brig "Douglas," of Duxbury, in this commonwealth, Baker, master, on the coast of Africa, in October last, and to ask the interposition of the government of the United States to obtain from the British authorities a proper indemnity therefor. The brig was engaged in a perfectly lawful trade, without the most remote participation in, or connexion with, traffic in slaves; and there was no just ground to suppose that she was in pursuit of any unlawful object. All the proceedings of Lieutenant Seagram in this respect were, if not a wanton, at least a reckless violation of private rights and of the American flag. Though the brig was held in custody but three days, she was, during that time, kept sailing down the coast, where she was borne along by a strong current at so rapid a rate that it took her twenty-eight days after her release to return to the place of her seizure. In the meantime the officers and crew of the brig were taken sick, in consequence of their long exposure under the burning suns of that region; from which sickness three of the crew died on their homeward passage, and the captain still remains an invalid, and probably will so remain during his life. The loss occasioned by the detention of the brig was much more than the mere loss of time and expenses during thirty-one days, as the purposes and objects of the voyage were much deranged, and finally partially defeated. It is difficult to say what sum, under the circumstances, would be a just and proper indemnification for the injuries sustained; and I do not suppose that a full remuneration can be obtained without wearisome delay and much inconvenience, by going into the details and more remote consequences of the transaction. I would prefer that the matter should be adjusted speedily, and at a loss, rather than that a protracted negotiation should be entered into, though a larger amount should be ultimately obtained. With these views I would relinquish my claim to the British government for five thousand dollars, though a considerably larger sum would not fully repair the damages I have sustained in the premises. If any further information or proof shall be needed by your department in the case, may I ask of you the favor to inform me what it is ? and if it be in my power to do so, I will promptly furnish it. Hon. JOHN FORSYTH, I have, &c., Secretary of State of the United States. [Enclosure No. 2.] A. A. FRAZAR. The American brig "Douglas," from the Havana, bound to the rivers Bras and Bonney, was detained by her Majesty's brigantine "Termagant," on the 21st instant, having a suspicious cargo on board. I have now allowed her to proceed on her voyage, finding that no information is yet received from the United States respecting the American flag. Given under my hand on board her Majesty's brigantine "Termagant," off Popoe, this 29th day of October, 1839. H. F. SEAGRAM, Lieutenant and commander. SIR: I send you, enclosed, the copy of a letter this day addressed to Mr. Fox from this department, and transcripts of the papers therein mentioned, relating to the case of the "Tigris," an American vessel recently brought into the port of Salem, Massachusetts, in the charge of a British officer and prize-crew. They are transmitted to place you in possession of an outline of the transaction, with a view to secure, at the earliest moment practicable, the attention of the British government to Commander Matson's conduct on the occasion. As Mr. Fox will doubtless immediately present the subject to her Britannic Majesty's government, it may be only necessary, before you leave London, to urge prompt attention to it. I am, &c., SIR: I transmit to you herewith the papers relating to the case of the American barque "Jones," which was forcibly taken possession of at St. Helena in September last by her Britannic Majesty's brigantine "Dolphin." The circumstances of this seizure, which you will find amply detailed in the protest and other documents herewith communicated, appear to be of an aggravated character; and I am directed by the President to instruct you to address, without delay, to the British government, a demand for proper redress. I transmit to you, at the same time, the papers relating to the seizures of the brig "Tigris" and ship "Seamew." You will receive, also, for your information and for inquiry, the copy of a letter from the master of the barque William and Frances, detailing an outrage offered to her by an armed force, from a vessel supposed to be a British man-of-war, during her voyage from Havana to the river Bras in October last. By direction of the President, you will make the cases of the "Tigris" and "Seamew" the subjects of a similar demand upon the British government, the persistence of whose cruisers in these unwarrantable proceedings is not only destructive of private interests, but must inevitably destroy the harmony of the two countries. ANDREW STEVENSON, Esq., I am, sir, &c., &.c. &c. &.c. JOHN FORSYTH. Mr. Stevenson to the Secretary of State. [Extract.] "LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, "I have received the despatches from your department of the 6th and 7th of January, (Nos. 85 and 86,) and now enclose a copy of my note to Lord Palmerston, transmitting the additional evidence in the case of the brig "Douglas," of Massachusetts. I also transmit the copy of a note in the cases of the "lago" and "Hero," two American vessels seized and detained by a British cruiser on the African coast, under pretence of being engaged in the slave trade. The frequent repetition of these outrages upon our vessels and commerce, in the African seas, cannot, I presume, be regarded in any other light than as matter of grave complaint. You will see, by reference to the correspondence between Lord Palmerston and myself, and my despatches to your department, that I have taken every opportunity of presenting the subject, in the strongest manner, to the notice of this government, and urging upon it the importance and necessity of taking suitable and prompt measures to prevent the repetition of such conduct by their naval officers. I regret, however, to say that, as yet, my efforts have not been attended with any beneficial results. In my last note to Lord Palmerston, a copy of which is now transmitted, you will perceive that I allude to a communication from the British government to that of Hayti, on the subject of searching and detaining foreign vessels, on the ground of being slavers, which may be regarded as decisive of the question of right in the opinion of Great Britain, and leave no doubt as to the final decision. Although the delay which has already taken place in deciding these cases and putting a stop to such vexatious and ruinous interruptions to our vessels and commerce in the African seas, been made the subject of special complaint, it may be necessary that it should again be brought to the notice of this government. Should it, therefore, be the wish of the President that any further step should be taken by me, I shall expect your instructions." has [Enclosure ] Mr. Stevenson to Lord Palmerston. 