To James Madison from Stephen Pleasonton, 31 December 1816
From Stephen Pleasonton
31 Decr. 1816.
Sir,
Capt. Mullowny who holds the Commission of Consul at Tenneriffe,1 but who has not yet found it convenient to repair to his Station, has sent me the inclosed papers with a view to induce the appointment of Emanuel J. West as Vice Consul there, to act during his absence.2 The recommendations of Mr West are very respectable, and if he could be appointed, it would greatly accommodate Capt. Mullowny. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect, Sir, you[r] Ob Sert.
S. Pleasonton
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 1809–17, filed under “West”). For enclosures, see n. 2.
1. JM nominated John Mullowny of Pennsylvania to be consul at Tenerife on 4 Jan. 1816 ( 10:99 n. 1).
2. On 1 Sept. 1816 Mullowny wrote to State Department clerk Stephen Pleasonton, explaining that financial problems had prevented him from taking up his appointment, and asking Pleasonton to secure the position of vice-consul for West, who already resided in Tenerife (2 pp.). Mullowny appears to have forwarded three testimonials, all undated, two of which were addressed to JM, on West’s behalf, bearing seventeen, twenty-two, and seven individual and corporate signatures, respectively (1 p. each).