31To 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...
32To 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...
33To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 July 1793 . In compliance with the instruction in TJ’s letter of 15 Mch. 1791 he encloses a state of his accounts with the United States and vouchers for the past year. He was surprised to learn a few days ago that Mace and Lucas, the British consuls in Barbary mentioned in his 8 Feb. letter, were still at Gibraltar. Both seemed anxious to avoid delay, and Mace especially assured him...
34To 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...
35To George Washington from David Humphreys, 28 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am taking occasion by a water conveyance to inform you, that we are thus far on our way to New York. But my principal object is to mention the political intelligence which we obtained in North Carolina. The prevailing opinion in that State (so far as we could ascertain it from repeated enquiries) is, that the Constitution will be adopted. However, many of those who are opposed to it think...
36To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 8 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Although I was well acquainted with your reluctance to come into the office you hold, having seen the letters which passed on the subject; yet I cannot avoid being much distressed by your determination to quit it so soon. I entertained hopes that a desire to assist the President in the execution of his important office, together with some other motives resulting from a consciousness of your...
37To 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...
38David Humphreys to John Jay, 8 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by the President of the United States of America to send to you some Papers which have just come to him, and which are of a nature highly interesting to the Community. His object is to avail himself of your opinion, relative to the measures which should be adopted in consequence of this Communication. I have the honor to be with perfect respect &c. N.B. the above letter was from...
39To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 25 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Russian Minister at this Court has received an authentic account from the Minister of his Nation at Vienna of the naval victory gained by the fleet of the Empress over that of the Porte. Of the latter the Admiral’s ship was destroyed, two smaller ships taken, and the rest very much shattered and obliged to fly. The English affect to say this event will protract the war, by making the...
40To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 11 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 11 Feb. 1792 . Since his last of 1 Feb. it has become a matter of public knowledge here that the Queen has been “so afflicted with disease of body and disorder of mind as to render her totally incompetent to the discharge of the ordinary functions of government.” She returned from Salvaterra to Lisbon a little over a week ago and the diplomatic corps attended at the palace the next day...
41To George Washington from David Humphreys, 28 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
By every opportunity which has occurred, I have endeavoured to keep you informed of the great events taking place in Europe, through the medium of my correspondence with the Secretary of State. While affairs have been growing every day more & more interesting and critical, I have had many conversations with the public Agents of Denmark & Sweden (who alone seem to be disposed to oppose...
42To George Washington from David Humphreys, 30 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
(Secret & confidential) My dear Sir. Lisbon June 30th 1794. Before this shall arrive, you will probably have received information from Mr Pinckney, that a new Treaty has some time since been concluded in London, between G. Britain & Portugal. I knew that such a measure was attempted a year ago by the British Minister here, without effect. The above-mentioned Treaty, negociated by Lord...
43To John Jay from David Humphreys, 7 January 1790 (Jay Papers)
In consequence of the conversation which I had the honor to hold with you a few days ago, & of having reported the substance of it to the President; I now take the liberty to acquaint you, that he will meet the two Houses of Congress tomorrow morning at 11 OClock, in the Senate Chamber. I know it is his only wish that you should act on the subject of our conversation, in the manner which shall...
44To George Washington from David Humphreys, 7 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
(secret & confidential) My dear Sir. Gibralter Octr 7th 1793. By my letters of yesterday & to-day to the Secretary of State, you will learn that the Algerines have concluded a Truce with the Portuguese; and that the Algerine fleet has gone into the Atlantic. I think they would not have passed the Streights with all their force, without having much better Pilots than usual. In dreading the...
45To 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...
46To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 28th. of last Month a Packet arrived from Falmouth; in which Captn. Cutting came passenger, and delivered to me your several letters of the 21st., 22nd. of March and 12th. of April, together with the official and other Papers accompanying them. Of those of a private nature I notice the Contents, and will comply with your intimations. As to the public Dispatches, I entreat the Executive...
47To George Washington from David Humphreys, 23 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
By my Dispatch of this date to the Secretary of State, you will perceive what measures I have thought it necessary to adopt respecting the subsistence of our Captives in Algiers; as also the reasons why I have judged it highly expedient to go myself to Gibralter to find and take care of the public property which must have been left there by the late Mr Barclay. I hope that these proceedings...
