Permit me to acquit myself of my duty, in congratulating you, upon your appointment to the honourable charge of Secretary of State, of the United States of America, and which I do with so much the more Satisfaction, our new worthy President having fixed his choice, upon a Man, who has already for a long time so laudably employed his abilities in the service of his Country; I do at the same time recomend myself to your favor, which it will be my constant endeavor to merit, by a strict compliance with the duties of my office. The Election of the Honourable M. Jefferson to the Presidency of the United States, has met here general approbation, his great Talents being universally known, and which there is no doubt he will continue to exert for the public good. I should not forbear neither, testifying him on this occasion, the high Esteem I entertain for him, if I did not apprehend of intruding upon his valuable time, which I conceive will be taken up by business of the greatest importance.

Pursuant to my duty I hand you inclosed the List of American Vessel⟨s⟩ arrived at and sailed from this port the last six month.

In my last Letter to the Department of State I gave notice, that for certain views a Batalion of Prussian Troops had been quartered in this City; upon the judicious remonstrances however that have been repeatedly made by the Senate of this City to the King of Prus⟨sia⟩ representing the disadvantages that must needs originate from such occupation to a commercial City, by various ill rumours, circulated abroad, said power has been induced to withdraw them, the wh⟨ole⟩ Corps together with the Headquarter, removing on the 4th. instan⟨t⟩ and consequently the selfdependency of Bremen is reestablished. Their stay here has been of three month duration and except some expenditures, concerning the lodging of the Headquarter and military treasury, together with an indemnification to the low⟨er⟩ class of people, upon whom many of the privates were quarter⟨ed,⟩ this occupancy has incurred no further inconveniencies to the City, and the whole Batalion has before its departure made a public acknowledgement for the good reception they met with. The Acts of the 1st. Session of the 6th. Congress, forwarded by the care of M. Pitcairn at Hamburg, I have received; final⟨ly⟩ I beg leave to offer you my services on all occasions, and to assure you of the unlimitted esteem, with which I have the honor to subscribe Sir Your most humble and obedient Servant