The prisoners' memoirs, or, Dartmoor prison : $b containing a complete and impartial history of the entire captivity of the Americans in England, from the commencement of the last war between the United States and Great Britain, until all prisoners were released by the treaty of Ghent. Also a particular detail of all occurrences relative to the horrid massacre at Dartmoor, on the fatal evening of the 6th of April, 1815. — John Shaqi
The prisoners' memoirs, or, Dartmoor prison : $b containing a complete and impartial history of the entire captivity of the Americans in England, from the commencement of the last war between the United States and Great Britain, until all prisoners were released by the treaty of Ghent. Also a particular detail of all occurrences relative to the horrid massacre at Dartmoor, on the fatal evening of the 6th of April, 1815.Andrews, C. (Charles)
History
The prisoners' memoirs, or, Dartmoor prison : $b containing a complete and impartial history of the entire captivity of the Americans in England, from the commencement of the last war between the United States and Great Britain, until all prisoners were released by the treaty of Ghent. Also a particular detail of all occurrences relative to the horrid massacre at Dartmoor, on the fatal evening of the 6th of April, 1815.
Andrews, C. (Charles)
Dartmoor Prison; United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Prisoners and prisons
In conformity to these arrangements, we received, on the 5th of
February, three halfpence sterling per day (less than three cents).
This money was to be paid every thirty-two days: as one month had
passed from the time it was to commence, we received the payment for
all that time. The day’s allowance of cash would purchase two pounds of
potatoes, or three chews of tobacco, which latter was five shillings
and six-pence sterling all over England. We returned to Mr. Beasley a
letter, acknowledging the receipt of the money, and stated the great
alteration this little attention had made in the prisoners; every man
was animated beyond description to find himself again acknowledged by
the United States; that before that time they concluded that during
the twelve months they had been immured in prisons, so far from their
country, that they were entirely forgotten by her, and that she did
not any more remember she had such sons as those at Dartmoor. The
gloom that had so long clouded their countenances now began a little
to disappear, and the prospect a little brightened, and we had hopes
of life; but still our nakedness was grievous to bear. In a letter of
thanks to our government, through the medium of Mr. Beasley, we stated
every particular of our situation, our past and our present sufferings.
We stated to him that it could not be possible that the Congress of the
United States had allowed that small sum for those few articles, and
had not made any provision for clothing, which ought to have occupied
their first attention, for without clothes we did not need soap. We
must, therefore, conclude this sum was allowed by himself out of the
United States funds, and that we were extremely grateful for it; that
the United States, were they acquainted with all the particulars of
our situation, would make immediately all requisite arrangements for
clothing, which his Honor Mr. Beasley must be well satisfied we were
much in need of. After this correspondence with Mr. Beasley, we formed
resolutions to expel all gambling, and were fully confident that some
greater arrangement would be made for us.
Before this time seventy-five had entered the British service out of
nine hundred Americans at this depot; but now not a man mentioned such
a thing; he could not be persuaded to do it. This shows how much effect
so little attention of Mr. Beasley had upon the prisoners. We, on the
22d of this month, petitioned to have the black prisoners separated
from the white, for it was impossible to prevent these fellows from
stealing, although they were seized up and flogged almost every day.
Our petition was granted, and we greatly relieved, and the blacks,
ninety in number, occupied the upper stories.
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