To James Madison from Hugh Lennox, 16 August 1806 (Abstract)
From Hugh Lennox, 16 August 1806 (Abstract)
§ From Hugh Lennox. 16 August 1806, Kingston. “I had the honor of addressing you the 9th. currt. by duplicates to which begs reference. Since then a number of applications from Impressed Seamen have been received, in consequence of which I wrote the Admirals Secretary to be laid before him (copy herewith No 1.).1 I this morning received his answer (No. 2 copy herewith)2 for your information—it must give you pleasure to sea [sic], that not only my former applications have succeeded but much more is now obtained by procuring the enlargement of all Bona fide Americans with or without protections, I beg you Sir, to communicate this to the President as it must be pleasing to him also.
“A number of American vessels, detained and sent in here for adjudication since my being here have arrived. Two only have applied to me for advice and assistance, the others I only Know of from the news Papers. Those that do apply to me, as I have retained Council of the first respectability—shall with any other publick business that may require Judicial proceedings, be duly attended to.
“My first quarterly accounts, due this day will be made up and forwarded by next opportunity.
“An aid De Camp from General Marind⟨a⟩ arrived here last night, with dispatches to the Governor, he set out with them this morning to Spanish Town, what they are has not yet been made publick—should they be of importan⟨ce⟩ you will be informed by the first oppurtunity. I this morning received mr Smiths dispatches of the 11th Ulto. accompanying fiv⟨e⟩ certificates—should any such men be here, they will be immediately sent me.”
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, CD, Kingston, Jamaica, vol. 1). 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Lennox. For enclosures, see nn.
1. The enclosed copy of Lennox’s 13 Aug. 1806 letter to Charles Williams (2 pp.) acknowledged receipt of the packet Williams had sent containing Capt. Charles Dashwood’s letter to Adm. James Richard Dacres (for the letter, see Lennox to JM, 9 Aug. 1806, n. 2); stated that Lennox agreed with Dashwood; requested attention to the cases of at least seven other men seeking release from British custody; suggested that Dacres order all ships arriving at Port Royal to discharge all bona fide Americans to Lennox; and reported that he had told the U.S. government that he believed that Dacres was no longer permitting the impressment of American citizens.
2. Williams’s 14 Aug. 1806 reply (1 p.; docketed by Wagner) stated that the ship carrying several of the men about whom Lennox had inquired had sailed before Williams received Lennox’s letter, and that the investigation as to their nationality could therefore not take place until the ship completed its voyage. The captain detaining the other men had been ordered to release them if he believed they were U.S. citizens.