University of Virginia Library

TO JAMES MONROE.

I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter from
Thomas Manning with the document it inclosed, respecting
the capture of the Brig Camillus and what appears to be a
most unprovoked outrage committed on the person of Thomas
Carpenter, a native of the United States, then a seaman on
board, by order of Lieutenant Sutton, commanding the British
armed schooner L'Eclair or Leclerc. Mr. Manning has been
informed that recompence for the loss he has sustained must
be attempted by his pursuing the judicial remedy against
Mr. Sutton, if he thinks it advisable. But the reparation
demanded by the honor of our flag whose immunities have

been so grossly violated in the person of Carpenter by an
officer of the King of Great Britain is the serious concern of
the Government, and you will therefore apply for satisfaction
in that decided yet friendly manner which is warranted by the
highly aggravated conduct of the British officer. The circumstances
of the occurrence, though almost incredible from
their nature, are as fully supported as can be done by ex parte
evidence, which nevertheless Mr. Manning assures me is free
from colouring and exaggeration. It will therefore not be a
satisfactory answer to the complaint to be presented with
the bare denial of Mr. Sutton if he should hazard one; for
if the British Government think the harmony of the United
States worth preserving they ought to scrutinize with care
and punish with rigor misconduct which has such an irritating
tendency.