To James Madison from Frederick Degen, 17 December 1805 (Abstract)
From Frederick Degen, 17 December 1805 (Abstract)
§ From Frederick Degen. 17 December 1805, Naples. “Through the medium of my friend Comodore Preble and mr. James Purviance of Baltimore, I some time Since received Intelligence that the President of the United States had thought proper to honor me with the appointment of Consul for Naples.1 I have further Subsequently received by the Ship Charles from newyork, Your Circulars dated from the Department of State the 1st. & 12th. July.
“As however the original Instructions and Commission for the office have never yet reached me, I am led to Suppose that these Documents must have miscarried, and I conceive it my Duty to make the Circumstance Known to you.
“While I consider myself highly flattered by this mark of the confidence of the President of the United States, I would Sollicit the favor of you Sir, to assure His Excellency of my Zealous exertions to do justice to the charge which he has been pleased to confer on me.”
RC, two copies (DNA: RG 59, CD, Naples, vol. 1). First RC 2 pp.; docketed by Wagner. Second RC marked “(Duplicate)”; docketed by Wagner. Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.
1. On 20 Dec. 1805 Jefferson submitted Degen’s name to the Senate for confirmation of his interim appointment as consul at Naples ( 2:7).