Mr. McCulloch, collector, to Mr. Monroe, Secretary of State.
Collector’s Office, August 29, 1816.
Sir: The owner of the schooner Romp, seized in York River, has been here once and again, but no process had issued against him for want of sufficient evidence. That has now appeared as far as to obtain warrants of arrest, and a writ is in the hands of the marshal, if it can be served. A Spanish brig arrived lately in Patuxent River, reported to be a prize to a cruiser belonging to Buenos Ayres. The privateer is said to be a vessel that went from *here and was sold at Port au Prince. Her commander is said to be Captain Almeda, who was heretofore a citizen of this place; not long ago taken by the Spaniards, at Carthagena, on a trading-voyage. The prize crew, who had been ordered to Buenos Ayres, brought the vessel here and abandoned her. Upon information of the Spanish consul, a vessel was immediately fitted, manned, and sent to bring her to this port for examination, but she had been previously taken possession of by the collector of Nottingham. It is now reported, but not yet ascertained, that she is coming to this place, which is at the order of that collector, who has some of the men sent from here on board of her. Upon such view as I am able to give at present, and which is here submitted, the instructions that may be thought necessary for my government will be gladly received, but I cannot restrain a complaint on the difficult, harassing, and responsible duties that are thus laid upon a collector of the customs, and which bear little analogy to his object and his character. [38]
I am, sir,
James Monroe, Esq.