To James Madison from John Gavino, 21 July 1806 (Abstract)
From John Gavino, 21 July 1806 (Abstract)
§ From John Gavino. 21 July 1806, Gibraltar. No. 29. “Not being favourd with any of your Commands since my last Respects ⅌ No: 28 under date 10t: Instant I beg leave to be referrd thereto. The Portuguese it is sayd have Captured another Tripolin Cruiser, Two belonging to Tunis have lately been in Tetuan and one at Tangier.
“The Portuguese Government has threatend Tripoly with warr unless they give up the Hamburgh Vessel with her Valuable Cargo of Linnen which they Captured close on the Barr of Lisbon and is safe at Tripoly, in the mean time they detain such of their Cruisers as they meet. They release those of Tunis on Condition that they are not to Cruise out side the Gutt.
“On the 10t: Instant the Brig Louisa of Philadelphia John Clark Master with a Cargo of Colonial Produce from Philadelphia for Marseilles was brought in by the British Sloop of warr Termigant Capn: Petit for Examination, but she sett at Liberty to proceed in a few hours.
“I beg leave to submit to you for your information the Inclosed Copys of my two Letters to Major General Drummond the new Commander in Chief of the Garrison in the absence of Genl. Fox, that of his answer with the Copy of what I have wrote our Minister mr. Monroe at the Court of London1 where I hope he will get redress by obtaining an order to the Governour for the Landing and Selling of Tobacco from the U. S. for Exportatio⟨n⟩ as has been the case for many years past, It is a branch of Trade worthy of attention⟨,⟩ we have two more Cargos now in the Bay and I dare say will shortly have many others. The Commander in chiefs Prohibition will greatly injure our Merchants in America, I have only to repeat that it is a branch of business well worthy of the most Ceriouse attention from the utility which arrises to the Commerce of the U. S.; I expect you will approve of what I have done. I have the honor of enclosing one from Consul Simpson of Tanger.”2
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, CD, Gibraltar, vol. 3). RC 2 pp. For enclosures, see nn.
1. Gavino’s 12 July 1806 letter to Maj. Gen. James Drummond (1 p.) asked why the unloading of U.S. tobacco had recently been prohibited at Gibraltar, when it was not proscribed by treaty. On 16 July he wrote again (2 pp.), stating that he had received verbal information that the prohibition was based on rules issued by a previous governor, Humphrey Bland, and “some old Acts of Parliament,” but that it would be relaxed if Gavino would be responsible for storing the tobacco on shore and ensuring that it was reshipped in its original packaging. Gavino declared that he could not do this, and repeated his request for an official explanation. Drummond’s secretary, Thomas Dodd, wrote Gavino on 16 July 1806 (2 pp.), stating that the landing of tobacco had previously been allowed as a favor but was suspended to put a stop to illicit sales in the garrison, which competed with the business of the British supplier. Gavino wrote James Monroe on 19 July 1806 (2 pp.), informing him of the situation and blaming the prohibition on speculators.
2. Gavino may have enclosed a copy of James Simpson to JM, 7 July 1806.