Thomas Jefferson to João, Prince Regent of Portugal, 16 October 1805
To João, Prince Regent of Portugal
Great and Good Friend,
I have received the letter of your Royal Highness, whereby you inform me that in Testimony of your esteem for the distinguished prudence, intelligence and activity displayed in your service by the Chevalier Cypriano Ribeiro Friere, who heretofore acted as your Royal Highness’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, you had judged it convenient to appoint him to reside with the character of your Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of his Majesty the King of Denmark. As during his residence with us he rendered himself worthy of the general esteem and of being recommended to you as a good and faithful Minister, I have observed with great satisfaction, that his Merits have attracted your notice and bounty. In requesting your acceptance of the high esteem and cordial good will we feel for you, I pray the Lord, Great and Good Friend, to have you in his safe and holy keeping
Written at the City of Washington the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and five.
Your Good Friend,
FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, Credences); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent of Portugal, and of the two Algarves, on this side and on that of the sea, in Africa, of Guinea, and of the Conquest, Navigation and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and of India &c.”; below signature: “By the President, James Madison Secretary of State.”
Cipriano Ribeiro Freire ceased to be Portugal’s resident minister to the United States in 1799, but his letter of recall was not conveyed to the U.S. government until 1805 (, 9:266).