Impressed with the sense of duty which we owe to our country and
to ourselves, we respectively solicit permission to introduce to
your Excellency George Magrath, Esq., M.D., principal of the medical
department at this depot. Language is incompetent to delineate
the worth and character of this gentleman, pre-eminent in medical
science, enriched by every virtue and accomplishment that can dignify
and adorn human nature, and form the gentleman and philanthrophist.
His professional skill has been peculiarly conspicuous in his
successfully combatting a succession of diseases, of the most
exasperated and malignant character, which prevailed among the
prisoners.
Dr. Magrath’s health, from his indefatigable exertions, became
seriously impaired, but he persevered in the performance of his
arduous duties and unremitting efforts to arrest the alarming and
rapid advances of the prevailing diseases; and he was the agent under
divine Providence of rescuing many citizens of the United States from
a premature grave, and as it were, renewing their existence, but more
particularly on the late unhappy occurrence.
Language is too impotent to describe Dr. Magrath’s unexampled
endeavors to prevent the effusion of blood; regardless of the many
dangers by which he was environed, he persevered, amidst the heavy
and incessant fire of musketry, in his humane endeavors to prevent
the fatal catastrophe.
His treatment of the unfortunate wounded Americans is superior to
all praise, and was such as to entitle Dr. Magrath to the esteem and
gratitude of the citizens of the United States.
We therefore respectfully and ardently solicit that your Excellency
would be pleased to honor Dr. Magrath with your particular notice and
esteem, and to convey these our sentiments to the government of the
United States; for we would wish to give all possible publicity to
our high sense of Dr. Magrath, and to evince to our country and the
world how gratefully we appreciate the essential services we have
received from that gentleman.
We avail ourselves of this opportunity to offer to your Excellency
our congratulations on the happy termination of your important duties
at Ghent, by the conclusion of a peace so highly honorable to our
beloved country, and to yourself, and to assure your Excellency of
our high respect and attachment to your character and person.
We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient humble servants,
For and in behalf of the American prisoners of war at this depot,
PIERRE G. DEPEYSTER,
HENRY PROCTOR,
HENRY BULL,
JOHN COTTLE,
THOS. GAIR,
THOS. CARBERRY,
JAMES LESTER,
BENJ. MERCER,
ISAAC DOWELL.
DARTMOOR, April 10, 1815.