Letter from James Buchanan to W. P. Preston

Secretary of State James Buchanan writes to W. P. Preston, responding to his request "to have an authenticated copy taken of documents relating to the debt due by the late Republic of Columbia to Lalung Montrop, recently of Baltimore, deceased." Buchanan claims that this request cannot be granted, as United States diplomatic agents are discouraged from executing instructions relating to personal business. He refers Preston to Mr. B. A. Bidlack. Transcript included.