186 



A VOYAGE TO 



expected in such a case; and his majesty hopes that 

 the minister of the United States will take such mea- 

 sures on it, that those officers shall be properly repre- 

 hended for this act of excess, and that the commander 

 of the frigate will set at liberty the Portuguese sailors 

 which are on board, and who desire, as it is their duty 

 to do, to return to the service of their king and coun- 

 try. The undersigned is well persuaded, that the min- 

 ister of the United States will acknowledge the mo- 

 deration with which his majesty has acted in this ease,' 

 and will be ready to render that competent satisfaction 

 which is claimed. 



(Signed,) 



Thomas Antonia Villa Nova de Portugal. 

 Palace of Rio Janeiro. 



February 'Ul, 1818. 



The minister plenipotentiary of the United States, 

 has the honor to inform his excellency Thomas An- 

 tonia Villa Nova de Portugal, &c. &c. that having re- 

 ceived the complaint addressed to him yesterday even- 

 ing respecting the proceedings of some officers and 

 midshipmen of the frigate Congress, in endeavor- 

 ing to recover a deserter on shore, who represents 

 himself to be a Portuguese subject, and desirous to 

 serve his own country rather than any other, he will 

 take an early opportunity of inquiring into the facts of 

 the case, after which he will be enabled to answer his 

 excellency in form, and he hopes satisfactorily. 



The minister of the United States profits by this oc- 

 casion to renew to his excellency the assurance of his 

 high respect and consideration. 



