_Extract of a letter from John Mitchell, Esq., Agent for
American Prisoners of War at Halifax, to the Secretary of
State, dated_
"DECEMBER 5, 1812.
"I cover you a copy of a correspondence, which took place
in consequence of different applications I received, either
by letter or personally, from persons detained on board His
Britannic Majesty's ships of war in this place.
"I formerly mentioned to you that the Admiral had assured me
that he would discharge all the citizens of the United States
who were in the fleet, and actually did discharge several. This
induced me to think I should be correct, and in the perfect
line of my duty, in sending him a list of the applicants to me,
and requesting an inquiry to be made, and discharges granted
to all who were citizens of the United States; I, therefore,
covered him a list of the names now enclosed to you, which
produced his letter to me of the same date, (December 1, 1812.)
"I read it with surprise, because some of the men had informed
me their captains had refused to report them to the Admiral.
Now, if no one here was, or is, allowed to do it, their
situation is hopeless.
"It is not my place, sir, to reason with you on this business.
_Proof of Nativity_, in his first letter, is a strong
expression; and how few are in possession of it, and how many
who cannot obtain it.
"The second paragraph, in the second letter, prevents my
interfering; and I have since been obliged to send a man away,
requesting him to apply to his commanding officer."
_Copy of a letter from John Mitchell, Esq., Agent for American
Prisoners of War at Halifax, to Sir John Borlase Warren,
dated_