Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-30

pole, confessing that he has NO doubt of hi
being an American citizen, cannot give hin
up without an order from the admiral if h,
does 1t ON his own responsibility, he canno
gets man inhis stead-but IT the admiral or
ders his discharge, he must provide substi.
tutes' ~
This Isl misnomcr. Tho creature should be
called barbariau-Coth. Yandnl. and sarage.
sEp. REG.
Copy efa Letter from, Cou.nlsdore Decatur to
she Secyefarg Of the Mary.
~ U s. Ship United States,
81, New London, March 1S, 1914.
have the honor to forward 10 you enclo.
sedsa despatch received by ME from Captain
Capel, the commanding officer of the British
squadron before this port, written inreply to
an application of NINE, for the release of an A
1berican seaman detained against his will on
board the frigate Statira.
Hiram Thaver, born in the town of Green
witch, in the county of Hampshire. com
monwealth of Massachusetts. WAS impress
sed into the naval service of G.. Britain, in
the month of August. 1903, and detained E.
yer since. Abou, 6years ago. when the Sta-
tira was put in commission, he was transfer,
red to her and has been constantly on board
her to this day.
am informed, and in fact it, was stated
by Capt. Stackpoole to Lieut.. Hamilton, who
was charged with the flag, that the late
General Lyman, our Consul ut London,
made application to the Lords Commits !.
sioners for the discharge of Thayer, but
they were not satisfied with the evidence Of
his nativity. 80 s
John Thayer. the father Of Hiram, assures
me, thatthe certificate Of the SeIectmen, the
Tovn Clerk and the Minister of Green
wich, we're forwarded some time ago to Mr..
Mnche'i. the resident agent for American
prisoners of war at Halifax, bur does not
know the reason why he was not released
thea.
The son has written to his father and 10,
formed him that on his representing to Capt.
Stackpoole that he was an American citizen
and would not fight against his country, that
Capt. Stackpooie told him " if they fell in
with an American man of war and he did
not dohis duty, he should be tied to the
mast and shot at like a dog.
On Monday the 18th instant John Thayer
requested me to allow him flag to go off to
the enemy and ask for the rels ase of his son.
This granted at once & addressed note to
capt Capes, stating that I felt persuaded that
the application Of the father, furnished as he
was with conclusive evidence of the nativity
and the iden ity of the son, would induce an
Immediate order for his discharge. The re-
ply IS enclosed. The sun deserted his father
at a distance in the boat and told the first
Lieutenant of the Statira that it was his
father, and understand the feelings maui>
tested by the old man on receiving the hand
Of his SON, proved beyond all other evidence
the property he had in him. There was not
q doubt left on the mind of single British
officer of Hiram Thayer's being an Ameri.
can cjtizen-and yet he is detained, not as
prisoner of war. but compelled, under the
most cruel threats, to serve the enemies of
his country.
Thayer has so recommended himself by
his sobricty, industry and seamanship as to-
be appointed boatswain's mate and is now
serving in that capacity in the Statira land
he says there is due to him from the British
government about two hundred aud fifty
pounds sterling.-He has also assured his
father that he has always refused to receive
any bounty or advance, les it might afford
come pretext for denying him his discharge
whenever proper application should be
made for it.
] am, sir, with the highest consideration,
your most obedient and humble servant,
STEPHEN DECATUR.
Captain Cahei's letter Enclosed
His B. M's ship La Hogue, off
N. London, 18th March, 1914
SIR have the honor TO acknowledge
the receipt of your letter. together with
she certificates ofexchange and discharge
from parole, forwarded to you at the re-
quest Of Colonel Barclay the Commissary
General Of British prisoners of war /; and /
beg to return you my thanks for your polite
attention.
regret that it is not in my power to CONS
ply with your request in ordering the son Of
Mr. John Thayer to be discharged from His
Majesty Ship Statira, but will forward
your application to the commander inthief
by the earliest opportunity, ard have no
doubt he will order his immediate discharge.
LAM sir, with great consideration and
respect, your most obedent and very humble
servant.
THOMAS B. CAPEL, Captain,
Commanding His Britanic
Majesty squadron of
New London.
To Com. DECATUR, com
nanding the U. S. squadron, N. London
BALTIMORE, March &c.
Copy efa letter 10 The editors, dated
90 .Nathczvs County, ( pfrg. J .lfar.h I8.
"SIRS,-I yesterday visited the camp near New
Point Comfort; and had the pleasure Of seeing on
OF the handsomest skrmisies ever witnessed. a