James Madison Papers

To James Madison from Tobias Lear, 25 January 1807

From Tobias Lear

Tunis, January 25t: 1807.

Sir,

In consequence of the arrangements made with this Regency, in pursuance of the Instructions which I have had the honor of receiving from you, under date of the 7t. of June 18061—&a. (A particular detail of which negociation and arrangement is given in my letter to you of this day) I have found it necessary to draw upon Mess. Degen Purviance & Co. in Leghorn, for money to pay the reimbursement made to the Bey for his Cruizer and her two Prizes—the freight and demurrage of the Ship Two Brothers, chartered at Boston by order of the Goverment of the United States—And to furnish funds for the Expences of the Consulate here, as well as at Tripoli, during the residence of Dr. Ridgely at that place.

In order to cover these drafts upon Messrs Degen Purviance & Co. and to leave some money in their hands for future contingencies in these Regencies, I have this day2 drawn upon you, in favor of those Gentlemen, for Twenty five thousand dollars in five sets of Exchange, of five thousand dollars each, dated, January—21t. 22d. 23d. 24th & 25th. 1807, each set in Six bills—Vizt 1t. 2d. 3d. 4t. 5t. & 6t.3

The Commercial intercourse between this Regency and Leghorn being greater than with any other Port in the Mediterranean, makes the exchange much more favourable to the drawer on that place, than with any other; and from peculiar circumstances now existing here, there will be no loss on these drafts. With Sentiments of the highest respect, & most Sincere Attachment I have the honor to be Sir, Your most Obedt Servt.

Tobias Lear.

RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Algiers, vol. 7, pt. 2); Tr and Tr of enclosure (owned by Stephen Decatur, Garden City, N.Y., 1961). RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Lear. For enclosure, see n. 3.

1PJM-SS, 12:22–24.

2In the Tr, “this day” is crossed out, and “on the 21t inst” is interlined after “drawn upon you.”

3Lear enclosed a bill of exchange for $5,000 dated 21 January 1807 (1 p.). The bill of exchange was to the order of Degen, Purviance, & Co. at thirty days’ sight.

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