--142--
22d Congress.] |
No. 481. |
[1st Session. |
ON THE EXPEDIENCY OF ALLOWING THE CLAIM OF CAPTAIN JOHN D. SLOAT, OF THE UNITED STATES SHIP ST. LOUIS, FOR GIVING REFUGE TO THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF PERU AND GENERAL MILLER DURING A REVOLUTION IN THAT COUNTRY.
COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MAY 14, 1832.
Mr. Archer, from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred the message of the President, communicating a claim of John D. Sloat, to the payment of which no fund in the disposal of the Department was applicable, and recommending that provision be made for expenses of similar character in future, reported:
It appears that, at the occurrence of the civil disturbance which took place in Peru, in 1831, the President of the republic, flying from attempted assassination, took refuge on board the United States vessel-of-war, the St. Louis, lying in the roads of Callao, of which J. D. Sloat was commander. This refuge could not have been denied, under the circumstances, without a departure from humanity, which would have brought discredit on the officer and the government. Lieutenant Sloat gave immediate information of the fact to the chargé of the United States at Lima, and to Commodore Thompson, in command of the squadron of which the St. Louis was a part. The same communication, through the charge, Mr. Larned, was made, also, without delay, to the new executive government of the country. The act of reception met with the approval of all those authorities. With the consent of the prefect of the city, General Miller, of the Peruvian army, about the same time with the President, had also taken refuge on board the St. Louis. The continuance of these officers in the St. Louis was unavoidably permitted, for some time, from the same causes which induced their reception. For the expenses of their entertainment, Mr. Sloat has exhibited an account against the government, alleging the total inadequacy of his pay, as commander of a vessel of inferior class, to meet such expenses. On another occasion, also, he had, at the request of General Bolivar, received himself and officers on a visit to inspect his vessel. A small charge is made for the expense of this visit in the account of Mr. Sloat.
The committee are of opinion that the account, which would have received payment at the Department, had there existed any fund applicable to the object, ought to be paid. As such cases must be rare in their occurrence, the necessity for a permanent provision on the subject is not perceived. For the particular case they report a bill.