I have this moment received a letter from Stephen ⟨Ca⟩thalan Esqr. our Consul at Marseilles, enclosing the annexed copy of one he ⟨recd⟩ from the American Consulate at Naples, containing the disagreeable intelli⟨ge⟩nce of the Algerines having declared war against the United States. I at ⟨firs⟩t doubted the news, as some of our Consuls in the Mediterranean deal ⟨a l⟩ittle in the marvellous; but on enquiry I found Capt. Sheffield to ⟨be w⟩ell known among the American Ship Masters now at Bordeaux, one ⟨of w⟩hom, his Cousin, Wm. Sheffield Junr. sailed in Company with him ⟨from⟩ Belle Isle (Labrador), about the 25th Septr. last. With great respect I am, Sir,