1To Thomas Jefferson from John Erving, 25 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Honbe. James Bowdoin, intimating, that (at my desire) he had nominated me to The Secretary of State of The United States as Consul for the Port Bilbao, should The United States continue at Peace with Spain and this port admit of foreign Commercial Agents— I beg leave to request, Sir, you will honor me with this Appointment, if from the recommendations of my friends, you should deem me...