Relations with the Barbary Powers. me to be prudent; that it was well known to me that a little thing would irritate the Dey, and the consequence would be serious; that I well knew the terms the Dey had lately obliged the Spaniards to acquiesce to; and that both the British and French would soon share the same fate. I thanked him for his advice, and observed that it made no difference to the United States in what Spain acquiesced to, or what the Dey would do against the British or French; that I was convinced the Government of the United States would, with regret, learn, from facts, that Algiers was not the friend of the United States, but an evident friend of Tripoli. He observed that he did not believe that we, or any Christian nation, would keep the peace with Algiers, if we found it more our interest to be at war. I told him that we knew our interest, and, at the same time. would not sacrifice the honor of our nation under any consideration whatever; that the present time admitted of a favorable opportunity for him, the Dey, &c., to do me the just favor I required. "The Prime Minister, and Brurach, the Dey's Jew broker, and in fact his principal director, went to the Dey at 2 p. m., on the day of the 27th June, and stated all my arguments to the Dey. The same, I sent my dragoman to the Dey, to request the favor to befriend me on the present occasion; that nine of my countrymen were in chained captivity in his port, on board a Tripoline, with a prize, an American brig; and that the corsair of Tripoli had the American flag reversed at the prow of said corsair; that, at the same time, the Dey was the guarantee of the treaty of the United States with Tripoli; that, if the Dey was not occupied, I should be happy to see him on this occasion. "The Dey answered that I need not come; that he had the whole of the business in his mind, and that I would shortly hear the result. "On this, the Dey sends a messenger down to the Marine, to the Vickelhadge, or General of the Marine, for him to call the Tripoline captain; that the Dey will purchase the nine Americans, brig, and cargo; that the Dey will give for these the sum of five thousand dollars; and that he would write to the Bashaw of Tripoli that this he did, and would remit him the money. After the Dey sent this message to the Marine, the Dey went to his garden. The Minister of the Marine declared this message to the Tripoline captain, who said he could only part with the American prisoners by force, having the Bashaw of Tripoli's orders, above all things, if he should take any Americans, to take care and land them at some of the outports; that it was by having possession of them that his master, the Bashaw, would find thereby means to bring the Americans to a peace on Tripoli terms. ble to the Dey's orders, but that the business was in the hands of a lion, (the Dey,) and that the foxes were looking on-alluding to the Moorish merchants. Shortly after this, I heard that the agent of Tripoli went to the Dey, and also the Swedish dragoman; that the Dey got very angry, and ordered both the Tripoline corsairs and their prize, the American brig, to depart the port of Algiers directly. As they were getting under way, I went to the Minister of the Marine, and told him that this conduct of Algiers was as a friend to Tripoli, and not to the United States; that it was in his power to have done me justice, and that he neglected it. He said he was to obey the Dey's orders; that we should have kept a better look out, and not let the corsairs of Tripoli get out. I observed to this, that I was trying to remedy the evil, &c.; had I had his sincere assist ance, the business would have been finished yesterday; that, at present, I had only to detail the whole affair to my Government; the result be would be informed of; and that, as Tripoli corsairs thus entered with American prizes into the ports of this Regency, that certainly American frigates would frequent this coast, and difficulties would ensue. "The Tripoline corsairs, and brig Franklin, and Captain Morris and crew, left Algiers on the 28th of June, at half past 2, p. m., with a light westerly wind, destined to the eastward, I suppose for Bona or Tunis, where, I hope, they will meet one of our frigates. It seems now to be reduced to a certainty that there are but those two Tripoline corsairs at sea." Extract of a letter from James Simpson, Consul of the United States for the Kingdom of Morocco, to the Secretary of State, dated TANGIER, January 8, 1802. "At this time, Muley Solyman has not a single vessel of war afloat. At Sallee, two frigates, of about twenty guns, are building, and may probably be launched next Spring; but he is in want of many stores for them ere they can be sent to sea. At Tetuan, they have lately patched up an old half galley to carry two bow guns and fifty men; but, if I am to judge from her appearance last May, she is scarce fit to go to sea. This is all the navy. "When Muley Solyman requested I would procure for his use the mentioned one hundred gun carriages, he particularly mentioned they would be paid for on delivery at this port, as advised in No. 33. I was in hopes Mr. Bulkley might have been able to contract for them, payable in that way; but he acquainted me they must be paid for in Lisbon; and that he judged they might cost about three hundred and twenty millreas each. "At mid-day, on the 28th of June, being in- Highly desirous of gratifying His Majesty, and formed that several Moorish merchants were offer- having no other means of providing for payment ing to purchase the brig Franklin and cargo