The Memorial of the undersigned, a “Citizen” of the United States, engaged as a “Ship Owner” and “Merchant” in the City of Baltimore, most respectfully represents to the Honorable, the Congress of the United States:

That in the Month of July of the past year, (1847) he became the Owner of a Vessel which had been wrecked in the Chesapeake Bay, condemned and Sold at Public Auction in the City of Baltimore. This Vessel being of Foreign build, and therefore not entitled to the privileges of American built Vessels in respect to importations, the object was to send her to a Port in South American for Sale—with this purpose, she was repaired and fitted out at great expense; and in order to be correct as to what Documents were usual for Vessels similarly situated, reference was made to the Treasury Department of the United States, from which Department a reply was received, confirming the belief previously entertained by the undersigned, that neither the Registering nor Licensing Laws of the United States applied to this Vessel owing to her being of Foreign build. She was loaded with Flour &c., a part in Baltimore and a portion in Richmond, Va.—all the requisite and usual formalities complied with in both places; not only in respect to the Laws of the United States, but also to those of Brazil, the place of her destination—the Port of Pernambuco, was reached in the early part of the month of November of the past year, (1847,) all the requisite and usual formalities complied with, and the customary facilities of the Consul of the United States rendered,—and after there landing a portion of the Cargo, she proceeded in view of a more favourable Market, to the Port of Bahia, where she safely arrived,—and the usual formalities were complied with, in respect to the United States Consulate at that Port,—but the Consul there, Alexander H. Tyler, Esq., to the great surprise and regret of the parties in charge of the Vessel, pronounced her to be Confiscated to the Government of the United States, in consequence of her not being furnished with a Register, and the accompanying List of Crew; the final result was, that as Confiscated Property to the Government of the United States, the said Vessel, the “Barque Mary Teresa” was taken possession of by the Consul of the United States in Bahia, Alexander H. Tyler, Esq., on the 20th of January of the present year, (1848) and under his orders arrived in the Port of Philadelphia in the month of May following,—and was delivered to the United States authorities there; after which, and the particulars in respect to the Vessel having been received at the respective Departments of the Government at Washington, the proceedings of the Consul in the case were explicitly disavowed and the Vessel pronounced free of any Legal Charge whatever on the part of the Government of the United States!!!

The undersigned most respectfully represents, that in consequence of the result of the before mentioned Official Proceedings by the Consul of the United States at Bahia, in respect to his Vessel, the said Barque Mary Teresa, a most serious injury has been caused to him, in both capital and credit,—the loss in money having been to a large amount, for particulars of which, and of the whole affair, statements are furnished herewith, and reference to them most respectfully solicited.

The undersigned therefore makes this his Memorial to the Honorable Congress of the United States, and most respectfully prays for such measures for his relief, as in its wisdom may be deemed right and proper,—and he will as in duty bound ever pray.