§ From David Airth. 18 June 1806, Gothenburg. “I had the honour of addressing you last on the 12th. Ulto. by Capt. Truman Bartlett of the Ship Herald of Plymouth bound to Boston a Duplicate of ⟨w⟩hich I beg leave herewith to inclose.1 By the Report ⟨o⟩f Several American Captains lately arrived here I am ⟨ex⟩ceedingly sorry to inform you that the Consul at this ⟨p⟩lace Mr. Robert Champlin Gardiner under whose ⟨au⟩thority as Vice Consul I have acted nearly three years, perished on board an American Ship on his passage from Guadeloupe to NewYork, with Ship and all hands ⟨ne⟩ar Charleston South Carolina in the Month of ⟨Au⟩gust 1804, I have no letter from his Father Colonel Gardiner of Newport Rhode Island on the Subject ⟨bu⟩t suppose the fact to be so, as I have had no letter from Mr. Gardiner himself for more than two ⟨years⟩.

“I flatter myself my management as Vice Consul hitherto has merited Your Excellencys approbation and I beg leave to assure you that my endeavour⟨s⟩ for the benefit of the United States will always be exerted by every means in my power. May I therefore beg of your Excellency to be appointed Mr. Gardin⟨er’s⟩ Successor, The Emoluments of the office are very trifling but as I have now acted as Vice Consul three years, a Wi⟨sh⟩ to fill the office henceforward & prove myself of use to the Nation is my only motive.

“I am a Native of Great Britain and have resided h⟨ere⟩ as a merchant 22 Years & flatter myself with both knowing the Laws, Trade of the Country and general disposition of its inhabitants. If any informatio⟨n⟩ or Security is required Mr. Wm. or Samuel Gray of Salem, Messr. Coolidge & Co. of Boston or Mr. J. G. Proud of Baltimore will give you every Satisfaction and with whom I have had the pleasure to do Bus⟨iness⟩ to a Considerable Amount. When ⟨time?⟩ permits I beg leave to be favoured with an agreeable reply.”