To James Madison from James McGreggar, 4 January 1808

Enclosed are Returns of the American Vessels which arrived here from the 22d. Septr. to the 21st. December, at which time [th]is Island surrendered to the Forces of His Britannic Majesty [by] Capitulation, a Copy whereof is also enclosed. I have [li]kewise sent the Registers of Vessels, deposited in my Office, which [have] been sold or condemned as unfit for sea, together with [s]undry Sea Letters found in the Custom House, and given to me [by] the Danish Collector, previous to the surrender of the Island, also a Copy of a Letter from the American Seamen on board [the] Brig Hart, now in this port. I made application to the [Com]manders for their release but did not succeed.

Since the Capture of this Island I have not been permit[ted] to act in a public Capacity, on account of my being appointed as [Cons]ul. Had the Letter Patent expressed Commercial Agent in lieu [of] Consul I should have been permitted to act, but in a very [lim]ited manner; Should affairs be arranged between the two Govern[me]nts and His Excellency think proper to send me such a commissi[on I] have no doubt but I shall be permitted to act on the same prin[ciple] as other Agents do in English Islands.

The Brig Charleston Packet Captn. Charles Connell, with whom [I se]nt all the distressed American Seamen, was boarded off this [harbour], and had several Seamen impressed, which I put on [boar]d. It would be unnecessary for me to make any comments on the [] persued by the British Commanders in those seas with regard [to i]mpressments. Government no doubt has good information on that [sub]ject.

By some very late arrivals from England, there has a [] Orders of Council come out, (and I am sorry that I have not had [an] opportunity of taking Copies) which are so very pointed at the [] destruction of our Commerce, that I conceive it my duty to give [Y]ou the outlines of them, as they appear to me.

First, They declare all ports belonging to the enemies of Great B[ritain] or all Ports where British Vessels are excluded, under Bl[ockade.]

Secondly. All Neutral Vessels bound to any Port in Europe not [in] Amity with Great Britain must first touch at a port [in] England, and there enter and clear, pay duties outward and [in]ward, and obtain permission from His B. M. to proceed [to] French or other Ports.

Thirdly No Produce to be exported in a Neutral Vessel excep[t it] be the growth of a British Colony and accompanied with proper proof of the same.

Fourthly. No Neutral Vessel will be permitted to go South of [the] Equator without His Britannic Majesty’s permission

and lastly, That all Neutral Vessels will be considered to K[now]

the contents of these orders after the 20th. day of Febr[uary] and if found acting contrary to them will be good and lawful [prize] to the Captors. In consequence of the situation of this Is[land] for some time past I have been under the necessity of advan[cing] More Money for the releif of Distressed Seamen than I have received on account of the United States, The Accounts [and] Vouchers for which shall be forwarded by the next opportun[ity.]

The Schooner Friendship by which this is forwarded goes s[o much] sooner than I expected that I have not time to send them.

The Arrangement of Commerce, since the Capture of this Isla[nd], has placed it upon the same footing as it was under the Danis[h] Government for six months, untill his Majesty’s Pleasure is [known.]

You will observe by the Returns that I did not receive the [] of American Vessels untill the 22d. Septr. I could not make [the] Necessary arrangements with the Danish Government sooner [   ] The Blockade commenced on the 24th October, after which [date] No American was pemitted to enter. I shall still con[tinue] to give you every information that I may conceive beneficial [to our] Country, and render to my Countrymen that may chance to [be] here, every service in my power. I have the Honor to be very [] Sir, Your most obt & very [humble Servt]