Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-10-12
From the Boston Yankee.

"oaThat ~ young man, Of .Hassnchu
settS, prisoner of'Iyor ,ciih the british
confined first at MeipiHe Island, + Hul;-
tag then at Chatham, Englrnd, and
last at DSRTMooR PPIsov."
The popularity and rapid sale of this
work has been so extensive. that the FIRST
edition 1000 copies.) is entirely absorbed
ana a second one demanded with INCREASED
hagernefs. This is now in the press of
ROWE and HoorER, Boston, on an entire
new type, with many additions, notes and
remarks. tending TO illustrate the work.
ana Wi! De completed in the month of Oc-
tober
Ii there be any Of our Ieadeye who have
not perused it, we beg to recommend it to
,heir consideration, not as work of great
literary merit, for it is modest in its pre-
tensions, but as one which relates. in a
style vigorous and sprighHy. facts interes
Fting to the feelings .ofus all as Americans.
6rltaln has often been reproached for
cruelty towards our captive prisonees.-
The charges have frequently been vague
and indefinite, Of doubtful aufhe nticitv and
OF limited circulation. The sufferiGcs of
an individual have been communicated 70
his friends, by himself, if lie survived them
II not, hg some fellow companion of dis
tress. Within their own circles, these re-
'atlons have produced strong and deenly-
founded sentiments of indignation, and the
frequency OF such cases has made this in
dlgnatlon quite general. But the story
soon becomes tooweil known for repetition
IN the same circle; those individuals die.
and the facts are forgotten. Other gene
rstions succeed, who have heard the wbis-
Per Ot British cruelty. but Look in vain far
accuracy OF detail, or for authenticity ofre-
ports. The subject is then forgotten or
disregarded, and the seat ofall the virtues
is placed IN the same little island which
contains TIE bulwark Of religion the Gle
niency and humanity of England is an
nouced with Hosannas, in the sa breath
which proclaims that she has done us no
essential injury.
The conduct ola power towards IFS can
tive prisoners is often assumed as crite-
rion Of ifs civilization at any rate it has
oeen stated as que or the great objects of
refinement, TO lessen the extent ofindivi-
dual soifering. without impairing the efici
eDcy1f heiligrrent measures. The superi-
or policy oil modern times. ifnot their great
or refinement, has exacted from an enemy
the utmost tenderness towards prison-
ers and disregard Of this duty IS viewed
as the Infractidn Of national law. There
never was a nation whose regard for tbjs
principle has been so uniform and infexi
BILE, as our own, If we may infer from the
absence OF all complaint on the part of our
enemies, and the frequency of their &C.
acknowledgements ofacts of peculiar delica-
cy and kindness from individuals nor has
any nation manifested deener g licitu Il
10 provide for the wants Of her own citizens
when IN thr hands ofan enemy. But the
sulicrings Ut our countrymen are not nj.
WAYS known II is but seldom thev possess
both the ability and the opportunity %
give them the notoriety of publications
In the present instance, however, fllis has
happened- The public are taken by the
hand AID conducted in he interior Of Bri.
tish prisons; the provisions far sustenante
are PLACED before their ewes they hear
the comUlaints 0f the sick, while fhey he.
hold the fIisid indifference ofthe kceper
and j! a rev source Of suffering can ne o.
poned to the victim Of nestiIential dun
geon, they NAY perceive IT 10 tontumeIiohs