1To John Adams from David Humphreys, 8 July 1790 (Adams Papers)
On Saturday next, the President proposes to go, with M rs Washington and his family, to view the remains of the old fortifications near Kingsbridge. He has understood from M rs Washington that M rs Adams was desirous of gratifying her curiosity on the same subject. If you should find it convenient to make the ride, with M rs Adams and your family, he will be happy in the pleasure of all your...
2David Humphreys to John Adams, 8 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday next, the President proposes to go, with Mrs Washington and his family, to view the remains of the the old fortifications near Kingsbridge. He has understood from Mrs Washington that Mrs Adams was desirous of gratifying her curiosity on the same subject. If you should find it convenient to make the ride, with Mrs Adams and your family, he will be happy in the pleasure of all your...
3David 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibraltar, 3 Oct. 1793 . Having announced in his last their arrival here with the hope of sailing to Alicante with the Portuguese fleet, they have been detained and probably will not leave in less than five or six days. The Portuguese fleet passed through the straits the day before yesterday, part of it coming into this harbor and part falling eastward of the Rock, before taking advantage of...
7To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 28 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
While I am detained for the sailing of the vessel in which I am to go to Lisbon; I cannot do better, in my judgment, than to give you such farther facts, occurrences, or reports of the day, as may be in any degree interesting, in America, when compared with other accounts: though those I may have the honor to give should not be of much importance in themselves.—In my communications, I have...
8To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 6 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 24th. of Janry. I left Madrid, and arrived here this day. I remained a week beyond the time I had prescribed myself, in order that Mr. Carmichael might have an opportunity of confering fully with the Compte de Florida Blanca, after the King’s return from hunting at Aranjuez. We were, however, disappointed in the expectation of sounding that Minister; for at the time when Mr. Carmichael...
9To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 Feb. 1792 . Since his last letter of 1 Jan. he has received TJ’s of 29 Nov. He has left the letters for William Carmichael at the Spanish ambassador’s hotel. He has discontinued the Gazettes of Paris and Leyden but still receives the London Chronicle . He encloses the Gazette of Lisbon and has sent for that of Madrid. The enclosed dispatches from Thomas Barclay show the state of...
10To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 14 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
After a passage of five weeks, the four first of which were very tempestuous, I arrived in the Channel. In order to save time, and slip into London with the less probability of being noticed, I procured a boat from the shore to land me at Dover. From that place I took my passage in the Mail Coach, and arrived here at 6 O’Clock this morning. Having delivered the Dispatches to Mr. Johnson, and...
11To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 23 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My last public letter to you was dated Janry. 7th. and acknowledged the receipt of yours of Novr. 6th. Since that time, I have received your previous Dispatch in date July 12th, by way of Madeira. By these it appears that all my letters, except No. 52. had come to hand. Should that have finally miscarried, I will send a copy that the series may be complete. The Papers transmitted herewith...
12To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 26 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
After a very favorable passage, we landed at this Garrison on Sunday last; and the next day proceeded with all the dispatch and diligence in our power to unpack the different articles of public property left here by the late Mr. Thos. Barclay, and to select such as might be proper for the object you propose. We have not as yet made such progress as to enable me to give you the result. I have...
13To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 1 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 1 July 1792. In compliance with TJ’s instructions of 15 Mch. 1791, he encloses a statement of his accounts with the United States to this date. Because he lacks vouchers, minor expenditures for the relief of American seamen here and postal charges paid for him in England by Johnson are not included in it. The statement also omits the 32,175 Dutch guilders he drew on the American...
14To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 21 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 21 May 1792 . The remoteness and tranquility of Portugal makes it both inadvisable and unnecessary for him to trouble TJ with reports about the general political and military situation in Europe resulting from the declaration of war by the King of France against the King of Hungary. “But there is one circumstance of considerable moment towards the success of the French cause, which is...
15To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 31 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The late unfrequency of opportunities of writing directly to America is the less to be regretted, as you will have received so much important information from other Countries of Europe, and as I could have given you so little from this. However the general tenor of commercial intelligence here is, that there will be a greater demand than was expected in several parts of this Continent for...
16To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 7 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you, under yesterday’s date, letters to be forwarded by four different conveyances, containing information that a Truce for twelve months was concluded between Portugal and Algiers; and that a Fleet of eight Algerine Cruizers had gone through the Streights into the Atlantic. I observed in a Postscript, that I should afterwards explain by whose instrumentality the Truce was made. I...
17To 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...
18To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 23 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The sudden departure of a Swedish ship for New York affords me an opportunity of conveying to you the Spanish and Portuguese Gazettes to this date. How long I shall continue to be able to forward them is uncertain, since a new order has been issued here within three days past on the subject of News-Papers. They are now for the first time prohibited from being read or admitted at Coffee and...
19To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 28 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
By some extraordinary delay, I received only a few days since, and by the same vessel which carries this letter, your Dispatch of the 13th of Decr: last. I immediately took the necessary steps for complying with your instructions, by writing to Mr. Carmichael on the subject and putting that letter into the care of the Spanish Ambassador’s Courier. I have already remarked to you, that, although...
20To 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...
21To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 17 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 17 June 1792. Since his letter to TJ of 21 May he has received TJ’s dispatch of 9 Apr. and forwarded those for Barclay and Carmichael. The country’s political placidity has been upset by some recent disturbances. Several hundred ship carpenters at the royal dock and the “rabble” in this city marched to Queluz to seek redress of grievances from the government. After the army prevented...
22To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 25 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Papers from No. 1. to No. 6. inclusive may serve to shew the proceedings I conceived myself authorised in taking, with respect to American flour and grain. The crisis is as favorable for obtaining a liberal policy as perhaps ever can be expected; and I have endeavoured to avail myself of it in as delicate and efficacious a manner as I was able. Some names of great authority, I...
23To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 7 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 7 Jan. 1793 . He has received TJ’s letter of 6 Nov. 1792, with postscript of the 7th, acknowledging receipt of his letters numbered 54 to 59. He presumes TJ meant to acknowledge receipt of numbers 44 to 59 or else the miscarriage of so many of his letters would not have gone unnoticed. “The last public Dispatch I had the honour to receive, previous to that which I now acknowledge, was...
24To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 12 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The postponement of the sailing of the Vessel by which I wrote on the 6th instant affords me an opportunity of continuing my Correspondence to this day. Since I had the honor of addressing you last, a Packet has arrived from England in five days passage, and yesterday the ordinary Post came in with the Mails from different parts of the Continent. The summary of Intelligence received through...
25To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 31 Mch. 1791. He received packet last night from Mr. Bulkeley and information of a vessel departing for Alexandria in a few days, hence he sends this by a servant to Lisbon. Having accounts from America as late as 10 Feb. and not being advised by “the Department of foreign affairs” of receipt of any of his letters, he fears their detention or miscarriage. He gives their dates to show it...
26To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 19 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I came on shore yesterday evening, and hearing a vessel is to sail for England before the Packet, I write with the design of sending this letter by that conveyance. We made the passage from Gravesend to the Rock of Lisbon in a fortnight, during which time we had favorable winds and fine weather, for the season.—The forms to be passed through in entering the vessel, and the impediments I shall...
27To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 15 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Lisbon, 15 Aug. 1793 . Expecting no other opportunity to occur for some time, he forwards the gazettes. Although this is the campaign season, he has nothing remarkable to communicate. No packet has arrived since his last letter, he has heard nothing of Captain Cutting, and the Moorish princesses have sailed for Tangier under convoy of a warship. The Portuguese troops mentioned in his 20 July...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...