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the negotiation to a more official form. This practice I pursued upon the conclusion of the treaty at Ghent, when my request was refused, and again on the receipt of the ratification of the President when the release was agreed upon. Upon these occasions I of course availed myself of every circumstance which I conceived calculated to accomplish the object I had in view: and I frequently found the board concurring with me upon points which, when submitted to the admiralty, were rejected."-" One of my letters informing the prisoners of the measures taken for their release was addressed to those on parole at Ashburton, which is about sixteen miles distant from Dartmoor, and with whom the prisoners at this latter place were in constant correspondence; I have to observe further that when inquiry as to the probable time of release, was made at my office by friends of prisoners, which at that time was very frequently the case, they were always requested, when writing to them to desire the information to be made as publick in the prison as possible."

From R. G. Beasley to Alexander MLeay. Harley Street, January 18, 1815.

SIR, A treaty of peace having been concluded at Ghent between Great Britain and the United States, I am induced by a desire to shorten the sufferings of the American prisoners in this country, to address the board relative to them. I do this with the more confidence of its being favourably received, as I am persuaded that this wish is equally entertained by the British government.

I have therefore to request, that a certain number of prisoners may be released, as soon as I may be able to procure proper conveyances for them to the United States; under the condition that they shall be subject to exchange should the treaty not be ratified by the President of the United States. I am, &c.

Alexander M Leay, Esq.
Transport Office.

R. G. BEASLEY.

From Alexander M'Leay to R. G. Beasley. Transport Office, Jan. 21, 1815.

SIR,-Having received, and laid before the commissioners for the transport service, &c. your letter of the

18th instant, proposing, under the circumstances therein stated, that a certain number of American prisoners of war may be permitted to return to the United States, I have it in command to acquaint you, that the same has been referred to the consideration of the lords commissioners of the admiralty, and that their lordships have in reply been pleased to signify, that they do not think proper to accede to your proposition. I am, &c.

R. G. Beasley, Esq.

ALEXANDER M'LEAY, Sec.

From R. G. Beasley to Alexander M Leay. Harley Street, March 15, 1815.

SIR,-The treaty of Ghent having been ratified by the governments of the United States and this country, and peace being thus happily restored between the two nations, I beg to inquire whether there is any objection to delivering over to me the prisoners detained in this country, as soon as I can provide for their conveyance.

1 am, &c.

Alexander M Leay, Esq.
Transport Office.

R. G. BEASLEY.

From Alexander M Leay to R. G. Beasley. Transport Office, March 16, 1815.

SIR, I have received and laid before the commissioners of the transport service, &c. your letter of the 15th instant, requesting to be informed, under the circumstances therein stated, whether there be any objection to delivering over to you the Americans now detained as prisoners of war in this country, upon your providing vessels for their conveyance to the United States.

In reply, I am directed to acquaint you, that the board are ready to embark all the prisoners in question, upon your providing vessels at Plymouth for their conveyance, it being understood, that all the debts contracted by them in this country must previously be paid. I am, &c. ALEX. M-LEAY, Sec.

R. G. Beasley, Esq.

Extract of a Letter from R. G. Beasley, addressed to the Committee of American Prisoners of War at Dartmoor. London, March 22, 1815.

"THREE cartels are now preparing here, with all ex

pedition, for the conveyance of the prisoners to the United States."

Agency for American Prisoners of War. London, March 23, 1815.

GENTLEMEN, I have to inform you that the treaty of peace having been ratified by the President, the release of the prisoners of war will commence without delay.

Although I have not as yet received any instructions from our government, I have engaged, and am fitting out four vessels for their conveyance to proceed to Plymouth to receive them, and shall use every despatch in sending them to the United States. I am, &c.

To the American Prisoners of

War on Parole at Ashburton.

R. G. BEASLEY.

Extract of a Letter from R. G. Beasley, to Captain T. G. Shortland, Agent for Prisoners of War at Dartmoor. London, March 25, 1815.

