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I III 
 
COERESPONDENCE OF 
 THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
■J — J — ^_J, 
 
 <■;£. 
 

 i4? 
 
I.I ' ■ > I I *l 
 
.1 .1 1 I 
 
SELECTIONS FROM 
 
 THE 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OP 
 
 THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 FORMERLY BPITI8H CONSUL-GENERAL AT NEW YORK 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 GEORGE LOCKIIART RIVES, M.A. 
 
 LATK ASSISTANT SECRETARY OP STATE 
 OF TUK UNITED STATES 
 
 NEW YORK 
 HARPER & BROTHERS PUBLISHERS 
 
 1894 
 

 ' ■■ fc I.I.I t. 
 
 *Uy 
 
 
 Copyright, 18D4, by Geokoe Lockhart Rivks. 
 
 All rights reserved. 
 
i.") 
 
 PUEFATORY NOTE 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 Of the rolum'mous correspondence of Thomas Barclay 
 only fragments now exist. He kept few of the letters ad- 
 dressed to him, and none of a purely familiar or domestic 
 Ixind. Copies, or sometimes rouyh drafts, of the letters he 
 wrote ivere entered in letter-hooks, hut none of his j^apors 
 exist of a date earlier than 1790, and there are no letter- 
 hooks later than 1818. Nevertheless, fragmentary as the 
 collection generally is, the records of many of his puhlic 
 services are tolerahly complete ; and it has seemed to one 
 of his descendants that the jointing of portions of his 
 correspondence tvoidd not only afford some memorial of a 
 long and honorahle career, hut might also throw new light 
 upon certain historical events. 
 
 New-York, Oct. 15, 1894. 
 
r> 
 
 ■— .»- — I L. 
 
 UO. 
 
 '% 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 Earlier Years 1 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 The True River St. Croix 43 
 
 CHAPTER in 
 Consul-general, 1799-1802 95 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 Consul-general, 1803-1804 145 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 Consul-general, 1804-180G 203 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 Consul-general, 1807-1812 252 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 Agent for British Prisoners 312 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 The Northeast Boundary 353 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 Last Days 405 
 
j 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OP 
 
 THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 EARLIER YEARS 
 
 THOMAS Barclay was born in the city of New-York 
 on October 12, 1753. He was an active and zeal- 
 ous Loyalist during the Revolution, and at its close 
 sought refuge in the Province of Nova Scotia. In 
 1709 he returned to New- York as British Consul-Gen- 
 eral ; and here, with brief interruptions, he resided 
 until his death on April 21, 1830. Nearly fifty years 
 of his life were spent in the public service of Great 
 Britain, and yet he was by descent and marriage, ns 
 Avell as by birth and residence, essentially an American, 
 and not an Englishman. He was indeed a very typical 
 New-Yorker, of the pre-Revolutionary and loyal sort ; 
 closely allied to the English Church, and the Royal Gov- 
 ernment, but tracing his descent back through four gen- 
 erations to some of the earliest settlers in the colonies. 
 
 John Barclay, the first of the name in America, was 
 a member of an ancient Scottish family, and settled 
 about 1683 in New Jersey, whither he had been di- 
 rected through the influence of his brother Robert, the 
 well-known author of the "Apology for the People 
 
Hw-*- 
 
 -^--■^-'- 
 
 >) 
 
 CORHEKPONDENCK OK THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 oallofl Quakors." Tt oamo about thus: tlio Diiko of 
 York, dividinjjj up tho j^reat i)rovin('(' gi-autinl liim by 
 his brothor, hud convoyod wliat is now Now frcr.scy to 
 Sir Goor^o (-artoret and Lord Borkoloy, wliose shares 
 were sul)soqu(>iitly jjartitionod, East Jorsoy l)eing set 
 apart to Carteret. Carteret dying, East Jersey was sold 
 to a coin})any of twelvi^ (Quakers, wlio subsequently as- 
 soeiated with themselves twelve other persc^ns, mostly 
 Scoteli; and to thes'^ twent>-t'our the Duke of York, 
 on March 13, 108,'), nuide a new eonlirmatoi-y grant. 
 Among the twenty-four proprietors wen^ the Earl of 
 Perth, William Penn, and Ko])ert Barclay. Barclay 
 was appointed by the proprietors to bo Crovernor of 
 East Jersey ; but ho never visited the colony, admiids- 
 tering its affairs in England. He sent out instead his 
 younger broth(n's David and John. David came over 
 in 1C84, returned again to Scotland, and sailing from 
 Aberdeen the end of August, 1(185, died at sea. John 
 had come over earlier, for ho was back in London by 
 the end of December, 1()83, bringing letters from East 
 Jersey. One may guess that he was tlien about twenty- 
 five 3'ears old, for his parents were married on January 
 26, 1G48, and his mother died in 10(5:), leaving live chil- 
 dren, of whom John appears to hav(> been the youngest.' 
 By the first of August, 1(584, John Barclay was back 
 once more in New Jersey, living at Elizabethtown, 
 whence he removed to Plain fi(^ld, and fiiuiUy settled at 
 Perth Amboy.'- About 1()85 he married a lady whose 
 name alone is sufficient evid(»nce of her descent. She 
 was Cornelia Van Schaick ■' — a member, it would soem, 
 of the extensive Van Schaick family of Albany. 
 
 1 Gen. Acct. of tlie Barclays ol" Wliitchead's Con, to Hist, of Perth 
 Uric. London, 1812. Aniboy, p. 42. 
 
 13 N. J. Arch., Vol. I, pp. 446, 459 ; -i Holgate's ^Viuer. Gen., p. 129. 
 
 I 
 
EAHLIER YEARS 
 
 ko of 
 m by 
 iov to 
 Imvos 
 ig set 
 ,s sold 
 ly as- 
 iiostly 
 York, 
 _u;i'ant. 
 lai'l of 
 arclay 
 nor of 
 raiiii.s- 
 'ad his 
 10 over 
 ir from 
 
 John 
 lIoii by 
 11 East 
 wonty- 
 aiiuary 
 
 eliil- 
 .iigcst.' 
 lis back 
 litown, 
 
 tied at 
 
 wlioso 
 She 
 lI seem, 
 
 of Perth 
 p. 1:29. 
 
 Ill April, 1002, John Faiv^lay was appointed surveyor- 
 general of East Jersey, and later on became deputy 
 secretary and register, clerk of the council, clerk of 
 the courts, and a member of the Provincial Assembly.' 
 He was not in favor during Lord Cornbury's turbulent 
 administration; and being in fact in violent opposition, 
 was denounced in 1702 as one "of the Scotch and 
 Quakcn- ffactions concerned sundry years in y'' divisions, 
 (fe inc(!ndiary Parties, that has brought these Provinces 
 into such Confusion of Governm', Injustice to y" Pro- 
 prietors, and aversion to y" Planters and Inhabitants."" 
 In later years, and with a change of administration, ho 
 came to be on better terms with the colonial authori- 
 ties; and he died in the spring of 17131, fully seventy 
 years of age, generally respected and with the character 
 of a good neighbor and a useful citizen.'' 
 
 As we have seen, John Barclay was described as a 
 Quaker in 1702. In point of fact he had by that time 
 come over to the Church of England, being chiefly in- 
 duced to that step by the influence of a very remark- 
 able man — George Keith — who had himself been bred 
 a Quaker, but had been united with the English Church, 
 and, having taken orders, had been sent out to America 
 by the Society'- for the Propagation of the Gospel. In 
 1718 John Barclay was named as one of the church- 
 wardens in the charter granted for St. Peter's Church 
 in Perth Amboy, and he contributed liberally toward 
 the erection of the church edifice.^ 
 
 Before the establishment of St. Peter's Church, ser- 
 
 IN. J. Arch., Vol. II, p. 81; Vol. 
 XIII, pp. 1200, L>'J7. 12(32, vte. ; Whitu- 
 hetura Con. to Hist, of Perth Aui- 
 boy, p. 42. 
 
 '■i N. J. Arch., Vol. II, p. 487. 
 
 '^ Smith's Hist, of N. .1., p. 424. 
 
 ■iWinteheiul's Coii. to Hist. Porth 
 Amboy, pp. 21, 211, 218; Chim-hmau's 
 MiiR.. Vol. VIH, !).;!;")(!; Keith's .lour., 
 in i'rot. Epis. Hist. Coll., Vol. I. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS PARCU.AY 
 
 vicos were oecasioiuilly held at Perth Aniboy l)y an 
 Enfjjlish clergyman, who was expected to iniuist(;r to the 
 whole region from Elizabetlitown to Frec^hold. The Rev. 
 Thorowgood Mooro had attemi)ted for a while to per- 
 form that somewhat extensive duty; but in August, 
 1707, his plain-speaking having offended drunken Lord 
 Cornbury, he was thrown into prison, but escaped 
 thence to Boston, and sailing for England, was lost at 
 sea. Now this Mr. Moore, before coming to Pertli Ani- 
 boy, had been a missionary at Albany and among the 
 Indians, and we may well suppose that he did not fail, 
 when he found a likely young man with a vocation for 
 the ministry, to urge the noble work that might be done 
 on the wild frontier about the head watei's of the Hud- 
 son River. Whether Mr. Moore did, indeed, lind such 
 a young man at Perth Amboy, and whether he did in- 
 fluence the course of his career, must remain a conjec- 
 ture ; but certain it is that Thomas Barclay, a son of 
 John Barclay, went early in the eighteenth century to 
 England, took orders, and was in due time sent, in his 
 turn, by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, 
 as missionary at Albany and among the Indians. He 
 seems to have reached Albany in 1707, or 1708, and 
 there we find him zealously laboring in September, 
 1710. ' He had been there for some months, catechiz- 
 ing the youth, teaching Dutch children to make their 
 responses in the English tongue, marrying and l)aptiz- 
 ing in the absence of a Dutch minister, performing the 
 Church of England services both in English and Dutch, 
 shunning all controversies, and preaching once a month 
 at Schenectady — "a village situated upon a pleasant 
 river" — where there were about sixteen English and 
 
 1 Doe. Hist, of N. ¥., V Til. p. r)4(). 
 See, also, Hill's Hist, of tlie Church in liurliugtoii, N. J., pp. 04-90. 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 y an 
 
 the 
 Rev. 
 
 I 1)01'- 
 
 igiist, 
 
 Lord 
 
 t',ax)ed 
 
 ost at 
 
 1 Am- 
 lo; the 
 )t fail, 
 on for 
 e done 
 i Hud- 
 l such 
 did in- 
 3onjec- 
 son of 
 tury to 
 
 in his 
 -ospel, 
 
 . He 
 )H, and 
 ember, 
 techiz- 
 e their 
 ] laptiz- 
 in^- the 
 Dutch, 
 
 month 
 leasant 
 
 sh and 
 
 G4-90. 
 
 QUO hundred Dutcli families; in short, a very busy, 
 earnest, sensible youni? man. "More of the Dutch," he 
 writes, " would accept my ministry Imt that Mr. Do Bois, 
 minister of tlu^ Dutch Conc^rccjation of New- York, comes 
 sometimes to Albany. He is a hot man, and .an enemy 
 to our Church, but a friend to his purse, for he has 
 larjife contributions from this place." There was at 
 that time no ministm* of any church north of New- 
 York but Ml'. Barclay, for the former Dutch ministers 
 at Albany and Schenectady had died or moved away. 
 The Dut(!]i had converted some thirty Indians, who 
 were comtnunicants, "but so i<j:norant and scandalous 
 that they can scarce be reputed Christians." The neigli- 
 borinfji: Indians were well disposed to receive missiona- 
 ries, but — writes Mr. Barclay — " I am sorry to toll you, 
 sir, that I am afraid the missionaries that are coming 
 over will find hard work of it, and if the commander of 
 that fort [ Fort Hunter, at the lower Mohawk castle] be 
 not a person of singular piety and virtue, all their endea- 
 vors will be ineffectual; those, here, that trade with them, 
 are loth that any religion get any footing among them ; 
 besides, these savages are so given to drinking of that 
 nasty liquor rum, that they are lost to all that is good." 
 In 1714 tho Governor granted a patent for building 
 an English church in Albany, named, like the church 
 at Perth Amboy, St. Peter's, and Thomas Barclay was 
 appointed its first rector ' — the services having thereto- 
 fore lieen held in the fort — and in Albany the remain- 
 der of his life was passed. We read, however, that he 
 was for a short time in New- York, and assisted in the 
 services of Trinity Church. - He died at Albany in the 
 early part of the year 17*22. 
 
 1 Doc. Kel. Col. Hist. N. Y., Vol. VI, p. 88. 
 '-' Berrian's Hist. Sketch of Trinity Chm-cli, p. 34. 
 
 lA 
 
() COHIJKSl'ONDKNCE OF THOMAS HAKCIiAY 
 
 Soon iiftor Rottlin^ in Albany he nian-icd Anna 
 Dorotlu^'i Dmoyor, or Drauyju", (laujj^htor of Andru^s 
 Dnicyor aii<l ^}(!rritjo, liis wit'o — wlio was, in turn, a 
 (lauL?ht(n' of (loosen (lorritso Van Sdiaick, of Albany,' 
 and j)rol)a))ly a relative of John Barclay's wife. Of 
 this narriaj^e there wore born three sons — Thomas, 
 Antlic ly, and Henry, Thomas die<l nnmarricMl. An- 
 tliony married Ilt^lena Roosevelt, became a merchant 
 near New- York, and left many (U^scendants, with whom, 
 however, wo liave here no immediate concern. 
 
 Henky Barclay was born at Albany, probably about 
 1712, was entfU'ed at Yale College, and gra,<lunted .at 
 the head of his class in 17.'U. Returning to Albany, 
 he was appointed, in 17.')5, catechist to i\w JMohawk In- 
 dians, in wliom ho seems at all times to have taken the 
 liveliest interest. In later years ho made some prog- 
 ress toward the translation of the Book of Common 
 Prayer into the Indian language. - With youthful en- 
 tlmsiasm, he took a far more hopc^ful view of the possi- 
 bility of effecting permanent results than his father had 
 done. He believed the [)rospect of converting the In- 
 dians was " truly great," and he reported that he found 
 them desii'ous of instruction. In 1737 he was recom- 
 mended to the Society for the Propagation of the Gos- 
 pel as a person of good morals and learning, who had 
 many years applied himself with great diligence to 
 learn the Indian language, and had made such progress 
 as actually to instruct and catechize them in the Mo- 
 hawk tongue. The soci(;ty sent for him to England, 
 and there, at the end of 1737, or beginning of 1738, he 
 
 1 llolgatc's Amcr. Gen., p. 14;"). 
 
 '•i Doc. Kel. Col, Hist. N. Y., Vol. VFII, pp. Sl.VSlT; Doc. Hist, of N, Y,, 
 Vol, IV, pp. 20G-217; Dextor's Yale Bioy, Kec, p. 503, 
 
 1^ 
 
Anna 
 i(lr"u!S 
 ini, a 
 )anv,' 
 3. Of 
 oinas, 
 An- 
 •chaut 
 
 about 
 I tod at 
 Jbaiiy, 
 Avk lii- 
 voii tho 
 prog- 
 onmioii 
 
 iflll 011- 
 
 possi- 
 hcr had 
 tho Iii- 
 found 
 recoiu- 
 lio Gos- 
 lio had 
 once to 
 )rogress 
 he Mo- 
 ngland, 
 |1738, he 
 
 of N. Y., 
 
 EAULIRR YEARS 7 
 
 was ordained.' Rotnrning to Albany, ho vosnniod liis 
 pious lal)ors among tlu^ Indians, and snccooch'd to his 
 fatlior's euro as rector of St. IN'tt'r's. \V«' (in<l him writ- 
 ing on Novond)or 10, ]1'.\H, still ho])oful, that there g-ow 
 a daily reformation among tli«s J\rolin\vks, and an in- 
 crease of virtue proportionable to their knowledge. 
 
 These rosy views and cheerful labors wore destined 
 to be soon ended, (^n him, too, foil the evils caused by 
 th(i wickedness of Frederick of Prussia; and when the 
 whole world sj)rang to arms at Frederick's signal, and 
 red men scalptMl each other by the great lakes of North 
 America, that Frederick might rob a neighbor whom 
 he had ]>romised to defend, the (piiet missionary in the 
 valley of the Mohawk found that his dreams of hidian 
 reformation and vii'tue wei'o over. The Indians of the 
 Six Nati<uis had been temporarily (juic^ted by the treaty 
 held by Governor Clinton at Albany in tho early sum- 
 mer of 1744; but by 1745 northern New-York was 
 aHamo, and the French and In<lians ravaged the coun- 
 try as far south as Saratoga. In 174G Albany had Ix^- 
 come the headquarters of a considtn-ablo army, and tho 
 Mohawks h^ft their schools to enlist under the gentle 
 influences of Sir William Johnson. 
 
 Such were the depressing surroundings at Albany 
 when, on July 11, 1740, the Rev. William Vesoy — for 
 fifty years the rector of Trinity Church in New- York — 
 finished his earthly course. " He had," wrote the ves- 
 try, " the inward pleasure of leaving in peace and good 
 order one of the largest and finest Churches in Amer- 
 
 1 Tho Bishop of Loiuloji, writing have had witli him, ho seoms ii truly 
 
 to Dr. Johnson. February ;i, 17()7-H, valuable man, and to have both a])il- 
 
 says of liini : " As this coiiu's l)y ]\rr. ity and disposition to do much 
 
 Barclay, I need not say anything; of j^'ood." — ('liurclnnan's Majjazino, 
 
 what has boon done hero wit li reRiird Vol. VII ( IHIO). p. 311. 
 to him. By all tho convorsation I 
 
 « 
 
f 
 
 8 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ica, with a coiisi(loi'a))le eongref^ation, wlio, almost with 
 Olio voi(;o, luuiKid th(5 Kcv. Mr. Bar(!lay to suoccGd Mr. 
 Vesey as Roc^tor." Tlioy would not, they added, have 
 presumed to <'all him from his labors in the service of 
 the Society for the Propaj?ation of the Gospel, had 
 they not been " well satisfied that, since the war with 
 France ho had met with insupportable! discouragement, 
 which rendered his mission and best endeavours fruit- 
 less, as well as the safety of his person precarious 
 among those savages in the Mohawks' Countiy which, 
 with many other parts of the (.ounty of Albany, being 
 the frontiers of the province, is now deserted by the 
 Christian Inhabitants, and almost laid waste by Bar- 
 barians and French." The call was not declined. On 
 October 17, 174G, Mr. Barclay attended a meeting of 
 the vestry, and formally accepted ; and on the 22d of 
 the same month, by authority of the Governor, he was 
 inducted into the church with no lack of formal cere- 
 monial.' The society which he had so zealously served 
 very highly approved of his action under the circum- 
 stances of the case ; but wrote requesting him to con- 
 tinue the Mohawk Indians under his care, as far as 
 was consistent with his care of Trinity Church. The 
 temptation to read the society a lecture on geography 
 must have been great, but Mr. Barclay successfully 
 resisted it, and gravely replied that he feared no mis- 
 sionary could reside among the Indians while the war 
 should continue ; that if he had had the least prosj)ect 
 of doing so himself, he would not have laid down his 
 employment ; and that he would do all in his power to 
 keep alive and cherish that good seed which he had so 
 happily sown among them. 
 Mr. Barclay had not only come by ecclesiastical pre- 
 
 1 Berrian's Hist. Sketch of Trinity Church, pp. 68-7G. 
 
 « 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 9 
 
 with 
 
 I Mv. 
 
 have 
 ice of 
 , had 
 with 
 ineiit, 
 t'ruit- 
 U'itms 
 vhich, 
 being 
 by the 
 y Bar- 
 l. On 
 ing of 
 22d of 
 lie was 
 
 II (;ere- 
 served 
 ircum- 
 ;o con- 
 
 fav as 
 . The 
 ^raphy 
 'ssfully 
 ho niis- 
 llie war 
 L'ospect 
 iwn his 
 wer to 
 had so 
 
 ml pre- 
 
 ferment, but his removal to New-York led him to a 
 very prudent and fortunate marriage. In 1749 he mar- 
 ried Mary, the youngest daughter of Anthony Rutgers 
 — a rich brewer, whos(s (hsath had occurred about the 
 time of Mr. Barclay's call to Trinity Church.' Mr. 
 llutgers liad mar'j"d the widow of Robert Benson — 
 Cornelia dc; Roos, her maiden uimui — and left sons and 
 daughters of unmixed Dutch descent, who, in their 
 turn, multiplied plentifully. Mrs. Rutgers, by her lirst 
 husband, had throe children ; and of one of her grand- 
 children, Egl)ert Benson, we shall hear later on. 
 
 Of the marriage betw(?en Henry Barclay and Mary 
 Rutgers — she pure Dutch, he one-fourth Scotch and 
 three-fourths Dutch — there were born five children: 
 Thomas, or Thomas H. Barclay, the eldest son, with 
 whom we are here chiefly concerned; Anthony, who 
 became a farmer at Newtown, L. I.; Catharine, who 
 died young and unmarried; Cornelia, who married 
 Stephen De Laneey ; and Anna Dorothea, who became 
 the wife of Beverly Robinson. 
 
 Henry Barclay's incumbency of Trinity Church 
 seems to have been prosperous and peaceful. The 
 growth of his congregation soon made it necessary 
 to found a chapel of ease, and St. George's was estab- 
 lished, to become in time a strong and independent 
 parish. The New-York Society Library was founded, 
 and Mr. Barclay was name as one of its first trustees. 
 And in 1754 the long-cherished wish of many in New- 
 York was realized by the granting of a royal charter 
 for the founding of King's College — under the terms 
 of which the rector of Trinity Church was to be always 
 e.c officio one of the governors. Columbia College to- 
 
 1 His will is dated August 2, 174G, and was proved in New-York, 
 September 17, 174G. 
 
 
 *'^ 
 
 .J 
 
f 
 
 10 
 
 COHUHSPONDKNCR OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 (lay o\v(!S much of its pr()s)»(M'ity to tlic vuluablo ^niiit 
 from Trinity Cliurcli of a ti- ict of land — tluMi cstimutod 
 to bo worth t'llOOO, uud now yielding tlio coUo^jfc^ up- 
 ward of ^1()(),()()() a year. This tract was conveyed upon 
 th(M'xpross coiKJition that tho prcsi<h'nt of tlio oollogo 
 should forever 1)0 a memlun'of and in communion with 
 the ('hurch of l<i!i<j:land, and that th(^ inornin<j: and 
 evening servic(! should 1»(^ in the liturji^y of that church. 
 The sani«5 0(>n<Htion was in substance embodied in the 
 chai'ter, but this concession was oidy ^ain(^<l by tho 
 Church party after violent discussions, which ijjavo rise 
 to much aji<i^ry del)ate in public and nuich anxious 
 thought i.i tlu^ Trinity vestry. Tin; Presbyterians, un- 
 der the lead of William Livin<?ston, were earnest in 
 tlu'ir opposition. The founding? of a colh^ji^o under 
 such sectarian influences was, tlu^y -n-ied, but the en- 
 terinji: wed}2:e for bis]ioi)S and tithes, ai\d would surely 
 end in the loss of religious freedom, "and even in per- 
 secution itself." For a time the issue seemed in doubt; 
 l)ut the E))iscopalians remained tirin and carried thoir 
 point, and there is am])le evidence that Mr. Barclay was 
 a most active mover in the V)usiness, and steadfast to 
 see that " a gift so valuable in itself, and so absolutely 
 necessary," should "be a means of obtaining some 
 priviledges to the Church." ' 
 
 His zeal and diligence were rewarded by the honor 
 of a degree of Doctor of Divinity, conferred by the 
 University of Oxford about January 1, 17(11, at the per- 
 sonal solicitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury .- 
 
 1 Porrian's Hist. Sketch of Trin- 
 ity Chiireli, pp. 77, 101-105; Doc. 
 Rel. Col. Hist. N. Y., Vol. VI, pp. 
 912-14.; Jones's Hist, of N. Y., Vol. 
 I, i)p. 10-17; Boai'ilsloy's Lifo and 
 Corr. of Samuel JoLuson, p. 195. 
 
 2 Tlic letter from Archbishop 
 Seeker to tho vice-chancellor of the 
 University has been preserved. It 
 is dated November 22, 1760. 
 
 After discussing the advantages to 
 tho cause of religion in tho colonies 
 
 m 
 
■\ 
 
 KAHLIKK YKAU8 
 
 11 
 
 [clibishop 
 lor of the 
 Irved. It 
 
 Itntagos to 
 colonies 
 
 Dr. Burehiy «11(1 not livn hm^ to oujoy liis academic 
 lioiiors. On Anjj:nst *J(), 17(>4, lie di'partiMl tliis life, hc- 
 lovod and rcspoctcd, h^uvin;^ his wife a'ld four children 
 
 survivin*^. 
 
 "Last iMonday'inorninu:," says tlic Nrir-)'(n'/: Mrr- 
 rnrff, of Auj^ust *J;{, 17(14, "hctwcon three and foui' 
 o' (Hock, departed this Life, in tiie 511(1 Year of his Aj'c, 
 th(i rev "end Honry Baiclay, D. I). Kector of Trinity 
 Ohurcli; i!i tliisCJity, and on the TuL'S(hiy foHowinj;", his 
 Remains, atten<lo<l hy the Clcrfxy of the several De- 
 nominations, the (lentlomen and (yliief Inhabitants of 
 the (Jity, preceded by the ('harity Scholars, who snn^' a 
 Psalin, snitabhi to the mehuwholy Occasion, dni'in^ the 
 Procession, were carried to Trinity (/hnrch, where an ex- 
 cellent Funeral Sermon, from Rev. 14, K!, was pn-ached, 
 by the liev. Mi'. Achniuty, to a prodigious large Audi- 
 
 from conforring tho doctor's <lef,'r(>o 
 upon HoiiK' "f tlu« iiriiH'ijml clergy in 
 thoH(^ I'lirts, the Archbishop prefers 
 his recpiest that that conipliineiit bo 
 paid to Mr. liarday, and continues: 
 " It appears from the journals of tlie 
 Society for the Propagation of the 
 tSospel, that Mr. Harday is the Hon 
 of a Missionary of that Society to 
 the Indians on the frontiers of New 
 York ; that he was educated under 
 Dr. Johnson at Now Haven College; 
 that in 173') ho was appointed by the 
 Society (Jatechist to tiio Mohock In- 
 dians, and in 1737 ordained priest, 
 and settled as a missionary among 
 them ; on which occasions the fulles' 
 testimonials were given in his favt 
 by persons of the first rank and char- 
 acter, Clergy & Laity ; that having 
 learnt the language of these Indians, 
 he preached to them in it with such 
 success as to form out of them a 
 
 Cliristian Congregation of ijOO i»er- 
 sons, (il of wlioni, in all appearance 
 were worthy (/onimunicants; that he 
 continued in tliis station till the year 
 174;"), when the French Indians, fall- 
 ing on the Mohocks, obliged him to 
 retire f-ir the safety of his pi'rson ; 
 that in 1 74(i he was chosen Kectov of 
 Trinity Church, vacant by the death 
 of Mr. Commissary Vesey, and hatli 
 continued there ever since. Dr. 
 Johnson saith further, that he is a 
 prudent and laborious man, iin ac- 
 complished divine and an I'.xcellent 
 preaciier." On January 120, 17G1, the 
 Archbishop writes to Dr. Johnson an- 
 nouncing that the degree had been 
 unanimously conferred on Mr. liar- 
 clay, and offering his congratulations 
 on this well-deserved compliment. 
 Dr. Johnson was then President of 
 King's College. See Doc. Rel. Col. 
 Hist. N. Y., Vol. VII, pp. 451, 4r)4. 
 
 i 
 
f 
 
 12 
 
 ■""ORRRSrONDENrK OK THOMAS HARCLAY 
 
 
 enco, \Yho wore oxtroinoly affoctcd witli tlio pathetic an<l 
 inovinii: Muiinor, in wliicli tliey wore addrossed." 
 
 Dr. Barclay's will boars date Juno 1!), 17(54. Ho bo- 
 quoaths his Itooks in Eiii^lish to his oldest son Thomas; 
 his books in Dutcli and othor porsoiud oft'octs to his 
 wif(>; and tho rosicbio of his estate lio jjjives, one-third 
 to his wife and the other two-thirds to be equally di- 
 vided among" his four surviving chihb'on. Tie apjunnts 
 as his executors his wife Mary Barclay, his brother 
 Andrew Barclay, liis brother-in-law Leonard Lispen- 
 ard, and his friend David Clarkson. 
 
 Thomas Barclay was not quite eleven years old when 
 that moving funeral sermon was preached before the 
 " prodigious large Audience," and the legacy of books 
 in English came to rim. No record remains to show 
 what store he set by his books, or liow he was taught, 
 or where lie went to school. One may easily picture 
 him growing up in tho little provincial town in the 
 early days when George i\u) Third was King; and one 
 likes to think of his widowed mother encouraging him 
 in a constant spirit of loyalty to his father's memory, 
 and to the church and state of which his father had 
 been in a manner the otHcial representative. No doubt 
 the boy, with the profound and assured conviction of 
 youth, believed his father to have been the finest 
 preacher in all the colonies, the Church of England the 
 embodiment of all spiritual truth, the young King the 
 ablest and best of rulers, and the system of govei-n- 
 ment administered by Cadwallader Golden the perfec- 
 tion of human reason. One form of education was 
 certaiidy not lacking. The divine right of kings and the 
 rights of the people must have been debated in every 
 boy's hearing often enough in the stirring days when the 
 
 J' 
 
EAHLIER YRARS 
 
 13 
 
 c and 
 
 [o ho,- 
 ^111 as; 
 to his 
 -third 
 Hy (li- 
 
 JKUlliS 
 
 rothor 
 lispen- 
 
 l wlien 
 >re tho 
 books 
 > show 
 taug:ht, 
 picture 
 in the 
 lid one 
 ng him 
 oniory, 
 or had 
 doubt 
 tion of 
 finest 
 uid the 
 ling the 
 [vovern- 
 l>orfec- 
 >n was 
 Liid the 
 every 
 lien the 
 
 4 
 
 Stamp Act Congress was sitting in New-York, and tho 
 province was pointing the way to independence. 
 
 In 17()S Thomas liarchiy, not (juite fifteen years old, 
 was entered at King's College. His father, his uncle 
 Leonard Lispenard, and his father's friend David 
 Clackson v ere among the original governors of the 
 college. Tlie two latter were still sitting in the board, 
 and ijispenard was its treasnrei'. !)r„ IVIyies Cooper, 
 late a fellow of Queen's College, Oxford — a jolly, con- 
 vivial gentleman, and an eager supporter of the royal 
 authority — was president; Dr. Clossy, of Dublin, and 
 ]\Ir. llarpur, from (Uasgow, composed the remainder' of 
 the faculty; but the classes were small as yet, and the 
 instrnctors were thus "enabled to extend theii- plan of 
 education almost as diffusely as any college in Europe." 
 Diffuse was indeed the worth An ai (palling list of 
 studies remains, drawn U]) by Dr. Cooper; and we find 
 divinity, natural law, and Hebrew taking their place 
 with Latin, (Jreek, and mathematics, and " whatever 
 else of literature may tend to act'omplish the pupils as 
 scholars and gentlemen." To judge by results, tlu^ col- 
 lege system worktul well. The best peo])le in the place 
 sent their sons, and the graduates were in good truth 
 "scholars and gentlemen." Richard Harison, »Iolin 
 Jay, Egbert Benson, Robert R. Ijivingston, ,Iohn Watts, 
 and (louverneur Morris were among tlie most recent 
 alumni. In the list of those who were fellow-students 
 with Thomas Barclay we find tlu^ names of Pell, 
 Knox, King, Ogdeii, Bogert, IMiilipse, i\uchmuty, Rob- 
 inson, Jauncey, Nicoll, Rapelje, Troup, Renisen, juid 
 Livingston — familiar to every student of tho local 
 history of New-York. 
 
 The college influence was of course in a direction 
 favorable to the crown. While the College of Now Jer- 
 
 •A^!" 
 
1 .r" 
 
 If 
 
 14 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAR BARCLAY 
 
 sey was in the hands of the Presbyterians and the col- 
 lege at New Haven was reckoned " a nurseiy of sedi- 
 tion, of faction and of republicanism," ' King's College 
 was under the shadow of the Church, and governed by 
 a board which included not only the principal oflficers 
 of the pro\ince, but such earnest Loyalists as John 
 Watts the elder, Frederick Philipse, Oliver and James 
 De Lancey, Charles Wai'd Apthorpe, Thomas Jones, 
 Jacob Walton, and John Harris Cruger. Indeed, of the 
 college graduates down to 177C a greater number were 
 to be found in the King's troops than in the service of 
 the Continental Congress. 
 
 In the spring of 1772, when the long-threatening dis- 
 content of the colonies was daily gathering force, when 
 Samuel Adams was preaching sedition in Massachu- 
 setts, and the men of Rhode Island were burning the 
 Gdspcc, Thomas Barclay was graduated. The com- 
 mencement was held at Trinity Cliurch on Tuesday, 
 May 19th, in the presence of " a numerous and respect- 
 able Audience," which included Governor Tryon and 
 General Gage. After prayers, and "an elegant Latin 
 Oration " by Rev. Mi*. Inglis, Mr. Ogden delivered the 
 salutatory oration " with great propriety of Pronunci- 
 ation and gracefulness of Gesture." The audience was 
 next agreeably entertained by Mr. Bowden, " whose 
 elegant Composition and animated delivery did him 
 much Honour." Then Mr. Skene "discovered much 
 Brilliancy of Fancy and Refined Taste " ; Mr. Winter- 
 ton and Mr. Muirson maintained a "Forensic Dispute " ; 
 Mr. King "gain'd much Apphiuse by an animated 
 Latin Oration"; and Mr. Roebuck made fun of the 
 " Bold Hypotlies<'s of Presumptuous Philosophers and 
 the Ridiculous consequences of Confidence and Dog- 
 
 1 Jouos's Hist, of N. Y., Vol. I, p. 3. 
 
 i 
 
 •*f. 
 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 15 
 
 ) col- 
 
 sedi- 
 )llege 
 3d by 
 ficers 
 John 
 [allies 
 Foiies, 
 of tbe 
 • were 
 dee of 
 
 iig dis- 
 , when 
 ,sachn- 
 ug the 
 e com- 
 lesday, 
 •espect- 
 lon and 
 Latin 
 ed the 
 )nunci- 
 loe was 
 ' whose 
 id him 
 [l much 
 rVinter- 
 pute " ; 
 limated 
 of the 
 ei's and 
 d Dog- 
 
 
 inatism" in a manner which "occasioned much mirth." 
 The degrees having been conforred, " the Exercises of 
 the Day were then conchided with a very sensible Vale- 
 dictory Oration on Sociability by Mr. Barclay, whose 
 judicious Observations and modest Address gave him 
 universal Approbation. The Attention," adds the hon- 
 est reporter, " paid by the Audience and the Satisfacticm 
 they expressed during the Course of the Exercises did 
 much Honour to themselves, and the Speakers; and must 
 give i^leasure to every Lover of Literature, and every 
 true Patriot, who wishes to see the Scici.ces dissemi- 
 nated and widely flourishing in this happy country."' 
 Barclay made choice of the law for his profession, 
 and it is the tradition of his family that he became a 
 student in the office of John Jay. In due course ho 
 was admitted to the bar — probal)ly about 1775, when 
 he was just of age. It was not a favorabl(> time for a 
 young lawyer to enter upon his profession. Even in 
 the city of New- York, distant as it was from the fields 
 of actual conflict, the laws were silenced in the clash of 
 arms. The news of the battle of Lexington brought 
 turmoil and confusion. The Provincial Congress met 
 (Leonard Lispeiiard and David Clarkson among them), 
 and began raising troops and fortifying at Kingsl)ridge 
 and along the Hudson. Washington passed through 
 Now- York for the eastward, sto[)ping at Lispenai'd's 
 house. Zealous Dr. Coojier, roused at midnight and 
 huddling on a few of his clothes, jumped from a back 
 window of King's College to escape a party bent on 
 shaving his head and cutting off his ears; and never 
 stopped till he found safety in a snug living in Eng- 
 land. Grovernor Tryon withdrew from the town and 
 prudently took refuge upon the Asia, inan-of-war, 
 
 1 N. Y. Jour., May 28, 1772. 
 
I I. 
 
 16 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ff 
 
 where he transacted all his business and held his coun- 
 cils. The courts were still sitting, but no business of a 
 civil nature was transacted in th( a. Open outbreaks 
 occurred between the people of the town and the crews 
 of the King's ships, and on August 24th the Asia fired 
 upon the city. Early in September one-third of the 
 citizens had moved away. " Every office shut up 
 almost," wrote John Morin Hcott, " but Sam Jones's, 
 who will work for 6/ a day and live accordingly — All 
 Business stagnated, the City half deserted for fear of a 
 Bombardment." ' Surely an unfavorable prospect for 
 our young attorney. 
 
 But dark as the future might seem — and it doubtless 
 appeared darkest to those who believed most firmly in 
 the courage and constancy of the revolted colonies — 
 young gentlemen of Tory families were not to be fright- 
 ened away from assuming new duties and responsibili- 
 ties. Marrying and giving in marriage went on, al- 
 though Montgomery and Arnold were marching into 
 Canada, and Washington was drilling his minute- 
 men under the elms at Cambridge. Were not ships 
 coming across the sea to sot the world right once 
 more 1 And so, on October 2, 1775, Thomas Barclay 
 and Susan Do Lancey were married at West Farms, 
 near New-York. - 
 
 % 
 
 
 ■■& 
 
 1 Lamb's Hist, of N. Y., VoL II, 
 pp. 21-49 ; Jones's Hist, of N. Y., 
 Vol. I, pp. 39-63. 
 
 '-^ At the s.aiiie time Mrs. Barclay's 
 sister Jane was married to John 
 Watts, the Rocorder of New- York. 
 The double marriage was thus an- 
 nounced in RiviTigton's Gazetteer: 
 
 "This evening were married at. 
 Union Hill, in the borough of West- 
 chester, New- York, John Watts, Ju- 
 
 nior, Esq., recorder of New- York, 
 to Miss Jane Do Lancey; and Thomas 
 H. Barclay, Esq., to Miss Susanna 
 De Lancey, daughters &f the late Pe- 
 ter De Lancey, Es<i. 
 
 ' Round tlioir nuptial beds, 
 Hovering with puriile Winers, tli' Idnlian 
 
 l)oy 
 Shook from liis radiant torcli, the bliss- 
 ful It res 
 
 Of innocent rtcairos, 
 While Venus scattered myrtles.' " 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 17 
 
 •oun- 
 ^of a 
 reaks 
 
 ; lived 
 )f tlio 
 it up 
 )ues's, 
 — All 
 ir of a 
 3ct f or 
 
 Libtless 
 mly in 
 mies — 
 fright- 
 .nsihili- 
 
 on, al- 
 ng into 
 ninute- 
 >t ships 
 it once 
 Barclay 
 
 Farms, 
 
 S'ew-York, 
 
 1(1 Tliomas 
 
 hi Susanna 
 
 jlie late Pc- 
 
 luiitial beds, 
 Vth' Iflalian 
 
 [h, the bllas- 
 
 los, 
 
 Ilea.' " 
 
 It was a singulai'ly happy union. For more than fifty 
 years this luisl)and and wife were to live togetlier in 
 evil fortune and in good, secure in a most earnest and 
 constant affection. Home and land might be lost, but 
 from early youth to extreme old age they remained true 
 and faithful to each other. In the dark days of exile no 
 shadow of dissension seems ever to have come between 
 them, and their later years were prosperous a] id happy. 
 
 Susan (or Susanna) De Laiicey was the fifth daughter 
 of Peter De Lancoy, and one of eleven children. She 
 was born September 15, 1755, and was therefore not 
 quite twenty at the time of her niamage. Her materiuil 
 grandfather was Cadwallader Colden, the sturdy old 
 Scotch doctor who, as Lieutenant-Gfovernor of the 
 province, had so long contended against Stamp xVct 
 congresses and sullen assemblies and turbulent com- 
 mittees of safety, and who was now living retired in his 
 new house at Flushing. Her paternal grandfather was 
 a Huguenot refugee of a good Norman family, who 
 had drifted from France to Holland, from Holland to 
 England, and from England to New- York, and had 
 here married a Van Cortlandt of the old Dutch stock. 
 The family is famous in the local annals of New- York 
 as the stanchest supporter of the royal authority and 
 the Church of England. One of Susan De Lancey's 
 uncles — James De Lancey — had been Chief Justice of 
 the province, and Coldeii's predecessor in the office of 
 Lieutenant-Governor. Another uncle — Oliver De Lan- 
 cey — was a General in the British service. A cousin — 
 Stephen De Lancey — who had married Cornelia Bar- 
 clay, was a Colonel in the King's troops; and their eldest 
 son was Wellington's chief-of-staff at Waterloo, where 
 he lost his life. One of Mrs. Barclay's brothers— James 
 De Lancey — raised a loyal regiment in Westchester 
 
 • 
 
: i 
 
 18 
 
 correspondkn(;k or tho.mas hakclay 
 
 Coimty. Another James, a cousin the Lieutenant- 
 Governor's son, was the agent for the LoyaHsts in Eng- 
 hmd after the peace, and so lost his great estate in the 
 heart of the city of New- York. Oliver De Lancey, the 
 General's sou, succeeded Andre as Adjutant-General of 
 the British forces, and died a Lieutenant-Genoral. 
 With few exceptions, the men of the family were stren- 
 uous in their support of British authority to the very 
 last, and died in exile; but one or two of them, and 
 notably one of Mrs. Barclay's brothers, courageously 
 refused to take arms against the country of their birth. 
 The city of New- York, as we have seen, had so 
 clearly become an undesirable residence for profes- 
 sional gentlemen, that our young married couple took 
 up their abode in Ulster County, "at the Wallkill," near 
 Coldenham, in what is now a part of Orange County, 
 where grandfather Colden owned large tracts of land. 
 But Ulster was no place of repose for Tories, or even 
 for those who were willing to bo neutral in the great 
 contest just beginning. The committees of safety in 
 the various (counties were not content with anything 
 short of open and luiqualitied adherence to the Con- 
 tinental cause, and were only too willing to find oc- 
 casions for discovering enemies to the State. The 
 powers of these committees were as vague as they were 
 extensive, and were often exercised harshly and un- 
 justly. It was the common course of procedure to 
 summon indivi<luals who were suspected of a leaning 
 to the British cause and to tender them the oath of 
 allegiance to the State, or the " general association," 
 which included a pledge to take up arms against the 
 King; and arrest, imprisonment, and banishment fol- 
 lowed a refusal. To speak disrespectfully of the Con- 
 gress, or to refuse to take Continental money at par, 
 
 if 
 
EARIJKH YEARS 
 
 1<) 
 
 naiit- 
 Eng- 
 m the 
 y, the 
 ii'cil of 
 jiioral. 
 stven- 
 e very 
 n, aiul 
 ;eously 
 r birth, 
 had so 
 prot'es- 
 ile took 
 U," near 
 County, 
 of land, 
 or even 
 he great 
 afety in 
 mything 
 .he Con- 
 tind 00- 
 e. The 
 ley were 
 
 and un- 
 edure to 
 X leaning 
 
 oath of 
 ociation," 
 ;ainst the 
 nient fol- 
 
 the Con- 
 
 sy at par, 
 
 were good grounds for arrc^st. All who were not known 
 to be well affected beeame objects of silly suspicion ; 
 and nervous people imagined consi)iracies and secret 
 treachery to be hatching all about them, and worried 
 and bullied thcnr neighbors, until they were like to 
 drive into o})positiou many of those who had pre- 
 viously been not vmy unfavorable to Iho cause of tlie 
 colonies. 
 
 In the rough county of LTlster we nuiy well imagine 
 that the farmers and woodmen were not delicate in 
 dealing with suspected Tories, and that dissent from 
 the views of the majority — and nnich less open oppo- 
 sition — was intolerable and not to be endured. And so 
 in the year 177G, when tlu^ battle of Long Island was 
 fought, and Sir William Howe was slowly driving the 
 Americans back from New- York, Tlionuis Barclay laid 
 his law-books aside, sot his face southward, and joined 
 the Bi'itish ai'my as a volunteer. 
 
 For tlie next seven years he was a S(jldier, and, as 
 we shall see, a very active and efficient one — march- 
 ing and fighting in New- York, New Jersey, Connecti- 
 cut, Virginia, and the Carolinas. On April 10, 1777, 
 being twenty-three years old, he was commissioned a 
 Captain in Beveily Robinson's Loyal American Regi- 
 ment, and was soon promoted to the rank of Major for 
 gallant service at the taking of Forts Clinton and 
 Montgomery.^ 
 
 Beverly Robinson, his Colouel, was a Virginian by 
 birth, and a son of John Robinson, who had been a 
 member of the council, and Acting Governor of Vir- 
 ginia in 1749 and 1750. Beverly Robinson's wife was 
 Susannah Pliilipse, of Yonkers — a sister of (leueral 
 
 1 His commission as Major bears date August 2, 177S ; but lie is to rank 
 from October 7, 1777, the date of the capture of the forts. 
 
20 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Washington's Mary Pliilipso, — and tliroiij^h hov Rob- 
 inson liad acquiivd larjiijo tracts <>t' land ])ordcrin^ tho 
 Hudson River. His residence opposite West Point 
 ac(|uired a traj^ic notoriety as the headquarters of 
 Benedict Arnold ; aud, inde(!d, Colonel Robinson was 
 himself actively concei'ned in events of Septcnnber, 
 1780. He had accompanied Andre on that disastrous 
 journey up the river, and from the ViiItHrr, "otf Sin- 
 sink" (Sin^ Sing), ho wrote to Washin*j;ton, recalling 
 their early friendship, and demanding in pc^-emptory 
 fashion Andre's immediate release. At the close of the 
 war Colonel Robinson retii'cd to England, where he died. 
 
 Tho Lieutenant-Colonel was Beverly Robinsor Jr., 
 the Colonel's son. Ho was born in New- York in . . ');'), 
 graduated at King's College in 1773, and returning long 
 after tho peace, died here in 1810. As we have seen, he 
 had married a sister of Thomas Barclay. 
 
 From 1776 to the late summer of 1781 Barclay was 
 constantly employed in active service. The long period 
 of negotiation followed, to be terminated in the spring 
 of 1781) by the announcement of the ratiticatioii of the 
 provisional treaty of peace. Tho Loyalist troops were 
 disbanded, their officers were placed on half pay, and 
 the wave of British invasion began to recede, sweeping 
 away in its retreat prodigious numbers of American 
 loyalists, who were scattered to England, to Canada, 
 to Bermuda, and to Nova Scotia, to begin life again 
 under another sky. Tens of thousands of these un- 
 happy people sailed away into exile during this year of 
 1783, and with them went Thomas Barclay, accom- 
 panied by his wife and four little children — the eldest 
 not seven years old. 
 
 Under the act of the New-York Legislature of Octo- 
 ber 22, 1779, he had been attainted and convicted of 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 21 
 
 j tlic 
 *oiut 
 •s of 
 was 
 ubov, 
 
 ,tl'OUS 
 
 [ Shi- 
 alliiig 
 iptory 
 of tlie 
 (3 died, 
 r Jr., 
 i . ..)•>, 
 ig long 
 eeii, be 
 
 Liiy was 
 r peviod 
 
 spviug 
 
 of tlie 
 
 ps were 
 
 'ay, 
 
 and 
 
 vv«3epiug 
 mevicaii 
 ICanada, 
 'e again 
 liese un- 
 yeai" of 
 a(?com- 
 le eldest 
 
 jof Octo- 
 Ucted of 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 hii^li treason ; his propcu'ty was declared to be forfcnted 
 to and vested in the peo[)le of this State; ho was for- 
 ever banished ; and it was provided that if ho shonld 
 be at any time found within the State, ho shouhl be de- 
 clared guilty of felony and should suffer death without 
 benefit of clergy. He was just thirty years old when 
 New- York was evacuated, and except his half pay he 
 had little left but a sturdy frani(> and a stout heart. 
 
 Wi'iting nine years lat(M- to his friend Brook Watson, 
 in London, he thus recounted his services to the Brit- 
 ish crown : ' 
 
 TO BROOK WATSON. 
 
 Anniipolis, 20"' Oct^ 1702. 
 
 Dear Sni: f have now some Business of my own I wish to 
 trouble you with, and I have no doubt of sueeess sliould you 
 tiiul yourself at liberty heartily to unite with two or three of 
 my other friends in lOngland. It has only wanted a person of 
 some Interest and Activity to obtain it these three years, for I 
 am certain if the facts were known to the Minister or Lords of 
 the treasury it would not lie denied. Of your wish to serve 
 me from your past favors iuid Professions I can and have no 
 doubt, — 1 have only to request if it is in the least inconvenient 
 or militates with any other object you may have in view, you 
 will by no means comply with my recpiest. 
 
 The ai)plication I wish my friends to make is for a pension 
 in lieu of the professioiuil Loss I stand reported for by the Am" 
 Commissioiun-s and which my half pay by the act of Parlia- 
 
 1 Brook Will son bad a singular Ho bceame a leading merchant in 
 
 and adventurous career. Ho was of London, a Member of Parliament, 
 
 Jiumble origin, and had souglit his a Baronet, and Lord Mayor of Lon- 
 
 fortuiu- in all parts of the world. He don. A sketch of his life will bo 
 
 was for a time Commissary-General found in Nova Scotia Hist. Coll., 
 
 of the British forces in America. Vol. II, p. 135. 
 
 2A 
 
 
I 
 
 o«> 
 
 COinjKSI'ONDENCE (»K THOMAS KAltCMiAY 
 
 iiKMit cx(!liulcs Tiie from nM-civiii*^.' It is improper iind useless 
 to urfjei uiiy arj^iiiiKuit a^iiinst the exception in tlui lUit of I'ur- 
 liiiment, but it strikes lue as extremely obvious that (lentlemen 
 who boro an active part durinj; the War and hardly earned 
 their pay, merit some thin<^ morc^ than those drones who re- 
 mained imietive, and were a dead weij^ht on (Jovci'nment re- 
 (jeivin^ an allowanee of money and pi'ovision without doinjjf 
 any thing for it. The proft^ssional C7om[)(!nsation inctludes 
 most of tlie latter dcserii)tion and very few of the formei-. 
 However [ neitlier could expect or would I apply for a pension 
 wen^ there not sevei'al Instances of them, and as I conceive my- 
 self e({ually entitled with any ofiicer who served and have as 
 ample certificates of my behavior ami Services as can be 
 [)enned, I deem it but Justice to my numerous family to re- 
 quest the aid of my friends to ol)taiu that we so much want 
 and others under similar circumstances enjoy. — I shall luime 
 only thrtie Oentlemen who receive these })ensions altho' there 
 are many more. Thev are (xontUnuen of familv Characttsr and 
 every way deserving of the attention of Government. The 
 first, Col. Cruger,- merits it also on the Score of important 
 Services and spirited behavior. The two others, majors Vau 
 Cortlandt'' and Bayard "* can have no claims from Service, hav- 
 ing seen but very little if any. It is disagreeable for me to say 
 anything on the Score of my own, but as I am writing to you 
 what to urge in favor of my pretensions, you will not I trust 
 look on it as proceeding from vanity or savoring of Egotism. 
 
 1 Tho caet referred to is 23 Geo. 
 III., Cliiip. 80, passed in July, 17S3, 
 under wlueh a board of three eoin- 
 niisHioners was created "for enquir- 
 ing into the respective Losses and 
 Services of all such Person and Per- 
 sons who have sufl'ered in their 
 Rights, Properties and Possessions, 
 during the late uidiappy nissentions 
 in America, in conse(iueiK'0 of their 
 Loyalty to His Majesty, and Attach- 
 ment to the British Government.'' 
 The liual statement of the commis- 
 
 sioners was presented to Parliament 
 in March, 17i)0. 
 
 - Jolm Harris ('ruger, Jjieutenant- 
 Colonel of De Laucey's First Bat 
 talion. Best known for his brilliant 
 defense of the fort at Ninety-Six, in 
 South Carolina, June, 1781. 
 
 ■i Philip Van Cortlandt, Major of 
 the Third Battalion, New Jersey 
 Volunteers. 
 
 4 Samuel Bayard, ISIajor of tho 
 King's Orange Rangers. 
 
EARLIER YEAHS 
 
 23 
 
 si'loss 
 f I'lir- 
 lomou 
 
 rUo re- 
 cnt re- 
 doing 
 icAiides 
 t'ovnuM-. 
 jH'Usioii 
 ■ivoiny- 
 hiivc as 
 can 1)t' 
 iy to re- 
 tell want 
 nil name 
 ho' there 
 icter and 
 lit. The 
 uiportant 
 ijofs Vai. 
 •vice, hav- 
 me to say 
 lis to you 
 ot 1 trust 
 ' Ey-otisni. 
 
 ) I'livlianieiit 
 
 Lieutenant- 
 First Bat 
 hirt hrilliant 
 inety-Six, in 
 SL 
 
 It, Major of 
 >[e\v Jersey 
 
 17 
 
 In the sprinj? of the year 177(i I was di-iven from my homo 
 hy the Amerieans and joined the Royal Army, wherein I 
 aeted as a voliintecr diiiMn«; thf ('ampaiirii of that year.' In 
 the besiniiin«jr of 1777 I joined Col: Uohiiison in raisiiiji: a 
 Corps and was that Summer at the storminfj; of Forts (/linton 
 and Monto'onuiry. My Behavior there met the approbation of 
 Sir Henry Clinton and he pronu)t(!d mo to the Majority (»f the 
 It(!}j:iment. At thut time I went out for him on a feio-ned llajf 
 of truce in order to (lis(!ovei- (jleneral IMituam's & I'arson's 
 Situation, — Sir Henry beiu}^ uppreheiisive the latter had 
 marched to attache the Lines at Kiuys Britl^'e then very weakly 
 defended. This I effected at the ri.s(iue of my Life, havino- 
 been detained a day and a half on Suspicion of beiiiy; a Spy, 
 and brought Sir lleury at V(iri)lanks Point au^reeable and |)os- 
 itive Information. In 177H I servcul on Hoard the (Uirri/.-tforf 
 Frif^ate with 100 of the lio'/ as Marines while the Fi-eneh 
 fleet wore at Rhode Island and at the Hook near New Vork.-' 
 In '79 was in C'onneetiiuit under (leneral Tryon,^ and durint;' 
 
 lajor ol' the 
 
 J The "sprinf^" of 177(i s(^enis to 
 be an error. Lord Howe only roacheil 
 Staten Island .Tiily 12, 177(), so tliat 
 Barclay could not liiive joineil the 
 Koyal Army before tinit time. Tie 
 may, however, have left Ulster Coun- 
 ty earlier and <^one to Queens Coun- 
 ty, which was a nuich more conjienial 
 locality. His lirst child was born 
 at Flushin};, December 3, 1770. A 
 week earlier, on November 27, 1770, 
 the Committeo of Safety, sitting at 
 Fishkill, — having before it "an in- 
 ventory of the personal Estate late 
 belonging to Tliomas Barclay of 
 Ulster County," who had "some 
 months since gone over to the enemy 
 on Nassau Island," — ordered Wil- 
 liam Duer to take all the hay, for- 
 agi', and grain from Barclay's farm 
 for the use of the army, and directed 
 that the live stock be sold at pub- 
 
 lic auction — reserving only so much 
 as might be needed for the support 
 of Mr. Fowler, the overseer, and 
 his family, and the slaves on the 
 farm. Journals Brov. Cong., Vol. I, 
 p. 721. 
 
 - Th(^ ('(irri/sfiirt was a frigate of 
 twenty-eight guns, commaniled by 
 ('aptain Rolxa't Fanshaw. On Au- 
 gust IS, 177S, we read in Montre- 
 sor's Journal that she was lying, 
 with the ('(iniitla and the Zchra, 
 near Flushing, and thai on the 
 20th "the Kegiment of New York 
 Loyalists embarked on board the 
 frigates at Flushing" were oi-dered 
 to land "and take up their old 
 ground." N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 
 ISSl, p. r)10. 
 
 :< This was in July, 177!). On the 
 night of July 4th and the morning 
 of the r)th, 177i), Governor Tryou 
 
24 
 
 (•DUKES PON DEN(!E OP THOMAS HARCLAY 
 
 the roinaindov of tho Season (ioiiiposod ono of i\w (Jarrisoii at 
 Vcrplauks Point (opposite Stony Point) undor L' (-ol. Wcib- 
 ster' who (U)ninuin(l('(l fi'oni May to Aujjf', dnrinj^ wlii(^ti p«'riod 
 T liad th(^ vMv, and coniinand r.f tlu; ri<;lit hand rt'donl)t wliich 
 from haviiif^ it in tlic inaj^-nzino sustained th(^ whoh' of th(! 
 cannonade and Ixnnhai'dinent of tlie Americans for foni" days 
 from Stony Point which they had f^niined.'- About the hist of 
 August the :yA li</ & Col Webster h'ft Vorphmks Point when 
 the Commander in (^liief ai)point('d me to the* eomnnmd on the 
 IteeommeiKhition of ('oh Webster, with a (hu-rison of (iUO 
 men two thirds of wliom were ill with Ajj^ues and fevers. I 
 maintained th(! I'ost until ordered to evacMiate it in Nov',-' 
 notwithstanding; Mr. Washington and his whole army were 
 within a days Marcdi and reeonoitering our Works and attacik- 
 in<? th(^ PicMjuots daily. During the Winter of 7!) & 80 1 was 
 twiee in tlu^ Jersciys in commaiul, oncc^ with a detachnuuit of 
 the Guards, the siH'ond tinu! with (rerman Troo])s. In 17801 
 
 liiiuloil iioav Now riavcii. A staiid 
 was iiiado by tlut dofciKk'i.s at Wost- 
 bri(lf,'c, on tlio Miliord road, and tho 
 Britisli wore forcc.'dto turn from their 
 patli. At ThoHipHon'sBrid^j^i!, on tli(» 
 Derby road, anotlior skirniisli har- 
 assed the Britisli, but New Haven 
 was entered, jilundered, and saeked. 
 The President of Yale was ainonj? 
 those maltreated. Leavinjf N((W 
 Haven, the fleet sailed to Fairfield. 
 Little resistance was made, and the 
 town was plundered f d buriuid. 
 Green's Farms was the next object 
 of the veufjeance of Tryon, and was 
 almost utterly destroyed. On the 
 11th Norwalk was entered and de- 
 stroyed. Tryon was then recalled 
 to New- York. 
 
 1 James Webster was the son of 
 a Scotch clergyman of Edinburgh. 
 Ho came to America as Major of the 
 Thirty-third Foot, was promoted to 
 
 bo liieutonant-Colonel, and was 
 kille.l at (lu! battle of (iuilford, Nort ii 
 Carolina, March 14, 1781. ]jeo, in 
 his Memoirs of the War, p. 1292, de- 
 clares that Webster was tiie first 
 among the officers of (Jornwallis's 
 army. 
 
 - (renoral Wayne retook .Stony 
 Point on the morning of .Tnly 1(5, 
 1779, and held it for only a few days. 
 That post, and the works at Ver- 
 planck's Point on the oast side of 
 tlio river, had been cajjtured by Sir 
 Henry Clinton in May. 
 
 •^ Barclay, writing from memory, 
 is not ((uito accurate in his dates. 
 Vorplanck's Point was evacuated on 
 the morning of ()ctober 21, 1779, 
 when the British sot fire to thoir 
 buildings, and, embarking on trans- 
 ports, sailed down to New-York. 
 See Memoirs of Maj.-Gen. Heath, 
 p. 220. 
 
EAIIMKR YEARS 
 
 25 
 
 II at 
 h^i- 
 rio(\ 
 liicU 
 ' Ww 
 (lays 
 ist of 
 whi'M 
 u tlu'. 
 t' GOO 
 rs. I 
 Nov',-' 
 ' were 
 ittaiik- 
 I \ was 
 wni of 
 1780 1 
 
 1,1,1 was 
 yd, North 
 
 lii'O, ill 
 ,. -32, Je- 
 
 t\w tivst 
 rnwalUs's 
 
 |ok Stony 
 
 July 1«, 
 
 f ow days. 
 
 s at Ver- 
 
 st sido of 
 
 ,v(m\ by Sir 
 
 memory, 
 his dates, 
 laeuated on 
 
 21, 1T"9. 
 Ire to thoir 
 [cr on trans- 
 New-York, 
 ieu. Heath, 
 
 WHH attaclnMl to tluf provincial liif^ht Infantry,' served with 
 Getuiral Ijcslie in Virginia where I eoniinanchid tlu! advaneinl 
 Post,'- and afterwards in CiirolinM, under Lord Uawdon. In 
 Carolina we wen* fre(inently in Ai^tion, in ont; of which (at 
 Kanty's lionsc) I reeeivt'd two Wounds in the same ehar«i;e.'' 
 WJKMi Loi'd Uawdon rcsijjfued the (!oninwind in('arolina I was 
 re((uested h him to carry his Dispatelu^s by Sea to Lord 
 ('ornwallis itt Yorktown in \'ir<;inia, and was taken at the 
 Knterance of the (!apes by the ]''i'(Mi<^h fleet in attempting' 
 to make my way through them to his ijoi-dshii), was a I'i'is 
 oner with the {^''rench durinj^ the Action ot ' th(^ Capes under 
 Ad. ({raves and (*onnt de Crrasse,'* — obtained my i)arol in ii 
 few days after, and arrived at New York in time to p^ivt; the 
 Commanders in Chief l>y Sea and Land very full and neces- 
 sary infonmition. l<^rom that jteriod the offensive piU't of tlie 
 War ceased — Lord Dorchester'' arriviul and yourself with 
 him — y(ni therefore my dear Sir can say what Character I 
 had at New York as an officer and hav«^ therefore oidy to add 
 t''-it after the War instead of ^oin^ to Enjj^land to pro3(M-ute 
 my claims and obtain a pensioji as many otti(!ei>; did, — I came 
 to Nova Scotia at Loi-d Dorchester's & your rKpicst to lo(!ate 
 the Lands for tlie provincial troops in company with Col. D. 
 
 1 This was the Corps of Provincial defeat at King's Mountain, aban- 
 Light Infantry, made up of frag- doncd liis march to Virginia; and 
 nuMits of Movoral Loyalist regiments, on November 22, 1780, Leslie reimi- 
 and placed under tlio command of barked his detachment and sailed 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Watson. Wat- for Charleston. 
 
 son was an Englisliman by birth, 3 This jiffair was probably a skir- 
 
 and a Captain and Lieutenant-Colo- mish between Watson's Light Lifan- 
 
 nel in tho Third Foot Guards. His try and Marion. Canty's house is 
 
 corps was very constantly and ac- shown on the inap prefixed to Tar- 
 
 tively employed in the Carolinas. Icton's Letters, etc., and lies about 
 
 He rose eventually to the rank of fifteen miles east of Nelson's Ferry 
 
 General, and died in France in 1826. on tho Sautee, on tho road to George- 
 
 2 General Leslie, with about :!000 town. 
 
 men, was sent by Sir Henry Clin- 4 September, 1781. 
 ton to meet Cornwallis in Virginia 5 Lord Dorchester, better known 
 
 in October, 1780. Leslie occup d in our history as Sir Guy Carleton, 
 
 Portsmouth without opposition ; but arrived in New-York as Sir Henry 
 
 Cornwallis, in consequence of tho Clinton's successor, in May, 1782. 
 
, 
 
 20 
 
 CORRESPONDENCfE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 1 
 
 ! I 
 
 L.^ & Ed. Wiiislow.- How well wo oxecntod this trust I loave 
 you to Speak. — Tliis T may safely add, the Province of New 
 Brunswie owes its present existence to our exertions and rep- 
 resentations to you. 
 
 (i 
 
 ! i: 
 
 I. 
 
 ,': y 
 
 Fi'otn this detail you will ohservo T have been on actual 
 Service and in action more or less eve./ campain from 
 1777 to 17HI. The copies of Certifhtates inclosed will prove 
 liow well I served. The originals have been delivered iuto 
 thti Treasury. If more were necessary (xcnicrals Lesli(>, 
 Vaughn and Mathews — Cols. Watson, Small aud lialfour 
 and all the offic(\rs of the (Juards (i;} & 04 Hegts. who served in 
 Virginia and Carolina would cheei-fuUy certify — Lady South- 
 ampton (who is a cousin (Jerman of Mivs. B's) has promised 
 her Lords Good offices in my favor,'' I have given you as full 
 a Sta+omont as I think reiiuisite. My recommendations ai'e 
 ample. My Prescmce in the (bounty of Anna])oli8 has contrib- 
 uted more to its impi'ovement, and retaining the Loyalists 
 here than any other person, and the Ilenly settlement in Wil- 
 mot ex(!eeds any now one in either {n'ovincc. Those pursuits, 
 which dearly benefit the parent state have been the obstruc- 
 tions to my coming over to Loudon — I conceived it a duty in- 
 cumbent on me at T.e close of the War to attend those who 
 had faithfully served their king and see them comfortably 
 seth.'d — Had I gone home in 17(S3 or any subsequent yisar by 
 my personal attendance, added to the Interest of my friends, I 
 shoidd have procured u temporary support and a pension 
 afterwards. In case you my fiiends should not succeed this 
 Winter, I must cross the Atlantic and try my own ex(u-tions. 
 I have a fainily of ten Children ami lind my half pay and prac- 
 tice unequal to their maintenance even witli studied Kcon<)my, 
 
 ' JamcH Dc Luncoy, Mrs. Bar- the Lnyiilist forces. ]Ie died in New 
 
 clay's brother. Brunswick iu 1815. 
 
 " Edward Wiuslow, .Jr., born in '^ Lady Woutiiauipton was the 
 
 Massaciuisetts about 174r), gradu- daugliter '>!' Admiral Sir Peter War- 
 
 ated at Harvard. 17G5. Ho was a ren, whose wife was Susan Do Lan- 
 
 Colonel in the Kin^j's service, iid in cey, Mrs. Barclay's aunt. 
 17Si! was Muster-Master-tJeueral of 
 
KARIilKR YF-AWS 
 
 127 
 
 'ave 
 rep- 
 
 from 
 
 [)VOV0 
 
 I into 
 
 tilfour 
 
 ved iw 
 So\xtli- 
 omiseAl 
 
 as hxW 
 >us are 
 >ontrib- 
 oyalists 
 
 in Wil- 
 )vars»vits, 
 ()l)struc- 
 
 duty iu- 
 
 itovtably 
 , year by 
 t'rionds, 1 
 pension 
 ■cced lAiis 
 ;x(H"tions. 
 and pvao- 
 ;eouv)my, 
 
 li was the 
 
 rotor Wav- 
 rtiiu Do Lau- 
 
 M 
 
 and when I luive made this hist Attempt I shall .set down 
 satisfied tliut 1 have left nothing; nntried. — 
 
 Copies of Certificates ichieh arroniixinied Major liiireldifs 
 Apptiedtinn to the ritfht llou'''' the fjortl Coimiiissioiters of 
 His Majestj/s Treasurif. 
 
 I Certify, That I always considered Major Barelay of Colo- 
 nel lieverly Robinsons Re^'inient of Provintdals as a very 
 zealons active oflicer, and in every respecit infilled to the At- 
 tention of (Jovernnient 
 
 II: Clinton IV (Jkn'. 
 
 I CV^rtify, That Thomas Barclay I'^^^q' Major to (^)lonel 
 Robinsons R'et^i'nent of Provintuals served nnder my com- 
 mand in Carolina, and merited mneh praise for Ids activity, 
 conrajj^e and eondnct on eviuy occasion, llis zeal was ccpially 
 cons} icnons in the earlier Period of the Wai", I, therefore, bejjf 
 leave to recommend Inm Strontjly to the (\)mmissioiRn's tho' 
 he is not here in Person to make his application. 
 
 RAwnoN. 
 London Fel/^ ^tli 175)0. 
 
 I do Certify, that as Inspector Ceneral of the late Provincial 
 Forces in North America, I liad an opportunity of beinjjf per- 
 sonally acquainted with the Character of Major Thomas Mnv- 
 clay of the Loyal American R(\s:iment connnanded l)y ('ohuiel 
 Beverly Ko])inson ; and can ijfive the most ami)le Testimony 
 of his Zeal, Spirit and Loyalty, from the earliest period of tlu' 
 Rebellion, and of his Worth ami good Conduct as an OITicer. 
 
 AiiFA' : Innes, 
 (late) Insi)' Uen' of P. Forces. 
 
 I do liei-e1)y Cc^rtify, that Major Thomas Barclay, late of 
 Colonel Beverly Robinsons Rt'gimciut of Loyal Americans, 
 serv(!d dnriiMj: tho War in a, vei-y distinguishtHl manner — I 
 think his Z ,d. Bravery and good Conduct, which has l)een 
 shown on so many occasions, give him tho fullest Claim to the 
 
r^ 
 
 28 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Ml 
 
 ■J ': 
 
 favour of Govenimcut ; I therefore beg leave to recommend 
 him in the Strongest manner to tlie Commissioners of Ameri- 
 can Claims, as worthy of every Indulgence that can be shown 
 to him. 
 
 Ol: De Lancey 
 
 late Adju' Gen' N° Am". 
 
 I do Certify, that I was intimately aaquainted with Major 
 Thomas Barclay, late of the Province of New York, many 
 Years before the Late dissensions in America. That he was 
 bred to the Profession of the Law, and had entered into the 
 practice of that Profession before the Troubles began. — That 
 he purchased an Estate in the County of Ulster on which he 
 was Settled, was very much, respected by all Ranks of People, 
 and had as fair and promising prospects of success as any 
 young Gentleman in His Lino of Business. 
 
 That he took an early and activ^e part in the cause of Great 
 Britain, by opposing the proceedings of the Americans, for 
 which reason he became so obnoxious to the Leaders in Rebel- 
 lion, that he was obliged to quit his Estate and business, and 
 fly to the Kings Army in the Latter part of the year 1776. 
 
 That in March 1777, He joined the Loyal American Regi- 
 ment as Captain, and by his great exertions and activity was 
 very serviceable in raising that Corps, in which he served 
 as Captain till the Month of October following, when he was 
 for his Bravery and good Conduct at the Attack and taking of 
 Fort Montgomery on the Hudson River, and for other essen- 
 tial Services, during that Expedition, Promoted to the Rank 
 of Major in the Sd Regiment; That he continued with the 
 Regiment from this time to the summer oi 1780, and was 
 always on active Service either with the whole Regm' or De- 
 tachments from it, and on every occasion gained Credit to 
 himself and the approbation of His superior Officers. 
 
 Tliat in the year 1780, when Sir Henry Clinton ordered a 
 Corps of Light Infantry to be formed from the Provincial 
 Lino, under the command of Colonel Watson, Major Barclay 
 desirous of being employed in the most active Line of duty, of- 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 29 
 
 leri- 
 
 n". 
 
 many 
 e was 
 bo the 
 -That 
 
 icli ho 
 :>cople, 
 
 as any 
 
 E Great 
 
 ans, for 
 
 1 Rebel- 
 ess, and 
 
 L776. 
 
 m Rcgi- 
 
 vity was 
 
 3 served 
 
 ,1 lie was 
 aking of 
 
 [er essen- 
 f,\ie Rank 
 with the 
 and was 
 [n* or De- 
 Credit to 
 
 [ordered a 
 >rovincial 
 Lr Barclay 
 f duty, of- 
 
 fered liis services to Sir Henry Clinton, and requested he 
 would a])point liini s sond in command to Colonel Watson, 
 Avhicli Sir Henry was pleased with, and gave him that Ap- 
 pointment; with this Corps he went to Virginia under the 
 command of General Leslie, and from there to South Caro- 
 lina. In both these Provinces he served with great Credit and 
 Reputation, and to the Approbation of the different Coniman- 
 
 dei's under whom he did serve. 
 
 Bev. RoniNSON. 
 
 Wilmot, to whicdi our exil(3S had retreated at the 
 close of the war, lies on the railway near the head of 
 the pleasant valley of Annapolis, and about half-way 
 between the villages of Annapolis and Grand Pre. It 
 is even at the present time a remote and tliinly settled 
 region, with a few scattered hamlets and farm-houses 
 strung along the course of the little river, and the deep 
 forest stretching away from the hills on either side. 
 But in 1781) the forest primeval and the murnuiring 
 pines and the hemlocks stood untouched through the 
 entire valley, (sxcept where the clearings reached out 
 under the walls of the deserted French forti'ess of Port 
 Royal. Th(i long and desperate struggles between the 
 English invaders on the one side, and the Acadians and 
 their Indian allies on the other, were indeed at an end. 
 The banished Loyalist found no worse enemies than 
 winter and rough weather, but the forces of nature 
 were in their fullest vigor of resistance and were not 
 easily to be subdued. 
 
 Of the bitter struggles of those first years of banish- 
 ment in the heart of the wdld forest of Nova Scotia 
 only a scanty record remains, and we can but dimly 
 picture the daily recurring dangers and privations to 
 which these unwilling pioneers wx're subject; but with 
 a brave spirit difficulties were met and overcome, and 
 
30 
 
 CORRESPONDEXCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 I 
 
 »i 
 
 i\ 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
 il f 
 
 children wore born and grew into vigorous manhood 
 amid those discouraging surroundings. Major Bar- 
 clay, we are told, " with his own hands levelled the for- 
 est on his new possession, which gratefully rewarded his 
 toil and perseverance ; while he converted the settlement 
 of troops into a respectable society of which he soon be- 
 came physician, pastor, counsellor and judge. By his 
 industry in farming, he supported a large family, until 
 finding his colony in a prosperous and orderly state, he 
 removed to Annapolis Royal about the year 1789, to pur- 
 sue his profession at the bar, which he exercised with 
 great success through the province of Nova Scotia."' 
 
 As a successful country lawyer, he naturally entered 
 the public service, and in 1785 was elected a member 
 of the General Assembly of the province. On March 20, 
 1793, he became speaker of that body — a post which he 
 retained until 1799, when he removed to New- York. 
 
 For a time his old military experience came again 
 into demand. At the outbreak of the French Revolu- 
 tion fears were entertained of an invasion of the mari- 
 time provinces, and militia regiments were raised both 
 in New Branswick and Nova Scotia. Major Barclay 
 became Lieutenant-Colonel of a regiment, and for a 
 time was Adjutant-General of the provincial forces." 
 
 1 Curwon's Journal and Letters, 
 edited by G. A. Ward, p. 598. 
 
 '■2 Writing in 1817 to the Foreign 
 Office, in reply to an inquiry as to 
 his rank in the army, Barclay said : 
 " In the year 1793 His Majesty was 
 graciously pleased to appoint mo 
 Lieutenant-Colonel to the Royal 
 Nova Scotia liegiraent, which situ- 
 ation I held only a few months, as 
 Sir John Wentworth, then Governor 
 of Nova Scotia, agreed in opinion 
 
 with me, that I could render His 
 Majesty more essential Service by 
 raising a Corps of fencible militia in 
 Nova Scotia, which I did without 
 incurring any expense to Govern- 
 ment. My rank therefore is that of 
 a Provincial Lieut. -Col., but when I 
 draw half pay, I receive that of Ma- 
 jor of the late Loyal American Regi- 
 ment. It is however now upwards 
 of eighteen years since I have drawn 
 half pay." 
 
 Ii.' ■'•R 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 31 
 
 hootl 
 Bar- 
 e f or- 
 3d bis 
 iineiit 
 on be- 
 3y bis 
 , mitil 
 ate, be 
 to puv- 
 jd witb 
 
 tia."' 
 entered 
 
 iieniber 
 avcb 20, 
 vbicb be 
 lovk. 
 Lie again 
 Revolu- 
 ;he niari- 
 laed botb 
 
 Barclay 
 lind tor a 
 
 orces.' 
 
 L render His 
 a Service by 
 ible militia \n 
 dill witlioxit 
 le to Govevn- 
 f ore is that o£ 
 ,1., butwlienl 
 vo tliat of Ma- 
 tncvieaii Rogi- 
 ■ now upwards 
 olbavedrawn 
 
 Those varied activities are but slij^htly refleoted in 
 the following correspondence. Such letters as have 
 been preserved deal mainly with matters of current 
 business, and rarely touch on questions of public inter- 
 est ; but his allusions to the condition of the Loyalists 
 in Nova Scotia and the prospects of the colony are 
 perhaps not unworthy of preservation. 
 
 TO LIEUT. 
 
 FENWICK, CHATHAM, ENGLAND. 
 
 Sir: 
 
 27 October, 1790. 
 
 Mr. Cutler on liis arrival in this Province delivered me your 
 favor of tlie 31st of Aug^ust with Letter Attorney inclosed. I 
 shall most chearfully undertake the agency you request, liav- 
 iiig a fellow feeling for those whose property is remote from 
 their residence and whose situation prevents their personal 
 attendance. Since the peace in 1783 my n"»ther died in the 
 State of New York in Nortli America, and devised a fourth 
 part of her Estate to my Children (being myself from attain- 
 der incapable of inheriting) and altho she has been dead more 
 tliau four years and I have written innumerable Letters to the 
 Executors, still I have never been able to bring about a divi- 
 
 sion or Sale.' 
 
 Should you incline to sell [your farm] you may let me know 
 the lowest price you wish it to go at as 1 will set it up at that 
 and if anj- one gives more let him have it. I shall want a 
 
 1 "Four years" is a mistake. 
 Mary Barclay died on Sunday, June 
 8, 1788, only a liltle more than two 
 years before the date of this letter. 
 "The hearts of all who knew Mrs. 
 Biirelay," said tlio New-York Daily 
 Advertiser, in announcing her death, 
 " will testify to her worth. From a 
 long and intimate acquaintance with 
 the precepts of Christianity, she f ul ■ 
 
 filled its duties with uniformity and 
 zeal, the reward of which she is now 
 reaping, while her children must de- 
 plore tho loss of a most tender pa- 
 rent, the poor a cheerful contributor, 
 and all her acciuaintance a pleasing 
 friend." Ht^r executors were Eg- 
 bert Benson, Samuel Bayard, and 
 John Watts, Jr. 
 
i; T'*" 
 
 I 
 
 r 
 
 ! j 
 
 i li 
 
 m ^1 
 
 ■ 
 
 1 1 
 i, j 
 
 32 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Letter of Attorney ennabliiig me to sell either together or by 
 divisions, as it is possible it may fetch more in parcels. 
 
 In Countrys like this it is impossible to say whetluir lands 
 will increase in valnc superior to the money at interest. Since 
 the year 178(5 they have greatly decreased in this Provimie, 
 owing to the immense number of Loyalists returning to the 
 united States. At present they are rather on the rise. My 
 own opinion is that money at use here is preferable to Lands; 
 and ever will be in this frozen Zone. 
 
 TO WM. STURGE MOORE. 
 
 Annapolis, 7th June, 17!)1. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Your favor of the 6th April came to me the 31st of May. I 
 am sorry to find you still undetermined about coming out, and 
 at your Silence in answer to mine of the 27th of Dec'r wherein 
 I requested you to let me know how much I should bid at 
 Auction for you on the Sale of the Parrsborough Estate — The 
 two other Trustees and myself were of opinion it would be 
 more satisfactory to Captain Moore, yourself and the Credit- 
 ors that White Hall should be sold at Publick Auction to the 
 highest Bidder, than to you at the Price I offered, to wit £400. 
 As soon therefore as we came to this determination I wrote 
 you and begged your orders how far I should bid for you at 
 the Auction. I was aware it was possible some person or 
 other knowing your demand might run it up to a Considera- 
 ble amount, and tlio' far Short of the balance due yon, sell 
 more than its nresent value. I declined therefore having the 
 Auction until 1 had your order to what amount I might bid — 
 You are now therefore to make up your mind whether you 
 will remove to Nova Scotia and of coiirso take White Hall or 
 whether it shall be sold and brought in for you or not as 
 it may happen. This my dear sir to you is a question of mo- 
 ment and I should advise you not only seriously to Consider 
 it your Self but also to take the advice of your friends at 
 home on the Subject. Nova Scotia is neither like Great Brit- 
 ain or even Pensylvania where lauds bring in a certain an- 
 
 y 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 33 
 
 lands 
 Since 
 vince, 
 to the 
 
 3. My 
 Lands-, 
 
 May. 1 
 out, and 
 whevein 
 d l)id at 
 fitc-The 
 svoiild be 
 le Credit- 
 ion to the 
 wit £400. 
 )X\ 1 wrote 
 for yovi at 
 person or 
 Oonsidera- 
 e you, sell 
 having the 
 light hid— 
 hether you 
 lite Hall or 
 ov not as 
 tion of mo- 
 •o Consider 
 friends at 
 Great Brit- 
 certain an- 
 
 nual profit and expences maybe ascertained to almost a farth- 
 ing; was I to consult my own feelings and Inclinations T would 
 advise you to come, hut as your friend wlio wishes your Inter- 
 est it is my duty to give you a faithful detail and leave you to 
 make up your own ..lind — Parrsborough is by no means a 
 flourishing settlement, nu)st of the half pay officers settled 
 > iiere deeply invoh Ofl and no prospect of any success in the 
 mercantile Line — L your views are agricMiltural, I am satis- 
 fied you had l)etter make a present of White Ilall and pur- 
 chase a farm already cultivated than to undertake the Clearing 
 of new lands — I speak from exi)erience that the cultivation 
 of new lands in Nova Scotia is attended with Double the ex- 
 })enee that you might purehjise a good farm for — To set 
 down at Parrsborough for the sake of a (lood house, is like a 
 hungry man setting down to a table well set out with a variety 
 of empty plate and Dishes. The house at Parrs) lorough how- 
 ever is not finished and will cost at least £200 pouiuls to com- 
 pleat it. No (lentleman in this Province can farm to advan- 
 tage. I speak from experience and I })elieve I managed as 
 well as most persons, what your Situation at home is I know 
 not, but if you can live there in a Comfortable retired manner 
 without losing your Cfipital, never remove to this Country — 
 I have Given you my Opinion with a Candour I conceved ne- 
 cessary and which to you I hope will not be disagreeable. I 
 beg however you not rely on it solely, but take the advice of 
 friends able to give it you. Let me know your Determination 
 and what Sum I am to go to for you. Should you determine 
 to remain in England I woidd a(lvise you if £400 is bid for 
 Whitehall to let it go, and even loose a part rather than be en- 
 cumbered with inproductive place, and a house which time 
 every day renders less valuable. 
 
! M 
 
 ii 
 
 I 
 
 34 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO IIUFUS CHANDLER. 
 
 Annapolis, (itli Nov., ITfll. 
 
 My dear Chandler: 
 
 Your favor of tlio 11 Au^ and its duplicate I have duly 
 rcc'd and am greatly obliged to you foi* your Attention to my 
 troublesome commissi(ms and the affectionate Chearfidness 
 with which you transact tliem. Your Letter I have shewn to 
 the (Jentlemen of this place who Desire me to return you their 
 best thanks and to request you will send them out an Engine 
 of the .size of No. 2 made in the best and most substantial 
 Manner. Also the extra 21 feet Suction Pipe. 
 
 I had seen Kinyons determination about assigning half pay 
 in an English News Paper.- I can not say it meets my ap- 
 probation, nor do I think it tends to preserve hoiios mores 
 in Society. Half pay is as Clear a Ciiattel as a man can bo 
 possessed of; neither can I subscribe to any of the Arguments 
 addiu'cd in favor of those who oppose its being assignable — 
 The Half pay is the property of the Officer as long as he lives 
 (unless he commits an act that excludes him from it — that how- 
 ever is out of the question) it is a certain half yearly income 
 that is ascertained to a fj-action. It is the i-eward of past 
 Services and his exclusive property. If this is the case surely 
 he has a right to do with it as he pleases. A nuin possessed 
 of a lease for a term of years or of an Annuity has a right to 
 Assign them to any other person and to direct tlie rents Issues 
 Profits or money to be paid him. When once his Assign- 
 ment is made the Assignor is bound and cannot make his Act. 
 Why then shall not a half pay officer have the same power? 
 
 1 Kiifus (Jhamller was born at 
 Worcoster, Mass., in 1747; f^radu- 
 ated at Harvard College in 1700, and 
 practised law until the outbreak of 
 the Revolution, when ho removed 
 to Nova Scotia. He subseqiiently 
 took up bis residence in England, 
 and died in London in 18'JI}. 
 
 '■2 Lord Keuyon's decision in Fhtrtij 
 V. Odium, 3 Duriiford ij'' luist, 082, is 
 
 doubtless me.ant ; in which he held 
 that half pay could not legally be 
 assigned, as it would be highly im- 
 ])olitic to permit creditors to reach 
 emoluments of this sort, as they "are 
 gi'anted for the dignity of the iStato 
 and for the decent su]iport of those 
 persons who are engaged in the ser- 
 vice of it." 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 35 
 
 701. 
 
 ; d\i^y 
 to my 
 "illness 
 own to 
 )U tlvcir 
 Engine 
 stiviitial 
 
 \\M r«y 
 
 i my »P- 
 o.s morcii 
 n call 1)0 
 i-guiBcnls 
 
 ,s lie lives 
 -tbatliow- 
 L-ly income 
 ,rd of past 
 case siirely 
 I possessed 
 s a vifflit to 
 rents Issues 
 bis Assigu- 
 akelnsAct. 
 ame power? 
 
 wbicli ho hel.l 
 not loflivlly ^>e 
 I \,c Uij:h\y im- 
 .ailors to reiioU 
 u't, as they "are 
 Uv of the, State 
 lupiun-t of those 
 ed in the sei- 
 
 '•itf 
 
 i 
 
 It is )>eo!iiis(> lie is a fool — ii madman — or a Spend tln-ift — 
 To call us all so is payiu},' ns a very l)a(l coniplinient. — The 
 determination has only one Effect, to wit: to ^ive Men of tlutt 
 Class an ()i)i)()rtunity of being Rogues if they please and of 
 Spending their ])ay in a dissolute (ia<d to the; Injury of their 
 Creditors and the ruin of their own healths and Morals. 
 
 Mrs. liarclay desii'es her best regards to you and re(inests 
 you will purchase her two pieces of fashionable llibbon to 
 wear on her head round a Cap — She is fond of i)lain colours, 
 and wishes it rather broad. Connidf the f<(ste of sotnc fasliioixt- 
 hfc (iri/ii(iinf((ii('r of if ok rs. 
 
 The Wesley Loctusts have entered this province and are rav- 
 aging the Connty of Annapolis. In particnlar (-ozins, the 
 Bennetts, Scabnry, and many others have joined them. They 
 have erected a handsome meeting honse in the rear of Covin's 
 Lott facing the street wherein Worthy Lake lived. 0\n^ of the 
 Preachers, a little diminitive limping fellow, has so charmed 
 Miss llenny Cozens (as she is called) that she has married him. 
 I am told he and all his family before him were beggars in 
 Shrewsbury, New Jersey. His name is Cooper — possibly Col. 
 Lawrence may know him — I never heard him, some Com- 
 mend, others speak lightly of his Abilities. I Should however 
 sui)pose him clever from having preached himself into Cozen's 
 good (j races and Fortune and into his Daughter — 
 
 For the Honor of Massachusetts be it made kno^vn that his 
 jMajesty's Att* General at Halifax i in a late affair of Honor 
 has come off with flying colours, and that the Solicitor (rcn- 
 eral that worthy descendant of fair Hibernia- was obliged to 
 
 1 Sampson Salter Blowers, born ill Halifax. In 17^ ho was made a /)».»• v 
 
 Boston in March, 1742, graduated at •Jjul^jfa, and in V^Ot Chief Justice of . . -. 
 
 Harvard Collogo, 1703, and died at Nova Scotia. '^ ' ■^ / 
 
 Halifax, October 25, 1842, at the sx^e 2 Jj^bert John Uniacke was Soli- 
 
 of over 100 years. He was associated citor-Gencral from 178| to 1797. At '^'' 
 
 with John Adams and JosiahQiiincy the date of this letter, he was also 
 
 in the defense of the British soldiers Speaker of the Assembly, an olKco 
 
 tried in 1770 for their part in tho he held from 1789 to 179:1, and again 
 
 Boston massacre, Ho was inipris- from 1799 to 1805. He succeeded Mr. 
 
 oned as a Tory during the Revolu- Blowers as Attorney-General, 
 tion, but soon liberated and sent to 
 
T 
 
 1 T^* 
 
 •i 
 
 ij '( 
 
 \ 
 
 
 ■I' 
 
 I I 
 
 ;50 
 
 ("ORUESiPONDENCF, OF THOMAS nAHCliAY 
 
 miiko a lnniil»l(^ apology to him. The dispute was about a 
 Noyi'o Mau wlioiu Uuiiicke luul disniissi'd and Blowers took 
 into Servi(^e. On this occasion Uniacko said some rude thinj^s 
 — Bh>\vtTs dialh'nged — tlie (-hicf Justice interfered aiul 
 hound them hoth over in JCl ;")()(), notwitlistandin^' wliieh 
 lilowers wntte Uniaeke he was ready to break his li(»nds and 
 meet liim, — that Satisfaction ho would have sooner or Later. 
 This determined Conduct so t'ri<jhtened Uniaeke that he 
 l)egj,^ed pardon. 
 
 We are very gay here this Winter — Assemblies once a fort- 
 nij^ht and a Weekly C'lul). Annaj)olis is still the seat of Har- 
 mony and friendsliip, T wish I could add wealth. 
 
 I have written this in a small hand to comi)rehend all I had 
 to say on a sheet, (live my sincere love to your father, may 
 you and he enjoy many years of nninterrupted lieaMh and 
 happiness is the sincere wish of 
 
 your very affectionate 
 and faithful 
 
 Tho Barclay. 
 
 TO BllOOK WATSON & CO. 
 
 Ainiai)()lis, KJth Jnuuary, 1792. 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 Tn an accidental conversation I lately had with ni}' Bi-other 
 in Law Mr. Stephen l)e Lancey, I discovered that Col. Dundas 
 and Jeremy Pemberton Esquii'es the Commissi(mers appointed 
 to examine into the Losses &e &c of those Loyalists who m ere 
 resident in this and the other Provinces, had after examining- 
 me and heaiiug Witnesses on my claims, struck out a part by 
 mistake or misinformation to which I was most justly entitled 
 and for a loss exactly similar to which they allowed Mr. De 
 Lancey — The case is this — Mrs. Barclay (who was a daugh- 
 ter of the late Mr. Peter De Lancey) and her brother Mr. 
 Stephen De Lancey were with the other Children of Mr. Peter 
 De Lancey possessed of an Estate at the Wliitehall in the City 
 of New- York consisting of Dwelling Houses Store Houses and 
 Stables — In 177G that part of New York was burnt and it was 
 
 \ i 
 
 .iSil 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 37 
 
 t a 
 
 itltl'V. 
 
 [ llav- 
 
 . I liiul 
 V, way 
 th aiH^ 
 
 :CLAY. 
 
 ', 
 
 1792. 
 
 Brother 
 
 Duiulas 
 ippointed 
 >vho^vcre 
 
 •a part by 
 y entitled 
 lod Mr. I>« 
 
 a daugh- 
 •otUer Mr. 
 
 Mr. Peter 
 vu the City 
 loxises and 
 
 and it was 
 
 generally holiovod by the Americans, the ftre happening the 
 very night or night after l,he Kings Troops took possession of 
 that City ^ — I clearly proved Mrs. Barclay's title and the value 
 of the Property and should as you will see from enclosed Let- 
 ter have reC' a Compensation therefor, but for some misinfor- 
 mation given the Commissioners, or their not properly under- 
 standing the merits of the Claim — The expression used by the 
 Commissioners in their Letter (written by a pro tempore Sec- 
 retary of theirs) is " They find Major Barclay disposed of his 
 Ground right after the division of the Prop(>rty " — I have ever 
 lamented in investigating the Claims of the Loyalists the Com- 
 missioners had not devised a better mode to ascertain the jus- 
 tice of each Loyalists Claim than what they adopti^d. It is 
 true they first gave each of us a fair candid and impartial 
 hearing, but from this alone I am convinced their Judgements 
 were not made up, but that they from time to time procured 
 private information and that ex parte — This must have been 
 the case in the instance I now represent to you ; and I lament 
 the vjentlemen had not when they rec'' this information, com- 
 plained to one of the Crown officers and had me indited for 
 Perjury, for I should have been liable to the Pains thereof if 
 found to have sworn to demands I had no claim to — The re- 
 verse however would have been proved, I should liave rec'' my 
 compensation, their informer would have been treated with 
 proper contempt and perhaps such an instance would have 
 been an end to all future private information — The least the 
 Commissioners could have done on this occasion would have 
 been to have given me notice and told me unless I disproved 
 the information I should receive no compensation for that loss 
 — I take the Liberty to request you will endeavor to have my 
 aims reviewed by some mode or other as to 1 
 
 by 
 
 1 The fire broke out at one o'clock 
 on Saturday morning, September 21, 
 177G. It began near Whitehall Slip 
 and spread fast before a strong 
 southerly wind up the westerly side 
 of tlie town as far as the College 
 An account is given in 
 
 3* 
 
 grounds 
 
 or other as to this point — It is 
 
 Lamb's Hist, of N. Y., Vol. II, p. 
 135, where the original authorities 
 are fully referred to, and a ma^) is 
 given showing the extent of the 
 burned district. Cadwallader Col- 
 den, Mrs. Barclay's grandfather, 
 died the same day. 
 
^^ 
 
 lit 'i 
 
 A: 
 
 = I 
 
 \' 
 
 !M 
 
 ' 
 
 38 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 a matter that may easily bo seen from looking over my claims 
 in the reports from Halifax there the whoh^ will appear; and I 
 trust the Lords of the treasury will when once they find I have 
 by mistake been deprived of a sum the Commissioners in- 
 tended to report me; generously order me payment — In 1776 
 the property at White Ilall I claimed for was burnt; for you 
 are to observe I only claimed for the buildings not the Ground 
 — It was impossible to suj)pose I could conceive that could be 
 burnt — Now admitting I had sold the Ground after the fire, 
 does it follow from thence I was repaid for the Loss sustained 
 in the buildings, or could the selling of the Ground oust my 
 claim for compensation of the buildings — The fact however 
 is otherwise. I never disposed of the ground until the last of 
 the war. In 1780 or 1781 I do not recollect which Mr. John 
 De Lancey another Brother of Mrs. Barclays asked me to sell 
 him my Wife's share — I told him I did not know what it was 
 worth, but that he might take the Possession and give me 
 whatever he gave the other Brothers & Sisters — Nothing more 
 ever passed than this and altho he might in 1783 at the peace 
 have lent Mrs. Barclay some money on an expectation of a 
 purchase of her shai'e, it never was compleated until this last 
 Autumn — I now send you only a copy of the Secretaries Let- 
 ter in order that you may lay it before the Lords of the trea- 
 sury and if the original is necessary and my own and Mr. John 
 De Lanceys affidavit to prove when I disposed of the Ground 
 and how many years after the Loss was incurred — Let me 
 know and they shall be sent — I feel myself much hurt at this 
 part ' the Claim being rejected as it in some measure reflects 
 on racity and Candor; which except in this instance 
 
 jr been doubted — If it can bo ascertained the Commis- 
 .ers have been guilty of a palpable mistake, I trust the 
 treasury will ever be ready to rectify it — 
 
 'ff 'I 
 
 ^ 
 
i 
 
 EAULIF.U YEARS 
 
 :]0 
 
 lid I 
 lavo 
 4 in- 
 177G 
 
 •you 
 
 ound 
 ddbe 
 efire, 
 taincd 
 istmy 
 )wcvcr 
 last of 
 r, John 
 . to sell 
 t it was 
 rive me 
 ng more 
 be peace 
 ion oi a 
 
 this last 
 ti'ies Let- 
 
 the trea- 
 Mr. John 
 Ground 
 Let nie 
 
 ,rt at this 
 
 •e reflects 
 instance 
 
 , Conimis- 
 trust the 
 
 FROM JOFIN WATTS. 
 
 Now- York, 20 Aii{,m.st, 1792. 
 Dkar Sir : 
 
 I lately was favored with your Lc^tter of the 2im1. July last 
 and delayed answeriui; it till 1 could iulonn you Mmt tlu; sale 
 of your Jersey Land, wliieli was then I^eIulillJ,^ should be car- 
 ried fully into execution, tho' I had taken for ^'ranted that Mr. 
 ('I'eifjfhton to whom you had written in respect to that lousi- 
 ness would hnve made yon acquainted fi-oni tinu' to time of the 
 State of it. This land has been sold for £110. The numey 
 r(!c,'d l)y Mr. Crei^'hton & j)aid by him to Childs, who has exe- 
 (aited a Bond of Indemnity in the manner you desired. 
 
 The Corps you are now raising will not I presume make it 
 requisite for you to leave Home and in course you will derive 
 every advantage without much inconvenience. 
 
 The People in general of these States are much attached to 
 the (-aus(; of France, altho' the excesses committed there in the 
 prosecution are much lamented. However our Government as 
 well as the People in general arc for a strict Neutrality <!onsis- 
 tent with our existing Treaties. We have for a fortnight past 
 had a large f reneh fleet in our Harbour, in which many of the 
 unluippy peo])le from the Cape have come Passengers who are 
 in the most distres.sed Situation and nnist be provided for at 
 the Expejise of the Publick. The Crews of the fleet have con- 
 ducted themselves in the most peaceable manner towards the 
 Citizens.- 
 
 The Lots in th: ■ City have, as you mention, risen greatly in 
 Value, much beyond what I had any expectation of, I own no 
 ])roperty in the City except the House I live in.^ House 
 Rents & the expcnccs of Living in this City have for some 
 
 1 .lolm Wiitts liad, notwithstand- Congress. He died in 1830, aged 
 
 ing his close eonnection with the eiglity-seven. 
 
 chief Loyalists, maintained aneutral -Foranaeccucof the arrival of the 
 
 position during the lievohition. At French fleet bringing refugees from 
 
 the date of this letter he was Siieakcr Cape Francois (llayti) see McMas- 
 
 of the New- York Assembly. From ter'sHist.ofU.S.,Vol. II. pp. 123-125. 
 
 17!)3 to 179;") ho was a member of ■' No. 2 Broadway. 
 
 
< ■-»»a 
 
 ' I. 
 
 
 ::l : 
 
 i;' 
 
 : i 
 
 40 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 tini(> past 1)0011 constantly on the Riso and it is nnacconntalvlo 
 I[ow Pooplo atfoi'd to live in tlio niannor tlioy do. However so 
 it is, that we see no Diniinution of the Style of Living: and 
 hear of no Failures. 
 
 INfy family are all well, I have boon (but not with my <jood 
 will) in town the whole suininer which hitherto has ])een nn- 
 eonuMoiily hot. As I am not in Business It would not only he 
 Agreeable l)ut an object of a'conomy to me (v.hic^h you know is 
 material in a large family) to reside in the Country, which my 
 Avife does, about (» or Months in the year. 
 
 I have not heard from my l^rothor Stephen ^ for two years 
 past, but fre(jueiitly hear of him find that he is well. I am in 
 the bad Tral)it of not writing any one, unless Business makes 
 it recpiisite, in (!ourse our ('orrespoudence is very much Inter- 
 rupted. 
 
 I am etc. 
 
 John Watts. 
 
 TO IMU. FTNDLAYSON. 
 
 Annapolis 28 Aus' 17!»;{ 
 Sir 
 
 The Rev'' D"" Brown of Halifax has advised me to write 
 you on the subject of procuring from Scotland a (lentleman 
 as a private Tutor to my Children, and has been so good as to 
 promise to send this under Cover to you stating the (^jiiver- 
 satioii and describing what kind of Person I wish. — Con- 
 vinced thiit (cultivation of the human mind, is one of the first 
 Objects of your Wish, I trust you will not deem this trouble- 
 some or inip(n'tinent, altho' ii; comes from a person who nei- 
 
 1 Sti'pht^ii Watts was Miijor ill Sir or throe days after tlic battle by 
 
 Johu Joliiisou's lioyal Greens, a de- some Indian scouts, and earried to 
 
 taehnient of wliicli lie coininaiided the Biitisli eauip. lie subsequently 
 
 at the battle of <Jriskaiiy, where ho went to England, where he married 
 
 was desperately woundeil and left a Miss Nugent, and where the rest 
 
 for dead. He was found alive two of his life was spent. 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 i ■: 
 
 ! • 
 
 It 
 
 I'' L 
 
EARLIER YEARS 
 
 41 
 
 t 
 1 
 
 tliei' liiis or probably ever will have the jileasure of your 
 A('(inaintanee. — 
 
 In Nova Scotia wo have two public Seniiuarios, one at Hali- 
 fax tlie otlicr at Windsoi-, both of which are tolerably well fitted 
 with Professors and tutors. The Expense however of send 
 \n<r a number of ('hildreu to either of those places, exceeds 
 my limited Circumstanees; and in this Village we have not 
 even a decent School, wlicre the younger Cliildreu can receive 
 the principal of Edui^atiou — I have 10 Children, six of whom 
 are of Ages fit to receive Instruction, and the two eldest of 
 them tolerably advanced in Lattin, Geography, Aritlnnetic 
 &. &. and am au(!tious they should have their education 
 compleated under my own Roof, as being less expensive and 
 at tlie same time affording me a better opportunity of estal)- 
 lisliing their morals and improving their nuuniers — Dr. Brown 
 tliiidvs it very i)robaljle you may procure me a Gentleman 
 agreeable to ni}' wishes. — The utmost sum I can go to will 
 be thirty pounds Sterling per Annum with washing V)ord and 
 lodging in my family — The Knglish, Lattin and French 
 Language if ])ossiblc, I wisli my ('hildren to be well founch'd 
 in, together Avitli a good Mathematical, Geogi-a^'hical, Astro- 
 nomical ami Historical Education, If therefore you can pro- 
 vide for me a jx'rson duly (pudified to teach my Children as 
 above mentioned ; ami who is willing to come at the salary 
 mentioned you will do me a favor. — The (Jenf.leman must be at 
 the expense! of liis own j)assage, bnt as it may not be convenient 
 for hini to advance the money I now enclose you a draft on my 
 agent in London for £25 Sterling which you will have the 
 goodness to pay liim in advance if necessary — This however 
 you may add by way of inducement that in case Ihe Gentleman 
 remains four years with me, I Avill repay him his passage money. 
 — Dr. Brown thought it might be an additional inducenu^nt 
 to promise my interest in any Church or Professorship Pr(>- 
 motion — The (}entlenuin may at all times depend on my Lit- 
 tle Interest and every exertit)n in my powei" ifi his favor. I 
 should liowever be wanting in Candor if I did not at the same 
 time observe, I at pri'sent saw very little Prospect of eitlier in 
 this Province; — and to intreat him not to let any such prom- 
 
•WJ» 
 
 y:\ 
 
 I '•' 
 
 
 
 i|! 
 
 f !; 
 
 
 I 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 42 
 
 CORIIESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCIAY 
 
 ises bo tli6 propondoratiiif? weio-ht in his dt'termination to 
 come out. Ships bcloiiginj^ to the House of William Forsyth 
 & Co of Halifax Merchants sail every Spring and Autumn for 
 Halifax and New Brunswick from Glascow and Greenock, the 
 Gentleman had best take passage in one of them being cheaper 
 and more convenient than coming up to London for a con- 
 veyance and crossing to St. Johns New Brunswic will be pref- 
 erable to Halifax ; Annapolis being only twelve leagues water 
 carriage from St. Johns and Halifax a distance of a near one 
 hundred and forty Miles land Carriage and double that by 
 Avater — I shall only add that your good Of1i(^es in procuring a 
 Gentleman of Genius and Aljility agreeable to the above 
 description will grea<"'y oblige 
 
 Sir 
 Your very obedi it and 
 most humble Sci vant 
 
 Tho Barclay 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 r u 
 

 CHAPTER II 
 
 THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the definitive treaty of peace 
 between the United States and Great Britain 
 had declared that all past misunderstandings and dif- 
 ferences were forgotten, and that the intercourse be- 
 tween them was so establLlied as to secure perpetual 
 harmony and peace, scarcely ten years had elapsed be- 
 fore the two countries were again almost at war. Per- 
 haps the real cause of the bitterness of feeling lay 
 rather in the tremendous possibilities suggested by the 
 French Revolution than in the ostensible grounds of 
 controversy ; and yet these were numerous and serious 
 enough to furnish out a formidable quarrel. The Eng- 
 lish complained that the debts due them had not been 
 paid, and that confiscated estates had not been re- 
 stored; the Americans complained of the carrying 
 away of their negroes, of interference with their com- 
 merce, of the impressment of their seamen, and of the 
 failure to surrender Detroit, Buffalo, and Oswego and 
 other western posts; while the parties differed as to 
 the very starting-point for the boundary between their 
 respective possessions. With what we must now re- 
 gard as great moderation and good sense, the United 
 States agreed to a treaty which gave them but a part of 
 their demands, and left other questions to be settled 
 when their increasing strength should compel a more 
 
 13 
 
I I 
 
 i It 
 
 I 
 
 :f 
 
 f! 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 i\ 
 
 ; 
 
 ■ ii 
 
 
 ■« 
 
 
 f :. 
 
 
 '■■ 1 
 
 • 1 
 
 ' 
 
 li 
 
 44 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 attentive heaving. The general settlement of the ques- 
 tion of neutral rights and the impressment of seamen 
 was postponed. The disputes as to boundaries, British 
 debts, and illegal captures were submitted to arbitra- 
 tion. The western posts were given up. Temporary 
 regulations for commercial intercourse were adopted. 
 
 The treaty was concluded on November 19, 1794, and 
 was entitled a " Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navi- 
 gation " ; but it has been generally known as Jay's 
 Treaty, from the name of the American negotiator. It 
 met with extreme disfavor in the United States. Wash- 
 ington hesitated before submitting it to the Senate ; the 
 Senate ratified it only after long debate and with the 
 suppression of one of its articles ; and it was not until 
 October 28, 1795, that the ratifications were finally 
 exchanged. 
 
 The controversy as to boundaries, which was to be 
 partly settled under this treaty, was destined to last for 
 nearly a century, for it was not until 1873 that the line 
 between the British possessions and the United States 
 was at last adjusted in its full extent. Beginning at 
 the eastern end, the line was marked out from point 
 to point by a series of interesting compromises and 
 arbitrations; and with the earlier stages of this long 
 process of adjustment Thomas Barclay was intimately 
 concerned. 
 
 The only question with which Jay's Treaty dealt was 
 the starting-point of the line on the Atlantic coast. 
 The treaty of 1783 had attempted a precise definition of 
 the boundary. It was to begin at " the north west an- 
 gle of Nova Scotia, viz., that angle which is formed by 
 a line drawn due North from the source of the St. Croix 
 River to the Highlands"; and it was to run thence 
 "along the Highlands which divide those rivers that 
 
 I 
 
 :| 
 
 i 
 
 t 
 
 ■•I 
 
 :f 
 
 i 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 45 
 
 
 ■-•(■ 
 
 ,'.J 
 
 ■:li 
 
 It was 
 
 1 
 
 coast. 
 
 1 
 
 ion of 
 
 i 
 
 )st all- 
 
 1 
 
 ied by 
 
 1 
 
 Croix 
 
 M 
 
 whence 
 
 M 
 
 s that 
 
 "W 
 
 empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from 
 those wliich fall into the Atlantic Ocean." Tlie eastern 
 bonndary of the United States was to be a line " drawn 
 along the middle of the river St. Croix, from its month 
 ill the bay of Fundy to its Sonrce, and from its Source 
 directly North to tlie aforesaid highlands." And the 
 first point to be settled was : " what river was truly in- 
 tended under the name of the river St. Croix 1 " 
 
 On the western shore of the bay of Fundy, west of 
 the St. John's River, two cousideraljle streams fall in 
 from the north. The easternmost still bears the Indian 
 name of Magaguadavic, and it was this which the 
 Ameiican Government claimed as the true St. Croix. 
 The westei'iimost, known in i' ■ various parts as the 
 Schoodic and Chiputneticook, vvas the one on which 
 Great Britain insistc;); and the matter was further 
 complicated by the fact that this river branches out 
 into a tangle of smaller rivers and lakes, so that if this 
 was indeed the St. Croix it was no easy matter to fix 
 its source. The dilt'erence of opinion involved an ex- 
 tensive teriitory. The mouths of the two rivers are 
 some nine miles apart, while the northerly lines to be 
 run, according to the extreme pretensions of the two 
 parties, lay full fifty miles distant from each other. 
 The territory involved in this dispute covered six or 
 seven thousand square miles. 
 
 By the fifth article of Jay's Ti-eaty the question was 
 referred to the decision of three Commissioners — one to 
 be appointed by the King, one by the President, and 
 one by agreement between the two first named ; and in 
 case they were unable to agree the third Commissioner 
 was to be selected by lot. The Commissioners were to 
 make a written award, deciding which was the River St. 
 Croix intended by the treaty of 1783 and describing it 
 
■'■'^im 
 
 46 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP TIK^MAS BARCLAY 
 
 tliroiijT^liout, and ])articulMrly tixinj^ tlio latitudi! and 
 loiigitiido of its inoiitli and of its sonvce. TIk^ (commis- 
 sioners vvoi'o to meet at Halifax, and were euipowei'ed 
 to appoint a secretary and employ such snrveyoi's or 
 other persons as they should jud^e necessary. And 
 both the United States and Great Britain agreed "to 
 consider such decision as final and conclusive, so as 
 that the same shall never thereafter l)e called into 
 question, or made the subject of dis|)ute or differen<!e 
 between them." 
 
 Under this article of the ti'eaty, the Kinji; appointed 
 Thomas Barclay; GciK^'al Washini>-ton appointed David 
 Howell ; * and the two ajjjreed upon Eg'bert Benson - 
 as the third Commissioner. The C<mimission met 
 for the first time at Halifax on Aui2;ust 22, 179(1. A 
 unanimous agreement was finally reached, and the 
 award of the Commission was signed at Providence, 
 R. I., on October 25, 1798. 
 
 I 
 
 
 '^t 
 
 iV 
 
 t 
 
 ■k 
 
 FROM LORD GRENVILLE, 
 
 Sir 
 
 Downing Street, March, 17!)fi. 
 
 Herewith you will receive, a Commission aiuler the Great 
 Seal appointing you His Majesty's Commissioner for the pur- 
 
 1 David HowoU was boru in New 
 Jersey, January 1, 1747, and was 
 graduated at Princeton in 17G6. He 
 became Professor of Mathematies 
 and Natural History at Brown Uni- 
 versity in 1701), and subsequently 
 studied law and lectured upon it. 
 Ho was a member of Congress from 
 1782 to 1785, and Attorney-General 
 and Judge of the Supreme Court of 
 Rhode Island. He died in 1820. 
 
 - Egbert Benson was born in Nevv- 
 
 York, June 21, 1740, and was gradu- 
 ated from King's College in 170r). 
 H(> was tlio first Attorney-!^ eneral 
 of New-York, member of Congress 
 from 1784 to 1788, nnd afterward 
 Judge of t)i(^ IT. S. Circuit Court and 
 of the N. Y. Supreme Court. He 
 died in ISDIi. His faiher, as wo have 
 seen, was a lialf brother of Thomas 
 Barclay's mother; so that he and 
 Barclay were first cousins of the half 
 blood. 
 
 ' 1 
 

 1 
 
 and 
 
 
 luis- 
 
 
 ei-ed 
 
 '■-^ 
 
 [•s or 
 
 .J 
 
 And 
 
 ■A. 
 
 " to 
 
 
 ^0 as 
 into 
 
 1 
 
 rencc 
 
 
 tiutod 
 
 "^ 
 
 David 
 
 ;A 
 
 nsoii ■■ 
 
 I met 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 )(;. A 
 
 d the 
 
 deiu'o, 
 
 
 
 
 THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 47 
 
 17!K). 
 
 Great 
 le pur- 
 
 s gvailu- 
 iii 170;'). 
 -Oueral 
 Congress 
 
 :it't orwiird 
 Joiii't iuul 
 
 ourt. IIo 
 s wo have 
 Thomas 
 
 it ho and 
 
 of tlie hall' 
 
 pose specified in the ftftli arti<'le of the Treaty of Amity, Coni- 
 iiicrcc and Navigation (ioiicluded witli tlie United States of 
 America on the 19th of Noveniber 1794. 1 likewise transmit 
 yon His Majesty's Instructions for tlie regulation of your con- 
 duct in the situation in which you are to be employed. ^ 
 
 I am, etc., 
 
 Grenville. 
 
 TO LOUD (UJENVILLE. 
 
 New York, 2 :50th lAlay, 17UG. 
 My Lord 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of j'our Lord- 
 ships Dispatch of the Oth of March last with His INIajesty's 
 Commission under the great seal appointing me His Majestys 
 Commissioner for the purposes specified in the lifth article of 
 ttie Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation conchuled be- 
 tween His Majesty and the united states of Amei'ica on the 
 19"' of Nov'. 1791; and the Roval Instructions under His Ma- 
 jestys privy Seal for my guidan(;e and direction in the execu- 
 tion of the said Commission. 
 
 I intreat your Lordship to lay at His Majestys feet my most 
 luunble acknowledgements for this instance of his gracious 
 Favor, and beg I may be permitted to assure your Lordship 
 that I shall by a punctual and diligent attention to the duty 
 committed to me endeavor to merit this nuirk of His Majestys 
 Confidence. 
 
 Priv9.te Business has led me to this (^ity ; at which place I 
 received your Lordshi})s dispatch by the nuirch paccpiet on the 
 10"' of this Month, and conceiving an interview with M'. 
 Liston his Majestys Plenipotentiary residing in Philadelphia 
 necessary previous to my departure for Halifax, I immediately 
 took post for that purpose. M"^ Liston had nothing particular 
 
 1 Those instructions are purely tho joi'sons named in the act of at- 
 
 formal ; thoy boar date Mareli f), taindor ol' 1779, and who Iiad tliore- 
 
 179(5. liy been banisliod from tho State, 
 
 - By an act of tlio New-York Leg- wore perinittod to return and re- 
 
 islaturc, Chap. G8, Laws of 179-, all i-ido within it. 
 
 »!l 
 
f I 
 
 ■ '\ 
 
 Hi 
 
 ' ' 
 
 m 
 
 48 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS HARCLAY 
 
 to communicate: But M'. Bond has furnislicd me with a ('opy 
 of a Brief or Case which he assures me is mu(!}i relied on by 
 the American Ministers as conclusive in favor of the United 
 States in deciding the (juestion relative to the River St. ('roix: 
 ('opies of which M'. Liston tr.msmitted to yoni- Lordsliip while 
 I was in Philadelphia. If M'. Bonds information is correct the 
 possession of this case will be of material (Mmseciuence, for al- 
 thouj,'li it contains many stul)born facts, (at least stated as 
 such) still a knowledge of the defence intcnided to be set up 
 will enable me to provide ap])licable })roof to rebut the Claim. 
 On a perusal of the paper alluded to, if anything occnirs to 
 your Lordship, which you may deem of conseriuence I shall 
 esteem it a favor to be honored with your sentiments 
 thereon. 
 
 General Knox, the Commissioner originally appointed by 
 the President of the United States liaviiig declined acting, 
 another has been named, Avhose assent had not arrived when 
 I was in Philadelphia. The American Secretary of State has 
 been notified of my being Commissioned on the part of Great 
 Britain and M''. Liston will forward me the earliest informa- 
 tion of tlie American Commissioners appointment and ac- 
 ceptance. 
 
 I shall repair without loss of time to Halifax and there wait 
 the arrival of the American Commissioner, collecting in the 
 mean time every document and information that may be use- 
 ful in deciding the question his Majesty has been pleased 
 to commit to my Charge. 
 
 FROM ME. PICKERING TO MR. LISTON. 
 
 Department of State, May 27th, 1796. 
 Sir, 
 
 I had the honour to suggest to you, in conversation, that it 
 was desirable that Mr. Barclay and Mr. Howell should see 
 each other })efore the departure of the former for Halifax. 
 Mr. Howell's commission will be transmitted to him by to- 
 morrow's post ; and I entertain no doubt of his accepting it. 
 
THE TRUR RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 49 
 
 I Copy 
 on by 
 Jnited 
 Croix: 
 "> while 
 ec't tlic 
 for al- 
 \i('d as 
 sot up 
 Claim, 
 curs t<^ 
 I shall 
 timents 
 
 nted by 
 act inn;, 
 m\ when 
 tate has 
 )f Great 
 mforraa- 
 and ae- 
 
 lere wait 
 ^ in the 
 V he use- 
 pleased 
 
 Altlioujxli the Article of the Treaty relative to the River St. 
 Croix (the object of their aiipointnient) indicates that the first 
 nieetinf? to (^ointnenco the cixecution of their Commissions 
 should be at Halifax; yet this is not indispensable; and, as 
 Mr. Hartilay is at New York, a previous meetinjT between him 
 & Mr. Howell will be easy, and certainly useful. Perhaps 
 they maj' ajjree on the third (Commissioner: or if not, they 
 can chuse one as the Treaty directs. Should they at the pro- 
 posed meeting hit on the tliird Commissioner, then the whole 
 Commission may aj)point a Secretary, and Surveyors, and de- 
 termine on the otlier persons whom it will be necessary to 
 employ. Kven if the third Commissioner should not be thus 
 chosen, it would seem expedient for Mr. Barclay and Mr. 
 Howell to ai^ree on a lit person for the Secretary ; but espe- 
 cially, and what is of the most nniterial consequence, on a ninn 
 of Science to as(^ertain with precision the latitudes and longi- 
 tudes of the mouth & the source^ of St. Croix ; and whojn, 
 with his astronomical apparatus, it may be most convenient 
 to take from the United States. 
 
 You will be so obliging as to intimate these ideas to Mr. 
 Barclay, as I will to Mr. Howell. 
 
 I have, etc., 
 
 Timothy Pickering. 
 
 TO MK. LISTON. 
 
 1, 1796. 
 
 n, that it 
 luld see 
 Halifax. 
 
 m by to- 
 'pting it. 
 
 $ 
 
 New York, 7"' June 1796. 
 Sir: 
 
 I am honored with your dispatch of the S** Instant, inclos- 
 ing a copy of a letter from the Amei-ican Secretary of State, 
 proposing an interview between M""- Howell the American 
 Commissioner and myself previous to my departure for 
 Halifax. 
 
 It is probable you will recollect when I had the pleasure of 
 seeing you in Philadelphia, I expressed my wishes to that 
 effect and requested you to give me the earliest notice of the 
 ai)pointment that I might communicate to the American Com- 
 
/^. 
 
 lit! 
 
 50 
 
 (^ORRRSPONDENCK OF THOMAS BARnLAY 
 
 ■:fl' 
 
 
 
 V, I 
 
 missioncr my boin}; nt prcsoiil, in tliis City, ntid nfjreo on some 
 place for a meeting' Ix'foro my I'clnrn, concoivinj^ it niijjclit ox- 
 pcdiie tlu' comjtlotion of the ol)je(^t comiiiittcd to onr deti^"- 
 mination and in the hopt; that I ini^lit have tlie ph-asjiro of 
 his Company to Halifax. T shall thiuvfore the r,i >in(!nt I am 
 mad(^ ac([uainted l)y you of M' Howell's aeceptation of the a])- 
 pointnient, write him r<'spectin<; my return to Nova> S<M)tia 
 and prott'or him an interview either here or at Rhode Island 
 which ever to him may ))e most agreeable. 
 
 WJiatever my own sentiments nuiy be i'es[)ectinf; the con- 
 struction of that ])art of the fiftii Article of the treaty which 
 dii-ects Commissioners therein nnnicd to meet at Halifax; I 
 find myself so limited ]>y the Instructions fi'om his Majesty, 
 that I cannot officially proceed on the Commission, liefore I 
 meet the American (Commissioner at the [ilace agreed on in 
 the fifth Article of the Treaty. Indeed it would be impro])er 
 for many reasons. The interview therefore that I sliall pro- 
 pose to Mr. Howell, will be < f a private nature; in whi(!h we 
 will freely communicate, anr. in all pro])ability chalk the out- 
 lines of our future proceedi'igs, and come to some determiim- 
 tion respecting the nonuuation of a third Commissioner, Sec- 
 retary, Surveyoi's &c. &c. 
 
 TO MR, HAMMOND.' 
 
 Annapolis, Nova Scotia 12 July 1796. 
 
 {Vrivaie.) 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I wrote you from Philadelphia on the 25th and from New 
 York on the 30tli of May acknowledging the receipt of your 
 very friendly letter of the Gth of March and requesting your 
 acceptance of my warmest acknowledgment for recommend- 
 ing me to his Majesty and Lord Grenville for the appointment 
 
 1 George Hammond — at this time secretary during the nep,otiations in 
 Under-Secretary of State for For- Paris, and British Minister to the 
 eign Affairs. He had been Hartley's U. S. from 1791 to 17!)r). 
 
