hose the most unfit, decayed, and
loathsome of any which the Government could furnish, was an
infraction of the established laws of civilized nations for the
treatment of prisoners of war. It was equally abhorrent to the
principles of humanity, and only sanctioned by British
governmental agents, and those petty Nations of Savages, whose
known usages of warfare have hitherto kept them beyond the pale of
national law. The history of modern European wars can furnish no
parallel to this part of the history of Dartmoor. But when we
arrive at the slaughter of prisoners on the 6th of April, the
climax of barbarity is complete, and the mind is sated with the
contemplation of principles as shocking to humanity as the
consequences are degrading to the character of the English nation.

An eminent writer upon national law, has formerly extolled the
"English and French for their treatment given to prisoners of
war," and at the same time mentions the case of Charles I. King of
Naples, who, having defeated and taken prisoner Conrade, his
competitor, caused him, together with his fellow-prisoner,
Frederick of Austria, to be beheaded at Naples. Upon this case our
author has the following pertinent remarks:--"This barbarity
raised an universal horror, and Peter the third, King of Arragon,
reproached Charles with it, as a detestable crime, till then
unheard of among Christian princes. However, the case was of a
dangerous rival contending with him for the throne. But, supposing
the claims of his rival were unjust, Charles might have kept him
in prison until he had renounced them, and given security for his
future behavior." If this act of Charles raised an "universal
horror," what should be the excitement produced by the cold
blooded massacre of a number of unarmed and unoffending prisoners
of war in confinement? Humanity shudders at the thought, and
language furnishes no appropriate epithet with which to brand the
infamous perpetrator of so foul, so hitherto unheard of a crime.
Did that writer now live, he would no longer extol the humanity of
the English nation, but in common with the friends of humanity, he
would join in the "universal horror" which British cruelty has
excited.

The complexion of this transaction is rendered still more dark and
barbarous, and its criminality most shockingl