The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9) / Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private

by Thomas Jefferson

TO COLONEL CHARLES SIMMS, COLLECTOR.

Washington, January 22, 1809.

Sir,—I received last night your letter of yesterday, and this being a day in which all the offices are shut, and the case admitting no delay, I enclose you a special order, directly from myself, to apply for aid of the militia adjacent to the vessel, to enable you to do your duty as to the sloop loading with flour. But I must desire that, so far as the agency of the militia be employed, it may be with the utmost discretion, and with no act of force beyond what shall be necessary to maintain obedience to the laws, using neither deeds nor words unnecessarily offensive. I salute you with respect.

[The Order enclosed.]

THOMAS JEFFERSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

January, 1809.

United States of America to wit,—Information being received that a sloop, said to be of one of the eastern States, of about 1,500 barrels burthen, is taking in flour in the Bay of Occoquan in Virginia, with intention to violate the several embargo laws, and the urgency of the case not admitting the delay of the ordinary course of proceeding through the orders of the Governors of the States, I have therefore thought proper to issue these my special orders to the militia officers of the counties of Fairfax, Prince William, or of any other county of Virginia, or of Maryland, adjacent to the river Potomak or any of its waters, wherein the said vessel may be found, and to such particular officer especially to whom these my orders shall be presented by any collector of the customs, for any district on the said river or its waters, or by any person acting under their authority, forthwith on receiving notice, to call out such portion of the militia under his or their command as shall be sufficient, and to proceed with the same, in aid of the said collector, to take possession of the said sloop and her cargo, wheresoever found in the said waters, and to detain the same until she shall be liberated according to law, for which this shall be his and their warrant.

Given under my hand at Washington, this 22d day of January, 1809.