11. Sir. Tripoli 26. January 1809. Since writing you under date of the 15th. I have received your letter of the 9. Instant, together with two letters from His Excellency Sidi Ahmet, and an abstract of his debts amounting to $1,110. The Bashaw is perfectly satisfied with his determination to repair to Morocco, and he authorises me to say that his debts shall be liquidated on or before his departure for that place. As however the proposals contained in my letter of the 15th. offer not only more brilliant but more lasting advantages to His Excellency, I took occasion to renew the mention of them at a recent audience. The Bashaw informed me that the present Bey of Derna was on the point of quitting the province on account of ill health, and that it was requisite that some one should immediately take charge of the Government. He was also desirous that the application should have come from Sidi Ahmet, but the pressure of circumstances not allowing sufficient time to wait for it's receipt, His Excellency consented to wave that formality, and that Mr. J. Payne, Secretary to this Consulate should go to Malta for the purpose of definitively arranging this business. His Excellency has written a friendly letter to his brother confirming all that I have stated which Mr. Payne will deliver only in case he consents to depart for Derna. In that event his creditors may be satisfied within a reasonable time, say six months, by his caports of cattle, wool ect., and should it be necessary I wish you to become the guarantee. With great respect William Higgens, Esq: I have the honor to be U.S. Navy Agent, Malta. Sir. Y[ou]r. Mo[st]: Ob[edien]t. serv[an]t. (Signed) George Davis.