 I 
 
 J 
 
THE TRUE HIVKR ST. t'ROIX 
 
 51 
 
 Now 
 
 yoiir 
 
 your 
 
 imend- 
 
 itment 
 
 btious in 
 to tlie 
 
 wherewith tlinuif^li your tViciulship T liave been honored. In 
 di.scliarf<'e of the trust rejio.sed in me in aiUlition to every othei" 
 consideration, I shall endeavor to merit your approbation and 
 to afford you the pleasing satisfaction that your good offices 
 have not been improperly exerted in niy favor. 
 
 A D lav has been occasioned on the i)art of the Americans 
 by (xciieral Knox who was originally named by the President 
 as the C(jmmissionei- on the part of the united states de(;lining 
 to accept the office. I am told he assigned many forcible rea- 
 sons, among which was his being interested in the (piestiou. 
 In consequence of his declining to serve Mr. Howel of the 
 State of Rlutde Island was ajjpointed, and it was not until the 
 I6th of .lune that 1 was informed through JNIr. Liston of his 
 acceptance. It was Mr. Listons wish ms well as the American 
 Secretary of State that Mr. Howell and myself should have an 
 interview previous to my return to Nova Scotia. This 1 read- 
 ily assented to, and accordingly met him at Bo.ston on the 27th 
 of June. At that meeting several persons were named as 
 a third I'ommissioner. Mr. Howell alleged ignorance of the 
 Characters of the Gentlemen I proposed. Amongst those he 
 named there were three either of whom I told him I would 
 agree to nominate, Judge Benson of New York who I fancy 
 you recollect when lie wus a member of Congress — a M' Mil- 
 ledge of this province, and M' Antil of Lower Canada. M' 
 Howell liowever declined the nomination, until he had con- 
 sulted the American Ministers. He also informed me as his 
 appointment was unexpected, he wt)uld not be prepared to 
 meet me in Halifax before the 15"^ of August. I really fear 
 from what I discovered at the interview we sliall be compelled 
 to leave the api)ointment of a third Commissioner to the acci- 
 dental determination of a draft. We have therefore agreed to 
 name three able and respectable Characters on each side out 
 of which the (Apposing party respectively is to strike the names 
 of two from each list and the two remaining names to be put 
 into a box and one drawn oiit for the +hird (Jonmussiouer. I 
 conceived this the least exceptionable mode in the event of our 
 not mutuall}' agreeing on a ('ommissioner. 
 
 I am apt to think there will be a necessity of procuring some 
 
-1_J 
 
 62 
 
 CORHFOSI'ONDKNCE OP THOMAS BAROLAY 
 
 documonts from Ktif^liiiid. T shall not 1k)Wov(M' trouble his 
 Majestys iMinistcrs until I find tlioni al).s<)luti'ly n('(res.sary and 
 that they cannot ho. procured on this side of the Atlantic. 
 M'- Chipnian the Solicitor (Icneral of the province of New 
 Brunswick I am informed is appointed A^ent on the part of 
 Great Britain.' I have written him to come to me, and expect 
 his arrival hourly. After we have consulted, we shall b(^ able 
 to know what proofs are wanting- to substantiate our claims. 
 Accept my best wishes for the health and happiness of your- 
 self and M" Hammond and family. 
 
 FROM MR. BOND.- 
 
 Fhiladelpliia 27 July, 1796. 
 
 {Pt'ivafe ami confident ial.) 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I repaired to New York, as T told You I should, previously 
 to the Departure of the l*a(!ket, of this Month, and was not a 
 little disappointed to find You had set out for Boston, a con- 
 siderable Time sooner than You expected. 
 
 It will occur to You, at once, upon examining the Documents 
 produced, on the Part of the United States, that, in the Exe- 
 cution of Your Duty in ascertaining the true River St. Croix, 
 you will have very little Difficulty. It is only necessary to 
 recur to the Extract I gave You, from the Act of Parliam! and 
 to compare it with the Notes of our Historiographer, to be 
 satisfied that there is not the least Ground to suppose, the 
 Pretensions of the United States are founded in Justice. 
 
 1 Ward Chipniiui was a native of 
 Massachusetts, and graduated at 
 Harvard in 1770. He left Boston 
 with the King's troops in 177G, went 
 to England, and returned to Amer- 
 ica about 1778, when he served in 
 various military capacities, and 
 doubtless formed Barclay's ac- 
 
 quaintance. At tlie peace he re- 
 moved to Nova Scotia. He subso- 
 (juently filled important ofltices in 
 New Brunswick, aud becaine chief 
 justice and president of that colony. 
 He died at Predericton in 18124. 
 
 '^ Phineas Bond, British Consul- 
 General for the Southern States. 
 
 I 
 
 ':t: 
 
 jj-jji 
 
THE TRFF, KIVER ST. CHOIX 
 
 53 
 
 i' and 
 to be 
 the 
 
 I have convinced tlie (Tonth'inaii who fnniishod me with the 
 niatpriiil Paper, of which You are in Possession, that so far 
 from impeaching? our aneiont Hounchiry, all that lie has col- 
 lected, serves manifestly to (H)ntirm it. 
 
 It seems the Objei^tion, first, originated in a Suggestion 
 made by (lov'- Sullivan,' that the true River St. (-roix was 
 much to the Eastward of the River, which had l)een consid- 
 ered as the Boundary of the United States. In order to es- 
 tablish this Idea, the learn«Ml (icntleman, in a Book, lie has 
 lately publisluMl, has prepared a Map in which He has given a 
 new & unheard of Name to the real River St. Croix, & has 
 called a little Inlet, on the East Side of Passamaquaddi Bay, 
 St. Croix River. 
 
 The Fallacy of all this is, easily, detected, by examining all 
 the ancient Maps, which designate the Situation of St. ('roix 
 River, to be on the Wpsf side of Passiniaciuaddi, (whicdi Situ- 
 ation the Act of Parliament, which establi.shed the Bounda- 
 ries between the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay, and Nova 
 Scotia, expressly recognizes.) whereas (tov'" S., to favor his 
 Purpose, has placed the River St. Croix on the East side of 
 that Bay. This, of itself, ap[)ears to me to ))e conclusive. I 
 have not been able to get his Book here. I saw it for a IMo- 
 ment, and think it is called the History of the Province of 
 IMaine. It was publislied last Year; — I think You ought to 
 have it, and shall direct the King's Consul, at Boston, to pro- 
 cure it, and send it on to you, by the Gentleman, who conveys 
 this Letter to You. 
 
 I have some Reason to beli(^ve that the Government of the 
 United States begins to be convinced there is no Meaning in 
 the Claim it has instituted, & does not intend to urge it, very 
 violently. 
 
 Our Historiographer, is a little anxious about his Notes ; — I 
 
 1 Jameti Sullivan, then Attorney- 
 General of Atassachusetts. Tho book 
 referri'il to is Sullivan's History of 
 
 ;.'ou8ul- 
 
 the District of Maine, published in 
 1795. Bond's error in referring to 
 Siillivan as "Governor" was pro- 
 
 4A 
 
 phetic, as he was elected to that 
 office in Massachusetts in 1807. As 
 to Sullivan's share in this business, 
 see Chap, xiv of Amory's Life of 
 Sullivan. 
 

 J — L 
 
 54 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 have assured him tliat tliey can, in no [xissible F]vont, ever he 
 brought to Light ; and tliat they are only to serve, to furnish 
 References to those Documents He has compih'd, wliich so ir- 
 refragably, decide the Justice of our J'retensions. 
 
 I have a Chance of collectin«jf s(»nie other Information, very 
 shortly, of which I shall apprize You by the first ^dfe ('on- 
 veyance. 
 
 I shall be happy to liear you have received this Letter. 
 
 Mr. Liston is not returned from the Southward, — I write 
 
 in Haste. I am, &e. 
 
 P. Bond. 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 f 
 
 i;ii 
 
 FROM MR. BOND. 
 
 Philiulelphia, 18 All-'., 1700. 
 
 {Priraff & Confidential.) 
 
 My dear Sir: 
 
 Inclosed I send You duplicate of my Letter of the 27th Ult: 
 — tho' I, sincerely, hope the original may have, long since, 
 reached You; as, with it, you would probably have received 
 Judge Sullivan's famous History of the I)istri(^t of Maine 
 which I re(pu'sted tlu; King's Consul at Boston to forward to 
 You, by the Gentleman to whom I committed the Care of that 
 Letter. 
 
 From the Suggestions of this Author, as I have told You, 
 all this Difficulty respecting the true Kivei- St. Croix has 
 arisen. In tlie Ma}) He has prefixed to this Notal)lc Work, 
 He has, not only, changed the Position of the River — but it's 
 name; — giving to the true river St. Croix, situate on the WchI 
 side of Passimaquaddy Bay, the Name of Sclioodic River, and 
 to a little Inlet, on the East side of tho Bay, the Name of St. 
 Croix River. 
 
 As the Author has been nominated by this Government 
 Agent of the United States in the pending Negotiation, to as- 
 certain the true River St. Croix, He will, independently of inter- 
 ested Motives, which may, perchancie, have warped his geo- 
 grr«pliical Judgment, be now influenced by Pride, & a nice 
 
 >v? 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 fjfj 
 
 Yon, 
 
 : lias 
 
 Work, 
 
 )ut it's 
 
 Wrsf 
 
 er, and 
 
 ol' St. 
 
 •nnient 
 to as- 
 ' inter- 
 is geo- 
 a nice 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 
 Sense ot literary Honor, in uiaintainin^- his visionary Posi- 
 tions: Bnt there seems to he no (*hanee of his sueeeeding, 
 sinee, ex(;lnsively of other Means of l^'efntation, with which 
 You will be fnrnished, I take it for granted, an actual Survey 
 of th(^ spot, nmst fix the River we contend for, as the true 
 River St. Croix, namely, that River, which empties itself on 
 the Wt'sf Side of PassiiiuKjuaddy Bay: — The original De- 
 scription of the Island, & River St. Croix, seem to l)e so ac- 
 em-ately defiiu'd, as to leave lu ^*arti(;le of Doubt upon the 
 Subject. After various Delays cv jJisappointments, 1 am, at 
 Length, in Train of obtaining, shortly, a very accurate Detail 
 of every historical Fact, which can serve Us, upon this occa- 
 sion ; which is also extended to a Refutation of all Judge Sul- 
 livan's material Positions. 
 
 The Purpose of my troubling You, now, is, to intimate to 
 You, that unless You shall see Your Way, perfectly clear, in 
 ascertaining the grand object, which so nuuih aifects the In- 
 terests, as well as the Credit of His Majesty's Government, it 
 will be expedient to suspend Conelusion xipon the Point, until 
 You shall be in Possession of such Doeuments, as will, speed- 
 ily, be completed here : For this purpose, it will be advisable, 
 previously to your leaving Halifax, (if that should happen this 
 Autumn) in oi'der to explore the geograj)hieal Situation of the 
 two Rivers, to tix some mode l)y which a safe Correspondence 
 can be maintained with You, from hence, which appears tome 
 to be most practicable thro' the Medium of the King's Consul, 
 at Boston, with whom You will be pleased to make; the proper 
 Arrangements, seasonably : — As far, however, as I can calcu- 
 late, at present. You may count upon having the expected De- 
 tail, forwarded to you, at Halifax, by the first Mail: — any 
 other Mode of Conveyance might be hazardous. 
 
 In convei'sing with the Gentleman, n'ho prepared the nuite- 
 rial Paper I delivered to You, I soon found He had gone upon 
 a mistaken Idea that we nit^ant to carry the Western Boun- 
 dary of Nova Scotia, as far as Kennibeck River, according to 
 the former l^retensions and Claims of the French upon Aca- 
 dia — who in Virtue of Sir \V"' Alexandei-'s Grant of the Prov- 
 ince of Nova Scotia, endeavor'd to engross not only the Prov- 
 

 ■\?' 
 
 I ! ' 
 
 56 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ince of Nova Scotia, but also that portion of the Plimouth 
 (jrraut, which was allotted to Him, as an Individual Member of 
 the Company, which Portion it so happened, was bounded on 
 the East^ by the St. Croix River; — His observations, there- 
 fore, tended to defeat this Westerly Extension of the Boun- 
 dary of Nova Scotia by showing that Portion of the Plimouth 
 Company Grant assigned to S', W" Alexander, and bounded 
 on the East by St. Croix River, was, as well by the Terms of 
 the original Grant, as from prescriptive Recognition, within 
 the Province of Massachusetts Bay. I am «&c. 
 
 P. Bond. 
 
 FROM ME. bond. 
 
 Philadolpliia 29 Aug' 1786. 
 
 {Private and Confidential.) 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I write to You by a Conveyance, upon which I place but lit- 
 tle Reliance — & therefore I shall say hut tittle. Since I wrote 
 to You on the 18th curr'- I have procured the material Paper, 
 I contemplated, & in my Opinion it clearly establishes all we 
 contend for; so that if the Commissioner, on the Part of the 
 United States should not accede to our Claim, in it's fxill Ex- 
 tent, You will find ample Means to establish it : In that Case 
 an actual Survey seems indispensable, which, however it may 
 be attended with some Fatigue, will, in the result of it, most 
 amply repay all our Labours. By the next mail You are to ex- 
 pect all the Communications, You are to look for from hence. 
 
 I am &e. P. Bond. 
 
 1 1 
 
 • 
 
 ;M 
 
 to lord grenville. 
 
 Halifax 30 Aug' 1790. 
 My Lord — 
 
 I have the honiu" to inform your Lordship that on Monday 
 the 22nd Instant I met at this place David Howell Esq' the 
 
 I 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 57 
 
 niday 
 the 
 
 Commissioner appoiut«Hl on the part of the united States of 
 America to settle tho boundary between tlie united JStates and 
 His Majestys Province of New Brunswic under the flftli arti- 
 cle of the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navij:;ation between 
 His Majesty and the united States of America and that upon 
 perusinj;^ his Commission I find it dittV^rs from His Majestys 
 ( 'ommission to me as your Lordship will see by a copy of it 
 which I have the Honor to inclose. In the Commission to Mr. 
 Howell the President of the united States expresses himself in 
 these words "and thereupon with the other Commissioners 
 duly sworn to proceed to decide the said question and exactly 
 perform all the duties conjoined and necessary to be done to 
 carry the said fifth Article into compleat execution"; while 
 in His Majestys commission to me it is declared, "We will 
 give and cause to be given full force and effect to siu^h final 
 decision in the premisses as by our said Commissioner together 
 with the other two Commissioners above mentioned or the 
 Major part of the said three Commissioners shall duly be nuide 
 according to the Provisions of the said Treaty." — Upon dis- 
 covering this variance I communicated with Mr. Howell and 
 requested he would report to the President of the united States 
 the construction given to the fifth Article of the Treaty in my 
 Commission from His Majesty and that his Commission might 
 be so amended as to comport with mine. — He observed that 
 his Commission was framed in the words of the fifth Article 
 and that he did not feel himself at liberty to suggest an altei-- 
 ation to the President, neither did he think the president would 
 make any ; he at the same time assured me he believed it the 
 intention of the contracting powers that a declaration under 
 the hands and Seals of a Majority of the Commissioners should 
 be final and conclusive, that this was not his opinion alone, but 
 of every man in office in the united States with whom he had 
 conversed on the subject.' After this declaration and from a 
 1 Notwitlistaiuling Mr. Howell's 179G, Mr. Lee wrote that the declHiou 
 
 
 emphatic assertiou, it was a fact 
 that the Attorney-lTeueral of the 
 United States entertained the oppo- 
 site opinion. Under date of July 23, 
 
 could nut be nnido by a majority of 
 the Commissioners. See Opinions of 
 Atty.-Geus., Vol. I, p. G6. 
 
f^^ 
 
 li- ! 
 
 58 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOiAIAS BARCLAY 
 
 1 
 
 'I ' 
 
 ffiflii 
 
 WW 
 
 conviction tliat the very words of the Artich^ strongly favor 
 such a construction, 1 havt; determined to proce(id on the sub- 
 ject referred to our determination. If the intention of the 
 contracting' parties liad been tluit tlie wlioh; of tlie Commis- 
 sioners should agTce in order to make the dechiration valid 
 and inndiny", they would have named two or four ('onimissi(m- 
 ers, indeed the very naming of a third (-ommissioner imports 
 that the acts of two shall prevail where the three are not 
 agreed. Should your Lordship differ in Sentiment with me 
 my commission may be restri(;ted, as Mr. Howell has agreed 
 not to require a copy until the declaration is engrossed and 
 ready to l)e executed. He has written to the Americaii Secre- 
 tary of State for a certified Copy of His Commission which 
 shall be forwarded to your Lordship the first Pacquet after 1 
 receive it. 
 
 The American Commissioner and myself after several Com- 
 munications have this day agreed in the choice of Egbert Ben- 
 son of the City of New York Escf as the third Commissioner 
 — A (lentleman of Ability, Candor and Integrity and in whose 
 inqtartlidity I have the utmost coirfidence. His appointment 
 will be forwarded to him by a conveyance which sails to-mor- 
 row. The Agents on the part of Great Britain and the united 
 States that no time may be lost will proceed immediately to 
 Pasamaqmuldy to effect accurate Surveys of the two Rivers in 
 dispute the Scoodiac and the Magaguadavic. 
 
 I have industriously exerted myself since I had the honor of 
 receiving his Majestys Commission in procuring for the Con- 
 sideration of Mr. Chipman his Majestys Agent such papers 
 proofs and documents as could throw light upon tlie subject 
 in controvei'sy, but I find his zeal and industry in the fulfill- 
 ment of the duties of his appointment, and his thorough 
 knowledge of the subject will relieve me from every appre- 
 hension that anything will be omitted in procuring or arrang- 
 ing the evidence in support of tlu; Claim of the British (tov- 
 ernment which can in any degree tend to elucidate their just- 
 ness or force — I uiulerstand fi'om him that he has expressed 
 to Governor Carleton his wish to be furnished with Champ- 
 lains Voyages, Purchases Pilgrim or Collection of Voyages, and 
 
 Bl ; 
 
THE TKUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 59 
 
 i 
 
 V 
 
 L'Escarbot as in tliom or some of them is contained a. particn- 
 lar desci'iption of the Isle of St. ('roix resorted to and named 
 liy the Sienr de M(mts in 1(504 from whence the river in ques- 
 tion took its name and whitOi island Mr. Chipman is conlident 
 from tlie description of it in some extracts from L'Escarliot 
 with which it has fortunately been in my power to furnish 
 him, he has discovered upon viewing the place to be actually 
 situated at or near the mouth of the River which is claimed on 
 tlie part of His Majesty to l)o tlu; Jliver St. (-roix truly in- 
 teuded l)y the treaty of Peace.^ lie iuforms me he has also 
 requested to be furnished with Copies of the Acts of Parlia- 
 ment of Scotland the records of which are kept in the Castle 
 of Edin])ur<i:h by which the two Provinces of Alexandria and 
 Caledonia into wliicli the Country of Nova Scotia j^ranted to 
 Sir William Alexander are established and coniirmed, as he 
 conceives it prol)a,blo that in those Acts the River St. Croix may 
 be ascertained by a more particular description thau the (li-ant 
 to Sir William Alexander contains — As a hearing' of the 
 Agents upou the ([uestion will be deferred until tht^ Surveys 
 are compleated of the Rivers claimed as the boundary on the 
 part of tlie respective (lovernmeuts there will be time without 
 creating any additional delay, to cause him to be furnislied 
 with these Documents, and I have taken the liberty to men- 
 
 rough 
 
 
 appre- 
 
 
 rrang- 
 
 ^ 
 
 1 Uov- 
 
 ' '' '"■ 
 
 V just- 
 ressed 
 hamp- 
 
 es, and 
 
 /| 
 
 
 J| 
 
 1 " Qnittant la riviere Siiinet lean, 
 ils viiidi'tMit sniviiiit lii- cote a viii^t 
 lieui's dc la cii viie graiidc riviere 
 (((ui est propv(>inoiit iner) on ils so 
 eaniiiei'eii) en viie petite ile size mm 
 milieu (le eette riviere, rpie ledit 
 sieur Chanijtlein avoit estd reeonoi- 
 tre. Et la voyant forte do nature et 
 de i'aeile gii''->. joint que la saison 
 coninien9oit ,o se passer, et partant 
 falloit penser do se loger sans plus 
 courir, ils resolurent de s'y iirreler. 
 . . . Et d'autant qu'a deux lieuos 
 nu dessus il y a des ruisseaiix (pii 
 vienuent eotntne on Croix se deehar- 
 ger duns co large bras de mer, cette 
 
 ile de la retraite des Fr!UH;ois t'ut 
 iippelee JSainctk-Ckoix, v vingt- 
 cinq lieues plus loin que '.o Port- 
 Koyal. . . . Ladile ilea environ 
 di'uiic lieue do (our, et an bout du 
 cote do la nier il y a vn tertre et 
 eoninie vn ilot sejKUV', oii estoit 
 place le canon dudit sieur de Monts, 
 et la aussi est la petite ehappelle 
 batie a la Wauvage. Au pied <rieelle 
 il y a des monies tant que e'est nior- 
 veilles, les()uclles oupeutamasserde 
 basse mer, inais olios sont petites." 
 Lesearbot, Histoire de la Novvelle 
 France, Li v. IV, Chaps, iii and v. 
 

 J L 
 
 M' 
 
 I 
 
 > ' i 
 
 (' 
 
 \ > 
 
 I ,1 
 
 I 
 
 1 1 1l! 
 
 60 
 
 CORRESPONDKNOR OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 tion it for your Lordsliips Considoration lest (xovornor Carle- 
 tons hotter should not ])e forwarded in season to go by this 
 Conveyance. 
 
 FROM MR. BOND. 
 
 Philadelphia 6 Sept'. ITOfi. 
 
 ' {Prirafe cfe Conjideufial.) 
 Mv DEAR Sir, 
 
 Inclosed I heg leave to forward to You, Duplicate of my 
 Letter of the 29th Ult ; sent by a Cartel Ship, & written at the 
 Monunit of her Departure. Having now a much safer (^on- 
 vevfincc by the Packet, I can with more Propriety, enlarge 
 upon the Nature of the other material Paper I have [)rocured, 
 of which Mr. Liston has been in Possession some days. It is 
 rather a tedious Compilation, but it, undoubtedly, discovers a 
 very extensive Knowdedge of Historical Facts, applied to the 
 Subject, (*on firming, hj ii vast variety of Documents & Obser- 
 vations, the Location of the River St. Croix — and clearly re- 
 fnting all that has been said, iipon the Point, by a certain Au- 
 thor, who is raised to the High Station of Ag(mt for the United 
 States, in the pending Negotiation. 
 
 Judging from the vague & fallacious Positions which this 
 Author, under the l<](Vcct of rooted Prejudice, or of Interest, 
 has thought fit to advance, we have little to exj)ect from the 
 Candor of the Man, in executing the Duty assigned to Him, 
 It is not perhaps too much to impute the Dispute as to the 
 true River St. Croix, to the Author of the History of the Dis- 
 trict of Maine, encouraged In Persons, who have sinistei' 
 views to gratify, by extending, the i]astern Boundary of the 
 United States bej'ond the river St. Croix, which Great Britain 
 has uniformly considered, as the Western Boundary of the 
 Province of Nova Scotia ; and whose Features are so well des- 
 ignated in ancient History, (without resorting to the Acquies- 
 cence of the Inha])itants of the Vicinity,) as not to admit of a 
 Doubt on this Point, at this late Day. 
 
 I 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 Gl 
 
 My })est wislies always attend You — may Sucees.s and lic])- 
 utation I'csult from Your present Efforts 
 
 I am &c. P. Bond. 
 
 his 
 erost, 
 
 the 
 llim, 
 
 tht 
 
 Dis- 
 aster 
 f the 
 •itain 
 t' the 
 
 des- 
 uies- 
 
 of a 
 
 -'1 
 
 ^1 
 
 ■ + 
 
 
 TO MR. TURNER.' 
 
 Annapolis 18tli October 179G. 
 My dear Sir — 
 
 An application having- been nnide to me hy Mr Schuyler 
 Livingston for my assent to liis l)eiiii^ married to my danj^li- 
 ter, who liad foi' several years resided with luir Aunt at New 
 York for the purpose of completing her edneation — 1 ch'ter- 
 miued notwithstanding my friends had assured me the con- 
 nection was advantageous and every way agrc^eable, to go and 
 judge for myself, previous to giving my consent.- 
 
 As soon therefore as tlie Governor had adjourned the lioiise 
 of Assemblj'^ (about the middle of Ain-il last) I embarked for 
 the States, on board the Eai-l of Moira, witli wliieh Sir John^ 
 had politely accommodated me and arriving at Jioston in four 
 days, went from thence to New York by hand. — Having on 
 particular encpiiry ascertained the connection requested to be 
 every way eligible, I consented to the Union, and on the 17th 
 of June in ordi^r that I might be present, the marriage of my 
 daughter and M"^ Livingston was solemnized at her Aunts 
 Seat about IG Miles from New York — Ten days after this I 
 set out on my retui'u for Nova Scotia and got liome about the 
 5 of July. — As soon as Mess" I'^'ouman and (Irassie heard of 
 my arrival they forwarded me your favoi- of the 21 of March 
 last, inclosed with a |)ac(|uet from M' Watson & another from 
 the house — My time has been ev(ir since so totally occu- 
 
 1 John Turner was a partner in Seliuylcr Livinf^ston's niotlicr was 
 
 the house of Brook Watson & do. Cornelia Seliuyh-r. The wedding 
 
 -Schuyler Livingston was born took idaee at liio house of Mrs, Cox, 
 
 September 'J4, 1772. He was the who was An? t De Tjaneey, Mrs. 
 
 son of Walter Livingston, who was Barclay's sister, 
 the son of Robert Livingston, •' Sir John Wentworth, Governor 
 
 the third proprietor of the manor, of Nova Scotia. 
 
62 
 
 (JORKESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BAKCLAY 
 
 u 
 
 i 
 
 Mi 
 
 1^ 
 
 pied in and about the executiou of the Coiiimission wherewith 
 His Majesty has been pleased to Honor me, that I have not 
 really liad a leisure moment to attend to my i)rivate eoucerns. 
 — I am now but just ri^turned from S' Andrews Passanui- 
 quar.y where the Commissioners have hold their first meeting 
 on t.)e question referred to them, it a{)))eared the most jjrojjer 
 place, l)ein|;' part of the territory in dispute and contij-uous to 
 the two I'ivers respectively contended for as the true S' 
 C-roix 
 
 The judicial capacity in which I am to act renders it im- 
 proper for me to discmss the subject, or express my Senti- 
 ments in any manner relating- to tlu^ dispute, except in the 
 picsence of my brother Connnissioners and olli(nally — Indeed 
 if these Objections were removed, the length of the case in 
 order to give you a just idea of the controversy would too far 
 exceed the limits of a letter to admit of it — After a Weeks 
 communication at Halifax in August last, the American Com- 
 missioner and myself agreed in the ('hoice of F*]gbert Benson 
 of the City of New York Ksq' as the third Commissioner — A 
 Gentlenmn of undoubted Ability and [ntegrity, and who from 
 being a near relation was brought up in my fathers family, — 
 I found it impracticable for M' Howtjll the Amerii^aii Com' and 
 myself over to agree on any other person, and that unless I 
 joined in the api)ointment of Judge Benson, wo must proceed 
 to the un])leasant alternative of balloting for the third Com- 
 missioner — To this I am extremely averse, from a conviction 
 that by this measure the qiu'stion woidd l>e decided rather by 
 lott, than on its merits — I was convinced of the -lustic(M)f His 
 Majestys (Jlaims, and the indisputable authorities that could 
 be adduced to support it — To leave it therefore to a ballot, 
 would l)t' putting what I looked on as a certainty in hazard, 
 a game I by no means conceived myself authorized to play. — 
 It is true the American C'ommissioner gave nu^ the names 
 of two or three Gentlemen in England, <»ue of whom he was 
 willing should be opposed to M' Benson, but these Centlemen, 
 I learned were warm nunority men, and I did not conceive it 
 probable they would leave their pursuits and cross the Atlan- 
 tic, on such a question and under our nomination. — Thus cir- 
 
 & 
 
 I m 
 
 i( 
 
TiiK rnvK KivKn ST. cno\x 
 
 6;{ 
 
 u S' 
 
 (MinistiiiK'cd I jiidji'tMl i), most for His Mjijostvs interest to jrive 
 lip the only possiltle objection to M' Henson, tliiit of his Ix'inj; 
 an AnuM-iejin, uiuh'i- the liojxj of liiivinp' n cool, sensihh', nnd 
 (lispfission.'ite thir<l CoMiniissioner — His fnt lire conduct 1 trust 
 will prove the [)i'opriety of my detei-miiiation — 
 
 To siiy I iim much ol)lif;ed to yon for yonr exertions in my 
 fjivor i-espectiiip" the iippliciiiion for t\ jjcnsion, would too 
 fMinlly express my feelinj;"s -- Permit me therefor*; to otTer 
 you my most j^'rntf^ful tliiinks nnd to iissiire you the impres- 
 sions yonr kind intert\'i'ent!e has nmde will nevcu' he effaced 
 fr()m my recollection — M' Hammonds observations were so 
 just us to cari'v conviction with tliem, nnd 1 feel equally 
 obli<i('(l to him for tin; remark and yon for adopting; it — For 
 the present therefore we will drop the pursuit, and wait an 
 ev<Mit moi-e favorable — 
 
 r am ha})py I can assure you that before the first day of 
 January next, the I'rovince of Nova Seotia. will l)e totally dis- 
 incum]>ered of I)el)t — It was a load that lay heavy on my 
 mind, fi'om the first day I Ix'came a mend)er of tlie house 
 of Ass(Mnl)ly ; ami my princij)al exertions have bent to free 
 the Province from such chains. You may rest satisfied that 
 the same pi'inciples will induce me to oppose every measure 
 tending to incur similar embarrassments — 
 
 TO MR. BOND. 
 
 times 
 
 was 
 
 Imen, 
 
 Ive it 
 
 lan- 
 
 eir- 
 
 Annapolis 24'" Oct' 1796. 
 
 {Private & Confidential.) 
 My dear Sir 
 
 The paper you allude to in your dispatch of the 7"' of Sep', 
 came safe to hand, and your directions respei^ting" it have 
 been obeyed — A(!cept my sincere thanks for your imlustry 
 and /eal in furnishing me with wliat you can collect and con- 
 ceive of conse(|uencc to be communicated — And permit me to 
 intreat a continuance of your good oflflces — I hope you and 
 Mr Liston ap})rove of the nomination of Judge Benson as the 
 
W _- 
 
 64 
 
 CORFfKSI'ONDKNCK OF TIIOiMAS BARCIiAY 
 
 l!n 
 
 I 
 
 ?i n 
 
 third ( 'ojiHiiissionor, wlio I know to ho a man of Candor, Tntc'^- 
 rity and Ahilitios and with wlioni I hclicvc from liis intimacy 
 with Mr. Hiiinmond yon arc; a('<|naintt'd. 
 
 I oannot conc^lndo withont oantioninj; you afjjainst . 
 
 Ho who betrays faitli rejioscd in him even by a villain, is not 
 to be trusted by an lionest num. His (-haractor at this day is 
 th(! same my wortliy father ^-ave mo of him upwards of IJO 
 years siiu'e. Tluit lie was a man of dupli(dty and not to 
 bo trusted.' 
 
 TO LORD GRENVILLE. 
 
 AunapoHs 24"' Oct^ 1796. 
 My Loi{d— 
 
 In my dispateh No. ;} dated Halifax the ;50th of August last 
 past, a dupli(^iite whereof is enclosed, I informed your Lord- 
 ship that the American (^omnussioner and myself had aj^reed 
 in the choice of the third Commissioner and that a vessel was 
 sent to eari'y him his a|)pointment. The American Commis- 
 siomn* and myself being of opinion that the meeting of the 
 Commissioners at St. Andrews in the County of Charlotte 
 Passamaquady (a part of the lands in dispute) would facili- 
 tate the business, and prevent the Agents removing from a 
 place where their presence was necessary, we accordingly ad- 
 journed to St. Andrews and notified Mr. Benson the third 
 Commissioner to meet iis at that place on the 3rd of October. 
 — On the 4th of October the three Commissioners having met 
 at that place were sworn, agreaably to the 5 article of the 
 treaty by Robert Pagan Esq' His Majestys first Justice of the 
 (^'ourt of Common Pleas for that County, after which the 
 Board of Commissioners appointed EdAvard Winslow of Fred- 
 ericton in the Province of New Brunswic Esq"" their Secre- 
 
 1 The person hero alluded to New-Yorker, anil must, have been 
 
 seems to have been Mr. Bond's liis- employed in the State Department ; 
 
 toriographer, who furnished a copy but it does not seem possible now to 
 
 of the American case and other in- establish his identity. 
 formation. He was presumably a 
 
 '}>, 
 
 n 
 
THE TRITE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 fi5 
 
 tary imd rocoived the olaiins of the rospective Afjents copies of 
 wliicli I have the honor to inclose to your Lordship. The 5th 
 we made an attempt to proceed up the River Seoodiac chiimed 
 by the Ajjjent of Ilis Majesty as the true St. Croix, but the 
 Wind failinf; we were compelled to return to St. Andrews ; 
 after which the board met, confirmed the surveys c;ommenced 
 under the mutual agreement of the Af?ents and takinf]^ the 
 future operati(tns of the Surveyors under our control estab- 
 lished rules and orders for their direction and government; 
 jis('(>rtain('d their pay \)i'V day and that of the chainmen and 
 laborers under them &(• &c. On the (ith the Commissioners 
 attended by the Ap:ents went to view the mouth of the River 
 Ma,irajjjuadavi(^ claimed by the American Agent as the St. 
 Croix intended in the treaty of Pea(;e and th(> Island which 
 he said had been named by the Sieur de Monts in 1604, Ish de 
 *SY. Croix. The 7th we had a view of the Isle de St. Croix in 
 the River Seoodiac as shown us by His Majestys Agent with 
 the snudl Island in its front and as much of the River as he 
 said he conceived necessarv to be seen to evince that the Isl- 
 ands and River corresponded with the description given by 
 L'Escarl)()t and Champhiin french Historians, who attended 
 tlu^ Sieur de Monts in his Voyage to that part of North Amer- 
 ica in 1(504,^ and on our return we examined under oath in the 
 Evening a number of Indians produced on the part of the 
 united States — On the 8th the ])oard established rules and 
 regulations for authenticating Records ami other public docu- 
 ments to be given in Evidence, with several other necessary 
 orders and resolutions, particularly one directing a survey to 
 be made of the bay of Passamaquady, the Islands therein, the 
 Brooks and Rivers that discharge themselves into it and all 
 the Mountains, high lands or head lands which present them- 
 
 been 
 Iment ; 
 liow to 
 
 1 "II nous ffiiit (lire que I'lle ile montagnes eminontes par dessiis les 
 
 Sainete Croix est difficile a trouver autres aux cotez ; mais de la part du 
 
 k qui u'y a este, ear 11 y a taut d'iles Nort d'ou descend la riviere, il n'y 
 
 et de grandes bayes a passer dcvant eu a sinon vne pointue eloignee de 
 
 qu'ou y soit, que je in'etonue comrae plus de deux lieues." 
 
 on avoit penctre si avant pour I'al- Lesoarbot, Liv. IV, Chap. v. 
 ler trouver. II y a trois ou quatre 
 5 
 
 
l""l I 
 
 J I 
 
 H. 
 
 66 
 
 fDRRKSPONDKNCK OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 'li 
 
 li 
 
 1 «l 
 
 » 
 
 t ii ' ;. 
 
 f l« 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 selvos to view in prncMMHlinj; up tho bny to oithor of tlio rivors 
 in (|uestion, n Mrcsciitiii'^ flicii' Shapes and appearances rc- 
 spootively ns they make or appear in pnxuMMling to and up 
 eacli of the Kivprs in question. 
 
 Haviufj examined the Surveyors as to the pr()l)al)lp period 
 when their surveys would be eotnpleted and fiiulinp they eouhi 
 not be effected until late the next Autumn and the A^'ents 
 having stated by a joint memorial that it woidd be out of their 
 power to deliver in the Arguments on which tlieir claims were 
 founded until they were possessed of these Surveys, the board 
 adjourned to the second Tuesday in August next, then to 
 meet at Boston in the State of Massachusetts for the f)ur])()se 
 of extimining witnesses and to juljouni from thence to such 
 place as his IMajesty's agent should think necessary for exam- 
 ining any other witnesses he might wish to produce. The 
 weather from the 20th of September to the 8t.h of October was 
 so unfavoi-able jfs to [)reveiit the (xentlemtMi employed fr(»m 
 ascertaining tlie longitude of the mouth of either of the Rivers 
 and the Season being far advanced we gav(> up thti pursuit 
 until next Spring. The Surveyors will probably continue 
 at Work to the 10th of November, at all Events they will 
 remain in the field until driven in by Snow and extreme cold. 
 
 Prirnfc I take the liberty of suggesting to your Lordship 
 a eircuTUstanee which probably will be laid before you by His 
 Majestys Agent through (lovernor Carleton, but as an acci- 
 dent may happen to his dispatches and no time ought to be 
 lost, I presume to suggest to your Lordship, what certainh' 
 with more propriety would come from him. The Agent of 
 the united States has related to Ilis Majestys Agent that the 
 Plenipotentiaries who concluded and signed the definitive 
 treaty of Peace between His Majesty and the United States of 
 America at Paris in the year 1783, had in contemplation and 
 believed that the River called the River St. Croix in the treaty 
 was the first River to the Westward of the River St. Johns in 
 New Brunswic, that they had Mitchels map before them at 
 that time, which lays down the eastermost river in the Bay of 
 Passamaquady as the River St. Croix, and that Mr. Jay and 
 Mr. Adams the surviving American Plenipotentiaries and Mr. 
 
 u 
 
! 
 
 THE TRUE HIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 67 
 
 
 '■N 
 
 
 {Iiii'tU'V the Hritisli rienipolt'iitiary, togi'thci- with Lord St. 
 Holens' and a Mr. Whitt'ord -' who were then present will at- 
 test to the above representation, and aver tliat the River next 
 to t' River St. John in New Biunswie was the one by them 
 intended as the point from whence the dividing; bonndary be- 
 tween (Jreal Britain and tlie nnited States shonld coinnienee, 
 and that he shoukl next Anf>'ust exanune Mr. Jay and Adams 
 on the subject. What weight sueh testimony will have witli the 
 Commissioners is not for me to suj^'gest. I have f»:iven your 
 Lordship the above infornuition, that yon may if you conceive 
 it necessary exanune Mi'. Hartley, Lord St. Helens and Mr. 
 Whitt'ord or any other per.sons wlio were present at the forming 
 and executinfi' of the treaty, and advis(! His Maj;.'stys Af^ent 
 what they will declare under oath respecting the same — Also 
 whether Mitchels map was or was not the chart by which they 
 governed themselves — The American Agent further states, 
 that the Source of which river shall be decided to be the River 
 St. Croix truly intended, cannot be extended beyond the flow- 
 ing of the tide, and that he shall establish this position by the 
 decision of the King and Council, on the source of the Merri- 
 nuu* river in setting the boundary line many years since 
 between the E*rovinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hauip- 
 shire, and a similar determination respecting the source of 
 the Piscataijua river. — The absurdity of the position is too 
 gross to admit of a moments hesitation — It n;.ty not however 
 be improper to possess His Majestys Agent with authenticated 
 copies of all papers on file, & the opinion of the King and 
 Council on the question of the last above mentioned rivers. 
 
 Although Mr. Chi})mans abilities are uuquestionabh^ and his 
 application intense, still he wages a very unequal War with 
 the American Agent, who has two of the Council, two of the 
 Senate and one of the most eminent of the Law ( 'ounsel in the 
 State of Massachusetts assigned to assist him in collecting 
 documents and evidence and preparing a case and arguments 
 on this important question ; on which a territory of not less 
 
 I Alleyue Pitzherbert, raised to ^ Caleb Whitefoord, Secretary to 
 the Irish peerage as Lord St. Helens the British Commissioners who nego- 
 in 1791. tiatedthepreliminarytreatyofpeace. 
 
68 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOJUS BARCLAY 
 
 m 
 
 Li 
 
 r 
 
 ^\ 
 
 thau 6 or 7,000 S([iiure miles depends, part of whieh is invalu- 
 able to His Majesty for the masts and yards it will furnish 
 for the Navy. — Under these circumstances I am extremely 
 anxious, and have therefore been the more readily induced to 
 communicate the above information to your Lordship, that 
 His Majesty's Agent may in time be informed of the facts and 
 furnished with every necessary map and paper that may elu- 
 cidate the question, or enable iiim to oppose and confute the 
 arguments and suggestion of the opposing party- 
 
 FKOM MR. CHIPMAN. 
 
 it \ 
 
 
 i! 
 
 : fet 
 
 St. John, 9tli Nov' 1790. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I feel myself under peculiar obligations to you for tlie very 
 interesting and friendly communications in your letter of the 
 3** instant. I perfectly agree with you that the mode you have 
 adopted with regard to my concerns, bids much fairer for suc- 
 cess than an}' other, and whatever the event may be, I shall 
 ever very gratefully recc^lh ct your kind interference upon this 
 occasion. I am rejoiced that you have met with Popple's 
 Map, as I believe from the description I have of it, it will be of 
 great use. — There is another point which T an<, endeavoring to 
 ascertain, which if it turns out as I have reason to believe it 
 iWll, must be decisive in our favor. — The line from the Source 
 of the St. Croix you will recollect, is by the Treaty of Peace to 
 run " due North to the Highlands which divide those Rivers 
 which fall into the Afhnttir Ocean from those which fall into 
 the Riiwr 8t. Lawrence^ Now by an inspection of Capt. 
 Sj)roules Map it appeai-s to me, that a line drawn due North 
 from the source even of the Chcputnaticook will strike the 
 River Restigouche which runs into the Bay of Chalcurs, and 
 of course /rti/.s' into the Giilph of Saint Lawrence; such a line 
 therefore will not answer the description in the Treaty, much 
 less will a line drawn from the Source of the Magaguada\'ic or 
 any other source eastward of the Source of the Cheputnati- 
 
 f i 
 
THE TFUTE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 m 
 
 cook, — but ji line drawn due north from tho Source of the 
 Scoodiac will run to the westward of the sources of all the 
 Rivers that fall into the GnlpJi of St. Lawyeiire, and will of 
 course extend to the Ili<ildan(Ls mentioned. — The idea was 
 first liinted to me l)y Mr. Owen. I have communicated it to 
 (lovcruor Ciu-h^ton, and requested that he will have the line 
 run this winter due North from the source of the Cheputnati- 
 cook to see whei'e it will strike and th.'it we may have evidence 
 of the fact if it pi'oves to he in our favor: — and if it should not, 
 1 1 hiuk sucli a Hue must be run hi'reafter from the Source of the 
 Maga^uadavic, as I am satisfied that it will upon this princi- 
 pl(\ (clearly show that this cannot be the river. Let me know 
 your opinif)!! of this hint. I think we should at present keep 
 it secret, I have intimated as nuuh to the (lovernor. 
 
 I thank you for your attention respecting- the Cyder. Make 
 my best (•om[)lim(uits to Mrs. Barclay and aifectionate regards 
 to your little Flock, and l)elieve me, &c. 
 
 Ward Chipman. 
 
 TO MR. HAMMOND. 
 
 apt. 
 
 11-th 
 
 the 
 
 and 
 
 line 
 
 inch 
 
 ic or 
 
 uati- 
 
 Annapolis, 20th Nov.. 1796. 
 My Dear Sir: 
 
 The inclosed is a duplicate of what I wrote you in Oct. last. 
 Two things have since occurred which I tliink of moment to 
 eommuuicate ; the first of which I intreat your attention and 
 that by the earliest conveyance yon will have the goodness to 
 inform me what (lovernor Franklin recollects on the subject. 
 Cap'. Moody the well known secret Service man under Sir 
 Henry Clinton dnr^ ig the Anun-icaii War, tells me he was in 
 London when Mr. Hartley retui-ned from Paris after executing 
 the definitive treaty of Peace in 1783. That he called on (tov- 
 ernor Franklin to pay him a visit, Avho informed him that Mr. 
 Hartley had just left the room, with whom he had had a long 
 conversation respecting the tei'ritury ceded th<' united States. 
 That he (the Oovernor) had asked Mr. FLartley why the Pleni- 
 potentiaries had not made the rive'/ Penobscot the beginning 
 
 6A 
 
fi <' 
 
 1^1 
 
 I! 
 
 70 
 
 rORRESPONDENrR OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 h. 1 
 
 
 ; il 
 
 il| 
 
 boundary between (Jivat Hritaiii aiui tho United States. To 
 wliich lio answered, that Doctor Franklin laid so clearly dem- 
 onstrated that the River St. Croix was f prefera])le boundary 
 beinjj^ the dividing limit formerly existing' l)etween Nova 
 Scotia and IMassaehusetts, thar the Plenipotentiarit's aceinled 
 thereto. To this the (lovoi'nor replied that th(> loss of the in- 
 termediate Country was of consequence to Great Jirilain, and 
 that he was afraid his father the Doctor had been too cunninj:: 
 for Mr. Hartley. Captain INIoody is cei-tain Governor Fi-ank- 
 lin will recollect this conversation, as he appeared much inter- 
 ested and told him, h.e and Mr. Hartley jiad conversed near an 
 hour before his arrival. As Doctor Franklin is dead, it nuiy 
 be of moment to refresh Mr. Hartleys memory by what the 
 Crovernor recollects. 
 
 By the treaty of peace the line fi-om the source of the St. 
 Croix is to run due north to the Hisi'hlaiids which divide tliose 
 rivers which fall into the AfhiHfir Orcaii fi-om them which fall 
 into the River St. Lawrence. Mr. Chipman His iMajestys 
 Agent has hinted to !■ ". and from examination I am apt to be- 
 lieve it will prove so, .nat a line drawn due North from the 
 Soiu'ce even of the C'hiputnatcook, (the North liranch of the 
 Scoodiac) will .strike the Rivei' Restig'ouche which empties into 
 the Bay of ('haleurs and of course /V///.s, into the Gul})!! of St. 
 Lawrence; such a line therefore will not answer the desciip- 
 tion in the treaty, much less will a lin(> drawn from the Source 
 of the Majfaguadavic or any other source eastward of the Source 
 of the Chiputnatcook. But a line drawn due North from the 
 Source of the Scoodiac will run to tlu! w<'stward of the Source 
 of all the Rivers that fall info fJir Gidph of tSf. Lawye.nce and 
 will of ourse extend to the Highlands mentioned — I shall 
 unite with Mr. Chipman in an applicati<»n to Governor Cai'l- 
 ton of New Brunswic to have a line rnn this Winter due 
 North from the Source of the Chiputnatcook to see where it 
 may strike, and that we may have evidence of the fact if it 
 proves in our favor. Should it not, then to run the north line 
 from the Magfiguadavic. If it turns out as I expect, our cause 
 will be essentially strengthened, indeed the (piestion Avill be 
 at an end. The result you shall be informed of by the first 
 
 i 
 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST, CROIX 
 
 71 
 
 convtwmioe after it is ascertained. T have taken the liberty to 
 hint to Lord (ii-envilh' the propriety of furnishing- Mr. Chip- 
 man with (Jhaniphiin. L'l'isearbot & Pureliase ^ with all authen- 
 tic nuips and a copy of the acts of Parliament of Scothuul 
 \\iii(;h are k('})t in the (-astle of Kdinburf»- by which the two 
 provinces of Alexandria and Caledonia into which the Country 
 of Nova Scotia granted to Sir Will'". Alexander are estab- 
 lished and confirmed, as they are materifil and as he is want 
 of them. 
 
 FROM MR. BOND. 
 
 I 
 
 Pluhulelphia 2'J Nov' 179(i. 
 
 [Pr irate.) 
 My dear Sir 
 
 I am now to acknowledf?e the Receij)t of Your very inter- 
 ( still <;• Ijetter, with the Inclosures, which accompanied it, 
 dated at Annapolis Koyal on the 2;3rd Ult: for which I thank 
 You exceedingly. 
 
 It appears to me that You have analysed the Business, to 
 which Your Commission relati's, with all the Precision which 
 was to be expected from Your Al)ility & Zeal: — there seems 
 little, to apprehend. 
 
 For the present, I have only to remark to You, that I have 
 from long Experience, dearly bought — formed, precisely, the 
 same Opinion of the Man, which Y"ou entertain of the Person 
 from whom many copious Details, relative to the Subject in 
 Dispute, liave lieen obtained. In the present Instance, how- 
 ever, let me do Him the Ju ice to observe, that in the Com- 
 munications He made to me He did not conceive He betrayed 
 any (•ontidence, which had been placed in Him: on the eon- 
 
 1 Th(! books roterred to are: "Voy- toiro do la Novvollc Kranec. Par 
 ajjes ft D(>st'ovvort<'s faitcs fii la 
 Novvelk' P'raiic'c. Par Ic Siciir do 
 (.'haiu])lain, Cappitaiiio ordiiiairo 
 pour If Key on la Mor du I'oiiant." eolloctiou of Iravols by San.niol Piir- 
 (IC19.) This book oontaiiis a niap t'Iia!<, an English diviuo; published 
 
 Marc Loscarbot.'' Published in 
 throo editions, KKU) to KilH. •' Ptir- 
 elias his IHlf^jriuis," the woll-kuown 
 
 of the J.daud of Ht. Croi.x. 
 
 His- iu 1613. 
 
J L 
 
 72 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THO:\IAS BARCLAY 
 
 ] 1 
 
 f? 
 
 trary, He professed tliat Tnith, alone, was tlio Object of liis 
 Investigation, and if that End were eventually realized, it was 
 of little Conse([nenee to Him, Avhat the Issue of the Examina- 
 tion, to either Party, might be. 
 
 Knowing Him as well as I did, then; was little Danger 
 that our Cause should suffer by a ISurcharyc of Confidence. 
 
 I am &c. P. Bond. 
 
 FROM lord GRENVILLE. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Downing- Street, Dec' 9'", l7iJ(). 
 
 Your several dispatches to No. 8 inclusive have been re- 
 ceived and laid before the King ; and I have the satisfaction 
 of informing you that His Majesty has been graciously pleased 
 to approve of your conduct in having proceeded to execute 
 the trust committed to you, notwithstanding tlie variation 
 which appears to subsist between your comniission and tliat 
 which has been given to Mr. Howell by the President of the 
 United States. That variation is indeed extremely unimpor- 
 tant in itself, and it is still more so when it is (considered that 
 the general sense of the two contracting parties upon the sub- 
 ject is so clearly to be ascertained by a reference to the two 
 succeeding articles of the treaty which vehite to the appoint- 
 ment of Commissioners for other purposes and to the mode 
 which is prescribed for deciding tlie questions submitted to 
 them. In order however to remove all doubts upon this 
 point, Mr. Liston is instructed to state the variations between 
 Mr. Howell's Commission and yours to the American Minis- 
 ters, and to propose to them the interchange of declarations, 
 purjxtrting that His Majesty and the United States will con- 
 sider as final & conclusive the decisions of the three Com- 
 missioners or of a majority of them, as to the I'iver, which 
 was the River St. Croix intended by the definitive treaty of 
 Peace between His Majesty and the United States. It must 
 however be observ liat in order to render the proceedings 
 under this Comni. on coinformable to the principle estab- 
 
 1 
 
1 
 
 THE TRUB: river ST. CROIX 
 
 
 lisht'd for the others, no sueh deeision nor indeed any other 
 proeeedinj^ eaii take phiee hnt in the preseiiee of the three 
 Commissioners. 
 
 Although I understand that the books and papers speeified 
 m the coneluding- part of your dispatcli No. ',] liave been 
 ah'eady transmitted from the Duke of Poi'tland's Ottiee to ^Ir. 
 Chipmau His Majesty's A;;ent, I nt^vertlu'less, in order to 
 guard against the effeets of any aceidents liappening to tlie 
 Paeket by whieh the other eopies were sent, enclost^ to you 
 those extracts of tlie A(jts of Parliament of Scotland \vlii(;h 
 you consider as likely to be of importance in the investigation 
 of the question which you are appointed to decide. 
 
 I am &C. (iRENVU.LE. 
 
 two 
 )oint- 
 mode 
 Hi to 
 
 this 
 weeu 
 
 inis- 
 ions, 
 
 con- 
 Oom- 
 
 hich 
 ty of 
 must 
 dings 
 ?stab- 
 
 TO LORD GRENVILLE. 
 
 Annapolis, 8th Sept., 1797. 
 My Lord 
 
 I have the Honor to acquaint your Lordship that the t'om- 
 missioner.s for setting the disj)uted Boundary of tiie Kiver St. 
 Croix met early in August at Bostou to which place they had 
 adjoui'ued. Judge Benson's ill health prevented his travelling 
 with expidition from New York to Boston and occasioned 
 a delay in the meeting of the Board of seven days. 
 
 In my dispatch No. 4 I suggested to your Ijordship, that the 
 principal inducement for the Adjournment to Boston was 
 founded on the representation of the American Agent that he 
 had a number of witnesses to examine amongst whom were 
 Mr. Adams the now President of tlie LInitcd States anil Mr. 
 Jay the present (Tovernoi- of New York, both of whom were 
 Plenipotentaries foi- effecting the definitive treaty of peace 
 between Great Britain and the United States of America at 
 Paris in 1783, and a conviction on the part of the Commis- 
 sioners that it would save time and exi)eus(' to meet the wit- 
 nesses at that place. On perusing tlu^ Allidavits of the nuijor 
 Part of the witn(^sses his Maje.stys Agent agreed to their bc- 
 iug filed de bene esse conceiving they can take little or nothing 
 
T l„ I L 
 
 74 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF TirOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 1 i 
 
 'I ,1 
 
 :i ii 
 
 I 
 
 1 r 
 
 ' (ill 
 
 *y 
 
 material to the present Question. Yonr Lordsliip will reeol- 
 leet my havinj^ liiiitcd that the American Agent had said he 
 should he able to ])r<)ve by Air. Jay Mr. Adams & Lord St. 
 Ht'lens tliat at the (jxeeution of the ti-eaty of I*ea(H' in 17S;5 the 
 Plenij)otentiari(^s intended l)y tlu! h'ivei" St. Croix (tlie l)efviii- 
 nitig' point of delineation of tlie Lines wliieh W(M"e thereafter 
 to divide the United States from His Majestys Possessions in 
 Ameriea) the Hi'st River to the Westward of th(! River St. 
 Johns, and of course that the lirst Itivei- to the Westward of 
 St. Johns was the river ti'uly intended in the treaty. 
 
 It is impossi1)le for me to say wlietlier sueh testimony would 
 have been I'eeeived by the ('ommi«si(mers ' ad it been oftV-red. 
 I am however happy to add the Case has not occurred and 
 consequently no cpiestiou on that point has ])een agitated. 
 Mr. Jay on being recpiested by the American Agent to attend 
 at Boston for the ])ur])()se of giving' testimony wrote the 
 Agent a letter stating that he would not depose any thing- 
 material to the present (piestion. That all that he knew was 
 that Mitchels map was the only one the Plenipotentiaries had 
 befort! them or used in setting the boundaries and that the 
 river descrilx'd (tn that maj) as the river St. Croix, having 
 been taken for gi-anted as correctly laid down by th(! (Jeogra- 
 pher it was nanu'd as the eoriuneneing Ijoundary. That as to 
 any error in the Map, or there being several rivers of the 
 name of St. (h'oix, <*ontiguous to each other; it never was 
 suggested, and of ('ourse no provision made in such case by 
 the Plenipotentiaries. That this was all he ('ould possibly 
 dejjose, yet if the American Agent wislied his atteiidance, on 
 notice he would immediately set out for Boston. 
 
 Mr. Adams' deposition was taken before the Commissioners, 
 it amounts to little more than Mr. Jays statement, and I think 
 I may very safely say that it nmkes nu* more in favor of the 
 British than the American chiims. 
 
 He swears that on his arrival from Amsterdam at Paris, he 
 found the other Plenipotentiaries had already held several 
 communications on the subject of the Boundaries. That on 
 the pai't of Great Britain the I'iver Kennebec ajid afterwards 
 Penobscot had been urged as proper bounds, while the Ameri- 
 
 i 
 
THE TRIM' nW'KH ST, CHOIX 
 
 75 
 
 ,'as 
 oil 
 
 M'S, 
 
 ink 
 lie 
 
 he 
 
 ^ral 
 
 on 
 
 rds 
 
 3ri- 
 
 oan Plenipotentiaries Mr. Jay and Mr. Fi'aiiklin contended for 
 the River St. John. That he candidly told both parties he 
 differed witli tlicMii ; and his hi-etlii-eii the American PhMiipo- 
 tentiaries, that they pressed as iiuich too far to the North 
 East, as the British were short of the i-eal coinnieneinij: point 
 of division. That the orij^inal North lOast l)onn(hiry <»f Mas- 
 sHchusetts in liis o[)inion was tlic line wliich ouji'lil to })o 
 ado[»ted, and tliat it stood limited by the b'iver St. Croix. 
 That havin^r Mitchels Ma]i l»efore them, he thin traced out 
 the bonndaries on the same, and he thinks marked them with 
 a period. In every other }»articiilar his testimony agreed with 
 Mr. Jays information.' 
 
 The Surveyors ai-e l)usily employed on the respective rivers. 
 Those on tla^ Mauaunadavic will compleat ilieir surveys this 
 fall, but whethei- the Survey of the St. Croix will l)e ert'ec,t(fd 
 is a g'n^at Doutt. Ai'tists are also (Uigajifed in taking- the 
 Latitude and Longitude at the mouths of the two Rivers. 
 The instant tlit^ Surveys are finished a general mnp is to be 
 made of all Rn'crs and Hay (tf Passaiiunpiady, by Mr. Sproule 
 the Surveyor (ieneral of New lirunswic, copies of which are 
 to be delivere ^ ' respective agents to enable tlunn to perfect 
 their argni .s and r(!}»lies. The Commissioners have ad- 
 journed to the first Monday in June next, then to meet at 
 Rhode Island, for the ])uri)os(! of deciding the Question, at 
 which period they trust the general Map will be conipleated 
 and the Agents ready to delivei* their r(>s|)ective replies. 
 
 His (Jraee the Duke of Portland having forwarded to Mr. 
 ('hipmaii His Majestys Agent lOxtraels fioni Champlain and 
 Copies of his Maps, particularly of the River St. Croix and 
 the Island on which the French built and wintered in 1()04; 
 and that map having represented the situation and extent of 
 the Buildings on the Island; Mr. Cliipman immiHliately sent 
 to a (lentleman residing near that i)hiee a copy of the map, 
 and requested hini to dig agreeably to the positions laid down. 
 On removing the young growtli of Wood, which covered the 
 
 1 The statements of Adams and Great Britain to the King of the 
 •lay are printcMlin full as Appendix Netherlands in 1824. 
 4 to the Htatoment presented by 
 
% 
 
 76 
 
 roRRKSPONDKNCK OF THOMAS RARCLAY 
 
 
 I !i 
 
 ?M < 
 
 r 
 
 (' 
 
 
 j^ 
 
 fiicc of thiit pjirt of flio Isliuid, find di^^irincf a vory littlo way 
 under llic siirhicr, (lit; foundations of tlm frciicli Buildinj^s 
 were found in an idmost jx'rfcnt state also tlu' Brick of vvhicli 
 tlio ovi'u was niade. An old metal S[)Oon. Iron s])ik('s nearly 
 destroyed l»y rusj, jieiees o)' ejirlhen und Iron [tots, and eliiii'- 
 eoal in an iii)|)iii'ently pei-fect stnte, t)ut wliieli on Ix'injj; ox- 
 posed to the Air slaked and erundih'd into dust. Tiiis discov- 
 ery idenlilies Hie Island, and K'iver, luinied St. Ci'oix by the 
 P^'cnch. I take the liberty to reinai'k to youi- Lordship that 
 as the question now stj' i ;, and I know of no other testi- 
 mony pro])osed to ])e adduced, there c^aii Ijc no doubt of a de- 
 cision favorable to His IMajestys claims. One tliiujj however 
 is absolutely necessary; to wit that the Aji'cnt Mr, ('hip- 
 man is posses ,'d of that edition of Cliamplain, and the maps 
 from vvher,ct^ the extracts and fac similies wt-re nuide, which 
 have been forwai'ded. The Amei'ican A^eni has op})osed ad- 
 mittinu,' the certiiied extracts and ma])s above mentioned in 
 evidence; and 1 doubt the ('onimissioncrs receiving' them, 
 while the origiiuds can be procured. Permit me therefore 
 to request yoin* Lordships attentiim to having this Edition 
 of Champlain forwarded during the Antumn or very early in 
 the Spring. 
 
 r hav(^ been so fortunate as to procure a, very excellent 
 french Atlas published in 1755 which lays down the Rivers in 
 the Bay of PassanuKinady very correctly, and gives the name 
 of St. Croix to the Western Branch of the River. Also a 
 french Map stated to be a correction of Mitchels. D. Anvills 
 Map, and several other veiy favoi-able descriptions of the 
 River; all of which I have delivered to Mr. ('hipman. 
 
 FROM MR. LISTON. 
 
 Philiulelphia W October 1797. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have had the pleasure of receiving your letter No. 6 of the 
 12th of last month (accompanied with a private one of the 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. t'ROIX 
 
 77 
 
 1 the 
 I the 
 
 same date) and have to thank you for the satisfaetory account 
 you have given nie of t\w State of your proceedinjjs. 
 
 I had sonu' weeks ago piv| tared a dispateli to His Majesty's 
 Agent, which I meant to luivc accjonjpanicil with ii eopy of a 
 eouph'of maps published by authority of the British (Joveniment 
 at the time of the disfjutes with the Court of Fi-aiu;e (roiieerning 
 the boundaries of tiie respective Crown." on this side the Atlan- 
 tiek, whieli ultimately led to the war of IT.IO ; bnt I was pi'cvent- 
 ed from sending my packet by a rej)()rt early spi'ead here, that 
 the Commissioners were not to entei' on the Itusiness till next 
 year, and that your stay at Boston would be cxti'emely short.' 
 I have now resolved to forward the packet I allude to, to- 
 gether with iMitehell's map, by some one of His Majesty's Ships 
 of war that nuiy be bound to Halifax : and as 1 pi"(/pose to set 
 out in a few days on an exciu'sion to Norfolk in Virginia. 
 I think of carrying it with me, and delivering it myself into 
 the hands of some of the Captains who I think will take 
 proper care of it. 
 
 His Majesty's Secretary of State comnuinicated to me the 
 observation made by you on the ditfei-ence between the terms 
 of your (■onunission, and those of the one given by the Presi- 
 dent of the United States to Mi-. Howell, and His Lordshij) di- 
 rected me to reiiuest an explanatory declaration on the subject 
 on the part of the Ameri(;an Ministry. On executing this 
 commission, I })er(^eived that Colonel Pickering was a little 
 hurt as well at the imputation of inaccuritcy or insufficiency 
 thus cast on an Instrument which had been carefully drawn 
 up by himself, as at the surmise that aiipeared to be started 
 respecting the sincerity and good faith of the Government of 
 the United States. I did not therefore insist upon any change's 
 being made in Mr. Howell's Commission, and contented myself 
 with a general declaration, made to me l)y authority, that th(^ 
 President would give the decision of the Commissioners full 
 force and effect. I do not indeed entertain the smallest appre- 
 hension that any ditliculty will occur with regard to the exe- 
 
 1 Colonel Barclay's return to Nova died about the 'JOtli of Sejitember, 
 Scotia was hastened by tlie illness 1797, soon after Barclay's arrival at 
 of his youngest child, Clement, who home. 
 
J L 
 
 78 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS RARCFiAY 
 
 c-utiou of tlie award of the majority of the Comniissioners, 
 whatever it may be. I have &c. 
 
 Rob. LisTON. 
 
 TO ME. LISTON. 
 
 
 I ; 
 
 111 ;ii 
 
 M' 
 
 [ r, 
 
 i -1 ■ 
 
 ml 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Auntipolis, 23 Dec' 1797. 
 
 I was favored witli yom* lettei- of the 80tli of hist month a 
 few weeks since. Mr. Chipman and myself will he greatly 
 obliged to you i'or the Copies of the maps you propose sending 
 by Captain ('ochrane. — It is neeessary His Majesty's Agent 
 should be in possession of everything that has been published 
 on the Subject to which his agency extends: and admitting 
 all the maps vvhi<'h have hitherto been published of that part 
 of the Rivei- Scodiae and its branch the Chiputnaticook be- 
 yond the falls to have been merely ideal or at best taken from 
 Indian information, still the general prevailing opinion of the 
 direction of that River will operate forcibly in the decision of 
 the ({uestion. 
 
 It was my duty to communicate to Lord Grenville the vari- 
 ance between Mr. Howells Commission and mine for His Ma- 
 jestys information and to remove from myself all responsi- 
 bility respecting it — In doing this my intention was the 
 reverse of imputing imiecuracy or insufflciency to the instru- 
 ments you mention as having been fi'amed by Mr. Pickering, 
 on the contrary my letter plainly imports that the American 
 Commission was drawn up in the Words of the fifth Article of 
 the treaty, and that His Majestys Commission to me went be- 
 yond the tixpressions used in that Article. Previous explana- 
 tions on points which admit of doubt are all ways proper and 
 particularly necessary where responsibility attaches ; nor ought 
 constructions to be left open for future argument, when the 
 present moment admits of an explanation. I am really sorry 
 Mr. Pickering could suppose my letter above alluded to car- 
 ried with it the most ''" '*^ant hint of a suspicion of the Sin- 
 cerity and good Faith oi . e Government of the united States. 
 
 ■1 
 
 Et 
 
 m 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 79 
 
 Inclosod is a copy of it, and yon will do mo n fnvor by oxplnin- 
 inp it to liini, \v1k> assnfcdly nt tlie present very ninch niiseon- 
 ceives what I liad rcpresfiitod. 
 
 si- 
 lie 
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 ;au 
 of 
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 ght 
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 MY- 
 
 mi- 
 
 ;es. 
 
 FROM MR. LISTON. 
 
 Philad('lphia, 4th April, 1798. 
 Sir, 
 
 Sinee the date (»t' my last (which was of the IJOth of October) 
 I have not had the pleasnre of hearinp: from yon. 
 
 On tli(> 4tli of December T forwarded from Norfolk (in Vir- 
 ginia) a letter to Mr. Chipnian, which 1 tlatter myself he has 
 received, since Captain Cochrane. U) whom it was entrnsted, 
 had a very favonrabic i)assage to Halifax. It was accompanied 
 with Mitchell's Map of North America, with the correction, and 
 a (^opy of the maps pnblished by the Conrts of Great Britain 
 and France, to illnstrate their reciprocal pretensions on the 
 snl)ject of the limits of Acadia and Nova Scotia, prior to the 
 war of 175f). These are the only materials that have come in 
 my wa}' which appear to me to deserve notice ; and I have only 
 to rei)eat what I have already observed on the subject, that 
 Mr. Chipman seems to be already in possession of so mnch in- 
 formation, and to treat the snbject with snch snperior ability, 
 that he s(!arcely stands in need of any assistance whatever. 
 
 I have received orders to nt^gotiate and conclude an addi- 
 tional article to the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Naviga- 
 tion, with a view to liberate you from the obligation of fixing 
 (with a precision perhaps impossible to obtain) the longitude 
 and latitude of the source of the St. Croix, and to stipulate 
 some other method of ascertaining the question respecting the 
 disputed boundary between the two countries. The American 
 Minister is willing to proceed as soon as may be to this busi- 
 ness with me (although he had at the same time authorized 
 Mr. King to manage the affair in London) ; but the attention 
 of this Government has for some tinu; past been so completely 
 engrossed by their dispute with France, that it has been im- 
 possible for Colonel Pickering to find leisure to give the neces- 
 
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 CORRKSPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 sary considereition to the subject. As soon as it is in my 
 power, 1 will transmit to you and to Lieutenant (lovernor 
 Carleton a draught of the article we may think likely to an- 
 swer the purpose, that you may favour us with such altera- 
 tions and amendments as shall in your opinion be expedient. 
 I have &c Rob. Liston. 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, I find by letters from Lord 
 Grenville that the additional article alluded to in my letter is 
 to be negociated in London. R. L. 
 
 ! I 
 
 ' r 
 
 TO MR. LISTON. 
 
 Annapolis 2nd May, L798. 
 
 {Private.) 
 Sir, 
 
 Mr. Thornton ' by the last Post from Halifax forwarded me 
 your dispatch. No. I of the 4th of April. Before this, I hope 
 my letter of the 2)} of Dec' has come to your hands. It was put 
 on board a Brig which was to have sailed from Digby about 
 the latter end of December for Philadelphia ; the severity of 
 the weather and violence of the Gales induced the owners to 
 postpone her departure until March, when she sailed for Balti- 
 more. I now enclose a duplicate, aiul hope you will be able to 
 remove the unfavorable impression Mr. Pickering through 
 mistake entertains of my suggestion t() Lord (Irenville. 
 
 The letter and the njaps you s(»me time since forwarded by 
 Captain Cochrane have been transmitted to Mr. Chipman, who 
 is not a little flattered with the favorable opinion you entertain 
 of his industry. I have no doul)t you will be pleased with the 
 case he has made out on the part of His Majesty ; it was my 
 wish to have forwarded a »!opy for ycnir and Mr. Bonds peru- 
 sal ; the Secretary however has not yet had leisure to make 
 me one. 
 
 The Commissioners and Agents conceived it imnecessary, 
 
 1 Edward Thornton, the British Secretary of Legation. 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 81 
 
 and a measure that would greatly retard tlie conclusion of the 
 question, to ascertain the Latitude and Longitude of the Source 
 of the River ; because the taking the latitude find Longitude 
 at the mouth of the River and giving a minute description of 
 the Courses and distances from thence to its source would 
 completely answer every purpose intended and identify the 
 soiirce beyond the possibility of future doubt. Under these 
 impressions the Agents were permitted to apply to their re- 
 spective Governments, that that part of the directions in the 
 fifth Article of the treaty might be dispensed. By your 
 favor I find that in addition to this " a new Articjle is to be 
 negotiated in London whereby some other method will be 
 adopted for ascertaining the question respecting the dis- 
 puted boiindary between the two Countries." Ignorant of 
 the particidar object this article is proposed to eml)race 
 it is out of my power to give an oi)inion of its expedi- 
 ency; still I consider it my duty to state for your and my 
 Lord Grrenville's information the probable issue under the 
 present Commission admitting it is pro(;eeded on according 
 to tl.eir original instructions. — The River Magaguadavic con- 
 templated by the Americans as the S'- Croix, can never be con- 
 firmed as such. Its only support is Lidian tradition, while 
 every document, description, actual survey and representation 
 prove the reverse. — The Scoodiac therefore will be the river 
 comprehended in the decision of the decision of the Comm"- — 
 But as this River divides itself into two Branches some dis- 
 tance above the falls, the one the Chipatnaticook tending very 
 nearly north, the other the continuance of the Scoodiac West 
 North West ; it will become a question with the Commission- 
 ers which of these two Branches are to be considered as the S'- 
 Croix intended in the treaty of 1783 — Printed and written 
 evidence are in favor of the latter, to which I may add that on 
 comparing the actual Surveys of these two Branches witii the 
 most correct maps extant, the resemblance will be found to 
 operate strongly in favor of the western Branch, particulai'ly 
 at the Sources. It follows from hence that circumstances are 
 in favor of the Question being determined to the extent of his 
 Majestys claim, and even under the most unfavorable Event 
 
p 
 
 ;ii 
 
 I i: I 
 
 It 
 
 82 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 that an offset of upwai'ds of 20 milos West will be gained be- 
 tween the Magaguadavic & Chipatnaticook. 
 
 The course of the (■hiputuateeook from its mouth to its 
 souree is very nearly north. By examining the maps, you will 
 readily discover that a line drawn due North from the mouth 
 of this River to the Highlands will leave a large part of New 
 Brunswic to the Westward of this line and cut off the commu- 
 nication between that Province and Canada; whereas a North 
 line drawn from the Western extremity of tin; Seoodiac, if it 
 did not leave new Brunswic entire, would take but a very 
 small portion from it. If therefore the new Article in cor.tem- 
 plation goes to confirm the Western Source it may be an object 
 of moment. In the negotiation however the Magaguadavic 
 must be removed even from the back ground, and the Chiput- 
 natecook and Scoodiac spoken of as the only possible streains 
 in question. I have taken the liberty to give you my senti- 
 ments, least Lord Grenville might be induced to consider the 
 question of the two rivers as still involved in doubt and from 
 thence be led to yeild a greater e(}uivalent than he otherwise 
 would do. In negotiating this new Article it is of moment to 
 comprcheiul the Islands in the Bay of Passamaquady which ap- 
 pertain to his Majesty beyond contradiction, some of tlie best 
 of which are now in the possession of the Americans. 
 
 The Agent on the part of the United States during the last 
 Winter applied through Mr. Chipman for my consent to a 
 farther adjournment of the meeting of the Commissioners, 
 which stood for the first Monday in June, suggesting as his 
 motive the survey, not being completed and the impracticabil- 
 ity of his finishing the case on the part of the United States 
 before he was in possession of a copy of the survey. To this 
 application I gave a negative. He has since repeated his re- 
 quest and in addition to his former reasons, added that in case 
 the board met in June, he would be compelled to protest 
 against delivering in his argument in an unfinished State and 
 to pray a further day. Previous to the receipt of this, Sir John 
 Wentworth had requested me in pointed terms to postpone if 
 practicable the meeting of the Commissioners until the latter 
 end of July, that I might attend the next Session of the House 
 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 83 
 
 of Assembly. I have been therefore induced to aeceed to Mr. 
 Sullivaus proposal, and accpiainted the other Com" if they had 
 no ol)jection, I was willing to extend the time to the 23rd of 
 July. 
 
 From the communication in your letter I have reason to sus- 
 pect Mr. SuUivan to be at the bottom of " the proposal for the 
 additional article " you mention. I am led to this opinion from 
 the very particular manner in which he stands pledged to con- 
 firm the Magaguadavic as the St. Croix, not only in his His- 
 tory of the Province of Maine, but the general Language he 
 has held for years past in public and Private ; He must now 
 be fully convinced that the Event will be unfavorable to his 
 position and wish to avoid the Odium and censure that inevit- 
 ably will follow an adjiulication unfavorable to his assertions, 
 and the only uiethod of doing this is by suspending the present 
 question and altering the nature of the issiie. 
 
 TO MR. LISTON. 
 
 IS re- 
 ) case 
 otest 
 e and 
 John 
 one if 
 latter 
 louse 
 
 I 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Annapolis, 10th May, 1798. 
 
 I did myself the Honor on the second of this month to reply 
 to your favor of the 4th of April, since which Mr. Chipman has 
 enclosed me a copy of Lord Grrenvilles letter to you under date 
 the 9th January last, from which I find I had given too exten- 
 sive a construction to your expressions " and to stii)ulate some 
 other method of ascertaining the ciuestion respecting the dis- 
 puted boundary between the two Countries '' ; and that you in- 
 tended nothing more, than that this new Article should, in 
 addition to exonerating the (Commissioners from expressing in 
 their declaration the Latitude and Longitude at the Source of 
 the River, prescribe some particular mode for perpetuating the 
 boundary between the North East Bounds of the State of 
 Massachusetts and the North West Angle of Nova Scotia, the 
 terminus a quo the North line deducted in the treaty of 1783 
 is to commence. 
 
 It is unnecessary for me to remark the difficulty that at- 
 
84 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 t, 
 
 :'•! 
 
 ;■ 
 
 f 
 
 tends astronomical, oi* indeed any otlier observations in nncnl- 
 tivatod ('ountries, and Climates subject to fogs and cloudy 
 weather, that a variation of a few minutes will create a greater 
 difference in the Longitude, than perhaps the nearest collat- 
 eral stream is really distant from the River St. Croix, and that 
 if at a future period the Latitude and Longitude should be 
 again taken, the degrees expressed in our adjudi<^ation, may 
 be found to correspond with the source of a stream, other than 
 the one intended. To prevent these difficulties, it was the wish 
 of the Commissioners that they might be authorized to omit 
 in their declaration the Latitude and Longitudt^ at the Source 
 of the River ; to supply which it was our intention to annex to 
 the Declaration, as his Lordship very properly advises a cor- 
 rect map of the Bay of Passamaquady with all its rivers, par- 
 ticularly the St. Croix from the mouth to the source thereof, 
 designating every stream or fork that empties its waters into 
 it. A map thus compiled from accurate surveys, whereon the 
 courses and distances are minutely laid down, and every col- 
 lateral stream repi'csented on a proportionable Scale will inev- 
 itably place the Source of the River beyond the probability of 
 future doubt. The Comm". in establishing the point which is 
 hence forward to be considered as the Source, will naturally take 
 the upper most lake, or some other prominent feature near the 
 Source, and from thence give the bearings and distances to the 
 Source. It nuiy possibly not be amiss to erect a stone column 
 on the Spot, as a monument, and to have it revisited every 
 third year; I cannot however say I think it a measure either 
 safe or necessary. 
 
 The present dispute owes its origin to the want of correct 
 maps of the Rivers in the bay of Passamaquady, and definite 
 names to the river of all which the Americans in 1783 were 
 equally ignorant with his Majestys subjects. The dispute is 
 not as to the Source, but which is the River, and I take it for 
 granted, the river once established, the source will readily be as- 
 certaine<l. With alldeferaiu^e therefore to his Lordships opinion, 
 I am led to believe the map intended to be annexed to the declar- 
 ation, will prove a more safe guide, to find the source of the River 
 St. Croix ; than any monument that Art can erect. If a mon- 
 
THE TRUE RIVER ST. GROIX 
 
 85 
 
 uiiu'iit is erected tlie map and declaration will in future be eou- 
 trouled by that land mark, because it is conii)osed of nuitter, 
 and place is the very object and essence of its foundation, 
 whereas the descriptive part of the declaration will bo founded 
 on the map, which is no moi*e than an ideal repres(!ntation, 
 protracted from a measurement. Between I ^widuals cases 
 fre(piently occur whose landmarks are bascK si disposed, he 
 same sinister motives may lead persons owninj]^ lands in Noi th 
 eastern parts of Massachusetts to remove a national boundary 
 solemnly erected by the consent of the two nations. Admit- 
 ting some of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts were induced by 
 interest to renu^ve this structure, to the next eastern stream ; 
 how easily and privately might it be effected, in a desert up- 
 wards of seventy miles from any settlement? This done, it 
 would only be necessary to secure the testimony of one of the 
 persons apj)ointed to inspect, and the whole questicm would again 
 be open for negotiation or conti'oversy, with the addi- 
 tioiuil onus on the part of (freat Britain to i)rove the removal 
 of the monument; a fact not easy under common circum- 
 stances, and perhaps impossible, if the person who inspected it 
 on the part of (Ireat Britain, was dead. I admit sucdi a case to 
 be highly improbable, still while it is within the degrees of 
 possibility, is it not evident that a natural, notorious object 
 near the source of the river, which nothing less than a convul- 
 sion of nature can injure or destroy, ami will be a ])referable 
 Guide, for the information of succeeding Ages, to a j)illar of 
 stone, which inay as easily be removed, as raised, and which 
 by removal would only change its place, but not its fornj or 
 effect. Extend this Idea, and suppose engraved on this Pillar 
 an inscription, purporting it was erected by order of His Maj- 
 esty and the united States of America to identify and perpet- 
 uate, the place hereafter to be considered as the Source of the 
 River St. Croix ; what would the consequence be, if it was re- 
 nu)ved to the head of the next eastern stream. The persons 
 sent to inspect it at the expiration of three years, might never 
 have been there before, and of course consider it as standing, 
 in its original position; but admitting they suspected it had 
 been removed, neither the declaration of the Commissioners 
 
 6A 
 
86 
 
 CORKESPONDENCE OF THOMAS HARCLAY 
 
 or the Map subjoined could effect its locality, nor could it bo 
 reconvcyed to the orif^inal Station without at least the inter- 
 position of the two powers, a measure dependant ou the good 
 understanding then subsisting between them. 
 
 FROM MR. LISTON. 
 
 ii 
 
 Philadelpliia, 11 June, 17U8. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have been favored with your letters No. 1 and 2 of this 
 year, from Anapolis, enclosing a duplicate of your No. 7 of 
 last year, the original of which has not yet come to hand. 
 
 With regard to the terms made use of in the full i)owers of 
 the respective commissioners, which gave rise to an api)lication 
 by me to the American Government in conseipience of orders 
 from home, the fact is, that I did not, on reading Lord Gren 
 ville's letter on the subject, rightly compi-ehend the difference 
 that had struck you. It never once came into my head that 
 there could be any doubt with respect to the validity of the 
 decision of A majority of the three commissioners ; so that I 
 merely copied what Lord Grenville had said to me, blindly 
 obeying my orders, without understanding the reasons of 
 them. And I believe the American Secretary of State com- 
 prehended them as little as I did. I shall now take an op- 
 portu- ity of explaining the matter to Colonel Pickering; 
 throuj,h the distance of time is so great and the dissatisfaction 
 shewed by him was so slight, that it is hardly worth while to 
 return to the subject. 
 
 The additional article with regard to the ascertaining of the 
 source of the River St. Croix having been concluded in Lou- 
 don, and ratified by His Majesty and by the President, I take 
 an opportunity of forwarding a copy of it.^ 
 
 1 It was signed in juondon, March 
 15, 1798; and its ratification advised 
 by the Senate, June 5. 1789, It pro- 
 vides for erecting " a suitable monu- 
 
 ment " at the source of the St. Croix, 
 instead of ascertaining the latitude 
 and longitude of that spot. 
 
 {I' t 
 
i 
 
 THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 87 
 
 I tliink with you, Sir, that a moinimont of stone is liable to 
 bo removed ])y ill-designinf? persons, unless indeed it were 
 constructed at a larjje exptuKie ; — such for instance as an 
 Egyptian obelisk, — (an immense column of one piece of stone,) 
 — which could not be placed upright without a great union of 
 force aiul skill, an operation that must make a great impres- 
 sion on all the neighborhood, and that individuals could not 
 afford to undertake. Since it has been determined on how- 
 ever, I suppose it must be erected. At the same time there is 
 surely no reason why the additiotial evidence, — to be derived 
 from a map or chart of the course of the river, — should not be 
 rendei'cd as precise and authentick as possible. Natural ob- 
 jects, of great size, of a particular kind, might be designated 
 in the map, and in the declaration or awiird of the commis- 
 sioners. It is right, and it is essentially necessary, that no pos- 
 sible doubt should be left remaining. 
 
 I propose soon to take an opportunity of sounding the 
 American Miuistry concerning the Islands in the Bay. 
 
 I remain, &c 
 
 Rob. Liston. 
 
 FROM MR. CHirMAN TO MR. LT8T0N. 
 
 Providence 23'' Oct. 1798. 
 
 ;roix, 
 itude 
 
 (Privnte.) 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the honor to inform you that the proposed decision 
 and declaration of the Commissioners before whom I have been 
 appointed to manage the business as Agent on the part cf His 
 Majesty, have been communicated to me by which it appears 
 that the River Scudiac claimed on the part of his Majesty to 
 be the Source of its Western branch is to be decided to be the 
 River St. Croix truly intended under that name in the Treatv 
 of Peace the Source of this Branch is however in this decisic 
 particularized to be where it issues from the Lake Genesaga- 
 rumsis the Easternmost of the Scudiac Lakes and distant about 
 
7^ 
 1 
 
 88 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 five miU's and three quarters on a direct course from where 
 tlu! ('lu'putnaticook falls into it. Altho' this decision is very 
 flattiu'ing to me, as it establishes every principle upon which 
 the claim on the part of his Majesty was founded, and is fully 
 accordant with the prayer of that claim, still in it's conseciuen- 
 ces I fear it will prove very inconvenient if not injurious to 
 the Interest of the Province of New Brunswick, as a North line 
 from this Source will intersect the River St. John so as to leave 
 the Military posts at Presquo Isle, and the (Irand Falls and 
 every part of the River St. John above Presque Isle, which is 
 about Eighty miles above Fredericton within the territory of 
 the United States. Some inconveniences will at the same time 
 result to the United States from this decision, as the North line 
 from this Source will leave in His Majesty's dominions a con- 
 siderable tract of Counti'y lying between this line and the 
 River Cheputnaticook which has been granted to Individuals 
 by the State of Massachusots. These inconveniences are con- 
 sidered so great by the Agent of the United States as to induce 
 him to propose to me an accommodation between the two Uov- 
 ernments, by an Agreement to recommend to the Commissioners 
 to de(5ide the Northernmost Source of the Cheputnaticook to be 
 tilt! Source of the Saint Croix, in lieu of the Source above men- 
 tioned. By such a decision the North Line from this Source 
 will run Nine Miles to the Westward of the Post at Presque 
 Isle and u])wards of four miles to the westward of the Grand 
 Falls and will intersect the River St. John one hundred and 
 thirty five miles above Fredericton as you will perceive by the 
 Maps ac(!ompanying this Letter. Not only therefore a very 
 great tract of country will be gained by the alteration of the 
 phuie to be particularized as the Source of the River but the 
 communication with Canada by the River St. John will remain 
 to a much greater extent unbroken. Had I any authority to 
 enter into a negotiation of this nature I should not hesitate to 
 accede to this proposal and to endeavor to effect a decision 
 in conformity to it, but such as an undertaking is beyond my 
 duty or i)owers as his Majesty's Agent. I consider it therefore 
 extremely fortunate that I have an opportunity of consulting 
 you Sir upon this occasion, by your accidental arrival at this 
 
i 
 
 THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 89 
 
 place at a moment so critical, as the final declaration is expected 
 to be sif^ned this day. 
 
 I have; been given to understand that nothinfj: has indnced 
 Oolonel Barclay to assent to the decision now in contem])la- 
 tion, })ut the consideration, that the Commissioners wonld 
 otherwise separate without (;oming to any determination, and 
 that it is so dissatisfactory to Mr. Howell the American Com- 
 missioner originally appointed that he will not sign it, as he 
 ccmtends for the C!lieputnatico()k itiver and that its Source 
 should be particularized to be, where it issues from tlu! first or 
 most eastern lake connected with that Hranch ; he is thercifore 
 averse to the proposed alteration, but will accedes to it, if ree- 
 onunended by the Agent on the part of the United States. I 
 am aware that difficulties may arise in carrying the proposed 
 agreement into (;ffect, as the otluu- Commissioners have not 
 been yet consulted upon it, but if I have your approbation aiul 
 sanction of the measure, I shall feel myself justified in attempt- 
 ing to avail myself of an opportunity, which may perhaps 
 never again present itself of effecting upon so easy terms a 
 settlement of this Boundary line in a manner so favorable to 
 His Majesty's interests, and at the same time an event so 
 desirable as an unanimous decision of the Commissioners in 
 the present cause. 
 
 I shall hope for an answer to this Letter as speedily as may 
 consist with your convenience and the urgency of the occasion. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 
 W. Chipman. 
 
 FROM MR. LISTON TO MR. CHIPMAN. 
 
 Providence, 23' Oct. 1798. 
 
 {Private.) 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I have considered with attention your Letter of this day, and 
 it appears to me evident, that the adoption of the River Che- 
 putnaticook as a part of the Boundary between his Majesty's 
 
TT 
 
 1 
 
 90 
 
 (;ORRESP0NDENCE OP THOMAS RAUCLAY 
 
 II! 
 
 !; 
 
 American Dominions, and tlioso of the United States in pref- 
 onniee to a line drawn from tlie Kasternmost point of the 
 Seudiae Lakt;s, would be attended witli eonsiderabh' advantagfe. 
 It would fjfivo an addition of territory to the Province of New 
 lirunswieli, to^jether with a greater extent of Navij^ation on 
 St. Johns River, and above all a lonfj;er streteh of mitural 
 frontier eahndated to prevent future diflReulties and discussions 
 Itetween the two countries. 
 
 If therefore by assentinj? to the pro])osal of the American 
 Aj;ent you can brinjij al)out the unanimous concurrence of he 
 (Commissioners in this measure, I am of opinion that you \. ill 
 promote His Majesty's real interests ; and I will take the earli- 
 est opportunity with a view to your justifiention el' expressing; 
 these my Sentiments on the Subject to his Majesty's Secretary 
 of State. I have, &c., 
 
 Rob. Liston. 
 
 I 
 
 1 ' 
 
 TO LOUD GRENVILLE. 
 
 Annapolis, Nova Scotia, lOtli Nov., 1798. 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the Honor to inform your Lordship that I returned 
 to this place on Saturday last from Providence in the State of 
 Rhode Island, having on the 26 of October compleated the 
 Commission with which his Majesty has been pleased to honor 
 me ; the event of which I trust will meet His most Gracious 
 approbation. 
 
 A copy of the Declaration of the Commissioners is herewith 
 inclosed to your Lordship, an orij^inal of which with a map of 
 the Territory in dispute has been delivered to his Majesty's 
 agent.i Your Lordship will observe that the Event has been 
 very favorable, the River claimed on the part of His Majesty 
 as the true St. Croix having been confirmed as such by the 
 
 I The .award of the Commissioners various other documents relating to 
 will be found in American State Pa- this matter are printed, 
 pers, For. Rel.,Vol. VI, p. 921, where 
 
 1^ 
 
I 
 
 ligto 
 
 THE TRITE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 91 
 
 
 ('oiniiiissioiicrs. It was not, however, in their power to cxteiid 
 tlie Western Limits of tlie hite Province of Nova Seotia to tlie 
 extr(Mn(* l»oint elainied by His Majesty's Ai^eiit, to wit, "ad 
 seatiircf^int'in sive fonteni ex ocreideutiili parte ejnsih'ni, (pii se 
 prinnini praedicto Huvio iniinisset," the words made use of in 
 IIk' (Jrant of Kin^' James to Sir William Ah'xanth'r. Hail the 
 boundaries contained in the Commissions to the (Jovernors of 
 Nova S(!otia from the year \li>',i tallied with thos(! in Sir Wil- 
 liam Alexander's (Jrant, Mr. Jienson the third ('omnussioner 
 wonld i-eadily have j^one with me in establishinj;' tlu^ most re- 
 mote Western sprinjj on thci Seoudiac, as the Sonrce of the 
 River St. ( 'roix, bnt as those Commissions use only the expres- 
 sion of fo till' SoKtrc of the nicer ISt. Croix, Mr. Howell con- 
 ceived the Chipntnatueook from its snperior nuijj^nitnde to be 
 the branch, we were to follow for the Soui'ce; while ^Ir. lien- 
 son and myself were of oi)iiiioii that the continuation of the 
 Seoodiac was the real St. Croix, because it had ever retained 
 the same Indian name with its waters, below this ranutication 
 of the River. Mr. Benson, however, could not from the words 
 of the treaty of Peace in 1783; or the boundaries of the I'rov- 
 ince of Nova Scotia as expressed in the Connnissions to the 
 tlovernors from the year 1703 lind himself authorized t( pro- 
 ceed farther Up the River Scoudiac for the Source, than where 
 the waters issue from the lake Genesagaragum-siss into the 
 Scoudiac, a distance of not more than five nules from the 
 mouth of the Chiputnatecook, as your Lordship will observe 
 bv revertinj^ to the maj) annexed to the declaration. The fol- 
 lowing were his objections. That previous to the year 1703 
 the only bounds to the Province of Nova Scotia were those 
 expressed in the Grant to Sir William Alexander, tla^ then 
 Western limits of which "were the most remote Source or 
 Spring on the Westeiui side of the said River (the St. Croix) 
 which first mingles its waters with the aforesaid River." That 
 this most Western Source or fountain, was frcjm a literal trans- 
 lation of the words, a stream of water diflferent from the St. 
 Croix, and at all Events could not ex vi termini merelv be con- 
 sidered the Source of the River St. Croix ; that the Commis- 
 sions to the respective Governors of Nova Scotia from the 
 
'I 
 
 92 
 
 C'OUKKSPONDP^NCE OP THOMAS BARVIiAY 
 
 ostablislmiciit of tlio Province to tlio year 17(i8 wore general 
 utul witliout t'xprcssiiij^ any particular IkhiikIs. In \1(V.], when 
 ilio Fi-endi ceded Canada to (Jreat Hritain, the Nortliern limits 
 of Nova Scotia were narrowed and confined to the Iliirhlands, 
 &('., &c., a (^cnnniission to Montatfue Wilinot as Governor of 
 NovaS<'otia issued soon after in which commission new bounds 
 were c^iven to Nova Scotia in tlie Words followinjr. "bounded 
 on the Westward by a line c 'awn from ('aj)e Sable across the 
 enterance of the liay of Pundy to tlie mouth of the River St. 
 Croix, by the said Hiver to its Soinrc and by a lino drawn due 
 North from thence to the Soutliern boundary of onr ('olony of 
 Quebe(\" 
 
 These same boundaries are expressed in several Subse(iuent 
 Commissions. That tlu^ Words to its Source in tlieso com- 
 missions and in the treaty of Peace in 178;), arc very different 
 from those of '' most remote sonrco or Sprinj^ on the Western 
 side of ti.e said River whic\ first minj^les its waters with the 
 aforesaid river" made use of in Sir William Alexanders (i rant. 
 That a chain of Lakes could not be called a river, in proof ol" 
 which Ml". Benson referred to the second Article of the 
 Treaty of Peace Detween His Majesty and the United States 
 of America, wherein the River St. Lawrence is considered to 
 cease at the Lake Ontario, and all the Waters that connect the 
 lakes from Ontario to the lake of the Woods an! called water 
 (^onnnunications and not the River St. Lawrence. That the 
 lake in the Woods was as much the Source of this River, as 
 the most remote western lake of the Scoudiac was of the St. 
 Croix. lie therefore could not with j)ropriety go beyond the 
 first lak(> in tlie Scondiac for the: Source of the St. Ci'oix — so 
 far ho could consistantly ^o, beyond it, all was nncertaiti, and 
 mere conjecture. Mr. Howell adopted a similar mode of 
 arj^uinf:^ for the Source of the St. Croix on the Chiputnate- 
 cook. After much debate between ^Lc. Benson and myself 
 as to the sonrce of the River, His Majesty's Agent, with the 
 ad\nce of Mr. Liston the Envoy Extraordinary reques'^^d me 
 to acceed to the Chiputnatecook provided 1 conld obtain the 
 northwest Source of that River. To this point Mr. Benson, 
 an, a matter of negotiation and accommodation between the 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 THE TRUE RIVER ST. CROIX 
 
 93 
 
 uiitions, i-eadily assented.^ Mr. Howell declined boinj^f a party 
 to the decliiratioii ; until it was enfjrossed and ready for ex- 
 ecuition. He then reluctantly directed his name to be inserted 
 in the Declaration, which he eventually sifxiied. By takinj; 
 the Northwest Sonrce of the ('liiputnatecook, instead of the 
 Scoudiae whore it joins the lakes, we {jjain a very considerable 
 addition of territory, and the line to be drawn from tlience 
 due North will intersect the River St. John very high up, 
 some distfuico above the Grand falls. Whereas a North line 
 from the hike (Tenesagara<4'uin-Siss would have crossed the 
 Kiver St. John to the Southward of the Post at Presque Isle. 
 By the present decision all grants under the ('rowu are se- 
 cured. The mast country preserved and about nine-tenths of 
 the Lands in dispute confirmed to the King; in addition to 
 all which the Cliiputuatecook putting the Grant of Alexander 
 out of the Question, is beyond all doubt the pi'in(!ipal feeder 
 of the River St. Croix, and of course tin; Braiuih on wliicli the 
 Source is to be found and from its direct course an inflnitely 
 preferable national boundary to the npper part of the Scou- 
 diae. I shall leave to His Majesty's Agent to explain the 
 efft^ct our decision will have on the Bay of Passamafjuady 
 and tlic Islands therein ; adding only this remark tliat tlie 
 Commissioners could not find the mouth of the River St. 
 Croix (agreeably to the treaty of Peace) in the Bay of Fundy, 
 
 1 Jutlge Benson's views as sum- not capable of being liquidated by 
 
 mari/ed in this letter, were pre- calculation or dcjiuitr Itule, and 
 
 served ir.oro at length in a MS. tlier«>fore to be assessed accord- 
 
 nienioranduin, a copy of whieli was ing to (linccrniiiviit or discretion; a 
 
 filed in 1S17 with the Commissioners latitude of arbitraraeui is in such 
 
 under the 4tli Article of the Treaty cases sujtposed to be permitted to 
 
 of tihent. It is publisiied in Uec. the Jurors, but as they must at the 
 
 Mass. Hist. Soe., Oct., 1887. In re- same time agree in a precise sum, 
 
 gard to the compromise concerning accommodation of sentiment .among 
 
 the point to bo selected as the them to a degree is necessary and 
 
 source of the St. Croix, lie says: consequently jnstilialde." This ex- 
 
 " The reference, as it respected the plains Benson's readiness to assent 
 
 *V)(/nY' of the River being as it wore to the selection of the northwest 
 
 an appeal to mere Judgment or branch of the Chiputnaticook "as 
 
 opinion, is in that view analogous a matter of negotiation and accom- 
 
 to cases of assessment of damages, modation." 
 
94 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 % 
 
 but at a Point near St. Andrews at the head of the Bay of 
 Passamaquady. 
 
 I have repeatedly observed to your Lordship that the sur- 
 veys of tlie Rivers were the sole cause of procrastinating the 
 decision. The Arguments also of the Agents have been dif- 
 fuse in the extreme. These were closed on the 22d of Sep- 
 tember, and the maps compiled from the Surveys by the Sur- 
 veyor General of New Bruuswic arrived at Providence the 
 loth of October. The Commissioners on that day entered 
 on their decision and the declaration was executed on the 
 2Gth of tliat month. It has been my constant study to pro- 
 mote His Majesty's Interest by every means within my power 
 consistent with my duty as a Commissiouer ; and if my con- 
 duct liappily meets the approbation of my Sovereign, your 
 Lordship and His Majestys other Ministers, it will afford me 
 infinite satisfaction. 
 
 'S3 
 
 4 
 
of 
 
 lur- 
 the 
 
 Llif- 
 
 »ep- 
 iur- 
 the 
 red 
 the 
 jro- 
 vvor 
 hon- 
 our 
 me 
 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 17t)9-lS0'J 
 
 THE qu(^stion of the Riv^er St. Croix boiiiji: thus hap- 
 pily disposed of, Colonel Barclay, — after a brief 
 visit to New- York, — returned to Nova Sootia in the lat- 
 ter part of the year 1798 to take up again his duties at 
 the bar and in the legishiture, and to go on with tlie de- 
 velopment and sale of his lands. His children were 
 fast growing up, and their settlement in life was begin- 
 ning to claim his constant care and thought. Of the 
 three eldest Eliza was indeed happily married; but 
 Henry was a. -ost out of his apprenticeship as a clerk 
 with Hartshorne & Boggs, of Halifax, and money would 
 be wanting to establish him in business; while De Lan- 
 cey was loitering away his time as an officer in a f encible 
 regiment. 
 
 To support a family of ten children — to marry the 
 daughters — to buy commissions and partnerships for 
 the sons — was no easy task upon the income and with 
 the opportunities of a lawyer in a Nova Scotia village. 
 But their stay in the British pi'ovinces was nearly at 
 an end. Barclay's report on the boundary had hardly 
 reached the Foreign Office when ho was appointed 
 British Consul-General for the Eastern States of Amer- 
 ica in the room of Sir John Temple, deceased. ' 
 
 1 Sir John Teraplo Bart, was tho relative, Sir Kichanl i'emple, of 
 son of Robert Temple of Boston, Stowe In Buckinghamshire, in 1786, 
 Mass. On the death of his distant he succeeded to this ancient baron- 
 
 95 
 
'I '' 
 
 96 
 
 CORUESPUNDliNCE OP THOMAS JiARCLAY 
 
 il 
 
 11 
 
 ■ * 
 I 
 
 i\ 
 
 Oil Juno If), 1799, Barclay and his wife arrived once 
 more in New York to find again the lionie which they 
 had lost nearly sixteen years before. He was now just 
 forty-six ; she a year younjjjer. Their danjj;hters were 
 all with them, but of the sons, only Henry and Beverley 
 accompanied their parents to New- York. (Tet)rj!je and 
 Anthony, the two little boys, were at school at Wind- 
 sor, N. S. ; for the gentleman of genius at £30 a year, 
 whom Colonel Barclay had wished to import from 
 8cotlan<l, had never been discovered. Thomas the 
 younger had also been left behind at school; but on 
 S(»ptember 1, 1799, being then nearly sixteen, H. M. S. 
 Boston received him aboard as a midshipman, and 
 he sailed away for his share of glory and pi-ize-monoy. 
 De Lancey, too, was soon to leave Nova Scotia, foi* on 
 January 11, 1800, lie was appointed an Ensign in the 
 Forty-first Kegiment of Foot, then stationed in CaTiada. 
 
 The summer of 1799 was probably passed by Barclay 
 and his household near Flushing; but in the Autunm of 
 that year he hired the liouse No. 142 Greenwich street, 
 at what he considered the extravagant rent of £250, 
 New- York currency, or $625 a year. His salary was 
 nominally £1500 a year, but it was paid with the 
 greatest irregularity and was subject to heavy deduc- 
 tions for taxes, office fees, and other impositions. Bar- 
 clay entertained largely, seeing, as he says, more com- 
 pany in a month than Sir John Temple in a year. But 
 writing a couple of years later to his sister Cornelia in 
 England, he comjdains that neither he nor his wife 
 "relish the mode of life which we are compelled to 
 
 ett'y. Hemarried, January 20, 17(37, York, November 17, 1798. A mouu- 
 
 Eliziibeth, daughter of Governor ment erected to his memory stands 
 
 Bovvdoin, of Massachusetts; Avas in St. Paul's Church on the north aide 
 
 appointed British Consul-General in of the chancel. His successor's com- 
 
 Fobruary, 1785, and died in New- mission bears date January 20, 1799. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 171)9-1802 
 
 97 
 
 from my situation ; and yot," ho adds, " wo aro far from 
 enturinjjj into tlie iijay cirolos of dissipation. In two 
 years I havo boon only to ono assombly and two i)lays, 
 to privato balls probably oight or ton. Both of ns 
 grow old, are fond of early hours, and have lost all rel- 
 ish for those gay Soones that once afforded pleasure." 
 About this period (for the date is not ([uite coi'tain) 
 Maria ]3arelay, the seoond daught<'r, was marri«'d to 
 Simon Fraser, a gentleman of tlu^ name and family of 
 that Lord Lovat who "sutTored" in 174;"). Mr. Fraser 
 settled in British Uuianaa^^ u planter, living on the river 
 Berbioe, and so Maria di;>appearod henoeforth from the 
 family eirele. 
 
 Public affairs for the first throe years after Barclay's 
 return to Now- York wore a doubtful aspect. Tlu* Fed- 
 eralists went out with Adams and the Republicans 
 came in with Jefferson. The troubles with England 
 wore temporarily ended, but no man could toll when 
 they might break out again. With Franco we w{U'e 
 actually at war. In Europe there was no peace. Ma- 
 rengo and Hohenlinden were fought on land, and the 
 battle of Copenhagen at sea. England took Malta an<l 
 Minorca and drove the French from Egypt. Pitt fell 
 from power, and Addington succeeded him — to make 
 peace with France and imperil relations with the United 
 States. And some echo of those great events found its 
 way into New- York, where peace reigned and merchants 
 were growing rich upon the profits of the neutral trade. 
 
 Imonu- 
 ^tauds 
 hli side 
 jscom- 
 |, 1799. 
 
 €i 
 
 TO LOUD GllENVILLE. 
 
 AnnapDlis, 11th May, 1799. 
 My Lord: 
 
 I was last Evening honored with your Lordships dispatch 
 of the 19th of January last, informing me of your having had 
 
98 
 
 COKRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS HARCLAY 
 
 the Goodness to submit my name to Ilis Majesty, as a proper 
 person to siicceed the late Sir John Temple, as His Majesty's 
 Consul General for the Eastern States of Ameriea, and that 
 His Majesty had been graciously pleased to confer upon me 
 that appointment. Also that my commission would be trans- 
 mitted to Mr. Liston by the next Packet, and that it was His 
 Majesty's pleasure I shoidd remove to New York with as 
 much expedition as the situation of my private affairs will 
 allow. 
 
 Permit me to intreat your Lordship to lay at His Majestys 
 feet, my most humble a(!knowledg(!nients for this repeated in- 
 stance of His Royal Favor, and with all due submission to 
 assure His Majesty I shall by an unremitted attention to my 
 duty endeavor in some degree to merit this most gracious 
 testimony of His Royal confidence, and I earnestly requ(!st 
 your Lordship will be pleased to accept of my most grateful 
 thanks for your kind offices, and I trust my conduct will in 
 no instance afford your Lordship occasion to regret the favor 
 you have conferred on me. 
 
 I shall with all possible expedition arrange my private af- 
 fairs and hope within a moutlj from this day to leave this 
 Province for New York, of whicli I shall acquaint Mr. Liston 
 by the earliest conveyance. 
 
 FROM MR. BROUGHTON. 
 
 Sir: 
 
 Downing Street, July 2d, 1799. 
 
 I was favored with the receipt of your Letter on Saturday 
 last inclosing a Power of Attorney to enable me to receive 
 your Appointments as His Majesty's Consul General to the 
 Eastern States of America. I lose no time in returning you 
 my thanks for this mark of your Confidence, and I shall not 
 fail immediately after the receipts of any part of your Allow- 
 ances to pay the Balance over to Messrs. Brook, Watson & 
 Co. after deducting the usual Treasury and Exchequer Fees 
 and the Agency of G:G:0 per Quarter. The Particulars of 
 
 i 
 
 0' 
 
 I 
 
CONSUL-GENiaiAL, 1799-1802 
 
 99 
 
 wliicli I shall not fail to transmit by the first Mail after sneh 
 Payment has been made. 
 
 It may be jjroper to inform yon that the Civil List is now 
 Five Qnarters in Arrears; so that it will in all probability 1)0 
 some time in April or May 1800 before the Appointments dne 
 5th. Jany. 17!)9 are issued at the Excjlunpier. 
 
 I send yon the Morning Herald, whieh altho' by no means 
 a favorite Paper of mine with regard to Politicks, yet as it eer- 
 tainly gives the News and Li((s of the Duy more in (letail and 
 in a more lively mainuir than any other Jonrnal, I have 
 selceted it nnder the idea that it will prove the most enter- 
 taining. 
 
 I am, &c 
 
 Chas. R. Broitghton.i 
 
 TO LOKP GKENVILLE. 
 
 irday 
 ;ceive 
 |o the 
 you 
 L not 
 Lllow- 
 pon & 
 Fees 
 Irs of 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 Nfw York, 8th Au.u'usi, 17fl9. 
 My Lord: 
 
 In my dispatch of the lOth of June, I stated to yonr Lord- 
 ship the oltjection that lay to the issuing of my exe(iuatur as 
 His Majesty's Consul Cenciral for the Eastern KStates of America 
 in consequence of my commission not having arrived, since 
 which, on a personal interview with Mr. Pickering, the Ameri- 
 can S('(!r(^tary of State at Philadelphia, the exceptions have 
 beim so far obviated that letters l*atent have issued from the 
 President of the United States recognizing me as His Majes- 
 ty's Consnl Genei'al and granting all the Priviledges appertain- 
 ing to that office. I at the same time received a letter from 
 the Seijretary of State, re(iuesting me to forward my commis- 
 sion as soon as received that it might be inrolled and an exe- 
 (puitnr be made out. The sitnatiou, my Lord, of His Majesty's 
 Ships of War, Packets, and Merchant Vessels coming to this 
 and the other ports in the United States of America is very 
 
 1 The writer of this letter was a ficcrs as their agent to settle ac- 
 clerk in the Foreign Office, who was counts in London, 
 employed by various consuhir of- 
 
' ■ ' 
 
 100 
 
 CDRHKSPONDENCE OF THOMAS RAHOLAY 
 
 unploasant and truly detrimcTital to the Service. Captain 
 Don^'lass of His Majesty's Ship lioston who convoyed a nuni- 
 l)er of American Merchantmen safe to tlieir respective ports, 
 arrived at New York ahout the 20th of June. Tlie crew of the 
 Barge tliat rowed him to shore were in liis presence invited by 
 a number of persons wlio surroundc J the; Barge, to desert t\w 
 Service, witli promises of better pay and protection. In con- 
 sequence! of this several of C!apt. Douglasses best men left the 
 barge. He complaine^d to the Mayor of tliis (Uty who replied 
 that if he could identify the persons that seduced his nuni he 
 would luive them apprehended. This was impracticable, being 
 a total stranger in the City. His Majesty's Packet boats in- 
 vrtria])ly lose a part of the Crews by desertion, who the instant 
 they g(!t on shore are at Liberty, or what is still worse and 
 more provoking are supported by men whose employment it 
 is to procure Seamen for American Merchant Vessels. If a 
 (^aptain of a pacsket was to meet any of his absconding Seamen 
 and attempt(Ml to carry them by force on board, it is nu)re 
 than proba})le they would be rescued by a mol), but admitting 
 he succeeded, a habeas corpus woidd again set them at liberty, 
 the Crimps being ever ready as bail. If the Captain of the 
 Packet is either Plaintiff or Defendant, he must remain in this 
 City with his witnesses until the Cause is tried, a measure 
 whi(di is inconsistent with the Service. Of course he is com- 
 pelled to give up the pursuit. The Packets frcipiently leave 
 this with little more than half their compliment of Men, and 
 trust to Halifax for the renuiinder. I recollect in May last 
 one of them was detained several days in Halifax for want of 
 men, and if I am iu)t mistaken, Admiral Vandeput eventually 
 furnished her from his own ship. Merchant ships are in a 
 similar situation, and complaints to me are daily. The enor- 
 mous pay allowed by the Americans to Seamen is too great a 
 temptation for our Sailors to resist. I have taken the liberty 
 to state the al)ove to your Lordship possessed of the facts. An 
 additional article to the treaty, authorizing the issuing of a 
 warrant for ai)prehending British Seamen deserting, with an 
 Act of Congress inflicting pains and penalties on persons 
 seducing or even taking into their Servi(!e British Seamen, 
 
 ■:.( 
 
 ^M 
 
CONSUL-QKNEKAL, 17l)l)-1802 
 
 101 
 
 would effiictually rcnuuly the lOvil. Mr. Liston iufonns mc 
 thiit ho has luul suvoral couvorsatious on the subject with tlie 
 Ainericau Sei^retary of State, and luis ho])es that soniethinj? 
 will be af?reod on this year for the preventinj^ of these evils. 
 
 Tile expense of living in this City is so enormously ex- 
 travajj^ant and the number of stranjrers resorting to it, who 
 naturally expect invitations and attention from His Majesty's 
 Consul so great, that the Salary fj;raciously allowed me by His 
 Majesty will fall infinitely short of my annual expenses when 
 contracted by the strictest Oe(!onomy. Under these einnim- 
 stances, my Lord, I shall in future presume to take, from For- 
 eigners only, fees for granting certificates until your Loi'dships 
 pleasure is known. The annual anumnt nuiy at the utmost 
 pay my house rent in this eity. I consider it for tlu^ Honor 
 of my Sovereign and the Interest of the Nation, that I should 
 live genteely and hospitably so as to secure a good uiuler- 
 standing with the official Characters of this (lovernment and 
 all respectable strangers who may visit this CHty, a measure 
 iiulis])ensibly necessary to promise early information and to 
 facilitate business. 
 
 this 
 jasure 
 corn- 
 leave 
 , and 
 y last 
 ant of 
 ually 
 in a 
 enor- 
 reat a 
 berty 
 i. An 
 >• of a 
 th an 
 rsons 
 men, 
 
 .| 
 
 
 TO CAPT. BABRON, UNITED STATES SHIP CONSTELLATION. 
 
 Sm; 
 
 Hallitts Cove Long Island 1st Oct' 179!). 
 
 Captain Champion of the private armed British Merchant 
 
 ship the acquaints that since his arrival in the port of 
 
 New York, many of his Seamen have deserted and left the Ship 
 in violation of their shipping articles, and that some of them 
 have been entertained at your recruiting rendevous in the 
 City and eventually entered and received on board the united 
 
 1 Tho Constellation was built at of tlie ship of 1812. From August 2 
 
 Baliimore and launched in 1797 ; in to November 11, 1799, she was com- 
 
 1812 she was rebuilt, and techni- mandod by Captain Samuel Barron, 
 
 cally is still afloat; but she has been who is not to be confounded with 
 
 repaired so much from time to time his brother, the unfortunate Janus 
 
 that there can be but little left even Barron. 
 
 7A 
 
-L- I 
 
 102 
 
 COKUESPONDKNCE OP THOMAS nAIlCLAY 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 states Fi'if^ate under your (Joniniand. I luivo iicquaintod 
 C'aptain Chaiiipioii of my liavinj^ mo (loul)t but you wouhl on 
 a personal application from him, deliver up sueh men as be- 
 lonj^ to his Ship, for whiiih purpose he now waits on you. 
 lie will inform y(»n of the veiy special condition on which he 
 is chartered and the very probable serious (!oiuse(|uences 
 which will follow to his owners in consequence of the loss of 
 tlioso Men. 
 
 In addition to the treaty existing; between (Ireat Hritain 
 and the united States of America ; I am convinced the deli- 
 cate situations wherein those two powers stand each to the 
 otiier with respect to seamen, will have that weight with you 
 which the present ease demands. 
 
 From the very liandsome and honoral)le nuinner in which 
 you have ever been represented; I anticipate a favorable 
 issue to this application. 
 
 As the present, from the CV)nstellation bein<; under orders 
 for sailing the day after tomorrow, will probably l)e tlu! oidy 
 opportunity I shall have of writing you on this Subject pre- 
 vious to your return ; I am reluctantly compelled to add, that 
 in case men are not given up I shall be under the necessity 
 not only of representing the case officially to your Govern- 
 nuiut, but of transmitting an authenti(!at(!d Statement of 
 Fa(!ts to be laid before His Britannic Majesty, a nu-asure you 
 must be sensible fraught with the most serious consequences. 
 
 TO MES. GRACE KEMPE, LONDON. 
 
 New York 2d Oct' 1799. 
 Madam : 
 
 Your favor of the JV of June came to hand only a few days 
 since by the July Packet the Marquis of Kildare. Accept my 
 best thanks for your polite and very friendly congratulations 
 on my late appointment as His Majesty s Consul General for 
 the Eastern States of America. 
 
 I am gratefully sensible of this testimony of Royal con- 
 fidence and favor ; and M"- Barclay and myself much grati- 
 
 4 
 
 
 r 
 
CONSUL-GKNERAIi, 17D9-1H02 
 
 103 
 
 ,'« 
 
 fiod in Ix'injr onco moro united in tlio sanit' circle with many 
 of those relations and friends wo so reluctantly parted with 
 at the close of the AnuM'ican War. — An interval, however, of 
 liftecn years has nnide an astonishing alteration in this City; 
 so that I feel myself almost a pertVust stran^.ir in the ploco of 
 my nativity.' — Hy removinjr to Nova Scotia, new connec- 
 tions and accjuaintanees were formed to whom from their 
 amial)l(! manners and storlinjjj worth wi; became ])articularly 
 attiudied & of course the ])artin}^ with these in a great 
 measure damped the pleasure a removal to this ('ountry 
 would otherwise have pi-oduced; in addition to this the 
 healthy and eharminj; elinuite of Nova Scotia was r(du<^tantly 
 resi<,'ned by us for that of New York which nev(M' was healthy 
 and latterly has become every Summer really pestilential. 
 New York at this monunit is nearly deserted owiiif? to the 
 prevalence of the yellow fever. I have not been in it for up- 
 wards of a fortnififht, nor shall I enter it ajjain until the fever 
 is removed. — All the (rcntlemen of tho Law havt^ also re- 
 moved into the Country, so that at pre^;<'nt it is not in my 
 power to sanction with their opinion, that which I shall give 
 you of ray own. 
 
 You are undoubtedly entitled Madam to your dower in the 
 Lands whei'cof my worthy frieiul, your husband, was pos- 
 sessed.'- This dovvei" will be valuahle in propoj'tiou to the 
 Lands, and the State of Cultivation they are in — at .all P^vents 
 your dower is worth some thing and you may safely make the 
 exi)eriment, hecauso you will receive more than the trifling 
 costs you will be put to. The State of New York I un rstand 
 have appointed Commissioners to en(iuire into claims of dower 
 and to report what they consider as an equitahle eipiivalent. 
 This in your Situation will be better than being put into the 
 [)ossession of wild or remote lauds for life, because whatever 
 they report is given you as a satisfaction for your dower. 
 
 con- 
 rrati- 
 
 1 The population of Now-York in when a boy. Ho was for many years 
 
 178:J was estimated at 24,000; in Attornoy-({eneral of the Province. 
 
 17i)l) it was npward of 60,000. Having boon attainted hy the Act of 
 
 '-'John Tabor Kempe was a native 1779, he removed to England, where 
 
 of England, but came to New-York he died. 
 
* 
 
 104 
 
 C'OimRSPONDKNrK OP TIIOMAH HAri<'[iAY 
 
 ' • 
 
 ' 
 
 Tho Seiison will ha too far advaiiood lu'f'oro this will p;ot to 
 IuiihI for you to transmit me any orij^inal papers, so that you 
 had b(!tt(T postpone sondinj^ thcni until March next, eitluT in 
 Ji packet or Man of War, the latter is tlu! most safe. In tho 
 mean time forward by tho first conveyanco your letter of At- 
 torney with a memorandum or description of tho lands M' 
 Kempi^ poss(^ss<'d and in which you (daim a dowi^r — Sitmition, 
 boundaries, and number of Acres, toj^ether with tho title un- 
 der wliich he held tlicm ; and if there is anv indorscnuMit on 
 the (Jrants or Deeds of their inrolment or record in {^, annex an 
 exact copy of it that wo may refer to the Koj^istry. 
 
 It will afford mo real pleasure in this and every other in- 
 stance to nmdcr you or any of the famuy every service in ray 
 pow((r. M" lianday unites with me in sincere rejijards to 
 your daufjfhters and yourself. 
 
 TO MR. GREENWOOD. 
 
 Sir; 
 
 New York, 2* Oct' 1799. 
 
 Inclosed is an extract from a letter I received from His R. 
 H., the Duke of Kent, by the packcst from Nova Scotia,^ in 
 which he advises me to apply to you on the Subject of procur- 
 ing a Lieutenancy for my son Do Lancey Barclay with as little 
 delay as possible in order that he may the sooner have permis- 
 sion to purchase a Company. To effect this as there is not 
 a Lieut^ in the Royal Fusiliers vacant at present, it is neces- 
 sary my Son commences with the first step, that of an Ensign, 
 and his R. 11. points to one you have tho disposal of at tho 
 regulation — he thou proceeds to observe that Lieutenancys 
 are daily to bo had on sinular terms, and rocommeiids me to 
 apply to you in his name for your interest and good offices in 
 
 1 The Duke of Kent had resided at Duke liad at this time just returnod 
 
 Halifax as Comniauder of tho Forces to Halifax after a short visit to Eng- 
 
 from 1794 to 1798, during all of which land. He was the father of tho 
 
 time ('oloncl Barclay was Speaker present Queen of England, 
 of tho Provincial Assembly. Tho 
 
 ■) 
 
 '4 
 
CONSUL-OENERAL, 1799-18(»2 
 
 10.') 
 
 
 fiivor of my son. Tlin directions of his U. II. to mo will, 
 I trust, bo a siifllcicMit apolo^jy for my ('(inuneiiciti}; thus ab- 
 ruptly u (MM'rcspoudcuoc, and recjucstiuiij your assistance in 
 offeotinf» my wislies. 
 
 Af tlio (•(•niincnccniont of tlio present war, and undtn* tlie 
 erron(M)us o])inion that its (uuitinuanee vvouhl be l)ut of shoi't 
 duration, I was iufbiced to put iy Son l)e LaiHH'y Hai<day at 
 tho solioitntion of ('ol. Sir Join) W(Mitworth into the lioyal 
 Nova Scotia Ke^nineut, wherein he luis served five years in tho 
 respective ranks of lOnsij^ii, Lieut., and Captain, ConiniaiMlint; 
 tli(f (Jrenadier ('(un])any upwards of a year on a detaclied Coni- 
 inand at ('a[>e Breton. When lu^ first entered the; service it 
 was not my intention ho shouhl continue it as a profession ; he, 
 however, appears fond of it, and in coinplian(!e with his rc- 
 <iuest I now wish him in a rcf^nlar old Kcf,''. He has entei-ed 
 his 2()th year, is well ^jfrown, has had a lilx^ral education, is a 
 very handsome younj^ man, and free from every vice or fash- 
 ionable dissipation. 
 
 FROM COX & GREENWOOD. 
 
 cys 
 to 
 in 
 
 L,ng- 
 tho 
 
 
 Sir: 
 
 London, (itli. Foby, IHOO. 
 
