send some
ships of war bound to the Mediterranean, to this country, for the
purpose of completing their crews from among the prisoners; and
having been informed that this idea has got among the prisoners,
it becomes my duty to request, that you will inform them that the
fact is not so.

I have already informed you of the measures which had been taken
to provide conveyances for the prisoners. You will let them know,
that eight large transports have been engaged, some of which must
be now at Plymouth; others will follow, until the whole of the
prisoners are sent off.

It is much to be lamented, that at a moment when every exertion
was making to restore them to their country, _they should have
fallen into an excess which has proved fatal to some_. And I am at
a loss to conceive how they could, under such circumstances,
pretend to say, that the cause of this unfortunate but shameful
conduct, was the neglect of their government or its agent. This, I
am informed, they have stated to the officers who were sent to
examine into the affair. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

R. G. BEASLY.

_The Committee of the American prisoners, Dartmoor._

No. XIX.

DARTMOOR, April 14, 1815.

SIR--Yours, of the 12th inst. came to hand this morning. It is
with astonishment we note its contents, that the officers who came
to inquire into the circumstances of the late unfortunate affair,
should have informed you, that the prisoners stated to them the
cause of that event was that their government or its agent had
neglected them. This is a most deliberate falsehood, let your
authors be who they may. We deny not that the anxiety of the
prisoners to get released from here, has been great; they have
even censured you as being dilatory in your preparations for that
purpose--but their government they have never implicated--and you
may rest assured, that they have too much of the genuine spirit of
Americans, to apply to the officer of a foreign government for
relief, or to make them a party in any dispute with the government
or its agents.

We solemnly assure you, that whatever anxiety among the prisoners,
or want of confidence in your exertions, as above stated, may have
existed among them,