from of these carriages, I proposed drawing for the the captain of the Tripoline; on this information sum that might be required on account of my I went to the Prime Minister, and told him what salary. This, I trust, on your side, will be admit I heard; he was very angry; said that the busi-ted as a proof that nothing in my power to do, on ness should have been carried yesterday, agreea- | this occasion, has been wanting, notwithstanding Relations with the Barbary Powers. what the Emperor and his Ministers may suppose. Should Government think well of making the Emperor of Morocco a present, at this time, as a fresh proof of the friendship of the United States, (in the event of his continuing the peace uninterrupted, as I trust will be the case,) these carriages, in my opinion, would be more acceptable to him than anything else. In that case, it will be necessary to give Mr. Bulkley directions respecting the payment of them. Should this measure be determined on, I would, with due submission. beg leave to recommend a letter being sent by the President to the Emperor on the occasion; especially as, since the recognition of the treaty, in 1795, and his letter of the 18th August, that year, no direct communication whatever has been made to His Majesty on the part of the United States. "The Tripoline Ambassador or Messenger, come from thence so long ago, was permitted, on Saturday last, to proceed for Fez, to meet the Emperor. This man's business, in this country, is not precisely known, but will soon be, after he may have an interview with Muley Solyman. "On Monday, the 14th ultimo, the Bashaw sent for me; and, after making his secretary and other attendants retire, he told me Muley Solyman was much displeased at my not having obtained for him the gun carriages he had commissioned; adding, that the reasons I had alleged, in my last letter to the Emperor on the subject, were by no means satisfactory, as they appeared to him to be mere excuses. Conscious that I had said nothing but what Mr. Bulkley had written me, on the part of the carpenter at Lisbon, who had offered to contract to make these carriages, I felt perfectly easy on the occasion, and endeavored to convince the Bashaw that the motive alleged for His Majesty's displeasure was groundless, of which he, at least, seemed to be satisfied. He then said he was also instructed by His Majesty to demand whether I was authorized to make him presents of moment, from time to time. I answered that, in the treaty made between Sidi Mahomet and the United States of America, and confirmed by Muley Solyman, no stipulation whatever was made for my Government making presents at any stated periods; of consequence, that I was without any instructions on that subject. The Bashaw then told me Muley Solyman looked upon the Americans as no better friends to him than the Dutch; and that I must consider myself in the same situation as their Consul was at that day. Fully satisfied that the Government of the United States had given the most ample and unequivocal proofs of friendship to Muley Solyman, I readily saw that this intimation must proceed either from error, or that it was a prelude to His Majesty's making another attempt to get quit of the treaty of 1786, and obtain presents at stipulated periods. On this occasion, I beg to refer you to the several letters I had the honor of addressing the Department of State, from Rhabat, between the 15th of July and the 18th of August, 1795, and to No. 55 of my Gibraltar correspondence, dated 24th September, same year. By these, you will see a strong attempt to effect this was at that time made, but that I had the happiness to overcome it, and obtain a recognition of that treaty, under well-founded motives, in appearance, for believing that Muley Solyman granted it from a full conviction of its being incumbent on him to do so. Bashaw Hackanaway having stated the American and Batavian Governments as standing in the same predicament in relation to this country, I did not allow him to quit that ground until I had given him an ample detail of the very early attention the United States paid Muley Solyman, urging that, in the choice of the articles which chiefly composed their first present, they had given the strongest proof possible of the part they took in His Majesty's concerns at that interesting moment, and of their desire that he should overcome the opposition then actually making against his succession. It does not appear necessary to trouble you with all the other arguments at this interview, only to say that, having desired another, the Bashaw appointed the 16th, in the evening. We accordingly met; and I laid before him an Arabic translation of the treaty of 1786, with a copy of the Emperor's letter of the 18th of August, 1795, to the President, confirming it; also lists of the first and second presents I delivered, in the name of the United States. to Muley Solyman, at Rhabat, in 1795, and of that I had also the honor of delivering at Mequinez, 1798, on the occasion of showing His Majesty my commission as Consul. He perused all these papers with attention, and assured me as, in holding these conferences in private, he had given me a proof of his friendship, so I might depend upon experiencing a continuance thereof, and that he would report to His Majesty on the occasion. At this second interview, not a syllable was said on my retiring from the country; neither have I, to this hour, heard any more on that subject." Extracts from the same to the same, dated "TANGIER, Feb. 20, 1802. "I am happy in saying that, up to the present hour, I