[To Burbeck] War Department 29^th March 1799. Sir, His Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordi- nary, and Minister Plenipotentiary, to the Uni- ted States of America, hath represented to this Department, That his Majesty's Governor Gene- ral of Canada, hath transmitted to him a complaint of an outrage committed upon a British Subject, by the Commanding Officer of the American Garrison at Michilimackinac, which he [undecipherable] complained, not to be consi- dered [undecipherable] the immediate attention of Government. "[undecipherable] [undecipherable] among the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable], [undecipherable] employed by a respectable Company of Merchants, as a Traveller in the back Country, returning from the woods in the [undecipherable] made his way through the rails of a [undecipherable] [undecipherable], situated at some distance from the [undecipherable], with a view [undecipherable] by a nearer route, at the house of the Gentleman in whose more immediate service he was en- gaged, and who at that time resided at Michilimackinac. "That for this slight offense, he [the] young man was arrested, put in irons, by order of the Commanding Officer, tied to a Gun, and flogged with [undecipherable] greater [undecipherable] of severity, as to render him for several days in- capable of performing his usual duty. "That this act of cruelty has had a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], as to prevent the [undecipherable] men [undecipherable] engaging in the service of the Mer- chants, who wish to [undecipherable] themselves [undecipherable] that part of the Country" The Minister [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Forei- gn [undecipherable] Department – [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] rep- resentation of the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] made to the President of the United States, with the view to [undecipherable] a reasonable satisfaction to the injured party, and the adoption of such measures, as may prevent, the repetition, [undecipherable] such unjustifiable conduct in future. By command of the President, I am at present to announce to you his opinion that the Conduct, [undecipherable] by you, on the occasion represented to him, by the Briti[sh] Minister, and which is substantiated by [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] unjustifiable [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] your [undecipherable] the character [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Officer [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Countries, in [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] [undecipherable], [undecipherable], jealousy, and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of a native [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] That the [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of such measures, as may prevent [undecipherable] re- [undecipherable], of such unjustifiable [undecipherable] in future, are moderate, and at the same time, [undecipherable] expedient, and proper. It is enjoined upon you, to avoid [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in future, and to take measures to [undecipherable] its practice, in any under your com- mand. It is an unpleasant task to me to con- vey the President's disapprobation, of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Conduct, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and experience in the Army, and [undecipherable] confident [undecipherable] the hope, it will not again occur. I have much satisfaction in informing [undecipherable], That the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, hath nominated and appointed you, to the command of the 1^st Regiment of Artillerists, and Engineers, and to enclose your Commission. [undecipherable] Henry Burbeck Esq^r. [undecipherable] Col. 1^st Reg^t Artillerists and Engineers.,