From George Washington to the Dey of Algiers, 21 March 1793

To the Dey of Algiers

[Philadelphia, 21 March 1793]

Being desirous of establishing and cultivating Peace and Harmony between our Nation and the Dey, Regency, and People of Algiers, I have appointed David Humphreys, one of our distinguished Citizens, a Commissioner Plenipotentiary, giving him full Power to negotiate and conclude a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with you.1 And I pray you to give full credit to whatever shall be delivered to you on the part of the United States, by him, and particularly when he shall assure you of our sincere desire to be in Peace and Friendship with you, and your People. And I pray God to give you Health and Happiness. Done at Philadelphia this Twenty first day of March 1793, and in the seventeenth Year of the Independence of these United States.

Go: Washington

By the President
Th: Jefferson

LS, Kunglia Biblioteket, Stockholm, Sweden; LB, DNA: RG 59, Ceremonial Letters, Credences; copy (letterpress copy), DLC: Jefferson Papers; copy, DLC: James L. Cathcart Papers.

1. For the administration’s efforts to negotiate a treaty with Algiers, see GW to Thomas Barclay, 11 June 1792, and note 1, and Barclay to GW, 27 Dec. 1792, and note 1. GW appointed Humphreys following the death in January 1793 of Thomas Barclay, the previous commissioner (Humphreys to GW, 8 Feb. 1793, and notes). For the treaty with Algiers, which Humphreys signed on 5 Sept. 1795, see Miller, Treaties, description begins Hunter Miller, ed. Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America. Vol. 2, 1776-1818. Washington, D.C., 1931. description ends 275–317.

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to the Dey of Algiers, 21 March 1793
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Algiers, dey of
Date: 21 March 1793

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to the Dey of Algiers, 21 March 1793,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-12-02-0278. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 12, 16 January 1793 – 31 May 1793, ed. Christine Sternberg Patrick and John C. Pinheiro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2005, p. 356.]