§ From Thomas FitzSimons. 16 December 1806, Philadelphia. “At the request of a Number of the Merchants of this City I take the Liberty of forwarding the Inclosed recommendation Which you will be pleased to Lay before the President of the US.1

“It may not be unusefull to remark, that Tortola is a place to which a Number of Privateers belong and being in itself of Small extent and Consideration it was found difficult to find there a person of sufficient responsibility to undertake the defence of American property. In this respect Mr Lisle has been Singularly usefull and by his exertions, has rescued a Great deal of property which would otherwise have been Lost to the American owners—he is Impowered to Act for the Public Insurance Cos. of this City and if favored with an Appointment from Governmt it is believed his ability to serve them would be much Increased.”