"I HAVE engaged four vessels for cartels, which are fitting out with all despatch. They will sail, I hope, in five or six days for Plymouth, to receive prisoners. Their tonnage together is about 1600 tons."

London, March 31, 1815.

SIR, I have received your letter of the 29th instant, acquainting me with your opinion of the complaints of Mr. Proctor and Mr. Robinson, now in Dartmoor hospital. In return, I beg to inform you, that these two prisoners shall be sent home in the first cartel; which will, I expect, sail from this place to-morrow for Plymouth. I am. &c. R. G. BEASLEY.

George Magrath, Esq. Surgeon

Dartmoor Prison Hospital, Devon.

From R. G. Beasley to the Committee of American Prisoners of War. Agency for American Prisoners of War. London, March 31, 1815.

GENTLEMEN,It appearing by several letters which I have received from Dartmoor that the prisoners have ta

ken up an idea, that any, who may have the means of pro, ceeding to the United States would, on application, receive a free discharge; I request that you will make it known throughout the prison, that such is not the fact.

There must be other and better reasons to induce me to consent to their release in this manner, at this time. The situation of Europe under the prospect of another war, multiplies the risk of impressment. I have taken measures to have them all released and sent home by cartels with as little delay as possible; where they are much wanted, and where wages are very high. I am, &c. R. G. BEASLEY.

To the Committee of American
Prisoners of War, Dartmoor.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS. DEC. 3, 1816.

Fellow Citizens of the Senate,

and of the House of Representatives,

In reviewing the present state of our country, our attention cannot be withheld from the effect produced by peculiar seasons, which have very generally impaired the annual gifts of the earth, and threatened scarcity in particular districts. Such, however, is the variety of soils, of climates, and of products, within our extensive limits, that the aggregate resources for subsistence are more than sufficient for the aggregate wants. And as far as an economy of consumption, more than usual, may be necessary, our thankfulness is due to Providence, for what is far more than a compensation, in the remarkable health which has distinguished the present year.

Amidst the advantages which have succeeded the peace of Europe, and that of the United States with Great Britain, in a general invigoration of industry among us, and in the extension of our commerce, the value of which is more and more disclosing itself to commercial nations, it is to be regretted that a depression is experienced by particular branches of our manufactures, and by a portion of our

navigation. As the first proceeds, in an essential degree, from an excess of imported merchandise, which carries a check in its own tendency, the cause, in its present extent, cannot be of very long duration. The evil will not, however, be viewed by Congress, without a recollection, that manufacturing establishments, if suffered to sink too low, or languish too long, may not revive, after the causes shall have ceased; and that, in the vicissitudes of human affairs, situations may recur, in which a dependence on foreign sources, for indispensable supplies, may be among the most serious embarrassments.

The depressed state of our navigation, is to be ascribed, in a material degree, to its exclusion from the colonial ports of the nation most extensively connected with us in commerce, and from the indirect operation of that exclu

sion.

Previous to the late convention at London, between the United States and Great Britain, the relative state of the navigation laws of the two countries, growing out of the treaty of 1794, had given to the British navigation a material advantage over the American, in the intercourse between the American ports and British ports in Europe. The convention of London equalized the laws of the two countries, relating to those ports; leaving the intercourse between our ports and the ports of the British colonies, subject, as before, to the respective regulations of the parties. The British government enforcing new regulations, which prohibit a trade between its colonies and the United States, in American vessels, whilst they permit a trade in British vessels, the American navigation loses accordingly; and the loss is augmented by the advantage which is given to the British competition over the American, in the navigation between our ports and British ports in Europe, by the circuitous voyages, enjoyed by the one, and not enjoyed by the other.

The reasonableness of the rule of reciprocity, applied to one branch of the commercial intercourse, has been pressed on our part, as equally applicable to both branches: but it is ascertained, that the British cabinet declines all negotiation on the subject; with a disavowal, however, of any disposition to view, in an unfriendly light, whatever countervailing regulations the United States may oppose to the regulations of which they complain. The

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