PERIOD FROM 1836 TO 1854. 435 



Schooner Mayflower, of Boothbay, released ; her expenses amounted 

 to £75, 6s. 4d., which I paid. Incidental charges included in this 

 sum. 



The Eliza, Charles, and Mayflower have evidently been brought 

 under the operation of a law which I cannot but feel is exceedingly 

 severe — perhaps I should say unjust. It was thought advisable, how- 

 ever, to pay the sums at which they were assessed, rather than have 

 the vessels detained, and, perhaps, subjected to further difficulty. 



The Shetland stood in a different position, and escaped condemna- 

 tion by the merest accident. 



The Battelle and Hyder Ally have been condemned and sold. 



I bought the former for the owner, who has come on to this place 

 and claimed her. I charged him five per cent commission, which he 

 paid. He took a sea-letter for Boston from this office, the schooner's 

 papers being filed in the registry of the court of vice-admiralty. 



The Magnolia, Independence, Java and Hart were condemned in 

 the court of vice-admiralty on the 5th instant; and an order has 

 gone to Yarmouth for the sale to take place immediately. 



The owner of the two former is here, and he will proceed to Yar- 

 mouth to purchase them. 



I have a power of attorney from the owner of the Hart to purchase 

 for him; and I have given directions that the Java may also be 

 bought on account of the owners, if it be possible, by so doing, to 

 save these poor men from ruin. 



The Hyder Ally remains in my possession, and will, I think, be 

 claimed in a few days, as the owner has written respecting her. 



A new case has arisen: The schooner Amazon was seized by the 

 collector of light duties, at the Gut of Canso, and the master trans- 

 mitted an affidavit to me relating the circumstances of the seizure. I 

 immediately applied to the advocate general, who, after a few days, 

 handed me an order for her release, addressed to the seizing officer, 

 but left open, so that I might send it to the person having the vessel 

 in custody, it being reported that the collector of light duties had 

 absconded. 



The master of this vessel will have to pay the expenses attendant on 

 his detention and custody, for which I have become answerable; and 

 how I am to be reimbursed I do not know. 



I have the honor to be, sir your obedient, humble servant. 



John Morrow. 

 Hon. John Forsyth, 



Seen tary of State, Washington. 



Mr. Vail to Oofn/modore Chauncey. 



I Department of State, 

 Washington, August 0, 1839. 

 Sir: Several seizures of fishing vessels belonging to citizens of the 

 United States having been made by British cruisers in the harbors 

 ami along die coa i of N'ova Scotia, the President has ordered an in- 

 quiry into the subject, and has directed me to inform your depart- 

 ment that, for the purpose of protecting the rights and interests of 



<.,-■■ W°— S. Doc. K70, 61-3, vol 2 29 



