Sir. 17. Tripoli March 4. 1809. I have received your letter of the 22. Ultimo.- In expressing my perfect satisfaction at the course you have adopted in respect to the object of your mission to Malta, I regret extremely that His Excellency the Ex-Bashaw had not carried into effect his intimation of sending his son to Tripoli. It would have been a measure highly gratifying to the Bashaw and I am persuaded no less conducive to his own interests. It is with some difficulty that I have obtained His Excellency's consent to his becoming responsible for the full amount of Sidi Ahmet's debts, estimating them at $6, 000. His Excellency has entrusted his Consul at Malta, Mr. Sehembri, on this subject. I recommend it strongly to your attention to impress upon the mind of Sidi Ahmet the expediency of making the promptest remittances after his arrival at Derna, and of the consequences which may result to himslef from a want of punctuality in the respect.- Should circumstances after his arrival at Derna render it impracticable for his immediately doing so, let him state this with frankness to his brother. Counsel him at the same time to act towards the Bashaw on this, and on all other occasions, with the greatest opinouss. It is only by this conduct that he can hope to secure the friendship and esteem of his brother. All Sidi Ahmet's requests will be complied with. The Bashaw sends a Dispatch. boat expressly for the purpose of communicating his approbation, and for obtaining the - [2] the [sic] requisite cloth, and other necessaries from Malta. Should these things not arrive in time to be made up prior to Sidi Ahmet's departure for Derna they will be sent to him there. An English merchant Brig will sail in a few days from hence with a Chouas of the Bashaw's accompanied by some people from Derna, Sidi Ahmet's servants etc. This vessel will be chartered to proceed with His Excellency and [suit...] direct to Derna. It is desirable that His Excellency's departure should be expedited as much as possible. You will embrace the earliest opportunity thereafter to return to Tripoli. The Bashaw writes his brother by this conveyance. You have herewith enclosed letters for H.E. Sidi Ahmet, a pardon for all those Individuals who have been proscribed on account of their attachment to His Excellency's person, and a letter for Mr. Sehembri. I have the honor to be Sir. Your Mo[st]: Ob[edien]t. Sev[an]t. (signed) George Davis John Payne, Esq. Secretary to the U.S. Consulate at Tripoli. Malta.