To James Madison from Thomas Newton, 21 December 1806 (Abstract)
From Thomas Newton, 21 December 1806 (Abstract)
§ From Thomas Newton. 21 December 1806, Norfolk. “Inclosed is Capt Douglas letter to the Brittish Consul1 in consequence of my requesting the Brittish Consul to apply for the release of the seamens whose letters I have forwarded;2 it needs no comment, before any notice can be received from the Genl Government & admiral the ships are off. Without yr instructions it is useless for me to make application for their relief, which I have ever done through the Consul in a respectful manner by request.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, ML). RC 1 p.; cover docketed by Wagner, with his note: “Capt. Douglass will not discharge impressed men.” For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Newton enclosed a copy of John E. Douglas to John Hamilton, 18 Dec. 1806 (2 pp.). Douglas acknowledged receipt of a 13 December 1806 letter from Hamilton that enclosed a copy of Newton’s letter to Hamilton (12 Dec. 1806; not found) and Hamilton’s reply (13 Dec. 1806; 1 p.; copy filed at DNA: RG 59, ML); see Newton to JM, 12 [13] Dec. 1806, and n. 2. In keeping with what he told JM, Newton apparently asked Hamilton to inquire about the American seamen reportedly impressed onto the British frigate Melampus (Newton to JM, 12 [13] Dec. 1806). Douglas’s reply indicated that he had “immediately” asked Capt. Edward Hawker of the Melampus to inquire about the nationality of the impressed sailors and report back. Hawker reported that one sailor, John Pratt, had been impressed after “prevaricating” about the place of his birth and that the sailors from the vessel Eliza, who had been detained by the Melampus, were being held as witnesses and would be returned to their vessel “should she be acquitted.” Douglas further stated that he did not “feel [himself] Authorised” to discharge any seamen without orders to do so from the commander in chief at Halifax and asked that all requests regarding impressed seamen be made through “the General Government” to the commander.
2. Newton forwarded “several letters” from impressed seamen [not found] in his 12 [13] December 1806 letter to JM.