488 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[Marchj 
his haste : — that the proposition was based on a suggestion in 
one of the minister's communications, of a desire on the part of 
the government of Buenos Ayres to settle the question as to the 
right of fishery, by a direct understanding with the government 
of the United States ; and he urged the propriety of suspending 
the. seizures, and placing things on their former ground, until an 
attempt should have been made to settle the question amicably. 
In the same note the consul contended for his right to protest, 
when the interest of American citizens was concerned ; and he 
averred, that in doing so he acted by the authority of his own 
government — and that he had been considered and treated with as' 
the representative of the government of the United States, since 
the death of Mr. Forbes, the charge d'affaires. 
On the seventh of December, Captain Duncan addressed a note 
directly to the minister of foreign affairs, declaring that he had it 
in proof that Vernet did plunder the schooner Harriet ; and re- 
quested, that inasmuch as he had been guilty of piracy and rob- 
bery, he should be surrendered to the United States for trial, " or 
that he be . arrested and punished by the laws of Buenos Ayres." 
On the ninth of December, the minister of foreign affairs ad- 
dressed another note to the consul, complaining of the impropri- 
ety and indecorum of pressing the government to a decision on 
" an affair of a private litigious nature," in which he had no right 
to interfere, " it being a private contentious affair ;" especially 
when he could not be ignorant " of the weighty and urgent atten- 
tions which notoriously surrounded the government." The con- 
sul was informed, that if the commander of the Lexington " should 
commit any act, or use any measure, which might tend to a de- 
nial of the right which the republic had to the Falkland Islands, 
and coasts adjacent to Cape Horn," or to impede the seal-fishery, 
the government would address a formal complaint to the gov- 
ernment of the United States, " and would cause to make valid 
and respected its rights, by all the means it might esteem con- 
venient." The minister also informed the consul, that he laboured 
Tinder a remarkable error in supposing himself as being consid- 
ered the representative of the United States, when he was con- 
sidered in no other light than as consul of the United States for 
the city of Buenos Ayres ; and expressed the hope that he would 
confine himself to his particular function, " and refrain from per- 
