From Thomas Jefferson to Carlos IV, King of Spain, 20 April 1805
To Carlos IV, King of Spain
Great and Good Friend,
I have made choice of James Bowdoin one of our distinguished citizens and lately our Charge d’Affaires at the Court of your Majesty, to reside near your Majesty in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. He is well apprized of the friendship which we bear to your Majesty and of our desire to cultivate the harmony and good correspondence, so happily subsisting between us. From a knowledge of his fidelity, probity and good conduct, I have entire confidence that he will render himself acceptable to your Majesty, and give effect to our desire of preserving and advancing on all occasions the interest and happiness of the two Nations. I beseech your Majesty therefore to give full credence to whatever he shall say on the part of the United States, and most of all when he shall assure your Majesty of their friendship and wishes for your Majesty’s prosperity: and I pray God to have your Majesty in his safe and holy keeping
Written at the City of Washington, the Twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and five.
Th: Jefferson
FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, Credences); in a clerk’s hand; at foot of text: “To Our Great & Good Friend His Catholic Majesty”; below signature: “By the President of the United States of America” and “James Madison Secretary of State.” Not recorded in SJL.
Madison enclosed the RC in a letter of instructions to James Bowdoin dated 20 Apr. (
, 9:259-61).