The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

To the Editor of the Daily Advertiser.

The following is a letter received from a valuable friend, with my answer thereto, which you will be good enough to give a place in your paper.

W. S. SMITH.

Philadelphia, June 23d, 1806.

SIR,

I have just received from Caracas a list of the names of the Americans, taken by the Spaniards on board of Miranda's schooners.—The name of Smith is twice found in it. I suspect the last to be the son of colonel Smith, and grand son of Mr. Adams. Although I had some political differences with him when he was president, this circumstance has not deprived me of that particular regard and respect towards such a distinguished character, and particular consideration for his family. Not the least doubt exists but the greatest part of the prisoners will be put to death as pirates, and I would be very happy to be able, by a timely and immediate interference, to save the life of the unfortunate youth, grand son to the venerable Mr. Adams and his worthy spouse. But, to render my intercession effectual, I would require, as the only condition, that colonel Smith would disclose to me, through you, on his word of honor, all the knowledge he has of Miranda's plans, of his intended points of attack, of the persons with whom he had connections in Caracas, and the name of a Spaniard in this country, who shared in his scheme and expedition; in fact, all the material information he may be possessed of, the knowledge of which may be useful to my government, and for the preservation and tranquility of the provinces Miranda had in view to revolutionize.

As I remember your attachment for Mr. Adams, I take this liberty to make this suggestion to you, who no doubt will employ all the means to relieve from affliction a worthy and disconsolate family. At all events, I expect from you a prompt and decisive answer on this head. I remain, sir, with particular regard and consideration, your obedient servant.

(Signed)
MARQUIS DE CASA YRUJO.

New-York, June 30, 1806.

DEAR SIR,

Accept my warmest acknowledgments for your very interesting communication of this date, presented by your son, accompanied with a letter addressed to you from the Marquis De Casa Yrujo, which after maturely considering I return agreeable to your request.

I am sure I shall do justice to the feelings of Mr. and Mrs. Adams, if in their name I thank the Marquis for his very polite attention in a case, no doubt, near, interesting and affecting. I am sure when I do him the justice to communicate his tender solicitudes for the protection of their grand son, it will not fail to excite those sensibilities and acknowledgments, which from them the Marquis is highly entitled to.

For myself, not having the honor of his acquaintance, I had no right to expect any other attention to feelings or dignity of character, than what would naturally spring from his own mind when making such an interesting communication.

He informs you he has just received from Caracas a list of the names of Americans taken by the Spaniards on board Miranda's schooners, that the name of Smith is twice found in it, he suspects the last to be my son, and grand son to Mr. Adams, and says, that he should be very happy by a timely and immediate interference to save the life of the unfortunate youth, grand son to the venerable Mr. Adams and his worthy spouse; he having no doubt but the greatest part of the Americans will be put to death. But, to render this intercession effectual, he requires as the only condition, that I disclose to him, through you on my word of honor, all the knowledge I have of Miranda's plans, of his intended point of attack, of the persons with whom he has connections in Caracas, and the names of the Spaniards in this country, who shared in his schemes and expedition; in fact all the material information I may be possessed of, the knowledge of which may be useful to the Spanish government, for the preservation and tranquility of the provinces Miranda has in view to revolutionize.

When the Marquis De Casa Yrujo takes a dispassionate view of the circumstances connected with general Miranda's visit to Washington, his subsequent conduct here, and clearly ascertains that the persons accompanying him in the Leander, were not informed of his projects and plans, he will permit his benevolence to expand, and shelter all those taken in the schooners, from harsh treatment and unmerited punishment, he will induce the government of his country to view the question in other lights than those which may end to expose it to more severe animadversions than have hitherto been made, or to the rousing of that spirit of indignation and resentment, which if once permitted to burst forth, cannot fail of being attended with strong marks