Will you allow me to beg the favour of you to convey to the Honourable the Congress my most humble and grateful acknowledgments, for the honour they have been pleased to confer upon me, in their appointment of me to be their Consul for Canton in China, and to assure them, that nothing on my part shall be wanting to discharge faithfully the Trust reposed in me, and to render the appointment as much as possible a public benefit.1

May I, Sir, be permitted to observe, that while the United States have judged proper to make this appointment, there appears to be no provision against any casualties, which are always possible, and in so long a voyage as that which I am about to undertake, may by no means be improbable. This consideration joined to that of the loss [of] time which would attend a new appointment, should any casualty prevent me from reaching that distant Country, induces me to submit to your consideration, and to that of the Honourable Congress, the propriety of appointing a Vice Consul, who, in case of the Death or absence of the Consul, should be invested also with his Powers. Perhaps such appointment may also be judged proper, from the probability that my inquiries in the commercial line, which I trust would not be uninteresting to our Country, might lead me to go from Canton to visit the European establishments and other settlements on the coast of India; in which case the powers of Consul to devolve on the Vice Consul, who should remain at and in the neighbourhood of Canton. Should this Idea meet your concurrence, I would request the indulgence of mentioning Mr. Thomas Randall, as a Gentleman properly qualified for the appointment. He is a native of the Country, whose commission he has had the Honour of supporting with reputation during a trying period of the late war. He has been in China with me, and is now about to return there again.

As Wednesday next is the Day appointed for the sailing of our Ship, I flatter myself you will see the necessity of an application being made to Congress as early as possible and that you will, with your usual goodness, excuse the trouble I cause you in this business.2

Be pleased, Sir, to accept my sincerest thanks for the obliging manner in which you have afforded me your good offices, and believe me to be with the most respectful attachment &ca.