John Leslie, London correspondent for Panton, Leslie and Company, wrote to John Forbes, a partner in the firm, which was engaged in the Indian trade through Mobile and Pensacola. Leslie discussed the ill effects the renewal of war between England and France had had on British commerce. He repeated the rumors of the terms of the treaty between France and the United States for the cession of the Louisiana territory and gave news of negotiations in Madrid for the cession of the Floridas to the United States. Since the situation had been unsettled, Leslie had suspended business operations until the arrival of James Monroe, the United States Ambassador to England, in July. In an interview with Monroe, Leslie had discussed the future policy of the United States in relation to import through Mobile of British goods destined for the Indian trade. After the interview Leslie had resumed business and began filling the backlog of orders he had received from Forbes. Since Monroe had advised him to send his shipments on American vessels, he had attempted to find a suitable carrier to charter, but ships were available only on hard terms. Consequently, he had decided to use a company-owned boat, the Jean, which would set sail shortly and arrive at Pensacolo around Christmas time. The captain of the Jean had orders to anchor outside the bar of Pensacola, where he would await instructions from Forbes. Leslie advised Forbes and his assistants to become naturalized citizens of the United States in order to facilitate their conduct of business. Leslie gave an account of money received from the sale of pelts that Forbes had sent. He ended dispelling rumors of a possible invasion of England by Napoleon armies.