SEIZURES IN 1817. 45 



that he, being already in possession of the views of Great Britain, is 

 now lead to entertain a strong expectation that a settlement which 

 shall reconcile the interests of both parties may, without any material 

 delay, be effectuated, the Prince Regent, under these impressions, is 

 willing to give to the American Government this additional proof of 

 his earnest wish that the negotiation should proceed, under circum- 

 stances the most favorable to a speedy and amicable conclusion, by 

 acceding to the application of the Government of the United States, 

 as brought forward by Mr. Adams. Instructions will, accordingly, 

 be expedited to the naval commanders on the American station to 

 suspend the execution of the said orders during the approaching 

 season.*^ 



Meanwhile, however, and before the revocation of the order to the 

 naval officers on the American station could be communicated to them, 

 as promised by Lord Castlereagh, the British sloop-of-war Dee 

 had made the seizures of the American vessels above referred to. 

 The order under which the captain of the Dee acted in making 

 these seizures was communicated by Mr. Bagot to Mr. Eush, Acting 

 Secretary of State, in his note of August 8, 1817, and was in the 

 following form: 



By Sir David Milne, K. C. B. and K. W. N., Rear Admiral of the 

 Blue, and commander-in-chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels 

 emploj^ed, and to be employed, in North America, and on the lakes 

 of Canada, &c. &c. 



You are hereby required and directed to proceed, in His Majesty's 

 ship under your command, to Halifax ; and having received on board 

 a pilot at that port, you will repair and cruise between Sambro light- 

 house and Cape Sable, using every means in your power for the pro- 

 tection of the revenue, as also the fisheries on the coast, against the 

 encroachment of foreigners. 



On your meeting with any foreign vessel fishing or at anchor in any 

 of the harbors or creeks in His Majesty's North American provinces 

 or within our maritime jurisdiction, you will seize and send such 

 vessel so trespassing to Halifax for adjudication, unless it should 

 clearly appear that they have been obliged to put in there in conse- 

 quence of distress; acquainting me with the cause of such seizure, 

 and every other particular, to enable me to give all information to 

 the lords commissioners of the admiralty. 



You are to come within sight of signals from Sambro light-house 

 every fourteen days, if the wind and weather will permit, and wait 

 eight hours at that distance. You will continue on this service for 

 six weeks from your sailing from Halifax, at the expiration of which 

 time you will return to that port for further orders. 



Given on board His Majesty's ship Leander, Bermuda, the 12th 

 day of May, 1817. 



David Milne, Rear Admiral. 



To Captain Samuel Chambers, of His Majesty's ship Dee. 



By command of the Rear Admiral: 



J. P. Lamey.* 



« Appendix, p. 295. ''Appendix, p. 299. 



