I had the pleasure to address You by the Brig Eunice, Capn. McCobb via Alexandria inclosing a duplicate of my letter by Captn. Gardner via New York, a triplicate of His Excellency’s letter, of the 7th. Ulto. a Copy of my answer, a duplicate of His Excellency’s Note, of the 8th. and a copy of my reply, also the list of the last half Year, the Lisbon & Bellem Port Charges, and my account against the U.S. Part of the charges in it being such as probably not to come within any Provision made by Law, I shall leave them entirely at the discretion of Government, to allow or not.

I was this day honored with the duplicate of your favor of the 14th. January, and by the same vessel received a letter for Mr. Pinckney, which I shall forward by Post Tomorrow. I observe the appointment of Mr. Monroe as Envoy Extraordinary to Madrid & Paris. The favorable termination of an embassy upon which depends the comfort & quiet of ⟨a⟩ large portion of our fellow Citizens is greatly desirable; and to negotiate an affair of ⟨so⟩ much difficulty and importance with a haughty imperious Court who scarcely ackn⟨ow⟩ledge the possibility of their being wrong, and with a shrewd, subtle, intriguing Governm⟨ent⟩ who know no other measure of right & wrong than their own convenience or Interest, ⟨requires⟩ much ability and address.

It is to be hoped that a Sp⟨irit⟩ of Justice, may in some instances howeve⟨r⟩ so far predominate, as that Success may at⟨tend⟩ the Mission. I shall immediately make ⟨an⟩ application on the Subject of Mr. Snow’s let⟨ter.⟩

An English Man of War and [. . .] Frigates have arrived here from Madras⟨, on⟩ their way touching at the Cape of Good Hope, f⟨rom⟩ whence they have had a little upward of three months passage. The Officers report, that a day ⟨or⟩ two before the Dutch were to be put in possessi⟨on⟩ of the Cape, a Sloop of War arrived from Eng⟨land⟩ with orders to the English Commander not to ⟨give⟩ the Cape up until further orders. The Dutch Soldiery were encamped without the Town.

General Lannes Suite arrived here Yesterday. The Frigate coming to anchor after Sunset, was not saluted. He came on Shore in a very private manner. It is however reported that Don John de Almeida & the Visconde Anadia are to change places. Some few say that a change is not to take place; but that Lannes is to make his official Communications only to the latter; I hope neither will prove the fact, for without this Government prostrating themselves before the General, it is to be apprehended that the Minister of so powerful a Nation will have more influence than will comport with the advantage of other Nations.

Accompanying this are two letters from Mr. Pinckney, a copy of a Letter from Mr. O’Brien & a duplicate of the recapitulation of the semi-annual return. With the highest consideration, I have the honor ⟨to be⟩ Sir your Mo: Hble Servt.