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[Page 5]
at least were emaciated, or why was additional food granted at all? And as to sickness & death the records of the hospital & of the Church-yard leave the existence of these evils unquestionable. I have perhaps used too ardent expressions for which I am to blame, but which on a subject of this kind it is not easy wholly to avoid.
The unpleasant circumstances which I have mentioned led me to avoid all farther conversation with the medical attendants on the hospital here respecting the State of the prisoners. But it was impossible for me not to hear, what was a matter of notoriety, that notwithstanding the relief afforded by the Commissioners death was proceeding in his ravages, & at some of the Depots in the South, the mortality not only continued but increased. As I always believe that the reduced allowance would be considered as of the nature of an experiment to be adhered to or not according to the event, I could not but indulge a hope that the continued mortality would be considered as pointing out the propriety of farther relief. It did not occur to me however that I could take any additional step towards that object.
But about three weeks ago I received a letter from Earl Wycombe, requesting me to take charge of a small sum of money with which he had been intrusted for one of the French prisoners. This I paid to the Agent who furnished with the proper rect. [receipt] which I inclosed to his Lordship. In my letter inclosing this I was led to express my satisfaction in contributing to the relief of one so situated, and to mention the reduction in the allowance of the prisoners' allowance as the cause of much suffering on their part. And it occurring to me that Lord Wycombe might perhaps be in habits of intercourse with Lord St. Vincents, I submitted to him the