Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 4 February 1802

To Joseph Yznardi, Sr.

Washington Feb. 4. 1802.

Sir

I recieved yesterday your favor of Jan. 30. as I had before done that of the 15th. I had some days ago desired mr Barnes to remit you 403. Dollars for the wines formerly furnished, which he engaged to do this present week. if you will inform me also of the amount of those mentioned in your letter of the 30th. it shall be also remitted.

I have mentioned to mr Smith your desire to have a passage in the frigate going from Philadelphia, which he thinks can be admitted, and will write to you thereon. the Senate have confirmed your appointment as Consul, and you will recieve the commission as soon as it is made out. Accept assurances of my esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “Joseph Yznardi esq.”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

Passage in the frigate: on 1 Feb., Robert Smith wrote Alexander Murray, the captain of the Constellation, which was at Philadelphia preparing for sea, to say that he had “no objection” to giving Yznardi passage to Gibraltar as he desired. Smith sent a countermanding instruction four days later, stating that “it has been determined not to admit the practice of allowing our public ships to take passengers.” Yznardi traveled to Cadiz aboard a Spanish vessel that left Philadelphia in June (in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO; NDBW description begins Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents Related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers, Washington, D.C., 1939–44, 6 vols. and Register of Officer Personnel and Ships’ Data, 1801–1807, Washington, D.C., 1945 description ends , 2:19, 208).

TJ had issued a commission in October for Yznardi to be the U.S. consul at Cadiz. The new commission, which followed the Senate’s approval of Yznardi among the interim appointments submitted on 6 Jan., was dated 26 Jan. (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, PTCC; Vol. 35:585).

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