Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 10 June 1786

Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners

Mogadore 10th. June 1786.

Gentlemen

I arrived here after an agreeable Passage of Five days and was very well received by the Governor and by the People, who seemed pleased to see Persons from a Country at so great a distance come to compliment their Sovereign. As the Governor had no Orders concerning our going forward, I was obliged to send a Courier to Morocco to demand that Permission and at the same time wrote to Mr. Chiappi of that Place desiring him to lay my Request before the King, that no greater Guard might be sent here, than would be sufficient to render the road safe and the Journey comfortable. To this Letter an answer was returned the day before yesterday, that the King desired I might depend on a most gracious reception, and yesterday the Governor of Morocco with thirty Soldiers arrived here to conduct us to Court. His Majesty wrote to the Governor of Mogadore to furnish me with every thing I want, and to send me from hence satisfied, and has given orders at two places on the Road that we may be furnished with his own Mules.

The Governor of Mogadore was so polite as to request I would return on board the Vessel to give him an Opportunity of receiving us on shore at the Head of his Soldiers, and has since proposed making an Entertainment in the Country; but I declined both Offers on Account of the Parade and of the unavoidable expence that would have attended them. It is in vain to be troubling you at present with any opinions about the probability of our Success which indeed I think somewhat uncertain. There are some prejudices to be obviated, and one Matter of moment stands in the way. We have fixed on the day after tomorrow for our Departure, and I shall as soon as possible have the pleasure of addressing you from Morocco. In the mean time I am with the greatest Esteem & Respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedt. humble Servt.,

Thos. Barclay
By Way of Liverpool

RC (MHi: AMT); in Franks’ hand, signed and with direction by Barclay; addressed to John Adams; endorsed; at foot of text: “Mr Adams and Mr. Jefferson.” Dupl of RC (DNA, PCC, No. 91, i); in Franks’ hand, signed by Barclay and marked “(Copy)” at foot of text in Barclay’s hand; together with a letter from Barclay to John Jay, same date, transmitting the copy. Tr (DLC); in Smith’s hand, attested by him 4 July 1786 as a true copy.

1Tr reads following this point: “with any opinions about the probability.”

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