 We have tho pleasure to acknowledfco the receipt of viuir 
 favor of the 2nd. Oct. to Mr. (Jreenwood respectinj; the Pur- 
 chase of u Commission in the Armv for vour Son whom von 
 are desirous of attaining the liank of Captain for as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 In this we shall be particndarly happy to f<n'ward your 
 wishes when it (!an be doiui ; but you must l)e ap' :ed that 
 from th(! late Regulations of tlu^ ('ommander in »'hief an 
 Officer cannot be permitted to Purchase a Comi)any untd he 
 shall have served two ycjirs as a Subaltern. 
 
 There being an opportunity of jjurchasing an Ensigncy in 
 the 41st. Regt. lately gone to Quebec we conceived it would 
 be more agreeable to you to have your Son in one in America 
 than any where else, especially as he goes into that Reginumt 
 
lOG 
 
 OOUIJESrONDENCK OF THOMAS RAUOIjAV 
 
 If 
 
 ! 1 
 
 :i 
 
 5 t 
 
 i\' I 
 
 very advjintajToously there being other vacaueies and wo be- 
 li(>ve he will be first or seeond for the rurehase of n liieuty. 
 when one falls vacant in the Hej::inient; which is the oidy 
 eliance of his obtaininj; a Lienty. as they are become now 
 very scarc(> and dilhcnlt to be had. 
 
 AVe have also tlie pleasnre to aciinaint yon that the En- 
 sifi'iicy was pni'chjtsed nnder tlu^ W(>{;nla(ion, havinj; been «,'ot 
 foj* ;{,")() (Jnis. Ensign Barclay's Coniniission is Dated the 11"' 
 -Jannary. 
 
 It will be necessary for yon to write to the Coinmandiiig 
 Oflicer of the Hegt. Lieut. Colonel Thomas, stating wlien 
 Ensign Harehiy will join. 
 
 We have etc. 
 
 Cox & Gkkrnwooi). 
 
 TO HIS majesty's rOSTMASTERS-GENERAT.. 
 
 Now Yoi-k Coiisu. (Umerals Orticc^ 15 March 1800. 
 Mv Lords: 
 
 'lis Majestys Packet Boats and Mevehant Vessels having 
 ever since my arrival at this place snffered great inconveni- 
 ence and occasional delay in conseqnence of the desertion of 
 their Men, and the impracticability of regaining them nnless 
 by the tedions and ordinary process at Common Law; in- 
 duced mo to represent the gri(>vanee to some of the leading 
 mend)ers in the House of K'epresentaiives of this State, and 
 to rcqnest them to procure a Ijaw for th(> summary trial of 
 deserting, or absjinting SeanuMi ; A ineasure founded in 
 Justic(^ and due to all Nations in alliance with the United 
 Stat(!S of America. 
 
 I am happy to accpuiint your Lordshii)sthat my application 
 lias succeeded and have the honor to inclose yonr Lordships a 
 Gazette contiiining the Act i)assed for that purpose. 
 
 Your Lordships will observe from the words of the Act 
 that the Agreement by the Seamen to perform a Voyage nuist 
 be made in writing, 1 take the Liberty to suggest this, from 
 
CONSUL-dKNEKAIj, 17!)y-lH(VJ 
 
 107 
 
 the Captains of I'aciiuots haviiii; rejjcatt'dly iiifoniicd nio tluit 
 it was not custoninrv for scamoii onii)lovt'(l in lliat Service to 
 si<j:n Ai'tielos. IVrinit nie to add it will advance his Majestys 
 Service in these paiMs, to direct that the Seamen in fntnrc 
 employed in the ['accpiets shall on entcrint!,- sitrn articles, and 
 that the Articles of A«;reennMit in future to Ite used be ccf- 
 reetly and explicitly drawn by a professional (leutlenian. 
 
 TO LOHl) (JKENVII.LE. 
 
 New York 15 Mairh ISOO. 
 Mv liOKl): 
 
 I hav(^ the satisfaction to ac(piaintyt)ur Loi-dship that I have 
 throu<i;h the intervention of some of the leadini; Characters in 
 the house of lli'pri'sentatives of this State {)roeured an act for 
 tlie summary trial of Seamen desertinj; or absentinii'themsidves 
 from the Ships to whom they are articled to perform a voyage ; 
 a copy of which a,ct is inclosed. 
 
 The i;ri((vaiice had becomes almost intolei'able to His Majes- 
 ty's Subjects and the l'a('((Ui*t service in many instances de- 
 layed. Tliese Evils I had statinl to M' Ijiston as well as your 
 Lordsliip, and (indinj; from him that it was improbable any 
 immediate j;eneral remedy would Ix^ administered, I considei'ed 
 it advisable^ to etTect, if in my [)ower, a i)a-rtial oneconlined to 
 this State, I ho})e the measure will meet your Iiordshi[is 
 approV tion. 
 
 By this conveyance I write His Majesty's Postnuisters (feii- 
 eral onthi^ SubjcH't, inclosinij^ thiMii the Act, and recommendinijf 
 the Seamen in that St>rvice, beinjj^ in future under Articles, to 
 enable me to recover them in cases of desertion. 
 
 Act 
 Invust 
 I from 
 
 TO MR. 13ROUGHTON. 
 
 New York ()'" May ISOO. 
 DkaR SiK: 
 
 Your favors of the 24 tfc ;{1 of January I received by the 
 Earl iJower Tacket, The letters aceom])anyini^ them a,ddressed 
 
u\f 
 
 IV 
 
 108 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 -.: t 
 
 ':' I 
 
 I 
 
 I II 
 
 fM 
 
 to persons iu this City were immediately delivered, and those 
 for Canada forwarded the first Conveyanee. I am much 
 oblin'tHl to you for the purehase of my two half Lottery tickets 
 and your attention in forwarding the numbers; pray favor me 
 witli tlicir fate.i Will you do me the favor to send me a hand 
 Bill of the Rates for Life Insurance and Endowment of Chil- 
 dren at 21 years old. I will thank you to discontinue my Lon- 
 don paper, as we generally have later European news by pri- 
 vate Conveyances than by the Packets. Instead of these send 
 me the Antijacobin Reviews and any political Pamphlets of 
 merit from time to time published. 
 
 TO LORD GRENVILLE. 
 
 New York 7"- May 1800. 
 My Lord: 
 
 I did myself the Honor of writing your Lordship by the last 
 Packet on the Subject of an Act of the Legislature of this 
 State ; a printed copy of which I took the Liberty to inclose to 
 your Lordship. 
 
 It is with no small degree of disappointment that I am ;in- 
 der the necessity of acqmiinting your Lordship that I was pre- 
 mature in the Communication, and that the Bill after having 
 passed the house of Representatives and Senate of this State, 
 was rejected by the Council of Revision. Permit me, however, 
 in my own Justification, to remark that previous to the meet- 
 ing of the Legislature I had recouimended the Bill to two or 
 three of the leading members who promised to bring it for- 
 ward, and that I not only had the public prints of this City as 
 the Channel of information that the Bill had passed, but also 
 the Mayor of the City who read me an extract from M"" Rigg's 
 letter (a member of the Legislature) wherein he desired the 
 Mayor to congratulate me on the subject. With such testi- 
 
 1 Barclay was constantly buying clay, of Bury Hill, These ventures 
 State lottery tickets in London cither seem to have been uniformly unsuc- 
 through Mr. Broughton or David Bar- cessf ul. 
 
 . ii 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 109 
 
 mony, I considered it a matter beyond all donl)t, and accoi d- 
 ingly gave it to your Lordship, as I was convinced it would 
 afford you Satisfa(!tion. 
 
 The Bill was rejected l)y tlie ('ouncil of Revision upon a prin- 
 ciple tliat it was a commercial re<j^ulation whicili appertained 
 to the Couf^ress of the Unitcnl States. At the next meeting of 
 (Jongi'css I shall endeavor to get an Act of this kind passed. 
 
 Ligg's 
 Id the 
 testi- 
 
 hitures 
 unsuc- 
 
 TO MRS. MARGARET DE LANCEY, BATH, ENGLAND. 
 
 Now York 8"- Nov' 1800. 
 My DEAR Madam: 
 
 I wrote you a hasty line by the Lady Arabella Paciket, be- 
 ing at tliat time very unwell with an intermitting fever, from 
 which I am now ]iaj)i)ily recovered, though much reduced. 
 In that letter I acknowledged the receipt of your favor cover- 
 ing tlie letter of Attoriun', and my readiness to render you 
 any Siu'vicie in my power. I at the same time Stated to you 
 my having retained M' Harison- as your Council, and ac- 
 quainted you tliat M"" Hoffman being the Attorney General of 
 this State rendered it improper for him to act for you. I 
 took the liberty at the same time to give you my opinion re- 
 
 lMi^r^'iU•otT)('LiUH'oy Wiis tlu'wid- of course, boeainc ontitled to dower 
 
 o\v of the Jiuiu's ])(? Laiicey wlio was in all tho laiuls solil. 
 
 Agont of the American Loyalists ill '-^Richard Harison was born in 
 
 Enjiland. Hhe was the daughter of New- York, Jamiiiry 2'A, 1748, aiid 
 
 Chief Justice William Allen of died in the same city, December 7, 
 
 Pennsylvania, the friend of Ben- 182!). He was graduated from 
 
 jamin West and Benjamin Frank- Kinj^s CoUej^e in 17()4. He married 
 
 lin. James De Lancey died at Bath, Jirst, Catharine, daughter of Dr. 
 
 1799. He had been attainted by Jones of Ijong Island ; .srro;*^/. Fran- 
 
 tlie Act of 1779, ajid his property in ces, daughter of George Duncan 
 
 tlie city of New- York had been sold Ludlow, one of tho .Iiidges of tlie 
 
 at various times prior to February, Supreme Court of the Province of 
 
 1787. A full account of these sales New- York, and afterward tho first 
 
 will be found in Mr. E. F. De Lan- Chief Justice of New Brunswick, 
 
 eey's notes to Jones's Hist, of N. Y., Harison was inclined to the Tory 
 
 Vol. II, pp. 540-559. His widow, side, but in 1789 he was chosen one 
 
ii 
 
 I 
 
 
 i I 
 
 III 
 
 110 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 spoctinjiif tlio mode of obtaining? your dower or ooinpensation 
 in lion of it; find M"" Ilarisons opinion on the same subject. 
 I shall repeat these, least by an accident to the Lady Arabella 
 yon may be deprived of my former letter. 
 
 Having fnily considered your claim of dower, — the very 
 great number of Tenants of the freelujld who must ho. sued — 
 the i)robal)le delay before you will be put in possession. The 
 forcible; reasons why the Major part of tlie Proprietors will 
 prefer your havinjif the actual possession of one third of the 
 Lots and houses. The c^iormous expense attending a litiga- 
 tion, where there will probably be not loss than three or four 
 hundred Suits, your own costs of which, you must defray. 
 The innuense number of vacant lots, which altho' they are 
 valued at about £100 this Currency each, do not, nor would 
 they at any future period in your hands, produce any annual 
 rent. The precarious tenor of life — The loss y(mr Children 
 would sustain by your dying at the eai'liest within fifteen 
 years. The huigth of time it would require to make the rents 
 issues and profits of your third part of this Estate, after de- 
 ducting six hundred per annum as Inttn'cst for the Capital, 
 net you a clear principal of £10,000 this Currency. The \m- 
 possil)ility of your renting unimproved lots and parts of Lots, 
 from the uncertainty of your Life — The difficulty of obtain- 
 ing tenants, to oc(;upy a third part of a house, containing not 
 more than two small rooms on each floor and thos(5 houses 
 generally not more than two Stories. The defalcations in 
 rents, where Tenants are poor and the expense of employing 
 
 of the (loleg.atcs from tho city of 
 New-York to the Poughkcepsio 
 Convention tlmt ratified the Fed- 
 eral Oonstitntion, his eoUoagnos 
 being Jolm Jay, Richard Morris, 
 Jolni HlossHobart, Alexander Ham- 
 ilton, Robert R. Livingston, Isaac 
 Roosevelt, .Tames Duane, and Nicho- 
 las Lovsr. He was for many years 
 one of the leaders of the New-York 
 bar, and counsel in a large proiior- 
 tion of the more important cases 
 
 reported in the early New-York re- 
 ports. Upon the organization of 
 the Federal Government he was 
 appointed by General Washington 
 U. S. District Attorney. From 
 1798 to 1799 he was Recorder of tho 
 city. For forty-one years — 1788 to 
 1829 — he was one of the Trustees 
 of Columbia College, and in 1823 
 was (/hainnan of tlie Board. Ho 
 also held the office of Comptroller 
 of tho Trinity Chui-ch Corporation. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 111 
 
 l)i'k re- 
 lion of 
 was 
 liiij^ton 
 
 From 
 lot' the 
 1788 to 
 
 istees 
 |i 1823 
 He 
 
 t roller 
 
 Itiou. 
 
 1 
 
 J 
 <« 
 
 .'111 Ajifoiit to take care of the Property and receive the rents — 
 Witli mmiberh'ss other serious objections; I say after liaving; 
 maturely weijj:lie(I all these, it was my decided opinion that 
 you had better take up with a compensation from the IState 
 of New York, attended with but little expense and which yoti 
 would almost immediately receive, than to involve yourself in 
 Litigation, and jdace a very handsome Sum on the casual 
 Event of your Life admitting, as I consider it, to be, ecptal to 
 that of any other person for fifteen years to come. It would 
 take up too much time, and tire your patience was I to give 
 you at length my reasons, on each of the o])jections men- 
 tioned. I shall therefore only say they are admitted as 
 natiu'al by M"" Harison. 
 
 A combination or conspiracy very probably may also be 
 entered into by the Proprietors to dissuade persons from be- 
 coming your Tenants, and to threaten them with innunu^-able 
 unpleasant incidents in case they do it. Their side of the 
 Question, however equitable yours may be, will be the popu- 
 lar one ; in a Country where the Claims of Loyalty are con- 
 sidered by the vulgar as usurpation. 
 
 You may perhaps think I write in strong terms, and that 
 my apprehensions are utireasonable. Tlie greater part of 
 wliat I have stated will inevitably come to pass, and the 
 remainder is founded on probabilities approaching to cer- 
 tainties. I have measured all these on the Scale of your 
 Interest, and by opposing the one to the other, have no hesi- 
 tation in saying, that a Sum far short of what might fairly 
 be calculated from the rents of the Estate, admitting solvent 
 tenants could be jn'ocured, will be preferable to the uncei-tain 
 amount you will receive in consequence of being unable to 
 obtain teiutnts, and the losses incurred by many of them being 
 unable to pay their rents — With regard to lots on which there 
 are no buildings it will be diflficult to find Pei'sons who would 
 even be at the expense of inclosing them, when they know 
 their possession depends on your life. Was the property 
 situate in a valuable })art of the City aiul vested in decent 
 houses, the annual rents might be calculated to almost a frac- 
 tion—But your lots are in the Subiu-bs, which may be said 
 
n== 
 
 112 
 
 CORRESPONDKNCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 bJ 
 
 ...i 
 
 ! ; 
 
 I . 
 
 I t 
 
 i !: 
 
 to 1)0 half town half CJountry.' It is impossihlo to say what 
 the State inay allow you : but at the lowest valuation I should 
 suppose not less than 25,000 Dollars, and possibly more than 
 doul)lo that Sum. On this occasion I should strive to ^at the 
 most for you. But every thinji; considered I really think 
 even 25,000 dollars in hand, better than a general litijijation. 
 
 M' Harison differs in Sentiment with me; and thinks you 
 will advance your interest by api)lyinjij to or prosecuting the 
 Individual Proprietors. Having his opinion and mine, it re- 
 mains for you to decide and to send mo your orders without 
 loss of time, providing dui)licates and triplicates of letters. 
 
 If wo are to prosecute it will be indispcnsibly necessary for 
 you to send me out all the Title deeds for any part of the Es- 
 tate, not only in the Bowery, but in broadway opposite the 
 Estate M"" DeLancey gave to his brother John.'-^ I think there 
 was also property in other parts of the State. Let regular 
 and connect copies of them be made and taken to the Lord 
 Mayor of London to examine and certify, and leave them with 
 him until the Event is known, whether the originals have 
 come safe to my hands or not. Should a treaty of Peace be 
 entered into between the States and France, it will be most 
 safe to send the papers out in some good safe American Ship, 
 delivered to a Gentleman Passenger, or to the Master, if a de- 
 cent Man. It may be necessary also to prove M' DeLaneey's 
 death. Furnish me, therefore, with the name of the Parson who 
 can attest to his person and demise. It will be best to have 
 this testimony also taken by the Lord Mayor of London. In- 
 form me if the Witness can attend before him. Proof of your 
 Marriage will be required and of yonr l)eing alive at the time 
 that proof was taken. Was your Brother, M"" Andrew Allen, 
 present at your marriage, or who was. 
 
 I have employed Beverly Robinson, Grandson of the late 
 Col. Robinson, a young Gentleman of merit and abilities, rec- 
 
 •3 
 
 
 4 
 
 1 They lay east of the Bowery, 
 between Division and Stanton 
 streets, in what is now perhaps 
 the most densely populated spot 
 in the world. 
 
 2 These lots were at the corner of 
 Broadway and Little Queen (Cedar) 
 street. Brother John was John 
 Peter Do Lancey, of Mamaroneck, 
 father of the Bishop. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 113 
 
 1 
 
 ominoiuled to me by M' Harison as your Attorney. And 1 
 think it will bo most for your Interest to engajje M' Cadwal- 
 lader Coldoii, the Assistant Attorney General of the district,' 
 as Council with M' Ilarison, he having prosecuted several 
 claims for dower and compounded to great advantage with the 
 State. He informs mo of what M' Harison was ignorant, that 
 the State will agree in settling of the Sum to bo paid you, to 
 my nominating two; and the Commissioners, one Appraiser, 
 wlio will value the property at what it is at present worth ; 
 from whence, after making a small deduction of ten or at the 
 utmost fifteen per Cent., they will calculate the Sum total by 
 the London tables on Lives and allow you whatever sum these 
 tables direct. M' Harison told me the Commissioners would 
 only take the Sum for which the Estate sold, which was about 
 £100,000 this Currency. Now I suppose the Estate faii'ly 
 valued could not come short of £500,000; of course your com- 
 pensation, allowing the Commissioners deducted even a fifth, 
 would be far above what I have stated it. 
 
 TO Mil. HARTSHORNE, HALIFAX. 
 
 New York 5"- Dec' 1800. 
 
 late 
 
 fcs, rec- 
 
 [)rner of 
 ■(Cedar) 
 Is John 
 Ironeck, 
 
 My DEAR Hartshokne: 
 
 I am at this moment favored with your most kind letter of 
 the 11"' of November and shall reply to the latter part without 
 dehiy in the hope of getting it on board a vessel bound for St. 
 John, New Brunswick, being more than anxious to remove 
 from Sir John Wentworth's mind any unfavorable suggestions 
 which must tend to lessen me in his good opinion. 
 
 You are no stranger to my Sentiments with regard to Sir 
 John, or of the grateful Sense I entertain of his uniform 
 friendly behavior towards me and of the many essential favors 
 
 1 Cadwalladoj ''). Golden, a grand- Barclay's. He was at this time As- 
 son of the old Lieutenant-Governor, sistant District Attorney of thoU. S., 
 and therefore a first cousin of Mrs. andwasafterwardMayor of thecity. 
 
M 
 
 
 1 
 
 ! I 
 
 i 
 
 114 
 
 CORUESPONDKNCK OV THOJIAS BARCfjAY 
 
 received at his liands. I will tlierefon; lliank you ('andidly to 
 declare what I have repeatedly remarked in conlideiiee to you 
 respectiujjf him and the oblij^'ation I felt myself under for his 
 nuirked predilection towards me. I am satisfied I have always 
 been regarded by him as a confidential friend, and I have tlic 
 satisfaction to fe(!l that my conduct has pjcnerally met his ap- 
 probation, and that in no one instam^e have I ever behaved to 
 him or any other Man living with duplicity. He possesses my 
 utmost regards, and there is no person to whom I should more; 
 readily apply for advice had I an object in contemplation ; in- 
 deed, I consider myself in some measure bound to do so, hav- 
 ing on former occasions consulted him, and always obtained 
 his ready aid and interest. From these remarks it is scarce 
 necessary for mo to conti'adiet the report mentioned at the foot 
 of your letter, to wit, " that I was trying to otjtaiu the Govern- 
 ment of Nova Scotia." Accept my thanks for the reply you 
 made the Governor when ho mentioned the report. You Avill, I 
 hope, continue your friendship in contradicting on any f ut'.ire 
 occasion suggestions tending to my injury until you have 
 reason to alter yoiir opinion of me. 
 
 I have never made any application directly or indirectly for 
 the Government or the reversion of it in case of Sir Johns re- 
 moval or demise. Neither have I in writing or verbally ex- 
 pressed a wish or sentiment on the Subject to any person. Had 
 such a measure been contemplated you would have been the 
 most probable person to whom I should have communicated 
 my Sentiments. This report is similar to that you mentioned 
 to me last Winter respecting the Government of New Bruns- 
 wick. I received on that subject not less than twenty letters, 
 several of which were congratulatory of the appointment hav- 
 ing taken place, and I have little doubt but Governor Carleton 
 imagines that I really did apply. Many of my friends, and some 
 of the first consideration in Nova Scotia and in England have 
 in their letters lamented my leaving Nova Scotia, and hinted 
 that they hoped yet to see me filling an oifice of responsibility in 
 that Province. I had no doubt they meant the Government ; 
 still, so little did I think of it, that I have in no one instance 
 ever noticed the latter part of their remarks. It is not impos- 
 
 •^ 
 
 i' i r 5 
 
 i 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 llf) 
 
 (Uy to 
 to you 
 [or his 
 ilways 
 ,vc the 
 his ap- 
 Lved to 
 ses my 
 (1 more 
 m ; iii- 
 o, hav- 
 itained 
 scarce 
 he foot 
 Govcrn- 
 )ly you 
 II Avill, I 
 r future 
 )u have 
 
 i(.'tly for 
 )hns re- 
 ally ex- 
 Had 
 ecu the 
 nioated 
 iitioned 
 Bruns- 
 letters, 
 iithav- 
 arleton 
 id some 
 id liave 
 [ hinted 
 nlity in 
 jnnient ; 
 stance 
 impos- 
 
 sible but they or some other persons nuiy liave written that on 
 tlio demise of Sir .lohn it was probable I would succeed to 
 the Uovernment, and from such an hint, it may have grown 
 into a confirmed rei)ort of my soliciiting for it. Assure 8ir 
 John he will ever find me to be his zealous friend, incapable of 
 doinj; an act incompatible with honor or candor. That it 
 would be doinj,' violence to my feelinj^s to accept of any ap- 
 pointment at tho expense even of a stranger; and of course 
 that I am incapable of soliciting the removal of any jierson 
 from ofticc to make way for myself. If th< :^e are my prin- 
 ciples, judging of my affection by that he bt-urs to me, he will 
 be readily satisfied that the rejjort was witliout foundation. 
 
 TO LORD GKENVILLE. 
 
 New York 5 Dec'. 1800. 
 My Lord: 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose your Lordship Quarterly returns 
 of the Imports and Exports to and from this Port from the 
 first of Septend)er to the ,30"' of November last past. 
 
 It may perhaps not be disagre(ud)le to your Lordship to be 
 informed that it is more than probable M"" Adams and M' Pinck- 
 ney will be elected I'resident and Vice President of the United 
 tStates. Which of the two will, by having tlie JMajority of 
 Votes be President is uncertain, I however suspect M' Adams 
 will be reelected. 
 
 TO Mil. BOND. 
 
 New York 20'" Doc' 1800. 
 Dear Sir : 
 
 Vice Admiral Sir W" Pai'ker commanding his Majestys 
 Ships in America has written to me that an armed Ship named 
 the Faustina which sailed from New York some time in April 
 last, had on a former Voyage captured and destroyed certain 
 Merchant Vessels belonging to Ilis Majesty Subjects, that he 
 
w^ 
 
 1 ■ ■; ip ■■■ 
 
 116 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 was apprehcnsivo she would commit similar dopredations dur- 
 ing her present Voyaije — That she has lonj? been engaged in 
 a contraband trade with Ilis Majestys Enemies; and that tho' 
 she is well adapted to all the purposes of Commerce, she is in 
 every respect equipped for War; and on meeting with British 
 Vessels regulates her Conduct by tho Force they display, by 
 hoisting the Colours of the United States of America in the 
 presence of our Shij)S of War or armed Vessels of superior or 
 equal force and those of Spaiu when she meets Merchant Ves- 
 sels or small Privateers and acts as such — He wishes to know 
 the real Character and Pursuits of this Ship, particularly the 
 object and destination of her present Voyage. — From the best 
 information that I can obtain in this place, from public and pri- 
 vate Channels, a ship of the name of Faustina has not cleared 
 out from this Port during the present year; nor can I discover 
 that there is a ship of that name owned in this State. A 
 Spanish armed sliip named the Astiganaga or Aristazaraga 
 sailed from hence in April last (nominally) to Montevideo in 
 la Plata, but as was generally suspected to cruize on the Coast 
 of Africa for some time for British Vessels. — I am of opinion 
 this is the same Ship the Admiral enquires after, and it is pos- 
 sible she may have a false set of papers, purporting her to be 
 an American Ship named the Faustina. — Should this bo the 
 case I can give the Admiral the best information existing here 
 respecting her, and he will be ennabled to judge whether it is 
 the same vessel, by the list of British ships she captured on 
 her leaving this and previous to her departure from the Coasts 
 of the United States — 
 
 Least however I may be mistaken in my conjectures, permit 
 me to request yon will make enquiry at Philadelphia, if there 
 is a ship of that name belonging to that Port, or if any ship 
 of that najne has cleared out from thence answering the above 
 description, also the owners name, her pursuits and present 
 destination — where she is now supposed to be, and the earliest 
 probable pei-iod of her return. 
 
 It is unnecessary for me to add that the utmost caution and 
 secrecy are necessary in investigations of this nature, where 
 the fears and suspicions not only of the owners, but the un- 
 
 ill 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 171)9-18012 
 
 117 
 
 lis (lur- 
 igcd in 
 I at tho' 
 10 is in 
 British 
 
 i»y, i»y 
 
 in the 
 jrior or 
 nt Ves- 
 know 
 irly tho 
 ;he best 
 md pri- 
 cleared 
 lisoover 
 ato. A 
 azaraga 
 'ideo in 
 le Coast 
 opinion 
 it is pos- 
 er to be 
 
 bo the 
 ng here 
 ler it is 
 Lired on 
 
 Coasts 
 
 permit 
 lif there 
 
 y sliip 
 
 above 
 
 present 
 
 earliest 
 
 Ion and 
 
 where 
 
 the un- 
 
 s 
 
 dorwritors are all alive from the sailing of each ship nntil her 
 safe return into port — Should it be necessary to expend a 
 small Sum to effect tho above purposes I will readily pay it, 
 as I can have no doubt but tho Admiral will readily repay the 
 same. 
 
 FROM DE LANCEY BARCLAY. 
 
 Montreal 2Gth, January, ISOl. 
 My DEAit Majdia : 
 
 I cannot let another opportunity pass without writing to my 
 best of Mothers. A description of my very disagreeable and 
 tedious Journey here you undoubtedly have seen in my letters 
 to my dear Papa. I asure you the cako you or my dear 
 Maria put in my Portmanteau was very acceptable to me and 
 my fellow travellers the night I spent in the woods ; it is im- 
 possible for me to express my feelings while I was eating it ; 
 gratitude, with my dear Parents &e. &c. occupied my mind, 
 and thinking how unhai)py you would have been had you 
 known my situation, while I was oidy a little uncomfortable. 
 I am living at Sir Johns which Ladv Johnson has insisted on 
 I shall make my home, slie has frecpumtly told me the time she 
 s[)ent at West Chester with you was the happiest part of her 
 life, she made me a present of three black martins for a Cap 
 which I suppose would have cost me a Guinea a piece ; I re- 
 ceive the greatest attention both from her and Sir John.' I 
 am sorry to say Lady Johnson intends going home in the 
 spring I am sure she will be much missed in this place You 
 know not how anxious I am to hear from you as I have had 
 that pleasure but once since I left New- York. Remember me 
 
 1 Sir John Johnson was at this time 
 Superintendent of Indian Affairs 
 in British North America. Lady 
 Johnson was formerly Mary Watts, 
 sister to John Watts of New-York. 
 Lady Johnson's arrest and detention 
 in 1776 by the American authorities, 
 as a hostage, is vigorously related 
 
 8A 
 
 by Judge Jones in his history of 
 New-York, Vol. I, pp. 74-81; and 
 further details are given in Mr. De 
 Lancey'b notes. When released slie 
 selected Barclay's house at the Wal- 
 kill as her residence. See Journals 
 Prov. Con., Vol. I, p. 761. 
 
w^ 
 
 [' 
 
 118 
 
 (•((RiniSI'ONDnNCK op THOMAS MAKCl.AY 
 
 to my (leur Mrothcrs and sisU'i's, willi my iiiiiils Cdx ami 
 Watts, ami all otlici' friciKls, with (Ji'iser and oilier stTvauts, 
 and liclicvc mo my dear Mamma yonr vc^ry sineoru and affec- 
 tionate son 
 
 D, Bauclay. 
 
 My dkak Pai'a: 
 
 Altliou<j:li I have littli; oi- notliin<^ to say having wrote you 
 not loiif,' sineo I should feel unpleasant did I It^t a (^onveyam-e 
 slii> without a lino to my de;ir Father I have not yet been 
 able to obtain a i'reneh master, thou<^fh i' the mean time I 
 think I am losin nothin while I am makiufjf myself master 
 of tho (Jrammar, and writinj^ freneh, and fnMjuently havinj^ 
 an opportunity of si)eakin;? it. It is now after two o'ciloek 
 thoretVu'e I sliall bid you j^ofxl mornin£^ and retii'e to my bed, 
 as I rise at six. I shall write yon iij^ain by the iirst ^ood op- 
 portunity. Believe mu ever your very sineerc and aflfectionato 
 Hon 
 
 D BARCfiAY. 
 
 Should the jjfcntleman who takes char<:;e of this and with 
 whom 1 dined a few days since whoso luunc is Mr. Leith come 
 to New York (of which ho is not certain) and call on you I 
 will thank you to pay him some attention, uot to put yourself 
 out of the way, should you have a party while he is there in- 
 vite him — he is in the iir trade. 
 
 h 
 
 ihi 
 
 i J 
 
 TO LORD CtKENVILLE. 
 
 New York ll!'" Marcii IhOl. 
 My Lord: 
 
 I have the Honor to inform your Lordship that the Presi- 
 dent of the Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia a few 
 Weeks since, wrote an official letter to the New York Cham- 
 ber of Commerce wherein after remarking the immense num- 
 ber of ame»'icau Ships captured by Ilis Majesty s Ships of 
 
 
CONSUL-GENKRAIi, ITDO-IHO'J 
 
 119 
 
 iX Rtul 
 
 [•vauts, 
 I iitTcc- 
 
 •LAY. 
 
 )to you 
 oyuiutc 
 .>t ))een 
 tiino I 
 inastor 
 liavitij; 
 (M'Aoi'k 
 my Ited, 
 ;oo(l op- 
 [itiouatc 
 
 rr.AY. 
 
 nd with 
 
 th come 
 
 u you I 
 
 ourself 
 
 icre in- 
 
 1801. 
 
 |e Presi- 
 
 a few 
 
 Cliam- 
 
 36 num- 
 
 Ihips of 
 
 War, lie aoqu.-Vmlcd \ho New York ('hamlier of (\niimer('o of 
 tlu! <let(M'iniiiati(>ii of t\w IMiiladclpliia Merchants, to petition 
 the President of the riiited States to <,'nint in future convoys 
 under certain i"e<:fuhitions to inerclnints ships that their ]>ro- 
 perty niij^ht ho socurod a^^ainst Jritish depre(hiti(»ns.' The 
 chanilxM' of (/Oiuniereo of this pla^e have not eo operated witli 
 the IMiilach'lphians unih-r a conviction that their proceedin«]fs 
 were too hi<>h toned and that- it was prohable tlie l*resi(hMit of 
 th(i United States mij^ht nnnedy the evil eoniphiined of by a 
 more eonciiliatory line of Conduct. They luive therefore re- 
 ported to the President tlie Ca[)tures of Sliips from this Port 
 by Uritisli Sliips, and subjoined the facts respecting each in- 
 dividual Ship leaving the Presichmt to adopt such measures as 
 he conceived wotdd best remedy th(! evil. — M' Hond His Ma- 
 jestys Consul (ieneral at Philadeli>hia will prol)ably furnish 
 your Lordship with the particulars of tlie proceedings at Phil- 
 adelphia. I have not vet learned whether any thing has been 
 done to the Eastwai'd: but consider it certain that application 
 equally viohuit witli tliat from Pennsylvania will be made by 
 the ^Merchants of Baltimore, Virginia and the Carolinas. I 
 am happy to inform your Lordship that the respectable part 
 of the Mercantile Interest in this City are federal and warndy 
 attached to (1 Britain; and that altho' few (^f these Charac- 
 ters ordinarily attend the meetings of the Chamber of (bom- 
 meree; I had intluence sufficient to procure their att'. iidance 
 on this occasion, and to them and a few others, the lenient 
 measures adopted are to be attributed. I intreat your Lord- 
 ship will pardon me for obtruding this unsolicited, but zeal 
 for His Majestys Service compels me in this instance to break 
 through all rule ; under an impression that it is probable your 
 Lordship may be ignorant of what the Americans, with I fear 
 some justice, complain of. — There are few if any instances of 
 (captures in Europe, or decrees in the Courts of admiralty in 
 Great Britain that ai'c considered otlierwisc th; n equitable 
 
 1 III American State Papers, For. ber of Coramereo, to tlie Secretary 
 
 Kel., Vol. 11, p. 347, will be found a of tbo Navy, dated Feb. 17, 1801, 
 
 letter from Tlioraas Fitzsimmons, which is evidently the "petition" 
 
 Chairmanof the Philadelphia Cham- referred to. 
 
120 
 
 COKHKSPONnKNCK OF THOMAS HAKChAY 
 
 : t 
 
 hi 
 
 ;ui(l i'iiir by the Aincricaiis; ni. I Imvo scarco cvt'v lii^ard onv 
 Couvls ill l<]iiii:lniwl spoken of by tlu'in cxs't^pl in Icnns ol" iho 
 Iii<::li(>st vt'spccl. — Hill the cry is univorsal from one »mu1 of 
 llic ConliiKMit lo Ihc otl)(M* \hi\i llic CniiztM's in AnuM-ifa and 
 Mil' WosI Iiidit's send rvcry AnnM-ican Vcssi'l tlicy intu'l, into 
 one of bis Majc'itys Colonial I'orls for adjudication and that, 
 tbc flnd^i's of tlio Provincial (\)urls of \'icc Admiralty loo 
 }j;(MU'rally comlcnin, and in cases where an acipiital would 
 have been decrood in Kn^land. To app(>al they remark is so 
 nearly allied in its consecinences to a total loss, that it is not, 
 worth the pursuit. First, from the Icnijth of time that olapsos 
 before a decision takes plac(> — and secondly the immense ex- 
 pense' alteiidinu: appeals. — I am satistied my Lord that not a 
 little of biiiemies property is covered by the Americans and 
 that articles I'outraband of W'tir are frequently expoi'ted from 
 the States: but 1 am equally certain that bona tide American 
 property is too often iniprojierly condemned in tlie I'rovincial 
 Coui'ts of Aibnirally. From hence it is that t.lie Americans 
 feel injui'cd, and unless a remedy is applied. I fear we shall 
 not lonii: continue on a friendly footing- with them. — The 
 Eastern States ai-c at the present moment more iiiMiily at- 
 tached to (i Britain tluUi at any period siiire the year 17S.'{, 
 and would bo perfectly satisfied if the least alteration was 
 made by (loverumeut for tlu' protection of lawful American 
 Property from caj)ture and condemnation. — What I have 
 statod to your rjordshij) is in perfect ccmfidcnce and f hope 
 will not bo considered by your liordship out of place. Permit 
 nio to intreat that my name may not be made known as tho 
 author of this communication.' 
 
 i 
 
 % 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 1 The siibjci't (roiUoil ol' ill this U'l- 
 tor liiid uli't'iiily ciigiij^i'il tlm iitloii- 
 ti*»n of tho Ministry. By a lottcr 
 from liord (iioiivilic, (hitinl JniiUMry 
 L"J. ISOl, the Kii\p;diroctcatho lior.ls 
 Coimiiissioiicrs of the Adiiiir;ilty to 
 revoke nil the \)r\7.o eoimuissioii.s 
 which hiid theretofore been >:;rante(l 
 to the iinniero\is Vice Admiralty 
 Conrts in fhe West Indies aiid in 
 
 other British Colonies. The irregu- 
 larities which had |>revailed in Ihoso 
 Courts had lonj; jjivi-n occasion for 
 complaint; and the (lovernnient 
 "thou^rht ]>rop(>r. by lessening their 
 number, by extending their jurisdic- 
 tion, and by increasing tiio salaries 
 of the judges, lo give them greater 
 conse(iuence and dignity, and lo in- 
 duce gentlemen acquainted with the 
 
 '" 
 
 s I 
 
C'OXSrri-dKN'KKAIi. 179!)-1S0'J 
 
 I'Jl 
 
 ■'1 
 ■'i 
 
 ro MHs, mai{(;ahf.t i>k lancky. 
 
 N.'w Voik.'l'' Miiy ISOl. 
 Mv DKAK Madam — 
 
 ^'()Ul• r.'ivor ol" tlH> I.V' (tf !)(>(!' !Ui(l 'J()"' (»r .iMiHUiry 1 li!iv(> 
 lijid llio sMlisfaclioii to iV('t'iv(>; luitl luid fliitlt'i-cd inyscll' llial 
 it would IxM'orc tins luivc b(>tMi in my po\V(>r ((» Imvo i!,"iv»Mi you 
 Iht' ]>lt';isiiii!f iiit"orm;itit>n of Mic S'tllcmciit of your (lower willi 
 lilt' Shilc of \(>w Yoi-k. !''or which pufposc. ns I ini'oruK'd 
 you List Auluniu. il w;is ur.'i'ssni'y to hnvc nu iiccuridt' list 
 !ind valuiiliou of ciich lot. l»y appviiisors, iipp«)iult'd by tlu» 
 CoMnnissioMtTs ol' this Stiitc — Throujj:!! M ('Mdwall.'uhM- Col 
 den your Atlorucy I'or this |)urpos(\ 1 thcrct'ort' jircscutcd the 
 CouiniissioutTs with twelve n'spcctahlc n;ini('s and desired to 
 nonnuate three out of liial uuinber — They dii-i>eted the lirsl 
 thi-ee to 1>(> taken; who with <;i'eat. iittentiou and industry, 
 aided l»y Stanton »!v: ;i Surveyor, eoniplet(>d the I'eturu in lA'h- 
 i-uiiry last ; the total valut* of the l'islat(>, e(uni»uted at, (llM.TDT 
 dollars iV: tlie annual vahu' thereof at :U),S:{1 .— With these 
 doeuiutMits and a |)t>tition drawn \i]) by me in your nann> M' 
 ('olden proceeded imni(>dialely to Albany, and laid them be- 
 fore the (\)nimissione)'s — The liefi:isl;itur(> of th(> Stat(> w.as 
 then sittinjj: in that, City. The Commissioners havin-j: (>x- 
 amined the valuation, nuule by (jorman. K'ussel iV: ('armer the 
 appraisers, were of opinion, thai it was an ecpiit.'ible appraise- 
 ment ; but Jis your demand .amounted to ;i. Sum inlinilcly be 
 yond what, had ever come before them, they consideretl it t heii' 
 duly, altho vested with fidl p(»wers I., purchase your rele.ast' 
 of dower, to report, the facts to the Leij^islalui't*, iind to ju'ay 
 
 liiw, and tlio iTaftii'i" (if the Courts .•niDtlicr .l."-0()() ii y(>ar. Mini iiiii|ii(> 
 
 in l''iii:;lini(l. imd jiMrliiMilarly sdimc liavin^ Ix'cu ^ivcu np liy tlic Treaty 
 
 (>r tli(> advocates ot' tlie civil law, to of Amiens, ii Vice-Admiralty Court 
 
 accejit of these judicial otlices." Ac- was (Established at I'.jirliadoes. See 
 
 oordiiit,'ly by an act of Parliament Inlroiliu'tion to Stewart's Adm. Ke- 
 
 (41 (ieo. Ill, Chap. !!()) courts wer(> ports. American public opinion was 
 
 established at Halifax. .lamaicaaud no betl(>rsatislicd with the decisions 
 
 Mar*iui(pi(> only, and sMlari(>s were of the m>w courts than with those of 
 
 authorized to be paid of .C'-'tHU), their predecessoi-s. 
 bosid(>s per(piisites not to exceed 
 
 I 
 
 I, 
 
122 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 • }■ ■ 
 
 i! 
 
 tlieii' orders thereou — A committee was appointed to take tlie 
 same into consideration and rei)ort. M'' Golden attended tliem 
 and they some days after made a private report, which I un- 
 derstand from good Authority amounted to this — Tliat the 
 appraisement was (consistent and rather under than ahove tlie 
 vahio of the Estate — Yet that it wouhl be itni)roper foi* 
 the IFouse of Assembly to sanction the Commissioners in pay- 
 ing so large an amount as you would be entitled to, on the 
 Scale used on former occasions by the Commissioners ; for if 
 they allowed you an annuity during your life, it could not be 
 less than 8000 dollars per Annum and if a sum in gross it 
 would amount to near 80,000 dollars. — Such compensations to 
 Widows of Loyalists, they imagined would make no little noise 
 in the State and prove injurious to their political Interest — 
 They therefore recommended that the Commissioners should 
 not for the present offer you any compensation but that M' 
 Hoffman the Attorney General, be directed to defend every 
 suit commenced for the recovery of your dower, create every 
 possible delay, and endeavour so to perplex and exhaust your 
 patience, as to induce you to a second application, and then 
 that the Commissioners might pay you 30,000 dollars for your 
 I'clease in fidl — I relate the above in confidence and intreat 
 you will not let it be known, as it might injure me — 
 
 Under these circumstances we have now no alternative but 
 to commence Suits — In this, I shall use every possible discre- 
 tion ; for if tlie Coiu't should determine, that you are to pay 
 your own Costs, which I fear will be the Case, a large propor- 
 tion of the property will not be worth suing for — I mean 
 vacant lots, and those whereon small tenements are erected. — 
 At the same time, it will be necessary to sue all the Tenants 
 of the Freehold, who possess property to any amount, and to 
 liurry on these suits, in order to render them anxious on their 
 own account, and compel them in turn to become Petitioners 
 to the Legislature during their Session in February next — If 
 we can effect this we shall turn the tables on them and obtain 
 a better compensation. — Of this rest assured that I shall act 
 for you as if the stake was my own, and that neither at- 
 tention or industry shall be wanting on my part — By the ad- 
 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 123 
 
 
 % 
 
 vico of M' Harison I have retained G iieral Hamilton the 
 ablest Conncil in this place to assist him and in Jnly next, it 
 is more than probable that your claim to the property in 
 Broadway will be ljrou<|ht to a decision. 
 
 In the mean time I intreat that by the earliest good Ameri- 
 can conveyance you forward me, every paper relative to the 
 Estate of your deceased husl)and, for property in the city, or 
 elsewhere — The wild lands you mention, have probably been 
 sold by the State, are now under cultivation and worthy your 
 attention — Send me also the affidavits requested by M' 
 Colden — 
 
 It was stated in the house of Assembly that M' Do Lancey 
 had given long leases for a part of this Estate, and that you 
 had joined in these Leases — Also that ho and you had con- 
 voyed Mount Pit to Judge Jones' — Pray answer me particu- 
 larly as to these suggestions — Stanton tells me M' Do Lancey 
 had repeatedly said to him, that as M' Jones had not any Chil- 
 dren, he did not intend to give him a deed for the property — 
 
 TO LORD HAWKESBUEY.- 
 
 New York 12 May 1801. 
 
 {Private.) 
 My Lord 
 
 I consider it my duty to ac(iuaint your Lordship that it is 
 generally reported in those States, and I suspect not without 
 truth, that the Government of the United States are resolved 
 to refuse complying with the increased demands of the Dcy of 
 Tripoli ; in consoquence of which it is supposed the Tripolitan 
 Ships will have orders to capture all American Vessels. — To 
 protect the Amtu*ican Commerce in the Mediterranean it is 
 
 1 " Mount Pitt" was the town 
 houso of Judge Thomas Jones, the 
 Tory historian of New-York. It lay 
 not far from Corlear's Hook on the 
 East River. Mrs. Jones was Anne 
 De Lancey, a sister of James. 
 
 - Lord Hawkesbury had been ap- 
 pointed to the Foreign Office Feb- 
 ruary L*0, 1801, on the formation of 
 Mr. Addington's Ministry. He is 
 better known by his later title of 
 Lord Liverpool. 
 
J—L 
 
 i 
 
 '■ V' ' 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 ; i 
 
 ( ■ 
 
 1 ■, 
 
 'i 1 
 
 1 i 
 
 ' 
 
 ! 
 
 
 I '1 
 
 III 
 
 1'^ 
 
 in 
 
 
 124 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 said that a Hciuadron of five Frij^atcs and two Cutters are to 
 be sent to cruise in those seas, with orders to act defensively 
 only for the present. — The Ships are to rendez^'ous in the 
 Chesapcak without loss of time, and will probably sail in a 
 month from this. 
 
 I subjoin the names and force of the Ships to be employed 
 on this Service 
 
 Guns 
 
 United States 44 
 
 Constitution 44 
 
 President 44 
 
 (Congress 3G 
 
 Essex 32 
 
 TO LORD HAWKESBURY. 
 
 New York 5"' June 1801. 
 My Lord — 
 
 Complaint has been made to me that two officers who served 
 in the Provincial (^orps during the Am" War and who are now 
 in the receipt of half pay, have taken the oaths of allegiance 
 to the United States of America, and in that oath in positive 
 terms and by name, abjured our most gracious Sovereign. — 
 ( rabriel V Ludlow Ensine in Brig' General De Lanccys Bri- 
 gade — and a M' Thomas Carpenter, at present of Saratoga in 
 this State, but to what Provincial Corps he belonged I cannot 
 learn ; are the persons who have taken these oaths. 
 
 It is not for me to make any remark on the Conduct of 
 these persons, or to observe that prudence dictates that the 
 allowance of half pay, should be with held from Characters of 
 the above description ; but it is a lamentable fact that there 
 are at this moment a great number of half pay officers, who 
 have become subjects of the United States; and many of them 
 violent in their principals and Conduct in opposition to His 
 majesty and the interest of the united Kingdom — 
 
 ;i6- 
 
 -1: 
 -y 
 
 ■i 
 
 4 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 125 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL TAIIKER. 
 
 ■t 
 ■'•■'' 
 
 New York 8tli Juno ISOl. 
 Sir: 
 
 The inclosed letter will give you in substance the latest ac- 
 counts that I have received fi-oni Virginia respecting His Ma- 
 jesty's ship the Boston and tlie french Frigate the Semillante. 
 By a schooner that left Hampton roads on Tuesday last, I am 
 informed that the American Squadron and the Semillante lay 
 there apparently reatiy for Sea. Should the Semillante wait 
 the sailing of the American ships, it is probable she will not 
 be out in some days. Captain Douglas has almost a daily 
 communication with Col. Hamilton the Consul at Norfolk. 
 
 Monsieur Pichon charge des affaires from the french repub- 
 lic to these States called on me a few days since on the subject 
 of a flag of truce, whicli he wished and I had declined. In 
 that conversation I drew from him that he had sent sixty peo- 
 \)\e of colour who had been prisoners to the Americans to Bos- 
 ton to assist in manning the Berceau. These men have gone 
 most reluctantly and although ex(^hangcd were kept in Gaol 
 until embarked for Boston. I suspect the Berceau has sailed 
 by this — her destination I have not been able to ascertain.' 
 The news from Egypt is the more pleasing, as it contradicts 
 the french reports.- 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL PARKER. 
 
 uct of 
 
 at the 
 
 tcrs of 
 
 there 
 
 who 
 
 them 
 
 o His 
 
 
 Sir 
 
 New York 24 June, ISOl 
 
 I have the honor to inform you that early this morning the 
 French armed Brig the Mutine of 10 Cuns, Avith an armed 
 
 1 Tlie Boreoau was a Freiicli cor- 
 vette cai)turcd in November, 1800, 
 by the U. S. Ship Boston. She was 
 restored to tlie Frencli Government 
 in accordance with the third article 
 of the Convention of Sejjtember liO, 
 1800. The U. S. S. Boston is not to be 
 confounded with the Britisli frigate 
 of the same name. The American 
 
 vessel was built at Boston in 1799, 
 and came to an ignominious end in 
 1814, being burned at the Washing- 
 ton Navy Yard to avoid falling into 
 English hands. 
 
 "The "news from Egypt" was 
 Abereromby's victory at Alexan- 
 dria, Marcli 21. 1801. 
 
n 
 
 1 1 
 
 120 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 y I 
 
 II: 
 
 11 
 
 W I 
 
 1 Ml 
 
 11 
 
 n 
 
 Mercliant Ship of ten Guns from Cayenne came to an anchor 
 about four miles below this City. I have not yet been able to 
 learn precisely their object or destination, a confidential per- 
 son was on board both of thorn last Evnjjf on entcrinL? the 
 Ilook, but as ho did not speak frcnch, and found only one man 
 on board tlie Brig wlio could speak English, he obtained but 
 little information. It appears that the Ship has a number of 
 exiles from France on board who had permission to leave Cay- 
 enne, l)ut I have not yet ascertain(Hl whether they are to go to 
 France or settle in America. On Board the Mutiue the men 
 and ofliccrs were very inquisitive to learn whether there were 
 many British Ships in Port, how many had lately sailed, and 
 if there were any nearly ready for Sea — 
 
 I have sent back the person above nu?ntioned, with another 
 equally trust worthy who speaks frcnch ; but as it is uncertain 
 whether they will return in time for the New Brunswick Ves- 
 sel, which leaves this in an hour or two, I have determined to 
 forward this imperfect Statement. About two hours after the 
 above vessels came to an anchor, His Majestys armed Brig the 
 Serpent commanded by L' Dwire came up to Town. He in- 
 forms me that he was ordered on a Cruize by Admiral Duck- 
 worth with orders to proceed as far as 35 North Latitude and 
 if possible speak one of the Ships belonging to your Squadron, 
 to inform you that on the 28 of May two frcnch Frigates of 48 
 & 44 Guns had got in to Guadeloupe from France. Near that 
 Island they were met with by His Majestys Ship the Androm- 
 acke who exchanged a few broadsides with both of them, 
 but the frcnch frigates avoided the action and got into Point 
 Petre. — That the Admiral was suspicious they would en- 
 deavour to get out, and probably come on this coast. L' Dwire 
 adds that there is a chain of Privateers from Guadeloupe ex- 
 tending from Longitude GO to Newfoimdland — That one of 
 these had captured the Duke of Kent Merchant Man ladened 
 with fish, which he recaptured in sight of Guadeloupe — L' 
 Dwire put in to this place in distress, having sprung a leak 
 and making so much water as not to be able to keep his ship 
 free with one pump — The Carpenters go on board the Ser- 
 pent early in the morning and I hope in two or three daj^s she 
 
 7\ 
 5 ' 
 I 
 
CONSUL-OENERAFi, 1799-1S02 
 
 127 
 
 I auclioi' 
 
 1 ll\>l{i to 
 
 tial pei'- 
 nwg tlio 
 Olio man 
 uumI l)ut 
 mibei* of 
 ave Cay- 
 to go to 
 the men 
 eve wert! 
 ik'd, and 
 
 I another 
 m certain 
 v'ick Ves- 
 mincd to 
 after the 
 . Brig the 
 . lie in- 
 i-al Duek- 
 tnde and 
 Kjuadron, 
 ates of 48 
 *^ear that 
 Androm- 
 of them, 
 ito Point 
 onld en- 
 I* Dwire 
 oupe ex- 
 it one of 
 ladened 
 lupe — L* 
 ng a leak 
 liis ship 
 the Ser- 
 days she 
 
 1 
 
 will be ready for sea. — 1 am very apprehensive L* Dwire will 
 lose many of his men — He liowever thinks otherwise, as they 
 have been some time on board tlie Brig, and. have ujiwards of 
 CSO per man due them for prize money. — In case the Mi'tine 
 attempts to put to Sea wliile the Serpent remains liere, I will 
 procure him as many volunteers as he nee N to pursue her — 
 The Serpent ho assures me sails remarkably well, and he as- 
 sures me lie is equal to lioth these ships — He passed in com- 
 ing up within half a cables length of both of them, and tells 
 me the Mutiiie has very long six pounders, so that they must 
 be loaded out side — On Saturday the Berceau was still at 
 Boston ready for sea. She has shipped 50 American Seamen, 
 discharged from the Am" Frigate the (constitution, at 200 dol- 
 lars per man for the run to France — This is correct, should 
 she therefore fall into our possession you will of course taki; 
 care of these men amongst whom it is to be feared you will 
 find British Seamen — Accept my best thanks for your polite 
 andf riendly answer respecting my Son on board the Boston, and 
 for your assent that M' Izard my nephew may join the Boston 
 until you have a proper ship whereon to hoist your fiag.^ 
 
 I intrcat you to pardon this hasty letter, written under 
 great distress of mind, my dear little infant being dangerously 
 ill — 
 
 TO MR. THORNTON." 
 
 Ncw York .'JOth Juno ISOl. 
 Sir — 
 
 I am this moment honored with your letters of the 27 & 28 
 Current, the former accompanied with copies of regulations es- 
 
 1 "My son " was Thomas Barclay 
 tlio younger, then a niidshijimau 
 aboard H. M. S. Boston. "Mr. Iz.ird 
 my nephew " was a son of Ralph 
 Izard of South Carolina, whose wife 
 was Alice De Lancey, a sister of 
 Mrs. Barclay's. Young Izard must 
 have been a guest of the Admiral's, 
 for none of Ralph Izard's sons were 
 
 in the British service. Perhaps this 
 is Raljih Izard, Jr., of the U. S. Navy, 
 who distinguished himself three or 
 four years later at Tripoli. 
 
 2 Thornton was at this time in 
 charge of the British Legation in 
 Washington, Mr. Listen having re- 
 turned to England about a year 
 before. 
 
128 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS HARCFjAY 
 
 11 
 
 tablislied by tlie American Uoverninent in 1794 & 179"), to 
 whicli pavlicular attention sliall 1)0 paid — I received al)ont a 
 fortniglit since from M' Maston of Wilminj^ton, Delaware, who 
 arrived at Boston from Halifax Nova Scotia information that 
 the British Vessel he was in, had been chased and fired npon 
 near Oape Cod, by a small french privateer Scliooner — on his 
 arrival at Boston and making mention of the Circumstance, it 
 was generally supposed she was the Borguine, Dallas Master, 
 who had entered and cleared as a Merchant Vessel and after 
 leaving Boston, mounted Guns, concealed in her hold — I 
 learn from a Captain Stewart, a few days since from the Bay of 
 Fundy, that close in with Marthas \ ii.eyard, he was hailed and 
 spoken to by a stout armed french Brig; and which from dates 
 could not 1)0 the Mutine now in this Port — of all these cir- 
 cumstances, I have informed Admiral Parker, l)y two Convey- 
 ances the last of wliich sailed on Sunday — I have likewise 
 made him acquainted with the french armed Vessels being in 
 this Port, and what Admiral Duckworth, directed Lieut Dwyer 
 to communicate to the Commanders of any of the Ships ap- 
 pertaining to the Halifax Station — 
 
 I have not seen L' Dwyer, since the day of his arrival owing 
 to the distressed situation of my dear infant, who lay in Con- 
 vulsions from Thursday until Sunday, when it expired ^ — I 
 however not only urged him to hasten her being ready for Sea, 
 but desired M"" Shanyon, who superintends the repairs to fur- 
 nish as many Carpenters, as could work to advantage. — I shall 
 see him in a da> or two, and if necessary i)ress his stay, if 
 consistent with his instructions — 
 
 
 '. 'f 
 
 i! 1^ 
 
 TO LOKD HAWKESBURY. 
 
 New York, 8 July 1801. 
 My Lord, 
 
 A number of national french armed vessels and some priva- 
 teers have within the lai-T six weeks made their appearance on 
 the American coasts and I am very apprehensive will injure 
 
 1 Cornelia, born May 23, died June 28, 1801. 
 
 :^ 
 
 ) 1 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 129 
 
 795, to 
 ^hont a 
 ,re, who 
 on that 
 m1 upon 
 - on his 
 tauce, it 
 Master, 
 1(1 after 
 Lokl — I 
 3 Bay of 
 iU^d and 
 m dates 
 icse cir- 
 Convey- 
 likewiso 
 being in 
 t Dwyer 
 hips ap- 
 
 the British trade, not only to these States, Init His Majesty's 
 eolf)nies on the Continent. The Halifax Sqnadron nnder Vice 
 Adni' Sir Wl' Parker is very weak, eonsistinjif at present of 
 only three frigates and t^vo sloops. Of these the Cleopatra is 
 detached to Jamaica for Specie for the pay office at Halifax. 
 The Boston is and has been since the 26 of April at the Capes 
 of Virginia Idockading the Seinillante a french frigate laying 
 in Hampton Roads, and the Andromache sailed about a fort- 
 night since for Virginia to relieve the Bostcni, who wants re- 
 pairs not having been in port since last Autumn. The Pheas- 
 ant sloop is off Boston waiting the Bercean, a stout french 
 corvette, captured some time since by the Americans, and 
 lately restored to the fren(!h. The LiUy is either at Halifax or 
 cruising — Your Lordship will perceive that the Lilly, a mis- 
 erable sloop, is the only ship, tliat can at present be detached 
 to protect the trade from Cape Breton to West Florida — and 
 there can be no doubt, but the nunil)ers of french ships of war 
 and armed vessels will increase in proportion, as it is discov- 
 ered, that tliese shores are unprotected — 
 
 il owing 
 in Con- 
 
 KhP — I 
 
 for Sea, 
 
 s to f ur- 
 
 I shall 
 
 stay, if 
 
 1801. 
 
 [e priva- 
 jance on 
 Il injure 
 
 
 rO LOliD HAWKESBURY. 
 
 New York 3 August 1801. 
 My Lord. 
 
 Your Lordsliij) is undoubtedly fully informed of the im- 
 mense emigrations that have taken place during the present 
 season from G Britain and Ireland to these States. Of the 
 cause however I suspect His Majestys Ministers are ignorant, 
 under this impression I take the Liberty to state, that there 
 are several Societies formed within the United States consist- 
 ing principally «)f persons who have either from political or 
 religious principles left Grreat Britain and Ireland, who keep 
 up a constant correspondence with his Majestys Subjects, and 
 by every conveyance send over to England, Scotland, and Ire- 
 land, seditious inflamatory publications for the express pur- 
 pose of rendering His Majestys Subjects dissatisfied with their 
 present situation and the measures of Government — Describ- 
 
'M' 
 
 
 Ifii 
 
 \ i 
 
 L t 
 
 1 i 
 
 ! I 
 
 t 
 
 \i 
 
 H 
 
 130 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 inp: thfiir own onvicd situation in America in tho enjoyment of 
 Liberty and equality, free from taxation ; and painting these 
 States as a field where wealth is reaped with care and moder- 
 ate industry. — Of these mischievous societies some are headed 
 by dissenting? Clergymen, who were obliged to leave G Britain 
 on account of political violence, these men in addition to the 
 above mentioned arf:;:uments,urge fanatical persuasionsardhave 
 deluded most of the Welsh that have emigrated this year. — 
 
 Part of ray information I have from the unfortunate 
 Wretches who have come over, and from finding themselves 
 deceived; are more anxious to return, than they originally 
 were to come out. — Near one hundred have at different 
 periods made application to me for passages home, which was 
 not in my power to grant; I have however given three Welsh- 
 men passages in the Prince Earnest Pacquet, in the hope, that 
 on their return they will by their representations effectually 
 prevent any more of their Countrymen from giving faith to 
 these wicked representations. 
 
 Abont two months since I received correct information that 
 a society was established in this City for the purpose of com- 
 municating with His Majestys Subjects in (Ireat Britain & 
 Ireland, in order to render them dissatisfied with their situa- 
 tion, to encourage them to attempt a revolution and in the 
 event of that not succeeding to draw these over to this Conn- 
 try. Cheetham ^ an Englishman, the Editor of a newspaper, 
 John Woods,^ who had taught drawing in the University at 
 Edinburgh, and a John Thomson, Scotchman were at the 
 head of this junto. — About this period I received a note from 
 a person who signed himself " an Englishman " ; and wishing 
 to give the person the information he desired, I advertised re- 
 questing him to call on me. — Woods instantly took the alarm, 
 and suspecting that I had discovered the designs of his So- 
 ciety ; got himself introduced to me, by a person who taught 
 
 1 James Cheotham, at this time 
 editor of the American Citizen and 
 Watchtower. 
 
 '^ John Wood was born about 1755 ; 
 emigrated to America in 1800, and 
 
 died in 1822. He is best known as 
 the author of the scurrilous His- 
 tory of the Administration of John 
 Adams. 
 
 ^ 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 131 
 
 iient of 
 ^ these 
 moder- 
 headed 
 Britain 
 1 to the 
 ndhave 
 ear. — 
 rtunate 
 mselves 
 i^inally 
 lifferent 
 lich was 
 ! Welsh- 
 >pe, that 
 ectually 
 faith to 
 
 ion that 
 of coni- 
 ritain & 
 lir sitna- 
 in the 
 Conn- 
 vspaper, 
 rsity at 
 at the 
 :e from 
 wishing 
 ised re- 
 alarm, 
 his So- 
 taught 
 
 inown as 
 lous His- 
 of John 
 
 4 
 
 V 
 
 my children. His confession was full as to the original design 
 of the institution, but he assured me, it was discontinued — 
 For the moment I suppose it was, but I have no doubt it 
 is again in operation and with increased violence and malig- 
 nity against His Majesty and the Government. I take the lib- 
 erty to inclose your Lordship two news papers, the conse- 
 quences of Woods calling on me. The representations 
 contained in the first with respect to myself are generally 
 devoid of truth. Your Lordship will observe that Cheetham 
 altho' he denies the Society having ever commenced their 
 operations, fully avows what was intended. — These publica- 
 tions as well as private letters on political Subjects are for- 
 warded in Ships bound to different Ports in Scotland. And I 
 should suppose that a mode might be adopted by Government 
 to possess themselves of some of them. — 
 
 TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL FULLER, GOVERNOR OF THE 
 ISLAND OF ST. CROIX. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Consul Generals Office 17 Sept' 1801. 
 
 In reply to your favor of the 16"' of August delivered to me 
 by M' Farrell, I am sorry to inform you that I have not been 
 able to discover the Person who carried to the Printers the 
 ExttMct of the Letter from S' Croix and which was published 
 in the New York Gazette of the first of July.^ 
 
 1 The publication referred to is a 
 Letter to a New York Gentleman 
 from a Friend in St. Croix, " Since 
 I loft you at New York," says the 
 friend, "wehav hadagreatehauge 
 in our Government. On the Brit- 
 ish fleet taking possession, I was in 
 hopes that they intended to act with 
 moderation ; but (it seems) it was 
 only to find out the real state of 
 people's property, so that they might 
 the more promptly fall on a plan to 
 deprive every person of as much as 
 
 they could lay their hands on. The 
 General has been committing one 
 act of violence after another for sev- 
 eral weeks," etc. 
 
 St. Croix was taken by a British 
 fleet under command of Admiral 
 Duckwoith on March 5, 1801. Be- 
 ing very ill prepared for resistance, 
 the island was surrendered without 
 opposition. It was restored to the 
 Danish Government uuder the Treaty 
 of Amiens in 1802. 
 

 1 a 
 
 li 
 
 I 1 
 
 132 
 
 COIIRESPONDENOE OF THOMAS MAIK^L.VY 
 
 Upon intern >{?atiiif;r M' Lan^ tho Editor he told mo that tlie 
 Guiitlernan who {jfuvo him the extract was a Stnin}j:eran(l sup- 
 posing it eontained nothing pccnliarly offensive, l)nt rather 
 matters of dispnte nnder tiie treaty, he had j)nl»lish(!(l it. M'' 
 Lang added tiiat the person who hrouglit the extraet was at- 
 tended by a hime Ginitlenuin as I take it tor granted this must 
 have been CounseUor Benson, or Nelson, I never could distin- 
 guish the nanuis between him and the Judge who both came 
 from S* Croix to this plaee — 
 
 1 have spoken very severely to the Printer, and assured him 
 it was more tiian probable he would be prosecmted as he either 
 would or could not ascertain the Author. He is not a little 
 alarmed, and has promised me to be more guarded in future. — 
 I do not however think either a private action or an indictment 
 against Lang would be attended witli damages which would 
 afford any satisfactory pecuniary piniishment. — 
 
 The American presses are licentious in the extreme and 
 the spirit of the Constitution tends the reverse of a check on 
 them. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIIIAL LOUD HUGH SEYMOUR, JAMAICA. 
 
 Consul General's Office for the 
 Eastern States of America 23 Sepf 1801. 
 My Lord — 
 
 It is always with extreme reluctance that I make a])plication 
 to any of His Majestys officers of the Navy for the discharge 
 of American Seamen impressed ^ "'^'h mistake into service, 
 from a conviction that where e one American in our 
 
 Service there are fifty Bri' aen serving in American 
 
 Ships — 
 
 Instances however occur wnere humanity pleads so strongly 
 in favor of persons impressed, that it would be doing violence 
 to my feelings not to state their case, and intercede in their 
 Behalf — The favor I am now to ask of your Lordship is of 
 that description. 
 
 Jonas Hamilton a native and Citizen of the United States 
 of America, a ship carpenter by trade and a resident in this 
 
 :m 
 
CONSUL-QENEllAL, 1799-1802 
 
 133 
 
 lat the 
 i<l sup- 
 rather 
 It. M' 
 ,vas at- 
 s must 
 (listin- 
 11 came 
 
 ed him 
 e either 
 a little 
 iture. — 
 ictnieut 
 I wouhl 
 
 me aud 
 heck on 
 
 City, was advised for the renovery of his health to take a 
 voyajje, and })einff a poor man shl])p('d as a Sailor on board 
 the Siiip Plercules, William Sutherland Master then bound 
 for (kira(,'ao — On the second August Hamilton was taken 
 from on board the Hercules at Cura(,'ao by a party from His 
 Majestys ship the Quebec, carried on board her and detained 
 as a Seaman when ('ap* Sutherland came away — Hamilton 
 has an ajj^ed Mother a Wife and two infant Children, dependent 
 on his labor — he is 29 years of age, about Ave feet ten or 
 eleven Indies in height and has a small Wen on one Ear and 
 of a fair Complexion— Was born at Braintree, in the State of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 Permit me my Lord to intreat in behalf of the mother Wife 
 and Children that you will have the Goodness to order that he 
 may be discharged His Majestys Service, and that should he 
 have been transferred to any other ship under your command, 
 you will have the Goodness to direct the order to the officer 
 Commanding for his release.' 
 
 .ICA. 
 
 TO H. R. H. THE DUKE OF KENT. 
 
 the 
 1801. 
 
 (lication 
 
 scharge 
 
 service, 
 
 in our 
 
 nericaii 
 
 [trongly 
 dole nee 
 
 liu their 
 |ip is of 
 
 States 
 in this 
 
 New York, 10'" Oct' 1801. 
 Sir, 
 
 I intreat your Royal Highness will be pleased to accept my 
 grateful acknowledgements for your most gracious and 
 friendly letters of the IS*"" and 18"' of July received a few days 
 since by the Lady Hobart packet. Permit me at the same 
 time to assure your Royal Highness that I am duly sensible of 
 the interest you take in my son's promotion, and of your co- 
 operation with Lord Hawkesbury in effecting His Majesty's 
 permission for my coming to England and leaving ray eldest 
 son to transact the Business of my office. — I have for many 
 
 1 A very large part of Barclay's 
 correspondence was taken up bj' the 
 ever-troublesome question of im- 
 pressment. Only a few of his many 
 appeals on behalf of Americans un- 
 
 lawfully seized are here printed, for 
 he was always ready to urge tho 
 release of any man who could pro- 
 duce evidence of being a native-born 
 American citizen. 
 
' s 
 
 134 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 )• i 
 
 ) ■? 
 
 :- 
 
 reasons resolved not to avail myself of His Majestys leave of 
 absence until the Month of March, when I shall embark for 
 England. The possibility of a peace before that period is one 
 of my reasons for not coming more early,^ 
 
 I sincerely congratulate your Royal Highness on the recov- 
 ery of His Majesty and am happy to hear from your pen that 
 his health is oetter than it has been for some years past. — 
 May God long nreserve him a comfort t Iiis family and a 
 blessing to his Subjects. 
 
 The Vice Courts of Admiralty beyond all doubt required a 
 great reform and un ler this impression I took the Liberty to 
 communicate my opinion last Winter to Lord Grenville on the 
 Subject of the captures and condemnations of American Ves- 
 sels. — It is true the American merchants by contraband trade, 
 and conveying Enemy's property, have given just cause to 
 suspect that every one of their Ships were laden in part or the 
 whole contrary to the Law of Nations and the existing treaty ; 
 still suspicion alone was not a sufficient cause for capture and 
 detention, much less of eventual condemnation. By the pres- 
 ent act of Parliament - these courts are now placed on so re- 
 spectable a footing that while His Majesty's rights and those 
 of the officers and men of the Navy are amply secured ; the 
 property of foreigners will be preserved sacred so long as they 
 continue to remove it conformably to law. — Dr. Cook^ whom 
 your Royal Highness names as the Gentleman appointed for 
 Halifax, I take for granted is an able civilian and one who will 
 give universal satisfaction. 
 
 I sincerely lament that my amiable and worthy friend Sir 
 John Wentworth is to be removed from his Government. The 
 measure I fear will break that good man's heart. -A more 
 zealous faithful Subject never existed ; but I fear he may have 
 been as inattentive to the expenditure of public money as of 
 
 1 The preliminai'ies of peace were 
 signed in October, 1801, the Treaty 
 of Amiens, March 25, 1802. 
 
 2 41 Geo. Ill, Chap. 96. 
 
 3 Alexaniter ("-ukb, LL. D., is the 
 pei'son inter/ded. He was a man of 
 
 great ability and force of character, 
 and exercised his powers with un- 
 sparing severity in condemning 
 American vessels brought before 
 him as prizes. His decisions are 
 collected in Stewart's Reports. 
 
 1. 11 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 ki 
 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 135 
 
 eave of 
 ark for 
 i is one 
 
 e recov- 
 
 )en that 
 
 past. — 
 
 yr and a 
 
 rjuired a 
 berty to 
 le on the 
 can Ves- 
 nd trade, 
 cause to 
 brt or the 
 g treaty ; 
 •tare and 
 the pres- 
 on so re- 
 md those 
 ired ; the 
 g as they 
 k 3 whom 
 inted for 
 who will 
 
 •iend Sir 
 
 lent. The 
 
 -A more 
 
 pay have 
 
 ley as of 
 
 I character, 
 Is with un- 
 jndemning 
 jht before 
 tisions are 
 eports. 
 
 
 his own. — His natural Benevolence has ever rendered him a 
 dupe to designing men ; and I have more than once intreated 
 him to give an absolute negative in the first instance to 
 improper applications. — His interference with the Maroons I 
 protested against in the warmest terms, and if Sir John will 
 revert to my letters when the maroons arrived in Nova Scotia 
 he will find that what I then predicted has actually come to 
 pass. — Still I believe his hands are clean, however negligent 
 he may have been as to expenditures ; and although I condemn 
 the measure of his ever having had anything to do witli them ; I 
 am satisfied, the location was judicious for their establishment.^ 
 
 I took the Liberty to forward to your Royal Highness by 
 the last Packet, a political Pamphlet, which I considered well 
 written. I have now the Honor to inclose you the answer to 
 
 it under the signature of Leonidas You will scarce have 
 
 patience to run over this miserable performance. It is sup- 
 posed to be the production of a Scotchman of the name of Wood, 
 who was obliged to fly Great Britain to avoid a prosecution. 
 
 Mrs. Barclay requests your Royal Highness' acceptarice of 
 her most respectful regards, and desires me to add that she 
 feels herself greatly flattered by finding you still hold her in 
 remembrance. 
 
 TO GENERAL DE LANCEY. 
 
 New York 2"" Deer. 1801. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 By the promotions Stated in the London Gazette of the 5"' 
 of Sept'. I learn that my son De Lancey Barclay has been re- 
 
 1 Biirolay's fears for Sir Jolin were 
 unfounded, for he continued Gover- 
 nor of Nova Scotia until 1808, when 
 he was retired upon a pension. The 
 Maroons liere referred to were re- 
 moved from Jamaica in 1796. They 
 were at first lodged in tents near the 
 City of Halifax and employed by 
 the Duke of Kent in working upon 
 the fortifications, where the Maroon 
 Bastion still commemorates them. 
 
 They were then colonized at Preston, 
 where they wei'e supported at very 
 great expense by the Government 
 of Jamaica ; but this aid being with- 
 drawn they suffered great privations 
 during the cold winters of the prov- 
 ince, and wore finally, in 1800, ra- 
 moved to the more congenial climate 
 of Sierra Leone. See Haliburton's 
 Nova Scotia, Vol. 11, p. 282; Dal- 
 las's History of the Maroons. 
 

 ( 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 ii 
 li 
 
 ) 
 ■ 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 i; 
 .1 
 1 
 
 i, 
 
 I ; 
 
 ( 1 
 
 n 
 
 i , 
 
 i I 
 
 i. 
 
 ; i 
 
 I ' ! 
 
 !:«, i 
 
 > ' 
 
 
 
 136 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 moved from the 41 Regt. to a cornetcy in the l?'** Light Dra- 
 goons.i I am satisfied he owes this promotion wholly to your 
 kindness, and am gratefully sensible of this continued testi- 
 mony of your friendly disposition to me and mine. He is at 
 present at Montreal in Canada with the 41"' Reg* I have writ- 
 ten to him informing him of his promotion and to Lt General 
 Hunter, requesting that he may have leave to come to New 
 York in his way to England to join his Regiment. He will 
 therefore leave this in February or March; not a moment 
 shall be lost. — I can confidently assure you my deai* Sir, that 
 an acquaintance with my Son, will satisfy you that your good 
 offices have not been improperly bestowed on him. — I hope to 
 embark with him for London. By this conveyance I send y( n 
 two Barrels best Newtown pippins, which I hope will arrive -U 
 good order — They are addressed to Brook Watson Esq' & 
 Co. — Present Mrs. Barclay's and my best regards to Mrs. and 
 Miss DeLancey. 
 
 TO MR. BROUGHTON. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York, 13'" Dec' 1801. 
 
 Your favor of the 11th Dec' covering the bill of laden and 
 ace' of the Statutes at large, which you have had the Goodness 
 to ship me, also the certificates of the two half tickets in the 
 State lottery I rec'' by the Harlequin Packet — Accept my 
 thanks for the trouble you have taken — I shall make no re- 
 marks on the quarterly amount you receive for me, waiting 
 your answer to my letter on that subject, farther than to 
 observe it appears less than my predecessoi-'s, while my situa- 
 tion requires at least the same ; for two reasons — First be- 
 cause the pi'ice of every article of Life is greatly enhanced and 
 secondly from my seeing more company in a month, than Sir 
 John Temple did in a year. — The latter is not from iuclina- 
 
 1 General De Laucey was Colouel 
 of this Regimeut. De Lancey Bar- 
 clay's Commission as Cornet bears 
 
 date August 29, 1801, and he was 
 promoted to be Lieutenant in the 
 same Regiment on July 9, 1802. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 137 
 
 t Dra- 
 ) your 
 
 . testi- 
 e is at 
 e writ- 
 reneral 
 o New 
 ie will 
 loment 
 Ir, that 
 Lr good 
 iiope to 
 snd y< n 
 rrive n 
 Esq' & 
 [rs. and 
 
 f 1801. 
 
 den and 
 oodness 
 
 in the 
 ept my 
 
 no re- 
 waiting 
 than to 
 y situa- 
 irst be- 
 iced and 
 than Sir 
 iuclina- 
 
 (1 he was 
 nt in the 
 1802. 
 
 
 tion, but with a view to further His Majestys Service — of the 
 propriety of which every days experience convinces me — I will 
 thank you to hint this to M' Hammond, in the Event of my 
 pr-^sent allowance being less than Sir John Temples. I do not 
 under the present circumstances of the Nation wish it more. 
 But rest assured my annual expenses exceed £2200 Sterling 
 per annum ; and yet economy presides in my family. — 
 
 Mr, Jefferson as you will perceive is President — The federal 
 party, I mean tlie moderate ones are much pleased with his 
 Speech, and augur a happy administration. — I wish their ex- 
 pectations may be realized — The better informed consider it 
 vox et preteria nihil — 
 
 TO DANIEL COXE, LONDON. 
 
 New York 4*^ February 1802. 
 My dear Sir 
 
 By the Brothers I replied to your favor of the 14"" of October. 
 I at the same time informed you, that I had consulted with all 
 my Law friends in this City, who agreed in opinion with me, 
 that there was not the most remote possibility of any success to 
 an application of M" Beverley Robinson for a compensation 
 for her right of Dower in Lands in this State ; or for lands 
 which she owned in fee. — M'* Robinson, as well as many other 
 feme coverts were attainted with their Husbands in the Act of 
 this State passed in 1776,' and the disposition of the Legisla- 
 ture has ever been not to open a door for claims under that 
 Act. — In addition to this M" Kempes and M" Margaret De 
 Lauceys present claims (with those of many others) have so 
 alarined the people of this State, as to render it a subject wor- 
 thy of notice in the Governors speech at the opening of the 
 
 1 The act of October 22, 1779, is 
 intended. Mrs. Beverly Robinson, 
 her sister Mrs. Roger Morris, and 
 Mrs. Inglis, — wife of the then rector 
 of Trinity Church, — were attainted 
 
 under this act. This is believed to 
 be the only case, here or in England, 
 in which women were attainted of 
 high treason, and banished and 
 threatened with d^ath. 
 
% 
 
 
 h 
 
 f If 
 
 'ii 
 
 
 138 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 present Session of the Legislature.^ What the event will be I 
 dare not predict — I hope favorable, but both M" Kempes and 
 M" De Laneeys Council advise a composition at almost any 
 rate rather than proceeding with our suits at Law and now at 
 Issue. They apprehend that when these causes are brought up 
 before the Court of Errors that the Senate will reverse the 
 Judgement of the Supreme Court, and declare that a Wife of 
 an attainted person cannot recover her Dower. We have also 
 ascertained that the Attorney General has Legislative orders 
 to throw every possible obstacle in the way, and to contend 
 inch by inch with us. — I hope before I leave this, which will be 
 by the next Packet, that something will be done by the Legis- 
 lature, and on reasonable principles. I send you the paper 
 containing the Governors Speech. Have the goodness to com- 
 municate the purport of this to your amiable Sister. I would 
 write her by this Packet, but I dread the task, as I should be 
 under the necessity of mentioning the loss of my worthy 
 friend Captain Church. Whose memory will ever be dear to 
 many of his friends in America, as well as in Great Britain. 
 
 TO MRS. MARGARET DE LANCEY. 
 
 New York 6" February 1802. 
 My dear Madam 
 
 By the advice of your Council M'' Harrison and General 
 Hamilton (as mentioned in my letter to you of the 4"' of Dec"") 
 M"" Colden proceeds for Albany to make one more attempt for 
 an amicable composition with the Legislature of this Citate 
 
 1 " The claims of dower by wid- 
 ows of attainted persons have as- 
 sumed so serious an aspect, that the 
 commissioners appointed by law for 
 their liquidation and settlement, 
 deemed it expedient at the last ses- 
 sion to submit them to the decision 
 of the legislature ; and as nothing 
 was definitely arranged at that pe- 
 riod, a great number of suits have 
 
 been commenced against persons 
 deriving title from the state. While 
 the honor of the state demands that 
 all proper claims should be satisfied, 
 an attention to public economy 
 equally requires that the treasury 
 should be guarded against improper 
 or fraudulent demands." Governor 
 Clinton's speech, January 26, 1802. 
 
 I 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 139 
 
 m 
 
 now sitting in that City ; previous to our inquiring the amount 
 of your Dower in the trial of the issues now joined between 
 you, and several of the tenants. — Inclosed is the Governor's 
 speech at the opening of the session — ; in which he makes spe- 
 cific remarks on the claims and suits now made and depending 
 by widows of attainted persons for lands in this State. It is 
 impossible from the mode in which he expressed himself to 
 ascertain whether it is his opinion that an equitable allowance 
 should be made in extinguishing the claims for dower. Gen- 
 tlemen in this place think he is inclined to an opposite line of 
 conduct — M' Golden however proceeds with every necessary 
 instruction, and letters to many of the leading members on 
 both sides in the house. — 
 
 I lament that M' Brockholst Livingston^ has vacate I uis 
 seat, by accepting the appointment of Judge in the Supreme 
 Court, as he had promised me his Interest iv; obtaining you 
 justice — He will however deliver his sentiments to the lead- 
 ing Members and recommends their making reasonable com- 
 pensation — 
 
 I hope to have it in my power to write you in a few weeks 
 that your business is terminated satisfactorily, but I cannot 
 say I am sanguine in my expectations. — 
 
 1802. 
 
 persons 
 
 , While 
 
 ands that 
 
 satisfied, 
 
 economy 
 
 treasury 
 
 improper 
 
 Governor 
 
 26, 1802. 
 
 A 
 
 m 
 
 Vi , ,■ 
 
 FROM MR. GOLDEN. 
 
 Albany 17 February, 1802. 
 My dear Sir 
 
 On iiiy arrival at this place I found that the Legislature had 
 anticipated the application I was about to make to them, and 
 have by a resolution originating with Mr. De Witt Clinton 
 in the Senate almost shut out every hope of compromising 
 with the State on any Terms whatever — By the resolution 
 I have mentioned the Senate have directed the Attorney 
 General to bring before them by writ of error any judg- 
 
 1 Appointed this year a Judge of Justices of the Supreme Court of 
 the New- York Supreme Court. In the United States. 
 1807 he was appointed one of the 
 
 m 
 
CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 i i 
 
 u 
 
 < i 
 
 i 
 
 i: 
 
 !i 
 
 i I 
 
 •/i 
 
 \i 
 
 ment that may be pronounced in favor of the claims of Wid- 
 ows. — We may say that Mr, Clinton was lost to all kind of 
 delicacy wlien by an order of this sort he shewed his anxiety 
 to pass judgement on the point to be brought before him — We 
 maj'- say that this resolution discovers an eagerness very incon- 
 sistent with the dignity of a Senate, and with an intention to 
 be upright and impartial judges — Mr. Clinton might be told 
 that by resisting the judgement of the Supreme Court in favor 
 of the Widows he was persecuting the inocent for the sake of 
 his ambition, and to purchase an infamous popularity by the 
 few thousand dollars that may be saved to the state thro his 
 machinations — But all those reproaches would be in vain. I 
 think that Mr. Clinton and the majority of both houses which 
 he governs absolutely, are men utterly void of feeling and 
 honor — Is it right? or wrong ? are questions that never occur 
 to them in the consideration of a measure — when it is ascer- 
 tained whether it will be popular or otherwise, it is deter- 
 mined — 
 
 Finding that the board would not move a step in the busi- 
 ness of Mrs. De Lancy I yesterday presented a memorial to 
 the house of assembly — In which I stated that she was desirous 
 of compromising with the State on terms the most favorable to 
 them, and I endeavored to rouse the sympathy & justice of the 
 house and a concern for the honor and reputation of the na- 
 tion, as well as of the individual members who compose its 
 Legislature — Yesterday, altho it was introduced in a very 
 handsome manner by my friend Mr. Henry, nothing was done 
 with this. What will be its fate it is difficult to say but I 
 think there is hardly anything to be hoped — 
 
 I am &c Cadwallader D. Colden. 
 
 FROM MK. COLDEN. 
 
 Albany 17tb. February 1802. 
 My dear Sir: — 
 
 Since I wrote to you yesterday the business that I am upon 
 I think wears a more favorable aspect — I have had an oppor- 
 
 M 
 
 
 'd 
 
 :f. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1799-1802 
 
 141 
 
 tunity of conversing with most of the influential members in 
 the Legishiture on eitlier side and hope I have made an im- 
 pression on their minds propitious to oiir cause — A commit- 
 tee has been ai)pointed before wliieh I have appeared and 
 I am again to meet them to-morrow — And I have reason to 
 hope that tliey will make a report tnore favorable than I a few 
 days since expected to obtain — Tho it will by no means meet 
 the justice of the claim — If such a report should be made, and 
 should meet with serious opposition in the liouse, I liave in- 
 structed my friends to ask permission for the claimants to be 
 heard by counsel at the Bar. 
 
 Notwithstanding all I have said you must not be too san- 
 guine as to my success — If you conkl know of what strange 
 materials our present honorable legislature is composed you 
 w'! easily believe that it is difficult to cahiulate upon their 
 acts — Yet I verily believe that imless the Widows are success- 
 ful in this mode, they can not expect it by other means. For 
 the resolution of the Senate which I mentioned to you yester- 
 day is too sure an evidence of the spirit with which the Court 
 of Errors would hear their cause. 
 
 FEOM MR. GOLDEN. 
 
 jDEN. 
 
 1802. 
 
 n upon 
 oppor- 
 
 1 
 
 4: 
 
 New York March 25th, 1802. 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 Agreeably to your request I proceed to give you some ac- 
 count of what I have been doing at Albany in relation to the 
 claims of Mrs. Kempe and Mrs. Delancy. 
 
 The releases which I herewith send you to be executed by 
 Mrs. Kempe will sufficiently explain the bargain, I have made 
 in her belialf with the State. It is to be undei-stood however, 
 that Mrs. Kempe has it entirely in her power to agree to this 
 offer on the part of the State, or not as she may think proper. 
 If she does not agree the various suits that have been in- 
 stituted may be prosecuted — It must also be remembered that 
 the costs of these suits are to be paid out of the sum men- 
 tioned in the release. 
 
■-wr 
 
 142 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 : 1 
 
 
 
 it 
 1 1 
 
 By far the greater part of the lands mentioned in the paper 
 entitled a Schedule of the real estate of the late John Taber 
 Kempe, Esquire are situated in the State of Vermont. 
 
 Taking this into consideration and also the disposition of 
 our present rulers I think Mrs. Kempe certainly ought to ac- 
 cept this sum. Altho I am perfectly satisfied that it is not 
 more than i^ of the real value of her dower.' 
 
 As to Mrs. Delancy's affairs I wish the information I have to 
 give you was more satisfactory than what I can now offer you. 
 
 It will be unnecessary for me to repeat a detail of the cir- 
 cumstances that occurred last winter. It will be sufficient to 
 say that what was then done satisfied us that all ai^plication 
 to the board instituted for the purpose of Extinguishing Claims 
 of this sort would be in vain. They have said that the amount 
 Mrs. Delancy demanded was far beyond what the legislature 
 had in view, when the power of this board was delegated And 
 therefore they refused to act and referred us to the legislature. 
 Of course all my applications this winter have been to that 
 body. I was not a little surprised soon after my arrival in Al- 
 bany to find a resolution brought forward in the Senate re- 
 quiring the Attorney General to bring before the Court of 
 Errors all judgments that had been or should be rendered in 
 favor of the right of Dower of the widows of persons whose 
 estates had been confiscated. You know the Court of Errors 
 is composed of the very persons who as Senators passed this 
 resolution. And it is a sufficient indication of what would be 
 the event of the Causes which they manifest such a desire to 
 have before them. 
 
 I presented a memorial to the Assembly which was com- 
 mitted to three Gentlemen two of them leaders of the political 
 parties in the Legislature. After an attendance on this Com- 
 mittee of more than four weeks, in which time I made it a 
 point to meet them or at least to see one of them every day, I 
 was, after an absence from my office and family so much 
 longer than I expected when I left them, obliged to return be- 
 
 1 The sum for which Mrs. Kempe's claims were released, after deducting 
 all counsel fees and expenses, amounted to $5713.39. 
 
 Wmf 
 
 M 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1790-1802 
 
 143 
 
 paper 
 Taber 
 
 ion of 
 to ac- 
 is not 
 
 lave to 
 31* you. 
 ;he cir- 
 ient to 
 ioation 
 Claims 
 imount 
 Lslature 
 ed And 
 slatiive. 
 to that 
 il in Al- 
 nate re- 
 ;^ourt of 
 iered in 
 s whose 
 f Errors 
 
 ;ed this 
 should be 
 
 esire to 
 
 as corn- 
 political 
 lis Com- 
 ade it a 
 'V day, I 
 so much 
 jturn be- 
 
 deducting 
 
 fore I could bring thera to make any report upon the subject. 
 I however had made them several propositions and obtained a 
 promise that they would report in a few days. 
 
 I left the business in charge of Mr. Emott who is a partner 
 of Mr. Henry one of the Committee. I am convinced Mr. 
 Emott will attend to the business. And I liope I shall hear 
 from him before you leave us. 
 
 I am &G. Cadwallader D. Colden.i 
 
 TO LORD HAWKESBURY. 
 
 New York 2d April, 1802. 
 My Lord, 
 
 By the Packet which arrived last Evening I was honored 
 with yom- Loi-dsliips letter of the 13tli of February, in which 
 you request my opinion, whether in the present state of the 
 commercial intercourse between His Majestys Dominions and 
 the United States, it is expedient to make a permanent Estab- 
 lishment of a Vice Consulship at New Port in the State of 
 Rhode Island. — 
 
 Rhode Island is the second smallest state in the Union, pos- 
 sessed of but few seaports, and carrying on a very limited 
 Coznmerce when compared with most of the other States ; the 
 appointment therefore of a Vice Consul to that State appears 
 to me far from necessary taking the official duty simply into 
 consideration. The Eastern part of the State of Connecticut, 
 
 1 Here wo take leave of Mrs. De 
 Lancey and her claims. On April 5, 
 1802, the Assembly passed a resolu- 
 tion in favor of a compromise ; and 
 as Barclay was then on the point of 
 sailing for England, he procured a 
 letter from Harison advising a set- 
 tlement. While in England Barclay 
 succeeded in persuading Mrs. De 
 Lancey to accept a moderate sum, 
 and on January 31, 1803, while he 
 was still abroad, $34,000 was offered. 
 
 This amount was fixed by a report 
 of tlie Co!nmissioners, — the Comp- 
 troller, Attorney-General, and Sur- 
 veyor-General of the State, — and 
 was duly approved by the Governor. 
 Mrs. De Lancey gave a release of all 
 her claims and accepted the money, 
 though not without vigorous grumb- 
 ling at Mr. Coldcn's bill, which was 
 only paid after the matter had been 
 submitted to the arbitration of Gen- 
 eral Hamilton and Mr. Harison. 
 
 i 
 
 ^^■. 
 
 I 
 
 ill 
 
144 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ;Mi 
 
 would 1)e a pivfcnible situation for the rcsidonco of a Vice Con- 
 sul, within the liimits of whose Jurisdiction Rhode Island may 
 be included — New Loudon should ])e tlie jdace of hisresideiuu', 
 a central position in tlie State, distant only sixty miles from 
 Providence in Rhode Island, and one liundred and forty from 
 this City. — I cannot however my Lord add that I even con- 
 sider a consular ap[)ointment necessary for Connecticut. — In 
 a political ])oint of view there can be no question, but that 
 Consuls or Vice (-onsuls in both these States, if Men of Pru- 
 dence and engaging manner, might forward His Majestys In- 
 terests, and predispose the Inhabitants in favor of the British 
 Government. In this point of view if (mly one Vice Consul 
 is appointed, Rhode Island is the State, and New Port the 
 place for his residence — During th(^. Summer Season New 
 Port is crowded with the most fasliionable influential Charac- 
 ters from Maryland to ( leorgia, who go thitlier for the recov- 
 ery of their health or to avoid the prevailing summer epidem- 
 ics of a southern climate. A consul therefore residen.. in New 
 Port would have an o[)portimity of becoming acquai itcd with 
 the first Characters in America : and by gaining on their c(m- 
 fldence naturally lead them to think favorably of the country 
 he represents — 
 
 I' 
 
 I 
 
 
 IMi I 
 
 m 
 
 
 Mi: 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 ABOUT April 10, 1802, Colonel Barclay, with his 
 J\. son Do Lancey, embarked on the packet for 
 England, touched doubtless at Halifax, and in due 
 season reached his destination. It was his first visit to 
 England, and it must have been full of pleasure and 
 interest. He had many old friends and connections 
 among the American loyalists who still survived; he 
 was favorably known to the official world; and he mot 
 with a warm welcome from his distant relatives, the 
 Barclays of the well-known banking and brewing firms 
 in London. Unfortunately his correspondence for this 
 period has not been preserved, but we get one glimpse 
 of him through the official correspondence of the Amer- 
 ican minister. Madison, writing to Rufus King in 
 June, 1802, had instructed him to endeavor to nego- 
 tiate a treaty for settling the remaining questions rela- 
 tive to the boundary between the two nations, and 
 especially those in regard to the islands in the Bay of 
 Passamaquoddy. On February 28, 1803, King wrote 
 from London that by Lord Hawkesbury's desire ho had 
 conferred with Colonel Barclay on the subject, and as 
 the result of the conversation saw nothing to impede a 
 settlement.' 
 
 On April 4, 1803, Barclay left London, and on May 
 21, after " an ordinary passage of six weeks," reached 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 1 Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., Vol. II, p. 590. 
 145 
 
err 
 
 140 
 
 CORRKHPONDENOE OP THOMAS RARCTAY 
 
 J" 
 
 'M'l 
 
 II': 
 
 % 
 
 'V\ 
 
 ^Hl 
 
 New-York, and found his wife and such of his chil- 
 dren as were at home all in good health. But they 
 were anxiously awaiting the return of Beverley, the 
 fourth son, who had gone South to avoid the rigors of 
 a Now- York winter. He had developed during the jire- 
 vious year serious symptoms of a pulmonary comi)laint, 
 and had now been spending several months in South 
 Carolina, — probably with his aunt, Mrs. Izai'd. The 
 change of (jlimate had, however, come too late. On 
 June 5th he arrived in New- York in the last stages of 
 consumption, and died on the loth of the same month, 
 being then not much more than sixteen years of age. 
 " He was," said Barclay, writing to a friend, " one of 
 the most amiable and promising of children, who never 
 had rendered censure or admonition necessary, and 
 whose application to his studies, added to more than 
 ordinary natural abilities, gave me every reason to 
 hope he would have made a distinguished literary 
 character. You who are a Parent and blessed as I am 
 with the best and most lovely of Children can feel for 
 Mrs. Barclay and myself under this severe affliction." 
 The threatening aspect of the relations between 
 England and the United States, however, soon came 
 to divert Barclay's thoughts and claim his most seri- 
 ous attention. On May 16, while he was still at sea, 
 war had again been declared between England and 
 France, and Napoleon at once began his preparations 
 for an invasion of England. The war was, however, 
 mainly carried on at sea, and especially in the West 
 Indies, where St. Lucie, Tobago, and Dutch Gruiana 
 were taken by the British forces, and the French 
 islands were blockaded. The export of French sugars 
 and other colonial products was a trade which the Brit- 
 ish government particularly sought to break up ; and 
 
 '■.),' 
 
 '''ti 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 18();{-1H04 
 
 147 
 
 mgars 
 Brit- 
 ; and 
 
 ^M 
 
 their courts held that such goods, if found in transit on 
 a neutral ship, rendered tlie vessel as well as the cargo 
 liable to condemnation. British scjuadrons were there- 
 fore koi)t constantly cruising off the coast from Massa- 
 chusetts Bay to the capes of Virginia, searching one 
 American vessel after another in the effoi't to find 
 some pretext for putting a prize crow aboard and or- 
 dering her off to the Admiralty Court at Halifax. 
 Above all, the impressment of seamen went on more 
 vigorously than ever. 
 
 Under these circumstances, the post of British Con- 
 sul in New- York became every day more delicate and 
 inii)ortant. Hardly an American vessel came in but 
 had been searched by an English frigate, and had had 
 men taken from her decks. On the other hand, every 
 British ship that entered the harbor lost men by deser- 
 tion. The great majority of the population openly 
 sympathized with the French cause, and the author- 
 ities made no pretense of trying to assist in recovering 
 deserters. As yet there was no open outbreak ; but 
 with every English frigate that took up her station off 
 the Hook, — or, worse still, that came up to the Nar- 
 rows, — there was the hourly chance of some provoking 
 insult or reckless act of violence, that might bring 
 about an actual collision. 
 
 Jerome Bonaparte's presence in the United States 
 added another object for the watchfulness of the Eng- 
 lish naval force, and was another source of anxiety to 
 the British Consul. 
 
 How Barclay steered his difficult course in these 
 troubled times may be judged from the letters which 
 follow. 
 
 He continued to live in New- York ; but from August 
 20 to October 31, 1803, the prevalence of yellow fever 
 
 S 
 
 'le; 
 
 
 m 
 
148 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 lit 
 
 
 1 
 
 . I I ■ 
 !> tl i 
 
 d !K 
 
 compelled him to remove with his family to Westches- 
 ter. On the very day that the family removed to the 
 country, Susan, the third daughter, was married at St. 
 Mark's Church to Peter Gerard Stuy vesant, — a young 
 gentleman of excellent family and a genteel fortune.' 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 22 July, 1803. 
 {Prii'ate.) 
 
 It is with re<?ret that I am under the necessity of informing 
 you that the Pilots of New York are to a man inclined rather 
 to favor the freneh, than the English, being of the description 
 termed in the Politics of America, democrats and not federal- 
 ists. I mention this that you may caution the officers under 
 your command in the event of their, being off this place not to 
 give credit to anything they may say, but to act from their 
 own Judgment and discretion. — There is a man of the name 
 of Daniel, lately dismissed the Service of Pilot, under the pre- 
 tence of his Having run the American Frigate Boston on 
 Shore, but in reality because he was a federalist and much at- 
 tached to our Government — He was the oldest and best Pilot 
 in New York, and I think may be of Service if employed to 
 obtain private information by associating with the Pilots — 
 The Spanish Brig and French Ship which arrived here at the 
 time the Lilly was off the Hook, have sold their Cargoes in 
 this City, and the Ship is up for sale — I have not yet been 
 able to ascertain whether the other French Ship will after 
 she is repaired take in her cargo and proceed for France. Of 
 this I will give you the earliest notice — 
 
 Several Seamen have engaged with me to join your Squad- 
 
 1 He was directly descended from Htoii, the first Lord of the Manor, 
 
 the last of the Dutch governors ; aud Mr. Htuyvesant was born in 1778, 
 
 his mother was Margaret Livingston, graduated at Columbia College in 
 
 a granddaughter of Robert Living- 1794, aud died without issue in 1847. 
 
 ^!| 
 
 if II 
 
 1:1 
 1 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 149 
 
 tches- 
 to the 
 at St. 
 young 
 rtune.' 
 
 ron, and if they continue of the same mind tliey sliall be sent 
 in the Earl of Leicester Packet — I have desired Captain 
 Sharpe of the Packet to send his Boatswain and a few good 
 men on shore to endeavor to recruit Seamen. 
 
 1803. 
 
 .forming 
 h1 rather 
 scription 
 i f ederal- 
 srs under 
 ice not to 
 •om their 
 the name 
 r the pre- 
 ostou on 
 much at- 
 test Pilot 
 ployed to 
 Pilots — 
 lere at the 
 iirgoes in 
 yet been 
 [will after 
 lance. Of 
 
 lir Squad- 
 
 tlie Manor. 
 [vn in 1778, 
 College in 
 ssue in 1847. 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 TO LORD HAWKESBURY. 
 
 New York Gi)'" Jiily, 1803. 
 My Lord. 
 
 I liave reciuved correct information of .Jerome Bonaparte 
 having arrived fi-om the West Indies to these States, and that 
 he was in Baltimore on the 27"' Instar.t; his wish is to get to 
 P^rance; he travels under an assumed name, and is very appre- 
 hensive of being taken by some of our ships of War in his way 
 home. — He has talked of coming on from Baltimore to this city 
 in order to embark ; but the well known Commodore Barney ' 
 having taken him to his house in Baltimore, it is suspected 
 that he will persuade liim to take his passage^ fi'oni tlience ; 
 at all Events it is uncertain from what port he may sail. — 
 
 I take the Liberty to give your Lordship a description of 
 him and his companions and attendant, that you may if you 
 think it of moment have it communicated to the offici^rs of the 
 Navy should they fall into their hands. — Jerome Bonaparte 
 appears to be from twenty to twenty thre(f years of age,- of a 
 slender make and sallow complexion, about 5 feet (5 or 7 Indies 
 in height. — Flis hair is cropped l)lack and smooth, but at times 
 he adds a que aiul powder. There are two Gentlemen who 
 travel witli him. The first about -30 years of age, dark con^- 
 plexion, sliort curly dark liair, marked a little with the small 
 pox and has bad upper teeth, in height about 5 feet 9 or 5-10. 
 The second is of the same stature fair conqih'xion thick, bushy, 
 sandy or reddish hair, marked also a little witli the small i)ox ; 
 
 1 Joslmii Barney was born in 1759, lisli of i>iraey. From 1794 to 1800 he 
 
 and (lied in 1818. He was in the served in tlie Freiidi Navy. 
 
 United States Naval Service duriiifj '^ He was born N,,, . .iiber 15, 1784, 
 
 the Revolution, was at times a pri- and was therefore not quite nineteen 
 
 vateer, and was accused by the Eng- years old. 
 
 lOA 
 
CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 1 
 
 ii 
 
 [ 
 1 
 
 i 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
 |fi! 
 
 M 
 
 l1 
 
 has on his left ear a remarkable mole, immediately where an 
 ear is perforated for a ring. — They pass under feigned names. 
 Jerome Bonaparte — assumes that of Dalbert, or D'Albert. 
 The first described of his Companions calls himself Armand, 
 and. the other is styled Alexander. I should not however be 
 surprized if they again changed their names. A Servant of 
 about 24 years, 5 feet 8 or 9 Inches attends them, his com- 
 plexion and hair dark, the latter long and worn in a que. He 
 wears Earrings.^ 
 
 Should they come to this City, I will exert every nerve to 
 find out the precise time of their sailing, and lay a plan to 
 have them taken. — The above information shall be forwarded 
 to Sir Andrew Mitchell at Halifax. 
 
 '•■a 
 ■ I'M 
 
 II 
 
 ■HI 
 
 TO ME. HAMMOND. 
 
 <ll ' 
 
 n ,ii 
 
 !f!l! 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 3' October, 1803. 
 
 I have the Honor to lay before you the following statement 
 for the information of Lord Hawkesburv, and in the event of 
 his considering it of suflficient moment, that he may transmit 
 the same to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 
 
 Nathan Haley an American citizen, — Master of the Ameri- 
 can Ship Hare sailed from London in the year 1797 for New 
 York; but instead of proceeding for that place, he fraudu- 
 lently carried the Ship into Dieppe, in the hope of having her 
 condemned to him as a prize, he being at that time invested 
 with a commission in the French Service. The Cargo and 
 probably the Ship was insured in London, and there is reason 
 to suppose M' Isaac Classon the owner of the Ship was not ig- 
 norant of Haleys intention. The Underwriters in Loudon 
 have long since paid the amount assured. 
 
 1 Jerome at this time had with him young man named Rewbel, who af- 
 
 M. Moyronnet, a Lieutenant in the terward rose to the rank of General 
 
 French Navy; a private secretary, in the French Army. See Ducasse, 
 
 M. Le Camus ; a physician ; and a Les Rois Fr^res de Napoleon I. 
 
 m 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 151 
 
 re an 
 lines. 
 Lbert. 
 [land, 
 er be 
 mt of 
 com- 
 i. He 
 
 rve to 
 Ian to 
 warded 
 
 1803. 
 
 atement 
 3veut of 
 ransuiit 
 
 Anieri- 
 
 :or New 
 
 fraiidu- 
 
 ing her 
 
 uvested 
 
 |rgo and 
 
 Is reason 
 
 |s not ig- 
 
 London 
 
 1, who af- 
 :)f General 
 Ducasse, 
 l6on L 
 
 Haley is now on the point of sailing in a small ship named 
 the Brutus ; her description is inclosed, and it is generally sup- 
 posed with a view to capture British merchant ships — It is 
 given out that she is bound for the West Indies, but if Tom 
 Paine goes a Passenger with him, I am rather apt to think 
 they will proceed to Prance, and after landing Pa,ine, that 
 Haley will cruize on the English coast to be near a port to 
 send his Prizes. From the construction of this Ship, Haley can 
 have no other object in view, because as a Merchant vessel, 
 she carries very little, and her expenses are great. Haley is a 
 Native of Stonington Town in Connecticut. His person can 
 easily be identified here and in London, and the original letter 
 from him to Isaac Classon (a copy whereof I have the Honor 
 to inclose) is in the possession of the Underwriters at Lloyds, 
 thoir attornies, or the agents of the assured on that Ship and 
 Cargo, as it was sent home to enable the assured to recover 
 from the Underwriters. — The ship is supposed to be Nathan 
 Haleys property, altho' the Sea letter is taken out in his Bro- 
 thers name. It is not yet ascertained whether Haley will 
 command her or not, but he will assuredly go in her. — Should 
 she be met by any of His Majestys ships of War, on examina- 
 tion I trust she will be found a lawful Prize ; at all Events 
 Haley and Thomas Paine should be made Prisoners & com- 
 mitted for Trial. The former as an xVmerican Subject, having 
 a french commission in 1797, and by virtue of that carrying 
 British Property into an Enemies Port; the latter as a British 
 Subject in the Service of France in the last War. — I have 
 communicated the preceding to Vice Admirals Sir Andrew 
 Mitchell, and Sir Thomas Duckworth. — 
 
 Permit me also to submit for the consideration of His Maj- 
 estys Ministers, the propriety of proliibiting during the pres- 
 ent war the exportation of Grun powder to these States as an 
 article of merchandize ; three fourths of wliich is sent from 
 hence if not direct, at least through the Danisli and Spanish 
 Islands to the french settlements in the West Indies. A Pilot 
 boat is now on the point of sailing for Saint Croix la'" med 
 with powder, with one tier of flour over it. 
 
 .(»» 
 
152 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 
 t 
 
 Hi 
 
 I 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIKAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York, 5 Nov' 1803. 
 Sir. 
 
 I regret that some of our cruizers are not more often in and 
 out of this port, or rather oflf and on it, commnnicating with 
 me. Col : Hamilton^ expresses the same Sentiments with re- 
 specit to the Chesepeak. — The French Ship which came into 
 the hook early last Summer at the same time with His Maj- 
 estys Ship the Lillj , sailed about six days since for Bourdeaux 
 with a very valuable cargo, under an American certificate of 
 ownership as the property of a M' John Juhel her name the 
 Eliza, Smith master. — I can prove the reverse of this, and she 
 would have been a safe prize. — A schooner named the Niad 
 will sail the first fair Wind for the West Indies, ladened with 
 a valuable Cargo, and is to be converted into a privateer on 
 her arrival. She is owned by a person named John Cauchois, 
 a frenchman, made a citizen of these States; and a large 
 french Ship now nearly loaded will sail in all next Week for 
 Bourdeaux precisely under the same circumstances. A valua- 
 ble french Brig and a Schooner have arrived within a few 
 days from the West Indies. 
 
 Jerome Bonaparte appears at home in these States, and it is 
 reported that he is soon to be married to a Miss Patterson a 
 Lady of Baltimore with a large fortune.'- — This City is once 
 more restored to health. Had the Packet sailed on Wednes- 
 day, she might have carried my letter giving an account and 
 description of the Eliza for Bourdeaux ; but M' Thornton has 
 detained her until this day, and now the Wind is Easterly with 
 ever; ..ppearance of foul Weather. 
 
 1 British Consul at Norfolk, Va. 
 
 2 His marriage-license was issued 
 October 29, 1803. The ceremony 
 was postponed in consequence, it 
 would seem, of the efforts of Pi- 
 
 clion, the French charg(5 d'affaires, 
 who pointed out to all parties the 
 invalidity of the proposed marriage 
 under French law. Les Rois Freres 
 de Napoleon I", p. 178. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 15^ 
 
 [affaires, 
 a the 
 larriage 
 ts Freres 
 
 TO CAPTAIN COCKBURN.^ 
 
 New York IS'" November 1803. 
 
 [Private.) 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I am much pained to learn of tlie desertion of eight of your 
 men, and of the villainy of the caulker sent down from hence, 
 to work on the Frigate, who shamefully enticed them to de- 
 sert. — The Lieutenant who came up last Evening with your 
 Letter to the Mnyor - has reported to you my opinion on this 
 subject. I am from mature reflection confirmed in what I de- 
 sired him to say to you, towit that the only Measures to be 
 adopted against the caulker, will be at law, as a misdemeanor 
 in attempting to interrupt the Harmony which at present ex- 
 ists between the two Nations. Indeed I am not perfectly clear 
 that even an Lidictmeut will lay. — M' Harison the ablest 
 Counsel in America, and a Gentleman much attached to Great 
 Britain coincides in opiniou with me. — 
 
 The best mode to ])e adopted is to state the facts officially to 
 M' Merry, and request he will apply to th(^ American Govern- 
 ment for a redress of this act of sedition & Conspiracy com- 
 mitted by an American Citizen on board your Ship. — When 
 you have done this, you have performed your duty, and it is 
 more than probal)le the President will direct the Attorney Gen- 
 eral to prosecute this man; you will be obliged to have the 
 Quarter Master here as the Witness. — I understand the Mayor 
 will do every thing in his power to recover the deserters and 
 send them to you. 
 
 My advice is that you put the Caulker at Liberty without 
 Loss of time. Whatever his Conduct may have been, his de- 
 tention can be punished. — The leaty of Amity Commerce 
 & Navigation is silent on this Head. 
 
 1 Afterward Admiral Cockburn, 
 notorious for his share in the burn- 
 ing of the public buildiuga in Wash- 
 ington. He wafe at tins time in 
 command of H. M. S. Phaeton, in 
 which Aiitliony Merry, the new Brit- 
 ish minister, had come over, landing 
 
 at Norfolk, Va., on November 9th. 
 The Phaeton reached New-York No- 
 vember 10th, in need of extensive 
 repairs. 
 
 '^ De Witt Clinton, who had just 
 been appointed upon the resigna- 
 tion of Edward Livingston. 
 
w* 
 
 154 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 M' 
 
 
 I 
 
 New York, 22" Nov' 1803. 
 Sir. 
 
 The Pi'ince Adolplius Packet brougflit me your respective 
 Letters of the 12"' and 17"' of October. — Jerome Bonaparte ar- 
 rived here on the 19*'' current, with an intention, as it is said, 
 of passing the Winter; a circumstance far from improbable, 
 as he appears in full pursuit of matrimony. While at Balti- 
 more he was twice on the Eve of marriage, unfortunate how- 
 ever for him both matches were broken off either by the 
 Ladies or their friends. Such are the best accounts from 
 thence. Inch)sed is an anecdote respecting him.' — Your let- 
 ter for M' Stewart has been forwarded to him, he not having 
 yet returned to town owing to the indisposition of his Lady. — 
 
 His Majestys Ship Phaeton Cap* Cockburn which brought 
 out M"" Merry to Norfolk in Virginia, arrived here about ten 
 days since to refit. Cap' Cockburn has lost fourteen men by 
 desertion. Her destination is secret, at least too much so to 
 trust it in a letter going by a conmion conveyance.- She will 
 not leave this under ten days, possibly double that period. — 
 
 Captain Bradley of His Majestys Ship Cambrian was off 
 this place, tlie last of September ; and dispatched a Pilot Boat 
 to me with a letter, requesting to be informed, whether the 
 report was correct that the Andromache Cap' Laurie was on 
 shore at Cape Hatteras. I next day returned him an answer, 
 that it never had been credited, and from the period elapsed 
 without further confirmation could not be true. Yle have 
 not any news at pi'esent. Tlie French Ship covered by an 
 American Certificate sailed from Bourdeaux on Saturday, her 
 present name the Jane. 
 
 Captain Bradley in the Evening of the 1" of October im- 
 pressed from on board the Ship American Packet, Solomon 
 
 1 No copy of the " anecdote " was Britain. See the letter to Merry of 
 preserved. It may probably have December 9, 1803. A part of the 
 been a newspaper cutting. money was shipped to Calcutta in 
 
 2 He was to carry out a part of the the Sir Edward Hughes, belonging 
 money payable by the U. 3. to Great to the East India Company. 
 
( 
 
 CONSUL-CIENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 155 
 
 Swain Master, a Seaman named Thomas Cook, a Citizen of the 
 States, born at Shrewsbury in New Jersey, or near that place. 
 He is well known here as a real American Citizen, and I will 
 thank you to order him to be discharged. 
 
 TO LIEUT. GENERAL HUNTER." 
 
 New York 2" Dec' 1803. 
 Sir. 
 
 Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the first Consul has been some 
 months in these States, particularly in Maryland. He arrived 
 at New York about the 20'" Ult" and left it the day before yes- 
 terday professedly to return to the Southward. I have how- 
 ever been informed that it is his intention after passinjjc a few 
 days ill New Jersey, privately to go to Albany, and to com- 
 municate with the French in Canada ; it is also suggested that 
 he may probably go to the American Line near Lake Cham- 
 plain, where a french man named Rous lives, and who is no- 
 torious for aiding and harbouring British Deserters from Can- 
 ada. MacLoan who some years since was executed in Canada 
 was particularly intimate with Rous. I have given you this 
 information to ennable you to keep an attentive Eye on the 
 Southern limits of Canada. The information comes from 
 a Gentleman ; who I am confident believes it, yet I confess I 
 have ray Doubts. Should I learn that he has really proceeded 
 Southward, you shall have the earliest notice ; on the other 
 hand, if he arrives at Albany you will have advice from 
 thence. 
 
 ber im- 
 |)loraon 
 
 [erry of 
 
 of the 
 
 eutta iu 
 
 blonging 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 9'" Dec' 1803. 
 
 Sir 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt by this days 
 mail of vour Letter N" 2 dated the 5"' Current, enclosing a bill 
 
 1 Peter Hunter, born in Scotland, 174G ; died at Quebec in 1805. He was 
 Commander of the Forces iu Canada. 
 
 ^i 
 
CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 II l!^ 
 
 II ■ 
 
 ; * 
 
 tt'l 
 
 i 
 
 fit si<;lit dated 3'' DeooTiiber 1803 for oight linndrod and eiglity 
 eight thousand dolhivs drawn by Th T Tucker Treasurer of 
 the United States on Jonatliun Burrell Esq' cashier office Dis- 
 oou: 'i and Deposit New York payable to your order, and by 
 your endorsement made payable to me.^ I have presented the 
 Bill for payment, and the Cashier is ready to make it in the 
 current Money of the United States, whenever I may apply 
 for it. He assures me however that it will not be in his power 
 to convenience me with more than four hundred and fifty or 
 at the utmost five hundred thousand Dollars. The remainder 
 must be in British and Portugal — or Frencli and Spanish 
 Gold by weight. At present Spanish milled Dollars bear a 
 premiiim of one and one half percent, but admitting that I 
 was authorized to pay the same, I am satisfied tliat four hun- 
 dred thousand dollars could not be procured from Philadel- 
 phia to Boston at that advance, and that the instant it was 
 known the premium would rise to two and one half percent. — 
 The obtaiii iig of Dollars therefore to the Northward of the 
 Chesepeak, othei* than from the Bank is out of the question. — 
 I have communi(!ated not caly to M' Burrell the Cashier but 
 also to M' Ray the President my disappointment in the infor- 
 mation that the amount of the Bill could not be paid in Span- 
 ish milled Dollars, and I learn from them that they have not 
 received any orders or directioiis, mediately or immediately 
 from the Secretary of the Treasury on this Subject. I sus- 
 pect an order, or strongly worded request from M' Gallatin, 
 would effect the purpose of a payment of the whole in Dollars. 
 — I shall thei'efore wait your further instructions. The money 
 when received shall be paid over as you have directed, towit 
 four hundred and forty four thousand Dollars to Captain 
 Cockburn and the remaining four hundred and forty four 
 thousand dollars to the Captain who may arrive here duly au- 
 thorized to receive it. — Equal attention Sir shall be paid to 
 every other part of the directions contained in your letter. — 
 
 1 This was the first instalment of which fixed the indemnity for the 
 
 the £600,000 payable by the U. S. to debts due to British subjects they 
 
 Great Britain under Rufus King's had been prevented from collecting 
 
 Convention of Janui^.y 8, 1802, in consequence of the Revolution. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 157 
 
 The Cashier of the Bank acquaints me that, I may tell the 
 money out at my leisure, and that it may from day to day be 
 redeposited in the Vaults of the Bank, the Boxes under my 
 Heal, but that all sums told and so deposited must be at the 
 risque of His Majesty. This I think but reasonable, I how- 
 ever wish your opinion thereon. 
 
 TO DE WITT CLINTON. 
 
 New York 29" Dec' 1803. 
 Sir. 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
 yesterday respecting the Seamen of His Majestys Ship Phaeton 
 George Cockburn Esq' Commander now confined as Vagrants 
 in the Briuewell of this City, together with the determination 
 of the Justices of the Police on the subject of their being de- 
 livered up to Captain Cockburn — There would be an end to 
 all subordination in His Majestys Navy if Captains were com- 
 pelled to come to such terms as are proposed by the Justices 
 of Police, as a preliminary promise before the Seamen can be 
 delivered ; but tliis much Sir I can assure both you and them 
 that Captain Cockburn will not bring the men to a general 
 Court Martial, or have them severely punished on board his 
 Ship. I trust therefore as the Men are willing to join their 
 Ship, that the Justices of the Peace will order them to be de- 
 livered to Captain Cockburns order. 
 
 for the 
 sts they 
 ^Uecting 
 liition. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 TO WILLIAM BRAMSTON, CANTON, CHINA. 
 
 New York 27 April 1804. 
 
 M"" Waters late Purser in the India Companys Ship Britan- 
 nia, but now of the Sir Edward Hughes, arrived here in De- 
 cember last to take money on board for Calcutta — On my 
 complaint to him that the Teas in America were of very infe- 
 rior quality, he tendered me a letter of introduction to you, 
 
 
 (<' 
 
158 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ; I 
 
 III 
 
 assuring me that you would have tho goodness to send the 
 best to be purchased at Canton — Tlie letter from him I take 
 the Liberty to inclose, and M' Isaac Bell who goes from hence 
 in the Ship Triton as Super Cargo will deliver to you two 
 hundred and fifty Spanish Dollars — Will you do me the 
 favor to apply one hundred or near tluit amount in the pur- 
 chase of a set of table china, a list of which is inclosed — The 
 remainder lay out in equal quantities of black and ' ■.'•eer> Teas 
 of the first (quality to be purchased — I must give you the ad- 
 ditional trouble to intreat that a proportion of the bla(!k and 
 gi'een tea to the value of fifty dollars may be put up in sepa- 
 rate Boxes, being for an old Lady my particular friend, the re- 
 mainder for my use — Should the Cliina or tea amount to a 
 few dollars more, M' Bell has my orders to pay it to you. — M'' 
 Bell is a worthy honorable American (lentleman, any atten- 
 tion you may have it in your power to shew him will be doing 
 me a favor. — 
 
 If I can render you any Service here it will afford me plea- 
 sure — I trust you will pardon the Liberty I have taken. 
 
 TO Mil. MERRY. 
 
 New York 12"> May 1804. 
 Sir, 
 
 Captain Douglass of His Majestys Ship Boston left this the 
 day before yesterday at noon, to go on board his Ship at the 
 Hook and proceed to Norfolk in Virginia. I this day received 
 a letter from the President of the marine insurance Company 
 in this City, stating a French Cruizer being off Georgia and 
 South Carolina, committing depredations on British and 
 American ships. Of this I have notified Capt. Douglass. At 
 the same time I was informed of another French Privateer 
 being on the Banks of Newfoundland — By a vessel going to 
 Halifax I shall communicate the above to Vice Admiral Sir 
 Andrew Mitchell.^ 
 
 1 See letter to Mr, Neilson, September 7, 1804, below. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 159 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 25 May 1804. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 The Sybillo and Dido French Frij^ates of 44 Gnns each ar- 
 rived here hist Evening from Gnudelonpe and anchored at the 
 Qnarantine Ground about nine miles behiw tlie city — I have 
 not yet been able to learn their Business, probable stay or fu- 
 ture destination. The moment I am possessed of either you 
 shall receive information — 
 
 I have dispatched a letter to Boston, to be from thence for- 
 warded to Sir Andrew Mitchell at Halifax, and will endeavour 
 to hasten the sailing? of a vessel for St. Johns, New Brunswick ; 
 but ])oth these are circuitous routs. — It is much to be regretted 
 that I am neither authorized by Lord Hawkesbury, or Sir An- 
 drew Mitchell to hire a dispatch boat on such occasions. Per- 
 haps your Excellency may think it proper to direct me to in- 
 cur the expence on future occasions of moment. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 ha 
 
 is the 
 at the 
 ceived 
 ipany 
 and 
 h and 
 s. At 
 vateer 
 )ing to 
 ral Sii- 
 
 New York 1" Jime 1804. 
 Sir. 
 