have not heard a syllable further relative to Bashaw Hackanaway's communications, of the 14th December, from which I draw a very favorable conclusion." "The Tripoline who went to the Emperor, as Ambassador, solicited some cargoes of wheat, and is gone to Rhabat with permission to load; but he certainly will not find vessels to charter whilst Tripoli continues blockaded. The Emperor having also been solicited to give his assistance towards getting the Tripoline brig, which lies at Gibraltar, sent home, consented to give a crew and provisions for that purpose. A few days ago, the Governor solicited from the Swedish Consul and myself, in His Majesty's name, passports for her; which, having convinced him it was not in our power to grant, under the actual situation of Tripoli, it was agreed we should write Admiral Ciderstrom and Commodore Dale on the subject, which has been done." Relations with the Barbary Powers. "MAY 13, 1802. "Your letter reached the high presence of our master, (whom God preserve!) and I read it to him; also what you say on the subject of a passport for the Tripoline Ambassador. "This wheat to be sent belongs to my master. If you allow it to pass, when the Ambassador goes, as the property of His Majesty, it will be very well. If not, you will do what is regular, and as is established by the treaties of peace between us and you. "The Governor, Hodge Abdarhaman Hasash. will confer with you on this matter. Let what is in the treaties of peace be done. "Written to you on the 7th day of Muharram, 1217, (corresponding to the 10th May, 1802.) "MAHOMET B. A. SELAWAY.” "Yesterday I had certain intelligence of the Governor of Rhabat having received His Majesty's orders on the 6th instant for sending a schooner to Darelbeyda, immediately to load wheat for Extract from James Simpson to the Secretary of State, Tripoli." "On the second instant, the two frigates were launched at Rhabat. I am assured they are pierced for twenty-six guns each, on the main deck. If! so, they must be much crowded; for no ship, of a suitable length and draught of water and that force can enter any of the ports of this Empire. Nothing that I yet know of has been done towards obtaining the small cruisers it was said His Majesty intended to station at this port." From the same to the same, dated "JUNE 5, 1802. "I have the honor to transmit herewith the copy of No. 39, also translation of the Minister's answer to the letter written him on the 25th of April, by the Swedish Consul and myself, on the subject of His Majesty's desire of sending wheat to Tripoli, by which you will see he submits the propriety of that measure to the letter of the treaties of Sweden and the United States with this country. Unfortunately, neither make any provision for such a case, nor are blockaded ports mentioned in them. Hitherto none of the shipments have taken place. Sunday last the Governor sent for Mr. Wyk and me, to show us a letter from His Majesty desiring to know if we were yet authorized to grant passports for that wheat and the Tripoline ship lying at Gibraltar, which, of course, was answered in the negative. "It did not appear he had been instructed to treat with us upon the subject, in the precise terms of the Minister's letter. We, however, did not fail to repeat to him, that all sort of intercourse by sea with blockaded ports was pointedly opposite to the law of nations and common usage at this day. This conference was held in the presence of the Commodore of the Tripoline ship and one of the Ambassador's Secretaries, who brought the letter from His Majesty." Translation of a letter from Sidi Mahomet Ben Absalem Selaway. "Praise is due to God alone. There is no power or strength but in God. To the Consuls, Peter Wyk and Simpson-health. dated "JUNE 14, 1802. "No. 40, concluded 10th instant, and forwarded to Gibraltar, I presume is still there, and that this will go from thence with it. "I have now the honor to acquaint you that, yesterday, the Governor sent for me, to say he had just received a letter from the Emperor, with orders to acquaint me that, since passports could not be granted for the two cargoes of wheat he wished to send to Tripoli, His Majesty had directed the vessels should go to Tunis; which I was happy to hear, as by that means we get rid of what threatened to be a very unpleasant piece of business. "In the evening, at the request of the Governor. I wrote His Majesty to explain again the powerful motives why I could not sanction vessels going to Tripoli, but that I was ready to grant the usual certificates for those His Majesty might direct to be laden with cargoes, his property, for Tunis." Extract from the same to the same, dated "JUNE 17, 1802. "It is with great concern I am under the necessity of acquainting you that, either the information given the Swedish Consul and myself on having consented to allow his wheat vessels to go Sunday last, respecting His Imperial Majesty to Tunis, was extremely fallacious on the part of the Governor of Tangier, or the Emperor must speedily have repented of having taken that resolution. "This morning the Governor sent for me again, to say he had received fresh instructions from His Majesty, with orders to demand from me passports for those vessels to go direct to Tripoli, and, in case of refusal, that I was to quit the country; adding, that the letter was written in such strong terms as must prevent his consenting to any mitigation. After a very long conference, he at last, however, allowed me time to write to Commodore Morris, at Gibraltar, which I am now about to do fully." Relations