7 January 1804, Amsterdam. “Inclosed I send you the Leyden Gazettes up to the present date & I take this occasion to regret that it will be absolutely requisite in order to produce (if possible) a relaxation of their present ruinous system of quarantine here that some direct communication should be made by our Govt: to that of this Country—my efforts in this regard having had no beneficial effect for even at this advanced season of the year they still detain our vessells with unrelenting rigor & Stubborness.”

Adds in a postscript: “By the President Capt. Waistcoat I transmited a bound book of the Leyden Gazette for the year 1802. This Vessel has ben lost on coast of France but I understand that the Packett for you is saved & I shall send directions to have it forwa[r]ded by the first Vessell.”