31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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...
37To 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...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 18 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until the 3d of this Month that I was able to obtain my Passports and have every thing in readiness to leave Lisbon; nor until yesterday to arrive here, although I travelled constantly from daylight to dark, making only one stop of about an hour in the middle of the day. After much difficulty, delay and vexation the papers are delivered safely to their Address. I shall not write any...
49To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 25 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 25 Aug. 1793 . He avails himself of the unanticipated sailing of a vessel for the United States to note that he has received, by the packet arrived since his last letter, a letter from the bankers of the United States in Amsterdam stating that they had TJ’s orders to hold at his disposal the residue of ƒ117,600 from the fund of ƒ123,750 they had received last year for Pinckney’s...
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, 24 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to transmit a Copy of the Official Answer of the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs, respecting the two Subjects on which I had applied to him. A Translation is also annexed. As the Papers containing the circumstances relative to this business will be before you, I will not trespass on your time by offering comments. I even forbear to remark on the policy of State that...
52To 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...
53To 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...
54To 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...
55To 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...
56To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 6 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not wait to become fully acquainted with the commercial intercourse which subsists between the United States and Portugal, before I resume the subject mentioned in my letter of the 19th of Novr. last, so far as relates to the manner in which our trade has been managed here, since the year 1783. Immediately after the war, upon the arrival of the first vessels from America, there appeared...
57To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 6 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A dispatch boat has just arrived from Algiers, which brings authentic intelligence, that a Truce for 12 months is concluded between Portugal and that Regency. In consequence of which eight Algerine cruizers, viz. four frigates, one brig and three Xebeques, have just passed through the Streights, into the Atlantic. Our vessels will now be exposed to the most eminent hazard of capture, as it was...
58To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 9 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 9 Sep. 1792. Since his last of 12 Aug. TJ has undoubtedly learned of the bloodshed in Paris, the provisional suspension of the King of France, the convocation of a new national convention on the 20th of this month, and the retreat of Poland to the old government. The Queen’s condition has worsened after Dr. Willis’s departure and the Princess of Brazil is believed to be pregnant. A...
59To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 2 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The vessel, in which I have engaged my passage, attempted to go down the river at the time appointed: but contrary winds have prevented, so that she cannot before this evening reach Gravesend. For which place I shall proceed immediately by land. I have the honor to enclose a Paper containing a translation of the Correspondence between the King of France and his Ministers, consequent to the...
60To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 3 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In addressing a letter to you the day before yesterday, and announcing the arrival of Captn. Cutting, I promised to write to you again by an opportunity which would occur in a few days. Determining there would be no sufficient compensation for the delay of going by Madrid, my hope was that you would have been informed, at this time, of our having at least secured a passage to Gibralter. This...