The enclosed Document will prove the manner I have acted with Capt. Charles H. ⟨Hun⟩t, who has brought me into troubles, as on the Eve of his sailing an order was issued by this Governor ⟨to de⟩tain the Vessel & bring her Rudder ashore; not knowing the motives I officiated with his Excellency ⟨concern⟩ing them; Capt. Hunt addressed me a petition claiming his property, on which I insisted; and the ⟨result⟩ was a request from his Excy. that I should, with the Capt. assist at his House, as I did, where ⟨   ⟩ appeared claiming Credits they had against the Ship, and declaiming that she was Spanish ⟨prope⟩rty cover’d by said Hunt, who firmly sustained the Contrary, but at last confessed a private ⟨   ⟩nt, and of course the false Sale was cancelled and he was order’d to prison.

⟨I⟩ requested of his Excy. to give him up to me, with an offer that I would send him to America ⟨to be⟩ tried. I shipped him on board the Brig Aurora Capt. Goodwin bound to Boston, but he fell ⟨sick & was⟩ put in the Hospital, from where he eloped, without Knowing where he went to. Pray Sir what error have I committed on this business to be accused, after acting so prudently and in ⟨so⟩ disinterested a manner as I have, considering myself free of all responsibility, as no Man is ⟨so wise⟩ as to penetrate intentions fomented by malicious persons. I trouble you Sir with such ⟨trivial⟩ information, for in case they should be represented under false principals; as it appears to ⟨me⟩ a new conspiration is fomenting against me, and to free myself from any charge, I take the ⟨liberty⟩ to bring to your recollection the circumstances respecting the Vessels here under mentioned.

⟨The⟩ Mary of New York Capt. Alexander Wood was Stranded in this Bay 21. Decr. 805. Of course the ⟨Owners⟩ made an abandonment, and she was advertised for Sale, which took place in this Office, and ⟨bo⟩ught by Capt. Samuel Young of the American Ship Abby & Sally of Providence, in whose favor ⟨the Pa⟩pers were endorsed, as advised that Office in due time.

⟨The⟩ Peggy of Norfolk Capt. Edmd. Richardson, was also Sold at Public Auction in this Office ⟨   ⟩d. October 805. at the request of the Capn. and was purchased by Capt. Saml. G. Nicoll’s ⟨of the⟩ American Ship Sally of New York, to whom the Papers were deliver’d as Pr ⟨acknowledgment of the Secr⟩etary of the Treasury under date of the 10. October 805.

Permit me Sir to acquaint you that it is almost impossible for any honorable Man to serve the Consular Office with integrity, as the Americans are the very persons that puts them in the way of acting wrong imperceptibly, and when the Consuls ⟨   ⟩ the like, they reveal against him and foment accusations. On the 25th. October 806. t⟨he⟩ American Eliza of New Bedford Thomas Adams Master was stranded in this Bay and ⟨sold at⟩ Public Auction in this Office. The Consignee wished that the Capn. should purchase her for a⟨ccount⟩ of the Owners, to which he did not agree, but after joined with Mr. Meade and bought her ⟨for their⟩ Account: which I did not Know untill some time past, that said Vessell returned to this P⟨ort and⟩ took a Cargo of Wine for England on freight covering the property in the name of so⟨me⟩ American Merchants It is certainly very hard & strange that the very Man that ⟨bought⟩ this and other propertys should be my accuser. With Sentiments of due consi⟨deration⟩ I have the honor to be with profound Respect, Sir Your devoted & most obedt. Serv⟨ant⟩