To James Madison from Robert Purviance, 19 September 1806
From Robert Purviance
Collector’s Office Baltimore 19 Sept. 1806
Sir
I have received mr. Smith’s Letter of the 17th: Inst. on the subject of the Protection granted by me to John Smith.1
It is not for want of attention to the duties of my Office that Foreigners frequently obtain certificates of Citizenship from me. The total corruption that prevails with too many foreigners of the seafaring class must be considered as the sole cause.
There is scarcely a day but what others trained to villainy like Smith are detected in attempts to impose on me and there are frequent instances of native american seamen confirming their proof that are exhibited to me.
There are settlements of both English and Irish in Pensylvania where all their national distinctions are regularly handed down: add to this the great depravity of manners occasioned in some measure by the general mixture of Foreigners; it will be admitted, that the Collectors will ever be subject to impositions in executing that part of their duty as relates to protections.
I have inclosed you a Letter from mr Sterett in defense of his proceedings, together with the qualification made before him by Smith & his accomplic⟨e.⟩2
There ought to be no reliance placed in Smit⟨h’s⟩ assertion that he paid me a Dollar for the Protection as I have never charged nor received from any person for such certificate more than Twenty five cents as allowed by Law.
I believe the sum he mentions is the usual charge made by the notaries for the proof. I have the Honor to be with much respect Sir your mo ob serv
Rt Purviance
Collr
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, ML). RC cover docketed by Wagner, with his note: “Answer to Admiral Berkely’s complaint.” For enclosures, see n. 2.
1. The letter has not been found, but it was probably from State Department clerk Bernard Smith. For the complaint that instigated this correspondence, see Anthony Merry to JM, 18 Aug. 1806, and n. 1.
2. Purviance enclosed notary public Samuel Sterett’s 19 Sept. 1806 letter to him (2 pp.; cover docketed by Wagner), apologizing for having been “imposed up⟨on⟩ by so infamous a Scoundrel as Smith,” who had also falsely declared that he had paid Purviance a dollar for his protection. Sterett explained that the so-called John Smith “and his Co-adjutor in Perjury, were solemnly sworn to the Truth of their Declaration,” and that it was extremely difficult to detect such lies because the perpetrators were often “trained to answer with Correctness the usual Questions put to them on these Occasions.” He nevertheless promised to be “more vigilant, and more strict” in the future. Also enclosed was Sterett’s 13 Jan. 1806 notarized certificate (1 p.; docketed by Wagner), stating that Smith had declared on oath that he was a native of Boston and had relatives there; and that John N. Simpson had sworn that he had known Smith for five years, knew his parents in Boston, and was “Convinced in his Conscience that He was born there.”