with the Barbary Powers. Extracts from the same to the same, dated Majesty Muley Solyman had been pleased to di"GIBRALTAR, June 26, 1802. rect that I might remain in Tangier six months. "Within this, I beg leave to enclose copy No. Had that order reached you previous to my being 42, and am extremely sorry to add the intelligence compelled to retire from His Majesty's dominions, of my having been compelled, by the Governor I should certainly have availed of it. The frigate of Tangier, to retire from thence, on Thursday we expected from America has not yet reached this evening, in consequence of positive orders from place. The moment she arrives, I will do myHis Imperial Majesty to that effect, received on the self the honor of writing His Imperial Majesty ; evening of the 22d, accompanied with advice of his and, in the meantime, I beg you will be fully ashaving declared war against the United States." sured my best endeavors will continue to be ex"I had another interview with the Governor of erted for a renewal of peace and good friendship Tangier, when I succeeded in obtaining his prombetween His Imperial Majesty and America. ise to suspend again the execution of His Majesty's orders, received on the 16th, for my expulsion, until he could represent to His Majesty the impossibility he was then satisfied had always existed to my granting the required passports, since the Commodore could not sanction them." Extract from the same to the same, dated at "GIBRALTAR, July 3, 1802. Extract of a letter from Mr. Shausbor, Danish Consul "TANGIER, July 9, 1802. "Your esteemed favor of the 5th instant is duly come to hand, with the enclosed letter for the Governor of this place. I delivered it in his own hand, and, according to your request, explained to "I have now to acquaint you that, yesterday, I him the contents of it. In answer, he desires me received a letter from the Governor of Tangier, and that he would not neglect, by the first opporto tell you that he found you were in the right, dated 30th June, advising that His Imperial Ma-tunity, to inform His Majesty that he had written jesty, in answer to the letter he wrote on the 22d, to you a very good letter, and that he has got still had directed that I might be permitted to remain there six months; adding, that I was, in consequence, at liberty to return to my house in Tangier, or not, as I should see fit." Extracts of a letter from the same to the same, dated at "GIBRALTAR, July 16, 1802. "I have the honor of transmitting with this duplicate of No. 44, also a copy of the letter I wrote the Governor of Tangier. in answer to that I mentioned to have received from him. On the same sheet is an extract of a letter from the Danish Consul at Tangier, to me, containing the substance of what the Governor encharged him to communicate, by way of reply to my letter to him; all which I beg leave to submit to your perusal. "In constant hope of seeing the Adams, upon mature consideration, I thought, as I had been expelled the country, and the alarm given of danger to the American flag, it was best to wait her arrival, and receipt of the instructions I fully depend on receiving by that ship, before I closed with the Governor's proposal of returning to Tangier, or entirely reject it. By this I was guided in the answer I gave to his letter, and it is satisfactory to see the determination meets his entire approbation." "My friend at Rhabat writes me, under 25th July, that the equipment of the two frigates there goes on but slowly. At Tetuan I find they make all despatch with the two galleys, and that this day week, guns, anchors, and cables were sent from Tangier by a Moor's boat for them." Copy of a letter from James Simpson, Esq., Consul of the United States, &c., for the Kingdom of Morocco, to the Governor of Tangier, dated at GIBRALTAR, July 5, 1802. SIR: I have received your Excellency's letter of the 29th last moon, advising me His Imperial a better answer." Extracts from James Simpson to the Secretary of State, dated at "TANGIER, July 27, 1802. "I had the honor to receive, by Captain Campbell, of the Adams, the letter you wrote me on the 30th April, to which I must pray you will excuse my replying at length this morning. It was considered by Commodore Morris and myself proper that I should pass over to this place, for the purpose of more speedily and effectually making the communications you encharged me with for His Imperial Majesty, on part of the President." "In the meantime I have to acquaint you that the frigate at Larach lies quite ready for sea, and that her commander left this place on Sunday, fully authorized to capture American vessels." From the same to the same, dated at "TANGIER. August 3, 1802. "The 27th last month I had the honor of addressing No. 46 to you, with advice of my return to this country; original was sent Commodore Morris, and duplicate via Lisbon. Last night I returned from Tetuan, after having had an interview with Hodge Abdarhaman Hasash, who confirmed to me that the ship mentioned to be ready at Larach was destined to detain American vessels as well as others, and showed me His Majesty's original letter, written by himself, authorizing Hasash to give directions to the captain for that effect; the ship to be placed entirely under his direction." "Hasash did not long hesitate ere he proposed to withdraw the authority he had given for the Larach ship taking Americans, provided I would Relations with the Barbary Powers. grant the captain the usual certificates given by Consuls to the Emperor's cruisers, that he might put to sea; but that I positively