Mr. McCulloch, collector, to Mr. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury.
Collector’s Office, May 14, 1819.
Sir: It is most likely the representations you have received of Captain Child’s language respecting the oriental brig La Irresistible, seized [Page 495] in Patuxent by the surveyor of that district, have been the loose sayings and reports of sayings between him and others, with no very correct understanding on *either side. Child, who commands the vessel, reported to you on the 16th ultimo. Congressió de Venezuela was employed by Daniels (who had ordered her in expectation of finding the stolen vessel, formerly under his command, in some port of the United States) to go down and assist in getting possession of her. I neither knew this nor gave any authority to Child on the subject. But what was said and written to Daniels may have given some occasion for the reports you mention. [122]
This latter person applied to me on Saturday morning with information of the vessel having arrived somewhere below, and begged to know what should be done in that case. He was informed the cutter would be dispatched to effect every purpose necessary for the objects of our law and government, as he knew the strength of the brig, the temper of the crew, and the weakness of the apparent means in our power here; he offered to go as a volunteer with others on the expedition. This was declined, and the cutter ordered to proceed to execute the business. This vessel, however, was then careening, her given ballast, &c., being taken out, as everything must be, to heave down. Mr. Marshall, the first officer, who continues in command, came up to inform me of this situation, and was directed to take in everything necessary again and proceed as fast as possible. This *could not be done before mid-night or later; and he then departed on Sunday morning as directed. In the mean time Daniels sent me a message, repeating a request that he had before made, that he might send down some of his former crew and officers to attend to the brig; but fearful of some desperate act being perpetrated to destroy her, &c., I sent him a written answer of which a copy is inclosed. He was in too much haste, however, to wait the motion of the cutter, as it appeared, and having hired a vessel sent a number of men, who, finding the brig abandoned, though with notice of the surveyor there, having boarded her, &c., took possession and came out with a deputed inspector from that officer. Another cutter arriving, seized the seamen found on board or in other vessels or ashore, agreeably to my orders, put them in irons, and came up with the brig, never having disposed of the person employed by the officer of Nottingham, nor doing anything more than securing the vessel and prisoners, noticing Child and his men no other ways, as far as I am informed, than by letting them assist to bring the brig into port. As he had but six men, I think, and near twenty prisoners, he could do no more. [123]
I must beg leave to say, sir, that a great deal of foolish, false story is every now and then *put in circulation, and not a little of pitiful self-interest among our citizens, as well as malignant disposition with others, is manifested in occasional ravings on the subject of South American cruisers. But be assured, sir, the officers of the customs here will never give a real ground for such allegations as you have heard. They feel themselves bound to follow the same equal course which the spirit of our laws and the conduct of the Government manifest is to be observed toward the vessels of the warring parties. It is not very likely, while each requires too much, that we shall satisfy either. But the officers here in their place will not swerve from their duty to shun their disapprobation. [124]
Yours, &c.,
William Crawford, Esq.