51The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 16 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
We received in due time the letter which your Grace did us the honour to write us on the 26 th day of March last, and have delayed the acknowledgment of it in expectation of the arrival of the packets, by which we hoped for further Instructions from Congress. We have now the honor to inform your Grace that Congress on the 24 th day of Feb y last, appointed a Minister Plenipotentiary to reside...
52American Commissioners to John Jay, 28 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after the arrival of Mr. J. in London, we had a conference with the Ambassador of Tripoli, at his House. The amount of all the information we can obtain from him was that a perpetual peace was in all respects the most advisable, because a temporary treaty would leave room for increasing demands upon every renewal of it, and a stipulation for annual payments would be liable to failures of...
53I. Projet of a Treaty Submitted by the American Commissioners, [March–April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Draught of a treaty of Amity and Commerce between her Majesty the Queen of Portugal N. 1e and the United States of America. The Parties being willing to fix in a permanent and equitable manner the rules to be observed in the Commerce they desire to establish between their respective Countries, have judged that the said end cannot be better obtained than by taking the most perfect equality and...
54American Commissioners to D’Aranda and Others, 22 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Passy, 22 Sep. 1784 . These letters are virtually identical with the Commissioners’ letter to De Souza, 9 Sep. 1784 , q.v. for variations in the text. FC ( DNA : PCC , No. 116); at head of text: “On the 22nd day of Septr. the following communication was made to His Excellency the Count d’Aranda Ambassador extraordinary & plenipotentiary from His Catholic Majesty the King of Spain at the Court...
55American Commissioners to De Thulemeier, 26 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We received the letter you did us the honour of writing to us the 3d. inst. and are happy to find that all points of the proposed Treaty being thro the King’s goodness and condescension now agreed, nothing remains but to transcribe it fairly and to sign and exchange the copies according to our powers and the usual forms. But the signature of at least two of our number being necessary, and Mr....
56III. Observations by the Commissioners, [March–April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Observations on the alterations proposed in the draught of the treaty between her most faithful majesty, and the U.S. of America. Note 1. 2. 3. Art. 1 & 2 agreed to. Note 4 Art. 2. proposes after the words ‘trade there in all sorts of produce manufactures and merchandize’ in the 2d and 3d clauses, to add ‘the importation of which shall not be prohibited by the laws.’ [A regulation of the...
57American Commissioners to John Jay, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the Honour to transmit to Congress, by Mr. Fitzhughs, the Treaty between the United States and the King of Prussia, Signed Seperately by your Ministers at the several Places of their Residence, and by the Baron De Thulemeier at the Hague, in English and French and exchanged at the Hague in Presence of Mr. Short and Mr. Dumas. As this Treaty may be of considerable Importance to the...
58American Commissioners to John Lamb, 29 June–7 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The Importance of Peace with the Algerines, and the other Inhabitants of the Coast of Barbary, to the United States, renders it necessary that every information which can be obtained, should be laid before Congress. And as the demands for the Redemption of Captives, as well as the amount of Customary Presents, are so much more considerable, than seem to have been expected in America, it...
59American Commissioners to De Thulemeier, with Observations on Treaty, 10 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
We received the Letter your Excellency did us the honour of writing to us the 8th Ulto. together with the copy of your full powers to treat with us. Mr. Adams had as you suppose, preserved a copy of the project of a Treaty that had been concerted between your Excellency and him; but having by instruction from the Congress our Sovereign certain new articles to propose in all our Treaties with...
60The American Commissioners to William Short, 5 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
A Treaty of Amity & Commerce between the United States of America & his Majesty the King of Prussia having been arranged with the Baron de Thulemeyer his Majesty’s Envoy Extraordinary at the Hague specially empowered for this Purpose and it being inconsistent with our other Duties to repair to that Place ourselves for the Purpose of executing & exchanging the Instruments of Treaty, we hereby...
61The American Commissioners to Thomas Barclay, 25 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
We have transmitted to M r. Lamb a Resolution of Congress vacating his Commission & Instructions & we had long before written to him, that we had no further service for him in Europe, and advising him to embark by the first oppertunity for America & lay his accounts before Congress— But by his Letter of october the 10 th. to M r. Jefferson dated Alicant he say’s “he is not able to take passage...
62American Commissioners to De Souza, 30 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received the Extract of the letter from Monsieur de Sa of the 24th Octr. 1784 which your Excellency was pleased to send us by the hand of the Secretary of your legation. “That in consequence of our letter your Excellency might assure us that Her Most faithful Majesty will be very glad to have the best correspondence with the United States, and that we may explain to your Excellency the...
