what we may rely on; and let my solicitude on this occa

sion, be my apology for this request.

With sentiments of respect, &c.

(Signed)

JAMES GARRARD.

REPORT ON THE MEMORIAL OF SUNDRY INHABITANTS OF WILMINGTON, IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. JANUARY 26, 1803.

THE Committee to whom was referred the memorial of the inhabitants of the town of Wilmington and its vicinity, in the state of North Carolina, Report

That the system of policy stated in the said memorial to exist, and to be now pursued, in the French colonial governments, in the West Indies, is fraught with danger, to the peace and safety of the United States. That the fact stated to have occurred, in the prosecution of that system of policy, demands the prompt interference of the government of the United States, as well legislative as executive.

The committee therefore recommend that the said memorial be referred to the Secretary of State, to be laid before the President-and in pursuance of the authority granted to them, herewith report a bill which is submitted.

To the Honourable the Congress of the United States.

THE memorial of the undersigned, inhabitants of the town of Wilmington, in the state of North Carolina, and of the vicinity thereof, Respectfully sheweth

That it doth appear to have become the policy of the governments established by the French over several of their islands in the West Indies, to expel therefrom all negroes and mulattoes, to whom emancipation shall be accorded. That in the prosecution of this system, the executive authorities in said islands (of Guadaloupe particularly) have shewn a determination by force or by fraud, to have those people introduced into the United States. That in fact the danger to be apprehended from affording an asy

łum to such persons, has operated so powerfully on the European powers holding islands in the West Indies, or establishments on this continent, as to produce an absolute and effectual prohibition from landing them on any part of their respective territories. That, therefore, the United States having become the dernier resort for enabling the French colonial governments to clear the islands of a species of population too obnoxious to be tolerated, there is reason to dread, (unless the most prompt and decisive measures are adopted to counteract and repel the designs of those governments) that the peace and safety of the southern states of the Union will be greatly endangered. Your memorialists think it necessary to state to your honourable body, in proof that their apprehensions on this head are well founded, that the schooner Fair Play recently arrived in this port from Guadaloupe, having on board five persons of the above description, which the executive of that island compelled the captain of said schooner to bring away.

With the fullest confidence that your honourable body will condescend to give to the above representation the consideration which its importance demands, and that they may expect from your wisdom such measures as may be effectual in the premises-Your memorialists will ever pray, &c.

Wm. Campbell, Timothy Bloodworth, James Walker, John Loudon, Jno. Walker, Geo. Hooper, D. Mallett, C. D. Howard, Joseph Dean, Robert Morton, Geo. Canning, A. Jocelin, Henry Urquhart, Wm. Giles, John Lord, A. J. De Rosset, Jno. Shuter, Sam. R. Jocelyn, Rd. Langdon, Kingsley Thurber, John Calhorde, Alx. D. Moore, Isaac Smith, D. Smith, Almand Hall, David Anderson, Evan Jones, Jno. Scott, Wm. Nutt, C. Dudley, N. Hill, James W. Walker, Jno. M. Gabic, John Macauslan, Robert Camock, John Barrett, Ja. Walker, Joshua Potts, Chas. Livingston, John Poisson, Jona. Aveny, Mears Levy, Gilbert Geer, O. Kenan, R. Mitchell, John Brown, R. Everitt, J.. Willkings, Carleton Walker, Alexr. Hostlen,

C. P. Pelham, A. M. Isaacks, Henry Young, Thomas Robeson, Benj. M. Gause, Thomas Cowan, Jos. G. Wright, Robert Dorsey, Thos. F. Davis, Thomas Jennings, J. >Hartman, Sam. Bloodworth, Duncan Ray, Thomas Torrance, Rowland Craig, Sam. Shuter, H. Halsey, William Green, Cha. Carrol, Rd. Bradley, Frs. Fontaine, Daniel M'Kenzie, Daniel M'Phail, Thos. Callender, T. N. Gautier, Jacob Levy, Henry B. Howard, P. Mallett, A. Lazarus, John Allen, Jas. Holmes, Sam. Morgan, Anthy. B. Todmer, John Maclellan, William Keddie, Geo. Jennings, Hanson Kelly, James Allen, Hy. Horkins, Jno. Henderson, Rich. Lloyd, Jno. Maltester, B. Roberts, Adam Tabac, Peter Harris, James Telfair, A. T. Brown, Alex. Peden, Jas. Carson, Thos. Fitzgerald, J. Bernard, B. Jacob, Thos. Smith, Sam. Swann, Geo. Gibbs, W. H. Beatty, Jesse Wingate, Wm. Browne, D. Jones, Wm. Harriss, Thomas Sonerd, Nehemiah Harriss, Daniel M'Neal.

