Bernard Henry to John Rodgers, December 12, 1815. John Rodgers Papers.

Gibraltar Decr. 12th, 1815.

My dear Friend

I had the pleasure of addressing you in October last advising you of my arrival here, since which period my time has been constantly occupied in arranging my establishment and attending to business.  to say that I am pleasantly situated would convey to you an impression that I liked the place, but you can well conceive with my domestic habits I am but illy disposed to bear with meekness a separation from my family.  it is as unnecessary to observe that this, or any other place, is equally agreeable with them.

My principal object was to endeavour to resuscitate a fallen fortune, and as far as I can judge from what I have done have no doubt of doing very well, as I have already had several Vessels consigned to me, and am at least safe as regards expenses for the current year. notwithstanding every article is enormously dear, as the necessity of living as a Consul should, adds to my expenses.  My reception as Consul of the U. States was very flattering. the Governor General George Don is a worthy man, and has given me every attention I could desire. the people generally are civil, but I do not commune with them to any extent of intimacy. friendships can only exist where congenial habits prevail, and my Yankee notions but illy accord with John Bulls ideas.  I have formed a very extensive Mercantile correspondence, and have adresed the merchants on your side the Atlantic that I want their consignments. should trade remain brisk, I can not only support my family respectably but even lay something by for a rainy day.  young Mr. Jackson who is with me, will return home in the Spring, to bring out my Wife and children.  I should be very happy could they have a passage on board a frigate provided any one should be sent out, and feel assured that your friendship for me will induce you to interest yourself

yourself with whoever may command to allow her to come with him. your knowledge of the good woman renders it unnecessary to say she will give but little trouble, and I will provide that she shall not be any expence. to be plain will you do all that may be requisite, in sending her to me, provided a frigate comes. of course it would be more proper that it should be one of our married Captains. should the ship sail from New York or Baltimore she must have time to make her arrangements, and beg that as soon as you receive this letter, you will do me the favor to take the trouble to write my Wife wether or not she can calculate on a passage in a public vessel, as she must look out for a merchant one if no other offers.  You have done me many favors, but none would be more gratefully recollected than this additional one.

Commodore Shaw left here the last of October, touched at Malaga, and was to winter at Port Mahon.  I have not heard of, or from him since. is he to be left in command?

Mr. Shaler writes me from Algiers that all appears quiet in that quarter; and will continue so whilst we have a squadron in this sea.  I have not heard from Tripoli or Tunis as yet, but understand we have no chance of War with either, all of which as agent I deplore.

I presume there can be no doubt the Epervier is gone and with her the service has sustained a real loss in poor Lewis.  it is a hard case for the relatives of the prisoners released from Algiers, that they could not get safe home after so long a captivity.

I should like to know how Decatur’s peace is relished at headquarters. he is a lucky fellow, but the haste in which he brought matters to a conclusion, confirms most fully the opinion I have so often given you, that he would sacrifice his best friend to aggrandize his own fame. had Bainbridge not been so close at his heels, be assured that reasons to continue the war would not have been wanting. you should have come out in command of the first squadron yourself and peace would not have been made.  I consider it a death blow to our Navy. the English officers here seem to have understood Decatur very well, and all condemn the peace as impolitic.

And now my dear

Commodore, allow me to pull your attention to an unpleasant circumstance as regards our government credit.  Richard McCall, when here drew Bills on A. Glennie Son & Co. of London for the supply of the Squadron and had every assurance from the Navy Department that funds were provided to meet his drafts. he drew without hesitation, and after closing his concerns sailed for Leghorn on business relating to the public buildings at Washington, intending finally to settle at Barcelona as Consul.  I presume that Government were not advised of the amount requisite, as his Bills have been dishonored by A. Glennie Son & Co. and have returned here under Protest for non acceptance, I believe amounting to between 8 & 10 thousand pounds Sterling.

Every facility was given him in negociating his Bills, and they were passed for him by myself, at  the current Exchange, but this has I assure you given a serious shock to the credit of all Consuls and Agents of the United States, and much fear that poor McCall will be individually ruined in credit. he certainly has not private funds to take them up, and unless the Navy Department have sent funds to London our Squadron will not be able hereafter to get a dollar.

It is utterly impossible to negotiate Bills on the Navy Departt. direct, at less than 3 1/3pr.Cent. loss, and even at this do not beleive he could get 500 dollars since it is discovered his Bills on London have been protested, and in fact the course of Exchange between the U. States and London, does not sanction it as Bills on London are worth 20 pr.Cent. in Baltimore and Philadelphia. it therefore follows that American Merchants want their funds in London, by which they gain this advance.  it is distressing to me to have so many personas calling on me, to enquire wether these Bills will ever be paid or not.  you may naturally conclude that I do everything to quiet their fears, and assure them that my Government will provide for their payments. as it is I have had £1000 Ster. returned which I purchased of him and which is a serious inconvenience to my sleder resources.  I mention this circumstance to you, knowing that you will give it full consideration.  I have written officially to the Secretary of the Navy stating all I have to you, of course you will see the letter.  I have no doubt as soon as he hears it, he will order remittances to London, and sincerely hope that A. Glennie Son & Co. may

may lose their agency as the sum is too trifling to allow the credit of such a government as our to suffer.  there is not another Banking House in London but would have advanced this sum had they been the Agents.  My advice would be that you should buy at Philadelphia & Baltimore two or three cargoes of Flour and Tobacco, and send them to me for sale, with orders either to hold the proceeds subject to McCall’s order, or remit it to London. if they bring [cost] and charges only, Government save 20 pr.Cent. by it, as you must pay that much for Bills to remit to London, or for Specie to send out, and the fleet must have money.

Provisions you send from America, but even these can be procured cheaper here than in America.  the expences of sale here would be only my Commissions, and Government would by this means have funds at the disposal of the Squadron at no loss.  Kentucky Tobacco is the best, and Virginia next.  the Flour should be shipped from Philadelphia, as it is in most esteem.

Be so good as to present my respects to my good friend Mrs. Rodgers and your family. when you are disposed to write to me, send the letter to Charles W. Greene of Boston who will forward it, as occasions more frequently offer from that port than any other.

I am dear Sir
With affection & respect
Yr. friend.
Bernd Henry