Mr. Monroe, Secretary of State, to Mr. McCulloch, collector.
July 19, 1816.
23] *Sir: The minister of Spain has stated to this Department that the vessels of which a memorandum is inclosed have been fitted out and armed in the port of Baltimore, by a company of merchants residing in the different ports of the United States, and that these vessels are to cruise off the port of Cadiz, under the flag of Buenos Ayres, for the purpose of capturing the vessels belonging to the subjects of His Catholic Majesty. As it is equally contrary to our own laws, and the pacific relations between this country and Spain, that any such arrangement should take place in our ports, I persuade myself that the representations made to the Spanish minister are unfounded. It is necessary, however, that an inquiry should be made into the facts connected with the equipment and departure of these vessels, if any such have recently departed from the port of Baltimore. I have, therefore, to request that you will transmit to this Department, at as early a period as circumstances will permit, all the information which the records of your office will afford in relation to each of the vessels. If there are any other facts within your knowledge calculated to prove or disprove the allegations of the Spanish minister, you will oblige me by communicating them in such way as you may deem proper. I am satisfied that no violation of our laws has been permitted by you, but as it is possible that these vessels may have enlarged their crews, or furnished themselves with arms after they have gone out of your district. I should be glad *to know it, if the fact is so, as in that case additional precautionary measures may be deemed necessary by the President to prevent like occurrences in future. It is essential to the reputation of our country, as well as to its policy, that, so long as we profess to be neutral in the controversy between Spain and her colonies, all proper measures should be taken effectually to preserve our neutrality. [24]