The undersigned, citizens of the United States ⟨at⟩ present in the City of Naples, beg leave to represent the obstacles which the ⟨co⟩mmerce of the United States suffers, and the difficulties which Americans experience in this city, in consequence of not being well represented by their Consul; ⟨a⟩nd as we are convinced that our government is not acquainted with the conduct ⟨of⟩ this officer toward its Citizens, we conceive it a duty which we owe to our country ⟨as⟩ well as to its individuals who may transact business in this place, to make this ⟨re⟩presentation.

John Sabin Michael Matthieu Esq. the present consul of the United States for the City of Naples, not being a Citizen of the United States, we cannot suppose that he would feel that interest in its welfare, which we otherwise ⟨s⟩hould expect; yet we believe that the duties of his office require, that he should ⟨g⟩ive every aid to our commerce and every protection to our fellow citizens, in his power, but we feel ourselves justified in saying that this gentleman exercises neither. We conceive that neither his abilities or his situation render him a fit person ⟨fo⟩r the office which he now holds. In any decision which is submitted to him, ⟨s⟩o feeble is his judgement, that he is obliged to appeal to the opinion of a Neapolitan, or consul of some other nation, which from opposite interests or ignorance ⟨o⟩f the regulations of our country, cannot generally be correct. Being a Clerk ⟨to⟩ a merchant of this place, in which employment he is chiefly occupied, there is but ⟨a⟩ small portion of his time that he devotes to the duty of his consulship, which ⟨ca⟩uses great delay to all applications. One of the undersigned, from these causes ⟨we a⟩ll think has very strong reasons to complain. This Gentleman, Mr John ⟨Har⟩rod supercargo of an American vessel, having had some difficulties from the insanity of his captain, was obliged to apply to Mr. Matthieu for his assistance.

The consul having no confidence in his own judgement though in a very clear & simple case referred Mr. Harrod to the Chancellor of this place, and from the chancellor to a foreign consul, and from his want of knowledge, a decision was given that was not his own, and from his want of attention this vessel was detained here five weeks, when she might have been dispatched in as many days. The Italian States being very particular in requiring passports from strangers, Americans are under the necessity of applying to their consul; in this business they find much difficulty and delay. Mr. M⟨atthieu⟩ being punctilious to an improper extreme, frequently requires proofs of citizenship, which f⟨rom⟩ the nature of things cannot be obtained, and occupies three fourths more time than ⟨any⟩ other consul in the place; by this, great delay is occasioned to persons travelling on business ⟨and⟩ frequent disappointment to persons to persons travelling on pleasure. Mr. Matthieu in fact ⟨is⟩ a man who feels no attachment to the country he represents, and has not even prud⟨ence⟩ enough to conceal it; who seems to discover rather an enmity, than friendship, towards ⟨Amer⟩icans, and frequently treats them with incivility and rudeness; who evades any remonstr⟨ance⟩ made him, by boasting of the approbation of our government; from his continuance in office⟨; who⟩ we believe is not respected by persons of our own, or any other country; he appears neit⟨her to⟩ have the ability to afford to the commerce of our country, that protection it requires, or to individuals that aid & assistance, they have a right to expect; and it is our humb⟨le⟩ opinion, that he is a person unqualified and undeserving to be the representative of ⟨a⟩ respectable commercial nation.

We present this address to you sir, with a hope that it ⟨will⟩ at least lead to an enquiry respecting this consul, and if these complaints should be ⟨found⟩ just, and these opinions correct, we trust that our government will adopt such ⟨mea⟩sures, as they in their wisdom shall think proper on such an occasion.

As there is no american citizen established in this place, we take the liberty ⟨to⟩ recommend Frederick Degen Esq. whom we conceive as possessing those qualities most allied to one. This gentleman is a native of Prussia, and a merchant in this c⟨ity⟩ and having for many years transacted the principal part of the American business ⟨at⟩ this place, we believe has a better knowledge of the situation and affairs of our C⟨ommerce⟩ than any other resident here. He is a man who is universally esteemed for ⟨his⟩ knowledge, integrity, and respectability; who has received the confidence, and approb⟨ation⟩ of all americans who have transacted business with him, and the esteem and ⟨good⟩ opinion of all those who have visited this country; and we presume that every ⟨one⟩ of them will join with us in recommending this gentleman, as perfectly well ⟨cal⟩culated to fill the office of consul of the United States of America. With high respect your humble servants,