Original sheep, not initialled by Jefferson. With the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.

On November 2, 1806, Duane wrote from Philadelphia to Jefferson: “Some time since during your sojournment at Monticello, I forwarded you the loose sheets of a pamphlet in the Spanish language, which I had printed secretly. The accompanying affidavit will explain how I came to print it, under what impressions, & for whom. As I am not competent to translate Spanish, and the conduct of the Spanish Ambassador here had been so disreputable to his mission, I conceived it to be my duty to forward you that pamphlet, in order that if it should contain any matter that might serve the government of my country it should be possessed thereof. Indeed the accompanying affidavit expresses my sentiments and rule of action so explicitly that with the knowledge you already possess of me, my motives and conduct will require no explanation; further than to account for the affidavit of which I send a copy.

"It appears from the representation of M ^r Magdalena to me, that Yrujo, has sent charges to Spain against him Magdalena; and among other things he has alleged that I had published in my paper certain facts which being known to no other person in this country but himself (Yrujo) and Magdalena, those facts must have been communicated to me by the latter. Upon this charge Yrujo has undertaken to suspend the functions of Magdalena, who applied to me to declare the truth whether or not I have ever had any information from him. The affidavit is accordingly drawn up, and Magdalena desirous to give weight as much as possible to the evidence which he brings to exculpate himself from Yrujo’s accusation has prescribed the mode of introduction which you will see in the affidavit, as to my commission in the militia and my religious education, as I do not set any value on the titles and as my education has not closed up my understanding, I could not refuse to render him a service by an acquiescence in the use of facts that are true. This explanation of the introductory form I deemed due to myself, lest it should be presumed, that I was so lost to good sense as to be vain or superstitious.

"I am at a loss to discover what the facts are which Yrujo complained of as divulged to me! Accustomed to speculate in political affairs below the mere surface, it appears that I must have penetrated the Spanish mysteries of state. Your eminent situation may perhaps enable you to judge what the secret really is; for tho’ it seems I discovered it, it remains a secret to me to this moment; for I have attempted to anticipate so many things, that unless it is the suggestion of a secret understanding between Spain and Great Britain, I cannot recollect any fact of sufficient moment to excite so much anger and apprehension.

"I have endeavored in the affidavit to say as much in corroboration of the general sentiment of the country against Yrujo as my knowlege and truth justifies.”