63V. American Commissioners to the Emperor of Morocco, September – October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Congress of the United States of America after the conclusion of that war which established their freedom and independance, and after the cares which were first necessary for the restoration of order and regular government, turned their attention in the first moment possible to the connections which it would be proper to form with the nations on this side the Atlantic for the maintenance...
64[American Commissioners to Favi, 30 September 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Passy, 30 Sep. 1784 . A letter almost identical with the Commissioners’ letter to D’Aranda and others, 22 Sep. 1784, q.v., and note, but not dated or sent until this date “from a mistake in transcribing.” No copy of the actual letter to Favi has been found.]
65The American Commissioners to Aranda: Résumé, 28 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives ⟨Passy, October 28, 1784: We received your letter of September 27 and thank you for sending the news of our appointment to your court. Regarding your question of whether one or more of us could travel to Madrid in order to conduct and conclude the negotiation, we have the honor to inform you that the United States in Congress assembled has proposed treaties with most of...
66Extract from Proceedings of the American Commissioners, 8 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
About this time came to hand through the French Post Office thirteen large Packets all of them addressed, “A Messieurs Messrs. Les Deputés des Etats Unis de l’Amerique a Paris”: containing the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Court of Admiralty at the Cape, and the adjudications as legal prizes of an equal number of British Vessels captured by armed Vessels belonging to the United States of...
67American Commissioners to Vergennes, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The friendly dispositions which his Majesty has been pleased to shew to the United States of America on every occasion, as well as the assurances given them in the 8th. Article of the treaty of Amity and Commerce that he would employ his good offices and interposition with the powers on the coast of Barbary to provide for the safety of the Citizens of the United States, their vessels and...
68American Commissioners to Stael de Holstein, 28 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States of America in Congress assembled judging that it might be necessary, for the purpose of promoting and perfecting the commercial intercourse so happily begun between his Sweedish Majesty and them, that supplementary Treaties be formed in addition to the Treaty of Amity and Commerce already entered into between the two Nations, on the third day of June last, constituted the...
69American Commissioners to President of Congress, [9] February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In our last of Decr. 15 we had the honour of communicating to Congress our letter to the Ambassador of Portugal which accompanied the draught of the treaty of Amity and Commerce proposed on our part. Since that date he addressed to us the letter No. 1. acknowledging the receipt of ours and informing us that he had forwarded it to his court. The Baron de Thulemeier also, the Prussian Minister...
70The American Commissioners to John Jay, 27 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
We had the honor of transmitting to Congress, Copies of the Commission and Instructions, which in pursuance of the Authority delegated to Us, were given to M r Barclay, to conduct a negotiation with Algiers Morocco. M r Barclay has conducted that Business to a happy Conclusion, and has brought with him Testimonials of his prudent Conduct, from the Emperor of Morocco and his Minister, So clear...
71American Commissioners to Dorset, 9 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received the letter which your Grace did us the honour of writing us on the 24th day of last Month, and we receive with much satisfaction the assurances on the part of His Britannic Majesty’s Ministers of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States of America that can tend to the establishing a system of mutual and permanent advantage to the...
72American Commissioners to Carmarthen, 4 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreably to your Lordships request expressed to one of us in Conversation, and again communicated to us through Mr. Fraser , we have drawn up the enclosed Project of a Treaty of Commerce, which we do ourselves the Honour to propose to the Consideration of his Majesty’s Ministers. We have the honor to be Tr ( DNA : PCC , No. 86); in Smith’s hand; endorsed by him. Tr ( DLC ); also in Smith’s...
73American Commissioners to Dorset, 16 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We received in due time the letter which your Grace did us the honour to write us on the 26th. day of March last, and have delayed the acknowledgment of it in expectation of the arrival of the packets, by which we hoped for further Instructions from Congress. We have now the honor to inform your Grace that Congress on the 24th. day of Feby. last, appointed a Minister Plenipotentiary to reside...
74The American Commissioners to Favi: Résumé, 9 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives ⟨Passy, December 9, 1784: We received your letter of November 16, informing us that His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Tuscany would receive with pleasure our propositions for a treaty. We now enclose a plan of such a treaty of amity and commerce, and are ready to sign it if it should meet with approbation. It is founded on principles of equal right and is calculated...
75American Commissioners to John Jay, 18 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In our last to you of May 11. we had the honour of inclosing among other papers a letter from Baron Thulemeier, drawing to a close our negociation with the court of Berlin. We have now that of forwarding our answer marked No. 1. No. 2.a. contains our observations on the counterdraught from the court of Tuscany, No. 2.b. the letter inclosing them, and No. 2.c. Mr. Favi’s answer acknowledging...
