Mr. McCulloch, collector, to Captain Beard.
Collector’s Office, April 16, 1817.
Sir: Information has been given me that the ship Idas, Fisher master, which cleared hence on the 12th instant, remains below the mouth of the river, and that her officers are in town procuring a number of men to go down to her. She is fitted for arming, but was examined before the clearance and found to have no arms or ammunition on board, and suffered to proceed to Snow Hill, as you will see by her clearance. If she has now arms or *ammunition on board and an extra number of men, you will please to detain her and bring her back, as she cleared in ballast for a port in the bay. You can judge by her having on board additional articles, particularly guns, how far they appear to be acting fairly, of the contrary of which there is great suspicion. But if she appears as when cleared, lay by her and attend her till she goes into the district of her destination, and then inform the collector of Snow Hill as follows: [65]
The ship Idas is informed against here as going to the Tangiers to fit out for cruising. The names are spelled as they appear in a paper before me, Clement Cathet, master; Daniel Armstrong, Pristed Davies, officers: Henry Bunues, master of arms; J. Rover, Thos. Wood, D. Proxen, foremast men.
You will suffer no vessel to board her carrying guns or men, but detain and bring them back.
- JAMES H. MCCULLOCH.
- Alexander Beard.