Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-04-08
l.n.hYe the Yritish government 70 punish

tsures of extreme severity without Heces-
lsity, or With too much precipitation. -
lie therefore proposed, that one OF the
lAmerican commissioners should proceed
| 10 Dartmoor, with one of the gentlemen
with whom they had negotiated at
Client, and after examining the persons
concerned, and such other evidence as
might be thought necessary, should make
Ia Joint report upon the facts Of the case.
That as neither government could have
|any other wish beyond that OF clearing
|up transaction which might, if left un-
Explained, and as it now stood, upon
|ex-parte statements, create mach irrita-
|tion between the two countries, So the
British government had no desire to
screen any person whose conduct might
have been improper or precipitate.
The American commissioners, agree
ling 70 the principles of Lord Castle
|reagh's proposition. so far as relates to
The advantage of having joint report
lnpon the facts Of the case, entertained
doubts whether they could, with propri-
lety. take such a duty upon themse YES s
land suggested that Mr.. Beasely, from
rhe situation which he held in this coun-
TRY, appeared to them better qualified
for the task Lord Castlereagh replied.
that il was only from a desire of giving
10 any report which might be made, the
sanction of the highest authority, that he
|had su gested the employment of the
commissioners themselves: 4 deeming
it ofthe most essential Importance to sa-
|tisfy the public in both countries on this
subject, he was induced to prefer his ORR
ginal proposition; but that he must, Of
course, leave it to the American com
missioners to decide whether Mr.. Bease-
lev was hottor fi44ed So. thfs service, and
that upon receiving the result of their
consideration of the subject, the govern
nent would appoint some person proper
qualified 10 meet the American gentle
men who might be so selected; such
oerson being either one of the late Bril-
!tish commissioners at Ghent, or COM
missioner of the transport board, accord
my as he American ca rmissioHers might
decide upon going themselves Or sending
ar. Reasely.
Subsequently Mr.. Charles King was
samed By our commissions in the room
If Mr.. Beasely, and he and Mr.. Lar
ent made the report which has been
uolished.
lord CoSilereGgh to .Nessrs. Clay and
Gallatin.
Foreign Office, May 22d, 1915.
Gentlemen,
lost no time in laying before the
'rinc- Regent the report made by Mr..
.agpent and Mr.. King, respectively APP
3oiated on the part of his maiesty's 60
Igernment, aud that of the United States
of America, to enquire into the circum
stances Of the late unfottu nate occur
Irence at Dartmoor Prison
His Royal Highness has commanded
Inc to expres through you, to the ca
gernment of America, now deeply he
iaments the consequences Of this anhap
|py affair.
Ii any thing can tend to relieve the
distress which his Royal Highness feels
on this occasion, it is the consideration,
THAT the conduct OF the soldiers was not
!actuated by any spirit OF animositt o.
wards the prisoners, and that the mac
Itieity OF the officers may be attributed
rather to the inexperieuce OF militia ier
Ices, than to any want of zeal or ircllna-
Ition to afford that liberal pro ection which
lis ever due to prisoners of war.
But as his royal highness has obsery-
led, at the same time with sincere re-
get, that although the firing of the troops
upon the prisoners may have been JUST
fled, at its commencement, by lie tur-'
bnlent conduct of the latter, yet that the
extent of the calamity must be ascribedi
ito want OF steadiness in the troop and
lof exertioa in the officers, calling for the
most severe anirnadveraion. His royal
|highness has been pleased TO direct the
lcommander in chief to address to the
com nandiag officer of the Somerset mi-
ltia bis disapprobation OF the conduct OF
the troops, which it is trusted will make
due Impression on the minds of the Of
icers and men who were engaged IN this
unfortunate transaction.
AS an additional proof Of the sent"
lnents which allmate the prince regent,
on this occasion, | am further command
ed to express his royal highness' desire
to make a compensation to the widows
and families OF the sufferers: and have
| to request thai you, gentlemen, would
make this known to your government,
Inviting them at the same time, to CO.