 In answer to your letter N" 12 of the 28"' of May, permit to 
 observe that I cannot learn that the ('omniander of the two 
 French Frigates now in this Port, had any pai'ticnlar object 
 communicated to him for coming here: although I think it 
 probable he had either dispatches for M' Pichon, or directions 
 to I'eceive orders from him. I procured a sensible young 
 Gentleman to get aciquainted with the Officers of these Ships, 
 by taking his lodgings in the same hotel where they staid — 
 From them he obtained the following particulars. That the 
 Dido and Sybille Frigates had laid some time in Rockfort 
 ready for Sea before an opportunity offered to escape the vigi- 
 lance of our Cruizers — That they at length escaped, each 
 ship having 350 Soldiers on board besides Seamen & Marines, 
 also about 40 French men apprehended by o.der of the first 
 
 i 
 
,1 ! 
 
 160 
 
 COIIRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Consul and privately put on })oar(l. Amongst thes«^ wore 
 three (lenerals, and other Offteors of various Ranks, and a 
 number of editors of newspapers. These were landed at 
 Cayenne as exiles — The Frij^ates then proceeded to (luade- 
 loupe where about one-half of th<^ land forees were disembarked, 
 and the remainder put on lioard Privateers and sent to Mar- 
 tinieo to reinforce that (larrison. The Ships immediately 
 overhauled their Hifjfjin*;, took in their water »!fce. &(! and pro- 
 pared with all haste api)arently to return to France — That 
 the officer Commanding j^ave passaj^es to upwards of a dozen 
 Gentlemen of (xuadeloupe to go home in one or other of the 
 Frifxates. Havin<jf seahnl orders on board to be oi)ened on ar- 
 riving in a certain Latitude, it was fouml on opiming them, 
 that the Ships were to repair to New York for further orders, 
 but what thost^ orders are I cannot learn. The Commanding 
 officer on his ai-rival proceeded to the Southward and 'is I sup- 
 pose to Washington — he is not yet returned. It is said their 
 stay will be short, and I have reason to believe Bonaparte and 
 his Ladv will embark on board one of them.^ Tlie Winds for 
 the last ten days have bi^en imfavorable for the Vessels carry- 
 ing my letters to Sir Andrew Mitchell — I however hope he 
 will receive them in a day or two. The Frigates are very fine 
 large Ships, particularly the Dido — They have fifteen ports 
 on each Side, carry 18 pounders on the Main, and It Is said 18"" 
 Carronades on their fore castle and Quarter Deck, in my 
 opinion their Carronades must be heavier. The officers com- 
 plain of their Men not being expert Seamen, but the Pilot who 
 brought up the Dido, assures me they are better than french 
 Seamen ordinarily are, and that both Ships were worked up 
 in a handsome seaman like manner. 
 
 It Is not General Ney, but General Rey who has arrived here 
 as Consul General. He is a native of Brittany, and com- 
 manded at Renues — Was universally disliked both by the 
 Civil and Military where ever he had a command — He is rep- 
 resented to me, by a person who knows him well, as a man 
 of a ferocious disposition, violent temper. Imperious manner, 
 and much addicted to Liquor — He has brought his Wife, and 
 1 Jerome Bonaparte and Miss Patterson were married December 24, 1803. 
 
 I I 
 
0()N8UL-(»KNRRAL, 1803-1H04 
 
 Kil 
 
 were 
 
 nd a 
 
 cl at 
 
 lado- 
 
 rkt'd, 
 
 Mar- 
 
 ately 
 
 I pre- 
 
 That 
 
 dozen 
 
 )f tho 
 
 on ar- 
 
 tlioin, 
 
 irders, 
 
 iiulinp: 
 
 T siip- 
 
 1 their 
 
 •te and 
 
 luls for 
 carry- 
 ope he 
 
 ^vy fine 
 ports 
 
 laid 18'" 
 in my 
 's com- 
 ot who 
 ■en ell 
 ;ed np 
 
 jed here 
 
 Id com- 
 
 bv the 
 
 is rep- 
 
 a man 
 
 launer, 
 
 ife, and 
 
 24, 1803. 
 
 two or tlir(M( Children with him and tlu^ oi>inion of the Froneli 
 here is tlmt the llrst ( 'onsid <^ave him this ii|»poiiitment in order 
 to j,'et rid of him. — He spriii i from the Drej^s of the nation.^ 
 Ilis ('liaiieellor is said to Im; a (JcMitleman of honor, abilities 
 and amial)lt! manners, who was at the head of one of the Civil 
 Tribunals in St. l)oinin<i;o, and his Secretary is reitresentod 
 in ei^milly favorable colors. 
 
 TO Mil. MEIIUY. 
 
 Now York 5'" .lums 1S04. 
 Sll{. 
 
 It is ^'cncrally believed as you will observe it stated in the 
 (Jazette of this (hiy that the Dido and Sybile French FriiJfates 
 are on the point of Sailin<;, their destination unknown, tho 
 sui)posed to be for some part in France. I have some reason 
 however to doubt their leavinj:^ this place so immcidiately, or if 
 they should it will be oidy for a cruize because the provisions 
 ordered by the Aj^'cnt for those ships were not delivered last 
 Evening — You will also perciave a statement in this days 
 paper that a line of Battle Ship supposed to be the Leander^ 
 has been seen off and on this i)ort, I learn this report has been 
 cir(!ulated in order to detain the Frigates a few days, while 
 a Shi[) bound on a Contraband Tradi; to S^ Domingo made her 
 escape from hence. From the Set of the Winds since I lirst 
 
 1 Antoino Gabriel Vonanco Koy imfiivorfihlo to the Revolution of tlio 
 
 was born Soptoiubor 212, 17G8. Ho IHtli Bruiuairo, and so fell into dis- 
 
 eiitored the French army as a private grace, loft the army, and accepted 
 
 inacavalryre<^inientsoino years bo- tho post of Consul-Gonoral to tlie 
 
 fore the Uevolution, obtained a com- United States. Ho returned to 
 
 mission in 17: 1, rose to the rank of Franco about 180S, reentered the 
 
 Geu(!ral of Brigade in 1793, and after army, served in S])ain with some 
 
 shariiif^ in the defense of Mayence credit, and died in 183(). 
 
 and displaying the' greatest vigor 2 Althougli tho Leander played an 
 
 against the Vondeans, was made a important part in the battle of the 
 
 General of Division. Hesubsequently Nile, she was not, strictly speaking, 
 
 commanded in Italy, where he was a line-of -battle ship. Sh^) was rated 
 
 accused of peculation, but was ac- at 50 guns. 
 quitted by a court martial. Ho was 
 11 
 
hi 
 
 /!^^-' 
 
 1(52 
 
 COIiUI-ISPONDKNCK OK THOMAS MAItCI.AY 
 
 
 A : 
 
 111 lu: 
 
 wroti! to Sir Andrew Mitclioll of llio ai-i-ival of tlioso Sliij)s, it 
 is iinprohjiblc tluittlu' lii'ttcivs liave niofi^ iluiu I'cuc.lu'd Halifax 
 and inii)(»ssibl(^ ho could havo sailed from thence and arrived 
 oilE this Port. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMli{AL SIK ANDREW MIT(JI1ELL. 
 
 Nuw York 15'" Jmu^ 1SU4. 
 SiK. 
 
 I have tlu^ honor to inform you that the Dido and Sybile 
 French Frigates ari> still in this Port, Jilth" 1 suspect they are 
 on the point of sailinj:," for Finance. 
 
 Jerome Bonaparte and his Lady arriv(Ml a few days since 
 from Bidtimoreand avow their d(!sifi;n of jj^oin<^ in one of tlnun 
 probiibly the Dido as she is the best Ship and infinitely the 
 fastest. I have done every thint;; in my power to prevent their 
 sailing, by circulating Reports that Ships of your S(iuadron 
 had been seen off in different directions; and causing persons 
 living on the South side of Long Island to say that two Men 
 of War generally stood in every Night and soon after day 
 light hauled oft" again. They certainly are niuih alarmed, and 
 as you will see by the })apei' inclosed have now two pilot Boats 
 (mt to ascertain tlie truth. They have lost a inunber, u[)wai-ds 
 of forty of their men l)y desertion, and 1 understand the ('rews 
 are com])osed of uien of almost every Nation — I wa,s told yes- 
 terday by a Person who liad it from the i)ilot, that the Crews 
 were 7U)t only si(;kly, but that many within the last week liad 
 been taken 111 of the small Pox. Should this be the Case, I 
 doubt their being able to go to Si^a, until they are rcicovered — 
 Their Ships are very dirty and officers and Men under great 
 fear of meeting our Men of War. 
 
 TO Mli. MEllllY. 
 
 Ni'w York 18'" Juno 1S()4. 
 Sir. 
 
 I have the Honor to inform you that His Majestys Ships 
 
 Cambi'iau and Driver arrived at Stateu Island late in the af- 
 
 !■ 'I' i 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 1G3 
 
 ternoon of Satui-day last— Yesterday I saw Captain Bradley 
 the oflficer coinmaiidiufjf, who iiit'ormed me he was under orders 
 to proceed to sea the first fair wind. — I received lat(i last 
 Eveninji- a Ustter from tlu^ Mayor of this City, a eopy whereof 
 I have th(^, Konor to inclose you, requesting? me to detain the 
 Cambrian and Driver for twenty four hours after the d(!par- 
 ture of the two French Fripites now in this Port and who are 
 ready for Sea. — T have s(Mit Captain Bradley a (Mipy of this 
 Mayors letter, hut I apjjrehend hv. will not feel himself author- 
 ized to remain here a moiiKiut after it is practical)le for his 
 Ship to ^o out of the ilook; V'icje Admiral Sir Andrew Mit- 
 chell havini? directed him to leave this port the lirst fair Wind, 
 and to cruise on this coast for the protection of the jNIerchants 
 Ships l)eloMi;ini;' to ilis Majestys Subjects. I wait youi' direc- 
 tions with respect to the answer I am to send to the Mayor. 
 
 TO DE WITT CLINTON. 
 
 ISO-l. 
 
 L Ships 
 the af - 
 
 New York IS'" June 1804. 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowl(Hlii;e the receipt of your Letter 
 of last Evenint^, ijiformiiii? me that you had received official 
 noticfi that the Prij^'ati^s Didon and ('ybele 1)elont^'ing to the 
 frencih liepublic, and which arrived in this [)ort the 4"' Instant 
 intenchMl to Sail with tins first fair Windaiul re({uestin^ me to 
 detain Ilis Majestys Ships ('aml)rian aiul Sloop of War Driver, 
 now also in this i)ort for the space of twenty four hours after 
 the departure of the Fi-em^Ii Frigates. By this days ])ost I 
 shall forward copy of your Lettiu* to M'' Merjy Ilis Majesty's 
 Envoy Extraordinary and Minist(H' Plenipotentiary to those 
 States, and who is now at Philadelpliia, and will on tln^ I'cceipt 
 of his answer immediately connnunicate to you his directions 
 on the Su])je('t. I am however ap[)rehensiv(( that ('aptain 
 Bradl(\v the OITlitHH" (M)mmandin<^' His Majesty's Ship of War 
 will not feel himself authorized to comply with any recpiisitiou 
 either from M' Merry or myself res[)(!ctinjjr his remainin<if a 
 moment in this port after the Wind will adaiit of iiis dejjar- 
 
 
164 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCfiAY 
 
 ! i; 
 
 r>- 
 
 u. 
 
 lit 
 
 '/ 
 
 I ■ i\ 
 
 ' ' i 
 
 ture, because his Orders from Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mit- 
 chell direct him to proceed from here on the delivery of his 
 Dispatches, on a cruize for the protection of the trade not only 
 of his Majesty's Subjecits, but of that of tlic people of these 
 States, and which has lately suffered much fi'om the dei)reda- 
 tions of several French Privateers on this (bast. I am led to 
 believe the Admiral was induccsd to send these Ships for the 
 above i)ui'pose, in consequence of my haviiifij transmitted to 
 him tlie copy of a Letter which I lately receivcMl from the 
 President of the Marine Insurance Company in this City stat- 
 ing- the Injury the American Commerce had sustained from 
 the predatory Corsairs ; and requesting that measures might 
 bo taken to protect the American as well as British Commerce 
 from farther Loss.^ You will from this Statement ncoturally 
 perceive the urgent necessity Ca})tain Bradley is under to get 
 from hence the moment the Pilot will undertake to carry his 
 Ship down and as Caj)tain Bradley had communicated his in- 
 tentions to me, prior to the receipt of your Letter, I am of 
 opinion he is entitled to a preference in point ^f time as to his 
 departure. The French Frigates can avail tuomselves of the 
 first fair Wind after the sailing of His Majesty's Ships. T am 
 perfectly Sensible of the delicacy of your situation and that 
 of the United States, when Ships of War of contending Na- 
 tions enter your friendly Ports ; and it will at all times afford 
 me pleasure to lessen as much as lays in my power and the 
 good of His Majesty's Service will i)ertnit, any embarrassments 
 there nuiy occur by the Ships of War of Great Britain and 
 France lying at the same time in this Port. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Now \ork 19'" June, 1804. 
 
 His Majestys Ship Boston arrived yestei'day afternoon at 
 Sandy Hook — In consequence of Captain Bradleys answer to 
 
 1 An extmct from this letter liav- tlio insurance company, wrote to Col- 
 ing been publislied in tlu* ntiwspa- onel Barclay contradicting the as- 
 pers, Mr. Noilsoii, the president of sertion that protection to American 
 
 1 
 
 
 •A 
 
 i i'!t 
 
 (^! 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 1G5 
 
 me on the subject of the Mayors requisition that His Majestys 
 Frif^ates ini^ht be detained in tliis port for the Spaee of twenty 
 four hours after the sailing of the Frencli Frigates with tlio 
 first fair Wind, that lie could not comply being under orders 
 to go to Sea immediately — The Wardens of the Port have is- 
 sued an inhibition to the Pilots to carry out either of His 
 Majestys Ships, a copy of this order I have the Honor to in- 
 close — I have to intreat you will give me your advice and 
 directions on this point. 
 
 itoCol- 
 (ho as- 
 icrican 
 
 i 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BKADLEY, IL M. S. CAMBRIAN. 
 
 New York lU'" June 1804. 
 Sir. 
 
 The inclosed letter of comi^laint has this moment been deliv- 
 ered to me — You wil ' il)serve that the Mayor considers your 
 boarding the Ship Pitt and impressing from on board that Ves- 
 sel 18 Men, as an act of illegal violence committed within the 
 Jurisdiction of the United States.^ He also complains of the 
 officers of your ship having obstructed the Lieutenant of the 
 Uevenue (Jutter and the Health Physician from doing their 
 duty ; and adds that he has transmitted a statement of facts 
 to the Government of the United States, in order that they 
 may take tlie necessary measures. — I consider it necessary 
 that you and the offlcerri of your ship make a candid represen- 
 tation of the transactii^ii in order that I may lay the same l)e- 
 fore His Majestys Miuis^tor PUniipotentiary to these States, 
 who naturally will receive a Icticr of complain^ from the 
 American Secretary of State. — 
 
 I am of opinion that you ought not to liave boarded the Ship 
 or impressed any men out of her. — Having said this it follows 
 
 commerce had be»Mi asked. Barclay 
 admitted his mistake (see letter of 
 Sept. 7, 1S04, Itelow), huttheorrone- 
 ous assertion has been perpetuated 
 to this day. McMaster's Hist, of the 
 U. 8., Voi. Ill, p. 24G. 
 
 IIA 
 
 1 The Pitt was a British vessel, 
 and was boarded and scai-ched in 
 the lower bay by boats from the 
 Cambrian. Tlio details of this no- 
 torious alfair fully appear below. 
 
 I 
 
vmm i""j' 
 
 
 166 
 
 COltltESPONDENCK OP THOMAS BARCliAY 
 
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 that the men should ])e restored. Wliat r(Miders tliis iruuisiire 
 the more necessary is that the Quarantine Officer will not de- 
 livta* th(! Ship Pitt to the Captain until he nnisters on hoard of 
 her all the nnui who navigated that Vessel, — For your security 
 and my own satisfaction I have taken the opinion of a very 
 ahhi law character in this City, well attached to our Govern- 
 ment, who agrees in sentiment with me. — The Language made 
 use of by sonu> of your officers to the Lieutenant of the Heve- 
 nuo Cutt(!r was to say the least highly indeeoi'ous — Captain 
 Camphell of the Ship Pitt will d(!liv(!r you this letter, my 
 advice to you is that the men are delivered up to him. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIllAL Sill AN DEE W MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 22' June 1S04, 
 Sir, 
 
 His Majestys Ships Cambrian and Driver arrived in this 
 port on this day week, and Captain Bradley unfortunately 
 came u}) to Staten Islaiul very near to the Frmujli Frigates 
 before I knew of his arrival. Early on the following morning 
 I went on board the Cambrian, and recommended his dropping 
 down and (ioming to an anchor without the Bar and beyond 
 the Jurisdiction of these States, being apprehensive attempts 
 wonld be made to detain His Majestys Ships until the de- 
 parture of the French. The Wind at the time was so nuuih a 
 head that the Pilots declined taking charge of them. On my 
 return that evening to town I received an api)lieation from the 
 Mayor of this City requesting the detention of the Cambrian 
 and Driver for twenty four hours after the sailing f>f the 
 Fnmch Frigates ; provided they departed with the first fair 
 Wind. In reply I informed him that I would lay his request 
 l)efore M' Merry his Majestys Minister Pleni[)otentiary and 
 wait his directions, and added that I was apprehensive Captain 
 Bradley, to whom I sliouhl transmit a eojty of his, the Mayors, 
 letter ; would not feel himself authorized to comply with the 
 request, having your orders to proceed t' 'fji, on the delivery 
 of your dispatches. On Monday the 1 received by order 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 lii 
 
 i - 
 
 1|: 
 
CONSUL-OENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 IG7 
 
 lyors, 
 I the 
 
 
 
 of the Mayor an injunction from the Port Wardens a copy 
 whereof I now ineh).se — On that day also Captain Douglass 
 arrived at Handy Hook witli His Majestys Ship Boston, and 
 the next morning th(; Caml)rian and Driver altlio' the Wind 
 was a head went down and anchored near the Boston. The 
 French Frigates had unmoored in the liope that a want of 
 Pilots wouhl previMit His Majestys Sliip from getting to Sea, 
 but when they perceived them in motion they desisted, and 
 al)out noon came u}) nearer to this (Uty whei ; they now lay. — 
 It is suspected they will attempt a passage through Hell 
 (late and the Sound. But 1 cannot yield to this opinion from 
 the many difficulties attending it, and from the cei-tainty that 
 our Ships will always have ample tiiue to meet them to the 
 Eastward. Their only chancic would he to go to Newport 
 Rhode Island, and thence wait a favorable moment. — Bona- 
 parte had embarked with his Lady and baggage on board the 
 Didon, and ])oth the Ships would have gone to sea the first 
 Wind, had not the ( 'ambrian and Driver arrived. Such how- 
 ever were the apprehensions of the french, that for several 
 days preceding they had officers in two Pilot Boats to the 
 Eastward and Southward of the Hook on tlui lookout. — If 
 you should resolve to watch their motions, I fear it will prove 
 a tedious blockade. They never will stir while our ships are 
 in sight, and I am led to believe the French Officers an; not 
 over anxious to return to France. Their Agent pleasantly re- 
 marked a day or two since that he would recommend their 
 being laid up, and providing quarters for the Men during the 
 succeeding Winter. — I have strongly urged CJaptain Bradley 
 to remove from Sandy Hook Bay his present situation, with- 
 out the Bar and at least a league from the Shore, to prevent 
 future complaints of a violation of neutral rights. — This re- 
 mark leads me to a painful and serious subject, on the Even- 
 ing of Sunday the 17"' Instant the British Ship l*itt from 
 Greenoch arrived at Stattm Island, which is the quarantine 
 Ground — On her ai)proach she was boarded by the Camltri- 
 ans Boats, brought to an anchor and fourteen Men impressed 
 from her. While the Cambrians Boats were thus employed 
 the officers of the Revenue and Health officer cunui alongside 
 
 
CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ill 
 
 of the Pitt to oxaTnino her, but thc^y were prevented hy tlie of- 
 ficers and men of the Canihrian. — The next day I received a 
 lett(!r from tlie Mayor on the subject, a copy whereof I have 
 the Honor to iuch)se. — You will perceive lie has transmitted a 
 copy to his ( lovernment, and I hav«! made M' M(^rry accpiainted 
 with the facts, (-aptain Bradley assunnlly has acted impru- 
 dently — It was my wish that the men should liave been re- 
 stored, in which event every otluu- matter miijfht hav(^ l)een got 
 over, but in this particular he declines complying with my ad- 
 vice. The conse(pience is that the Pitt remains at tln^ Quar- 
 antine Chvnind because the Health ()ffi(*(n- will not muster the 
 Ships company until these men are returiuMl or give a certifi- 
 cate to entith; her to an entry. On the first of July an addi- 
 tional duty of 2 ^/o per (ksnt takes placid, to which the cargo of 
 the Pitt will be liable unless entered previous to that day, and 
 I fear I shall not hear from M' Mei'ry in time to prevent this 
 inconvenience and expense. — I regn^t tliesci untoward circum- 
 stances, particularly as the accident has happened to a char- 
 acter attached to His Majesty. — 
 
 TO MR. MEKRY. 
 
 I 
 
 1/ 
 
 .! 
 
 ■'{i; !i 
 
 tin II 
 
 f ! 
 
 New York 23'' Juno 1804. 
 
 Sir 
 
 I yesterday received a letter from M' Thornton dated at 
 Philadelphia wherein he informs me of his having received at 
 that place my letters N"" 14, 15 and IG addressed to you, that 
 he had opened them, and forwarded them to you at Washing- 
 ton, where you still remain owing to bad weather and worse 
 roads, and where you would at least continue luitil the begin- 
 ning of July. — 
 
 With this I have the Honor to inclose you copies of Captain 
 Bradleys letters to me of the 20"' and 21" current, and a cer- 
 tificate of the officers of His Majesty s Ship Cambrian who 
 boarded the Ship Pitt on Sunday last to impress men. This 
 certificate is intended as a reply to the affidavit of the Lieuten- 
 ant of the Uevenue Cutter, who has deposed that some of the 
 
 ^in ' 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 1G9 
 
 )egm- 
 
 Lptain 
 
 la cer- 
 
 |i wlio 
 
 This 
 
 3uten- 
 
 hf the 
 
 offioors of tlic Camln-ian, cursed him and damned tlio Revenue 
 Laws. 
 
 I sincerely regret tliat Cai)tain Bradley In-ought the (Jam- 
 ))riau and Driver within the Jurisdiction of these States, and 
 ])articularly that he came up to the Quarantine (Iround within 
 lialf a mile of the French Fi-igates. Tlui instant I was ap- 
 prised of it, I went down and begged him todr(j[) without the 
 ITook the moment the Wind would allow — I have also the 
 Honor to inclose you a (!opy of my letter to the Mayor in an- 
 swer to his letter recpiesting the detention of His Majestys 
 Shi[)s for tw(mty four hours after the departure of the French 
 Frigatt!S, pi'ovided they sailed the first fair Wind. I trust you 
 will approve of what I have done, and of the Ships going 
 down to the Hook notwithstanding the Mayors letters to me, 
 or the proliiljition of the Pcu't Wardc^is to the Pilots, llis 
 Majestys shi})s were taken down by their own officers and at a 
 very great risque. — The strong measures taken by the Mayor 
 are I considia* as wholly extra official, and pertaining oidy to 
 the general executive (Tovernmeiit of these States ; and 1 am 
 also of opinion tluit as Captain Bradl v had signified his in- 
 tention of departing to me, many hours bef(»re I received the 
 letter of reipiisition from the Mayor, '. 'C was (entitled to a 
 
 preference in point of departure to t ''rench Frigates. Had 
 the FrcMUih Ships l)y accident got mider way and passed the 
 Cambrian and Driver I should have held it an infraction of the 
 laws of neutrality for our Ships to have followed them, and 
 had strongly impressed this on the mind of (Japtain Brad- 
 ley. — The British SI" are at anchor within the Hook, the 
 French as near this - the Laws will permit. I have point- 
 edly recommended to Captain Bradley his going without the 
 Jurisdiction of these States, and hope whenever wind and 
 weather will permit that he will do it — 
 
 It is with pain that I am under the necessity of informing 
 you that he declines complying with my advice to return the 
 impressed men. By the Laws of these States the officei-s of 
 the Customs cannot enter a ship, until she is regularly in- 
 spected by the health officer and has a certificate. The health 
 officers refuse to examine the Ship until all the persons are on 
 
 W^ 
 
 X^v. 
 

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 il 
 
 (!! 
 
 hf 
 
 170 
 
 CORllESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 board who camo in lior. She thoroforo remains at tlio Quar- 
 antine Ground, and must continue there, until either Cai»tain 
 Bradley returns the men, or you obtain an order from the 
 Ameriean (iovernmeut for the Ship Pitt beiujuf admitted to an 
 entry — You will perceive that o\U'. of the two oujifht ti> be 
 done without loss of time, be(;ause in addition to every other 
 in(!onvenien(!e and (ixpeuse attendino- (lennirra,f>'e, tlu; i)reva- 
 leiKie of the yellow fever before tlie departure of tlie Pitt 
 might prove a V(iry serious obstruction to her return to 
 (Ireenoch. T shall address my letters to you until further 
 order to Wasiiington. 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BKAI :.EY. 
 
 New York 23'' Junc^ 1804. 
 
 I received the in<*losed Letter from Philadelphia which I 
 have the honor to in(!lose you. It comes fnnri a Gentleman 
 on whom every dei)endance can be placed, and may operate as 
 a clue to useful discoveries, because it is proba})le Jerome Bo- 
 naparte will (?arry with him dispa,tches from tlui french Min- 
 ister, all his own private correspondence his Journals and re- 
 marks. T have reason to believe his being made a prisoner by 
 the Officers of His Majesty's Navy would be considered an 
 agreeable circumstance by the Government. Shoidd any 
 Vessel proceed without documents from ine you may rest 
 assured there is great cause for particular sciarch and almost 
 a certainty of his being on board. The Trunk so particularly 
 described in the Letter inclosed may be dee[) in the hold or 
 else where concealed, but the mulatto Boy and Baboon are 
 sure prognostics by which you may know his being on board. 
 You will recollect his Lady goes with him, I should be sorry 
 he escaped us, and I know their utmost cunning will be ex- 
 erted to do this. — On Monday I hope it will be in my power 
 to give you additional Marks by which you may develoj) this 
 man. I think I shall have knowledge of every motion he 
 makes. The marshall of the District court called on me 
 
CONSUL-OFNERAI., 1803-1804 
 
 171 
 
 iibout two O Clock P. M. this day und told nui ho had process 
 aj^ainst one of your Officers — I advised him to he cautious 
 how he a}»proaclied your Hhip, aud after some further Conver- 
 sation I promised him a U;tter to you, wliicli letter I inclosed 
 to Captain Doujihiss and desired liim to take it on l)(>ai'<l the 
 Boston, and let Captain Doni^lass eomniunicatc the purport of 
 liis Bnsiness to von — I have this moment had mv letters re- 
 turned as lie dechiied ,1,'oin^ to tlie Boston before he ap- 
 proaclied your Ship, and h(! is m'oiie down — 1 hope Nothinfj: 
 nn[)lensant may occur, l)C(^ause 1 am certain he means well, 
 and to offer no Insult. — The sooner you fifet beyond the Ju- 
 risdiction of these States by anchorinj^ more than a League 
 from the Hook, the ])etter, l)ut while you remain where I left 
 you, every day will prodiUM; sonu> unplwisant (urcumstan(;e. 
 It is hinted to me that the French Frii,^attss intend attempting 
 their way through Hell (iate and the Sound. If they do you 
 shall have early Notice, aiul your laying over the Bar will en- 
 al)le you always to go to Sea. The atteinpt to Serve process 
 on vour officers thrcmgh the Marshall of tlu; District (Jonrt, is 
 aniphi j)roof of the intcMition of the Mayor and other officers 
 of the (J(wernment in this Cit}'. — It is a measure I trust 
 which will meet the disapprobation of the American (lovern- 
 ment. — Let me ])eg you to admit no one alongside of your 
 Ship, Imt he who has a letter from me, and then not until you 
 have first read the Letter. When the Boats also come down 
 with your Beef or Water, have them examined before they are 
 permittee^, alongside of your Ship, too much caution cannot be 
 used. I should luit after your determination again touch on 
 the Subject of the Seamen impressed from the Pitt, did I not 
 apprehend that you are igiKU'ant that on the first of July an 
 additional duty of two and an half per Cent will attach on all 
 Merchandize entered at tin; Customs in this City. — This the 
 Freighters of the Pitt will have to pay, unless she is entered 
 befor(5 that day — The more 1 reflect on the measures of Sun- 
 day last respecting the Pitt, the more I am confirmed in my 
 opinion already expressed to you by Letter, that Prudence 
 and Propriety dictate your restoring the men. — M"^ Merry 
 has been [)revented leaving Wathington, to this circumstance 
 
I 
 
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 I I 
 
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 i I 
 
 ;■ li 
 
 COUUESl'ONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 tln^ not liiiviiijj^ iiuswors to my Letters is to bo iittrilmtcd — 
 To mori'ow I shall (H'rtiiinly hear from liiin. 
 
 ro MK. MEllllY. 
 
 Silt. 
 
 Now York, 2S"' June 18U4. 
 
 I lifivc not yot had th(^ Satisfaction to reccivo au aiiswcir 
 from you to my Lcttci's. 1 attributes this to the Stato of tho 
 roads aiul Bridj^es rouderi'd by tho late violout rains as I am 
 iufornuHl impassable. 
 
 By a Chiuso in the Laws of tho United States, a Penalty of 
 four hundred Dollars is laid on any person who shall bo con- 
 victed of obstru(stinji: tho oflicers of the Uovenuo in their duty. 
 Und(M' this Act tho Judjj^o of the; District Court of the United 
 Stattss for tlus State of New York, has granted a warrant or 
 attachment ai^ainst Licni' lM<;ot (►f His Majesty's Ship Cam- 
 brian, and the Marshal wont down on Saturday last to serve 
 it. Captain Bradley received tho Marshal, but tho process 
 was not serviul, owinj; to M' Pip)t not beinjij; on board tlio 
 Ship. I undi^rstand the Marshall intends makin<j^ another at- 
 tempt, of which I have given Capt" Bradley Notice — I shall 
 make no comment on those measures. 
 
 The British Ship Pitt from whom tho men were impressed, 
 has at last been released from Qnai-antino and adnutted to an 
 Entry — Cai>tain Bradley has not however returned the Men, 
 and tho Americans ai'o very warm on this infring'oment within 
 their territory. 
 
 TO Mil. MEKRY. 
 
 Now York 30'" Juue 1804. 
 
 {Primfe.) 
 Dear Sir — 
 
 I could have wished that you had expressed yourself in 
 stronger terms in your letter to me of the 25 Instant, respect- 
 ing the necessity and policy of Captain Bradleys returning the 
 
 ^ 
 
CONSUL-OENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 173 
 
 104. 
 
 If in 
 
 pcct- 
 
 the 
 
 
 ■I 
 
 men taken from tlu* Pitt, boc^iinso it oortjiinly is tlio only im- 
 proper act intotitionally committed by him and his ufTlc'crs in 
 tills iiiii)h'jisaiit affair, and I havo reason to hope that on the 
 rtjstoration of tlie men, and a full assnraiico on the part of 
 (Japtaiii liividlcsy and liis Oflfiec'rs that if the Ueveiuie and 
 hiialth olfieers wei'i' ohstrueted by tlKsm in the exe(Mition of their 
 duty, it was ovviiij; to tht^ opposition they met with from the 
 Passenj^ers on board the Pitt, and that they are sorry tor it — 
 Shoidd you ajjfree in opinion with me tiiat the iniju'cssmcnt was 
 ille<;al, liavin^' been made in the; l*ort of New York, permit me 
 to refjuest you will nrj>'e the restoring; of Iho men in youi'next 
 lottei" — (!ai)tain liradley is nearly complete in his iShips 
 company. 
 
 With all defei'anee to yonr opinion, allow mo to say, that let 
 the d(!(iciency of His Maj(!stys Ships with respcict to men have 
 been ever so f^reat, it is not a justification for tln^ impressing; 
 of men within the Jurisdiction of this State, l)eeause by these 
 means their naval powers would be increased, a measure inad- 
 missible in a neutral port; and contrary to the Laws of Na- 
 tions — Oaptain liradleys answer tlua'eforc on this point, I 
 trust will ))e eonsid(a'ed by you as irrelevant ; and of course 
 that you will not ur<^e the ari^ument with the Sc^cretary of 
 State at Washington — You will pardon me for the Liberty I 
 take in jrivinj; you my Sentiments. 
 
 Should you however differ in opinion with me, and think 
 proper to urg(! the necessity of the measure, you may to 
 strenjj,'then your position remark that when the trench repub- 
 lican Ship Ambuscade some years since was in this port and 
 prepared to go out to meet HisMajestys Ship Boston, that she 
 was publicly permitted by the Governor of this State and 
 Mayor of New York to increase her establishment of men at 
 least one thii'd, by recruitings seamen in this port for that pur- 
 pose, and that no notice was ever taken of it by the American 
 Government — After tht action, the And)uscade returned into 
 this port, and then extra Seamen were discharg'ed.' I shall con- 
 tinue to address my hitters to you at Washington until further 
 
 1 Tlio action took plaeo oflf ^Amtr Brjineh, August 1, 179:5. An account 
 of it will lio found in McMastor's Hist, of tho U. S., Vol. II, p. 12.'$. 
 
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 notice — The f rench Frigates have Cut new Sails and taken 
 pilots on board — still I fear they have no intention of going 
 out — Strong suspicions have been entertained that Bonaparte 
 would embark for Nantz on board the Brig RoUa — of this 
 Captains Bradley and Douglass have notice, with ample 
 private infornuition respecting baggage and other incidental 
 minutia. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 3" July 1804. 
 Sir. 
 
 I yesterday had the honor to receive your private letter of 
 the 8"' and your public letter of the tenth of June — Herewith 
 is a certificate from mo on the points you requested respectiiig 
 the blockade of Martiniijue, which I trust will prove satisfac- 
 tory. Every measure in my power was taken immediately 
 on the arrival of the French Frigates to give you the earliest 
 Notice, but the easterly winds continued without intermission 
 for ten days immediately after their arrival — Captain Lyall's 
 meeting with the American Ship Mary was very fortunat«}, I 
 regret he did not detain the french Prisoners because from his 
 Statement their conduct was more than suspicious. 
 
 My letter to you of the 22' of June did not get down to 
 Sandy Hook in time for the Driver, I mention this circum- 
 stance because you naturally must be surprized at not hearing 
 from me by so direct a conveyance — The Ship Pitt has been 
 admitted to an entry; but the American Government are 
 warndy complaining to His Majestys Minister of the infrac- 
 tion of the Laws of Neutrality and violation of their own Laws 
 by Captain Bradley and his officers — M' Merry has also 
 strongly remonstrated again,st the violent and illegal measures 
 of the Mayor and Port Wardens by inhibiting the Pilots from 
 taking His Majestys Ships to Sea — A Warrant has issued 
 against Lieu* Pigot from the district (-onrt of the United 
 States for obstructing the Revenue officer in tlie Execution of 
 his duty — On Friday last' as His Majestys Ship Boston was 
 
 » Tho 29th of Juno. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 175 
 
 working out to Sea hiiviug a Pilot on board, she took the 
 ground (by shooting too far ahead as the Pilot says in his 
 Justification in going about) — It was fortunately low Water, 
 and she again floated in a little more than an hour, without 
 sustaining the least injury — This accident was particularly 
 unfortunate, having acquainted Captain Bradley of the sailing 
 of the American Brig RoUa, in which I had reason to believe 
 two of Bonapartes Servants, were, and did embark with dis- 
 patches and probably property — The Rolla went to Sea while 
 the Boston was aground — The Boston has been ever since 
 cruizing off and on this Port, and the Cambrian has probably 
 gone out to join her this day — The frencli Frigates have Cut 
 new sails, and taken Pilots on board, still there is no appear- 
 ance of their going out — Their friends suggest that as these 
 Ships were charged with a secret mission to the French Min- 
 ister to these States, and have now his dispatches on board — 
 they would not be justified in risquing an action — a miserable 
 subterfuge. 
 
 Captain Lyall on his way from this impressed some Seamen, 
 amongst whom is a man named Robert Kelly, who I under- 
 stand is an uncommon fine Seaman and a respectable man — He 
 is from Ireland — His Wife who appears a very decent Woman 
 applied to me to endeavor to effect his discharge — This I re- 
 fused ; she then begged I would intreat you to permit her to 
 come to her husband — I was so pleased with the manners and 
 appearance of the Woman that I assured her I would request 
 for her this indulgence ; if therefore you can with convenience 
 transfer this man to your flag ship and pornut her to come on 
 board you will do me a favor — She is accustomed to the Sea, 
 and has been more than a year on board with him. 
 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BllADLEY. 
 
 New York 2.7" July 1804 
 My DEAR Sir. 
 
 Your letter of yesterday with a dispatch for M"^ Merry I re- 
 ceived early this Morning from Peacock's Man — The latter 
 
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 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
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 will go to Philadelphia where M' Merry now is by this day's 
 Post. — Since my last to you, I have consulted with Daniels, 
 formerly the oldest and most experienced Pilot for this Port, 
 but who has been dismissed for his attachment to Great Brit- 
 ain, as I before mentioned to you. He agrees with me that 
 the only sure method to give you at all times early Notice in 
 the Event of the French Frigates going thr<nigh Hell Gate, 
 will be to have Stevenson below the Narrows between Coney 
 and Long Island where he can lay in safety. — No one need 
 know his business, and he can go and return every tide from 
 Quarter flood to Low Water, because the French Ships if 
 they intend passing Hell Gate must get under way the last of 
 the Ebb, so as to be at Hell Gate at slack Water, or if there is 
 a fresh Westerly Breese it is most safe for them to pass that 
 place the very last of the Ebb. — Thus Stevenson may be 
 away eight or nine hours every day and all Night, of conse- 
 quence he can continue to pass from you to me, so that no ad- 
 ditional expense will be incurred. — You can consider of this 
 and resolve on what you think best. — I am ])romised the ear- 
 liest Notice should they ship Pilots for Hell Gate : still it may 
 so happen that I may be disappointed. — Everything appears 
 very (piiet amongst them. 
 
 The Complaints against the officers of His Majestys Ships 
 under your Command you will observe are now bec<»nie the 
 Subject of National Enquiry. A Regular Compla'''t has been 
 made by tlie American Secretary of State to 1 lerry His 
 Majesty's Representative to these States, who from your an- 
 swer, will make a reply to the Charges, and will naturally 
 transmit Copies to Lord Harrowby the Minister for foreign 
 affairs. — In saying that I hoped you would not again come up 
 above thi5 Narrows, I assuredly alluded to the avoiding any 
 more Complairts that might be made in consequence of an- 
 other application to detain His Majesty's Ships until the 
 French had sailed : and I confess it is with Reluctance that I 
 understand from your letter you intend coming within the 
 Hook to Water. — The American Government already charge 
 His Majesty's Ships with hovering on their Coasts, with a 
 view of capturing Ships of other Nations in alliance with 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1H03-1804 
 
 177 
 
 them. Your coining in .and going out will conflrm the Charge. 
 The Weii,ther is so very fine I should suppose you might l)e 
 watered over the Bar, from the Schooner that last watered 
 Cap' Douglass. — I merely suggest tliis, you are the only and 
 best Judge. I will see the man and either hire him, or a large 
 Vessel for you and send her down whenever you order it. At 
 all events slu; may go out and take your Empty Casks. — Let 
 me know the day you wish hei* sent down, how many casks 
 you have to fill. 
 
 TO Ml{. MEllllY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 13th July 1H04 
 
 I have the Honor to in<dose to you, a copy of Captain Brad- 
 leys letter to me of yesterday in answer to mine in which 
 I forwarded to him an extract from your letter to me — What 
 Captain Bradley notices respecting the conduct of the officers 
 of the French Ship of War Poursivant in the Chesepeak, I sus- 
 pect is correct, having not long since seen a very particular 
 statement of the Facts i)i a paper from Norfolk in Virginia — 
 M' Moore communicated to me, the cause of your present de- 
 tention at Baltimore — I regret the accident, as you will not 
 fiiul it easy to replace the loss of a good coachman in Amer- 
 ica — By the public papers you will be informed of the unfor- 
 tunate death of General Hamilton, one of the most respectable 
 characters in these States, and a gentleman of eminent Tal- 
 ents 1 — I consider him even as a loss to His Majesty and our 
 Cxovernment, from the prudence of his measures, his con(!iliat- 
 ing disposition, his abhorence of the French Revolution, and 
 all republican principles and doctrine, and his very great at- 
 tachment to the British Government — The cause of the duel 
 originated in (General Hamilton having repeatedly and pub- 
 lickly expressed his opinion of M' Burr; particularly at the 
 late election for Governor of this State, and his endeavoring 
 to dissuade the Federalists from co operating in favor of M' 
 Burrs election. 
 
 1 The duel was fought on the 11th, and Hamiltou died on the 12th of July. 
 
 12 
 
 ij:'! 
 
 i 
 
!' 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 (i 
 
 178 
 
 \n>^ i. 
 
 (X)ltllIiSl'()NDHN(;i!: OF THOMAS BAUCLAY 
 
 TO Mil. MEIUIY. 
 
 Slli 
 
 New York 18'" -liily 1804. 
 
 Your letter of tlie KJ'^'' (/iirreut, I received tliis moniinjx, to- 
 jjether witli ii eopy of ji letter from tlie Ainericiiu Seeretary of 
 St;it(( t'» you iiiuler diite of the 7"' Instant. Oopics of tliese are 
 now niakinj:,' and will Xw; forwanhnl this Eveninj]^ or tomorrow 
 moi"nin<^ to Caj)tain Bradley of His Majestys Ship Canjbrian 
 an<l C'a[»' Douglass of the Boston — It will not liowever be in 
 their power to reply before I possess them with the remaindcjr 
 of the Documents you was from want of time prevented send- 
 iu}^ to me. 
 
 The Driver went to Sea on the 24"' of June, the itistant it 
 was advisable for any sliip to go out iii'ter the 19*'' from which 
 day to the 24 it had bio wed a gale fi-om the Eastward, not a 
 ship of any description had put to Sea in the interval. It is 
 possible in her way off the Coast, she may have boarded several 
 vessels, and impressed some men — Tiie facts Vice Admiral Sir 
 Andrew Mitchell will (Mnpiire into and every num not a sub- 
 ject of His Majesty will be dischai'ged — But the charge of the 
 Driver hovering on tlio confines of these States is incorrect — 
 She most assuredly pro(!eeded with all reasonable expedition 
 to the i)lace of her destimition, Halifax — On ]wv passage and 
 near this place she met the young Factor and Diligence Ships 
 from Ireland from whom she took some subjects of His Ma- 
 jesty. If any Americans were impressed through mistake they 
 will be restored — From an intimate knowledge of Captain 
 Lyall I can safely assure you, it was not done intentionally — 
 you nuiy saf(!ly, Sir, assure the American Secretary of State, 
 that His Majestys Captains are very delicate on this Subject. 
 I have never heard nor do 1 believe that either of His Majes- 
 ty's Ships the Cambrian, Boston, or Driver boarded any ship 
 or vessel from their arrival within tlus Jurisdiction of these 
 States to the Day of their Di![)arture the liritish Ship Pitt ex- 
 cepted. Neither have I heard of their boarding and impress- 
 ing any men from Ships outward bound, even beyond the Ju- 
 risdiction of these States which to them was lawful and if any 
 
 I 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 179 
 
 Ma- 
 
 they 
 )taiu 
 
 state, 
 jcct. 
 yiajes- 
 ship 
 these 
 itt ex- 
 ipress- 
 le Ju- 
 if any 
 
 of the men on board were Sul)jects of His Majesty to take 
 them from thence. 
 
 While the three Ships lay in Sandy Hook bay, they did not 
 intermeddle with any vessel eoniinj^ in or going ont The 
 Driver being only a Sloop of War went to sea on the 24"' Jnnt? 
 at a moment when the two large Ships eonld not. In the 
 same manncii- the Boston a ship of three and an half feet less 
 water than the C-an.' ''»n went to Sea on the 30"' of Jnne 
 whiui it was inipraetic.;;i' for the ""'ilot to take the (v'ambrian 
 ont — you will however recollect, uhat the day before from 
 anxiety to get (mt the Bostcm made ati Attempt with the Wind 
 ahead, and took the (Ironnd — On the JJ"' Jnly the Cambi-ijiu 
 went to Sea — It is unnecessary for me to notice tin) remark 
 made by the Secretary of State, that the Port of New York is 
 virtually blockaded by our Shii)s — They are far beyond the 
 Jurisdi(Mion of the United States of America, where the Sea 
 appertains to His Majt^sty in common with all other Nations 
 — Fi'cnch and Dutch Ships resort to these Ports, and at times 
 french Ships of War and Privateers. The Protection of His 
 Majesty's Subjects and the S(!rvice re([uire that th<!se should 
 bo captured — American Ships navigated by Americans or 
 men of any other Nation save British Sul)jects pass our Ships 
 of War without molestati(ni — At this moment the Americans 
 have one hundred British Seamen in th(>ir Service, for every 
 American by accident impressed on board His Majesty's Ships 
 of War, and I aver the fact that a great proportion of the 
 Crews of tlui American Frigates are Sul)jects of His Majc^s- 
 ty's. It is also a matter of Notoriety that (Certificates of Cit- 
 izenship (connnoidy calhid Protections) ar<^ issued to FjUglish, 
 Irish, and Scotch men, many of whom have not been a month 
 in these States. 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BRADLEY. 
 
 Now York 22' .luly 1S04. 
 Sir, 
 
 When I communicated to you the possibility of the Frendi 
 Frigates attempting a pass^igii through ll(41gate to avoid an 
 
If' 
 
 180 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 I I 
 
 ll'l 
 
 « ! 
 
 action with His Majestys Ships under your coinTnaiul, and of 
 the means of giviu}^ you noticic in such an event, I ealeuhited 
 on tlie hiast possil)ly favorable moment on our part, wlien the 
 attempt c.ouUl ho, made, and under theses eireumstauces stated 
 that it mifj^ht take from ten to eighteen hours. This was un- 
 der an impr(^ssion tliat you mij^ht V)e four or iivo. leagues with- 
 out the Hook. I am still of opinion that with a j^ale from the 
 Southwest and the very first of the tide of Hood, those ships 
 will be under weigh, nuiny hours b(ifor«i I ean give you notice. 
 A Pilot Boat with the wind from that (piarter (!au nuike no 
 head way against the tide : nor can a cutter or row boat do 
 much better, particularly after they get below the narrows 
 and have a heavy sea or swell to obstru<!t them. In calcida- 
 tions of every kind, it is most safe to take the worst that ean 
 happen — ordinarily it is probable the notice could be con- 
 veyed to you in eight hours at farthest. 
 
 On my part you may rest assured of every attention to their 
 motions, and of my using the best means to give you the ear- 
 liest notice. They have been up in Iheir barges, and sounded 
 Hellgate, on their return they expressed their opinion of the 
 difficulty of the navigation. I am therefore rather of opinion 
 that they will not hazard it — One of the most experienced 
 Pilots assures me it is an hundred to one but they get on there 
 in the attempt. 
 
 The best manner to be adopted, will be to have Stevenson 
 with his boat laying below the Narrows, with an officer from 
 one of your ships always with him : at every slack tide during 
 the day he can take a look at the Ships, and if they are not in 
 motion go down with letters from me to you, or bring back 
 dis[)atclies from you, so as to be at his station before the next 
 low water. This will be the best mode because below the nar- 
 rows there is but little tide to obstruct a boat. I would not 
 however have the boat to go down to you when the french 
 Ships get under way : from the improbability of their being 
 able to get through Hell gate, but to wait my orders. I will 
 immediately cross to long Island and watch their motions ; 
 the instant they are through Hellgate, ride express to the 
 Narrows and dispatch the boat to you. This cannot take 
 
CONSlTL-dKNKHAL, 1H():J-1H04 
 
 ISl 
 
 more than an liour ffoin the time they pass Helljijate. If yon 
 approv(3 of th(> plan, let mo know, send np an officer, and I 
 will j^o and stiition them. Let the officer he dressed (uther in 
 plahi eloth, or as an ordinary seaman to prevent siispicMon. 
 
 Yon mnst not think of again coming ahove the narrows — 
 From ])rivato letters dated at Balltown Si)rings a])ont 190 
 Miles np the lindson river, Jerome? Bomipartc; and his Lady 
 wcr(! there a few days since — I cannot therefoi'c think they 
 have it in contemplation to attempt an escape — still they 
 may, their measures are very secret. 
 
 TO ADMIllAL Sill ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 Sir.. 
 
 Now York I" August 1804. 
 
 The boat which retnrned this morning from the (Jambrian 
 brought me 3'our lettfir of the 18"' of July, and aiu^ther from 
 (\'iptain Skene announcing his arrival off Sandy Hook in liis 
 Majestys Ship Leandcr. I am happy to learn that Captain 
 Bradleys conduct meets yonr a])probation. He is a very 
 worthy, zealous officer and a gentleman for whom I have a 
 sincere regard. I am however apprehensive you are uiuler a 
 mistake in supposing the officers commanding ships of War of 
 belligerent Powers, having a right in a neutral Port to board 
 ships of their own nation and to impress men from them. 
 But this is a point for M"" Merry to nuiintain with the American 
 Goverunumt, and unnecessary for me to discuss with you. I 
 shall only add that I am clear His Majestys ministers will 
 coincide with me. The conduct of French ships of War in 
 this Port and in Virginia, may be used as a collateral argu- 
 ment in defence of Captain Bradleys measure; but never in jus- 
 tification — because two Wrongs will not make one right — I am 
 rather apprehensive you have been misinformed respecting the 
 *' French Frigates now iu this Port having boarded a French 
 Schooner or Brig and impressed the whole of the crew." On 
 au enquiry, all that I could learn, was that they had taken 
 
 from a French Vessel four men, wh^ 'ley stated to have de- 
 la* 
 
 ■<^ 
 
r 
 
 
 ! . 
 
 if 
 
 (■ ■ 
 
 fi hi 
 
 »l 
 
 J; ii 
 
 
 182 
 
 (lOUUKSI'ONDKNCK OF THOMAS ItAKdliAY 
 
 sorted from tlioni — Tlio Ooiiduct however of the IVmrsuivjiiit 
 this year, ami of tlie Somiluiitc two or tliroo years siiuM^ in tlie 
 ('hesepeaic was siiaiiiefully outraj^eous, an<l I liavt^ [lossessed 
 M"" Merry of th(! facts to bo used as an offset to tin; eomitlaiiits 
 of the Freneh Minister against the Ships under your command 
 now off this Port. 
 
 I have lieretofore stated to you that tho eonduot of tlie Mayor 
 and I'ort Wanhjns of tliis {)laee was in my opinion violent, il- 
 lei^-al, and higldy expressive of thciir partiality to the l<''reneh ; 
 and I liave rci)restMited thoii* measures in that point <tf view 
 to M' Merry and Lord Hawkesbury. AUow me however to 
 answin' tlie two (Questions in your Letter — 1", Wliy was not 
 tlie l*ilots taken from the Freneh Frigates who was of superior 
 force to the British? Answer — Because no roipiisition was 
 made on tlui part of the Officers of His Majestys Shii)s foi' 
 this purpose. 1 am rather inelinod to believe that under 
 similar circumstances, on application on the part of Ilis 
 Majesty to tlu; American (}overnment, an order would have 
 issued inhibiting of French shii)S of War sailing until 24 
 hours had elapsed from the sailing of British Slii])s. I have 
 in several instaiufes made such an ai)i)lication in favor of 
 Montreal ships to have Privateers detained, and always met a 
 ready compliance. 
 
 2'' — Had any accident happened to the Pitt, who would the 
 Master have applied to for assistance, the Mayor of New Yoi-k, 
 or the British Frigates? Answer. Undoubtedly to the ('om- 
 mander of the Frigates — I do not however see that this 
 answer will in the least lead to a justification of Captain Brad- 
 leys conduct — On tho part of Captain Campbell of the Pitt, 
 there was no complaint against Captain Bradley, all he 
 wanted was his ship to be admitted to an entry — he over 
 and again said to Captain Bradley, if that could be effected 
 he cared not for the imni, because he supposed the greater 
 part would leave him. It is the United States who complain 
 of an infringoment of their Laws within their Jurisdiction. 
 A(!C(ipt my best thanks for your complying with my re<piest 
 to take Robert Kelly on board your ship, I shall write Captain 
 Keen respecting his wife who I believe a very decent woman. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 183 
 
 In the Brifj Jofforson sent to Halifax for luljudicutiou, Cap- 
 tain liradlcy s(nit as part of tlio prize crow, a man named Hil- 
 ling's, who has been proved to (-aptain Hradley t<) hv an Ameri- 
 can — I intreat yon will have the j,'oodness to order him to Ik* 
 diseharj^ed — in addition to tivery otlnn* reason, I am prejn- 
 dieed in his favor from there having been no application to 
 the American (lovernment for liis release, bnt oidy to mo. 
 
 It is with nuudi regret I inform you of the capture^ of His 
 Majestys Shii) Lilly, and the death of Captain Compton and 
 th(! (irst Li ntenant. Thc^ inelos(ul packet from (/onsnl Ham- 
 ilton will ji;ive yon the particulars.' 
 
 TO MR. MEllRY. 
 
 nplain 
 liction. 
 |-c(piest 
 |!aptain 
 roman. 
 
 SiK. 
 
 New Yoi-k lO'" Aiij,nist 1804 
 
 Captain Skene of His Majestys Ship Leander on Saturday 
 the 4"' Current boarded sonus Leaffm^s from Sandy Hook the 
 American Ship Eu5j;enia John Mansfleld Ma.ster from Hour- 
 doaux to New York. On examining? the Ship and her papers 
 ho was satisfied that l<]uemies property was on board. Under 
 this conviction he took jiossession of the Ship put a prize 
 Master and Seamen on board and ordered her for Halifax in 
 Nova Scotia for trial in the (/ourt of Vice Admiralty in that 
 port. In consecpumce of l^jasterl3'^ Winds and th<^ State of the 
 Ships sails the prize nnistttr was oblijjfcd to eonic to an aiudior 
 under Fisher's Island near New London Lij^ht House; .John 
 Manslield the late Master and Robert Parry the mate of the 
 Eugenia who had been permitted by Captain Skene to remain 
 
 1 Tlie Lilly was eiipturod on July Tho Pronoh had the evoninp ])pforo 
 
 1.'), 1804, oil tho (Carolina const, by a capturod an EngliHh ship from Al- 
 
 Freiioh privatcior. Captain Oonip- ricatotlharlostou with slaves, whicji 
 
 ton and the Hrst lioutouant wore the Frenchman took out, and ;,'avo 
 
 kilh'd early in tho action, and tho tho ship to her crew and that of the 
 
 Jjilly was afterward carried by Lilly." Tho two Enj^lisli crews, with 
 
 boardinj;. The New-York Ga/otte the captured slave-ship, reached 
 
 of July 30 adds, " Tiie French hail Norfolk some days after the action. 
 180 to '.iOO men, the Lilly about 78. 
 
. I 
 
 184 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 on board tliat Hliip, to see that tliere was no r nbcz/lement of 
 the cargo, improperly hift the Ship, went on shore at N(!W 
 London eoHeeted a number of persons, armed them and tln^m- 
 selv(!s, and in a fast sailinfjf sh)()p ov(*r took tlie Kuf^enia, 
 boarded lier l)y violence, took possession of lier, tnrmul the 
 prize master and British Seamen on Shorc! at N(^w London, 
 and proceeded immediately to N(!W York where slie arrived 
 late on the Eveninj^ of the 8"' Listant. The ship was yester- 
 day admitted to an entry — 
 
 At four o( 'lock yesterday afternoon M' Yates the I'rize Mas- 
 ter arrived in this C!ity and stati the al)()ve facjts. I have 
 taken his affidavit, herewith inch d, to enable you, Sir, to 
 make a i)roper representation to the American (lovernment of 
 this illej^al act of violence aiul piracy committed by (Jitizens of 
 these States. 
 
 I have transmitted to the OoUector and Naval OfflcH'r of this 
 I'ort a copy of M' Yeat's affidavit, and reciuested tlusm to de- 
 mand all the orif^inal papers of the liluj?enia from M' Patriidc 
 the owner and John Mansfield the Master, and to take imme- 
 diate possession of the Ship and prevent any j)ai-t of her (uirgo 
 being taken out or removed until they receive orders from 
 M' Madison the American Secriitary of State. 
 
 I forbear making any connnents on this outrageous act on 
 the part of Captain Mansfield, his Mate and others, and trust 
 on a representation from you, that the American ( jovernment 
 will take such measures as justice and a wish to preserve the 
 present good understanding which subsist between His Maj- 
 esty and the United States of America reciuire. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 14 August 1804 
 Sir, 
 
 It was not in my power to give you more information re- 
 specting the American Ship Eugenia than on the tenth of this 
 month, because she did not arrive until late in the Evening of 
 the 8"', on the ninth th(;re were many contradictory reports in 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 185 
 
 ciroulatioii n^spootiii^ her escape, to not any of which tho 
 hiaHt (n'odit, oouhl attaeh. I then^foro waited the an-ival of 
 the prize Master, and lost not a moment to give you his State- 
 ment under oatli — 
 
 Captain Skene; of IlisMajcstys Ship Leander pressed a lirit- 
 ish Seaman from tht! American Ship Swift, Murphy Master — 
 He also has taken oiui British Sc^aman, and fifteen Irish Emi- 
 f^rants from the American Ship Jjive Oak, but both these 
 ships were far iK^yond the line of dennmnition, a League from 
 Shore. — Indeed ilu! Live Oak was sid)ject to heavy pains and 
 pemdties for hrin^iufj^ out mon; men, than ])y her Tonajj^c she 
 was (!ntitle<l l)y act of I'arliament. I know of no other im- 
 pn^ssnuints : but I have this day written to Captain liradley 
 iitnjuaintin^ him, that I have fortunately sui)j)ressed the pub- 
 iicjation of the adidavits of three Masters of Ships, who de- 
 p(»sed that tluiy had been boarded from the L(!ander within 
 three mih^s of tiie Shore, and I have recpiested him to prevent 
 in future a similar breach of neutrality. 
 
 TO ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 kl804 
 
 Uion re- 
 ef this 
 iuiug of 
 [ports in 
 
 Siu. 
 
 New York 14 Au{?ust 1804 
 
 As it is uncertain that the Letters from Capt" Bradley and 
 Captain Skene will arrive in time to go by this conveyance, 
 and you may be anxious to know the particulars of the case of 
 the American shi[) Eugenia, John Mansfleld Master from Bour- 
 deaux to New York, detained by (Japtain Skene on the 4 In- 
 stant and ordered to Halifax, I have the Honor to communi- 
 cate the following facts collected from the testimony of M' 
 Yeates the Prize Master — 
 
 On the 4"' of August M"" Yeates Master's Mate, M' Masters 
 Midshipnum H Seamen and two nuirines were sent by (Japtain 
 Skene from the Leander on l)oard tho Eugenia, with orders to 
 M' Yates the prize Master to take that Ship to Halifax Nova 
 Scotia. Light Winds and those from the Eastward, together 
 with the miserable situatiiui of tin; Eugenia in sails, pre- 
 
ff 
 
 18G 
 
 OOltUKSl'ONDENCE OP THOMAS BAllCLAY 
 
 I 
 
 !l 
 
 I • ! 
 
 veiitod M' Ycates g(!ttiuj; to tlio South I'^ast so as to doiiblo 
 Nantucket Shoals; and hudiufj; hinis(>lf ucai' to the Eastern- 
 most part of Lou}^ Ishiud he resolved to j^o ovim- the Shoals. 
 Oil the ()"' he took a Pilot on hoard for that purpose, hut the 
 Wind soon after eoininjif to E S Vj hlovviuj^f fresh, with thick 
 hazy W(N-ither, and beinj; unahh^ on either tuck to weather the 
 land, by the advice of the I'ilot \n' bore away for Fisher's 
 Island, and anchored about a mile from lln^ New liondon 
 Light llouse. — ('aptain Mansfield and his mate who had been 
 sent in tlui Ship for Halifax, nnide their (vseape from her on the 
 7"' Instant while M' Y(*ates was beh)w, and went on shore, 
 wluire they hired an armed liandittt! to retake the Shii), and 
 came out from New London in a sloop for that purpose. 
 Suspicious of this, and the Wind haviuij: chaiij^cd a few 
 points, M' Yeat(!S had cut his cabh^ and got undi^r way, a.ml 
 had proceeded some; leagues, when he was overtak(Ui, boarded 
 and carried by twenty five! men from tlu^ Sloop — M' Y(^at«'s and 
 the Li^anders imni W(M'e {)ut on shon; at New London, and the 
 b]ugonia proceedt^d dii'ect to this i)lace throngli tlu; Sound 
 where she arrived on the 8"' Instant. 
 
 M' Y(>ates, M' Masters \]\rco, S(\'inuMi and the two Marines 
 (iojue here late in the afternoon of the !)"' — Tlu^ othcfr five 
 Seanuui (hiserted at New fioudon — I immediately took his 
 affidavit and tra.nsnntted it the next nu)rning, with a letter 
 from nu': detailing the particuhu's and re([uesting M' Merry to 
 make spirited remonstrance's with res[)ect to the ('onduct of 
 Captain Ma.nslield his Mate and the armed men hired at New 
 Loudon, and to demand a restitution of the Ship. — As the 
 Ship alth<>' ir,dmitt(!d to an entry had not yet (M)mmenctKl the 
 discharge of her (^argo, I also wrote; on the nu)rning of the 
 10"' a Leti.er to the proper ollicen's of the Customs on the Sub- 
 ject, inclosing a copy of M' Yeat(is' affidavit, and re(|uir<Hl of 
 th(!m, to n^gain the possession of the Ship's i)apers, and to 
 tak(; the s;aid Mni) into their custody and not periait an Arti- 
 chi to be landed or removcul from her, until they received or- 
 (h^rs from tlie Aniei'ican Sticre^'vry cd" State ((► whom M' Merry 
 would make a forimd repn^sentatiou — 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose you copies of the answer to the 
 
 i 
 I 
 
C<)NSliIi-(lKNKl{.\li, 180:J-I8()4 
 
 187 
 
 iib(tV(! — Oil M' Merry's opinion, T slijill niakc! no otlu'i* (.(umiiu- 
 iiicjition lliiin (hat it does not (rorrt'spond with mine. From 
 his situation and ('xp(!i'icni'(^ 1i(>W('V(M* he. innst be th< best 
 judi^e. — I am pained to add ho has been very nnwcll for some 
 time past. 
 
 I 
 
 TO MK. MEKUY. 
 
 New York Aiij,'' IS"" 1S()4 
 SlK. 
 
 I liave the Honor to t'neh)sey«"i a K'tt»'r I'rcMn C-aptain Skene 
 ol" His iMajesty's Ship Ijeandcsr, and a eopy of a h'tlei' from 
 Captain Hradh'v of tlie Cambrian to me received tliis MorninJ,^ 
 
 I have to aeipiaint yon that the Siiip I/ittU? (V>rnelia de- 
 tained b}' the L(;ander ami sent to Halifax for a<ljndieation 
 was retaken by thi; Mastei' Mate & Cook and carried int(tN(!VV 
 London. No act of Violence attending; the Miiasnni — Mr 
 finhel the OwmM* has very handsomely disavovvtid his a.pi>roba- 
 tion of tlu^ M(^asnre, retnrm^d (^iptajn Skeiu* the papei's, and 
 offers l() abide the Sentence of the Vice ( Vmrt of Admiralty at 
 Halifax.' 
 
 of 
 ew 
 the 
 the 
 the 
 Uib- 
 
 of 
 
 to 
 
 .rti- 
 
 or- 
 erry 
 
 the 
 
 TO MK. HAMMOND. 
 
 New York 'S.V Aujyust 1S04. 
 Sir. 
 
 T was ijiformed a tew days since that the S(!cond instalment 
 due by these states to His Majiisty h.ad not yet been paid, ow- 
 iuf? to M' Merry not havinji^ I'cceived an ord(!r for that pnr- 
 poso — It may l)e of moment that Lord Harrowby should be 
 mad(* ai(^(piainted that Spanisli dollacs are not to l)e obtained 
 at any [>r(!minm ; and bills of excliani^'c^ bear an advance of 
 two and one half per ('(Mit, but would rise to five if .C2()0,(K)U 
 StcM'linjj^ is to be punOnised. iiesides with ev(4*v precaution 
 thoro is much ns(iue in buyinj^ bills from Merchants — LIndiM- 
 
 lN(>twitliH!aii(lii\f^ Mr. .tiiliol's was ii French iiifrcliuiit, living in 
 
 hiindsonii' olTcr, it doos not. apjiLmr New-York, wlio had married I'or- 
 
 tliat. tlio liitlle Cornelia was ever, nelia liivingsion, sister to Selniyler 
 
 in fact, Hurrcnilered. Mr. Juhel Livingston, Han'lay'a son-in-law. 
 
 
188 
 
 C;ORUESPONI)KNCE OP THOMAS BAIWILAY 
 
 11 
 
 those iiMprcssious and not knowinj,' whether any inode lias 
 b(5i'n adopted for advantageously remittini; this Sum or mak- 
 ing a eonvenient application of it; I am led to offer through 
 you my opinion to his Lordsliip. — 
 
 The six hundred thousand pounds is to he paid hy the 
 American States as a gross Sum in satisfaction of British 
 Debts due to American Loyalists — Whenever the Commis- 
 sioners api)ointed to certify the Sums due ea(;h Loyalist re- 
 port. 1 think it would be most for His Majestys Scviee to 
 give drafts for thcf respective Sums awarded tliem payable in 
 America. This m<>de will save the (Tovernment much tnmble 
 ami expense and free it from the possilnlity of dang«u' from 
 protested Bills — The individuals who are to be paid will find 
 ways of getting their money to Great Britain, indeed many will 
 want it in this country. — A conviction of the ])rudence of this 
 measjire has led me to take the liberty of offering my opinion, 
 and if no more proper ])erson can be found to receive the 
 nu)n(^y and pay the drafts, I beg leave to timder my Services — 
 
 It is with pain I mention to you M'M(U'ry having had a sec- 
 ond severe attack — It is of the apoplectic kiiul — His mind 
 since! his arrival in America has been much perplexed by un- 
 toward events of which you are not ignorant. 
 
 His Majestys Ships Leander and Cambrian still continue oft' 
 this Port, watching the French Frigates within — It is said 
 the latter intend going to Sea in a few days. Many (com- 
 plaints from the American Government again ( the comluct of 
 the c(mimand(!rs of the British Ships of War; l)ut all of them 
 unfoiuuled, save that of the 17"' of Jum^, respecting the Ship 
 Pitt, and treatment of the American officers. 
 
 ff 
 
 II r 
 
 ■! ' 
 
 " 
 
 TO Mil. MEllKY. 
 
 New York 24 August 1801. 
 
 {Primte.) 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I am greatly pained to learn by your private letter that you 
 have experieuced a relapse and continue weak and indisposed. 
 
 lyf'H 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 189 
 
 off 
 
 lem 
 
 The informa*;ion in your own hand writing has been com- 
 municated to the Commanders of His Majestys Ships of War 
 off tliis Port. — By the news papers you will see there are 
 many charges against them of impressments within the Amer- 
 ican Waters, maltreatment and imprudent expressions, most 
 if not the whole of them are without foundation: but four in- 
 stances have come to my knowledge, neither of which have 
 been made the subject of complaint, in which I am well as- 
 sured the American shijjs were l^oarded within three miles of 
 the Shore. T have repeatedly stated this to Captains Bradley 
 and Skene, and recpiested them to be more careful in future 
 that the Amei'ican Ships are more than a League from Shore 
 when Boarded — I added my opinion that a small rehixation in 
 boarding and impressment would in my opinion be politic. — 
 It is wliispered, and I have reason to suspect it, that the two 
 French Frigates will attempt their escape in a few days. 
 
 The Editor of the American Citizen has made a violent at- 
 tack upon the President of the Marine insurance company, 
 wherein he states tliat that Gentleman had wi'itten to you on 
 the Subject of French Privateers being on the American 
 coasts, and in consequence of his representations our Ships i )f 
 war had been sent hither.^ This we know to be false — But 
 he has learnt from a confidential person, that you shewed to "^r' 
 Galatin ray letter of the 12'" of May, wherein I informed you 
 
 1 The article appeared in tlic Citi- 
 zen of Auf^iifit 22. The following 
 extracts exliibit the substance of 
 Choetham's attack : 
 
 "The Leander & Co. 
 
 "It is communicated to me by 
 good autliority that Mr. William 
 Neilson Sen. of this city, merchant 
 wrote to Mr. Merry immediately 
 after his arrival in this country, rcs- 
 qnesting him to order a naval force 
 olf the Hook, to protect American 
 Commerce. It is added that Mr. 
 Neilson's letter is now in the hands 
 of the Sec. of State communicated 
 
 by Mr. Merry himself. As the Rev- 
 olution which severed the colonies 
 from the crown of Great Britain 
 never altered, as we are informed, 
 Mr. Neilson's attachment to it, Mr. 
 Merry could not but comply with his 
 Toquf^st tojyrotcetAmerimnCommercc, 
 an<l accordingly the Cambrian and 
 the Driver, the Boston and the Lean- 
 der were graciously sent for that 
 purpose. . . . They have exhibited 
 their protecting care over our com- 
 merce, in the capture of our vessels, 
 the violation of our territory, the 
 nialtreatmout of our fellow citi- 
 zens." 
 
'x 
 
 190 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 that I had that day received a letter from the President of the 
 Marine insurance Company in this City, statinjjf a Frencli 
 Cruizer beinfjj off (Tcorfj^ia and Soutli Carolina connnittinfij 
 depredations on British and Ameri(!an Ships: and that I had 
 notified C'aptain Douf^las of it. — M' Calatin has eommtniieated 
 this to povei'al persons, and prohably to the B]ditorof the Citi- 
 zen, and by this means a shameful use has l)een made of that 
 wliich was honorably and prudently intended, and the unfair 
 conclusion has becui drawn iliat on this information you a])- 
 plied to the Admiral fen* the Ships now off this port, and tliat 
 the pres(5nt blockade of this port is owinji^ to M' Neilson the 
 President of the Marine insurancn^, office. You will do me a 
 favor by ac<puiintin^ nu» with what passed b«^twe(!n you and 
 M' (lalatiu, and whether you showed him the letter. 
 
 As my proposed ride to Piuladel[)liia was intendcid as a visit 
 of respect and regai'd to you and M" Merry, T sliall postpone 
 it until I am informed you are recovered — I sincerely hope 
 soon to hear this from you. Present my bc^st respects to M™ 
 Merry. T wish you was fartlu^r Nortliward when* the air is 
 more <!ool, and the country more j)leasant. 
 
 
 TO VICE-ADMHIAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 25"' Au{,nisl 1S04. 
 Sir. 
 
 Cai)tain Bradley and Captain Skene (particularly tlu^ latter) 
 haviuf^ written to you fully by this Conveyance renders it un- 
 necessary for me to state any thinj? further (iitlun* i-espectinj^ 
 the Eujijenia or the little Cornelia. They are botli very morti- 
 fyiuijf circumstances to me; 'uul T have in a private letter to 
 Captain Skene recommended while off tliis [)lace in tlie event 
 of orderinjif a Vessel to Halifax for examination to send only 
 their Master or Mate in her, and to forward the two other prin- 
 cipal Officers of the Vessel by the first pj-ivate conveyance. 
 Til is measure might be attended with an Expense of fifty to 
 an hundred dollars, but what is that to insure the safe airival 
 of the Vessel. 
 
(JONSUL-GENERAL, 1,S0:J-1H04 
 
 191 
 
 :1,cr) 
 un- 
 
 lorti- 
 !!■ to 
 ivcnt 
 lonly 
 Dvin- 
 Liice. 
 Ity to 
 Irival 
 
 It is i-iith(M' sin^'ular M' Merry and myself should differ in 
 opinion (Ml the only two (juostions of nionieut that have oc- 
 cnrred sin('c the arrival of His Majesty's Ships off Port. — In 
 th(( ease of the Ship Pitt, M' Merry appears to have heen 
 rather in doubt that the CV)nduct of the officers of the Cam- 
 brian amounted to an infraction of Neutral liif^hts. — On that 
 point I am most clear, notvvithstandinj/ the tacit consent of 
 Portuj^al Tlairibur^-h &c &c &c in similar cases. Their suffer- 
 ing; liritish Sliijts of War to inij>ress lii-itish Seamen in their 
 ports can nevei" alter the old established Laws of Nations, or 
 take away tin; rij^hts of (»thor neutral powers. — In the regain- 
 ing; possession of the Eugenia by violence and recruiting an 
 armed Body of Men on shore for that purpose, M' Merry ap- 
 pears of opinion that it is not an Act that will admit of a re- 
 monstrance — There again 1 am so unfortunate as to Ite of a 
 contraiy opinion, which I have statetl to him at large with my 
 reasons. 
 
 I have notified Capt. Bradley of the probability of the 
 Fnineh l^^-igates attt^nipting their escape either through the 
 Sound or by the Hook: If the latter they will wait the first 
 fresh Gale from the N W and I have cautioned him to keep 
 well to the Northward of Sandy Hook, so to have tluj Bay 
 open to him up to the Narrows, that ho may see the Ships 
 coming down, and be ready to meet them, because in less than 
 two houi's from their getting under way they will be at S(!a 
 and if our Ships run to the Southward of the Hook they will 
 be to leeward and never overtake them. 
 
 I am sorry to ac<iuaint you that M' Merry has had two or 
 three very disagreeable attacks, whicli cntre nous, are evi- 
 dently apo})lective. He is very nervous, and dejected weak 
 and almost int^apable of doing Business. His Life I consider 
 very precarious, and I have pressed him to permit me to send 
 for Mr. Chipman the Solicitor General of New Brunswick to 
 assist him until his Hcnilth, if ever is re-established. Mr. 
 Chipman is the best (Qualified Character in this State. 
 
 In one of my last letters I mentioned Samuel Billings an 
 Anu^rican Seaman who had been sent in a prize to Halifax — 
 Captain Bradley told me he would be discharged there by you, 
 
■r 
 
 1<J2 
 
 OORItHSl'ONDKNc;!!: Ol'' THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 au(l I requested you tluit he mijijht, as ho has been unequiv- 
 ocally proved to be a native Aincriean — If he has not been 
 (liseharijcd when you receive this I intreat he may as I stand 
 pledged that he will be. 
 
 TO Mil. MEKllY. 
 
 Hiu. 
 
 Now York 'M'" Aufjust 1804. 
 
 I did myself the Honor yesterday to eoiiimunieate to you in 
 a private letter that the French Frij^ates Sybil and Didon, had 
 altout G of the eh)ek in the morniiifj^of that day jifot under way 
 and i)r()eeoded towards Sandy Hook. The Wind ])eintjf lij^lit 
 and [)art of the tide expended before they were in motion \n'e- 
 vented their getting? fai'tlun* than Graves(Mid Bay, distant 
 about eleven miles from this city where they came to an 
 anchor and where they remained at dark last Evening — As 
 the Ebb nuide very early this morning, boats have been pre- 
 vented getting up, so that we remain ignorant whether they 
 remain at (Iravesend or have gone to the Hook with the morn- 
 ing tide — It is more than [trobable I shall hear before this 
 hitter goes to the Post Office. The l)est opinion I can form, 
 is that these ships will attempt getting to Sea the ttrst favor- 
 able moment, when our Ships are to leeward to this port. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 TO WILLIAM NEILSON.' 
 
 Now York 7'' September 1804. 
 
 I have tliis moment received your letter of yesterday, and in 
 com[)liance with your recpiest inclose a C!oi)y of the letter yon 
 wrote me on the 11*'' of May last as President of the Marine 
 
 1 Tho American Citizen renewed was inteinlud to afford an answer 
 its attaeks on Mr. Neilson on August to these articles. 
 28 and September 5. Barclay's letter 
 
(JONSUL-GENERAL, 1803-1804 
 
 193 
 
 In.sura/u*e Company — Having seen an Extract of my letter to 
 tlie Mayor of this City of the 18'" of June published in the 
 Anieriean Citizen, I was induecd to examine that letter, as 
 well as the one you wrote to me, aiul I fit\d that in giving my 
 reasons to the Mayor, for apprehending it would not be in the 
 power of the Commander of His Majesty's Ships of War to 
 comply with his request, I have been guilty of a mistake, in 
 stating to him that your letter to me, expressed the American 
 as well as British Commerce — My recital to the Mayor was 
 from Memory, and not from a reference to your letter. I am 
 extremely sorry for having unguardedly made use of two 
 words not in your letter, and can only account for it on this prin- 
 ciple, that the Newspapers at that time contained information 
 of several American, as well as British Vessels having been 
 captured to the Southward by French Privateers, and from 
 my mind being impressed with these reports, led me, when 
 I wrote to the Mayor to suppose it was so expressed in your 
 letter. 
 
 I have never received any other letter from you than the 
 one herein mentioned. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 180-4. 
 
 •Mid iu 
 ter you 
 Marine 
 
 answer 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 13 Sept' 1804. 
 
 I did not receive satisfactory proof that Jerome Bonaparte 
 and his Lady were still in these States until last Evening. 
 Two days since M' Wood told me that on the 5"' Instant he 
 had met them in a common stage coach near Trenton ; but so 
 universally Avas his, and his Wife's departure credited in this 
 place, that I apprehended M' Wood had made a mistake. In 
 addition to every other report, a confidential man assured me 
 he saw her in a Barge with Monsieur Du Pont the French 
 agent going from Staten Island to the Ship that General Arm- 
 strong was in. I also knew to a certainty that M'' Du Pout 
 
 had borrowed money from a gentleman for the express pur- 
 ls 
 
194 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 [^J 
 
 'Ui« 
 
 If 
 
 ;.( 
 
 pose of an advance to Bonaparte at liis departure. There can 
 be no doubt that every th'm^ was arranged for their (especi- 
 ally his Ladys) goinpf to Bordeaux in tlie Thomas, and I (can- 
 not but believe that (Jeneral Armstrong; nnist have had some 
 knowledge of it. — As the Tiiomas passed Staten Island M' Du 
 Pont and M" Bonaparte in a Barge attempted to gain the Ship, 
 but no noti to was taken of them, nor would the Captain heave 
 the Ship to(j for them, I er.anot learn whether Jerome Bona- 
 parte was in the Barge — M' Du Pont has since mentioned his 
 and their disappointment and insinuated that they had l)een 
 unhandKOinely treated. — The Gentleman who lent jVP Du Pont 
 the money, mentioned yesterday to a friend, who I requested 
 to interrogate hira, the above particulars. — I have it also froiu 
 another person to the same effect.^ — The Didon will attempt 
 her escape the first favorable moment. Pilots are engaged for 
 the Sound as well as Sandy Hook. Captain Bradley although 
 satisfied of the necessity appears unwilling to incur the ex- 
 pense of keeping a boat on pay at Gravesend to give him no- 
 tice if she attempts a passage through the Scnind. This in my 
 opinion is necessary, because the same Wind and Tide which 
 carries the Didon through Hell Gate and the Sound, will pre- 
 vent a boat getting to Captain Bradley, and give the Didon at 
 least nine hours start. "Whereas a boat stationed at Grave- 
 send, in one hour after the Didon got under way, would leave 
 
 1 Barclay was correctly iuformod. 
 On September 5, Mme. Bonaparte 
 wrote to her father from New-York : 
 " We have made the journey liere for 
 nothing, as General Armstrong, the 
 Ambassador, after writing to Mr. 
 Bonaparte that ho would bo do- 
 lighted at taking me to France with 
 him, changed his mind and went off 
 without mo. To-morrow we are to 
 leave this place for Philadelphia, 
 and from thence we go to Springfield 
 immediately ; so that, as I shall see 
 you soon, it is unnecessary to say 
 more. I thought the opportunity of 
 
 going with an Ambassador too good 
 to bo missed, and Mr. Bonaparte 
 was to have gone in the frigates a 
 few days after nio." In October, 
 1804, Jerome Bonaparte an<l iiis wife 
 sailed from Philadol]>hia, but were 
 wrecked off the Cai>es of the Dela- 
 ware and returneil. In November, 
 they embarked in the French frigate 
 Lo Pr<5sident, late Poursuivant ; but 
 disembarked on learning of the arri- 
 val of H. M. S. Revolution riairo on 
 the coast. This ended their attempts 
 for the winter. In December they 
 were in Washinirlon. 
 
 I 
 
 la: 
 
 I 
 
CONSUL-OENERAT., 1803-1804 
 
 195 
 
 tliat for His Majestys Ships. 1 liavo no authority to employ 
 such a Hoat, unless you think proper to order it — The Syble 
 it is said will renuiin here nntil our Ships are compelled to 
 leave the <*oast; perhaps this is mere report. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR A. MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 'i'i'' Sept' 1804. 
 
 (ZV/i'«/f.) 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 Throuf,'li the intervention of a friend of M' Piehon and 
 mine, I have this day requested you wonld send him any 
 l)rivate familiar letters of his which may have been forwarded 
 to yon from C'apt" liradley or Skene — and informed you that 
 he would consider himself nnder an obligation if you feel 
 yourself at liberty to favor him with copies of his official let- 
 ters, which were taken on board the Eugenia or little Corne- 
 lia, provided they contained nothing which can injure His 
 Majestys Service — This last request I should not have made, 
 had not Captain Skene informed me of the Contents of those 
 letters, and that they merely respected Jerome Bonaparte 
 going home — 1 am satisfied had M' Piehon received those let- 
 ters in Season, Jerome wonld before this have embarked on 
 board one of the Frigates, and attempted his Escape from 
 your Ships : and I am further of opinion that M' Piehon will 
 hurry him off on receiving official copies of them.' — The Cam- 
 brian and Leander are now within the Hook, to avoid the ef- 
 fects of an equinoctial Gale and to complete their Water. 
 
 1 The official letters referred to 
 were written by DeerSs, tlio French 
 Minister of Marine, to Piehon and 
 Jerome Bonaparte, conveying the 
 orders of the First Consul for Je- 
 rome's return, but prohibiting the 
 coming of " the young person" with 
 whom he had formed a connection. 
 
 Tlio letters are dated the 30th Ger- 
 minal in the year XII(April 19, 1804). 
 Translations are printed with other 
 original documents, in an otherwise 
 worthless little book, "The Bona- 
 parte-Patterson Marriage," Phila- 
 delphia, 1873. 
 
 M 
 
1 ! 
 
 1 ! 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 : '1 1 
 
 
 ^ i 1 
 
 M 
 
 
 .,uii i 
 
 (; 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
 1 I 
 ; 1 
 
 19G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 The French Frigates reniaiu moored near the City. The Sy- 
 ble lias had lier balhist overliauled and her rij^ging set, hoth 
 Ships liavo been completed with Water, and their Coops filled 
 with Poultry &c &c &c so that every thing indicates an inten- 
 tion of going to Sea speedily. Hell (late (the only difflcnlt 
 part of the navigation through the Sound) has bcicn repeatedly 
 examined by the officers of their Ships, and Pilots have been 
 examined as to the feasibility of taking them through and or- 
 dered to hold themselves in readiness — still I have it from un- 
 questionable authority that they do not inteiul going to Sea 
 that way, but will barely make the attempt, a ruse de guerre, 
 in the hope that Captain Bradley on hearing that one of them 
 has gone up, will send one of his Ships to the East end of 
 Long Island to intercept her ; in which case the french Frigate 
 will return and both Ships put to Sea. The truth is, that what 
 they intend as a feint, ought in reality to be carried into effect. 
 By sending one of the French Ships to New Port Rhode Is- 
 land Cap' Bradley must have detached the Lcander or Cam- 
 brian to watch her motions. If the Leander was the Ship, 
 the French Frigate might easily escape, and if the Cambrian 
 went off Rhode Island, then the Ship here might put to Sea — 
 all they aim at present is to get Bonaparte off in either Ship. 
 From receiving their complement of Provisions and Water 
 the French Frigates swim very deep — The Syble draws 
 twenty four feet Water — I have had private information, l)ut 
 on which no depcndance can bo placed, because the man is a 
 Stranger to me, and I have reason to suspect him to be a spy, 
 and treat him accordingly, until I am satisfied he is the re- 
 verse, that both the Ships are to remain where they are until 
 our Ships retire, and that the Commodore will embark for 
 France next week in a Merchant Ship — Time will develop 
 this, and if the report proves true, induce me hereafter to af- 
 ford to this man a grain more of credibility ; I however very 
 much doubt my being authorized to place confidence in him. 
 I say enough when I add that he is a Dutch Jew, who has 
 travelled over the Globe, knows every Body and every thing. 
 — If he was honest, he would be serviceable as he daily visits 
 the French Ships. 
 
 i 
 
CONSUL-OENERAL, 1803-1801 
 
 197 
 
 I 
 
 ■i 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BKADLEY. 
 
 New York :U"' Oct' 1804. 
 
 You liavo noticed from tho papers that a frcneh Frif^ato is 
 (•xi>(M!ti'(l hero from France, whicli report is confirmed to mo 
 this day by 3r Mei-rv. I have reason to believe she was yes- 
 t(!rday off this port and communicated with one of the pilot 
 lioats. Tlio French Cliancellor mentioned this last Eveninp 
 and the Genthunan to whom ho stated it camo and told mo of 
 it. White the pih)t (who it appears is about to bo turned out 
 of his boat) came this morniii<; to Peacock and told him, that 
 both tlie French Frij,'ates had taken Williams and Minu{^h and 
 two Hell (late Pilots on Ijoard, and woukl certainly pass 
 through Hell Gate the first fair wind. Yon will therefore 
 take yonr measures accordingly — It is added by White that 
 tho french frigates will go through this next flood if the wind 
 will admit, and that you cannot go out until next tide — Per- 
 haps the whole may be a finesse to put you out. 
 
 What fortifies mo ir the Idea that they are on tho wing, is 
 that they have lately had a press-gang on Shore, who took off 
 six men that came to my knowledge and perhaps many more — 
 Four of them they have been compelled to restore, and meas- 
 ures are taking for the other two — I wait only until niattors 
 are ripe to doveloi)e this act of violence to the public — I send 
 this by an express, that you may be ready at a moment-- Kely 
 on my attention. 
 
 .-ft 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BRADLEY. 
 
 New York 3'" November 1804. 
 Sir. 
 
 By Busliat at 12 OClock A M this morning I received your 
 three letters of yesterday and I am happy to learn from my 
 Son that ho saw both your ships out at day light this morn- 
 ing — The Breeze is light and favorable and I hope you will 
 be at Montock Point in time to intercept them. It is said 
 
 13* 
 
 ii; 
 
1!)H 
 
 ('ouuespondkn(;e op tiiomas iuiiclay 
 
 Itotli Fi'ciKih .ships touched in ^joinj^ throii^rh, & that Ihoy an- 
 chnred hist night, ]»ut tliis is not oonflnncd. 
 
 Ii(»lh Mushal imd myself have l)eon all over to hire a dispat*',!! 
 lioat l)iit without success. At day Break I was on Ijoiipj Is- 
 land to procure onc^ <tf the lilo(^k Island lishinj^ lioats and of- 
 I'ercd three Imiidred dollars i)er Week to go and coininunicate 
 with you. The men refused and said no money wouhl indu<!0 
 them, as they could never again return to New York. I an> 
 conviiKM'd every Itoat has Iku'u l>ril)ed, or threat(Mied not to go. 
 
 Hushut therefore gcx's himself in his own boat — II»^ and 
 Stevenson have been iiin'emitted in their «'xei'tions and merit 
 everything fi-om us; should I learn anything of moment 1 will 
 give it to you. If you once get sight of these ships, keep it, 
 go wlicro they will. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIUAL Sill A. MITCHELL. 
 
 i? )'■> 
 
 ! ' 
 
 New York 7 Nov' ISUl. 
 Sue. 
 
 I have the Honor to inform you that the French Frigates 
 Didon and ('y^>'^^ proceeded through Hell (late for Sea at half 
 I)ast four P M on the 2'' of this month, with a fair Wind, and 
 from tnci best accounts yet received, they were seen on Satur- 
 day ' at 5 Clock P M between Block and Long Island stand- 
 ing to Sea — It was then nearly calm and continued so all night 
 early Sunday Morning the Wind was from the S E, light airs 
 and thick foggy Weather — on Monday Morning at 2 o ('lock 
 A M the Wind came round to N N West and l)lowc(l fresh — 
 
 Captain Bradley received notice from me on tne 31"' of Oc- 
 tober of the intended departure of those ships by the way of 
 Hell Gate, and was kept constantly informed from that day 
 nntil they sailed — There was reason to suspect the French 
 Ships intended merely the measure as a feint to draw His Ma- 
 jestys Ships to sea — It was therefore resolved by Captain 
 Bradley not to proceed in pnrsuit nntil they had got through 
 Hell Gate. For this purpose I had a confidential person posted 
 
 1 November od. 
 
 I I. ,' 
 
CONSUL-OKNERAT., 1H03-18(H 
 
 19!) 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 at Brooklyn Ilciu'lits to ride down to (imvcscnd (lie instant Ik; 
 Hiiw the Frciicli Ship beyond Hell (iiilc, and to acqnaint my 
 son with it, who waited there to eonimuni(^ate by sij,'nal with 
 Captain linidley— At half past flvo o ('h)ek in the Kveninj? 
 of that day he arrived at (Iravesend, l)ut it was then lietween 
 day lif^ht and dark so tluit the Knsi^n hoisted on a flagstatT 
 (•oidd not be distinjj;nished from His Majestys Ships layinj; in 
 Sandy Hook Hay, distant abont t\.elve miles — M' Henry Har- 
 elay the;' *foro dispatched a boat to Captain Bradley with a 
 letter eonfirmin<^ the departure of the Fremdi Sliips, and im- 
 nn^diati'ly lij^dited a fire the nij^ht Sip^nal, the (Japtain of the 
 l*a(!ket by my orders informed C'ajjtain Bradley wouhl be 
 nuid*?. The li^ht was observed on boai'd shi}), but not so satis- 
 factorily as to induce Cap' Bradhsy to f^o to Sea — At 8 o C'loek 
 however the lij^ht was distinctly seen, and some Idne lif^ht also 
 whic^h Cap' Porteous of the Packet had broufj^lit from tln^ Cam- 
 brian, and the ))oat from my Son arrived at the same time — 
 There was then about two hours flood remaiuinj;, and I had 
 hoped His Majestys Sliips would have gone out, as there was 
 a very flr'^ leading Wind. 
 
 His Majestys Ships however did not get under way until 
 near day light of the next day (the 3' of November), early that 
 Morning my Sou saw them standing to the Eastward with 
 every sail and a leading but light breeze — I dispatched a 
 Schooner to watch the Enemy and communicate with His 
 Majestys Ships off the East end of Long Island — "We have 
 had no report respecting either Ships, nor has the Pilot Boat 
 which attended the French Frigates, or the one by me sent to 
 Cap' Bradley returned. 
 
 I fear there is little probability of His Majestys Ships meet- 
 ing the FreiKjh Frigates. 
 
 TO MK. lAMMOND. 
 
 New York 9'" Nov' 1804. 
 Sir. 
 
 I received on the 2' of this month a letter from William 
 Bradley Esii"^ Commanding His Majestys Ship Cambrian, on 
 
'**^-' 
 
 ■SR9I 
 
 200 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 i. \ 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 the subject of bus beinjij supcrsodcd in tbo comniaiul of tluit 
 sbip in coiise(iuoncc of my letter to you of tlio 27"' of June 
 hist, and that the Seeretary of the Adniiralty had by order of 
 tho -Lords Coinniissioners transmitted a eoi)y of my Lettcu* to 
 Viee Admiral Sir Andrew i\Iitehell ('onunander in Chief of 
 His Majestys Ships of War on the Halifax Station, as the 
 •ground work of their order. ' 
 
 I am particularly pained tiiat such serious eonsequenees 
 have followed a detail of facts, by me inteiuied only for the 
 information of His Majestys Ministers — Tt is true I differed 
 in opinion with Captain Bradley on his impressment of the 
 Men at Stateu Island from on board the British Ship Pitt, 
 and urged him to restore thom in Avliieh event every other 
 complaint might have been happily got over with the Ameri- 
 (;an ({overnment; but Captain Bradley could not persuade 
 himself that he had acted improperly, and the situation His 
 Majestys ships were then in, expecting any moment to eomt^ 
 to action with a greatly superior force of the Enemy, I am 
 convinced induced Captain ] Bradley to consider he was ad- 
 vancing His Majestys Service by retaining the men. 
 
 In justice to (^aptain BraiUey I feel bound fui'tlier to state 
 that from his arrival with His Majestys Ships in June last to 
 their departure ou the third of this month, I know not an in- 
 stance (save the one before mentioned) in which blame can 
 attach to him, ou any of the complaints which may have been 
 made by the American Secretary of State, on the subject of 
 impressment of men, breach of neutrality, or infringing the 
 Limits of American Jurisdiction. The zeal and unwearied 
 attention with which he has supported a tedious and dillicult 
 
 1 Ou tho lirst of Seytombor, Lord 
 Ilarrowby informotl Mr. Moiiroo 
 that tho British Govornmoiit had dia- 
 approvod Cai)taiu Bradley's conduct 
 aud eonsurod it by romoviuR him 
 from tho comuiand and ordering him 
 homo to ac'coinit for it. ]jord Ilar- 
 rowby sa'd, adds Mr. Monroe, "that 
 as this stop had boon taken before 
 any complaint had been received 
 
 from ourtioveinnicnt, it could not bo 
 viewed otherwise than as a strong 
 proof of tlie desire of His Majesty to 
 cultivate tho friendshipof the United 
 States ; to which I readily assented." 
 A year later Monroe learned that 
 Captain Bradley had been ai)pointt'd, 
 immediately on his return, to the 
 command of a ship of tho line. Amer. 
 State Papers, For. Kcl., Ill, 90, 10(J. 
 
 
CONSUL-GENERA Ti, 1S03-1804 
 
 201 
 
 blockade of five inonUis, arc proofs of liis luorit as a Soamaii 
 and an oITuhm-. I liave tin; utmost rospoct for him, and will 
 consider myself under an oblityation by your ac(iuaintinji: the 
 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that mv letter of the 
 27"' of June was not iuteiulcd by any nutans as a complaint 
 against Captain Bradley, but for the information of IFis Ma- 
 jestys Ministers, that they mi<^h^ 1 ])ossessed of the facts, 
 ■whenever a representation was nuuic by the American (Jov- 
 ernmeut. 
 
 TO MK. MEKllY. 
 
 ad- 
 
 lilnotbo 
 strong 
 ^jesty to 
 5 United 
 konted." 
 led that 
 |>ointrd, 
 lo tlio 
 Amer. 
 I 'JO, 100. 
 
 Now York 10 Nov' 1804. 
 Sir. 
 
 I yesterday by the return of the dispatch Boat, received a 
 letter from Captaiu Bradley the officer commamlinjij His Ma- 
 jcstys Ships C'ambrian aiul Leander dated at Sea the 7"' In- 
 stant, wherein he informs nu^ that he arrived at ten O Chx^k 
 on th(^ night of the third instant olf the East End of Long Is- 
 land, but that the weather was so vcrv thick, that thev could 
 not see twice the length of the Ship, and that during the prev- 
 alence of this fogg the Enemy had passed him. lie had 
 therefore resolved to proceed immediately to Halifax Nova 
 Scotia with both Ships.' 
 
 I cannot but regret that His Majestys Ships did not go to 
 Sea, from six in the Evening of the 2'' until 10 oClock that 
 night during all which time the signal lire, which I had in- 
 formed Captain Bradley would be lighted when the Enemy 
 had passed Ilell Gate, was burning, and seen from the Ships. 
 At 8 oClock that night Captain Bradley received a letter 
 from M' Barclay my Son, at the Signal Port, giving him no- 
 tice of the departure of the French Ships, at which tinu', there 
 was yet near two hours Hood tide. Had lu^ then proceeded 
 His Majestys Ships would have doubled Montock point, the 
 East End of Long Island, before sunset on Saturday, and as 
 
 1 Tho I'^roiu'li ships rcaeliod I/C)r- sailod on a l'ii(hiy. Was Urailloy's 
 icnt in Doconibor, after a lino pas- laihu'o to start promptly in pnrsnit 
 sago, and this in spito of their having duo to superstition f 
 
•*- 
 
 ■n\ 
 
 W 
 
 202 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 the weather was then clear must have seen the Enemys ships. 
 From Captain Bradleys letter it appears, the pilot of the Cam- 
 brian made some demur about taking the Ship out at night, 
 but I understand from Captain Skene of the Leander, that his 
 Pilot was not only ready to carry her over the Bar, but return 
 and conduct the Cambrian also. 
 
lips, 
 am- 
 ght, 
 
 t, his 
 turn 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 CONvSUL-GENEKAL, 1801-lHOG 
 
 m 
 
 FROM Juno 18 to NovGinber 3, 1804, tlio port of Now- 
 York had been practically blockaded by the little 
 British squadron which had been kept to watch the 
 Dldon and Cijhelc. Barclay's correspondence shows, be- 
 yond a doubt, that the original purpose of their visit was 
 purely military, and therefore perfectly legitimate ; but 
 they improved the occasion by inflicting injuries and 
 insults upon the commerce of a neutral port — one can 
 hardly describe it as a friendly one — which are almost 
 past belief. Basil Hall's account of his service as a mid- 
 shipman aboard the Leander in this summer of 1804 is 
 well known. " Every morning at daybreak," he writes, 
 " we set about arresting the progress of all the vessels 
 we saw, firing off guns to the right and left to make 
 every ship that was running in heave to, or wait until 
 we had leisure to send a boat on board ' to see,' in our 
 lingo, 'what she was made of.' I have frequently 
 known a dozen, and sometimes a couple of dozen, ships 
 lying a league or two off the port, losing their fair wind, 
 their tide, and worse than all their market, for many 
 hours, sometimes the whole day, before our search was 
 completed."' The search might result in ordering off 
 the vessel to Halifax for adjudication, and it almost in- 
 variably did result in adding two or three likely men 
 to the crew aboard his Majesty's ship. The guesses or 
 
 1 Fragments of Voyages and Travels, Cliap. V. 
 
 203 
 
 • « 'I 
 
It 
 
 204 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 'I 'it 
 
 m' 
 
 It 
 
 
 '1 
 
 if 
 
 1 
 
 
 H 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 h'^ 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 ■, 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 1, 
 
 
 "1 
 
 J 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 ' i; l> 
 
 suspicions of British lieutenants as to the true owner- 
 ship of goods, or the nationality of a soaman, were prac- 
 tically decisive; for redress came but seldom, and it 
 almost always came too late. The sense of wrong felt 
 by ship-owners and mariners was immensely aggravated 
 by the circumstance that all this was taking place in 
 full sight of American soil, and probably in many in- 
 stances within American jurisdiction. 
 
 But now, for a time, the annoyance of a blockade 
 was over; and, indeed, it was never renewed in any 
 time of peace for more than a very brief period. The 
 chorus of complaints in regard to " impressment within 
 American waters, maltreatment, and imprudent expres- 
 sions" had produced its effect even on the minds of 
 British naval officers. Since the latter part of August 
 they had exhibited little activity. During September 
 and October the Leandcv and Camhrian had, for the 
 most part, been lying snugly at anchor within the Hook, 
 partly because of protests and remonstrances, and partly 
 because the advancing season greatlj'- multiplied the 
 difficulties of an effective blockade. 
 
 The coasts of New Jersey and Long Island trend 
 away to the southward and eastward, nearly at right 
 angles to each other, and deep water is generally to 
 be found close inshore. A wide opening and a broad 
 stretch of sea was thus left to be patroled by vessels 
 that watched outside the bar; and if the British 
 cruisers were strictly to observe American neutral- 
 ity, and confine their efforts to points distant three 
 miles from either shore, the task of intercepting vessels 
 that chose to hug the beaches became almost hopeless. 
 The longer nights and stormier weather of autumn also 
 greatly facilitated the escape of outward-bound ships, 
 whether American traders or French frigates. No 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 205 
 
 i-itisli 
 itral- 
 
 square-rigged vessc4 could safely keep her station close 
 outside the bav of New- York, in an easterly gale, so as 
 to intercept all incoming vessels; and the northwest- 
 erly gales of winter would prevent her from lying to 
 under canvas, a league or more offshore, in such a po- 
 sition as to arrest vessels who had the choice of running 
 out either to the southward or eastward. 
 
 As soon, therefore, as the French frigates had sailed, 
 the English gave up their watch on the port. For 
 many months there was no further serious cause of 
 complaint. But the reckless proceedings of the summer 
 of 1804 had not been forgotten, and they were to bear 
 bitter fruit in the increasing ill-will with which the 
 American people regarded the Government of Great 
 Britain. 
 
 All through the year 1805, while the great strategic 
 movements which culminated at Trafalgar were going 
 on in other waters, British squadrons had ample occu- 
 pation elsewhere. In the month of June the Camhriau 
 and Leander were once more for a few days off New- 
 York, accompanied by the sloop-of-war Busij ; but, 
 with this exception, there were only brief visits from 
 single ships. The Bevohitionnaire called for Spanish 
 dollars on February 3 ; the Biisf/ came from Bermuda 
 on March 6, with despatches, and sailed within a week 
 for Halifax; an armed schooner was oft" Sandy Hook 
 for a few days in May ; the Indian arrived in August, 
 and the Camhrian early in November, remaining each 
 but a short time; and the Busij called again on De- 
 cember G, with despatches. There was no attempt at 
 a repetition of the blockade of 1804, and the year passed 
 here without special incident. American vessels were, 
 indeed, searched and seamen impressed, but it would 
 be a mistake to suppose that there was, in 1805, any- 
 
 1* 
 
 Mr 
 
 (!! 
 
'. * 
 
 20G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 thing like a continuous watch kept by ;ho British upon 
 the commerce of this port.' 
 
 In the spring of 1806, the Camhrlan and Leander 
 a third time appeared off Saudy Hook, this time in 
 company with the sloop-of-war Driver. Their unwel- 
 come presence was tragically signalized by the killing 
 of an American citizen by a shot from the Leander^ 
 and their visit was brought to a sudden end. 
 
 Meanwhile, during these years of 1805 and 1806, Bar- 
 clay's domestic affairs were prosperous. Henry, his 
 eldest son, entered into partnership with a Mr. Henry 
 C. liumsey, " a wholesale Silk mercer." De Lancey left 
 the 17th Dragoons and got a commission as Captain in 
 the 56th Regiment of Foot. Thomas, after serving in the 
 Boston and Impetiicux under Captain Douglas, was pro- 
 moted to the rank of Lieutenant, and joined the North- 
 umhi'rland under Admiral Cochrane." George and 
 Anthony were still at school in Nova Scotia. 
 
 One sad event occurred. Susan, who had married 
 Mr. Stuyvesant in the summer of 1803, died within 
 eighteen months of her marriage, when not quite 
 twenty years old, in her new house in Partition (Ful- 
 ton) street. Her death threw a great shadow over this 
 period of Barclay's career; and it made a deep and 
 lasting impression on his mind. 
 
 His home, imtil the summer of 1806, continued to be 
 in New- York, except when the yellow fever again drove 
 him for a few weeks into the country. This time he 
 found refuge at Elizabeth, in New Jersey, and he re- 
 
 1 Into this mistake both Mr. Adams 2 De Lancey Barclay's comii^ission 
 
 and Professor McMaster have fallen, as Captain in H. M. Army bore date 
 
 Adams's Hist, of the U. S., Vol. Ill, April 24, 1805; Thomas's as Lieu- 
 
 pp. 91, 92; Mcilaster's Hist, of the tenant in the navy, Se]>tember 11, 
 
 U. S., Vol. Ill, pp. 236, 240. 1805. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1806 
 
 207 
 
 I 
 
 mainod there from about September 12 to October 22, 
 1805. In June, 180G, Barclay gave up his Greenwich 
 street residence and moved into the country, in the 
 Town of Harlaem, about seven miles from the city; 
 and there, for the next ten years, his family continued 
 to live. His house, with its ten acres of ground, lay in 
 a pleasant suburb near the East Eiver. It was situated 
 on both sides of the present lino of First Avenue, and 
 extended from about 108th to llStli street. It cost 
 £5500 New- York currency, or $13,750. 
 
 These two peaceful years in New- York were eventful 
 enough in the world's history. Jefferson was reelected 
 President. Burr's term as Vice-President ended, and 
 he fell to hatching his mad conspiracy. Pitt died. The 
 victories of Austerlitz and Jena gave Napoleon the mas- 
 tery of Europe. The victory of Trafalgar gave Eng- 
 land the absolute control of the sea. 
 
 TO THE COLLECTOK, NAVAL OFFICER, AND SURVEYOR OF 
 THE PORT OF NEW- YORK. 
 
 aii^ission 
 
 bore date 
 
 IS Lieu- 
 
 iber 11, 
 
 New York lO'" Nov' 1804 
 Gentlemen. 
 
 The Lords of the Admiralty having ordered Captain Beres- 
 ford of the Royal Navy to proceed to America to take the 
 command of His Britannic Majestys Ship of War Cambrian, 
 Captain Beresford in obedience to those orders arrived not 
 long since at Norfolk in Virginia in His Majestys Sliip of War 
 Revolntionnaire. At the time of his arrival at Norfolk, the 
 Cambrian was off and on this Port, and Captain Beresfords 
 baggage and Stores were put on board an American coaster in 
 Hampton Roads for the purpose of being conveyed to the 
 Cambrian. Previous to the arrival of the coaster off this 
 Port, not only the Cambrian but the Leander had sailed for 
 
 fi; 
 
 I 
 
208 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ! /^ 
 
 il i 
 
 1 i 
 
 Halifax in Nova Scotia, and Captain Bcrosfords Baj]^gape and 
 Stores in which arc included seven hogsheads, one (luartcr 
 cask and thirty dozen of Madeira Wine, were brought up to 
 this city, and are now on board the coaster. Captain Bercs- 
 ford wishes to have permission to remove them from thence 
 on l)oard a schooner which ho has chartered to carry his bag- 
 gage and stores to Halifax, free from the Ajuerican duties to 
 which the Wines have undoubtedly become liable by the un- 
 expected departure of the (^ambrian. — Permit me to request 
 you Gentlemen will be pleased to grant a permit for the above 
 purpose: The liberality of the American Government I trust 
 will prevent an exaction of duties on articles composing the 
 Stores of a naval officer casually arriving in transit within its 
 Jurisdiction.! 
 
 1 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 ii' I i 
 
 New York 20"' November 1804 
 
 Sir. 
 
 By this day's post I have received your No 37, covering a 
 draft made by G. Simpson Cashier of the Bank of the United 
 States on the Cashier of the office of discount and deposit in 
 this City in your favor for seven hundred and fifty thousand 
 dollars and by you indorsed to me, also a form of the receipt 
 I am to take in triplicate on delivering tlxe above amount in 
 gold to Captain Hotham Commander of His Majesty's Ship 
 Revolutionnaire — 
 
 I have had a confidential communication with the Cashier 
 of the office of discount & deposit in this City, who purposes 
 if it meets your approbation to pay the whole in British and 
 Portugal Gold, but by far the greater proportion in British — 
 There is very little French Gold in the Bank here. — 
 
 1 Captain Beresf ord did not go to Beresf ord and bis Madeira then 
 
 Halifax, but remained in New-York joined her and proceeded at once 
 
 until about December 23, when the to the West Indies. 
 Cambrian arrived here. Captain 
 
 > r 
 
h 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1800 
 
 209 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 0'" Dee/ 1804. 
 
 8lR. 
 
 The Spanish and French coins, as I have before noticed are 
 in very good order, having snflfered little or no niutiUition, the 
 proportion of French is very trifling. — The British Gold is 
 also tolerabl}' good, the one half at least standard weight, bnt 
 the Portugal Gold is abominably clipped, sweated, and muti- 
 lated, and at least one fourth i)art of it consists of half Johan- 
 nes made from Spanish Gold, for the West India market or 
 plugged half Johanno . — These are returned and other good 
 gold given in their place. — The selection of these is difficult 
 and occupies much time. I however hope the whole will be 
 examined and packed by Tuesday or Wednesday next. — M'' 
 Burrell is very polite and accommodating. 
 
 I have by two conveyances notified Vice Admiral Sir An- 
 drew Mitchell of the arrival of the Poursuivante (now called 
 the President) in the Chesepeak — and shall by the next op- 
 portunity acquaint him with Captain Ilothams situation. — 
 Captain Beresford who is still here, has requested the Admiral 
 to send the Cambrian to this place for him, and also notified 
 him of the Poursuivante : he tells me he expects her here in 
 the course of a few days. 
 
 I 
 
 Ship 
 
 Isli and 
 
 ira then 
 at once 
 
 TO MRS. MARGARET DE LANCEY. 
 
 New York 31 Jan' 1805. 
 Dear Madam. 
 
 The inclosed letter I received yesterday from the Attorney 
 employed to collect the Debts due the late General Hamilton, 
 who I retained as your Counsel against this State. — This charge 
 stands in the Generals books in addition to the hundred dol- 
 lars originally paid him by me ; and of course ought to be paid. 
 I have therefore discharged it, and will thank you to pay my 
 draft in favor of Messrs. Brook Watson & Co : for that amount 
 on you. 
 
 14 
 

 210 
 
 CORRESPONnRNCn OF THOMAS nARriiAY 
 
 Mrs. liuivlay, myself aud family, iiro in exti'omo distross by 
 the death of my lovely and most amiable daughter Mrs. Stuy- 
 vesant who died on the 14 of this month — She had not yet at- 
 tained her twentieth year. — I do not say too much when 1 add 
 that sh(> was in mind and appearance one of the fu'st of Wo- 
 men, and in duty and affcetion the l)est of Children. — You 
 my dear Madam can and I am sure will feel for us. 
 
 TO JAMES FAIKLIE, DEPUTY MAYOK. 
 
 New Y(n-k 7 March 1805. 
 Si n. 
 
 I have received your letter of this day, on the subject of 
 James Smith, Richard Jenkins, James Stokcly, James Bailey, 
 James Woodworth and many other Citizens of the United 
 States of America composing the crew of the American Ship 
 Manhattan bound from Batavia to this I'ort having been im- 
 pressed in February last at Sea by the Commander of His 
 Britannic Majestys Sloop of War Busy, and that they are un- 
 lawfully detained on board the said Sloop now in this Har- 
 bour ; and that these facts have been verified to you under 
 oath.i 
 
 Permit mo to assure you that it is not oidy contrary to the 
 orders of the Lords of the Admiralty to impress, but to the 
 wishes of the Commanders of His Majestys Ships of War to 
 detain an American Seaman. But it is a fact too notorious 
 to have escaped your knowledge, tliat many of His Majestys 
 Subjects are furnished with American Protection, to which 
 they have no right or title — 
 
 1 Tho Manhattiin belonged to Fred- 
 erick and Philip KhineUuider, and 
 was chartorod by Minturn & Champ- 
 liu for a voyage to Batavia and back. 
 On her return, with a cargo of sugar, 
 coffee, indigo, and spices, she was 
 captured by H. M. brig Busy, on tho 
 
 alleged ground that she carried a 
 Dutch passenger from the Cape of 
 Good Hope. She was sent in to 
 Bermuda, but ordered to be restored 
 by tho Vice-Admiralty Court. See 
 Amer. State Papers, For. Rel., Vol. 
 II, p. 765. 
 
CONS UL-( J KN F, R AT,, 1 H()4- 1 S( )(i 
 
 211 
 
 ss by 
 St,\iy- 
 M iit- 
 1 add 
 f Wo- 
 -Yoti 
 
 1805. 
 
 )jcet of 
 Bailey, 
 United 
 an Sliip 
 •een ini- 
 of His 
 are nn- 
 lis Ilav- 
 ii under 
 
 to tlic 
 
 to the 
 
 iWar to 
 
 )torious 
 
 [ajestys 
 
 wliicli 
 
 larn 
 
 ed a 
 
 Capo of 
 
 |>nt in to 
 
 restored 
 
 iel., Vol. 
 
 Capt Binni of flu^ liritish Slo()[» of War now in tills Port 
 lias on board, I boliuve, tliirtt'un men of tlie CrtiW whicdi sailed 
 in the Manliattnn from Hatavia, and which lie took out of 
 that S]ii[> when lie sent her to the Vice Court of Admiralty at 
 Bermuda for adjudication. Tliere can be no (question at pre.s- 
 ent as to thes(( men, because tlie owners, or rather the (len- 
 tlemen who chartered \\n) Ship Mess" ^Minturn and Champlin 
 have reipu'sted ('apt Biam to take these men witli him to Ber- 
 muda, in order that they may navijjate the Maidiattan from 
 thence to this Port in the event of her bein}? released bv the 
 Vice ('Ourt of Admiralty, which in their and my opinion is 
 probable, allhouj^'h a part of the (^argo may l)e condemned — 
 These men are bound to perform the Voyage, and Captain 
 Biani is eipially bound to see them forth conung if the ship is 
 restored — under these circumstances j'ou will I trust be of 
 opinion that they cannot be discharged here — Still Sir to in- 
 sure the. readiness of Captain Biam to comply with your re- 
 ([uest — lie is willing in the event of a regular release to him 
 from the owners of the Manhattan, the Underwi-iters and the 
 freighters of that shij), to discharge forthwith such of the men 
 as are bona fide Americans. 
 
 TO JIR. HAMMOND. 
 
 New York 13"' March 1805. 
 Sir. 
 
 By this days southern mail I have received information that 
 Jerome Bonaparte his Lady & a female companion of hers, 
 with several Servants, will or rather have embarked on board 
 the Ship Erin Cap* Stephenson ladeued with flour, & was to 
 sail about the 10"' Ins* from Baltimore probably for Lisbon.^ 
 The Erin sails very fast, & was lately employed by the Span- 
 
 1 The Erin sailed from Baltimore dam ; but not being permitted to 
 
 on Mareh 11, and arrived at Lisbon land, went to London, where her 
 
 safely on Aprils. Jerome Bonaparte child was born .hily 7. She returned 
 
 there parted from his wife, who with the child to the United States 
 
 sailed in the Erin again to Amster- in the autumn of this year. 
 
 (tl 
 
 \ 
 
 
212 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 / 
 
 ish minister at Lisbon to carry dispatches to Cuba & Porto 
 Kico, from whence she came to Baltimore & has been linstily 
 prepared to carry Bonaparte & liis family — 
 
 I have thoiif^ht proper to give you this information in the 
 Event of its being thought necu'ssary by His Majesty's Miuis- 
 t»u* to have an attempt made to intercept him — Will you do 
 me the honor to lay the above before Lord Mulgrave?^ 
 
 TO VIC i-ADMIRAL SIR JOHN ORDE." 
 
 BRITISH CONSUL GENERALS OFFICE 
 
 New York IT March 1805. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 I have this day received information, that Jurome Bona- 
 parte, Brother to the Emperor, his Lady, a female companion 
 and his domestics, were on the 10"' Instant to embark on 
 board the Ship Erin, Stephenson Master, at Baltimore for Lis- 
 bon ; but possibly for some other European Port. 
 
 It is not long since that the Erin was chartered by the Span- 
 ish Minister at Lisbon to carry out dispatches to the Havan- 
 nah and Porto Rico, having delivered them, she came to Bal- 
 timore, where she has taken a cargo, or part cargo of flour, 
 and has been hurried to sail with all speed with Bonaparte. 
 
 She is a fine small Ship, sails very fast, bright sides, white 
 bottom, black Wales, yellow (Inn wale, dead eyes yellow, no 
 bull work a midship, aw' a figure liead.^ 
 
 I have thought it proper to give you this information, that 
 you may have it in your power to intercept them. — 
 
 1 Lord Mulgi-ave had succeeded 
 Lord Harrowby as Foreign Secre- 
 tary Tipon Addiiigton's joining Pitt's 
 Ministry, January 11, 1805. 
 
 2 Commanding the British Squad- 
 ron blockading Cadiz. 
 
 •* The Erin was captured a year 
 
 or so later by H. M. S. Leopard, and 
 Basil Hall put aboard of her as prize- 
 master. " I certainly never saw a 
 more perfect model of a merchant 
 vessel ," he wrote, "or one more com- 
 modiously fitted up." Fragments of 
 Voyages and Travels, Chap. xvii. 
 
[istily 
 
 ill tho 
 Minis- 
 oil do 
 
 iTICE 
 1805. 
 
 > Bona- 
 iipanion 
 jark on 
 for liis- 
 
 |ie Span- 
 Ilavau- 
 to Bal- 
 .f flour, 
 [parte. 
 |S, wliite 
 lllow, no 
 
 Ion, that 
 
 [pard, and 
 V as prizo- 
 Ver saw a 
 |mercbant 
 aore com- 
 ^ments of 
 xvii. 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 CON.SUL-OENERAL, 1804-180(5 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 213 
 
 NewYorkl8"'M)irch 1805 
 
 Tho Colloctorof the Customs iufornu'd moon Saturday that 
 lie liad not olTiinally received n eopy of tho "A(;t for tlio more 
 " effoctua' ,)reservati()n of Peace in the I'orts and Harbours of 
 " tlie Univ d States and in tlio Waters under tlieir Jurisdic;- 
 "tion": nor any rules, instructions, orders, or directions for 
 th(f carrying? the objects of tliis act into effect from the Pre^i- 
 dent of the United States, or otherwise.^ lie has assured mo 
 tliat on receiviufif any communication on t.as Subject he will 
 give me the earliest notice, and permit me to peruse them, un- 
 less they are of a nature not to be divulj^ed — 
 
 I shall take occasion from time to time to enquire of him 
 whether he has received any instructions, and j?ive you the 
 earliest notice of their extent — 
 
 There will bo no conveyance from hence to Bermuda in less 
 than eif^fhtecn or twenty days ; so that it is more than probable 
 mat Vi(!e Admiral Sir Andrew Mitclicll with his whole Squad- 
 ron will have left tliat place for the Season, b'.^fcre your letter 
 for him arrives — You will have time to give me further direc- 
 tions with respect to it. In the interval, I shall by every ves- 
 sel j^oing to tho West Indies, write a line addressed to the Ad- 
 miral or an)' of the Commanders of His Majestys Ships of 
 War and desire them not to come within Sandy Hook, until 
 they lirst communicate with mo. There can be little doubt, 
 
 1 This act was approved March 3, 
 1805. A brief suininary of its pro- 
 visions will bo found in Adams's 
 Hist, of tho U. S., Vol. II, p. 397. 
 AmoHR other things, tho act author- 
 ized the arrest of offenders against 
 Amoricau laws when found on board 
 foreign armed vessels, and re<iuired 
 such vessels to report to tho Col- 
 lector of tho port and obey hii' di- 
 rections ; and tho President was re- 
 quired to give, " as doon as may be," 
 instructions to all Collectors, U. S. 
 u* 
 
 Marshals, and other officers, as to 
 their duties under this act. Mr. 
 Merry's " inquietude " with regard 
 to the clause of tho act permitting 
 the arrest of foreign officers for "any 
 tort or trespass'' on an American 
 vessel on the high seas, or " any un- 
 lawful interruption or vexation of 
 trading vessels," is described in Mr. 
 JIadison's instructions to Mr. Mon- 
 roe of March G, 1805. Amor. State 
 Papers, For. Kel., Vol. Ill, p. 100. 
 
 ji 
 
n»"- 
 
 By ' I 
 
 ll: 
 
 J 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 u 
 
 1 
 
 ll 
 
 
 214 
 
 CORRESrONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 but oiu> of my k'tters will bo received in the course of teu days 
 or a fortnight — 
 
 I :-■ 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIIIAL SIR ANDREW RTITCIIELL. 
 
 New York, 125 March 1805 
 Sir, 
 
 I take it for granted Mr. Merry has mentioned to you the 
 very extraordinary act passed at the last session of Congress, 
 with his opinion on it — You will perceive from the general 
 tenor of this act, particularly the 4, 5, (!, 7 and last Sections, 
 that it will bo hazardiug too much to permit Ilis Majestys 
 Ships of War to enter any of the American Ports until an ex- 
 planation has taken place between the two Governinents — By 
 several conveyances to the West Indies I have addressed let- 
 ters to you or any of the Commanders of His iNlajestys Ships 
 of War advising them of this act, and recommending the lay- 
 ing off and on an American Port until you or they communi- 
 cated with Ilis Majestys Minister at Washington, or the resi- 
 dent British Consul, where the Ship may arrive — I have 
 1 aken the liberty to inclose you the act, as I have reason to be- 
 lieve it is not in either of Mr. INIerry's letters. 
 
