1. Pickering enclosed translations of Pierre Eric Skjöldebrand’s letters to David Humphreys of 13 Aug. and 10 Sept. 1795. In his letter of 13 Aug., Skjöldebrand discounted reports of the “sad aspect of your affairs at Algiers” as “but the political inventions which your enemies have wished you to believe.” He added: “It is true that since the French Consul was commissioned, in your business, the pretensions of the Dey were exorbitant; but these have been moderated, and will be moderated still more, if Mr Donaldson knows how to profit by the present favourable moment, and to pursue the course which Captain Obrien has marked out.” Skjöldebrand also thanked Humphreys for GW’s proposal to name him consul but expressed his belief “that such a ministerial employment as that of the Consulate of Algiers ought not to be confided to any other than an American citizen” (DNA: RG 46, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Foreign Relations, Algiers, February 15, 1796). In his letter of 10 Sept., Skjöldebrand suggested that while representing American interests, the French consul had not objected to the dey’s “exorbitant demands” because he “secretly desired that your peace might not take place.” About the treaty just concluded by Joseph Donaldson, with his aid, Skjöldebrand contended “that it would not have been possible for any person whomsoever, to make better, or to conclude upon more moderate conditions.” He then advised Humphreys “to press as much as is possible for you, the arrival of a Consul with the sums of money which Mr Donaldson shall fix for you; and remember again that a hundred of your fellow citizens, more impatient now than ever, will labour on the marine of Algiers until those sums arrive. Remember also, sir, that you must have a capable man for Consul here, and a man who merits the confidence to have full powers, and a public credit, considerable, always open, for the cases absolutely necessary for the good of his country” (DNA: RG 46, Records of Executive Proceedings, President’s Messages—Foreign Relations, Algiers, February 15, 1796). GW included both translations among the documents submitted to the U.S. Senate with his letter of 15 February.

2. For Pickering’s letter to Elizabeth Bradford of this date, see Bradford to GW, 22 Jan., n.2.