The Delaware gazette. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1809-1810, 1809-12-27
From Tie National Mtc|Uge1cer.
COLLECTORS OFFICE,
NORFOLK, Deccm5cr 1874, 1909.

SIR,
Ohss wing that Mr.. Jackson, the late British
minister, had lodged formal compliant with
the go. eminent ior an insult offered by the cili-
zens Of Hampton TO officer belonging to the
rigate Airicsine, and magnfying this insult
into demand Tor passports of safety for himself
and family, conceived it my duty to make i'm
mediate application 10 the col ec'or OF Hamp
ton, with request that he would have the facts
relative to this transaction fully Investigated and
certified. ] have this morning received from
him the inclosed documents, which hs.t.n to
transmit to you.
have the honor to be, sir,
With very high respect,
Your obcdient servant,
LARKIN SMITH.
Tie Hon. Ro5trt Smith, secretary
Of aiaie, WashmgtOn.
TO D4vi, Brodie, Esq Collector of the Port of
Hampton.
Hampton, l2A Decon6er, 1900.
SIR.
recei, Cd your note Of the llth inst. respect
ing tie ,onduc, OF the British officer, forn the
att'caine tiigate while IN Hampton.
conceive 1t an incumbent duty, being thus
ofhca!ly called upon, IN give such narrative o.
$3.50 - ''i"J tShN W al CNlSHtl ScfHcHt Gl TIC
conduct Of one of the British officers, the Effect
Of which has, presume, given rise TO this en-
curry The day previous to the sailing of the
Af'caine frgate from Hampton Roads TO An
napolls, conveying the late British minister, a
few Of that ships officers were on shor, at
Hampton Returning home was informed by
the etIzsns that during my absence one Of the
Officers had in very dsrespecttu manner en-
tered my house, and was seen shortly afterwards
retiring precipitAt,ly. The officer being point
| ed out 10 me, accosted HIM in presence of the
other officers nearly as follows e" You have
taken the liberty, sir, to offer An unprovoke' in
suit by entering my house in disre.pectful man.
ner What were your motives for such con-
duct The rights OF the citizens here are held
sacred, and no man /, suffered to Infringe then,
with IMMUNITY. You, sir, have been permitted
with the rest OF the officers to walk in our stree,
unmolested. 1t is strange, considering the poll
| tical situation of the times, that yon should b
among the first to Insult the citizens OF ii,mp
| ton."
| The officer attempted to cxtcnuate the ofFenc
| by saying he did not mean an insUIt ! after
wards lett him and the other officers in compan,
with several citizens who were expressing ,hei
| indignation at his conduct.
Shortly after the return ofthe frigate 10 Iamp
ton Roads, received several verbal message
from the same officer, requesting permission /
make me personal apology for his recent con
duct. returned him this answer That tn
citizens of Hampton considered the indIgnt
off rcd to me as general insult, and that if h
wished to apologize to them also through me,
Was willing to near what he had to say on ,ts
subject" Accordingly this officer was intro
. duced to me at my office by the name Of Jack
7 son, and after acknowledging that he did tnte
c my house, made the apology required lie the
I observed that he fearful upon future il
u vestigation of this subject, that he mght susrai
I much injury, as he had reason to expect = pu!
n lie trial on hisreturn TO England.
3 In order TO correct misrepresentation, inu
e here remark, that during the continuance
y MIR. Jackson in my house, he was not seen /
!, any OF my iauHily, excep. servants.
d ! am, ST,
q, With respecr,
of Your obet!icrt servant,
n