SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of this date, respecting some men, therein mentioned, on board
His Majesty's ships under my command, said to be citizens of
the United States, and in reply, beg to acquaint you, that
whenever I have received representations from the captains of
His Majesty's ships of any part of their crews being citizens
of America, with sufficient proof of their nativity, I have
directed their discharge from the service.
I must observe to you that I cannot permit the interference of
any applications from men belonging to His Majesty's ships, but
through their commanding officers: and in your department, of
prisoners of war only, I shall at all times be most happy to
receive your communications.