To James Madison from William Lee, 25 December 1802
From William Lee, 25 December 1802
United States Agency Bordeaux 25th. Decr. 1802.
Sir,
A severe indisposition will just permit me to say that I have again been under the necessity of sending home to their own Country pr. the Ploughboy Captain Jones, forty-three distressed seamen and I beg leave to refer Captain Jones to you for such a compensation as you may judge fit to make.
I have furnished them with provisions amounting to Four thousand eight hundred and forty francs, and I have received from the sailors themselves towards defraying their expences Two thousand Seven hundred and eight francs, so that I shall have to debit the United States with Two thousand one hundred and thirty two francs. The particulars of my disbursements as well as my whole Years accounts with vouchers &c. I shall take the liberty of forwarding by the Brig Minerva which will sail in a few days for New York.
Enclosed I have the honor to forward you a letter I have this day received from Mr. Cathalan which looks as if something was about to take place in the Mediteran⟨ean.⟩
I beg leave Sir, to recommend to y⟨ou⟩ Captain Jones as a Gentleman far beyond those of his profession who I have had to deal with here and having made several Voyag⟨es⟩ to this port and being very intelligent he wil⟨l⟩ be able to give you some information. With great respect I am your Mo: Obt. Serva⟨nt⟩
William Lee
The preceding is the full transcription of a document that was previously abstracted in The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State series. The original abstract contains additional annotation and source information.