76American Commissioners to William Short, [27 July 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
A Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States of America and his majesty the K. of P. having been arranged with the Baron de Thulemeyer his Majesty’s envoy extraordinary at the Hague specially empowered for this purpose and it being inconsistent with our other duties to repair to that place ourselves for the purpose of executing and exchanging the instruments of treaty, we hereby...
77American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 15 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In our letter of Novr. 11th. we had the honour of laying before Congress a state of our proceedings till that date. As from that it would appear that the last communications had in every instance passed from us to the other parties we can now only add the answers of such of them as have yet answered, and our replies; these are the courts of Portugal, Tuscany and Great Britain. No. 1. is a copy...
78The American Commissioners to Paul R. Randall, [7 July 1786] (Adams Papers)
We have written to M r Lamb, to return to America without Loss of Time, either by the first Opportunity from any Port in Spain, or by the French Packett at L’Orient.— If You Should choose to Accompany him, We wish to accommodate you and therefore consent: but our Desire is rather that you Should come first to Paris & London that We may avail ourselves of an opportunity of conversing with you...
79The American Commissioners to Taher Fennish, 27 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
To His Excellency, Sidi Hadq Taher Ben Abdelhack Fennish, in the Service of His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco We have recieved with high satisfaction the letter, which your Excellency by the command of His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco, did us the honor to write us, on the first day of the blessed month Ramadan twelve hundred and transmitted to us, by the Honorable Thomas Barclay Esqr., who...
80The American Commissioners to Thulemeier, 10 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives We received the Letter your Excellency did us the honour of writing to us the 8th Ulto. together with the copy of your full powers to treat with us. Mr Adams had as you suppose, preserved a copy of the project of a Treaty that had been concerted between your Excellency & him; but having by instruction from the Congress our Sovereign certain new articles to propose in...
81American Commissioners to D’Aranda, 28 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received the Letter you did us the honour to write us on the 27th day of Septr. last, and we thank you for your care in transmitting to your Court, the information of our appointment to treat with it. You desire to be informed if one or more of us can repair to Madrid for the purpose of conducting and concluding the negotiation, because that it is the system of your Court in matters...
82The American Commissioners to [Richard Henry Lee]: Résumé, 15 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives ⟨Paris, December 15, 1784: In our letter of November 11 we outlined to Congress what we had done up to that date, which included sending all our letters. We can now only add the answers we have received, and our replies. Enclosures 1 and 2 are our exchange with the ambassador of Portugal, enclosure 3 being the draft treaty we enclosed. Enclosures 4 and 5 are the...
83American Commissioners to De Souza, 9 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States of America in Congress assembled, judging that an Intercourse between the Subjects of [her most Faithfull Majesty of Portugal] and the Citizens of the Said States founded on the Principles of Equality, Reciprocity, and friendship, may be of mutual Advantage to both Nations, on the twelfth day of May last, issued their Commission under the Seal of the Said States, to the...
84American Commissioners to John Lamb, [26 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
We have recieved your two letters of the 15 and 18 July from Alicant and are sorry to learn that your indisposition discourages you from travelling by land or by sea. We still think it most advisable both for your own interest and that of the United States, that you should return to Congress for their further instructions as soon as possible, and we again propose to you to embark from Spain by...
85American Commissioners to Dorset, 28 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
While Mr. Hartley was here as Minister from the Court of Great Britain, we had the honour of mentioning to him, that we were instructed by the Congress to treat on some points distinct from any regulations of commerce. He communicated this to his Court and the very satisfactory answer which he received and made to us of its good disposition and willingness to receive and consider any...
86American Commissioners to John Jay, 11 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our last letter to you was dated April 13. 1785. and went by the packet of that month from l’Orient. Since that date the letter No. 1.a. directed to Dr. Franklin enclosing those marked No. 1.b and c. and also the paper No. 2. have come to hand. These relate to supplies furnished by Mr. Harrison to the crew of the ship Betsy taken by the Emperor of Morocco, on which subject Congress will be...
87The American Commissioners to the President of Congress: Résumé, 11 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and AL (draft): National Archives ⟨Paris, November 11, 1784: Having assembled here at the end of August, we followed the instructions of Congress by announcing our appointment and its purpose to such powers as we thought it advisable at this time to address. We wrote a circular letter in the form of enclosure 1 to the ambassadors or other ministers from the courts of Saxony, the Two...
88The American Commissioners to John Jay, 11 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Our last letter to you was dated April 13. 1785. and went by the packet of that month from l’Orient. Since that date the Letter N o. 1. a. directed to D tr Franklin enclosing those marked N o. 1. b & c. and also the paper N o. 2. have come to hand. These relate to supplies furnished by M r Harrison to the crew of the ship Betsy taken by the Emperor of Morocco, on which subject Congress will be...