 I also inclose you this day's paper by which you will learn 
 the ii.npleasant account of the arrival of a French Squadron in 
 the West Indios.^ 
 
 TO JOHN MiKENZIE. 
 
 New York 2' April 1805 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 You will naturally be surprized at my Silence, which has 
 even exceeded the limit I wished, but the situation of my 
 mind for some months past has prevented my writing except 
 in cases of emergency ; and as your cause before the Chancel- 
 
 1 This was Missiossy's S(iiiadroii, whicli roachetl Martiniquo February '20. 
 
 •' h 
 
., 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1 SOG 
 
 215 
 
 \\ IS05 
 
 dc'h has 
 
 of my 
 
 ^ except 
 
 ]hanccl- 
 
 Iruary -0. 
 
 lor was not docidod until Thursday last I doforrod writinj]: 
 havinjj; nothiuj; satisfactory to coniniunicatc.^ 
 
 Tho chancellor has not without diflicnlty at last decreed 
 the lands to nie in trust to be sold for your henelit. I 
 shall oflfer them immediatelv for sale, but liands are so 
 low and money scarce that I fear they cannot be disposed 
 t)f to advantajfe. 
 
 Mrs. Barclay, myself and family are under the deepest 
 alHiction for Ihe loss of my lovely and most amiable daufj^hter 
 Mrs. 8tu3'vesant who died in January, and before she had at- 
 tained her twentieth year. — Her death was occasioned by a 
 premature delivery of her first child, still born. She died four 
 days after, but suffered inexpressible pain — To lose such a 
 child, with such ilatterinj;; ju'ospects, and in such a manner is 
 :nore than human nature can support — Within the short pe- 
 liod of IS months, two most beloved children have (wpired in 
 my arms. — Parents never were blessed with more dutiful, 
 correct and every way promising children — You who ai'c a 
 father can and as a friend I am sure will feel for me — God 
 grant you may never taste of that (!up of which so large a 
 portion has been mine. 
 
 When you go up to London, I wish you would take occasion 
 to say to some of the printupal underwriters at Lloyds, that 
 they are shamefully defrauded in this C'ity, under tlu^ exinise 
 of an averaged loss upon danuiged goods — That n<»tliing is 
 more easy than t*> procure the Port Wardens to mark the 
 goods as damaged — It is the daily practise when nu'rchandi/e 
 arrives to a Li«J market, or the importer is in want of (!ash — 
 the veiy importer often buys them in at 50 per Cent under 
 first costs — If one bale is injured ten others not injun^d are 
 
 Every merchant of respectabil- 
 
 ,S()ld under the averaged loss 
 
 1 Mr. McKonzio was a merchant 
 in En^Jtlninl wlio had a claim against 
 Ihcostat. if Colonel McClrogor. Mc- 
 Konzio authorized John Munro, of 
 Now- York, to collect or settle the 
 debt, which ho did by taking a con- 
 voyauco of certain lands from Mc- 
 
 tirogor's tmsteea ; but Munro dying 
 soon after, iTitestato, the title to the 
 lands vested in his hoirs, and the 
 suit in (iuestiou was brought to have 
 a trust declared in respect to tho 
 properly and to have a now trustee 
 appointed. 
 
 ^1 
 
ffTT^ 
 
 1^" ! 
 
 216 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ity in this City speaks of the impositions practised on the 
 British underwriters — The Evil will eontinne while there is 
 no person authorized to counteract the conduct of the Port 
 Wardens, and to act as the agent for the underwriters. You 
 will perceive that it is the interest of the Port Wardens to 
 condemn goods whenever they can, because they receive two 
 per Cent on the sales, which constitutes the principal profits 
 of their office. 
 
 Do me the favor to communicate this to the Gentlemen at 
 Lloyds and to Mr. John Gladstone and the other merchants 
 at Liverpool. 
 
 
 III 
 
 ) 
 
 
 TO CAPTAIN CHAUNCEY/ 
 
 New York 2"" April 1805 
 Sir, 
 
 Samuel Balfour master of the British Brig Culmar and Pe- 
 ter Brown master of the British Ship Cecilia have represented 
 to me that an apprenti(;e Boy of Capt. Balfour named John 
 Garnly, and an articled Boy of Capt. Brown, named John 
 Hamilton both British Subjects have entered and noAV are on 
 board the United States Ship of War John Adams in this Port 
 and under your command — That they have applied for the 
 re-delivery of their Boys and are told by Lieut. Maxwell that 
 they would not be restored until all expenses were paid. — It 
 is unnecessary for me to make a remark on the impropriety of 
 such an answer. — That the American Government have a 
 right to receive on board their ships British Seamen who de-. 
 sert from British Ships, is a position that can never be main- 
 tained; and it follows, that on discovery they ought to be 
 restored — Permit me therefore to request you will be pleased 
 to direct that tlie Boys above mentioned may be delivered to 
 
 1 K^aac Chauncey, at this time before Tripoli, aud was to attain 
 commtiuding the sloop John Adams, wider distinction in the War of 1812 
 had already distinguished himself by his services on Lake Ontario. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-L806 
 
 217 
 
 their respective masters, without any charge, as that ' ule can- 
 not be admitted : nor is it ever practised in the British Navy — 
 I am under the necessity to acquaint you further tliat four 
 Boys have deserted from His Majesty's Packet Queen Char- 
 lotte now in this Port and ready to sail to-morrow, and that 
 they have been entered on board your Ship. Be pleased to 
 inform me whether you will deliver them to the captain or 
 nuister of tne Packet if they wait on you for that purpose. 
 They are assuredly on board your ship, the fact has been 
 proved to me — 
 
 TO CAPTAIN CHAUNCEY. 
 
 \ |) 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 4"* April 1805. 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
 of yesterday and beg your acceptance of my best acknowledge- 
 ments for your ready compliance with my request — 
 
 I should certainly have made my first application to yoii re- 
 specting the British Seamen, had not Captain Balfour of the 
 (fulmar and Capt. Brown of the Cecilia told me that the offi- 
 cer commanding on board the United States Ship John Adams 
 had referred them to Lieut. Maxwell the regulating officer at 
 the Rendezvous here of tliat Ship, and that Lieut. Maxwell 
 had told tliem, the men would not be given up until the ad- 
 vance money and all other expenses were paid. On this in- 
 formation I thought it uimecessary to apply to you, under a 
 supposition that you were under such orders from the Ameri- 
 can Secretary of the Navy — The speedy departure of His 
 Majesty's Packet rendered it necessary for me to apply to the 
 Mayor as well as yourself, because in the event of their not 
 being restored, I should have been obliged to have taken affi- 
 davits of the Facts — I took it for granted that the Mayor had 
 no control over you or in Naval matters, yet it appeared prob- 
 able to me that his recommendation would add weight to my 
 application. 
 
f 
 
 ii 
 
 mi'il 
 
 \t 
 
 ;■ 
 
 jli 
 
 , 
 
 If 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 218 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Yoiir experience in every instance where yon have met witL 
 Officers of His Britannic Majesty's Navy, renders it nnneces- 
 sary for me to say with what ploasnro they render the Ameri- 
 can Naval Officers every aid in their power and I am gratified 
 by tlie very liandsome and polite manner in whicli yon have 
 been pleased to express similar sentiments toward them, and 
 your readiness to support a continuance of the present good 
 Understanding which subsists between our respective G overn- 
 ments. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York, IC" April 1805. 
 
 {Private.) 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I am much obliged by your private letter of the 13"' of this 
 Month, and for your general justification of my proceedings 
 respecting the Crew of the Manhattan, and my Correspon- 
 dence with the Deputy Mayor of this City on the Subject, to 
 which it appears the American Secretary of State has thought 
 proper to except, and to transmit you a formal Complaint. — 
 Wherever His Majesty's Interest, and that of the Nation are 
 involved, I shall always consider it my duty to speak the 
 truth, however unpleasant it may be to those who hear or feel 
 it ; an opposite line of Conduct Avill gain little in this Coun- 
 try, where politeness is too generally supposed to originate in 
 timidity, & accommodation in Servility. The French know 
 better how to treat the Americans. 
 
 You will be pleased to observe that, that point of my letter 
 which appears to have given the greatest offence and of which 
 you have given mo an extract, was in reply to the demand of 
 the Deputy Mayor, that every Seaman on board His Majesty's 
 Sloop Busy from the Manhattan possessed of a Certificate of 
 American Citizenship should immediately be set at liberty: 
 upon this principle, that these Certificates were evidence of 
 their being American Citizens, until the Contrary was proved. 
 It became necessary to resist tliis position, & in my opinion, 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1806 
 
 219 
 
 not improper in my reply, to state the above abuses in the 
 granting of those Certificates. The Doctrine set up by the 
 Deputy Mayor wonkl be productive of serious consequences 
 to His Majesty's Service, & Oifectually preclude the Comman- 
 ders of Ships of War from recovering a British Seaman pos- 
 sessed of one of these Certificates. It is a claim admirably 
 adapted to the carrying into effect the act for the better pres- 
 ervation of Peace in the Ports of the United States and the 
 Waters within their Jurisdiction. — Let the Scotch accent or 
 Irish Brogue, be ever so strong it is to have no weight, where 
 opposed to a Certificate of Citizenship. Passing over in silence 
 the innumerable instances where British Subjects within a 
 month after their arrival in these States obtain Certificates, 
 permit me to remind you, that by a Law of these States, a 
 residence of five years entitles a man to a Certificate of Citi- 
 zenship. The United States have a right to enact wh.it laws 
 they please, but it rests with His Majesty whether he will 
 suffer them to operate in violation of his rights. If Congress 
 have a right to say five years residence shall create a foreigner 
 a Citizen, in such an absolute manner as not to be reclaimed 
 by the power to which he originally belonged — They may 
 with the same propriety enact the moment a foreigner sets 
 foot in these States, he becomes ipso facto, an American Citi- 
 zen & to be protected as such — The Documents which I have 
 already furnished you prove the indiscriminate use of those 
 Certificates, and I might appeal to the Commander of the 
 American Ships of War whether the major part of their crews 
 have not been natives of Great Britain or Ireland. The fact 
 is notoilous, and the truth of my remark was the only cause 
 of offence. Perhaps my objection was too broad, I wish it 
 had been more qualified, but will M' Madison venture to say 
 that there have not been great and innumerable abuses in 
 granting of these Certificates — If this is the Case, really he 
 should not have found fault with an assertion which possibly 
 may have applied too extensive limits, to what is exceeded as 
 extension. I shall studiously avoid in all my communications 
 with the officers of the American Gov(>i*nmenb using expres- 
 sions which may in the most remote manner give pain or of- 
 
 l(! I 
 
 i 
 
 I, 
 
 I 
 
' p * i .a p 
 
 220 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 fence unless indispensable in asserting the Rights of my Sov- 
 ereign. I have the Collector's assurances that he has not yet 
 received any order for carrying the Act for the better preser- 
 vation of Peace &c &c into effect — 
 
 1 
 
 '\ 
 
 1 
 
 
 ( 
 
 ji 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 3" May 1805. 
 SliJ. 
 
 I understand M' Le Blanc who commanded an armed tender 
 attached to the Cambrian has left the position off Sandy Hook 
 and returned to Halifax ; in which event he will have been 
 with you some time before this is received ; and have informed 
 you of the desertion of his sailing Master and eight Seamen 
 with the Cutter, — Every exertion in my power has been made 
 to regain the men, but no traces could be found of any of 
 them, save the sailing Master and a man dressed in a black 
 coat, white trousers and vest, about twenty-five years old, dark 
 hair and about 5 feet 10 Inches, — They wei'e discovered by a 
 man who I had employed, but before I could get a peace offi- 
 cer to the house, they were off and have not been since seen. 
 From the best legal advice I am however told that nothing 
 could have been done with these men, because the taking of 
 the Boat would not be adjudged a felony, as they left her on 
 a beach, but merely as a means of their escape — That it has 
 been so adjudged in the case of men who affected their escape 
 from an American Ship in the same way. 
 
 I forwarded to you at Bermuda the act of Congress for the 
 better preservation of peace in the harbours and ports of the 
 United States and the Waters thereof — and I have since for- 
 warded several letters from M'' Merry to you which I suppose 
 to be on the same subject — No instructions have yet been re- 
 ceived by the Collector of the Customs of this Port, as he as- 
 sures me, fi'ora the President for carrying this law into eft'ect 
 — And it is not only my opinion but that of many of the best 
 informed Gentlemen of this place, that the President will not 
 
n^ 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 221 
 
 send any instructions, or if he does they will be so guardedly 
 expressed, as to give no power to the Collectors until each par- 
 ticular case is reported — If necessary I am therefore of opin- 
 ion you may with safety send any of yoiir ships here, I would 
 however recommend their not coning nearer town than Staten 
 Island — 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York 4 May 1805. 
 Sir. 
 
 I have the Honor to inform you that several Vessels which 
 have arrived within these States from the "West Indies, report 
 that they saw the french Squadron lately in the West Indies 
 on the 4"', 5"' and S"" of last Month steering to the Northward, 
 on the last day they were in N. L. 24 : 14 — L. GG. 
 
 There is reason to suppose that they are bound for New- 
 foundland and possibly for Halifax.^ 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 |r the 
 the 
 for- 
 )pose 
 in re- 
 lic as- 
 iffect 
 best 
 11 not 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 14*- May 1805. 
 
 I have the Honor to inform you that a french Privateer 
 Schooner of twelve Guns arrived here on the Evening of the 
 12"* and came to an anchor between this and Staten Island ; 
 but yesterday, Mail was closed, before I could learn her desti- 
 nation or object. — She belongs to Victor Hughes ^ the Gover- 
 nor of Cayenne and having sprung a leak has put in to this 
 place for repair, and I understand the Governor has granted 
 permission — I shall observe the nature of the repairs, and re- 
 
 1 Missiessy, with the Rochefort Squadron, sailed from the West Indies 
 about the first of April, and reached Rochefort again on May 2G. 
 
 - Hugues. 
 
1^1 \vmm 
 
 222 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 })()rt them to you, if they iippear more than necessary to carry 
 her back in safety to Cayenne — 
 
 I have received information tliis morning from a confidential 
 person who spoke a Spanisli Privateer of 14 (Jnns on Sunday 
 a little to the Southward of this port, the ('aptain of which 
 said he should cruise some time between this and the Chese- 
 peak — I shall give Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell the 
 earliest information. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL Sill A. MITCHELL. 
 
 Sir 
 
 New York IG'" May 1805 
 
 Since my letter to you of the 14"' Current, I have received 
 information from the Master of an American Vessel, that he 
 was boarded aboiit 50 Leagues to the Southward of Savannah 
 in Georgia by a frencli Privateer named the Orand Visiteur of 
 22 Guns and 150 Men, destined to cruise off Georgia — You 
 will perceive by the newspaper inclosed that there is also 
 another french Privateer off this Port — I take it for granted 
 they have heard of your having gone with the Squadron to 
 Nova Scotia, and have come on the American Coast to reap 
 while yoiir Ships are in port — The President has not sent any 
 instructions to the Collector of the Customs for carrying into 
 effect the Law for the better preservation of Peace in the 
 Ports of the United States and the waters under their Juris- 
 diction : your ships may therefore for the present come with 
 safety within Sandy Hook — It may however not be ainiss to 
 give particular orders to the Commanders, not to let the yawl 
 from the Pilot boat come along side, but send their own boat 
 to take him out, and when on board ship, that he is not per- 
 mitted to speak to any of the Men — These Pilots invariably 
 bring letters from on board, and verbal complaints of Men 
 representing themselves to be Americans — as there is always 
 an officer on the Quarter Deck, it cannot in my opinion be 
 difficult to prevent the Pilot conversing with the Seamen — 
 
 )■■ 
 
 1 ^ 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 r 
 
 1 
 i 
 
 r 
 
 s 
 
 1 
 
 
 1' i 
 
 1 
 
1 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1800 
 
 
 TO DE WITT CLINTON. 
 
 iiiR. 
 
 Now York ;]'' July 1805 
 
 I am informed tluit the Froiich Privateer Les Amie has 
 more Guns on hoard than those she arrived with in this Port; 
 lior nnmher of Guns being then eiglit and tliat she has in- 
 creased lier orii^inal complement of men, who were sixty four 
 in number — 
 
 I have theri'fore to request that you will take the proper 
 measures to prevent her leaving this Port with an increase of 
 men or Guns, as it is inconsistent with the Laws of Nations — 
 It is furtlier stated to me, but this is a fact not in my power 
 at present to prove but whicli ought to come within the know- 
 ledge of the Customs, that I'owder has l)een put on board this 
 Privateer in this Port — The Privateer will sail at daybreak 
 to morrow morning, unless detained by you for examination — 
 
 TO MR. I\IE11RY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York July 1805 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose to yon my letter of the 3'' cur- 
 rent to tlie Mayor of this City on the Subject of the French 
 Privateer Les Amie then in this Port, with his answer to me 
 on the subject, whicli appears very positive, particularly when 
 it is considered that his information from his own statement 
 appears to have been drawn from the assiu-ances of the French 
 Commissary and the Agent of the Privateer. It is not for me 
 to enter into a dispute with the Mayor on this subject, because 
 I am not certain that it would be in my power to bring for- 
 ward Witnesses to prove that the Privateer had received ad- 
 ditional Guns while in this Port, or an increase of Powder and 
 Shot ; but I trust you will agree with me that his measures to 
 ascertain the fact, should have been by an examination of the 
 Ship by Custom House or other Civil officers, and not to build 
 
 ^i m 
 
 \i s 
 
 I'fii* 
 
224 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 an answer on the assurances of the French CJomtnissary or 
 Agent of tlio Privateer. — I submit the case to your better 
 judgement aiul hope you will be able to obtain from the Amer- 
 ican Secretaiy of State directions to the Mayor for his taking 
 more satisfactory measures in future on similar occasions. 
 
 TO MR. MERKY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York, 22- July 1805 
 
 'i ii 
 
 On the subject of Mr. Madison's answer to your representa- 
 tion respecting the French Privateer Les Amie repaired in this 
 Port, permit me to remark, that on her arrival here application 
 was made to the Governor to allow her to come up to the City 
 in order to undergo necessary repairs, to which he assented. 
 I have since been informed by the Deputy Collector that on 
 a supposition that she was a Commissioned Vessel the Custom 
 House took no cognizance of her — an application therefore to 
 the Collector would probabl}' have proved unsatisfactory — 
 But while that Privateer was in port, I privately called on the 
 Surveyor of the Customs, and acquainted liim that I had rea- 
 son to believe that vessel would receive a repair beyond what 
 was necessary under the treaty between France and the United 
 States of America and contrary to the Laws of Nations, and 
 that I had received information she would take on board Guns, 
 powder and shot purchased in this City, and requested he 
 would direct his officers to attend to her and report the facts — 
 The Surveyor a few days before the sailing of the Privateer 
 assured me that his officers had not been able to detect any 
 thing which he considered illegal, but he added that as the 
 Privateer lay in the Stream and he could not send an officer 
 on board, that the Warlike articles by me mentioned might at 
 night have been put on board without his knowledge or that 
 of his officers. 
 
^. 
 
 CONSUL-OENERAIi, 1H04-1K06 
 
 
 TO Mil. MEURY. 
 
 Elizabeth town New Jersey. 
 
 12" September 1805. 
 SiK. 
 
 I liavc ill coiiscqncuce of the yellow fevor liaving cxt(Mulc(l 
 itself over every part of New York, been obliged to remove 
 with my family to this place until health is restored to that 
 unfortunate City. 
 
 The symptoms of that fever and its mortality aro stated l)y 
 the faculty to be more violent aiul jjjreater than in preceeding 
 years. — You will for tlie present be pleased to address your 
 letters for me at this place. 
 
 Daring the prevalence of the fever I shall be twice in each 
 week, as near the City as possible to attend to the duties of 
 my office. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 7 Nov' 1805. 
 Sir. 
 
 It appears that Col : Williams of the Engineers some time 
 since received orders to survey, and examine the Port of New 
 York, and report the particular scite most proper for the erect- 
 ing of Fortifications for the defence of that place, the extent 
 and nature of these works, whether Islands miglit not be 
 formed by art peculiarly adapted to defence, and to present 
 an estimate of the aggregate expenee which would atteud the 
 Works he should propose as necessary,^ 
 
 1 See as to Lt.-Col. Williams's Re- 
 port, Amer. State Papers, Mil. Af- 
 fairs, Vol. I, p. 193. Jonathan Wil- 
 liams, "the father of West Point," 
 was born at Boston, May 26, 1750. 
 He was a great-nephew of Benjamin 
 Franklin, and was Franklin's seere- 
 
 15 
 
 tary in Paris, where ho studied the 
 science of fortification. Ho returned 
 to America after the peace, entered 
 the Army, and became the first Su- 
 perintendent of the Military Acad- 
 emy. He died May 16, 1815. 
 
 I 
 
 ir m 
 
f:; 
 
 ■1 
 
 
 I'm I 
 
 , 
 
 m\ 
 
 
 If 
 
 1 
 
 *'' 
 
 ti 
 
 
 226 
 
 COUUESPONDRNrK OP THOMAS HAKLLAV 
 
 lie attondod the cxjiniination and survey for scvoral days 
 about tli(^ 20"' of October, and a i)art of tliis duty was ])oforo 
 that date and since conunitted to tlie Care of a Captain Ma- 
 conil).^ What liis rejtort was I cannot yet ascertain but hopc^ 
 to do it in the course of a week or ten days, but this is certain 
 that while lie was on this duty, lie declared that as it was im- 
 I)ossi])le to form any correct estinuvte, he would not therefore 
 ris(ju(' his reputation in reportin«>; a Sum, that might exceed or 
 fall sliort of the necessary ex})enditures. 
 
 The New York Gazette very incorrectly stated that a Pilot 
 went down on the 5"' to bring His Majesty's Ship Cambrian 
 within the Hook — The Cambrian has not been within, on the 
 sixth having agreed witli Captain Beresford that he would bo 
 within a few miles of Sandy Hook, my son carried down sonu) 
 dollars in a Pilot Boat, and the Ship immediately got under 
 way : and was to sail this day for Halifax, the limitation of the 
 cruize being expired. 
 
 FEOM Mil. BROUGHTON. 
 
 Downinp: Street Jan' 3' 180G. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have just received your letter of the 5"' ult'.' — The Anti 
 Jacobin is stopped — The Gazette shall be commenced Tomor- 
 row. I delivered your letter to Cap' Barclay whom I have re- 
 (piested to give me a few days previous notice should he desire 
 to avail himself of your authority for him to draw upon me 
 for a few Hundred Pounds to compleat the purchase of his 
 Majority 
 
 The AjS from the Continent are so truly disastrous 
 
 an'' .^g that I will only say I consider the Good Cause as 
 
 n^ Hopeless — Bonaparte being absolute Master of the 
 
 Continent.- The Southern Part of wliich he will carve and 
 
 1 Alexander Macomb was at this ing General of tho Army, and died 
 
 time 23 years old. He was rapidly June LT), 1841. 
 
 promoted during the war with Eng- " The battle of Austerlitz was 
 
 land, attained the rank of Major- fought December 2, 1805. 
 General in 1814, became Command- 
 
CONSUL-OENERATi, 1804-1800 
 
 227 
 
 apportion in vvliatevcr inuniuT ho pleases. I lis Plan appears 
 to mo to bo to reestablish The Einpiro of The West in his owu 
 I'erson. 
 
 There is iittlo to look forward to with the smallest compla- 
 oonoy. A protracted War will exhaust our pecuniary resources 
 and !i. speedy I'eaet^ will release the ('orsiean's Sailors now in 
 our Prisons and allord him the means of creating a Navy 
 which may be able to dispute the Dominion of the Seas with 
 that of Great Britain — until whi(!h, I hold all his Vaporing 
 about Invasion as mere empty (Jasconade — Wc never can l)o 
 invaded with any i)rospect of Success on his I'art until his 
 descent is covered by a powerful Fleet. 
 
 Ever dear Sir 
 
 Very truly Yours 
 
 C. R. BuouniiTON. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIIUL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 New York, 1"' Foby 1800. 
 Sir. 
 
 Previous to your leaving Halifax for Bermuda, you must 
 have heard that the Americans had warmly taken up the Doc- 
 trine advanced in a late British Pamphlet entitled war in Dis- 
 guise ; ' and of what they termed a violation of their neutral 
 Rights by recent captures on the Part of His Majesty and 
 condemnations of property on board American Ships. The 
 Merchants of the principal Cities in these States have memo- 
 rialed Congress on this Subject in strong Languages — a Copy 
 of one of these I have the Honor to inclose. Things appear 
 to me to be approximating to an unpleasant Crisis between 
 Great Britain and these States. On Wedues'Tay last a resolu- 
 tion passed the lower house in Congress on the Subject of 
 passing an Act to prohibit the importation of any goods wares 
 merchandizes or any thing the Produce of Great Britain, its 
 
 1 Soe Adams's Hist, of tlio U. S., Vol. HI, pp. SO-f);}. 
 
 .i'» 
 
1 
 
 1 
 
 
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 ! 1 
 
 I,, 
 
 ■. ; 
 
 !' ■ ■ i 
 
 i- i' 
 
 i, ' 
 
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 228 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Dominions &c. — This resolution ^ you will find in one of the 
 news Papers inclosed, and in another news paper the remon- 
 strance of the Am" Minister at London to Lord Mnlgrave on 
 the general subject of violation of neutral rights.- It is 
 doubtful whether Congress will eveutually pass a law to pro- 
 hibit importations from Great Britain and its dependencies, 
 yet as they appear to grow daily more warm, in propoi*tion as 
 they debate on the question, I confess I should not be surprised 
 if so imprudent a i asure was cai-ried. I have thought it my 
 duty to give you this hint, that you may if you judge proper 
 order some of the Ships under your command to touch more 
 frequently here, than you originally intended. 
 
 I do not know what may have passed between you and Lieut 
 General Gardner on the Subject of money now in my hands 
 for the use of His Majestys Forces, and of its conveyance from 
 hence to Halifax ; but under the present appearances I much 
 wish it was from this place ; and could wish if it does not mil- 
 itate with more material parts of His Majestys Service that 
 you would have the Goodness to send for it, as soon as it can 
 be conveniently done. 
 
 TO ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York, 29 ^larcli 1800. 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowledge the receipt of a dispatch 
 from Captain Beresford of His Majestys Ship Cambrian of the 
 22'' of February by His Majestys Sloop Driver, written by your 
 
 1 Tlie resolution referred to is ap- 
 parently that introduced by Mr. 
 Gregg of Pennsylvania on Wed- 
 nesday, January '29, which was not 
 adopted, but was merely referred to 
 a Committee of the Whole on the 
 State of the Union, and ordered to 
 be printed. The resolution was sub- 
 sequently debated from March 5 to 
 March 17, and lost, a more moderate 
 
 resolution, proposed by Mr. Nichol- 
 son of Maryland, being adopted as 
 a substitute. 
 
 '•^Mr. Monroe's letter of Septem- 
 ber 23, 1805, is the one referred to. 
 It was communicated to Congress 
 by the President, together with me- 
 morials from the merchants of New- 
 York, Philadelphia, Newburyport, 
 Charleston, Baltimore, and Norfolk. 
 
 :\'i 
 
— m 
 
 [scptora- 
 rred to. 
 loiigresa 
 lith nie- 
 
 )f New- 
 |irypovt, 
 
 lorfolk. 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 229 
 
 order in reply to my letter of the first of that month. I am 
 sorry to inform you tliat neither the December, January or 
 February Mails have arrived from England ; by arrival from 
 thence, I perceive it stated in the London papers that a Packet 
 sailed from Falmouth on the 28th of January for New York. 
 The Winds have since prevailed from the North Eastward, 
 and as the Packets generally take a southern course during 
 the Winter, the length of her passage is easily accounted for, 
 while we have had numbers of Merchants Ships from England 
 and France within the last ten days, in about thirty days pas- 
 sage — The Purser of the Driver came up about 8 oClock last 
 Evening, and returned to the Hook this morning, it being 
 Captain Simpsons intention as the Purser informs me to leave 
 Sandy Kook this day on his return to Bermuda. — I think the 
 packet must be in within 40 hours from this and I shall request 
 the Purser to communicate my opinion to Captain Simpson, 
 that he may wait that period if his orders will permit. — 
 
 The news papers herewith sent detail the proceedings in 
 Congress since my last. You will perceive that a resolution 
 has passed the House of Representatives to prohibit the impor- 
 tation of certain articles from Great Britain ^ and a Bill ordered 
 to be brought in for that purpose. Many of the best informed 
 Americans think that the bill will not pass the Senate ; I confess, 
 however I am of a different opinion. This Bill altho' not so 
 extensive as M' Griggs original motion, cannot but be consid- 
 ered OS a very unnecessarily strong measure. — M' Randolphs 
 loose desultory speech,- will throw some light on the General 
 Subject, it is in one of the News papers. — As most of the 
 Ships that were detained in England last Autumn and early in 
 the Winter, have since been returned and permitted to proceed 
 on their respective Voyages ; the American violence against 
 Great Britain has in some measure subsided. 
 
 1 Nicholson's resolution, adopted 
 March 17, 180G, which, aniondod, 
 passed the Senate April Ifi, 180(5. 
 
 '•J Speech of March 5, 180G. It was 
 with this speech, says Mr. Henry 
 Adams, that Fandolph "began his 
 15* 
 
 long public career of opposition.'' 
 Adams's Randolph, pp. 173-181. 
 The speech was reprinted as a pam- 
 phlet in London, with an introduc- 
 tion by James Stephen, tlie author 
 of War in Disguise. 
 
 
 ■ , I 
 
 
 1 
 fa 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 i 
 
230 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO Ull. MEllKY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York Si'" April 180G 
 
 The Purser of His Majestys Ship Lecauder has this day deliv- 
 ered iiic a letter from Captain Henry Whitby the Commander 
 informing me of his arrival off Sandy Hook, that he was on his 
 way from Bermuda to Halifax, and would proceed the moment 
 the Purser returned with provisions — That he had made New 
 York by order of the Commander in Chief for such dispatches 
 as might be here for him. Captain Whitby will probably sail 
 for Halifax on Sunday .^ 
 
 TO MR. MEIUIY. 
 
 :| II 
 
 H 
 
 t- ' 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York, 20'" April 180G. 
 
 I received last Evening a letter from Captain Nairne Com- 
 mander of His Majesty's Ship Cambrian acquainting me of 
 his arrival off Sandy Hook on his way to the Southward and 
 of the Driver Sloop of War being in company with him. — It 
 appears that the Cambrian went from Bermuda to Halifax, 
 landed Captain Beresford the Senior Officer on that Station, 
 refitted and sailed immediately on a cruise. 
 
 I am under the painful necessity to inform you that ac- 
 counts have been received here last Evening, that the Leander 
 in firing on an American Coaster coming into the Plook, killed 
 the man at the Helm. — It is an accident much to be regretted 
 and will occasion much ill will on the part of the Americans. 
 I shall take occasion this day to recommend more caution to 
 Captain Whitby the Commander of the Leander, and intreat 
 that he and the two other ships of war, will not approach so 
 near the American Coasts, or at least v/lien in such a situation 
 that they abstain from all acts which may give offence — The 
 
 1 April 27. 
 
 i 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1 804-1 80G 
 
 231 
 
 Leander will proceed for Halifax the first fair Wind — The 
 Cambrian on a cruize to the Southward — I am ignorant of 
 the destination of the Driver. 
 
 TO CAPTAIN WHITBY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York, 2G'" April 1800. 
 
 M' Gullet delivered your letter dated off Sandy Hook, which 
 was written as he tells me on the 23'' ins'. 
 
 Three Mails from Falmou^ ' ind several other dispatches for 
 the Naval Commander in chief at Halifax were forwarded 
 some days since by the Princess Mary Packet to Halifax. I 
 have not at present any dispa,telies — 
 
 It was my intention to have requested you to have carried 
 some money for the use of his Majesty's Forces in Nova Sco- 
 tia; but the accident which occurred to you last Evening in 
 Killing by a Shot from the Leander, a man at the helm of a 
 sloop coming into the Hook, has so irritated the minds of the 
 people of this place, that I fear they will destroy the boat with 
 provisions on board ; and should she leave this in safety pur- 
 sue and plunder her. In addition to this as the wind is from 
 the Eastward attended with Rain and thick weather, you will 
 Keep off shore, and consequently the Boat be obliged tc vvait 
 within the Hook until it clears up — Under these Circimi- 
 stances I think it would be imprudent to risque the money — 
 
 Your own good Sense will naturally point out to you that 
 the death of this man (which I am sure on your part was un- 
 intentional) will occasion serious compl" on the part of the 
 American Government. The sooner therefore that you leave 
 the Coast the better; and I think it advisable that the Cam- 
 brian and Driver also withdraw. 
 
 I shall not feel easy until I learn that M"^ Lawrence and 
 Gullet are safe on board Ship — They will leave this privately 
 — Be pleased to present my best regards to Captain Beresford. 
 
'f ! 
 
 
 ;[i 
 
 fi 
 
 H 
 
 I iiij 
 
 if 
 
 232 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THO:\rAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO MK. MERHY. 
 
 New York 27"" April 1800. 
 Sir. 
 
 You have been informed by my letter of the 20"' Instant 
 that His Majestys Ships Leander Cambrian and Driver were 
 off tliis Port, and that on the Evening of the 25"' Instant a 
 man behjnging to a Sloop from the Delawar*-, to this place had 
 been killed by a shot from the Leander — I was made ac- 
 quainted with this accident early in the morning of the 20"' 
 through the medium of the News Papers, and was convinced 
 it would create much violence in this City. — A Boat which 
 the Purser of the Leander had laden with Beef, Live Stock 
 and other Refreshments and necessaries for the officers and 
 men of that Ship, was therefore hiuTied from the Wharf, in the 
 hope that she might get to the Leander before the public mind 
 became so agitated as to prevent it. Her departure liowever 
 was discovered and two fast sailing Boats v/ere despatched to 
 over take and bring her back. In this they succeeded and re- 
 turned with her in Triumph about 3 oClock in the afternoon 
 of that day. A mob was collected and the Articles placed on 
 about twenty Carts, on the first of which I am informed the 
 British colours were placed on a Pole round and imder the 
 American Flag. With Drums beating they paraded the City 
 with the articles destined for the Leander and eventually de- 
 posited them in the Alms House for the use of the Poor. The 
 Mob then proceeded some little distance towards S* Pauls 
 Church where they burnt the British Colours and after passing 
 down BroadAvay to White Hall peaceably dispersed. — It was 
 frequently urged by several of them both on the wliarff, when 
 they were loading the Carts and while pai-ading the Streets, to 
 go and ransack the British Consuls House — Others cried out, 
 level it with the Ground, while the less violent- proposed tak- 
 ing and detaining me a Prisoner until Captain Whitby was 
 given up to be tried for the murder of this man. Through the 
 prudence of some respectable Characters the mob were diverted 
 from assailing my house or insulting my person. — This unfor- 
 tunate accident has created much ill blood in this City. The 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 233 
 
 Body of the deceased has been exposed to public View, in 
 order to inflame the minds of the Vulgar and to render the ac- 
 cident subservient to party views at the ensuing election which 
 commences Tomorrow — The inclosed hand bill will give you 
 an Idea of the violence which subsists here. 
 
 Under a conviction that that Commander of His Majestys 
 Ship Leander is at this moment ignorant of the Circumstances, 
 I have written to the Mayor for permission to go or send to him, 
 that he may be made acquainted therewith. I have also re- 
 quested his permission for the four officers of that Ship, who 
 I understand are concealed in or near this City, to go and join 
 her. A copy of my letter to the Mayor I have the Honor to 
 inclose — 
 
 de- 
 The 
 auls 
 5sing 
 was 
 when 
 3, to 
 out, 
 tak- 
 was 
 h the 
 erted 
 mfor- 
 The 
 
 TO DF WITT CLINTON. 
 
 Sir 
 
 New York 2?" April 1800. 
 
 No one more deeply regrets than I do the unfortunate and 
 fatal accident that has so strongly excited the Sensibility of 
 this City, a regard for whose peace, as well as a desire to ap- 
 prize the Commander of His Majestys Ship Leander of this oc- 
 currence make it in my opinion highly expedient that I be 
 permitted to transmit to this officer an account of what has 
 happened, and of which at this moment, I believe, he remains 
 uninformed — 
 
 It is proper likewise that I inform you, that four of His 
 Majestys officers who came to this City two days before the 
 Accident, and who are desirous of returning to the Leander 
 are now in or near this City. 
 
 Under these circumstances it becomes my duty to request of 
 you, as the first Magistrate of the City, that I may be per- 
 mitted to go or send on board His Majestys Ship Leander for 
 the pm-pose of informing the Commander of the unfortunate 
 death occasioned by a shot from that Ship ; and of the Sensi- 
 bility and Resentment which the same has created throughout 
 the City. It is also my duty to request that the four officers 
 
234 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 in question be jillowed at the same time to go on board the 
 Leander. 
 
 I am influenced on this occasion by an earnest desire to do 
 my duty to tlie King my Master — to secure the Peac^e of this 
 City and to promote the continuance of that good understand- 
 ing and Harmony tliat happily subsists between our respective 
 C*ountries — 
 
 IP' 
 
 !h^ 
 
 1.1 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 Sir 
 
 New York 20"' April ISOO 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose to you a copy of the Answer of 
 the Mayor of New York to my letter of the 27'" Instant — 
 
 You will perceive that the Mayor passes in silence that part 
 of my letter which relates to the officers being permitted to re- 
 turn to their Ships, but his refusal to assent is contained in his 
 general reply, "that he is unwilling to adoj)t any measures 
 however inconsiderable until he has received orders from the 
 Government " — Wil h respect to mj' going or sending he adds 
 that as the laws of these States permit it, there is no occasion 
 for his authorization — This answer from the Maj^or amounts 
 to a refusal, because he Knows that the Citizens are prohibited 
 by certain resolutions passed at a public meeting on the night 
 of the 27"' Instant from having any intercourse Avith His Maj- 
 estys Ships — and at the time I delivered him my letter above 
 mentioned, I explained fully to him, that the cause of my ap- 
 plication for his permission was to remove the consequences of 
 the Inhibition contained in those resolutions — 
 
 My object was to get the officers once more on board their 
 Ships, to have forwarded the Affidavits respecting the death of 
 Pearce, and to have recommended to the Commander the pro- 
 priety of his Keeping at a greater distance from the American 
 Line of marine Jurisdiction. — 
 
 I have been unwearied in my exertions to hire a Vessel to go 
 down to the Ships — No man dares increase the public resent- 
 ment by communicating with them. Captain Whitby ^ . there- 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1800 
 
 235 
 
 fore kept iti ijnjnoranco of tlie accident and of the public irrita- 
 tion of wlii(Oi you will perceive the Mayor partakes largely 
 from tlu! expressions contained in his letter to me. I have al- 
 ready informed you in my private letter that I have reason to 
 believe the continuance of this inhibition, depends on the re- 
 turn of the Pilot Boat scut off on Saturday evening for the 
 purpose of retaking the American Vessels sent to Halifax for 
 adjudication. But there is reason to apprehend that the Com- 
 mander of His Majesty's Ships will come up and enforce the 
 delivery of his officers — Such a measure would naturally pro- 
 duce very serious consequences — I have made up my mind not 
 to have any Agency in privately conveying the officers on 
 board their Ships, who came here on Business and who if they 
 are not allowed to transact that Business should at least be 
 permitted to return in safety — 
 
 TO CAPTAIN WHITBY. 
 
 •lean 
 
 Sir 
 
 New York 1" May 180(5 
 
 I received at 10 oClock last night your letter of the 30"' of 
 April, and went immediately to see Lieut Cowan who was the 
 Bearer of your dispatch, and had very i)roperly stopped at Fort 
 Jay,i and to the Mayor of this City to enquire of him what an- 
 swer he intended to make to your re<iuisition and whether he 
 would permit the officers of your Ship and of the Cambrian 
 to return with Lieut Cowan. He replied that he never had 
 prevented those officers from returning to their Ships whenever 
 they thought fit to go. — I answered that I believe it true that 
 he never had publickly forbid them going, but his declining to 
 comply with my recpiest of the 27"' Instant to grant them leave, 
 was tantamount to a refusal, because he knew that by a set of 
 resolutions of the Merchants and other Citizens of the 20"" Ins* 
 all intercourse had been prohibited between this City and His 
 Majesty's Ships, and therefore if I had sent those officers down 
 
 1 Goveruoi's Island. 
 
 i 
 
23G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 II 
 
 (admitting it possible to have procured a conveyance) I should 
 have had the mortification to have seen them brought back, 
 and probably subject to the violence and insult of a mob. — 
 That he could not but know that the Pilot Boat had orders to 
 intercept all Vessels attempting to make either of His Majcs- 
 tys Ships. — After some little further conversation the Mayor 
 told me, he did agree to their going and that he would send me 
 some time this day an answer to be forwarded to you. — 
 
 As I am anxious that the officers should be restored to you 
 immediately, I have resolved to send them without the Mayor's 
 reply to you, and shall forward it by the first Conveyance after 
 it comes to hand, writing you more fully on this unpleasant 
 subject. Had not M' Cowan arrived, the officers were to have 
 attempted getting on board for which purpose a Boat was in 
 readiness — I shall write you more fully during the day. The 
 appearance of rain & thick weather induces mo to not to de- 
 tain the Gentlemen — 
 
 I hope you rec'd during Yesterday letters from M' Lawrence 
 and myself which were put on board a Vessel for Martinique 
 and which M' Dupoy the owner of the Vessel promised me 
 should be delivered to vou — 
 
 TO DE WITT CLINTON. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Now York 1" May 1806 
 
 I regret that I am under the necessity of again stating to 
 you, that it is indispensably necessary that the officers of His 
 Majesty's Ships of War Leander and Cambrian return to their 
 respective Ships, and that without your Sanction and protec- 
 tion it is dangerous and impracticable for them to attempt it. 
 I am well informed that there are persons in this City laying 
 in wait to intercept those officers if they attempt to leave this 
 City, and that there are Boats stationed near Sandy Hook to 
 prevent any Vessels from communicating with either of His 
 Majesty's Ships — I am also assured that if the officers are 
 
 , A 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 237 
 
 taken in ondoavonring to join their Ships, that they will bo 
 brought back to this City, wliorc tlioir persons will be insulted 
 and their lives endangered. — 
 
 Under these assurances it is my duty to require of you, as 
 the cliit^f Magistrate in this City, a safe conveyaiK^e for the offi- 
 cers from hence to one of His Majesty's Hhips now laying off 
 the i3ar at Sandy Hook waiting their return — Be pleased to 
 favor me Avitli an answer. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 i? to 
 His 
 
 it. 
 
 lying 
 this 
 )k to 
 
 If His 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 3'' May 180G. 
 
 On the Evening of the 20"' of April a cutter under the sanc- 
 tion of a Flag of Truce arrived from the Commander of His 
 Majestys Ships off Sandy Hook at Fort Jay or Governors 
 Island immediately opposite to this City. The officer who came 
 up in the Cutter placed himself under the protection of the 
 American officer at Fort Jay, and delivered him a letter from 
 Cap' Whitby the Commander of His Majestys Ships off Sandy 
 Hook to the Mayor of this City, and another for myself, en- 
 quiring as to the cause of the detention of his officers and re- 
 questing that they should be permitted to return to their ships. 
 Disavowing an intention to kill any man on board the Sloop, 
 of which 1 have already stated to you the circumstances and 
 stating that the cause of the accident was owing wholly to the 
 obstinacy of the master who would not bring to, to bo ex- 
 amined. — 
 
 I waited that night in person on the Mayor on the subject 
 of this application, who assured me he would give every facil- 
 ity in his power to effect the return of the officers. At noon 
 of the following day, I again met him by appointment to con- 
 fer with him and the officer Commanding at Fort Jay on the 
 mode to be adopted, when it was proposed by him, that the of- 
 ficer who came up with Cap*^ Whitbys letter should immedi- 
 ately return, and that an armed Boat from Fort Jay should 
 
 U\l 
 
 ]' 4 
 
 h 
 
238 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 I I 
 
 Mi 
 
 I 
 
 ! 
 
 i \ 
 
 
 fil 
 
 attend liini until he liad jn'oceeded so far as to bo in safety 
 from any attack wliicli niijuflit l;)e made upon liim from tlie In- 
 Iiabitants of this City; and that he tlie Mayor would procure 
 a IMlot Boat to take the otlieers, who arr' a'd on the 2;}'' of 
 Aj)ril, down to their ships durinj^ the ensuing night. — Tlu* 
 Mayor then read to me a i)art of his answer to Captain Whithy, 
 wlierein he stated that tlie officers had never been detained, that 
 they might have returned wdien they pleas(Hl; but if I thought 
 their persons were in danger, he was ready to grant them safe 
 conduct, on a request from me to thtit purport. 
 
 I told the Mayor, I could not but wonder at this statement 
 to Capt. Whitby. That a prohibition to the Inhabitants of the 
 City to have any conmiunication with the Ships by resolves of 
 a numerous meeting, and the placing of I*ilot Boats to prevent 
 any Vessel from going to His Majestys Ships, was in fact de- 
 taining the officers, by depriving them of a conveyance. That 
 my letter to him of the 27"' of April, a copy whereof I have 
 sent to you, contained a re(iuc it for his permission for those 
 officers to return to their .ships, and that his permission natur- 
 ally would have included a pi itection. That the declaration 
 contained in his answer to my letter of the 27"' of April, towit 
 that " he did not feel willing to adopt any steps however in- 
 considerable until he obtained instructions from the President 
 of the United States," added to his passing over in silence that 
 part of my letter which respected those officers appeared to me 
 a refusal to grant them his permission to return to their Ships. 
 However as he had stated to Captain Whitby that he would 
 give the officers safe Conduct to their Ships, on an application 
 from me, I would repeat my request for that purpose. A copy 
 of this letter I have the Honor to inclose. 
 
 The Mayor then directed one of the Pilots to take the offi- 
 cers that night on board their Ships, and I understand they 
 got on board about 3 o'Clock yesterday Morning, soon after 
 which both Ships the Leander and Cambrian left the Station. 
 The former for Halifax the latter on a cruize to the South- 
 ward. — 
 
 Much as I regret the accident of an American Seaman hav- 
 ing been killed by a shot from His Majestys Ship Leander ; 
 
CONSUL-UENEHAr,, 1804-180(5 
 
 2:31) 
 
 still I f(>pl il, my duty to add that a vc^ry improper use has been 
 made; of this unpleasant circMimstaiico, l)y converting it into a 
 jiolitical w('ap<Mi, wliieli tlic Federal and Ix'epublican Tarties 
 have used a^ninst oaeh oth-M*, hut at tlio same time Inis mado 
 tho unhappy elT'ort to influeneo tho passions of tho vulgar to 
 an extra, igant degree, against the British (Jovernnu^ut, and 
 the otliccrs of His Majcstys Ships then near Sandy Hook. 
 
 TO CAPTAIN WHITBY. 
 
 fti hav- 
 Inder ; 
 
 Hiu. 
 
 New York G'" May 1800. 
 
 Your letter of the 2'' of May I have this moment received. 
 M' Lawrence I had lioped woxdd have informed you of every 
 circumstance which occurred from his arrival in this City on 
 the night of tlie 23'' of April to that of his departure on the 
 first of May. — On tlie morning of the 20"' of Api'il, I wrote to 
 you, by the Boat that Avas to liave taken down the Provisions, 
 stating the accident which had happened and the improper use 
 tluit had been made of it, by both Parties in this City then 
 canvassing for a contested Election — The Boat, as M'' Law- 
 rence must have informed you, was puvsued by a party of 
 armed iuen and brought back — What became of the letter I 
 know not, as it fell into the hands of some of the party. On 
 the 27 of April I again wrote to you detailing every circum- 
 stance, but found it impracticable to procure a conveyance for 
 the letter. On the 28 I wrote another letter in continuation to 
 that of the preceeding day, but was equally unsuccessful as to 
 the conveyance. On the 30"' a M' Dupoy a Merchant in this 
 city to whom I got a friend to make the proposal, agreed that 
 on my becoming bound that his Brig should not be detained 
 by yourself or the Captains of either of the Ships under your 
 Command, that the Captain of His Brig (then going to the 
 West Indies) should deliver iny despatch j to you at Sandy 
 Hook — These dispatches contained three letters from myself, 
 and from M' Lawrence, copies of the letters which had passed 
 between the Mayor of this City and myself, on the subject of 
 
 /I; 
 
r^ 
 
 240 
 
 coriui:si»()NOENci': of tiiomas hauclay 
 
 tlic ofticors (li'taiiiod lioro from your Ship, iiiul a rof^ular filo of 
 N(!ws ])aiK'rs from Ww 2()"' to tlio 130"' of April. 1 liavo sinco 
 umlcrstood that the; Master of the Bri<^ did not comply with 
 his owiuirs orders, but ])roeoeded to sea while His ^Majestys 
 Ships woro at Anchor. To these circumstances you are to at- 
 Iriltuti! not hearin<;- from me, until Lieut. Cowan's return. In 
 my letter to you of the first of May, I made mention of having 
 sent those letters hy the Brig. 
 
 I am confident Sir, that I have done my duty to ITis Majesty 
 and to you, and that it was no more in my })ower to command 
 conveyances, than it is in yours to control the Winds; and I 
 had hoped you would have rested satisfied that every thing 
 that could be effected, woidd have been done by me. My anx- 
 iety to give you not'ce was at least e(pud to yours to receive it. 
 I have detailed the occurrence fully to Captain Beresford Com- 
 manding on the Halifax Station, and forwarded him Copies of 
 the Communications between me and the Mayor of this City. 
 These I have recjuested him to communicate to you. 
 
 You are perfectly at Liberty to nuike what comments you 
 please on what you have tliought proper to style my silence 
 provided they are founded on reason and truth. 
 
 Hasty decisions are generally incorrect, and I trust yon will 
 after the perusal of this letter and the full communication I 
 have made to the Naval Commander in Chief acquit me of in- 
 attention, and feel that your opinion with respect to myself 
 was made up at a moment, when it was not in your power to 
 judge correctly. 
 
 I was yesterday told by Peacok the Butcher, that he was to 
 receive payment for the Articles forcibly taken from the Boat 
 going down to you. Should he fail, an application shall be 
 made by me. 
 
 TO Mil. MERRY. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York IT May 1806. 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose to you copies of a letter from 
 Henry Whitby Esq' Commander of His Majesty s Ship Lean- 
 
 ' i t 
 
 \: 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-1800 
 
 241 
 
 ,'self 
 ;er to 
 
 (vas to 
 3 Boat 
 lall be 
 
 1806. 
 
 (ler to ino, witli my answer, and a letter from mc to Captain 
 Beresford tlio })rosent Commander in Chief of Ilis Majestya 
 ►Sliips of War on tlic Halifax Station. — 
 
 From a poru.sal of these I trust you will be satisfied that 
 every exertion was made on my part to communieato with 
 Captain Whitby, while ho was off this Port. Should this be 
 the case, I have to intreat you will fully accpiit mc of Captain 
 Whitbys charge of silence ami inattention in your report to 
 Ilis Majestys Ministers. The facts can be verified under the 
 Oaths of four or five persons of respectability, if deemed 
 necessary. 
 
 Between the 20"' of April and second of May; it was almost 
 ujisafe for me to leave my house, had I made my appearance 
 on the Wharves or at the Coffee House insult and probably 
 personal injury would have been the consecpience. — I once 
 had it in contemplation to have sent the Pacquet with my let- 
 ters to Captain Whitby, but not any of the Pilots would have 
 navigated her, and as the Ship was insured, her indemnity 
 v.'ould have been on my shoulders, in the event of a deviation ; 
 besides as the time of her sailing was well known, had she at- 
 tempted to move, she would have been arrested by the popu- 
 lace ; indeed the Packet was more than once in danger during 
 this period. — You will from my comnninications to the Mayor 
 and his answer to me, observe tliat I requested from him and 
 the Collector the use of the Revenue Cutter, then lying at 
 Anchor in this port, for the purpose of going or sending 
 to Captain Whitby to inform him of the accident, and the 
 Mayor declining to allow that Vessel to go. — In truth every 
 means of connnunication was cut off; and I by accident dis- 
 covered that a Man who I really believed a confidential per- 
 son, and who I wished to hire to go down to His Majestys 
 Ships, went and laid my proposal before the Mayor, and when 
 he returner, told me, he was afraid to undertake it, under 
 a conviction that it could not be effected, and that he shoidd 
 bo ever after odious to his fellow Citizens if detected. 
 
 • from 
 Lean- 
 
 16 
 
 !:!! 
 
242 
 
 COKKIOSPONDENCE OK THOMAS 15AKCLAY 
 
 TO CAPTAIN BEKESFOKD. 
 
 i. 
 
 ! / 
 
 Now York 28'" I\Iay 1800. 
 
 {rt'ii'((te.) 
 My DEAii Sii{. 
 
 I ivcoived by ilu' last Packet your aiTcctioiiato letter of the 
 9"' of May. — I am Avholly i<;noraiit of the correspoiuleuee be- 
 tween Capt \Vhit1)y ami the Mayor, exeei)t that j»art of the 
 Mayors answer which respected my not havinj;' a])plie(l to him 
 for his protection, for the safe conveyance of the oilicers from 
 henee to llis Majesty's Ships near Sandy Hook. On this I'oint 
 I liave already fully informed you in my letter of the 2'' of 
 May and laid before you (\)i)ies of the letters that i)assed be- 
 tween me and the INIayor on that subject. It is probable how- 
 ever that M' Merry has taken notice in liis communications 
 with you of tliis correspondence, as he stated some days since 
 to me that in conseciuence of Captain Whitby's letter to the 
 Mayor of this City, the President had resolved to put the 
 whole of the Act of Conp-ess of JNIarch ISO') into force — M' 
 Merry did not make any other remarks on the letter, nor has 
 the Pi'csident published a .second proclamation. — 
 
 Great liritain at tlu; present moment has a sufticiency of En- 
 emies to contend without addinj? the Americans to the number, 
 and the export of her manufactures in c< iisi'([uence of the late 
 measures stands now in a ^vont depjree limited to America, a 
 War therefore with these States would be very unpopular and 
 prejudicial. — I do not from hence intend to infer either that 1 
 think a war probable, because I know it to be of all things 
 what the Americans most deprecate, or that Givat liritain to 
 avoid a War, .should cede a particle of her riii:hts; but that we 
 shoidd if possible preserve an aniictable intercourse with 
 them. — In my last private letter, I took tlie liibm-ty to advise 
 you until you was superseded in your command, or received 
 explicit orders from Government, to consult with Judge ('roke 
 and the Chief Justice, on the subject of the orders you might 
 give to the captains of the Ships under your Command, re- 
 specting neutral rights ami Jurisdiction. — The Laws of Na- 
 tions ou this subject arc vague and uncertain, and in most 
 
 ,:i 
 
('()NSUL-(iENKl{ATi, ISOl-lSOC. 
 
 243 
 
 ciisos liuvc 1)('(M\ promulpitcd iindor tlio infliu'nco of touiporjuy 
 power. IvcjisoM liowcvcr iniist, jissijjfn a cerliiiii portion of tlie 
 Soa, coiUijjfuous to llu^ tcM-ritory of ovcry (ii>V('nmu'iit, as witliiii 
 their just Jurisdiction, and those liiiiils on tlio nari'owost pos- 
 sible Scah' ai'o a (Jnn sliot from tho Shore, (whieh taking- a wide 
 I'antje may he ealh'd tlire(! mih>s) not from Iheir Uaderies, he- 
 canse it may so happen tliat the (Jovernment may have no 
 Batteries near the Sea — I am : my dear friend your inten- 
 tions are ri^ht, and I liavo a porteet conluh'nce that your orders 
 will he dictated by sound sense and prudence — 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIllAL IJEllKELEY. 
 
 Si It 
 
 New Voi-k :!()'" Sept' 180(5 
 
 By this day's iNlail I have received letters from lialtimoro 
 and Norfolk, slatinsj: that the French Ship Patriot (^ipt llo- 
 ehou of 74 (Juns had arrived at Annapolis in Maryland and tlie 
 Syhelle of 44 Guns at Norfolk in Virginia, both umler Jury 
 to])nuists, much disabled, and tliat the Patriot has tin-own 
 numy of her (Juns overboard — These Ships with the renuiin- 
 der of the S(iuadron under Admiral Williams tS: Jei'ome Bona- 
 parte, were on the 11)"' of Aut^ust (after haviui:; been on tiiis 
 coast) about luO Leai;ues to the Southward of Hermuda, when 
 they encountered a Storm which lasted until the2P' — During 
 the (Jale the Scpiadron sei)arated, and the otVicers of the Patriot 
 have expressed their fears that some of the Ships have foun- 
 dered. These two Ships after the (iale made for the Chese- 
 peak, and such as have weathered <^he Storm will probably 
 also make for that Bay.' The Jamaica licet of Merchant Ships 
 
 ' Williunnoz sailod from Hrost Dc- I'onunoivo. The Capo of Good lloix* 
 
 <'onibi>r 14, ISO."), with !i snmll siiuad- siiiToiulorod bcforo he coidd roach 
 
 roil of six or sovou vessols. His in- it, and on h'arnin{i; (his fact ho 
 
 stnu'tions woro to prooood lirst to sliapcd his coiirsi^ for tlio coast of 
 
 tho Capo of (^u)od Hope, and tluMico South America and tho West Indies, 
 
 in such direction as ho niif' ' 'oeni His sipiadron was disi)ersed by a 
 
 most calculated to injure liritisl; hurricane in Ai;gust, 18l)(i, as hero 
 
 * 
 
 III 
 
 /III 
 
 % 
 
 I 1 1 
 
 
 ,!■!? 
 
 
244 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 t '!> 
 
 experienced the same Gale about 80 Leagues to the Eastward 
 of Bermuda. The Captain of one that went down has arrived 
 at Baltimore, who says he suspects many others shared the 
 same fate. 
 
 I am sorry to learn the accident which has happened His 
 Majestys Ship Chicliester a Store Ship on going out the 
 Chesepeak the Pilot run her on shore. She has sustained so 
 much injury that it has been thought necessary for her to un- 
 lode at Norfolk and to be hove down — Col: Hamilton the 
 Consul tliei'o writes me many of her men have, and he appre- 
 hends most of the others will desert — ^ 
 
 TO MR. FOX." 
 
 SlR. 
 
 New York 4"' September 180G. 
 
 I yesterday received a letter from Baltimore in Maryland of 
 which the following is an extract. — 
 
 " The French Ship I'atriot of 74 Guns Captain Rochon an- 
 chored yesterdaj' in Annapolis Road in a very shattered con- 
 dition lier Topmasts all gone, & a number of her Guns thrown 
 overboard a French Frigate (said to be the Cybelle) of 44 
 Guns, has also arrived at Norfolk about the 30"' August dis- 
 masted." 
 
 " These Vessels arc part of the Fleet under the Command 
 of Williamez & Jerome Bonaparte which was dispei'sed on the 
 20"' Aug' about loO Leagues to the Southward of Bermuda, 
 the Gale commenced on the 19"' & continued to the 21"' & the 
 
 related — the flagship making a port 
 in Havana, four vessels finding rcf- 
 ngo in the Cliesapeake, and one be- 
 ing stranded on the Virginia beach. 
 Tlio V6t6ran, commanded by Jerome 
 Bonaparte, reached France in safety. 
 It was the belief of Docr^s that Je- 
 rome had deliberately separated from 
 
 the Admiral. See Du Casso, Los 
 Rois Freros de Napoleon I", p. 195. 
 
 1 Similar letters vi^ere sent to Ad- 
 mirals Davios at Jamaica, and Coch- 
 rane at Barbadoes. 
 
 - Charles James Fox became For- 
 eign Secretary on F'obruary 7, 1H06, 
 after Mr. Pitt's death. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 245 
 
 officers tliink soiiio of the Ships must have gone down, none 
 oi' the others had arrived in the Chesapeake on the l"*^ In- 
 stant."— 
 
 " They had made no Captures of any Consequence that I 
 can learn, except one or two small Bermuda Vessels. — It is 
 with much concern I have to inform you that the Fleet from 
 Jamaica consisting of about 100 sail which left that Island 
 about the 1"*^ Aug' experienced tlie Gale on the 20"' 100 Leagues 
 East of the Cajjcs of Virginia one of them the Cumberland of 
 Leitli foundered & the Captain who has arrived here fears 
 some of the others have gone down." 
 
 You nmst long since have been informed that this Fleet had 
 been in the West Indies but very fortunately did little or no 
 mischief. — Early in August they were seen near Charleston 
 South Carolina and some days after that about 40 Leagues to 
 the Southward of this Port. It Avas generally at that time 
 supposed that they were on their way to Boston to refit, but 
 from the Latitude and Longitude they were in on the 20"' of 
 August they must have shaped a South Easterly course either 
 in the hope of meeting the Jamaica Convoy or to regain the 
 West Indies. — I am happy to announce to you that they have 
 hitherto done very little injury to British Ships. Some Ameri- 
 can Captains have been on board this fleet they all agree that 
 they were wretchedly manned, their Masts, Spars and rigging 
 in a miserable state, and short of Provisions and water. 
 
 1 i. 
 
 (H'l;! 
 
 'I ' 
 1 • 
 
 TO Mil. MERllY. 
 
 ! ' ' 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York G Sept' 180G. 
 
 The British Letter of IManiue Brig Fox, John Thomas Mas- 
 ter arrived at this place from Jamaica on or about the 12"' of 
 August last past. On the IS"' of that montli Charles Mathews, 
 George Kobinson, John Keid and Edward Hicks four of the 
 crew of the Brig : went before tiie officers of the Police of this 
 
 16* 
 
 ^ :l 
 
 i 
 
 i! 
 
t : 
 
 If 
 
 W 
 
 ii 
 
 J i ;;t 
 
 24G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 City and made oath, that Thomas the Master had on the pas- 
 sago willfully murdered a negro man (one of the Ships Com- 
 pany) named John Good by cruelly and wickedly beating him. 
 In consequence of their depositions Captain Thomas was ap- 
 preliended and committed, a Bill of Indictment has since been 
 found against him, and he has been arraigned — By advice of 
 His Counsel he has pleaded to the Jurisdiction of the Court, 
 stating that he is a subject of His Britannic Majesty, that the 
 crime (if any) having been committed on board a British Ship 
 on the high Seas is only cognizable in a British Court. This 
 plea has been overruled by the district Judge of the district 
 Court of the United States, and he has been ordered to plead 
 in chief guilty or not guilty. The latter will be his plea, wlii(!h 
 he declares to me to be the truth. From the papers I have the 
 Honor to inclose you will perceive that William Hearst the mate 
 or first officer of the Brig and Chai'les Gauverneau the Pas- 
 senger have deposed the reverse of the four Seamen ; they are 
 unquestionably more worthy of credit than the common Sea- 
 men, and under the circumstances I advised the master some 
 days since to stand his trial, but Business having called Mr. 
 Gauverneau to Canada, and having now only the testimony of 
 the mate to oppose to the oaths of the four Seamen, his Coun- 
 sel have advised him to apply to you, through me, to demand 
 him as a British Subject, to be sent to Great Britain or Ja- 
 maica for his trial. — I inclose therefore the certified docu- 
 Inents delivered to me by them. Under the late treaty of 
 iA.mity Commerce and Navigation between his Majesty and 
 the United States of America there could be no doubt of your 
 right to demand him, as a person charged with murder : but 
 as that treaty has expired, he can now only be demanded un- 
 der tiie Laws of Nations. Captain Thomas' counsel are of 
 opinion that the Prejudices of American Jurors against Brit- 
 ish Subjects are too great for him to risque his Life on their 
 verdict. They hope to put off the trial until your answer can 
 be obtained, by making an affidavit that Gauverneau is a ma- 
 terial Witness. — No time however is to be lost, as the district 
 court are now sitting. 
 
 rf 
 
 .11 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 247 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 9 Sent^ 180G. 
 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 {Private.) 
 
 I was all day yesterday employed in search of a fast sailing 
 Vessel to carry the Letters to Admiral Berkeley, but did not 
 find any that could be ready before Thursday ; and as the 
 Jjsirk a very fine fast sailing British Schooner a constant Tra- 
 der sails for Halifax tomorrow I have thought it best to send 
 them by her, the master having promised to carry a press of 
 sail to expedite the delivery of the letters. Two objections 
 lay to the hiring a Pilot Boat. The Pilots of this Port arc 
 all Democrats and much attached to the French. Secondly 
 the price per day of a Pilot Boat is twenty-five dollars. 
 There is too much reason to suspect had I hired one, they 
 would have delayed her passage to Halifax and possibly back 
 again ; at all events no confidence could have been placed 
 in them ; and before they engaged with me they would have 
 consulted the Mayor ^ who is a Frenchman in Grain, who 
 either would have prevented the contract, or rendered the let- 
 ters nugatory. — I had written Admiral Berkeley on Saturday, 
 notifying him of the arrival of the Patriot and the Sybelle in 
 the Chesepeak which letter is now in the Lark. I also advise 
 Admiral Cochrane of the circumstance. I hope you will ap- 
 prove of my having put the letters on board the Lark Instead 
 of a Pilot Boat — 
 
 ^1 
 
 ! 
 
 TO MR. FOX. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Now York, 29'" Sept' 1806 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose to you a duplicate of my letters 
 of the 4"' Instant, acquainting you with the Gale of Wind the 
 French Fleet under Admiral Guillamez had e?icountered to the 
 
 1 De Witt Cliuton. 
 
 im 
 
 .1- 
 
 \^ 
 
 il 
 
I 
 
 Iff 
 
 H I 
 
 1 
 
 il 
 
 
 Ml 
 
 
 11 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 ii: hi h 
 
 24S 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Southward of Bermuda on the 19, 20 & 21 of August, and of a 
 Ship of the Line and a Frigate of that Fhset having got into the 
 Chesepeak in a very wretched state, under jury topmasts and 
 most of their Guns having been thrown overboard. — Since 
 tliat the Valereux Frigate has got into the Dehiware in a sini- 
 ihir State, and the Eole a line of Battle Ship equally a wreck 
 has arrived within the capes of Virginia — The Impctuoux 
 another of that fleet made the capes of Virginia some days 
 since, but Avas discovered by the Melampus Frigate one of the 
 Squadron who pursued and ran her on shore, took the officers 
 and men out and burnt the Ship. I have understood that the 
 officers and men were immediately landed and set at Liberty, 
 having been taken within the American marine Jurisdiction — 
 The Americans complain of the act of the burning of the 
 French Line of Battle Ship within their Waters. 
 
 A British Squadron under Sir R Strahan arrived off the 
 Capes of Virginia about the 12"' of this month, from the best 
 accounts this Squadron also suffered much during the Gale in 
 August; and on the 20"' Instant Sir John Borlase Warren 
 with six sail of the Line also arrived there : and I suspect con- 
 tinue off and on the Capes in expectation of some of the French 
 ShijiS arriving there. An American Captain who arrived here 
 about a Week since states that he met Jerome Bonaparte in 
 his Ship at Sea, on her way to France — It is generally sup- 
 posed that the remainder of the French Ships foundered in the 
 Gale — Those within the Capes, will probably remain some 
 time, as they require great rep^i'rs, and it is said no mercha^it 
 will advance money. 
 
 TO MR. MERRY. 
 
 New York 25 October 180G 
 Sir. 
 
 It was not until late last Evening that I received an answer 
 from the Counsel of Captain Thomas of the Brig Fox to the 
 Communi(!ation contained in your N" 14 and the Copy of M"" 
 Madisous letter accompanying it. They are of opinion that an 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180G 
 
 249 
 
 appeal in Criminal Cases will not lay from the district Court 
 to tlie Supreme Court of the United States; altlio the Laws 
 have provided for an appeal in such eases : And that therefore 
 the remedy proposed by the American Secretary of State if at- 
 tempted Avould meet with a negative on the part of the Supremo 
 Court of the United States, and probably in the first instance 
 be over ruled by the District Judge. The Counsel are further 
 of opinion that in a similar case if application had ])een made 
 by any nation in amity with Great Britain for the delivery of a 
 Subject of such nation charged with murder, that the person 
 so charged would be delivered up ; and that a case can not be 
 cited, wherein Great Britain has refused the application, and 
 the Court proceeded to try and sentence the person so charged. 
 They adnut that applications have been made, and refused, but 
 in such cases the murder was committed by the Foreigner on 
 the high Seas on board a British Ship, upon the principle that 
 the Ship constituted the Jurisdiction. — M' Harison one of the 
 Counsel for the Prisoner is allowed to be one of (if not) the sound- 
 est Lawyer in America. — Unless therefore you feel yourself 
 at Liberty to make a second application for the delivery of 
 Thomas, and it proves more successful than the former, the 
 poor man must go to Trial early in November under all the 
 disadvantages of the want of Witnesses and probably a preju- 
 diced Jury,^ 
 
 % 
 
 I (i 
 
 ■ ( _ 
 
 1 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL BERKELEY. 
 
 500 
 
 jswer 
 |o the 
 
 )f M' 
 lat an 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 17'" November, ISOG. 
 
 In consequence of M'' Merry's request for leave of absence ; 
 The Honorable David Ei'skine has arrived at "Washington in 
 these States as His Majesty s Envoy Extraordinary and Minis- 
 ter Plenipotentiary and has been received as such by the Presi- 
 dent of the United States.- M"" Merry has taken leave and 
 
 1 No record of this case can now brouglit to trial, the cviclonco against 
 be found in the Clerk'b Office of the him being really very weak. 
 United States District Court. It is '-' Mr. Erskiue arrived at Washing- 
 probable that Thomas was never ton, November 4, 180G. 
 
 I 
 
rw 
 
 250 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 1 
 
 will sail from the ClKJsapoak in all this month. M" ^lerry's 
 state of health is unequal to a "Winter voyage — I have a pub- 
 lic disi)ateh from M' Merry to you, but he has limited its con- 
 veyance to the Ship of War or armed Vessel you may send 
 during' the Winter for your dispatches. — The September 
 Packet is not yet arrived, in a few days the October will be 
 due. — Accoimts by private Ships from England, state that 
 Lord Howie has succeeded to foreign department vacant by 
 M' Fox's demise, and that M^ T Greville is first Lord of the 
 Admiralty.^ On the 2G"' of September Lord Lauderdale had 
 not returned from Paris; yet there was no expectation of 
 Peace. — Russia and Prussia appear condensing their forces 
 and making every preparation for War with France ; who is 
 equally active in her measures. 
 
 The Valeureux French Frigate of 44 Guns which arrived 
 after the August Gale in the Delaware and went up to Phila- 
 delphia for repairs, has on a survey been found unworthy of 
 them. — A fine American Ship the George Washington of up- 
 wards of 400 Tons, with a figure head, quarter and Stern Gal- 
 laries and new main topnuist has been taken up to carry to 
 France the men. Guns and Stores of this Frigate, she will sail 
 about the 25 of this month. The Indiana another American 
 Ship was a few days since along side the Valeureux taking 
 from her such part of her Guns, Stores and men, as were suji- 
 posed moi-o than the Washington could carry, this last named 
 ship will sail in a few days. As either of these ships would in 
 the event of capture prove good and valuable prizes, I have 
 dispatched two letters on Saturday last to Halifax, one to 
 Norfolk and two by Vessels bound to the West Indies to 
 be given to any of the Commanders of His Majestys Ships of 
 War. I have little hope that either of my letters will arrive 
 at Halifax in time to have a ship (if any is tiiere) off the Dela- 
 ware to meet the George Washington. Put that of Norfolk I 
 trust will be delivered this Evening, and it is probable one 
 of the others may be put on board one of your Ships on this 
 coast. 
 
 1 Ml". Thomas Grcnvillo, a brotlier of tlio Lord Grenville who was 
 Secretary for Foreign Affairs from 1791 to 1801. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1804-180(J 
 
 251 
 
 le one 
 
 In 
 
 this 
 
 /as 
 
 TO LOUD IIOWICK.' 
 
 Now York 0"' Dee' 1800. 
 My Lord, 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose to your Lordsliip the Speech of 
 tlic President of the United States on the o[)enin{^ of the pres- 
 ent Session of Congress. — 
 
 It is asserted and generally believed that M' Burr late vice 
 President of the United States of America is at the head of 
 that "great number of private Individuals who" (the Presi- 
 dent in his Speech observes) " were combining together arm- 
 ing and organizing themselves contrary to Law to carry on a 
 military expedition against the territories of Spain." — The 
 object of this combination is not known. What the President 
 suggests may bo correct ; but it appears to be the opinion of 
 the best informed in these States, that M' Burr's views extend 
 to a division of the United States of America, and creating a 
 new Government in the Western part thereof — 
 
 1 On Mr. Fox's deatb, Soptombcr but on Soptombor 24, Lord Howick, 
 13, 180G, the Foreign Office was com- afterward Earl Grey, became Sec- 
 mittod to Earl Sl^enccr ad interim ; retaiy for Foreign Affairs. 
 
 |M 
 
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 1 i 
 
 .: \' 
 
r^ 
 
 I 
 
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 1 
 
 
 
 III 
 
 
 Imr 
 
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 Rl> 
 
 
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 (CHAPTER VI 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 THE samo month of April tlmt witnessed tlio killing 
 of Peiireo liad witnessed also the beginnin<jj of that 
 long and fruitless struggle whicli Jefferson and IMadison 
 carried on, in the vain hope of comi)elling the European 
 belligerents to respect the just rights of the United 
 States as a neutral nation. On April 15, 1806, Congress 
 had passed the non-importation act, prohibiting the im- 
 portation of a long list of British manufactures, and 
 this had been immediately followed by the appointment 
 of William Pinkney of Maryland as a special envoy to 
 England. Pinkney was instructed to unite with Mon- 
 roe, then American Minister to England, in one more 
 effort to effect an amicable settlement of all differences ; 
 but they were to agree to no treaty which did not in- 
 clude a renunciation of the right of impressment, and 
 which did not satisfactorily settle the questions con- 
 nected with the West India trade. Pinkney had joined 
 Monroe in London late in July, and negotiations had 
 since been actively carried on with the government of 
 which Mr. Fox was the head. 
 
 This was the situation at the beginning of the year 
 1807, so far as was known in America ; but important 
 events had, in fact, happened in Europe, of which the 
 news had not yet arrived. On the last day of the year 
 180C Monroe and Pinkney had succeeded in getting the 
 British commissioners to sign a treaty of amity, com- 
 
 262 
 
 • 
 
CONSUL-OENERATi, 1807-1812 
 
 253 
 
 m- 
 
 it of 
 
 rear 
 
 [taut 
 
 tlio 
 
 rear 
 
 the 
 
 eom- 
 
 Triorco, and iiavij;'atioii. The noiijotiatioii liad boon greatly 
 facilitated by tli(5 simple process of disregarding the pos- 
 itive instructions of the President. But even then the 
 British negotiators were not entirely content witli the 
 terms of the treaty, and they accompanied their signa- 
 tures by a written warning that the King would 'hu'line 
 to ratify their act unless the United States should forci- 
 bly resist the operation of Napoleon's Berlin decree. 
 
 The Berlin decree, which was soon to become familiar 
 throughout the United States, was dated November 21, 
 180G. It uinhn'took, by a mere e<lict of the Emperor's, 
 to prohibit all commerce, oven in neutral vessels, be- 
 tween the British islands or colonies and any part of the 
 European continent which was under the control of 
 France ; it declared the British islands to be in a state 
 of Idockade ; and it directed the confiscation of any ves- 
 sel which entered a continental port after having been 
 in any British possession. 
 
 The English Government were not slow to reply. In 
 addition to calling upon the United States to resist the 
 decree, an order in council was issued on January 7, 
 1807, by which all trade was forbidden between any 
 two ports on the continent of Europe. The doctrine 
 that one nation could forbid another to trade peace- 
 fully between two foreign ports, was certainly novel. 
 But the British authorities were still not satisfied. 
 They went further, and by a second order in council, 
 dated November 11, 1807, they forbade all tradti with 
 the continent wherever originating, unless the goods 
 first passed through an English port and paid a duty at 
 an English custom-house. 
 
 Napoleon, in his turn, retaliated by the Milan decree 
 of December 17, 1807. Every neutral vessel was to 
 be condemned which had submitted to be searched by 
 
 I 
 
 ii: 
 
 
II 
 
 « 
 
 I 
 
 
 m f 
 
 254 
 
 {;ORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS RAUCIiAY 
 
 ii British sliij), or luid paid duly to tin* Hritisli Govorii- 
 nient, or had covxio from or was bound to uuy British 
 possession. 
 
 Such woro tho arbitrary dooroos and oi'dors by which 
 noutral comincrco was attacked on every side. Tho 
 British (}overnnu;nt allowed no neutral ship to <jjo to the 
 continent Init by way of England. The French seized 
 every neutral ship that came from any British port. 
 Tho British Government declared they would be friends 
 with tho United States only on condition of our forci- 
 bly resisting the Berlin decree. Nai)oleon declared that 
 he would confiscate every American sliip which did not 
 forcibly resist any attempt of a British num-of-war to 
 search her. 
 
 Tho news of this general assault upon American com- 
 merce — this declaration of both parties to the European 
 contest that there should l)e no more neutrals — excited 
 the deepest resentment in the United States. But it did 
 not affect tho action of the Government in regard to the 
 British treaty. Before the news of tho first order in 
 council had reached Washington, Jefferson had per- 
 emptorily declined to consider the question of ratifi- 
 cation, or even to submit the treaty to the Senate. But 
 strangely enough, he was still hopeful of success. In 
 spite of the ditficultios which Monroe and Pinkney had 
 already experienced, in spite of new obstacles to an ad- 
 justment, instructions were prepared looking to further 
 negotiations with England. This second attempt came, 
 however, too late. The growing ill-will between the 
 two countries, and the fall of the Whig administration 
 early in 1807, had already served to render negotiation 
 practically impossible ; when the attack of the Leopard 
 upon the Chesapeake toward the latter part of Jnne, 
 aroused American feelings to a still higher pitch of an- 
 
1 
 
 30111- 
 
 peaii 
 
 cited 
 
 t did 
 
 othe 
 
 er ill 
 pev- 
 
 atift- 
 But 
 111 
 had 
 
 11 ad- 
 
 rtlier 
 
 ame, 
 
 1 the 
 
 atioii 
 
 atioii 
 
 ppanl 
 
 jJuiiG, 
 
 f an- 
 
 CONSUL-OENKRAL, 1H07-1812 
 
 
 irOY 
 
 After nioiilhs oL' discusHion, and some idle at- 
 teinpts at obtaiiiiii^ satisfaction l>y diplomatic methods, 
 l)iiblic o[)iuion at hist found expression in the passage 
 by Co .(I'ess, on Dccenibc^r 22, 1<S07, of the act of em- 
 bargo, which absolutely closed the ports of the United 
 States to foreign commerce of every kind. 
 
 The effect on the city of New-York was instantaneous. 
 ►Ships wei'e liurried to sea, whai'ves were left deserted, 
 counting-houses were shut up, and the ordinary duties 
 of the liritishConsul-Generalcame very nearly to an end. 
 
 The United States comi)rised even then a great va- 
 riety of resources witliin their borders, and were able 
 — though dou])tless at the expense of not a little sulTer- 
 iiig — to dispense with foreign markets cither for sell- 
 ing or buying; but such a state of things could not 
 long continue. Congress had never contemplated its 
 duration beyond the time when loss of the American 
 trade should make Europe more moderate in its views. 
 But Europe was not to be moved by any peaceful ar- 
 guments, and the experiment was of necessity aban- 
 doned after a patient trial. All through the year 1808 
 and the first two months of 1809, the heavy hand of the 
 embargo was laid on American commerce. The close 
 of Jefferson's administration was signalized by an im- 
 portant change in the policy of the American Govern- 
 ment. Almost the last act which Jefferson performed 
 as President was to sign the new law which repealed 
 the embargo, and substituted non-intercourse — a law 
 which instead of universal prohibition of trade, merely 
 prohibited commerce with Great Britain and with the 
 countries under French control. The statute further 
 authorized the President to suspend this prohibition as 
 to either Great Britain or Franco as soon as one or the 
 other should desist from violating neutral rights. 
 
 
 'M 
 
 i< 
 
iIk:. 
 
 I 
 
 k ■ {■ I 
 
 ! 
 
 256 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP TIIO:\IAS BARCLAY 
 
 Au oxciiso for roiiowinjjj commercial relations was 
 not long delayed. On April 21, 1809, immediately upon 
 the rather niiexpected conclnsioii of a liberal and satis- 
 factory diplomatic arrangement with Erskine, the Brit- 
 ish minister in Washington, the non-intercourse act 
 was suspended as to Great Britain ; and foreign trade, 
 long dorma!it, suddenly sprang into excess^ ) activity. 
 Tliis happy truce was short-lived. Erskino Inid etfected 
 his arrangement by a deliberate and almost defiant dis- 
 regard of Canning's instructions; and his acts were 
 l)romptly disavowed by his government. His recall 
 was followed by a renewal of non-intercourse under a 
 })residential proclamation of August 9, 1809. 
 
 But notwithstanding the disavowal of Erskine, the 
 Jiritish Government had made an apparent concession 
 to the United States by the adoption of now orders in 
 council which revoked the stringent prohibitions of 
 the orders of 1807, and substituted a paper blockade of 
 all ports and places under the government of France — 
 a distinction which, on the whole, was perhaps without 
 any important difference. France, on the other hand, 
 entered upon a course of further aggressions. Louis 
 ]5onaparto was driven from his kingdom of Holland 
 because he refused to attack neutral commerce, and all 
 American sliips found lying at Amsterdam were seized. 
 Finally, by the decree of Rambouillct, every American 
 shi}) found in any French port was confiscated and or- 
 dered sold. 
 
 England and the United States thus seemed for the 
 moment to be slowly drawing togetlior in the presence 
 of a common enemy, when suddenly the whole situa- 
 tion of affairs was changed by the formal announcement 
 on August 5, 1810, of the Emperor's intended revocation 
 of the decrees of Berlin and Milan, such revocation to 
 
 ¥ i 
 
 lij 
 
i:()NSUL-UKN101iAli, ISOT-lSll] 
 
 257 
 
 )r tlic 
 
 Isciico 
 
 situa- 
 
 'iitioii 
 iou to 
 
 tako phu'o on th« first day of tlio following Nov(iiul>or, 
 provided tlio Britisli (Joviu'inuoiit i'ovok«*d tlicii' oi'dors 
 iu council, or (and this was tho impoi'tant provision) 
 tlu"! Unittnl HtatcMs causod thoir riji^lits to bo r(!SiKM'.tod. 
 Tliis promise, as Naitolcon had privatc^ly pointed out 
 a lew days before, connnitted liim to nothing; but it 
 was accei)ted with all seriousness on tlie part of the 
 United States. 
 
 In reliance upon the impcM'ial word, commercial in- 
 tercourse with Great [Britain — which had been once 
 mon^ resumed in May, LSIO — was for the third time 
 suspended. This, it was thought, was "causin<>; Amei'i- 
 can ri,i;-hts to be respected"; and althouiijh the condinn- 
 nation of American slii[>s went on without a pause in 
 every continental port, the Government of the United 
 States cIuujj: with tlu3 stranjjjest pei'tinacity to the belief 
 that Napv/leon's declarations were sincere. 
 
 The pra<;tical effect of all this was to bar tho door 
 against any possible settlement with Great Britain. 
 Commerce was now i)ermanently suspended ; there was 
 a, long list of grievances to be redressed, and negotia- 
 tion was exhausted. In the month of February, 1811, 
 IMnkney — who had become the sole American I'epre- 
 sentativo in London — took an " inamicable leave," 
 and further eft'orts looking to a peaceful settlement 
 of our accumulated difficulties with England woi'e 
 abandoned. On November 4, 1811, Congress met in a 
 peri)lexed but somewhat warlike humor. Much tedi- 
 ous debate ensued. It was not until Juno 18, 1812, 
 after many hesitations and misgivings, that war was 
 actually declarcul against Groat Britain. 
 
 On July I), 1812, Colonel Barclay, acc^ompanied by 
 the Britisli Minister, sailed fi'om New- York on H. M. S. 
 Colibn for Englan<l 
 
 17 
 
 't 
 
 
 i.b'i 
 
 '■ ! ( 
 
 
258 
 
 CORRESPONDENCK OF TIIOiMAS HAKCLAY 
 
 'ill 
 
 Tho six pi'coediiig yoars had been for Barclay a i)0- 
 riod of (luiet pro.sjxM'ity. His life had been easy and 
 liappy. His fortune had increased tliroiii^h judicious 
 investments and reasonal)le economy. His ehlest son, 
 Heni'y, was now well established as a merchant in New- 
 York. Do Lancey had l)ecn promoted to the rank of 
 major in the I3ritisli army on August 23, 1810, and 
 lieutenant-colonel on Fel)i'uary 2H, 1812. Thomas, on 
 -June 8, 1808, had become Vice- Admiral Cochrane's 
 Ha<;-lieut('iiant, and on Jum) 14, 1809, had been j:;iven a 
 ship — commanding successively the Kpervier, Snajt, 
 and Peruvian — with the rank of commander. George 
 had left Nova Scotia in 1808 to join Henry in business 
 in New- York ; while Anthony had gone to England to 
 complete his education and study for the bar. Only 
 one break in the tV 'ily had comi^ by death. On July 
 8, 180!), Schuyler Livingston, the husband of Barclay's 
 eldest daughter, died at Harlem. 
 
 f 
 
 i i> 
 
 I 
 
 I ■ ' i 
 
 TO VKJE-ADMIKAL BEliKELEY, HEKMl'DA. 
 
 New York 24 Jumuiry 1807. 
 
 Several fust siiiliu,y pilot l)()iit fScln toilers uiul perluips other 
 Vessel, have been for some time past employed in ln'inging 
 S[)cuush Dollars from Vera C-ruz to tliese States a ^reat jiro- 
 [)ortioii of wliieli 1 uudijrstand lias been laiidjid at New Or- 
 leans, Savannah in Oeorgia, and Charleston South Carolina; 
 lai'^'e snms also at '*altimoi'e in Maryland and perhaps two or 
 three hundred thousand dollars in this City. It is said and I 
 believe with truth that the house of Mess™ Hope's of Amster- 
 dam and an extensive house at, naiiil)ur{jf, have either pnr- 
 (iliased these Dollars from the King of Spain deliverable to 
 tlu^m at Vera Cruz ; or that they have contracted to bring 
 them from thence and on their arrival in Europe, or the pi'o- 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1S07-1812 
 
 259 
 
 (!oeds from tliem to pay the Spanish Government — The Dol- 
 hirs when they arrive in tliese States I snspect are empk)yecl 
 in purchasing- (!otton Coflfee Sugar &c &c &c whieh are re- 
 niitt(!(l to Europe — Tlie Sehoouf^r pih)t Boats in which most 
 if not all the money is brouglit, are low, hmg vessels, very 
 sharp and sail fast. [ thought it my duty to give you this in- 
 formation and hope you nniy he so fortunate as to intercept 
 some of them. M' Parish one of the House at Hamburgh is 
 in these States sup<!rint(mding tlu^ Business, but he has re- 
 spectable merchants in tlu; Ports mention(;d acting as his 
 Agents, or perhaps in their own names' — 
 
 TO Mil. EKHKINE. 
 
 ,1 
 
 glllg 
 pro- 
 w Or- 
 ylina -, 
 ,\vo or 
 and I 
 mster- 
 r pur- 
 ine to 
 bring 
 e pro- 
 
 New York 2'' February 1807 
 
 {Prirnfi'.) 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I am this day honored with your private letter of the nO"' of 
 Jauuary covering two Proclamations from Sir Eyre (^oote 
 Lieut Governor of Jamaica which T will take care to have 
 inserted in the News Pai)ers of this city.- 
 
 Previous to the receipt of your letter I had noticed in the 
 Aurora a newspaper published in Philadelphia a violent I*hil- 
 iypie against me for the letter 1 had written in favor of 
 Mess" Rutgers and Seaman the owners of thc! American Ship 
 Messenger, and of which M' Madison has complained to youJ' 
 
 1 Copies of tlio fowgoiiiij; Icttci' 
 were also sent to Vico-Admiviil Da- 
 vies, Jiiuiaiea ; and Kear-Admiral 
 Cochrane, Harbadoos. 
 
 '•2 They were proehunations per- 
 niittiiif^ tlio importation and expor- 
 tation of certain articles, for a lim- 
 iteil jx'riod, in neutral vessels. This 
 Sir Eyi-e Coote was a nephew of the 
 better-known East Indian General 
 of the s.'ifiie na.iiie. lie had served 
 in the \iuerican War from Lontr Is- 
 
 land to YorkI own, and waaajipointed 
 Governor of Jamaica in ISO'i — a 
 post he held till ISOS. He died in 
 obscurity and disgrace about 18124. 
 ■' Tlie "violent I'hilipiiie" was 
 jiublishcd in the Aurora- -January 2!), 
 1S()7. The followintf extracts will 
 jrivea snll'.cient not ion of its purport: 
 
 "WAinil.V Kl'.DI'.KAI-" 
 
 We promised to say souiethin^ about 
 the ship MesHcntrer; wo can say a i/rnil 
 
 ■it 
 
 11 : 
 
 
 I 
 
 ti "^ 
 
 ■i 
 

 
 ill 
 
 ill 
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 
 ^ ) 
 
 1 
 
 f,l( 
 
 I.I 
 
 260 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Mess" Rutgers and Seaman of tliis City Merchants and own- 
 ers of the Messenger on hearing that tlieir Ship, on board of 
 whieli M' Herman Rutgers was super Cargo, had been sent to 
 Halifax fen* adjudication requested of me a hotter of introduc- 
 tion and recommendation to sonn^ Gentlenuin of that place. 
 In comidiance with their solicitation I wrote a private confi- 
 dential Letter, which I understand has been improperly inter- 
 cepted and published, to M' Ilartshorne a merchant in Halifax, 
 and knowing M' Hartshorne so far to have tak(Mi an interest in 
 the Politics of these States as to have a predeliction for the 
 f(Ml(n*al Party to induce liim tlie more readily to act in favor <»f 
 these Gentlemen it is very probable I rtipiesented them, agree- 
 al)le to their gcmeral characters, to be " warm Federalists " — 
 With the Politics of this Comitry I never did n«r will T ever 
 interfere — Mess" Rutgers and Seaman are Gentlemen of re- 
 spectability in this City, of whom I have little personal Know- 
 ledge, we do not visit, nor have I ever met them in <M»mpany. 
 
 (leal more , than ovoii wliat wo now sball 
 say ; and t he now ndvocnU'. of tlic " (jrvnl 
 mea roblicv" m:iy, porbaps bcforo \vc 
 liavo (bin(\ wisli that the thing bad not 
 been nioddlod with. 
 
 '■'Mr. Uultjrrs is a gcnUemnti and 
 wnrmlji fc(lrr<tl" Haid Mr. narclay.— 
 
 Did you »',v<!r hiw a cat catch a nioiiso { 
 
 When a cat catcliCH some kindof mice— 
 tboy ari) cat up — they are devoured at 
 onco — smack— '\m riono ! 
 
 Those arc your democratie miec — vfo. 
 vocollcct tluit a great iu)ifio waHUiadc. in 
 congro.sH kouu) nine or ton yearH ago 
 al)<»ut Bueli tilings. 
 
 Hut tlicrc aro rnis, which the (^ats 
 HoinotiuiCH eatcli. Did you ever hoc a 
 cat pbiy witli a rat ? 
 
 Ono of your "warm federal" rats — 
 
 I'usH, wlu'u sho catclios tliis species of 
 rats, lets tlieui go a bit ; — thenHlu* puts 
 ou(, her iietlu'.r paw and catc^lies tlieiu 
 again — you would Hupjioso that she bo- 
 canio fond of tluini, from tbo fraternal 
 tnifin hIio gives thorn, she tosses tbcni 
 up — tlioy arc a littl' uu'd — tbo rats 
 
 thou cry out tlm are "warmly 
 
 federal." 
 
 Puss lots tboni gothon— butsbflHondH 
 tbou) ott'in a direction from their naln- 
 
 ral /to/f» — and they fall into tbo proctor 
 traps, and the lawyer traps, and tbo 
 agency traps. There tbo rats again 
 fiquealc out that they aro " warmly fed- 
 eral." 
 
 They aro thou put under the gront 
 7V>»i ral of tbo admiralty — I'uss catches 
 them and tos.ses them and paws them, 
 and plays with tliem, and gives them 
 hopes of escaping. 
 
 nut at last Tom Puss after amnsiny 
 himself witli them until bo is tired of 
 ;j/a)/ — notwithstanding all their protes- 
 tati(Uis of being " warmly federal nits 
 and yetitleman rats" poiinces upon 
 tbom, and devours and eats tboni. Just 
 as she would thvi democratic mice — tho 
 last squeak is all that is hoard of thorn — 
 so of tta xihip Mcsscuycv. 
 
 The object of the British governniont 
 is to cramp your trade in order that they 
 may monoiiolize it— for tliis tboy pliiu- 
 der you, and care littlo whether federal, 
 fpiiddical («• denio('rati<!al. They may 
 not devour you at once, as hungry eats 
 swallow mice, but tboy will play with 
 you, and tantalize, and deceive you, as 
 fi'deral riits— but tboy will devour you 
 all if they ean at last. 
 
 ■■I 
 
 li 
 
CONSUL-UENEliAL, KS07-l«Hi 
 
 2G1 
 
 But ill (k'.scri))iiii>' a (icuMcnwui, I suspect 1 urn ontithKl to say 
 he is a Fedcnilist or an autitV-deralist as lu; aud the i)ersou to 
 whom lie is recoiiiineiKh'd may liappoii to he without ^ivin^' ot'- 
 f('us(} to the oj)posite Party. Tlad tliese (lentlemen ))eoii auti- 
 foderal and M' llartslioi-iics seutimeuts (H)rrespo)id('d witli 
 theirs, I assuredly shouhl have des(!ril)e(l tlwm to him as such. 
 
 P 
 
 h'li 1 
 
 jhiitllify 
 loy i»lun 
 
 Ly may 
 
 Lr,.y C.lliH 
 
 jay -with 
 
 , you, ilR 
 
 vour yoH 
 
 TO MK. EllSKINE. 
 
 New York lU'" Mureh 1807. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I am particularly indebted to you for your private letter of 
 the 5"' Instant, at a moment when you must have heen more 
 than ordinarily hurried & 1 shall bear in memory this flatter- 
 \u^ j)i'0()f of your attention and r{\!i,'ard, for which I intreat 
 your aeeejttauce of my warmest acknowledyiiunits. I nm 
 sorry that a treaty formed on thi' part of His Majesty with 
 every wish for consideration should not meet the approbation 
 or at least the aceei)tance of the President of these States.' 
 
 On the im[)ressnient of American Seamen, I fe(4 assured 
 that the Commissioners of both nations on debating- the 
 Subject found insuperable difficulties, and on mature re- 
 (leetion considered it best to pass it suh silentio. — The im- 
 pressment has for years past been used as a ])olitical En«rine, 
 when in truth tlu^ numbcu" of bona fide American Seamen de- 
 tained on board Ilis Majestys Sliips of War was trilling' in the 
 extreme when coni[)ared with those who were claimed by 
 America as such. — The Note delivered by the British Oomm™ 
 to the Ameri(!an Com" prior to the signinj^ of the Treaty 
 was dictated by imperious circumstances and necessary for 
 
 1 This was tho tiraty iiogotiatud dont to submit tlio trwity lot ho Sun- 
 by Moiiroo ami Piukuoy and aif^iiod uto. This Mr. .lolTorsoii steadfastly 
 Doi'oiubor 31, 180(5. Erskiue's oopy rofiiH(M] to do. Tho treaty itself and 
 arrived in Washinj^ton on March ■!, aceonipanyinj^ correspondonco is 
 just asOongresswasadjourning, and printed in Aiiu'r State Papers, For. 
 his unusual iiurry was duo tohisun- Kol., Vol. Ill, pp. 109-183, 
 availing efforts to imlueo the Prosi- 
 17* 
 
 n 
 
2()2 
 
 COltUESl'ONDKNlII': OF THOMAS BAItCLLi^Y 
 
 the isecurity of tlie Interest of Britain, I niij^ht add f<jr the in- 
 terest of Amerieji.i 
 
 If npon refleetion you feel yourself at Liberty to entrust to 
 me aeojjv of the treaty in eonfidenee that it shall not l)e made 
 public, otlierwisc than in arjj^uin<jf on it, I think much jifood 
 mii'i'lit be derived from an early deveh»j)m(Mit of tins Artich's 
 attended with the natural remarks on the benefits or disadvan- 
 tajyfes aeeruin^ from eaeh of them, and a eandid enciuiry into 
 the purport of the note delivered with the Treaty. Should you 
 concur in opinion with me, not a moment is to be lost in trans- 
 nutting- the Copy. The Public mind altho' much a|:;itated is 
 still in suspense for want of nuiterial to 1 rm an opinion. It 
 is unnecessary to add that undei- these circumstances, a favor- 
 able impi-ession is of great eonseciueuee. 
 
 It 
 
 fo' 
 
 fil 
 
 I ' ' ^ 
 
 1 
 
 '.1^ 
 
 i 
 
 ) ' 
 
 <\ II 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL BEUKELEY. 
 
 New Yurie 31" March 1807. 
 Sir. 
 
 In the inclosed newspaper you will pen^eivi^ a statement that 
 the American Ship lirntus of this place bound for Oonaives a 
 small Ishuid nejir St Doming'o, had exchanged some shots with 
 His Majestys Sloop of War Stpurrel. — If this should have 
 been the case that shi[) has become a lawfid prize, and I take 
 it for grant(Hl you will be anxious to have her taken, in conse- 
 (pienee of the very improper conduct of her Conimauder in fir- 
 ing ui)on one of His Majestys Sliips. M' Lewis the Supercargo 
 or Agent on board this Ship, and who probably commanded 
 her, is the very person who when he commanded tlie American 
 Ship Leauder tired into His Majestys Sliip Fortunio and killed 
 a seaman.- — What renders the conduct of M' Lewis [>arti(!nlarly 
 
 1 Th!^s oxtnionliiiiiry iioto is in bound })y tliu signature of his com- 
 Amor. State Pai)ors, For. Kol., Vol. raissioners. 
 
 Ill, p. If)!. It was to tlio ciroot tliat 
 unless tlio Amoriean Govorimicnt 
 sliouUl forcibly resist the ent'orco- 
 in(!nt of Bonaparte's Berlin decree, 
 the King would not consider himself 
 
 - The Loandor, conimanded by 
 Thoinas Lewis, carried Miranda's 
 fili])ust('rs to South ATuerica in Feb- 
 ruary, 180G. 
 
 I m 
 
■a i>y 
 
 UK la's 
 Feb- 
 
 CONSlTL-GENERAIi, 1807-1812 
 
 263 
 
 blnmoablo is his Imvinjj^ promisiHl inc in tlio ovoiit of his incpt- 
 iiif? one of His Majcstys Sliips of War at sea, that ho would 
 (lolivcr up a dcsortfU" from the Pa<',ket, who liad entered on 
 bo.Mi'd th(! Brutus, in eonseipienet! of whieh I j;ave him a letter 
 of introduction to the Commander of His Majestys Ships of 
 War. 
 
 The Brutus was bound to St Domiufro foi- the recovery of 
 Debts due a M' Ogden a Banlo-upt, who also was on 1)oard that 
 Sliip, and to rc^ceive ])ayni('nt in Coffee and other articles. 
 Capt Hyam knows this Sliip, us lu; saw her repeatedly when 
 he was last hcire. — Sin; is a frencli built Ship, lij^nre head, 
 Quarter <i;-alleries, )»ut I do not recollect whether sIk^ has stern 
 j^aUeries. — When she arriv<'d here from the Isle of France 
 two years since her name was tlu^ James, since that the Km- 
 peror, and now the Hnitus. — She will remain some time at 
 the Island of Uonaives. 
 
 TO LORD HOWICK. 
 
 New York '2' Juno 1807. 
 My Lord — 
 
 M' Cazeau^ .i Frenchman who has resided as French Consul 
 some years at Portsnumth in New llampshii-e went last A u- 
 tunui to France with an intention of remaining- there. On his 
 arrival he had an interview with the Ihnperor and sevei'al with 
 Tallyraiul in cons(i(pience of which he was sent out early this 
 Sprinjif to America, went to Washington to confer with the 
 French Minister, and has proceeded to Portsmouth with a view 
 of entei'ing ( -anada by the State of Vennont. — He has acipiired 
 during his residcmce in Amerii^a the English language and 
 Anierican manmn's to a degree whi(di will enabh^ him to ])ass 
 as an American, and tlun-e can l)e no doubt 1)ut his object is to 
 sound the dispositions of the Canadians in the event of an at- 
 tem])t on Canada. Of all this I have informed M' Dunn ad- 
 ministering the Government of Lower (Canada, and gave him 
 a particular description of his age, ])erson and appea,ra,nc(', so 
 that 1 hope he may 1)e a.ppreliended. — 1 have reason to expect 
 
 I IV 
 
COUIlESPONt)ENCE OF THOMAS HAU(M.AY 
 
 J, t#l 
 
 m 
 
 I!! 
 
 ho will eiKloftvor to tampor wiMi tho iiilifil)it!iiits of Vermont 
 and tli()S(^ parts of tlie State of New Ilainpsliiro iuid Massa- 
 (ilinsctts whii^li lay nearest Canada, to indnee them to (H)oper- 
 ate with a Freneli Foree shonld they arrive in C-anada. I liave 
 oonsid((red it my dnty to communicate this to your Lord- 
 ship, that it Tnay be laid befon^ His Majesty. Every nuiaus in 
 my ])owcr shall be used to disclose; the extent of M' Cazeaux 
 mission to Anu^rica — He is to nsturn to Frniuu! this Autumn. 
 
 TO MR. CANNIN(J 
 
 1 
 
 SiH. 
 
 New York 2a Jxily 1807. 
 
 A very unpleasant o(!currence has lately talv<'n place at Sea 
 off the Cai)es of Virginia Ixitwecni Ilis Majestys Ship Leopard 
 and the American Ship of War Chesapeak ; of which you will 
 undoubtedly receive much more correct information from M'. 
 Krskine His Majestys Minister to thest; States, and fnmi M'. 
 Hamilton the British Consul, than it is at present in my power 
 to give yon.- 
 
 I shall only therefore state that the circumstance is viewed 
 by the respectable part of the Inhii,1)itants <»f this (!ity and the 
 United States of America in a very serious point of view, and 
 that the lower oi-der of the American are nnich irritated and 
 inclined for violent nuiasures. 
 
 I have the honor to inclose to you some of the American 
 News Papers on tiio subject. 
 
 TO MR. CANNING. 
 
 New Yoi'k r)tli of Aufjiist 1807. 
 Sir 
 
 You will naturally at the present moment be anxious to have 
 any information from these States; and although it is notim- 
 
 1 George Canning boeamo Secre- of Poi'lliiml wcro at the head of the 
 
 tary for Foroi^ii Affairs April H, ailiniiiislratioii. 
 1807, on the dismiKsal of tho Whij^ " Tiu; Leopard fired on the Ciiosa- 
 
 Caltinet. Mr. I'ereeval and tlie Duke peake .June 22, 1807. 
 
i' 
 
 CONSUIi-GENERATi, 1807-1812 
 
 205 
 
 I 
 
 Ctieaa- 
 
 nu'diiitoly within iho lino of my dnty to cotnninnicatcwitli you 
 on the proscnt occasion {)erhai»s it nvay not bo disiif^rocablc. 
 Tho nii(lsliii)niaM and soamon made })risonor.s on bmdini^ from 
 one of Ills Majostys Ships in Hampton lloads hav(^ by order of 
 tho Pr(\sid(^nt Ixuni returned — I'reparalions an; nnikinj:,' for tlie 
 fortifying; of this and the other prini^ipal I'orts in these States. 
 About fifty (Jun Boats hiyinjjf in oi-dinaiy in this placid liave 
 ])een j^ot ready for service — iind IDUOOO militia are draft(^d for 
 service on short notie.i!. Congress are (failed for the 20 of On- 
 to])er about six w<ieks carlit^' tlian usual. 
 
 I tim satisfied that tln^ rimcounter ])etween Ilis Majesty's 
 Ship Leopard and tlu; Ameri(!ii,n Fi'ij;at(! (Jhesapeak, will by 
 tlu! Amei'iean (Jovernment be made tin; instrument of pirssinpr 
 (Ml His Maj(!sty's Ministers that the American Flag shall pro- 
 tect all Seamen and j»assengers, other than Sid»jeets of Pow- 
 ers at War with (irea,t Hi-itain. What confirms this opinion 
 is a late puldieation at Boston of an official Lcitter on thissul)- 
 j(!c.t in 1.S04 from M'. Madison the Secretary of Sta.to to M'. 
 Monroe Minister at London. It must have been published at 
 M'. Madison's instance, and at Boston that it miglit ap{)ear to 
 come from a different Source and to operate on the minds of 
 pei'sons, who think v(;ry widely perhaps from M' Madison. — 
 
 The lOastern States an; avers(^ to a War with (rreat Britain. 
 In this States a gr(iat propoi'tion of the respectable characters 
 iin) of similar sentiments, but as you progress to the S(mth- 
 ward they are nu)ro warm, and in Maryland, Vii'ginia an(i the 
 (■aroliiuis I suspect War would be a i)opular measure. It lias 
 l)een with great r(fluetance, thatwitiiin these few weeks, I have 
 b(MMi ol)liged to believe tlie present administration in these 
 States are not averse to war. What the inducement (!an be it 
 is impossil)le to say. They are without Shii)s, or Land P\)rces ; 
 and the JievtMUie drawn wholly fi-om import duties dt^pendaut 
 on (Jomnnn'ce. — 
 
 By an a(!t of ('ongress a part of the funded Dc^bt is ordered 
 to be purchased in half yearly by the Cashier of the United 
 States Bank. About a fortnight since an order was issued 
 from the (iovernnu;nt that he should ])urchase no stock st.i;id- 
 ing in tin; name of a Foreigner, or which had b(M>n transfered 
 
 ' ( 
 
 i. 
 
CORRKSPONDENCE OK THOMAS BARCfiAY 
 
 })y Ji fnreijjfiior to an Amorican (Mtizen .su])soquont to tlio fii'st 
 of .Inly. — Tliis nioiisnrc is ])ointo(l to liritisli Snhjocts, and 
 evinces fui inclination to sc((n('stt'r or coiiliscalc tlicir projM-rty 
 slionhl a war tak(! plnec. 
 
 I'O VTCE-ADMIIIAL BEllKELRV, 
 
 Now York 11'" Au«?iist 1S07. 
 Sir. 
 
 r yesterday received your letter of the fourth of July, in- 
 forin!n<i' nie that the triinsiiclion olH' the ('a])cs of Vii'<iinin l»e- 
 t\ve(!n His Mii,j(^stys Ship Ije()])ii.r(l and the; United Stiitos Fri- 
 J4'ate (Miesapcak had hcn-n much misrepresented in some of tiie 
 American ne\vsiiap«n"s, which you was a[)i)rehonsive nii^dit oc- 
 casion animosity l)etween the two Nations, that you tliought it 
 proper to inclose nio a eoi)y of the orders under which the (-ap- 
 tnin of t]i(> Leopard acted, which yon had not issued until an 
 application to reston^ the mutineers and Deserters from the 
 British Ships had been made by His Majestys Miiiisttn- (Vni- 
 suls and officers and had ])een i-ejected by the (lOVM'rnmeut of 
 the United States, and that T was at Li])erty to ])romot(^ the 
 knowledfi-e of theii' contents in whatevei' way I mi<>:ht think 
 best calculated to presei've th(» jjfood undcj-standina^ which 
 ou^dit to subsist between (Jreat Britain and America. 
 
 Y(mr orders to the ('OnunandtM's of His Majestys Ships of 
 War under _your command have be(Mi some days since pub- 
 lishtMl in most of the American News Papers, and the fact that 
 a i'e<>nla,r and formal demand for the delivery of the Mutineers 
 and Deserters had been made by the officers of ITis Majestys 
 Ships in Hampton Roads and M' (\)nsnl Hamilton on the 
 American offl(!er who (Mitered tliem as Seamen to serve on 
 board the Chesapeak, and by M' Erskine His Majestys Minis- 
 ter to these Stat(\s, oti tin; American Secretary of State to the 
 sanui effect l)oth which demands Iiad respectively been re- 
 fused, has also receiv '1 every possi])le puldicity through the 
 Medium of the Ame.. m Newspapers. 
 
(JONSUL-CiKNKUAIi, 1807-1«12 
 
 207 
 
 I slijill however tiike livcry opport unity t.*) .statu tlu' tniiisiiu- 
 tiou in its roul colours and as you wish it. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIUAL lUUlKliLEY. 
 
 SlK. 
 
 N(iw York [Alienist, IS07J. 
 
 I have ro(!eivc(l your (»ri^iuul ami dupliciatu hitter of the IT)"' 
 of 'July iiiul th(; hand liills which a(',coni[)ani(!d thc^ni. I had 
 them posted up in tlie i)arts of this City, but tliey wvw the 
 M((\t day either mutilated oi- destroyed; since which I have 
 hud your i'roelmual ion (jllerinj,' a Pardon to l)es(!rters pu))- 
 lished in the Nevvs[)ap(U's, but as the Period for their surrender 
 (to wit the 151st of Au^'ust) was so nearly expired I omitted 
 puttiuf^ that or any other day of limitation in it, because in 
 your Proclatnation you hold out a i'ai'don to tiiose Seamen 
 oidy who shall imniediatcdy n^turn to their duty. I<]very 
 means in my powin* shall ))e used to mii,k(! your proclamation 
 generally known, and to invite British Seanien to avail them- 
 selves of it. I am fearful however that but few will surriaider 
 themselves; because they g-et such enormous wages in the 
 American Merchant Service. — llendevous have bet.i ojiened 
 for ent(!ri ng Seamen foi- the Amei-ican Navy. I understand 
 very few here have entered, and those chietiy were of colour 
 or Irish Lands nuMi. — 
 
 I havti obtained fi'oiii Captain Crafts a copy of his letter to 
 M' (lallatin Secretary of the American Treasury respecting 
 two men Deserters from the Mehun[)us who were taken out of 
 the Chesapeak by the Leopard, and who Commodore Barron 
 of the Chesapeak had re[)orted as our Newspapers state to be 
 American Seamen impressed from the American Hrig Ni^ptune 
 ('rafts Master. I inclose a OA)\)y of this letter which I have had 
 published iu the newspapers you will perceive that the men 
 deserted the Nepttnie and were not impressed and that ('ap- 
 tain C'rafts was pleased with the Treatment he received from 
 Captain Poyntz — If any British Seamen offer to enter His 
 Majestys Service, I will take care to forward them to you. 
 
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 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 |i'.' 
 
 V lt» 
 
 You will pardon me for advisiiij^ you that if you send a Ship 
 of War off this Harbour, it would at tho i)rcsent critical mo- 
 uwnt bo prudent to direct that she should as little as possible 
 inteiTupt Ships coming in or going out. The late violence is 
 subsiding, the Eastiirn People are very moderatti ami opposed 
 t<> a War with (Jreat Britain. Wlien (!ojigress meet, they will 
 strain every nerve tt> in-event it. I think it advisable there- 
 fore not to furnish their opponents with fresh arguments. 
 
 TO MIt. CANNING. 
 
 mv' 
 
 \ ' 
 
 \ 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 2" Sei.i' 1807. 
 
 M' Gallatin the Ameri(!an Se(U"etary of the Treasury having 
 bei.Mi lately in this (Uty called on a Captain ('rafts late Master 
 of the American Brig Neptune for information respecting 
 some Seamen who it was stated Commodore BaiTon had re- 
 ported to have been impressed from the Neptune in the Bay 
 of Biscay in the y(Nar 1805 by His Majt^stys Shii) Melampus, 
 two of wlii(;h men Ware and Mjirtin were tak(ui from the 
 American Pi'igate Chesjipeak in June last as Deserters from 
 His Majestys S(U'vice, by Cap' Huniphi'eys of the Leopard. — 
 As it is probable the American reinonsti-ance l)y M' Monro the 
 Minister in London, nuiy represent these men as impressed 
 into His Majestys Service, I inclose you a copy of Ca[)tain 
 Crafts letters to M' (lallatin ami to me on this Subject, which 
 state the reverse to h.ave been the case. It is probable M' 
 Monro is not furnished with this information as Captain 
 ('Vafts told uw, when he delivered the hitter to M' Gallatin and 
 he had read it, M' Gallatin d(vsired him to keep the facts to 
 liimself, or not to make tlusm publi(!k. Crafts is now gone up 
 the Mediterranean, but told me he was ready at any time to 
 verify under oath the letter and what Mr. Gallatin said to him. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 269 
 
 TO SIR ROBEllT LAURIE. 
 
 New York 5 Sep" 1807. 
 Sir. 
 
 I have received your letter of the 2r)tli of Aufi^ist by Captain 
 Bradshaw of His Majestys Sloop (lohinihine, informing nie 
 that the Tlonorable Vice Admiral Berkeley Commander in 
 Chief upon this Station, having understood that many British 
 Seamen had expressed their wishes to join the Standard of 
 their Sovereign and that several men had applied to me for 
 that purpose, he had directed you to send His Majestys Sloop 
 of War (yohimbine to anchor at Sandy Hook for the purpose 
 of receiving any men that may offer; that Captain Bradshaw 
 was to acquaint me of his arrival and to remain on that ser- 
 vice, as long as he shall think it necessary after consulting with 
 me. — That as the Columbine was in want of water and pro- 
 visions you had desired her Commander to demand through 
 me such supplies as he may stand in need of, and as the Pres- 
 idents Proclamation does not seclude Ships of War carrying 
 dispatches, from every privilege of neutrality, you had no doubt 
 I would forward them without delay. 
 
 I did not receive Captain Bradshaws letter of the 2d Instant 
 until late last Evening owing to the Pilots refusing to bring it 
 up ; my son M' HtMiry Barclay therefore went down for it. — 
 Admiral Berkeley I suspect has been misinformed i-especting 
 British Seamen and Landmen in this Port wishing to return 
 to the Service of their King as a few instances have occun-ed 
 in which the applicants have been sent on to Halifax or Eng- 
 land, as they wished, in the Pacquets. I really cannot think 
 it an object for the Columbine to remain at Sandy Hook for 
 the purpose she ho^ been sent for, and I shall so express my- 
 self to Captain Bradshaw. There is generally a Packet in this 
 Port, which can always receive ten times the number of men 
 who will offer. 
 
 1 Sir Robert Laurie was captain of ship Villo de Milan, captiireJ in the 
 
 H. M. S. Milan, and senior ollicor of West Indies. An account of licr 
 
 the Britisli ships in the Chesapeake, capture is given iu Basil Hall's Frag- 
 
 The Milan was formerly the French nicuts of Voyages, etc. 
 
 h\ 
 
 ihlel 
 
 ; \ 
 
270 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 -1* : 
 
 li 
 
 r 
 
 ft 1 
 11 i 
 
 Monday T'" Sop" 
 I had proceeded thus far in iny letter to yon on Saturday 
 and was going to add tliat the (-ollector of this Port had in a 
 very handsome inann(!r consented to my sending down to the 
 Cohunbine the provisions of which Cap* Bradshaw represented 
 he was in need, when I received a note from the OoUector in- 
 forming me that he was under the painful nc^cessity of retract- 
 ing his permission and that he was (compelled to recpiire Cap- 
 tain Bradshaw immediately to depart from Sandy IIoolc. 
 
 It appears that a Rcivenue Cutter lay at no great distance 
 froni the Columbine, that a man deserted fi'om the hitter who 
 Captain Bradshaw supposed had gone on board this (-utter, 
 that a Boat with an officer from the Columbints was sent to the 
 Cutter to enquire about this man. That the officer was told 
 he was not on board, but that he was not satisfied with this 
 assiu-ance, but declared he would search the Cutter. That the 
 Revenue officer who commande<l the (hittei* remonstrated 
 against the measure and forl)id it, notwithstaiuling which the 
 search was made;, but the Deserter was not found. Tliis is the 
 substance of the Report of the Revenue officer to the Col- 
 lector, who considers it an act of violence connnitted on an 
 American national vessel within the Jurisdiction of the United 
 Stat(iS, which justifies and rendei's it his duty to order the im- 
 mediate departure of the (■olumbine. 1 hope this report of 
 the Revenu<i officer may be exaggerated — I have not yet 
 h(iard whether Capt Bradshaw has gone to Sea — On Satui*- 
 day I nuule him accjuainted with the above report, and I hope 
 this day to hear from liim.i 
 
 i 
 
 TO GENERAL SIR JAMES CRATG, GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF 
 
 CANADA. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York, 22' Nov' 1807 
 
 I some time since informed M' Dunn then administei-ing the 
 Government of Lower Canada, that a W Cazeanx late French 
 
 1 An accoutit of this affair, taken from the newspapers of the day, will be 
 foiuul ill McMaster's History of the U. S., Vol. TIT, pp. 267, 208. 
 
OONSUIi-UENKUAL, 1807-I811i 
 
 271 
 
 Consul at Portsniouth New Harnpsliirci luul arrivod t'noii 
 Fraiuto (iliar^od by the Frt'uch (lovcriimeiit to vnsit Canada 
 for the pui'iMise of alienatinj^ the affections of the Canadians 
 from His Majesty and the (lovernnient and other traitorous 
 purposes — I he^ k»ave to refer you to the letter to M' Dunn 
 for the partiiudars — 
 
 I have lately heard that (-azeaux will not return to Fi-anee 
 this Winter but remain in (-anada in disj^uise — His abilities 
 areeipuil to hiseunninfi:, and as he speaks Fjuj^lish remarkably 
 well it will be diffi(Mdt to diseovm- him. He will proliably as- 
 sume the dress of a Peasant. It is of the utmost eonsecjuenee 
 li(! should be a])prehended. Tlu^ plan must be well laid to dis- 
 e<»ver him, as the Canadians will naturally ineline to conceal 
 him — 
 
 TO THE GOVERNOR OF RARRADOES. 
 
 Ntnv York 28'" Dect 1807 
 
 I have the honor to inclose you a News Paj)er of this day, 
 containinj^ an Act of (/onjiifress passed the 22'' (Uirrent layin}jf 
 an Fmbargo on all Vessels within the Ports of the United 
 States, with a provisional clause in favor of Poreij^n merchant 
 vessels, and another in favor of Foreij,ni Ships of War. 
 
 I am re(piested by M"^ Erskine His Majesty's Minister Pleni- 
 potentiary to these States, to inform you that th(5 American 
 (fovernment have declared that the Embarjro is not intended 
 as a measure of Plostility aj^ainst (Jreat Britain, but only of 
 Precaution against the Risk of Captui'e by the Belligerents 
 Powers in the present extraordinary Statt; of things.^ 
 
 Ill 
 
 OF 
 
 1807 
 
 ig the 
 [French 
 
 will be 
 
 |2ft8. 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL RERKELEY. 
 
 New York 20'" December 1807. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 1 have the Honor to inclose to 3'ou the act of i'ongress 
 passed a few days since laying an Eml)argo, and to inform 
 
 1 Similar letters were sent to the Governors of Jaiuuiua, the Bahamas, 
 Bermuda, aud Nova Scotia. 
 
 i 
 

 V' '1 
 
 I 
 
 • ! 
 
 272 
 
 IIOKUESPONDENCK OF TUUMAS BAllCLAY 
 
 you that tlu! act of conj^ress prohibiting tlio iini)ortation of 
 tli(! jjfrcator part of the nuirchaiulize usually imported from His 
 Majcstys Unitinl Kijigdom, went into operation on the 14"' In- 
 stant — It is eertaiu that these measures have been adopted in 
 cons<M[uence of the present unpleasant position of affairs be- 
 tween (Ireat Hritain and America ; Imt I suspect the Enibarjro 
 has taken place rather from the present ndfitive situation of 
 France and America. By the National Schooner Ueveuf^'e 
 dispatches were received from the American Ministei* at Paris, 
 the precise purport of which has not yet transpired, but it is 
 stated that Bonaparte has declared there shall be no neutrals, 
 and that these States must take part with H. Britain or France 
 — (Vuigress have sat since the 19"' Instant, the day the Presi- 
 dent sent them a communication on the subject of the resolution 
 of Bonaparte, with closed doors. The Embargo was the result 
 of their deliberation, during which letters from Washington 
 state, the disputes with G Britain was never mentioned — 
 The presumption is therefore that the Embargo was ordered 
 to prevent Am" Ships going to France — A letter however 
 from a sensible, respectable membcir in (V)ngress, opposed to 
 French measures,^ dated the 19"' of December, says that not- 
 withstanding matters can be amicably adjusted between G 
 Britain and America, he fears through freiuih influence a War 
 between them will take place, to avoid a War with France — 
 M"^ Rose has not yet arrived, and I begin to fear some accident 
 has occurred to the Statira.^ 
 
 i .'I 
 
 TO Sm liOBERT LAURIE. 
 