refused, or to sanction any vessel whatever belonging to the Emperor going to sea in any degree armed, until such time as His Majesty should see proper to give the most positive declaration of his being at peace as heretofore with the United States. After many arguments on both sides, Hasash promised me he would recommend to His Majesty to desist from his hostile intentions against the United States." "Accordingly it was agreed both he and I should immediately write His Majesty; and, enclosed with this, I have the honor of transmitting a copy of my letter, which I beg you will be good enough to lay before the President, together with this despatch, for his information on what has been done. At this moment I have the highest gratification in saying I enjoy great hopes of a speedy accommodation; but, at the same time, although I have the conscious satisfaction of knowing that every exertion possible in my power has been made by paving the way for it, even during the time I was at Gibraltar, by endeavoring to gain my friends near the Emperor over to our interest; yet, I must candidly say, had there not been a naval force at hand to keep their cruisers in port, I very much doubt if all I could have done would have been attended with that success I now so much hope for." TETUAN, July 31, 1802. "MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY: With all due respect and deference, I beg leave to write your Imperial Majesty this letter, and to express my sincere wish it may meet your Majesty in the enjoyment of perfect health, which I pray God long to continue. endeavor to provide for you, (as I had the honor of advising your Majesty at that time,) it became my duty to represent that disappointment to the Government I serve. The President, desirous of giving your Majesty a proof of his friendship, inmediately directed that one hundred gun carriages, such as your Majesty desired me to procure, should be made, and sent by a vessel to Tangier, for your Majesty's use, so soon as they could be finished. Although the great distance of America from this country necessarily occasions considerable delay to answers on any subject submitted from hence, and, of consequence, that this determination of the President has been long in reaching your Majesty, yet I fully persuade myself your Majesty will see, in his ready attention to send to your Majesty what appeared would be acceptable, a strong proof of the sincere intention of the Government of the United States faithfully to maintain, not only peace, but the strictest friendship and good harmony with your Majesty. "I purpose waiting at Tangier to receive such answer as your Majesty shall be pleased to order to be written to this letter, in full reliance your Majesty will now be pleased to show equally friendly sentiments towards the United States, and issue orders for annulling the declaration of war made against them, that peace may be restored, and their ships of war stationed in these seas again respect, in all cases, your Majesty's flag. In fulfilling my duty, by making these friendly communications on the part of the Government of the United States, I beg your Majesty will be persuaded I have sincere satisfaction, since it has ever been, and shall ever be, my constant endeavor to promote peace, harmony, and good friendship between this country and America. 66 "I pray the Almighty God to preserve your Majesty many years in health and prosperity, and beg leave to subscribe myself, with the highest respect and veneration, may it please your Majesty, your Majesty's most obedient and devoted humble servant, JAMES SIMPSON. "His Imperial Majesty MULEY SOLYMAN BEN MAHOMET BEN ABDALLAH BEN ISMAEL, Sherift. Emperor of Fez, &c." "After having retired from your Majesty's dominions, in consequence of your orders communicated to me for that effect, by your servant Hodge Abdarhaman Hasash, it is with the highest satisfaction I have returned for the purpose of laying before your Majesty the contents of a letter received from the Secretary of State of the United States of America, replete with expressions of the respect and particular regard the President of the Extract of a letter from Mr. Simpson to the Secretary said United States entertains towards your Majesty. "That letter was written on the 30th day of April, corresponding with the 28th Dulhajja of last year. I have it in particular charge thereby to assure your Imperial Majesty, in the name of the President, how very highly he regards your Majesty's faithful observance of the peace estab lished between your royal father (who is in glory) and the United States. The interruption that has happened since that letter was written, I trust I may be allowed to hope will speedily be done of State, dated at "TANGIER, August 12, 1802. "Original of No. 47 was forwarded by way of Lisbon, duplicate and triplicate under cover of Mr. Gavino at Gibraltar, each accompanied by a copy of the letter I wrote the Emperor from Tetuan. "I have now the honor of enclosing, with this translation of the answer I received last night to that letter, by which I am concerned to find new ground taken, likely to be productive of some trouble with His Imperial Majesty. A great con"I further beg leave to represent to your Ma-solation is, that the pretension of frequent embasjesty, that, having found it impossible to obtain from Europe the one hundred gun carriages your Majesty was pleased last year to desire I would away. sies is totally founded in error; for no such arrangement, as was pretended, was made by me with the late Minister, Sidi Mahomet Ben Otto |