Mr. McCulloch, collector, to Mr. Johnston.
Collector’s Office, March 10, 1823.
Sir: The Colombian schooner General Paez, commanded by John Chase, arrived here in August last from a cruise, and applied for permission [Page 509] to make repairs; this was granted, but as coming in under such circumstances forbids an entry, her cargo was taken into possession. While refitting, suits having been brought against the captain, he was arrested, committed to jail, and the goods taken and sold by the marshal, &c., &c. The vessel has remained ever since till to-day, when the *captain, being liberated unknown to me, speedily got on board with his tackle, &c., and seizing the opportunity of a fresh wind he set sail, and has run out of the harbor and river, with intent no doubt to proceed immediately to sea. Our cutter has been dispatched after him with a civil officer and process for arresting him and detaining the vessel, behaving without any right in himself carried off the schooner, and having neither made declaration nor taken clearance at this office, besides leaving a number of private claim unsatisfied. I beg that if any vessel of war or the revenue-cutter is in port, they may be immediately required to stop this fellow, whose whole conduct is of the most desperate and flagitious character. Our cutter being gone, this is sent by the steamboat in hopes that a change of wind may detain the disorderly privateers man somewhere, and give opportunity to bring him to correction for his misbehavior. [153]
James Johnston,.Esq.