In my letter of the 19th instant, I informed you of the measures which
had been adopted here in consequence of the late unfortunate event at
Dartmoor prison.
I have now the honor to transmit the copy of a letter addressed to me
by Mr. Clay and Mr. Gallatin, relative to that occurrence, and to the
transportation of the American prisoners in this country to the United
States.
In the absence of Mr. Adams, it becomes my duty to communicate, for
the information of our government, the result of the investigation at
Dartmoor. I enclose a copy of the joint report of the commissioners
appointed for that purpose, also of a letter from Mr. King to Mr.
Adams, and of a list of the killed and wounded on that melancholy
occasion.
I shall leave to Mr. Adams any further steps which he may deem it
proper to take in this business. I cannot, however, forbear to notice
the erroneous impression of the prisoners, that their detention
so long has been owing to me. You are aware, sir, of my constant
exertions during the war to effect their liberation. I immediately,
on the signing of the treaty of peace at Ghent, renewed my instances
on that subject; proposing, as a condition, that all prisoners who
might be delivered over to me by the British government, should be
considered as prisoners of war, and not at liberty to serve until
regularly exchanged, in the event of the treaty not being ratified
by the President. This proposition was declined, and in a peremptory
manner.
On the receipt of the intelligence of the ratification from America,
I lost not a moment in requesting the release of the prisoners,
according to the terms of the treaty; and the number of vessels which
I had hired, as mentioned in my letter of the 13th, and which are now
on their voyage to the United States, will show that the necessary
steps were taken to provide for their immediate transportation to
their country. The prisoners also were informed of these measures, and
of the exertions which had been made from the commencement, to return
them to their homes with the least possible delay. Therefore, whatever
may have been their uneasiness, under confinement, and whatever
hostile feelings they may have had towards me, as noticed in the
report, and in Mr. King’s letter, I must say, with confidence, that I
could not prevent the one, nor have I deserved the other.