89American Commissioners to John Jay, 13 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our letter to you the 18th. day of March with those preceding that period which had been addressed to the President of Congress have conveyed exact details of our transactions till that time. Since the making out of that dispatch the following proceedings have taken place. The letter No. 1 from Mr. Carmichael to Dr. Franklin dated Feby. 27. 1784 (instead of 1785) will apprize you that there is...
90The American Commissioners’ Memorandum of a Conversation with Per Olof von Asp, 8 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
The objects of the supplementary Treaty proposed on the part of the United States with His Sweedish Majesty are in substance these: MS in David Humphreys’ hand ( PCC , No. 116, f. 46–47). At the head of the MS , David Humphreys wrote, “in consequence of the preceding letter the subsequent verbal information was remitted to his Excellency the Ambassador by the hand of M r d’Asp Secretary to the...
91American Commissioners to De Thulemeier, 14 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We had the honor of receiving your letter of Janry. 24. covering a translation into French of the Draught of a treaty proposed between his majesty the King of Prussia and the United States of America, together with answers to the several articles. We have considered them with attention, and with all those dispositions to accomodate them to the wishes of his majesty which a respect for his...
92The American Commissioners to Thulemeier: Résumé, 21 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives ⟨Passy, January 21, 1785: We have received your letter of December 10. We assumed that the principles contained in the draft treaty, which we sent to you, would answer the request made at the end of your letter of October 18. According to Articles 2 and 3, the citizens and subjects of each power may visit all the coasts and countries of the other and reside and trade...
93The American Commissioners to John Jay, 28 March 1786 (Adams Papers)
Soon after the arrival of M r. Jefferson in London, We had a conference with the Ambassador of Tripoli, at His House. The amount of all the Information we could obtain from him was that a perpetual peace was in all respects the most adviseable, because a temporary treaty would leave room for increasing demands upon every renewal of it and a stipulation for annual payments, would be liable to...
94American Commissioners to John Jay, 25 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after our meeting together in London, We had a Conference with the Secretary of State for foreign affairs, in which we communicated to him, the joint Commission of Congress, for negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with Great Britain, and left an attested Copy of it in the hands of his Lordship. At the same time his Lordship was informed that as the Commission was limited to two years...
95Treaty with Morocco, [1–25 January 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
To all Persons to whom these Presents shall come or be made known. Whereas the United States of America in Congress assembled by their Commission bearing date the twelvth day of May One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty four thought proper to constitute John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson their Ministers Plenipotentiary, giving to them or a Majority of them full Powers to...
96American Commissioners to the President of Congress, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Having assembled together at this place about the latter end of August we proceeded in obedience to the commands of Congress to notify our appointment and it’s objects to such Powers as we thought it adviseable at that time to address. We wrote a circular letter in the form No. 1 to the Ambassadors or other ministers residing here from the courts of Saxony, the two Sicilies, Sardinia, Venice,...
97III. The American Commissioners’ Memorandum in Support of Article 23 of the Draft Prussian-American Treaty of Amity and … (Adams Papers)
By the original Law of Nations war and extirpation was the punishment of injury—humanizing by degrees, it admitted slavery instead of death. A farther step was, the exchange of prisoners instead of slavery. Another, to respect more the property of private persons under conquest, and be content with acquired dominion. Why should not this Law of Nations go on improving? Ages have intervened...
98American Commissioners to John Jay, 18 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We received by the last Packet the favor of your letter of Janry. 14. in which we have the agreeable information of your having accepted the appointment of Secretary for foreign Affairs. Besides the general interest we feel in this event as members of the Union which is to [be] availed of your services, we are particularly happy that a channel of communication is opened for us with Congress in...
Agreably to your Lordships request expressed to one of Us in Conversation, and again communicated to Us through M r Fraser, We have drawn up the enclosed Project of a Treaty of Commerce, which We do ourselves the Honour to propose to the Consideration of his Majestys Ministers. We have the Honour to be My lord / your Lordships most obedient and / most humble servants The Subjects of His...
100The American Commissioners to Sidi Haj Tahar Ben Abdulhaq Fennish, 27 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
To His Excellency, Sidi Hadg Jaher Ben Abdelhack Fennish, in the service of His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco— We have received, with high satisfaction the Letter, which Your Excellency, by the Command of His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco did us the honor to write Us, on the 1 st. day of the blessed month Ramaden 1200 and transmitted to us by the Honourable Thomas Barclay Esquire, who was...