Since my last of the 4th. April, I am honored with your esteemed favor of the 22d. Feby. last, By which I observe that it is the pleasure of the President that Mr. Riggins should be prefered as Consul for this port; As a citizen of the United States it is my duty to accquiesce in this determination. But that it should be deemed more conformable to Justice, that I should suffer real and great inconveniences, ⟨than⟩ that he should be exposed to imaginary ones is difficult for me to ⟨compreh⟩end. As this Gentleman had resided in Trieste for sometime ⟨b⟩efore my arrival, for the transaction of his own business or that of his friends and I believe had not the office in view when he left America and certainly had been at no expence on account of it; and as in a few days after receiving the exequator he left this City and the Office is now occupied by an English Gentleman as pro Consul, he could not be exposed to inconveniences similar to those I have experienced. It is true the files of the Office of State must necessarily be silent respecting me for a considerable time, but this was owing to a combination of circumstances which it was impossible for me to foresee or prevent; and I thought it reasonable for me to conclude that after I had accepted the commission no new appointment would have been made untill some information had been received either from me di⟨rectly⟩ or from my sureties. In my last was enclosed a return of the arrivals in this port to 31 March last, and also an account of ⟨the⟩ principle part of my expences from the time I left Ameri⟨ca⟩ to the time I ceased to be Consul copies of which are here enc⟨losed.⟩ I feel confident that it will be considered strictly conformable to [. . .] that I should be reimbursed these expences, which have been occassioned intirely by my accepting this commission. I no⟨w⟩ sollicit your patronage and hope to be favored with a reply. I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obed & very Humle. Se⟨rvt.⟩