they published as soon as they received those of the government.-3d, Extract of a letter written by these agents to Mr. Murray, commander of the United States frigate the Constellation, and containing a list of the American vessels which they had released.-ith, Lastly, Copy of an order which they have addressed to all their delegates, in the colonies of neutrals and allies, as well as to the auctioneers of the island, to obtain a knowledge of the condemnations made since the signing of the treaty, and to prepare the means for obtaining the restitutions directed by the fourth article. I will add, sir, that previously, viz. on 28 Nivose, the agents had enjoined upon their delegates not to deliver to the captors any funds arising from prizes standing in this predicament.

It is, sir, very agreeable to me to have to give you circumstantial and official details of these proceedings, which the President of the United States will have already been acquainted with, from the papers which have been published. I beg you, sir, to submit these documents to him, and to give him the assurance that I shall make it a duty to co-operate to the last moment in perfectly and fully executing the treaty, whenever the United States, or their citizens, shall have claims for restitution to carry forward. You will, without doubt, sir, think it advisable to inform the parties interested, of the dispositions of the agents at Guadaloupe, that they may take measures for claiming their property: And, in general, it may perhaps appear to you desirable to inform the publick of the eagerness to repair the wrongs occasioned by the misunderstanding which has been, and is shewn by the authorities in that colony, where, at first sight, the greatest and most multiplied causes of irritation appear to have been given.

Accept, sir, the assurance of my respect, and of my high consideration. L.A. PICHON.

Extract April 29, 1801. Porto Rico, 4th Floreal, 9th year of the French Republick, one and indivisible. The Delegate of the Agents of the Consuls of the French Republick to the Windward Islands, at the Island of Porto Rico, to Citizen Letombe, Charge des Affaires and Commissary General of Commercial Relations of the French Republick, at Philadelphia.

As soon as I was officially informed of the convention before mentioned, and of the circular of the agents of the consuls, I released all the vessels which were unsold, and I took measures for defending the interests of the Americans, who might have claims for restitution to establish.

I will, in like manner, make acquainted with your letter the agents of the consuls of the Republick at the Windward Islands. I have no doubt that the demand of Mr. Watmouth will be received with all the favour which it merits. Health and consideration.

(Signed)
Copy.

The Delegate BOURCIER.

L.A. PICHON.

[COPY.] The Secretary of the Navy to Samuel Brown, Esq. Boston-dated May 4, 1801.

SIR,

DR. THOMAS WELSH is to be allowed for his attendance on the French prisoners, from June 15, 1799, to April 1, 1801, at the rate of twenty dollars per month, and his account of medicines, say eighty dollars forty-seven cents. Upon his calling upon you, you will be pleased to pay him at that rate.

I have the honour, &c.

[COPY.] The Secretary of the Navy to Samuel Brown, Esq. Boston-May 18, 1801.

SIR,

SIXTY-NINE French prisoners have been sent to New York, and are to be transported from thence to Boston, * VOL. I. 14

there to be delivered to such officers as Mr. Pichon may appoint to receive them; they will be directed to you, and I have to request your attention to their delivery. With much respect, I have the honour, &c.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Pichon to the Secretary of State, dated Philadelphia, June 18, 1801.

To return, sir, in effect, to the objects which are the subject of your reply, it only remains for me to pray you to offer to the President of the United States my thanks for the decisions, which you have communicated to me from him. As to the sum of 15,000 dollars, advanced by the United States, to succour the colonists who had fled from St. Domingo, I hesitate so little to acknowledge that the French Republick is accountable for it to these States, and am so sure that the principles which govern the First Consul of the Republick will lead him to admit this obligation, that I offer, sir, to include it in the liquidation, which I am desirous of making as soon as possible, of the claims which the federal government has upon that of the Republick, for the different advances which it has made for our prisoners, since the misunderstanding, and for every other purpose. I have had the honour, Sir, of praying you to be pleased to invite the respective departments, who have made these advances, to prepare their accounts. As soon as all expenses of this kind shall be closed, I shall think myself sufficiently authorized to settle and adjust them.

Extract-Samuel Brown to the Secretary of the Navy, Boston, June 24, 1801.

"ON Monday the 22d, the corvette Le Berceau was delivered to the commissary of the French government, and the captain at the same time took charge of her. At the request of the commissary and captain, and from the necessity of the case, I have furnished some articles which may not have been on board at the time of the

capture, such as hammocks, blankets; and if then on board they were retained wholly or in part by the crew. The captain now wishes to be furnished with silver spoons, plated ware, china, &c. for his cabin. These I cannot provide without your special directions, as I do not suppose they were on board at the time of the capture. The commissary is willing on the part of his government, to engage to pay for all articles supplied, that probably were not then on board the corvette."

Extract-Secretary of the Nary to S. Brown, Esq. July 3, 1801.

"THERE is no doubt that the Berceau has been sufficiently repaired and furnished; of course no more expense must be incurred on the part of the United States on her account. It will be proper that you write a letter to this department stating particularly the repairs and supplies she received at the publick expense, and the precise state and condition she was in, as to her equipments of every kind, on her delivery to the officers appointed on the part of the French Republick to receive her. The day of the delivery should also be stated."

[COPY.] The Secretary of the Navy to L. A. Pichon, Esq. dated July 8, 1801.

SIR,

I HAVE caused to be examined the transactions relative to the payment of money by order of this department to the officers of the French corvette Le Berceau, and find that the sum of eight hundred and seventy dollars, and eighty-three cents, equal to 4,750 livres, was paid into the hands of lieutenant Clement by Messrs. S. Higginson and Co. navy agents, at Boston; copy of the pay roll and Mr. Clement's receipt is enclosed herewith. This appears to be the only money advanced by the United States to these officers on account of their pay. Other moneys have been however advanced to them on account of subsistence whilst

they were considered as prisoners; the precise amount of which cannot now be ascertained, as the accounts are in an unsettled state. I have the bonour, &c.

STATEMENT of the payments made to the officers of the Berceau by Stephen Higginson and Co. as navy agents at Boston.

Lieutenant Clement, from the 13th Oct. 1800,

to the 13th March, 1801, 5 months, at 200

livres per month,

Lewis Poutin, master, ditto,

John Troquereau, marine officer, ditto,

Joseph Robert, surgeon, ditto,

Stephen Borde, surgeon's mate, at 150 livres per

month,

Livres.

1,000

1,000

1,000

1,000

750

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Accountant's office, April 9, 1802.

THO. TURNER, Acct.

Extracts of a Letter from Mr. Pichon to the Secretary of State, July 10, 1801.

2d. WHAT course the President of the United States will follow with regard to the restitution of property under the article of the treaty, it being known that France hasactually restored many vessels; whether the government will be able to procure restitution, or whether it must be subject to legislative co-operation.

3d. Citizen Pichon, as he intimated it, is authorized to take possession of all the property which is to be restored to individuals who are not present, or have no attorneys. The present state of war, and the constant habit of the consular administration of France which has made consuls guardians of property belonging to absentees, has suggested the measure; and other obvious reasons make it expedient for the administration and individuals both.