31To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 8 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 8 Apr. 1791 . In France uncommon agitation produced by journey of king’s aunts to Rome. Great tumults in Paris. Repairing of Chateau de Vincennes, effort of mob to destroy it, and resultant confrontation with the national guard. Another dangerous affair at the Tuileries, involving misunderstanding between Lafayette and the mayor. “The Marquis is said to have acquired additional...
32To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 30 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, Portugal. 30 Apr. 1791 . On 13th Samuel Harrison, at instance of Jacob Dohrman, sent messenger from Lisbon to inform Humphreys that Dominick Joyce, merchant of Philadelphia, had written his brother Edward Joyce on 25 Feb.: “A Minister is appointed to your Court; Colo. Humphreys is the person.” This and three others from Philadelphia received in extraordinary manner. An American...
33To George Washington from David Humphreys, 3 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
Private. My dear Sir, Mafra [Portugal] May 3d 1791. I write this short letter for the sole purpose of thanking you for nominating & appointing me Minister Resident at this Court. The language of affection & gratitude is brief. It is with a sensibility not expressed in words, that all the instances of your friendship & particularly the kind expressions in the close of your letter of March 16th,...
34To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 3 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, Portugal, 3 May 1791 . Acknowledging receipt by express from Bulkeley of TJ’s of 15 Mch.—As minister, “I can only rely on my own zeal and the candour of those … concerned in administring the Government of my Country: and … it is a peculiar felicity that my communications are to be made through an Office entrusted to a Person from whose Instruction and Indulgence, I know, I have every...
35To George Washington from David Humphreys, 12 May 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Secret) My dear Sir Lisbon May 12th 1791 Lest my letters to the Secretary of State on the subject of the Persons executing the Duties of the Consulate here, should have been so inexplicit as to leave your mind in doubt respecting the merits or pretensions of those persons, I take the liberty to add a few facts; not because I feel myself interested in the decision, but because I wish to remove...
36To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 17 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 17 May 1791 . He was presented to the Queen on the 13th, delivered his letter of credence, and, with the approval of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed his discourse in English, a copy of which he encloses. The Queen, surrounded at the public audience by her ministers, the diplomatic corps, the nobility, the chief officers of the departments, and many ladies of the court,...
37To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 21 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon , 21 May 1791. Sends English papers. From talks with De Pinto and others, peace more expected to prevail than formerly. But newly arrived vessels from north bring nothing definite. By direct accounts from Paris at end of April, he finds tumults have subsided, Lafayette again in command of national guard, and his popularity and triumph complete despite English prophecies. The mischievous...
38To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 7 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 7 June 1791 . Acknowledging TJ’s of 11 Apr. with dispatches for Carmichael. After trying in vain for some weeks to get a private conveyance, he “made interest” to have TJ’s former letter to Carmichael carried by the Portuguese from the office for foreign affairs. He expects to use same means to dispatch those now received, which will be sent as soon as possible. He will be pleased to be...
39To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 7 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 7 June 1791 . Knowing extreme jealousy of Spanish government and rigid regulations of this respecting all kinds of books, he almost despairs of being able to get those named in TJ’s private letter. Even if he had received it at Madrid, he could not have brought the books with him. But he will “revolve the matter in different views; and consult … my acquaintances” on means to effect it....
40To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 17 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 17 June 1791. Nothing final received by packet from England about war between Russians and Turks. Fox’ speech gives “a just representation of the interfering, restless and bullying conduct of the British Ministry for some years past; with the probable disgrace, disadvantage and humiliation to be expected from it.”—A real novelty appears in “true accounts of the prosperous condition of...
41To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 July 1791 . Enclosing his account, as requested in TJ’s of 15 Mch. He wrote Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard to ask if they had received orders to pay him the sums stated in that letter, but has had no reply and has not drawn the whole due him, not needing remainder until furniture ordered from England arrives. He has not been able to state amount of postage with precision, but it is...
42To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 7 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The day before yesterday, when the Nuncio and the Diplomatic Corps were at my house, the former with some of the latter mentioned the existence of a private report, that the King of France had attempted to make his escape and that he had been arrested near Strasbourg. Yesterday, I dined with the Duke of Alafoñes, where the same rumour was repeated. Last night, at the Royal Academy, I met with...
43To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 12 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 12 July 1791 . The news in his of the 7th about secret flight of French King has been confirmed. Assumption by National Assembly of executive powers notified in circular to diplomatic representatives. Yesterday, dining with diplomatic corps at Walpole’s, he was shown by him a letter from Lord Gower in Paris dated 25 June containing news of arrest of the King and his entourage, of...
44To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 21 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I came to this place a few days ago, in order to avoid the heat of Lisbon. But before I left Lisbon, I had a conference with M. de Pinto, on the subject suggested for his consideration in your letter of March 15th, and enforced on me in the beginning of the cyphered part of your letter dated April 11th. He seemed to accord fully with you in his ideas of the propriety and utility of the...
45To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 25 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 25 July 1791 . A packet from Falmouth brings no news of sailing of British fleet or peace in the north. Fawkener, British envoy at Petersburg, momentarily expected at London with conclusive news, which public judgment thinks will be peace. Yet bounty for seamen extended to end of July. All accounts indicate the Empress stands by her original demands, and the fresh rupture between...