32 UPPER GROSVENOR STREET, March 1, 1841. The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary from the United States, had the honor, on the 13th of November last, of presenting to the notice of her Majesty's government, by the direction of the President, a complaint in relation to the seizure and detention of the American brig "Douglas," of Duxbury, Massachusetts, on the African coast, by Lieutenant Seagram, of her Majesty's brigantine the "Termagant," on the charge of having on board a suspicious cargo, and intended for slave trade. Since the submission of this case, the undersigned has received two additional documents, herewith enclosed, the one consisting of a letter addressed to the Secretary of State of the United States, by A. A. Frazar, the claimant; the other, the copy of a certificate of Lieutenant Seagram, under date of the 29th of October, 1839, admitting the seizure and detention of the brig, and her surrender and departure. In transmitting these papers to Lord Palmerston, the undersigned avails himself of the occasion to express an earnest hope that her Majesty's government will not fail to see the justice and importance of coming to an early decision, not only of the present case, but those of a similar character, which have heretofore been presented to its consideration. T'he undersigned, &c., A. STEVENSON. [Enclosure] Mr. Stevenson to Lord Palmerston. 32 UPPER GROSVENOR STREET, February 27, 1841. The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary from the United States, has the honor to acquaint Lord Viscount Palmerston, her Majesty's principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, that he has received the instructions of his government to add two other cases to those which he has heretofore presented to the notice of her Majesty's government in relation to the seizure and detention of American vessels, on the African coast, by British cruisers, on the alleged grounds of being either equipped for, or actually engaged in, the African slave trade. It will not be necessary that the undersigned should do more at present than give a brief statement of the facts of these cases, and such as they appear to have been from the documents now transmitted, to manifest the highly improper character of the proceedings in both cases, and insure their prompt consideration by her Majesty's government. The first case is that of an American schooner, the "lago," of New Orleans, commanded by Captain Adolphe Dupony. This vessel sailed from Matanzas, in the island of Cuba, in November, 1838, for the cape of Mesurado, on the coast of Africa, for the purpose of trading in palm oil, wood, and other African produce. That, after proceeding on her voyage to different parts of the coast, she arrived at Cape St. Paul, where the captain landed his cargo, and from whence he was preparing to go into the interior of the country to trade, having bought for that purpose a quantity of oil and produce. That, on the 21st of February, 1839, and whilst within 5 degrees 46 minutes north latitude, and 0° 55 minutes east, and whilst Capt. Dupony was on shore, the schooner was boarded by Lieutenant S. Seagram, commanding her Majesty's brigantine of war the "Termagant," and during his absence his trunk was broken open, and a sum of money, amounting to 116 Spanish doubloons and 54 dollars, was taken therefrom, as also his chronometer and watch, and that a large quantity of wine was drunk, destroyed, and lost. That all his men had been conveyed on board the "Termagant," except the mate; that the captain thereupon asked leave of Lieutenant Seagram to search the sailors, and on doing so found upon them a sum amounting to 114 doubloons and 19 dollars, and that the sailors informed him that they had taken the money because they were afraid that they would be set on shore and abandoned, and the schooner destroyed. That all the captain's clothes were left on shore, and have been wholly lost. That all the crew, and a passenger by the name of Bourjolli, an American citizen, and native of the State of Maryland, were put on shore at Cape St. Paul, and that Captain Dupony was detained and brought to Sierra Leone, where he arrived on the 18th of March, 1839. That Lieutenant Seagram then endeavored to proceed against the captain of the "Iago," in the British and Spanish mixed court of justice, established in the colony for the prevention of illicit traffic in slaves; but the court would not allow such proceeding, and that accordingly on the 30th of March, 1839, Captain Dupony was put in possession of his vessel, which was done in the presence of four masters of vessels, who signed a receipt for the vessel, and who were present when an inventory was taken of the articles on board the said schooner. Amongst the documents here with transmitted, are two certificates of Lieutenant Seagram-the one admitting the capture of the vessel, and the other stating the amount of money found in the possession of the crew, and left in charge of the prize-master. The other case is that of the schooner "Hero," of New Orleans, commanded by Captain James B. M'Connell. It appears that this schooner sailed from the Havana in June, 1840, with a cargo of assorted merchandise, bound to Wydah, on the African coast. That on her voyage, on the 9th of August, she was boarded by her Majesty's brig the "Lynx," and brought to anchor; her hatches were broken open and overhauled, and the commander of the "Lynx" then determined to send the schooner into Sierra Leone. That after removing a part of the crew of the schooner on board the cruiser, and sending his own men to take charge of the "Hero," who robbed her of a part of her supplies, the commander of the "Lynx" determined to surrender the schooner and permit her to pursue her voyage. That on the arrival of the schooner at Wydah, her cargo was found to have been greatly damaged by the crew of the "Lynx," during her capture and detention by the British commander. These are the material facts in relation to the two cases now submitted. The previous communications which the undersigned has had the honor heretofore of addressing to Lord Palmerston on subjects of a similar character, will relieve him from the necessity of recurring to the peculiar circumstances under which these repeated outrages upon the vessels and commerce of American citizens have been perpetrated, or discussing the principles under which her Majesty's officers have attempted to justify their conduct. Of the right of one nation to search or detain the ships of any other, (who may not be a party to the treaties for the suppression of the slave trade,) on the ground of their being engaged in slave trade, the undersigned can only repeat that there is no shadow of pretence for excusing, much less justifying, the exercise of any such right. That it is wholly immaterial whether the vessels be equipped for, or actually engaged in, slave traffic or not; and consequently the right to search or detain even |