Marine. – 5th Division. – Prisoner of War.
“Sir,– I have received your letter of the 7th instant, relative to your exchange. I hasten to inform you, that his Excellency the Minister of Marine has transmitted your petition to the Minister of War, who is especially charged with the police and superintendence of prisoners of war, and who alone can decide whether the numerous wounds you have received have reduced you to a state that may render it proper to permit your return to England. It is, therefore, to that minister your future communications on this business should he addressed. I have the honor to salute you,
“To Mr. Dalyell, Prisoner of War, Verdun.”
“Sir,– I have received your letter, dated the 5th of last month, relative to the exchange of Mr. Dalyell, lieutenant of the British navy, for a French officer of the same rank.
“However interesting the circumstances attending the case of this officer may be, it is impossible at present to do any thing in his favor: but the moment of any exchange, whether general or partial, I shall not fail most urgently to press compliance with this petition. I shall be the more zealous because it appears to be an affair wherein you arc deeply interested. Receive, Sir, my assurances of sincere attachment.
“To Mons. Leseigneur, St. Valery-en-Caux.”
The Commissioners of the Transport Board, it appears, also made an application to the French Minister of Marine, offering to exchange any officer of equal rank for Lieutenant Dalyell; hut were unable to procure his release. The Duc de Feltre, however, allowed him to go to the baths of Plombieres, for the benefit of his health; and likewise to visit Paris, for the purpose of consulting an oculist.
In 1812, Lieutenant Dalyell, mindful of the kind treatment he had received at St. Valery-en-Caux, wrote to the Chairman of the above Board as follows:
