Note 39 — Chapter XIV · (continued 2)

This part of the bulletin was officially transmitted by Lord Castlereagh to Sir John Moore, with the following instructions:—“His Majesty cannot overlook this account, descriptive, according to the obvious sense of it, of the murder of some unresisting stragglers of his army, although his Majesty is disposed to disbelieve a transaction, however sufficiently recorded, which is so utterly repugnant to the usual laws of war, and to every principle of humanity. His Majesty therefore desires that you will take the earliest means of ascertaining the truth of the fact so recorded, and the circumstances under which it was perpetrated, if perpetrated at all. If it shall upon investigation appear to be founded, I am to desire you will cause a protest to be made by you to the nearest head-quarters of the French army, and that you will take such measures as shall appear to you most expedient for the protection of the troops under your orders against conduct so barbarous and so disgraceful.”—No such measures were taken, in consequence of Sir John Moore’s retreat. This instruction, however, exculpates the British government from any charge of indifference upon the subject.