Mr. Swift, Portuguese consul, to Mr. McCulloch, collector.
Baltimore, December 16, 1818.
Sir: I am necessitated, in my official capacity, to once more intrude upon your time and attention. The schooner Alerta, or Alerto, said to be under the flag and commission of General Artigas, is now in this district receiving her crew on board preparatory to a cruise. Ample testimony has been furnished the grand jury recently in session, and which can be still had, that the above-named vessel received the *commission of Artigas at sea from an officer of the private armed brig La Fortuna, for the purpose of cruising against the commerce of the King of Portugal, since which period she has arrived and completely refitted at this point as a vessel of war, and so manifest is the views of those concerned with her, that I am necessitated, in a faithful discharge of the duties of my office, to request you, sir, to have the said vessel forthwith detained until the pleasure of the President of the United States can be known on the subject. [107]
With great personal regard, I am, &c.,
Jas. H. McCulloch, Esq.,
Collector of Customs, Baltimore.