Thomas Jefferson Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="American Commissioners"
sorted by: date (descending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-09-02-0429

P. R. Randall to the American Commissioners, with Enclosures, 14 May 1786

P. R. Randall to the American Commissioners, with Enclosures

Madrid, May 14th. 1786.

Your Excellencies

Since my Arrival here from Carthagena I have been in constant Expectation of a secure Opportunity for forwarding the enclosed, being nearly the Copy of a Letter I wrote to my Father shortly after my landing in Spain. It contains all the Observations I have been enabled to make by Reason of the Obstacles which (in my Situation at Algiers) prevented particular Enquiry. Indeed I had not the most distant Idea of remaining for so short a Time; otherwise perhaps I might have afforded greater Satisfaction in this Respect.

I have not received any Letters from Mr. Lamb since his Arrival at Alicant but have lately heard that he is released from Quarantine. He may therefore be expected here every day, as he had informed Mr. Carmichael of his Intention of coming up immediately.

I shall be governed by his Orders and endeavor still to evince that Nothing on my part has been, or shall be wanting to fulfill my Duty, although I must hope that Circumstances will be considered if my Services have not been equal to the Expectation formed of them.

Haste, and the little Opportunity I have had to prepare my Observations, as well as the Manner of writing in a Crowd, I trust will plead my Apology, for delivering them in their present state, especially as my Father might have communicated in New York the Intelligence they contain. I have therefore conceived that Alterations might be improper, as your Excellencies will distinguish what is well founded and be enabled to judge what Opinion may be formed on them in New York.

The Envoys from Portugal and Naples are still at Carthagena, awaiting the Completion of the Spanish treaty.

This Court would undoutedly have wished Mr. Lamb to remain in like manner, if his Instructions could have justified the Delay, before their Interference could consistent with their own Interests be employed in favor of the United States. The Portuguese Envoy told me at Carthagena, that he had no Expectations of succeeding, and would rather see a Confederacy framed against the Barbary States, by those with whom they are at War. He appeared much dissatisfied at being so long delayed. It would be presumptious in me to offer any News, Mr. Carmichael being so much better enabled to afford Information, and will write by the present Occasion.

I am with proper Respect your Excellencies Most Obedient & humble Servant,

P R Randall

RC (DLC). Tr (DNA: PCC, No. 87, i); in Short’s hand, attested by him as an “exact & literal copy.” Tr (DNA: PCC, No. 107). Noted in SJL as received 26 May 1786. Although Randall does not identify any enclosures aside from those printed herewith, it appears (see TJ to Jay, 27 May 1786) that he also enclosed the following: (1) List of the officers of the Regency of Algiers, with a description of their functions (Tr in French, 11 p., in Short’s hand, attested by him, with an English translation in an unidentified hand, 10 p., DNA: PCC, No. 87, i, 425–6; PrC of Short’s Tr only, DLC: TJ Papers, 29: 3379–89; Tr of both French and English texts, DNA: PCC, No. 107). (2) Account of cruises made by the Algerines from 2 Mch. 1777 to 2 Aug. 1784, with notes on the number of prizes taken and the countries to which they belonged (Tr in Spanish, 4 p., in Short’s hand, with an English translation in an unidentified hand, 2 p., DNA: PCC, No. 87, i, 449–54; PrC of Short’s Tr only, DLC: TJ Papers, 29: 3390–3; Tr of both Spanish and English texts, DNA: PCC, No. 107).

Index Entries