Mr. Barclay has probably informed you of his having been arrested in Bordeaux, for a debt contracted in the way of his commerce.  He immediately applied to the parliament of that place, who ordered his discharge.  This took place after five days’ actual imprisonment.  I arrived at Bordeaux a few days after his liberation.  As the Procureur General of the King had interested himself to obtain it, with uncommon zeal, and that too on public principles, I thought it my duty to wait on him and return him my thanks.  I did the same to the President of the parliament, for the body over which he presided; what would have been an insult in America, being an indispensable duty here.  You will see by the enclosed printed paper, on what grounds the Procureur insisted on Mr. Barclay’s liberation.  Those on which the parliament ordered it, are not expressed.  On my arrival here, I spoke with the minister on the subject.  He observed, that the character of Consul is no protection in this country, against process for debt:  that as to the character with which Mr. Barclay had been invested at the court of Morocco, it was questionable whether it would be placed on the diplomatic line, as it had not been derived immediately from Congress; that if it were, it would have covered him to Paris only, where he had received his commission, had he proceeded directly thither, but that his long stay at Bordeaux, must be considered as terminating it there.  I observed to him, that Mr. Barclay had been arrested almost immediately on his arrival at Bordeaux.  But, says he, the arrest was made void by the parliament, and still he has continued there several weeks.  True, I replied, but his adversaries declared they would arrest him again, the moment he should be out of the jurisdiction of the parliament of Bordeaux, and have actually engaged the Marechausee on the road, to do it.  This seemed to impress him.  He said he could obtain a letter of safe conduct which would protect him to Paris, but that immediately on his arrival here, he would be liable to arrest.  I asked him, if such a letter could not be obtained to protect him to Paris, and back to Bordeaux, and even to America?  He said, that for that, the consent of the greater part of his creditors would be necessary; and even with this, it was very doubtful whether it could be obtained:  still, if I would furnish him with that consent, he would do what should depend on him.  I am persuaded he will, and have written to Mr. Barclay to obtain the consent of his creditors.  This is the footing on which this matter stands at present.  I have stated it thus particularly, that you may know the truth, which will probably be misrepresented in the English papers, to the prejudice of Mr. Barclay.  This matter has been a great affliction to him, but no dishonor where its true state is known.  Indeed he is incapable of doing any thing not strictly honorable.