Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

The following letter, with its enclosures, was this day received by the brig Spartan.

Cape-Francais, April 16, 1802.

Messrs. Yundt and Brown,

GENTLEMEN,

I enclose you herein an address to Tobias Lear, esq. from the American merchants established in this city, on his departure and dismissal by the captain general of this colony and his answer thereto, which you are at liberty, if you please, to publish; he is a good man, and worthy the confidence which the executive of the United States had placed in him.

Absolutely I am afraid to give you any accounts relative to the actual situation of this colony, and the treatment the Americans meet with generally. Captain J. Rodgers and a captain Davidson, commander of the ship St. Domingo Packet, of Philadelphia, have been imprisoned now several days without a cause being assigned for the measure—and none of their friends are permitted to converse or supply them with even the common necessaries of life.

I believe every commercial American establishment will shortly quit this country, or as soon as their affairs will permit. This is my determination.

To TOBIAS LEAR, Esq.

General commercial agent from the United States of America for the island of St. Domingo.

SIR,

WITH deep regret we learn that you are on the eve of your return to the United States, at a moment when your presence might have been so essential for the interest of our country.

Had it been consistent with the views of the French government to have authorized your continuance here, in your official capacity, we are persuaded the most happy consequences would have been the result.

The uniform and unremitted exertions you have, ever since your residence among us employed for the security of our trade, and the protection of our persons and property, have been of such a nature as to demand our warmest approbation: permit us therefore, to offer our cordial thanks for your solicitude and zeal so often and so cheerfully manifested on every occasion when your services were required.

Our most ardent desire is that our country may reward you in that way which we conceive your eminent services merit.

Accept, sir, we pray you, our affectionate wishes for your personal welfare, and the assurance of our sincere esteem and consideration.

(Signed) James Williams, Thos. C. Earle, Committee appointed to wait on Col. Tobias Lear. Josiah Lewden, (Signed) George Attwood, Sol. G. Alberts, R. L. Duhamel, John Grochan, John N. Darcey, David Olivier, Robert Stevenson, Christ'r Dethon, Wm. Dawson, Wm. Nott, Charles Watt, Wm. F. Carty, Robert Moore, C. Langford, Frederick Tracy, Robert Smart, Thomas Asbury, Edw. Bowden, Wm. Knox, jun. Geo. M'Candless. Benj. Hoston, Charles Tracy

ANSWER OF COLONEL LEAR.

To the citizens of the United States, residing in the city of Cape Francois,

Friends and fellow-citizens,

The affectionate address which you have been pleased to present to me, on the eve of my departure, for the United States, merits and receives my warmest and most grateful acknowledgments.

In discharging the duties incumbent upon me in my official character, since my residence among you, I have ever felt a peculiar satisfaction, because I believe my motives were duly appreciated; and I should still feel happy in a continuance in this colony, if it were in my power to prolong my residence.

Whatever situation of life I may be placed, I shall remember you with affection, and no circumstances shall ever induce me to be less useful to you than that which might enable me to promote your welfare and prosperity.

Under all the unfavorable circumstances which have occurred since my arrival here, I have experienced the highest consolation from the friendly attentions you have been pleased to show me and the readiness with which every exertion has been made for our mutual preservation and welfare, whenever these exertions were necessary.

Fully persuaded as I am, that in every event which may happen, your conduct will evince the respect which you have for our country, as well as for yourselves, and that our fellow-citizens in the United States will feel a lively interest in your welfare and prosperity.

For your affectionate wishes for my personal welfare, my heart overflows with gratitude; and my prayers that every blessing may be bestowed upon you, will be offered up to that Being who can preserve and protect you.

Accept, my friends and fellow-citizens, the assurances of my affectionate regard.

(Signed)
TOBIAS LEAR.

Cape-Francois, April 16, 1802.