Mr. Glenn, district attorney, to Mr. Adams, Secretary of State.
Sir: Warrants have been issued by the district judge of Maryland against several men of some standing in society for having, in the year 1816, been concerned in fitting out a privateer called the Fourth of July, alias the Fortuna, with intent to employ such vessel in the service of Buenos Ayres and of Artigas, to commit hostilities upon *the subjects of the Kings of Spain and Portugal. Upon these warrants the parties charged have been arrested and recognized to appear on the 7th of November next, when the subject will be presented to the grand jury, when, I presume indictments will be found. Upon these indictments the parties charged will be tried. [94]
As the trial will involve many important questions, which will readily present themselves to your mind, I take the liberty of asking the favor of you to permit me to employ Mr. Wirt to assist me in the prosecutions if he will consent to lend his aid.
Will you be pleased to communicate with the Attorney-General on this subject, and let me have the pleasure of hearing from you on this subject?
I have the honor to be, &c.,
John Quincy Adams, Esq.