“ … a number of distressed seamen sent from the port of London by the Consul of the

“ … a number of distressed seamen sent from the port of London by the Consul of the United States, have arrived [in Charleston] and being persons of Color an advertisement has been published requiring evidence of their freedom … “ 4/7/1817File Unit: March THRU April 1817, 3/1/1817 - 4/30/1817Series: Letters Received, 1789 - 1906Record Group 59: General Records of the Department of State, 1763 - 2002Transcription: 139Philadelphia April 7th. 1817SirAt the instance of several gentlemenof this City I take the liberty of representing to youthat it appears by information received fromCharleston South Carolina that a number ofdistressed seamen sent from the port of Londonby the Consul of the United States, have arrivedthere and being persons of Color an advertise-ment has been published requiring evidenceof their freedom or of the claims of any per-sons to their services, as slaves to be transmittedto the marshals of the city of Charleston before the first day of May next.The references given in the adver-tisement to persons and places from whichthe individuals are stated to have representedthat proofs of their freedom maybe be obtainedextend to the State of Massachusetts north-ward and to the State of Ohio westwardand include almost all the intermediate States to Virginia.Information received immedi-ately from them by a benevolent man[page 2]resident at Charleston gives reason to believethat the advertisement is in several respectserroneous and that other persons and in somerespects other places must be resorted to forthe proofs of their freedom.The enquiries will be pursued withcare and diligence but it is obvious that theinterval announced in the advertisementis much too small for the object – nor is itunderstood why it has been so limited.It is apprehended that the casefalling within the range of the Executiveduties of the government of the United Statesan application may properly be made to youSir to have the time extended.Perhaps an addition of three monthswould be little enough whether however itshall be more or less is submitted to your judge-ments – but it is respectfully hoped that youwill deem it within your power to give suchdirections as will prevent – what it is appre-hended may be case if within this narrowinterval the rights of freemen shall notbe established – Viz – being indiscriminatelysold for payment of costs and changes.I have the honor to be – with the greatest respect [unclear (“Sir”??)]Your obedient servant[signature (with extensions/flourishes at left & below):] W. RawleHon[’]ble.  [? (abbrev. for “Honorable”; letters in superscript after “b” unclear)]  Richard Rush -- source link

More pics about