46To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 6 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 6 Aug. 1791 . He has just received TJ’s of 23 June, with gazettes for himself and dispatches for Carmichael. He has received TJ’s of 11 Apr., but not that of 13 May.—TJ will learn from French papers, sent herewith, what they know about the late “tumult in Paris.” Private accounts indicate the affair was much exaggerated. “The actual Period of the Revolution is however critical,” and...
47To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 17 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 17 Aug. 1791 . Spanish decree against foreigners mentioned in his of 6th he has now seen in house of British consul, with a great company present. Though expressed in general terms, it seems aimed at French. Retailers, barbers, surgeons, shoemakers, &c. already there must take oath of allegiance to carry on trade. They are mainly French. Several diplomats are said to have protested to...
48To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 18 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 18 Aug. 1791 . He writes chiefly to send duplicate of resolution of States General concerning tea.—Spanish decree respecting strangers so vague three different constructions said to have been given by Spanish ministry. Recently several foreign mechanics have applied to him about going to America and possibility of success there. On threshing harvest in Portugal, wheat crop is much...
49To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 22 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 22 Aug. 1791 . Reports say a courier has arrived today from Paris with news King of France has declined to accept the constitution, because, though it might be very good, he was deprived of all counsel and could not act on it.—King of Sweden is said to have written very spirited letter to National Assembly, declaring Fersen acted on his orders to effect escape of King. Thus royalty...
50To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 31 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 31 Aug. 1791 . The enclosed papers reveal that the report of Louis XVI’s rejection of the French constitution, mentioned in his last letter, is premature. The Gazettes from France that arrived tardily yesterday were probably delayed in Spain. The Gazettes of Leyden forwarded with this letter were delivered by sea to save postal expenses. The two English packets that arrived here late...
51To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 10 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 10 Sep. 1791 . He has just received a letter of the 19th ulto. from Carmichael delivered by Mr. Milne, who visited the President at Mount Vernon in 1779. Carmichael has sent his dispatches to America and complains of ill health. Milne said that he was “emaciated and weakened by the late attacks of the Cholic which he has suffered.”—The wavering policy of Spain manifests itself in the...
52To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 23 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 23 Sep 1791 . Despite Thomas Barclay’s arrival in Oporto, he still has not received the letters Barclay brought from America for him.—Two British packets and a cutter from England with dispatches for Mr. Walpole have arrived since his letter of the 10th instant. Peace has been concluded between the Emperor and the Porte, and peace will soon follow between the Empress and the Porte,...
53To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 27 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 27 Sep. 1791 . Barclay arrived on the evening of the 23d instant and delivered TJ’s dispatches of 13 May, 13 July and 26 July. These letters were the first to inform him of Barclay’s mission to Morocco, a letter on this subject from Barclay in Philadelphia having failed to arrive.—On the 24th instant he gave the Compte de Rhode, the Prussian minister to Portugal, a letter for William...
54To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 Oct. 1791. He does not know when he will have another opportunity of directly forwarding letters to America as the last American vessel in the harbor has been sold and converted into a Portuguese ship. Taking advantage of the British packets, he announces that Louis xvi has accepted the French constitution and that acts of oblivion, recommended by the king and proposed to the...
55To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 16 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 16 Oct. 1791. Since his last letter of 1 Oct. he has received TJ’s dispatches of 23 Aug. He is grateful for the American publications TJ sent him and will forward those intended for William Carmichael.—He is impressed by “the mild Government and prosperous state of Portugal.” Since his arrival in the country there has been only one execution, and that involved a fratricide. Otherwise...
56To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 28 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 28 Oct. 1791 . He calls TJ’s attention to the following extracts from a 22 Aug. 1791 letter from Captain [Richard] O’Bryen in Algiers to a commercial house here. Washington has drawn Congress’ attention to their plight, but the American captives in Algiers are still in slavery and have no assurance of regaining their freedom. Nevertheless he is confident that Congress will instruct...
57To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 22 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 22 Nov. 1791 . Since his last letter of 28 Oct. he has received certain information that the Dey of Algiers has declared war on Sweden. A Swedish ship which was loading here for a Mediterranean voyage has consequently been unloaded.—Public business “is often done slowly in this Country.” He had to write four or five notes or memoires and wait more than three months before he finally...
58To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 4 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 4 Dec. 1791 . He sends a duplicate receipt from Barclay for the 32,175 current guilders “destined for the services with which he is charged at Morocco,” the first copy of the receipt having been transmitted in his letter of 22 Nov.—Before sailing from Gibraltar last Wednesday Barclay received a letter from Francisco Chiappe in Morocco and “forwarded the Original to the Office of...
59To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 23 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 23 Dec. 1791 . He takes advantage of this opportunity by Capt. Stobo to advise TJ that in his letters of 22 Nov. and 4 Dec. he enclosed receipts from Thomas Barclay for 32,175 current guilders for Barclay’s Moroccan mission. He has been attentive to the request in TJ’s 11 Apr. letter for information about Brazil, though his efforts have been constrained by the Portuguese government’s...
60To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 Jan. 1792 . Nothing remarkable has occurred since his last letter of 24 Dec.—A storm from the north hovers over France and the expectation here is that a blow will soon be struck. The emigrants are indefatigable and the Duke of Luxembourg has left here for Madrid. Russia and Sweden have given the friends of the constitution in France many months to prepare for war. But France is...