Lsw-rence, War
rin5ton, Morris, Perry and Macdonougb. have
been earning laurels for their country, a despe.
iaS aho uilprinclPied faction have been plotting,
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the union, the erection Of
monarchy in New England, discouraginr enlist
menis, preventing loans, by deprecmtng public
credit, aiding and sbetting the enemy,by supply
ING hlm with provisions, whereby he was ena
bied, by lowering round our shores and the
mouths OF our harbors, to capture many of our
private armed vessels, all Of which had :. tenden
! cy 10 prolong the war, increase the number of
prisoners, and keep Us longer from our homes
We therefore declare that we have no longer any
confidence III men who rejoiced at the misfor-
tunes oftheir own country and glorifed in the
victories gained by the enemy, merely as a means
OF increasing their influence, and raising them
selves 10 power who stigmatzed those who en-
gagged IN the war, directly or indirectly, as muir
derous who having repeatedly declared that the
impressment OF seamen Is no cause ofwar, when
we know that more than two, perhaps 5000, have
| been released from worse than Algerne bon
tdage, IN consequence of this same {" unjust ana
u1Hecessary VG,'-such men, whatever they may
pretend, are no friends to sailors, or ssilor:'
rights.
(sgned)
William Harmon,
Samuel s, Grant,
BeYamin Fletcher,
James Falls,
iona. SaytcGrd,
l I.l,., Ho.J,...,.