 New York Dec' 'iO'" 1807. 
 Sir. 
 
 His Majesty's Schooner C'liubb under the comirumd of Lieut : 
 Crooke arrived last night at the ([uari-antine ground about 
 nine miles from this City, and Lieut Crooke came up in the 
 
 1 Barent Gardeiiier (?). 
 
 i^Goorgo Henry liosc, tho special envoy seut over to treat of the Chesapoako 
 
 affair, arrived at Norfolk the same day this letter was written. 
 
 k: V,i\ 
 
CoN.SUL-liKNKKAL, IS07-IM1J 
 
 
 Pilot boat tlic C(»ll«H',tor liowrver hearing of liis Laiuliiip: im- 
 iiKMliatcly ordered tin; i'ilot to take liijii aj^aiti on hoard tlu) 
 ('hul)l), as his landing was in tlin faco of tlu! [u-osidonts ])i*o(;la- 
 iiiaiion, so tliat I liavc not swin M' (/n)oko. 
 
 TIk^ (Joll(!(!tor liowev(!r ininuuliati'ly sent mv yonr and (lov- 
 vcrnor IlodtJjsoiis disitatc^lics, witli a [tolitc^ nifssas^t^ tliata l»(»at 
 was always ready from the (customs foi- nie t'^ <;oniiniuii(;at(3 
 with the Coininandcr of the Clmbb. I shai! -el the dis- 
 [)atchus on board t\w. (Miubl> at hij^h water toni<;r ow and i - 
 (jnost Lieut Crooko to sail the first wind, at present the wind 
 is at S. E. and every ai)i)earanee of a gale. 
 
 TO Mil. EliSKINE. 
 
 1807. 
 
 Lieut : 
 
 about 
 
 I) in tlie 
 
 [esapeako 
 ken- 
 
 New York ;{" Feb'' 180S. 
 Silt. 
 
 By yesterday's mail I had the Honor to receive your letter 
 of the 28"' of .January oov«;riiig a Statement respeeting circuni- 
 stanees which have occurred on board llis Majestys Ship Sta- 
 tira near Norfolk and wliic^h has been nuu h misi-epresented in 
 the Aniei'iean News Papers. — This statement will be [inldislied 
 in the Evening l*ost this day, and in the New York Gazette 
 tomorrow, with a few remarks.' 
 
 ' Tho Norfolk Honilil of Jiunmry The iuiswiT i)u])lislic(l l)y the Ncw- 
 
 I'JIh stateil tliiit a bout Iiad f^oiic York i)!ii)('rs stated tliat wlum the 
 
 aloiigsido tli(^ Statira with provi- l)oat. oamo ah)iif;si(lo a soaTiiaii was 
 
 .sioiis; that tlicy wor'.i "saluted witli bpiiifj Hof^^^i'd "for haviiit? falsely 
 
 tho t^oaiis of prisoners who appeared accused his oflicurs"; that he did 
 
 tobosiilTeriii)^ tlic most oxerueiatiii^ claim to be an American, but had 
 
 torture"; tliat the passengers on ^iven no proof of it; that he had 
 
 the boat wished to proceed, but wore volunteered at Portsmoutii in Eiijjf- 
 
 " treated in the most brutal manner"; land and received tho bounty as 
 
 that "tho groans were those of an such; tiuit during the punisiiiuent 
 
 American citizen writiiing under the the boat was requested to keep off 
 
 lasliof a petty tyrant, and their crime a few minutes; that a "verbal al- 
 
 having declared they wore American tercation" ensued; but that the 
 
 citizens and having sent letters on boat's crew carried their point, al- 
 
 shore by tho jiilot." The Baltimore though tiiey " wished some incouve- 
 
 Whig republished tiiis under the nience to tho Frigate. "| 
 
 heading, " Peace is now Disgrace." 
 in 
 
 \ 
 
 i: 
 
 i; 
 
( ■ ! 
 
 274 
 
 ('OUUWSPONDKNOK < H" TllnMAS MAKCIiAY 
 
 ! 
 
 n 
 
 i 
 
 i I 
 
 TO C'APT. lUtOMLEY, H. M. K. STATIliA. 
 
 Nuw York 15 F.-ly ISOH. 
 SiH : 
 
 I Mtii (liis (lay honored with your letter of the 1"' (hirrt-nt on 
 tlu; Siil»j(!('t of British Sejuncn who may Jipjtly to nic, for pas- 
 su4;;('.s to thcii- native country in (•on.s(!(juenee of His Majestys 
 late Proclamation or otherwise, with your nnjuest that I w<»ul(l 
 forward such Seamen to His Majestys Ship Statira under your 
 coinmand, where you will re(!eive them for His Majestys ser- 
 vice for a passaj^e to l']nj;land on the return of the Statira with 
 the British Mission — 
 
 Since the passing of thi! Act of (-ongress in December last 
 laying an embargo on American Vessels, British Seamen to 
 tlui number of about forty have applied for passages to Great 
 Britain (U* other i)arts of His Majestys dominions, some of 
 whom have been sent in Packets to Falmouth, othei's to Hali- 
 fax in Nova Scotia, and two to Rear Admiral Sir Alx' C-ocli- 
 rane at Barhadoes. I have also made it known at all the 
 houses where British Sciiimen resort, that 1 was ready to fur- 
 nish them with passages to His Majestys l^ominions on their 
 api)lication ; I am sorry to add that no others have availed 
 themselves of His Majestys Proclamation. 
 
 If any British Seamen hen^after apply, and aconveyanceoifers 
 fc the CJhesapeak, I shall assuredly send them to yon ; but if 
 there should be no such conveyance, and a vessel n^ady for Hali- 
 fax, I shall feel it my duty to send them thither. — Had the Sta- 
 tira arrived here; instead of the Chesapeak, I have no doubt, two 
 or three hnndred able British Seamen would have entered on 
 board ht^r for His Majestys Service, and even at this late day, 
 was your station removed to this City, I feel confident, provided 
 the embargo continues, you would more than complete your 
 complement. 
 
m 
 
 CONSlJL-OKNERAIi, ISO 7-1H12 
 
 275 
 
 TO GENEllAL Sill JAMES CUAIG. 
 
 he Sta- 
 ibt, two 
 n-ed on 
 ate day, 
 )vided 
 pte your 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 4'- April 1808. 
 
 I liMvo received your letters of tiie H"' and 12"' of Mareli tlie 
 former per Post, tlu^ latter by John Wyatt on his return to 
 this City. I have also re<',eived from M' M'Ken/ie of the 
 Northwest (-ompany one hundred (h)llars advaiu^ed to defray 
 Porteous' expenses in poinj-- to you ; and a draft from M' 
 Richardson on Mess" M' Vieker and ( ■<> ; which was i»aid, for tlie 
 hundred dollars <,nven to Wyatt on ac(!ount of his expenses 
 in ^'oinj;^ with dis]>atclies fin* yon. — I am hapi)y to learn you 
 are jjossessed of sufficient information to counteract tlie I )esijyjns 
 of tho.se Persons respectinjj^ wli<»m I liave jjiven you notice. 
 
 IVP Hose His Majestys Spi'cial Envoy to these States, sailed 
 in th(! Statira Frijj^ate on the 27"' ulto. from Hampton Koads 
 for Enji^land his mission to th(^se States having failed of its 
 friendly objec^t. Within the hist Fortnight however a great 
 change it is said lias taken ])lace in tlie disposition of Congress 
 and the American (Sovernmeiit, and that thei-i; is everv rea.son 
 to l)eliev(^ we .shall continue on Terms of Amity. Fii [)roof 
 of this, the President has stated in conversati<m that the 
 disjiatches latc^ly receiv(!d from M' Pinekney the American 
 Minister in London were exi)ressive of the most coiieiliatory 
 disposition on the part of His Majesty; and the Presidents 
 laying before Congress the official documents received from 
 France, so long with held and wrai)ped in soc^reciy. — The 
 present state of sus})ense cannot long (rontinue; nor will the 
 Americans remain much longer silent under the inconvcuiience 
 and ruinous cimsequences of the Embargo. 
 
 TO MR. EKSKINE. 
 
 New York !)'" April 1808. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have the Honor to inclose to you a copy of my letter to 
 CommodiU'e llodgers Commanding the American Ships of 
 War in this Port, re(piesting him to discharge from the 
 
 lil 
 
 I 
 
 tl'tl 
 
 ■ 
 
 I 
 
I ill 
 r| j 
 
 27G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP TUOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Aincrioiui Sliip of War Wasp a subject of His Majcstys 
 named Jatnes (irrady. Also (-onimodore Rodjifiirs unsvvci- to 
 ino, wlicu'ein lu' roeomiiiends my ai)i)lyiii»>; to tlie Secretary (►f 
 the Anierieaii Navy on the subject; and impliedly (H)ntradi<'ts 
 my assertion tliat (Jrady is a Sii1)ject of His Majesty. 
 
 (irady av(!i's that he was born in Ireland, and was a (lard- 
 ner several years with Lady (^onnoUy, dauj^^hter of the late 
 Duke of Iii(!hmond. In addition to vvhicli the Irish dialect is 
 so broad on his Tongue, that every person who hears liim 
 speak, would at once proiu)unc<! liim an Irishman. — I am 
 thei-efore positive that I was correct in saying he was a sub- 
 ject of His Majesty ; nor can I inmgine Commodore I-fodgcrs 
 can have any (irround for denying it, unless he sets U]) the 
 plea of Grady bfing a Citizen of these States or having taken 
 the Oath of allegiance. Grady assures me he has not been 
 made a citizen or taken the Oath of allegiance. He is anxious 
 for his dischai'go and desirous to «^nter into His Majestys Ser- 
 vice. T hope you will feci yourself ni Liberty t<> niak)* an ap- 
 jdication foi- him. — It is tinu^ to ascertain whether the Am" 
 (iovern>n(!nt intend retaining in Umv Service British Subjects. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 TO OENERAL HIST.Or, GOVERNOR OF TRINIDAD. 
 
 New Yoi-k f)"" May 1808. 
 
 I am this moment honored with your Excel^"" letter o,' the 
 29"' of March covei'ing your Proclamation respecting the loss 
 of a gn^at numl)er of Houses and other Huildinj. s at the Port 
 of Spain, the distress of the Inhabitants, and inviting all 
 friendly neutrals to ex])ort to that place Provisions and Lum- 
 })er iiiid that they shall )»e permitted to cany away in return 
 Sugar, Hum, Molasses, Cocoa and Coffee. — 
 
 I most sincerely participate with you and the Sufferers in 
 the l(»sses they have sustained and the inconveniences they 
 nuist exptsrience ; and it adds much to my mortification that 
 I cannot officially make public your j)roclamation, in conse- 
 quence of tlie continiuince of the Embargo Law — I will how- 
 ever if possible get it a place in some of the News Papers ed- 
 
 »^ 
 
CONSUL-UKNKltAI^ 1H()7-IH12 
 
 277 
 
 !• to 
 yof 
 
 lu'ts 
 
 iaril- 
 
 liite 
 M't is 
 
 him 
 1 am 
 
 a<j:crs 
 
 |) the 
 
 , been 
 axioiis 
 >rs Sor- 
 aii ap- 
 le Am" 
 il),ioets. 
 
 1808. 
 
 • o' the 
 Itlu' lo-'- 
 llic Port 
 Itin^ all 
 id bum- 
 
 II return 
 
 Jferers in 
 lees they 
 lion that 
 
 III conse- 
 n\\ how- 
 
 [vpers ed- 
 
 ited in this (!ity.— M"^ I']rskiiie His Mujestys Minister at VVash- 
 inj^ton I fear will not succeed in ()l)tainiii^ any indnljjjeiieo 
 from th(^ Am" (lovei-nmcnt, for two reas(»ns, lirst J»eeanse I 
 siisi)eet tlioy are not in(!lin(Ml to j^raiit them t() His Majestys 
 Siiltjeets, and se(M)ndly if tliey do, they eannot refuse similar 
 applications from the French and Spanish (lovernmcnts. At 
 this moment there an; two oftieers at Washinj^tcm (l('|>uted hy 
 the (T(>veruor of tlie City of IS' Domingo recpicstini? i>ermission 
 to export flour from these States to that place; to ])revent tin; 
 Inhabitants from perishint!;. — There is at prcisent not the least 
 probability of the Endjargo being taken off. 
 
 TO IlEAR-ADMIRAL COCHRANE. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Now York 2'' May 1808 
 
 A freneh bnilt Ship formerly sailing out of this I'oi't under 
 an American Sea letter under the name of the Eliza, has dur- 
 ing this Winter been cut down in Fran(!e and everyway fitted 
 for a Privateer, she arrived here some weeks since with a Cargo 
 of Brandy and has cleared out for the Isle of France uiuhu" the 
 name of the Constant, Vauvage Master. This is not the fact. 
 Vauvage is the owner of this Sliip and on board of lier : but an 
 American of the name of Waterman is the real ('ai)tain. She 
 is not bouml for the Isle of France but the West Indies, or 
 that part of the Continent which comprehends Surina?n, Dera- 
 arara and Berbice. She has three or four (inns mounted, ))ut 
 the remfiinder to ccpiip her to 18 Guns are in her hold, the 
 weight or length of which I have not been able to ascertain. 
 She sails uncommoidy fast, and will probably make many 
 (■aptures uidess taken. — Waterman and such others of her 
 Crew as are Americans will merit particular care and treat- 
 ment being found on board an Enemy's Ship of War. — She 
 may assume the name of the Eliza, Waterman Master and 
 show an American Sea letter; or that of the Constant, Vau- 
 vage Master with some other Custom House document — It 
 will be proper for you to forward this to the Commander in 
 Chief of the Jamaica Station. 
 
 ' I 
 
 ;i 
 
 II 
 
 . 1 
 
 18* 
 
 

 I'l 
 
 278 
 
 i I 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 ' 
 
 pi ■ 
 
 ! \ 
 
 ll 
 
 
 I'' 
 
 
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 IM 
 
 i 
 
 ( 
 
 (!()IUtKSI'()NI»i;N«'K Ol' THOMAS IIAliCliAY 
 
 TO ADMIRAL SIK JOHN DOllLASli WAUUKN.' 
 
 SlU. 
 
 Now York I!)'" .July 1H08 
 
 The (lay beforo y<'Htonliiy it wjis uiiiiouiKied in tlif Nows 
 Papers of this City and nu'iitioiicd in piivato letters that a 
 French National iirijj: of 'J()(}iiiis had ari-ived in the Chcst!- 
 peak t'foni Hi-est with dispatches From the FiH'iieh (iovern- 
 inent. By letters reiH'ived from tialtinioi'e & Alexiindria l>y 
 this days nniil it ai)pears that a Frem 'i Nati(»nal iii-ij? of 20 
 Guns and 150 men had arrived in the Chesiipeak (not 'rom 
 Brest but) from (fuadoloupe. It is <xenta'ally sui)posed li ob- 
 ject is to obtain i)rovisioiis. — 
 
 I am awart^ that imdei" present eireiimstanecs it is not His 
 Majestys Wish that the S(piadroii nnder /(mr .'oinmand should 
 j^ivo even a shadow of offeiu;o to this ({overnnuMit ; still with 
 submission to your better J udjxnient, I should suppose some 
 of the Frigates and Sloo|)s under your (jommand mij^ht be off 
 !uul on these Ports, and occasionally ca,i»ture l*]iieinies Ships. 
 The FnMich are apprised that British Ships of War seldom 
 cruise off the Am" Ports and avail themselves of their ab- 
 sence. — I have advised Sir Alexandt^r Cochrane of the Brit^ 
 l)einir here and that she will [)rol)ably I'eturn in a month or six 
 Weeks to (}uadeh)upe or Martinico. Should aconv(\yance of- 
 fer for Barbadoes or contiiijuous from Halifax pennit me to 
 recommend your repeating- the information. 
 
 TO Mil. EllSKINE. 
 
 New York 1" Aufrust 1808 
 Sir, 
 
 I am at this moment honored with your letter of the 29"' of 
 July recjuestinf^f me as His Majestys Com' under the 5"' Arti- 
 cle of the Treaty of Amity Commerce and Navigation between 
 
 1 Nophow of Sir Peter Warren, matist, haviiijj: been British Atnbas- 
 Horn in 1754, died 1822. Sir John sador to Russia in 1802. 
 was not only a sailor, but a diplo- 
 
-W1 
 
 S08 
 
 luit a 
 Un'Ht'.- 
 
 (Vl'l'U- 
 
 •ia by 
 
 of 20 
 
 'rom 
 
 I ol)- 
 
 ot His 
 sli<>ul«l 
 
 II with 
 ic sotno 
 t, be off 
 ^ Siiips. 
 
 seldom 
 licir ab- 
 ho Bvii.' 
 til <»v i^i^ 
 
 iUiee of- 
 it nie to 
 
 List 1808 
 
 Le 29"' of. 
 
 5*'' Ai-ti- 
 
 |i between 
 
 lish Anibas- 
 
 CONSUL-OENERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 279 
 
 His M : & \]w United States of America to inform yon wiietlier 
 Moose Island in l*assaina(nioddy Hay is within His Majestys 
 Limits or those of the United States. 
 
 For th(! nion; ready eomprehendinp the eonduet of tlie 
 Com" with respeet to tlie Ishmds in that Hay permit me to 
 {?ive you two extracts, tlic^ first from tlie second Article of the 
 (h^Hnitive Treaty of Peace Inrtween His Majesty and the United 
 States, the otlMU- from the fifth Article of the Treaty of Amity 
 Commerce and Navi<;ation above mentioned. — In de.seribin<; 
 th«* boundaries which are t(» divide; His Majestys (tln'ii) Prov- 
 ince of Nova Scotia from the TTnited States, the definitive 
 Treaty declares — " P^ast by a Line tw be drawn alonji^ the mid- 
 <lle of tlu; li'irfr S' Croix from its wouth in the lioij of Fuuthj 
 to its soinur.'^ Tin; sanui Artich; grants all Islands within 
 tw(;uty Leagues of any jvart of tlm Shores of the United States 
 and lyinj^ betwecm lines to be drawn due Eastfnnn the Points 
 where the aforesaid Houndaries between Nova Scotia on the 
 cue part, and East Florida on the other shall respectively 
 touch the; Hay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean, '* txrcjifinf/ 
 siuh fshnids tis how are, or heretofore liare Iteen within the 
 Limits of the mid Proritiee of Nom Seoti<(.'' The treaty of 
 Amity Commt;rce and Navi<^ation directs that tlui three Voui- 
 missi(»n(;rs ap[)ointed under the 5'" Article of that Trt \ty, 
 " shall by a declaration under their hands and Seals decide 
 what Iliver is the River intended l>y the " ((hifinitive)" Treaty." 
 and "that tin; said dtidanit ion shall contain a description of 
 the said River, and shall ]>articularize the Latitude; and Lou- 
 f!,itiide of its month and of its Sonrce" 
 
 You will pei*(!eive from tht^se extracts that the C<»mmission- 
 ers under the definitive Ti-caty in 178:5 eontem])lated and 
 described the mouth of tlui River S' Ci'oix to be in the Hay of 
 Fuiidy — and that tlu; 5"' Article of the Tr<;aty makes numtion 
 only of its mouth, without refei-ence to the Bay of Fundy, in- 
 deed the Bay of Fundy is not mcnti(uied in the Article. — It 
 was the wish of the Commissioners under the 5"' Arliide of the 
 Treaty of Anuty Connnerce and Navij^alion to have if ])ossi- 
 ble carried the mouth of the River S' Croix into the Hay of 
 Fundy; but on a fair examination of the River S' Croix we 
 
If 
 
 i;i;( 
 
 :?; Ml 
 
 280 
 
 COURRSPONDKNOR OP THOMAS BARC^LAY 
 
 I ■' 
 
 '' M 
 
 were of opinion tliat the month of tlu* River S' Croix was at. a 
 place called J»)e's Point nearly opposite; to the Town of S' An- 
 (In^ws in the Westernmost Part (►f the Hay of Passamaqiioddy, 
 and left the Houndarv from tlienet; to the Hay of Fnndy to )»c 
 arrani^ed by His Majesty and the United States of Amerien, at 
 some futnre Pei'iod. Thi; Commissioners however ap'e«!d that 
 thoy would i-ceommend to their respecrtive (Jovernments that 
 the ('entn^ of the Main (channel which l(!a<ls from Joe's Point 
 into the Hay of Fnndy sliouid be the dividinj^- Line. This liine 
 has never been coniirmcd, if it had Moose Island would have; 
 been on the Au?eriean Sid(; of it, but this would not have af- 
 fected His Majestys lliglit to that Island, bcicause by th<; excep- 
 tion in the second Article of the dcifinitive Treaty such Islands 
 as then were or theretofore had l)een within tin; limits of the 
 Province; of Nova Scotia won^ not to ap^xTtaiu to the llnitcd 
 States. — M' Chipman His Majestys A<^ent was prci)ai'ed to 
 show - n the part of His Majesty that Moose Island then was 
 and had been within the Limits of the Provinc^e of Nova S(!o- 
 tia; but the Commissioners ri^fused to hear him, having? net 
 power or direction to decide with respect to those Islands. — 
 M' ('hipman is His Majestys Solicitor (}en<'ral at S' John in 
 the Province of New Hrunsvvick, and will n^adily furnish the 
 Admiral and (reneral with (iopies of the doeunu'nis he had pre- 
 pared to lay before the Com" had tlu^y conceived tluMnselves 
 authorized to receive them — 
 
 As it may at a future day be urj^inl on the pai-t of the United 
 States of America that His Majesty in the year 1802 or 18();{ 
 had agreed to yield Moose Island to these States, pei-mit me to 
 add, what I by no means hold to be material, but to avoid a 
 charge of suppression. Tha*^ when I was in London in 1802 
 and 18015, Loi'd Hawkesbury then Secri^tary of State for for- 
 eign affairs infornuul me that M' King the American Minister 
 in London, had in conversing on the Subjiujt of the Islands in 
 the Hay of Fundy and on the escablishing a boundary Line 
 from the mouth of the Uiver S' Croix (Joes Point) to the Hay 
 of Fundy, nu'utioned that several of those Islands nppen'tained 
 to th(( United Stattis of AuKM'ica. — In reply I told his Lordship 
 I considered the reverse the fact and thatevciry Island in Pas- 
 
 ■-.»i'«wi^. 
 
^^^'i 
 
 CONSUL-OKNERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 281 
 
 at. a 
 An- 
 
 (lay, 
 
 () be 
 cii at 
 I ill at 
 
 that 
 Point 
 < \aw 
 
 have 
 lVc af- 
 t'xcep- 
 slaiuls 
 of the 
 nnit»'«l 
 
 LVCll to 
 
 en was 
 va Siio- 
 
 amis. — 
 lohn ill 
 lish tli« 
 liad pi'e- 
 insolves 
 
 .. ITnitcd 
 or 180;i 
 liit me to 
 I) avoid a 
 in 1S02 
 
 [, for foi'- 
 M ii lister 
 
 Islands in 
 ary \A\w 
 tiie Bay 
 >(>rtaino(l 
 Lordsliip 
 .d in Tas- 
 
 saTna(jnod(ly Hay had a[»poi'<aiiUMl to tlie Province of Nova 
 Scotia; I how«'ver added tliat if a full and eonipleat settle- 
 ment of Boundaries took place VxitvvtMMi His Majesty and tin; 
 United States of Aineri(\a, whi<^li was then under his Lord- 
 ships and M' Kini>;s consideration, that it was my opinion 
 Moose Island should be granted ex {gratis by His Majesty to 
 the United States of Anun'ica, as th(\v had posst^ss'-d it since 
 17H;J and used it as a Port of Kntry. — His Ijordship directed 
 me to confer with M' Kinj^ on the Subject. M' Kin^- and my- 
 self met twice or three times, and he linally aii^reed to ac^ci^pt 
 Mooso Island in full of all claims for Islands in the liay of 
 l*assama(pioddy, as an evt^ntual arran<j^cment of the Boun- 
 dary Lines' — Soon after this I und(>rstood M' Kin^ receivcul 
 instructions from his (}ovtM'nm(Uit not to ])roc(>ed any further 
 in tht^ pro})osed ('ommission for rnnnin<;' the remainder of the 
 unascertained Lines between His Majesty and these States. — 
 
 TO ADMIllAL SIR JOHN BOllLASE WAUREN. 
 
 New York .T Sept.' 180S. 
 Sir. 
 
 I have the Honor to acknowlcdji^e the receipt of your three 
 siivcral hitters to me of the 2S"' of .Inly. — I rej^rct tha.t IIk^ live 
 Seanuiii I stint to the ollicci* (loiiimandiiii^; His Majestys Ships 
 of War at Passamaipioddy, havti not been delivered. At the 
 time I put them on board there was no conveyanc«i for Hali- 
 fax. Thti nijtstei's of Miirchant V(!ssels cannot be confided in: 
 and the C'a.i»tains of Pack(its, in c.onsc(iuen(i(i of the number of 
 Pass(!nj;ers they cjirry to Falmouth, sin<U! tlui l<]mbar<>-o, are 
 averse to be troubled with Seamen, intended foi* the Navy. — 
 Captain Davis of the Manchester <mi his arrival told me he 
 would take ui'ty S(iamen for you, if I had them; prior how- 
 ever to his departure he complained of his Ship beiutj mu(ih 
 crowded and eventually niceivtsd very few. — The next (tlni 
 October Pack(it) will lui thti last which tomiiuis at Halifax 
 from hence until March next, after her there will l>e no con- 
 
 1 See ante, piige 14(>. 
 
 r 
 
 
'<.■■■ J I 
 t 
 
 282 
 
 CORRESPONDENCR OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 veyanoo for Seamen. Perhaps it would not be amiss for you 
 to send a small armed vessel oeeasionally between the middle 
 of Oe,tol)er and Mar(;h to take sneh men as may wish to return 
 to His Majestys Dominiojis. The ostensible reason for the ar- 
 rival of an armed Shij» frojn you. must be dis])atehes, and the 
 Officer Commandinj^ on his arrival at Sandy Hook or Staten 
 Island is directed by Law to rejun't his arrival and the eause 
 (towit that he is eharji^ed with dispatehes) to the (V)lieetor of 
 the Customs, who will then if reciuested grant liim Pro- 
 visions, &e. 
 
 ( ■ 
 
 In' 
 
 TO ADMIllAL Sill JOHN BOHLASE WAllKEN. 
 
 New York :{'' S.-pt' 1808. 
 
 {Private.) 
 Dear Sir: 
 
 The incidents which have occuri'cd in Europe, and in the 
 Spanish C'olonies in North and South America, are events of 
 such general importance and so p«!culiarly fort unate for (rreat 
 Britain that I cannot refrain offering you my sinciere congrat- 
 ulations. — I cannot say 1 am very sanguine in my exiicctatiims 
 of th(> (^onstiijuences of the I'cvnlutions in Spain and Portugal, 
 unless they arc supported by what we have had hints to ex- 
 \w{'t, a revolution in Italy, and a (cooperation of the Northern 
 Powers. Should these take phuce, and unanimity, decision 
 and energy actuate thc^ allies, tlm Tyrant must fall. — At all 
 events if the Spaniards and Portugese act with pi'udenc*^ and 
 protnptuess, and carry <m merely a defensive and desultory 
 war, avoiding at least for two years any thing like a general 
 action, there is work cut out to oc(Mipy Boiuiparte the remain- 
 der of his Life — Wliere ever the Fi-ench main l^ody appeal's 
 only Women children and old men should be found. The 
 elite of the Si)anish and Poi'tugese Troojts, of which the 
 greater part ought to be cavalry, should hang on the rear and 
 flanks of the Enemy, o])pose them in front at (^very strong 
 pass, harass them night and day by i)artial and occasionally 
 
CONSUL-GKNEllAli, !M07-1812 
 
 283 
 
 1 
 
 more extonsivo utUicks, aud out up nil their forapiij? piirlics 
 and esc(»rts. Su(di a mode would make Soldiers of them, while 
 it rendered the French discontented from constant duty and 
 scanty supplies. You will j»erhaps smile and remark that it is 
 easier to i)reseribe the mode, than to carry it into effect. 1 
 jl'rant it, l)ut be«^ leave to add that Troops in their own coun- 
 try, havinjj; every man their Friend have incredil)le adva)ita^es 
 over an Enemy who is ijj^norant of the country, and of local 
 information. — The immediate e.onse(juenoe.'- of these revolu- 
 tions jire siiiHular foi-ttmate to (xi-eat Britain durinj^ the oper- 
 ation of the Anu-rican non importation and embargo Laws. 
 The Spanish (^>loni('S in the West Indies and on tlu; ('ontinent 
 of Amei'ica will now take from our nuinufacturers all that 
 their Industry can sui)ply ; and I am at times in doubt whether 
 a. c(tntinuan(!e of the Ameriiriui Fmbargo will not ojierate bene- 
 licially to Britain. — Whether the occurrences in Furope have 
 had any effect on M' Jefferson and his Ministers inis not yet 
 transpired. 1 have no hesitation to say, but for these events, 
 they would have gone to War with us, and united themselves 
 more closely with France. — For this purpose; they have pur- 
 sued ev<'ry measure which could give offence to His Majesty 
 and Ilis Mini. n in tln^ hopes of inducing them to some act 
 wh'ch would be geneially offensive to the Americans and give 
 colour to a War. — A large proportion of tin? Americans per- 
 haps a irnijor part are averse to War with Britain. If there- 
 fore Bi'itain could have been so goaded as to commit the first 
 aggression, the American (lovernment believed numy if not 
 most of those wlio were opposed to a War, woidd become ad- 
 vocates for it. — It was uiuler this conviction that I some time 
 since took the Liberty to give yt)u my opinion, with respect to 
 Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay, possessed by the Ameri- 
 <'ans, Vmt a})[)ertaining to His Majesty ; and to recommend the 
 avoiding all acts of violence to gain tiie possession, indeed not 
 even to make a demand at present, for it. — My reasons were 
 given at length and shall not now be repeated — Vermont 
 Massachusetts and Connecticut are decudedly favorable to 
 Britain in opimsition to France. In this State aud in Jersey 
 and Pennsylvania they are nearly divided, and in c nsequence 
 
 iil 
 
 1 
 
 m 
 
TT^ 
 
 284 
 
 COltUESI'UNDKNt:!': OF TIKJMAS BAIiCLAY 
 
 •; f 
 
 ' f 
 
 of the l<]inl)firi;<> tho fcnha-ul purty arc daily f^jainiii*; .strenjiftli 
 throughout tho Union. — Petitions or i-athcr Memorials ai'o 
 sendinji: i'roin the Eastern and Northern States to the Presi- 
 d(!nt for a repeal of the Enibarjj^o, and should it not he raised 
 in November or Deeemher, I should not be surprised if vio- 
 lenet! was opposed to Law. Orders have l)een issued by the 
 President for l)uildin}^ two larj^e Armed Hri^s and sonu; <run 
 l)oats on the Lak(!s ; and lar^e depots of small arms, ordiiane,e 
 and military Stores have l)i'(m lately established as I am in- 
 fornuid in those parts of this State whieh are oontij;uous to 
 Canada. — These are strongly indicative measures. — Daily ex- 
 |)erien(',e adds moreover to past eonvietion that admitting we 
 are to be at War with America it is of immense moment, we 
 should avoid yivin^ the American Government a pretext for 
 it ; because should they wantonly unite with France af^ainst 
 Hit, Majesty, we will have three of the most i)ow(;rful States 
 with respect to nu^n, and f^reat numbers also in the other 
 States, our Friends so as to impede, if not frustrate all <»ITeii- 
 sive operations; and possildy to occasion a (;ivil wjir amon|? 
 tluaiiselves. The jealousy of the Eastern & Nortlu'rn States 
 of the influence in Council and preponderance in Congress of 
 Virfi'inia is great, and they live und(n* them with an impa- 
 tiinice, bordei'ing on a determination to shak(! them off. 
 
 You will i)erctnve in the News Papers, that the French offi- 
 cial dispatches to the (lovci'mn-s of the Sj)anish I'olonies in 
 America of the resignation of the: crown of Spain in favor of 
 Bonaparte, were forwarded by the American Consid under 
 cover to M' Madison Secretary of State. They have happily 
 been intereei)ted ; l)ut M' Madison owes it to his own rc^puta- 
 tion, and to these States as a powin* at pres(Mit in Amity with 
 Britain to disavow all knowledgi; of the act, and that no part 
 of his (!ondu(;t had or could have given the American Consul 
 in Spain reason to believe he would hav(^ approved of receiv- 
 ing such dispatches to forward — The day I hope will arrive 
 when Ilis Majesty may notice this act of perfidy with ])ru- 
 dence and demand a satisfactory explanation and apology. 
 
 The period I trust is not distant wluni avc shall be on more 
 friendly terms with America, in which case you may with pro- 
 
 ! < »■ > ■ ■ 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1H07-1812 
 
 285 
 
 prioty visit tliis plnco, wliicli you will lin<l wondorfiilly ex- 
 tended and improved, most of the luiids wliieli helonged at 
 (ireenwieh to the Heirs of the late Sir Peter Warren are now 
 included in this (Mty. — Your Cousin Lady Southampton is 
 also a first Cousin to M" Barclays; who was a Delancey, niece 
 to and named after the late Lady Warren. * — I think La<ly 
 Warren, & y(»urself, would be pleased hy a summer c^Kcursion 
 hither. I shall only add w»' should be most happy to see you. 
 
 FllOM .TUDdE IJENSON. 
 
 My dkar Sir, 
 
 I have reHe(Med on what passed in the confidiMitial Conver- 
 sation between Us a few days siiUMi; and am perfectly satisfied 
 the British (iovernment can never justify taking' Possession 
 of Moose Lsland on the i>[round eitlun* of beffcr Title, as it re- 
 fjards lioKiuhirfi, or as not within tlui Boundary of any of the 
 Grants uiuler which the Territory then; has been claimed and 
 so, as it were, luicaiit ; for in the latter (-ase the American 
 (lovtM'nnu'ut would be intith'd to it by Iii<i;ht of prior OccifixiHcy, 
 the Fact I presume beinjj^, that from the Bej^'innin<,', and cer- 
 tainly siiKte the Decision by the (^onnnissioners in ITO.S, actual 
 Jurisdi(!tion has been exercistsd ov(!r the Island as ap[)ertain- 
 mg to Massachusetts — 
 
 The Treaty of ITS'}, and th(! subsecpuMit (uie of 1704, both 
 assume it, that the liiver St. Croix was the Boundary of Massa- 
 chus«^tts,and as su(;h the eastern Boundary of tlu; United Statics, 
 and the only (Question which discovered itself after the first 
 Treaty was which is the true River f This (.^uesticui was sub- 
 niittiul to (V)mmissioners who between tin* [S(!hoodic| claimed 
 on part of the King of (1, B. and |Maj;-a<;uadavic| clainu^d on 
 the part of the U. S. decided in favor of the former. The 
 Tr(>aties also suppose, that whichever miufht be; tlm true River, 
 it emptied immediately into the Bay of Fundy t*r Sea in that 
 Quarter, whereas both the Rivers claimed emi)ty into the Bay 
 
 1 Lady SouMiampton was a (lanf^litcr of Sir Potor Warroii, whoso wifo was 
 Susan Do Laiu'cy, daiiKlitcr of llio (irsi Stcpluwi Do l^aiiccy. 
 
 'i 
 
t ' I 
 
 !''■' I 
 
 't r *!| 
 
 28G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 of Passama(iuocl(ly, u Bay, it' it may bo so expressed, of the 
 Bay of P^iiidy; and it being only sul)initted to tlie (Nmnnis- 
 sioners to ascertain tlie trne Kiv(!r, and with it it's Head or 
 Source and it's Month or Confluence with <)ther waters, und 
 they having ascertanied the hitter to be at [Joe's Point) there 
 would seem to be a Defect in the Boundary of MassiU'husetts 
 as to the Space or Distanc(^ between the Mouth of the River 
 and the Bay of Fundy, and tin; Parties being indepciudt^nt 
 Sovereignties and therefore not amenable to any common Tri- 
 bunal the Doubt, or Question arising from it was nec^essarily 
 left as the Subject of further Convention — I sjicak of it as a 
 seeminff Defect only being perswaded the Law W(»ul(l count vnc- 
 tirelij sup[)ly it by declaring the Fihim Aqmw tlu' middle of 
 the Channel of the nearest Passage fit for tin; ordinary Navi- 
 gation between the M(mth of the River and the Bay of Fundy 
 to be the Boundary — The Necessity of this Construction will 
 be more obviously discerned if we suppose the IMagaguadavicl 
 to have been decided to be the River, the Mouth of it being just 
 within the northern Headland of the Bay of PassamacpUKldy ; 
 so that without some such closhnj Line as I have suggested 
 this most incongruous Consequence would follow, that the 
 Nation, having the main Land forming the shores of the Bay 
 of Passamaquoddy 'n f. early tlu; whole of its Circumi'erence, 
 would still be without a Right to any of the Islands in it, or 
 even to the Use of it's Waters — 
 
 You may communicate this Letter as you nuiy think jn-ctper 
 trusting that my Motives to it will not be misconceived, 
 
 Yours sincerely 
 
 EoB' Benson. 
 
 Oct' 26, 1S08. 
 
 to MB. ERSKINE. 
 
 New Vork 28'" Octoljer 1808. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 {Private.) 
 
 The late confidential communications respecting Moose Is- 
 liind, which you have been pleased to transmit to me, and the 
 
 ■AMMMlfMVI^ 
 
CONSlJL-OKNKKAIi, 1807-18112 
 
 287 
 
 1S08. 
 
 |)ose Is- 
 md the 
 
 refusal of tlic Aiiicriciin (JoviTirtu'iit, to dclivrr tliiit Island U> 
 llis Majesty, have led me to re(M)iisider tlio Suhject and I feel 
 it my duty to inform you of tlie result. 
 
 I fear I liave luiretoforo been led into an error by j^ivin^ 
 the Treaty of 178;J l>elween His Majesty and the Unitcul States 
 of Anu'i'iea t()(» eonflned a. eoiistruetion. — On mature delibera- 
 tion I am inelined to bi'lieve it was the intention of His iMaj- 
 esty and the (Tovernment of the United States of America in 
 17S3 that the Eastern Honndnry of the then Province of Mas- 
 saelmsetts, should be the fiine to divide His Majestys Colony 
 of Nova. Scotia from (he Tei*ritorv he was about to (U'de totlu^ 
 United States of America; and as the Itiver S' ('roix had 
 ori<;imilly been tlu! Pjastern Boundary which divided Massa- 
 chusetts from Nova Scotia it was aji:recd by the Treaty that 
 "a liiK^ drawn alonjj^ the middle of the River S* Croix from its 
 mouth in the Bay of Fundy to its Source, and from its 
 Source directly North to the aforesaid Hij^hlamls vvhi(di 
 divide the Rivers that fall into the Atlantic Ocean from 
 those whiiih fall into tlu^ River S' Lawrence " should be the 
 Kastcri i Bou n d ary . — 
 
 Then follow th<' words under which His Majestys present 
 claim to Moosi! Island is founded towit '' (Himprehendiiii,' all 
 Islands within twenty leaj^ues of the Shores of the United 
 States, and lyinj; Ix'twi^en Lines to be drawn due East tVoin 
 the Points where the aforesaid Boundaries between Nova 
 Scotia on tlu^ one pai't and Kast Florida on the other shall 
 respectively touch the Bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean, 
 exceptiui; such Islands as now are or heretofore have been 
 within the Limits of tlu; said Provinct^ of Nova Scotia." 
 
 It appears to me that His Majesty cannot justify taking ])os- 
 session of Moose Island. 
 
 \IIf-re Colonel Harchiji repeats the imjHmcnts used in tin' fore- 
 f/oing tetter from Jiahje licnson.] 
 
 It is also evid(!nt that the Treaty of 1783 whi(Oi gave to the 
 Unit(!dStates " all Islands within twenty leagues of the Shorcsof 
 the United States excei)t those which then were or theretofore 
 had been within the Limits of the Province of Nova Scotia," 
 intended ouh'^ Islands laying in the Bay of Fundy and in the 
 
 ") \ 
 
'2H.S 
 
 CORltKSPONDKNCK OK THOMAS lUUCLAY 
 
 Ocoau; btTaiist! it rxprossly duliiicis Ukmii to Ih", " lyiuj; be- 
 tween Lim!8 to bo drawn due East from ilio points wlnii-o tlic! 
 at'orosai<l Bonndarios botwcion Nova Scotia on tlu^ omi part 
 and East Florida on tho otluu- sliall rcspoetivcly ton(^li tlio 
 Hay of Fnndy and tlu; Atlantic, ()(U'an." — Now a Line di'iiwn 
 line I'Jd.sf, from the middle of the Www S' ('roix, suppi»sin«^ its 
 mouth to be in tln^ Hay of Fund ', would run in an opi)osite 
 dire(^tion from a Line, whieh is to includt^ Moose island. 
 
 I havi; in a former letter to yon observed that I did not 
 think Moose Island woi'th five hinuirel (iruineas to an Individ- 
 ual. T eonsidei' it of no eonse(iuen<n to His Mnjesty for Foi*- 
 tilhtations. (^ampo Hello an adjaeiMit aid mueh lai"ji;er Island 
 is better adapted either for defense or annoyance. — 
 
 TO MR. ERSKINE. 
 
 I . 
 
 New Yoik 2;{ December I80« 
 SiK. 
 
 Finch the Courier who left this o?i the 12"' of Noveml)er 
 with youi' dispatch foi- (iiMieral Sii' James (Iraiiif returned last 
 lOveniu}^ with the letter I have now the I lonor to inclose — Major 
 Thornton Military Se(;retary to the (ieneral has not informed 
 nie of the day he arrived; by the date of his letter to me, it 
 must have been on or before the 28"' of November, so that the 
 Courier was not moi-e than 10 days in iioinjif, which was very 
 expinlitious particularly as Lake ('hiimplain was impassable — 
 
 The small letter yon sent mo on the 11"' Instant to forward 
 and which came too late for the sttcond Coiu-ii^i-, was pnt under 
 a cover and despatched on the 20"' instant by a very reputable 
 character who will be [)unctual in the Delivery of it — 
 
 TO MR. ERSKINE. 
 
 Silt. 
 
 New York, 9'' March 1809 
 
 I have the honor to inclose lierewith a copy of the instruc- 
 tions of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States to 
 
: i.c- 
 
 5 tilt! 
 
 l>art 
 t the 
 niwn 
 ijrits 
 )usito 
 
 (1 not 
 iliv'ul- 
 r Vov- 
 Islaiid 
 
 ■ I SOS 
 
 vomber 
 U'll Itist 
 -Major 
 it'ornnMl 
 
 iiu', it 
 
 at the 
 IS very 
 
 ible — 
 forward 
 it nwdvr 
 
 (utablc 
 
 ISOU 
 
 iustruc- 
 States to 
 
 CONHUL-GENEHAL, 1H07-1812 
 
 289 
 
 the Collectors of the diflfercnt Ports for their rule of conduct 
 under the Non intercourse Act.* — 
 
 These instructions ai)pear to me to comport neither ^vith the 
 letter or spirit >)f that A(;t; and pregnant with serious incon- 
 venience and probable loss to His Majestys Subj(!ets. Should 
 tliey appear in the same light to you, I take; it for granted you 
 will endeavor to obtain a reasonabhi alteration. I take the 
 liberty to iticlose my private renuirks on the instructions. 
 
 Permit mo to notice that it will be necfvssary to obtain from 
 the Secretary of the Treasury an additional instrucition to the 
 (,'Ommanders of the American Shii)s of War, and (Jun Boats, 
 and to the Collectors of the Customs to enjoin the Pilots and 
 Masters of Revenue Cutters to give notice to the Masters of all 
 foreign Ships and Vessels attempting to enter the harbours 
 and Waters of the United States of the forfeiture they will in- 
 cur under the Non intercourse -.wt by entering the Harbours 
 and Watiirs of these States. Such a notice to persons ignorant 
 of the act is reasonable, and may eventually save the unpleas- 
 ant circumstance of remonstrance for want of due notice — 
 
 TO DOCTOR CROKE.- 
 
 SlR. 
 
 April (?) 1809 
 
 By the Brig General Prevost, Tupper Master, I did myself 
 the Honor to inclose to you a copy of the Non int(!rcourse Act 
 passed in the late Session of Congress ; together with an ab- 
 stract of M' Gallatin the Secretaiy of the Treasury of the 
 United States, his circular letter of instructions to the Col- 
 lectors of the Customs, explanatory of the Act and directing 
 the manner in which they were to conform their conduct un- 
 der it. — I informed vou at the same time, that I had stated to 
 His Majestys Minister at Washington, the objections to the in- 
 structions contained in the circular letter before mentioned ; 
 and took the liberty to recommend to liim in the Event of his 
 concurring in opinion with me, a remonstrance on the part of 
 
 1 The act of March 1, 1809. 
 2 Dr. Croke at this time was Acting Governor of Nova Scotia. 
 
 19 
 
 f 
 
 'Hi 
 
 ! ■ 
 
 ^ 
 
 § 
 
290 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Hi.s Majesty. — I am hajjpy to inform you tliat M' Krskiiu' Ilis 
 Majestys Minister made such a rei)res(!ntation to tlio Seca'otary 
 of tlie Treasury, ami tliat he on the reconsideration of his in- 
 struetions has thouj;ht proper to nuike the alterations su<?- 
 gosted. I inclose; you the circular on this subject, whereby 
 forei^'ii Vessels are now permitted to clear out until the 20"' 
 of May next in ballast, or with tlie Carpfoes they brought 
 into Port, provided they have not been landed, for any port 
 whatever. 
 
 ik 
 
 m. , f 
 
 .) ri 
 
 '■ ; 
 
 TO CAPTAIN HAWKES, H. U. K. MELAMPUS. 
 
 New York 31"' I\Iiiv 180!) 
 Slit 
 
 I have this moment received your letter of yesterday ac- 
 <iualnting me with your beinj^ otf Sandy Hook with His nuij- 
 estys Ships Melampus and Euridice under your (-ommand, in 
 cruizinij^ along tliis coast to endeavor to intercept a French 
 Frigate supposed to be in Boston or some other Port in these 
 States, and reepiesting mo to furnish you with any intelligence 
 of which I may be possessed. 
 
 I have not heard of any French Frigate or other Ship of 
 War having arrived for months past or now being in any Port 
 within the United States of America nor do I believe there is ; 
 nor have I any local or foreign news to communicate. I re- 
 gret that my last file of papers were forwarded on Monday to 
 R. Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane. — On the 10"' of June the 
 intercourse between Great Britain and these States is to be 
 renewed, and His Majestys orders in Council revoked as to 
 American Ships. Congress are now sitting, and an act has 
 passed the House of Representatives and will probably pass 
 the Senate and President opening the Ports to British Ships 
 immediately. This act, I have some reason to believe, will 
 be on tomorrow or next day. — Should either of the Ships of 
 War under your command be in want of supplies, perhaps it 
 would be as well to remain off and on a day or two to know 
 the fate of this Act, of this however you are the best Judge. — 
 
 ! < 
 
ships of 
 Irhaps it 
 lo know 
 fudge.— 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 TO MK. HAMiMOND. 
 
 291 
 
 New York 10'" Nov' I80i) 
 
 Sir. 
 
 (I'riMfc.) 
 
 As I nm ignorant wlictlii'i* M' Jackson Hi.-' "Majostys iMinis- 
 ter to these States did coinninnicato by the At'ricainc Frigate 
 to His Majostys Secretary of Statt^for tlio fonsign Department 
 the nnpleasant event diitailod in the inchtsed letter; (»i- even 
 vvhetlier it luid o(^eurred prior to tlie dej)arture of the Afri- 
 caine from theC/hesepc^ak, I consider it my duty to send to you 
 a copy of a circular Lt^ttia* received by mo this day from M' 
 Jackson, which you will have the Goodness to lay l)efore the 
 Secretary of the foreign D(^partment, provided he has not been 
 advised by M' Jackson on tlu; Subject — ' 
 
 TO MR. JACKSON. 
 
 Now Yorlr 24"' November 1800 
 Sir. 
 
 I regret that it is not in mj- power to return you a satisfac- 
 tory answer to the tirst of your Questions respecting the num- 
 ber of Militia men assembled in the States belonging to my 
 district in eonsecpieuce of the Presidents orders for 100000 
 men to hold themselves in readiness. — It appears, from cor- 
 rect information, that the American Secretary of War, sent an 
 order to the (xovernor of each State, specifying the niimber of 
 men the State he commanded was to furnish, but thn' lie did 
 not communicate to sucli (ioverror the Contingent to iie fur- 
 nislied by each of the other States. I can therefore only give 
 the number this State furnished, and I inclose you M' Skin- 
 
 ' Tho '' unploasant event" was the 
 refusal of the United States Govern- 
 ment on November 8 to receive fur- 
 ther communications from Mr. Jack- 
 son. Tlie circular letter addressed 
 by Mr. Jackson to the British con- 
 suls is printed in American State 
 
 Papers, For. Kel.,Vol. III,p.323. Mr. 
 Erskine had been recalled upon the 
 disavowal by the British overumeut 
 of tlio arrangenu>nts made by him, 
 and Francis James Jackson was ap- 
 pointed his successor. Ho arrived 
 in Washington September 8, 1809. 
 
 U 
 
 M 
 
 ! « 
 
 ■; i 
 
 1 ^' 
 
 1 
 
 } 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 n 
 
 1- 
 
 1 
 
!i 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 292 
 
 (X)lUtKHP()NDRN('K OF THOMAS HAUCLAY 
 
 iicr, till! (Nmsiil Jul ititcriin, diiriiif^ the ul>s('n<'0 of M' Alton 
 who is His Majostys Coiisul for Massiirliust'tts, New Hjunp- 
 sliirc niul Verinoiit, his roport of the Quota i)roiiiis('(l l»y Miis- 
 Hiichiisclts, and the; roport of M' (Jilpiu ; Vk-v (.'oiisiil for 
 Couiicctiimt aiul Hhodo Islaiid. Tho (lovcrnor of C'oniu'irtieut 
 rt'fiiscd to obey the order of tho I'rcisidi'iit, no militia tlicreforo 
 were eiiilxxlied under that order in that State. I inclose for 
 yoni' information a copy of the return of the Militia of the 
 United States ; eontained in M' Jetfersons letter to (!onj;ress of 
 the 2') of March ISOH, this return was the Scale on which the 
 relative (piotas of each state was j^raduated. You will per- 
 ceive by contrastinj? New York with Rlassachusetts, that the 
 proportions an^ not arithmetically correct, still perhaps sufli- 
 «!iently so to take either of them to resolve the j)robal»le num- 
 ber furnished by Vermont and New Hampshire, the two States 
 from which it is impractiitable without expense and jfreat 
 trouble to t)btain returns. — The Statu of New York furuLslu'd 
 14;3;}9 Militia men under the order of the President. — They 
 never were asseml)led at the same time and place. Eai^h 
 eoiuity in this State furnished its projxn-tion of the 143;}9 
 Men, under the order of th(i (lovernor of this State. They 
 were drafted; and in some (Jounties, the men were three times 
 assembled, in others only once, and in a few of the ('ountios 
 th(\v never were as.sembled. In the ('ounty of New York they 
 ass(*mbled once: but on legal advice beiuf? taken, it was dis- 
 covered, their attendance could not be eomi)elled, and the two 
 subse(iuent meetings of the drafted Militia for that City and 
 County were very incomplete. — The Drafts wei'e generally of- 
 ficered, in some ('ounties formed into Companies — The (tov- 
 ernors order si)ecified the respective divisions which were to 
 form each Battalion but these Divisions never united so as in 
 reality to form Battalions. They did not receive clothing. 
 They were all armed with their own Arms, which were of dif- 
 ferent Calibres, and various lengths, some with Bayonets, oth- 
 ers without, and not a fourth with Cartouch boxes. The Arms 
 generally speaking the reverse of serviceable. — Not any pro- 
 ficiency was made in their Military Exercise and Movements. 
 The drafted men were exempt from assembling with the Vol- 
 
CONSUL-CJENEItAL, 1807-1812 
 
 293 
 
 iintcor Corps and coninioii Militia on tlic ordinary days prc- 
 .s('ril»('d ]\y ]mw; miijl tluiv were (lisclmrp'd from the Spoei;'.! 
 duty for whi(!li tlu'y bad hnon drafti'd. 
 
 TO MK. MOIIFEU.' 
 
 Now York 10'" October 1810 
 SllJ. 
 
 hy tlio Sandwicli Packet I reoeivod a letter from M' Hamil- 
 ton tbe Under Secretary of State for foi-eij^n Affairs a(!([uaintinj5 
 me tbat be bad sent to me in tliat Packet a Box (5ontaininf; 
 several eopiiis of M' (Joldsniitbs Hook upon tbe secret History 
 of the ('ahinet of Hnonaparte: - and tbat be was directed by 
 tbe Manpns of Wellesloy'' to desire that I would forward a 
 dozen copies of it to you, and take yoin* opinion respe(!ting tbe 
 manner in which I should distribute the renuiiiuler. 
 
 By this days Mail I forward you one of tliese copies, and bog 
 your directions whether I shall send the remainder in a Box 
 by tbe mail, or by water. — Pernni me to request your opinion 
 in what manner I shall distribute the rest, so as to render 
 their contents generally known in these States. 
 
 IK. I 
 
 1 John Philip Moricr, British Sec- 
 retary of Lcgiitioii, and Charg6 d'Af- 
 f aires ad interim. 
 
 2 Lewis Goldsmith was a Portu. 
 ijuese Jew by <lesc'ont, an English- 
 man by birtli, and a jonrnalist by 
 profession. lie lived many years in 
 France, and was the father-in-law 
 of Lord Lyndhurst. According to 
 his own account, he was on intimate 
 terms witli Napoleon, who trusted 
 him with largo sums of money and 
 employed him as a secret agent in 
 various dishonorable transactions — 
 among other things in an attempt to 
 kidnap Louis XVIIL In 1809 he 
 escaped to England, and in 1811 
 started a subscription for setting a 
 price on Napoleon's head. This mat- 
 
 19* 
 
 ter being brought to the notice of 
 Parliament on June 24, 1811, (ho 
 Govennnent expressed groat indig- 
 nation, and promised to punish the 
 author. Their indignation did not, 
 however, lead them to take any ef- 
 fective steps, nor did it prevent 
 their using strenuous efforts to con- 
 tinue circulating his scurrilous Se- 
 cret History of the Cabinet of Bona- 
 parte, He died in extreme old age 
 at Paris in 1H46. 
 
 '■^ The Marquis of Wellesiey, elder 
 brother of the Duke of Wellington, 
 was appointed Foreign Secretary on 
 December 6, 1800, upon Canning's 
 withdrawal from Perceval's admin- 
 istration. 
 
 I, 
 
 |: 
 
 ! n 
 
 k I I 
 
P^ ' J I* 
 
 294 
 
 CORHESl'ONDENCE OK THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Mr 
 
 Some delay occui'red in ^cttin<; Umvc from tlio Custom 
 IIoiiso to Land the Box, as it was not included in the mails, to 
 wliieli cause you are to attribute youi" not havini? received the 
 coi)y more early. 
 
 TO MU. HAMILTON.' 
 
 New York (i NctV ISIO. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 I ])ct* leave to ac(iuaiiit you for tlie information of the Mar- 
 quis of Wellesley, that INI' JMorier havin<;' .!j,iveu me his ()i>iuion 
 that the most eligible mode to disti'ibute the copies of (Jold- 
 smitlis Secret History of the Cabinet of Buonaparte, sent by 
 you to me, was to forward some sets to each of His jNIajestys 
 Consnls resident in these States, I have in compliance with his 
 directions sent six sets to M' Bond His Maiestvs Consul (Jen- 
 era! for the middle and Southern States, an et,'-al Number to 
 M' Allen Consul for Massachusetts, Now Hampshire and 
 Rhode Island, and three sets to each of His Majestys Consuls 
 for Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina — The remainder 
 after forwarding- a dozen copies to M"" Morier, T have given to 
 well disposed Individuals, who have promised me to circulate 
 the contents to the ntmost of their power — One copy I gave 
 to M' Sargeant a Bookseller, who has now in the press 2000 
 Copies which will be ready for sale in a few days.-' 
 
 TO THE COMMANDER OF HIS BlUTANNIC MAJESTY'S 
 SHir OF WAR OFF SANDY HOOK. 
 
 I ■ y; I 
 
 BRITISH CONSUL OENEBALS OFFICE 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 2' May 1811. 
 
 I have the honor to inclose to you a letter received from the 
 INIayor of this City, respecting the impressmimt yesterday of 
 
 1 William Richard Hamilton, Un- '^ Sergeant's edition is in two voi- 
 der Secrc*ary of State for Foreign nmes, 18mo, and is accompanied Vjy 
 Affairs from October 16, 1809, to " Notes by a Gentleman of New- 
 January 22, 1822. York." 
 
M-ncK 
 1811. 
 
 I'oin the 
 i-day of 
 
 two vol- 
 
 xmicd by 
 
 of New- 
 
 CONSUL-(IE:;ERAri, 1S07-1S12 
 
 205 
 
 John Dog^-ins/ a native Citizen of the United States of Ameriea 
 from the Anu'rican liri<i' Spittire, and now on board His Ma- 
 jestys Ship nnder yonr command off this Port. I also inclose 
 three atlitlavits taken before ilw. ]\[ayor, which f nlly prove that 
 Dii^'i^'ins is a native Citizen of thes > States, forcibly taken yes- 
 terday from the Spitfire and carried on l)()ard II : M: Ship nn- 
 der yonr command ; and your refnsal to restore him to Jo.sin' 
 Fichett, his master, who was a })assenii'er on lioard the S[)itlire. 
 
 In addition to the Ari^-nments which tlie inclosed depositions 
 natui-ally siif;'<i,'est for the dischai'^e of this man, permit me to 
 remark, that the impressment of a native American at this 
 moment is peenliarly nnfoi'tnnate as the two Nations are far 
 from l)eing' on fric" lly Terms; and one of the points most ob- 
 stinately persevered in on the part of these States in their netjo- 
 tiations with (Jreat Britain, and which at present forms the 
 priiHMpal ol)jection to a Treaty, is 'Hhat the Commanders of 
 His Majestys Ships of War shall not be permitted to impress 
 men from American Vessels." Now notwithstanding His Ma- 
 jesty can never surrender his right to take His Subjects when 
 found at Sea on board neutral Ships, still every instance of an 
 illegal, unjustifiable impressment tends to weaken this right 
 and to furnish an argument for its being given up — 
 
 I flatter myself on a perusal of the inclosed papers, you will 
 readily deliver up the young man to the Person, who is the 
 Bearer of this letter, and who is authorized ])y M' Fichett to 
 receive him. Allow me to assure you that the good of the 
 Service "^ocpiires that you should at present refrain to make 
 impressments on the coasts of these States. 
 
 I am under the awkward necessity of addressing this letter 
 to you, sim})ly, as *"■ the Commander of His Majestys Shi]) of 
 War off Sandy Hook," not knowing either your name, or that 
 of yonr Ship.- For several days past we have had accounts 
 of your being off and on this Port, but not a person has ai'- 
 
 1 T)ofiffi;ins, Dlf^o, or IMijj^io, has Belt on May IG. Sco further as to 
 
 obtained a t'ortaiii liisforical inpor- liis iinpressiiieiit, page 297, beU)w. 
 tauco, because it was while seeking - The sliip was tlie ( Juerrit^re, after- 
 
 toiuvestigatcliiscasetliiit flio Presi- ward destroyed in action by the 
 
 dont met, and firi'd upon the Little Constitution. 
 
 m 
 
 ■'} 
 
 1 1: 
 
 li 
 
q n^ 
 
 296 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 rived who has been able to give the name of the Ship or 
 her Commander — 
 
 TO REAR ADMIRAL SIR FRANCIS LAFNEY, LEEWARD 
 
 ISLANDS. 
 
 »■ ■ Si 
 
 j i ; 
 
 1 I 
 
 , 
 
 BRITISH CONSUL GENERALS OFFICE 
 
 New York ir" May 1811. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 It may not be improper in me to exphiin to you my induce- 
 ment for occasionally making to the Lords of the Admiralty, 
 and to the Commanders in ('hief of His Majestys Ships of 
 War on foreign Stations applications of the nature I am now 
 about to make to you, as in addition to reasons of more con- 
 sequence ; I shall acquit myself of the imputation of improper 
 interference. — You are not unacquainted, that the American 
 Government are loud in their complaints and remonstrances 
 that Citizens of these States are frequently impressed and de- 
 tained on board His Majestys Ships of War; and if I am not 
 misinformed, one of the principal present difficidties in effect- 
 ing a treaty between His Majesty and these States, arises from 
 impressments of American Seamen, to prevent which the 
 American Uovernment require that no Seamen shall be im- 
 pressed from American Ships — A point that can never be 
 agreed to on the part of His Majesty. — From these remarks, I 
 trust you will agree with me, that if Jiny instances occur in 
 which the Commanders of any of His Majestys Ships of War 
 have through mistake or otherwise impressed a Native Citizen 
 of these States, it is for the benefit of His Majestys Service, 
 that the circumstance should remain unniported to the Amer- 
 ican Government, and thereby an official representation and 
 remonstrance prevented. — Under this conviction I have made 
 it a rule to receive private applications, and after making due 
 inquiry to transmit either to the Lords of tlie Admiralty or 
 tlie Commander in Chief of the S(piadron wherein such Sea- 
 man is, the necessary documents to prove him a native Citizen 
 
I. 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-181[ 
 
 297 
 
 and to identify his person — Allow nie to add that by this 
 mode the Parties are less irritated, and generally satisfied with 
 what I say to them. 
 
 I am now requested by M' Spook the father of James Spook 
 both of whom are native ('itizens of these States to intreat 
 you will have the goodness to order James Spook to be dis- 
 charged from whatever ships he may be in under your com- 
 mand — He was originally impressed on board His Majestys 
 Brig Frolick, T Whingates Esq*^ Commander : and I inclose for 
 your satisfaction, the Certificate of his Citizenship, the depo- 
 sition of the Father, and certain Questions to be put to the 
 Youth, with the answers he ought to make, to entitle him to 
 his discharge. Certificates of Citizenship, are evidence I place 
 little confidence in ; the intention on the part of ('on gross was 
 correct; but the Certificates have been issued to all descrip- 
 tions of persons, from the native American to the Ii*ish and 
 Scotsman not two months from his native Country. — 
 
 TO EEAK-ADMIEAL SAWYEK, HALIFAX. 
 
 BRITISH CONSUL GENERALS OFFICE 
 
 New York 20"' May 1811. 
 Sir — 
 
 I am under the necessity of calling your attention to the 
 two following cases of impressment by Captain Pashell of His 
 Majestys Ship Guerriere. On the first of these I wrote to 
 Captain Pashell while he was off this Port, and a Pilot Boat 
 was despatched to deliver it, the Boat returned without being 
 able to meet the Guerriere and the letter is on board the Rev- 
 enue Cutter now at Sea for the purpose of delivering it. — On 
 the first instant John Digo a native citizen of the United 
 States of America, and an apprentice to Josiali Fiehet of Port- 
 land Ship Carpenter was impressed off this Port from on 
 board the American Brig Spitfire of Portland in the Province 
 of Main, a new Vessel built by M' Fiehet coming to this place 
 for sale, by His Majestys Frigate Guerriere. M' Ficihet went 
 on board the Gueriere claimed the young man, but Captain 
 
 '!^ 
 
 I:; 
 
 i 
 
 
 
'»*•" 
 
 B^ 
 
 298 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ! i 
 
 ;;i 
 
 I ! 
 
 Paslicll refusinl to deliver him — I have examined M' Fichett 
 and the Captain of the Jivlg as well as several other persons, 
 and there is no donbt that Di<>'e() is a Native Citizen of these 
 States — He was born at Cape Elizabeth in the Province of 
 Main and has a Sear on the back of one of his hands — 
 
 On the fifth of May off Long Island to the N : E of this 
 Port, Captain Pashell also impressed another American Sea- 
 man from the American Sloop George named Gideon Caprion, 
 the documents respecting whom I have the Honor to inclose — 
 At the present moment such impressments off the mouths of 
 American Ports are peculiarly unfortunate, and what adds to 
 the disagreeableness of the circumstances, is that both these 
 men belong to Eastern States who are not in the habit of giv- 
 ing Certificates of Citizenship to His Majestys Subjects ; have 
 few of their men impressed through mistake, and are therefore 
 more sensibly hurt, whenever such accidents occur in addition 
 to whi(?h the people of the Eastern States are more Friendly 
 to the English than all the other States. — Permit me there- 
 fore to request you will have the Goodness to order these two 
 young men to be discharged, and when discharged to direct them 
 to be delivered to M' Lawrence Hartshorne, who has my direc- 
 tions to supply them with money to carry them to their Homes. 
 
 I have stated these impressments to have been made by 
 Cap* Pashell of H. M. S. Gueriere ; yet I am not positive this 
 is the case. The Commander of the Frigate which has been 
 for some days off this Coast concealed his own and his Ships 
 name. But several Vessels which came into Port have Stated 
 that the name of the Frigate was Gueriere. Yet I observe in 
 the News Paper which I inclose to you that the name of the 
 Ship on board of which Digo or Diggio was impressed, is said 
 to be the Pizarro. This you can easily ascertain. 
 
 TO THE MARQUIS OF WELLESLEY. 
 
 B: C: G: Office Now York 16 Aug' 1811. 
 My Lord — 
 
 I received by the last Pacquet a letter from M' Hamilton 
 under Secretary for the foreign department of State dated the 
 
 1' 
 
1811. 
 
 CONSUL-GEN EKAL, 1807-1812 
 
 299 
 
 17"' of June, in which he iufonns ine tliat your Lordship had 
 directed him to triiusniit to me an extract of a letter from Rear 
 Admiral Sir Francis Lafney Bar*: ('ommander in ('hief in the 
 Lticward Islands, representing that the French Privateer La 
 Diligente had captured several English and Spanish Vessels, 
 and that she was reported to be in part owned by persons in 
 New York whither she was bound ; and that your Lordship 
 desired me to enquire into the truth of the above statement 
 and to report to your Lordship the residt of my enquiries and 
 also to communicate the same to His Majestys Minister at 
 Washington — 
 
 In obedience to your Lordships directions I have made an 
 attentive search through the Books of the Customs in this City, 
 and in the different Insurance offices lierc, in which registers 
 are left of any Vessel which arrives in this Port ; but not a 
 Vestige is to be found, that a Privateer, or any other Vessel, 
 of the name of La Diligente has been in this Port or is owned 
 by a Person in this City ; nor have the officers of the Cus- 
 toms, or of the Insurance offices any recollection of such a 
 vessel having entered or departed this Port. I have extended 
 ray enquiries to the Pilots and other Individuals who it was 
 probable might recollect the Circumstance, all of whom assure 
 me they believe such a vessel never was here of that name — 
 
 La Diligente, (Irassin Commander is a French Privateer well 
 known throughout these States, in consequence of the great 
 number of English Spanish and American Vessels which she 
 has captured, plundered, in some instances allowed to be ran- 
 somed, but generally destroyed. The number of American 
 Vessels by her captured far exceeds, that of English and Span- 
 ish United. Captain (rrassin arrived in La Diligt^ite this last 
 Spring at Philadelphia, where he and liis Scluxmer still re- 
 main. The American News papers have been tilled witli details 
 of American Ships by him captured and destroyed. The Pop- 
 ulace in Philadelphia meditated to burn this Schooner, at the 
 instance however of Captain Urassin the Governor of the State 
 of Pennsj'lvania issued a Proclamation inhibiting under heavy 
 penalties any person or persons from injuring or molesting 
 the person or property of Captain Grassin in consequence of 
 
 T 
 
 
 I'll 
 
 ill 
 
 1 
 
 1 ' ' 
 
 liS|i 
 ■li 
 
 i :!'. 
 
300 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 : j I 
 
 {:.! 
 
 
 whicli the Vessel remains safe at Philadelpliia — Several ac- 
 tions have been commenced against Captain Grassiu by Citi- 
 zens of these States, not any of wliich have yet l)een tried — 
 
 It is said a Frenchman named (iuier who lately removed 
 from Baltimore to this City and who I nnderstand is not a re- 
 spectable Character is a part owner of the La Diligente. It 
 has also been snggested that Uuier is merely the nominal 
 owner — I sent a Frenchman in whom I could confides to en- 
 deavour to draw from him whether he was really the owner or 
 in any way interested in the Vessel. The inquiry was well 
 managed the subject introduced as if by accident and he was 
 asked whether he had made any insurance on his Vessel in 
 Philadelphia against any acts of violence which might there 
 be committed against her — He replied he had no interest in 
 the Vessel and was merely Agent to ('aptain ( Irassin — 
 
 There is at present a small French Privateer from L'Orient 
 cruizing off this Port, named the Marengo, Ordonaux Mas- 
 ter — C'aptain Lawrence of His Majestys Pack(?t the Duke of 
 Kent is under no apprehension of danger from her. 
 
 TO MR. FOSTER.! 
 
 M 
 
 i,i 
 
 Sir. 
 
 New York 28" August 1811 
 
 I have the Honor to send addressed to you the Evening 
 Paper of this day, from which you will perceive that the Brit- 
 ish Merchant Ship Tottenham, Young Master, arrived in this 
 Port at 3 oClock this afternoon, a Prize to the French Priva- 
 teer the Duke of Dantzic, Arregnaudic Conmiander, member 
 of the Legion of Honor. The Tottenham was captured off 
 Barbadoes the 3'' instant — The Captain and Crew, three men 
 and two Boys excepted who were left on Board her, were 
 taken on board the Privateer. — I have seen the Tottenham, 
 She appears a Ship of (500 Tons, I am told is laden with Coals, 
 the British Flag hoisted under that of France — 
 
 1 Augustus J. Foster was ap- in Washington July 1. He had al- 
 pointed as Minister to the United ready been here as secretary to Mr. 
 States in April, 1811, and an-ived Merry. 
 
1 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 301 
 
 le liaii ^^- 
 Uy to Mr. 
 
 The abov(i information I have thovij;^]it necessary to give 
 you, as I do not know of any Law of nations, which aUows 
 the Prizes of Belligerents to be brought in and recisive pro- 
 tection and comforts in a Port of a nation at peace with both 
 the Belligerents — The Collector here can do nothing, conse- 
 (liu'ntly an api)li(!ation from you to the American Seciretary of 
 State for the restoration of this Ship is the only possible mode 
 by which possession can be obtained — I am told by a man 
 who was on board the Tottenham that all the Prize Crew are 
 British or American Seamen as they spoke the English Ian 
 guage with great fluency. 
 
 TO MR. FOSTER. 
 
 New York 2"'' December, 1811. 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 Having some days since discovered that the collector of the 
 customs in this port, had granted permission to the captors of 
 the British Ship Tottenham, a prize now here, taken by a 
 French Privateer in the West Indies, to sell the cargo of that 
 shij), for the i)urpose of repairing hei-; and being convinced 
 that the captors did not intend to repair the ship, and that 
 their object was only to realize the amount of the cargo, I 
 considered it my duty to remonstrate against it, and wrote to 
 the collector a Letter to that effect, a copy of which I have the 
 Honor to enclose. You are the best judge, Sir, how far such 
 a License, operates in violation of those principles of neutral- 
 ity which the United States of America uniformly assert they 
 scrupulously maintain towards (Ireat Britain and France. 
 Permit me to make this one remark, that the sale of the whole 
 was incorrect, because it was uncertain what the amount of 
 repairs and other incidental charges would be ; I am further 
 of opinion that the repairs should have been made before the 
 permission for the sale was gi-anted. The cargo though not 
 amounting to a large sum, I am of opinion will pay more than 
 double the expense of repairs and charges. 
 
 Permissions like this will induce the Commanders of French 
 Privateers co send theii* prizes to these States, as the proceeds 
 
 i| 
 
 I ! 
 
 '=1 
 
 ■tl 
 
302 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 of the cargo sold here under a Custom House License, will 
 amount to something of consequence; and while it is so much 
 saved to the captors, it takes from His Majestys subjects the 
 possil»ility of recapture. 
 
 M 
 
 FROM SIR GEORGE PREVOST. 
 
 Quebec 4tli. Januaiy, 1812. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 
 I have been waiting for the arrival of the September and 
 October letters to announce to you my appointment to the 
 Chief Command, Civil and Military, in the British American 
 provinces, but from some cause, hitherto unknown, neither 
 the one or the other of those mails has yet reached Quebec — 
 However I will no longer delay ac<iuainting you that under a 
 special Instruction from the Prince Regent I assumed the ad- 
 ministration of the Government of Lower Canada, until a 
 Commission of Captain General could be sent to me, and that 
 I received about the same time His lioyal lligluiess's appoint- 
 ment as Commander of the Forces in British America. — 
 
 Considering the spirit of hostility shewn to England by the 
 United States no longer likely to be confined to a paper and 
 commercial warfare, and that therefore it is of importance I 
 should receive a correct accoimt of the disposition aud views 
 of the Americjm Government, I have sent Capt. Coore one of 
 my Aids de Camp to Mr. Forster for that purpose, who is in- 
 structed to communicate with you as he passes through New 
 York. As great confidence may be placed in Captain Coore's 
 
 1 Sir Goorge Prevost, born in New 
 York in 1707, was tlie son of Augus- 
 tine Prevost, an officer in the British 
 Army, and Theodosia de Vismo, his 
 wife. A iigustine Prevost having died 
 in the West Indies about 1776, his 
 widow married Aaron Burr and be- 
 came the mother of Theodosia Al- 
 ston. George Prevost entered the 
 British Army, served with some 
 
 credit, became a Baronet and Lieu- 
 tenant-General, and succeeded Sir 
 James Craig as Commander of the 
 Forces in British North America — 
 a post ho, held all through the war 
 with the United States. His military 
 career came to an end with the fail- 
 ure of his attack on Plattsburgh in 
 September, 1814. He died in London 
 in January, 181G. 
 
 ;?!' 
 
m 
 
 (1 Lieu- 
 edctl Sir 
 ev of the 
 nierica — 
 
 the war 
 s militavy 
 11 tbe fail- 
 sburgb in 
 u London 
 
 CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-1812 
 
 ao;] 
 
 (liscrotion, I hetx loavo to rcforyou to him for any further par- 
 ticulars rcsptHitinji; his present mission. 
 
 I have etc. 
 
 Geokoe Phevost. 
 
 FROM SIR JOHN SHERHllOOKE. 
 
 Halifax, 13'" Jany, 1812. 
 My dear Sir: — 
 
 As the Packets ^oing home do not touch liere at tliis season 
 of the year and as some of tlie Merdiants are very desirous of 
 sending Utters to Enjj^land I liavc for the pii.)lic accommoda- 
 tion ordei'cd a Government Schooner to New York in the ex- 
 pectation that She will arrive there before the next packet will 
 sail from thence for Falmouth and as we are very much in the 
 dark here with res^jcct to the Stati; of Public* Affairs in your 
 part of the wcjrld, I shall hope to be favouri'd with a letter 
 from you by this Vessel when She returns. 
 
 I beg to offer you my best thanks for some New York Ga- 
 zettes to <3rd. Dec. last Avhich you were so obliging as to send 
 me Via Eastport & which were particidarly accepta1)le. 
 
 As I think it probable that Mr. Forster may wish to com- 
 municatee with Admiral Sawyer or with me, I enclose a letter 
 which I beg you will forward to Him, and I sl'ould wish the 
 Schooner to renuiin at New Y''ork iintil you receive jMr. Fors- 
 ters answer in case He should have any letter to send. 
 
 The Commander of the Schooner has received orders to re- 
 port himself to you on his arrival at Ncav Y''ork, & to attend to 
 any directions which you may think proper to giv(> Him. If 
 you have not already forwarded the Articles which your Sou 
 was so good as to request you would purchase for me some 
 time ago, I beg they may be sent by this Conveyance and as I 
 have desired the Commander of the Vessel to buy several other 
 things for me at New York I .shall l)e indebted to you if you 
 will afford him every assistance in making these purchases. 
 
 I have etc. 
 
 J. C. Sherbrooke. 
 
 1 Commander of the Forces at Halifax. 
 
 I 
 
 i-^;. 
 
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 'ii 
 
 n" 
 
'Mi 
 
 
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 I) 
 
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 li 
 
 ,) 
 
 'I' 
 
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 \k 
 
 ; i 
 
 ui 
 
 , 1 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO SIR GEORGE PREVOST. 
 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 New York, 22"'' January, 1S12. 
 
 Ca})taiii Coorc a few days siiico dolivered me your private 
 Letter of the 4"' of this month, aniiounein<x your appoiiitm(Mit 
 to the ehief eommaud, eivil and military in the Britisli Ameri- 
 can Provinees. Permit me to eougratuhite you on tliis ad- 
 ditional Testimony of His Majestys j^raeioiis (!onfldence in 
 yon, and His Koyal a])i)rol)ation of your (ionduet. Mr. Foster 
 whose residence at Washinj^ton affords him peculiar advan- 
 tages in ol)tainiim: eorrect information of the intentions of 
 this (Tovcrnment, will naturally possess (*aptain Coore with 
 all that he knows on this subject, to be communicated to you. 
 On Captain Coores return to this place, I sliall learn from 
 him; what Mr. Fosters opinion is, and should it nuiteiially 
 differ fnmi mine, I will give him my SentinuMits and the rea- 
 son whereon they are founded, that you may form a C(n'reet 
 Judgment. I agree with you that the period is fast approach- 
 ing when these States will take active hostile measures against 
 Grreat Britain. And it is apparent that their first military 
 operations Avill be directed against His Majestys Provinees of 
 lower and upper Canada. I am satisfied also that attempts 
 will be made to seduce the Inhabitants of upper Canada gen- 
 erally, and the French Canadians in lower Canada from their 
 allegiance. You will pardon therefore the liberty I take in 
 recommending the utmost attention in admitting persons 
 within cities of these provinces, as attempts will be made to 
 introduce characters fitted to persuade and delude the igno- 
 rant. There is a man who lives on the Line (45) between these 
 States and Lower Canada, Col. Armstrong knows him, his 
 name is Rous. Of him particular care sliould be taken, and 
 of those who have communications with him. He is a sensi- 
 ble, intriguing cunning man, eminently qualified for such pur- 
 poses, and well acquainted with all the disaffected Canadians. 
 His movements require special care. 
 
'11 
 
 CONSUL-GKNKUAL, 1H07-1H11! 
 
 [m 
 
 FKOM CAPTAIN THOMSON, H. M. S. C'OLIBIU. 
 
 11. M. Sloojt Colibri, StJiU'ii Isliind. 
 
 Janv. cUst. 1H12. 
 Sir: 
 
 I bc^ loiiveto acquaint yon for the information of the Ainuri- 
 can government of the arrival of liis Mujustys Sloop under my 
 command with dispatches for tlie liritisli Minister at Wash- 
 ington, which require an answer and which I am to be the 
 bearer of, I have therefore to recpicst you will be i)leased to 
 forward them witliout delay — Tiiey will bo delivered to you 
 by Lieut. Stephens, he will inform you of our sad disaster at 
 Amelia, where we had run from us no less than thirteen men, 
 eight of whom took a boat & went to St. iNIarys on the Ameri- 
 can side. I waited on Commodore Canqjbell and the puldic 
 Authorities recpicsting them to grant a warrant for their ap- 
 prehen.sion but without effect, altho' I met my men w.ilking 
 the streets I dared not apprehend them, without I was on the 
 eve of being mob'd for only speaking to them and I consider 
 myself fortunate to have escaped withoiit a broken head, o 
 hopeful Land of liberty, you will perceive Sir how disagreeable 
 it must be to a British officer to enter any of the Ports of the 
 United States at this critical period, when we are in dayly ap- 
 prehension of our men deserting, and when they once touch 
 the shore laugh at us, and are then protected by the public 
 Authorities. For my own part I think perfect Harmony can 
 never exist between the two countrys until all deserters are 
 given up on both sides and this settled by treat}'. 
 
 I am informed there are a nuinber of distressed British sea- 
 men in ISew York, and as I am considerably short of comple- 
 ment I have to request you will use your exertions to procure 
 me some of them as we will make some stay here. I have sent 
 the Purser to procure Fresh Beef & vegetables whom I will 
 thank you to assist, wo shall allso want before we sail four 
 live Bullocks with a proportion of Fodder and about ten or 
 flveteen Tons of water. 
 
 I have etc. 
 
 Jno. Thomson, Captain. 
 
 30 
 
 'I ■ 1 ■■ 
 
 irr 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 W 
 
'Mii 
 
 COUllESF'ONDENCE OF THOMAS BAltCLAY 
 
 FROM MR. FOHTER. 
 
 I ,i ' 
 
 Washiii'^ton, Miirdi 2(5, 1812. 
 My dear Sir 
 
 I have not iirj^od tills (lovoniniont iijjjaiii witli rcj^anl to tho 
 Tottciiliam, nor do I mean to do so until you sluill have heard 
 of the result of your application for leav(! to ransom her. 
 
 The (Conduct of Sir James Craif^, sliould the pajx^rs pro- 
 duced by Henry ])rove authentic, in i y opinion, adnuts of 
 little Justification.' It seems to have heen dangerous impoli- 
 tic and imprudent. I have not asked to h)ok at the papers 
 nor could I compare his Si<;nature with any Letters in his 
 hand writinj^ which you may have, without incurring the Risk 
 of bcin<^ ohlif^ed to acknowledge a lieseml)hince, therefore I 
 wouhl not trouble you to serai them to me. 
 
 Should any rtaf^rant (^ase of French Violation of tlie Hijjfhts 
 of America come under your kno\vled}i;e, ] sliould be miicii 
 oblifi^cd to you if you would send me an authentic (^>py of any 
 document which you might be able to lay your hands on. I 
 regret that Mr. Stewart of New London has not sent me a 
 Copy of the Protest of (Captain Chew.'^ 
 
 I am &c 
 
 Aug. J. Foster 
 
 I heard of one Cask of apples arriving safely for Mr. Ham- 
 ilton the Un. Sec^ who says they are excellent — so good he 
 wishes for some more. 
 
 1 James Henry's secret correspoii- French frigate, .and brouglit news of 
 
 dencB with Sir James Craig was sent the burning of two American mer- 
 
 to Congress on March 9, 1812. chantmen by a French squadron. 
 
 '^ The brig Thames, Samuel Chew, Adams' Hist, of the U. S., Vol. VI, 
 
 maste" had been searched by a p. 193. 
 
 L 1 
 
m 
 
 12. 
 
 u the 
 
 I 
 
 < pro- 
 its of 
 inpoli- 
 )iil)ei's 
 in his 
 e Risk 
 jt'ore I 
 
 Hi^'lxts 
 s uiueh 
 ' of any 
 J on. I 
 k me a 
 
 )STER 
 
 V. Haui- 
 fcjood he 
 
 lit news of 
 ican mer- 
 sqiiadron. 
 Vol. VI, 
 
 CONSlTL-fJENKRAL, 1807-1812 
 
 FROM MR. FOSTER. 
 
 807 
 
 Washington April 10, 1S12 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 T l)('lit'V(( tlio U. S. Act will \n' soon snspcndtMl or cvon re- 
 I)('!il(?(l. You soc it is broufijlit on in Conj^rcss.' I lu'licvd tlio 
 Congress talk of adjourniiifj^ to lie 20 .luno. There is a rejiort 
 credited by many that do W. Clinton will (M)alesc»^ with Mr. 
 Madison and be V. President. Your New Y'ork polities are 
 becoming; interesting.- If you hoar of anythinj; detMsivtf in 
 that way pray let itie know. Do you know what Mi*. Villiers 
 Mansel is come to this country about. He is a young man I 
 believe of about JJl years of age — I am told he is coming on 
 here. I lun &e 
 
 Aug. J. Foster. 
 
 Is there any way of writing to England from New York. I 
 return you many thanks for your troubh> in trying to get me 
 the documents abou<^ ships captured &c. A, J. F. 
 
 FROM MR. FOSTER. 
 
 Washiu^ton April 24, 1812 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I thank yon for your letter of the 19"' inst. The Senate 
 read twice a bill for adjourning to-day, thne in blank, supposed 
 will be to the 2'.' June, it is uncertain if it will pa^..' in the house. 
 Indeed everything is uncertain here. Last week, we should 
 have all sworn there would be war, to-day it's adjournment. 
 Don't be suri)rized if I fear conunitting myself in giving an 
 opinion when such changes are constantly taking jjlace. 
 
 I will be much obliged to you to give me the Character of 
 de Wit Clinton how he lives at New York, what fortune he 
 has, his age & friends. 
 
 1 A bill to suspend the non-impor- - An election wl i to take place in 
 
 tation act was considered in the May ; and it resulted in a Federalist 
 
 House of Representatives on April suceoss. 
 9. It did not pass. 
 
 I 
 
 i'l 
 
V'T" 
 
 308 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 I tihall also thank you to g e me any information you may 
 possess as to the State of defences of New York Harbor & as 
 to tlie nianufaetures lately established in the State. 
 
 Ever yours &e 
 
 Aug. J. Foster. 
 
 ^.k 
 
 H ^ 
 
 If. 
 
 \ i 
 
 FROM VICE-ADMIllAL SAWYER. 
 
 Bermuda May 7, 1812 
 [rrii'dte.) 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 The Bramble is charged with Despatches for Mr. Foster, 
 and has brought two Seamen late of the Chesapeake, which I 
 retain here 'till the pleasure of the U. S. Goverumeut is known, 
 as to where they are to be sent — with which infornuitiou the 
 Bramble will call here on her wa!/ home — when I hope at the 
 same time to hear, matters at Washington, are from the late 
 aggressions of the French, putting on a more favourable as- 
 pect — His K, H. the Regent appears to have great difficulties 
 in forming an Administration, but we still trust the good 
 sense of all parties will prevail, and the general good be the 
 ultimate object of all — in Spain all looks well,^ and in the 
 North, it is to be hoped Buonaparte will lind his hands full. 
 
 I have very much to thank you for your attention to all my 
 little Commissions, and vnW take care you receive the amount 
 in specie, as soon as I reach Halifax, — my departure for which 
 will not be (if no unforeseen occurrence arises) till after I again 
 hear from Mr. Foster. 
 
 We have ships on the look out for the French Frigates, who 
 seem to spare their friends as little as their iocs — which is per- 
 haps at this moment very fortunate. 
 
 Will Mr. Madison in any shape avow or countenance the iate 
 
 transa(;tion at Ameii;. ? - 
 
 I am &(i 
 
 H. Sawyer. 
 
 1 Chidad Rodrigo, January 19; though liis action was disapproved, 
 Badajoz, Ajjril C, 1812. possossioii of tlio islaud was retaiued 
 
 2 General Matthews seized Ame- by the Uuited States, 
 lia Islaud on March 19, 1812; and 
 
"^.V 
 
 1 
 
 tX)NSUL-UKNERAL, 1807-IH1'J 
 
 ;k)1) 
 
 P. S, I liavo just p:()t liold of \>\0 Dolliirs wliich I soud in 
 part payment of my drhts — pcrliaps you can send mo a few 
 Pots of verij sHpcrior frciich Ponuituui — and two Half Clu'sts 
 of Tea by this same Bramble — or to Halifax at some future 
 time. 
 
 I I 
 
 FROM MR. FOSTElt. 
 
 is per- 
 
 Washiufjton May 10, 1812 
 
 (Privafe.) 
 Dear Siu, 
 
 It was a Map that mijj^ht include a ji^oneral outline of the liar- 
 bour of New York with its Islands & batteries that I wished, 
 but I should rather hav^e a ji^ood plan of the harbour. 
 
 I am obliged to you for all your hints & for your Informa- 
 tion about Emigrants to the U. S. I fear the sending back 
 some of the Irish unless done with great Cireonspection might 
 tend in a degree to hold forth an idea that returning would be 
 a Matter of little difficulty & encourage many to come over on 
 speculation to look about them in the hopes of getting back 
 for nothing if they did not succeed — tlio' the Welsh ease you 
 cite is certainly a strong one. Perhaps the promising to send 
 their Letters free of Exi)ence to their friends might have the 
 same eifect as their being sent back by holding to them an in- 
 ducement to write their sentiments freely & at full length. It 
 must be seldom that a Man who has once broke up his Estalj- 
 lishment & the ties which attach IiIm to a Country can be an 
 acquisition to it in returning. 
 
 It is now thought that the Restrictive System is all the rage 
 and that the plan of war is but a Mask to the continuance of 
 it, — so absolutely are they here without Chart or Compass 
 that I really am at a loss to give you news — or accounts of 
 any kind. 
 
 When I see such unstabk proceedings T think more than 
 ever on the value of the sentinuMits of Horace Ji(sfu»i et tena- 
 cem propositi virum &c — but then the justum is as it should 
 be the first word & Condition of all the rest. 
 
 20* 
 
 ir 
 
 I 
 
 ii 
 
 il. 
 
310 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Be assured wc work for friendly relations with A.inerica but 
 then it is necessary they should be more impartial & less un- 
 gracious to us than they have hitherto been. 
 
 What is beconu^ of Mr. Villiers — it was said he was at Bal- 
 timore — is it not strange L''. Jersey's Brother should be here 
 & have no lettt;r for me who know L'". and L^. Jersey very well ? 
 
 Ever Yours &c 
 
 Aug. J. Foster. 
 
 I am glad to see you have sent on my Letters to Halifax — 
 where can the V. Admiral be. I much fear some Collision 
 with the American frigates — they have taken in 6 months 
 water & provisions I hear and are gone Southward. 
 
 A. J. F. 
 
 J IT 
 
 h 
 
 11 
 
 ; 
 
 
 i flla 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 ! \ 
 
 
 It 
 
 
 y 
 
 A 
 
 FROM MR. FOSTER. 
 
 WaHhinjrton Jirifi 20, 1812 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I am not yet able to send you officially the decision of the 
 American Government respecting your Consular functions 
 nor the act declaring War. I shall, however, be able to do so 
 to-morrow. 
 
 I pray you to send off Coasters in every Direction to 
 apprize H. M. Ships of the State of things that they may 
 keep together and join the cidmiral. The American frigates 
 have no orders as I have been informed to go far to Sea in 
 Search of our Ships, and no Privateers will be yet allowed to 
 go to Sea. 
 
 Mr. Baker ^ does not go on to-morrow but a Mr. Hamilton 
 
 1 Authouy St. John Baker, the 
 British Secretary of Legation. He 
 remained for some time in the 
 United States acting as agent for 
 prisoners of war. The Government 
 finally refused to hold further com- 
 munication with him, and ho re- 
 turned to England about the begin- 
 
 ning of the year 1813. He was Sec- 
 retary of the British Commissioners 
 at Glient; brought the ratified treaty 
 to Washington, and was then re- 
 ceived as Charge d'Aif aires, in which 
 office he continued until the arrival 
 of Mr. Charles Bagot as Minister, in 
 1817. 
 
CONSUL-GENERAL, 1807-1812 3II 
 
 fT.v^'wtf *f ' f '>f «J^«« fo^- ^ne to E- .gland by way of Hali- 
 fax will set out in Monday's mail stage. I beg you will en- 
 deavour to procure a Conveyance for him either to <lrop him at 
 Halifax or conditionally to take him the whole way to Eng- 
 land should the Adm' have no vessel for him. 
 
 I am &c 
 
 Aug. J. Foster 
 
 
 i li 
 
 I! 
 
 I h 
 
 u- 
 
 m 
 
 f n 
 
.(/•y^T"' 
 
 ' i 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 HM. S. CoLiBRi, sailing away from New-York with 
 • the British Minister and the British Consul- 
 General, touched at Halifax, and was there met by the 
 news that Great Britain — just too late — had suspended 
 the orders in council. Foster forwarded the despatches 
 to Baker, his Secretary of Legation, at Washington,^ 
 and the CoUhri continued on to England, arriving 
 about August 22, 1812. If Barclay landed at Ports- 
 mouth, as is most likely, he must have been welcomed 
 there by his naval son, who had just been appointed to 
 command H. M. S. Success, then lying at Portsmouth 
 under ordcn's for Halifax and Bermuda. 
 
 On reaching London, Barclay, like many an Ameri- 
 can traveler since his day, took lodgings in Clarges 
 street, near Piccadilly ; and later removed to Queen 
 street just out of Curzon street in Mayfair. 
 
 A month after his departure from New- York the war 
 had fairly })egun, with its two unpleasant surprises — 
 defeat for the Americans on land and for the British at 
 sea. Hull had surrendered at Detroit on August IG, 
 and three days later the Constitntlon had utterly de- 
 stroyed the Gucrriere, after less than thirty minutes of 
 fierce cannonading. 
 
 The news of both events reached London on Octo- 
 
 1 American State Papers, For. Rel., Vol. Ill, p. 587. 
 
 312 
 
 '<h 
 
 kA\ 
 
AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 313 
 
 le war 
 Ises — 
 tisli at 
 
 ist 16, 
 •ly de- 
 ttes of 
 
 Octo- 
 
 ber 6. On September 1, Jonathan Russell, the Amer- 
 ican Charge, had notified Lord Castlereagh of his 
 departure for the United States, and of the appoint- 
 ment of Mr. Beasley as American agent for prisoners 
 of war in Great Britain ; and three weeks later he had 
 sailed for New- York. It had thus become evident that 
 the American Government was in earnest in its prose- 
 cution of the war ; that each party had failed where it 
 might reasonably have felt a confidence of success; 
 that the combatants were not unequally matched ; and 
 that the struggle promised to be long and doubtful. 
 
 Prisoners on each side were rapidly accumulating. 
 What with the naval and military forces that had sur- 
 rendered, and the crews of merchant ships taken by 
 privateers or national vessels, the numbers were al- 
 ready large. In England, and at Quebec, Halifax, and 
 Jamaica, American prisoners were confined in barracks 
 or on shipboard. At Salem, Pittsfield, Worcester, Al- 
 bany, Savannah and Chillicothe, British soldiers and 
 sailors were detained, — often with inadequate food and 
 clothing, in unsuitable quarters, and not infrequently 
 in the common jail. The appointment of a British 
 agent for prisoners of war, to reside in the United 
 States, was thus an obvious necessity, and the choice 
 very naturally fell upon Barclay. The formal mode of 
 his appointment is not a little singular, as illustrating 
 the methods of circumlocution which prevailed in the 
 British public service. On November 13, 1812, the 
 Lords of the Admiralty issued tlieir order to "the com- 
 missioners for conducting his Majesty's transport ser- 
 vice," directing them to appoint Colonel Barclay tlieir 
 accredited agent in the United States for the purpose 
 of attending to the relief of British prisoners, with a 
 salary of two pounds a day, and allowances for clerk 
 
 I! 
 
 Ill 
 
 ii 
 
314 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 hire and traveling expenses ; and thereupon the trans- 
 port board in turn issued their warrant to Barclay, and 
 gave him the necessary authority and instructions. 
 
 Having obtained leave from the Foreign Office to ac- 
 cept this appointment, Barclay sailed from Portsmouth 
 early in January for Bermuda, where he met and con- 
 sulted with Sir John Borlase Warren, the admiral in 
 command of the station, who had been vested with ex- 
 tensive powers to treat with the American Government. 
 From Bermuda Barclay proceeded to New-York, where 
 he arrived on April 1, 1813, and immediately went to 
 Washington to present his credentials to the Secretary 
 of State. The President had appointed as Commissary- 
 General of prisoners, General John Mason, who lived 
 near Georgetown on the pleasant island of Analostan ; * 
 and with him Barclay at once proceeded to business. 
 The first step was to frame a cartel for regulating ex- 
 changes of prisoners. A preliminary agreement had 
 been concluded at Halifax in November, but it was de- 
 fective and unsatisfactory in many respects, and after 
 much discussion a revised agreement was prepared and 
 signed at Washington on May 12, 1813. It provides for 
 the humane treatment and speedy exchange of prison- 
 
 1 John Mason was the fourth son 
 of the well-known Virginia states- 
 man, George Mason of Gunston Hall. 
 He was born in the spring of 1766, 
 and spent several of the earlier years 
 of his life as a merchant at Bor- 
 deaux, in France. He married a Miss 
 Murray of Annajiolis, Md., and thus 
 became connected with Kichard 
 Rush, whose wife was a sister of 
 Mrs. Masou's. Another sister was 
 the wife of Governor Lloyd of Mary- 
 land. Mason was a man of means 
 and entertained largely, and at the 
 
 time of the war with England, Ana- 
 lostan Island (which lies in the Po- 
 tomac, opposite Georgetown) was 
 one of the chief attractions of the 
 District of Columbia. A charming 
 account of the house and grounds, 
 as also incidentally of Mrs. Mason 
 and lier nine children, will be found 
 in Warden's District of Columbia 
 (1816), pp. 134-150. " We walked to 
 the Mansion house," says the writer, 
 "imder a delicious shade, the blos- 
 soms of the cherry, apple and peach 
 trees, of the hawthorn and aromatic 
 
 f. \: 
 
m 
 
 AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 315 
 
 ers of war; defines what persons are to bo considered 
 non-combatant, and declares that tliey shall not be hold 
 as prisoners ; authorizes the appointr' out by each party 
 of sub-agents at the several depots; establishes the 
 forms of paroles for officers, the a^lovances for subsis- 
 tence of prisoners in health, and the v are to be given to 
 the sick ; spe(;ifies what punishments may bo inflicted in 
 case of disorderly conduct ; prescribes the number of 
 cartel-ships to be employed, and how they shall be fitted 
 and supplied ; and in general regulates with great pre- 
 cision the rights of prisoners and the powers and duties 
 of prison guards. 
 
 This task completed, and the troublesome business 
 of verifying the number and rank of the prisoners on 
 each side being put in a fair way of settlement, Barclay 
 left Washington about the middle of May, and once 
 more found himself in the rural seclusion of Harlem. 
 New- York was considered a military post and ho. was 
 forbidden to come within it, so that his activities were 
 necessarily confined to a very sustained and vigorous 
 correspondence with General Mason and with the vari- 
 ous British sub-agents throughout the country. The 
 correspondence with Mason, extending over a period 
 
 shrubs, filling the air with their fra- 
 grance. . . . The house, of a simple 
 and neat form, is situated near that 
 side of the island which commands 
 a view of the Potomac, the Presi- 
 dent's house, the Capitol, and other 
 buildings. The garden, the sides of 
 which are washed by the waters of 
 the river, is ornaraontod with a va- 
 riety of trees ami shrubs, and in the 
 midst, there is a lawn covered with 
 a beautiful verdure." At a later pe- 
 riod Mason built another house. 
 
 which was modeled after the style 
 of a French chateau, and was known 
 as Clermont, in Fairfax County, Vir- 
 ginia ; and there he died on March 
 19, 1849. One of his sons, John 
 Murray Mason, sat in the United 
 States Senate, and, in connection 
 with his colleague, Mr. Slidell of 
 Louisiana, acquired international 
 notoriety in 1861. See as to the 
 Mason Family, Miss Rowland's 
 Life, Correspondence, and Speeches 
 of George Mason. 
 
 ■i I 
 
'T 
 
 31G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 of nearly eijjchteen montlis, embraced a multiplioity 
 of topips. The rights of non-combatants, the otcect of 
 paroles, the carrying away of slaves, the alleged seduc- 
 tion by one nation or the other of i)risoners in its cus- 
 tody, were constant subjects of discussion. The send- 
 ing to England of some Irish soldiers captured on the 
 Niagara River, whom it was believed the British Gov- 
 ernment intended to try upon charges of treason, led 
 to retaliation and coimter-retaliation ; and the escape 
 of certain British officers held as hostages at Worcester, 
 Massachusetts, gave still further occasion for endless ex- 
 change of letters. In addition, there were the daily 
 questions of detail — the giving of a parole by this offi- 
 cer and the surrender of his parole by that ; the status 
 of the crew of the Essex, captured at Valparaiso and 
 paroled by Capt. Hillyar, R. N., of whom a certain 
 midshipman Farragut was one ; the sailing and arrival 
 of cartel-ships; the verification of lists of prisoners; 
 the physical condition of the men at the various de- 
 pots as reported by the sub-agents: all of which needed 
 incessant attention.' 
 
 For a time matters went forward smoothly enough ; 
 but toward the autumn of 1813 the letters began to 
 assume a m re acrimonious tone, each of the corre- 
 spondents being engaged in the fascinating but some- 
 what futile pursuit of trying to put his adversary in the 
 wrong. Mason, however, had at least the advantage of 
 physical force on his side, and he sought to cut the cor- 
 respondence short by bringing Barclay to the neighbor- 
 hood of Washington. An order was issued designating 
 Bladensburg as his place of residence. Barclay pro- 
 tested in vain. He was assured that " Bladensburg is 
 
 iThe correspondence was, in part, laid before Congress, and will be found 
 in Amer. State Papers, For. Kel., Vol. Ill, pp. 630-684, 728-730. 
 
 if^P 
 
an to 
 orre- 
 ome- 
 the 
 eof 
 e cor- 
 libor- 
 lating 
 pro- 
 urg is 
 
 36 found 
 730. 
 
 Ill 
 
 AGENT FOR RRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 317 
 
 a comfortable village, inhabited by a respectable people, 
 among whom are several opulent and genteel Fainilies, 
 supplied by a plentiful adjacent country, and affording 
 for occupancy not only decent, but convenient and re- 
 spectable houses," and the order to proceed thither was 
 repeated. Barclay despatched to London his resignation 
 as agent for prisoners, to take effect on the arrival of 
 his successor, and about February 22, 1S14, he re- 
 luctantly set out over the all but impassable roads of 
 retreating winter for the "comfortable village" which 
 was to be his residence. 
 
 His residence at Bladensburg was brought to a sud- 
 den close by causes over which neither he nor the 
 American Government had any control. On August 
 17 Admiral Cochrane's squadron anchored at the 
 mouth of the Patuxent, and landed upward of 4000 
 British troops. Two days later Mason wrote that a 
 " residence at a place in the interior more remote from 
 the waters " was considered suitable under the existing 
 circumstances, and Barclay was required to remove at 
 once to Hager.stown. On the morning of August 24 — 
 the day of the battle of Bladensburg — Barclay departed. 
 
 A week later Mason wrote again. The purport of his 
 letter this time was to inform Colonel Barclay that the 
 American Government declined to hold any further 
 correspondence with him. Two grounds were assigned 
 for this determination. The first, that Barclay had not 
 left Bladensburg until the very day of the battle ; the 
 second, that he had attem})ted to communicate secretly 
 with Admiral Cochrane. Barclay's reply was brief. 
 He had remained at Bladensburg because he could find 
 no vehicle to carry him away ; and though he had given 
 Mr. Edward Calvert a letter to Admiral Cochrane, it 
 was merely to request him to release two of Mr. Cal- 
 
 *■ 3 
 
 I 
 
318 
 
 CORRESPONFJENl^E OF THOMAS BARCTiAY 
 
 vert's servants who had been made prisoners. This 
 exphmation was never disputed, and subsequent events 
 showed that the authorities at Washington were satis- 
 fied there was no dishonoi-abk^ pur})ose in Barchiy's 
 eonduct. But a natural irritation lingered after the 
 burning of Washington, and Bai'clay, at his own request, 
 was furnished with a passport to leave the country. 
 
 About the middle of October, 1814, he sailed from 
 Now- York in the American ship Fhif/al, accompanied 
 by his youngest son Anthony, who had come back with 
 him from England. Barclay had intended taking with 
 him his wife and his unmarried daughter, Ann ; but for 
 some reason they were left behind. 
 
 The war was nearly over when Barclay for the third 
 time landed in England. For three months the com- 
 missioners of the two belligerent nations had been sitting 
 at Ghent, and by the end of November negotiations had 
 so far progressed that the sole remaining questions had 
 been reduced to two points — the fisheries and the pos- 
 session of Moose Island in Passamaquoddy Bay. On 
 December 24, 1814, the treaty of peace was signed. 
 
 Barclay found both his elder sons again promoted. 
 De Lancey had been appointed to the First Foot Guards 
 on July 25. Thomas had been made a post captain 
 on June 7, upon the signing of the treaty of peace 
 with France, and had retired on half pay September 
 30, 1814. 
 
 TO Mil. HAMILTON. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 No. 4 Clargos Street, London, 
 
 21st November, 1812. 
 
 In a conversation sone days since with Sir Rupert George 
 of the Transport Board, lie mentioned to me the necessity of 
 sending to America an Agent for Prisoners of War, I iu- 
 
 '! 
 
1 
 
 AGENT von nillTISH PKISONERS 
 
 319 
 
 forniod liiin tliat if it met with tlio approbatiou of Lord Cas- 
 tloroagli,' I had no ol)je('tioii to go in that cliaracter, as I was 
 at j)ivs(>nt without any iinint'diat(^ con.suhir cinploynient, and 
 considcsred it probable nniku* t;h)ak of the superintenchinoe of 
 British Prisoners of War, I might from time to time liave it 
 in my power, from the extensive accpiaintanee whieh fourteen 
 years residenee in the United States had given me, to furnish 
 not only His Majesty's ministers, but the (lovernor General of 
 ('anada and His Majesty's naval and military Commanders in 
 Nova Scotia with (Mirlv infornuition. 
 
 I am now called on for my answer, or rather the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty without any further eommu- 
 nication have ordered me to be appointed. I <!annot however 
 think of accepting this appointment without Lord (Jastle- 
 reagh's entire approbation, and under an assurance that it 
 shall not interfere with the consular appointment, I have for 
 many years held under His Majesty. 
 
 Emph)yment to me i^ preferalde to Idlent.'ss, and I feel as- 
 sured, that if the War witli America is protractted, it will be in 
 my power from holding the })roposed appointment to commu- 
 nicate to His Majesty's ministers earl}- intelligence of what 
 occurs in the states. Under this impression permit me to re- 
 quest, you will be pleased to communicate the purport of this 
 letter to Lord Castlereagh and to add that if it is his [>leasure 
 I should go to America under the present temporary proposed 
 appointment, that I am ready to obey his commands ; if not 
 that I will immediately decline the proposal. 
 
 1812. 
 
 George 
 3sity of 
 I iii- 
 
 FKOM MR. HAMILTON. 
 
 Foreign Office, 
 
 Nov. 27, 1812. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I did not omit to lay before Lord Castlereagh your letter of 
 the 21st inst acquainting His Lordship of your nomination by 
 
 iLord Castlereagh became Foreign Seerotary on February 22, 1812, on 
 the retirement of the Marquis of Wellesley. 
 
 I 
 
;j2o 
 
 (;OUltKSI>ONI)KN('10 OV TH(JMAS MAItCLAY 
 
 tlu* Lords of tlid Adminilty to rcsido iis A<,'('iii, for I'risonors 
 of Wiir ill tho United States of Anici'ica and rcMincstiiij^ iiis 
 Sanction to your acjccptancH! of that Appoint nient. I have 
 the Satisfa(!tion to assun; you that Lord Clastloreaj^h i»(M'f(!ctly 
 approves of your Intention to ae<;ej)t it if not objectionalde to 
 yourself, and that it will in no way interfere with tho renewal 
 of your late Appointnieut under this offleo. 
 
 I am &c 
 
 W. Hamilton. 
 
 FllOM THE TllANSPOllT 150AUD. 
 
 SlK. 
 
 Tninspurt office 11"' December IH12. 
 
 Having- by our warrant under tliis date appointed you to 
 be an A^ent to reside in the United States of Anu'rica for the 
 relief of British Prisoners of War in those States, and for 
 carrying on under our direction a general exchange of Prison- 
 ers upon such Principles as may hereafter be settled ])etween 
 the two Countries, we direct you upon the receipt of this letter 
 to proceed with all convenient dispatch to the United States 
 for the purpose of taking upon yourself the Fuuctious of your 
 employment accordingly ; and immediately after your arrival 
 there you are to present yourself to Admiral Sir John B. War- 
 ren, or the Flag officer Commanding in Chief, or senior officer 
 on that Station, and to communicate to him your warrant and 
 instructions consulting with '-n as to the fittest place for you 
 to take up your residence 
 
 You will lose no tiT- landing of the American Gov- 
 
 ernment, through th er Channel, permission to visit all 
 
 the depots for British ±. risoners of War as often as you may 
 judge necessary, taking care to inform the American Govern- 
 ment, that whatever Privileges and Tndulgencies may be al- 
 lowed to you the same will be granted to M"^ R. G. Beasley 
 who is accredited here as the American Agent for Prisoners 
 of War. 
 
 You are further with as little delay as possible to endeavour 
 
Aap]NT VOli HHITISH I'lllSONKKS 
 
 321 
 
 aGov- 
 isit all 
 )ii may 
 overn- 
 be al- 
 easley 
 isoners 
 
 leavour 
 
 to procuro from siioh (lopartincnt of the Aincricun (rovcrn- 
 niuiit as tli(! liiisiiit'ss niay iiiiiiicdiatcly ooikmmmi (and to trans- 
 mit to us) 11 list of all till' Hritish Suhjucits who aru detained 
 us Prisoiiors of "War in the United States, speeifyinij^ their 
 names, (piality, time of eai)ture, in what Ship captured, the 
 plaee of their detention and whether on parole or not respec- 
 tively, as also lists of all such, as shall have been released sineo 
 the c(mimeneement of the War. 
 
 For your information and j^niidanee we herewith transmit 
 to you Copies of the several instructions and rejrulations n^la- 
 tive to the treatment of Americnm Prisoners of War in Ili'alth 
 in this Countiy, and of the allowance nuuhi to them, whether 
 in confinenumt or on Parole, and with respe(!t to sick Prison- 
 ers it is only necessary to inform you, that they are treated in 
 all respects the same, as Seamen of His Majestys Navy. There 
 is no part of the Treatment of American Prisoners here, that 
 we are not desirous to bo open to every proper inspection, and 
 the most humane and genei'ous means are established for af- 
 fording tliem every reasonable comfort that their State of 
 Captivity will admit of. We therefore flatter ourselves that 
 upon your application, the American Government will issue 
 such orders, as may bo necessary for your having commu- 
 nication with all the British Prisoners either personally, or 
 through the medium of such Sub-Agents, as j'ou may find it 
 necessary to appoint, and gcjnerally give you every assistance 
 in the execution of the Service entrusted to yonr case. 
 
 You are to report to us as soon as ^)ossiblc, the exact (pian- 
 tities and nature of the allowances, whether in provisions, or 
 money, which the British Prisoners may be entitled to from 
 the American Government, and you are always t(» be i)arti(ni- 
 larly attentive that those allowances be fully distributed. — 
 Y >u will also take care to inform yourself, whether there are 
 any British Prisoners entitled from their Rank and Qualities 
 to the indulgence of Parole, who do not enjoy it ; and in the 
 event of any case of this kind or iini)ro})er treatment of any 
 other nature coming to your knowledge, you are to make a 
 becoming remonstrance to the proper department of the Amer- 
 ican Government on the Subject. 
 
 21 
 
 
 '• 
 
■,'K 
 
 322 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 i 
 
 You are to lose no time, in obtaining inforitnition, respect- 
 ing the State of th(^ clothinijf of the Prisoners, and to report 
 the same to us, in order that we may be (enabled to j;ivc you 
 directions on the subject. In tlie mean time we autlioiize you 
 to purchase on the best terms in your power, such articles as 
 any of the Prisoners may be in al)solute want of. 
 
 Besides the allowances which may be made to the Prisoners 
 by the Amoiican (Jovernment, we auth' '^ze you to cause to bo 
 paid to them the several allowances S|)e(ntied in the enclosed 
 paper according to their respective qualities, on account of 
 this department, aking- (!arc that such payments be made ac- 
 cording to the par of exchange. 
 
 If British Prisoners carried into the Ports of the United 
 States by French cruizers be delivered up to your Sub Agents, 
 and no objection to their release be made on the part of the 
 American Government, you are to cause all Prisoners of that 
 description to be subsisted at the charge of this department 
 from the time of their being so delivei'ed up, and we author- 
 ize you to pay to such Prisoners tlu! daily allowances specified 
 in the above numtioued Paper according to their respective 
 Ranks. 
 
 With respect to the Hire of Vessels for the; removal of Pris- 
 oners of War from the United States, you aiv to consult the 
 Admiral if there be time ; and also to ai)[)ly to the Boards Agi^nts 
 at Halifax and Bennuda in case they should have any Vessels 
 at their disposal, transmitting Lists &c &c to those Agents of 
 the Prisoners embarked ; and it is expected you will pay every 
 attention in your [)ower to the most strict Economy in this, as 
 well as every other matter respecting which it is imt)ossi])le to 
 give you any definite instructions. We think it proper how- 
 ever to observe to you, that all Vessels ought to l)e hired at a 
 certain rate per man or per Ton for the Voyage or Run ; and 
 not for time, and that no Prisoners be sent to Europe without 
 the order of the Commander in Chief or Flag officer, but be 
 conveyed to Halifax, Bermuda, and the West India Islands, 
 including tlie Bahamas. The proportion of the Prisoners to 
 the T(,ii'nige of a cartel Vessel, nnist depend upon the length 
 of the Voyage, and the particular construction of the Vessel, 
 
AC+ENT FOR BRITTSTI PRISONERS 
 
 323 
 
 ect- 
 
 [)()Vt 
 
 you 
 
 DS as 
 
 :)ners 
 to l)e 
 •loscd 
 lilt ot 
 It', ac- 
 
 Juited 
 
 .o'CUtS, 
 
 of the 
 
 )f that 
 
 rtinent 
 
 autlior- 
 
 peeilied 
 
 jpective 
 
 of Pris- 
 
 siilt tlio 
 Ati;outs 
 Vessels 
 o-eiits ot 
 ay every 
 1 tins, as 
 )SsiV)le to 
 Iper how- 
 ired at a 
 un; and 
 > without 
 r, but he 
 Islands, 
 souers to 
 le length 
 e Vessel, 
 
 but between this Country and Franco, it is usual to embark 
 not less than three men for every two Tons. The daily ra- 
 tion which you are to order for Britisli Prisoners while on 
 their voyage from tlie United States is to be, one pound of 
 Bread, one pound of Beef (or two-thi"ds of a pound of Pork) 
 and one quarter of a pint of Rum for all Prisoners without 
 distinction, arid no more. — The Passports to be given to such 
 Vessels must of course be from the American Government, 
 and all Vessels conveying American Prisoners from hence 
 will be furnished with Passports from us in the annexed form, 
 nevertheless each Vessel having British Prisoners on Board, 
 should be furnished with a certificate from you, or one of your 
 Sub Agents, stating the Service on which she is employed, 
 and in order to prevent misconceptions it will be proper for 
 you to communicate with the American (rovernment on the 
 sul)ject of such Instructions. Vessels hired for the convey- 
 ance of Prisonei-s must always be supplied with a proper 
 (juantity of Wnter at the expense of the owner, and it will be 
 adviseable to agree with the owners of such Vessels at a cer- 
 tain rate per day for the Prisoners victualling. 
 
 Your sub Agents will be allowed after the rate of five Shil- 
 lings per day for every day on which any British Prisoners 
 are under their care. 
 
 We emdose for your further information a copy of a letter 
 from th(^ Lords ( commissioners of the Admiralty by which you 
 will perceive that no British released Seamen, not belonging 
 to His Majestys Navy are to be impressed until 48 Hours 
 shall have expired after tln.'ir arrival at a British Port, which 
 you are to cause to be made known to all British Seamen Avho 
 jnay embark on board Cartels. 
 
 The printed copies of instructions to Agents for Prisoners 
 of War are sent to you for your information respecting the 
 manner in which I*risoners of War are treated by us, but you 
 must be well aware that no specific Instructions to Agents 
 of Britisli I'risoners in Enemies Countries can be prepared in 
 a similar manner, because the nature and details of Instruc- 
 tions in such cases must depend entirely upon the way in 
 which such Prisoiuu's are treated by the Government of the 
 
 Ml 
 
 i 
 
 i I- 
 
324 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Hl^l) 
 
 ■ill 
 
 Country in which they are detained. For this reason when 
 any particuhir point occurs to you upon which you may wish 
 to have our directions, it is projxT that you should communi- 
 cate it to us from time to time with as little delay as possible, 
 and in the mean time to procure and follow the directions of 
 the Admiral or Fla^ officer, with whom you are also generally 
 to communicate respecting the duties which you are entrusted 
 to perform under this department. 
 
 We enclose for your information a copy of an order from 
 the Right Honorable tlie Lords Commissioners of the Ad- 
 miralty relative to a proposed Cartel for ^he exchange of Pris- 
 oners of War between this Country and the United States of 
 America, together with a project for such Cartel whic) Ave 
 have also transmitted to Admiral The Right HonorabL Sir 
 Jolin Borlase Warren and recpiested that he would through 
 you, or any other Channel make the necessary communication 
 on the Subject to the American Government. 
 
 You are to transmit to us quarterly accounts of your ex- 
 penses and to di'aw upon us from time to time for such Sums 
 as you may require for carrying on the service entrusted to 
 you — For yt)ur further information we annex a list of our 
 several Agents in the West Indies and America 
 
 We are 
 Sir 
 your most humble Servants 
 
 J. BOWEN 
 
 Jno. Harness 
 j. boothby 
 
 FROM THE TRANSPORT BOARD. 
 
 {^Secret.) 
 
 Transport Office, — 
 
 5th January, 1813. 
 Sir, 
 
 In pursuance of Instructions from the Right Honorable 
 the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, we direct you to 
 
i iv 
 
 |1813. 
 
 iorable 
 lyou to 
 
 AGENT FOB BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 325 
 
 proceed to Portsmouth, so as to be there before the 7th in- 
 stant, waiting on Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton immediately 
 on your Arrival, who has Orders to pi'ovide you with a Pas- 
 sage to your Destination ; and you are, for very particular 
 Reasons, to avoid, if possible, making either your Name, or 
 Destination, known to any other Person than the Admiral. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 
 J. Bo WEN 
 
 Jno. Harness 
 
 W. BOOTHBY. 
 
 TO THE TRANSPORT BOARD. 
 
 Sirs. 
 
 Washington City 15'" April 1813. 
 
 I have the honor to infc^rm you that I arrived at New York 
 on the first of this month from Bermuda, aiul at this place on 
 the 5"' Instant, I immediately waited on the Secretary of State 
 and delivered to him my warrant and Instructions from you 
 to be laid before the President of the United States, in order 
 to my being accredited as His Majesty's Agent for the relief 
 of British Prisoners of War and for carrying on under your 
 directions a general exchange of Prisoners. 
 
 The President has been pleased to receive me in that 
 character, and has since appointed (leneral John Mason of 
 George Town in Columbia Commissary General of Prison- 
 ers of War throughout the United States of Amei'ica; with 
 whom I am directed to confer on all points relating to my 
 mission. 
 
 General Mason and myself have had three conferences and 
 have made some progress in the aiTangement of a system for 
 the future subsistence and clothing of Prisoners, and their 
 accommodations. Preparations have also commenced on 
 the part of this government to draw together tlie British 
 Prisoners now in these States, in order to their being sent as 
 speedily as possible to Bermuda and the West Indies, and 
 
 21* 
 
 ; ! 
 
 ' 'if 
 
 11 
 
 
320 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 I 
 
 \kh' '! 
 
 I ! 
 
 tho cartels which convey them are to l)ring back a corre- 
 spoii(]iii<,' number of Americans. The President not having 
 ratified the provisional agreement for the exchange of 
 Prisoners made at Halifax in Nova Scotia on the 28th of 
 November last ; some small alterations have been proposed 
 by him, which in my opinion are not of moment to oppose, 
 and which I shall, with an amendment on the part of his 
 Majesty conditionally agree to, subject to your and Sir 
 John l^orlase Warren's ratification. These when prepared 
 shall be forwarded. 
 
 I have reason to believe, from the assurances of the Secre- 
 tary of State, and General Mason, that this (lovernment is 
 desirous that every facility shall be given to the exchange of 
 Prisonei's of War, and to their comfort while Prisoners. 
 
 I enclose for your information a copy of a letter addressed 
 to (leneral Mason on the subject of British Prisoners being 
 enticed to entcn* into the service of the United States, to which 
 I have not yet received an answer. I have however his and 
 the Secretary of States verbal assurances, that if any such 
 irregularities have occurred at the commencement of the War 
 they were without the knowledge of the Government and that 
 they shall not hereafter be permitted. 
 
 Sir John B. Warren having coincided in opinion with me 
 that New York, being a central position, was best adapted for 
 my residence, I have obtained the President's leave to reside 
 theri! for the present. 
 
 I learn with regret that a difference in opinion exists be- 
 tween Lieut. General Sir George Prevost, Governor General 
 and commanding His Majesty's Forces in the Canadas, and 
 this Government on the Sul)ject of Exchanges made last Au- 
 tumn. A case on the part of these States is now preparing 
 for me, which I shall transmit to Sir George Prevost, and re- 
 (juest his answer. Of both these I shall avail myself of the 
 earliest conveyance to forward you copies, with my remarks 
 thereon, to enable you to more readily to give me your orders 
 on the Subject. 
 
