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Doc. No. 36.
most amicable relations with the United States, as well from the proofs of friendship he had already received from them as from motives of general policy ; that it was his greatest ambition to be just to all nations ; and that he felt confident the Government of the United States would be convinced of his justice towards their citizens, when they should receive the ex planations particular acts might seem to require—that he felt a conscious ness of having acted towards them with rectitude, and that he should e v e r endeavor to preserve that satisfaction. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient, C. M O R R I S . Hon.
SECRETARY OF S T A T E
Of the United
States,
[EXTRACT.]
Washington.
N E W YORK, February
—,
1818.
S I R : A commission, under the seal of this Department, as agent for the United States at Port-au-Prince, is herewith enclosed to you by the direc tion of the President, and, together with it, a copy of instructions from this Department to William Taylor, Esq., your predecessor, but which, by his departure from the island, he was prevented from receiving. T h e principal and immediate object which will require your attention will be the case of the schooner Mary, Captain J . B . Strong, the papers relative to which are herewith transmitted to you. T h e condemnation of this vessel, notwithstanding all the explanations given and all the docu ments furnished to Captain Morris, appears to have been altogether unjust. Mr. Strong himself will take passage with you in the ship, by permission of the President ; and from him you will receive any other elucidation of his cause which may be necessary. You will embark in the Hornet sloop of war, Captain Read, who, after landing William Taylor, Esq., at the other part of the island, and you at Port-au-Prince, will proceed with Baptist Irvine, Esq., to Venezuela. Those gentlemen have commissions similar to your own. Your stores for the passage, with the exception of bedding, will be found by Captain Read, and at the public charge. Your salary will be at the rate of two thousand five hundred dollars a year from the time of your embarking, and you may draw for it quarter-yearly upon this Department. You will abstain from engaging directly or indirectly in trade. I am, &c. J. Q . JACOB L E W I S ,
A.
Esq.
List of papers delivered
to Jacob Lewis,
Esq.
1. Certificate of appointment. 2. Papers relating to the case of the schooner Mary, Captain J . B. Strong. 3. Copy of report from Commodore Morris. 4. Copy of instructions from the Department of State to William T a y lor, of April 16, 1817.