To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 17 May 1804 (Abstract)
§ From Josef Yznardy
17 May 1804, Cadiz. “I had the honour of writing you the 28th. March1 whereof I inclose you a Copy.
“I have now that of transmitting you Copy of a letter just received from John Leonard Consul at Barcelona2 concerning the report at Marseilles that the Bey of Tunis had declared War to the U, S, of America; should said event be unfortunately confirmed, I will do myself the pleasure of informing you of it the moment it comes to my Knowledge.
“There is no doubt of this Country remaining perfectly Neutral in the actual Contest between France & England.
“I likewise hand you the half of the Certificate of Register No. 20. [not found] of the American Brig Ellen John M. Rice Master arrived here from Falmouth in England, which Brig was condemned & sold at Public Auction in my Consular Office.
Adds in a postscript: “Governmt Notes 34%.”
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, CD, Cádiz, vol. 1). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Yznardy. For surviving enclosures, see n. 2.
2. Yznardy enclosed a copy of John Leonard’s letter to him of 28 Apr. 1804 (1 p.), which in turn enclosed a copy of Stephen Cathalan Jr. to Leonard, 17 Apr. 1804 (1 p.), transmitting the fourth-hand report that the bey of Tunis had declared war on the U.S.