In pursuance of instructions received from Messrs. Clay and Gallatin,
I have now the honor to transmit to you the report prepared by Mr.
Larpent and myself on behalf of our respective governments, in
relation to the unfortunate transactions at Dartmoor Prison of War,
on the 6th of the present month. Considering it of much importance
that the report, whatever it might be, should go forth under our joint
signatures, I have forborne to press some of the points which it
involves, as far as otherwise I might have done, and it therefore may
not be improper in this letter to enter into some little explanation
of such parts of the report. Although it does appear that a part
of the prisoners were on that evening in such a state, and under
such circumstances, as to have justified, in the view which the
commander of the depot could not but take of it, the intervention
of the military force, and even in a strict sense, the first use of
fire-arms, yet I cannot but express it as my settled opinion, that
by conduct a little more temporizing, this dreadful alternative of
firing upon unarmed prisoners might have been avoided. Yet as this
opinion has been the result of subsequent examination, and after
having acquired a knowledge of the comparatively harmless state of the
prisoners, it may be but fair to consider, whether in such a moment
of confusion and alarm, as that appears to have been, the officer
commanding could have fairly estimated his danger, or have measured
out with precision the extent and nature of the force necessary to
guard against it.
But when the firing became general, as it afterwards appears to
have done, and caught with electric rapidity from the square to the
platforms, there is no plea or shadow of excuse for it, except in the
personal exasperation of the soldiery, nor for the more deliberate,
and therefore more unjustifiable, firing which took place into three
of the prisons, No. 1, 3 and 4, but more particularly into No. 3,
after the prisoners had retired into them, and there was no longer
any pretence of apprehensions as to their escape. Upon this ground,
as you, sir, will perceive by the report, Mr. Larpent and myself had
no difference of opinion, and I am fully persuaded that my own regret
was not greater than his, at perceiving how hopeless would be the
attempt to trace to any individuals of the military these outrageous
proceedings.
As to whether the order to fire came from Captain Shortland, I yet
confess myself unable to form any satisfactory opinion, though
perhaps the bias of my mind is, that he did give such an order. But
his anxiety and exertions to stop it after it had continued for some
little time, are fully proved, and his general conduct, previous to
this occurrence, as far as we could with propriety enter into such
details, appears to have been characterized with great fairness, and
even kindness, in the light in which he stood towards the prisoners.
On the subject of any complaints against their own government existing
among the prisoners, it was invariably answered to several distinct
questions put by me on that head, that none whatsoever existed or
had been expressed by them, although they confessed themselves to
entertain some animosity against Mr. Beasley, to whom they attributed
their detention in this country; with what justice you, sir, will be
better able to judge. They made no complaint whatsoever, as to their
provisions and general mode of living and treatment in the prison.
I have transmitted to Mr. Beasley a list of the killed and wounded on
this melancholy occasion, with a request that he would forward it to
the United States for the information of their friends at home, and I
am pleased to have it in my power to say, that the wounded are for the
most part doing well.
I have also enclosed to Mr. Beasley the notes taken by me of the
evidence adduced before us, with a request that he would have them
fairly copied, as also a copy of the depositions taken before the
coroner, and desired him to submit them to you when in order.
I cannot conclude, sir, without expressing my high sense of the
impartiality and manly firmness with which this inquiry has been
conducted on the part of Mr. Larpent, nor without mentioning that
every facility was afforded to us in its prosecution, as well by
the military officers commanding here and at the prison, as by the
magistrates in the vicinity.
I have the honor to be, with much respect, your most obedient humble
servant,
(Signed) CHARLES KING.
His Excellency, J. Q. ADAMS, &c., &c.
LONDON, 30th April, 1815.