[149] *Mr. McCulloch, collector, to Mr. Crawford, Secretary of Treasury.
Collector’s Office, November 8, 1821.
Sir: As soon as practicable after receiving your letter of the 5th instant, respecting the South American brig San Jose, another examination was ordered, to ascertain the state of the vessel, agreeable to your direction. It is but a little while since the same measure was taken, upon a note being addressed to me by the Spanish consul here. It was not thought necessary to make any observations to the Government on the subject. I was apprised that a copy of his note was transmitted to the minister at Washington. The fact is that a constant watch has been kept on this vessel, and we are acquainted with every particular respecting her. But the reporters to the Government give the rumors constantly floating in their atmosphere, in which conjecture and imagination take the greatest part. Mr. Beatty, the Navy agent, upon being called upon for such information as he had, was not a little displeased that his name should be given in support of the rumors, which, indeed, he acknowledged he had laid before the Department, but without any knowledge of his own.
I beg leave to repeat, in his own words, the report of the officer charged with the present examination:
[150] *Baltimore, November 8, 1821.
I certify that I have been attending upon the prize San José since the 22d October at least twice a day, and have this day examined the magazine and hold of said vessel, and do report that there is no cargo, no ammunition of war, nor any equipments other than when she arrived; that there is nothing in her magazine, and nothing but water-casks and ballast in her hold; that her present complement of men is four Spaniards, who came in the vessel.
JAMES BURNS, Inspector.
Wm. H. Crawford, Esq.