New-York tribune., 1908-11-11
TREATMENT OF PRISON SHIP MARTYRa
To the Editor OF The Tribune

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: In an article on The Prison ship Nartyrs''
published in your paper yesterday your corrs-
spondent refers to the notorious David Sproat.
commIssary OF prisoners" basing his conclusions
on the recoIIections OF prisoners on those ships
and apparently satisfied with this limited research.
He might have noticed that the truth OF SONS
of the statements contained in those narratives
has been denied by the prisoners themselves and
that one at least Of the writer's had escaped. cny
TO be recaptured and more closely confined
The late Dr. John F1sks said: The oId-fash-
ioned historian usually satisfied with copying
his predecessors and thus an error. once started.
became perpetuated; but in our time no history
written in such a way would command the re-
spect Of scholars"
Your correspondents might also have found cut
that Mr. Sproat not so notorious" and that
at the close OF the war. on the recommendation
of Mr.. Morris. minister OF finance. Congress voted
him upward OF 1850 currency, which amount -
had personally paid for the relief of-Amsricsn
prisoners
Mr.. Sproat was the commjssary of naval p-is-
oners in North America, and the prisoners were
not under his immediate care. but under tbs
charge of naval officers and soldiers
Henry Il. Dawson. who made a study OF t-.s
subject, says: The truth OF many OF the state
ments concerning the Old Jersey and her cspt-ys
victims has been denied. and the prisoners them
selves. without doubt. also promoted their
miseries in many eases.
Friends were permitted to visit tire prisoners
and furnish them with such articles a promoted
their comfort; correspondence with their families
by letter allowed. and the prisoners were
permitted to visit their families IN diStant
states on their simple word OF honor 70 return
to captivity within a specified time"
The late Dr William II Esle. the veteran conf
piler OF the PennSy Ivanla records. once wrote n
reference to Mr. Sproat. I have never seen any
account whatever in the Pennsylvania archives
casting any reflection him
The Jersey not the only ship taken UP Tor
the confinement OF naval prisoners. At one ttus
five used for this purpose. two OF which
were hospital ships one Of the best ef the SHIPS
set fire and destroyed by the prisoners
themselves.
The principal trouble in regard Co the naval
prisoners was the matter OF exchange. Nr.
Sproat's proposition for the exchange % American
naval prisoners for British soldiers there being
British naval prisoners al that time was de-
cllned bv General Washington. who writes Is
ought also 20 be considered that few or none o.
the naval prisoners in New York or elsewhere
belong to the Continental service They Wets
privateersmen.
Feeling ran high At that time. and many ac
cusatIons we're made against the treatment g
British prisoners American prison ships.
No instances. however, have been found WIZ"
show the officers OF either country used other tns
the best means obtaiuabIe 20 relieve the distress
and promote the comfort OF the prisoners IN tl7A
charge. JAMES LENoN hAN
New York Nov. 9. isoS
IThe statements in The Tribune artic'' WeI''
as stated therein. based on Henry r. SUES
History Of the City OF Brooklyn.J