[CIRCULAR TO COLLECTORS OF DISTRICTS BORDERING ON THE FRONTIERS OF CANADA]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
SIR:
It has been represented to this Department that the United States District Attorneys apprehend that, in prosecuting individuals for violations of the laws of the 20th of April, 1818, and 10th ultimo, for the due preservation of our neutral obligations, that the necessary testimony cannot be procured in such cases, without the active co-operation on the part of the Collectors and their subordinate officers with the other officers of the United States.
I have, therefore, to inform you that it is the wish and direction both of the President and this Department, that yourself and officers will use proper vigilance and exertion to procure witnesses whose evidence would be most important and material, and advise the United States District Attorney or Marshal or any information which may be obtained upon the subject; and also render any aid in your power to the officers mentioned, to enable them to discharge the duties imposed upon them by law.
Levi Woodbury
Secretary of the Treasury.
To the Collector of Michilimackinac
Michilimackinac, Michigan
