At the request of Lord Castlereagh, we have had interviews with him
and Mr. Goulburn on the subject of the transportation of the American
prisoners now in this country, to the United States, and of the late
unfortunate event at the depot at Dartmoor.
On the first subject we agreed to advise your acceptance of the
proposition of Lord Castlereagh to transport the prisoners at the
joint expense of the two countries, reserving the construction of the
articles of the treaty, which provides for the mutual restoration
of prisoners, for future adjustment. It was stated by us, and was
so understood, that the joint expense, thus to be incurred, is to
comprehend as well the requisite tonnage as the subsistence of the
prisoners; and moreover that measures of precaution should be adopted
relative to the health and comfort of the prisoners similar to those
which had taken place in America.
The details of this arrangement, if you concur with us as to the
expediency of making it, are left with you to settle with the proper
British authority.
On the other subject, as a statement of the transaction has been
received from the American prisoners, differing very materially in
fact from that which had resulted from an inquiry instituted by the
port admiral, it has been thought advisable that some means should be
devised of procuring information as to the real state of the case,
in order, on the one hand, to show that there had not been any
wanton or improper sacrifice of the lives of American citizens, or,
on the other, to enable the British government to punish their civil
and military officers, if it should appear that they have resorted
to measures of extreme severity without necessity, or with too much
precipitation.
Lord Castlereagh proposed that the inquiry should be a joint one,
conducted by a commissioner selected by each government. And we have
thought such an inquiry most likely to produce an impartial and
satisfactory result.
We presume that you will have too much occupation on the first subject
and the other incidental duties of your office, to attend to this
inquiry in person. On that supposition, we have stated to the British
government that we should recommend to you the selection of Charles
King, Esq. as a fit person to conduct it on behalf of the American
government. If Mr. King will undertake the business, he will forthwith
proceed to Dartmoor, and in conjunction with the British commissioner,
who may be appointed on the occasion, will examine the persons
concerned, and such other evidence as may be thought necessary, and
make a joint report upon the facts of the case to John Q. Adams, Esq.
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at this court, and to
the British government.
The mode of executing this service must be left to the discretion
of Mr. King and his colleague. If they can agree upon a narrative
of the facts after having heard the evidence, it will be better
than reporting the whole mass of testimony in detail, which they
may perhaps find it necessary to do, if they cannot come to such an
agreement.
We are, sir, your obedient humble servants,
(Signed) H. CLAY,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
R. G. Beasley, Esq. &c., &c.
PLYMOUTH, 26th April, 1815.