1[To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 4 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 4 Apr. 1786. Entered in SJL as received 31 Apr. [1 May?] 1786. Letter not found. See William Short to TJ, 2 Apr. 1786.]
2To 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...
3I. David Humphreys to Thomas Jefferson, [4 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
‘I have made no contracts for the other four , viz. for Genl. Washington’s on the evacuation of Boston, for Morgan, Washington and Howard on the affair of the Cowpens, because the designs for them have not been in readiness for execution until the present time. Nor can that for Genl. Morgan be commenced without farther information of the numbers killed, prisoners &c in the action to be...
4To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have seen the letter which you addressed to a Gentleman in this City during my absence requesting him to obtain Cloth from my Factory for your own weaving. There is no broad Cloth finished at present except some Pecies made of the Wool of the half-blooded Merinos. I have directed one to be manufactured of the pure fleece. It will not be completed in less than six weeks or two months; owing...
5To 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...
6To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, [ca. 12 December 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favour of Decr. 4th. and on the subject of Gatteau’s application take the liberty to inform you that I never had an idea of his engraving the insignia of the Cincinnati. I clearly see the impropriety of it. I should therefore be much obliged if you would take the trouble of giving him definitive instructions on this and any other points that may occur in the...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 23 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
After a long suspension of our correspondence, I take occasion of resuming it by enclosing to you a Prospectus for the publication of my works . To this measure I have been induced principally for the sake of inserting among the others a Poem on the death of Genl. Washington, of considerable length, in which I have paid the tribute of gratitude & have attempted to do whatever justice my...
10To 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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...
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...