 All letters coming to or going from this country are opened 
 and read by persons appointed for that purpose, and when 
 
 if ill i 
 
|ik1 ve- 
 of the 
 [marks 
 I orders 
 
 )pened 
 wlien 
 
 AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 327 
 
 considered of importance trausmitted to the Secretary of State 
 at this place. 
 
 TO SIR JOHN BORLASE WARREN. 
 
 {Private and confidential.) 
 
 Washinfrtou U"" April 1813. 
 Dear Sir. 
 
 I took occasion to observe to Mr. Monroe my surprise that 
 tliis Government had not acceded to the proposal of Hear Ad- 
 miral Cockburn, to receive from him American Prisoners and 
 return British by the same conveyances. In reply Mi* .'•^■)nroe 
 did not acknowledge the fact, but made this remariv, .iiat if 
 anything impleasantor apparently unreasoT\.ble had occurred, 
 it was wholly to be attributed to the conduct of Mr. Baker who 
 had been left here, as pro tempore Agent for Prisoners of War 
 by Mr. Foster. That he had given great offense, and woidd 
 have been indicted, had not the President interfered, who was 
 averse to such strong measures against a (Icntlenum, who had 
 lately held the appointment of Secretary of Legation, that in 
 consequence of Mr. Baker's conduct he had for some time past 
 refused all communication with him. I discovered a principle 
 cause of complaint against him was his having after his Func- 
 tions as Secretary of Legation ceased, and while he acted 
 merely as Agent for Prisoners of War, delivered a number of 
 Licenses (to protect Cargoes) left with him by Mr. Foster. 
 Mr. Monroe expressed his satisfaction on my arrival, and 
 added that I should find every disposition on the part of this 
 (jrovernment to carry on exchanges on principles of reciprocity 
 and liberality. In the amendments to the provisional agree- 
 ment for the exchange of Prisoners, it will be proposed that Ber- 
 muda is made a depot ; or possibly that it should be substi- 
 tuted in the place of Bridge Town Barbadoes. To the former, 
 I think you will have no objection. I notice in the American 
 papers that the Masters and Crews of several vessels captured 
 by the Brig Atalanta have been sent into these States and, 
 from the manner in which it is stated apprehend proper re- 
 
 r i 
 
M' 
 
 328 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 c(!ipts liave not boon obtained. It is therefore advisable until 
 I make the necessary arrangements, not to send them on shore 
 in this irregular manner. I will thank you to direct your Sec- 
 retary to order Lieut. Miller of Halifax to forward to me cor- 
 rect returns of all American Prisoners sent from Halifax, and 
 copies of the receipts taken when delivered — also returns of 
 all British Prisoners received from these states in exchange. 
 I have reason to believe this Governtnent intend to put a stop 
 to the present connnunications by Packets, and I informed 
 Ml*. Monroe, that I suspected that mode of communication was 
 far from agreeable to you. 
 
 TO SIR THOMAS HARDY.' 
 
 ¥:\ , 
 
 i ! 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Washington 21 April 1813. 
 
 Your letter of the 11th of this month dated off Block Island, 
 I received last evening. I arrived here from Bermuda on the 
 nth Instant and was much surprised to learn from Mr. Monroe 
 the American Secretary of State that the provisional agree- 
 ment executed in November last at Halifax, had not been rati- 
 fied by the President of the United States, or measures taken 
 by this Government, with Mr. Baker, to amend the agreement 
 and to send it to Admiral Sir John Warren for his approval. 
 On expressing my surprise Mr. Monroe informed me, the delay 
 had been occasioned by the improper C'onduct of Mr. Baker, 
 and with whom he had declined having further communica- 
 tions. I did not think proper to enter on the merits of the 
 dispute. 
 
 This Government received me with politeness and have as- 
 sured me of every disposition on their part to facilitate a gen- 
 eral exchange, and to continue exchanges on liberal and hu- 
 mane principles. General John Mason has been appointed 
 Commissary General of Prisoners of War, and I am directed 
 
 1 Nelson's Captain Hardy, the eommandei' of llio Victory at Trafalgar, and 
 who was now in command of the squadron blockading Now London. 
 
 ■u 
 

 AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 329 
 
 to confer with him on all matters relating to my mission to 
 these States. 
 
 One of our first objects has been to amend the provisional 
 Agreement, so as to meet the convenience of the President, 
 and of the Admiral and final ratification on the part of His 
 Majesty. It includes Land Forces. This day it is to be laid 
 before the President. Until he ratifies it, I cannot give you 
 any directions on the siibject of receipts for Prisoners whom 
 you may laud in the United States. In the meantime I beg 
 leave to recommend your continuing the mode you have al- 
 ready used, and obtain receipts from tlie Chief Justice or some 
 other Magistrate of Respectability. I doubt however the pro- 
 priety of making use of this mode in the event of your captur- 
 ing any American Ship or Vessel of War ; in such a case a 
 more fornuil exchange and delivery would be necessary. In 
 addition to my communicating with the Admiral, I shall take 
 the earliest means to transmit to you the Agreement as 
 amended. 
 
 ' 'ill 
 
 if 
 
 TO SIR JOHN BORLASE WARREN. 
 
 ive as- 
 a geu- 
 
 Ind hu- 
 )ointed 
 
 lirected 
 
 ,aud 
 
 Sir. 
 
 QeoYge Town 26th April 1813. 
 
 In my despatch of the 14th current I stated to you that the 
 provisional Agreement for the exchange of Prisoners entered 
 into at Halifax by Mr. Uiiiacke and Lieut. Miller on the part 
 of his Majesty and Mr. Michell on the part of the United 
 States of America in November last had not met the approba- 
 tion of the President, and that he had directed General John 
 Mason the American Commissary General of Prisoners to con- 
 fer with me on the subject of amending the provisional agree- 
 ment so as to meet the wishes of both parties. 
 
 General Mason and myself have therefore altered several of 
 the Articles and added two to the original number. They 
 have been laid before the President who is readv to ratifv 
 them on the part of the United States in order that they may 
 
 II 
 
aao 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 be sent to England for tlie necessary ratification on the part of 
 His Majesty. I informed this (Tovernniont, that it was my 
 duty prior to ratification to submit the agreement as amended 
 to your consideration. I now enclose it and hope it will meet 
 your approbation : but should this not be the case, I will thank 
 you to be distinct and full on the Subject to which you may 
 dissent, or require an amendment, so that I may fully compre- 
 hend your wishes. 
 
 As tliis agreement comprehends Prisoners taken on Land 
 and Sea and extends to all His Majesty's Dominions, your sig- 
 nature of approval to it becomes unnecessary, perhaps im- 
 proper because in that case it must also be sent not only to Lt. 
 General Sir Ueorge Prevost at Quebec, but to all other Com- 
 manders in Chief. I therefore submit it to you for your ap- 
 proval, and when amended agreeably to what may comport 
 with your Ideas, the instrument will be signed by General 
 Mason and myself and ratified by the President, after which I 
 will transmit it to the (Commissioners for Transport and Pris- 
 oners of War to be by them laid before His Royal Highness 
 The Prince Regent for his Royal Pleasure thereon. 
 
 TO THE TRANSPORT BOARD. 
 
 Hiirlaem near New York 
 
 20"' May 1813. 
 Sirs, 
 
 Referring you to my letter of the 15th of April of which a 
 duplicate is enclosed I have the Honor to enclose to you the 
 Agreement entered into between John Mason Esqr. Commis- 
 sary General of Prisoners on the part of the United States 
 and myself as His Majesty's Agent for Prisoners of War. I 
 forward it for your consideration and to be laid before the 
 Lords of the Admiralty and the other proper departments of 
 State. 
 
 As this Agreement is of a nature not of sufficient magnitude 
 
AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 331 
 
 [bicli a 
 
 lou the 
 
 )innus- 
 
 States 
 
 'av. 1 
 
 )re the 
 
 leuts of 
 
 rnitude 
 
 to require the ratification of His Koyal Hifjhuess tlie Prince 
 Repfont it was proi)0.s(Hl by tiic President of tlie United States 
 that it should b(^ ratified upon the i)art of the United States 
 by tlie American Secretary ot State and on tlie part of Ilis Ma- 
 jesty by the Lords of tlie Admiralty. A copy of this aji:ree- 
 uKMit with the ratification by Mr. Munroe the American Sec- 
 retary of State will be forwarded by him to their Lordships, 
 and if no objection lays to the aji^reement their Lordships will 
 be pleased to transmit a copy ratified l)y them to this (iovern- 
 meni. It may however be prudent to delay th(! ratification 
 until Sir George Prevost communit^ates to his Secretary of 
 State his opinion, to wliom I send a copy, and I have sub- 
 mitted it to Admiral Sir John Warren who approves thereof. 
 
 I am sending the British Prisoners from hence as fast as the 
 cartels arrive; and the instant I am in possession of all the 
 Lists and receipts of American Prisoners delivered or sent to 
 America, I shall proceed to a general exchange. 
 
 On my arrival here on the first of Ajjril, I was informed that 
 a uumb(.'r of respectable British Subjects, principally mer- 
 chants, whose affairs at the declaration of war by these states 
 compelled them to remain here, and who continued in America 
 after the six months leave given them by these States for their 
 dei)arture, had been ordered by this Government to rtunove 
 from the Sea Port Towns, their former residences and reside 
 on parole fortj'^ miles from Tide Water in the interior of the 
 Country. Many of them were desirous to return to His Ma- 
 jesty's Dominions and all the others to their former abodes. 
 With respect to the latter I did not conceive myself entitled 
 during the War to interfere, but with regard to tlu? former, I 
 api>lied to the American Commissary General of Prisoners, 
 and re(pured their delivery to me as Non-C-ombatants and for 
 two Flags of Truce to carry them from these States. During 
 the correspondence on this subject on an application l)y the 
 American Commissary to the President for instructions, he di- 
 rected him to cease any further communications with me on 
 this subject and to inform me, he was of opinion my appoint- 
 ment did not extend to this description of Persons : but that 
 if I had anything to communicate on the subject, I must ad- 
 
 m 
 
 n 
 
 1 
 
 I 1 
 
 ! 
 
t n 
 
 332 
 
 CORItKHPONDENiJK OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 dross inysolf to the Secretary of State, who wouhl return me 
 ail answer. I tht^efcn'o wrote him a hitter whereof tlie en- 
 closed doeument is a copy : to which I received his answer a 
 copy whereof is also enclosed. 
 
 You will perceive the Secretary of States refuses to considi^r 
 them Prisoners of War, and that he hints at detaining them as 
 fit Suhjects to be hereafter used for retaliatory measures, 
 should this (Jovernment think proper to resort to them ; and 
 that he denies my authority to interfere. On reverting to 
 your warrant of my appointment, I think you will agree with 
 mo, that words cannot be more appropriate to express my su- 
 perintendance and care of these (TontloiiKui : but you will no- 
 tice that in my letter to the Secretary of State, I do not press 
 this point, but take a stronger and more extensive ground, to 
 wit that every man deprived of his Liberty was a Prisoner. — 
 My right to act in this instance being denied by this Grovern- 
 mont, I have returned Mr. Monroe, a general answer, inform- 
 ing him I had submitted the correspondence to my Tovernment 
 for their consideration and directions, I shall therefore wait 
 your orders. It remains with Ilis Majesty's (xovernment 
 Avhother they will not treat the Citizens of the United States 
 and in the united Kingdoms in a similar manner, and hold 
 them Prisoners, to respond the treatment the British Subjects 
 now here may receive from the United States. 
 
 The President has thought i)roper for the present not to al- 
 low mo to come within less than two miles of the Citj- of New 
 York, it being considered a military Post. I am not otherwise 
 restricted. This limitation will not be attended with incon- 
 venience. 
 
 I have made an exchange of the officers and men of the 
 American Sloop Viper for the officers and men of His Majes- 
 ty's late Sloop Peacock, and a few officers and men of other 
 British Ships to make the exchange equal, but as the Peacock's 
 men are not yet embarked, and causualties may occur, I do 
 not send you the exchange by the present conveyance, as 
 alterations may be necessary, which is provided for in the 
 Receipts. 
 
~ in! 
 
 AGENT FOR BRITISH IMUSONERS 
 
 33;i 
 
 TO THE TRANSPORT ROARD. 
 
 Ir, I do 
 
 lice, as 
 liu the 
 
 liurloni, New York, oth Juno 1S1,'{. 
 
 Sirs. 
 
 I have the Honor to info n you that I received from this 
 (Tovcrnmcnit repented assurances that it will do all in its])0wer, 
 to prevent British Prisoners of War being received into the 
 American Naval or Land Service. These declarations I have 
 reasons to believi^ are sinceiv. I lament however to add, that 
 the measures hitherto adopted have ])roved ineffectual ; and 
 that His Majesty's Subjects, Prisoners, have since my arrival 
 in these states, been taken into the American service: and 
 Ihat in the case of some men of His Majesty's late Sloop Pea- 
 cock, T applied to C<nnmodore Decatur but he did not think 
 pi'oper to restore them at my reipiest, and although he did not 
 defend the i)ractice of receiving British Prisoners of War into 
 the American Service in express terms : he did it equivocally 
 by stating that similar conduct had been used towards Ameri- 
 can Prisoners by the officers of His Majesty's Ship Africa. 
 
 An unpleasant occurence has taken place with respect to an 
 arrangement between (leneral Mason and myself with the con- 
 currence of Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren. The American 
 Government had purchased the Brig Analostan as a National 
 Cartel, laying at Washington, subsecpient to the blockade of 
 the Ch(\sepeak ; and was desirous to send this Cartel to Ja- 
 maica for American Prisoners, reported to be in a sickly state. 
 I communicated this to Sir John B. Warren and requested his 
 consent that the Cartel might leave the blockaded waters for 
 the above purpose. In reply the Admiral informed me he 
 woidd consent on Condition that this Government delivered 
 on board one of His Majesty's ships in Lynnhaven Bay all the 
 British Prisoners at Norfolk and in its vicinity, and he added 
 that on this being agreed to upon tlie part of the United States 
 he would instantly deliver from on board the Ships up the 
 Chesepeak near 300 American Prisonei'S, on their parole. This 
 was assented to on the part of this Government, and there is 
 no disagreement between General Mason and myself on the 
 Terms. 
 
.134 
 
 CORTIKSPONDENOR OP THOMAS nARCLAY 
 
 , ■> 
 
 Sir John Wnn-oii a(H!<>r(liu(»: to promise (hdivurod 29(1 Airuu'i- 
 (^an Prisoners at Aniuipolis and received the usual receipts 
 wliicdi lie transmitted to me. 
 
 I was apprehensive that notwithstaiidiuf^ General Mason in- 
 tended to <'xe(!ute th(! Uf^reement with j^ood faith, still that 
 from want of enerj,'y in the (rovernment, and from nuiny other 
 •uiuses, the whole of the British Prisoners would not be s«!nt 
 by the American Cartel on board His Majesty's Ships of War 
 in Lynnhaven Hay. As Sir John Borlase Warren was at that 
 time sonu' hundred jniles from thence, I (ujnsidered it my duty 
 to inform the officer commanding II. M. Ships in Lyniduivtm 
 Bay to whom the liritish Prisoners were to be delivered, of 
 the round number he was to receive and added, that I sub- 
 mitted to his better Judgement, whether in the event of a 
 defalcation in the number delivered, it wonld not be prudent 
 to d(!tain the (Cartel. It appears that little mort^ than •'/•'' <»f 
 the British Prisoners were deliv(a'(Hl, and no reasons assigned 
 for not delivering the remainder, the Cartel has in conseiiuence 
 been detained. 
 
 Until I can induce this (lovernnient to compel mon^ atten- 
 tion to its orders and business gets into a regular Train, I beg 
 leave to recommend, that Amei'ican Prisoners may not ])e sent 
 to these States until exchanged. There are otluu* strong rea- 
 sons for adopting this rule. I wish you would write to the 
 several agents abroad to this effect, and dire(!t them not to 
 send Prisoners, unless ordered by your Board, or by Admiral 
 Sii' John Warren, or requested by myself. 
 
 I have not been able to obtain an answer to my letter of the 
 12th of April addressed to the American Commiss.ary of Pris- 
 oners on the various points contained in your instructions to 
 me, and on which T can only procure the necessary information 
 from him. I have repeatedly reminded him and requested his 
 answer not only to that, but to most of my other Letters to 
 him. General Mason holds several other public ai)pointnu'nts, 
 which probably occasions these delays. In the agreement 
 which accompanies this you will observe the allowance of food 
 or money per day to each Prisoner. The British Prisoners 
 have been liberally fed hitherto by the United States, and the 
 
AOKNT POU mtlTISlI I'UISONEUH 
 
 386 
 
 Imnmno iroiiijnent of the Marslmlls in oacli Statu towards 
 tlicin is universally acknowletlf>^o(l. 
 
 I 
 
 »t' the 
 'vis- 
 its to 
 ition 
 (1 his 
 rs to 
 ents, 
 meat 
 food 
 ners 
 (1 the 
 
 TO THE TllANSPOIlT BOAllD. 
 
 New York 22n<l Juuu 1813. 
 SlUS. 
 
 After repeated a})plieation.s to the American ('onunissary 
 General of Prisoners, I have received his answer to my letter 
 of the 12th of April respectinj? <!ertain jioiiits on whioh by 
 your instructions of the 1st of Decembor last I was directed to 
 request information from this (lovernment and to report to 
 you. 
 
 You will perceive that the President has not thought proper 
 to permit me to visit all the American Stations and Depots 
 as often as I jndfjje necessary; on the contrary I am only to 
 visit tli(nn on special occasions, having ])reviously assigned my 
 reasons and o])tained his permission. Nor an; the Sulj-Agents, 
 from the tenor of (leneral Mason's letter, t(j have leave to visit 
 any other Station or Depot except the one at or near which 
 each of them respectively resides. I have noticed this in my 
 reply of the 20th (current to General Mason a copy whereof is 
 also enclosed. His answer when received shall he transmitted 
 to y<>a. 
 
 It is for you Sirs to determine whether it is necessary to re- 
 strict in a similar manner the American Agents in England 
 and other parts of His Majesty's Dominions. Distrust and 
 jealousy mark the conduct of the members of the present 
 American Administration. This is not without some reason. 
 It is well known that from Pennsylvania North all the Gentle- 
 men of respectability and prt perty are opposed to them and to 
 their measures, and that in every State, South of the Delaware 
 there are many characters of eqnal property and respectability 
 who entertain the same sentiments. They are therefore un- 
 willing that His Majesty's Subjects, myself and the sub-agents, 
 in particular, should have an opportnnity of communicating 
 with Gentlemen so essentially differing in Sentiment with 
 
 IP 
 
' t 
 
 336 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 tl:em. In addition to which they are apprehensive a more 
 liberal indulgence to British Agents would give offence to 
 their Friends and Supporters. 
 
 •'ii' 3 
 
 n 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH.l 
 
 (Private.) 
 
 New York, 
 
 Sept. 30, 1813. 
 My Lord, 
 
 The continued success of the American Ships of War in ac- 
 tions with those of His Majesty, added to the inequality in the 
 numbers killed and wounded on board the American if we 
 compare with them the numbers lost on board the British 
 sliips, and the generally trivial injury to the bodies and rigging 
 of the former, contrasted with the damage received by the lat- 
 ter, are events respecting which your Lordship will natu- 
 rally be desiroiTs of a solution. A residence of 14 years in the 
 United States has afforded me an opportunity for information 
 and I hope your Lordship will not consider it impertinent to 
 offer 3'ou my sentiments on so important a subject. 
 
 I shall divide it under three heads. The ships, officers and 
 men, and disciiiUne. The American ships of War are not only 
 much larger than those of His Majesty of the same class, but 
 the materials contain more cubic feet and inches, hence they 
 are less liable to injury from shot, and impenetrable to grape : 
 When therefore ships of the same (dass come in contact, the 
 American has the advantage. 
 
 In sailing if there is a difference, it is in favour of the Amer- 
 ican ships. They are brave and aspiring, able seamen, and 
 mananivre a few ships admirably. With respect to the War- 
 rant and Petty officers and men on board the ships of the re- 
 spective nations, the superiority is greatly in favour of the 
 United States. 
 
 In the American Navy at least one half are British Seamen. 
 The remainder are subjects of Sweden, Denmark, Prussia, &c., 
 
 1 This letter was sent in cipher. 
 
 
 <■ 
 
I 
 
 AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 337 
 
 more 
 ce to 
 
 1813. 
 
 L' in ac- 
 y in the 
 I if we 
 British 
 rigging 
 the lat- 
 [1 natvi- 
 ■s in the 
 rmation 
 inent to 
 
 cers and 
 not only 
 
 ass, bnt 
 nee they 
 o grape : 
 
 tact, the 
 
 10 Anier- 
 neu, and 
 he War- 
 3f the re- 
 ar of the 
 
 Seamen, 
 i^sia, &c., 
 
 &c., and a few Americans. From the great inflnx of seamen, 
 the commanders of American Ships of War have had it in theii* 
 power to select young well-made prime h=eamen. Those who 
 are subjects of His Majesty fight with desperation, most of 
 them being deserters. Thus manned the American officer has 
 an evident superiority over the British Commander, whose 
 crew are the reverse of select, and by far the greater propor- 
 tion not able seamen. It is a lamentable truth that our sea- 
 men arc tired and dissatisfied with their success, "nd long 
 confinement on board ship in consequence of 20 y. ^ " war, 
 and I fear capture by the Americans is not disagreeable to 
 many of them, 
 
 I forbear touching on the present discipline of H. M. Navy. 
 That it is not what it was, I appeal to every officer of experi- 
 ence. The mutiny in the Fleet and other causes may have 
 rendered some relaxation necessary ; whether it has not been 
 carried too far merits enquiry. 
 
 The discipline which formerly prevailed in our Navy is now 
 practised in the American service on British seamen with 
 good effect. 
 
 The seamen in the American service are practised for 
 hours at the great guns, small arms, & in sham boarding, and 
 as the complement of men is ^ more than in our service, an 
 additional number of men are appointed to serve as marines 
 in the tops : also there are howitzers with men appointed to 
 them. From these, with the musketry in the tops, and the 
 quarter-deck well manned with marines, a destructive fire is 
 kept up during an action. From the before remarks, your 
 Lordship will perceive that in every particular officers ex- 
 cepted, the American ship has the advantage over the British. 
 It is an abuse of words to call the crews of the U. S. Ships 
 American. They are British crews commanded by American 
 officers. 
 
 The complement of men on board our largest frigates does 
 not exceed 350, while the American frigates carry 500 ; of 
 these, 250 are superlatively able and strong British Seamen. 
 I sincerely believe the 250 British on Board an American ship 
 are an equal to 350 of the men who ordinarily compose our 
 
 22 
 
 h 
 
338 
 
 CORUESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 hhip's compauy. It follows that with the additiou of 250 men 
 on board the Ainori(!au ship, many of whom are equal to the 
 British, victory must attend the former. 
 
 I have omitted to inform your Lordship that the guns on 
 board the American ships are elevated or depressed by a scale 
 on the screw and on the coign. When therefore the proper 
 elevation is ascertained, in consequence of the shot from any 
 particular gun having struck tlie enemy, an order is issued 
 and all the other guns are graduated accordingly. 
 
 What I have submitted to yr. Lp. is in perfect confidence. I 
 beg my name may not be mentioned. 
 
 FllOM GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Office of Coiuniissary General of Prisoners 
 W",shinj?ton Oct. Sth, 1813. 
 
 It is intended to give answers in this letter to the letters 
 accumulated from you during the late short absence, I made 
 from the seat of Government, to which I have not already re- 
 plied, and about which I find you are beginning to complain. 
 
 I did not fail to remark your frequent complaints, on the 
 same subject, last summer : I am not conscious that I have at 
 any time permitted a communication of yours to remain unan- 
 swered, more than a few days, an early reply to which, was a 
 matter of any consequence to either Government ; it is very 
 true that I often did delay answers to those of the very numer- 
 ous letters, which you were constantly in the habit of addres- 
 sing to me, that were considered of minor importance, from 
 the necessity of making them occasionally yield to the more 
 essential avocations, which the vtirious duties of this office 
 dai^y produce; and such. Sir, must inevitably be the case, 
 while it is attempted to conduct all the business of your Gov- 
 ernment, in connection with this office, with which you are 
 entrusted, at the distance, at which we are placed, through the 
 medium of correspondence only. During the six months that 
 you, and I have now been in official intercourse, you have al- 
 
 fii , I 
 
AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 339 
 
 ready addressed me about one hundred and twentj'-five public 
 letters, not unfrequently two, or three, on a day the subjects 
 of many of which might have been settled, by a personal in- 
 terview in a few monuuits; nor is this all; it has several times 
 ha[)pened and it must often happen again, that while with 
 every possible promptness in answering letters, it requires at 
 least one week to communicate by mail a business of impor- 
 tance to the two nations, demanding despatch, must stand, un- 
 till a discussion takes place l)y letter, that will produce, pcr- 
 haj)s, the interchange of several communications. It was ap- 
 prehended, when your request, at the time of your reception- 
 that your Residence should be taken near New York, was as, 
 sented to, that inconvenience would be experienced from the 
 remoteness, at which you would be located from the Seat of 
 Government ; from a desire that you should be accommodated, 
 in your personal arrangements, I made myself no objection to 
 it; but now that experience has proved to me that it is impos- 
 sible to conduct the Intercourse relative to Prisoners, with 
 proper advantage to either Government (and more particu- 
 larly as the war advances, aiul that intercourse will necessarily 
 become more complex) at the distance, at which their agents 
 are now placed from each other, I have considered it incum- 
 bent on me to apprise you of my conviction on this point, and 
 to recommend it to your serious consideration. 
 
 I have &G 
 
 J. Mason. 
 
 : 1 
 
 FROM THE TRANSPORT BOARD. 
 
 Transport Office, 
 
 nth November 1813. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 In reference to our letter of the 18th of August last, in an- 
 swer to yours of the 20th of May, relative to the Cartel Agree- 
 ment entered into by yourself and General Mason, for the 
 Exchange of Prisoners of War, we now transmit, for your In- 
 formation and Giiidance, the Copies of an Order of the Right 
 
 fill 
 
340 
 
 CORRiilSPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated 
 the 30th of September and of its Inclosure from Colonel Buu- 
 bury, signifying the Opinion of the Earl Bathurst, on the sev- 
 eral Articles of the said Cartel Agreement, and desiring that 
 the same might be ratified with the Alterations suggested by 
 His Lordship, in consequence of our Observations thereon, a 
 Copy of which you will also receive herewith and we direct 
 you ^.o propose such alterations to the American Government. 
 For your further Information, we enclose a Draft of a Cartel 
 which you are to propose in lieu of the one transmitted by 
 you, and we desire that in any discussion which may take 
 place on the sevei-al Points therein, you will condiict yourself 
 in conformity to the Suggestions contained in Colonel Bun- 
 biu'y's letter ubovementioned. 
 
 You will observe that, in the Draft above referred to no 
 Mention has been made of the Ration, as no Alteration can be 
 made in the Rations at present allowed to American Prisoners 
 of W"ar either in this country or on Foreign Stations, of which a 
 Statement was contained in our Letter of the 1st December 1812. 
 
 With respect to the subsistence of Parole Prisoners, we ac- 
 quaint you that the Allowance to American Prisoners in this 
 Country has been augmented to Two Shillings Per Diem for 
 Commissioned Officers, and One Shilling and Six Pence per 
 Diem for all inferior Parole Prisoners, the Allowance to those 
 on Foreign Stations to remain as at present. 
 
 You will also observe, that in the Names of Places at which 
 American Prisoners are to be stationed for Exchange, Liver- 
 pool and Falmouth have been omitted, there being no means 
 of accommodating Prisoners of War at those Places ; and we 
 consider that the Insertion of them in the Cartel Agreement 
 entered into by you arose from a misapprehension of our Let- 
 ter of the 5tli January last, wherein we acquainted you that 
 Liverpool and Falmouth were Ports appointed for the Recep- 
 tion of American Cartels. 
 
 We are &c 
 
 Rup' George 
 
 J. BOWEN 
 
 Jno. Harness. 
 
AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 FROM MR. MONKOE. 
 
 341 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Department of State, 
 Dec 28, 18i;}, 
 
 For reasons which every day become more evident, the Pres- 
 ident has determined that you should reside near the seat of 
 government. 
 
 You will be pleased, as soon after the reception of this let- 
 ter as your convenience will permit, to take your residence at 
 Bladensburg, in the vicinity of this city. A passport to travel 
 thither is sent you. 
 
 Such regulations will be made, as to your visits to the office 
 of the Commissary General, or other places, required by your 
 functions, as are observed towards our agents in the country 
 of the enemy. 
 
 I remain &c 
 
 Jas. Monroe, 
 
 
 TO MR. MONROE. 
 
 Harlem, New York, 4'" Jan"; 1814. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 {Private.) 
 
 I beg leave to inform you the order of the President com- 
 municated to me in your official letter of the 28*" was not un- 
 expected. General Mason having more than once mentioned to 
 me that my residence at this distance from the seat of Gov' 
 was inconvenient to him, as he was obliged to devote a greater 
 part of his time to writing, than his other duties would permit, 
 and that by my removal, +' "s inconvenience would be reme- 
 died, as most of our communications would be verbal. 
 
 If Gen' Mason's conclusions were correct, I would readily 
 have concurred with his original proposal — the contrary is 
 the fact, at least as it respects myself. I should hold myself 
 guilty of extreme negligence in conducting the business of the 
 
 00* 
 
 22* 
 
342 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 office I liold by verbal oommunicatioiis liable to different eon- 
 striictioiis, mistakes and want of memory. — Wherever I re- 
 side, while I execute the Office I hold, I shall feel bound to 
 make and receive all official propositions and suggestions in 
 writing — Gen' Mason will therefore derive no additional con- 
 venience from my residence at Bladensbnrg ; and he was in 
 full possession of my sentiments, that in the event of my be- 
 ing ordered to or near Washington, I should apply to his 
 Majesty's Ministers for leave to resign my appointment. From 
 my official letter to you Sir of this day you will observe that I 
 have done this. In April, I hope my Successor will arrive. 
 
 Altho' I do not consider myself entitled to re(piest your good 
 Offices in my favor, still I trust you will have the goodness to 
 state in the most respectful manner to the President, what I 
 have stated to yoii and to aid my request with j^oiu- personal 
 interest that I may be permitted to remain in my present sit- 
 uation until a Successor arrives. 
 
 FROM ME. MONROE. 
 
 I .J. 
 
 H' 
 
 Department of State, 
 February 2, 1814. 
 Sir, 
 
 In answer to your solicitation, under date of the 4th ultimo, 
 for a postponement of your removal from the place of your 
 present residence, respecting Avhich the President's determina- 
 tion was communicated to you from this Department on the 
 28th of December last, I have to state to you, that Bladens- 
 bnrg is a post town, affording an opportunity of daily com- 
 numication with other parts of the United St'ites ; and that 
 j'ou will be thereby enabled as promptl.y to fulfil the appro- 
 priate duties of your agency for prisoners in that situation, as 
 if you were to remain in the vicinity of the City of New York. 
 The President has always been disposed to grant the most lib- 
 eral indulgences that the conduct of individuals and the cir- 
 cumstances of the war would justify ; but the British Govern- 
 ment cannot reasonably expect for its agents in this country, a 
 
: I' 
 
 AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 343 
 
 greater latitude of personal couvenienee than that which those 
 of the United States enjoy in the dominions of (Ireat Britain. 
 The rigor exercised towards the American Agents for prison- 
 ers at Quebec and Halifax, in particular, requires a corre- 
 sponding treatment of British Agents by this government. I 
 am, therefore, constrained to renew to you the request con- 
 tained in my letter of the 28th of December, and to refer you 
 to the passport which accompanied it. 
 
 I remain &c. 
 
 Jas. Monroe. 
 
 TO THE TRANSPORT BOARD. 
 
 Harlem, la'" February 1814. 
 Sirs, 
 
 In December last I received a letter from Mr. Monroe, the 
 American Secretary of State, acquainting me that the Presi- 
 dent had determined for reasons which every day became 
 more evident, that I should reside near the Seat of Govern- 
 ment; and that as soon as my convenience would permit it 
 was directed by the President that I should remove to a place 
 called Bladensburg within iiine miles of the City of Washing- 
 ton. In my answer, I informed Mr. Monroe I should obey the 
 order of the President, but that my removal to Bladensburgh 
 would place it wholly out of my power to do my duty to the 
 British Prisoners of War, and that under this conviction, I 
 should write to you Gentlemen and request you to accept of 
 my resignation, and to send out a person to succeed me in Of- 
 fice and I submitted for the consideration of the President, 
 whether under the circumstance of my having requested you 
 to send out a Gentleman to succeed me in office, he might not 
 leave me in my present situation, where I could execute the 
 duties of my office for a period not exceeding five months, 
 within which period, my successor would arrive.^ 
 
 1 The letter to Monroe which is Transport Board on January 5, bri'^f- 
 here abstracted is the official letter ly, on the subject, 
 o^* Tauuary 4. Barclay wrote to the 
 
344 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 i' 
 
 On the 3"' of this month I received Mr. Monroe's reply in 
 which the original order of the President for my removal 
 was repeated, and he informed me that the restrictions im- 
 posed on Mr. Mitchell the American Agent for Prisoners at 
 Halifax Nova Scotia, ana Col. Gardner the American Agent at 
 v^uobec, were in the number of reasons which had induced the 
 President to order my removal. 
 
 I request you will be pleased to appoint an Agent to suc- 
 ceed me in the Office I hold under you, and that he may be 
 sent to America with all convenient dispatch. I cannot think 
 of holding an Office when I am placed in a situation which 
 will prevent my performing the duties assigned me. 
 
 Should the negotiations to be carried on at Gottenburg be- 
 tween Great Britain and the United States promise a peace, I 
 have no objection to continue in Office until the result is 
 known ; but should they be broken off and the war continued, 
 I entreat you will be pleased to supersede me.^ 
 
 FROM THE TRANSPORT BOARD. 
 
 Transport Office 
 9'" June 1814. 
 Sir. 
 
 We have received your letters of the 13*'' and 18"' of Febru- 
 ary last, and having communicated the same to the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty we have received their Lord- 
 ships directions to appoint Mr. Gilbert Robertson to succeed 
 you as Agent for Prisoners of "War in the United States of 
 America — you will accordingly deliver up to Mr. Gilbert 
 Robertson on his arrival, all the Public Papers in your pos- 
 session belonging to this Department, and transmit your final 
 Accounts to this Office, with as little delay as possible. 
 
 We are &c 
 
 RuPT, W. George 
 
 J. Douglass 
 
 A. Boyle. 
 
 1 These were the negotiations proposed to be undertaken under the 
 mediation of Russia. 
 
AGENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 345 
 
 FROM GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 Office of Commissary General of Priscmers. 
 Washington August 19, 1814. 
 
 At the time it was determined that your residence should bo 
 nearer the Seat of Government than that at Harlem in the 
 State of New York, for the purpose of giving facility and ex- 
 pedition to the Communications in which you are engaged 
 with the Government, Bladensburg was named because of its 
 immediate vicinity. 
 
 In the present state of the war, considerations present them- 
 selves diich will readily occur to you, to make that place or 
 any < icr in the neighborhood of our waters occiipied or 
 which may probably be occupied by the hostile forces, no 
 longer a proper residence for an Agent of the Enemy. Troops 
 have already arrived, and a camp as you will have observed, is 
 formirig at Bladensburg. 
 
 Under these circumstances, I am instructed by the Secretary 
 of State to inform you it has been determined that you take 
 your residence at a place in the interior more remote from the 
 waters; that Hagerstown in Maryland has been fixed on for 
 that purpose; and that in consequence of the menacing move- 
 ments of the enemy, you are requested to remove with the 
 least possible delay from Bladensburg to that place, for which 
 end I have the honor to enclose a Passport. 
 
 I have »&c 
 
 J. Mason. 
 
 pos- 
 final 
 
 TO GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Hagers Town Washington County Maryland 
 
 Sept' 2nd 1S14. 
 Sir. 
 
 Mr. Barton on his arrival here the day before yesterday, 
 laid before me your Letter of the 28tli of last month in which 
 you express your astonishment that he still remained in Bla- 
 
34G 
 
 COURESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 '!)ll'i 
 
 * I 
 
 1^ 
 
 ) » 
 
 deiisbur}^, and iicquaiutod him tliat you were instructed to re- 
 quire liini to leave that phu;e for Ilagers Town within two 
 hours after the receipt of your Letter. 
 
 On Monday the 22nd of Au|^ust I had the Honor to receive 
 your Letter of the IDth of that month containing an order for 
 my immediate I'emoval from Bhidensburg to this phu!e, in am- 
 se(iuence of vvliich 1 sent Mr. Barton on the 22nd of August to 
 acquaint you, and to recpiest you woukl supply me with car- 
 riages for the removal of myself and office papers; at the 
 same time I did all in my power to procure « mviyance for 
 my office papers and baggage and a carriage for Mr. Barton 
 and myself, my imiuiries were continued Tuesday and Wed- 
 nesday morning, but without effect. At 10 o'clock on Wednes- 
 day the 24 inst. a small Coachee was sent by Mr. Gantt of 
 your office with directions for my immediately leaving Bla- 
 densburg. The vehicle was too small to take even a part of 
 my office papers, in order therefore to comply as far as lay in 
 my power with the directions of your Governnunit, I stepped 
 into the Coachee with a small trunk and left Bladensburg at 
 11 o'clock for this place, leaving Mr. Barton in charge of the 
 papers and baggage, with directions to follow me as soon as 
 possible. You must be sensible, Sir, of the importance of the 
 papers belonging to my office, and I cannot entertain an Idea, 
 that it was the intention of this Government or yourself, that 
 they should have been left at Bladensburg without either Mr. 
 Barton or myself to protect them. Such however has been 
 the case from your positive injunction to Mr. Barton. It could 
 not, or ought not, to have escaped the notice of this Govern- 
 ment and yotirself that at the time I was ordered to leave Bla- 
 densburg to the day Mr. Barton was compelled to remove 
 from thence, every Waggon, cart and other carriage were 
 either impressed into the military service of the United States 
 or hired by Individuals removing from Washington and 
 George Town, consequently compelling Mr. Barton and my- 
 self to leave Bladensburg, was reducing us to the necessity of 
 abandoning the public documents belonging to my office ; un- 
 der these circumstances, permit me to say, it became your 
 duty to have provided a mode for conveying the office papers, 
 
 ¥) 
 
 IM: 
 
AGENT FOR nRITISII TRISONERS 
 
 347 
 
 wlu'ii luysi'lf, and Mr. Barton afterwards were compelled to 
 leave Bladensburj;. I feel it luy duty to add that I protest 
 afj^ainst my having been obliged to remove without my papers, 
 and in still stronger Terms, that Mr. Barton, who I had left 
 in charge of them, was forc^ed to leave them, unprotected, in 
 compliance with your mandatory injunction of the 28 ulto. I 
 regrcit that Mr. Barton obeyed your ordt^r, at the ristpie of the 
 loss of the papers ; and woidd rather at this moment he was 
 placed in confinement for disobedience of orders, than to have 
 desert(!d his charge, to obey those orders. During the late 
 long war on the Continent of Europe, or in any preceding 
 Wars, I susjjcct no instance occurred where a j)ublic civil olli- 
 cer of one of the Nations at war, recognized as such by the 
 other nation and residing within its jurisdiction, was com- 
 pelled to remove from one place to another, without his official 
 papers, or being permitted to leave his Secretary or (/lerk to 
 take charge of them. Should an accident occur to the papers, 
 His Majesty will have just cause of complaint against this 
 Government. 
 
 If the office papers do not arrive in a day or two, I shall 
 feel it my duty at all hazard to send Mr. Barton with a Wag- 
 gon or cart from hence for them, as it would be imprudent to 
 entrust them to a Servant or common carrier. 
 
 FROM GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Oiflce of Commissary General of Prisoners. 
 Washington Augfust 31st 1814. 
 Sir, 
 
 I am in possessioti, by the honourable conduct of a Gentle- 
 man whose character you have greatly mistaken, of a letter 
 addressed by you on the 21st instant to Admiral Sir Alexander 
 Cochrane, and which you attempted to convey under seal (s(!- 
 creted in the foot of a stocking) contrary to an arrangement 
 made with you on principles of reciprocity, and against the in- 
 junctions of this Government, as admitted by you in your 
 note of the same date, to the Gentleman you expected to have 
 made the bearer of that letter. 
 
■ r 
 
 H ! 
 
 'l I 
 
 ! • 
 
 •MH 
 
 COllRKHI'ONDENCE OP THOMAS MARCLAY 
 
 ThoHo hdve ])ooii submitted to the Scicrotary of Stiito, aH 
 luivo b(icu the facts, that althouj^h notified from this Oflico 
 of his iTiiuisition that you slioidd leavo Bhideiislxir^, so that 
 your n.'tirinf^ wouhl have taken i)hiee at h^ast thr(!(! (hiys before 
 the approaeli of th(! Kneniy, you did not hsave it by as nuiny liours 
 before a battle was fought on the spot ; and tluit your Seeve- 
 tary remained not only in a situation to eommuni(!at(! person- 
 ally witii the OtTi('(^rs of the Army of the Enemy, but continued 
 there several days after, and until a peremi)tory order ad- 
 dressed to himself, was sent for his removal. 
 
 I am instructed to state to you that this course of conduct, 
 so incompatilde with your obvious duty, aiul more especially 
 with the confidence bclonj^inj^ to your station makes it neces- 
 sary to declare that all correspondence with you on the part of 
 the Crovernment is to cease; and that as an alien enemy you 
 are required to remain for th(! present at Ilagerstown. 
 
 I have &c 
 
 J. Mason. 
 
 TO GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Hagors Town, Maryland 5tb Septr. 1814. 
 Sir. 
 
 Your letter of the 31st of August, informing me you was in- 
 structed to state that all correspondence with me was to cease 
 on the part of this Government, I have had the Honor to 
 receive. 
 
 It appears that three exceptions to my conduct are sug- 
 gested as the cause of the above mentioned determination. 
 With respect to the first, the intercepted Note from me to Vice 
 Admiral Sir Alexauder Cochrane, found on the person of Mr. 
 Edward Calvert, I have only to remark that the purport of the 
 letter was perfectly innocent, and related only to the release of 
 his overseer and a domestic made Prisoners by a detachment 
 of His Majesty's Naval Forces in the Patuxent. It is true I 
 did reconnnend Mr. Calvert to conceal the Letter, not from an 
 unwillingness that it should be examined, but to prevent delay 
 in his application, and from an apprehension the Prisoners 
 
AGENT FOR RRITISII PRISONERS 
 
 .•}49 
 
 would in a day or two ho wMit to TFalifax. It is with surprise 
 I now learn, tliis act of mine, wliieli was intcuided toaeconiiuo- 
 dttte a (Mtizen of these States, is considered (exceptionable by 
 your (loveriinient. 
 
 Witli regard to the tw'> otlier exceptions, I beg' leave to re- 
 fer you to my Letter of t ; 2d Instant, which I trust contains 
 a full 'inswer; in which I consider myself, with just cause, the 
 person aj^^rieved. 
 
 In conseciuence of the determination of this Government, I 
 now enclose a Letter to Mr. Monroe the Secretary of State, re- 
 (piestinf? him to furnish me with usual Passports for myself, 
 Clerk, and Family, lie pleased to deliver it, and obtain an 
 answer as early as convenient. 
 
 FROM GENERA!. MASON. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Office of Commissary General of Prisoners. 
 Washington Sept' IG 1814. 
 
 I have received your letters of the 2'', 5"' and 12"' of Septem- 
 ber, The letter for the Secretary of State covered by yours of 
 the t)"' Sept'', has been sent to him, accompanied by such a state- 
 ment from this office, as the case required. 
 
 I am instructed by the Secretary of State to inform you, that 
 a Cartel Ship owned by Mr. Astor of New York, is now adver- 
 tised by the permission of the Government, to go to Europe ; 
 that she will land passengers in the British Channel ; that she 
 will sail from New York in fifteen days from this time, and 
 that if you think proper to avail yourself of this opportunity 
 to return to England, passports will be sent you for yourself 
 and family to embark from Amboy in Jersey, and to go on 
 board Ship in the outer harbour of New York, and an Officer 
 will be sent to accompany you from Hagerstown to Amboy ; 
 that on account of the military works now prosecuting at 
 Harlem, permission cannot be granted you to go to that place, 
 nor can any excursions from Hagerstown be permitted, previ- 
 ous to your departure from that place for embarkation ; that 
 Mr. Barton, your Secretary, will be permitted to remain there 
 
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 m 
 
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 Ml 
 
 350 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCTiAY 
 
 i tlie present, in chiirg'o of your papers, and may correspond, 
 throiif*'!! this ()tti(;e, with your Sub-ag(Mits, and when lie sliall 
 reqnire it, if no reasons, personal to him, in the mean time 
 occur af.':ainst it, he will have a passport, and permission to 
 
 I'eturn to Enj^land. 
 
 I have etc. 
 
 J. Mason. 
 
 FROM GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Sir 
 
 Office of Commissary Genoral of Prisoners. 
 wiisliiiiKton Sept' 23"' 1814. 
 
 This letter will be handed you l)y Col:' (rardner, the OfHcer 
 who has beeu designated to aecompauy you, in a route pre- 
 scribed to him, to Amboy in Jersey, and to remain with you 
 until your embarkation. Your passport will be sent to you, 
 to meet you at Amboy. You will be pleased to name, to me, 
 the persons of your Family, whom you wish to embark willi 
 you. and to be inserted in your passport. 
 
 I Jim instructed to inform you, that it is expected you will 
 come under an engagement, to this Government, not to leave 
 the shi]). in which you will sail, until } on ai-rive on the coast 
 of England ; tha.t you will not be the Bearer of any letters oi* 
 packets, wOiich iiavc not been submitted for examination, and 
 that while Col" Gardner is with you, all letters which you niry 
 write, or recei^'e, except those to, or fj'om, your family, shall 
 be inspected by him. 
 
 As the information to you may l)e useful to the service of 
 your Government, in the disposition of your Official Papers, I 
 am autluu'ized to inform you, that if the Mr. Ro))ertson, whom 
 you mention in your letter of tiie 5"' of Sepf to the Secretary of 
 State, as having been ai)pointed your successor, is the Mr. Gil- 
 bert Robertson, lately residing in the State of New York, he 
 will not be received or permitted to land. It must be pre- 
 sumed, if this is the person, that this British Government was 
 not apprized of his conduct here, and of the circumstances, 
 under which he left the Country. 
 
 I shall notify this determination to Admiral Cochrane, and 
 
 I 
 
AOENT FOR BRITISH PRISONERS 
 
 351 
 
 inform liiin, that if he is di.sposed to send nn A^oiit for Pris- 
 oners to reside here, until his govi^rnnient has au oi)i)ortunity 
 of making a more permaueut appoiutmeut, he shall he received 
 and respected. 
 
 I have etc. 
 
 J. Mason. 
 
 
 and 
 
 TO GENERAL MASON. 
 
 Ilagers Town Mnryliiml 'iO'" Sept'. IS 14. 
 Sir 
 
 Your letter of the 2'^"^ Instant Avas delivered to me last (!Von- 
 iug by ('Ol. (Jardner, who will acquaint you of the delay he has 
 experienced on tlie road ])y which my departure will l»(Mlelayed 
 three days. I sluill certainly not leave the 8hip on which I de- 
 part from the Port of New York until my arrival in Enj,daiid, 
 unless by sonu^ accident she become unsafe. I do not think I 
 shall 1)(^ tlu^ Bearer of any letter, but should 1 take charge of 
 some, I will lay then) before Col. Oardner for his inspectioii. 
 Mr. Gilbert Rol)ertson who is appointed to succeed mo, is the 
 Gentlenum who lately resided in these States ; and who un- 
 questionably had a right to leave them, he not being under any 
 l)arole or other promise to the contrary. I have to re(iuest you 
 will be pleased to transmit the enclosed letter to Vice Admiral 
 The Honorable Sir AU-xander C'oclu-ane; and you will oblige 
 me by ac(piaintiiig him, with the determination of your (Jov- 
 ernment, whether it will receive Mr. George Barton as Agent 
 for Prisoners, ad interim, should the Admiral wish to appoint 
 him. — 
 
 At the foot hereof are the names of my family to be included 
 in the passport. 
 
 Mrs. Barclay. 
 Miss Barclay. 
 Mr. Anthony Barclay. 
 John McDonald, Servant. 
 
 Mrs. Barclay's Maid Servant, luune not known, as she is en- 
 deavoring to procure one who is accustomed to the Sea. 
 
 M 
 
 m 
 
¥im 
 
 352 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ALEXANDER COCHRANE. 
 
 \ I! 
 
 i 
 
 Hagers Town Maryland 20"" Soptomber 181" . 
 Sir, 
 
 I have the Honor to enclose herewith the copy of a letter re- 
 ceived from the American C'ommissary (leneral of Prisoners 
 of War, from which yon will perceive that it is tlie determina- 
 tion yf this Government, on the arrival of Mr. (lilhert Robert- 
 son, off any of the American Ports [not] to permit him to land, 
 or to accredit him, as His Majesty's Agent for the Relief of 
 Britisli Subjects detained in the United States and for carry- 
 ing of exchanges of prisonei-s. Tliat if j^ou are disposed to 
 send an Agent for Prisoners to reside in these States, nntil 
 His Majesty's Government has an opportunity of making a 
 more permanent appointment, lie will be received and respected. 
 
 I beg leave to acquaint you, that I leave Mr. George Barton, 
 my Clerk, here to settle the present Quarterly accounts to the 
 30 of this month. Mr. Barton was to have followed me to 
 England the moment this business wa? '<)mpleted : if however 
 he can be of service, he will remain in these States, until an 
 Agent is sent out by the Commissioners of Transports, but no 
 longer. I mention this, that you may avail yourself of his 
 services in the event of your wishing to appoint an Agent and 
 being at a loss for a character competent to the Duties. Mr. 
 Barton has been in my office upwards of a year, and is thor- 
 oughly acquainted with the routine of Business. He is a Gen- 
 tleman of most respectable Connections in England and in my 
 opinion every way trust wortliy. You will be i)leased to recollect 
 that Mr. Barton has no wish to be appointed ; but will act to ac- 
 commodate the Service nntil a successor arrives. His allow- 
 ances will of course be similar to those I have received. Be 
 pleased to acquaint him with your determination, and should 
 you desire him to act, as my Successor, it will be proper to 
 send him a commission or warrant i.jr the purpose. I leave 
 this to-morrow for Perth Amboy (there being no conveyance 
 this day) and shall immediately' embark on board the American 
 Ship Fin gal for England. 
 
 
 \ 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 1 
 
 THE third article of the Treaty of Ghent provided 
 that all i)risoiiers of war taken on either side, as 
 well by land as by sea, should be restored as soon as 
 practicable after the ratification of the treaty ; and that 
 each of the two contracting parties should discharge in 
 specie the advances made by the other for the suste- 
 nance and ma' itenance of such prisoners. The making 
 up and verification of the accounts under this article 
 no doubt proved a troublesome business, and Barclay, 
 who was now in London at No. 12 Tavistock Square, 
 and later at G4 South Molton Street, must have had 
 abundant occupation in consequence all through the 
 famous cold winter of 1815. 
 
 But more important duties were to be devolved uj)on 
 him under the succeeding articles, which related to the 
 ever vexatious question of the Canadian boundary. 
 The commission under Jay's treaty had done no more 
 than fix the starting-point ; and, except ^he line of the 
 River St. Croix, not another foot of the boundary had 
 been ascertained in the thirty-one years which had 
 elapsed since the treaty of 1783. Rufus King in 1803 
 had indeed succeeded in negotiating a convention 
 which defined the boundarj^ through the several islands 
 of Passamaquoddy Bay, and provided for the appoint- 
 ment of a commission to run the remainder of the line ; 
 
 23 8S3 
 
 I 
 
s 
 
 :r.il 11 
 
 ii 
 
 354 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 but the convention failed of ratification, owing to a 
 doubt as to the effect the purchase of Louisiana might 
 have upon the l)oundary near its western end.' 
 
 Monroe and Pinkney in 1807 liad also labored to ad- 
 just the terms of a boundary convention, which was to 
 follow closely King's treaty of 1803 ; but this Inisiness 
 was broken off by the fall of the Whig government af- 
 ter Mr. Fox's death, and the accession of the Duke of 
 Portland's adminis tration." 
 
 From the very beginning of the negotiations at 
 Ghent, the settlement of the boundary question had 
 been kept in view. The British commissioners had 
 tried, in the earlier stages of the discussion, to obtain 
 something more than a mere tracing of the lines laid 
 down in the treaty of 1783, and to gain some accession 
 of territory. They desired, especially, to "revise" the 
 frontier so as to secure a direct comnnmication between 
 Quebec and Halifax.'' This demand was, however, 
 withdrawn, and the negotiation proceeded on the basis 
 of the stains quo ante helium. On November 10, 1814, 
 the American commissioners presented the draft of a 
 treaty in which five articles were devoted to a plan for 
 the complete ascertainment of the boundary from East- 
 port to the Lake of the \Voods, which lies in the 
 western half of the present State of Minnesota; and 
 with comparatively trifling modifications their draft of 
 these five articles was adopted. 
 
 A single question relating to the boundaries was a 
 cause of much hesitation and dilRcultv. The British 
 had seized Eastport during the war, and they declined 
 
 1 Araer. State Papers, For. Rel., 3 Note of British comraissioners, 
 Vol. II, pp. 584-591. Aii<nist 19, 1814; Amer. State Papers, 
 
 2 Amer. State Papers, For. Kel., Rel., Vol. Ill, p. 710. 
 Vol. Ill, pp. 1G2-1G5. 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 a 
 
 to restore Moose Island, on wliieli it stands — althongli 
 their title was in dispute. It was finally agreed that 
 both parties should at once restore all territory taken 
 during the war, except the islands in the Bay of Pas- 
 sainaquoddy; but that the retention of these islands 
 by the British should not affect the rights of either 
 party. 
 
 In the treaty as actually signed. Articles IV., V., 
 VI., VII., and VIII. related to the boundaries. By the 
 fourth article two commissioners were to be appointed — 
 one by each nation — to decide upon the title to Grand 
 Menan and the islands of Passamaquoddy Bay; 
 and, in case of a disagreement, the question was to be 
 referred to the decision of some friendly sovereign. 
 By the fifth article a similar board was to determine 
 the line from the source of the St. Croix round the 
 northern frontiers of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, 
 and New- York to the x)oint where the boundary reached 
 the St. Lawrence. A third board was to be appointed 
 under the sixth article to ascertain the boundary west- 
 ward from the point where the commissioners under 
 the fifth article left it, up the St. Lawrence, through 
 the Thousand Islands, through Lake Ontario, the Ni- 
 agara River, Lake Erie, the Detroit liiver, the Lake 
 and River of St. Clair, and so through Lake Huron 
 and on to the Sault Ste. Marie. And finally, by the 
 seventh article, the same commissioners were further 
 to trace the line through Lake Superior and on to 
 the Lake of the Woo<ls. The eighth article prescribed 
 general regulations affecting all the boards of com- 
 missioners. 
 
 The British Government selected its representatives 
 without much delay. Thomas Barclay was appointed 
 His Majesty's Commissioner under the fourth and fifth 
 
 ■ t 
 
••!l 
 
 ' Rl 
 
 35G 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOJIAS BARCLAY 
 
 articles; John Ogilvy, of Montreal, was appointed 
 Commissioner under Articles VI. and VII.' 
 
 Barclay's appointment was announced to liim by 
 Lord Castlereagh June 25, 1815, while London streets 
 were still echoing to the shouts that greeted the news 
 from Waterloo. To Barclay himself the tidings of that 
 momentous event had brought mingled emotions. His 
 own son had passed unhurt through the varying for- 
 tunes of the day; but his sister's son. Sir William 
 Howe Do Lancey, Wellington's chief of staff, had fallen, 
 mortally wounded, at the commander's side." 
 
 Three weeks later Barclay sailed once more for Amer- 
 ica, landing at Boston. He reached New- York Au- 
 gust 29, 1815, and at once resumed the duties of the 
 Consul-General's office, pending the arrival of his new 
 commission. That instrument bears date September 4, 
 1815, although, for some quite unaccountable reason, it 
 did not reach New-York till eleven months later. 
 
 In the mean time, the President of the United States 
 had appointed the American commissioners — John 
 Holmes, of Maine,'' under the fourth article ; Cornelius 
 
 ■h i\ 
 
 1 Mr. Ogilvy fell a victim to the 
 dangers incident to his employment. 
 He died at Amherstburgh, near De- 
 troit, on September 28, 1819, of a 
 bilious fever contracted among the 
 marshes of the St. Clair. Ho was 
 succeeded as Commissioner under 
 the sixth and seventh articles by 
 Anthony Barclay, Thomas Barclay's 
 youngest son. 
 
 2 See Ropes's Waterloo Campaign. 
 De Lancey had married Captain Ba- 
 sil Hall's sister only two months be- 
 fore — and hence the allusion in Sir 
 Walter Scott's dull lines ou The 
 Field of Waterloo : 
 
 Tliou eaw'st in sons of gore expire 
 Kcdoubtcd ricton's soul of fire — 
 Do Limcpy oiiruiKc Love".' bi'iiliil wreath 
 For laurels from the band of UeatU. 
 
 An account of Do Lancey's death, 
 in the Duke's own words, will bo 
 found in Samuel Rogers's Recollec- 
 tions. 
 
 3 John Holmes was born at Kings- 
 ton, Mass., in March, 1773; gradu- 
 ated at Brown University in 1796; 
 was admitted to the bar in 1799 ; 
 and settled at Alfred, the county 
 town of York County, Maine. He 
 was a member of the Massachusetts 
 Legislature for some years, and was 
 
 'M 
 
1 
 
 THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 357 
 
 P. V.T) Ness, of Vermont,' under the fifth article; and 
 Peter B. Porter, of New- York," under the sixth and 
 seventh articles. 
 
 Barclay's commission had no sooner arrived than ho 
 set about the business with which he was intrusted. 
 The American commissioners under the fourth and 
 fifth articles were notified, and meetings were held at 
 St. Andrews, New Brunswick, the place specified in the 
 treaty, on September 23, 181G. 
 
 Afi'airs under the fourth article progressed rapidly. 
 The sole question, as we have seen, related to the title 
 to the Island of Grand Menan and the islands in the 
 Bay of Pussamaquoddy — all of which lie far to the 
 southward of the mouth of the River St. Croix. 
 
 Coming from tlie westward, every vessel bound up 
 the Ba)'' of Fundy follows along the picturesque coast 
 of Maine and passes through the deep and secure chan- 
 nel of which Grand Menan f ">rnis the eastern and south- 
 ern side. The bold and rugged cliffs of the island ex- 
 tend for twenty-two miles ^J[ v^jiIj the American shore. 
 
 elected to Congress, cas we shall see, 
 in 1817. When Maine was admitted 
 as a State, in 1820, he was elected to 
 the U. S. Senate, and served ob- 
 scurely until 1833. He was after- 
 ward U. S. Distri A-ttornoy, and 
 died in 1843. Ar. xtended sketch 
 of his life will be _ound in Willis's 
 "Law, the Courts, and Lawyers in 
 Maine." 
 
 1 Cornelius Peter Van Ness was 
 born at Kinderhook, N. Y., January 
 26, 1782, and was only thirty-four 
 yearsoldwhenappointedontheboun- 
 dary commission. Hewasapersistent 
 office-holder. He had been already 
 U. S. District-Attorney for Ver- 
 23* 
 
 mont, and was subsequently Col- 
 lector of the Port of Burlington, 
 Chief Justice of Vermont, Governor 
 of tliat State, U. S. Minister to Spain 
 imdor both of Jackson's administra- 
 tions, and Collector of the Port of 
 New-York under Tyler. Ho died in 
 Philadelphia December 15, 1852. 
 
 2 Peter Buel Porter was the foun- 
 der of the well-known family who 
 owned so much of the land about 
 Niagara Falls. He was a native of 
 Connecticut, was for two terms a 
 member of Congress, and served 
 with some credit in the War of 1812. 
 He was active in promoting the Erie 
 Canal, and died in 1844. 
 
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 of UiftftuinaquoiWy Hay 
 
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 \ 'i 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 359 
 
 ,J'urr,y . 
 
 
 terminating in a lofty headland just in front of that 
 difficult entrance into Passanuuiuoddy Bay which is 
 known as the West Passage, or Lubec Narrows. The 
 southern shore of this entrance is formed by the main- 
 land ; the northern shore by the romantic island of 
 Campobello — now chiefly known as the site of a couple 
 of summer hotels. Across the pretty bay lies Eastport, 
 famous for its fisheries; and further north are Deer 
 Island and the smaller rocky islets of Passamaquoddy. 
 By their position and means of communication with 
 the mainland, these islands are all naturally within the 
 territory of the United States ; but the controversy in 
 1816 did not at all relate to what ought to be their own- 
 ership. The dispute was the purely legal one whether 
 these islands, or any of them, came within the excep- 
 tion mentioned in the second article of the treaty of 
 1783. By that article all islands along the coast, south 
 of the River St. Croix, were to belong to the United 
 States, " excepting such islands as now are, or heretofore 
 have been, ivithin the limits of the said prooince of Nova 
 Scotia^ The inquiry turned, therefore, upon a histor- 
 ical examination of the ancient charters of Nova Scotia 
 and Massachusetts Bay ; and upon this point interest- 
 ^ng arguments were submitted to the Commissioners 
 by the respective agents. Ward Chipman — who had 
 served in a similar capacity in 1796 — appeared on the 
 British side ; James T. Austin on the American.^ The 
 board met at Boston in June, 1817, to hear argument, 
 and adjourned until September to allow the prepara- 
 tion of replies. A long debate ensued, but on October 
 
 ' 
 
 1 1/ 
 
 1:1 
 
 I '■ 
 
 1 James T. Austin was born in was Attorney-General of Massaehu- 
 
 Boston January 7, 1784; married a setts from 1832 to 1843; and died 
 
 daughter of Elbi'idge Gerry ; became May 8, 1870. 
 a leader of the Massachusetts Bar ; 
 
■'iJlfA 
 
 3G0 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ':t ' 
 
 Si 
 
 11 
 
 
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 9th a final conclusion was reached, under which Doer 
 Island, Campohcllo, and Grand Monan wore awarded 
 to Great Britain, and Mooso Island (Eastport) and two 
 smaller islands to the United States. Tlie formal 
 award, onj]frossed on parchment, was executed at New- 
 York on November 24, 1817. 
 
 Far less satisfactory was the fate of the inquiry under 
 the fifth article of the Treaty of Ghent. The boundary 
 had been defined in the treaty of 1783 as runniuji; due 
 north from the source of the St. Croix to the northwest 
 angle of Nova Scotia, at " the highlands which divide 
 those rivers that empty themselves into the River St. 
 Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic 
 Ocean " ; thence along the " highlands " to the " north- 
 westernmost head of the Connecticut River"; thence 
 down that river to the forty-fifth i)arallel of latitude ; 
 and thence due west to the St. Lawrence, and so up 
 the St. Lawrence and through the lakes. 
 
 From the very first Barclay doubted whether it would 
 be possible to come to any agreement as to the two im- 
 portant points, — the northwest angle of Nova Scotia 
 and the head of the Connecticut, — although the British 
 Foreign Office, in cheerful ignorance of all the facts, re- 
 garded it as a " mere operation of survey." Barclay 
 was right. The question remained unsettled for twenty- 
 seven years, and when it was finally compromised by 
 the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, in 1842, the conduct 
 of each of the negotiators was vehemently denounced 
 by his own countrymen as a surrender. 
 
 Barclay not only knew the facte of the case, so far as 
 anybody knew them in that day, but he was also deeply 
 conscious of the delicate position in which he was 
 placed. He was a native of New- York, he had married 
 his wife in New- York, his family ' d their home there. 
 
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 Rediued from llw official Map A 
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THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 361 
 
 his sons were New- York merchants, his daughters had 
 married Livingstons and Stuyvesants, and he was a 
 cousin of half the people in the place. Nova Scotia 
 and Canada were sensitive on the subject, and if Lord 
 Ashburton was attacked and discredited because he had 
 married an American wife, we may guess what sort of 
 a storm would have been raised if Barclay had j ieided 
 to American demands. Far more stubbornly, proba- 
 bly, than any native Englishman, Barclay stood firm 
 for the extremest British claims. 
 
 The Commissioners met for the first time at St. An- 
 drews on September 23, 1816, and obviously no more 
 could then be done than to appoint surveyors to explore 
 the unknown wilderness about the head waters of the 
 St. John, the Restigouche, the Penobscot, the Kenne- 
 bec and the Connecticut. The summer of 1817 passed 
 in preliminary exploration, which was followed the next 
 season by more detailed surveys, and as the season 
 of 1818 drew to an end, the facts of the case in their 
 general outlines became perfectly and unmistakably 
 clear. 
 
 The north line, as it runs from the monument at the 
 source of the St. Croix, dips down into the broad basin 
 drained by the River St. John, whose waters empty 
 into the Bay of Fundy. The country is rough and 
 hilly, and at Mars Hill, about forty miles from the mon- 
 ument, the line reaches its highest elevation. Not quite 
 forty miles further on the River St. John is crossed, 
 and then the line rises to the ridge dividing the waters 
 of the St. John and the Restigouche, the latter a stream 
 emptying into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Crossing the 
 basin of the Restigouche the line finally — at a distance 
 of 143 miles from the St. Croix monument — reaches 
 waters flowing into the River St. Lawrence. 
 
 Tf 
 
362 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 t i 
 
 Now the treaty of 1783 required the line to end at 
 " Highlands," dividing rivers running into the River 
 St. Lawrence from rivers " which fall into the Atlantic 
 Ocean." Did "Highlands" mean mountains? If it 
 did, there was nothing to answer that description north 
 of Mars Hill. Did it mean merely a watershed, — a 
 dividing ridge? If so, there was the choice between 
 two such ridges, — that between the St. John and the 
 Restigouche, and that between the Restigouche and 
 the St. Lawrence. But the St. John fell into the Bay 
 of Fundy, and the Restigouche into the Gulf of St. 
 Lawrence ; and the British representatives contended 
 that neither of these could be held to be rivers " which 
 fall into the Atlantic Ocean," within the meaning of 
 the treaty. Their argument was precisely that used 
 by Mr. Blaine in 1890, when he urged that the Bering 
 Sea was not included in the terms of a treaty which re- 
 lated to the Pacific Ocean. The American reply antici- 
 pated Lord Salisbury's retorts and illustrations. The 
 Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it was 
 said, were just as much a part of the Atlantic Ocean as 
 the Bay of Biscay ; and they were much more clearly a 
 part of the ocean than Long Island Sound, into which 
 flowed the Connecticut River, — a stream conceded on 
 all hands to be one of those which were wholly within 
 the territory of the United States. 
 
 But the Americans drew a stronger argument from a 
 historical examination of the circumstances attending 
 the framing of the treaty of 1783. The purpose of that 
 treaty, they contended, was unmistakable. Its purpose 
 was to confirm to the United States all of the territory 
 of the thirteen colonies, and to leave to Great Britain 
 the whole of Canada and Nova Scotia. If this were 
 admitted, the rest followed at once ; for the southern 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 3G3 
 
 boundary of Canada had been fixed by a royal procla- 
 mation of October 7, 1763, — just after the conquest 
 from the French, — as a lino "crossing the river St. 
 Lawrence and Lake Champlain in forty five degrees of 
 North latitude," and then passing "along the High- 
 lands which divide fhe rivers that empty themselves 
 into the said River ^1'. ^jawrencc from those which fall 
 into THE SEA, and also along the \ orth of the coast of the 
 Bay des Chaleurs," etc. The treaty of 1783 only varied 
 the language by substituting the Atlantic ocean for 
 THE SEA. If this was not meant to vary the meaning 
 (and there was no evidence of any purpose to enlarge 
 the boundaries of Canada), then it was plain that the 
 head waters of both the St. John and the Restigouche 
 must be within American soil, and that the north line 
 must run its 143 miles up to a point almost within 
 sight of the St. Lawrence. 
 
 For a quarter of a century the debate dragged on 
 with much wearisome iteration, and without any more 
 satisfactory conclusion than that the treaty of 1783 
 was "inexplicable and impracticable." The contro- 
 versy has long since been compromised, and looking 
 back at it now, free from the passion and prejudice 
 which it aroused while still unsettled, one sees no 
 difficulty either in explaining or enforcing the treaty. 
 The British Government in 17G3 had deliberately in- 
 tended to include in Canada only the basin of the St. 
 Lawrence, to which the French population was con- 
 fined. The confirmation of existing bounds, which was 
 the simple principle underlying the whole of the treaty 
 of 1783, plainly required the same line to be run. How 
 near that line might come to the St. Lawrence was not 
 known to any of the negotiators, und it can hardly have 
 been a cu'cumstance which they took into account. No 
 
 l! 
 
 I !| 
 
364 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
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 one to-day can doubt that in this dispute the United 
 States had right on their side.' 
 
 The controversy about the northwesternmost head 
 of the Connecticut Eiver was of minor importance. It 
 turned upon surveys of several rivulets, any one of 
 which might perhaps fairly be looked upon as furnish- 
 ing the importa,nt source. 
 
 A third point arose, most fortunately for British in- 
 terests, based this time upon perfectly indisputable 
 facts. The line of 45" north latitude had been run, 
 about 1766, from the St. Lawrence to the Connecticut, 
 and the monuments then sot up had always been looked 
 upon as fixing the unquestioned northern boundary of 
 New- York and Vermont. Just where the line crossed 
 Lake Champlain lay Rouse's Point, and there the Gov- 
 ernment of the United States had gone to great expense 
 in fortifying what was considered in that day a most val- 
 uable strategic position. It was worth a whole wilder- 
 ness of pine timber, and no one had ever doubted that 
 it lay within the limits of the United States. The fact 
 was, however, — and it was first ascertained in 1818, — 
 that the line run in 1766 was grievously in error, and 
 every stone in the fortifications was really upon British 
 soil.^ Nor was this all; for the old line, diverging as it 
 ran eastward from the true parallel of latitude, added 
 to New- York and Vermont some hundred thousand 
 acres which, under the plain words of the treaty, 'be- 
 longed, without a doubt, to Canada. 
 
 And so, at the beginning of 1819, the northeastern 
 boundary question stood thus : The line had been run 
 
 1 See " The Boundaries Formerly ceded, so far as the northwest angle 
 
 in Dispute," by Sir Francis Hincks of Nova Scotia is concerned. 
 
 (Montreal, 1885), wherein the justice 2 gee map in Winsor's Narrative 
 
 of the American claim is fully con- and Critical History, Vol. VII. 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 305 
 
 from the Atlantic Ocean through the islands of Passa- 
 maquoddy Bay to the mouth of the St. Croix, and up 
 the St. Croix to its source. The north line had been so 
 far surveyed as to show that at least an argument might 
 be made to reduce the American claims in that quar- 
 ter. The northwestern source of the Connecticut River 
 was in doubt. And the old and long-recognized lino 
 west of the Connecticut had been shown to bo grossly 
 incorrect. 
 
 The years that had elapsed since the close of the War 
 of 1812 had wrought many changes in Barclay's family. 
 His youngest daughter, Ann, had married Mr. W. B. 
 Parsons, a retired officer of the Royal Navy, — a mar- 
 riage not approved by her parents, but which, nev- 
 ertheless, turned out well. Of the sons, Henry and 
 Anthony had also married. George at the beginning 
 of 1819 was in England, where he had recently married 
 
 — having gone there with the purpose of establishing 
 himself in business. Mrs. Livingston, the oldest daugh- 
 ter, had died. The house at Harlem had been sold, and 
 Barclay and his wife, with Mrs. Livingston's children, 
 
 — now the only members of their household, — had 
 again taken up their residence in New- York; this time 
 at No. 386 Greenwich Street, which was thenceforward 
 to be their home. 
 
 
 FROM LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 Sir; 
 
 Foreign Office, Sept. 4", 1815. 
 
 His Royal Highness The Prince Regent having been gi'aci- 
 ously pleased to name you to act as His Majesty's Commissioner, 
 for the purposes specified in the 4"' an ' ''•' Articles of the Treaty 
 of Peace and Amity concluded at Ghtuc on the 24"" December 
 
3GG 
 
 CORRKSPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 last, with tlio United States of America, I horowitli transmit 
 to you Ilis Majesty's Commission under the Groat Seal ap- 
 pointiuf? you to that office. 
 
 You will lose no time in proceding to St. Andrews in Nova 
 Scotia where the Commissioners of both Parties are by the 
 said Treaty appointed to meet. 
 
 On your arrival there you will bo joined by Mr. Chipraan 
 who has received orders to accompany you in the capacity of 
 Agent on the part of Ilis Majesty's Government. M. la Bou- 
 chettei will accompany you as Surveyor of the boundaries 
 which it is intended to define and establish by the Commission 
 entrusted to you. 
 
 In case the Commissioner who is to act with you on the part 
 of the American Government should not have proceeded to his 
 destination. His Majesty's Charge d' Affaires at Washington 
 will be instructed to press his departure, so that no time may 
 be lost in the execution of your respective Duties. 
 
 Your commission embraces Two distinct Objects the Nature 
 of which the enclosed copy of the 4"' and 5"' Articles of the 
 Treaty will demonstrate as well as the nu)de in which the 
 Questions at issue are to be finally arranged between you and 
 the American Commission. 
 
 With regard to the regulation of your conduct in bringing 
 to a favorable issue the first question namely, whether the sev- 
 eral Islands in the Bay of Passamacjuoddy and in the Bay of 
 Fundy belong of right to the United States or to Great Brit- 
 ain ; it may be necessary that you keep in mind (altho' in de- 
 ciding upon it you are solely to }>g led by the Evidence that 
 will be adduced in favour of the Claims of other countries) 
 that His Majesty's right to those Islands is supposed to be 
 founded on the Second Article of the Treaty of Peace of 1783 
 which excepted from the line of 20 leagues from the line of 
 Coast, by which it was then agreed to fix that side of the 
 
 1 Tho person intended was Joseph 
 Bouchette, the Surveyor-General of 
 Canada, who was at this time in Eng- 
 land superintending the publication 
 of one of his books. He proved most 
 
 unsatisfactory as a Surveyor to the 
 Commission. He died in 1841, hav- 
 ing published several valuable works 
 on the topography and statistics of 
 Canada. 
 
]' 
 
 THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 3G7 
 
 Boundary of tlio Uiiitod States, sncli Islands as now are or 
 heretofore have been within the Limits of Nova Scotia. — And 
 that the Ishinds in question did eonie within the Limits of that 
 Province, will bo proved not only from the Circumstance of 
 the Jurisdiction whicli the (rovcrnment of Nova Scotia always 
 was in the habit of exercisinj^ over the Inhabitants up to the 
 Peace of 178!}, but more forcil)ly from the fact that the origi- 
 nal Patent or Crrant (an Extract of which I inclose) of the said 
 Province made by King James the o"'. to Sir William Alexan- 
 der in 1G21, '.fter tracing the Bouiularies of the United States 
 [sic] in it's circumference proceeds to include in it all Islands 
 &c., within Six Leagues of any part of that circumference.^ 
 
 1 Tho original patent is in Latin. 
 Tlie important parts of it may be 
 thus transliited: "We have giv(Mi, 
 granted and conveyed and by the 
 tenor of this our presontCharterwedo 
 give, grant and convey, unto tlie said 
 Sir William Alexander, his heirs or 
 assigns whomsoever in inlieritanee, 
 all and singular the lands, continents 
 or islands situate and lying in Ameri- 
 ca within the headland or promon- 
 tory commonly called Cap <lc Sable, 
 lying near tho latitude of 43 degrees 
 or thereabouts north of the equinoc- 
 tial line; from which promontory 
 stretching wostwardly along the sea- 
 shore to the harbor of Saint Mary, 
 and thence toward the North by a 
 straight line crossing the entrance 
 or mouth of that great bay which 
 runs into the liastern tract of land 
 between the countries of the Suri- 
 quois and Etcliemins to the river 
 commonly called St. Croix; and to 
 the most remote spring or source 
 which from the western part of the 
 same fii-st m^ingles itself with the 
 said river ; thence by an imagiiuiry 
 straight line which may be conceived 
 to go through the land or to run to- 
 
 ward the North to the nearest liar- 
 bor, river or spring emptying itself 
 into the great river of Canada; and 
 from tlienco extending toward the 
 East along the shores of the same 
 river of Canada to the river, liarbor, 
 port or shore commonly called and 
 known by the name of (im^hcpe or 
 (Uisjw ; and from thence toward the 
 South East to the islands called Bnc- 
 caUws or Cap Breton, leaving those 
 islands on the right, and the gulf of 
 the said river of Canada or groat bay, 
 and the lands of Knrfoundland with 
 the ishinds to the said lands belong- 
 ing, on the left ; and thence to tho 
 headland or promontory of Cap lire- 
 ton aforesaid, lying near the latitude 
 of 45 degrees, or thereabouts ; and 
 from tho said promontory of I 'ap Bre- 
 ton toward tho South and West to tho 
 said Cap de Sable, where tho peram- 
 bulation began ; including and com- 
 prehending within the aforesaid 
 seashores and their circumferences 
 from sea to sea, all lands and conti- 
 nents with the rivers, streams, bays, 
 shores, islands or seas lying near or 
 within six leagues of any part of the 
 same on the Western, Northern or 
 
 ij 
 
 '1 
 
368 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ) I 
 
 It cannot also have escapod your roco' oction that in the 
 discussion in which you wore engaged with the United States 
 in 1790 and which terininated in your flxing the Mouth of the 
 River St. Croix at Joes Point, the point now at issue was in 
 some degree decided, a reference to the Pro(!eedings of the 
 Commissioners at that period will prove that the objection 
 made to that decision on the part of the American Agent was 
 that he [sic] conferred upon Great Britain the possession of the 
 very Islands now under dispute, and he on that ground argued 
 tho' ineffectually the impropriety of the decision itself. 
 
 The Second object to which y- ' are to dire(!t your attention 
 relates to tho Boundary which to be determined according 
 to the 5"' Art. of the present Treaty, also in conformity to the 
 Provisions of tho Treaty of 1783. 
 
 In a former commission with which you were charged, you 
 determimnl one of tho doubtful Points connected with this 
 part of the Boundary now to be fixed, namely, which was tho 
 true River of St. Croix : so that your labours will now begin 
 from the source of this River with a view of continuing and 
 terminating the survey as therein detailed to the River Iroquois 
 or Cataraguy. 
 
 This being a mere operation of Survey, it will not be neces- 
 sary to give you any specific Instructions for the regulation of 
 your Conduct on this head. It will therefore only remain in 
 general to enjoin you to use the utmost diligence in the dis- 
 charge of the important Trust now committed to your Care, 
 
 Eastern parts of tho said shores and 
 precincts. . . . Moreover we of our 
 certain knowledge, mere motion, re- 
 gal authority and royal power, have 
 made, united, annexed, created and 
 incorporated ; and by the tenor of 
 this our present charter we do make, 
 unite, annex, erect, create and in- 
 corporate the whole and entire Prov- 
 ince and lands of Nova Scotia afore- 
 said with all their limits, seas, &c, 
 offices and jurisdictions and all 
 other things generally and particu- 
 larly above mentioned, into one en- 
 
 tire and free dominion and barony 
 to bo called in all future time by the 
 aforesaid name, Nova Scotia. . . . 
 And even if any (juestions or doubts 
 touching the interpretation or con- 
 struction of any clause in this our 
 present Charter should arise, all such 
 are to be taken and interpreted in 
 the most ample form and in favor of 
 the said Sir William Alexander and 
 his heirs." 
 
 A line drawn from the mouth of 
 St. Mary's Bay to the mouth of the 
 St. Croix just touches Grand Monan. 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 3G9 
 
 in the 
 Htatca 
 . of the 
 was in 
 of the 
 ijoctiou 
 jut was 
 11 of the 
 argued 
 
 tentiou 
 cording 
 y to the 
 
 ?cd, you 
 ith this 
 was the 
 w begin 
 ing and 
 Iroquois 
 
 .»e neces- 
 lation of 
 smain in 
 the dis- 
 ur Care, 
 
 1(1 barony 
 me by the 
 otia. . . • 
 or doubts 
 on or con- 
 thia our 
 ie, all such 
 •pretod in 
 n favor of 
 Einder and 
 
 mouth of 
 
 uth of the 
 
 d Monan. 
 
 as well as the nicest and most minute accuracy in fixing and 
 determining the Linos of the said Boundaries, so that no room 
 may remain for any doubts in future on that Matter. 
 
 You will keep mo regularly informed of the ])rogross of the 
 Commission with which you arc charged as well as of any oc- 
 currences which may come within your knowledge and which 
 it may bo material that Ilis Majesty's (Jovornmont should have 
 cognizance and you will not fail to communicate with His Ma- 
 jesty's Minister at Washington on any Matters that may be 
 for the good of Ilis Majesty's Service. 
 
 I am &c. 
 
 Castlereagh. 
 
 FROM LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 Foreign Office Septr. 4, 1815. 
 Sir, 
 
 In consequence of your having received the appointment of 
 which a communication has been made to you in my Instruc- 
 tion No. 1 of this date, I am to inform you that it is His 
 Royal Highness The Prince Regent's Pleasure that your ap- 
 pointment as His Majesty's Consul General in the State of 
 New York should cease on the Quarter ending the 5"' of July 
 next : But that the same allowai ie be continued to you from 
 that Period in your new capacity of His Majesty's Commis- 
 sioner for the Execution of the 4'" and 5"' Articles of the Treaty 
 of Ghcnt.i 
 
 In addition to your regular Allowances, you will be author- 
 ized to draw upon this office for the actual expense of Journies 
 to which you may be exposed by moving from Place to place 
 in the Execution of your Functions taking care to transmit to 
 this Office the proper Vouchers for such Expenditure. 
 
 Should it however be understood between you and the Com- 
 missioner on the part of America that such Expenses as well 
 as all others attending the said Commission are to be defrayed 
 
 
 
 1 The salary was at this t ime £ IGOO 
 a year ; and it appears to have been 
 paid more regularly and with fewer 
 21 
 
 deductions than during the stress of 
 the Napoleonic wars. 
 
 't« 
 
370 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 equally by the two Parties in pursuance of the Provision which 
 
 is made in the 8"' Art. of the said Treaty you will conform to 
 
 that arrauf^eniont. 
 
 For the further regulation of your conduct on this subject, 
 
 I herewith inclose a Copy of the receipt signed by Mr. Munroe 
 
 on the ex(!hange of the Ratifications of the Treaty of Ghent in 
 
 which is inserted a declaration that the Principles which were 
 
 observed in carrying into Execution the Treaty of 1794, are to 
 
 be f' llowed in this Instance. 
 
 I am &c., 
 
 Castlereagh. 
 
 f Ra 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 New York lO'" August 1816. 
 My Lord, 
 
 It was not before the 7"' of this month, by the June Packet 
 from Falmouth that I had the Honor to receive your Lord- 
 ships Letters Nos. 1 and 2 of the 4'" of September last inform- 
 ing me that His Royal Highness The Prince Regent had been 
 graciously pleased to name me to act as His Majesty's Commis- 
 sionor for the purposes specified in the 4"' and 5"' Articles of 
 the Treaty of P<;ace and Amity concluded at Ghent on the 24"" 
 of December 1814 with the United States of America, and that 
 your Lordship had by the same conveyance transmitted to me 
 His Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal appointing 
 me to that office. 
 
 I beg leave respectfully to assure your Lordship that I am 
 duly sensible of this further mark of His Majesty's most gra- 
 cious Cvjudescencion and favor, and I in treat you will be pleased 
 to lay my most humble acknowledgement at the Feet of His 
 Royal Highness The Prince Regent for this gracious Testimony 
 of His Royj.i Confidence. It shall be my stud; not to render 
 myself unworthy of it. 
 
 The instant I received your Lordships Letters and my Com- 
 mission, I transmitted copies of your No. 1 and of the Com- 
 mission to His Majesty s Minister at Washington and requested 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 371 
 
 l\ 
 
 which 
 onn to 
 
 ubject, 
 ^unroe 
 hent in 
 ;h wore 
 [, are to 
 
 EAGH. 
 
 it 1816. 
 
 i Packet 
 ur Lord- 
 -j inf orm- 
 liad been 
 Coinmis- 
 rtieles of 
 1 the ^^^'^ 
 and that 
 ed to me 
 pointing 
 
 him to communicate the purport thereof to the Airerican 
 Government, and to propose that a meeting should take pUice 
 between the American Commissioner or Commissioner" and 
 myself at St. Andrews in New Brunswick on the 10"' of Sep- 
 tember. This was as early a day as could with safety be 
 named, under the circumstances of my being obliged to notify 
 the American Government of my appointments, and for it to 
 send directions for the American Commissioner to proceed 
 without delay so as to meet me at St, Andrews on the 10"' of 
 next month. I have in like manner requested Mr. Chipman 
 the Agent on the part of His Majesty to be at St. Andrews on 
 that day. I have not yet heard of Mr. La Bouchette's arrival 
 in America. His presence however is not indispensibly ne- 
 ccssaiy at the first meeting of the Commissioners. Your Lord- 
 ships remarks with respect to the Lslands in Passamaquoddy 
 Bay and the Principles on which His Majesty's claim to those 
 Islands is founded are in my opinion perfectly correct, and 
 such as cannot be controverted. I am apprehensive it will be 
 difficult for His Majestys Agent to support with equal evidence 
 His Majesty's claim to the Island of Grand Manan in the Bay 
 of Fundy, an island of far more national importance, than any 
 of the others. On this point and on the 5"' Article o'f the 
 Treaty I shall take the Liberty of communicating more fully 
 with your Lordship. 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 '•: t 
 
 'A\ 
 
 lat I am 
 nost gra- 
 >e pleased 
 
 t of His 
 estimony 
 
 render 
 
 my Com- 
 the Com- 
 reouested 
 
 New York 12th August 181G. 
 My Lord, 
 
 In my Letter No. 1 of the lOtli Current, I stated, that I 
 should do myself the Honor more fully to communicate with 
 your Lordship on His Majesty's claim to the Island of Grand 
 Manan, and on the 5th Article of the Treaty of Ghent. 
 
 By the Treaty of Peace in 1783 between His Majesty and 
 the United States of America all Islands that were at the time 
 of that Treaty, or theretofore had been within the Limits of 
 the Province of Nova Scotia were reserved to His Majesty. 
 
372 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 yiii 
 
 i ; 
 
 In order to support His Majestys claim to Grand Manan, the 
 most valuable of tluise Islands it is necessary to ascertain 
 and establish the most extensive westerly Bounds at any time 
 heretofore prescribed to the Province of Nova Scotia. The 
 Boundaries of this Province have from time to time been vari- 
 ously described from the original Grant to Sir William Alex- 
 ander to the year 1773. 
 
 The Grant of the Province of Nova Scotia to Sir William 
 Alexander in the year 1621 is the most ancient and contains 
 the most formal Description of the Limits of Nova Scotia, and 
 in point of authority is superior to any subsequent act of His 
 Majesty or His Royal Predecessors in which the Limits of that 
 Province are defined. 
 
 In His Majestys Commission to Montague Wilmot Esqr as 
 Governor of Nova Scotia the ancient Western limits of the 
 Province of Nova Scotia are described, and it appears an alter- 
 ation was then made with respect to the western Boundary 
 Line, in the words following, "and to the Westward although 
 our said Province hath anciently extended and doth of right 
 extend as far as the River Peutagoet or Penobscot it shall be 
 bounded by a line drawn from Cape Sable across the entrance 
 of the Bay of Fundy to the mouth of the River St. Croix" &c., 
 &c. I understand this alteration was made by His Majesty in 
 council in the year 17G3. The order I have not seen. It cannot 
 be doubted, but that His Majesty in council at the period of al- 
 tering the Western Bounds of Nova Scotia, h; 1 before him some 
 legal documents by which the original Bounds of Nova Scotia, 
 to which the order refers, had been established, to wit West- 
 ward to the River Penobscot. What appears in the order of 
 council however is merely by way of preamble. It is there- 
 fore of moment that His Majestys Agent should if possible be 
 possessed of the instrument by which the Western limits of 
 Nova Scotia were, as is stated in the preamble originally estab- 
 lished at and by the River Penobscot. Perhaps upon a search 
 in the Council Books and papers or in the proper offices, some 
 clue may be found which would load to the discovery of this 
 important document. As there is no trace of any Grant hav- 
 ing been made by His Majesty or His Predecessors of the 
 
 ( I 
 
i 
 
 THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 373 
 
 m, the 
 jertain 
 ly time 
 ,. The 
 ;n vari- 
 a Alex- 
 
 Villiara 
 oiitains 
 tia, and 
 I of His 
 t of that 
 
 Es(ir as 
 s of the 
 an alter- 
 oiindary 
 ilthough 
 of right 
 ; shall be 
 entrance 
 oix" &c., 
 ajesty in 
 It cannot 
 iod of al- 
 lim some 
 ra Scotia, 
 ^rit West- 
 order of 
 is there- 
 )ssible be 
 imits of 
 ly estab- 
 ii search 
 ces, some 
 vy of this 
 rant hav- 
 .rs of the 
 
 Island of Gran(] Manan other than that to Sir William Alex- 
 ander, and which is constructive and in some measure defect- 
 ive, it will be necessary to produce the next best evidence that 
 Grand Mauan heretofore was within the Province of Nova 
 Scotia. This can be done by showing that the Governor and 
 Council of that Province so far exercised a right over that 
 Island as to grant a reservation of it to Lord William Camp- 
 bell until His Majestys pleasure should l)e known, this reser- 
 vation was made in the year 1773, and is an evident proof that 
 the Government of Nova Scotia then considered it, as apper- 
 taining to that I*rovince. Unless therefore it is shown, that 
 Massachusetts at that time or previously exercised a jurisdic- 
 tion over or laid claim to this Island, the act of the Governor 
 and Council, I humbly conceive must be considered as con- 
 clusive. As the above reservation was made until His Majes- 
 tys pleasure was known, it is to be presumed his Lordship 
 petitioned His Majesty to grant him this Island, and that 
 something was done upon the petition. If the petition and the 
 minutes of what was ordei'cd thereupon, can at this remote 
 day be found, they would perhaps greatly strengthen the 
 present claim. 
 
 I have reason to believe it will be attempted to support the 
 claim of the United States to Grand Manan and the Islands in 
 the Bay of Passamaquoddy by the limits of Nova Scotia as de- 
 scribed in His Majestys Commission to Lord William Camp- 
 bell in 1766 and to Francis Legge Esqr. in 1773 as Governor 
 of that Province. In the commission of the latter, the fol- 
 lowing is a description of the Boundaries of Nova Scotia : 
 " Bounded on the Westward by a Line drawn from Cape Sable 
 across the entrance of the Bay of Fundy to the mouth of the 
 River St. Croix, by the said River to its source and by a Line 
 drawn due North from thence to the Southern Boundary of 
 our colony of Quebec to the Northward by the same Boundary 
 as far as the Western extremity of the Bay des Chaleurs to the 
 Eastward by the said Bay and the Gulph of St. Lawrence to 
 the Cape or Promontory called Breton in the Island of that 
 name including that Island and all the other Islands within six 
 leagues of the coast except: ag our said Island of St. John 
 
 24* 
 
 'i 
 
374 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 Pf: ' 
 
 » 
 
 i!-^ 
 ' \ 
 
 ( 
 
 1 
 
 f 
 
 which we have thought fit to erect into a separate Government 
 and to the Southward by the Atlantic Ocean from tlie said 
 Cape to Cape Sable aforesaid including the Islands of that 
 name and all other Islands within forty leagues of the Coast." 
 I have not seen an extract of the Commission to Lord William 
 Cam))bell, but Mr. Chipman His Majesty's Agent writes me, 
 the Boundaries described therein are the same with those in 
 Sir Francis Legge's commission. From these commissions it 
 would appear that the Islands within six leagues of the coast are 
 confined to the coast on the Eastern side of the Province 
 of Nova Scotia. The Commissions refer to Islands on the 
 East and South sides of the Province, bnt are silent with re- 
 spect to those on the West Side. I attribute this to inattention 
 in those who framed the commissions. At that period it was 
 not perhaps considered necessary to be critically particular in 
 such descriptions in commissions to Governors, the Limits and 
 appendages of the respective Provinces had been declared, but 
 had never been surveyed and defined by actual measurement. 
 His Majesty's Ministers could not have intended to take these 
 Islands from the jurisdiction of Nova Scotia without either 
 erecting them into a distinct colony, which would have been 
 ridiculous, or annexing them to the, then. Province of Massa- 
 chusetts. Neither of these was the case, it therefore follows 
 that they remained part or parcel of Nova Scotia under the 
 Grant to Sir William Alexander. Besides it required express 
 words to take those Islands formerly declared to appertain to 
 Nova Scotia, from it: and your Lordshij) will presently per- 
 ceive that on a nearly similar occasion in contracting the 
 Western Limits of Nova Scotia express words were used in 
 the commission to Governor Wilmot. 
 
 In the latter part of your No. 1 your Lordship is pleased to 
 notice in reference to the 5th Article of the Treaty of Ghent, 
 that this being a mere operation of survey, it will not be neces- 
 sary to give me any specific instructions for the regulation of 
 my conduct on this head. The running of a Line due North 
 from the source of the River St. Croix is certainly a simple 
 operation, but from all that I have been able to learn, it is very 
 doubtful, whether Highlands, such as will satisfy, the second 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 375 
 
 itnent 
 3 said 
 I that 
 !oast." 
 illiam 
 3S mc, 
 loso in 
 ions it 
 ast are 
 ovinco 
 on the 
 atli re- 
 bention 
 [ it was 
 iular in 
 lits and 
 •ed, but 
 cement, 
 ie these 
 t either 
 ive been 
 f Massa- 
 foUows 
 ider the 
 express 
 jrtain to 
 itly per- 
 king the 
 used in 
 
 eased to 
 Ghent, 
 36 neces- 
 ation of 
 Lie North 
 simple 
 it is very 
 le second 
 
 Article of the Treaty of Peace in 1783, and to which the Treaty 
 of Ghent refers, will be found on running this lin^. I am not 
 less apprehensive admitting that such Highlands correspond- 
 ing with the Treaty are found, that a question of no small 
 difficulty will arise with respect to which rivulet or little sti*enm 
 the appellation of the North Westermost Head of Connecticut 
 River is most applicable. These difficulties removed, the re- 
 maiiulcr of the execution of the ath Article would be plain and 
 easy. I cannot however refrain expressing my fears to your 
 Lordship that one or both of the above named points will prove 
 insuperable to the Commissioners, and that recourse must be 
 had by a referance, on the reports of the Commissioners, to 
 some friendly Sovereign or State; or some amicable adjust- 
 ment of the line take place between His Majesty and the 
 United States. The latter, if practicable would unquestionably 
 be most eligible. 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 New York 2 October 181G. 
 My Lord. 
 
 In my No. 1 of the 10th of August, I stated to your Lord- 
 ship that I had requested Mr. Bagot His Majesty's Minister 
 Plenipotentiary at Washington ^ to propose to the American 
 Government that the American Commissioners under the 4"' 
 and 5"" Articles of the Treaty of Ghent should be directed to 
 meet me at St. Andrews on the IGth of September in order to 
 proceed on the Duties expi'cssed in our respective Commis- 
 sions, and the proposition having met the concurrence of this 
 Government, I proceeded from hence to Portland in the Dis- 
 
 
 1 Charles Bugot was born Sei)teni- 
 ber 23, 1781 ; held the post of Brit- 
 ish Minister in Washington from the 
 spring of 1810 to the spring of 1819; 
 became Governor-General of Can- 
 ada; and died there May 19, 1843. 
 " Bagot," wrote John Quiney Adams, 
 " is tall, well proportioned, and with 
 
 a remarkably handsome face ; per- 
 fectly well-bred, ajid of dignified and 
 gentlemanly deportment. , . . No 
 English Minister has ever been so 
 popular ; and the mediocrity of his 
 talents has been one of the principal 
 causes of his success." Diary, Vol. 
 rV, p. 338. 
 
 l! 
 r 
 
 ■) 
 
\ 
 
 < ; ; 
 
 «< I 
 
 till 
 
 «.'!!■ 
 
 I 
 
 
 876 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 triet of Maine to meet Mr. Holmes the American Commis- 
 sioner under the 4th and Mr. Van Ness the American Commis- 
 sioner under the 5th Article of that Treaty, from whence we 
 were to take passage for St. Andrews. Owinj? to adverse 
 winds and calms wo were delayed several Days at Portland, 
 and it was not before the 22'' of September that we landed at 
 St. Andrews, where Mr. Chipman His Majesty's Af^ent had 
 been several days waiting our arrival. Mr. Austin the Amer- 
 ican Agent came with the Commissioners, On the 2!5rd of 
 September the commissions were opened and copies under 
 both Articles interchanged. The Commissioners were also 
 sworn agreeably to the Treaty. The Agents under the 4th 
 Article were then called upon to exhibit their claims, and pro- 
 duce their credentials. The American Agent delivered a for- 
 mal commission from the President of the United States, but 
 Mr. Chipman exhibited only a letter from Lord Bathurst His 
 Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial Depart- 
 ment. The American commissioner objected to the Letter as 
 insufficient, first because there was no official seal, and sec- 
 ondly that His Lordship had not expressed his official charac- 
 ter after his signature to the Letter. I endeavored to remove 
 both these objections and so far succeeded as to obtain the 
 consent of the American Commissioners to proceed to Inisi- 
 ness, under a promise that Mr. Chipman should at the next 
 meeting of the Board produce a more official appointment. 
 Mr. Chipman will write Earl Bathurst on the Subject. On the 
 24th of September the Agents delivered to the commissioners 
 the claims of their respective Governments to the Islands in 
 the Bay of Passamaquoddy and Bay of Fundy, copies of 
 which I have the Honor to enclose. The Commissioners re- 
 quested to know whether they were prepared to argue and 
 prove their claims, and if not, when they would be. The 
 Agents answered that they thought the 28th of May as early a 
 day as could consistently be named for these purposes. The 
 Commissioners acceded and adjourned from St. Andrews to 
 meet at Boston in the State of Masso 'lusetts on the 28th of 
 May 1817. 
 
 iU— ^--^ 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 377 
 
 ommis- 
 omtnis- 
 nce we 
 adverse 
 n-tland, 
 iidod Pt 
 3nt had 
 3 Atner- 
 2;5rd of 
 s under 
 ere also 
 the 4th 
 and pro- 
 ed a f or- 
 ates, l)ut 
 urst His 
 I Depart- 
 Letter as 
 Hud sec- 
 il charac- 
 remove 
 jtaiii the 
 to busi- 
 the next 
 )intinent. 
 On the 
 lissioners 
 slands in 
 copies of 
 oners re- 
 rgue and 
 be. The 
 as early a 
 ses. The 
 idrews to 
 e 28th of 
 
 No A<:(pnt appeai-od on the part of the United States under 
 the 5tli Article of the Treaty of (ihent, nor Surveyor for either 
 nation. By the words of the Treaty I should hnve considered 
 the Commissioners autliorized to appoint Surveyors but as 
 your Lordship liad sipnifled to me that Earl Bathurst )iad ap- 
 pointed Colonel Bouehette Surveyor on the part of His Maj- 
 esty, I declined doing so, and represented to Mr. Van Ness, 
 the American Commissioner, that Col. Boucliette was mo- 
 mently expected from England as the British Surveyor. Mr. 
 Van Ness was also equally convinced with myself that the 
 Season was too far advanced for tlie Surveyors to commence 
 any operations this Autumn. The best informed Inhabitants 
 at St. Andrews and Robbins Town (the American side of the 
 River St. Croix) agreed in opinion that the Surveyors could 
 not commence their operations before the month of June next, 
 owing to the Bodies of snow remaining in the Woods and the 
 Brooks and other streams being overcharged with water. It 
 was therefore agreed by the Commissioners under the 5'" Arti- 
 cle to meet at Boston on the 4th of June, aiul to direct that the 
 Surveyors attend them on that day, at that place. The Agents 
 are to be directed to provide Chain Bearers, ax men, and per- 
 sons to carry Provisions &c. &c. also to purchase the necessary 
 provisions. The conveyance of Provisions will I fear be a 
 matter of no small difficulty, increasing as the siirveys recede 
 from the Rivers St. Croix and St. John. I have received no 
 information of Colonel Bouchette's arrival in America. Should 
 he still remain in England, I beg leave to suggest to your Lord- 
 ship the necessity of his being ordered to repair to Boston with- 
 out delay, or rather to St. Johns, New Brunswick, so that he may 
 confer with Mr. Chipman, and be made acquainted with the 
 merits of the Question, previous to his attending the Commis- 
 sioners on the 4th of June. The Surveyors are to receive pre- 
 cise instructions from the Agents, and general Instructions 
 from the Commissioners. 
 
' 
 
 378 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 FROM MR. GOULBURN.^ 
 
 Downiiifi: Street 
 
 March 14th 1817. 
 
 {Private d; Confidential.) 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 By desiri^ of Lord Bjithurst I take tliis opportunity of ac- 
 quainting you that in co isequenco of the representations 
 whicii have been made ])()th of the talents of the persons se- 
 lected by the \merican Government to make the survey of the 
 Boundary and o:' the incompetence of Mr. Bouchette to under- 
 take an accurate astronomical survey His Lordship has en- 
 tered into communication with Sir Jos. Banks ^ for the pur- 
 pose of procuring the assistance of some Gentleman of gi'cat 
 science and conseciuontly more able to check the proceedings 
 of the American Surveyors. He was in hopes that such a per- 
 son would have been ready to proceed by the present packet 
 but as this is unfortunately not the case I am desired to sug- 
 gest to you the propriety of deferring if it be possible the as- 
 tronomical part of the survey until time can be given for the 
 arrival of such a Gentleman in America. The proceedings of 
 the Commissioners need not be deferred on this account as the 
 other parts of the survey may be proceeded in without waiting 
 
 his arrival. 
 
 I have &c. 
 
 Henry Goulburn. 
 
 ! • 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 Boston, State of Massachusetts, 5"" June, 1817. 
 My Lord. 
 
 During the preceeding Winter I requested Mr. Chipman, His 
 Majestys Agent, who resides at St. John in the Province of 
 
 1 Henry Goulburn was one of the 
 British Commissioners at Ghent, 
 where his manner and tone seem to 
 have been particularly offensive to 
 the Americans. J. Q. Adams, in his 
 diary, repeatedly refers to Goul- 
 
 burn's entire want of control over 
 his temper, and the insulting man- 
 ner of his speech. He was Under- 
 Secretary for the Colonies. 
 
 2 The President of the Eoyal So- 
 ciety. 
 
THE NORTHKAST BOUNDARY 
 
 379 
 
 1817. 
 
 of ac- 
 
 tatioiis 
 5ons se- 
 y of the 
 » untlcr- 
 lias en- 
 he piir- 
 )f gi-eat 
 •eedings 
 eh a per- 
 b packet 
 . to sug- 
 e the as- 
 i for the 
 diugs of 
 ut as the 
 , waiting 
 
 JJURN. 
 
 1817. 
 
 man, His 
 ►viuce of 
 
 ntrol over 
 Iting man- 
 ias Under- 
 s. 
 Koyal So- 
 
 Nevv Brunswick to meet me at this phico on the 20"' of May, 
 one week prior to the meeting of the Conir.ussioners under 
 the 4"' Article of the Treaty of (Ihent, that I might exomino 
 the Alignments and »;vi(kMice he had prepared lo (k'liver to the 
 Board in support of His Majcstys chiim to the Islands in the 
 Bays of Fundy and Passannupioddy. A severe fit of the (Jout 
 prevented liis arriving at the time appointed and subsequent 
 to his recovery contrary winds detained him nntil the second 
 instant. The succeeding day the Board proceeded to Business, 
 and is now progressing with industry. The arguments on 
 the part of botli nations will I hope ))e read over by the V2}^ 
 current, that on the part of the United States is unnecessarily 
 diffuse; after which the Agents will require some time to pre- 
 pare replies each to the others arguments, so that a short ad- 
 journment will probabl}' take place, Mr. C!hipman has at my 
 request introduced in his memorial the Arguments used by 
 Comrs. Shirley and Milday in their negotiations at Paris in 
 1750 and the extract of the council minutes in 1763, although 
 he is of opinion, in which I concur, that the claim on the part 
 of His Majesty, must and will eventually rest on the Grant to 
 Sir Wm. Alexander in 1021. I confess my principal hiduce- 
 ment for incorporating in the present case, the Arguments 
 used by the Commissioners at Paris in n.lO, is founded more 
 on the effect it may produce on the friendly Power to whom 
 the case may be referred, in the event of the Commissioners 
 not being able to agree in a decision, than on the Commission- 
 ers in the first Instance. — I am satisfied that your Lordship is 
 Master of the Subject and will not therefore trouble you sug- 
 gesting my reasons on this point. 
 
 On the 4"' of June the Commissioners under the S^^ Article 
 of the Treaty met agreeably to adjournment in September; 
 and the Agents are preparing instructions for the Surveyors, 
 who will leave this in a few days for the Source of the River 
 St. Croix and commence running the due North Line and en- 
 deavor to establish the North West Angle of Nova Scotia. It 
 is proposed that an exploring party be sent forward to endea- 
 vor to discover the Highlands, while the Surveyors are pro- 
 ceeding under the more dillatory process of actual admeasure- 
 
380 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 raent. The American Commissioner was anxious that the 
 ascertain! nfj; of the boundaries shouhl commence at the River 
 Catarac^ui on th( parallt^l of tlie 45 De<,'n'e of North Latitude; 
 but having received directions from VawI Bathurst to delay as- 
 tronomical observations until adentlenum who he would send 
 from Knj^land for that i)articular service arrived, I opposed his 
 proposition and succeeded in limiting the operations to com- 
 mence at the Source of the St. Croix where simple surveying 
 alone be necessary. I fear the survey and entire observation 
 will occupy much time, and I am not less apprehensive of 
 great difficulty in establishing the real Highlands and North- 
 westermost Source of the Connecticut River named in the 
 Treaty. 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 New York 25"' June 1817. 
 My Lord. 
 
 Referring your Lordship to my No. 4 of the 5"' Current, I 
 have the honor to acquaint you that after the Agents of both 
 nations under the 4"' Article of the Treaty of Ghent had re- 
 spectively read their agreements to the Commissioners and de- 
 livered them to the Secretary His Majesty's Agent requested 
 an adjournment of the Board to the 25"" of September, to en- 
 able him to reply to the case made out by the Agent of the 
 United States, in consequence of vvhich the Commissioners on 
 the 13"' Instant adjourned to meet at Boston on the 25"' of 
 September to hear the Agents of both nations in reply each 
 to the other. 
 
 The Commissioners under the 5"' Article of that Treaty, un- 
 der an imj)ression that it would expedite the Business, have 
 appointed two sets of Surveyors as suggested in my No. 4 to your 
 Lordship, who were to leave Boston with their respective chain 
 Bearers and ax men &c. &c on the 22' Instant for the source 
 of the River St. Croix, from whence they are to commence 
 their operations. They are furnished with such instructions 
 as the Commissioners and Agents considered necessary. On 
 the li"" instant the commissioners under this Article adjourned 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 381 
 
 lat the 
 ' River 
 titiulo ; 
 L'lny as- 
 
 1(1 S(Mld 
 
 )stHl his 
 to com- 
 [•veying 
 rvatiou 
 isive of 
 North- 
 . in the 
 
 3 1817. 
 
 irrent, I 
 of both 
 had re- 
 
 3 and de- 
 b(iuested 
 r, to en- 
 t of the 
 oners on 
 e 25'" of 
 ply each 
 
 eaty, un- 
 ;ss, have 
 
 4 to your 
 ive chain 
 LC source 
 )mmence 
 bructions 
 ary. On 
 iljourned 
 
 to the 5"' of May next to Now York, unless an intervening? 
 meetinjjf may be necessary, when the (^oinniissionors of either 
 nation (by agreement) may name a day and place for such 
 meeting. This I am led to think is improbal)lo, as the Survey- 
 ors will not have progressed so far as to render such meeting 
 necessary, liefore winder ^vill im])ede all Fii;ld operations, there 
 being little more than four months in that part of America, 
 wherein Surveyors can be employed. 
 
 TO MR. OGILVY. 
 
 New York 27"' June 1817. 
 My dear Sir. 
 
 By this morning's Post, I received a Packet of Letters from 
 Boston, (which arrived there after I had left it) in which was 
 your favor of the 10th instant. I will cheerfully give you my 
 sentiments on the subject you have suggested, and beg you 
 will at all times freely command iny best services. General 
 Porter is in part right in saying that it is customary with Am- 
 bassadors, Ministers Plenii)oteutiary, Commissioners and all 
 other official characters, while transacting business with Gen- 
 tlemen of the same official Denomination belonging to other 
 nations invariably to name their own King or Government 
 first. For instance in official letters of any other official acts 
 emanating from General Porter to you wherein he makes men- 
 tion of both nations, it is due to his own to name it first. With 
 respect to the Journal (which appears to be the object of the 
 present difference of opinion i tween you and him) I am of 
 opinion both you and he are under an error and that 
 neither of you are to keep the Journal or a duplicate of it, but 
 that the Journal is to remain with the Secretary who is the 
 proper officer and in whose custody all papers filed are to re- 
 main. There can be but one Journal. You may have as many 
 copies as you please of it, but if any of them vary from the 
 original Journal they must be corrected by it. It is usual 
 with Commissioners to have the proceedings of the day entered 
 
 I ii 
 
382 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 h ' 
 
 m ' 
 
 ■ } 
 
 id 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 h 
 
 on loose paper, and every day the last thin^? the Board does 
 befon* adjtmrniiient is to make tlie Seeretary read tiie proceed- 
 ings to prevent omissions or mistakes, or (forrcet the mode of 
 expression. On the adjoiirnment of the Board, the Seeretary 
 immediately ent(!rs the proceedings of the day in his Journal, 
 verbatim from the loose minntcs, and at the next mecfting of 
 the Board befon; they proceed to Bnsiness, oik; of the Com- 
 missioners examines the Jonrnal of th(^ preceding day with the 
 Secretary who reads alon<l the ])roceedings from the minutes. 
 If this mode is adhered to no mistake can be made. The Sec- 
 retary should carefully file all these loose minutes. 
 
 I come now to the main object stated in your Letter, to wit, 
 the alternately or occasionally naming the United States of 
 America before His Britannic Majesty in the Journal, for as I 
 have before noticed there can be but one Journal. It will be 
 best answered by two or three Questions and answers. Ques.? 
 Under what authority did His Majesty and the President of the 
 United States of America nominate you Gentlemen Commis- 
 sioners. Answer. Under the Treaty of Peace and Amity 
 concluded at Ghent the 24tli of December 1814. Q. In the 
 caption of that Treaty and throughout the whole of the Treaty, 
 who is first named. His Britannic Majesty, or the United States 
 of America. A. His Britannic; Majesty without an exception. 
 Q. If the Commissioners who drew up and concluded the 
 Treaty of Ghent invariably named His Britannic Majesty, be- 
 fore the United States of America, ought not the Commis- 
 sioners who are now acting imder the (itli and 7th Articles of 
 that Treaty to adopt the same rule. A. Unipiestionably. — 
 Is it not customary to name the older first, especially when he 
 stands as Parent. A. Certainly. — 
 
 In the Journals of the Commissioners under the 4 and 5 
 Articles of the Treaty of Ghent, His Majesty's Commissioner 
 is always first named. It was so also under the Commission 
 of 179G. It never became a Question, because the Language 
 of the Treaty was adopted. 
 
 t. 
 
THK NOHTIIRAST HOUNDAUY 
 
 383 
 
 d does 
 [•oceod- 
 lodo of 
 3retary 
 oiirnal, 
 itiii},' of 
 e ('om- 
 vith tlio 
 linutea. 
 'he Scc- 
 
 •, to wit, 
 tates of 
 for as I 
 j will bo 
 
 Ques.? 
 ntof the 
 [^ommis- 
 l Amity 
 
 In the 
 } Treaty, 
 lid States 
 cception. 
 ided the 
 esty, be- 
 Commis- 
 rticles of 
 uably. — 
 when he 
 
 4 and 5 
 nissioner 
 nmission 
 
 anguage 
 
 TO THE COMMIHSKJNEllH UNDEU THE SIXTH AND HEVEN IH 
 AllTICLES OF THE TllEATY OF GHENT. 
 
 New York 14 July 1817. 
 
 HiRS. 
 
 I yesterday received a Letter from Mr. Orne, Secretary to 
 the ('otnmissioMcrs under tlu* '>"' Artiele of the Treaty eon- 
 clnded at (Jhcnt in Deccnibcr IS14, between His liritanniek 
 Majesty r, d tlie United States of Ameriea. enclosing a copy 
 of a resolnfion passed ))y your Board on the 3*' of June, on 
 the subject of ascertaining the point at which the 45 degree 
 of North Latitude, continued West from the North westermost 
 head of tin; Connecticut river strikes the Kiver Iroquois, or 
 Cataracjuy. Tliat as the establisliing this was an object eciui'Hy 
 the duty of the Commissioners under the 5*" Article of the 
 Treaty, as well of you (rentlemen Commissioners under the 
 G"' & 7"' Ai'ti(!l(\s, it was desirable that tluiy cooperated with 
 you in ascertaining and establishing the same; and that you 
 proposed " a joint meeting of the lioards with the Astrono- 
 mers emp.jyed by them respectively should be held at or in 
 the vicinity of S* Regis as early as it may suit the convenience 
 of the Commissioners under the 5"' Article for the purpose of 
 comparing the results of the several observations made under 
 the direction of the respective Boards and awarding thereon"; 
 also that you hoped the meeting, if acceded to might not be 
 delayed beyond the month of September. 
 
 I have the Honor to a(!(piaint you that early in May, I re- 
 ceived a Letter from His Majesty's Colonial Department of 
 State dated the 14*'' of Mai*eh last informing me that a Gentle- 
 man would without loss of time be sent to me from London to 
 execute the Astronomical Parts of the Service enjoined by the 
 G"* Article of the Treaty, and directing me to proceed in the 
 meantime on the surveys whit ;)rm another part of the service. 
 In June therefore when the Board (under the 5"' Article) met 
 at Boston, I communicated to Mr. Van Ness, my brother Com- 
 missioner, the purport of the Letter, in conse(pience of which, 
 we immediately detached the Surveyor to the Source of the 
 River St. Croix with directions to commence and proceed in 
 
384 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 .! ■; 
 
 runiiinpf the due North Line, and it was agreed by Mr. Van 
 Ness and myself, that on the arrival of the Astronomer from 
 London, he and the Astronomer on the part of the United 
 States of America, should forthwith proceed to establish 
 the Parallel of Latitude directed in the 5th Article of the 
 Treaty. The Gentleman has not yet arrived, but is momently 
 expected. 
 
 I feel assured that Mr. Van Ness will, as well as myself, 
 accept the polite proposal contained in your resolution of a 
 joint CO operation of the two l)oards in ascertaining a point 
 necessary to be established under the r)th and (5 articles of the 
 Treaty. — I shall by this days mail write him on the Subject 
 and request him to communicate to you his determination. 
 If he acceeds, which I take for granted he will, on the arrival 
 of the Astronomer from England I will immediately proceed 
 with him to St. Regis, t^'ere to meet you Gentlemen and Mr. 
 Van Ness with the four Astronomers finally to establish the 
 Point where the 45th degree of North Latitude extended from 
 tlie North Westermost head of Connecticut River intersects 
 the River Cateraquy. — It is proper for me to add, that if the 
 arrival of the astronomer, should be delayed beyond the 1st of 
 September (an event by no means probable) it will not be in 
 my power personally to attend, beeaus(; the Board of Commis- 
 sioners under the 4th Article of the Treaty are to meet at Bos- 
 ton on the 25th of that month; but I wiU notwithstanding 
 send on the astronomer to unite with Mr. Ellicott ^ in ascer- 
 taining the parallel of Latitude, which will in fill probability 
 be confirmed by Mr. Van Ness and myself, particularly if it 
 accords with the observations and rcsidts of the two Gentle- 
 men now employed by you for the same i)urpose — It Avill nat- 
 urally occur to you, that it will be prudent for Mr. Ellicott to 
 remain in the vicinity of St. Regi3, ready to commence the 
 astronomical observations. 
 
 1 Andrew Ellicott was born in the Federal City. In 1813 he was 
 
 PeTinsylvania in 1754. He was em- appointed Professor of Mathematics 
 
 ployed as a surveyor by the U. S. at West Point, a post he held until 
 
 Government on various occasions, his death in 1820. 
 notably in the work of laying out 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 385 
 
 ^Ir. Van 
 
 er from 
 United 
 •stublisli 
 3 of the 
 omently 
 
 i myself, 
 ion of a 
 ; a point 
 es of the 
 ; Subject 
 nination. 
 le arrival 
 -f proceed 
 1 and Mr. 
 ihlish the 
 idcd from 
 intersects 
 hat if the 
 the 1st of 
 not be in 
 ' Commis- 
 H't at Bos- 
 listanding 
 in ascer- 
 robability 
 ilarly if it 
 vo Gentle- 
 t will nat- 
 ^^llicott to 
 tneuce the 
 
 TO ME. VAN NESS. 
 
 Sir 
 
 New York 25 August 1817. 
 
 I have the Honor to acquaint yon with the an'ival of Dr. 
 Tiarks His Majestys Astronomer under the 5th, Gth and 7th 
 Articles of the Treaty of Ghent, at this 'ice in the last Packet 
 from Enjjlaud. 1 — Mr. Ellicott the Astronomer on the part of 
 the United States is also at present in this City, who informs 
 me that lie has by liis observations established the point where 
 the parallel of the 45 Deforce of Latitude strikes the River 
 Cataraquy,^ and that his duty at "West Point at present pre- 
 vents his attending Dr. Tiarks to St. Regis ; he adds that even 
 was it in his power it would be unnecessary, because he is sat- 
 isfied his observations and their results are correct, and that 
 the Season is so far advanced, as to prevent Dr. Tiarks doing 
 anything more until next Spring, than ascertaining whether 
 the point established by him (Mr. Ellicott) at the River Cata- 
 raquy is cori'eet or not. 
 
 Dr. Tiarks will proceed in the morning for St. Regis for 
 this purpose ; should you differ in opinion with Mr. Ellicott, 
 and prefer having an Astronomer to ol)serve at the same time 
 with Dr. Tiarks, to proceed to send him to St. Regis, perhaps 
 you may wish to be there in person. It is not in my power to 
 go thither, as the Commissioners under the 4th Article of the 
 Treaty meet at Boston on the 25 of September. 
 
 Mr. Ellicott also told me, that at the request of the Presi- 
 dent, he should hold himself in readiness to establish and run 
 the parallel of the 45 Degree of North Latitude as early in the 
 Spring as the weather will permit. I beg leave to add that 
 Dr. Tiarks will be ready to accompany him. 
 
 813 lie was 
 ilathematics 
 le held until 
 
 1 This gontloraan was a Swiss by 
 birth. Little seems to be kaown of 
 him. He died about 1830. 
 
 2 The point tlius established by 
 Mr. Ellicott was adopted by the Com- 
 
 2S 
 
 missioners under the sixth article as 
 tlie starting-point of their part of 
 the line. See their award published 
 in Treaties and Conventions of the 
 United States. 
 

 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 ( 
 
 
 : ^ ^ 
 
 IHI 
 
 . 
 
