Nathaniel Gunnison, Vice-consul to Thomas Tupper, December 19, 1863

Mr. Gunnison to Mr. Tupper.

Sir: May I call the attention of his honor, the administrator of the government, to the fact that the persons mentioned in the official communication which passed between the officer in command of the United States navy in this harbor, through his honor the provincial secretary of Nova Scotia, were this day delivered to the proper authorities at half-past 1 o’clock.

A warrant was previously taken out, and at this time in the hands of a police officer for the purpose of apprehending George Wade, an offender against the laws of the United States, and one of the persons so delivered, and concerned in the piracy and murder on board the Chesapeake, and that the citizens of Halifax interfered with the officer attempting to execute the warrant and held him back from seizing George Wade, a pirate, and that Dr. Almon in particular, a prominent citizen of Halifax, prevented the officer from discharging his duty by holding him back.

I submit whether such conduct is in accordance with the friendly relations subsisting between the two powers and the treaty made by them for the extradition of criminals. May I request that, as the pirate George Wade has been prevented from being arrested by British subjects, his honor the administrator of the government will take steps for his apprehension, as he is now being rowed down the harbor in a boat by two fishermen.