I beg leave to enclose a Letter from a young Man, the Son of a very worthy Citizen of C[harle]s City County, requesting my intercession for a place in the Navy. I suppose he cannot expect more than to be appointed a Midship-man, which will be very acceptable to him; and I believe that I can undertake for him that he will not dishonor himself or the Appt., if he can receive One consistant with the circumstances of the Marine department—His Letter is a pretty good recommendation, considering the opportunity he has had of being Educated, and wou’d even pass muster at Head Quarters if the words “Influence” and “Eternal” had been left out; but this may be excused as the effervescence of a warm imagination.

I again pay you my Annual respects and congratulate you on the Success of all your public Measures, particularly those against Tripoli, which have cover’d you and your Little Band with glory—

It was far beyond my expectation, and but for the enterprize of an Eaton perhaps the whole plan might have prov’d abortive—I hope the faith and gratitude of our Country has not been sported with as it related to the Ex Bashaw, although I despise the Government, and lament that all Mankind can not extricate themselves from slavery and Oppression—for as to those poor ignorant wretches it is of little consequence who their Master is.

If any thing can justify a War with any power, it is the abominable injustice of enslaving our People, and while we go very great lengths to relieve 300 Citizens from the Shackles imposed by a barbarous Nation, we seem to have doubts about the propriety of immancapating 3000 now in the hands of Great Britain, who is said to be the most civilized Nation in the World—It is incomprehensible to me that a real Friend of our Country cou’d hesitate one moment about measures which are so compleatly in our hands—Sequestration and non importation wou’d soon bring that haughty Nation to Terms more consistant with national Rights and natural Justice, and not involve us in a War either, which shou’d never take place by my consent till the last Necessity.

But by the Great God of Heaven, I had rather not exist as a Man or Nation than to suffer such violations of the rights and Liberty of our Citizens—As to commerce if it shou’d be suspended with all the World for a short period, wou’d it bear any comparison with the Independence of our Govt. and the Safety of the people. I am glad to find some thing is done by Congress, whether the Means adopted are Efficient Time must decide; I believe my resentment wou’d have carried me father—I had thought the policy of making Slaves of Prisoners taken in actual War was long exploded from the civiliz’d World, but G.B. exercises it in time of peace; and are we to suffer such Injury and degradation without applying the Means in our power?

I enclosed to the Secretary a Letter from a young Man born in my Neighbourhood to his old Father, which informs him of his being impressed on board of an English 74—His name is +Terrel Christian—Whether I have address’d the proper department I know not, but I hope that will not prevent its getting into the proper Channel—

Long Life, and sound health attend you through this Vale of trouble. And believe me still to be with undeviating respect your Most obt. Hble Sert