MESSAGE

RELATING TO THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI. DECEMBER 30, 1802.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

In addition to the information accompanying my message of the 22nd instant, I'now transmit the copy of a let ter on the same subject, recently received.

December 30, 1802.

SIR,

TH: JEFFERSON.

WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 30, 1802.

ALTHOUGH an informal communication to the publick of the substance of the enclosed letter may be proper for quieting the publick mind, yet I refer to the consideration of the House of Representatives, whether a publication of it in form might not give dissatisfaction to the writer, and tend to discourage the freedom and confidence of commu * VOL. I; 25

nications between the agents of the two governments. Accept assurances of my high consideration and respect.

TH: JEFFERSON.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives.

House of Representatives of the United States, Jan. 7, 1803. RESOLVED, That this House receive with great sensibility the information of a disposition in certain officers of the Spanish government at New Orleans to obstruct the navi gation of the river Mississippi, as secured to the United States by the most solemn stipulations :—

That adhering to that humane and wise policy which ought ever to characterize a free people, and by which the United States have always professed to be governed; willing at the same time to ascribe this breach of compact to the unauthorized misconduct of certain individuals, rather than to a want of good faith on the part of his Catholic Majesty; and relying, with perfect confidence, on the vigilance and wisdom of the Executive, they will wait the issue of such measures as that department of the govern ment shall have pursued for asserting the rights and vindicating the injuries of the United States:-holding it to be their duty, at the same time, to express their unalterable determination to maintain the boundaries, and the rights of navigation and commerce through the river Mississippi, as established by existing treaties.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND SUNDRY DOCUMENTS IN THE CASE OF THE DANISH BRIGANTINE CALLED THE HENRICK. FEB. 23, 1803. } GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

I LAY before you a report of the Secretary of State on the case of the Danish brigantine Henrick, taken by a

French privateer in 1799, retaken by an armed vessel of the United States; carried into a British island, and there adjudged to be neutral, but under allowance of such salvage and costs as absorbed nearly the whole amount of sales of the vessel and cargo. Indemnification for these losses, occasioned by our officers, is now claimed by the sufferers, supported by the representations of their government. I have no doubt the legislature will give to the subject that just attention and consideration which it is useful as well as honourable to practise in our transactions with other nations, and particularly with one which has observed towards us the most friendly treatment and regard. TH: JEFFERSON.

February 23, 1803.

THE Secretary of State has the honour to report to the President of the United States, upon the Note of the minister of his Danish Majesty, dated on the 9th instant, as follows:

That it appears that the Danish brigantine Henrick, captain Peter Scheele, sailing from Hamburgh, loaded with an assorted cargo, and bound to Cape Francois, was captured on the 3rd of October, 1799, by a French privateer, and on the 8th of the same month, she was re-captured by an American publick armed vessel, called the Pickering, and carried to the British island of St. Christopher, where she arrived on the 10th.

That from an anthenticated transcript of the proceedings in the case of the said vessel, had before the court of Vice Admiralty at the said island, it appears that the said court took cognizance of the case, and awarded one half of the gross amount of the sales of the brig and her cargo to be paid to the re-captors, and the other half, after deducting costs and expenses, to be restored to the owners. That this rate of salvage appears to have been adopted from the laws of the United States, as then applicable to re-captures of American property, and of such as belonged to belligerent powers in amity with the United States; but it is believed that these laws had, according to decisions of our