I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 20th Decr and learnt with sincere regret the bad state of your health, which I flatter myself has since improved. An answer would have been sooner returned to the subject of it but for the interfering engagements attending the Session of Congress.

The proposal made by the Prince Regent of Portugal for the mutual defence of the Navigation and commerce of the two Countries, against the Barbary States, by a Conventional arrangement, has been received by the President as a proof of his Royal Highness’ confidence in the friendly relations, and of his provident regard to the interests common to the two nations. The disposition felt by this Government to place the continuance of their peace with the Barbary States upon reasonable terms of reciprocity, and, when these fail, upon the national protection, would lead us to accede to this amicable overture from the Prince Regent, and even to an extension of it to other powers, disposed, as he is, to unite in common efforts for suppressing the habitual piracies of those states; but being at this time at peace with those powers, the United States are restrained by the faith of Treaties from taking measures to alter this relation, so long as it may be preserved by the other parties. I have the honor to be Very respectfully Sir, your most obt Sert.