 B 
 
 i 
 
 l' 
 
 '1* 
 
 ■ i 
 
 
 ' i ■ 
 1 
 
 1 1 
 
 386 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 New York 2'' September 1817. 
 My Lord, 
 
 Your Lordships Letter of the Gth of June, annoiiucing that 
 I shoiihl shortly be joined by Dr. Tiarks, His Majesty astron- 
 omer under tlie 5th and Gth Artitdes of the Treaty of Ghent, I 
 have had tlie Honor to receive. — Dr. Tiarks has since arrived, 
 and gone to St. Regis on that part of the lliver St. Lawrence 
 designated under the Treaty of 1783, by the name of the L'O- 
 quois or Cataraquy, in order to ascertain whether the paraUel 
 of the 45 Degree of North Latitude which strikes that River, 
 as reported a few weeks since by the American Astronomer 
 Mr. Ellicott is correct, who makes to correspond witliin two 
 or three feet of Hollands parallel in 17G8, or thereabout. I 
 regret to add from Mr. EUicott's information that this opera- 
 tion will occupy the whole of the remainder of the season in 
 that cold (ilimate. As early in the Spring however as the 
 weather will permit, I will take care to have the astronomers 
 employed in establishing the parallel of Latitude towards the 
 North Westermost head of the Connecticut River. The Sur- 
 veyors are now engaged in running the due North Line, and 
 searching for the Highlands from the Source of the River 
 St. Croix. — I have every reason to hope the Arguments of 
 the Agents appointed under the 4th Article of the Treaty of 
 Ghent, will be closed at the meeting of the Comnussioners at 
 Boston on the 25th instant, and I am sanguine in my expecta- 
 tion that the result will prove favorable to the claims of His 
 Majesty. However, as it is possil)le I may be disappointed in 
 my expectation, I shall be prepared, as far as anticipation will 
 permit, with my report in the event of our disagreeing. The 
 report I am fearful will be more than ordinarily long, as it 
 will contain no small part of the arguments of the Agents, as 
 well as my own remarks. 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 387 
 
 TO MR. OGILVY. 
 
 r 1817. 
 
 iiiig that 
 ^ astron- 
 Ghont, I 
 ! arrived, 
 jawrenco 
 I the Iro- 
 e parallel 
 at River, 
 tronomor 
 ithiu two 
 about. I 
 his opera- 
 season in 
 er as the 
 :,ronoiners 
 wards the 
 
 The Sur- 
 Line, and 
 the River 
 inients of 
 
 Treaty of 
 ;sioners at 
 y expecta- 
 ms of His 
 pointed in 
 
 )ation will 
 nng. The 
 
 oug, as it 
 Agents, as 
 
 New York 22 October, 1817. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 Your hotter of the 22nd ult" and private letter of the same 
 date from Rapid Plat Upper Canada, I had the pleasure to re- 
 ceive while at Boston from whence I returned to this place 
 yesterday. I was so much engaged while there during a short 
 Session as not to have it in my power to reply to your favor, 
 I therefore avail myself of the first moment on my return. 
 
 It was certainly desirable that Dr. Tiarl\":; should have 
 brought out with him all the instruments neeessary for the 
 accurate observations committed to him by His Majestys Gov- 
 ernment, indeed he did bring all with the exception of the Re- 
 fracting Circle, and I should have detained him at this place 
 until its arrival, had not Mr. Ellicott, the American Astron- 
 omer told Dr. Tiarks that there was at St. Regis such an in- 
 strument appertaining to the American Government, much at 
 his Service, and that he would write to General Porter, (or 
 some other Gentleman who had the charge of it, I do not re- 
 call which) to allow Dr. Tiarks the use of it. I am happy to 
 learn that General Porter has politely directed it to be deliv- 
 ered to him, and hope before this he has completed his obser- 
 vations at St. Regis. As he is engaged under the 5 Article, 
 it is proper that all sums necessary for that Service and his 
 expenses should be paid by me, his drafts therefore on me will 
 be honored. If you have advanced him money, let him draw 
 in your favor on me for it. 
 
 Scientific men are generally absent in character, I was there- 
 fore not surprised that Dr. Tiarks had forgotten he had a let- 
 ter for you from me, nor that he had placed it, in so safe a 
 place as to be out of sight. As matters have turned out, it 
 was not material. He appears an amiable correct character: 
 of his abilities I have no doubt, yet let me add I am not com- 
 petent to decide. 
 
 I have the pleasure to inform you that contrary to my ex- 
 pectation, Mr. Holmes the American Commissioner and myself 
 under the 4th Article of the Treaty of Ghent have come to a 
 
p 
 
 1 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 i 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 : 
 
 
 388 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ^ 
 
 decision, an event I little expected. It is due to Mr. Holmes 
 to add that throughout the whole of the Business committed 
 to him and me, he has conducted hiii elf with candor and 
 Liberality, and although much argument has taken place be- 
 tween him and me previous to our coming to a decision, it was 
 conducted with courtesy, impartiality and perfect good hu- 
 mour. The decision is executed on paper at present, for fear 
 of accident by death or otherwise to him or me, but we meet 
 here on the 24th of November to execute it when engrossed on 
 parchment when it will be transmitted to both Governments, 
 and duplicates delivered to the Agents. I may safely add that 
 no commission of similar magnitude has been gone through 
 and decided in so short a period and at so trifling an expense. 
 The Agents of both (roveruments memorialed the Board to be 
 further heard and for an adjournment to next Spring for them 
 to prepare their Arguments by way of rejoinder. The Com- 
 missioners declined acceeding to their request, under a convic- 
 tion that they were fully possessed of the merits of the case 
 submitted to them. An adjournment of the Board for six days 
 took place, during which Mr. Holmes and myself conferred in 
 private and eventually agreed upon a decision. In doing this 
 some little has been yielded on both sides. This in my opin- 
 ion was preferable to our reporting the Grounds of our differ- 
 ing in opinion and by that means rendering a reference to 
 some friendly Sovereign to decide necessary, whose decision 
 in all probability would not have been as agreeable to both 
 nations ; and a measure pregnant with delay and expense. 
 
 On the opposite page is the copy of a letter from the foreign 
 office, from which you will perceive Col. Bouchette is no 
 longer to act as surveyor under the 6"' & 7"' Articles of the 
 Treaty of Ghent. 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 New York 25 October 1817. 
 My Lord. 
 
 I have the Honor to inform your Lordship, that the Com- 
 missioners appointed by virtue of the 4th Article of the Treaty 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 389 
 
 Holmes 
 QTiiitted 
 lor and 
 ilaee be- 
 11, it was 
 ood hn- 
 for fear 
 we meet 
 ossed on 
 •nments, 
 add that 
 through 
 expense, 
 ard to be 
 for them 
 'he Com- 
 a convic- 
 the case 
 :• six days 
 iferred in 
 [oing this 
 my opin- 
 ur differ- 
 ereuce to 
 decision 
 to both 
 jense. 
 le foreign 
 itte is no 
 es of the 
 
 )er 1817. 
 
 the Corn- 
 he Treaty 
 
 of Ghent met at Boston in the State of Massachusetts, pursu- 
 ant to adjournment, on the 2.")th of September last past, to liear 
 the Agents of both Nations, each in reply to the others Argu- 
 ments delivered to the Board at its Session in June last. On 
 the first of October the agents concluded reading their Argu- 
 ments and on the 2'' the Commissioners agreed to adjourn to 
 the 8th of the same Month, under an impression that from 
 the Evidence already exhibited by the Agents, they were fully 
 possessed of the merits of the Question submitted to them, and 
 for the purpose of attempting to come to a decision thereon. 
 
 I had previously conferred with His Majestys Agent on this 
 point ; who concurred in opinion with me, that a further hear- 
 ing of the Agents by rejoinder, would be useless, and tend 
 only to prolong the discussion and create expense. In addi- 
 tion to this I was aware that if a decision was not made on or 
 before the 1st of December ensuing, another Commissioner 
 on the part of the United States must be appointed, as Mr. 
 Holmes, the present Commissioner had been elected a member 
 of Congress, and by the Constitution of these States, he would 
 be obliged to resign his appointment as Commissioner prior to 
 his taking his seat in the House of Representatives. In such 
 an Event the case must have been reargued, and the proceed- 
 ings necessarily drawn out to a greater length. I had also 
 reason to believe, from the general tenor of Mr. Holmes' con- 
 duct, that it was more than doubtful, whether another Com- 
 missioner would possess that candor and Discrimination, I had 
 in every instance experienced in this Gentleman. 
 
 In the discussion which took place between tlie Commis- 
 sioner on the part of the United States and myself, in the 
 interval from the 2nd to the 9th of October, I endeavored to 
 convince him, that by the express words used in the Grant of 
 King James to Sir William Alexander in 1621, to wit, "in- 
 eludens et comprehendens intra praedictas maris oras litto- 
 rales ac enrmn circumferentkts, a mari ad mare, omnes terras 
 continentes cum fluminibus, torrentibus, sinibus, littoribus, 
 insulis, aut maribus jacentibus prope aut infra sex leucas ad 
 aliquam earundem partem ex occidentali, boreali, vel orientali 
 partibus orarum littoralium et praecinctuum earundem," all the 
 
 25* 
 
r- 
 
 %^ 4.1 
 
 'Ul,! 
 
 iris 'i 
 
 1 
 
 ; ,< 
 
 Jll^iv; ,1 
 
 J I 
 
 390 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP TTIOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 IslMiids ill tlio Bay of Pussamaciuoddy and ilio Island of (rrand 
 Manan in the Bay of Fnndv wore included within the Limits 
 of that Grant. For that althouf^h a line drawn from Cajje St. 
 Marys (one of the boundary Jiines deseribod in the Grant to 
 Sir William Ah^xauder) to the Jiiver St. Croix would not in- 
 clude all the Islands within it; still a parallel Line six leagues 
 distant to the South West would embrace them — and that the 
 Words " sex leucas " referred to " earum eircnmferentias " and 
 " praeeinctuum earundem," and not to "oras littorales" nor 
 "orarum littoralium." — That the Line from St. Marys Bay to 
 the Kiver St. ( 'roix was tlie '' cireumferentias " and the " prae- 
 cinctuum" mentioned in the Grant, and that the " sex leucas" 
 was to be extended from that Line and not from the Coasts or 
 Shores of Nova Scotia. — To this the American Commissioner 
 replied, that it was unnecessary for him and me to enter upon 
 the constriiction given by me on the Words of the Grant, as 
 the Crown had decided it repeatedly in the Commissions to the 
 Governors of Nova Scotia, wherein the Limits of Nova Scotia 
 were defined ; and he referred to the Commission to Montague 
 Wilmot Ksqr. in 17G3, wherein all Islands on the North and 
 East within six Leagues of the Coasts, are declared to be 
 within the Limits of Nova Scotia, and to tlie Southward all 
 Islands within forty leagues of the Coast, but that to the 
 Westward no mention was made of Islands in the Commis- 
 sion to Mr. Wilmot, nor in any other of the Commissions to 
 the Governors of Nova Scotia ; if, therefore, he were to allow 
 this as an accidental omission, I could not in justice require 
 him to admit more than was given on the North and East, 
 which would be all Islands within six leagues of the Western 
 part of the Coast of Nova Scotia, and that this would comport 
 with the Words of Sir William Alexanders Grant ''infra 
 sex leucas ad aliquam earundem partem ex occideutali, bore- 
 ali vol orientali partibus " &c &c &c, — but that the six Leagues 
 must be measured from the Shores and Coasts, and not from 
 the circumferences of the Boundaries. — I suggested that the 
 Commissions were generally penned in haste, by Clerks in the 
 public offices, and intended merely as instructions to Gov- 
 ernors, not as Acts which were to bind his Majesty on other 
 
THE NORTH KAST BOUNDARY 
 
 391 
 
 if (Irand 
 Q Limits 
 Cape St. 
 a rant to 
 il not in- 
 : leajjfuos 
 . that the 
 ,ias " and 
 lIos" nor 
 s Bay to 
 10 " prao- 
 s leucas " 
 Coasts or 
 iiiissioner 
 iter upon 
 Grant, as 
 ons to tho 
 »va Scotia 
 Montague 
 slorth and 
 red to be 
 hward all 
 at to the 
 
 Conimis- 
 issions to 
 e to allow 
 30 re(iuii'e 
 and East, 
 3 Western 
 d comport 
 lit " infra 
 itali, bore- 
 x Leagues 
 
 not from 
 that the 
 3rks in the 
 s to Gov- 
 y on other 
 
 points and the foreign Powers; because, if Declarations con- 
 tained in sncli Coininissions could not bind foreign Powers, it 
 was unreasonable, that tho Power making such Declarations, 
 and possibly with private views, confined to its own Subjects, 
 should bo bound thereby. In support of this Doctrine, I 
 stated several cases, and in some measure brought the Ameri- 
 can C/'ommissioner to think there was not so much weight in 
 his objection, as he originally imagined. I assured, and en- 
 deavored to convince him, tliat from the Evidence before the 
 Board, it was manifest, that all Islands in (iuestion were in- 
 cluded in the (Jrant to Sir William Alexander, and conse- 
 quently appertained to His Majesty; and (tailed on him to 
 unite with me in decision to that effect. This he of conrse de- 
 clined ; remarking that such a decision would deprive the 
 United States of Moose Island and the two adjoining small 
 Islands, named Dudley and Frederick, whi«!h had been de- 
 cided to them by tho Convention or Treaty in \H0\] and by the 
 Supplemental Treaty in 1807, neither of which it was true had 
 been ratified on the part of the United States, but that they 
 were evidence, that Great Britain either considered those Isl- 
 ands to belong to the United States, or was willing to acknow- 
 ledge them as such, i)rovided the United States would relinquish 
 claim to all the other Islands in the Bay of Passamaquoddy. 
 He added that although he was determined not to execute a 
 decision whereby ail the Islands in question were to be ad- 
 judged to belong to His Majesty, yet he was willing to come 
 to a determination which should comport with the principles 
 agreed upon by Earl Liverpool, then Lord Ilawkesbury, and 
 Mr. King in 180^}, and by Lord Holland and Lord Auckland 
 and Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney in 1807, That if I would 
 not consent to this, ho was ready to report, jointly or sepa- 
 rately, stating the points on which we differed, and the grounds 
 on which our respective opinions had been formed, and to 
 leave it to the two Governments to refer the report to some 
 friendly Sovereign or State for decision, — which decision could 
 not possibly be more adverse to the claims of the United States 
 and might be more favorable, than that I had proposed. That 
 where nothing more could be lost, and something might be 
 
 l!!fl 
 
1 
 
 392 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS HAUCLAY 
 
 gained, it was his duty to refer the question to th(^ Tribunal 
 pointed Out by the Treaty in the event of the Commissioners 
 not coming to a decision. In adjourning for that day (the 
 5th of October) I communicated the substance of the confer- 
 ences, wliich had taken place between the Commissioner on 
 the part of the United States and myself, to Ills Majesty's 
 Agent. His opinion coincided with mine in the foUowing 
 particulars. — That in the event of the report l)eing referred 
 to a friendly Sovereign, it would naturally be placed by him, 
 in the hands of one of His Ministers, or Law officers, with di- 
 rections to examine the reports, and to recommend the deci- 
 sion which ought to be made. — That it was probable that 
 either from want of time, or other cause, the attenti neces- 
 sary to form a correct opinion might not be given, oi nat the 
 Arguments in the report might not be fully comprehended; 
 and that such Sovereign being called upon by both nations, 
 in the character of a Friend, would probably adopt the Terms 
 agreed upon (though not ratified) by the two nations, in the 
 Convention of 1803 and supplemental convention in 1807. 
 That if this should be the Line pursued by such friendly 
 Power, still it would remain a matter of doubt to whom it 
 would decide the Island of Grand Manan to belong. — That 
 this Island was of more value to His Majesty, in point of Ter- 
 ritory, than all the Islands in the Bay of Passamaquoddy ; 
 and in a military and naval Point of View of much greater 
 importance. — That it commands the North West Side the 
 Bay of Fundy, is immediately opposite that part of the Ameri- 
 can Coast, where the waters which pass into and out of the 
 Bay of Passamaquoddy at a place called West-quoddy passage 
 and — that His Majesty by l)eing possessed of this Island, 
 would have it in his power, in the event of a War, to prevent 
 American Privateers from sheltering themselves in that Pas- 
 sage and to protect the Province of New Brunswick and that 
 part of Nova Scotia which lies in the Bay of Fundy — That 
 unless the six leagues should be measured from the line de- 
 scribed in the Grant to Sir William Alexander, from St. Marys 
 Bay to the River St. Croix, this Island would not be compre- 
 hended within the Limits of Nova Scotia, but only a small 
 
 ill » 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 393 
 
 rribunal 
 issionors 
 (lay (the 
 Q confer- 
 ioiior on 
 ^lajosty's 
 
 ollovviiifJC 
 referred 
 I by him, 
 , with (li- 
 the deci- 
 ible that 
 neees- 
 1 nat the 
 ■eh ended ; 
 1 nations, 
 :he Terms 
 ns, in the 
 in 1807. 
 1 friendly 
 ) whom it 
 ig_That 
 nt of Ter- 
 laquoddy ; 
 ill greater 
 Side the 
 ;he Anieri- 
 ont of the 
 ly passage 
 lis Island, 
 ;o prevent 
 that Pas- 
 i and that 
 dy — That 
 ■le line de- 
 St. Marys 
 36 compre- 
 .y a small 
 
 part of it, — and that the friendly power might possibly decide 
 in favor of tlie United States, or that the small portion of it 
 belonged to His Majesty, and the remainder to those States — 
 that either event would be extremely prejndicial to His Ma- 
 jesty's Interest — that in the nnmber of nnpleasant eonse- 
 qnences which wonld attend a reference? to a friendly Sovereign 
 or State, independantly of the uncertainty of the decision, are the 
 time it would occupy, and the expense attending such an appeal. 
 His Majestys Agent further agreed with me, that Moose 
 Island is of no moment to His Majesty, It had never been 
 gi'anted by him to any of his Sultjccts: on the contrary the 
 State of Massachusci s had granted it to citizens of the 
 United States — admitting that the friendly Sovereign should 
 decide, that this Island did belong to His Majesty, the present 
 Possessors would, on taking the Oaths of Allegiance, be con- 
 firmed in their titles to the Lands they held, while their senti- 
 ments would probably remain favorable to the Interests of the 
 United States, and from their having access to His Majestys 
 other Territories, would in time of War have it in their power 
 to communicate information to His Majestys Enemies. That 
 this Island lay within less than half a mile of the American 
 Shores, and consequently was at any moment liable to be 
 taken possession of, unless defended by strong works, and a 
 competent Garrison — That it was not worth this expense, 
 nor, indeed either in an agricultural point of view, or for a 
 fishery, of any value to the Crown. — That Frederick and Dud- 
 ley Islands, adjacent thereto, were merely Rocks in the Bay of 
 Passamaquoddy, extremely small and incapable of improve- 
 ment, or, indeed, of being made useful in any manner what- 
 ever. If an amicable decision could be effected by giving 
 Moose Island with Dudley and Frederick Islands, its natural 
 appendages to the United States, his Majestys Agent thought 
 it would be an advantageous adjustment on the part of His 
 Majesty, and infinitely preferable to leaving the question to be 
 decided by a friendly Sovereign. Accordingly when I met 
 the American Commissioner on the 6"* of October, I stated to 
 him, that I had reflected on what he had suggested, and not- 
 withstanding my conviction, that His Majesty's claim to all 
 
394 
 
 COURESI'ONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 the Islands was supported }»y inoontrovertiblt' evidt'iieo, that I 
 was willinji^, in order that a decision mi^^lit bo nuido in prefer- 
 ence to a report, to yiehl np a part of the Islands claimed by 
 His Majesty, to wit, Moose Island and Dudley and Frederick 
 Islands, on condition that all the other Islands in the Bay of 
 I*assanuiquoddy, and (Jrand Manan, should be decided to be- 
 long to His Majesty, lie appeared astonished that eitluir my- 
 self, or his Majestys Aj^ent, had ever been serious in the claim 
 for Grand Manan : represented its lying directly opposite the 
 American Shores, and without the Limits of Sir William Alex- 
 anders (irant, except a fractional part of it; and that he never 
 could consent to decide that this Island belonged to Ilis Maj- 
 esty. To these renuirks I replied, by declaring, that unless he 
 acceded to my last proposal, the appeal should be made to a 
 friendly Sovereign or State. Eventually he agreed to give up 
 Grand Manan, provided I would add tlie Island of Campo 
 Bello to the three I had offered to give to the United States. 
 I told him he had my ultimatum, an ultimatum I had brought 
 myself with much difficulty to offer, wliile under a conviction 
 that His Majesty's Title to Moose, Dudley and Frederick Isl- 
 ands was beyond dispute — It was not until the morning of 
 the 9"', that I could induce the Commissioner on the part of 
 the United States to agree to the Terms I had proposed, and 
 then with great reluctance and apparent Hesitation, and only 
 on condition that I would tinite with him in a Letter to both 
 Governments, expressive of our opinion that the Eastern Pas- 
 sage from the Bay of Passamaquoddy was common to both 
 nations. This letter he penned while I wrote the decision, but 
 the Letter was so corrected by me, as to render it a mere mat- 
 ter of opinion, not official, on the part of the Commissioners 
 and consequently not binding on either of the nations. Still 
 I beg leave to observe to your Lordship, that I think the 
 United States, in justice, and for preserving harmony be- 
 tween the two nations, should be permitted the use of this 
 Eastern Passage, or outlet into the Bay of Fundy. 
 
 I have the Honor to enclose herewith a copy of that Letter, 
 and of the decision, at present executed on paper. As the 
 copying of the Arguments of the Agents, and of other papers 
 
THK NORTIIE...T BOUNDARY 
 
 395 
 
 JO, that 1 
 n prcfcr- 
 linied by 
 Frederick 
 le Bay of 
 led to be- 
 ithor iny- 
 the elaiiii 
 )Osito the 
 am Alex- 
 , he never 
 His Maj- 
 unless he 
 tiade to a 
 
 give up 
 )f Campo 
 I'd States. 
 
 1 brought 
 jonviction 
 leriek Isl- 
 lorning of 
 lie part of 
 )osed, and 
 
 and only 
 cv to both 
 stern Pas- 
 n to both 
 vision, but 
 mere niat- 
 nissioners 
 )ns. Still 
 think the 
 ■mony be- 
 se of this 
 
 lat Letter, 
 ■. As the 
 icr papers 
 
 rociuired some Weeks, we ndjournod to the 24th of November, 
 then to re-cxecute the deeision, to be engrossed on Parchnunit, 
 and to deliver to the Agents tlio documents directed by the 
 Treaty: all which will be done before the close of that month. 
 
 It would be witlilioldiiig a Tribute justly due to tin; Talents, 
 Industry, and uui-cjiiiitted attention, of Mr. (7hi[)man, His 
 Majestys Agent, throughout the discussion which has taken 
 place, and to his ]»rud(Uico in securing some valual)l(^ ])aper8 
 used under the Commission to which he was Agent in 1790, 
 did I not state to vour Lordshiii how ablv he has advocated 
 His Majestys (daim. This declaration in his favor would bo 
 utinecessary, if it were in your Lordshiji's power to spare the 
 time Avhich a perusal of his two arguments would require. 
 
 I trust your Lordshij) and His Majestys other INIinisters, 
 will a])prove of the de(!ision, wherel»y the Unit(!d States ac- 
 q\iire only the same thi'ce small Islands, intended for them by 
 the unratified conventions of 1S03 and 1H()7, while not only 
 the Title to all the otiier Islands in the Bay of Passama- 
 quoddy, in like manner secured to His Majesty by those (-on- 
 ventions, is confirmed, but the Island of Grand Manan is 
 declared to belong to His Majesty; — an Island justly re- 
 marked, in a preceding part of this Letter, to be of more in- 
 trinsic value and national importance, than all the Islands in 
 the Bay of Passamaquoddy. 
 
 TO MR. CHIPMAN. 
 
 New York 8th November 1817. 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 I have read with no little pain, your sons Letter to you of 
 the 24"* of October. It is distressing to think that a person, so 
 unequal to the duty, as Col. Bouchette appears from his rep- 
 resentation to bo, should have been appointed to a service, 
 which required Talents, as well as professional knowledge 
 with respect to the practical parts of the Surveys. Indepen- 
 dent of every other objection, he is unfit for his office, if he is 
 the timid Character represented by yoia- Son and bullied by 
 the American Surveyor. Ascertain the fact, and give me the 
 
 i| 
 
806 
 
 CORRRSPONORNCK OF TFIOMAS RARf!LAY 
 
 carli«\st inforniiitioii, that I may aoqiuiint Oovcrnmont. — I 
 was not a litUo nurpriscd to find, yonr Son attacluMl incom- 
 potenoy to Mr. (^aniplx'U, as W((ll as Co]: Bouclu'ttc, liavinf? 
 always undorstood from you, that ho was fully (Miual to run- 
 nitij; a plain, simi)lo North line. If tlu; fact is so, another 
 must 1)(^ ])ro(Mir('d by you to sup[)ly his phuHs. Is young Mr. 
 Odoll as clover and eomj)etont, as your Son roprestuits, if so 
 write mo ofilttially reoommendinj; him, and T will recpiest Lord 
 Castlei'cMfifh to ai)p(>iut him in the places of (^)l : Houohotto. If 
 Odoll looks forward to suoeeed his Fathei", or to the future 
 countonanco of Government, he will not refuse the appoint- 
 ment. No time i.« to be lost, let me therefore hear froju you as 
 early as possible. — I know so little of this North Line, or the 
 consecpiencos which will follow if the llestifjouche is adopted 
 as the River, whose; wat(M-s empty into the River St. Lawrence, 
 that I (!an form no opinion. I observe what you notice at the 
 foot of your Letter to me of the 'MY ult", namely that the River 
 Restigouche empties into the Gulf of S' Lawrence by the Bay 
 of Chaleurs, and not into the River. This is a decisive objec- 
 tion, should it hereafter become necessary to avail ourselves 
 of it. — Col. Bouchette however, in his Letter to your Son, 
 speaks of the intersection of the Line with this River four 
 miles North of the little Wagansis, as advantap^eous to His 
 Majesty, as Great i^ri tain will partake in all the advantan^es of 
 the Portapfe. — Is he correct on this point. — All must bo left, 
 and I cheerfully do submit it, to you, who are as it were on the 
 spot, and can acquire important information and advice from 
 the Surveyor General and other Gentlemen well informed on 
 the Subject. — On this Article we must exert ourselves, and 
 do our Government t!.^ Justice it merits. I feel assured it is 
 unnecessary to urge you or your Son to increased exertions. 
 
 TO MR. VAN NESS. 
 
 New York, 3'' December 1817. 
 Sir, 
 
 Although it scarce admits of a doubt, that the Secretary of 
 the Board of Commissioners under the G"" & T"" Articles of the 
 
THE NORTHEAST nOUNDARy 
 
 397 
 
 KMlt.— I 
 
 [ incioni- 
 
 hiiviuf? 
 
 to niu- 
 anothcr 
 uMjif Mr. 
 its, if so 
 est Lord 
 letto. If 
 e future 
 appoint- 
 Ill you as 
 le, or the 
 
 adopted 
 lawrcnco, 
 ice at the 
 the River 
 ^ the liay 
 ive objee- 
 oursolves 
 rour Son, 
 Ivor four 
 LIS to His 
 jitaj^es of 
 st be left, 
 ire on the 
 vice from 
 orined on 
 
 ves, and 
 Hired it is 
 ertions. 
 
 lev 
 
 1817. 
 
 cretary of 
 jles of the 
 
 Treaty of (iflient lias addressed a letter to yon coiitainint^ a 
 resohition of that Hoard on th(* LMJMi of October, still to pre- 
 vent the possibility of your not having received it, I do myself 
 th(! Honor to enclose you a copy. — By the resolution you 
 will perceive that these ('onimissioners ai-e to meet at Hamil- 
 ton ou the ir)tli of May next and that they are in the interval 
 ready to n eive any communicuitions from you and me relat- 
 ing to the „()int nuu'ting of the two Boards to estal)lish at the 
 River Catera([uy the precise point where the paru'lel of tlu; 
 45 Degree of North Latitude intia'seot;-' that Rivei*. 
 
 If I recollctit, in a letter I received frcm you during last 
 Summer, you hinted an opinion that neit un* i\w Treaty of 
 Ghent, nor tlu; Treaty of Peaces in \7H',\ to which it refers gave 
 any directions to these Commissioners to establish this pre- 
 (fiso point. In this I agree in oj)ini(m with you: but as they 
 are to proceed (under the 5"' Article of the Treaty of (rhent) 
 from the middle of that part of the River Inxpn Is or (!atera- 
 quy where the parallel of the 45 Degree of North Latitude 
 strikes that River, it becomes important to them to know the 
 precise spot as a locus a (pio from which tlieir surveys com- 
 mence. If this parallel is ascertained by the Astronomers un- 
 der the two (Commissions separately, it is probable tliere may 
 be a dift'erence of a few feet in the results of the astronomical 
 observations in which event there would be two points estab- 
 lished by the respective^ Boards as the parallel where the 45"' 
 degree of North Latitude wheri; it strikes the River Catera(]uy. 
 This if possible should be avfuded, and by a joint meeting of 
 the two Boards prevented. Our Board stands adjourned to 
 meet at New York early in May, at which time and })lace I take 
 for granted the Surveyors of the exploring Party will attend 
 as well as the Agents. It appears to me, that if we were to 
 change the place of our meeting to Hamilton, or some other 
 convenient place near St. Regis, and direct the Secretary, 
 Agents, Dr. Tiarks and Mr. Elliciott the Astronomers and 
 Mr. Bouchette and Mr. Johnson the Surveyors to meet us 
 there, it would be attend d with little trouble or difficulty to 
 them, indeed I conceive that I will be the only person materi- 
 ally inconvenienced. By this measure we shall be on the spot, 
 
 i( 
 
1 ■■ 
 
 :• 
 
 398 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOJIAS BARCLAY 
 
 and r \\ arrange with the other commissioners the point of in- 
 tersectioi^, while we can at the same time receive the reports of 
 the Surveyors with respect to what has been done this Summer 
 and give them such further directions as may appear necessary. 
 These are my sentiments, but I am by no means tenaciious 
 of them, if they coincide with yours I sl.all be happy, if not 
 favor me with your reasons, so that we may return an answer 
 to the Commissioners under the 6 and 7 Articles; and in the 
 former event notify our Secretary, Agents, Astronomers and 
 Surveyors, where and when to attend. Any day between the 
 first and 10th day of May will suit me to meet our own Board, 
 and the Board of the other Comni". 
 
 ' ' 
 
 n 
 
 .1 
 
 TO MR. CHIPMAN. 
 
 New York G"' Decr 1817. 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I received a few days since your Letter of the 17"' of No- 
 vember together with its enclosures, seven in number, for 
 which accept my thanks. I am pleased to find, notwithstand- 
 ing an expression <'ontained in one of your Sons Letters, that 
 you continue satislied with the conduct of Mr. Campbell the 
 Surveyor, as it corresponds with the character you had invari- 
 ably given me of that Gentleman. I know not sufficient of 
 the Country to form any Idea of the consequences which will 
 follow adopting the Restigouche for the River whose waters 
 empty into the River St. Lawrence, or how it will comport 
 with a River to be found the Waters of which discharge into 
 the Atlantic Ocean. This point, as I suggested to you in my 
 Letter of the 8th ult. I leave wholly to your better information 
 and judgment, with this one renuirk, that if adopting this river 
 will tend to His Majestys Interest there can be no objection to 
 falling in with the wishes of the Amei'iean Surveyor, and on 
 the contrary should it be found prejudicial we may easily pre- 
 vent the adoption of it, because it empties into the Bay of 
 Chaleurs in the Gulf St. Lawrence, and not into the River of 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 399 
 
 int of in- 
 eports of 
 Slimmer 
 lecessary. 
 toBacious 
 
 111 answer 
 uid in the 
 )mers and 
 tween the 
 wn Board, 
 
 )ecr 1817. 
 
 IT" of No- 
 imber, for 
 witbstand- 
 etters, that 
 mpboU the 
 had invari- 
 Lifficiont of 
 which will 
 lose waters 
 11 comport 
 iharge into 
 you in my 
 nforination 
 g this river 
 hjoction to 
 ,'()v, and on 
 easily pre- 
 ,he Bay of 
 le River of 
 
 that name. If a Stream can be found whose waters empty 
 into any River which discharges itself into the Atlantic Ocean, 
 (nay I am not certain but even a Stream which unites with a 
 River which pours its Waters into the Atlantic Ocean by the 
 Bay of Fundy) such River, if it accords with the Interest of 
 His Majesty should be pressed on the Surveyors as the River. 
 If you are satisfied with Bouchette, all is well. In justice to 
 our government, I beg leave to say, that it would have left the 
 appointment of Astronomers and Surveyors to me, but as I 
 did not know of any really able ones in America, and did not 
 wish to assume that responsibility which would attach to my 
 appointment, I requested the Foreign office to provide the 
 Commission with adequate Astronomers and Surveyors. Still 
 if necessary I am of oi)inion, and shall have no rcluctan(!e to 
 appoint others, and supersede those now on that service. I 
 enclose herewith the engrossed Decision of the Commissioners 
 under the 4tli Article of tlie Treaty also the sheets of the Jour- 
 nal to complete those you took on from Boston; and the 
 Presidents message to Congress. You will notice the manner 
 in which he informs Congress of the decision of the Commis- 
 sioners. He tells the truth but not the whole Truth. Not a 
 word of the Bay of Fundy or Island of Grand Manan. — I 
 think this augurs he feels sore on the point, otherwise he 
 would have added to which of the two Nations that Island 
 had been decided.^ Although the Commission under the 5"' 
 Article stands adjourned to meet here in May, I think it rather 
 probable that we shall change the place of meeting to S' Regis 
 on the S' Lawr^nlco, near the point of intersection of the Par- 
 allel of the 45th Degree of North Latitude witli that River. 
 Should it be so agreed upon between Mr. Van Ness and my- 
 self, you shall have the earliest Notice. 
 
 1 "I have also the satisfaction to 
 state that the Commissioners nndor 
 tho fourt' artiolo of tho treaty of 
 Ghent, to wliom it was referred to 
 decide to which party the several 
 islands in the Bay of Passamaquod- 
 
 dy belonged, nndcr the treaty of 
 1783, have agi'eed in a report, by 
 which all tho islands in the posses- 
 sion of each party before tho late 
 war have been decreed to it." — Pres, 
 Monroe's Message, December 2, 1817. 
 
r*^ 1 
 
 H\ 
 
 } 
 
 II 
 
 1 
 
 
 tlf 
 
 1 
 
 
 jl 
 
 1 
 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 
 400 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 TO LORD CASTLEREAGH. 
 
 New York T' January 1818. 
 My Lord. 
 
 In my Letters to your Lordship of the 5"' and 25"' of June on 
 the Subject of the Surveys tlien about to be commenced from 
 the source of the River St. Croix to the Highlands, one of the 
 objects directed by the 3'' Article of the Treaty of Ghent, I 
 acquainted your Lordship, that the Commissioners under that 
 Article had appointed two sets of Surveyors, the one to run 
 the due North Line and admeasure the distance, the other to 
 precede them and endeavor to discover that point of the 
 Highlands described in the Treaty of Ghent and in the Treaty 
 of 1783 as forming the North West Angle of Nova Scotia. 
 The last named party was denominated the exploring Sur- 
 veyors, and consisted of Mr. Bouchette on the part of His 
 Majesty and Mr. Johnson on the part of the United States, 
 the principal Surveyors of both nations. — These Gentlemen 
 have explored about one liundred miles north to a stream 
 called the Wagunsis, which falls into the River Restigouche, 
 which emptieth (not into the River St. Lawrence) but into the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence by the Bay of Chaleurs : It appears 
 they consider this Stream to comport with the description in 
 the second Article of the Treaty of 1783 respecting the High- 
 lands, and the waters which empty into the River St. Law- 
 rence. At present it is impossible to determine whether the 
 adopting of this Stream will comport with His Majesty's in- 
 terests. Waters falling into the Atlantic ocean correspond- 
 ing with the words of the Treaty must be found before this 
 result can be ascertained. Should the adoption of this 
 Stream prove injurious, it can always be rejected on proof 
 that the waters do not empty into the River, but into the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the present uncertain state of the 
 exploring survey, it was not my intention to have troubled 
 your Lordship on the Subject. I have, however, been led to 
 make the preceding remarks to show under what part of the 
 Surveys Mr. Bouchette had been employed during the last 
 Season, and to enable your Lordship the more readily to com- 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 401 
 
 ry 1818. 
 
 if June on 
 aced from 
 )ne of the 
 Ghent, I 
 inder that 
 )ne to run 
 le other to 
 Lut of the 
 the Treaty 
 va Scotia, 
 oring Sur- 
 art of His 
 ted States, 
 (jentlemen 
 ) a stream 
 estigouche, 
 »ut into the 
 It appears 
 5cription in 
 r the High- 
 ir St. Law- 
 rhether the 
 ajesty's in- 
 lorrespond- 
 3efore this 
 m of this 
 d on proof 
 ut into the 
 state of the 
 ve troubled 
 jeen led to 
 part of the 
 g the last 
 ily to com- 
 
 prehend the enclo od copy of a Letter from Mr. Chipman, His 
 Majestys Agent to me. 
 
 Your Lordship will perceive from this Letter that Mr. 
 Chipman is dissatisfied with Mr. Bouchette, that he thinks 
 he wants at least practical professional knowledge, prudence, 
 nerve and constitution, and on the whole is not a character 
 in whom a matter of so much moment as ascertaining the 
 Nortli West Angle of Nova Scotia can with safety be confided. 
 Yet as his opinion is formed in some measure from conjecture 
 and the reports of others, Mr. Chipman is unwilling that Mr. 
 Bouchette should be superceded in his appointment, he there- 
 fore reconnnends that I acceed at the meeting of the Board 
 in May next to the proposition of the American Commissioner 
 and Agent to commence running the parallel of the 45 Degree 
 of North Latitude from the River Cataraguay to the North- 
 westmost head of the Connecticut River, and to employ Mr. 
 Bouchette on this service, which will be simple and over a 
 tract of country generally under cultivation, in addition to 
 his remarks, I beg leave to add that Dr. Tiarks His Majestys 
 Astronomer and the American Astronomer Mr. Ellicott will 
 be always near the Surveyors to correct any error. Indeed 
 the Surveyors on this Line will have only to run and measure 
 on a due east course from one station to another of the paral- 
 lel to be established by the Astronomers. If this proposal 
 meets your Lordships concurrence, I will in May assign to 
 Mr. Bouchette this part of the Service. — A Surveyor in this 
 event will be wanted to fill the place of Mr. Bouchette on the 
 exploring survey to ascertain the Highlands, North of the 
 Source of the River St. Croix, that divide those Rivers which 
 empty themselves into the River St. Lawrence, from those 
 which fall into the Atlantic Ocean. Mr. Chipman has named, 
 Mr. Odell the Present Secretary of the Province of New 
 Brunswick, Son of the late Secretary of that Province, as a 
 Gentleman every way qualified for this important Service, a 
 Service infinitely the most material under the 5th article of 
 the Treaty. He is however under an apprehension that Mr. 
 Odell will not feel inclined to undertake so laborious a task 
 on his or my request. I have no knowledge of Mr. Odell, but 
 
 36 
 
402 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 i ! 
 
 the confidence I place in Mr. Chipmans prudence and judg- 
 ment loads me to consider Mr. Odell as the most proper per- 
 son to execute this duty. Should your Lordship think proper 
 to adopt Mr. Chipmans recommendation it will be necessary 
 for your Lordship, or Earl Bathurst to whose department as 
 Secretary of New Brunswick he more imvjj<'(i|||f^ly belongs, to 
 write him a Letter, expressive of the WijlW^Wl' Government 
 that he should undertake this Service, and ttiht it is expected 
 he will not decline doing it. The Letters on this Subject to 
 Mr. Odell and to Mr. Chipman require dispatch. Mr. Chip- 
 mans Letter to me, whereof a copy is enclosed, is confid.otial, 
 and I feel it my duty to request your Lordship will be pleased 
 to consider it such, and that it may not be communicated to 
 any person, other than His Majestys ministers.^ 
 
 FROM DR. TIARKS. 
 
 i 
 
 Sir. 
 
 On the Old Line east of Lake Champlain, 
 
 Oct. 15, 1818. 
 
 Your letter of the 29th Sept. I had the honor of receiving 
 to-day. I returned last Monday from the Station at Odell- 
 town- and found Mr. Hassler'' according to our agreement en- 
 camped on Lake Champlain on the Old Line nearly opposite 
 the American fort. I had no time to calculate my observations 
 
 iCol. Bouchotte never rendered 
 any furtlier service on the survey, 
 declining, it would seem, to act 
 under Dr. Tiarks ; and he was finally 
 discharged by an order of Lord Cas- 
 tler"agh, dated July 10, 1819. The 
 commissioners under the 5*'' Article 
 met this year (1818) at Burlington, 
 Vermont, in the mouth of May, and 
 there settled some matters relative 
 to the survey of the line running 
 north from the head of the St. Croix. 
 From Burlington, the commissioners 
 went to Montreal, and thence to St. 
 
 Regis, where they gave instructions 
 for running the line of latitude 45° 
 eastward along the States of New- 
 York and Vermont, and about the 
 middle of June they adjourned to 
 meet again in the spring of 1819. 
 
 2 A small village in Canada, near 
 Rouse's Point. 
 
 3 Ferdinand R. Hassler was, like 
 Dr. Tiarks, a native of Switzerland. 
 He was the first superintendent of 
 the Coast Survey, and planned and 
 directed that great work until his 
 death in 1843. 
 
THE NORTHEAST BOUNDARY 
 
 403 
 
 id judg- 
 iper per- 
 i proper 
 ecessary 
 bment as 
 longs, to 
 ernment 
 expected 
 ubject to 
 Ir. Chip- 
 fid.fltial, 
 e pleased 
 licated to 
 
 aplain. 
 15, 1818. 
 
 receiving 
 at Odell- 
 
 seincnt en- 
 opposite 
 
 Iservations 
 
 linstructions 
 latitude 45° 
 ,te8 of New- 
 |1 about the 
 iljourned to 
 |g of 1819. 
 lanada, near 
 
 [er was, like 
 Switzerland. 
 
 tntendent of 
 jlanned and 
 
 Irk until liis 
 
 at Odelltown made with the instrument you lately sent to 
 me, but one which I had tried gave the Old Line about ;5000 
 feet too far north. Lieut. Vinton culcuhited one in which he 
 placed great confidence and found the Old Line 35" (about 
 3535 feet) north. Surprising as these results were yet their 
 agreement made me think that they are correct. When I ar- 
 rived at the Camp and informed Mr. Hassler of what I had 
 found he expressed his belief that the Line was likewise too 
 far north at this place. You may easily imagine my ardent 
 desire to make observations with the repeating circle, but 
 neither the observatory was finished nor the circle placed. I 
 then took immediately the reflecting circle of Mr. Hassler and 
 to my astonishment two observations of the Sun which agreed 
 remarkably well gave my Latitude 45" 0' 38". That is about 
 3838' North of the Parallel of 45° which I observed on the old 
 line. I communicated it to Mr. Hassler and to my still greater 
 surprise heard that the few observations he had calculated 
 brought the old Line still farther north, that is about 46" 
 (4646') which had likewise been so unexpected to him that he 
 could at first not credit it. He then calculated some others 
 and obtained with little difference the same result. Most 
 anxious to get as quickly as possible at the truth he communi- 
 cated to me an observation of the Pole Star, which I calculated 
 this morning. The result of the whole observation consisting 
 of two series of repetitions gave about 40" nearly the same 
 which my own two Solar observations had given. Lieut Vin- 
 ton yet ignorant of our result then began to calculate observa- 
 tions of Ms own made with a reflecting circle and obtained 
 only 12" north ; another however gave him 50". These are all 
 the observations hitherto calculated. They are taken by three 
 different observers with three several instruments of two dif- 
 erent constructions on different celestial objects and leaving 
 out Mr. Vinton's one observation, which being a star observed 
 by the reflecting circle deserves naturally less credit, they 
 seem to indicate that the Old Line is about ^ mile too far 
 north. The distance of the Fort built by Col . jtten from 
 the Old Line is reckoned less than half a mile : the other now 
 building is very near it and there seems therefore, hai'dly to 
 
404 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 remain any doubt bnt that both Forts arc on British territory ! 
 I have been thus particular in detailing to yoii what knowledge 
 I have and on what it is founded as this point is of extreme 
 importance and as I thought it necessary that you should be 
 informed of it as soon as possible. We have thought it ad- 
 visable to keep this a profound secret ; nobody knows it as yet 
 except those who calculated themselves, and even most of our 
 Assistants are still ignorant of it. Lieut Vinton goes tomor- 
 row to the American Agent and Mr. Hassler has written to 
 General Swift about it partly with a view of obtaining a 
 Zenith Sector ordered in London which may be expected to 
 have arrived as it will be his duty to insist on the most accur- 
 ate determination of this point. It is Mr. Hassler's opinion 
 that the success of our operations might be endangered if this 
 matter became generally known by the irritation which such 
 a thing may produce on the minds of the lower classes, and he 
 has requested me to keep it secret as long as possible. Whether 
 such fears are grounded or not I cannot say being too little 
 acquainted with the inhabitants of this State.^ As I have 
 perfectly laid open to you whatever I know I think to have 
 discharged my duty and shall quietly continue my operations 
 and await the further results. I am, &c., T. L. Tiarks. 
 
 the people there. ... I told Bagot 
 I thought it was nothing but a mag- 
 got in the brain of Hassler, and that 
 there was no danger whatever. But 
 I promised to mention it to the Pres- 
 ident and inform him of the result. 
 I found Crawford and Calhoun with 
 the President, and told them of Ba- 
 got's communication. Notice of the 
 fact that the astronomical observa- 
 tions are likely to depi'ive us of our 
 two new forts had been received 
 yesterday from Colonel Totten by a 
 letter from Hassler, bnt the Presi- 
 dent and Calhoun laughed at the 
 idea of the apprehended rebellion 
 against the astronomers in Ver- 
 mont." — Diary of John Quincy 
 Adams, October 28, 1818. 
 
 1 " I was going to the President's, 
 but was detained half an hour by 
 Mr. Bagot, who came, in much agi- 
 tation, wit a letter he had just re- 
 ceived from Mr. Barclay, the British 
 Commissioner under the fifth Ai-ticle 
 of the Treaty of Ghent. It appears 
 that in running their forty -fifth par- 
 allel of latitude they find, by tlie ob- 
 servations of the astronomers on 
 both sides, that the existing line 
 touchin upon Lake Champlain is 
 about three-quarters of a mile too 
 far north, and that the new line will 
 bring two forts lately built by us 
 within the British territory. Hass- 
 ler, the American astronomer, is so 
 much alarmed at this result that he 
 is afraid there will be a riot among 
 
n-itory ! 
 owledgo 
 extreme 
 3onl(l be 
 ht it ad- 
 it as yet 
 st of our 
 !S toinor- 
 ritten to 
 aining a 
 jected to 
 »st accur- 
 s opinion 
 :ed if this 
 hich such 
 es, and he 
 Whether 
 too little 
 ^s I have 
 k to have 
 operations 
 
 TlARKS. 
 
 told Bagot 
 but a mag- 
 [ler, and that 
 ,tever. But 
 to the Pres- 
 the result, 
 alhoun with 
 them of Ba- 
 otice of the 
 |cal ohserva- 
 |ve us of our 
 jcn received 
 Totten by a 
 t the Presi- 
 ;hed at the 
 id rebellion 
 TS in Ver- 
 i/irt Qtiincy 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 LAST DAYS 
 
 FEW records exist of the last twelve years of Bar- 
 clay's life; and, indeed, it was a quiet old age, 
 disturbed by no unusual incidents and marked by no 
 extremes of good or evil fortune. 
 
 The chief public duty which remained still to be 
 performed was the closing up of the affairs of the 
 commission under the fifth article of the Treaty of 
 Ghent. It had become perfectly clear, as early as the 
 beginning of the year 1819, that Barclay's first impres- 
 sions were correct, and that the difficulties in the way of 
 an adjustment of the northeast boundary were so great 
 as to preclude all hope of the commissioners reaching 
 an agreement. From that time on, the efforts of the 
 representfitives of both governments were strenuously 
 devoted to collecting evidence favorable to their re- 
 spective claims, and to making up a record for submis- 
 sion to an arbitrator. 
 
 The work of surveying progressed with exasperating 
 slowness, and the public, on both sides of the Atlantic, 
 condemned the commission for their delays and for the 
 heavy expense which they incurred. But accurate sur- 
 veys were indispensably necessary ; and the country to 
 be explored was extraordinarily difficult and the sea- 
 son for operations extremely short. 
 
 The commission sat in New- York in May, 1819, and 
 again in Boston in May, 1820, but nothing beyond rou- 
 
 26* 
 
 406 
 
406 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 tine business could be transacted. Maps wore filed, 
 surveyors and astronomers were instructed, and ac- 
 counts were audited. At len<2^tli it was agreed that the 
 surveys had so far progressed as to allow the commis- 
 sion to proceed to a discussion of the principles which 
 were to bo followed in running the line. A meeting for 
 the purpose of hearing arguments was fixed for Octo- 
 ber 23, 1820 ; but Mr. Chipman, the British agent, was 
 unable to attend, and an adjournment was taken until 
 the spring. 
 
 The next year, 1821, the commission went industri- 
 ously to work. They sat in New- York from May 14 
 to Juno 9 ; again from August 1 to August 14 ; and 
 finally from September 20 to October 4, when the argu- 
 ments of the agents were completed, and a long and ill- 
 tempered discussion between them was finally brought 
 to an end. The commissioners separated upon the un- 
 derstanding that separate reports were to be brought 
 in, and that the winter was to be devoted to a prepara- 
 tion of all the reports, maps and papers in duplicate 
 which the Treaty of Ghent required should be laid 
 before each government. 
 
 On April 1, 1822, the final session of the commission 
 was begun in New- York. The accounts were audited, 
 the minor employees paid off, the reports were read, 
 and finally, on April 1.3, the commissioners formally 
 entered on their journal their failure to agree, and ad- 
 journed until the further pleasure of the two govern- 
 ments should be known. Their disagreement was 
 complete. They did not even unite in reporting a gen- 
 eral map of the region in dispute, but filed instead a 
 mass of disconnected surveys. They differed as to the 
 location of the northwest angle of Nova Scotia ; as to 
 the situation of the "highlands"; as to the sou^'^^e of 
 
 w 
 
LAST DAYS 
 
 407 
 
 filed, 
 aid ac- 
 hat the 
 omrais- 
 s wliieli 
 
 ting for 
 )r Octo- 
 Biit, was 
 en until 
 
 ndustri- 
 May 14 
 14; and 
 bhe argu- 
 g and ill- 
 ' brouglit 
 n the un- 
 bronglit 
 , prepara- 
 duplicate 
 
 1 be laid 
 
 mmission 
 audited, 
 
 ere read, 
 formally 
 
 I, and ad- 
 
 |o govern- 
 eut was 
 
 ng a gen- 
 instead a 
 as to tbe 
 
 ttia; as to 
 sou^'^'e of 
 
 the Connecticut River ; and even as to the parallel of 
 45° north Latitude.^ The report of the American com- 
 missioner was compai'atively brief, the copy filed in the 
 State department at Washington covering only severity 
 folio pages of a rather small manuscript. Barclay's re- 
 port was much more elaborate. Written in a very similar 
 hand to that of his colleague's report, it extends to 322 
 folio pages, to which are added 177 i)ages of appendix. 
 It is a complete review of the subject in all its phases, 
 and contains, besides an historical account of the boun- 
 daries of the provinces of Nova Scotia, Quebec and 
 Massachusetts, a discussion of every argument advanced 
 on either side. These reports have never been printed 
 in full, but liberal extracts were printed as appendices 
 LIII. and LIV. (pp. 371-398) to the " American Case 
 presented to the King of the Netherlands " (Washing- 
 ton, 1829), a volume not published, but which is to be 
 found in some of the larger libraries. 
 
 The subsequent history of the northeast boundary 
 question is not a little curious. The event of a disa- 
 greement between the commissioners, contemplated by 
 the Treaty of Ghent, having thus arisen, It had now 
 become the duty of the two governments to submit 
 their dispute to " a friendly sovereign or State " ; but 
 the terms of the treaty were so vague in respect to 
 methods of procedure that more than five years were 
 consumed in desultory discussion before the needful 
 arrangements could be made. At length, in September, 
 1827, Albert Gallatin, then United States Minister in 
 London, negotiated a treaty by which all the points 
 
 1 The U. S. agent claimed that Point ; but the commissioner, Mr. 
 
 geocentric, instead of (jcixjrnphical Van Ness, expressed no opinion on 
 
 latitude should be taken, the result this point in his report, 
 of which would be to save Rouse's 
 
 W' 
 
408 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 wore covered. This treaty recites that the reports of 
 the commissioners and the annexed documents are " so 
 voluminous and complicated as to render it improbable 
 that any sovereign or State should be willing to under- 
 take the office of investigating or arbitrating upon 
 them," and it is thereupon agreed to submit instead a 
 new statement of facts on each side, accompanied by a 
 general map — which is annexed to the new treaty — 
 showing the watercourses and the boundary lines as 
 contended for by each party respectively.^ The state- 
 ments of the parties were to be exchanged within fif- 
 teen months of the ratification of the treaty, and replies 
 thereto in six months thereafter; and the statements 
 and replies were then to be submitted to the arbitrator. 
 
 If a hope was really entertained of shortening the 
 arguments to be submitted, that hope must very soon 
 have been dispelled. The case could not be presented 
 briefly. An enormous mass of printed matter was pre- 
 pared by the representatives of each party, and during 
 the year 1830 this great bulk of assertion and argument 
 was laid before the King of the Netherlands, who had 
 consented, in a rash moment, to act as arbitrator. 
 
 On January 10, 1831, the arbitrator made his report. 
 Instead of simply deciding the questions submitted to 
 him, the King declared his inability to decide upon the 
 line truly intended by the treaty of 1783, and he pro- 
 posed instead a new line as a matter of compromise 
 which— he suggested— it would be suitable {II conviendra) 
 to adopt. Instead of following "highlands," the line 
 was to run through a valley, proceeding along the mid- 
 dle of the rivers St. John and St. Francis. The diffi- 
 culty in regard to the parallel of 45 north latitude 
 •was got around by proposing to run the line according 
 
 1 See a copy of this map, which is known as Map A, ante page 44. 
 
LAST DAYS 
 
 409 
 
 )l'tS of 
 
 re " so 
 obablo 
 midor- 
 ; upon 
 stead a 
 2d by a 
 eaty — 
 ines as 
 B state- 
 ;hin fif- 
 [ replies 
 Lements 
 )itrator. 
 ing the 
 >vy soon 
 resented 
 was pre- 
 1 during 
 fgument 
 vho had 
 or. 
 
 Is report, 
 liitted to 
 pon the 
 he pro- 
 promise 
 viendra) 
 the line 
 lie mid- 
 'he diffi- 
 latitude 
 cording 
 
 age 44. 
 
 to the corrected observations, but to save Rouse's Point 
 to the United States by describing a semicircle round 
 the fort. 
 
 The award was satisfactory to neither party, and 
 was rejected by both, and has never been published. 
 Matters now seemed more unpromising than ever. 
 Public feeling ran high, especially in Maine and New 
 Brunswick. On one occasion, in 1838, certain British 
 subjects having cut timber on the disputed territory, a 
 Maine constable was sent with a posse to drive them 
 off ; but he w^as himself arrested and imi)risoned by the 
 provincial authorities. The militia were ordered out, 
 and actual warfare seemed for a time to be close at 
 hand, until good sense prevailed, and " the Restook 
 War " became nothing but a local reminiscence.* 
 
 The Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842 finally put 
 an end to the whole troublesome business, not without 
 blustering from Benton in the United States Senate, 
 and Palmerston in the House of Commons. The at- 
 tempt to find the northwest angle of Nova Scotia was 
 given up. A line intermediate between the extreme 
 pretensions of the two parties was drawn. And the 
 unquestionable British claim to the line of 45° north 
 latitude was surrendered, the old incorrect line of 1763 
 being retained as the northern boundary of New- York 
 and Vermont. Precisely twenty years and six months 
 elapsed from the day the boundary commission ad- 
 journed sine die in New-York until the ratifications 
 of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty were exchanged in 
 London. 
 
 On that same day of the adjournment of the com- 
 mission, Barclay paid Messrs. Isaac Wright & Son thir- 
 
 1 Some account of the negotiations between the authorities on the border 
 will be found in General Scott's Autobiography, Chap, xxiii. 
 
f 
 
 a 
 
 !/" 
 
 \ 
 
 
 i^. 
 
 m 
 
 h 
 
 410 
 
 COItHRSPONDENCE OP THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ty-fivG pfuiiiotts passa^o-monoy for a berth in tlio ship 
 James Cropjxr ; and a day or two later ho sailed for 
 England, aeeompanicd by Mr. Chipnian. They landed 
 at Kinsale, in Ireland, crossed the channel from Cork, 
 and posted to London, arriving there early in June. 
 Thoy took with them the reports and records of the 
 commission to be filed in the Foreign Office. Their 
 business was soon settled, and Barclay probably found 
 less to attract him than when ho had first visited Eng- 
 land nearly twenty y(uirs earlier. Before the summer 
 was over he was ready to return, and ho sailed from 
 Liverpool in the Jamas Thompson, \'d\\i\m^m New- York 
 on September 7, 1822.' 
 
 On his return from this his last visit to England, 
 Barclay was sixty-nine years of age, and the story of 
 his remaining years may be told in few words. His 
 work was done, and increasing infirmities put a per- 
 emptory stop to further activity. 
 
 In the summer of 1823 he hired a country place on 
 Manhattan Island, which comprised a house and twelve 
 acres of land. It lay on the Eastern Post Eoad, near 
 the four-mile stone, sloping down to where a cove set 
 in from the rocky shores of the East River. The waters 
 of the little cove were shallow, and aft'orded a safe an- 
 chora'i^e for small craft away from the swirling tides 
 that rough the narrow passage between Manhat- 
 
 t iiiackwell's Islands ; and Rock Harbor was the 
 
 J which was given, appropriately enough, to the 
 ou-Durban villa. The site of it is covered to-day with 
 breweries and tenement-houses, and it lies just east of 
 
 1 He paid forty guineas for the ward. Owing to the prevailing west- 
 westward trip, the rate of passage erly winds the voyage from England 
 this way, according to the usual cus- was commonly the longer, 
 torn, being higher than to the east- 
 
LAST DAYS 
 
 411 
 
 le slnp 
 led for 
 landed 
 1 Cork, 
 I June, 
 of the 
 Thoir 
 y' found 
 id Eng- 
 mmnier 
 )d from 
 )W-York 
 
 Ingland, 
 story of 
 ds. His 
 it a per- 
 
 place on 
 d twelve 
 )ad, near 
 cove set 
 e waters 
 safe an- 
 [iig tides 
 Manl^at- 
 • was the 
 [i, to the 
 ,ay with 
 ;t east of 
 
 [ailing west- 
 3in England 
 
 Third Avenue, hotweon Forty-fifth and Forty-seventh 
 streets in tlio city of New- York. Barclay was [)leased 
 with his modest country-seat, and in March, 1H'J4, ho 
 bouglit it of the owncn*, paying ^MM) an acre for it, or 
 $GOUO in all. He remained in [)ossession of the property 
 until the summer ])efore liis death, when he sold it for 
 $9000, thus realizing a profit of fifty per cent, on his 
 investment. 
 
 His life was easy and uneventful. His grandchildri^n 
 were multiplying and growing up about him, and his 
 estate was prospering. He occupied himself with little 
 household occupations, and noted with care the days 
 of his migrations from town to country, and from 
 country to town. A visit to Maryland, another to New- 
 port, another to his son, Henry, on the Hudson River, 
 were duly recorded ; and with them the bottling of his 
 Madeira, and the days when servants were engaged or 
 discharged. One reads in his note-books how he paid 
 his coachman fourteen dollars a month, his gardener 
 t^n, and " Cicely, a black cook," only seven ; and one 
 observes further down, without surprise, that Cicely was 
 " dismissed for incompetence " at the end of a month. 
 Lists were kept of the guests at his dinner-parties, and 
 he made precise notes of his engagements to dine 
 abroad. Thv^ old gentlemen, his friends, were mostly 
 " warm Federalists," though Federalism, hot or cold, 
 had ceased to be — Mr. Gracie, Mr. Ray, Dr. Hosack, 
 Mr. Varick. Hours were earlier than at this end of the 
 century. Mr. Waddington, and Mr. Jauncey, and Mr. 
 Moses Rogers, we find, dined at fi\o o'clock; but Mr. 
 Low and Mr. H. Rogers dined at the less dissipated 
 hour of four. 
 
 In October, 1825, the fiftieth anniversary of Barclay's 
 wedding came round. All the surviving children were 
 
412 
 
 CORRESPONDEXCE OF THOMAS BARCLAY 
 
 ;ii 
 
 ii; 
 
 I.' • 
 
 :ri: J 
 
 at hand, except Maria, who was away with her hus- 
 band in British Guiana, and De Lanoey in England. 
 De Lancey had this year been made a colonel by bre- 
 vet, and aide-de-camp to King George IV.; and he had 
 now at last married, being forty-five years of age. 
 George had given up his notions of settling in England, 
 and was now e^'tablished as a successful merchant in 
 New- York. 
 
 The spring of the next year brought the ill news of 
 De Lancey's death — of pneumonia, it would seem — 
 only a very few days after the birth of his child, a little 
 girl, who died young. His death was a bitter blow to 
 his father, who had always cherished a peculiar affec- 
 tion for the handsome soldier. Financial worry came 
 also through Henry, the eldest son, who had retired 
 from business in New- York, and had embarked in ra- 
 ther ill-advised ventures at Sanger ties, in Ulster County, 
 where he established iron-works and a paper-mill that 
 absorbed a great deal of money, and made no returns 
 for a long time afterward. 
 
 But there were good days as well as evil, and time 
 on the whole passed by not unhappily. Barclay's 
 health, for the most part, continued good, though there 
 were long intervals in winter when fear of cold weather 
 kept him in his house. In particular, and most fortu- 
 nately for him, his mental faculties and his eyesight 
 were unimpaired, and letters written almost in the last 
 month of his life show no change either in their style or 
 in the small and rather difficult handwriting. From the 
 summer of 1829, however, he began to fail rather rap- 
 idly. The end came at last on Wednesday, April 21, 
 1830. In the words of a book which he loved, he was 
 gathered to his fathers, having the testimony of a good 
 conscience ; in the communion of the Catholic Church ; 
 
LAST DAYS 
 
 413 
 
 her hus- 
 3ngland. 
 
 by bve- 
 d he had 
 
 of age. 
 Bnglaud, 
 chant in 
 
 news of 
 seem — 
 1, a little 
 blow to 
 ar affec- 
 •ry came 
 I retired 
 id in ra- 
 ' County, 
 mill that 
 ) returns 
 
 in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of 
 a reasonable, religious and holy hope; and in perfect 
 charity with the world. ^ 
 
 S ate Thli ' !^^"!^,^^^" ^^^^^'ly eighty-two years 
 
 oflfM l7-^'!u^'™^ together, in the churchyard 
 ot bt. Mark's m the Bowery. 
 
 md time 
 Barclay's 
 Lgh there 
 weather 
 3t fortu- 
 eyesight 
 . the last 
 ' style or 
 I'rom the 
 her rap- 
 ipril 21, 
 , he was 
 •f a good 
 Church ; 
 
m 
 
 
 
 |H 
 
 
 
 ^m 
 
 
 [ '. 
 
 
 
 
 'H£r« 
 
 1 ;;■ 
 
 
 Pi 
 
 
 
 h> . 
 
 ^ 1' 'l 
 
 ■U , u 
 
 ff'ii'' 
 
 1 1 " 
 
 liii 
 
 '■I'. 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
APPENDIX 
 CHILDREN OF THOMAS AND SUSAN BARCLAY 
 
 '■ 1776^ rtrf '. l"""'] '* '^^"^^^"^' ^- Y., December 3, 
 I7 nqr r !f f^^/^' Livingston of New-York, June 
 17, 1796 ; died at Harlem, June 21, 1817. 
 
 2. Henry Barclay, born .. New- York, October 27 1778 • 
 
 England, March 29, 1826. ^o^o,aieam 
 
 4. Maria Barclay, born in New-York, June 27, 1782- mar 
 
 '' D™bef4'™''^'''"I'.''T ^' ^'''"'"' No™ Scotia, 
 l>eeember4, 1783; mamed Catherine Channing, February 
 
 14, 1821 ; died at New-York, January 30, 1838 ^ 
 
 "■ !rvT nsT"''' "-T;"* ^"""P""^' N"™ Scotia, F.oru. 
 ary 6, 1780, married Peter Gerard Stuyvesaut of New- 
 Yori., August 20, 1803, died at New-York, Jauuary M, 
 
 ''' SeZ'n ^T'Z ^'''''^"^' ''O™ »t Anuapolis, Nova 
 Scotia, December 22, 178G; died at New-York, June Vo, 
 
 8. Ann Bakclav, born at Annapolis, Nova Scotia, December 
 7 1788; married William B. Parsons, E. N., May 29 
 1815; died at New-York, June 20 1869 
 
 9. Geoboe Baeclav, born at Annapolis, Nova Scotia, July 
 
 t'JI I . """^ '^"™ *'''t"'J'' AufrSre, December 8 
 1818; died at New Hamburgh, N. Y, July 28, 1869 
 
 415 
 
416 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 
 10. Anthony Barclay, born at Annapolis, Nova Scotia, Sep- 
 tember 27, 1792 ; married Ann Waldberg Glenn ; died at 
 Hartford, Conn., March 21, 1877. 
 
 11. Clement Horton Barclay, born at Annapolis, Nova 
 Scotia, August 3, 1796; and died there in September, 
 1797. 
 
 12. Cornelia Elizabeth Stewart Barclay, born in New- 
 York, May 23, 1801 ; and died there, June 28, 1801. 
 
 \tA ^ 
 
cotia, Sep- 
 u ; died at 
 
 olis, Nova 
 lepteinber, 
 
 a in New- 
 , 1801. 
 
 INDEX 
 
 37 
 

 r 
 
 ii 
 
 w 
 
 
 w 
 
 H ' 
 
 
 
 i ' 
 
 ^'4 
 
 
 ^n 1 ' 
 
 M 
 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 |l.i!i 
 
INDEX 
 
 ^ILiV^^ ""^'^ effectual preserva- 
 220" 222 P^''''^' ^^''■' -1^' -14, 219, 
 
 '^tS'I'^r'- *^««™«"y as to map 
 used at Pans in fix ntr Northeast 
 Boundary, 66, 73-75; probably ?e 
 elected President, lis 
 
 AdSif °'^'' ^1""°^' 375, 378, 404. 
 Admiralty, Courts of, American eom- 
 
 120 13^°''^™'"^' ^^^' reform in, 
 Africaine, H. M. Ship, 291 
 
 in (1/07-1722), 4 ; Rev. Henry Bar- 
 1746) 7"" '''' ' ''^^'■^y'"'^" in (1738- 
 
 392. ' ' ^^' ^^^' 3'*' 3^9' =^«9- 
 
 ^^^^PJs^te naming of Sovereigns in 
 public documents, when rule to be 
 followed, 381, 382. 
 Ambuscade, French Frigate, 173 
 American Ships of War? reasons of 
 
 i«X^''''^oV *^^t^o"s with Brit, 
 ish Ships, 336-338. 
 
 Analostan, American Brig, 333 
 Analostan Island, residence of Gen 
 
 John Mason, 314. 
 Andromache, H. M. Ship, 126, 129, 
 
 Annapolis, Nova Scotia, 25, 29, 35, 
 
 Asia, H. M. Ship, 15, 
 ^^;^ra,n^ewspaper, attacks Col. Bar- 
 
 ^'fe/.T^?.'^-' American agent 
 tf^Zl!'^?£T,?\^'\9''^L' under 
 
 the fourth article of the Treaty It 
 Ghent, 359, 376. ^ 
 
 ^t^w' ^?^«^ES, British Minister 
 
 at Washington, 375, 404. 
 Banks, Sir Joseph, 378 
 Baker, Anthony St. John, British 
 
 ttTSr32l,'^32l^""" '^*^-^-^- 
 
 Barclay, Andrew (of Newtown, L.I.), 
 
 Barclay, Ann (daughter of Col. 
 rhoinas Barclay), 318, 351, 415- 
 marries W. B. Parsons 365.' 
 
 Barclay Anna Dorothea (wife of 
 Beverly Kobinson), 9. 
 
 Barclay, Anthony (of Albany), 6. 
 
 Barclay^ Anthony (son of Col. Tho- 
 mas Barclay), 416 ; at school in 
 Nova Scotia, 96, 206 ; goes to Eng- 
 land to study for the bar. 258 • 
 appointed British Commissiouer 
 under the sixth and seventh ar- 
 ticles of the Treaty of Ghent, on 
 the death of Mr. Ogilvy, 356 : mar- 
 ries Ann Waldberg Glenn, 365 
 
 N«w^v^?^^n''i^y' 41^ ' removes to 
 New York, 96; death of, 146 
 
 Barclay, Catharine, 9. 
 
 Barclay, Clement, 77, 416. 
 
 BeYanXrf ^"^'^ '' ^^^^'^^^ 
 
 %t:S'a?SSySS'l;r^ "«^- 
 Barclay, David, emigrates to Amer- 
 
 ica and dies at sea, 2. 
 Barclay, De La^ncey, 415 ; serves in 
 a JNova Scotia regiment, 95; ap- 
 plies for commission in the regular 
 army, 104; Ensign in 41st Foot" 
 105; goes to Montreal, 117; pro- 
 moted 135 ; goes to England 145 ; 
 promoted to be Captain, 206 226- 
 Major and Lieut.-Colonel, 258 • 
 appointed to the Guards, 318 ; pro- 
 moted to be Colonel and marries 
 Mary Barclay, 412 ; his death, 412. 
 Barclay, Eliza (wife of Schuyle^ 
 Livingston), 61, 415; her death, 
 
 ^m^^'q^^/^'*^^' 41^5 at school in 
 NovaScotia, 96, 206; comes to 
 New York m 1808 and goes into 
 business with Henry Barclay, 258; 
 marries Anna Matilda Ailfr^re 
 
 419 
 
420 
 
 INDEX 
 
 hhHi. 
 
 I I. 
 
 i\ ' 
 
 i ' 
 
 Barclay, Rev. Henry, born at Albany, 
 graduated at Yale, 5 ; rector of St. 
 Peter's Church, Albany (1738- 
 1746), 6; rector of Trinity Church, 
 New York (174G-1764), 7 ; marries, 
 8 ; Doctor of Divinity, 10 ; his death 
 in 17G4, 11. 
 
 Barclay, Henry (son of Col. Thomas 
 Barclay), 41.'); a clerk at Halifax, 
 95; removt^s to New York, 96; 
 warns British frigates, 199, 1201 ; 
 enters into partnership with Mr. 
 Kumsey, 206 ; becomes a success- 
 ful merchant, 258 ; coniuiunicates 
 with British men-of-war, 269 ; 
 marries Catherine Watts, ;)65 ; fi- 
 nancial difficulties, 412. 
 
 Barclay, John, settles in East Jersey 
 in 1683, 1 ; dies 1731, 3. 
 
 Barclay, Maria (wife of Simon Era- 
 ser), 97, 415. 
 
 Barclay, Mary (widow of Rev. Hen- 
 ry Barclay), 11, 31. 
 
 Barclay, Robert, Governor of East 
 Jersey, 2. 
 
 Barclay, Susan (daughter of Col. 
 Thomas Barclay), 415; marries 
 Peter Gerard Stuyvesaut, 148; 
 her death, 206, 209, 215. 
 
 Barclay, Susan (wife of Col. Thomas 
 Barclay), 16, 36, 413. 
 
 Barclay, Rev. Thomas, takes orders, 
 4 ; dies 1722, 5. 
 
 Barclay, Thomas (of Albany), 6. 
 
 Barclay, Col. Thomas, born in New 
 York 1753, 1; education, 12; grad- 
 uates from King's College, 14; 
 studies law, 15 ; marries Susan De 
 Lancey, 16 ; settles at the Walkill, 
 17 ; joins the British Army in 1776, 
 19, 22 ; military service, 22-28 ; set- 
 tles in Nova Scotia, 20 ; life at Wil- 
 mot, 28; member of Provincial As- 
 sembly 1785, speaker 1793-1799, 
 30 ; raises a regiment in Nova Sco- 
 tia, 30 ; education of his children, 
 40 ; Commissioner under Jay's 
 Treaty, 46 ; revisits New York, 47 ; 
 unites with American Commis- 
 sioner in appointment of Egbert 
 Benson as third Commissioner un- 
 der Jay's Treaty, 58, 62; attends 
 meetings of commission, 64-66, 
 73-75, 90-94 ; signs report of Com- 
 missioners, 90 ; appointed British 
 Consul-General at New York in 
 January, 1799, 95 ; takes up his resi- 
 
 dence there, 96; salary in arrears, 
 99; rumor of efforts to supplant 
 Sir John VV^entworth, 114 ; visit 
 to Englan<l (April, 1802, to April, 
 1803), 1 45 ; removes to Harlem, 207 ; 
 sails for Europe in 1812 on dfudar- 
 ation of war, 257 ; takes lodgings 
 in London, 312; appointed Agent 
 for Britisli prisoners of war, 313; 
 sails for the United States via 
 Bermuda and goes to Washington, 
 314; returns to Harlem, 315; or- 
 dered to remove toBladensburgh, 
 316, 341-343; resigns as agent for 
 prisoners, 317, 343 ; ordered to re- 
 move to Hagerstovvn, 317, 345 ; 
 sails for England Oct. 1814, 318 ; 
 engaged in settling accounts for 
 maintenance of prisoners of war, 
 353 ; appointed Commissioner un- 
 der fourth and fifth articles of 
 Treaty of Ghent, 355 ; returns to 
 New York and resumes duties of 
 Consul-General, 356 ; doubts possi- 
 bility of settling Northeast Boun- 
 dary, 360; sells his house at Har- 
 lem and moves to New York, 365 ; 
 instructions from the Foreign Of- 
 fice concerning duties and com- 
 pensation as Commissioner under 
 the Treaty of Ghent, 365-370; 
 signs decision of Commissioners 
 in regard to islands in Passama- 
 quoddy Bay, 394 ; files separate 
 report in regard to Northeast 
 Boundarv, 407 ; sails for Europe 
 (April, 1822), 409; returns to New 
 York, 410 ; purchases a country 
 place in the East River, 411 ; his 
 death, 412. 
 
 Barclay, Thomas (son of Col. Tho- 
 mas Barclay), 415 ; enters British 
 Navy, 96; midshipman, 127; pro- 
 moted to be lieutenant, 206 ; com- 
 mander, 258, 312 ; post captain, 
 318 ; retires on half pay, 318. 
 
 Barney, Joshua, 149. 
 
 Barron, Commodore James, U. S. N., 
 101, 267. 
 
 Barron, Capt. Samuel, U. S. N., 101. 
 
 Barton, George, clerk to Col. Bar- 
 clay, 345, 346, 347, 349, 351, 352. 
 
 Bathurst, Earl, 340, 376, 377, 380, 
 402. 
 
 Bayard, Samuel, 22, 31. 
 
 Beasley. ReubenG., Agentfor Amer- 
 ican J. isoners in England, 313, 320, 
 
INDEX 
 
 421 
 
 in arrears, 
 ) supplant 
 
 114; visit 
 , to April, 
 arU>ni,207; 
 
 on (l(H'lar- 
 is loilgiiit?8 
 iited Agent 
 E war, 313 ; 
 States via 
 ''asliington, 
 n, 315; or- 
 densburgb, 
 18 agent for 
 dered to re- 
 , 317, 345; 
 . 1814, 318; 
 ccounts for 
 iiors of war, 
 issioner un- 
 
 articles of 
 ; returns to 
 es duties of 
 loubts possi- 
 heast Boun- 
 ouse at Har- 
 jv York, 365 ; 
 
 Foreign Of- 
 L'S and com- 
 sioner under 
 nt, 365-370; 
 mmissioners 
 in Passama- 
 les separate 
 o Northeast 
 
 for Europe 
 
 ,urns to New 
 a country 
 
 er, 411; bis 
 
 of Col. Tbo- 
 Lters British 
 L, 127; pro- 
 
 ..., .-. , pro- 
 it, '206 ; com- 
 ,ost captain, 
 |ay, 318. 
 
 ies,U.S.N., 
 
 S. N., 101. 
 3 Col. Bar- 
 ), 351, 352. 
 \6, 377, 380, 
 
 bnt for Amer- 
 ind, 313, 320. 
 
 Bell, Isaac, 158. 
 
 Benson, Egbert. 9, 13, 31 ; Commis- 
 siouor under Jay's Treaty, 40, 51, 
 58, 6'J; views concerning River St. 
 Croix, 91-93; views concerning 
 title to Mooso Island, 285. 
 
 Benson, liobert, 8, 
 
 Borceau, French Corvette, 125, 127, 
 129. 
 
 Bercsford, Capt., R.N., 207-209, 226, 
 228, 230, 240-242. 
 
 Berkeley, Vice-Adniiral, 243, 247, 
 249, 258, 262, '266, 267, 271. 
 
 Berlin Decree, 253, 262. 
 
 Bickerton. A<lniinii Sir Richard, 325. 
 
 Billings, Samuel, wrongfully im- 
 pressed, 183, 191. 
 
 Bladensburgh, Battle of, 317, 348. 
 
 Bladensburgh, designated as place 
 of residence for Col. Barclay, 341, 
 342, 343; Barclay directed to re- 
 move from in consequence of ap- 
 proach of British troops, 345; 
 leaves his papers in charge of his 
 clerk at, 346. 
 
 Blockade of New York by British 
 S(iuadron in 1804, 170-176, 179; 
 American jurisdiction infringed, 
 185, 189; difficulties of, 200, 204. 
 
 Blowers, Sampson Salter, 35. 
 
 Bonaparte, Jerome, description of, 
 149 ; reported engaged to marry 
 Miss Patterson, 152; match re- 
 ported broken off, 154; intended 
 visit to Canadian border, 155 ; 
 maiTies Miss Patterson, 160; ar- 
 rives in Now York, 162 ; embarks 
 on French frigate Didon, 167; 
 efforts made by British authori- 
 ties to capture him. 170; his ser- 
 vants sent to France in brig 
 Rolla, 175; goes to IJallston, 181; 
 unsuccessful efforts to elude Brit- 
 ish cruisers, 193, 194; receives 
 orders to return to Franco with- 
 out his wife, 195; sails for Eu- 
 rope in American ship Erin, 211- 
 212; in command of ship Vet,6ran 
 abandons squadron commanded 
 by Willaumez, '243-244, 248. 
 
 Bond, Phineas, British Consul at 
 Philadelphia, correspondence 
 
 with, 48, 52, 54, 56, 60, 63, 71, 115, 
 294. 
 
 Boston, H. M. Ship, 96, 100, 125, 129, 
 164, 167, 171, 173, 174, 179. 
 
 Boston, U. S. Ship, 125, 148. 
 27* 
 
 Bouchotte, Joseph, Surveyor-Gen- 
 eral of Canada, appointed British 
 Surveyor under the Treaty of 
 Ghent', 366, .371, 377; to act only 
 UTuler direction of (he commission 
 under tlio fifth article, 388 ; incom- 
 petence of, 395, 399, 400, 401 ; dis- 
 charged, 402. 
 
 Boundary Question with Great Brit- 
 aiTi ,44,68, 353-355, 357-365, 405-409. 
 
 Bradley, Capt. William, R. N., 154, 
 163; commands British scpiadrou 
 blockiiding New York, 165-182, 
 185, 189-191, 194-196; suffers 
 French frigates to escape, 197- 
 199 ; removed from command by 
 British Government and imme- 
 diately promoted, 200. 
 
 Bradshaw, Capt., R. N., '269, 270. 
 
 Bramble, H. M. Ship, 308, 309. 
 
 Bramston, William, 1.57. 
 
 Bromley, Capt., R. N., 274. 
 
 Broughton, Charles R., correspon- 
 dence with, 98, 107, 136, 226. 
 
 Burr, Aaron, 177, 207. 251, 302. 
 
 Busy, H. M. Ship, 205, 210. 
 
 Byam, Capt., R. N., 211, 263. 
 
 Calvkrt, Edward, 317, 348. 
 
 Cambrian, H. M. Ship. 154, 162, 163, 
 166-169, 175, 178, 179, 181, 188, 195, 
 196, 201, 202, 204-209, 226, 230, 231, 
 235-236 238. 
 
 Campobello Island, title to, 288, 3.58, 
 360; decided to belong to Great 
 Britain, 394. 
 
 Canning, George, 256, '264, 268. 
 
 Caprion, Gideon, wrongfully im- 
 pressed, 298. 
 
 Captures of American merchant ves- 
 sels by British shi])S of war, 118- 
 120, 134, 183, 187, 227. 
 
 Carleton, Governor of Now Bruns- 
 wick, 66, 69, 70, 114. 
 
 Carpenter, Thomas, 124. 
 
 Cartel for regulating exchanges of 
 prisoners, and negotiations con- 
 cerning, 314, 324, 325, 329, 330, 339, 
 340. 
 
 Carysfort, H. M. Ship, 23. 
 
 Castlereagh, Lord, 313, 319, 320; 
 correspondence with, 336, 365, 
 369, 370, 371, 375, 378, 380, 386, 
 388, 400. 
 
 Cazeaux, French Consul at Ports- 
 mouth, N. H., intrigues with Ca- 
 nadians, 263, 264, 270. 
 
422 
 
 INDEX 
 
 '!/" 
 
 Certificates of Protoetion funuHliod 
 to British Hoainoii iti American 
 sliips, 210, 218, 21!), 2i)7. 
 
 ChaiuVior of CoinimTCP, action of, 
 coiK'orniii},' cuptiiro of Arncricau 
 nicrcliant shijtH, 1 1!). 
 
 Ohaiidlor, KiifiiH, 'M. 
 
 CliauiH'cy, Isaac, C'apt., U. 8. N., 
 21(), 217. 
 
 Cheetham, James, 130, 189. 
 
 Chesapoako, U. K. Ship, 2M, 264, 
 2(i(), 2()7, 2()S, ;}08. 
 
 Chichcslor, H. M. Ship, 244. 
 
 Chipinaii, Ward, .')2 ; British afjont in 
 regard to St. Croix Kiver, r)2; liis 
 abilities, 67; iirojjoses survey of 
 north line from the source of the 
 St. Croix, 68, 70 ; examines Island 
 of St. Croix, 7"); advises adoption 
 of River Chi[)utnoticook as part of 
 Northeast Boundary, 87-8!) ; his 
 capacity, 1!)1 ; views of in respect 
 to Moose Island, 280 ; British 
 agent before the (Commission irs 
 under the fourth and fifth artic es 
 of (he Treaty of Cflient, 3r)9, 366, 
 371, 374, 376,' 377, 378; his vews 
 as to prohableresultof submitiiTig 
 boundary question to arbitration 
 by a friendly sovereigii, 3132 ; his 
 talents and industry, ',\{)'i; corre- 
 spondence with, 39r>, 398, 402. 
 
 Chiptitneticook Kiver, 45, 68, 70, 81 ; 
 source of, to be adopted as source 
 of the St. Croix, 88; Howell's ar- 
 gument concerning, 91 ; finally 
 adopted by Connnissioners as 
 Kiver St. Croix, 92, 93. 
 
 Clarkson, David, 11, 12, l.'y. 
 
 Cleopatra. II. M. Ship. 129. 
 
 Clinton, DeWitt, introduces resolu- 
 tion in State Senate adverse to 
 claims of dower by widows of per- 
 sons attainted of treason, 139; com- 
 ments on his course, 140 ; ap- 
 pointed Mayor of Now York, 153 ; 
 correspondence with, 157, 163, 223, 
 233, 236 ; name mentioned as Vice- 
 President, 307. 
 
 Clinton, Sir Henry, certificate from, 
 26. 
 
 Cochrane. Vice-Adrairal Sir Alex- 
 ander, 206, 244, 247, 259, 274, 277, 
 278, 290, 317, 347, 348, 350, 351, 
 352. 
 
 Cockburn, Captain George, R. N., 
 153, 154, 156, 157. 
 
 Coin in New York banks, difficulty 
 of jtrocuring Spaiush dollars, 1.^)6, 
 18< ; o lality of gold, 208, 209. 
 
 Colden, Cadwallader (Lt.-Qov.), 12, 
 16, 18, 37. 
 
 Colden, Cadwallader D., 113; em- 
 ployed as attoriK'V for Margaret 
 De Lancev. 121-123, 138-143. 
 
 Coldenham. N. V., 18. 
 
 Colibri, H. M. Shi|), 257, 30.5, 312. 
 
 Columbine, II. M. Ship, 269, 270. 
 
 Commissions under Jay's Treaty, 
 variations in terms of, 57, 72, 77, 
 78, 86. 
 
 Compton, Captain, B. N., 183. 
 
 Connecticut Kiver, northwestern- 
 most head of, 364, 365, 375, 380, 
 384, 407. 
 
 Constellation. U. R. Sliip, 101. 
 
 Constitution, U. S. SInp, 295, 312. 
 
 Cook, Thmnas, wrongfully im- 
 y)ressod. 155. 
 
 Cooper, Dr. Mvles (President of 
 King's College, N. Y.), 12, 15. 
 
 ('ornbury, Lord, 3, 4. 
 
 Cox and Greenwood, army agents in 
 London, 104; purchns(> a conmiis- 
 sion for Do Laneoy Barclay, 105. 
 
 Coxe, Daniel, 136. 
 
 Craig, Gen. Sir James, 270, 275, 288 ; 
 unjustifiable conduct in corre- 
 sj)oiidiiig with Henry, 306. 
 
 Croke, Alexander, Judge of the Ad- 
 miralty Court in Halifax, 134, 242, 
 289. 
 
 Cruder, John Harris, 13, 22. 
 
 Oybele, Freiich Frigate, arrives at 
 New York, 159 ; description of, 
 160; watched by British naval 
 force, 161-163, 167, 175, 176; plans 
 to intercept when leaving New 
 York, 179, 188, 191, 192, 195, 196; 
 escapes through Long Island 
 Sound, 197-199; arrives safely in 
 France, 201 ; arrives at Norfolk 
 disabled, 243, 244. 
 
 Decrees op Napoleon restricting 
 neutral trade, 253, 256. 
 
 Deer Island, Passamaquoddy Bay, 
 360. 
 
 De Lancey, family of, 17. 
 
 De Lancey, Alice (wife of Balph Iz- 
 ard), 127, 146. 
 
 De Lancey, Anne (wife of John 
 Cox), 61. 
 
 De Lancey, Col. James, raises Tory 
 
INDEX 
 
 423 
 
 difficulty 
 lars, ir)(), 
 
 3ov.), 12, 
 
 113; cm- 
 Margarot 
 -143. 
 
 Of), 312. 
 59. '270. 
 's Treaty, 
 57, 72, 77, 
 
 1S3. 
 
 ,li western - 
 
 , 375, 380, 
 
 101. 
 
 29r», 312. 
 fully im- 
 
 cMident of 
 12, 15. 
 
 y ai^onts in 
 " a commis- 
 pclay, 105. 
 
 ro, 275, 288 ; 
 in corre- 
 306. 
 
 , of the Ad- 
 kx, 134, 242, 
 
 arrives at 
 riptiou of, 
 itiwh naval 
 , 17(5; plans 
 avinf? New 
 2, 195, 196; 
 )iifX Island 
 s safely in 
 at Norfolk 
 
 restricting 
 toddy Bay, 
 
 If Ralph Iz- 
 [o of John 
 Iraises Tory 
 
 regiment, 17; settles in Nova Seo- 
 tia, 25. 
 
 Do Laneey, James, loyalist a>;ent in 
 England, 17; forfeited estate of, 
 109. 
 
 De Lp I'ev, Jane, mari'ies John 
 Watts, Jr., 1(). 
 
 De LaiK'i'v, Margaret, widow of 
 James, 109; claim of dower in prop- 
 erty in New York, 110-112, 121- 
 123, 137-143, 209. 
 
 De Laneey, General Oliver, 17, 27, 
 135. 
 
 De Lanccy, Peter (of Westchester), 
 16. 
 
 De Lancey, Stephen, marries Cor- 
 nelia Barclay, 9 ; Colonel in Brit- 
 ish service, 17. 
 
 De Lancey, Susan, maiTies Thomas 
 Barclay, 16. 
 
 De Lancey, Sir William Howe, killed 
 at Waterloo, ,356. 
 
 Do Monts, Siour, occupation of Isl- 
 and of St. C^roix by, 59, 05. 
 
 Desertion of British seamen, extent 
 of, in 1799, 100 ; deserters enlisted 
 inU. S. S. Constellation, 101 ; jm)- 
 posed law to arrest destu'ters in 
 Now York, 10(i-109; desertion 
 fromll. M. S. Phaeton, 153; Brit- 
 ish seainen in American frigates, 
 179, 216; desertion from British 
 cutter, 220; proclamation otTering 
 pardon to deserters returiiiTig to 
 duty, 267; few British seamen 
 willing to enlist in Royal Navy, 
 269, 274 ; loss of men from 1 1. M. S. 
 Colibri, 305 ; many British seamen, 
 most of them deserters, on Ameri- 
 can frigates, 337. 
 
 Detroit, Hull's surrender at, 312. 
 
 Didon, French Frigate, arrives at 
 New York, 159; description of, 
 160; watched by British naval 
 force, 161-163, 167, 175, 176; plans 
 to intercept when leaving New 
 York, 179-181, 188, 191, 192, 195, 
 196 ; escapes through Long Island 
 Sound, 197-199 ; arrives safely in 
 France, 201. 
 
 Diggio, John, wrongfully impressed, 
 295 297. 
 
 Dougia*ss,"Capt., R. N., 100, 125, 158, 
 167, 171, 174, 178, 206. 
 
 Dower claimed by widows of per- 
 sons attainted of treason, 103, 110- 
 112, 121-123, 137-143. 
 
 Draeyer, Andries, 0. 
 
 Draeyer, Anna Dorothea, marries 
 Rev. Tliomas Barclay, 6. 
 
 Driver. II. M. Ship, 162. 163, 166, 
 1()7. 174. 178, 206, 228. 229. 230, 231. 
 
 Diickwortli. Admiral. 126, 131, 151, 
 
 Diitcli R(>formed ministers at Al- 
 bany, 4, 5. 
 
 Dwvei', Lieutenant (H. M. Navy), 
 126-128. 
 
 Kastern States, aversion of, to war 
 with (Jreat Britain, 265, 268, 283, 
 29H, 335. 
 
 EUicott, Andrew, American Sur- 
 veyor under the Treaty of Uhent, 
 '!K4, 3S5, 386, 387. 397, 401. 
 
 Embargo on shi])ping in IT. S. ports, 
 255, 271, 272, 277, 281, 283, 284. 
 
 Emigration from (Jreat Britain and 
 Ireland, 129; encouragc<l by revo- 
 lutionary societies in America, 
 130. 
 
 EoLE, French line-of-battle ship,248. 
 
 Erin, American Ship, 211, 212. 
 
 Erskine, David, Britisli Minister at 
 Washington, 249, 256; corresi)on- 
 dence with, 259, 261, 266, 273, 275, 
 278, 286, 288, 290. 
 
 Essex, U. S. Ship, 316. 
 
 Eugenia, American Ship, seized by 
 H. M. S. Leaiuler and recaptured 
 by Americans otT New London, 
 183-187, 190. 
 
 Euridice, H. M. Ship, 290. 
 
 Fairlie, James, 210. 
 
 Faustina, Privateer, 115. 
 
 Fenwick, Lieut., 31. 
 
 Findlayson, Mr., 40. 
 
 Fiugal, American Ship, 318, 352. 
 
 Foster, Augustus J., British Minis- 
 ter at Washington, correspon- 
 dence with, 300, 301, 306, 307, 309, 
 310 ; returns to England in July, 
 1812, at the outlu'eak of the war, 
 257, 312. 
 
 Fox, Charles James, correspondence 
 with, ;'44, 247. 
 
 Frankli. Benjamin, advocates 
 River St. Croix as boundary, 70; 
 also contends for River St. John, 
 75. 
 
 Franklin, William, 69, 70. 
 
 Eraser, Simon, marries Maria Bar- 
 clay, 97. 
 
 Fuller, Brigadier-General, 131. 
 
424 
 
 INDEX 
 
 '!/• 
 
 m 
 
 Gallatin, Alrkrt, li'C), iHf), 190, 
 
 2()7, 1>()8, 2Si), 407. 
 Ociie.sapiiruiiisiH, Lake, H7, 01. 
 
 (iiioiit, TriMity of, :ti(). :t^):t-:{^).^. 
 
 Goldsinith, licvvi.s, iiutlior ol' A S('- 
 crt't HiHtorv of tlit" ('al>iiii't of Uo- 
 Tiiij)firt(>. L'!»:t, 'J!)4. 
 
 Uoulburii, Henry, Under-Secretary 
 of the Colonies, 378. 
 
 Grand Moiian, Islimd of, title to, 
 337, :{()(), 371, 373, 3i)0, 3!)12 ; de- 
 cided to lieloiif^ to Great Britain, 
 31)4 ; value of, 31)5. 
 
 Greenwood. (See Cox and Green- 
 wood.) 
 
 Grenville, Lord, eorro8ponden('(< 
 with, 4(», 47, ;->(), 04, 72, 73, 7'J, i)0, 
 97, 99, 107, 108, 11 f), 118. 
 
 Guerri6re, H, M. Ship, 295, 297, 298, 
 312. 
 
 Gun boats prepared for service, 2(55. 
 
 Gunpowder, exportation of, to the 
 West Indies, 151. 
 
 IIagerstov/n, Col. Barclay directed 
 to remove to, 345, 346 ; permitted 
 to leave, 349. 
 
 Haley, Nathan. 150, 151. 
 
 Hall, Basil, 203, 212, 269, [\'>Ck 
 
 Hamilton, Alexander, retained as 
 counsel for Martjarot De J^ancey, 
 123; death of, attachment to 
 British Government, 177; fee 
 charged Mrs. De Lancey, 209. 
 
 Hamilton, Col., British Consul at 
 Norfolk, 125, 152, 244, 204, 2G0. 
 
 Hamilton, Jonas, an American citi- 
 zen wrongfully impressed, 132. 
 
 Hamilton, William Richard, Under- 
 Secretary of State for Foreign 
 Affairs, 293, 294, 298, 30G, 318, 319. 
 
 Hammond, George, correspondence 
 with, 50, 03, 09, 150, 199, lill. 
 
 Hardy, Capt. Sir Thomas, K. N., 
 328. 
 
 Harison, Richard, 13, 109, 111-113, 
 123, 153, 249. 
 
 Harrowby, Lord, 176, 187, 200. 
 
 Hartley, David, 67, 09, 70. 
 
 Hai'tshorne, Lawrence, 113, 260, 
 298. 
 
 Hartshcrne and Boggs, 95. 
 
 Hassler, Ferdinand R., 402, 403, 404. 
 
 Hawkes, Capt., R. N., 290. 
 
 Hawkesbury, Lord, correspondence 
 with, 123, 124, 128, 129, 143, 149 ; 
 
 refers questions of boiinilary to 
 Col. Barclay, 145. 2H0, 391. 
 
 Highlands foi'miiig part of North- 
 cast Bonndarv, 44, 300, 302, 374, 
 375, 379, 380, 400, 400, 408. 
 
 Hillyar, Capt., R. N., 31(>. 
 
 Hislop, (Jemn-al, Governor of Trini- 
 dad, 270. 
 
 Holmes, .John, American Commis- 
 sioner under the fourth article of 
 the Treaty of Gluwit, 35<), 370 ; his 
 courtesy and impartiality, 388, 
 389. 
 
 Hotham, (\ipt., R. N., 208, 209. 
 
 Howell, David, Connnissioner uniler 
 Jay's Treaty, 40, 48; infornuil 
 meeting with Col. Barclay, 49-51 ; 
 his arguments concerning River 
 St. Croix, 91-93. 
 
 Howick, Lord, 2,50, 251, 203. 
 
 Humphreys, Capt., R. N., 208. 
 
 Hunter, General Peter, 130, 155. 
 
 Impi5tueux, French Frigate, btirned 
 bv the British on the Virginia 
 const, 248. 
 
 Impressment of American seamen, 
 132, 147; a]iplicaf ions for release, 
 133, 154 ; delicacy of British naval 
 otKccrs with respect to, 178 ; more 
 applications for release, 183, 191 ; 
 orders of the Admiralty against, 
 210 ; diniculty in dealing with the 
 subject. 201; ])ecnliai'ly unfortu- 
 nate in 1811, 295, 290. 
 
 Indian, II. M. Ship, 205. 
 
 Indians. (See Mohawk.) 
 
 Innes, Alexander, certificate from, 
 27. 
 
 Izard, Ralph, 127. 
 
 Jackson, Francis James, British 
 Minister at Washington, 291. 
 
 James Cropper, American Ship, 410. 
 
 James Thompson, American Ship, 
 410. 
 
 Jay, John, 13, 15; negotiates treaty 
 witii England, 44; testimony as to 
 map used at Paris in fixing North- 
 east Boundary, GO, 73, 74. 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas, 97, 137, 207, 252, 
 254, 253, 201, 283, 292. 
 
 Johnson, Sir John, 40, 117. 
 
 Johnson, Rev. Samuel, G, 11. 
 
 Johnson, Sir William, 7. 
 
 Juhel, John, 152, 187. 
 
INDEX 
 
 425 
 
 ndiiry to 
 
 1. 
 
 if Nortli- 
 
 ;U)'J, :i74, 
 
 K. 
 
 of Trini- 
 
 ConimiH- 
 iirtiflo of 
 , ;{7G; his 
 lity, 388, 
 
 , 209. 
 nor uiulor 
 itifornml 
 IV, 4!)-r)l ; 
 nm liiver 
 
 'J()8. 
 
 5(i, ir)r). 
 
 te, huriiod 
 ( Virginia 
 
 u st'iiintMi, 
 or release, 
 itish naval 
 178; more 
 
 ?. 18:5, lyi; 
 
 ty against, 
 I'g with the 
 y xiufortu- 
 
 cato from, 
 
 British 
 :^91. 
 Shii),410. 
 ■it'an Ship, 
 
 atcs treaty 
 mony as to 
 dng Nortli- 
 
 4. 
 
 , 207, 252, 
 
 11. 
 
 Kkith, OEoiinE, 3. 
 
 Kcmpo. (iriicp, claim of tlowor to 
 lainls ill New York, 102, 137, 141, 
 142. 
 
 Koinpc, .lolm Tahor, 10:{. 
 
 K.'Mt, Diiki' of, 104, i:t3. 
 
 Kin^,', Uiifiis, V. S, Minister in Lon- 
 don, 7!>. 14'), 280, 281, :(.-);i, ;«)i. 
 
 Kinj^'K ("ollcj^c. I liiirttTof, !); coiirso 
 of Hliidy, 12; political tondoncioH, 
 13. 
 
 Knox, Uenoral Henry, 48, HI. 
 
 La 1)ii,T(1Ente, Froneh Privateer, 
 2!)1). 
 
 Lafnev. llear-Adiniral Sir Francis, 
 2i)(), 2!)». 
 
 Lake of the Woods, 92, 3.")4. 
 
 Laurie, Ciipt. Hir Kobert, K. N., 1^^4, 
 209, 272. 
 
 Lciinder, Aincrii'aii Sliip, 2(52. 
 
 Lciindcr. 11. M. Ship, Itil, 18L 18.'), 
 18:5, 187, 188, 19.'), 19(5, 201, 202, 
 2();5-207 ; shot from, kills an Amer- 
 ican citizen, 230; excitement in 
 Ncnv York in consequence, 231- 
 2;i8 ; sails for Hiilifax, 238. 
 
 Leopard, 11. M. Ship, 212, 254, 264, 
 2()(), 2(57, 2(58. 
 
 Lilly, H. M. Ship, 129, 148. 152; cap- 
 tured by French jjvivateer, 18:5. 
 
 Line of forty-live deforces north lat- 
 itude, :i(;4" 380, 385, :i8(5, ;597, 401 ; 
 discovered to have been erro- 
 neously run in 17(50, :i(54, 402-404, 
 407 ; old lino adopted as boundary 
 by treaty of 1842, 409. 
 
 Lispenard, Leonard, 11, 12, 15. 
 
 Listen, Kobert, British Minister in 
 Washington, 47, 49, 72, 76, 78, 79, 
 83, 86 ; consents to adoption of 
 River Chiputneticook as part of 
 Nortlieast Boundary, 89. 
 
 Little Bolt, H. M. Ship, 295. 
 
 Little Cornelia, American Sliip, 
 seized by 11. M. S. Loander and 
 retaken by her own crew, 187, 190. 
 
 Liverpool, Lord. ( See Hawkesbury. ) 
 
 Livingston, Brockliolst, 138. 
 
 Livingston, Schuyler, married to 
 Eliza Barclay, 61 ; dies in 1809, 
 258. 
 
 Livingston, William, 10. 
 
 Lottery Tickets, purchases of, 108. 
 
 Loyalists, Commissioners for set- 
 tling claims of, 21, 36-38. 
 
 Ludlow, Gabriel V., 124. 
 
 Lyall, Captain, R. N., 174, 175, 178. 
 
 McKknzie, .loiiN, 214. 
 
 Macomb, Alexander. 226. 
 
 Madison, .liinies, 2i;t, 219, 224, 248, 
 252, 2.59, 2(15, 284. 308. 
 
 Magaguailavic liiver, claimed lis the 
 true St. Croix, 45, ,58. G,"), (58, 70, 
 75 ; claim disproved, 81. 
 
 Manhattan, American Ship, 210. 
 211, 218. 
 
 Maroons, settlement of, in Nova 
 Scotia, 134, i;t5. 
 
 Mason, (ioorge, of (itinstouTlall, 314. 
 
 Mason, (ion. .lolin, Commissai'v- 
 General of prisoners, 314-317,32;); 
 negotiations with, for exchange of 
 l)risoners, 32(5, .'(28, ;t29, 3150, :t:i;i, 
 3.34, 335; corres|)on(lonce with, 338, 
 345, :»47, 348, 349, 350, :J51. 
 
 Mason, John M. (Mason and SlidoU), 
 315. 
 
 Melampus, H. M. Ship, 248, 207, 2(58, 
 290. 
 
 Merry, Anthony, British Mini.ster at 
 Washington, 153; correspondence 
 with, 155, l.")8, i.-)9, 1(51, 1(52, 1(54, 
 108, 172, 177, 178, 18:5, 184, 187, 
 188, 192, 19:5, 201, 208, 209, 213, 
 218, 221, 223, 224, 225, 230, 2:52, 
 2:54, 2:i7, 240, 245, 247, 248 ; returns 
 to England, 249. 
 
 Milan Decree, 253. 
 
 Milan, H. M. Ship, 269. 
 
 Militia, numbers and equipment of 
 in 1809, in the P^astern States, 291- 
 293. 
 
 Missiessy, Admiral, 214, 221. 
 
 Mitchell, Vice-Admiral, correspon- 
 dence with, 148, 151, 1,52, 1.54, 1.58, 
 159, 162, 1(56, 174, 181, 185, 190, 
 195, 198, 200, 214, 220, 221, 222, 
 227 228. 
 
 Mohawk Indians, religious teaching 
 
 among, in 1710, 4, i); 
 1735 and 1745, 6-8. 
 
 between 
 
 Monroe, James, 200, 213, 228, 252, 
 2.54, 265, 2(58; Barclay's inter- 
 views with, 325, :527, 328 ; corre- 
 spondence with, :5;52, 341, 342, 1549; 
 efforts of, to settle Nortlieast 
 Boundary, :554, 391 ; declaration of, 
 as to principles to be observed in 
 carrying into execution the Treaty 
 of Ghent, 370. 
 
 Montgomery, Fort, Storming of, 22. 
 
 Moore, Rev. Thorowgood; 4. 
 
426 
 
 INDEX 
 
 JiM 1: fel 
 
 Isf. , . -; 
 
 Moore, William Sturge, 32. 
 
 Moose Island, title to, 279-281, 283, 
 285-288, 355, 3fi0, 393 ; decided to 
 belong to the United States, 394. 
 
 Morier, John Pliilip, British Charg6 
 d'Affairosat Washington, 293, 294. 
 
 Mulgrave, Lord, 212, 228. 
 
 Mutine, French Brig, 125, 128. 
 
 Nairne, Capt., R. N., 230. 
 
 Neilson, William, President of 
 Marine Insurance Co., 158, 164, 
 189, 190, 192. 
 
 Netherlands, King of the, arlntra+or 
 under treaty of 1827, his award, 
 408, 409. 
 
 Neutral rights, 181, 189, 191. 203, 
 227, 242, 252-254, 300. 
 
 Newport, R. I., its commercial and 
 political importance, 141. 
 
 New York, expenses of living in, 
 40 ; Thomas Barclay appointed 
 British Consul in, 95; house rent, 
 96 ; expenses of living in, 101 ; 
 growth of, 103; Ijlockiide of, in 
 1804, 203 ; excitement in, conse- 
 quent on killing of an American 
 citizen by H. M. S. Leander, 231- 
 239 ; extension and improvement 
 of, 285. 
 
 Non-importation Acts, 227, 229, 252. 
 
 Non-intercourse Law, 255-257, 289. 
 
 Nova Scotia, Col. Thomas Barclay 
 emigrates to, 28 ; value of land in, 
 32, 33; state of education in, 41; 
 communications with Great Brit- 
 ain, 42 ; debt of, 03 ; definitions of 
 boundary of, 91, 92 ; charming 
 climate of, 103. 
 
 Nova Scotia, ancient boundaries of, 
 as described iu Grant to Sir Wil- 
 liam Alexander, etc., 367, 371-374, 
 389-391. 
 
 Nova Scotia, northwest angle of, 44, 
 360, 379, 401, 406, 409. 
 
 Ogilvy, John, appointed British 
 Commissioner under the sixth and 
 seventh articles of the Treaty of 
 Ghent, 356, 381, 387. 
 
 Orde, Vice-Admiral Sir John, 212. 
 
 Orders in Council, 253, 256,290, 312. 
 
 Paine, Thomas, 1.51. 
 Parker, Vice-Admiral, 
 
 115, 125, 128. 
 
 Parrsborough, Nova Scotia, 32, 33. 
 
 Parsons, W. B., marries Ann Bar- 
 clay, 365. 
 
 Pashell, Capt., R. N., 297, 298. 
 
 Passamaquoddy, islands iu the Bay 
 of, surveyed, 65, 75 ; ownership of 
 in dispute, 82: effect of decision 
 in regard to River St. Croix, upon 
 title to, 93 ; negotiations in 1802 
 respecting, 145, 353 ; subsequent 
 discussion concerning, 279i--281, 
 285-288 ; title to bo determined by 
 Commissioners under the fourth 
 article of the Treaty of Ghent, 
 357, 366, 371 ; discussion of Com- 
 missioners conoerning, 389-394 ; 
 decision of Commissioners, 394. 
 
 Patriot, French line-of-battle ship, 
 243, 244. 
 
 Patterson, Elizabeth (of Baltimore), 
 reported engaged to Jerome Bona- 
 parte, 152 ; married to him, 160 ; 
 Gen. Armstrong declines taking 
 her to F'-ince, 194; birth of her 
 child and return to America, 211. 
 
 Peacock, H. M. Ship, 332, 333. 
 
 Pearce, John, an American seaman 
 killed by a shot from H. M. Ship 
 Leander, 230 ; excitement in New 
 York in consequence, 231-239, 241. 
 
 Perth Amboy, John Barclay settles 
 at, 2, 3 ; Col. Thomas Barclay di- 
 rected to embark from, 349, 350, 
 352. 
 
 Phaeton, H. M. Ship, 153, 154, 157. 
 
 Pheasant, H. M. Ship, 129. 
 
 Philipse, Frederick, 13. 
 
 Philipse, Susannah, marries Col. 
 Beverley Robinson, 19 ; attainted 
 of treason, 137. 
 
 Pichon, Louis Andr6, French Charg6 
 d'Affaires, 125 ; opposes marriage 
 of Jerome Bonaparte, 152 ; de- 
 spatches to. intercepted, 195. 
 
 Pickering, Timothy, 48, 77, 78, 79, 
 80, 80, 99. 
 
 Pilots of New York. French sympa- 
 thizers, 148 ; prohibited from tak- 
 ing British frigates to sea until 
 after French ships had sailed, 165, 
 166, 169, 174, 182 ; medium of com- 
 munication with seamen in the 
 British frigates claiming to be 
 Americans, 222 ; are all Demo- 
 crats, 247 ; decline to bring letters 
 from British men-of-war, 269. 
 
 Pinkney, William, U. S. Minister in 
 England, 252, 254, 257, 275, 354, 391, 
 
 h. 
 
 •i-u 
 
INDEX 
 
 427 
 
 nn Bar- 
 
 198, 
 
 t}ie Bay 
 jrship of 
 decision 
 lix, upon 
 i in 1802 
 bsequent 
 
 279-281, 
 mined by 
 lo fourth 
 f Ghent, 
 1 of Com- 
 
 389-394 ; 
 rs, 394. 
 ttle ship, 
 
 iltimore), 
 )me Bona- 
 him, IGO; 
 js taking 
 ■th of her 
 n-ioa, 211. 
 333. 
 
 m seaman 
 I. M. Ship 
 >nt in New 
 11-239, 241. 
 ■lay settles 
 iarelay di- 
 1, 349, 350, 
 
 I 154, 157. 
 9. 
 
 irries Col. 
 ; attainted 
 
 nchCharg6 
 is marriage 
 152; de- 
 ll, 195. 
 77, 78, 79, 
 
 kch sympa- 
 ; from tak- 
 sea until 
 [sailed, 165, 
 lum of com- 
 leu in the 
 ling to be 
 I all Demo- 
 ring letters 
 [i\ 269. 
 Jklinister in 
 b, 354, 391, 
 
 Pitt, British Shi]), seamen impressed 
 from, in port of New York, 165-174, 
 182, 191. 
 
 Porter, Peter B., American Commis- 
 sioner under tlie sixth and seventh 
 articles of tlie Treaty of Ghent, 
 357, 381, 387. 
 
 Poursuivant, French Frigate, 177. 
 (See President.) 
 
 President, French Frigate, 194, 209. 
 (See Poursuivant.) 
 
 President, U. S. Ship, 295. 
 
 PrevoHt, General Sir George, 302, 304, 
 326, 330, 331 . 
 
 Prisoners of War, numbers of, 313 ; 
 treatment of, regulated by cartel, 
 314 ; instructions to Col. Barclay 
 concerning care of, 320-324; en- 
 ticed to enter the service of the U. 
 S,, 32(); British subjects residing 
 in the U. S. not considered as, 331. 
 
 Privateers, French, 126, 128, 158, 
 164, 183, 193, 221, 222, 223, 224, 
 277, 299, 300, 301. 
 
 Provincial Light Infantry, 24, 28. 
 
 Rambouillet Decree, 256. 
 
 Rawdou, Lord, 24; certilicate from, 
 26. 
 
 Restigouche, River, 68, 70, 361, 362, 
 396, 398. 
 
 Revenge, U. S. Schooner, 272. 
 
 Rovolutionnaire, H. M. Ship, 194, 
 205, 207. 
 
 Rey, Antoine Gabriel Venance, 
 French Consul-General in New 
 York, 160, 1(51. 
 
 Robertson, Gilbert, appointed agent 
 for prisoners of war to succeed 
 Col. Barclay, 344; U. S. Gov- 
 ernment declines receiving, 350, 
 351, 352. 
 
 Robinson, Col. Beverley, raises 
 Loyal American Regiment, 19; 
 testimony as to Thomas Barclay's 
 services, 27 ; his widow's claim of 
 dower, 137. 
 
 Robinson, Beverley, Jr., marries 
 Anna Dorothea Barclay, 9 ; Lieut.- 
 Colonel of Loyal American Regi- 
 ment, 19. 
 
 Robinson, Beverley (gi-andsou of 
 Col. Robinson), 112. 
 
 Rock Harbor, Barclay's vill"- "0. 
 
 Rodgers, Commodore, U. S. N., 275. 
 
 Roosevelt, Helena, 6. 
 
 Rose, George Henry, 272, 275. 
 
 Rouse's Point, forts at, found to be 
 on British territory, 3(54, 403, 404 ; 
 award of King of tlie Netherlands 
 concerning, 409 ; title conlirmod 
 in the U. S. by treaty of 1842, 409. 
 
 Russell, Jonathan, 313. 
 
 Rutgers, Anthony, 8. 
 
 Rutgers, Mary, marries Rev. Henry 
 Barclay, 8. 
 
 St. Croix, Island op. New Bruns- 
 wick, 59, 65 ; remains of French 
 settlement on, 75, 76. 
 
 St. Croix, River, part of boundary 
 line, 44 ; dispute as to, 45 ; origi- 
 nated by James Sullivan, 53, 54; 
 preliminary meeting of Commis- 
 sioners in regard to, 46, 56-58 ; 
 iirst full meeting, G4-66 ; second 
 meeting, 73-75; tlurd meeting, 87; 
 decision to adopt the Schoodic or 
 Cliiputneticook as tht^ true river, 
 88 ; unanimous decision of Com- 
 missioners in regard to, 90 : north 
 linefi'om source of, surveyed, 361, 
 390, 400. 
 
 St. Croix, source of River, difficulty 
 of fixing, 45 ; discussion as to, 67 ; 
 north line from, to be surveyed, 
 69, 70 ; mode of markiiig source, 
 79, 81, 83-8(5; intersection of north 
 line from soiu'ce with River St. 
 John, 88 ; divergent views of Com- 
 missioners as to mod(? of asccr- 
 tfiining true source, 91-93. 
 
 St. Croix, West India Island, 131. 
 
 St. George's Ciuirch, 9. 
 
 St. Helens, Lord, 67, 74. 
 
 St. John, River, contended for as 
 American boundary by Jay and 
 Franklin, 75; where intersected 
 by north lino from the source of 
 the St. Croix, 88, 93, 361, 362. 
 
 St. P', ter's Church, Albany, founded 
 1714, Rev. Tliomas Barclay being 
 tirst rector of, 5 ; Rev. Henry Bar- 
 clay third rector of (1737-1746), 7. 
 
 St. Peter's Church, Pertli Amboy, 3. 
 
 St. Regis, meeting of Commissioners 
 under Treaty of Ghent at, 383, 384, 
 385, 386, 387, 397, 402. 
 
 Sawyer, Rear-Admiral, 297, 308. 
 
 Schenectady, condition of, in 1710, 
 4, .5. 
 
 Schoodic, River, 4.5, 54, 58, 65, 81; 
 decided to be the true St. Croix, 
 87, 91. 
 
428 
 
 INDEX 
 
 : ' 
 
 r 
 
 'H 
 
 I fi 
 
 Seamen, American. (See Impress- 
 ment.) 
 Seamen, British. (See Desertion.) 
 Seeker. Archbishop, 10. 
 Semillante, French Frigate, 125, 129, 
 
 182. 
 Serpent, H. M. Brig, 120. 
 Seymour, Vice-Admiral Lord Hugh, 
 
 132. 
 Sherbrooke, Sir John C, 303. 
 Simpson, Capt., R. N., 229. 
 Skene, Captain, R. N., 181, 183, 185, 
 
 187, 189, 190, 195, 202. 
 Society for tlie Propagation of the 
 
 Gospel, 3, 4, 6, 8. 
 Society Library, New York, 9. 
 Southern States desirous of war with 
 
 Great Britain, 265. 
 Spook, James, wrongfully-impressed, 
 
 297. 
 Slatira, F M. Ship, 272, 273, 274, 
 
 275. 
 Stuyvesant, Peter Gerard, marries 
 
 Susan Barclay, 148. 
 Sullivan, James, 53 ; agent of the 
 
 U. S. in arbitration as to St. Croix 
 
 River, 53, 54, 60, 83. 
 
 Temple, Sir John, Consul-Gcneral 
 in New York (1785-1798), 95, 96, 
 120. 
 
 Thomas, John, master of British brig 
 Fox, indicted on charge of murder, 
 245, 248. 
 
 Thomson, Capt. John, R. N., 305. 
 
 Thornton, Edward, British Secretary 
 of Legation, 80, 127, 152, 168. 
 
 Tiarks, Dr. T. L., British Surveyor 
 under the Treaty of Ghent, 385, 
 386, 387, .397, 401, 402. 
 
 Tottenham, British Ship, brought to 
 New York as prize to a Frencii 
 privateer, 300, 301, 306. 
 
 Transport Board, 313, 318 ; corre- 
 spondence with, 320, 324, 330, 333, 
 335, 339, 343, 344. 
 
 Treaty of 1783 between the U. S. 
 and England, 43, 44, 60, 74, 362, 
 363, 371, 397. 
 
 Treaty of 1794 (Jay's Treaty), pro- 
 visions of, 44; Commissioners un- 
 der fifth article of, 46; views of 
 Commissioners respecting title to 
 Moose Island, 278-281, 285-288. 
 
 Treaty of 1798 explanatory of the 
 fifth article of Jay's Treaty, ne- 
 gotiation of, 79-85 ; terms of, 86. 
 
 Treaty (unratified) of 1806, negoti- 
 ated by Monroe and Pinkney, 252, 
 254, 261. 
 
 Treaty of Ghent, 318 ; provisions of, 
 353-355. 
 
 Treaty of Ghent, commission under 
 fourth article of, 355 ; first meet- 
 ing of, 357, 376 ; second meeting 
 at Boston, arguments of agents, 
 379 ; adjourn to meet at Boston, 
 380 ; third meeting, 388 ; replies 
 of agents submitted, 389 ; private 
 discussion between Commission- 
 ers, 389-394; agreement of Com- 
 missioners, 394; decision executed 
 on paper, 394 ; subsecjuen+ly en- 
 gi'ossed on parchment, 395, 399. 
 
 Treaty of Ghent, commission under 
 fifth article of, 355 ; first meeting 
 of, 361, 376; second meeting at 
 Boston, instructions for surveyors, 
 379, 380; meetings at Burlington, 
 Montreal and St. Regis, 402; 
 agreement of Commissioners hope- 
 less, 405 ; meetings at New York 
 and Boston, 405; meeting at New 
 York in 1821, arguments of agents, 
 406 ; Commissioners file separate 
 reports, 407. 
 
 Treaty of Ghent, commission under 
 sixth and seventli articles of, 355 ; 
 form of journal of, 381; to meet with 
 Commissioners under the fifth ar- 
 ticle of the treaty, 383. 
 
 Treaty of 1827 for submission of 
 Northeast Boundary question to a 
 friendly sovereign, 407, 408. 
 
 Treaty of 1842 (Webster-Ash bur- 
 ton), 360, 409. 
 
 Tripoli, war with, 123. 
 
 Tryon, Governor, 15, 23. 
 
 Turner, John, 61. 
 
 Uniacke, Robert John, 35, 329. 
 
 Valeureux, French Frigate, 248, 
 . 250. 
 
 Van Cortlandt, Philip, 22. 
 
 Van Ness, Cornelius P., American 
 Commissioner under the fifth ar- 
 ticle of the Treaty of Ghent, 357, 
 376, 377, 383, 384, 385, 396, 399. 
 
 Van Sehaick, Coi'nelia, marries John 
 Barclay, 2. 
 
 Van Sehaick, Goosen Gerritse, 6. 
 
 Verplanck's Point jrtifications at, 
 23, 24. 
 
 m 
 
INDEX 
 
 06, negoti- 
 akney, 252, 
 
 )visious of, 
 
 ision under 
 first meet- 
 id meeting 
 of agents, 
 at Boston, 
 ^8 ; replies 
 59 ; private 
 ^mmission- 
 iit of Com- 
 lu executed 
 luen^ly en- 
 6i)r>, .m. 
 jsion under 
 •st meeting 
 meeting at 
 ■ surveyors, 
 Burlin'*ton, 
 iegis, 402; 
 oners hope- 
 New York 
 ing at New 
 s of agents, 
 le separate 
 
 3sion under 
 los of, 355 ; 
 meet with 
 he fifth ar- 
 
 mission of 
 lestion to a 
 ,408. 
 ter-Ashbur- 
 
 Vesey, Rev. William, 7. 
 Veteran French Frigate, 244. 
 Viper, U. S. Ship, 332. 
 
 429 
 
 Walkill, Barclay's farm at, 18, 22, 
 
 War with Great Britain declp.-ed 
 June 18, 1812, 257; discussions in 
 congress concerning, 307, 309, 310. 
 
 Warren, Admiral Sir John Borlase 
 248, 278, 281, 282, 314 3O0 326 S27' 
 328, 329, 331, 333, 334.'""' ^^^' ^^^' 
 
 Wasp. U. S. Ship, 276. 
 
 Waterloo, Battle of, 356. 
 
 Watson, Brook, 20, 21, 36, 61. 
 
 Watson, Lt.-Col., 24 
 
 Watts, John, Sr., 13. 
 
 Watts, John, Jr., 13, 16, 31, 39. 
 
 Watts, Mary (wife of Sir John John- 
 son), 117. 
 
 Watts, Stephen, 40. 
 
 Webster, Col. James, 23. 
 
 Wellesley, Marquis of, 293, 294, 298 
 
 Wentworth, Sir John, Governor of 
 Nova Scotia 61, 82, 105, 113, 134. 
 
 ''23ti3^,'?&,^S4|-'^ 
 Whitefoord, Caleb, 67. 
 Willaumez, Admiral, 243, 244 247 
 Williams, Col. Jonathan, U. S, A 
 225. '' 
 
 Wilmot, Nova Scotia, 25, 28. 
 Winslow, Edward, 25, 64. 
 Wood, John, 130, 135. 
 
 Yellow fever, prevalence of, in 
 New York, 103, 147, 152, 206, 225. 
 
 , 35, 329. 
 
 igate, 248, 
 
 American 
 he fifth ar- 
 Ghent, 357, 
 396, 399. 
 arries John 
 
 rritse, 6. 
 icatious at.