Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AND SUNDRY DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO CERTAIN SPOLIATIONS, AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS REFERRED TO, IN A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF THE EIGHTH OF JANUARY LAST. APRIL 20, 1802.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

I TRANSMIT you a report from the Secretary of State, with the information desired by a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 8th of January, relative to certain spoliations and other proceedings therein referred to. April 20, 1802. TH: JEFFERSON.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

APRIL 18, 1802.

THE Secretary of State respectfully reports to the President the information requested by the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 8th of January last, relative to spoliations, committed on the commerce of the United States, under Spanish authority; and also, relative to the imprisonment of the American Consul at Saint Jago de Cuba.

This report has been delayed longer than was wished; but the delay has been made unavoidable by the sickness and absence of the chief clerk in this department, who had partially gone through the necessary researches, and could most readily have completed them.

JAMES MADISON.

.

SIR,

PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 10, 1801.

THE situation in which I am placed, as President of an incorporated Insurance Company, affords me a pretence

for addressing the Secretary of State on a subject in which I conceive the honour and interest of the United States are in a considerable degree involved. But as you will probably receive more formal applications on the same subject from other quarters, I shall be the less formal in my communication, considering it merely as an auxiliary which may or may not, be brought into action, as occasion may require. The Chamber of Commerce of this city have been collecting materials on which to form an address to the government, concerning the depredations lately made by the Spaniards on our commerce, in full confidence that proper measures will be taken to obtain from the Spanish government compensation for the injuries sustained, and security from farther depredations.

The sufferings and apprehensions of suffering from such depredations are far from being confined to this city: they extend to every sea port in the Union, and though the merchants and insurers feel them most pointedly in the first instance, they are more or less affecting to every individual in the United States. I have lately received a letter of request from the three incorporated insurance companies in Baltimore, to join in devising a mode of laying the matter before our government. The Chamber of Commerce having previously taken up the business, I communicated this letter to them, presuming it will be properly regarded.

Since the measures lately taken by the British government respecting their colonial admiralty jurisdictions, we have perceived a sensible abatement of their unjustifiable treatment of the American commerce. And it is but justice to the French to admit, that, since the late convention, they have generally desisted from capturing our vessels, and have treated them in a friendly manner. It seems improbable therefore that they have either authorized or countenanced these captures by the Spaniards; nor can I conceive any ground for them more plausible than the idle pretence of holding Gibraltar in a state of blockade by a few paltry privateers. This, one would suppose, could not

afford a tolerable pretence for capturing our vessels bound to their own ports, or others in amity with them, within the Mediterranean.

Vessels bound thither must necessarily pass near Gibraltar, and frequently find occasion to call there for infor mation, or to obtain convoy. I therefore conclude that these depredations have been committed by marauders without the assent or knowledge of the Spanish govern ment, and that they will be suppressed, and restitution awarded on application from the United States.

I have the honour to be, with due deference and respect, Sir, your most obedient servant,

(Signed)

CHS. PETTIT.

JAMES MADISON, Esq. Secretary of State.

SIR,

PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER 10, 1801.

I HAVE the honour to send herewith a memorial from the Chamber of Commerce of this city, on the subject of Spanish captures, together with four letters, received by the owners of the captured vessels, which I pray the favour of you to lay before the President of the United States.

The business to which they relate has occasioned a very strong sensation in the minds of the merchants of this city. The property they have at risk is very great, and their information respecting its insecurity alarming. If Gibraltar is to be considered in a state of blockade, and American vessels directed to call there are, on that account, subject to capture and condemnation, there is reason to fear that most of those which were intended for the Mediterranean are in that predicament. They have ge nerally been directed to call at that port, either to benefit of convoy, or to learn the state of the markets in the ports to which they were destined. And as Algeziras is so situated that few vessels can go in or out of Gibraltar without being seen from thence, it is hardly possible to escape the vigilance of their cruisers.

What the conduct of the Spanish tribunals (with respect to captures of this kind) may be, can only be conjectured, as no ultimate decisions had taken place in the cases immediately referred to. If we are to judge from the information received, and their conduct on former occasions, the prospect is sufficiently discouraging. Where the property has been of small value, it has sometimes been released, after long detention and considerable expense; but as yet we know no instance of restitution where the value was great, nor for what has been plundered by the captors.

The alarm created by these captures is not confined to Philadelphia. A letter from the Insurance Company of Baltimore, to the President of the Insurance Company of North America, has already been received, proposing a joint representation to the President of the United States on this subject; and there is no doubt but like measures will be pursued by the other trading towns.

It is hoped that the representation now made will be thought of sufficient weight to engage the immediate attention of the President, and that such measures will be adopted as the nature and circumstances of the case require. As other information on this subject is received, it will be communicated to government; and when any measures are determined on by the President, proper for the merchants to know, a communication of them will be thankfully received.

In the mean time, I am with great respect, sir, your most humble servant,

(Signed)

THOMAS FITZSIMMONS, President Chamber Commerce, Philadelphia.

HON. JAMES MADISON, ESQ.

To THOMAS JEFFERSON, President of the United States, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce respect· fully represent

THAT the commerce between the United States and the ports of the Mediterranean has become very important,

and, from its extent, had furnished to the merchants the pleasing expectation that it might be so extended as to compensate, in some measure, for the restrictions they have experienced in other quarters; but, that it has latterly met with obstructions from vessels cruising under Spanish colours, which threaten its extinction.

By recent advices from thence, it appears that a number of American vessels have been captured and carried into the Spanish port of Algeziras; among which are three belonging to this port, and one to Baltimore, the value of which together exceeds four hundred thousand dollars,

That although the decision of the courts had not (at the dates of the advices) been made, and although it is possible some part of this property may be liberated, yet it is perfectly ascertained, that the vessels were plundered of goods to a considerable amount by the captors; and that the passengers and crews were grossly abused and ill treated, for which no compensation or retribution was expected.

That the pretence for capturing these vessels is, that they were intended for Gibraltar ; and it was publickly declared that all vessels which should touch, or intend to touch at that port, would, if met with, be subject to like consequences.

That Gibraltar is little resorted to by American vessels for the purposes of trade, but from its situation in relation to the Mediterranean, they are often obliged to put into that port; and of late, have generally been directed to do so, for the purpose of obtaining convoy from some of the national ships, against the Barbary corsairs.

Whether, under present circumstances, Gibraltar ought to be considered as in a state of blockade by the Spaniards, or not, we by no means undertake to determine; but we can assert with confidence that the merchants of this city have not had such notice thereof, as is usually given by nations acting with good faith to each other; although the United States have had a minister and consuls in that country, and the Spanish government have constantly had like functionaries residing in this. This government hav

« PředchozíPokračovat »