Mr. Rush, Acting Secretary of State, to Mr. Mallory, collector.
March 28, 1817.
61] Sir: It has been stated to this *Department that two armed vessels, one named the Independence of the South, the other the Altaveda, have lately arrived at Norfolk from voyages, in the course of which they have cruised against, and made captures of, vessels or property belonging to the subjects of the King of Spain. You are requested to make strict inquiry into the grounds of these allegations, and transmit such information as you may be able to obtain. It will embrace the time and manner of their arrival, their force, the flag which they bear, the port or place whence they last sailed, the entry, if any, which they made, the cargo or articles on board of them, their motives for coming into port, and, generally, such other facts and circumstances as may tend to show their true character and objects. If there be any proof of their having committed, or of their intending to commit, an infraction of any of the laws or treaties of the United States, you will cause prosecutions, subject to the advice of the attorney of the United States, to be instituted against all parties concerned, or such other legal steps taken [Page 471] as events may make necessary and justice require. To further this end I inclose you an authenticated copy of an act of Congress passed on the 3d of this month, (lest it may not before have reached you,) to preserve more effectually the neutral relations of the United States in case any recurrence to its provisions should become necessary.
- RICHARD RUSH,
Acting Secretary of State. - Chas. K. Mallory,
Collector, Norfolk.