James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Josef Yznardy, 6 December 1807

Consulate of the United States of America Cadiz 6th. December 1807.

Honored Sir,

In a hurry of business the 4th. day of this month, Capt. Solomon ⟨Southw⟩ick at a late hour in the evening appeared for his Papers, and owing to the same, ⟨papers⟩ belonging to another Vessell were delivered him, which without any examination ⟨he le⟩ft the Office went on board and sailed the following morning very early; & allthough ⟨the⟩ mistake was found out the evening of his Sailing the evil could not be remedied. ⟨It was an e⟩rror that could and can happen the most vigilent and carefull, particularly, ⟨as bo⟩th are Ships and bound to New York. one the Columbus and the other the ⟨Colu⟩mbia; to prevent any detention &ca. to the Columbia I thought proper to give ⟨her⟩ a Certificate mentioning the particulars, with a request to Commanders of ⟨Ships⟩ of War not to detain her navigation to New York, where the mistake is ⟨to be⟩ rectified, having given due notice to the Collector.

The motive of molesting your attention on this Subject, is ⟨feari⟩ng that my Antoganist Mr. Meade should write and represent it in ⟨a di⟩fferent light; not doubting but you will be pleased to take into consideration ⟨that⟩ in the Space of fourteen Years this is the first error that has been committed ⟨in thi⟩s Office.

I hope that my Dispatches to you Sir respecting the Algerines Pr the Schooner Hamilton Capt. Burroughs, Baltimore, Ship Perseverance ⟨Capt.⟩ Connell, and Schooner Middleton Capt. Whittemore New York reached safe ⟨to⟩ hand. With sentiments of high consideration I have the honor to be, Respected Sir Your most obedt. humble Servants

Josef Yznardy

DNA: RG 59—CD—Consular Despatches, Cadiz.

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