48To George Washington from David Humphreys, 3 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
I seize the earliest moment to inform you of my safe arrival here (after a most disagreeable passage of sixty one days) on the very urgent & important business, stated in my three last letters from Lisbon (Nrs 149, 150 & 151) to the Secretary of State. I hope the Originals will have reached him; or, if they should have miscarried, that the Copies (which I forwarded at Sea, on the 28th of...
49To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 18 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 18 Mch. 1792. He has just read the following intelligence about Morocco in a letter from a respectable person at Gibraltar. Last month the armies of Muley Yezid and Muley Ischem fought in battle and both brothers died as a result of the clash. A third brother, Muley Slema, who is said to be more inclined to peace with all nations than either of his brothers, has supposedly been...
50To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 3 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 3 May. 1792 . The Swedish agent to the Portuguese court confirms the death of the King of Sweden. “It appears that four Persons of some rank had drawn lots for the execution of the plot against the King’s life. The Person on whom the task devolved, together with two of the others are apprehended. The fourth committed suicide by poison. It is said many of the officers of Artillery were...
51To 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...
52To George Washington from David Humphreys, 13 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The consolation I derive from your good & friendly letter of the 23d of March compensates a great deal for the cruel chagrine I feel for so long an absence from every thing my heart holds most dear. It is particularly a cordial for many uneasy sensations I feel at the present moment, respecting the interesting affair in which I am engaging. It was somewhat of a curious circumstance that I...
53To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you on the 19th by Capt. Orne, who was bound to Salem. In that letter I acquainted you with my having received yours of the 30th. of March, and that I should endeavour to make all the preparations in my power for the accomplishment of its object. No intelligence is received as yet of Captn. Cutting: nor is any vessel yet found that would be likely to answer the...
54To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 3 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had, Sir, many conversations with Mr. Carmichael on the subject of your letter to him. If it had arrived early in summer, he thinks we might have obtained all our wishes. Then the critical state of affairs induced the Comte de Florida Blanca to throw out those general assertions that we should have no reason to complain of the conduct of this court with respect to the Mississippi, which...
55To George Washington from David Humphreys, 23 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Secret & confidential) My dear Sir. Alicant [Spain] Novr 23d 1793. By my letter of the 19th to the Secry of State, & particularly by that of this date to him (of which I forward Duplicates) you will find that the Dey of Algiers has refused to grant a Passport for me to come to Algiers. All hopes of any accomodation by negotiation for the present are therefore at an end. To use the Dey’s own...
56To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 6 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 6 Mch. 1792 . A Spanish courier has just brought news that the Compte de Florida Blanca is out of office and the Compte d’Aranda has been appointed his successor. He does not know what other changes have occurred or what caused them, but he believes these changes are favorable for the U.S. with respect to navigation of the Mississippi. “I have often heard Mr. Carmichael say,’that, if...
57To 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...
58To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibraltar, 8 Feb. 1793 . The fortuitous arrival here of the British consuls for Morocco, Algiers, and Tripoli and the French consul for Morocco has enabled him to obtain valuable information about Barbary affairs. Mr. Matra, the British consul for Morocco, has been summoned to Tangier to consult with Messrs. Mace and Lucas, who are enroute from England to Algiers and Tripoli. He says that the...
59To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 19 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 19 Mch. 1793 . He acknowledges TJ’s dispatch of 2 Jan., accompanied by others for Carmichael and Short which the Spanish ambassador will forward, and by plans of the Federal City which will be disposed of as requested. In his No. 60 he reported that Portugal will probably grant no monopoly in wheat to Naples, and in No. 65 he described his efforts to expand American commerce here. His...
60To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 30 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 30 Mch. 1792 . He encloses a copy of a letter from Captain O’Bryen showing that Mrs. Duncan’s son was never a prisoner in Algiers. Yesterday he wrote a letter about the captives in Algiers to William Carmichael.—The Queen moved to the palace at Quelux eight days ago. She continues to improve, according to an official report of the Secretary of State for foreign affairs, and her...