James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Thomas Newton, 12 August 1807

Collrs. office Norfolk 12 Augt. 1807

Sir

I received your letter of the 7th. The negroes have been sent on Shore by a flagg to the commanding Military officer. One man has also been deliverd who I beleive may have become a Citizen since the peace of 1783 but go where he will he is nusance a drunken sott. I will thank you if you have any document respecting a Chrs. Hewson if you would forward it me. He has inform’d Capts. Douglass & Hardy that he is an Englishman & never applied for his discharge & they implicitly believe it, but will not beleive the assertions of An American impressed not even Mr. Pindal & Mr. Gibbs the Collectors son of Folly Landing. They are on board the Bellona unless shifted to another Ship. Hewson obtaind a protection from this office Sept 14, 1801, then 17 yrs old light Complexion red hair a mole on his breast, five feet 1 inch high, Wm. Garland of New York sworn to his birth place N York I believe he is a native notwithstanding he has told Capt. Hardy & Doug⟨lass⟩ & if he was not afraid of the Lash would ⟨   ⟩ say so. Application Was made for a Copy ⟨of⟩ his protection or I never shd have known ⟨there⟩ was such a person. Inclosed is a copy of an affid⟨avit⟩ made before me respecting James Scott This will shew their mode of compelling our Citizens to list. The evidence is respectable & others will confirm it if necessary. It is suppo⟨sed⟩ Admiral Berkley will be here soon with all his fleet. A fourth ship arrived yesterday I am inform’d. I am respectfully Yr. Most obt. Servt.

Thos Newton
Col⟨lr.⟩

DNA: RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.

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