In the month of Augt. 1805 I done myself the honor to address you on the subject of future employment, I have ceased to importune you ever since being convinced that it is impossible for every applicant to meet with the encouragement he may expect, & probably no vacancy has offer’d that I could with propriety have applied for until the present moment.

The motive of the present application is to solicit the appointment of Consul at Madeira which I understand is vacant: I should certainly prefer a situation in the United States where I would have an opportunity to educate my children according to my wishes, but as none has offer’d I am induced to offer myself a candidate for this vacant Consulate in preference to remaining in a state of anxiety and suspense, in expectation that my numerous commercial friends will enable me to maintain the dignity of that office at least as well as my predescessor should I be so fortunate as to succeed—

If my former services join’d to the strictest attention to the duties of the office, & the interests of the United States, renders me a subject worthy your approbation, you may depend Sir that my greatest ambition will be to merit a continuance thereof—

I have the honor to continue with the greatest respect Sir Your Obnt Servt—