To James Madison from George Russell (Abstract), 6 April 1805
§ From George Russell
6 April 1805, Boston. “As part owner of the Brig Eliza Jesse Inglee Master from Cadíz, I presented the inclosed certificate1 of the American Consul at Cadíz, to the Custom House Officer in Boston, who mentioned that he could not pay the Money, without direction of the Secretary of State—and that it was necessary to write him on the subject—if it would be convenient & proper for you to give such directions, as would enable me to recieve it in Boston, it would oblige.”
Adds in a postscript: “A Line directed to George Russell, Kingston near Plymouth, Massa. will be thankfully recieved.”2
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 217, First Auditor’s Accounts, no. 16,413). RC 1 p. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure (1 p.) is Anthony Terry’s 30 Jan. 1805 statement that, in accord with JM’s 9 Apr. 1803 circular and the “Act Concerning Consuls & Vice Consuls & for the further Protection of American Seamen,” he had engaged Capt. Jesse Inglee to carry to the United States two sailors, Daniel Smith and John Barwis, from the brig Betsey, Capt. Gilbert Fowler master, which was cast away on the Spanish coast.
2. On 18 Apr. 1805 JM acknowledged receipt of this letter, adding: “the subject of it belongs to the Treasury Department, whether [sic] it has been sent with the certificate it enclosed. It is not however probable that the allowance you claim, will be admitted, without proof that the two men were landed in the U. States. Another difficulty may arise from its not being known at the Treasury that you are a part owner of the Vessel which brought them; it would therefore be better for the Captain to claim the money” (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 14; 2 pp.).