North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-01-15
DartmOOr Massacre.
(coNrIHuEpl.


Accordingly, the colonel attended AT The
gate ot the prison, accompanied by Cantain
Shorthand, with sisage oyeTspr.ad with
gloom, and glowing with concions guilt.
He family attempted 10 Justify his conduct,
and pleaded DUTY! He feared The prisoners
were attempting to escape
The colonel patiently heard the stories
on both sides Of the question, and promised
that it should be submitted la the decision
OF a coroner's inquest next day, and that
thorough invesllg alton OF every relative cir
cumsiance should then take place.
The prisoners then hoistcd The colors
hal-mast on every prison, aud visited the
wounded in the hospital department. but
here a scene was too shocking Tor humanity.
Tables were spread and covered with irac.
tured legs and arms, thai had lust been
severed from The bodies of our grooming
fellow captives. There lay seven Of our
countrymen, marked with horrd wounds
and berelt Of ife-here above fifty were ex-
pressing their anguish in halfsmoihered
complaints, or audible groans. Our feelings
can better be conceived than described.
A committee Of six was then appointed
10 take the dispositions OF those best ac-
quainted with the facts relating TO this al
lar, and make proper arrangements Tor
furnishing the CORONER with the most ma
terial evidence. All these dispositions ex-
actly agreed with the statement here
given.
In The afternoon an admiral arrived at
the prison attend by the captain of a seven
ty-four. After politely introducing them
selves, they informed the prisoners that
they came, sanctioned by the proper au-
thoriiy, 10 make inquiries into the past con-
duct OF Captain Shorthand, during his
| agency, auu promised IHat lie should be
strictly INTERCEPTED on the subject. They
left us with many fair assurances that
strict and impartial investigation should
take place with respect 10 his conduct.
! One circumstances that occurred during
the massacre ought not TO be omitted. One
Of the soldiers, belonging 10 the same re-
giment that performed the work Of blood,
was lighting a lamp al The door Of No. 9,
one Of the prisons, when the carnage CON-
menced, and, in the hurry OF retreat, was
forced inside among tie wounded and ex-
asperaied prisoners. In the height of their
resentment, the eye Of vengeance was for
moment directed 10 the only enemy
which chance had thus thrown in their
power. II was but for moment. Tie
dignity Of the American character was not
thus to be sullied. To the establishments
of this atfrighted soldier, who was expect
ing every moment TO be inundated on the
altar OF revenge, as some atonement for
1.-THE names of our murdered countrymen.
he received assurances of safety and pro-
lection. " Americans never murdered
their prisoners: rest easy, your life shall
be preserved 10 distinguish between the
humanity Of British soldier and that of an
American sailor" Accordingly, when tho
doors were opened TO discharge the wound
ed, this man was delivered up 10 his as
tonished comrades in perfect safety. This
was triumph Of sentiment that might
have filled the British soldiers with admira-
ton a; its sublimtv, and the deepest shame
| for their own Iiltleness.
| On the Stb, the coroner's Jury, consisting
/ OF sixteen farmers, commenced taking the
different dispositions OF each party. Tho
evidence on the part OF the keeper OF tho
prison consisted of the very soldiers who
committed the murder by his orders. The
verdict Of the jury, TO the dismay and as
! tonishmenl ofevery unpfejndiced man, was
-" Justifable Homicide ~"
| The following facts were fully and COM
pletely proved on the part oil the prisoners,
and comprise the substance of their evil
dence before the jurors inquest, wiz
That the hole in the wall was unknown
to more than three-iourihs OF those confined
in the yard where il was made, and not
person belonging TO Nos. 1, Q and 4 knew
that such thing was ever made or inten-
ded.
That no kind Of combination for the pur-
I pose OF escape had ever existed or
even been thought Of and nothing
had ever been said or done, directly
or indirectly, 10 give color 10 such charge
/ or suspicion.
1 That curiosity, and nothing else, urged
them TO the gate, and that this curiosity
was excited by the sudden ringing ffhe
alarm bell
/ That the lock on the gate was broken
/ by man in a state OF intoxication, and done
{ without the knowledge Of the prisoners.