To James Madison from John M. Goetschius, 10 August 1803
From John M. Goetschius, 10 August 1803
New York 10th. August 1803
Sir,
I herewith transmit you the Bond with two good sureties, required of me by the Consular act, previous to entering on the execution of the duties of my office.
I am, now prepared and would imbark immediately for the place of my destination, but that direfull epidemic, with which this City is again so unhappily afflicted, interferes with my arrangements and will probably oblige me to delay my departure six or eight weeks at least. As several of our public Vessels are about to sail for the Mediteranien, permit me to ask whether I am entiteld. to a passage free in any of them? With sentiments of the highest respect & esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, Yr. most obt. Servant
John M. Goetschius
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.