The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-03-30

" II
state OF preparation for service, thos. that 1T
for, but not IN aetuui service, and dismsntng aud
Ia, 'ng up those that were unfit Tor service. This
wSs eous'sle cd TIE beat disposition that could be
made as the only purpose they could be spplicd to-
IL so'. would be fur the do,n. site navigation, the
hazSrds and Interruptions OF which hsd aud still do
prevent the emp oy IN, mt Of considerable portion
oshe prirste Graf, Usually engaged in that branch OF
trade.
On the subject Of d, opening the channel into the
harbor of Esie, shall be enabled TO report in few
days The proper in1uirv for information On that
suh)ect was made by TINS department shortly af,cr
tie. resolution Was snbiaitsl 20 Congress- but no
thing definite or satisfactory had been received uni,
within te~ days; proposals tor that purpose, by
persons % the spct eabn,itied by the honora.
bic Mr. Wilson, the representative from that dis
.rict.
ihsve the honor to be, very respectfully, sir. your
ob't sery't
WM. JONES.
lion. WIZ. LowNps..
Chairman # tAe .Navd Committee.
Washington. E7areh "a.
Cohy Of letter from Commodore Dscatar,
10 The Secretary efthe Navy.
-, u. s. Ship United States.
Eew-London, March Ii, 1914.
SlR-l have the n, nor TO forward to YOU
enelse dispatch received BY me from
Capt. Copei, the commanding officer os the
British squadron before this port, written in
reply to an application of ni;ce, for the re-
lease Of an American seaman detained a.
gainst his will on board the f.igate Sta
tira.
Hiram Thayer born in the town If Green
witch, in the county of Hampshire, and CON.
monwealth of Massachusetts, was IMPRESS
ed into the naval service of G. Britain. in
the month of August, 1908, and detained
ever since. Abu years ago, when the
Statira was put in COMMIT ssion, he was trans
tered to her, & hasheen constantly on board
her to this day.
am informed, and in fact it was stated
by Capt. Stackpoole to 1t Hamilton. who
was charged with the flag, that the late
General Lyman. our Consul at London.
made application to the Lords Commission
ers tor the discharge of Thayer, but they
were no, satisfied with the evidence of his
nativity.
John Fhaycr, the father of Hiram. as
snres me, that the certificate of the Select
men, the Town Clerk, and the Minister of
tTesnwich. were forwa rced some time a :
70 to MIR. Mitchell, the resident agent for
American prisoners of war at Halifax, but
does not know the reason why he was not
released then.
The son has written TO his father and in
formed him that on his representing to
Captain Stackpnoie that he was an Amer.
'can citizen and would not fight against
his country, that Capt. Stackpoole told Dim
" II they fell in with an American MIN of
war and he did not do his duty, he shonId
be tied to the mast aud shot at like a
dog"
On Monday the II h instant John Thay-
or reqnes ed me to allow him fag,to VI
oil to the enemy and ask for the release
Of his sen. This granted 81 once, and adj
dressed note to Capt Capcl, stating thar 7
felt persuaded that the application OF the
father, furnished as he was with conc,u-
sive evidence OF the nativity and the int,en-
tity OF the son wosld induce an immed;a g..
order fer his discharge. The reply is en-
closed. The son descried his FL her at n
distance in the boat and told the frs. Lieu
tenant IT the Statira that il was bis father.
AMI understand the ceilings manifested
by the old man on receiving the hand #
his sos, proved beyond all ether evidence
the property he had in him. There was
! not doubt left on the min. of a single Rri.
fish officer of Hiram 1'hayer's beins an A.
| merican citizen--asd yet he is detained
nat rs prisoner of war, but compeiIed
under the most cruel threats, to serve the
enemies OF bis country
! Thayer has so recommended hins IL bv
his sobrlety. industry and seamanship, as "a
be appointed aboatsws in m ate, aaj is now
! serving in that capacity 10 the Sta,ira.--snd
he says there IS due TO him from the Brit
ish government about two hundred and ff-
y pounds sterling.-Ee has also assured his
| fatoer THAT he has always refused to receive
any bounty or advance. lest il might AFFORD.
| some preteyt for denying him his discharge
whenever proper application Should b.
made for it.
] am, sir. with the highest cons;dera
| ton, your most obedient and humble ser.
want.
STEPHEN DECATUR.
| CAPTAIN CAPkL's LETTER ENCLOSED.
His 3. MS Ship Ls Hoeue or
N. London, 14tb March, 1874
| SlR~-I have the honor to acknowledge
| the receipt Of POUR letter, together With the
| certificates OF exchange and discharge from
! Parole, forwarded to you at the request OF
Colonel Barclay the Commissary General
of British prisoners Of war end beg ia
| 'eiurn you my hanks for your polite atten
| ton.
regret that it is not in my power In
comply with your request in ordering toe
| son Of MIR. John rhayrr to be discharged
from His Maiesty's Snip Statica. but viii
forward yeur application 10 the commander
in chiefly the earliest on ,ortanity, and
have no doubt he will order his INN ea iate
di charge.
I am. sir, with great consideration and
T. spect, your most o5edisnt and very .um-
BILE servan;,
THOMAS B. CAPEL. cahtai..
Commenting His By5fdnnie
n1oje8lV's sOun1itou IN